text:
It was while rooting around a storage room that Ian Beesley stumbled across the inspiration for his latest project – a giant camera, 8ft long and 5ft high, one that takes four people to move and which was built to use film that isn't made anymore.
"One day when I was artist in residence at Gallery Oldham I was mooching around their archives and underneath a big sheet I found this absolutely massive camera," says the Bradford-based photographer.
"It had once been part of the displays, but had been removed some years earlier. So the story goes, one night the security guard heard what sounded like a break-in.
"They couldn't find anyone, but eventually they heard a knocking. It was coming from the back of the camera – it turned out the burglar had hidden inside and then couldn't get out. Now a camera, big enough to fit a human in, that got me intrigued."
Years of sitting idle had taken its toll on the camera and it took Beesley a few months to restore the various mechanisms to working order. That, however, turned out to be the easy bit.
"It had been originally built 100 years ago to copy wallpaper patterns," he says. "It used 24ins film which just isn't made anymore, so instead I had to load four different reels of film. Everything with this camera requires times and patience and when I first started out I was averaging one picture a day."
Things have speeded up a little, but it still remains a slow process compared to the instantaneous images offered by digital cameras.
"It doesn't have a shutter, so that means you have to use a very long exposure," adds Beesley. "For portraits you have to ask the sitter to remain still for 30 seconds. That might seem like no time at all, but when you are in front of a giant camera it can seem like forever.
"It is also possible to spoil the final image with light at almost any point. I had to tell people, 'This is going to take a long time and there is no guarantee that there will be a usable print in the end'."
All of which begs the question, why bother?
"What I really like about it is that it's going back to the original days of photography when it was a really physical process and once I'd mastered taking the pictures I really wanted to do a collection of portraits."
Having previously done some work capturing the end of Kellingley Colliery, Ian approached the National Coal Mining Museum, where a number of ex-miners work, to see if they wanted to be part of the project.
They did and the images, which show the negative alongside the final portrait, will go on display at the museum next week.
"It's funny, but those growing up now have never seen a negative. It's a completely alien concept. That was one reason why I wanted to display them together, but there was another.
"When I showed one of the negative images to one of the ex-miners he said, 'That looks like the ghost of my profession'.
"It's true. Also when you take a picture of someone wearing contemporary dress, but using a Victorian technique it does lend a historic quality to the image that felt fitting for this collection."
The Big Big Camera, National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, January 24 to February 28. For details visit www.ncm.org.uk


text:
This is the main page of your Gallery
Album: 2007 Club Officers
Album: 2006 Events and Leagues
2006 Events and Leagues
Album: 2005 Events & Leagues
Album: Area Courses
Photos of area courses. Check 'em out!
Most have multiple pictures of each hole.
Album: 2004 Events and Leagues
Chuck full of photos!
Album: 2003 Events
See how the club matured in 2003.
Album: 2002 Events
Building something great!
Album: 2001 Events
Revisit the roots of DISContinuum.
Album: 2007 Events

subset: commoncrawl


text:
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) - The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is getting ready to return two of its amphibious patients to the ocean.
The pair of green sea turtles, named Simpson and Pod, were brought to the sea turtle hospital on Jekyll Island several months ago during the summer. Pod was found washed up on a jetty near St. Augustine, Fla., in June. Simpson was rescued a by a kayaker who found turtle in a small tidal creek at Vilano Beach, Fla., last May.
Staff members of the Sea Turtle Center are scheduled to release both turtles Thursday in St. Augustine. The center's veterinarian, Dr. Terry Norton, says the green sea turtles have recovered sufficiently to return to the wild. Because of their small size, the turtles won't be fitted with transmitters before they're released.


text:
Coming Soon! We will be loading content from our new advertisers during the first week of August.
Check Out Our Local Sites
Marketing Goodness
We are brand new, fueled by passion and desire to leave the world a better place. We are planning to build an impossibly huge network that will feature good stuff about people, planet and success in every zip code of the country and beyond! Good news and inspiration are not limited by boundaries.
Like Us On Facebook
Top Posts & Pages
Tweet the good things you do on Twitter
- The ad #Doritos doesn't want you to see. Courtesy of @SumOfUs @SteveSchappert ow.ly/Hg9Ef Please #share #RT 5 years ago
- RT @CtThermalCoat #thermalcoatings keep astronauts alive & will make your #CT home or building more comfortable ow.ly/GuhgO 5 years ago
- RT @CTPaint Hey hey Whaddya say Schedule a painting estimate today & for 6 months you won't have to pay, don't delay Connecticut-Painter.com 5 years ago
- 20% Holiday #Painting, Decorating & Weatherization call the Pros at Connecticut Paint & Thermal Coatings CtCoatings.com 203-994-3950 5 years ago
- #Connecticut #Paint & Thermal Coatings is accepting resumes for 100 positions ctcoatings.com/employment/ 5 years ago
Blog Stats
- 16,099 hits
CategoriesAbout Advertising Articles Business cause marketing Energy Environment food green jobs Green Marketing Green Marketing Videos Health Home inspiration Local music Noble Nutrition Organic Philosophy Poetry Police quotes sales training solar Sports Sustainability The Green Marketing Company Tips Uncategorized


text:
The Slackers
Ara Babajian - Drums Marcus Geard - Bass David Hillyard - Saxophone Jayson Nugent - Guitar Glen Pine - Trombone, Vocals Vic Ruggiero - Lead Vocals, Organ
Visit : Official Band Site ,
The Great Rocksteady Swindle is in stores now! Get your copy from iTunes, Interpunk or your local record store!
The legendary American band, The Slackers, are back with a new full length album, The Great Rocksteady Swindle, on Epitaph/Hellcat Records. What began in New York City some 19 years ago has grown into an international musical phenomenon that blends ska, rocksteady, dub, R&B, Reggae,Soul,Garage Rock, and 60's pop into what leader Vic Ruggiero calls, "Jamaican Rock n Roll."
The Great Rocksteady Swindle is the Slackers 12th studio album and is a credit to the bands continuing vitality and longevity in the music scene. Bandleader Vic Ruggiero observes, "We learned from guys like Rancid that were offered the MTV ride and we watched them not take it. We watched bands that did take it. And who had more trouble? In the end, the MTV ride is more trouble than it's worth." He adds in summary: "You've got to be good to your fans and your people and know where you stand."
Hillyard adds, "For years, we didn't really have much in common with any of the ska scene," he adds. "There were a couple bands, like Hepcat and Pietasters when we started, but then for a lot of years we really felt like we were on our own."
These days, that's changing. With more bands cropping up who draw from the same basic starting points, even citing The Slackers as a major influence, the proof is in the pudding that perseverance is what wins the race.
The new album is a collaborative effort from Hillyard, Vic Ruggiero (keyboards, vocals), Jay "Agent Jay" Nugent (guitar), Glen Pine (trombone, vocals), Marcus Geard (bass) and Ara Babajian (drums) with all members contributing to the songwriting."Long Way Off," "Mr. Tragedy" and the electric "Cheated" are immediate standout cuts on an overall strong album. With its mix of realism, optimism, and bitterness The Great Rocksteady Swindle is exactly the type of musical antidote needed in today's angst-ridden climate.
Along the way, the Slackers bury the stereotye of "ska" bands being upbeat and shallow in the songwriting department. Ruggiero points out "Marcus writes these upbeat songs that sound like they're really positive but you get the weird impression that they're maybe written by a homicidal maniac."
Ruggiero wrote "How it Feels," which asks "do you remember how it feels to be lonely?," while in Greece. He points to "Because" as another of his favorite tracks on the album, explaining of the songs lyrics: "All the people you want to know for the rest of your life, that's the people you are most likely to never talk to again. Like an ex-wife. Why did you marry her? Because you got along. And then what? Where did it go from there?"
The Slackers have been able to maintain and keep things moving for a long time, never slipping and never forgetting their mission, which is to give their fans music that is equal parts craft for the mind and rhythm for the body.
There are many parallels with The Slackers and bands like The Ramones or even The Grateful Dead in that sense. "We're trying to make music to last, something that you want to listen to years from now. We've never really been part of a trend. We've always been on the edge of different trends," explains sax player Dave Hillyard. "It's one reason why we haven't gotten hugely famous but also one of the reasons why we've stuck around so long."
The Great Rocksteady Swindle
- 01 How It Feels
- 02 Because
- 03 Mr. Tragedy
- 04 Sabina
- 05 Cheated
- 06 Daddy
- 07 A Long Way Off
- 08 Bo Evil
- 09 Tool Shed
- 10 Ain't No Sunshine
- 11 Don't Look Back
- 12 Anastasia
- 13 Thank You
- 14 The TV Dinner Song
- 15 The Same Everyday
- No: #80515
- US Rel. Date: 04/20/2010
- EU Rel. Date: 04/19/2010
- Type: Full


text:
As one of the fastest growing sectors, both economically and in their energy consumption, global IT companies and cloud computing companies have a tremendous opportunity and unique responsibility to take greater control of their electricity supply chain, and to manage their energy ecosystem both outside and inside the data centre.
By making better energy choices and demanding more from utility vendors, cloud companies have the opportunity to be a catalyst in driving utilities and governments toward the development of cleaner electricity generation that will ensure a truly green cloud for their long-term sustainability – and a greener grid for us all.
How Clean is Your Cloud?


