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Temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, little or no wind, and clear skies are good ingredients for a light frost, and that's what the National Weather Service is predicting for the immediate Charlotte area Saturday morning.
A frost advisory, which means scattered light to moderate frost, is in effect for Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, Catawba, Lincoln, Cleveland and Gaston counties of North Carolina, and for Chester and York counties of South Carolina.
A freeze watch, meaning actual freezing temperatures, has been posted for Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Burke, McDowell and Rutherford counties.
The chance of freezing temperatures in Iredell County is probably to the north of Interstate 40, so the southern part of the county is more likely to get frost than a freeze.
No advisories have been posted for Stanly County in North Carolina or for Lancaster County in South Carolina, but scattered frost is possible there, too -- especially in the Lancaster County "panhandle."
First, a little class on frost.
Frost is caused when water vapor in the air freezes. If you see frost on an object, that means the temperature on that object reached 32 degrees.
Temperatures are not uniform. There can be a difference of a few degrees within 100 or 200 feet. Low-lying area tend to be cooler.
So it's possible to have an official air temperature of 35 degrees, yet see frost on some objects. Likewise, it can drop to 32 degrees officially, yet frost doesn't form.
If frost develops Saturday morning in Charlotte, it will be six days early, technically. That's because the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, out of N.C. State University, says the average first frost in Charlotte (at the airport) comes Nov. 5. But there is a variation of 13 days on either side of that date, so an Oct. 30 frost is not really out of the ordinary.
According to the Extension Service, here are some other average first frost dates for the area:
Albemarle: Oct. 25.
Concord: Nov. 2.
Gastonia: Nov. 1.
Hickory: Oct. 20.
Lenoir: Oct. 21.
Monroe: Oct. 25 (this seems early, given that Monroe is southeast of Charlotte; but the National Weather Service's official observer is in a rural area south of Monroe, so it's possible measurements are made in a low-lying area).
Morganton: Oct. 18.
Salisbury: Oct. 26.
Shelby: Oct. 25.
Statesville: Oct. 19.
Wadesboro: Nov. 4.
The only South Carolina dates I could find came from a seed company, which said the average first frost date in Chester, S.C., is Oct. 20. That seems too early to me, so I discounted that. I'd assume the average date in Rock Hill and Lancaster would be somewhere around the Nov. 5 date.
TROPIC TROUBLE: The tropics are not finished for 2010. Tropical Storm Shary, a relatively weak system, is expected to move into the open Atlantic, encounter cooler water and strong wind shear, and dissipate this weekend.
But there is a stronger system in the deep southern Caribbean that is likely to become a named tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. That system will affect Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in the next day or two, then slide into the southern Caribbean.
Some long-range forecasters say this system eventually could be a Gulf of Mexico player by late next week. But late-season storms in the Caribbean are difficult to predict, so I wouldn't put much stock in any forecasts yet.
Friday, October 29, 2010
First frost almost on schedule
Temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, little or no wind, and clear skies are good ingredients for a light frost, and that's what the National Weather Service is predicting for the immediate Charlotte area Saturday morning.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A storm to remember
Finally, after two solid days of severe weather, calmer conditions are returning to the Charlotte region today.
Autumn weather is returning, too (see below), but the storm system responsible for the damage across our area will not be forgotten. It's become a part of weather history.
The center of the trouble was a low pressure system that deepened rapidly Monday over the Dakotas and Minnesota, then eventually pushed northeast into Canada. It was storm of epic proportions, and its impact was felt all the way into the Southeast.
Shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the barometric pressure in Bigfork, Minn., dropped to 28.20 inches. That's the equivalent of 955 millibars of pressure -- the same as you'd get in a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 110 to 120 mph.
Nearby International Falls, Minn., had a pressure of 28.24 inches at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Bigfork's low pressure broke the record for the deepest storm system in Great Lakes history. The previous record was 28.27, set in the Ohio blizzard on Jan. 28, 1978. I lived through that event, and maybe one day I'll write about it.
The storm had a tragic impact. On Wednesday afternoon, a Notre Dame University student was killed while video-taping the football team's practice session. Declan Sullivan, 20, was standing on the 50-foot tower when a wind gust blew it over. The South Bend Regional Airport, 5 miles away, reported a 51 mph wind gust about the same time.
On Lake Superior, a reporting station recorded sustained winds of 68 mph and gusts of 78 mph early Wednesday morning. Waves were 20 feet on the lake -- the kind of waves you see in storms on the open ocean.
With the pressure so low, winds whipped around the system in a counter-clockwise motion. Those winds helped create tremendous shear in the atmosphere, so the thunderstorms that formed along a cold front being dragged eastward by the low pressure system turned into tornadic storms.
On Tuesday, there were 373 reports of tornadoes, damaging wind and hail. Among those were 46 tornado reports, including those from Lincoln, Catawba and Stokes counties near Charlotte.
On Wednesday, there were 32 more reports, including 14 tornadoes.
First Frost coming?: You might want to start planning ahead for the possibility of our first frost of the season, on Saturday morning.
It appears as if temperatures will fall into the mid 30s to the north and west of Charlotte, and the mid to upper 30s near Charlotte. Winds are forecast to be light, so frost is a possibility.
Halloween Outlook: It looks great. Temperatures will rebound from the chilly conditions expected Friday and Saturday morning, with highs Sunday around 70 degrees. Conditions should be clear to partly cloudy Sunday evening, with temperatures in the 60s.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Massive storm, and we're on the edge
Weather geeks are really in a frenzy about the deep storm system that is crossing the northern part of the United States today and Wednesday.
Although the Charlotte region will be 600 to 700 miles south of the storm's center, we'll get a bit of the action from this massive system that will make news headlines for the next day or two.
First of all, the worst of the storm will be felt in the Great Lakes -- Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. And the storm will be multi-faceted, with tornadoes on the southeast side, some snow on the western (cold) side, and strong winds on all sides.
The barometric pressure in this system is really low, if you can believe some of the numbers we're seeing today from Minnesota and Wisconsin.
I've seen a number of barometric pressure readings today in the lower 28's. That's the equivalent of about 955 millibars -- similar to a Category 2 hurricane.
Few of the hurricanes we've seen this year have had lower barometric pressures than the storm system crossing the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
As you might imagine, winds are whipping around this storm, because it's tightly wound.
What will it mean in the Charlotte region?
Today will be rather calm, actually. The clouds and fog this morning probably will break for some partial sunshine this afternoon, and temperatures will climb into the lower 80s. Dewpoint temperatures are in the 60s, as the southerly flow around the southeast side of the deep storm system drags warm air northward.
There'll be 70-degree readings up to the Canadian border today, east of the storm.
But severe weather will break out today, and the National Weather Service expects squall lines of thunderstorms to reach the mountains by tonight. Some of those storms probably will move into the Charlotte area by Wednesday morning.
The best chance for severe weather in our area probably will be Wednesday morning. Some showers will remain after a cold front pushes across the area sometime Wednesday, but look for partial clearing Thursday.
Next will come the cold air, dragged southward by the counter-clockwise flow around the back side of the storm system. Temperatures on Saturday morning probably will reach the middle 30s in some places around Charlotte, and that should mean the first frost of the season in parts of the Piedmont.
UP NORTH: The Storm Prediction Center has taken the unusual step of putting parts of Indiana and Ohio in the "high risk" category for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes today.
Sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph, with gusts to 70 mph, are expected today across the Great Lakes. Thousands of power outages already are being reported in Kentucky and Illinois, and you can look for those to spread eastward and northward during today and tonight.
One other thing to consider ... if you're planning to fly today to Chicago, Minneapolis or Detroit, plan on delays. Strong winds and severe storms could play havoc with aviation schedules up there.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Severe storm threat fades, but more rain coming
Just an update to my earlier post today ... the severe weather threat has ended for the Charlotte area, as the strongest energy with the low pressure system has drifted off to the east.
Despite all the thunder, lightning and warnings, less than 1/5 of an inch of rain has fallen so far today at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. But additional showers are likely later today, and we need them.
After a warm and partly sunny day Tuesday, we'll probably get another round of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday with a cold frontal's arrival.
Severe thunderstorm watch issued
An area of strong thunderstorms is crossing the Charlotte metro region Monday morning, and more thunderstorm activity is possible for the next few hours.
Severe thunderstorm warnings that were in effect earlier for several counties west of Charlotte have expired, and there were no reports of significant damage.
Bryan McAvoy, at the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., says strong storms are crossing northern Mecklenburg and adjacent counties shortly before noon. McAvoy says those storms could produce wind gusts of about 40 mph.
Heavy rain is falling in a number of places across Mecklenburg County.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1 p.m., covering all of the Charlotte area. The storm threat is being caused by a rather powerful autumn low pressure system that triggered 174 reports of tornadoes, damaging winds and hail Sunday.
Farther to the south, a tornado watch is in effect until 1 p.m. for parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
We'll continue to stay on top of the stormy conditions today.
A line of severe storms plowed into the North Carolina mountains around daybreak Monday, causing reports of damage in Swain, Franklin, Jackson and Macon counties. Those storms weakened considerably as they moved into slightly more stable air in the foothills.
The atmosphere is primed for trouble, and if you want proof, just take a step outdoors. After several days (weeks, really) of very dry conditions, it is quite humid. Dewpoint temperatures, a measure of humidity, have been in the 20s and 30s for the last several days. This morning, they're in the 60s. Those are summer-type readings.
And unlike some severe weather episodes, the warm and muggy conditions won't come to an end when the storm system passes our area later today.
It will remain warm and humid Tuesday, with high temperatures reaching 80 degrees under partly sunny skies. More 80-degree weather is likely Wednesday, but showers and thunderstorms will return. Then a cold front will move across the region, bringing a return of conditions more appropriate for late October.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
When is cold air coming?
Don't get me wrong ... I enjoy warm -- even hot -- weather. But I also have a calendar on the refrigerator, and it says we're in the final third of October. And like a lot of other people, I'm wondering when that first blast of cold air will arrive.
And since my aerated, fertilized and seeded lawn could use more water (Wednesday's .11 of an inch is merely a start), I also wonder when rain will return.
There won't be cold weather or rain over the next several days. It'll reach the upper 70s today, cool to the lower 70s Friday behind a weak cold front, then recover to near 80 degrees Saturday, Sunday and Monday. And it'll be dry.
So when is the change coming?
You won't find the answer in the long-range forecasts.
This morning, I checked the 10-14 day predictions from the federal government (NOAA) and two of the best-known private companies, Accu-Weather and the Weather Channel. See if this sounds like a consensus:
NOAA: Above-average chance of rain, with above-average temperatures over the next 6-10 days and average temperatures overall over 10-14 days. That seems to indicate NOAA meteorologists think it'll be warm for 6-10 days, then cool down.
Weather Channel: Basically average to above-average temperatures for the next 10 days, with a good chance of rain next Tuesday and Thursday.
Accu-Weather: Solid chance of rain next week, but dry otherwise between now and Nov. 4 (the next two weeks). Their temperature forecasts differ widely from NOAA and the Weather Channel, with the prediction of a real cooldown for Halloween weekend. They're talking about daytime highs in the upper 50s on Oct. 30 and 31. Then they forecast a warmup in the first week of November.
I saw another forecast yesterday from New York-based Weather 2000 Inc., a private firm, and its meteorologists are calling for a cold air outbreak over the eastern United States for Halloween weekend.
There's a wild card in the forecast -- down in the Caribbean.
A tropical depression formed Thursday morning, and it probably will become Tropical Storm Richard by later today. Most computer models predict the system will become a hurricane in a few days.
The computers forecast the storm will cross Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and if it hasn't been wrecked by a trip over land and some southwest winds that could shear the top off the system, it could turn north or northeast in the Gulf of Mexico.
Should that system reach the Gulf coast of the United States, especially from Alabama eastward, it probably would link with a cold front that should be moving into the Southeast by the middle or end of next week. And that would bring a lot of rain to the Charlotte area.
Let's see ... by my quick count, the previous three paragraphs have the word "probably" twice; the words "could," "would" or "should" six times; and the word "if" once. So let's wait on that one, OK?
Monday, October 18, 2010
Woolly Worm's forecast: Snowy new year
I don't know if woolly worms gloat, but the winner of last year's Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, Wilbur, did a pretty good job of predicting the winter of 2009-10.
Now we'll see if this year's winner -- a worm with a Charlotte-area connection -- is correct in his/her prediction that the winter of 2010-11 will have a cold and snowy start, a mild middle, and then finish with very cold temperatures.
The 33rd annual Woolly Worm Festival took place Saturday and Sunday in Avery County, and organizers estimate the event drew more than 23,000 people.
The festival features food, games and entertainment, but it's built around the woolly worm, a caterpillar who, according to folk legend, predicts the upcoming winter. That prediction is based on the hue of the creature's rings. Each ring represents a week of winter, and the darker the color, the worse the week.
Last year's winner, Wilbur of Chapel Hill, correctly predicted a cold and snowy winter.
Dr. Ray Russell, an Appalachian State University faculty member who operates the popular Ray's Weather website, says the winter of 2009-10 produced 134.3 inches of snow in Beech Mountain and 83.6 inches in Boone. He says it was the third-worst winter in history in the N.C. mountains.
So what about this year?
The winning worm in Sunday's championship race was owner and "trained" by 5-year-old Cole Peurifoy of Concord, above. I don't have the worm's name, but his rings indicate the Weeks 1-5 and 12-13 will be the worst.
Incidentally, the rings were interpreted this year by Tom Burleson, a 7-foot-2 former basketball standout with North Carolina State University and in the NBA. Burleson has legitimate woolly worm-interpreting credentials. He's from Avery County and still lives there.
The forecast, courtesy of Cole Peurifoy's worm:
Week 1 (Dec. 20-26): Cold with snow.
Weeks 2-4 (Dec. 27-Jan. 16): Extremely cold.
Week 5 (Jan. 17-23): Ice storm.
Weeks 6-11 (Jan. 24-March 7): Average to mild weather.
Weeks 12-13 (March 8-20): Very cold.
Ray Russell's Forecast: Russell doesn't agree with the woolly worm. Disdaining the color of the woolly worm's rings and paying heed to scientific factors such as La Nina and other short-term climate conditions, Russell is predicting the winter of 2010-11 will be mild and less snowy than last year.
His mountain and foothills snowfall predictions -- 75 inches at Beech Mountain; 32 inches in Boone; 11 inches in Asheville; and 7 inches in Hickory.
