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“Diminishing Returns: Creative Culture at Risk”
Here is the first page from a new report on writer’s incomes from the Writers’ Union of Canada:
“Diminishing Returns: Creative Culture at Risk” Following up on the 1998 and 2014 surveys of writers’ incomes conducted by The Writers’
Union of Canada, along with recent surveys of authors’ earnings in the U.K. and U.S., the
Union undertook an income survey of its members and other writers in the spring of 2018.
The survey was circulated to Union members and other writers through their organizations
and social media. Writers were asked to answer questions based on their income in 2017.
The conclusions are deeply discouraging and worrisome:
Taking inflation into account, writers are making 78% less than they were making
in 1998. In fact, writers are making significantly less from their writing than they
did just three years ago: $9,380 in 2017 vs. $12,879 in 2014. That’s a 27% drop
over a short period — the same period that has seen a massive increase in
uncompensated educational copying. At the same time, 30% of writers say they
must do more to earn a living than they did three years ago.
The work of writers fuels an almost $2 billion book industry in Canada, and yet
more than 85% of writers earn an income from their writing that is below the
These results indicate that it is increasingly difficult for writers to earn a living wage. Writers
create the content that is foundational to our culture.
Without a professional class of writers, our culture is at risk.
Overreach on educational copying (since 2012’s Copyright Act changes) has cost Canadian
writers tens of millions of dollars. This survey shows how individual writers are paying for
the explosion of uncompensated copying in the education sector. Legislative and regulatory
changes are required immediately to ensure that writers are compensated for the use of their
work by the education sector.
The full, 8-page report is available here:
“The Subject is Light: 1718 – 1918 - 2018” is the title we used for a concert event with Thirteen Strings which took place at Dominion-Chalmers Church (one of Ottawa’s largest convert venues) on May 4, 2018. This is not a review; that’s a task for others. But I will comment on this event and its decidedly different approach to classical music here in Ottawa.
“The Subject is Light” is a phrase used throughout the career of a controversial English surgeon, Dr. John Taylor in the first half of the eighteenth century. Read most musical biographies of Bach or Handel and they will state that he is the man who “blinded” both these composers with botched surgeries. What most of these biographies overlook is that Bach and Handel were not hapless, uninformed victims. They sought help from one of the most famous (yes, and certainly infamous) medical practitioners of the era. Unlike many quacks, Taylor was a qualified medical practitioner and surgeon. But let’s take a step back.
This event, with a script that I crafted, put Bach and Handel in conversation, even though they never met in their lifetime. These world-famous musicians and composers were born in the same year (1685) and they grew up about 50 kilometers from each other. As their careers developed, they were certainly familiar with each other’s very different music. Whereas Bach remained in what is now Germany all of his life, Handel was more itinerant, with long residencies in Italy before he moved to London where he eventually became a British subject in that strange German/English culture of the Hanoverian royal court.
“The Subject is Light” placed Handel, Bach, and Taylor in dialogue in between performances of their music (Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos #3 and #5, and Handel’s Guilio Cesare overture and Concerto Grosso Opus 6, #4.)
The composers chided each other. Bach challenged Handel over his flamboyant, entrepreneurial preoccupation with opera, an art form he thought was trivial. Handel said that Bach had become an apostle entrapped by Lutheran orthodoxy in a manner that limited and constrained his creativity. One thing the could agree on was that encountering Dr. John Taylor had dire results. Bach died within months of his two surgeries, and Handel lived on, his vision severely disabled for almost a decade after his surgeries. It’s terrifying to consider “surgery” at that time: no anaesthetic, and limited instruments and pharmacology. Not to mention centuries-old approaches to testing and diagnosis.
The two composers describe their lives in 1718, a time when their careers were being assured, Handel’s in the opera house, and Bach as he was making the transition from composing for the court and composing for the church. This was also a time a great sadness for Bach. His wife, Maria Barbara, mother of their seven children, died the next year at the age of 36.
The composers remained on stage and the clock moved forward from 1718 to 1918. We introduced the orchestral music of (Sir) Ernest MacMillan, the Canadian musical prodigy who was detained in a prison camp in Germany for the full duration of the 1914-1918 war. His music (a setting of two French Canadian folk songs) allowed the narrator, Kevin Mallon, conductor and musical director of Thirteen Strings, to place MacMillan’s story in the context of a world war and the 1917 Halifax explosion. That explosion of two ships in the harbour, blinded more than 800 people in Halifax and destroyed much of the city, rendering thousands homeless.
All through those war years, blinded and severally visually disabled Canadian soldiers, sailors and air crew were returning to Canada. Medical care in Canada was private or charitable in those days. A group of seven volunteers (a solicitor, two doctors, an electrical engineer, an insurance professional, a fundraiser, and a librarian) decided to create an organization to support those in need and, in 1918, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind was established. Although there were obvious military roots to their organization, it soon became a supportive charity for all Canadians living with blindness and vision loss.
Then we moved on to 2018 and “Dawn,” a prize-winning composition by Noora Nakhae, a student in the School of Music at the University of Ottawa. The final stage “moment” of the event was the invitation for the audience to follow Bach, Handel, and Noora Nakhaei into the large space behind the auditorium and an exhibition, That All May Read. The work of Jane Beaumont and Wendy Robbins, this exhibition tells the story of how from 1918 to 2018, CNIB has used all manner of technology to bring published works to people who are blind or living with sever visual impairment. It’s a story of the interplay of literacy and technology, including giant “talking book” machines, examples of raised type, and of course, the transformation brought about by digital technologies.
The final “image” of the event was the arrival at the front of the stage of Sam Fulton, a long-time CNIB client and volunteer, guided by his dog Etta. As the composers were about to leave the stage he told them, “Etta and I will show you the way.” And the procession into the exhibition began.
A few more event details: the concert program included a braille insert with an overview of the event, prepared by the CNIB’s regional manager, Duane Morgan and his Ottawa team. There were sighted guides, (volunteers) who escorted audience members who required it to their seats, all the while explaining the stage setting. I saw perhaps 7 guide dogs in the audience. During the intermission, members of the orchestra told me that they had never performed in a room with so many dogs! They were certainly amazed at their absolute silence. I think they expected howling and whining to interrupt the music.
So, what did this event do? It celebrated great music. We told stories about early medical practices involving the eye. We recounted the origins of a major charitable organization, CNIB. We celebrated that organization’s centenary, and we looked to the future in a spirit of expectation.
We also brought an audience together that only rarely finds itself in the same room. I’m not saying that this was a “first” but it was an important demonstration. I can’t recall ever being a music event with so many people living with blindness and various eye conditions. This event was an overt “counter-cultural” and teaching moment for a lot of people. If it all sounds a bit heady, I can report there was laughter (thankfully at all the right moments!) and a great warmth and enthusiasm what was happening in the room.
And because this is Ottawa people stood and clapped at the end. We are SO polite here in the nation’s capital!
May 15, 2018
Dr John Taylor (Peter Haworth)
Kevin Mallon and Johann Sebastian Bach (Tom Charlebois)
George Frideric Handel (Robert Bockstael)
I am delighted to be in such company.
During the March 21, 2018 launch of the centenary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, medals were handed out to long-standing volunteers. I was included in that list for my volunteer services with the CNIB's library during the past two decades.
As 2017 Drew to a Close:
2017 Ottawa Book Award Winner
And the winner is:
English Non-Fiction CHARLOTTE GRAY
The Promise of Canada: 150 Years - People and Ideas that Have Shaped our Country (Simon & Schuster Canada)
The Promise of Canada is a fresh take on our history that offers fascinating insights into how we have matured and yet how—150 years after Confederation and beyond—we are still a people in progress. Charlotte Gray makes history come alive as she opens doors into our past, our present and our future, inspiring and challenging readers to envision the Canada they want to live in.
Charlotte Gray, one of Canada’s pre-eminent biographers and historians, has won many awards for her work, including the prestigious Pierre Berton Award, the Edna Staebler Award, the Ottawa Book Award, the Toronto Book Award, and the CAA Birks Family Foundation Award. Gray is a Member of the Order of Canada and was a panelist on the 2013 edition of CBC Radio’s Canada Reads. She lives in Ottawa.
Jury Statement: "Charlotte Gray’s approach to a definition of Canada is both surprising and surprisingly familiar. By choosing nine Canadians to profile, some, like Tommy Douglas, obvious choices, others, like Harold Innis, more obvious in hindsight -- she arrives at a sweeping, multi-faceted mosaic that seems exactly right. Brilliantly illustrated, beautifully written, this is more than a celebration of Canada’s 150th: it’s a book to be read and savoured for a long time to come."
Jury members: Wayne Grady, Alan Morantz, Patricia Smart.
Finally: This has been a wonderful experience and I am delighted to be among such distinguished colleagues. kpb
September 18, 2017:
I am delighted to announce that my book Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit been listed as one of 5 finalists in the non-fiction category of the 2017 Ottawa Book Awards. The winner will be announced on October 18, 2017 at a public awards ceremony. The book is a biography of Henri Nouwen, the celebrated writer of more than 40 books. A Dutch-born psychologist, Catholic priest and successful academic, Nouwen was a wounded, restless soul. Encouraged by Jean Vanier, he moved to Canada to work in the l'Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill, Ontario. A decade of intense creative renewal resulted. Since his death in 1996, Nouwen's readership continues to grow. This book, published by Franciscan Media in the United States and distributed in Canada by Novalis, explores why.
The other 2017 no-fiction finalists are:
Deborah Gorham for Marion Dewar: A Life of Action
Charlotte Gray for The Promise of Canada: 150 Years-People and Ideas That Have Shaped Our Country
Nathan M. Greenfield for The Reckoning: Canadian Prisoners of War in the Great War
D. Peter MacLeod for Backs to the Wall: The Battle of Ste-Foy and the Conquest of Canada.
The Ottawa Book Awards / Prix du livre d’Ottawa recognize the top English and French books published in the previous year. Both awards have separate categories for fiction and non-fiction. All shortlisted finalists receive $1,000 and each winner receives a prize of $7,500.
Awards will be presented to the winning authors on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 7 p.m. at Ottawa City Hall, Jean-Pigott Place, 110 Laurier Ave W. This is a public event, attend it if you can!
June 24, 2017:
Henri Nouwen - His Life and Spirit has just received a 2107 award from the US-based Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. It received 3rd prize in the CPA's 2017 Biography category.
This is what the citation says about my book:
Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit by Kevin Burns, Franciscan Media
At first glance I thought "just what we need, another book about Henri Nouwen," but this little tome effectively captures something of his spirit which has been missing in some other biographies. I was especially struck with the real love that people experienced with Henri and their dedication, not so much to him, but more to what they understood was his authentic struggle to believe and to apply in his own life what he preached: that you are loved and that you are precious. Although it has been noted before that he died alone for some reason, this sad result became all the more real to me in this reading. I felt a connection with the experience.
I can report than I am delighted! And a special thanks to my publisher: Franciscan Media.
Below outlines how we go to this moment:
After years of working on the books of other people, this one is my own, published in September 2016 by Franciscan Media in the United States:
"Kevin Burns’s book is a great contribution to understanding
the life and work of Henri Nouwen, a spiritual writer whose message
was so deeply rooted in his own struggles--his gifts as well as his wounds.
As Henri himself would appreciate, this book is not only an account of his life,
but an invitation to see how the gospel is written in our lives.”
Robert Ellsberg, author, The Saints’ Guide to Happiness and editor of several of Henri Nouwen's own books.
The book is distributed online and to Canadian independent stores by Novalis:
And everywhere else through that online river that runs through the global rain forest.
In February 2017, Adeo Verlag in Germany will release the German edition of the book giving it an interesting new title: "Henri Nouwen - Liebe macht den Unterschied" - which would be something close to "Henri Nouwen - Love Makes the Difference" or "Henri Nouwen - The Difference is Love." There, the mini-bio says: "Kevin Burns ist freier Autor, Lektor, Dozent, Radioproduzent und Drehbuchautor. Für seine Radio-Dokumentation "Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen" gewann er den New York Festival's Gold Award." In a word: Beeindruckend!
In November (2016), I took part in Gabrielle Earnshaw's presentation of the letters of Henri Nouwen. This was at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Here's a link to the university's "flickr" site where they have posted some photographs of the 2016 Henri Nouwen Lecture:
And to give a bright start to this brand new New Year, Beth Porter (an author who has also written about Henri Nouwen) posted this review on the Franciscan Media website on January 2:
A Lovely Book with New Content
Beth Porter on Jan 02, 2017
I just read Kevin Burns’ new book about Henri. It is very lovely and an interesting read,
with some material I had not known before, especially about Henri’s childhood and
young adulthood and about the context and times of his Central and South America stays.
I like the way Kevin Burns handles the gay issue—inserting it early but not dwelling on it and
capturing well Henri's unfailing pastoral orientation—and also the way he situates the story of
Henri's life in the context first of writing biography and then of his own life, without letting these dominate at all.
Beth Porter, co-editor of "Befriending Life: Encounters with Henri Nouwen" (Doubleday, 2001) and a long time member of L'Arche Daybreak.
And in the Canadian Jesuit blog "igNation":
Jan 18, 2017
Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit
Posted by Joseph Schner:
If Kevin Burns latest book, Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit, were a musical composition, it might be subtitled “variations on a theme”. With Michael Higgins, Burns wrote Genius Born of Anguish: The Life & Legacy of Henri Nouwen (2012) as a CBC Ideas project. Using his interviews with many of Nouwen’s family, friends and colleagues that served as a basis for this work, Burns reflects on some of these in relation to his own experience (the autobiography within biography that he describes, an intimacy with God that has its grounding in human relationships). In the process Burns also explores Nouwen’s written works as illustrations of this biographical account, and his own fascinating exploration of Nouwen’s life while reflecting on its personal impact. Thus, he creates a contribution of particularity and depth to Genius Born of Anguish.
The major theme that Burns elaborates, as he tells us in his Introduction, is love. Nouwen’s life was, to follow the musical motif, a symphony of love: love of his mother and family; love of the priesthood; love of research and study; love of teaching and entertaining; and love of life-long friends. Each variation is rich with moments of great joy and sadness.
Nouwen loved his family, but at the same time struggled until late in his life with the relationship with his father. He loved the priesthood, but ministered most of his priestly life away from the ministry that would be involved in a Dutch parish. He loved his theological and psychological research, especially when it involved great conversations with figures like Thomas Merton, Anton Boisen, and Jean Vanier. But Nouwen never completed either of the two doctoral dissertations that he began on Boisen although during his lifetime he published thirty-nine books. He loved his friends and visited and spent time with them, but suffered from life-long loneliness and a yearning for intimacy. Each motif could have created a symphony in itself.
Nouwen’s lived exploration of love, however, ultimately lead him to a transformed love for his father, as he describes in The Return of the Prodigal Son. His priestly ministry was enriched by his spiritual, theological and psychological knowledge. This is especially so in his books about his care for Adam, one of the core residents at Daybreak L’Arche, and about the creative painfulness of love, in his work describing his battle with depression, The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey through Anguish to Freedom. In these biographical references there is the development of a melody of growing intimate relationships not only with those he loved, but through them with God. These relationships, difficult as they were, enlivened his prayer, his ministry and his life.
In his voyage through Nouwen’s biography Burns relates his own encounters with individuals from each dimension of the developing love theme. These encounters contributed to the richness of the lecture series and the accompanying book that he and Michael Higgins created. Simultaneously, it seems from this new work that it also was the cause of reflection on his own life and experiences, and a rewarding task leading to both other- and self-enrichment.
(Joseph Schner, SJ, is interim President of Regis College, Toronto and professor of Psychology and Religion at the Toronto School of Theology.)
Here's a link to the igNation blog:


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Ride control. That is what Donvel is all about. The Donvel Ride Control System reduces the bounce, rock and roll in your truck (Class 6, 7, 8). Air ride suspensions are great, but they bounce and rock, overreacting to the bounce and roll especially at highway speed and in the wind.
Donvel's Steer Axle Stabilizers use air springs that are being controlled in milliseconds using Motion Controls to give you a totally different approach and solution to many of the bad effects you are feeling on the highway.
The Cab and Sleeper Motion Controls are a simple and quick way to reduce the side to side rocking and bouncing at the back of the sleeper going down the highway and in the crosswinds.
The Seat Motion Controls greatly reduce the vertical bounce and back slap in your seat. Use 50% less air but stay comfortably in the mid range. Calibrated according to height and weight.
For existing steer axle air suspension systems use the Steer Axle Motion Controls to give an air controlled ride to reduce bounce and sway.

domain: automotive


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Our doctor in the treatment of kidney disease, will always encounter some patients repeatedly asked the same question, urinary occult blood have plus means nephritis? Some people with problem that have been long-term urinary occult blood "+", worried had a serious kidney disease, the future will develop into uremia. The whole worry, four seek medical treatment, even travel long distances for treatment. The results continue to check, nothing happened.
What about urinary occult blood?
Urinary occult blood is a routine in urine. Is the most common hospital examination items, the doctor opened a urine routine examination application, the patient took some urine to the laboratory, the results soon came out. Urine occult blood test principle is a chemical reaction method, medicine called dry chemical method. Urine occult blood is used in the "hemoglobin peroxidase method", the sensitivity is 150-300 micrograms / liter. The main component of red blood cells is hemoglobin, if the urine of hemoglobin, in the experiment will be a chemical reaction, urinary occult blood on the positive, or a few "+", indicating that urine may have red blood cells. But can not say that there must be red blood cells, or hematuria, or nephritis hematuria.
First, urinary occult blood is detected in urine hemoglobin. Although hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells, but not the same as red blood cells. For example, some causes the blood of red blood cells in the destruction of the release of a large number of hemoglobin, hemoglobin will pass through the kidneys, discharged from the urine, check the urine will find multiple urine occult blood (+), but we can not say that there must be red blood cells, or hematuria, or nephritis, hematuria.
Second, urine occult blood detection in hemoglobin, and urine myoglobin, the thermal stability of many enzymes, oxidant, bacteria and so on, will react to chemical reagents, urinary occult blood, but also a few (+), It is clear that this time the urinary occult blood is definitely not urine blood, red blood cells, medicine called false positive.
From the above can be seen, there are two cases of positive urinary occult blood: (1) urine is really red blood cells, there is red blood cells; (2) hemoglobinuria or urinary certain substances in the chemical reaction of false positives. While the proportion of urinary ping false positive is high. This is why there are so many people who have some urine occult blood (+). So urine routine examination is usually only used for kidney disease screening, the patients with kidney disease as far as possible out of the investigation, and then in the further examination, the purpose is to reduce the disease did not find, missed diagnosis.
In other words, urinary occult blood is just that urine may be red blood cells, how to determine whether there must be red blood cells? Urine routine there is a red urine cells. This shows that urinary occult blood and urine red blood cells is not a concept, but two different things. Urine occult blood several (+) and hematuria severity also does not matter.
Is there a red blood cell in the urine, must be nephritis?
Nor is it. Is not the main look at the number and shape of red blood cells. Medicine is usually in the microscope every high power field more than five red blood cells (5 / HPF), the shape of the red blood cells were diagnosed with nephritis hematuria.
The above is the relevant introduction about urine occult blood, if you have a kidney problems need detailed understanding, you can consult our online expert, our experts will give you a reply as soon as possible.
Does urinary occult blood means nephritis?

