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President France Albert Rene and the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) have governed since a 1977 military coup. In the 1990's, the SPPF guided the country's return to a multiparty political system, which culminated in 1993 in the country's first free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections since 1977. President Rene and the SPPF won in 1993 and again in 1998 elections, which were judged by international and national observers to have been free and fair despite the fact that President Rene and the SPPF dominated the election. In 1998 Rene was reelected president with 67 percent of the ballots cast. The SPPF won 30 of the 34 National Assembly seats, 24 by direct election and 6 by proportional representation. The President and the SPPF dominate the country through a pervasive system of political patronage and control over government jobs, contracts, and resources. The judiciary is subject to executive interference.
The President has complete control over the security apparatus, which includes a national guard force, the army, the Presidential Protection Unit, the coast guard, the marines, and the police. There is also an armed paramilitary Police Mobile Unit. Security forces on occasion were responsible for some human rights abuses.
The economy provides the country's 80,410 residents with an average per capita income of more than $6,800 per year. The Government provides generally adequate social services. The Government in recent years has diversified the economy by increasing the revenues received from fishing rights and investing in the fish processing sector with foreign joint partners in order to move the economy away from its heavy reliance on tourism. Manufacturing now has surpassed tourism as the most important economic activity; however, no significant new investments were made during the year. Overall growth remained sluggish, largely due to shortages of foreign exchange and the pervasive presence of inefficient state enterprises. There was no progress toward privatization during the year. The country's application to join the World Trade Organization has forced it to consider reforming its trade and foreign exchange regimes; however, it has made few substantive changes to date.
The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. President Rene, whose party dominates the legislature, continued to wield power virtually unchecked. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained citizens; however, such actions were limited to detention during the weekend in order to avoid compliance with the Constitution's 24-hour "charge or release" provision. The Government failed to investigate or punish those involved in the violations of citizens' human rights during a law enforcement crackdown in 1998. The judiciary is inefficient, lacks resources, and is subject to executive influence. Violence against women increased and child abuse remained a problem. Discrimination against foreign workers also was a problem.
Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From:
a. Political and Other Extrajudicial Killing
There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings.
b. Disappearance
There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances.
c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The Constitution expressly forbids torture; however, while there were no reported instances of the use of torture by the army, there was a report that police beat a man while he was in police custody in March on the island of La Digue. The family of the detainee sued the Commissioner of Police and the three police officers on duty at the time for $4,386 (SR 25,000) in damages. Police were investigating the claim at year's end; however, no action had been taken.
The Government has failed to investigate or punish those members of the security forces who allegedly tortured suspects in custody in 1998. Several cases that were brought against the Government and the army by individuals who claimed to have been detained illegally and tortured in 1998 remained pending. In two cases, the Government accepted liability, but the question of damages remained pending. In two other cases, the Government continued to contest both its liability and its responsibility for damages. In November 1999, a citizen fled to another country and sought refugee status, claiming that members of the security forces harassed him because they believed that he maintained documentation of human rights abuses by the security forces. The citizen was granted asylum in another country in January.
Conditions at the Long Island prison, the only such facility in the country, remained Spartan. With approximately 166 inmates, the prison was considered overcrowded; approximately 32 prisoners were released during the last 3 months of the year to alleviate overcrowding. Prisoners have access to medical care. Family members were allowed monthly visits, and prisoners have access to reading but not writing materials. Men are held separately from women, and juveniles are held separately from adults. There were no reports of abuse of women or juveniles by guards or other inmates.
There is no regular system of independent monitoring of prisons; however, local and international nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) were allowed to visit. At least one visit was conducted during the year.
d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile
The Constitution provides that persons arrested must be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours with allowances made for boat travel from distant islands. The law provides for detention without charge for up to 7 days if authorized by court order. Defense attorneys assert that extended periods of detention under harsh conditions are used to extort confessions from suspects. In some instances, the police continued to detain individuals on a Friday or Saturday in order to allow for a longer period of detention without charge, thereby avoiding compliance with the Constitution's 24-hour "charge or release" provision. The police released such persons on a Monday before the court could rule on a writ of habeas corpus.
Detainees have the right of access to legal counsel, but security forces, in hopes of eliciting a confession or other information, sometimes withhold this right. Free counsel is provided to the indigent. Bail is available for most offenses.
Several persons have brought civil cases against the police for unlawful arrest or entry, with limited success. The military's Chief of Staff was subpoenaed in November 1998 to appear in court to answer charges of contempt of the Supreme Court concerning the continued illegal detention of a man who had been ordered released by the court. This case and several others, involving claims for damages related to illegal detention and torture, were settled out of court during the year (see Section 1.c.).
The law prohibits forced exile, and the Government does not employ it. Following the 1977 coup, a number of persons went into voluntary exile, and others were released from prison with the condition that they leave the country immediately. A number of these former exiles who returned to the country were able to reacquire their property; however, several claims remained in the court system at year's end.
e. Denial of Fair Public Trial
The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, it is inefficient, lacks resources, and is subject to executive interference.
The judicial system includes magistrates' courts, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, and the Court of Appeal.
Depending on the gravity of the offense, criminal cases are heard by magistrates' court or the Supreme Court. A jury is used in cases involving murder or treason. Trials are public, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty. Defendants have the right to counsel, to be present at their trial, to confront witnesses, and to appeal. The Constitutional Court convenes weekly or as necessary to consider constitutional issues only. The Court of Appeal convenes three times per year for 2 weeks in April, August, and October to consider appeals from the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court only.
Defendants generally have the right to a fair trial. All judges are appointed for 7 years and can be reappointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointment Committee. All sitting judges were hired from other Commonwealth countries, including Mauritius, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and Zambia; none are citizens, with the exception of the Chief Justice, who is a naturalized citizen. The Seychelles Bar Association has criticized the Government for not advertising domestically that judicial positions are available, since 30 citizens practice law either domestically or abroad. Some observers criticized expatriate judges for a perceived lack of sensitivity on issues such as human rights. Legal organs of the Government, such as the Attorney General's Office and the Ombudsman, are reluctant to pursue charges of wrongdoing or abuse of power against senior officials.
There were no reports of political prisoners.
f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence
The Constitution provides for the right to privacy and freedom from arbitrary searches. The law requires a warrant for police searches, and the authorities generally respected this requirement in practice. While in 1998 soldiers reportedly forcibly entered homes, and seized and detained citizens, no such incidents were reported during the year. The law requires that all electronic surveillance be justified on the grounds of preventing a serious crime and be approved by a judge. The Government maintained telephone surveillance of some political figures.
Some members of opposition parties claimed that they lost their government jobs because of their political beliefs and are at a disadvantage when applying for government licenses and loans.
Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including:
a. Freedom of Speech and Press
The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press; however, it also provides for restrictions on speech "for protecting the reputation, rights, and freedoms of private lives of persons" and "in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health," and as a result both freedom of speech and of the press are constrained by the ease with which civil lawsuits can be filed to penalize journalists for alleged libel. In February the National Assembly passed the Broadcasting and Telecommunication Bill, which allows the Minister of Information Technology to prohibit the broadcast of any material believed to be against the "national interest" or "objectionable;" however, the bill was not used against journalists or the media during the year. The legislation also requires telecommunications companies to submit subscriber information to the Government. In most instances, citizens speak freely, including in Parliament.
The Government has a near monopoly in the media, owning the only television and radio stations, the most important means for reaching the public, and the only daily newspaper, the Nation. The official media adhere closely to the Government's position on policy issues and give the opposition and news adverse to the Government only limited attention. While both opposition parties publish an assortment of newsletters and magazines, only one significant opposition newspaper, the weekly Regar, is in circulation. Government officials have sued Regar for libel nine times in the last 5 years. The most recent suit, in which the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources sued Regar in 1999 for taking pictures of the house he was constructing, was settled out of court in October. The Minister dropped the suit in exchange for Regar's agreement not to publish the photos.
In January the Government sued Regar's editor and publisher for contempt for failing to turn over to authorities a letter published by the paper. Regar officials argued that providing officials with the letter would violate their right to keep sources confidential. The Supreme Court dismissed the charge in April; however, the Attorney General's office sought a court order to obtain a copy of the letter. In August a judge ruled that the matter would be heard in the Constitutional Court; however, by year's end, no action had been taken.
In February 1999, the National Assembly again rejected a motion presented by the leader of the opposition to reduce the license fee for a private radio or television station from $151,200 (SR 800,000) per year to that of a newspaper publishing license, $760 (SR 4,000) plus a bank guarantee of $19,000 (SR 100,000). The motion was refused. The high fees were a deterrent to the establishment of private radio and television.