You can check out his information at www.raysweather.com
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Cooler and windy, but no frost in Piedmont
The strong cold front that pushed through the Charlotte area earlier Thursday (and produced a grand total of about 1/10 of an inch of rain) will bring windy conditions Friday and our coldest temperatures so far this season.
But the Piedmont should be safe from frost, this time around.
The biggest problem for the area could come Friday, when sustained northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph (with gusts to 35 mph) and low humidity will increase the fire danger.
The National Weather Service says it isn't expecting to issue a fire watch for the Piedmont but will do so for northeast Georgia and the South Carolina Upstate. However, forecasters say, the wildfire danger will be higher than usual in the Piedmont on Friday.
Daytime temperatures in this colder air mass will remain mild, actually. We'll have highs in the lower 70s for the next few days, and then into the middle 70s by early next week.
But with dry air and no clouds at night, the morning lows will be chilly. Some places around Charlotte will see readings in the upper 30s on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. The frost threat is limited to higher elevations, the National Weather Service says.
This all means a beautiful weekend for seeing the fall colors in the mountains. And it also means that for the first time this football season, you'll need a coat at high school games Friday night and college games Saturday evening.
That also goes for fans headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the big races Friday and Saturday evenings.
That wet stuff? It's called "rain"
That strange wet stuff falling from the sky shortly before daybreak this morning is called "rain."
Once upon a time, we saw rain frequently, but since the middle of August, it has fallen only a few times. And it won't last long today.
A cold front is crossing the Charlotte region this morning, and it has touched off scattered showers and even a few thundershowers. People who live near Lake Norman and across the Cabarrus County line into Kannapolis got a middle-of-the-night wake-up call, about 3 a.m., when a small but strong thunderstorm crossed that area.
The storm produced winds of up to 40 mph, but it was short-lived.
The rain that's falling this morning across the region will move swiftly off to the east, and clearing will follow today. It could be the middle of next week before we have a solid chance of rain again.
We're also still watching for the possibility of gusty winds on Friday, especially in the mountains.
Winter Outlook: Brad Panovich, the chief meteorologist with our news partner, WCNC-TV, has come out with his winter forecast.
Brad is calling for rather mild temperatures and less snow than usual in the Charlotte area -- but a higher-than-average chance of ice storms.
Brad notes that we have a La Nina pattern this year, which typically means warm and dry winters in the Southeast. But there also is a negative Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) condition, which tends to drive cold air fairly deep in the eastern United States.
He predicts the main storm path will remain north of the Charlotte region, but we'll be close enough to get hit a few times. And if I'm translating his forecast properly, the NAO will drive cold air far enough south on occasion to leave us prone to ice storms. The threat would be freezing rain, rather than snow, because La Nina will prevent us from getting into the truly cold air.
His forecast also calls for dry and warm conditions along the eastern third of the Carolinas.
Here's a link: www.wcnc.com/news/local/brads-winter-forecast-average-temps-higher-ice-chances-104865279.html
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
No strong winds, please
A cold front will cross the Carolinas later tonight and early Thursday, and some computer models indicate Friday could be a very breezy day across the region.
We wouldn't want that.
Gusty winds Friday would be a problem for two reasons -- a fire threat across the entire region; and trouble for those planning to drive to the mountains and see the colorful leaves this weekend.
You don't need me to tell you how dry it's been recently. Many of us are praying that the cold frontal passage will trigger enough showers or thunderstorms to moisten the ground -- to either water the grass seed that some of us have planted, or make it wet enough for the lawn-work procrastinators to get their aerating and seeding done.
It's not likely, because there doesn't seem to be much chance of significant rain.
Very dry conditions since mid-August have put us in a position where gusty west or northwest winds could create a big-time wildfire threat. We've been lucky so far, with only a handful of wildfire outbreaks in recent weeks.
For those planning trips to the mountains this weekend, a windy Friday could ruin some of the color show by blowing leaves out of the trees. This figures to be one of the most colorful weekends of autumn 2010 in the North Carolina high country.
We should know more about the wind threat by Thursday morning.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hot, but no record; and tropics still active
The temperature is soaring into the middle 80s this Monday afternoon, and while the National Weather Service says a record high is possible today at the Greenville-Spartanburg station (the record there is 86), nothing like that is expected in Charlotte.
Still, this mid-October heat wave is what you'd expect, given the type of steamy summer we just came through.
Today's high is expected to reach 85 or 86 degrees, and the record for the date is 90, set in 1939. More of the same is predicted Tuesday, when the record high is 89, set in 1919.
All of that got me wondering about the latest 90-degree and 80-degree days ever in Charlotte.
Our latest-ever reading of 90 degrees was on Oct. 13, in 1954. That was the year in which numerous heat records were set, and I've heard stories from old-timers that it was an absolutely brutal summer.
Our latest 85-degree day was on Nov. 2, 1961. That year featured a version of a heat wave at the beginning of November, with the temperature reaching the mid 80s daily from Nov. 1-4. Incidentally, in case you're wondering, we got 13 inches of snow that winter (1961-62) in Charlotte. It snowed three times in January 1962.
Finally, our latest 80-degree day happened just three years ago -- an 80-degree reading Dec. 10, 2007.
Our earliest 80-degree day was Feb. 2, 1989.
Tropical Update: As of 2 p.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center still hadn't declared an area of stormy weather off the coast of Honduras to be a tropical storm, but it likely will happen later this afternoon. It will be Tropical Storm Paula, and the computer models are all over the board with predictions on where the system will go.
I haven't seen any predictions, however, that the system will affect the U.S. mainland. The three most likely scenarios seem to be: a.) Moving inland in Belize and Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, and falling apart; b.) Drifting southward into Central America; c.) Moving northeast, clipping the west coast of Cuba and then curving east, near the Bahamas, and then out into the open Atlantic Ocean.
The storm that will be Paula has formed in the same area of disturbed weather that produced Tropical Storm Otto last week, and it might not be finished. Some meteorologists think another system could develop in the same general area later this week.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Too early for mountain colors
The taste of autumn that we received in the past week brought out some new wardrobes and got many of us thinking about the arrival of fall, but don't race to the mountains this weekend, expecting a bright show of colors.
The latest check indicates leaves on some trees are changing colors, but you'll have to travel to the higher altitudes to see them.
As of Thursday, colors were being seen in the trees above 5,000 feet. That's mostly in the Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain and Craggy Garden areas.
Forestry officials say it will be the middle of next week, or possibly even next weekend, before the autumn color show reaches the 3,500- or 4,000-foot level.
In other words, you'll probably see some spectacular yellows and reds next weekend along the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Boone and then down around Mount Pisgah. Dr. Howard Neufeld, an Appalachian State University professor who follows the changing of the leaves each year, says some yellows and oranges are being seen among the greenery in the Boone area, but it's still a bit too early there, too.
Some horticulturists had worried that our dry and hot late August and September would cause the leaves to turn brown and fall early. That happened in a few places, but late-September rain seemed to save the day.
The peak time in the mountains -- especially at elevations of 2,500 to 4,000 feet -- likely will be around Oct. 17 to 28.
Down in the Piedmont, naturally, it'll be later.
The latest prediction is that trees in the foothills will be at full color in the last week of October -- and a few days later in the Piedmont.
Changes Ahead: If you're a fan of warm weather, you'll love the next few days, as temperatures soar well above average in the Charlotte area. Under sunny skies, we'll have afternoon readings in the mid 80s this weekend.
But don't get too used to it, as some big changes are coming.
Most of the computer models indicate a change to much cooler and wetter weather, beginning around the end of next week. There are indications the chilly conditions could continue through the rest of the month.
Our afternoon highs by the end of next weekend probably will struggle to get out of the 60s.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Arizona twisters, Atlantic hurricane, and our 80s
We've got a couple topics to cover today, and the first is the outbreak of tornadoes before daybreak Wednesday in Arizona.
It looks as if there were four twisters, mostly in the northern part of the state, around Flagstaff. A low pressure system that was parked over central California spun up the severe storms, and the tornadoes destroyed about 200 homes.
I heard someone mention on a TV newscast today that October tornadoes in Arizona are almost unheard of, so let's go to the record book.
In the decade from 2000 and 2009, there were 38 tornadoes reported in Arizona. Is that a lot? How about these figures, for the same 10 years:
Texas: 1,526
Oklahoma: 529
North Carolina: 319
South Carolina: 313
Alaska: 3
OK, so tornadoes are pretty rare in Arizona, unless you're comparing it to Alaska, in which case Arizona is like Tornado Alley.
On average, there are almost four tornadoes a year in Arizona. Of the 38 in the last decade, five were in October, including three on Oct. 18, 2005. Five twisters in a month is actually more than the state's average, so the point is that tornadoes any time of year in Arizona are rare.
By the way, the low pressure system responsible for the stormy weather out West is weakening and won't have such an impact as it moves into the upper Midwest this weekend.
The Tropics: As we mentioned yesterday, Subtropical Storm Otto has become Tropical Storm Otto and is crawling along at 2 mph. The National Hurricane Center still thinks Otto could become a hurricane, but the forecast track continues to be out into the open Atlantic.
My brother Michael, who is even more of a Weather Guy than the Weather Guy himself, points out that my comparison of subtropical and tropical storms in Wednesday's blog entry failed to mention a key difference -- the temperature of the atmosphere in the center of the storm systems at different altitudes.
As he notes, a subtropical system has warm air near the surface and cold air aloft. A tropical system is warm in the center, from bottom to top.
And For Us: It's the same old pattern we saw in August and September, and I'm betting it's the same pattern we'll see much of this winter. High pressure is locked over the Southeast, which means it'll be warm and dry for the foreseeable future.
Those morning lows near 40 degrees earlier this week will be replaced by lows closer to 50, over the next few days. But we'll see a real difference in the afternoon. It didn't reach 70 earlier in the week, but we'll be looking at highs near 80 through early next week.
In fact, it could reach 82, 83 or even 84 degrees in Charlotte on Saturday or Sunday. Maybe the Chicago Bears will have problems with our heat when they come to town for Sunday's game.
Baseball Playoff Weather: No problems for today's Major League Baseball playoff games. It'll be in the upper 60s and dry at gametime early this evening in Minneapolis, for the Twins' game (and probable loss, given their history) against the New York Yankees.
In San Francisco, it'll be in the upper 50s for the first pitch of the Giants' game against the Atlanta Braves.
And in St. Petersburg, it'll be 80 degrees and sunny when the Rays face Texas in Game 2 of their series. Of course, that game's being played in a dome, and from the looks of attendance at Rays' games, most everyone is outdoors enjoying the sunshine.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Subtropical storm? What's that?
A subtropical depression formed Wednesday morning east of the Bahamas, and since this system almost certainly will never affect the U.S. mainland, we can focus on something other than the storm's track.
For example, what does "subtropical" mean, and how is such a storm different from a "tropical" system?
Subtropical Depression 17 is expected to strengthen into a storm, and it'll get the name Otto. After that, all the computers agree that the system will move swiftly to the northeast, away from North America and out to sea.
It probably will convert to a tropical storm and might even become a hurricane.
And it's interesting to note that Otto would be the 15th named system this year. As I recall, that's pretty close to all the predictions, and it's indicative of a busy season. However, since no major storms actually made landfall in the United States, most people probably will think of 2010 as a quiet tropical season.
Anyways ... back to the issue at hand -- tropical vs. subtropical.
A tropical system gets its energy from the ocean's warm water. Its center, called the core, is warm. The strongest winds and heaviest thunderstorms tend to be near the center of a tropical system.
A subtropical system is different. Often, it's a low pressure area along a cold front that moves into the south Atlantic or Caribbean. Gradually, the storm system stops getting energy from the cold front and instead begins receiving fuel from the warm water below. Thunderstorms in the system give off latent heat, and that helps develop the warm core.
In a subtropical system, the strongest winds tend can be several hundred miles from the center. In other words, it's not organized quite as well. But subtropical storms can have sustained winds of up to 65 or 70 mph.
Often, subtropical systems develop a warm core and convert to tropical systems. The strongest winds and storms move closer to the center, and the system becomes better organized.
There's one more term to know -- extratropical storms. That's a system that was tropical in nature (either a tropical storm or hurricane) but moves into colder waters and loses its tropical characteristics.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Record heat to record cold?
Vince DiCarlo, who retired last year from the National Weather Service office, reminded me frequently that "averages are what you get from two extremes."
For example, Charlotte's rainfall total in September was about 4.1 inches -- above the monthly average.
But who thinks September was a wet month around here?
Our lawns turned brown in a relentless string of hot and dry days, until the last few days of the month, when it rained cats and dogs. Overall, though, rainfall was a big above average.
Our recent temperature swing is another example. A week ago Saturday, we broke a record (for Sept. 25) in Charlotte with a high of 94 degrees. Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, we could be near record-low temperatures, with the thermometer in the vicinity of 40 degrees.
The record low for Wednesday is 38, set in 1935. This morning, we flirted with a record, dropping to 40 degrees (the record was 38, set in 1974).
The average high and low temperatures at this time of year are in the upper 70s and mid to upper 50s. But it seems as if we're mostly at one end or another of the extremes.
By the way ... I did a little checking of recent years, to see if our 40-degree reading this morning was unusual. Looking at the record book since 2006, it does appear as if it was a bit early to be that chilly.
Last year, our first day of 40 or colder was April 18 (35 degrees). October 2008 was a chilly month, as it dropped to 42 on Oct. 2 and got down into the upper 20s by the end of the month. In 2007, temperatures didn't fall to 40 or below until the end of the month. In 2006, it was the middle of October.
Either way, we can expect dry weather and a gradual warm up for the rest of this week. High pressure is taking control of the eastern United States, and we could be near 80 degrees for afternoon readings in a few days.
Talking Tropics: There's another system in the Caribbean, and the National Hurricane Center gives Invest 97L a 60 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm. It's north of the Virgin Islands, but the system is taking a beating from upper-level westerly winds (shear) and is not forming very quickly.
Some meteorologists speculate the area of disturbed weather could become two separate tropical systems -- one north of the Virgin Islands, carried back out to sea; and other south of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.