domain: chemistry


United Way Community Celebration is Thursday
The Fifth Annual United Way Celebration will kick off this year's fundraising drive that will benefit 36 nonprofit programs in Becker County.
After years of going door-to-door, United Way decided to hold the celebration as a chance for people to find out where their donations are going.
"There are so many things you can find out about agencies that you may not know," said Sue Braun, one of the organizers of the event.
This year's celebration will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Pavilion.
The United Way of Becker County exceeded its fundraising goal of $221,000 last year, and set this year's goal at $222,000, according to Executive Director LuAnn Porter.
"Even with the challenges that we face with the economy ... we have been so blessed that people have continued to support us," she added.
The drive officially began Sept. 1 and will end Nov. 1, with three fundraising campaigns in the county.
Mailings -- going out this week -- are one of the fundraising efforts United Way is taking this year. Residents will have the option to mail their donations after receiving the brochures that list organizations and programs to benefit from the money.
Another option is the payroll drive, which allows area employees to contribute through payroll.
The third fundraising effort will be held Oct. 5, where 100 volunteers will go out to area businesses, talk to them about United Way and collect donations.
But on Thursday, as many as 600 members of the community are expected to come out to the celebration -- where free food will be served, inflatable games will give kids a chance to blow off some steam after the first two weeks of school and prize giveaways will put a smile on every winner's face.
"It's such a nice time for everybody to come together," Porter said. "There are activities for the young and old and in between."
The event will give away 75 bike helmets (first-come, first-serve), a boy bike and a girl bike to two lucky winners who enter the drawing, and plenty of door prizes.
All 36 organizations and programs that will be supported by United Way this year will have representatives available for questions also.
Some of the organizations that benefit from United Way use the funds as a starter to seek additional grants from the state, federal government or private agencies, Porter said.
But the "Food for Thought" program is one that's fully funded by United Way -- 6,400 backpacks were filled with weekend food to hungry children in Becker County Schools last year.
Teachers have started identifying eligible students to help successfully continue the program this year.
"There are a lot of worthwhile and needy programs that need funding," Porter added.


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To infinity and …
During the Pixar 2021 Disney+ Day Special, Disney revealed that in 2022 a feature-length documentary will hit the streaming service about the making of the highly anticipated new film Lightyear.
The film is Pixar’s first-ever spin-off, exploring the origin story of the toy that captured Andy’s heart in the first Toy Story film, Buzz Lightyear. The filmmakers have described Lightyear as a film that Andy would have watched and in turn, wanted a Buzz Lightyear toy. It’s unknown if Buzz is a fictional or real-life person in the Toy Story universe, but either way, we’re about to see some incredible galactic action.
Chris Evans will voice the titular character, and it has been rumored that Taika Waititi may be joining his fellow Marvel alum and voicing Buzz’s sidekick.
Lightyear will release exclusively in theaters on June 17, 2022.

domain: movie


Have occasion to purchase several Palmetto Armory AR-10 .308 lowers. Not sure if they are configured like the Armalite,DPMS or other types to accept a particular mag. There are at least 4-major mfg.'s of this type weapon,so it gets a bit confusing trying to determine which type is like which other type,especially when it comes to fitting mags. Have also heard that Mag-Pull makes AR-10 type mags...but then again,not sure which type. So...question is,which mags would I have to purchase to fit the Palmetto made .308 lowers...?


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Water generously when soil is dry.
50% potting mix 50% non organic material (pumice or perlite).
Fish emulsion, kelp solution, worm casting, shrimp compost.
Leaf or stem cuttings
Leaves will drop with insufficient light or when overwatered.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROOTING CUTTINGS
Lay cutting on top of the soil. When soil is dry, water the plant sparingly. Roots should form in the following two weeks. Plants should be in bright shade during the rooting period. To avoid leaves from getting burnt, acclimatize the plant to full sun.

domain: agronomy


PEEK CNC Turned @ Sentinel Plastics Ltd
October 8, 2019
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Notably, in hot water or steam, it can be used continuously to 480°F (250°C). Importantly, without permanent loss in physical properties.
Commonly, used in hostile environments, the Material PEEK is a high strength alternative to traditional ferrous Materials.
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Texas Wildfires (DR-4029)
Updates and Articles, Blogs, and News Releases
November 4, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Understanding that Texas wildfire survivors are dealing with enough stress right now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency wants to ensure everyone is aware of the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. local time.
November 3, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Federal disaster aid in the form of Public Assistance reimbursements has been approved in 12 more Texas counties affected by the wildfires of late summer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday. Briscoe, Clay, Coryell, Edwards, Hall, Howard, Kimble, Menard, Montague, Nolan, Sutton and Wise counties join the 19 other counties approved for supplementary funding from FEMA under the latest amendment to the Sept. 9 major disaster declaration for the wildfires.
November 2, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texans from Waller, Montgomery and Grimes counties who are rebuilding after the wildfires can receive a free consultation with hazard mitigation advisors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The consultations will be available on a walk-in basis at home improvement stores in Cypress starting Friday.
November 1, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Bastrop will be closed Saturdays and Sundays starting this weekend. New operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition the center will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
October 31, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Altruism is in the air in Texas. Communities are hosting barbecue fundraisers, families are baking cupcakes, musicians are singing for the cause, businesses are donating a portion of their sales and local volunteer organizations are helping with cleanup efforts. And it’s all for the sake of wildfire relief. Texans are pulling together to help wildfire survivors in dozens of communities across the state. What’s more, from elementary school playgrounds to college campuses, young Texans are inspiring neighborly acts of kindness.
October 28, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Federal assistance for Texas wildfire survivors is nearing $23 million just seven weeks since the major disaster declaration of Sept. 9, recovery officials said Friday. Of the total, $10.6 million is for state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery grants.
Incident period: August 30, 2011 to December 31, 2011
Major Disaster Declaration declared on September 9, 2011

domain: geography


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- Sunday | 31 July 2016
- 10:30 - 11:30
- St. Ouen's Parish Church, La Ville de l’ Eglise, St. Ouen JE3 2LR
- (01534) 485686
Celebration of Hope with The Friends of Ecce Homo
On Sunday 31st July, we will be joined at all our services by our friends from Ecce Homo. Ecce Homo is one of the church’s four Mission Partners. We will hear about their latest work with some of the most needy in Romania. They be joining us at the 10am Morning Worship Service, at St. Ouen’s Parish Church.
This is a 10.30am Joint Service at St. Ouen’s Parish Church for all three congregations.
Come along and support Rosemary Coote and her hard working team at Friends of Ecce Homo! Be encouraged and inspired at the difference our money and prayer has done over the last year.
Come and join us again at the 10am Contemporary Morning Worship Service!
The 10am Contemporary Morning Worship service, at St. Ouen’s Parish Church, is informal and family friendly. There is a supervised play area for under 3s available in church. There are Youth Groups and Activities and Children’s Sunday Groups every Sunday, except the first Sunday of the month (and occasional special Sundays.)
Every first Sunday we meet together for an All Age Family Worship service in St. Ouen’s Parish Church. From 9.30am we serve a buffet breakfast of coffee, hot chocolate and croissants before the service, which starts prompt at 10am.

domain: christianity


Hong Kong’s very first Biodiversity Museum has opened its doors! The first museum dedicated to biodiversity, the Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum is a natural history museum promoting environmental education and appreciation of biodiversity.
Located at the University of Hong Kong, the museum hosts the largest and most comprehensive biodiversity collection within Hong Kong with over 10,000 specimens. The collection comes from all over the world from polar to tropical regions, from deserts to oceans, and include common as well as rare species such as Blue-blooded Horseshoe Crab.
Did you know? Only four horseshoe crab species are found around the world today, with two of them occurring in Hong Kong. One of the must-sees at the museum is the Tri-spine Horseshoe Crab, which is the largest among all horseshoe crabs.
Managed by a team of experts from the School of Biological Sciences at HKU, the museum is currently open for visits on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bookings are required via the website here.
Looking for more in-depth stories about Hong Kong? Check out our city living section.