In November 1999, the opposition party filed suit with the Constitutional Court and claimed that the appointment of 8 civil servants and the President's wife to the 10-member board of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) violated the constitutional requirement that state-owned media be managed by a body independent of the government. In August the court agreed to hear the case; however, no decision was reached by year's end.
The Internet was available in the country, and the Government permitted access to it without restriction.
Academic freedom is limited due to the fact that one cannot reach senior positions in the academic bureaucracy without demonstrating at least nominal loyalty to the SPPF. There are no universities; secondary school teacher appointments largely are apolitical. The Government controls access to the Polytechnic, the most advanced learning institution.
b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
The Constitution provides for freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the Government respected these rights in practice.
c. Freedom of Religion
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respected this right in practice.
The Government has not demonstrated favoritism toward one religion over another in the past, but in May the opposition Seychelles National Party (SNP), which is led by an Anglican minister, claimed that the Government gave a grant of $164,000 (SR 900,000) to the Baha'i faith in 1999, following its incorporation. According to the SNP, this grant has not been offered to other faiths that have been established recently in the country. The Government has not responded to the SNP's claim.
d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation
The Constitution provides for freedom of movement, and there was no known abridgment of domestic or international travel; however, although it was not used to refuse a passport application, the 1991 Passport Act allows the Government to deny passports to any citizen if the Minister of Defense finds that such denial is "in the national interest." While the resident departure tax of $95 (SR 500) is payable in local currency, government foreign exchange regulations and the foreign exchange shortage hinder many citizens from being able to afford foreign travel, although they might have sufficient means in local currency. According to a law in effect since May 1999, citizens cannot possess any foreign exchange unless in possession of a receipt from a licensed foreign exchange vendor. In addition banks provided only $95 (SR 500) to a maximum $200 (SR 1,146) to those departing the country because of the extreme foreign exchange shortage.
The law contains provisions for the granting of refugee or asylee status in accordance with the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. As there have been no recent refugee cases, there were no reports of government cooperation with the UNHCR; however, there are no indications that the Government would not cooperate.
There were no known requests for asylum, and there are no refugees in the country. The issue of first asylum did not arise during the year. The Immigration Act does not discuss asylum. There are no known instances of persons being forcibly deported to a country where they feared persecution.
Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government
Citizens exercised the right to change their government in the 1993 and 1998 National Assembly and presidential elections, which were judged by international and national observers to have been free and fair, despite the fact that President Rene and the SPPF dominated the elections. Suffrage is universal.
A joint Commonwealth and Francophone observer group for the 1998 elections noted that the elections took place on a more level playing field than in 1993. The group's principal criticism was that the Government adopted a program of accelerated means-testing for social benefits during the final week of the campaign and approved a number of new applications in an attempt to increase political support. The group urged an improvement in the effective separation of state and party political functions.
The President's SPPF party continued to utilize its political resources and those of the Government to develop a nationwide organization that extends to the village level. The opposition parties have been unable to match the SPPF's organization and patronage, in part because of financial limitations. In 1999 the Government substantially reduced funding for political parties in the budget, from $1.8 million (SR 9.5 million) per year to $95,000 (SR 500,000). In this year's budget, the SPPF was allocated $54,202 (SR 308,952), the Seychelles National Party (SNP) $22,889 (SR 130,470), and the Democratic Party $10,628 (SR 60,578).
In the March 1998 parliamentary elections, the SNP--then known as the United Opposition--won one directly elected seat and two proportionally elected seats, thereby becoming the leading opposition party. Former Prime Minister James Mancham's Democratic Party won only one proportional seat, and Mancham lost the role of leader of the opposition to the SNP's Wavel Ramkalawan. Ramkalawan has played effectively the role of chief government critic as leader of the opposition.
In May the National Assembly amended the Constitution to allow the President to call presidential elections separately from National Assembly elections at any time after the first year of his 5-year term in office.
There are no legal restrictions on the participation of women in politics; however, women are underrepresented in government and politics. Women hold 3 of the 12 ministerial positions and 8 of the 34 seats in the National Assembly, 6 by direct election and 2 by proportional election. There are no legal restrictions on the participation of minority groups in politics; however, they are underrepresented. All members of the Cabinet are members of the SPPF.
Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights
Two private human rights related organizations, the first of their kind in the country, were launched in December 1998. The Friends for a Democratic Society pledged to focus on raising awareness of individual rights in a democracy, but has thus far proved to be an inactive organization. In April 1999, the Center for Rights and Development (CEFRAD) published a 5-year action plan that stresses respect for human rights, participation in a civil society, and sensible approaches to development. CEFRAD also established ties with other national and international NGO's. Historically, both the churches and some NGO's have been strong voices for human rights and democratization, and the Government has not interfered with their activities. There were no known requests by international human rights groups to visit the country.
Section 5 Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status
The Constitution affirms the right to be free from all types of discrimination, but it does not prohibit discrimination based on these factors specifically. Nevertheless, in practice there is no overt discrimination in housing, employment, education, or other social services based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or religious identification.
Violence against women, particularly wife beating, remains a problem and increased during the year. Police seldom intervene in domestic disputes, unless the dispute involves a weapon or major assault. The few cases that reach a prosecutor often are dismissed, or, if a case reaches court, the perpetrator usually is given only a light sentence. Rape, spousal rape, and domestic abuse are criminal offenses. As of September 30, the Probation Services recorded 100 domestic violence cases against women, an increase from the previous year. A survey of six church parishes conducted in 1999 by the Association for the Promotion of Solid Humane Families, an NGO, revealed that 25 percent of those surveyed stated that they have been victims of domestic violence, confirming the general belief that the problem is more widespread than official statistics indicate. Participants in the NGO survey stated that alcohol was one of the main causes of domestic violence. There was growing societal concern about domestic violence and increased recognition of the need to address it. During the year, local NGO's sponsored awareness campaigns and training programs for women and girls.
The society is largely matriarchal, with 75 percent of births out-of-wedlock in 1998. There were no reports of societal discrimination against unwed mothers, and fathers are required by law to support their children. The age of consent was lowered from 16 to 14 in 1993, and 13 percent of all births in 1998 occurred to women under 20 years of age. Girls are not allowed to attend school when they are pregnant, and many do not return to school after the birth of a child. There is no officially sanctioned discrimination in employment, and women are well-represented in business. Inheritance laws do not discriminate against women.
Children have legal protection from labor and physical abuse, and they are required to attend school. Free public education is available through the secondary level until age 18. Since January 1999, parents contributed up to two-thirds of the cost of postsecondary education and training based on their income for both in country and overseas schools. Children are encouraged to attend school to the tenth grade. According to government figures, all children between the ages of 6 and 16 attend school, and the enrollment of boys and girls is roughly equal. In 1995 the Government created an institutional framework for aiding children, and, in 1998, the National Assembly established an 18-member family tribunal to hear and determine all matters relating to the care, custody, access, and maintenance of children; only paternity cases remain under the courts. The tribunal became operational in November 1998 after the Minister of Employment and Social Affairs appointed the members. During the year, 2,461 cases were presented to the tribunal. Of these 95 dealt with child abuse; the tribunal started hearing child abuse cases in May.
Sexual abuse of young girls, usually in low-income families, is a serious problem. Although only 20 cases of sexual abuse were reported as of October, Ministry of Health data and press reports indicate that there are a significant number of rapes committed against girls under the age of 15. Very few child abuse cases actually are prosecuted in court. The strongest public advocate for young victims is not the Government but a semiautonomous agency, the National Council for Children. There is criticism that the police fail to investigate vigorously charges of child abuse.
There were no reports of child prostitution or child pornography.
People with Disabilities
The Government does not discriminate against persons with disabilities in housing, jobs, or education; however, there is no legislation providing for access to public buildings, transportation, or government services.
National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The education gap between Creoles and citizens of white or Asian origin continued to narrow. The Government is attempting to reduce this gap through universal access to public education. Creoles are well-integrated into society, business, and politics.
Section 6 Worker Rights
a. The Right of Association
Under the 1993 Industrial Relations Act (IRA), workers have the right to form and join unions of their choosing. Police, military, prison, and fire-fighting personnel may not unionize. Under the act, the former government-controlled union, the National Workers Union, lost its monopoly position. Between 15 and 20 percent of the workforce is unionized.
There are two unions: One dominated by the SPPF, the Seychelles Federation of Workers Union (SFWU), and one independent, the Seychelles Workers Union (SWU). Another independent union, the Public Service Union, was disbanded in 1997 after repeated discrimination against the union's office holders, according to one independent unionist. An attempt in 1999 to organize an independent union incorporating employees from both governmental ministries and government-owned entities was thwarted by government legal action in the same year.
Workers are not permitted to strike.