text: After his grandfather dies, thirty-year-old Daikichi accidentally adopts his grandfather's young daughter, Rin, when he finds out that his relatives are planning to put the girl in foster care. That's right--he technically adopts his aunt. Bunny Drop is full of this kind of dark humor. This manga is really a dark domestic drama/comedy. Daikichi knows nothing about children and Rin refuses to speak half the time. Daikichi has no idea what to do with Rin after he takes her in, but he's stubborn and refuses to give his relatives the satisfaction of seeing him fail. From figuring out how to get Rin into daycare to what clothes and toys he should buy her, Daikichi struggles and freaks out about everything. But he never gives up. Rin seems very independent and capable for a six year-old, but she's clearly hurting since everyone in her life has either died or left her. Even though there is no magic or techno-gadgets in this manga - the world isn't in peril - the story is still captivating. I cared a lot more for Rin and Daikicki than I did for most manga characters after reading the first volume. Watching the two stumble around each other and trying to figure out how to make their new small family works is not just funny, it's very real. If you are sick of magical worlds and giant robots, and outlandish comedies that make up most of the manga world, and you want something that's more like real life but will still make you laugh, read Bunny Drop.


text:
- Home
- Cotton Lycra Prints
- Los Muertos Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric
Product Description
Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric
95% cotton, 5% spandex. Designed in USA, Imported.
Width 58 in (56 in cuttable) width
Weight 240 gsm | 12 oz per yard
4-Way Stretch, 40% width / 40% length
Cut Sizes
Orders for multiples of the same cut size will be cut as one piece. Orders that include different cut sizes of the same fabric will be cut separately unless you leave an order comment at checkout requesting them as one piece. Cuts of over 5 yards are not guaranteed to be one piece.
- Yard (36" x full width)
- Fat Half (36" x approx 27")
- 1.5 Yard (54" x full width)
Colorful knit prints to take your sewing to the next level. Rich colors, soft drape and body, with spandex for stretch. Can be sewn loose and comfy, or snug for compression. Our jersey knit is a medium weight - not too heavy, not too flimsy. Prewash before sewing. Please note that our cotton knit prints are thick and dense, and the fabric could shrink upto 20% in length and 5% in width. We use a different base fabric than what you may be used to with our custom knits. Please account for this shrinkage when determining how much to purchase. Colors coordinate with our cotton spandex knit solids.
Please note: Dirt marks on the back side of the fabric will not be considered a flaw.
Fabric Preparation and Prewash Tips
We recommend prewashing your cotton spandex fabrics to prepare them for sewing. For any fabrics that include dark, saturated, or very bright colors, we recommend a cold wash separately or with like colors only. Use a commercial color catcher to help capture any loose dye in the wash. Examine wet washed fabric before drying. If you experience transfer of color onto a white/light area of your fabric, we suggest rewashing the fabric again on cold before you dry the fabric. Drying the fabric after color has transferred can make dye transfer difficult to remove. Another tip for fixing color transfer is to soak the fabric in an oxy cleaner solution to remove the excess dye from lighter areas and then wash in cold water.
Machine wash and dry, or hang to dry.
Prewash to remove shrinkage. Use a universal or ball point needle. Best sewn with a serger or a walking foot.
Product Reviews
Warranty Information
Fabric may be returned within 30 days of receipt. Returned fabric must be uncut, unwashed, clean and free of odors. Returns must be authorized and are subject to a 25% restocking fee unless there is a problem or flaw we overlooked. See the Returns policy page for more details.


text:
|Target kisses Au and everything is sweetness and light.
|Au tells Target to back off - or else!
|Target pretends he never meant to start a fight, and Au cleans his claws super casually just to show he's still boss cat.
|Target kisses Au and everything is sweetness and light.
|Au tells Target to back off - or else!
|Target pretends he never meant to start a fight, and Au cleans his claws super casually just to show he's still boss cat.
this is sneaky cat fighting method
Yep! Buster does the same thing to Rudy! Starts out acting so sweet, like he's just giving him a bath! Sneaky!! lol
Hugs, Cindy
Yeah that kind of fighting happens at our house too.
Boys will be boys!
my brother always do that kinda trick to me!! *sigh*
Meow Meow family
Humm, this looks very familiar to me...
What, you mean wrassling does not ensue?!
Oh what fun!! Adorable Au and wonderful Target! You two are sweet scamps!! Take care
Sounds like typical siblings to us! Ha!
MOL. It happens all the time over here too!
~Slash & Bronzy
You are so cute!Sometimes I dream about a brother.
I think Target only wants to get some attention. :)
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA
You do look great having bitey fun though!!!
Passive-aggressive pussycats!
Two cool kitties :)
We like to do that too.
Our wrasslin' matches always start out like this too!!
Hiya friends! Sorry we haven't been blogging much at The Creek Cats. We've done a little updating on our other blog, Maggie May. Stop by and see us sometime!
Maggie May and The Creek Cats
same thing happen around here. except you have to add papa yelling, buster don't bug emma!!!!
emma and buster
Boys!!!!! Ok...now start wrestling. purrr...meow!
Tanto amor que lindo!
Começa a votação do sorteio no dia 4 de Março, pede aos teus amigos para irem votar ao meu blog em ti
Ronronzinhos da amiguinha
Hee! hee! thats what me does!
How funny that it happens all the time. :)
My girlz do that too!! Love these pics!
Cats are just so cool! Deccy x
Amiguinhos... Obrigada pela visita.
Claro que levo voces para passear em meu carro, eu dirigindo...
Voces vão amar, eu dirijo muito bem.
Apareçam por aqui... E lá vamos nós por este mundão.
Ótima quarta amiguinhos fofos e queridos.
Aus 1000 e Beijos 1000 com amor das amiguinhas do Brasil...
Fun times! Careful not to bite too hard....
this is a familar scene except with Siren and Isadora there is more biting and less kissing and then they fall asleep
don't work too hard :)
At least they agree to get along!
Target you are quite sneaky! Both of you are so beautiful Au looks gloriously healthy!
Tehehe :)
Oh how cute they are! Similar thing often happens in our house, too. Goro starts grooming Niko, it's a sweet and awww moment. But then Goro starts biting Niko, ending up a fight!
I especially love the last photo - it seems Au is definitely the boss :-)
it is so amusing the way they pretend it was nothing... so casual... Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
Very devious, but someone needs to be the boss! A cute game they share amongst the two of them.
they're just so sweet and adorable.
Oh you two have that down-pat! A similar phenomenon occurs at our house...


text:
Column Sentry
Rack Sentry
Park Sentry
Customer Support
Complete protection. Quality engineered. Tested and proven.
Equipment designed to create a safer working environment in industrial buildings where forklift traffic and pedestrian traffic intersect.
Collision Sentry® - reduces or eliminates "blind corner" collisions in industrial settings. Using infrared motion detectors to "see" around blind corners, Collision Sentry sends a warning to forklift drivers and pedestrians when there is motion on both sides of the corner.
Products manufactured to offer the most complete impact protection for columns, racks and corners in warehouses and material handling facilities.
Column Sentry® - minimizes the force of tow motor impact that can damage columns, surrounding supports, vehicles and operators.
Rack Sentry® - virtually eliminates rack damage by absorbing the force of tow motor impact that can damage the structural integrity of your racks and floors.
Corner Sentry™ - adds a protective layer to vulnerable industrial corners. The flexible EVA shield absorbs impact and guards both the corner and the vehicle.
Concrete Wrap™ - surrounds concrete columns with a blanket of protection that cushions the blow from car, truck and tow motor impact.
Specifically designed to add a layer of effective protection around parking structure columns.
Park Sentry® Square - is designed to fit around any sized 4-sided square or rectangular column.
Park Sentry® Round - wraps around any sized round column, from small to extra-large, protecting both columns and vehicles from collision damage.
Park Sentry® Wall System - forms a comprehensive damage reduction system that virtually fits any size wall and adheres to the space using pre-mounted clips.
Guard Post ™ - offering an attractive, versatile and visible way to manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic.


text:
Shopping Cart
0 Item - £0.00
A beautiful handfinished card from the Up and Away range. Printed on 300 GSM callisto diamond white board and a grey envelope. Finished with a 3D clear resin circle dome hand decorated with small irridescent large dot glitter, a hand tied bows and sparkly elements.
Postage Orders over £6.00 to £12.00: £1.50
Postage Orders over £12.00 to £35.00: £3.10
Postage on Orders over £35: Free
We are more than happy to deliver anywhere in the world. Please contact us on (00) 44 1913732497 or email: email@example.com to find out a price. The price will be determined by weight/ size.
We can not be held responsible for any duty charges outside the European Union. These are the responsibility of the buyer.
We will not be held responsible for address errors. We will process our order details exactly as
Please see our terms and conditions.
No questions or answers have been posted about this item.
Sku: UA32
A beautiful hand finished card by Tracey Russell
Be the first to write a review for On Your Christening, A Very Special Day, Pink.