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Last updated: June 2020
The NASA Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission was designed to study polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), the highest clouds in the earth’s atmosphere (Russell et al., 2009). Also known as noctilucent clouds, PMCs form near the summer polar mesopause in both hemispheres, about 82 km (50 miles) above the surface of the earth. They are composed of water ice crystals, with particle sizes less than about 100 nanometers. PMCs form in the summer because the mesopause region is colder in summer than at any other time. Changes observed in PMCs in recent decades are possibly related to anthropogenic effects on the atmosphere. The AIM mission measures the clouds and their environment to better understand the underlying chemistry and physics, and the forces that cause the clouds to vary.
The AIM satellite has three instruments: CIPS, CDE (Cosmic Dust Experiment), and SOFIE (Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment). CDE, which is no longer operational, is an in-situ dust detector that measured cosmic dust input, a potential key factor in PMC formation (Poppe et al., 2011). SOFIE measures vertical profiles of particle extinction as well as temperature, water vapor, ozone, nitric oxide and methane (Gordley et al., 2009). For more information on CDE and SOFIE, please visit http://aim.hamptonu.edu/instrmt/cde.html and http://sofie.gats-inc.com/sofie/index.php.
The CIPS instrument (McClintock et al., 2009) is a panoramic imager that measures ultraviolet radiation scattered by PMCs and atmospheric gases. The instrument consists of a 2×2 array of cameras operating in a 10 nm passband centered at 265 nm, each with an overlapping field of view (FOV). The total FOV is 80° × 120°, centered at the sub-satellite point. CIPS images are acquired simultaneously in each camera. From 2007 through February of 2016 images were acquired every 43 seconds in the summer hemisphere between the terminator and a dayside latitude of about 40 degrees. Since February of 2016 images have been acquired at all sunlit latitudes. There are ~15 orbits per day, and ~20–30 four-camera images per orbit.
CIPS PMC data products include cloud albedo, particle radius, and ice water content along each orbit strip, with 56.25 km2 spatial resolution. The version 4 CIPS PMC retrieval algorithm is described in Lumpe et al. (2013). Version 5 PMC data were first released for all CIPS seasons in 2020; a description of the version 5 PMC retrieval algorithm is currently in preparation.
In addition to PMCs, CIPS measures gravity waves (GWs) near the stratopause, at an altitude of 50-55 km (Randall et al., 2017). GWs play a significant role in coupling the atmosphere, because they transfer momentum and energy from the troposphere to higher altitudes. CIPS is unique in providing the only available imaging data set that can reveal horizontal GW structures near the stratopause. GWs are inferred from a "Rayleigh Albedo Anomaly" (RAA) data product, from which GW information near an altitude of 50-55 km can be inferred (Randall et al., 2017).
Gordley, L.L., et al. (2009), The solar occultation for ice experiment, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., 71, 300–315, doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2008.07.012.
Lumpe, J. D., et al. (2013), Retrieval of polar mesospheric cloud properties from CIPS: algorithm description, error analysis and cloud detection sensitivity, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2013.06.007.
McClintock, W.E., et al. (2009), The cloud imaging and particle size experiment on the Aeronomy of Ice in the mesosphere mission: Instrument concept, design, calibration, and on-orbit performance, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., 71, 340–355, doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2008.10.011.
Poppe, A., D. James, and M. Horanyi, Measurements of terrestrial dust influx variability by the Cosmic Dust Experiment (2011), Planet. Space Sci., 59, 319–326, doi:10.1016/j.pss.2010.12.002.
Randall, C. E., J. Carstens, J. A. France, V. L. Harvey, L. Hoffmann, S. M. Bailey, M. J. Alexander, J. D. Lumpe, J. Yue, B. Thurairajah, D. E. Siskind, Y. Zhao, M. J. Taylor, and J. M. Russell, III (2017), New AIM/CIPS global observations of gravity waves near 50–55 km, Geophys. Res. Lett., 44, 7044–7052, doi:10.1002/2017GL073943.
Russell III, J. M., et al. (2009), Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM): Overview and early science results, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2008.08.011.

domain: astronomy


Automatic analyser for the determination of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Use of the EDTA tubes.
- ESR measurement using the Westergren method.
- Loading and unloading of tubes using a dedicated rack (Classifier rack).
- Primary tube taken from the Classifier rack.
- Samples with an ESR request are loaded into the instrument.
- Samples without a request remain on the Classifier rack.
- Compatible with almost all the CBC test tubes available on the market.
- Classifier rack with a capacity for 112 tubes (8x14):
- 56 loading positions.
- 56 unloading positions.
- Continuous loading of the Classifier rack for loading and unloading.
- Selection of the tube to be tested by bi-directional communication with the host.
- Continuous, 89-position location and sedimentation chain.
- Throughput: 75 samples/hour in the first workload, and 90 samples/hour in the following one.
- Built-in Quality Control programme.
- No sample handling or- consumption.
- No biological waste generated.
No user maintenance required.
Manufacturer: Diesse Diagnostica Senese S.p.A.


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lately i had been too busy at work and gaming at night.
League of Legends is addicting i swear.
i hardly have time to go anywhere else, even to the mall or to church.
even my sleep is compromised.
then i realized i had a lot of works and pictures that i haven't posted yet..
so i tried to post them simultaneously earlier and segregated them into folders
the folder's names are self-explanatory..haha..
i've traveled quite a lot lately so i have a bunch of sceneries to upload
but i'll do it later.. i'm uploading my sketches and photoshop edits first.
yes there are a lot of Girls' Generation pictures 'cause i'm a Sone.
and yeah there are doodles made on my cellphone too.
i just love the stylus of Samsung Galaxy Note II that i downloaded useful apps for my doodle times.
"badass architect" - cause i am an architect, and i try to make my designs, as badass as possible.. >: )
"artist when bored" - cause when i am too bored at work, i kill time by doodling on my fone, or anywhere.
my DA is a portfolio for my art passion and occasional photography
so i won't be posting my architectural designs here.
and from now on, i'll try to update my DA as much as possible. >: )
all these years in deviantART, i still don't know how to put smileys.
i hope someone could help me..

domain: hobby


text:
With vacations around, different travel portals will have their own offers for attracting the customers. The online travel market is increasing. Many new players are getting into the travel business with a thought of growing large. International players are now targeting the Indian travel business. Sometime back we have mentioned about Expedia to launch an Indian website. Expedia Inc, a US based global travel online company recently made their debut in the online travel business on 6th March’08. They have launched www.expedia.co.in for Indian customers.
Expedia Inc aims to target the Indian online travel industry. On this Sharat Dhall, managing director of expedia.co.in, the company’s India portal, said, “Indian online travel market is estimated to be worth over $2 billion for 2007-08 and is growing rapidly. The number of Indians travelling abroad is also growing”.
Expedia Inc will allow the customers to pay in rupees. Expedia Inc has been operating in 17 countries and has helped 26 million people to find a room for a night and 22 million travelers to board the flight.
The competition in this business is increasing. With International players coming in, the existing Indian companies are offering lucrative offers to retain their existing customers. Recently, ClearTrip.com in association with HDFC Bank Credit Cards has offered a 50% of cash back offer. They have associated themselves with Deccan, SpiceJet, Go Air, Indigo and Jetlite flights.
The offer although sounds tempting but it is not that good actually. 50% cash back is only valid on the base fare and the maximum amount returned back is Rs 2000 and not more.
I think the Indian players are going to tighten their seat belts in order to stay on the heights on this industry.

domain: economics


Where: 452 to 499 Bower Avenue
When: Thursday 16 February 2017 for about one week
On Thursday 16 February 2017 we will begin a 3 stage traffic island repair programme on Bower Avenue. Please see the map below. Our normal work hours are between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work as required.
Stage 1 - Will begin with a lane closure of the Western side of the traffic island at 497 Bower Avenue. We expect to be here for 3 days.
Stage 2 - We will swap the lane closure to the Eastern side of the traffic island 504 Bower Avenue. We expect to be here for 2 days.
Stage 3 - Set up a lane closure outside 452 Bower Avenue. We expect to be here for 2 days.
- Two-way traffic will be maintained during this work, by way of a stop-go system.
- Parking on the street will not be available immediately next to the work area. No parking cones will be in place to show this.
- At times, footpath access will be disrupted. One side of the street will always be open for pedestrian use. Please follow our signs.


Brick design particulars in City Gardens
THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS
Bricks or clay pavers are a really versatile materials in backyard design. We’ve lately accomplished quite a lot of tasks the place we’ve got used them so as to add element inside areas of paving, exploring totally different colors, finishes and laying patterns.
Within the UK, clay bricks are a part of a powerful vernacular custom of constructing and one that’s nonetheless extraordinarily fashionable, particularly in London. As such, we discover bricks may help create a cohesive design linking structure with the backyard in each up to date and conventional settings. The end and color of a brick is set by the clay used within the manufacture, the firing and ending processes. Consequently the vary of brick colors and finishes is intensive. This permits us to work with architects to match or praise the palette of a constructing or different current options. Alternatively we generally create bespoke blends for a backyard which creates a novel design aesthetic. Finishes embrace ‘tumbled’ which softens the perimeters of the brick and creates a extra conventional and relaxed really feel.
For designers, clay bricks present a wealth of alternatives for creating distinctive particulars and finishes. We’ve used them to create a up to date step and riser element and laid them with totally different patterns to create motion and area inside a backyard. Additionally they work properly mixed with different paving supplies to create particulars akin to defining an out of doors room or eating space inside your paving or a contrasting edging element. When used to create a pathway they’ll create motion on account of their slim profile and small unit measurement and there are additionally numerous choices for jointing which might create a definite really feel.
As backyard designers we play a key function in contemplating drainage and water sustainability in our materials specification which is especially vital in an city setting. Clay pavers might be laid as a permeable floor permitting extra rainwater to slowly move via fairly than operating off in to native watercourses. So an important materials all spherical!