Unions can affiliate freely with international bodies. While the Government did not invite the SWU to join the delegation attending the 1999 annual meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the SWU participated with the SFWU in an ILO seminar held in June.
b. The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively
The IRA provides workers with the right to engage in collective bargaining; however, in practice free collective bargaining normally does not take place. The Government has the right to review and approve all collective bargaining agreements in the public and private sectors. There is little flexibility in setting wages. In the public sector, which employs 57 percent of the labor force, the Government sets mandatory wage scales for employees. Wages in the private sector generally are set by the employer in individual agreements with the employee, but in the few larger businesses, wage scales are subject to the Government's right of review and approval. Private employers historically have paid higher wages than the Government in order to attract qualified workers. However, economic problems during the year led to continued downward pressures on wages.
The 1987 and 1995 Employment Acts constitute the basic labor law. They authorize the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs to establish and enforce employment terms, conditions, and benefits. Workers frequently have obtained recourse against their employers through the ministry.
While the law prohibits antiunion discrimination by employers against union members, there was widespread discrimination against the members of the independent public sector union, the Public Service Union, before it was disbanded in 1997.
There are 20 companies that participate in an export processing zone known as the Seychelles International Zone (SITZ). The SITZ is bound only by the Seychelles Trade Zone Act and is not obliged to adhere to property, tax, business, immigration, and labor laws, including the Employment Act. In 1999 one of the companies based in the SITZ, Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT), discharged workers who had come from Madagascar. IOT claimed that the workers were engaging in prostitution, and they were returned to Madagascar. The workers alleged that they were being mistreated and were not receiving their salaries.
c. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor
The law prohibits forced or compulsory labor, and it is not known to exist. Following its ratification of ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labor, the Government considered forced or bonded labor by children to be illegal. There have been no reports of forced or bonded labor by children.
d. Status of Child Labor Practices and Minimum Age for Employment
Article 31 of the Constitution states that the minimum age for employment is 15, "subject to exceptions for children who are employed part time in light work prescribed by law without harm to their health, morals, or education." It is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of $1,130 (SR 6,000) to employ a child under the age of 15.
Children are encouraged to attend school until the 10th grade. The National Youth Service was disbanded in January 1999 and replaced with a noncompulsory fifth year of secondary school. After completing secondary school, students can go to the Polytechnic School for Vocational Training, abroad for university studies, or to apprenticeship or short-term work programs. Children in the latter program receive a training stipend, which is below the minimum wage. The Government enforces child labor laws through inspections by the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.
On September 28, the Government ratified ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labor. The Ministry of Employment and Social Services was responsible for investigating abuses of child labor. The Ministry reported that it handled such complaints within its general budget and staffing; however, at year's end, there was no information on the number of cases investigated.
Following ratification of ILO Convention 182, the Government prohibited forced and bonded labor by children, and such practices are not known to occur.
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work
The complicated minimum wage scale is regulated administratively by the Government; it covers the public and state-owned sectors and differentiates among various job classifications. The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs enforces minimum wage regulations. The official minimum wage is $360 (SR 1,900) per month. Trade unions contend that government entities pay some workers less than the legal minimum wage. Even with the free public services that are available, primarily health care and education, independent labor unions dispute that a single salary at the low end of the pay scale provides a worker and family with a minimum decent standard of living.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend in government policy to admit foreign workers, primarily from China, India, the Philippines, and Madagascar, to work in the construction and commercial fishing sectors, because few citizens choose to work in these sectors. Although it is difficult to determine the living and working conditions of these workers, there is evidence that the labor laws are flouted routinely with the Government's knowledge and acquiescence. These workers are paid lower wages and forced to work longer hours than citizens.
In March about 100 Indian construction workers stopped working to protest their inability to send their earnings home to their families. Most of the workers were employed by a government-affiliated construction company, which reportedly agreed to permit the workers to repatriate most of their earnings; however, the workers claimed that they were allowed to repatriate less than a third of their salaries and only if they worked 7 days a week. In April half of the workers returned to India after authorities informed them that their contracts had expired. The remaining workers also returned to India in April when it became clear that their demands would not be met.
The legal maximum workweek varies from 45 to 52 hours, depending on the economic sector, while government employees work shorter hours. Each full-time worker is entitled to a half-hour break per day and a minimum of 21 days of paid annual leave. Workers are permitted to work overtime up to 60 additional hours per month. The Government generally enforces these regulations. Foreign workers do not enjoy the same legal protections.
The Government issued comprehensive occupational health and safety regulations in 1991. The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs has formal responsibility for enforcing these regulations; however, the Ministry of Health seeks a role in this area. An ILO team, which visited in early 1995, found serious deficiencies in the management and effectiveness of government monitoring and enforcement efforts. Occupational injuries are most common in the construction, marine, and port industries. A worker who removes himself from a potentially dangerous situation on the job is considered to have resigned. Safety and health inspectors rarely visit job sites. Two work-related deaths were reported officially during the year.
f. Trafficking in Persons
The law prohibits trafficking in persons, and there were no reports that persons were trafficked to, from, through, or within the country.


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Learning Index >> Ceramic Decoration: a selective guide to pots in the collection of the Crafts Study Centre
No 4: 'Fountain' bowl, 1938 (P.74.132)
This vast and impressive bowl is an example of Cardew's early work at Winchcombe Pottery, Gloucestershire, his first workshop. It is made of locally-dug red clay, thrown, then banded and trailed in white slip on the exterior in a springing fountain pattern. Inside, it is covered with a running, reduced iron and copper glaze with a galena (transparent) glaze over all. The colours read as speckled green on the inside and speckled ochre on the outside.
This rare bowl is fresh in colour and feeling; it was included in Cardew's 1976 retrospective exhibition, organised by the Crafts Advisory Committee.

subset: commoncrawl


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Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, West Virginia to Pennsylvania
Written by Afterburner. Added on June 6, 2006.
This travelogue was written while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Every once in a while Afterburner had a chance to let us all know about what he had seen and where he was. You might want to start reading from the beginning of the log.
Nice to be back on the trail again after 5 days off visiying relatives in Washington, DC over the holidays. Am now in Duncannon, Pennsylvania and have hiked 1149 miles and still feel good, except for sore feet from all the rocks each night.
Left Harper's Ferry late and stopped 8 miles at the first shelter. While lighting a camp fire for the night, we saw a 2 foot copperhead snake come out from under a rock, he crawled under the shelter.
Hiked next day, stopped at Gathland State Park, saw the War Correspondent's Monument, the only one in the US. Also the site of a Civil War battle. Also stopped at the Monument Park, saw the first monument to George Washington, looks like a giant stone milk bottle. Met two Eagle Scouts there, drying thier clothes from the night's rain. Had dinner with four other hikers at the Dogpatch Tavern, they let us pitch our tents in the back yard.
Following day, met back up with Sandman, a hiker who I hiked with some time ago, also hooked up with Don Quixote again along with Headinout & Taginalong. Great to be hiking with the old gang again. Hiked thru Antietam Park & Calidonia State Park.
Saw a pilliated woodpecker today. Looks like the cartoon character with black wings, white tipped, with a full red head & stands two feet high.
Hiked to Iron Furnace State Park and stayed at the mansion, what a great hostel. Park has camping and two lakes for swimming. Hiked to Boiling Springs and stayed at the farmer's campground. They have a Veterans park in the center of town. Following day, hiked 25 miles to Duncannon, Pennsylvania. The first half of the day was easy, thru cornfields and farms, the afternoon was spent climbing up over a mountain and over six miles of rocks. My feet are not happy.
Taking today off to relax and recoup. Until next time,
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
- Georgia to North Carolina, March 30, 2006
- North Carolina, April 11, 2006
- North Carolina to Tennessee, April 15, 2006
- Tennessee to Virginia, April 23, 2006
- Virginia, May 16, 2006
- Virginia to West Virginia, May 28, 2006
- West Virginia to Pennsylvania, June 6, 2006
- Pennsylvania to Connecticut, June 27, 2006


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ScienceDaily (Mar. 22, 2012) — According to one of the leading scholars in the field, there is an emerging consensus among scientists that animals share functional parallels with humans' conscious metacognition -- that is, our ability to reflect on our own mental processes and guide and optimize them.
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In two new contributions to this influential field of comparative psychology, David Smith, PhD, of the University at Buffalo and his fellow researchers report on continuing advances in this domain.
Smith is a professor in the Department of Psychology at UB, and a member of the university's graduate program in evolution, ecology and behavior and its Center for Cognitive Science. His co-authors on the articles are Justin J. Couchman, PhD, visiting assistant professor of psychology, State University of New York at Fredonia, and Michael J. Beran, PhD, senior research scientist, Language Research Center, Georgia State University.