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In the general case, quiver cycles are of the form of orbit closures of $GL\cdot V_{\vec{r}}$, where $GL= \prod_{i=0}^n GL_{r_i}$ is the possible changes of basis on all of the vector spaces on each of the vertices and $V_{\vec{r}}$ is any representation of the quiver with fixed dimension vector $\vec{r}$. In the equioriented An case, these are well understood by Zelevinsky and Lakshmibai-Magyar by showing them isomorphic to open sets in Schubert varieties. Bobinski and Zwara claim to reduce the non-equioriented case to the equioriented case, but I don't see how they are doing that.
In the introduction to ``Normality of Orbit Closures for Dynkin Quivers" (manuscripta math. 2001), Bobinski and Zwara say that they will generalize the result that equioriented An quivers have the same singularities as Schubert varieties to non-equioriented An quivers. They claim that they will do this by reducing the non-equioriented case to the equioriented case. So far, so good. But then, they say that this result follows from the proposition that they will prove, which I don't see has to do with the theorem at all.
The proposition is about a Dynkin quiver, Q, of type Ap+q+1 with p arrows in one direction and q arrows in the other and Q' an equioriented Dynkin quiver of type Ap+2q+1, their respective path algebras B=kQ and A=kQ', and respective Auslander-Reiten quivers &GammaB and &GammaA over the category of finite dimensional left modules over A and B. The proposition says ``Let A=kQ' and B=kQ be the path algebras of quivers Q' and Q, respectively, where Q and Q' are Dynkin quivers of type A. Assume there exists a full embedding of translation quivers $F: \Gamma_B \to \Gamma_A$. Then there exists a hom-controlled exact functor $\mathcal{F}: \text{mod }B \to \text{mod }A$."
Can anyone tell me how (or if) their results translate into a result that tells me a recipe for constructing a Kazhdan-Lustzig variety from my non-equioriented quiver? (By K-L variety, I mean a Schubert variety intersect an opposite Bruhat cell.) Alternately, is there a way to see which particular sub-variety of the representation variety of equioriented Ap+2q+1 I get out of this theorem and how that is (maybe a GIT quotient away from) a Kazhdan-Lustzig variety?