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Aug 21 2011
Walking our way through the photographic world of the Isle of Wight, we discovered a gap in the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which has inspired us to launch our own Photo Walks across the Island.
The Island is one of the best area’s in the UK for walking and whilst there is something for all ages and abilities, one thing we found lacking in the Isle of Wight Walking Festival Autumn Weekend programme was a walk specifically aimed at photographers.
Open to anyone who wants to get a little more from their photography ‘Photo Walks’ are not about competition but a good way on getting other like minded people together to take photographs.
As Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group (IWDIG) members are already participating in the unique Worldwide Photo Walk on 1st October 2011, we could fit in another photo walk (weather permitting) between 21st-24th October.
The IWDIG is not trying to re invent the wheel, but the idea of unique yet specific ‘photo walks’ on the Island for anyone to participate in is really quite exciting.
In an open themed photo walk, we do not have to focus on chocolate box, landscapes, wildlife, flora or fauna, but can shoot if we so wish to a mystery brief courtesy of Photo Walk Leader Gary Early.
The initial aim along each 2 hour journey; not only will we get to meet some new photographers, pick up some camera tips and ideas of things to capture, but the exercise may also help with fitness levels and contribute to our individual growth in photography.
The title being Photo Walk naturally implies photographers, who no doubt will be packing equipment. Our aim to be inclusive, we will endeavour to ensure less able bodied access is factored into any photo walk we organise.
More details of IWDIG Photo Walks coming soon…
For details on the Isle of Wight Walking Festival visit www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk website.

domain: photo


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Update: Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to the American Red Cross to support wildfire relief efforts in California. Thanks to you, the Red Cross has reached their fundraising goal! At this time, donations will no longer be accepted for wildfire recovery. However, we hope you will continue to support the Red Cross’ work here in the Chicago area and around the country.
Make It Better is proud to team up with our sister publications Marin Magazine and SPACES, as well as Napa Sonoma Magazine and Diablo Magazine, to raise money for the American Red Cross and their work to help those affected by recent wildfires in California. An anonymous donor will match up to $10,000 in donations to help provide relief to those affected by the wildfires that have devastated parts of Napa and Sonoma. This partnership was made possible after Make It Better was able to raise $15,000 for the Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts thanks to generous reader donations.
“Covering the story on the fires for Napa Sonoma Magazine was a humbling experience,” says Laura Levy Shatkin, editor in chief of Napa Sonoma Magazine and former digital editor at Make It Better. “I witnessed firsthand not only the devastation and evacuation — along with the fear and confusion families experienced — but the kindness and community support that came from local establishments and the American Red Cross, who manned many of the evacuation centers. Donations poured in to take care of those in need by the truck loads. The motto was posted on signs throughout both valleys — ‘The love in the air is thicker than the smoke’ — and it couldn’t be more true.”
Since the wildfires began on Oct. 8, 42 people have lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in California history, and at least 8,400 buildings have been destroyed across Northern California.
The American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to support those who have been displaced by these wildfires. So far, they have been able to accomplish the following:
- Meals and snacks served: more than 144,000
- Overnight stays: more than 27,000
- Health and mental health services provided: more than 10,000
- Emergency relief items distributed: more than 109,000
- Red Cross disaster workers: more than 870
Your donations will continue to support the Red Cross’ efforts in California, so please visit our donations page. Thank you!

domain: sociology


text:
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Gays applaud Supreme Court ruling
Its been three months since two landmark decisions turned the gay and lesbian communities upside down.
About enough time to let it sink in.
In June, the United States Supreme Court quashed state laws banning homosexual behavior; and Canada OKd gay marriage.
In the U.S., Vermont has also OKd gay marriage.
What was long thought a minority problem suddenly seemed on-track to the mainstream.
Gays, lesbians, transgendered, bisexuals and other sexual minorities have long complained of the inequity between their relationships and typical marriages between a man and a woman. Inequities in taxes and health insurance coverage, mainly. Plus the ever present disapproval of gay couples by many of an overwhelmingly non-gay majority.
Part of our mission statement is that sexual orientation does not justify discrimination, said Leif Bentsen, executive director of the Kitsap County Council on Human Rights. He said recent decisions on the Supreme Court and in Canada are big steps in the right direction. Bentsen, who is not gay, said the council has suffered from a lack of gay and lesbian representation lately.
Members of PFLAG, an acronym that stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, but which has been broadened to include transgendered, transvestites, bisexuals and other sexual variations, were overjoyed.
We started the (local) PFLAG chapter 10 years ago, said Elaine Woodland, interim co-chair with husband Art. Were trying to work ourselves out of a job, she said. Nothing would make us happier than to have (sexual minorities) fully accepted and given all the rights the rest of us have.
The gay community in Kitsap is large and well organized. Many have come out through OUTKITSAP. But others are still reluctant. A number of gays are beaten or killed each year around the country.
The Rev. J. Henry and wife Sherry Pangborn were former co-chairs of PFLAG until their recent retirement. The reverend was a chaplain in the Navy. The couple have a gay son.
I think its a step in the right direction, said Sherry Pangborn. Its a process of taking one step at a time. Then theres always a backlash ... I just hope people remember we all deserve the same civil rights.
At a recent Gay Bingo night, hosted monthly by OUTKITSAP and St. Pauls Church, there was a large turnout who were invited to be interviewed for this article. Newspaper business cards were distributed.
Only one person responded.
Logan Chrysler, 40, of Seabeck, spoke his mind in a later phone call:
I feel (the Supreme Courts decision) was an honorable move. And I feel Canada has entered the 21st Century.
Although he added that he watches Canadian news regularly, having been born there, and has discovered Canadian citizens are still split on the issue.
In general, younger (gays and lesbians), 16 to 24, are in favor of being able to marry, he said. Older gays may not be as concerned.
But Things are changing for the good, he said. Weve got to stop treating (gays) as second-class citizens ... Im happy my country has become a little more modern.
Chrysler works as a test driver in Portland. Hes in the first six months of what he hopes will be a permanent relationship.
Were taking it day by day.
He moved here from San Diego in 2001. When he was asked about Vermont, he said, Im thinking of buying property in that state.
He was born and raised Canadian, with a Cree father and black mother.
When asked about his friends at Gay Bingo, he said Theyre open in certain areas ... but many dont want to rock the boat might endanger their jobs.


Rain Alerts using AI Deep Learning
Introducing Rain Alerts using Deep Learning for radar predictions and rain approaching.
Get Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) rain radar, weather, interactive maps, weather maps and alerts. All this from one beautiful designed, easy to use app and FREE.
The only app to provide historical radar maps for up to 4 hours. Powerful tool to view the path of incoming rain.
Early push notifications to inform you of possible rain approaching and weather hazards like heavy rain, storms, frost and fog.
Includes weather widget that provides weather information on your Today screen (for iOS 8+ only). For easy access to the weather.
This app is packed with visual weather maps exclusive only to this app.
What features are exclusive to WeatherAlert App?
- Cutting edge radar predictions for 256Km. See rain coming before it arrives.
- Rain approaching alerts.
- Rain predictions chart for rainfall next hour.
- New weather pane to see the weather information. Slide with your finger to view 7 day weather forecast. Tap the day for a large easy to read detailed weather description.
- New Maps pane that includes all the maps. This is a much easier way navigating to the maps you want.
- New Menu pane to load your locations, for much easier radar and weather viewing.
- Radar pane now has a new sub-pane to view the available radar options.
- Pop-up message to select the radar, also added for easier access to the radar.
- Exclusive Location finder which uses your current GPS location to get nearest weather information automatically. Location services will need to be enabled for the app.
- Exclusive significant weather alert notification pushed to your device.
- Exclusive Interactive Maps that weather patterns for Australia. Use this for a visual representation of the weeks forecast.
- Radars from 64km, 128km, 256km and 512km to predict when rainfall will reach you.
- Radar rainfall over certain areas for the last 6 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours and rainfall since 9am.
- Use the Doppler Effect radar to view direction and speed of wind.
- National satellite imagery with radar.
- App supports Portrait and Landscape viewing.
- Interactive maps on:
● Surface Pressure and Rainfall
● MSLP and Thickness
● Wind Speed and Direction
● Geopotential Height
● Relative Humidity
● Dew Point
● Combined Sea and Swell
● Primary Swell
● Wind Waves
● Swell Period
- Also includes an animated Synoptic Chart.
- Current temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity and lots more current weather map information.
- Rainfall Forecasts.
- Temperature Forecasts.
- Humidity Forecasts.
- Wind Forecasts.
- Waves Forecasts.
- Storms, Snow, Fog, Frost and Rain Forecasts.
WeatherAlert App is designed with an intuitive interface and fully equipped with all the weather information you need in your pocket.
- This App contains weather information only about Australian states and its territories.
- The data is sourced from Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and was not developed or published by BOM. Any questions, bugs or recommendations should be sent to us firstname.lastname@example.org or visit us at www.weatherinfo.com.au.
- This service is a prediction system and should not be used part of any critical decision making.
Using AI Deep Learning to predict radar rainfall.
- Rain notification alerts with speech.
- Menu menu open/close state is saved.
- Fixed radar buttons.
- Other minor bugs.
Ratings and Reviews
Used it for years
I love Weather Alert and also Aus Weather. Have been using them for years. Much easier to find info than the BOM site. I love all the different maps on Weather Alert too. I did come across a prob with Aus Weather and I contacted the developer who got back to me very quickly and fixed the problem. Excellent service Bil!! Great one guys!
Spoken rain alerts are awesome
The talking rain alerts are awesome and very accurate. Gives you enough time to run and get the washing off! It means you don’t need to constantly watch the radar and estimate how much longer you have.
Weather Alert Ads
The Ap is awesome especially the prediction looking ahead. The Advertising is a real pain as they are full screen with 10 seconds delay, and often loud music.
Have tried to pay for Ap with Ade free this is not available, I always close the Ap down and go to a different Ap. Just happened now, intend to delete Ap......it’s a waste of time and so annoying
No Details Provided
The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.
- Mendo Jurukovski
- 42.6 MB
- Requires iOS 8.0 or later.
- Requires iPadOS 8.0 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 8.0 or later.
- Requires a Mac with Apple M1 chip and macOS 11.0 or later.
- Age Rating
- © Mende App 2019
Up to six family members will be able to use this app with Family Sharing enabled.