In "The Highs and Lows of Theoretical Interpretation in Animal-Metacognition Research," in press at the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Smith, Couchman and Beran examine the theoretical and philosophical problems associated with the attribution of self-reflective, conscious mind to nonverbal animals.
"The possibility of animal metacognition has become one of the research focal points in comparative psychology today," Smith says, "but, of course, this possibility poses difficult issues of scientific interpretation and inference." In this article, they evaluate the standards that science brings to making difficult interpretations about animal minds, describing how standards have been applied historically and as they perhaps should be applied. The article concludes that macaques do show uncertainty-monitoring capacities that are similar to those in humans.
The other contribution, "Animal Metacognition," will be published in March by Oxford University Press in the volume "Comparative Cognition: Experimental Explorations of Animal Intelligence."
In this article, Smith and his colleagues provide a comprehensive review of the current state of the animal-metacognition literature. They describe how Smith inaugurated animal metacognition as a new field of study in 1995 with research on a bottlenosed dolphin. The dolphin assessed correctly when the experimenter's trials were too difficult for him, and adaptively declined to complete those trials.
The dolphin also showed his own distinctive set of hesitation, wavering and worrying behaviors when the trials were too difficult. In sharp contrast, when the trials were easy, he swam to the responses so fast that he would make a bow-wave around himself that would swamp Smith's delicate electronics. Smith says: "We finally had to buy condoms to protect the equipment."
Subsequently, Smith and many collaborators also explored the metacognitive capacities of joystick-trained macaques. These Old-World monkeys, native to Africa and Asia, can make specific responses to declare uncertainty about their memory. They can respond, "Uncertain," to gain hints from the experimenters of what to do on the first trial of new tasks. They can even respond, "Uncertain," when their memory has been erased by trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. Accordingly, this second article by Smith and colleagues also supports the consensus that animals share with humans a form of the self-reflective, metacognitive capacity.
"In all respects," says Smith, "their capacity for uncertainty monitoring, and for responding to uncertainty adaptively, show close correspondence to the same processes in humans.
"At present," he says, "members of South-American monkey species or New World monkeys have not shown the same robust capacities for uncertainty monitoring, a possible species difference that has intriguing implications regarding the emergence of reflective mind in monkeys, apes and humans."
Smith's ongoing research in this area is supported by generous grants from both the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University at Buffalo.
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InformationWeek reports on a class action suit filed against Microsoft by a Philadelphia-area attorney over Microsoft Points, the pointless ersatz currency that acts as a middle-man in transactions on the Xbox LIVE marketplace. The article mentions two aspects of the system cited in the suit, being charged for incomplete downloads (which sounds a little like suing a store because you left the items you bought sitting at the checkout) and how the points are sold in bundles that rarely match up with the prices of items, leaving customers with unused funny money in their accounts. Interestingly, this comes shortly after indications from Microsoft that they may allow the use of real currency in their service. I.W. also notes that this is not the first high-profile lawsuit by this lawyer: "Records show he sued Google in 2006, claiming the search ads he placed fell victim to click fraud. He also sued Bally's Casino in Atlantic City in 2005, claiming he was attacked by a drunken patron while sitting at a poker table."
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Yu Darvish struck out 10 in seven innings to win his seventh consecutive start at Rangers Ballpark, a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
After giving up two runs in the first four batters, Darvish (10-4) had his fourth double-figure strikeout game while joining teammate Matt Harrison and Tampa Bay left-hander David Price as the American League's only 10-game winners. The Japanese standout is the first major leaguer since 1995 to win his first seven career home starts.
The AL West-leading Rangers went ahead to stay with a four-run fourth. They were up 5-3 after consecutive RBI singles by Yorvit Torrealba and Brandon Snyder - the Nos. 8 and 9 batters in the lineup.
Josh Hamilton later homered for the second night in a row, his leadoff shot in the seventh was his 24th of the season to match Toronto's Jose Bautista for the major league lead.


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Used Truck - 2008 Lincoln Navigator 2WD in Miami, Fl
Please Call For Price
About This 2008 Lincoln Navigator 2WD
Vehicle Location:
Miami, Fl
Call For Price
Exterior Color:
Interior Color:
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 15
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $148.33*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
Send This Vehicle To Your Smartphone
Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at First Leasing Corp in Miami, Fl. Call First Leasing Corp today at 305-260-5552 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Adjustable Foot Pedals
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Automatic Headlights
- Cd Changer
- Cd Player
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Cruise Control
- Deep Tinted Glass
- Driver Airbag
- Driver Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Electrochromic Interior Rearview Mirror
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- Electronic Parking Aid
- Fog Lights
- Front Air Dam
- Front Cooled Seat
- Front Heated Seat
- Front Power Lumbar Support
- Front Power Memory Seat
- Front Side Airbag
- Full Size Spare Tire
- Genuine Wood Trim
- Heated Exterior Mirror
- High Intensity Discharge Headlights
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Leather Seat
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Load Bearing Exterior Rack
- Passenger Airbag
- Passenger Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
- Power Door Locks
- Power Trunk Lid
- Power Windows
- Rear Window Defogger
- Rear Wiper
- Running Boards
- Second Row Folding Seat
- Second Row Sound Controls
- Separate Driver/front Passenger Climate Controls
- Side Head Curtain Airbag
- Skid Plate
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
- Subwoofer
- Tachometer
- Third Row Removable Seat
- Tilt Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- Tow Hitch Receiver
- Towing Preparation Package
- Traction Control
- Trip Computer
- Vehicle Anti-theft
- Vehicle Stability Control System
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2008 Lincoln Navigator ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
Big, luxurious, soft and smooth.
The Lincoln Navigator is roomy and luxurious. It's capable of towing nearly 9,000 pounds, but it's soft and smooth on the roughest of pavement. It's big and roomy, with a full-size third-row seat, seating for up to eight passengers, and acres of cargo space.
Smooth and quiet, the Navigator benefits from a fully independent rear suspension and technology aimed at reducing noise and vibration. However, it is essentially a truck, with a ladder-type box frame and separate body, so it is not as responsive as the new unit-body crossover SUVs such as the Lincoln MKX. The Navigator offers its occupants lots of protection and comes well equipped with safety features, including full-cabin head-protecting airbags, electronic stability control and a rollover protection system.
The styling seems deliberately retrogressive, probably in an effort to re-create the romance of Lincoln's glory days. The grille draws mixed reviews. Those who embrace the styling will find a nice finish inside, with rich wood and leather, and nearly all the features available in luxury sedans.
All that size means the Navigator is a bear to handle in tight corners and exhibits lots of body lean in changes of direction. The independent rear suspension helps the Navigator ride smoothly, though, as smooth as any vehicle of this size. The V8 engine and six-speed transmission combination also works smoothly, though it is outperformed by the powertrains of most competitors.
With the upward trend in gasoline prices, big, luxurious sport-utility vehicles have lost some of their luster as a group. Still, the strengths that made them popular to begin with remain: real space for eight passengers, the towing and load potential of a truck along with the comfort and convenience of an expensive sedan. The Lincoln Navigator shares those strengths at a competitive luxury-class price, and it doesn't even require premium fuel.
The Navigator was redesigning for 2007. For 2008, Lincoln adds more standard equipment. A rearview camera is available for the 2008 Navigator, a feature we highly recommend.
The 2008 Lincoln Navigator is available with a standard or long wheelbase. Any version of this full-size sport-utility vehicle can seat either seven or eight. All are powered by a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission. Navigator is available with either rear-wheel drive (2WD) or electronically engaged four-wheel drive (4WD) that can be driven on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. A Class III trailer hitch is standard.
The Lincoln Navigator 4x2 ($47,755) and Navigator 4x4 ($50,655) come with features expected in the luxury class. Leather upholstery and a choice of Dark Ebony or lighter Anigre wood trim are standard. Two second-row captain's chairs and a third-row bench seat are also standard, though a three-place second-row split bench seat is available at no charge. For 2008, the front seats add a standard heating and cooling feature, and power-folding third-row seat and power liftgate come standard. Other standard features include a high-watt stereo with six-CD changer, 14 speakers and auxiliary input jack; three-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat fan and controls; leather-and-wood steering wheel with audio and climate controls; 10-way adjustable front seats; power-adjustable pedals; keyless entry keypad; remote keyless entry; front seat position memory; power-deploying running boards; roof rack; high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights; power-folding mirror with memory; fog lamps; and 255/70R18 tires on alloy wheels.
The Navigator L 4x2 ($50,755) and Navigator L 4x4 ($53,655) are 14.7 inches longer than the standard models. Passenger accommodations are essentially the same, but the Navigator L provides an additional 25 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third seat, and has power-deploying running boards and a rear cargo management system.