subset: commoncrawl


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Aaaand, it's September!
First, I want to say THANK YOU to all you folks who stopped by and left Birthday Wishes. it was nice to know that you all read the blog and took the time to say Happy Birthday. It was one of the best presents I got Sunday (after my Cuisinart waffle maker, Revereware knife set and fresh Heather-colored bedsheets - hehe)
That was one of the fastest summers ever, wasn't it? But all good things must come to an end, and we must move on. Circle of life and all that. Time to reap the harvest and enjoy the fruits of the labor of the spring and summer.
My last weekend of the summer on The Vineyard was great, but I have so much to look forward to for Autumn, I don't think I will mourn too much. For instance, school has started for the kids....sure it started Thursday, but now that the first few days are over, the kids will hunker down and actually learn stuff. That's great, right? plus, I get the added bonus of peace and quiet in the house while everyone else is at school or work. I can have quiet moments to blog, read blogs, surf, etc. The craziness of my life is postponed everyday until 3:30...it's nice.
Autumn is my favorite season. it used to be summer, but now that I am an adult, and hot weather tends to irritate me more, I look forward to the cool, crisp air. Warm sweatshirts, jeans and my clogs. And there are fun things to do in autumn that just give me the warm fuzzies. Apple picking will be in full swing in a couple weeks, and I can't wait. Apple pies and treats galor. A few week after that time to get pumpkins, fresh from the farms and orchards around here. hay rides, Halloween, which for me IS a holiday....all in all, a great great time.
Sunday is Emily's first Flag Cheer game, and I can't wait! It will be cute to watch the kids. They have been working hard on the cheers, and it's hilarious to watch some of them with one cheer that includes hip shaking. I am laughing just thinking about practice tonight!
It's nice when I can sit back and think about how much I am enjoying life right now. Autumn does that to me. I enjoy it so much....
So I hope that as September is here, you all will take time to embrace it. Enjoy it. Remember it.
Autumn is time for change, and I am welcomng it with open arms...


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Authors: Philip Knox and Devin Thomas
Whatever your age or fitness level, yoga is one of the best ways to stay healthy, look good, and feel great. But, if you're new to yoga, it can be hard to know where to start. Don't let yourself feel intimidated; just remember a few simple hints, and you'll be well on your way to practicing a fun and rewarding yoga for beginners workout.
What you need for your first yoga routine
The great thing about yoga is that it can be done anytime, anywhere, with very few accessories. All you need is to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. A non-slip yoga mat is also recommended.
More than anything, though, yoga beginners need patience and an open mind. With a little determination, you'll feel the results in no time.
Beginners yoga – class or DVD?
For a yoga first-timer, a little expert advice will always come in handy. It's hard to beat face-to-face teaching in a class or gym, but, if there's nothing available in your area, a top-quality beginners yoga DVD can be just as good. The best yoga for beginners DVD for you will be uniquely tailored to your wants and needs. Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman have put together a Smart Start Yoga program that teaches you a range of seated and standing poses to be practiced anywhere.
For a beginner with a hectic schedule, AM/PM Yoga for Beginners offers a sequence of gentle workouts designed to fit perfectly into the rhythms of your busy day. Yee's Yoga for Beginners includes both a shorter morning workout and a more intensive yoga routine centered entirely around accessible beginner yoga poses.
Your first yoga poses
Don't forget that the key to successfully practicing yoga is your breath control, or pranayama. Remember to always take deep breaths through your nose, filling out your belly. Sit on the floor in a relaxed Easy Pose – seated with your legs crossed and your back and neck straight. Concentrate on your breathing, and feel your body balanced and controlled.
Although it might sound easy, mastering your breathing and back muscle control in this way is an essential part of beginning your yoga routine. Once you feel relaxed, stand up straight and stretch your arms slowly up above your head as you breathe in, then exhale as you reach down toward the ground. Go as far as you can without straining.
Once you feel comfortable with these simple beginner yoga poses, you can incorporate them into a sequence for a more advanced workout.
Yoga might seem like a daunting task. You walk into a gym or download a yoga video and some flexible yogi is sitting on her head in a pretzel-like position and you think, "I'll never be able to do this." Here are two easy beginner yoga poses that can produce results without sending you to the emergency room.
A very basic stretch to start with is Cat-Cow Pose, which is a great stretch for your back and abdomen.
Start on your hands and knees, aligning your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees with your hips.
Keep your spine flat like a table; this is called neutral spine.
Keep your neck in line with your spine. Don't lift it up or drop it down.
As you inhale, drop your belly toward the floor and look up. Curl your toes under if this helps you reach the stretch.
As you exhale, pull your spine toward the ceiling, rounding your back. Your head will drop down and you can focus on your navel. The tops of your feet will lay flat against the floor.
Repeat this action as you continue inhaling and exhaling, working on your breath.
Downward-Facing Dog
Another easy beginning yoga pose to try is Downward-Facing Dog.
Begin on your knees the same way you did with Cat-Cow pose, with your wrists under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
As you inhale, push your hips toward the ceiling, straighten your legs and place your feet flat on the ground.
Once your legs are straight, spread your fingers out, and let your head hang between your arms. Engage your quadriceps to take pressure off your arms.
Once you are in position, continue working on your breath.
Both of these positions and more can be found in basic yoga classes and some of the best beginners' yoga DVDs. Always remember to work at your own pace and that most positions can be modified or altered to help you achieve them. Open communication between you and your yoga instructor is the best way to get the most out of each exercise.


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I'm borrowing my dear friend's laptop, because mine spontaneously perished this morning. How's the saying go...when it rains it pours? I wish it was just rain! :)
I took these gorgeous sunset photos last month. The colors were just so lovely, I ran outside and started snapping away. If you'd told me when I took these photos what would have happened this last weekend, I'd have laughed.
I remember several years ago as I witnessed a patient describing how their hearing loss had hit so suddenly. I was struck with the thought that life can change so much in one day. The day before, everything was fine, life was going smoothly, and the next everything can change. That is the reality that I am faced with tonight as I type this.
I don't want to be too cryptic, but I had a sudden change in my eyesight and health over the past weekend, and I found out the cause today. Literally, I took a short nap, and when I woke up my vision had changed. It's going to take a few weeks to get everything back in balance, but I am so grateful for good medical doctors, loving family, and the knowledge I have that things will work out. I am absolutely sure that I will be fine. I can't type the word yet, but you may guess when I tell you I have to eliminate sugar completely from my diet (!!!), and have some unpleasant routines I have to add to my day. There's no family history, but somehow I still hit the jackpot.
So, posting will be a bit sparse, but I promise to be back to a regular routine as soon as I have a working computer.
Thank you for reading my ramblings and cheering me on as I continue to learn how to do hard things, and create a beautiful life in the process.