Real-Time Performance of Mechatronic PZT Module Using Active Vibration Feedback Control
AbstractThis paper proposes an innovative mechatronic piezo-actuated module to control vibrations in modern machine tools. Vibrations represent one of the main issues that seriously compromise the quality of the workpiece. The active vibration control (AVC) device is composed of a host part integrated with sensors and actuators synchronized by a regulator; it is able to make a self-assessment and adjust to alterations in the environment. In particular, an innovative smart actuator has been designed and developed to satisfy machining requirements during active vibration control. This study presents the mechatronic model based on the kinematic and dynamic analysis of the AVC device. To ensure a real time performance, a H2-LQG controller has been developed and validated by simulations involving a machine tool, PZT actuator and controller models. The Hardware in the Loop (HIL) architecture is adopted to control and attenuate the vibrations. A set of experimental tests has been performed to validate the AVC module on a commercial machine tool. The feasibility of the real time vibration damping is demonstrated and the simulation accuracy is evaluated. View Full-Text
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Aggogeri, F.; Borboni, A.; Merlo, A.; Pellegrini, N.; Ricatto , R. Real-Time Performance of Mechatronic PZT Module Using Active Vibration Feedback Control. Sensors 2016, 16, 1577.
Aggogeri F, Borboni A, Merlo A, Pellegrini N, Ricatto R. Real-Time Performance of Mechatronic PZT Module Using Active Vibration Feedback Control. Sensors. 2016; 16(10):1577.Chicago/Turabian Style
Aggogeri, Francesco; Borboni, Alberto; Merlo, Angelo; Pellegrini, Nicola; Ricatto , Raffaele. 2016. "Real-Time Performance of Mechatronic PZT Module Using Active Vibration Feedback Control." Sensors 16, no. 10: 1577.
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.


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Camera Stores and Electronics Shops That Purchased Flash Memory Devices Directly From SanDisk May Be Eligible for Class Action Lawsuit
If you own or operate a business that purchased flash memory products directly from SanDisk, such as memory cards for digital cameras or USB drives, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit against the company.
According to the lawsuit, SanDisk obtained fraudulent patents by making false representations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SanDisk allegedly used these fraudulent patents to improperly exclude fair competition in the marketplace for flash memory devices.
The flash memory patent at issue in the lawsuit, which SanDisk allegedly referred to as the company’s “crown jewel” patent, allowed SanDisk to assert patent infringements on its competitors to prevent them from selling competing flash memory products, the suit claims.
As stated in the complaint, at least 75% of all NAND raw and finished flash products imported and sold in the United States is either manufactured and sold by SanDisk or manufactured through licenses of SanDisk patents. SanDisk allegedly charged its customers monopoly prices for flash memory products and threatened companies that purchased flash memory devices from its competitors.
If you own or operate a camera shop or electronics store and you purchased flash memory devices directly from SanDisk, please contact us to learn if you may be eligible to participate in this lawsuit. Please visit http://www.classaction.org/sandisk-memory-products.html to learn more about this case.
ClassAction.org is dedicated to protecting consumers and investors in class actions and complex litigation throughout the United States. ClassAction.org keeps consumers informed about product alerts, recall, and emerging litigation and helps them take action against the manufacturers of defective products, drugs, and medical devices. Information about consumer fraud issues and environmental hazards is also available on the site. Visit http://www.classaction.org/ today for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation and information about your consumer rights.
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.

domain: law


text:
Ashton Kutcher's Behavior Fuels Mila Kunis Pregnancy Rumors
Floyd Mayweather Sued for $20 Million By Ex-Girlfriend He Abused
Did You know These Stars Were Born Rich?
Selena's Scandalous Selfie Sparks Drama
This 9-Year-Old Model Is Being Called the "Most Beautiful Girl in the World"
12 Celebrities Who Are Kind of Gross
Taylor Swift Stuns Everyone by Posting Sexy Bikini Pic
How Older Men Are Building Muscle
Kris Jenner Mourns Over Death of Her Husband Bruce Jenner
Halle Berry Just Dropped Major Surgery News
Is Amber Rose Pregnant With Nick Cannon's Baby?
Is That a Baby Bump Under Jennifer Aniston's Sparkly Dress?
Inside Kim and Kanye's $20 Million Mega Mansion
Is Meri Brown Quitting Sister Wives and Leaving Kody Brown?
The 10 Best Prom Dresses of 2015
Jaden Smith's Birthday Present to Kendall Jenner Will Blow You Away
7 Things To Know About Kris Jenner's Boyfriend
Chaunte Wayans Brings Her Awesome Humor to MTV
Why We Want The Lesbian Taylor Swift Rumors To Be True
Beyonce Isn't as Flawless as We Thought
Rasheeda and Her Son are The Perfect Pair
Scott Disick Talks Baby Number 4 With Kourtney Kardashian
You Won't Believe How Grown Up These Celeb Kids Are Now
The Science of Willow & Jaden Smith
14 Celebrity Moms Who Breastfeed in Public
More Custody Drama Between Jon and Kate Gosselin!
EJ Johnson's New Body is Unbelievable
The 7 Best and Worst Celebrity Perfumes
Guess How Much Paris Hilton Tipped on a $230,000 Bar Tab
Remember Mandy Moore? Guess What She's Doing Now

domain: celebrity


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How To Avoid Customs Fees When Shopping Online in Jamaica
The joy of finding a deal online is incomparable. However, with the duty-free limits stuck at just $50 USD, it’s next to impossible to find quality products online that won't attract customs fees if you try to ship your purchases to Jamaica.
According to the Jamaica Customs Agency, items imported to Jamaica are subject to a combination of duties and taxes. Whenever you buy items online, you pay Import Duty (which ranges from 16% to 97%), Stamp Duty, General Consumption Tax (GCT), Special Consumption Tax (SCT), Customs Administration Fee, and a Standard Compliance Fee (SCF). All of these duties are in addition to the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) you pay to a shipping company, who delivers your packages from overseas.
In other words, the cost of buying anything over $50 USD online can cost you more than the price of the item. What can you do to avoid this? Let’s take a look at two ways that you can avoid customs fees when shopping online in Jamaica.
#1: Take A Trip or Ask A Relative
The duty-free limit when entering Jamaica through one of its ports-of-entry are significantly higher that those important items bought online. When entering Jamaica, your duty-free limit is increased from $50 USD to $500
With this in mind, an easy way for you to avoid customs fees whenever you’d like to purchase something overseas is to wait until your next your next trip, or ask a relative who is visiting to take the item for you.
But what if you don’t have the resources to take a trip overseas, or you need something urgently and don’t have a relative coming soon enough? Check out the next way to avoid customs fees when shopping online.
#2: Shop With CoolMarket
If you’d like to avoid customs fees and still want to get affordable prices on a wide variety of products - CoolMarket is your solution. We offer amazing prices on thousands of products, along with 2 day delivery to your door.
How do we do it? CoolMarket, connects shoppers with sellers all over Jamaica. Every product listed on our site is already here in the island, at competitive prices. Once you can think of it, we’ve got it! (Seriously, you can even do your monthly grocery shopping with us.)
When you choose to shop with CoolMarket, the price you see on our site is the price you’ll pay - no customs fees or duties, guaranteed. Plus, if you spend over $5,000 your purchases are delivered free to your door.
Get your online shopping fix with CoolMarket. The real question is: why are you still trying so hard to find items online under $50 USD just to avoid customs fees? CoolMarket and pay nothing apart from the cost of your item?


We demonstrate for the first time the use of digital range-gating in OFDR to allow for orders of magnitude reduction in the required sampling rates. This allows for sensing over long lengths of fiber with fast sweeps of the optical source frequency, without requiring impractical sampling rates. The range-gating is achieved using digitally enhanced interferometry (DI), which isolates individual sections of OFDR signal bandwidth. The reductions in sampling rates permitted by the bandwidth-division are demonstrated both numerically and experimentally.
© 2013 OSA
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Indigo Developers is an integrated developer and builder company; Indigo Developers offer 360° solutions for Site selection and Land Acquisition, Residential and Commercial Projects Feasibility, Optimal Design, Architect, Construction, Development, Interior Designing, Sales, and Marketing.
Indigo Developers through Innovativity brings 360 Solutions for Design, Architecture, Construction, Interior Designing & Structural Engineering challenging projects.
IT Servicez completely designed, developed and optimized Indigo Developers in record time as the client gave a deadline as they have to show their company profile online to the foreign investors back in the United States of America.
IT Servicez is helping the client to get more real estate development projects in Pakistan and have spread their brand name that signifies trust and durability in the construction sector.