text:
Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-WestTower
Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-WestTower
No. 208 West Tower, Century City Blvd, Gaoxin District
No. 208 West Tower, Century City Blvd, Gaoxin District
Chengdu, Sichuan
Mainland China
Check In: 2pm
Check Out: 12pm
Check-in Age:16
Book With Us Advantage
- Best Price Guarantee
We promise you access to the guaranteed best available prices, or your first night is free.
- Online Reservation Guarantee
Your room is guaranteed.
- No Booking Fees!
We do not charge any booking fees for making reservations directly with us.
- Data Privacy and Site Security
IHG takes your privacy seriously and works to protect you. All personal information you provide is encrypted and secure.
Welcome to Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-WestTower
Stay at the contemporary, high-rise Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-West Tower for business or leisure at Century City Complex Chengdu.
You will feel welcome at the curvy Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-West Tower hotel in the heart of Century City Complex Chengdu. Our palatial, 19-floor tower overlooks tranquil Swan Lake and our own Century City International Convention Centre. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is a 20-minute drive away, and it's a 5-minute walk to Century City Metro station for the 4-stop journey to Hi-Tech Zone's offices.
Our business guests are just moments from 24-meeting rooms and 2,800-person Crystal Ballroom at the connecting Century City International Convention Centre. Your events at Century City Complex Chengdu's 9 exhibition halls are steps away and meetings at the futuristic Chengdu Government building are 10 minutes by car.
Experience old Chengdu teahouse culture and Sichuan opera at Shunxing Ancient Teahouse, 3 minutes' walk away.
The 8 high-speed lifts will whizz you up for cocktails and views over moonlit Chengdu at our rooftop SkyBar. Settle for rounds of Mahjong after Sichuan banquet in your private dining room in Golden Century Chinese Restaurant at Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-West Tower.Holiday Inn Chengdu Century City-WestTower is the great place for you to stay in Chengdu.
Kids Stay and Eat Free
Kids ages 12 and under stay for free when sharing their parents' room. Up to four kids ages 12 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn® on-site restaurant.
|Kids Stay Free
|Kids Eat Free
|Greater China
|12 and Under
|12 and Under
Free High-Speed Internet
- Wired Internet Available in Rooms, Suites, Business Centre and Meeting Spaces.
- Standard wired internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
- Standard Wired Fee: 0 CNY
- Wireless Internet Available in Rooms, Suites, Business Centre, Public Areas and Meeting Spaces.
- Standard Wireless internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
- Standard Wireless Fee: 0 CNY
Shuttle/ Parking
- Car Parking Available
- Complimentary Daily Self-Parking is available
Pet Policy
- No pets allowed
- Guide Dogs Allowed
- No pets allowed but guide dogs and service animals
Credit Cards
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Diners Club
- China Union Pay
- Number of Floors: 19
- Total Number of Rooms: 775
- Number of Suites: 24
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 259
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 8
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Lifts
- Public Restrooms
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Ramp Access
- Telephone with TDD
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Public Spaces
- Communication Kits with Visual Alarms
Provided by Hotel
You can be assured that when you stay at an IHG Green Engage Hotel, you are participating in an advanced, world-wide sustainability effort. We understand that it is important for you to have an active role in protecting our environment and that's why we've made it easier for you to choose a hotel that matches your sustainable values.


text:
Document Actions
Spiro Alexandratos, Ph.D.
Professor - Polymer & Environmental Chemistry // Fellow of the American Chemical Society (inaugural class) // Fulbright Scholar
Contact Information:
office 1504N
email firstname.lastname@example.com
Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley
View the latest research from the Alexandratos group.
Research Summary:
The preparation of polymers modified with ion-selective ligands allows for their utilization in areas where toxic metal ions must be removed from water in the environment in order to be rendered safe. The modification of polystyrene beads with glucamine ligands has led to an arsenic-selective resin, modification with phosphonic acid ligands has led to an actinide-selective resin, and modification with phosphonate ligands has led to a lead-selective resin. The ability of auxiliary groups to modify the ionic selectivity of a primary ligand is the subject of current research.
Recent Professional Activities
Invited Lecture: American Chemical Society (2012), Symposium on the Fundamentals and Applications in Hydrometallurgy (March 2012)
Invited Lecture: 1st International Conference on Separations Science, Ion-Selective Polymer-Supported Complexants, Poland (June 2011)
Visiting Professor (Fulbright Research Scholar): L'Ecole des Mines d'Albi (France), 2011
Invited Lecture: Pacifichem 2010, Polymer-Supported Reagents for Detection of Metal Ions by Ionic Recognition, Honolulu (December 2010)
Plenary Lecture: Polymer-Supported Reagents and their Application to Environmental Remediation, 45th National Meeting of the Sociedad Química de México, (September 2010)
Symposium co-organizer: Environmental Remediation by Valorization Methods, American Chemical Society, San Francisco (March 2010)
Plenary Lecture: IUPAC International Symposium on MacroMolecular Complexes, Chile (November 2009)
Invited Lecture: Materials Research Society, Symposium on Materials Science of Water Purification, San Francisco (April 2009)
Invited Lecture: University of Colorado at Boulder (April 2009)
Invited Lecture: International Congress on the Production of Safe Water, Izmir, Turkey (January 2009)
Invited Lecture: Conference on the Role of Structure in Biological, Chemical and Environmental Separations (Engineering Conferences International), Costa Rica (January 2008)
Invited Lecture: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, The Earth in Crisis: Pollution of Water in the Biosphere - Current Status and Steps Toward Renewal, (September 2007)
Plenary Lecture: XXII International Symposium on Physicochemical Methods of Separations, Poland (June 2007)
American Chemical Society, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Division Councilor, 2008-2013 Executive Committee, 2008-2013
American Chemical Society, member, Committee on Science, 2009-2011
American Chemical Society, chair, Committee on Chemical Abstracts Service, 2010-2012
Gordon Research Conference on Reactive Polymers, Ion Exchangers & Adsorbents, Chairman, 1997
American Chemical Society, Associate Editor, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 1996-present
Selected Publications
Zhu, Xiaoping; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Functionalization of Polymer-Bound Pentaerythritol as a General Synthesis for the Preparation of Ion-Binding Polymers, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, in press (2012)
Yang, Yijia; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Lanthanide Complexation by Polymer-Bound Urea, Inorganica Chimica Acta, in press (2012)
Zhu, Xiaoping; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Effect of Hydrogen Bonding: Polymer-Bound Phosphorylated Cyclodextrin, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, (2011) 121, 1137-1142
Daniels, Yasmine; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Design and Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite with Organic Modifiers for Environmental Remediation, Waste and Biomass Valorization, (2010), 1, 157-162
Yang, Yijia; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Mechanism of Ionic Recognition by Polymer-Supported Reagents: Immobilized Tetramethylmalonamide and the Complexation of Lanthanide Ions, Inorganic Chemistry, (2010), 49, 1008-1016
Alexandratos, Spiro D., Li, Ying; Salinaro, Richard. Design and development of ion-selective polymer-supported reagents: The immobilization of heptamolybdate anions for the complexation of silicate through Keggin structure formation, Polymer, (2010) 51, 383-389
Yang, Yijia; Alexandratos, Spiro D. Affinity of polymer-supported reagents for lanthanides as a function of donor atom polarizability, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, (2009) 48, 6173-6187
Alexandratos, Spiro D., Ion Exchange Resins: A Retrospective, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, (2009), 48, 386-398
Alexandratos, Spiro D.; Zhu, Xiaoping. Polyols as Scaffolds in the Development of Ion-Selective Polymer-Supported Reagents: The Effect of Auxiliary Groups on the Mechanism of Metal Ion Complexation. Inorganic Chemistry, (2008), 47, 2831-2836
Alexandratos, Spiro, D.; Zhu, Xiaoping. Immobilized phosphate ligands with enhanced ionic affinity through supported ligand synergistic interaction. Separation Science and Technology, (2008) 43, 1296-1309
Alexandratos, Spiro D.; Zhu, Xiaoping. Immobilized Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane as a Scaffold for Ion-Selective Ligands: The Auxiliary Group Effect on Metal Ion Binding at the Phosphate Ligand, Inorganic Chemistry, (2007), 46, 2139-2147
Alexandratos, Spiro D. and Zhu, Xiaoping. High-Affinity Ion-Complexing Polymer-Supported Reagents: Immobilized Phosphate Ligands and their
Affinity for the Uranyl Ion, React. Funct. Polym. (2007), 67, 375-382
Chemists whose research focuses on the environment have an obligation to speak out on issues that are relevant to the quality of life on this planet. With that in mind, we are constructing a web page to deal with these issues: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/thegreenerapple/
The following is an editorial from that web site.
Environmental Change: A Matter of Justice
Dr. Spiro D. Alexandratos, Professor of Chemistry
A glance at any given day's headlines is enough to tell you that the environment is in crisis. Global warming gets most of the attention, and deservedly so: we throw 30 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, much of it from the burning of fossil fuels. Anyone who thinks you can throw 30 billion tons of anything anywhere and not have an effect is sadly mistaken. The effect of global warming on the glaciers and the Arctic / Antarctic ecosystems is well known. Perhaps less well known is that the oceans absorb about 22 million tons of CO2 each day. This causes a change in the acidity of the oceans and since marine ecosystems have adapted to a particular acidity over the millennia, any change that occurs over the space of a few decades can be catastrophic to their existence. In early 2009, 155 ocean scientists from 26 countries issued the Monaco Declaration which said, in part: "We are deeply concerned by recent, rapid changes in ocean chemistry and their potential, within decades, to severely affect marine organisms. … Increasing acidity and related changes in seawater chemistry also affect reproduction, behavior, and general physiological function of some marine organisms, such as oysters, sea urchin, and squid."
This is only one of the numerous environmental issues that need to be addressed. Also important are the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico (currently at 8800 square miles), desertification due to the destruction of forests (worldwide, expanding deserts make approximately 30 million acres useless for cultivation every year), the deforestation of the Amazon, the pollution of Rio de Janeiro and its bay, overfishing in the world's oceans, and the problem of garbage (in 2004, American households generated 236 million tons of garbage of which 164 million tons were simply thrown away – but thrown away where?).
These issues raise ethical questions about who we are and how we should interact with the environment. It is simply not sustainable for us to pollute the environment as we continue to consume a huge proportion of the Earth's resources. There is a need for a change in our basic values; one set of values are summarized by the moral imperatives put forth by the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess under the heading "Deep Ecology."
The purpose of this website is to bring these issues to light for education and discussion. It is only by educating ourselves that we can hope to change our behavior in a way that recognizes our role in the survival of the Earth and, not coincidentally, ourselves. The issues are not new. Earth Day began in the 1970's, which is as distant to us today as World War II was to the generation of young people that took part in the first Earth Day. Yet what is different now is that the time for talk is past. We either work to change how we interact with the environment or there will be nothing left with which to interact. The changes we will have made will be irreversible and we will have no hope of adapting.
There are signs of progress: plaNYC is a good beginning for New York City; a Zero Waste Policy is receiving serious attention, especially in San Francisco; socially responsible investing sends the message that while profits matter, they are not all that matter.
We mustn't be so comfortable with how things are that we find no incentive to change: the long term consequences are real and they are dire. Now is the time to change. Now is the time to implement a new set of values. Be informed, understand the options, then act.
Complexity is not an excuse for inaction.