The Elite Package ($5,460 base, $4460 L) is the full ride. It includes a voice-activated DVD-based navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment package with eight-inch screen, power sunroof, power running boards (standard wheelbase) and the new rearview camera. The navigation system ($1,995) and rear-seat DVD entertainment ($1,295) are available separately. Other stand-alone options include a remote starter ($445), 20-inch chromed wheels ($1,495) and a heavy-duty tow package ($595). Added for 2008 is the Monochromatic Limited Edition Package ($995), which includes unique badging and body-color exterior accents.
The Navigator's standard safety features meet the luxury-class baseline. They include dual-stage front airbags, front occupant side-impact airbags and curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard seats. The curtain bags feature a rollover sensor. All Navigators are equipped with Lincoln's AdvanceTrac anti-skid stability program. This system features Roll Stability Control, which uses a gyroscopic roll-rate sensor to enhance rollover resistance. Four-channel antilock brakes (ABS), rear obstacle detection and a tire-pressure monitor also are standard. The only optional safety item is the rearview camera.
The Navigator is a truck. It's built on a pickup-style ladder frame, with a separate body bolted to that frame, rather than welded into one unit. But unlike most truck-based vehicles, the Navigator features a fully independent rear suspension, which tends to promote smoother ride and handling than the solid rear axle on the typical truck.
The Navigator L is nearly 15 inches longer than the standard model, extending its full length to almost 19 feet. The extra length does not significantly change passenger accommodations, however. Besides making this big sport-utility even more challenging to park, the Navigator L's additional size translates entirely into an additional 25 cubic feet of storage space behind the third seat. That extra space (by itself) is about 30 percent larger than the trunk in a full-size luxury sedan like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Lexus LS460. The 2008 Navigator L is the largest luxury-class sport-utility available, and one of the largest passenger vehicles on the market.
The Navigator's basic shape is clean, if slightly bland. It consists of mostly sheer, tapered surfaces that are consistent across the vehicle, with a chrome strip running below the windows. The profile is tidy for such a big vehicle, almost lean.
The front and rear were clearly designed in Lincoln's retro-style brand theme. The eye is immediately drawn to the big, intricate grille in front. Its horizontal and vertical lines are supposed to inspire thoughts of Lincoln's Star logo, and the high-intensity beam headlights on either side add a jeweled, classy look. A second, thinner grille below the bumper replicates the bigger one above, flanked in this case by the fog lights.
The taillights could be lifted from Lincoln's MKZ sedan. They're shaped like wings that cut into the liftgate and wrap around the rear corners, with chrome edging and a hard contrast between the red and white sections.
The details seem to be an attempt to spice up an otherwise staid look, as if Lincoln is trying to out-bling popular competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The optional chrome hood accent is basically a thick piece of chrome tacked on the end of the hood above the grille. We'd call it hideous, and find the Navigator much more attractive without it. We don't care much for the shiny steel plates at the bottom of the doors, either, but you might. Look at both options.
The available Monochromatic Limited Edition Package extends the body color to the lower grille, upper chrome grille, lower bodyside cladding and side mirrors. The resulting look has less bling, but arguably more style.
The Navigator comes standard with 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels. The optional chromed 20-inch wheels aren't as disturbing as the chrome hood schnoz, and we like their size. They do, however, have an adverse effect on ride quality and interior noise. We prefer the 18-inch alloy wheels.
Two exterior features have definite benefits. The outside mirrors are large, with repeating turn signals along the bottom edge and approach lamps underneath. The lamps light when the doors are unlocked with the remote key fob, and cast a nice circle of visibility around the doors. More than that, the big mirrors retract against the windows with the touch of a button. You'll appreciate this convenience when you pull a vehicle as large as the Navigator into a garage.
This Navigator also retains its trademark retractable running boards. When the doors open, these drop and extend about five inches, creating a step that makes climbing in and out easier. They are artfully integrated into the overall exterior design, and are almost impossible to detect when the doors are closed.
Deliberately retrogressive styling touches outside the Lincoln Navigator carry through inside, only more so. Presumably the thinking goes something like this: re-create the charm and romance of a simpler time, and the glory of Lincoln Continentals and Zephyrs past, updated with the convenience and function of a new millennium.
The Navigator interior may do that for some. For others, it may simply inspire memories of sitting in their parents' (or grandparents') behemoth sedan in the early-to-mid 1960s.
Either way, if you like the retro design you won't be disappointed with the finish. Particularly with the lighter Anigre wood trim, the square-ish shapes and flat switch clusters inside the Navigator generate a kind of post-modern, Scandinavian feel (furniture, not cars). The leather is thick and soft. The plastics, with some retro-looking graining, are nice to the touch. There's a mix of satin-nickel and chrome peppered throughout the cabin, and nothing looks overtly cheap, as it does in some other recent products from Lincoln's parent Ford Motor Co. The only real gripe in our test vehicle was the seam where the wood panel for the center stack blended down into the wood on the center console. It felt more like a bump.
One of the Navigator's obvious strengths is space, seemingly acres of it, in all directions.
The front seats are large and thickly padded, yet they adjust to accommodate all sizes, from NBA forwards to those who must sit up close to the wheel to peer over the tall dash. Power adjustable pedals are standard, and they can be moved forward or back with a button on the dash. These pedals have their advantages, but they would be more valuable if the power-adjustable steering column telescoped in addition to moving up and down. Without a telescoping wheel, the pedals don't really add anything to the adjustment mix. If we had to choose one or the other, we'd choose the telescoping wheel.
One minor annoyance with the Navigator's driver's seat is the speed at which it automatically moves backward or forward when the key is removed or inserted. In most cases, this is a welcome feature that makes it easier to climb in and out of a tall vehicle, and the Navigator's slow-moving seat may or may not have been related to sub-zero temperatures during our test drive. Yet at times the driver's seat moved so slowly that you could literally be backed out of a parking space and going forward before it had returned to its set position.
Once the driver gets comfortable, however, it's hard to beat the commanding view ahead. A Greyhound bus or tractor-trailer rig are about the only vehicles on the road that can obstruct the driver's forward vision in a Navigator.
The gauge package is the weak link in the Navigator's interior. The dials look like they're straight out of the 1960s, with black script on a white background and white lighting. They're not as crisp as some other, more contemporary schemes. The speedometer and tachometer are fine, but the four auxiliary gauges across the top (fuel level and coolant temperature among them) aren't. They're small to begin with and essentially covered by the steering wheel rim if a driver likes to keep the wheel low in its travel range.
Switches and control buttons are generally well placed, concentrated in the center stack or on stalks on both sides of the wheel. Most are big enough to hit with gloved fingers, and they have a nice, positive operating action. The gripe here is a row of switches near the bottom of the stack controlling the fans and seat heating and cooling, among other things. The buttons are on the small side, but the illuminated pictographs on them are tiny, so they seem even smaller than they really are in the dark.
The navigation system works very well. The video screen is small, but the system is easy to figure out without studying the owner's manual. We found it easy to prog.
Driving Impression
The 2008 Lincoln Navigator and Navigator L are very large vehicles, with advantages and disadvantages that go with large vehicles. One of the advantages is the view forward from the driver's seat. Very few fellow motorists will be able to obstruct your sight lines when you're driving a Navigator.
Another advantage is space. The Navigator is as big or bigger inside than any luxury-class sport-utility vehicle. The driver almost needs an intercom to converse with someone sitting way back in the third seat.
Well, not really. The Navigator is very quiet inside for a truck, and generally quite smooth, almost placid. If you tend to drive conservatively you will probably like this vehicle. Initially, the brake pedal feels a little soft, but it's very progressive in application and easy to master for smooth, even stops, despite a curb weight exceeding 6,000 pounds for all-wheel drive models. With a little practice, the driver can avoid the fore-aft bobbing that can make motion-sensitive passengers feel car-sick.
The Navigator is full of noise-mitigating technology, including acoustically dampened glass in the windshield and side windows. The body boom familiar in vehicles that are essentially big steel boxes, which often comes across as pulses of air hitting the eardrums, is nearly eliminated in the Navigator. The quiet seems to emphasize noise generated by the tires, which is the only noticeable encroachment on the solitude inside. The optional 20-inch wheels and low-profile tires are plain noisy, be it whacking over bumps and pavement joints or just the steady hum of tread on the road surface. Typically, we prefer the appearance of larger wheels, but the price of style is high in the Navigator. We recommend the standard 18-inch wheels and higher-sidewall tires.
The Navigator is as smooth inside as any body-on-frame truck we've tested, and generally free of annoying vibration. The ride is smooth, too (except for the effect of the 20-inch wheels), thanks partly to the fully independent rear suspension. Moreover, the rear suspension helps keep the rear tires pressed to the pavement on bumpy surfaces, eliminating most of that skipping feeling familiar in trucks with solid rear axles. There's no axle tramping over bumps or undulations, and a reasonably smooth driver can keep the Navigator's body (and those inside) nice and level through turns.