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cc image credit image by hyku on flickr
I'm having a really, really hard time getting excited about Windows 8 and its "majestic" Metro design style and interface. So hard I almost skipped posting these links.
I'm now more comfortable in the Windows 7 environment and experience than I was/am in Windows XP. Don't even get me started on my limited Vista run.
There are a lot of technical pundits much smarter and more versed in pre-analyzing the pre-Windows 8 packages that Microsoft have pushed out. Though I have dutifully downloaded the public "Developer Preview" version and got it spinning on a virtual machine (VitrualBox if you care to know), I haven't tried (nor care at this point) to dual-boot it via a VHD container on real hardware. Nor do I have access to a "tablet" or touch-screen device to really take full advance of the Metro touch interface. (Yawn)
However my initial response is that it pleasant and somewhat interesting. I'm sure the new advances in the kernel and OS functionality will improve the already quite refined Windows 7 version in terms of security and user-perceived performance.
However, unlike Windows 7, I will not be rushing out to the store to snap it up and upgrade our Windows 7 systems. They just work too well, are too stable, and are too nice to bother. For now.
Heck, I can't get my dad to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. He actually likes and trusts it. Forget about getting him to leap to Windows 8!
Which leads me to my next concern; with so many enterprise and businesses just now finally making the upgrade jump from XP to Windows 7, will Microsoft be able to sell them on Windows 8 with it's funky Metro interface (noted, it can be disabled for a more "Classic" business-like desktop experience) and even newer under-the-hood architecture? Probably, eventually I suppose…maybe in the general timeframe as those XP to Windows 7 adoption rates.
So, here is the obligatory GSD post of everything you probably need to know (IMHO) about Windows 8, for now, to satisfy your curiosity, and get you started kicking the tires.
First, a Meet and Greet
Your Windows 8 questions, answered - TechBlog's Dwight Silverman
Making business lust for Windows 8- TechBlog's Dwight Silverman
Windows 8–First thoughts - Mister Goodcat' on pitorque.de
Getting Windows 8 Developer Preview
Windows Metro Style Apps Developer Downloads - Microsoft MSDN Dev Center. Get the ISO's here.
Installing Windows 8 - Virtual Box method
This was the method I went with. I used Mister Goodcat's pitch-perfect walkthrough post to get my version -- Windows 8 Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86) -- up and running in just a few minutes. Check them all out first as they all provide good perspectives before starting.
Installing Windows 8 Developer Preview in a virtual machine - Mister Goodcat' on pitorque.de
Pay particular attention in that post above where Mister Goodcat explains at the end how to manually adjust the screen size resolution outside of the VirtualBox session to allow you a better "wide-screen" ratio level. It's worth the read if you go this method.
Windows 8: An installation walk-through - Hardware 2.0 blog at ZDNet
8 and Windows VirtualBox: how it works - (GTranslated) - Caschy on the German stadt-bremerhaven.de blog
Virtualize Windows 8 ... - (GTranslated) - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT Blog"
Running Windows 8 on VirtualBox with Additional Wide Screen Resolution - Windows7hacker
Installing Windows 8 - VHD Native/Dual-Boot Method
This is the method I used to pre-test Windows 7 release versions back in the day on my Vista system. It worked great and there was considerable benefit to running the OS on "real" hardware. It was easy. I didn't love Vista so much so I didn't really care about data-loss then. I really like my Windows 7 installation on my blazing-fast Dell Studio system so I'm more hesitant this go round. Maybe I'll see if Alvis wants to be a volunteer geeklet for the Win 8 testing cause with her laptop…
Guide to Installing and Booting Windows 8 Developer Preview off a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) - Scott Hanselman's Computer Zen blog
Installing Windows 8 Developer Preview as bootable VHD - Mister Goodcat' on pitorque.
Dual Boot Windows 8 from VHD using Windows Setup - Concurrency Blog
How to Dual-Boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 Side By Side - Lifehacker
Native VHD Boot Windows 8 as Virtual Machine with Windows 7 - Windows7hacker
USB Install Method & Windows 8 "To Go"
8 Windows install from USB stick - (GTranslated) - Caschy on the German stadt-bremerhaven.de blog
Also interesting is the (native) ability to boot and RUN Windows 8 directly off a USB stick. This is similar to, but much more fully developed than the Windows PE environment fans such as I have been hacking and using for some time now with great delight. Rather than running in a diminished (pre hack) OS environment, this would be the full-meal-deal OS on a stick.
How to create your own Windows 8 To Go Developer Preview - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT
(Revisited) Creating Windows 8 To Go on a 16 GB USB-Stick - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT
Windows To Go: Bootable Windows Drive May Revitalize Flash Market - EverythingUSB (with video demo)
Just In Case you were Curious
Windows Developer Preview 8-compliant Key? - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT
Windows 8 Developer Preview (Build 8102) Expiration Date - CyberNet News blog
Obligatory Tweaking Tips and Utilities
The first link is the utility I chose to use to wrest control back from the Windows 8 interface. The second link I needed because I was impatient and just wanted to shut the thing down.
Metro UI Tweaker for Windows 8 Released - The Windows Club
Shutting Down Windows 8 - Windows7hacker
Metro controller: Disabled MetroUI & Co under Windows 8- (GTranslated) - Caschy on the German stadt-bremerhaven.de blog
Bringing Back The Old Style of Windows 7 Start Menu in Windows 8 Developer Preview - Windows7hacker
How To Shut Down The Full Screen Running Metro Style Apps in Windows 8 - Windows7hacker
Windows Developer Preview 8: Classic Start Menu and switchen MetroUI via context menu - (GTranslated) - Caschy on the German stadt-bremerhaven.de blog
Windows 8: Quick access to applications - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT
5 Ways To Tweak Windows 8 Start Menu with Metro UI (Developer Preview Edition) - Windows7hacker
Yeah, that TouchScreen thing
Windows Simulator Lets You Simulate Windows 8 Touch Features Using Mouse - di'Tii.com D'Technology Weblog.
8-touchscreen Windows Simulator - Gunter Born's "Borns and WIndows IT
Open in Case you now need to RTFM of sorts (sponsored by Lifehacker)
Windows 8 In-Depth, Part 1: The Metro UI - Lifehacker
Windows 8 In-Depth, Part 2: The Desktop - Lifehacker
Windows 8 In-Depth, Part 3: Windows Explorer- Lifehacker
Windows In-Depth, Part 4: The Revamped, Vastly Improved Task Manager- Lifehacker
Technically Speaking Now
UEFI Secure Boot in Windows 8 Explained, The Customer is still in Control of Their PC - Windows7hacker
A Close Look at Windows 8 Revamped Task Manager - Windows7hacker
Windows Server 8 Sheds Its Graphical Baggage - ReadWriteCloud
Links...and whatnot - Windows Incident Response blog - Harlan's post has some initial forensic observations about the Windows 8 Registry hive structure.
Watch List for Future developments
Building Windows 8 - Blog posts from the Windows engineering team on MSDN Blogs
Windows 8 - Windows7hacker
Hard to believe it was a scant three years ago just a few days from now when I was covering all this ground for the (then) dawning release of Windows 7: Windows 7 – Getting my feet wet…Cannonball style!
Ahh memories….
--Claus V.


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ga7 wrote:Hahah, it was a good initiative by Jnd there's no denying that
After reading Kalish's post a bit more thoroughly (I'm used to skim everything he writes really... ) most things are sound but I disagree on one: I really don't think in the current state of affairs that much activity would be required. I'd be more than happy if everyone was posting content at least once a day heh, usually it's enough to have a smooth game. (that means come back Kalish btw, all my favorite scumzors are gone
I'm not one of your favorite scumzors?


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Coronavirus: As an on-line business operating in a rural area we are open! Click here for more information
We are still able to despatch most of our products, however, the ones listed below (that are made by other manufacturers) will not be available for a while.
Tableware (Coasters & Placemats) and Wallpaper.
Our despatch times are normal, but Royal Mail & Parcelforce delivery times are varying depending on location - some parcels arrive next day and others are taking up to 10 days, which we have no control over.We will update this message as anything changes.
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Non skiing childcare facilities for 0 - 6 years old.
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French type designer with a number of custom typefaces for corporate clients to his name: Baccarat (1989, for Renault), Credit National (1992, for Credit National), La Mondiale (1992, for La Mondiale), SNCF (1992, at Desgrippes et associés, for the SNCF), Sopexa (1991, for Sopexa), Total (1991, for Total). [Source: Luc Devroye]
Jean François Porchez credits Le Henaff for introducing him to type design. In the late 1980s Porchez was studying graphic design at a school called EMSAT: "We had a guest teacher there named Ronan Le Henaff, who had been a trainee at the ANCT in Paris, a school specializing in type design. He introduced me to calligraphy and type design and made me realize that there were other career paths beyond graphic design or advertising."


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Ubisoft Explains Splinter Cell, Red Steel Delays
"Red Steel and Splinter Cell are going to greatly benefit from the additional polishing time," he said in a conference call, as reported by Joystiq. "It's just a question of polish...[the teams] asked for more time to be able to come with a better product, for both of those games. The quality of the games is there for what you've been able to see at E3, but we were not able to have that same quality on the full game."
The CEO added that while the two games "will not do as many units for the first month as they would have done in November/December," with an estimated one million sales lost due to the delay, the enhanced "level of quality" should help sell more units long-term.
It also wouldn't have anything to do with the new fangled anti-piracy scheme they're working on?
It'll work as well as any other anti-piracy scheme...