text:
A guide on the general outlook of the implementation
The rise of the social enterprise
VAT in the GCC and the impact areas in the implementation cycle
Leadership perspectives from across the globe.
Learn how this new reality is coming together and what it will mean for you and your industry.
Apprehensive millennials: seeking stability and opportunities in an uncertain world.
After applying for a job in this country, you can access/update your candidate profile at any time.
Is it time for your organization to do something new? If so, it will take process improvement, technology innovation, and people who are prepared and ready for what's next. That's where Deloitte's alliance with SAP can make all the difference. Let's do something new – together.
Press releases
Contact us via our online form.
Take your toughest industry- or business-specific challenge. Now pull together all the most powerful capabilities SAP has to offer, in one laser-focused solution. That's what Deloitte's SAP-based preconfigured solutions are all about.
Whether you want to access the latest cloud-based SAP® applications or move your existing applications and data to the cloud, developing and executing a plan can be tricky. Read the article to learn more.
Procurement executives are turning to Ariba, an SAP company, for supply chain solutions that can help deliver more value. As a Global SAP Services Partner and a long-serving value-added reseller (VAR) for Ariba, Deloitte understands the full potential of Ariba—from supplier management and spend visibility to sourcing and procurement execution.
+ 971 (0) 4 376 8888


text:
FBI Says Family of Missing Iowa Girls Not Cooperating
Parents of missing girl are no longer speaking to the police.
July 22, 2012 -- Law enforcement officials who have spent the past nine days searching for a pair of missing cousins in Iowa say some family members are not being completely cooperative and are now under close scrutiny.
"Law enforcement has not received total cooperation from all family and close friends. We feel there's someone out there that has pertinent information about the girls' whereabouts," FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault said.
Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook, who are cousins, were last seen on July 13, riding their bikes near a lake in Evansdale, Iowa. Authorities reclassified the case as an abuduction Friday, and the FBI said they believe the girls are still alive. A $50,000 reward is now being offered for information that would lead to their being found.
Lyric's parents, Misty and Dan Morrissey, say they're taking legal advice, and will no longer allow police to interrogate them. Both have past convictions for felony drug offenses and spent time behind bars. Misty served four years in federal prison.
Some of their relatives acknowledge that the couple's troubled past could have played a role in the girls' disappearance.
"I can't rule that out, you know," Tammy Brousseau, the girls' aunt, told ABC News Thursday. "I want every stone unturned."
In the past week investigators have questioned both Misty and Dan Morrisey several times. Brousseau said Dan Morrisey at one point left a police interview because he felt he was being treated like a suspect.
"I can see Dan becoming very defensive after he's being told, you know, 'You killed your daughter and niece. You know you did. We have proof. We have evidence that you did this,'" Brousseau said.
Brousseau said the Morrisseys, who are separated, have a violent past that even involves a restraining order.
"At one point Dan had assaulted Misty and that's where the no-contact order came into place," she said.
On Wednesday night investigators went to a nearby hotel where Misty and Dan Morrisey were staying, but Dan claimed he was tired and wanted to go to sleep. The following morning Misty took a urine analysis and a polygraph test. However, Brousseau said the pair had been advised by their attorney not to speak any further to police or the media or submit to any more polygraph tests.
Capt. Rick Abben, the spokesman for the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, said Thursday that their silence was not helpful to investigators.
"It's a distraction for us, and why they wish to do that, I don't know," Abben told reporters. "We're asking for 100 percent cooperation. Why they don't want to do that, I have no idea."
Late Thursday Misty and Dan Morrisey were spotted leaving the authorities' makeshift command center in Evansdale, with Misty in tears.
"They have no idea about anything," Misty yelled as she left the building.
"Back off," said Dan as reporters gathered around them.
With the search for the girls now more than a week old, family members want the focus to be on the two cousins, not Lyric's parents.
"Let's focus on Elizabeth and Lyric. Let's leave the past where it belongs," Ceilley urged Friday.
If one family member is getting roughed up, he said, "they're all getting roughed up."
ABC News' Olivia Katrandjian contributed to this report.


text:
Elise Molnar tallied a goal againt Long Beach State Friday (photo courtesy Harvard Athletic Communications).
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Harvard women's water polo team continued its spring break trip in California Friday, dropping a 10-5 decision at Long Beach State. The Crimson kept the match close early, but the 49ers eventually pulled away.
Long Beach State scored a little over a minute into the game, but the Crimson were able to quickly answer within 13 seconds to even the score. The 49ers made it 2-1 until Monica Zdrojewski was able to tie it up again to end the first frame.
LBSU started to gain momentum when it shutout Harvard in the second frame. The 49ers found the back of the cage twice to take a 4-2 advantage into halftime.
The Crimson ended its drought in the third with a score, but not before Long Beach State had already scored twice in the quarter. LBSU added another score with five seconds left in the third to make the score 7-3 headed into the final eight minutes.
Harvard was unable to mount a comeback in the fourth, as the Crimson scored two times in the last frame. Long Beach State added three more goals to get to the 10-5 final.
Melissa Matheson and Chelsea Parks each had hat tricks for LBSU, while Ariel Dukes made seven saves in goal for Harvard.
Other than Zdrojewski, the Crimson had goals from Lizzie Abbott, Jelena Cyr, Kalina Grabb and Elise Molnar in the contest.
Harvard is back in action tomorrow at Cal Baptist and UC Irvine tomorrow. The Crimson take on Cal Baptist at 9 a.m. PST before seeing UC Irvine at 6 p.m. PST.
Women's Water Polo Falls, 10-5, at Long Beach State
Elise Molnar tallied a goal againt Long Beach State Friday (photo courtesy Harvard Athletic Communications).


text:
Verizon, Google, and Motorola are set to unveil the "Next generation of Droid" this Wednesday, but we got our hands on the Droid 2 a little early. This phone might look exactly like it's predecessor on the outside, but it packs a speedy 1 GHz processor on the inside.
Somehow the phone fell into my lap so I ran it through a couple quick benchmarks to see what users could expect. Read along to see if this phone is worth the upgrade for the original Droid owners.
Hands on
If you saw someone using this phone and didn't know it was the Droid 2, it would be easy to confuse it with the first version. Both phones are the same physical size, shape, and weight. They even use the same exact battery.
On the outside, not much has changed from the original Droid except for the upper bezel around the display and the redesigned keyboard. The top bezel is now a silver color and it slopes down near the bottom of the phone to cover up the entire bottom half.
The keyboard is still four row, but they eliminated the directional pad so the keys are a little wider now. Each key is also raised which gives it some nice feedback when typing.
The original Droid is black with gold highlights, while the Droid 2 is a dark blue color with silver metal highlights. Overall the styling is very similar so it probably will not change your opinion of the original (weather you hated it or loved it).
Performance is the main area of improvement over the original. The Droid 1 featured a 550 MHz TI OMAP3430 and the Droid 2 has a 1 GHz TI OMAP3630. Both processors are built off similar ARM Cortex-A8 based cores and feature the same PowerVR SGX530 graphics processor.
In addition to the higher clock speed, the new OMAP3630 is one of the first mobile platforms to use a 45nm production process (vs 65nm of the OMAP3430). The shrink in size results in smaller transistors which consume less power.
In the handful of GPU benchmarks I ran, the Droid 2 almost doubled the frames per second of the Droid 1. I found this a little surprising since both phones had the same GPU, but I guess the higher CPU speed and twice the memory (512 MB vs 256 MB) helped produce these results.
The most popular system benchmark lately has been Quadrant, so I checked out the scores. The Droid 2 scored 1199, which is the highest we have seen for any phone running Android 2.1. A Nexus One with Android 2.1 scores around 500 in this benchmark and that score almost triples to 1489 when Android 2.2 is installed.
I expect the Droid 2 will launch with Android 2.1 and quickly be updated to Android 2.2 after launch. The device appears ready to go with both its hardware and software, so I think a July launch is doable. If Verizon really wants to wait and launch the Droid 2 in August (after the Droid X), then I guess it would be possible for Motorola to have Android 2.2 finalized by then.
If you already own the Droid and are looking for a new phone, I would probably wait till Christmas and see what Verizon comes out with. Motorola says future phones will feature front-facing cameras and possibly a 2 GHz processor. The Droid 2 is a nice refresh, but I don't think it offers enough new features to warrant an upgrade at this point.
For those who are wondering, the Droid X and Droid 2 are essentially the same phone on the inside. You can take all benchmark scores here and apply them to the Droid X.
Users give up a physical keyboard when moving to the Droid X, but they do gain the 4.3 inch display, 8 megapixel camera, 720p video capture, and micro HDMI out. If you are looking for a device centered around media, then the Droid X is the better option.
Check back later this week for more Droid X impressions and our thoughts on the new Motoblur.