Steering is on the heavy side, perhaps surprisingly so in this type of vehicle. The good news here is that, for tracking curves or changing lanes, the steering feels responsive, direct and reasonably quick. The bad? In big, slow-speed turns, such as trying to whip into a parking space, the heavy steering feel can slow things down. Those who like the steering in smaller sedans will probably like the Navigator's. Those expecting airy, old-school Lincoln Town Car response may not.
Bottom line, the Navigator rides comfortably and handles competently in nearly every situation. Just don't try to get racy. This vehicle is a lot of mass to move, and in quick, hard, left-right turns, all that weight wants to sway in the direction opposite of your choosing.
In 2001, Navigator was the first full-sized luxury sport-utility vehicle to hit the 300-hp barrier. Seven years later, its 5.4-liter single-overhead cam Triton V8 still generates a maximum 300 horsepower, and virtually every other big SUV has passed it by. The Triton delivers torque evenly, with similar thrust whether the engine is already turning 1,000 or 4,000 rpm, and the six-speed automatic transmission is a definite plus. There's more than enough acceleration in the Navigator to merge safely or turn quickly across traffic, and it's probably quicker than what we considered a fairly quick car in the mid-1990s. Yet at the bottom line, the Navigator accelerates more slowly than just about any luxury sport-utility we've driven in the past few years.
The automatic transmission, on the othe.
The 2008 Lincoln Navigator hits the most important marks for a full-size sport-utility vehicle. It's relatively smooth, quiet and huge both inside and out. It comes equipped with lots of safety features and nearly all the luxury bells and whistles. The Navigator's tow rating is among the highest in the class, and it runs on regular gasoline where nearly all others require premium. The base price is lower than most of its competitors, before dealer incentives, but its sister vehicle, the Ford Expedition, can be equipped with almost as much luxury at a considerably lower price. Some will find Navigator bland. Those who regularly transport lots of passengers and stuff, and those who tow heavy loads, should find it worthy.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino reported from Detroit, with Kirk Bell in Chicago, and Mitch McCullough in Los Angeles.
Model Lineup
Lincoln Navigator 4x2 ($47,755); Navigator 4x4 ($50,655); Navigator L 4x2 ($50,755); Navigator L 4x4 ($53,655).
Assembled In
Wayne, Michigan.
Options As Tested
Elite Package ($4,460) includes voice-activated DVD-based navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment package with eight-inch screen, power sunroof, new rearview camera; 20-inch chromed wheels ($1,495); heavy-duty trailer-tow package ($595); White Chocolate tri-coat paint ($495); chrome hood accent ($75); rubber floor mats ($55).
Model Tested
Lincoln Navigator L 4x4 ($53,655).The LINCOLN Navigator delivers luxury and prestige in a full-size SUV. The LINCOLN Navigator is offered as one well equipped trim in either 4X2 or 4X4, powered by a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Standard luxury features include a power liftgate, heated and cooled front seats, power folding 3rd row seats, THX II audio system, satellite radio, HID headlights and genuine wood trim. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control with roll control, tire pressure monitoring, side-impact airbags for front-seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats. For 2008, the Base and Ultimate trims have been combined into one trim, and three new colors are being offered.
7339 Sw 45St Street
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Last year's Houston Caldwell Music Scholarship recipients will be showcased in a special performance during this year's festival.
Last year's recipients — Jared Boyd, Brandy Miller, Danielle Yother, Daniel Greeson and Catherine Conner — will perform during HoustonFest 2013, which is scheduled for May 3-4 at Felts Park in Galax.
HoustonFest is organized and presented by Galax Volunteer Fire Department and community volunteers.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Gazette, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
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Believe it or not, there are still people who are in denial about global warming. December 2015 in New Jersey was incredibly warm compared to other years. Every summer seems to be hotter and hotter. The National Resources Defense Council has a webpage which covers climate changes, global warming, protecting public lands and so much more. Below are resources and lesson plans for teaching about climate change. I will add this list to the Science tab on the left side of this blog.
Advancing Emissions- this is an interactive timeline which shows 40 years of greenhouse emissions.
The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program- facts on global warming; student page has information and resources
Breathing Earth- climate changes are represented for each country, including population, birth and death rates.
Climate Kids- NASA's site for younger kids; includes games and videos for the classroom
Conversations with the Earth: Indigenous Voices on Climate Change
Countdown to Copenhagen- timeline covers 40 years of climate changes; from The Wall Street Journal.
Everything You Need to Know About the Paris Climate Summit and UN Talks
Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet- NASA's site covers climate headlines, climate news
NASA's Ozone Watch Page
Paris Climate Change Summit 2015
TIME Interactive- Timelapse is powered by Google, and you will notice various changes in the cities, shorelines; covers about 30 years
United States Environmental Protection Agency- extensive sources on climate change; site can be viewed in Spanish.
LESSON PLANS and ACTIVITIES
5 Ways to Teach Children About Climate Change-from ECOWatch
The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program- fun activities including dot-to-dots, crossword puzzles, mazes, word seeks and coloring.
Climate Change Live- lesson plans for K-12
Climate Change Questions for Young Citizen Scientists- from the NY Times Learning Network
Climate Literacy & Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN)- divided by grade level and subject area
Global Climate Change- lesson plans (PDF format) for educators fro the EPA
Record Snowfalls and Cold Raise Questions of Climate Change- PBS Video
Sea Level Rise: Climate Change- for grades 4-6; from The National Park Service
Years of Living Dangerously- for middle and school


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As "do not track" has taken center stage in debates about the Internet and personal privacy, many Web users remain unaware of exactly what tracking is and what it does -- or that they're even being tracked as they surf the Internet.
Tracking has been defined by the Center for Democracy and Technology as "the collection and correlation of data about the Internet activities of a particular user, computer or device over time and across non-commonly branded Web sites, for any purpose other than fraud prevention or compliance with law enforcement requests."
In simpler terms, it's what happens when you browse Web site A in the morning searching for a recipe for barbecued short ribs then when browsing Web site B that afternoon you are suddenly presented with an ad urging you to buy a stainless steel, propane-powered backyard barbecue "for a low, low price."
Coincidence? Hardly. You've been tracked.
Web site A gathered information about your visit and your search, and then placed a small file known as a "cookie" on your browser. Meanwhile, it sold that "profile" information about you and others making the same sort of search to a third-party tracker.
Web site B, which also works with the same tracker, picks up that profile from the cookie, takes note of the connections, and presents you with the ad for the barbecue, from which it makes money from the advertiser.
Although seemingly harmless and even beneficial -- if you are, in fact, thinking about buying a barbecue -- there is a dark side to tracking, as third party trackers collecting data can correlate that with other databases containing geolocation, financial and medical information.
Eventually, the tracker can build a profile predicting your age, gender, zip code, income, marital status, parenthood, home ownership and other identifying parameters.
Through tracking, you are now a valuable "target" to advertisers and marketers.
In response to complaints from privacy advocates, legislators and government agencies are beginning to look at the issue of Internet tracking.
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission, issued a report laying out proposals to require businesses to give consumers more control over the collection and use of personal data.
And last month, the White House released a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, which President Obama said would give consumers "clear guidance on what they should expect from those who handle their personal information, and set expectations for companies that use personal data."
One immediate result is that makers of the major Web browsers have begun providing or preparing do-not-track capabilities for their software, while third-party browser "add-ons" with the same capability are available.
Security firm AVG has announced a do-not-track feature for Windows that will run as an add-on for Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers that actively seeking out tracking cookies and alerts users if a site is attempting to set a tracking mechanism.
And online privacy company Abine has released a add-on called Do Not Track Plus for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari designed to block advertising companies and social networks from gathering personal information through online tracking of a user's browsing habits.
Last week Yahoo Inc. announced it would offer its own do-not-track feature on all associated Web sites by this summer.
Mozilla is working on do-not-track feature for its own Firefox browser and in 2011 Microsoft introduced a do-not-track feature for Internet Explorer 9.
So while you may not in fact mind that ad for a new back yard barbecue popping up in your random Web visits and searches, you may soon have the option of deciding if being tracked is worth it -- or not.
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved


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sbconcepts needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 73 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
Adult Impulses is a new Australian website selling Adult products in a fun, crisp layout.
The logo will need to be female/couple friendly, and inviting - something funky and classy at same time.
As adult impulses is one word in the web address, it may be good if each word is different size/colour or font so its more easily read.
Adult impulses
The logo needs to be appealing to vibrant, and adventurous clientele. Not sleazy in anyway, but fun.