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It collects and delivers honey to its colony. At night, they cluster to form a beehive and sleep.
The trio is together from birth. It constantly gathers honey from flowers to please Vespiquen.
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Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a procedure that can be used to
open narrowed
carotid arteries. It is also called carotid angioplasty and stenting.
There are two carotid arteries—one on each side of the neck—that supply blood to the brain. Fatty buildup (plaque) can narrow or block these arteries (stenosis). When one or both of your carotid arteries are narrowed, it can make it hard for blood to flow to the brain. Carotid artery stenting may improve blood flow to your brain and lower your risk of having a stroke.
During carotid artery stenting, a small, expandable tube called a stent is permanently inserted into the carotid artery.
To insert the stent, the doctor uses another tube called a catheter. The doctor inserts the catheter into a large artery—most often the femoral artery in
the groin—and threads it through other arteries to the carotid artery. The doctor will put dye into the catheter. The dye will make your carotid artery show up on X-ray images so that the doctor can find the blocked section of the artery.
A very thin guide wire is inside the catheter. The guide wire is used to move a balloon and the stent into the carotid artery. The balloon is placed inside the stent and inflated. This opens the stent and pushes it into place against the artery wall. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place. After time, the cells lining the blood vessel will grow through and around the stent to help hold it in place.
Stenting should:
The procedure usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.
After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room. Your heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure will be closely monitored. The place where the catheter was put in (catheter insertion site) will be checked for bleeding. You may have a large bandage or a compression device on your groin at the catheter insertion site to prevent bleeding. You will be told to keep your leg straight.
You may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days after the procedure.
After you leave the hospital, you may notice a bruise or small lump where the catheter was put in. The area may feel sore and the bruise may get bigger for a few days after the procedure. You can do light activities around the house but nothing strenuous for 1 to 2 weeks.
You will take antiplatelet medicines to help prevent a stroke. You will still need to make lifestyle changes like eating healthy, being active, and not smoking. This will give you the best chance for a longer, healthier life.
Carotid artery stenting is done to lower your risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Your doctor may suggest that you have carotid artery stenting if:1
Carotid artery stenting may work as well as surgery to prevent stroke and other problems in some people who have narrowed carotid
arteries.2, 3 Talk with your doctor about whether stenting is an option for
The major risks associated with carotid artery stenting are:
Carotid artery stenting is not a good choice for people older than age 70. Studies have shown that for people in this age group, the risk of stroke or death during the procedure is too high. Carotid endarterectomy is safer for people older than 70.
The decision about whether to have carotid artery stenting, have carotid endarterectomy, or take medicine is different for every person. It's important to talk with your doctor about your individual risks and your options.
For more information about making the decision to have
surgery, see:
Several things affect whether carotid artery stenting is more effective than treatment with medicine. One important factor is the skill of the surgeon. Research suggests that the surgeon doing the carotid artery stenting should have a low complication rate in order for the procedure to be considered beneficial for his or her patients. The American Heart Association recommends a complication rate less than 6% for carotid artery stenting. Complication rates higher than 6% negate the potential benefit of stroke risk reduction. In other words, if the surgeon's complication rate is higher than 6%, you are more likely to have complications from the surgery than to benefit from long-term reduction in your risk for stroke.1
To find your surgeon's complication rate, check with his or her office, the hospital where the surgery will be done, and your state's medical association. Access to this information may vary by state.
Another way to measure how much carotid artery stenting may reduce your risk of stroke compared to medicine is by looking at the experience of the hospital staff with this procedure. In general, larger hospitals and regional medical centers have staffs that are more experienced in doing carotid artery stenting than staffs in smaller hospitals. Check to see how many procedures are done in your hospital each year.
Other things that affect how successful carotid artery stenting may be are your age, gender, other health problems, and how severe your first TIA or stroke was.
Complete the special treatment information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this treatment.
CitationsFurie KL, et al (2011). Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 42(1): 227–276. Also available online: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/42/1/227.full. Brott TG, et al. (2010). Stenting versus endarterectomy for treatment of carotid-artery stenosis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 363(1): 11–23.International Carotid Stenting Study Investigators (2010). Carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (International Carotid Stenting Study): An interim analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 375(9719): 985–997.
Last Revised:
January 3, 2013
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology
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Moonrise Lake
Friday, November 15
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Class Details
Nothing is more peaceful than relaxing by a lake as the moon rises and the sounds of the forest begin to sing their songs. This is a fun and easy painting that will have everyone leaving happy.
Pinot's Palette is a pioneer of the paint and sip experience – a revolutionary way to enjoy paint and wine in the Puget Sound. Guests enjoy a no-experience-required art class—all supplies included—directed by trained, local artists, who guide guests step-by-step through a featured painting.
The more the merrier, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS to paint and drink wine! Uncork a bottle of wine and pour your ART out at Pinot's Palette South Hill!
Must be 21 or older to attend. Please present your ID at the door.
Public classes refund policy: Refund issued if cancelled 48 hours prior to class*; credit issued if cancelled 24 hours prior to class; no refund or credit issued if cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
*$10 Service Fee will apply to all refunds $200 and under, 6% over $200. Class transfers or credit may be issued instead of a refund without a service fee.
The Perfect Night Out
Enjoy drinks, upbeat music and hanging out with your favorite people while you paint! It's as fun for first-time painters as it is for experienced artists.
Fun Atmosphere
From the moment you walk in, the mood is light, the music is fun and the conversation comes easy!
Easy to Do
You don't need to be a seasoned painter — we make it easy for everyone to find their inner artist!
Sit Together
You'll get seats with all your friends, even if you book separately. Just tell us your friends' names when you register.
Paint Your Way
There's no rule that says you have to follow the artist's steps. It's your art, so paint it however you like!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs to learn more about what to expect from your Pinot's Palette experience or feel free to call the studio to speak to a member of our staff.
How do I sign up for a class?
Signing up is easy. Click the "Event Calendar" link on the top of the page to view our calendar of paintings. Select which painting you would like to paint and click "Add Painting to Cart." Follow the on-screen directions to complete the order.
What are your normal business hours?
Tue. 9am-2pm, Wed. 12-9:30, Th. 9am-5pm, Fri-Sat. 12-10:30, Sun 12-7:30. Our studio is always available however to host your Private Event 7 days a week. For days without office hours, we will be in an hour or so before and after the scheduled class. When in doubt, look at our Event Calendar!
What does a class cost and what is included?
Our normal class prices range from $35 - $45, depending on whether it's a 2 hour, 3 hour, or Paint it Forward painting. Specialty classes range up to $79 and are offered once or twice a month. All classes include a 16x20" cotton canvas, use of our paint, paintbrushes, apron, easel, and step-by-step instruction provided by one of our awesome local artists. Wine and beer are also available to purchase at our bar.
Are beverages included with the reservation cost?
Beverages are not included in the reservation cost. The main studio offers a great range of non-alcoholic, wine and beer by the glass from $2 to $10. There are no beverages available for purchase at the Ol' Hot Yoga studio; outside beverages permitted, alcoholic beverages are prohibited from all public classes at the Ol' Hot Yoga Studio.
What do I need to bring to class?
We provide the canvas, easel, brushes, paints, and apron for the class. All you need to bring is your ID and any appetizers you might want during the class. We also provide the plates, napkins, and silverware. We have a fun list of local wine and beer as well as non-alcoholic beverages to choose from for purchase, and we always have complimentary water for all our painters!


text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - Things to look for when choosing an English school Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Things to look for when choosing an English school Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message CoreyJoined: 23 Mar 2003Posts: 445Location: Costa Rica Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:16 am Post subject: Things to look for when choosing an English school According to a Language Travel Magazine survey, here are some of the things students do not like about language schools: 1) Too many students from my country 2) Classes too large 3) Too many students from my language group Another common issue among language students was students not practicing English outside of the classroom. This was especially true for students in large cities where it was easy to find stores where the student's native language was spoken._________________Niagara Summer Programs Back to top an_angelJoined: 07 Jan 2012Posts: 14 Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:14 am Post subject: What to look for Accredited teachers with degrees and/or TESL/TEFL/TESOL training Excellent curriculum Convenience and flexibility to work with your life's schedule. Comfortable learning environment Welcoming attitude helpful and friendly If you can hear about the school's reviews from other students, that is helpful too - sometime you can find that online on the internet I do classes with http://esl.acesquaredtraining.com/ I have asked about the teachers education and training and about what I am going to learn. You can work at your own convenience because the classes are online. Back to top an_angelJoined: 07 Jan 2012Posts: 14 Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:25 am Post subject: You can try joining Facebook English learners on http://www.facebook.com/Esl.acesquaredtraining or find an English language teacher at www.esl.acesquaredtraining.com - I use it and you don't have to worry about big class sizes. Back to top maripdJoined: 23 Feb 2012Posts: 3 Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:25 am Post subject: Hello! I am from Brasil and I am going to my study English in Canada or in Ireland where I can also work. I will go late in this year. Does somebody know about a school in Dublin in Ireland please? I prefer to go in Ireland I think Thank you! Back to top Stephanie SJoined: 16 Jan 2013Posts: 52 Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:56 am Post subject: I think the number one thing to look for is good teachers, or schools that put a high emphasis on choosing good teachers. Small class size is also a huge plus, as you will better be able to access help when you need it. Living in student housing with students of different nationalities also helps. Back to top AfraJoined: 10 Jul 2013Posts: 131 Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:50 am Post subject: Hi Choosing the right English school is a big decision, and not everyone is looking for the same experience. While some people want the charm of a stand-alone school, others like the security of a bigger education company. There is also the choice between staying local and studying in an English-speaking country. Those are decisions only you can make, but there are some things you should always consider. Visit the following link for more inforamtion http://www.kaplaninternational.com/resources/choosing-english-school.aspx If you are looking for professional academic assistance, you should contact with http://www.essays.ae/. Thanks Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


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These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
Two of the following are required: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics. Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Physics are particularly recommended.
* The entrance grade may change from year to year. Please contact the school for further information.* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.