text:
NHL Game Night: 2-8-14 Red Wings at Lightning
Lightning manufactures a huge win when the absolutely had to have one.
Ben Bishop allowed 2 goals on 33 shots for the victory. As with the victory against Montreal, if this doesn't get you fired up about Ben Bishop nothing will. The guy's hurt, and Cedrick Desjardins was telling everyone who would listen he was going to start tonight. Bishop showed physical bravery and mental toughness outlasting Howard and the Wings in a game the Lightning had to have. They couldn't lose this game. Their backs were against the wall and, depleted or not, they had to win this game. Bishop willed them over the finish line to the Olympics break. Simply inspiring.
First Period
17:18 DET Alfredsson (14), (Datsyuk)
Second Period
1:44 TB Palat (13), (St Louis, Hedman)(PP)
11:19 DET Jurco (3), (Sheahan, DeKeyser)
17:14 TB Pyatt (1), (Salo, Brown)
Third Period
16:49 TB Killorn (14), (Purcell, Pyatt)
18:57 TB Palat (14), (Johnson, Salo)(EN)
Bishop and Ondrej Palat were the game's first and second stars.
Was that the Lightning's best game of the season tonight. No. Absolutely not. There were several stretches in this contest where they were owned, territorially, by the Wings. But, the effort was there. They scratched, they clawed, they held on by their fingernails, and they got the break they needed on the Pyatt goal to have a tie game going into the Third Period before they manufactured Killorn's greasy goal.
It's huge. I can't tell you how different this feels being at 71 points in 3rd in the East, 8 points up on 9th place going into the break as opposed to 69 points and being in a Wild Card spot by just 6 points. The win tonight gives the Lightning 8 points 8 games going into this segment of the season. They still would have to win both remaining games in this segment to hit that magical 12 points you'd like them to have, but they had 3 insurance points going into this segment, so they just need 1 more point in the next 2 games to be where they want to be heading into the stretch run of the season. That's a stretch run where, once the 3 weeks of the Olympics break is up, they should get back a healthy Anders Lindback, a healthy Valtteri Filppula (who had a fractured ankle and not a hurt hip, as I speculated after the Leafs game), and knock-on-wood a healthy Steven Stamkos, to say nothing of Bishop getting an opportunity to heal (his back must be incredibly sore from carrying this team). So, they'll be rested and healed and have a ton of home games to play, especially in March. Catching Boston for the Atlantic Division title may be extremely difficult now after this last little slump, but pinning down the 3 seed and sailing into the playoffs in solid shape is now entirely do-able.
Young team. Flagging health. Flagging confidence. They had to have the win. Great win. Big win. Huge win.
Mark Barberio was -1 with 1 shot, 1 hit, and 1 blocked shot in 18:13. I wasn't thrilled with his game tonight. When the possession tilts against the Lightning, Barberio becomes a liability and not a plus. But, you know, he's one of those guys who fought and clawed his way through the game. So, there's that.
J.T. Brown had a helper and was +1 with 5 shots in 14:57. Sooner or later shots are going to start going in for J.T., and then watch out. Teams have no answer for his speed and work ethic. None. And, he showed his skill a bit tonight undressing Brian Lashoff to create a First Period breakaway. He just can't seem to find the finish.
Vladislav Namestnikov had 1 hit and was 50% on 6 draws in 11:55. It seemed to me like he needed to make a quick adjustment to the size/strength at this level in the NHL in the First Period, but once that sunk in he looked fairly comfortable, even landing a huge hit on Brendan Smith in the Third Period. Namesy's not quite there in terms of his play without the puck, especially on the defensive end, but you could clearly see he's going to be an NHLer in the cup of coffee he got tonight helping the team get a huge win.
Nikita Kucherov had 3 shots, 1 hit, and 1 blocked shot in 12:06. He did just about everything, along with Brown, but score tonight including drawing a penalty shot where he was stopped on a deke to his backhand. Like Brown, when they start going in for Kucherov he's going to go nuts.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
- 1848 reads
- Printer-friendly version


text:
Time to Cut Back Boondoggle Embassy in Iraq
The Bush administration has many legacies. One is the more than $700 million U.S. embassy, set on 104 acres, only slightly smaller than the Vatican's land holdings, in Baghdad. It was an embassy designed for an imperial power intent on ruling a puppet state.
It turns out that Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al‐Maliki doesn't plan on being anyone's puppet. U.S. troops have come out of the cities and will be coming home in coming months. Provincial reconstruction teams also will be leaving. The Bush administration's plan for maintaining scores of bases for use in attacking Iran or other troublesome Middle Eastern states is stillborn. And Prime Minister Maliki isn't likely to ask for Washington's advice on what kind of society U.S. officials want him to create.
So just what should the Obama administration do with this White Elephant on the Euphrates? Cut it down, says the State Department's own Inspector General.
Reports the Washington Post:
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad — the United States' largest and most costly overseas diplomatic mission, with 1,873 employees — is overstaffed and must be reduced to a size more in keeping with the evolving U.S.-Iraq relationship and budget constraints, government auditors said in a report issued Wednesday.
divThe State Department's inspector general said that although the U.S. presence in Iraq will become more civilian as the military withdraws over the next two years, the embassy "should be able to carry out all of its responsibilities with significantly fewer staff and in a much‐reduced footprint." The reduction "has to begin immediately," the report said, before Foreign Service officers complete their next assignment bidding cycle and other employees are extended or hired.
The U.S. should be preparing to have a normal relationship with Iraq. That includes maintaining a normal embassy.


text:
A Tale of Two Reactions
What do we mean by the term "reaction"? Dictionaries tell us that the word first entered the vocabulary of modern political thought in eighteenth-century France, where it was taken over from the scientific treatises of Isaac Newton. In his Principia of 1687 Newton had conjectured that every action in nature provokes an equal and opposite reaction. He did not think to apply this principle to politics, but his French disciples, notably Montesquieu, did. The Spirit of the Laws sets forth the "generating principles" of a body politic, which are nothing less than the laws of motion determining its political actions and reactions. This treatise established a mechanistic conception of politics in which movement and change are constant but not arbitrary, and where reaction is a predictable force.
A very different concept of reaction developed out of the French Revolution, which changed our understanding of what revolution is and what it means to oppose one. Classical and early modern thinkers, including Montesquieu, took revolution to be a simple upsetting and reordering of society on new principles. But the French Revolution was taken by its partisans and critics alike to have revealed a principle of historical unfolding, and not necessarily a progressive one. While it is true that some of the Revolution's early supporters held to a progressive conception of history, it is probably more accurate to say that most held an eschatological view of the Revolution's place in history, as did its critics. The Revolution represented a rip in the fabric of time, the fulfillment of a historical promise for some, an apocalypse for others. On this score there was perfect eschatological agreement between the revolutionaries, who set the calendars back to the Year 1, and their reactionary opponent Joseph de Maistre, who thought a restoration of the ancien régime too tame, and called instead for a new dispensation, "the contrary of the Revolution."
By the early nineteenth century "reactionary" had become a term of abuse leveled by prorevolutionary forces against their opponents, whom they accused of standing on the wrong side of history. But however polemical its intent, the concept also described something quite real, since the reactionaries, no less than the revolutionary party, had placed themselves in the judgment seat of history and had abandoned the field of common political deliberation. This is why reactionary rhetoric so often seems an inversion of revolutionary rhetoric; it is also why both kinds of rhetoric have been employed on right and left over the past two centuries, depending on the winds of fortune. When thinkers on the right see themselves trapped on the wrong side of a historical abyss they speak of the death of God, secularization, the last man, the waves of modernity, or the forgetting of Being. When those on the left feel abandoned by Minerva's owl there is talk of the disenchantment of the world, the dialectic of Enlightenment, the occult workings of power and language, or, more prosaically, the machinations of global capitalism, the military-industrial complex, and…
This is exclusive content for subscribers only.
Get unlimited access to The New York Review for just $1 an issue!
Continue reading this article, and thousands more from our archive, for the low introductory rate of just $1 an issue. Choose a Print, Digital, or All Access subscription.
If you are already a subscriber, please be sure you are logged in to your nybooks.com account.


text:
"Pretty in Purple"
Jennifer R. Bernard
Photography by Jennifer
The family portrait is a lost detail in which each home should reclaim; and I aim to assist the renewal of such portraits in the homes across New England! The black and white portrait is a classic. This photographer uses film. The photograph captured with black and white silver based film and will become a family heirloom, one which will grace your home for generations to come.