We were thinking for colors either a deep purple and gold, or pastel colors like a pink and blue.
website address will be adultimpulses.com.au - all the business will be done via internet (there will be no store front)
- please incorporate our website into it adultimpulses.com
- We were thinking purple and gold or pastel colours like blue and pink, but we are open to other options
- Anything sleazy, tacky, or dirty, we are not the back alley store that sells to creepy old men ;)
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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She is known as the "Girl in Blue."
For years, the schoolgirl in the blue jacket who perched atop a stone pedestal in Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963 - and documented in grainy photographs and film clips - tantalized historians researching the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Who was she? What did she see and hear? Could her answers help solve one the 20th century's most enduring mysteries?
And for just as many years, Antoinette Gail Glover, already an emotionally scarred 11-year-old when she went to Dealey Plaza seeking a measure of self-affirmation, rarely spoke about the day she watched a beloved president die.
Not to her...


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Here at Points, Miles and Martinis, we love all things travel. We focus on topics relating to travel including destinations, airline, hotel, car rental and credit card reward programs. Our goal is to help people travel better. - See more at our About Us page.
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More aluminium in trailers makes sense
Load up more on lighter trailers. Trailers that replace steel with aluminium components allow for a heavier load, uses less fuel, and are more environmentally conscious.
More freight load on the trailer
By replacing steel components with aluminium, you will get much lighter trailers. This is a fact. You will also use less fuel and get to put more freight load on the trailer. This makes you a friend to the environment, and it saves you money.
We deliver components to dry vans, refrigerated trailers and platform/flatbed trailers in all shapes and sizes.
Less weight means more freight.
Aluminium design and application support
Aluminium can help you. And Hydro can help you with the material. We offer design and application support, with research and application development expertise that no other extruder can match.
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT women's basketball team was defeated by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), 58-40, in the opening round of the Golden Bear Hoop Classic hosted by Western New England College on Friday night. The Engineers (0-2) will square off with Wilkes University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Third-Place game.
Tamara Pena paced Tech's balanced attack with eight points while Marissa Good posted seven points and five rebounds. Lauren Sascha Burton tallied six points, five boards, and four assists as Anna Merrifield contributed four points, four rebounds, and a steal. Rebecca Odim, Margo Batie, and Kathryn Harris each grabbed two steals while Odim added six points. MIT registered a 16-5 advantage in points off turnovers, capitalizing on 21 miscues by the Trailblazers while only committing eight.
The opening frame was a back-and-forth affair as it featured six ties and seven lead changes. A three-pointer by Sydney Beasley put MIT ahead, 17-16, but a pair of free throws from MCLA gave the Trailblazers the edge at the 7:01 mark. A basket by Good ended four minutes of scoreless play, however, MCLA rattled off six straights points for a 24-19 advantage at the intermission.
The Engineers stayed within striking distance during the early stages of the second stanza as jumper from Good narrowed their gap to four (33-29) with 12:16 on the clock. MCLA responded with a 17-1 run during the next seven minutes to break open the game and capture its largest lead of the night.


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July 2011 Whoops!Posted in Whoops on July 1, 2011
A Few More Tons
After I got my Ford stuck, my buddy tried to pull me out with his Jeep. As you can see, neither of us fared very well. In the end we were able to get an old friend with a 21⁄2-ton military truck to give us both a tug out.
James Hawley
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A bad stuck plus hot fluids equaled one hot and long night!
Riley Thompson
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Dr. Katie. P. Desiderio, a graduate of the PhD in Leadership and Education with a Specialization in Human Resource Development from the Adrian Dominican School of Education, delivered the commencement speech to the May, 2011 graduates of Moravian College.
Dr. Desiderio is an Assistant Professor of Management at Moravian College and has completed her second year as a faculty member. She spoke of her quest for self-discovery and true happiness during her journey in academics while managing a learning disability. She is truly dedicated to the students, graduates, and the profession of teaching.
"I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to you, the class of 2011, for giving me this remarkable gift to share so intimately in your special day," said Dr. Desiderio. "It is because of you that I love what I do; it is because of your unique curiosities that I remain on my toes; it is because of you that, just like that first day of convocation, I will remember this day – YOUR day – for the rest of my life."
She spoke of the four principles of the Fish! Philosophy: "be there, play, make their day, and choose your attitude", and how these practices will add to a person's self-discovery and happiness.
Dr. Desiderio's current research is in the area of FLOW that looks at finding happiness to optimize performance at work. She is also involved in research with fellow human resource development scholars in the areas of physiognomy, social and transitional justice issues in human resource development, perceived leader behavior, and organizational citizenship behavior. She is the advisor to several clubs on campus at Moravian College including the Economics & Business Club, Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, and co-advisor to the student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
To watch Dr. Desiderio's commencement address, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7d1sOtbevU


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First impressions are usually lasting ones, but sometimes you just have to give a restaurant a second chance. Maybe there was something going on that day, or maybe they were in the midst of a transition in ownership. For some reason they didn't hit the mark the first time, but that may not necessarily be the case the second time around.
It took a few months to work up the courage to go back to the Fabulous 50's Diner at the American Legion on Trinity Drive. During the first and last visit, the food was found to be mostly frozen, the portions a bit on the small side for the price and let's just say the ambiance left much to be desired.
The second trip to the diner was made in search of breakfast. There are only a couple of restaurants in Los Alamos open in the morning on the weekend and the Fabulous 50s Diner is one of them.
Upon entering the eatery, it was evident that some changes had already been made. Retro plastic tablecloths adorned the tables and the cheesy '50s posters that had been on the walls have been replaced with other posters — these depict movie stars from the '50s, such as James Dean, Elvis Presley, John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe — giving the establishment a better look and feel.
The other big change was the menu. Before, there were so many items on it that it took a few minutes to figure out what sounded good and what one might like to order.
Now, the menu is much more streamlined and easier to get through. They still offer New Mexican dishes, burgers, barbecue and the usual diner fare, but it seems like there's less of it, which is good. Sometimes you only need to offer a few things you do really well, rather than a bunch that are mediocre.
The breakfast choices are decent. The staples such as steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, pancakes, French toast and eggs are offered. One may also order cranberry juice or orange juice in addition to the usual tea, coffee and soda available. On this visit, two orders of steak and eggs and a breakfast burrito was ordered, along with two Pepsis and a glass of orange juice.
The Pepsis were brought out in large, hard plastic glasses, while the juice was served in a soft plastic cup — the kind a milkshake would come in. It's easy to understand why, though. The Pepsi glass is huge and that would be a lot of juice, not to mention more expensive. The softer glass is about the right size for a juice serving.
After the last experience, it was easy to imagine that most of the ingredients in the dishes would be frozen.
However, that was not the case. And when the food was dug into, it was pleasantly surprising to discover that the hash browns accompanying the steak and eggs and inside the breakfast burrito seemed to be made from fresh potatoes.
They were crispy but not burnt and done to perfection on all three plates.
The steaks that came with the steak and eggs were both ordered medium and came out exactly that way. They were nice and thick, too. One plate of eggs was done perfectly over easy and the other plate had scrambled eggs, which were also done perfectly. Both steaks could have used a bit of salt and pepper to punch up the flavor, but it wasn't a big deal. The toast that accompanied each steak and eggs plate was perfectly done — not too soft, not blackened — and was served with butter and jelly.
The breakfast burrito was ordered smothered in red chile and was huge. It was packed with fluffy scrambled eggs, bits of bacon, crispy hash browns and smothered in a good amount of red chile. Sometimes at other establishments, not enough chile is put on the smothered burrito and so some of the bites are dry, but this was not the case.
The chile had a very good flavor and was not too watery and not too thick. Someone in the kitchen knows what they're doing. The only negative aspect was that while it had a very good flavor, the chile didn't have any bite. It should be just a tad bit spicy, to let you know it's there.
The food (except for the burrito) was served on ceramic plates, which is a nice change from the first visit, when everything came to the table on plastic cafeteria-style plates. The burrito, however, came on a pink plastic plate. Despite the presentation, the flavor was excellent, so it was easy to overlook the plastic plate.
The same waitress that was on duty during the first visit was there again for this visit. As usual, she was pleasant and friendly. The check was brought shortly after the food, but she did say there was no rush and if any dessert was desired, just let her know and she'd add it to the bill.
There were not many people in the restaurant, but it was early on a Sunday, so perhaps things picked up later, when lunch was served at 11 a.m. The salad bar was getting set up as we were getting ready to leave.
It seems the Fabulous 50s Diner has made some strides to change the way they do things and it shows. A third trip might be in order — this time for lunch or dinner — just to see what's changed in that arena. A breakfast or two (or more) at the 50s is definitely recommended, especially if you enjoy a good breakfast burrito.