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Talks between Vale and its Voisey's Bay union broke down again on Saturday.
This is after Premier Danny Williams tried to be "the voice of reason" on Friday.
Will Danny expropriate?
Well, he's undoubtedly desperate to find a foreign demon to distract attention coming into an election year. It wouldn't be too hard for Williams to cast Vale as another foreign multi-national attempting to use local resources without properly compensating the resource owners. He could even posture as a great defender of unions.
The mine has a huge market value and – unlike Grand Falls-Windsor – the provincial government would have an easy time unloading the mill or operating it profitably as a Crown corporation. Heck, revenue from the mine could pay for the Lower Churchill.
And, also unlike the old AbitibiBowater properties, there are no stinking environmental messes to expropriate by accident. There may be environmental problems but nothing that should hold up the expropriation or even cause the province's New Democrats to lose a wink of sleep.
Much would depend on whether or not Vale had a legal angle under NAFTA. If the company can't find a way to sue, then stripping the company of its mine and the smelter project at Long Harbour is a pretty simple affair for a government with such a commanding presence in the House.
- srbp -


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Need friendly customer service?
Call us in Boone, NC @ 828-297-4653
Or toll-free 1-800-892-5409
This bright little bird figurine is made in St. Petersburg with the fine quality porcelain produced by the Imperial Porcelain Factory. Why look at pictures of robins when you can have the real thing? The vibrant color and shine of this Lomonosov porcelain bird figurine will make you want to sing.Size: 4" x 1.5" x 2.5", 2.7 oz.
Looking for Russian matryoshka nesting dolls? You just found the matryoshka mother lode! And our huge selection of Russian stacking dolls just got bigger as Golden Cockerel bought out Tolstoys and now offers many new Russian handcrafted imports.
We're located in North Carolina, where we stock all items for quick delivery. We produce the nesting dolls at our workshop in Russia. Our forte is making custom Russian nesting dolls: nobody does it faster, better, more reliably, with more pleasing results.
Need something you can't find? Give us a call!
Welcome to the largest selection of Russian Lomonosov porcelain housed in America! This fine china is truly porcelain fit for a Czar. Russia's Imperial Porcelain Manufactury (formerly known as and still commonly called the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory) has fully licensed Golden Cockerel as their official distributor in the United States. Our warehouse in North Carolina is stocked with a wide variety of china patterns and a great menagerie of Lomonosov porcelain animal figurines, all ready to ship for quick delivery. Are you a reseller? For excellent Russian porcelain wholesale prices, please call our friendly customer service: 828-297-4653. We'd love to hear from you.
If you're interested in selling our Russian nesting dolls and other Russian gifts, or if you have in mind a special product we can make for you, please check out our "Nesting dolls b2b" page. It showcases some of the custom projects we've undertaken for a variety of customers -- no matter what your business or promotional needs are, Golden Cockerel can help you come up with a uniqueproduct that's eye-catching, collectible, and sure to make your campaign a success!
Looking for a clever way to make an unforgettable statement in your next marketing campaign? Picture this: A wooden doll which opens, piece after piece like words in a sentence, to reveal a concept. Give it to your customer and the novelty of the collectible doll will make a lasting impression, and be a keepsake. Would you like us to make one, or one hundred thousand, for you? Any way you want?
Gallery/Office Hours: Thank you for wearing a face covering when visiting. Please only one family at a time in our cozy Gallery.
Monday - Friday 10am-6pm EST - Closed Tuesday July 7th, 2020
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Gallery Location:
1651 NC Hwy. 194 N Boone, NC 28607


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Last weekend, more than fifty teams of local filmmakers wrote, shot and edited entire film in 48 hours. Oh, and in case that wasn't enough of a challenge, the film they made had to be in a genre selected at random, and incorporate a line of dialogue and prop that was selected for them at the last minute.
Impressive, no? This was the latest iteration of the long-running 48 Hour Film Project, an international event that forces filmmakers to think on the fly, work under brutal conditions and, most of all, get things done
See also - Event: 48 Hour Film Project Premiere Screenings - News: Creep meets money goal, plans to start filming - Shoot Colorado wants to help set the scene for local filmmakers
Follow @WestwordCulture
RunawayTrain Productions won the Best of Screening award last year with "Last Call," a short with maximum narrative punch contained within its brief run time, going from rock bottom to uplifting redemption in under seven minutes. The crew even managed a gunfight of sorts!
And now for something completely different... Stranger Studios' won an audience choice award as well as nods for Best Directing and Best Graphics in 2011 with "Touch." It's a musical animated fantasy that's dialogue-free, right up to the oddball ending. Looking at what they accomplished here in 48 hours, it makes you wonder what the hell they could do in a week.
Big City Danger's "To Die For" aims high and delivers beautifully. It's a silent film with some great cinematography and a solid score, but that's not the half of it. This short is also a seemingly predictable melodrama that turns into an absurd black comedy with the final, brutal twist, plus it throws in a weird film-within-a-film, just for the hell of it.
"Undying Love" from Dragoon Films doesn't offer quite the polish that the previous entries did, but it does have something they don't: zombies. You can't go wrong with zombies, and they don't. As the title indicates, it's even zombies in love, a sadly neglected subgenre. Watch for the sweet hat tip to Lady and the Tramp.
Unfurnished from Brad Stabio on Vimeo.
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Finally, there's last year's winner: "Unfinished," by Cinema Geeks, which also took home awards for Best Acting and Best Special Effects. It's easy to see why it won all of those, since it's a smart, funny short that looks great. You'd never know it was made in 48 hours unless you were told, but even more than that, you won't care, since you'll be too busy laughing out loud.
Follow @WestwordCulture


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Mahalaya falls in the month of Ashwin (according to Hindu Samvat calendar) and its generally a amavasya day (new moon day), people often offers tarpan(sacred Offerings and a ritual in Hinduisms ) to their ancestors and forefathers so that they live happily and peacefully in heaven .
We Bengalis have grown up listening to devotional songs Mahishashurmardini by Virendra Krishna Bhadra.I really can't recollect how this started, but over a period of time, this has become a ritual itself. Without listening to these devotional songs, the very essence of festivity and the spirit is never matched.
When asked about this to My FIL , he came up with the answer .It was first Bani Kumar who initially wrote the lyrics of these devotional songs with the help of known Purohits of that time .Then It was the turn of Virendra Krishna Bhadra , who with the help of renowned musicians of that era came up with these songs .He recited the sholakas from Chandi Path and the songs were then sung by other artists. It was first played in All India radio early in the morning.From that small beginning ,it has flourished even a gap of long 75 years .
Now to my usual stuff of Recipes .
Cottage Cheese Pudding
Steamed Cupcake .
I Have posted few months back a recipe about cake being baked in Pressure Cooker .Here
This time keeping in mind few of the queries made on that post , I have tried making Cheese Pudding in Pressure Cooker , it just came out so well and flavorful , I could not resist posting about it .
This recipe worked fine for me, as the amount of egg to cheese was very proportionate, with a dash of lemon zest; it has a lemony flavor also. It was one of the Moist, spongy and soft Cheese pudding and was liked very much by my family.
I am going to make it again during this Durga Puja.
2 -2 ½ cups of cottage Cheese
¾ cup of sugar (add according to preferable sweetness )
2 tbs of Brandy (optional if making for kids avoid it)
2 tbs of all purpose flour
1 tsp of vanilla essence
2 -3 tsp of grated orange zest or lemon zest
¼ cup of raisins
4 eggs
¼ tsp of baking powder
Pinch of salt
Separate egg white from egg yolks .Foam the egg white in mixer/blender for 5 mints at high speed.
Making Of Paneer(Cottage Cheese )
Bring ½ litre of whole milk to boil in a pot .
Add citric acid (easily available at the local grocer in India) or You can squeeze in Juice of 1 lemon .Or use the ready-made juice in small plastic lemon available in Wallmarts and Krogers.
Stir for few mints and let the milk curdle, Let it cool and then sieve the Paneer(Cottage Cheese ) and tie in Muslin cloth(If you have your old cotton saree or chiffon Duppatas , just cut out 6*6 inch piece from it and use instead of muslin cloth , It is much more handy for me in time of need , always Reuse and Recycle) Hung at a minimum height .I generally tie that in the Kitchen sink Tap .
After 1hrs, slowly take out the Cheese from the cloth.
Preheat the Pressure cooker for 3-4 mints at high, and then lower the flame.
Mix in the Cheese, All purpose flour, Sugar, vanilla essence and egg yolk in mixer for 1-2 mints,at low speed.
Take out in a vessel, Mix in baking Powder, Lemon Zest (Tip- you can use sweet lime zest also, this add a great fruity and lemony flavor) and egg whites, mix well.
Grease an aluminum vessel with refined oil or canola oil. (I didn't had one so used steel vessel instead of aluminum one)
Shift the entire thing to the utensil. Decorate with raisins or cashews
Very carefully place the vessel inside the pressure cooker as it is now hot.
There are possibly two ways of making Pudding inside a Pressure Cooker.
One is use of water, so that the moisture is retained and the pudding in cooked slowly on steam.
Other way is just opposite, like making a cake, with out adding water, and cook according a cake is baked.
I followed both of them, and found out that while the first way round its more like a moistened and soft pudding ,but the second one , which was a real surprise tastes more like cake which is very spongy and flavorful and more like a bundt cake .My better half liked this way more flavorful than made with the first method.
I would suggest you to try making the dish both the way.
Well Of course there is the conventional way
Bake the pudding at 300 deg for 45 mints. Use eight 1cup ramekins or custard cups or a casserole for this purpose .
Bake till the wooden tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
All said and done, now cover the cooker with lid but without whistle or weight.
Seal it and then lower the flame, cook the pudding at low for 40- 45 mints.
Take out only when the cooker is cooled, do not open the cooker before it.
Now flip the vessel over a greased plate, Don't worry if some of it get stuck at the base of vessel.( Just soak the vessel in water for 1 hrs , the stubborn left-over gets easily cleaned)
This one is packed with right content of protein, good for toddlers and growing children.
One More Close look.
Cooking From Passionate Cooks Links
I guess my taking Pics is not very Important as these recipes are it self completely well written with Pics , Please Visit their lovely sites for more detailed recipe and instruction.
Lemon Rice Lemon Rice By Indira at Mahanandi - Excellent recipe with easy to follow Guidelines, I made that for Dinner and It came out great , enjoyed by each and every member of my family .
Prawn Biryani Malabar Style Prawn Biryani By SHN at Mish-Mash – She makes it a point to write recipe in details , and with that much of clarity , nothing can go wrong .Biryani was a hit and we thoroughly enjoyed , Again a keeper recipe .
Thanks for sharing some good recipes.
Enjoy the festival Of Joy , navaratri and Durga Puja ,make loads of goodies for loved ones.
Happy cooking Friends .