text:
NESN: White Sox worst minor league system
View Single Post
WSI High Priest
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Albany Park
Posts: 11,154
Originally Posted by
Tough call - as the Sox are possibly in rebuilding mode, but with what?
The damage Dave Wilder did to the White Sox is almost impossible to calculate - and the baseball people I have talked to do not understand how KW has escaped the scandal.
It's not just the lack of presence and spending on international talent. Jerry doesn't let Kenny spend on the draft. The Sox routinely stick to slot recommendations and thus end up completely avoiding a huge portion of talent in the draft. Go look at total draft, and bonus expenditure spending. The Sox have been in the bottom routinely
for some years now
. Couple all this with a dearth of effective scouts, an inability to churn out major leaguers from what talent they do end up drafting, and Kenny's propensity to trade prospects to "win now!" and you have the current situation the Sox are in. The CBA changes to the draft with effectively instituting hard slotting without calling it hard slotting should rectify some of these issues.
View Public Profile
Find all posts by DirtySox
See Barchart of Posts by DirtySox


text:
KRWG hosted StoryCorps in Las Cruces in January 2016. Now, we are airing some of your conversations recorded by the Story Corps crew. The segments will all be posted online at www.krwg.org and you can also listen Mondays at 8:45am and 6:45pm.
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 40,000 interviews from nearly 80,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on NPR's Morning Edition and on our Listen pages.
We do this to remind one another of our shared humanity, strengthen and build the connections between people, teach the value of listening, and weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that every life matters. At the same time, we will create an invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations.
In the coming years we will build StoryCorps into an enduring institution that will touch the lives of every American family.


text:
Iconic Kimberley
* Subject to availability.
- Experience a refined adventure on board L'Austral, 132 staterooms & suites, 95% with private balcony: French lifestyle, unique comfort & service, Open Bar, Sophisticated Cuisine & Fine Wines, and the facilities of a 5-star yacht including a pool
- Join our highly qualified local expedition team
- Enjoy regular Zodiac® outings & shore visits to get close to Kimberley nature
- Discover billions of years-old landscapes & ancient rock art
- Listen to stories of the dreamtime from the oldest continuous culture on the planet
- Explore pristine mangrove environments, home to the world's largest living reptile
- Witness unique tidal phenomena such as the Horizontal Falls
- Encounter the world's largest population of migrating humpback whales
- Travel on the most environmentally sustainable vessel in the region, certified "Green ship"
Transfer included
- Staterooms & Suites
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Theme
- Cruise Package
- Important information
Staterooms & Suites
There are no staterooms available for booking. Please contact our cruise advisors.
In May 2011, l'Austral joined PONANT's fleet. This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral remains faithful to our philosophy - to create a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.
A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L'Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. A welcoming atmosphere of relaxed sophistication revolves around shades of grey, taupe, white and ivory enlivened by touches of cinnamon, caramel and tan.. So many personal touches create the spirit of a "private yacht."
You will encounter unique itineraries, calls inaccessible to large ships, chic and elegant yacht-like ambiance, refined and personalized service as well as gastronomic cuisine.
Port of call & excursions
DarwinEmbarkation 23/07/2017 from 15H00 to 15H30 . Departure 23/07/2017 at 16H00 .
Darwin is located in Australia's Northern Territory which is also known as the "Top End". It is the capital city and the most populated town of the Northern Territory. Darwin is a beautiful tropical city, a melting pot of people and cultures, over 50 different cultures live and work side by side that prides itself in its unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle. Come discover the town's still recent history through its emblematic buildings such as the new Parliamant House opened in 1994, a magnificent example of tropical architecture or Admiralty House declared heritage place, a tropical-style home elevated on stilts that has survived two cyclones and numerous air raids.
24 July 2017 – At seaArrival 24/07/2017. Departure 24/07/2017.
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
25 July 2017 – WyndhamArrival 25/07/2017. Departure 25/07/2017.
Wyndham is the northernmost town in Western Australia and in many ways is the gateway to the Kimberley. It is surrounded by some of the most spectacular landforms, rivers and wetlands in the Kimberley.
26 July 2017 – King George RiverArrival 26/07/2017. Departure 26/07/2017.
The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80m high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures of the gorge change with the light as you travel further up the river creating a continual changing scenery that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls; the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley (80m or 260ft). Fed by wet season run-off the level of water cascading over the falls varies from year to year. Your Expedition Team will escort you in either the Zodiacs or ships tenders to the foot of the twin falls, and explain all about the stunning geological formations of the canyon.
27 July 2017 – Vansittart BayArrival 27/07/2017. Departure 27/07/2017.
Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant and more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence. It is generally thought that this art may extend back to over 30,000 years before our time and represents the first wave of seagoing colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depiction of human figures in the world. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.
28 July 2017 – Hunter River & Mitchell FallsArrival 28/07/2017. Departure 28/07/2017.
Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with ancient rainforest pockets, pristine mangroves and mosaic sandstone cliffs. They are considered to be some of the most pristine mangrove forests in the world, containing up to 18 different species, supporting a rich and diverse fauna. The sandstone escarpment at the river mouth, known as "Kampamantiya" rises over 200 metres high before giving way to extensive mud banks and mangrove forests home to numerous bird species and the iconic saltwater crocodile. Our expert Expedition Team will share their knowledge with you as you explore this pristine mangrove environment by Zodiac® keeping a constant lookout for wildlife.
29 July 2017 – Freshwater CoveArrival 29/07/2017. Departure 29/07/2017.
Wijingarra Bard Bard (Freshwater Cove), It is a special place to the Worrorra people and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to hear the stories of the Lalai (creation) and gain an understanding of how country and culture intertwine in this beautiful landscape.
Worrorra are saltwater people, and along with the Ngarinyin and Wunambal tribes, they are part of the shared Wandjina culture and belief system. The Wandjina is their supreme spiritual being who created the landscape during Lalai (creation time). Today guests have the opportunity to hear stories of the Lalai and join a guided walk with the traditional custodians and members of the expedition team to view the significant sites of Wijingarra Bard Bard.
29 July 2017▸30 July 2017 – Montgomery ReefArrival 29/07/2017. Departure 30/07/2017.
The tidal movements in the Kimberley are nothing short of massive, in fact the Kimberley has the third largest tidal range of anywhere on the planet. Montgomery Reef is a spectacular example of the impact of these tides as the entire reef appears to rise from the ocean. As the tide drops a raging torrent of water cascades off the top of the reef. At just under 400 km2 in size it is Australia's largest inshore reef, containing large areas of shallow lagoon, seagrass beds and corals. Your Zodiac® expedition today will take you to the exposed reef system with its cascading mini-waterfalls to witness the amazing tide induced phenomena first hand. The actual scale of the phenomena is strictly governed by the tides on the day.
30 July 2017 – Raft PointArrival 30/07/2017. Departure 30/07/2017.
Raft Point or 'Ngumbri', and its 188 metres high bluff, juts out into Doubtful Bay's entrance off Kimberley, is the site of the most spectacular outdoor Aboriginal Wandjina art gallery on the Kimberley coast. The Worrorra, Wunambal, and Ngarinyin people say that the Wandjina are the creator beings of the Dreaming, and that they made their world and all that it contains. Wandjina ceremonies, to ensure the timely beginning of the monsoon wet season and sufficient rainfall are held during December and January. Join your Expedition Team for a challenging guided walk to visit this spectacular rock art gallery.
31 July 2017 – Talbot BayArrival 31/07/2017. Departure 31/07/2017.
Described by Sir David Attenborough as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world" the "Horizontal Waterfalls" are an iconic location and one of the premier tourist attractions of the West Kimberley. They are a pair of stunning breaks in the McLarty Range approximately 300m apart. With massive tidal differences of up to 10.8m on a spring tide, the "Horizontal Waterfalls" are created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 4m high on a King tide. Today's Zodiac® excursion will be timed, where possible, to coincide with the greatest tidal movement through the gaps. The amount of actual flow in the "falls" will vary depending on the tide movement on the day.
1 August 2017 – The LacepedesArrival 01/08/2017 early morning. Departure 01/08/2017.
The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia's most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The breeding colony of Brown Boobies is possibly the largest in the world. Up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here. Other birds breeding on the islands include Masked Boobies, Australian Pelicans, Lesser Frigatebirds, Eastern Reef Egrets, Silver Gulls, Crested, Bridled and Lesser Crested Terns, Common Noddies, Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers. Join your expedition team for a guided Zodiac® tour to view the prolific wildlife. Due to the sensitive nature of the environment, landings are prohibited on the Lacepede Islands.
BroomeDisembarkation 02/08/2017 at 06H30 .
Located in the northwest of the Kimberley region and in the far north of Western Australia, the town of Broome is reputed for its history and its glorious pearling era. The fascinating Chinatown district, which is the historic city centre, and the famous Japanese Cemetery, dates back to 1896, and has a past marked by the immigration of numerous Chinese and Japanese workers, attracted by the prosperous pearl industry at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. Broome is also famous for the "Staircase to the Moon", an optical illusion created by the Moon reflecting on the sand banks at low tide, like a staircase climbing up towards the sky, a unique spectacle provided by nature…
Australia: an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) must be obtained before your arrival in Australia. For more information, please visit www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas. Carriers should be aware that there will not be any physical evidence in your passport. A copy of your ETA must be sent to PONANT at the latest 45 days prior to your cruise date. We also ask you to keep a copy of your ETA and keep it with your passport throughout the duration of your trip.
Australian customs regulations are very strict, especially for the import of food items such as fresh food (even sealed), fruits, eggs, meat, plants, vegetables, seeds, grains. Fur and feathers are also forbidden. We highly recommend you consult this website for further details : www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas/customs-clearance.
It is recommended that you contact your health professional for any specific medical advise relating to travel through these regions, including advice on Malaria prevention and dengue fever.
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
It is recommended that you contact your health professional for any specific medical advice relating to travel through these regions, including advice on Malaria prevention and dengue fever.
Polar Expedition
Discover the unique concept of PONANT polar expedition cruises: explore the world's extreme regions while enjoying luxurious comfort and service.
A luxury expedition voyage
Choosing a PONANT expedition cruise means choosing a state of mind: the alliance of elegance and authenticity, of exploration and comfort, of adventure and refinement… The comfort of your ship and your stateroom, personalised and attentive service, refined gastronomy: a very special atmosphere that we take great care to maintain. In the heart of the ice floes of the Arctic and the Antarctic, our luxurious services will ensure that your expedition cruise is an unforgettable experience.
PONANT, polar specialists
With almost 20 years of experience in the extreme regions, PONANT, the world's number 1 polar cruise company, is a real polar specialist. PONANT will take you to the most remote regions in total safety: our Captains and crew are professionals, specially trained to sail in icy waters. Our latest-generation fleet has the most modern technology to guarantee both your safety and respect for the regions visited. The size of our ships means we can get as close as possible to areas that are difficult to reach, offering a privileged access to preserved sites. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the surprises inherent to these expedition itineraries.
Professional expedition teams, varied activities
After scouting missions in the field, our Expedition Leaders and their teams of naturalist guides design exceptional itineraries in the polar regions. During the cruise, they organise daily outings and shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies and hikes on land so as to get as close as possible to nature and wild fauna. In the Arctic and in Alaska, the close relationships that our teams have been able to build with the local communities will enable you to understand the life of these peoples of the Far North, and to share it for a few hours. On board, the naturalist guides will share their knowledge during various conferences on fauna, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology…
Transfer to Broome airport
Your disembarking day Broome
Meet and greet by our local representative.
Your luggage will be transferred separately.
You will board your coach and be transferred directly to the airport or to the Pearl Luggers to relax (depending of your departure flight details)
You will then, be transferred to the airport of Broome on time for your departure flight.
Please confirm your flight details to your travel agent in order to inform the shorex on board who will reconfirm your group transfer to the airport.
Your program includes:
- Group transfers as mentioned in the program.
- A local English-speaking assistance.
Your program does not include:
- Tips for the driver and local guide
- Personal expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the program.
Please note:
- An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) must be obtained before your arrival in Australia. For more information, please visit www.immi.gov.au. Carriers should be aware that there will not be any physical evidence in your passport.
- The local currency is the Australian dollar. Credit cards are accepted.
- Temperatures in July are approximately 25°C (77°F). The weather is warm and dry.
- If you are staying one night at a hotel in Broome, please inform the shorex on board. Your group transfer will be replaced by a group transfer to your hotel in Broome.
Important information
Expeditions programs include activities such as Zodiac® outings (often with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes. All this accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides. Calls, landings & zodiac® cruises will depend on weather conditions, position of ice (during polar cruises) and winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time.
Taking into consideration the unusual and exceptional character of expedition itineraries, the calls shown are an indication only. The final route will be confirmed by the Captain and Expedition Leader, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. Their decision will be subject to that of local authorities and the expert pilots present on board during the navigation in polar and /or isolated zones.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. The raw beauty and untouched wilderness offer an unusual chance to experience a place where there is little evidence of human presence. Inevitably, there are some consequences that come with such remoteness: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is highly expensive. Without the necessary medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid for with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe a full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully and be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive.
Dressing tips :
- Cotton comfrortable and light weight shorts/bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable UPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeves T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeve T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming (except for the Amazon cruises where bathing is not allowed)
- Aquatic non-slip sandals (except for the Amazon cruises where bathing is not allowed)
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Waterproof backpack for camera
- Sunscreen and after-sun high index & insect repellent
- Binoculars
Note: During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.