domain: design


Real-time monitoring of vibration fringe patterns by optical reconstruction of digital holograms: mode beating detection.
ABSTRACT A new technique capable of monitoring two-dimensional vibration fringe patterns in real-time is presented. It is based on optical reconstructing of time-averaged digital holograms. Recording of the holograms is realized in a quasi-Fourier off-axis setup whilst reconstructing in an extended Fourier transform setup capable of spatial filtering of the hologram reconstructions. The effectiveness of the proposed device, tested on a silicon wafer, was verified by performing operations such as monitoring of vibration modes, adjusting the hologram recording parameters, or searching for resonant frequencies. Additionally, mode beating between two distant vibration frequencies is observed and reported. The proposed technique is suitable for various scientific and industrial applications.
- SourceAvailable from: Mario Stipčević[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recording of digital holograms of a weak signal [0.44 counts per second (cps)] hidden below the detector’s noise (21 cps) is investigated by employing the high dynamic range of a photon-counting detector. Recording conditions are discussed in terms of the most important holographic measures, namely, the fringe visibility (or contrast) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and in relation to the main holographic parameters. Theoretically evaluated curves are tested by recording holograms for a wide range of the parameter values. We found that (i) the optimum set of holographic parameters can be determined for a harsh signal conditions, (ii) increasing the visibility does not necessarily improve the more important SNR, and (iii) in cases of nearly constant visibility, the SNR clearly reveals differences in the quality of holographic recordings.Optics Letters 09/2014; 39(17). · 3.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to (i) obtain the force-related interferometric patterns of loaded dental implant-abutment assemblies differing in diameter and brand using digital holographic interferometry (DHI) and (ii) determine the influence of implant diameter on the extent of load-induced implant deformation by quantifying and comparing the obtained interferometric data. Experiments included five implant brands (Ankylos, Astra Tech, blueSKY, MIS and Straumann), each represented by a narrow and a wide diameter implant connected to a corresponding abutment. A quasi-Fourier setup with a 25mW helium-neon laser was used for interferometric measurements in the cervical 5mm of the implants. Holograms were recorded in two conditions per measurement: a 10N preloaded and a measuring-force loaded assembly, resulting with an interferogram. This procedure was repeated throughout the whole process of incremental axial loading, from 20N to 120N. Each measurement series was repeated three times for each assembly, with complete dismantling of the implant-loading device in between. Additional software analyses calculated deformation data. Deformations were presented as mean values±standard deviations. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed effects modeling in R's lme4 package. Implants exhibited linear deformation patterns. The wide diameter group had lower mean deformation values than the narrow diameter group. The diameter significantly affected the deformation throughout loading sessions. This study gained in vitro implant performance data, compared the deformations in implant bodies and numerically stated the biomechanical benefits of wider diameter implants.Dental materials: official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials 01/2014; · 2.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new optical method of vibration mode analysis using time-average fringe is presented in this paper. A sequence of the deformed and partly blurred sinusoidal fringe images on the surface of a vibrating membrane are grabbed by a low sampling rate commercial CCD camera. By Fourier transform, filtering, inverse Fourier transform, the vibration mode is obtained from the fundamental component of the Fourier spectrum. The theoretical analysis of this approach is given. Computer simulations and experiments have proved to verify its validity. Under different excited vibration frequencies, the vibration modes of a vibrating surface can be qualitatively analyzed. In the experiment, when the excited vibration frequency changes continuously, the changing process of the vibration modes of membrane is observed clearly. Experimental results show that this approach as the features of rapid speed, high accuracy, and simple experimental set-up.Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering 12/2009; · 0.20 Impact Factor


text: For those of you unaware, these South Louisiana hot summer days is much like those cold winter nights in the great Northwest! Its just not very inviting to go outside especially around a hot pit! It requires great devotion to the craft. yes, I know I am a weenie, but I am not sweating nor am I chancing heat stroke....LOL How did I ever work consturction when I was younger, the ignorance of youth! Its hot today soooooo...... I decided on an old New Orleans classic for lunch, salad. The coonazz way! There are as many variations of this salad as there are gumbos, this is mine and I have to say, its the best! Recipe? 1C Good Ketchup (I used Hunts) 2T Creole Mustard 2T Mayo (the real stuff) 2T Minced sweet gerkins (Good ones, I used my canned ones) 2 Raw eggs beaten well 2 dashes Tabasco (or your personal prefrence, we all have one) 2 t Lea & Perins 1 ice cold mixing bowl The above is the dressing, the remoulade sauce. Mix it and rechill. This salad is all about really really cold! Chilled plates, chilled shredded lettuce, cold boiled eggs, and cold boiled shrimp! Make sure and chill the plate. I wedge those cold boiled eggs. The shrimp are boiled first in crawfish boil (its all crawfish boil to me), peeled and chilled. I use river shrimps very small white very sweet shrimp but those frozen salad shrimp work as well, and the fancy resturants may well use a couple a jumbos instead. Thats it. That remoulade sauce makes all the difference. This is what my lunch looked like....... Well actually thats Pop's plate, it just ain't right if there ain't a tomato on a salad. LOL...... Sometimes when meaning to impress, I will core a tomato and fill it with a shrimp salad to go with the shrimp remoulade. They just go great together, and top that with some crumbled bacon. But not today......... Nice meal for a hot southern day! Easy to make, ingredients are available locally nearly anywhere, but Disco's. Hope you try it, you'll add it to your cooking recipe book!

domain: food


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Fox News’s Tucker Carlson-free primetime lineup has been revealed, as has Carlson’s replacement: Jesse Watters. If you’re a Fox News watcher, Watters is a familiar face to you. His appeal beyond Fox News loyalists is an open question. And we’ll get an answer to it pretty soon.
Watters, 44, was raised in Philadelphia, to “aging hippies” who vehemently disagree with his political views. (His mother’s disappointed texts to her son have been featured on his shows.) Like Carlson, Watters graduated from Trinity College with a history degree. Unlike Carlson, he joined Fox News soon after graduating, working his way up from a production assistant to, now, the host of the channel’s flagship show. Along the way, he’s been embroiled in a few controversies, from a racist man-on-the-street segment to a recent admission on The Five afternoon roundtable show that he deflated the tires of a much younger associate producer he was interested in so she’d have to get a ride home from him. That producer is now Watters’s wife, so he said it had a happy ending — although maybe not so much for Watters’s ex-wife, who was still married to him at the time this all supposedly happened. Watters later claimed the tire story was a joke.
Watters has the same smarmy-white-guy air that his predecessors, Carlson and Bill O’Reilly, did. Over the years, Fox has groomed Watters from being O’Reilly’s correspondent and protégé to hosting his own weekend show, to becoming the main host of Fox’s successful The Five as well as his own 7 pm weeknight show, Jesse Watters Primetime.
But what sets Watters apart is that O’Reilly and Carlson both came to Fox after years of serious journalistic and on-air experience at other outlets. They had distinct personalities and ownership of their respective shows. Watters, however, has been at Fox News for his entire career and still struggles to come off as a serious and informed personality; he used to describe himself as a “political humorist.” O’Reilly and Carlson have never had this problem. Even much-fired journalist Keith Olbermann said the choice of Watters was a surprise to him because “even in that world he’s considered a lightweight.”
Watters also has a big job ahead of him: to recapture the ratings Fox lost in the aftermath of Carlson’s sudden departure and the loss of his flagship show. Fox’s ratings in Carlson’s old time slot cratered as Calson’s faithful viewers have switched off or switched over to conservative rival networks, like Newsmax. And, despite legal letters from Fox demanding that he not do so, Carlson has wasted no time in trying to recreate his Fox show on Twitter, where he monologues out of what appears to be a barn. Now, with a permanent 8 pm host in place on Fox News, we may be seeing a real battle between old media and new.
“Fox News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement.
The rest of that lineup: Sean Hannity’s Hannity will stay at 9 pm, Laura Inagraham’s The Ingraham Angle will shift from 10 pm to 7, taking Watters’s old slot, and Fox News’s other golden boy, Greg Gutfeld, will move his late-night comedy show Gutfeld! to the less-late 10 pm. Gutfeld!, helped along by its host’s rebellious imp persona, has done well for the network. We’ll see if the 10 pm crowd has the same appetite for Gutfeld’s brand of smirky, lib-owning, anti-woke humor as the 11 pm audience did.
Watters will also be competing for attention with the person he replaced, who serves as a constant reminder of what Fox News has lost. Tucker Carlson is refusing to stay quiet, despite Fox’s demands that he do so, including a cease-and-desist letter. Carlson is still under contract to Fox News, which has every interest in keeping him silent until that contract runs out. Carlson doesn’t care or thinks an argument that Twitter posts aren’t a breach of contract will hold up.
Either way, he’s posting through it. So far, he’s put up six episodes of “Tucker on Twitter,” the latest of which promoted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy and — as has become a recurrent theme in Carlson’s Twitter shows — excoriated the mainstream media in which he was only recently a major player.
There is a lot riding on both men’s shows. Carlson’s success will allow him to enjoy a similar foothold in the media and society that he had when he was at Fox News, and it’ll give some legitimacy to Elon Musk’s plans to make Twitter a more creator- and video-focused platform. Carlson’s failure will do the opposite. If Watters falters, Fox News’s temporary post-Carlson ratings dive could become the new norm for a network that is desperate to hold on to its viewers and do almost anything to appease them, as texts from the Dominion trial showed.
It will take some time before we can declare a winner, if there is one. It took Carlson months to regain the ratings lost when O’Reilly left; it’d be unfair not to give Watters a similar amount of time. And while Carlson’s Twitter show appears to be getting massive viewing numbers, with tens of millions of “views” per Twitter’s metrics, those metrics are misleading. A “view” means someone watched a video for at least two seconds. Since many people have videos on autoplay, you may “view” a video as you scroll through your timeline. And that’s assuming the view counts are truthful in the first place; at this point, Musk doesn’t have the best reputation for honesty when it comes to Twitter.
Fox News’s ratings, on the other hand, are from an independent third party, Nielsen, which measures how many people watched a show as it aired (with additional categories to measure viewership in the days after). As in, they actually watched it, not just happened to see two seconds as they flipped past it. So you can’t compare Carlson’s tens of millions of views to Fox News’s ratings. That won’t stop Musk’s cheerleaders from doing it anyway.
Which is not to say that Fox News doesn’t have a big ratings problem. It was down 37 percent in primetime in May, the first full Tucker-free month, compared to the year before. More worryingly, its 25-to-54 demographic dropped 62 percent. MSNBC has seen a 14 percent increase overall and in the 25-to-54 demo; CNN dropped 25 percent overall and in the 25-to-54 demo, but it has its own problems.
The new Fox News lineup and the Carlson/Twitter versus Watters/Fox News action will begin on July 17.
Correction, June 27, 10:40 am ET: A previous version of this story misnamed the college Carlson and Watters attended. It was Trinity College.