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Rewatching another GAiNAX classic, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990-1991).
I'd seriously forgotten just how much I love this series. It's kind of the Ur-Vernesque adventure anime, a classic in its own right; perhaps it's the same kind of nostalgia that makes me love GunBuster so much.
It should be a story familiar to anyone even loosely familiar with the Verne-inspired canon: a young, bright, optimistic and kindhearted budding young inventor, scientist and orphan named Jean-Luc L'Artique is in Paris for the World Fair of 1889. He is attempting to help his uncle win the Fair's aviation competition, when he meets an athletic, dark-skinned girl named Nadia (and her pet lion King) who is fleeing from a gang of jewel thieves led by Señorita Grandis Granva. Jean uses his wits, pluck and inventiveness to get her out of a sticky situation, and thereafter agrees, as one fellow orphan to another, to help her find her lost homeland. This quest, after several false starts, leads them to join up with Captain Nemo and his crew of the Nautilus, in their battle against the sinister organisation Neo Atlantis. Nadia's only clue to her identity is the Blue Water, a jewel that she inherited from parents she cannot remember (and the same jewel that Señorita Grandis keeps trying to steal!), which also connects her fate to Captain Nemo, the Nautilus, his enemies, and the mystery of the lost continent of Atlantis.
I should say that this series isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Though it retains a childlike sense of wonder and adventure throughout, thus still showing the fingerprints of Hayao Miyazaki (who had worked on the concept throughout the 1970's before going on to do his own work, and passing the project to the likewise-talented Hideaki Anno), it also has a markedly schizophrenic feel. It can literally go, within the space of minutes, from wacky slapstick antics (usually involving Grandis and her henchmen Samson and Hanson), to swashbuckling high adventure and action, to philosophical-psychological musings on human nature, violence, war and peace, and the relationships between grownups and children. This tendency lends a remarkable breadth to the show's universe, of course, but it can be a bit jarring at times. Hideaki Anno is already showing some of his postmodernist dissatisfaction with his medium in this. The cold, aloof, goal-oriented, seemingly strict and unfeeling father figure (see Coach Ohta in Gunbuster, and Gendo Ikari in Eva) is present in Captain Nemo. And Nadia - not exactly the most likeable of characters at the best of times - can angst with the best of them. There are episodes (particularly episode 35) which reach Eva-like levels of existential / Freudian psychological crisis on Nadia's part.
All the same, the cast features characters with depth and personality - and even the Grandis Gang are saved from becoming a premonition of Team Rocket. Grandis and Samson in particular have compelling backstories, and Hanson bonds strongly with Jean over their shared interest in science, technology and discovery. It's also fun to see the mentor-pupil rapport between Grandis and Nadia, and Hanson (and Samson) and Jean, when it comes to life lessons and learning to grow up. Samson's brotherly
and, as we learn in the epilogue, more-than-brotherly
affection for Marie is also given plenty of opportunity to shine, with both funny and genuinely heartwarming moments.
And then there are the Island arc, the Africa arc and the execrable musical clip show episode, which even Hideaki Anno himself hated (with the exception of the Red Noah episodes at the end of the Island arc).
Nadia goes from being distrustful, stubborn and slightly withdrawn - typical teenage girl - to being a completely-sanctimonious, unfeeling and selfish brat practically overnight. She becomes an ethical-vegetarian crusader with no sense of self-awareness, blows Jean and even Marie off at every turn, and blows up at Jean for things that are legit NOT HIS FAULT. The pace of the show grinds to a halt, the themes become repetitive, childish and (to be blunt) boring. And the Africa arc shows Nadia getting (in a manner completely out-of-character) infatuated with a random African tribesman at the drop of a hat even as her relationship with Jean has been deepening.
Honestly, I've said this before and I'll say it again. The best way to view these episodes is that they all take place in Jean's head, and are the result of the bad shrooms trip Jean goes on in episode 25. Jean totally loses his sense of time and proportion in episodes 26-29, becomes lucid enough to function in episodes 30 and 31, and then relapses into a really bad trip in episodes 32 and 33 before going on a full-blown psychedelic musical freakout in episode 34, while all the time Nadia, Marie and the Grandis gang are trying to keep him from hurting himself. That's the best possible explanation for the Island episodes that I can come up with.
In all seriousness, though, the show seriously picks up from episode 35 on, and the showdown in Earth orbit between Nemo's Nautilus crew and Gargoyle at the end is nothing short of epic, and that's not a word I use lightly. Speaking of Gargoyle, by the way, even his character was three-dimensional enough that he was a love-to-hate-him villain - he has real motivations, he is utterly ruthless in his pursuit of power, and he recapitulates a lot of the show's themes of the dark side of scientific progress.
And his being revealed as belonging to the human race he hated all along, and turning into a pillar of salt after trying to touch the Blue Waters, was, as Nemo made clear, a turn of poetic justice. Also draws together the whole 'divine judgement' motif they were going for.
Topically, the show covers a surprising amount of ground. I was quite surprised on re-viewing it how it touched upon the topics of the upsides and downsides of the Industrial Revolution and technological progress, European colonialism (ironically using Neo Atlantis and its covert war against the European powers to explore the imperialist mentality), militarism, scientific positivism and the crises of modernity more generally. Again, this is probably reflective of the attitudes exhibited in Hayao Miyazaki's other work, but it's still interesting to see these things explored in another way.
I'm glad I got to watch it again; for all its inconsistencies and flaws (particularly in pacing and characterisation), it is a brilliant work!


text: Flower shows help spread the word about the joys of gardening Standard Flower Shows are among National Garden Clubs' most popular educational and social activities. These colorful, enjoyable events continue to draw crowds across the U.S., while giving club members an opportunity to exhibit plants, floral arrangements and informative displays on horticulture, gardening and projects by local and state garden clubs. Flower shows help spread the word about the joys of gardening and serve as forums for learning and discussing the latest horticultural and design trends. National Garden Clubs offers a wide variety of helpful resources for those interested in learning more about growing flowers for exhibition, designing floral arrangements or exhibiting plants. In addition, NGC offers training opportunities for members who are interested in becoming certified flower show judges. What is a Flower Show? A flower show is a competitive exhibition of floral designs and horticulture and may also include educational exhibits. The basic components of a flower show are a location and date, a chairman of the show, a schedule stating the types of exhibits, staging for the exhibits and judges.A judge accredited by NGC can guide a club through these steps. Other resources are: NGC Handbook for Flower Shows, Flower Show in a Box available from NGC Member Services, and the Flower Show Stimulus Package on the NGC website. Why Should a Club Have a Flower Show? Flower shows educate and inform the club members and the general public, including subject such as: New cultivars in horticulture What trees, shrubs and plants grow well locally Design trends for the home To stimulate interest by club members in horticulture and floral design To provide a creative and expressive outlet for club members To broadcast, share and convey the objectives of NGC to the local community What are the Benefits of Having a Flower Show for Your Club? The planning and staging of the show develops camaraderie among club members Provides a chance to meet and connect with potential new members Conducting a show educates the club members in floral design and horticulture Earning individual and club awards develops and instills personal pride and confidence Showing exhibits of the club's projects informs members and the public of the club's community service and partnerships As a result of participating in a flower show, members may decide to attend Flower Show School in order to become a judge and thereby be an additional asset to the club and organization as a whole Flower Show Schools provide educational programs for every member NGC Flower Show Schools are sponsored, planned and conducted by state garden clubs. The schools provide training and welcome members who are interested in learning more about design and horticulture. (For the casual school participant, no exams or specific curriculum are required.) Additionally, Flower Show Schools offer training and preparation for certification exams for those on track to become flower show judges. Floral design instruction covers traditional floral arrangements, more progressive creative styles and even design styles incorporating lights and motors! Many students are particularly interested in table setting designs that display the coordination of floral centerpiece, linens and dishes. The horticulture curriculum consists of basic information on proper gardening techniques ranging from seed and plant selection to plant culture and control of garden problems. Specific information is provided relating to perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and how to grow superior container plants. Resources Schedule of Courses for Flower Show Schools Flower Show Stimulus Package NGC Handbook for Flower Shows from NGC Official Online Store Award Ribbons, Exhibiting Cards from NGC Official Online Store