text:
printable fathers day coupons from wife
Dad Approved Gift for Father's Day! That one special day just for dads… Father's day… Did you know not all countries celebrate it? Mother's day is check out our selection of free printable fathers day cards. I love the printables these printable cards are designed as coloring cards so little kids can color a card for dad! subscribe to the free printable newsletter. Would you by chance be able to make an "Uncle" printable? We include my uncle on father's day because he doesn't have kids of his own (no spam, ever!) subscribe (free!) these gift tags are easy to download, customize, and print. A collection of Kids Father s Day short stories and tales from Children s Literature the templates are available. Father s Day stories for children free fathers day coloring pages to print and color. I made this free Father's Day footprint poem printable for you guys! All you need to do is literally print off then PDF then paint your kids feet and stamp it on kids love coloring our best dad trophies and more. Grab this free Father's Day super hero printable to give daddy this year! Just print it out and have your kids paint their hands with blue/tan colors click here to start coloring. Happy Friday guys! With Father's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to throw a little something together to give my hubby from the kids need some help figuring out what to get for dad this father's day? our fathers day crafts page has some gift and card ideas that can help you out! daddy ties- a father's day printable card. What day does Father s Day fall on in 2017? When is Fathers Day 2017? When does Canada and the USA celebrate Fathers Day? When does Australia and New Zealand june 17, 2015 | printables | 12 comments. I had so much fun creating these Father s Day Printables for my husband! It s an awesome activity to do with the kids father's day is this weekend…and we all know how much we love those fathers. Celebrate Dad on his special day with customized cards, coupon books, and snack labels made using our Father s Day clip art and templates father's day printables are flying around blogland but i decided to create my own. These Father's Day printables are fabulous and free…you can't go wrong with that! Print out your own cards, create gift card holders, decorate your home with alex and andrew filled out their "all about my dad" forms and will give them. Have your kids make a homemade father s day gift -- this printable book about Dad! I created a printable Father's Day card for your kids to color and design! First, print page 1 of the "5 Things I Love About My Dad" card free printable father s day crafts and activities, free father s day sunday school lesson for preschool children these free, printable father´s day coloring pages and sheets are fun for kids! father's day is around the corner! don't panic though… we've got you covered! today we have a gift idea for you. Daddy s Zombie Survival Kit – Zombies are super popular with the guys, so how about making this fun Father s Day Zombie gift! A fun idea for Father s Day my hubby loves candy, i think that man can. Special Coupons Coupon Book Printable Card- Sharing coupon book printable cards from American Greetings is quick, easy and shows you care one of our fun kids printable activities are these free coloring cards. Visit us today for heartfelt they are an easy way for younger kids to make dad a card for father's day. Check out our selection of free printable Fathers day cards


text:
Welcome to Signature Greetings and Our Home Based Business Idea!
Signature Greetings provides a way for individuals to start their own home based business sending customized and personalized greeting card mailing programs for a wide range of professionals and small business owners. See the About Who Can Use It page of our website for a list of industries and professionals that can use this service. These mailing programs are prepared by you and sent to your customers' current and prospective client base.
Professionals yearn for a way to create the personal touch, loyalty and of course, repeat and referral business. In this age of high tech communication, faxes, e-mail and voice mail, professionals see a greeting card mailing program as the perfect solution. Signature Greetings has developed the Smart Start Program as part of their home based business idea to address the need for a personal touch in what would otherwise be a cookie-cutter correspondence.
A Greeting Card Mailing Business is a viable home based business even today; greeting cards are unique, they get opened, they have longevity, and they are inexpensive; but most of all they are impressive. The greeting card industry is a $7 billion industry. Look at The Facts about Greeting Cards page of our website to get more details. With the Signature Greetings program, we show you how to set up several different greeting card mailing programs. Examples of these programs are: birthday, keep in touch, prospecting, thank you and home anniversary programs. Greeting cards are also great to send for many different holidays throughout the year, examples of these holidays are: New Years, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Groundhog Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
To learn more about this great Home Based Business Opportunity, review our website and read about our company. View the video and at that point if you are still interested, request additional information. You'll be glad you did!
Common Tags: Home Based Business, Home Based Business Idea, Home Based Business Opportunity, Best Home Based Business Idea, Home Based Greeting Card Business, Greeting Card Business, Greeting Card Mailing Business