domain: news


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One of the best things about working in literature is how many books I seem to accumulate. At Waterstone's, now though WCN, and as a book blogger too, I am lucky enough to have a steady stream of reading material to peruse. So today, and again next Thursday I'm giving away some of the books I don't need.
Today it's classic books I already own. Mostly, these are duplicates I bought not realising I already owned them. But now these fine books could be yours. They are:
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Since these are classic works, which many will already own, I'm breaking it down into three competitions with three winners. One lucky winner will also win a mysterious fourth book, whose synopsis includes the words 'neurotics', 'perverts' and 'religious' all within the first sentence. Don't pretend you're not interested!
To win, simply comment below. Don't forget to mention which of the books you would like. If you would like them all, just comment three times! Although the draws will be random, please try to make your comments interesting. I like to be entertained!
Draws take place at 8pm on Sunday 20th December. Entries accepted from anywhere in the world.

domain: literature


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East-West Seed was founded in 1982 in a small farm in Lipa City, Batangas. The combination of European seed technology and expertise, and local experience in entrepreneurship and tropical climate farming led to the first market-oriented vegetable breeding company in Southeast Asia.
Challenges still abound in the agriculture industry; to wit, lack of infrastructure on effective irrigation water distribution, dependence of farmers on toxic chemicals for pests and diseases control, chemical fertilizers which increases the acidity and eventual death of the soil, lack of knowledge in agronomic and farm management, inefficiencies of multiple channels, cold chain not linked properly, lack of access to inputs, and a much fewer number of the next generation who want to be farmers.
Mr. Ard Groot, a seventh-generation seedsman rooted in the long history of the family business model in the Netherlands’ seed industry, took over as the new chairman of East-West Seed on January 24, 2018. He shares his perspective about the future of agriculture, as well as what East-West Seed is doing to help solve the challenges of smallholder farmers, who depend on less than 2 hectares of land, which supplies 85% of the world’s food.
Q1: Smallholder farmers have been facing many challenges for decades. What is East-West Seed doing to help remove industry challenges to improve demand?
A: Farming is a high-risk business. We do our part to support farmers and minimize their risks through plant breeding, innovation and knowledge. Our seeds help farmers get higher productivity and income from vegetable farming. We also support them through training on good cultivation practices – trainings that equip farmers with essential knowledge on how manage their crops, recognize plant diseases, and employ proper techniques to produce high quality and safe-to-eat vegetables. In the long run, this contributes to improving the availability and quality of vegetables in the market, and drives the demand among consumers.
Q2: In 2016, East-West Seed was ranked no. 1 in the “Global Index for Vegetable Seed Companies” and “Regional Index for Eastern Africa” by Access to Seeds, an independent organization funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. What exactly were your efforts that worked which enhanced the productivity of smallholder farmers?
A: Interestingly, among the top 10 companies in the Access to Seeds Index, we are the smallest in terms of revenue. I think what sets us apart from our competitors is our closeness to the market. Our smallholder-centric business model and scale of operations allows us to reach farmers in markets where access to quality seeds is critical. We have an extensive distribution network, and we develop packaging and labeling that fit smallholder farmers’ needs.
Our products are very local. We breed vegetable crops that are often unattractive for big multinationals. Our portfolio includes crops that are tailored to local farmers’ needs, with priority breeding objectives of disease and insect resistance, heat tolerance, off season adaptation, improved transportability, shelf life and higher yields. In the Philippines, for example, we specialize in the “pinakbet” vegetables.
Finally, we put a lot of attention and effort into knowledge transfer (KT). KT improves the profitability of vegetable production for farmers by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed: better knowledge that enables farmers to take advantage of improved seed varieties. We do this through direct training, field demonstrations, peer-to-peer learning and on-field advice. Our ambition for KT is to reach 100,000 farmers yearly.
Q3: From a supply perspective, compared to planting rice, a vegetable farmer for bitter gourd needs only 10% of the land to give him roughly the same income as one hectare planted to rice. From a demand perspective, the average consumption of vegetables in the Philippines is about half of the recommended level of the World Health Organization. While East-West Seed is the dominant market leader in vegetable seeds, substitute foods like meats, considered less healthy by some sectors, continue to win demand versus vegetables. What are you doing to convert your superior product yield to superior market penetration?
A: That’s a very good point you made. Vegetables are often referred to as “cash crops” because they grow faster and can be grown throughout the year. Leafy vegetables, for example, only need 25-30 days from sowing to harvest compared to rice which takes between 120-140 days. Therefore more vegetable crops can be raised in a year for earning a more steady income.
It’s true that there’s plenty of room for improving vegetable consumption in the Philippines, but we are encouraged to see the changes. People are becoming more aware of what they eat. We also try to promote increased vegetable consumption through various CSR programs that encourage healthier eating habits, especially among the youth.
Q4: ChemChina acquired Syngenta for $43 billion. Bayer acquired Monsanto for US$66 billion to be the world’s biggest seed and chemical company. Dow Chemical and DuPont announced their merger plans in 2016 to be the second largest agricultural multinational, DowDuPont Agri. East-West Seed is still a private, family-held seed company with a very targeted focus on tropical vegetables. Why is your ownership structure still relevant in this day and age?
A: Not only is it relevant, I would even argue it is getting much more relevant now! I firmly believe that a privately held company with continued family ownership has a major advantage over publicly listed company. Our ownership structure and active involvement of the family in our business allows us to be agile and flexible. Decision making is quick and we can respond quickly to changing market needs and circumstances. And the best of all: we are not tormented by the demands of the stock market, driven by opportunistic shareholders with a strong focus on quarterly results and quick wins. As a family we are patient and take a long-term view, promoting stability and steady organic growth of the business. Certainly in the seed business that is key to success. Developing a new variety can take 7-10 years, and developing a market even longer. So there are no quick wins in our business. In fact I am very happy seeing the big multinationals spending their time merging and acquiring each other and reporting to their investors, while we go about doing what we are good at: bringing better seeds to smallholders farmers and helping them to get a better income from it. Our private ownership structure is optimally suited to allow us to do so, and we intend to remain a proudly independent family business for a very long time.
Q5: The global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. By then, some 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be urbanized. The middle class will likely double. There will be 6 billion people living in cities with global demand for food increasing by 70%. How will the consumer behavior towards food change? What does this mean to East-West Seed?
A: If such population growth goes as predicted, the world will need an additional 730 million tons of fruits and vegetables by 2050. For us this is good news! But more importantly this underlines the need to support smallholder farmers who will be responsible for producing all this food for our growing cities and populations. In Southeast Asia, the average daily vegetable consumption per capita is 164g/day (FAO). This is far below the WHO recommendation of a minimum of 400g of fruits and vegetables per day.
Thankfully consumer behavior is changing for the better, towards more sustainable and nutritious food. In the last ten years, production volumes and areas planted to vegetables in tropical Asia have risen steadily. Tropical Asia produces 124 million tonnes of fresh vegetables. Production from five countries (India, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam) represent 90% of the industry value.
Q6: East-West Seed is one of the 10 largest vegetable seed companies in the world and the only one focusing on tropical vegetables. As the new chairman, can you briefly summarize your growth strategy metrics for the next 10 years?
A: Our mission is to help smallholders farmers improve their income from vegetable farming by bringing better seeds and sharing our knowledge with them. Our vision is to be the best tropical seed company in the world. These have not changed in the past 35 years and we plan to stay true to them. Keeping our focus is important. That means that our breeding programs are all local, focusing on the needs of farmers and markets in the areas where we breed. Through our local distribution and knowledge transfer networks built up over many years, we know our markets well and can respond quickly to address the needs of our customers. We will further expand and intensify our market networks, and significantly increase our investments in R&D, which form the basis of our business. We will also keep focusing on attracting and keeping talented young people to help us drive and expand our business and reach more farmers. We plan to further cement our market leadership position in our home markets, and gradually expand into new tropical markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This being the seed business, changes do not happen overnight and we have the luxury of patient shareholders, so don’t expect major turnarounds next week. But rest assured: our strategy is suited for a bright long-term future and East-West Seed will stay around for a very long time to continue to serve farmers. We will make sure of that.
(Josiah Go is chairman of Mansmith and Fielders Inc. For full transcript of this interview, as well as interview with other thoughtleaders, Josiah Go will run the 33rd Market-Driving Strategy bootcamp on Feb 21-22, 2018. Inquire via email@example.com)


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Expanding our Programming !
We are opening up some new programs to the community so that the adults can get in on the fun too!
This January we will be offering a class on Basic Audio and Recording Techniques.
This will be a 5 week course that will run every Monday from 6pm to 8pm from January 10th until February 7th.
The cost is $175.00 per person and the class is limited to 6 people.
Please Contact us with your interest at firstname.lastname@example.org
Vaccines and Masks are required for all of our programs.


Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Roath Park Conservatory
A two hour walk around Roath Park in the company of two of the city’s finest horticulturalists to learn about the park’s many trees and shrubs.
Meet at Roath Park Conservatory CF23 5PD. Free – Voluntary donation Distance 1.6km Wheelchair accessible