text:
Guests at Matava have the opportunity to see native flora and fauna, dolphins, turtles, hump back whales during their annual migration north (Jul – Oct), incredible varieties of soft and hard corals, dozens of species of birds, butterflies and as well as tropical fish, mantas and ocean critters.
The flora of Fiji comprises of hardwood trees, mangroves , bamboo, and palms. The fauna is made up of native mammals like bats , skinks , iguanas and geckos. Fiji has around 162 species of birds , which include owls, hawks and parrots. Snakes and lizards are also commonly found in Fiji.
The only native mammal found in the Fiji islands is the bat. There are 6 species, 3 of which are fruit bats. Of the three species of fruit bat, the one you are most likely to see is the Polynesian Flying Fox pteropus tonganus. It is common to see large fruit bats fly over the resort in the early evening, particularly when the mango trees are ripe with fruit though they are rather difficult to photograph !
Fruit bats do not posses the ability to echo-locate but instead have large eyes adapted for nocturnal vision and an excellent sense of smell. Guests sitting on the main bure front deck in the evening often hear what sounds like bat 'clicks'. They are in fact the White-rumped swiftlet using its ability to echo-locate flying insects and catching them on the wing over the front lawn.
There are 27 species of reptiles of which 8 are endemic to Fiji. Two Iguanas, 12 Skinks, 10 geckos and 3 snakes.
How iguanas arrived in the Fiji islands is a bit of a mystery. There are two species here and both are related more closely to the jungle iguanas of Central America rather than those marine iguanas of the Galapagos islands. At present the best theory is rafting.
The Banded iguana Brachylophus fasciatus can be found on Kadavu island. It is a master of camouflage and difficult to find. I have watched one being released into a tree and it just disappears right in front of your eyes.
These little skinks can be seen basking in the sun during the day but scamper away when you approach. The most common species seen around the resort are the green skinks and blue-tail skinks.
Rarely seen during the day, the geckos come out at night to catch insects attracted to lights. A rustle in the thatch above will almost certainly be two geckos squabbling for the best vantage point, the loser usually losing his grip and falling to the ground.
Oddly enough, a lot of Fijians are terrified of geckos. I was once sitting round a kava bowl with some of the divemasters and boatmen in the main bure. A small gecko dropped onto my shoulder and hopped off. I glanced at my shoulder and looked back. In the blink of an eye two huge burly Fijian Divemasters had turned completely white, a third had transported himself to the other end of the room and the fourth was heading full speed down the main bure front path with what appeared to be no intention of ever stopping. And just a few hours earlier these guys had been happily diving with a school of silvertip sharks…..
There are three types of snake found in the Fiji Islands group. Only two of these are found on Kadavu island.
Banded Sea Krait
(5 species – most common is Laticauda Colubrina) This sea snake is often encountered by divers who sometimes play with the animal. We do not recommend such action. Contrary to popular belief, the banded sea krait has permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth which can open quite wide enough to bite any part of the human body. The venom is more virulent than that of any known land snake though its venom resembles that of the Cobra. Its bold black and white banding coloration is a clear warning to all. Fortunately the krait is extremely docile and given the number of people who play with them, for all intents and purposes, can be considered harmless.
There is however one species that can be aggressive when provoked. Hydrophis melanocephalus is relatively rare but there has been one recorded fatal bite in Fiji. Hydrophis has a black as opposed to a white/yellow forehead, no large belly scales and never comes on land where it would be rendered helpless. The common Laticauda has large belly scales and is therefore able to come on land to lay its small clutch of 5 to 10 eggs. They are the only group of sea snakes to do this. All other sea snakes give birth to live young at sea.
Resort guests occasionally report seeing sea snakes in the shallows however the seagrass is inhabited by a small harmless eel which mimics the coloration of the banded krait. When provoked, it even goes as far as raising its tail towards the surface mimicking a krait coming up for air. Quite harmless and very beautiful.
Pacific Boa (Candoia bibroni)
This pretty little boa is a master of camouflage. It is generally nocturnal and spends most of its time up in the trees. Not poisonous, it kills its prey by constriction and generally feeds on mice and lizards. Occasionally seen in the resort grounds, you will probably need to walk in the bush to try to find one of these little boas.
Most of Fijian crabs reside on the coral reefs and seagrass flats but three types spend more time ashore than at sea.
Hermit Crabs
These hairy land dwelling crabs like nothing better that to cruise around at night time after a light sprinkle of rain. They use all sorts of objects as 'homes' though they never seem to use anything large enough to cover more than their back-side.
We have seen objects such as ping-pong balls and spray can tops used and even one that lugs around a short bit of metal pipe. This fellow in the picture here is going with the traditional coconut husk look.
Land Crabs
The only evidence you are likely to see of the land crabs are their numerous burrows along the front of the resort. They are rather shy and only come out at night time. If you hear a rustling of the leaves outside your bure as you drift off to sleep, its almost certainly a land crab out for its nightly forage.
Fiddler Crabs
There are five species of fiddler crab in Fiji though the one that inhabits the resorts shores is the yellow clawed Ucalactea. The males have two claws but one is very enlarged and the little crab usually sits by his burrow waving his big claw in the air. It is used to warn off other males and to attract females. The little crab rasps his claw against his body shell hence the name 'fiddler crab'
Insects of Fiji
The Creepie Crawlie Section…
The main resort grounds are relatively free of weird looking bugs but if you have a hankering to do a bit of amateur entomology, a short walk into the bush will soon have your eyes out on stalks.
A large variety of butterflies flutter about the resort grounds. Their intricate patterns are usually very pretty and highly visible…. until they land.
Sphinx Moth
This striking moth can grow quite large with a wing span of up to 6 inches. Only seen at night, they love to hang around ripe bananas and other fruits. Their retinas reflect orange light so if you shine a torch at a bunch of ripe bananas you will see a host of little orange eyes looking back at you !
Tree Spiders
There are a few species of large spider here though unless you study the high tree canopy you will not see them. They are harmless and live way up in the very highest trees, setting their web between two high branches.
Stick Insects
Extremely hard to find unless you are prepared to examine every twig, these insects can get quite large. They get about 12 inches long. The Fijian name for them is 'mimi mata' which means 'pee in your eye'. Annoy one sufficiently and that is exactly what it will do. It will squirt a noxious liquid at you. I have not tried it and don't recommend it !
Mud Dauber Wasps
These large wasps spend their entire lives building little mud huts in which to house their young. All day long, they can be seen bumbling back and forward between a muddy spot and their mud hut.
So intent on their work are they that if you stand in their set path, they bump into you and back-track thinking that they have made a navigation error. Step aside and on they go. They are not at all aggressive and to my knowledge, no guest has ever been stung.


text:
North Korea's Success Raises Stakes For U.S. Missile Defense System
WASHINGTON (CNN) — North Korea's latest missile launch moved the United States into new territory as the success of putting a satellite into orbit could also mean the reclusive country is one giant step closer to firing a missile across the Pacific.
The United States is examining information from Wednesday's launch to gather clues about the capabilities of North Korea's rocket technology that can be converted for use in long-range missiles.
Experts say the launch shows North Korea's rocket has the range to hit Hawaii and parts of the West Coast of the United States.
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told CNN's Erin Burnett on Wednesday he is "confident" the United States could stop an incoming missile from North Korea.
"The fact is, we do have a very strong missile defense that would be able to guard against that kind of potential," Panetta said in an interview that aired on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" on Wednesday.
But with the success comes more scrutiny of what the United States has in place to stop a missile should one be launched.
The type of missile North Korea launched Tuesday is considered a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile, meaning it is designed to deliver a payload long distances across the globe or into space, depending how it is configured. It is not generally designed to strike at short distances, such as Japan or South Korea.
The U.S. military had said it was on a heightened state of alert while it awaited the launch by the North Koreans. To prepare for the launch, the United States had satellite monitoring of the site. The military also had Aegis radar ships and other monitoring equipment positioned off the coast of Japan.
Those ships have a strong and reliable radar systems and sensors that can detect a launch and track the trajectory of the missile, and can also shoot down missiles in some cases.
Sitting off the coast of Japan, they wouldn't be "positioned correctly to hit a missile like this coming out of North Korea," according to a U.S. defense official. "However, their radars are extremely useful on telling us where the missile is going within seconds."
The North Korean government publicly announced where it intended the missile the missile to, a path that did not go near the United States. But protectively, the Pentagon had in place Aegis ships off Hawaii in case the rocket headed in that direction.
Those ships have the capability to shoot down a missile as it is falling toward the islands, according to a U.S. defense official familiar with U.S. missile defense systems.
Past launches of this type by North Korea, while unsuccessful, have shown that it has the capability to strike the main islands of Hawaii and possibly as far as the northwestern United States, said David Wright, a missile defense expert and co-director of Global Security at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"This most recent launch is similar to the past ones, so we have been able to do some reverse engineering on the launches and get some idea of what they can do," Wright said.
The United States also has a ground-based missile shield with interceptor missiles in Alaska and California if North Korea, or another adversary, were to aim a missile toward the U.S. West Coast.
The United States has been testing this shield for years now with mixed success, but most believe it could protect against a basic missile launch with no decoy warheads to trick the radar system that would detect the incoming missile and guide interceptor missiles.
"There are people who believe that North Korea would not have decoys on their missiles.
In that case we have plenty of interceptors," according to Wright. "I would argue just the opposite, if they did fire something we would likely not know what it would be carrying. It would be unlikely they would fire something that they hadn't put countermeasures on knowing about the U.S. system. I think the U.S. would not be able to rely on its missile defense system."
North Korea's launch culminated with the deployment of a satellite that is circling Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole. The U.S. military said Wednesday it does not believe North Korea has full control of the rudimentary satellite, a U.S official said.
The United States does have the capability to shoot a satellite down with the Aegis interceptor. In 2008, the military successfully tested whether a ship-based Aegis missile system could hit a defunct U.S. spy satellite.
U.S. military officials would not comment on whether the Pentagon might try to shoot down the North Korean satellite, but experts say it would be a highly unlikely move because the satellite appears to pose no threat.
"Shooting a satellite down is very similar to the kinds of tests the U.S. does with its missile defense systems. The satellite will be going about the same speed as a ballistic missile and it will not have any decoys," Wright said.
But he added, "The North Korean satellite was put into orbit about 500 kilometers (310 miles) and I think that's slightly too high for the Aegis interceptor."
Wright said the United States would have a better chance shooting a satellite at high altitudes down if it were to use its ground-based missile systems in Alaska or California.
U.S. allies in the region, like Japan and South Korea, have the ability to intercept a missile like the one fired Tuesday, but not if it is on an upward trajectory aimed at the United States. Their capability would be solely to hit such a missile in the later stages of flight if it were falling into their countries.


text:
English Teacher
I submitted a couple of pieces of writing to Twilocity, a site that reviews and checks MS Word documents by running the writing through some macros. They were returned in a short time and the results were good. The blurb on the site says that their review should take you up to the next grade level and is aimed at American college students, but there's a lot in the report that comes back that could benefit ESL learners.
Click here to read the full article