Breakfast for three before tax and tip came out to $30.60. Two orders of steak and eggs were $9.95 each; the breakfast burrito was $5.95; the juice was $1.25 and the Pepsis were $1.75 each.
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Rihanna Dirty Dances + Parties Hard at Carnival in Native Barbados [Pics, Video]
Rihanna was raunchy girl this weekend. We know, we know. When isn't she? The singer dirty danced at a carnival in her native Barbados, held to celebrate the harvest of the sugar crops.
Make no mistake. There was nothing sweet about RiRi's behavior. She was on all fours and getting bumped and grinded from behind. Dirty dancing. Stripper-style dancing. You name it -- RiRi seemed to be doing it.
Ri donned a sheer bathing suit with white panels and a pair of Converse sneakers, with a veil pinned to her newly short and curly hair. She was certainly getting her party on as she danced the night away.
She tweeted post-carnival exploits, too, revealing she was covered in body paint. Never a dull moment when it comes to our girl Rihanna.
We don't think her dance skills will make the Fenty family proud, but she's Rihanna. She can do whatever she wants. She doesn't hide her bad girl shenanigans.
Hey, at least she wasn't dancing while topless, right? So consider that a modicum of decency while at home and perhaps surrounded by family.
In other RiRi news, the video below is circulating, claiming that she got caught snorting coke, but we have to say that's way too big of a leap to make from a second of footage that isn't even directly focused on Rihanna. Maybe she's wiping her nose? Picking it? Scratching an itch? There's no evidence of cocaine in the clip -- no mirror, no rolled dollar bills, no white powdery substance.
We're going to have say that accusing RiRi of being caught with the white stuff is beyond a stretch.
Also, check out pics of RiRi covered in jewels and snow white feathers. She looks like a white goddess, no?
Watch Alleged Rihanna Coke Video


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D'Angelo's concert Wednesday at House of Blues was canceled Monday "due to a medical emergency."
A statement from the promoters Live Nation said D'Angelo "expresses his sincere regret due to this unfortunate circumstance."
An agent for the singer said, "It's serious, but he should be OK," according to a House of Blues executive.
The singer also canceled concerts Tuesday in Minneapolis and Saturday in San Diego. He is also scheduled to perform Friday at the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco. Concerts last week in New York and Maryland were canceled due to illness. A Facebook post from the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, announcing the cancellation last Saturday said D'Angelo was in the hospital.
Since releasing two landmark neo-soul albums, "Brown Sugar" in 1995 and "Voodoo" in 2000, the singer born Michael Archer in 1974 has kept a low profile. He began playing again sporadically last year, including a brief set in September at the United Center opening for Mary J. Blige.


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By Russ Britt
A new broad corporate strategy unveiled by Illumina Inc. was enough to boost the company's shares by as much as 10% in early trades Friday, as Wall Street said the genome-sequencing specialist could tap into a market worth up to $20 billion.
Illumina /quotes/zigman/83650/delayed /quotes/nls/ilmn ILMN shares were up $11.13 to $136.16 in recent action, a record high. Late Thursday, the company said it had developed two new platforms to its gene-sequencing lineup, the NextSeq 500 and the HiSeq X Ten.
These and other systems are geared toward analyzing human genes to expose potential disorders, and in some cases to find cures for debilitating diseases such as cancer. The company's systems are able to identify embryos that may have severe genetic disorders. It also is developing several analytical tools designed to more quickly process genomic information.
The new strategy was announced at an investor conference on Thursday.
"Needless to say, the tone was upbeat, and clearly reflective of a company hitting its stride amidst a backdrop of rapid market expansion," JPMorgan's Tycho Peterson said in a note to clients. He raised his price target on the company's shares to $190 from $120, making note of the potential $20 billion market.
Dan Leonard of Leerink Research did the same and upped his price target on shares to $140 from $110.
"While [Illumina's] stock is expensive, in our view, by any measure, we believe investors will be willing to pay $20 billion for a company visibly executing toward a $20 billion market opportunity in an enviable competitive position," Leonard said in a note to clients.
Follow Russ Britt on Twitter @russbrittmktw
Follow Health Exchange on Twitter @MWHealthBlog
More health-care news from MarketWatch:
Record price drops for prescription drugs
Mounting hepatitis C drug optimism boosts Gilead to top of S&P 500
Obamacare, Medicare cuts could hit UnitedHealth profits, CEO says


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Spreading Ignorance With Authority
By Rae Lewis-Thornton
December 30, 2013
This piece originally appeared in Rae's blog, Diva Living With AIDS.
Last night, as I was busy taking care of my sick baby, I got a tweet that made me want to cuss. At the time, however, my baby girl was the focus. No sooner than I dismissed it from my mind, my girl Dwana, responded to the woman and set her straight in her kind, gentle way. The woman should count her blessings that the first response was from Dwana and not me.
This is what happened: Dwana tweeted about the GiveForward Life Fund she organized on my behalf. Then someone tweeted to me, and Dwana, that HIV/AIDS has practically been eradicated. My gut reaction was a curse deep within but I let the moment pass and this morning I tweeted in response to her misinformation and I didn't curse!
But, I wonder how many people share this woman's view. I wonder, how many people really think that HIV is no longer a big deal. I wonder how that affects behavior and if that is a factor in the continued new infections globally. People think either, they won't get it or if they do all they have to do is pop a pill.
Setting this thought aside for the moment, the thing that really left me puzzled about this woman's tweet is that her Twitter profile says that she is an advocate for Autism; her son is Autistic. This is a woman who deals with health challenges everyday. So why would she dismiss someone else's pain and write their illness off to simple pharmaceutical companies profit? I wondered what portions of the medical community benefits from her son's condition and how she would feel to be dismissed as simply a profit. I've never been one to dismiss someone else's journey. Pain is pain no matter how different the pain may be. Then I wondered did she even click on the link that Dwana tweeted about me and the GiveForward Fund or did she just casually tweet Dwana.
I wondered if she had read about me and my work if she would have had a different opinion ... or maybe she did read about me and still had the same narrow opinion.
Then I wondered who on her timeline agreed with her tweet. I've learned that like-minded people tend to follow each other on Twitter. As the saying goes, 'birds of a feather flock together'. I don't know this woman but I know that she is ignorant to the facts of HIV/AIDS. Maybe she spends so much time dealing with her son's health, she doesn't have time to read. But you would think that if a person really doesn't know what they are talking about they would keep their damn mouth closed.
I utterly dislike people who spread ignorance with authority. The fact of the matter is, every 10 minutes a person becomes infected with HIV in the United States. The fact is, CDC estimates 47, 500 new cases of HIV in the United Sates in 2010. The fact is, each person living with HIV has their own health struggles with this disease. While there are similarities, there are also extreme differences. For example, some people take one pill a day, others like me, take 15 pills a day. The fact is, 15, 500 people died in the United States from AIDS in 2010 and CDC estimates 635, 000 have died since the beginning of the pandemic. Worldwide there were 2.5 million new cases of HIV in 2011 with about 17 million deaths in 2011 and an estimated 34 million living world wide.
The fact is, in addition to the health issues that come with HIV, people living with HIV have to deal with the shame, isolation, stigma and discrimination; I will never forget being denied that tattoo 7 years ago because I have HIV. We have to deal with fear of rejection and yes, actual rejection -- not just the fear of it, and we have to live with being dismissed by people like Ren Cook every day of our lives.
Finally, I think people living with any health condition deserve to be loved and validated rather than dismissed simply as a payday for pharmaceutical companies. I think the world would be a better place if we validated people's pain with the love of God and help to make life better for them, rather then dismiss or judge them. #justsayin
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Rae Lewis-Thornton Speaks
Rae Lewis-Thornton
Rae Lewis-Thornton is an Emmy Award-winning AIDS activist who rose to national acclaim when she told her story of living with AIDS in a cover story for Essence Magazine. She has lived with HIV for 27 years and AIDS for 19. Rae travels the country speaking and challenging stereotypes and myths about HIV/AIDS. She has a Master of Divinity degree and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Church History. Rae has been featured on Nightline, Dateline NBC, BET and The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as in countless magazines and newspapers, including Emerge, Glamour, O, the Oprah Winfrey Magazine, Jet, Ebony, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune, to name a few. She earned the coveted Emmy Award for a first-person series on living With AIDS for Chicago's CBS News.
Rae is an active user of social media -- read "Long-Term HIV Survivor Discovers the Power of Twitter," an article on TheBody.com about Rae's social media activities.
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November 17, 2015 - Charlie Sheen: And This Is What I Think!! A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton
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May 25, 2015 - The Problem With Pride and Shame: A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton
May 22, 2015 - Reflecting on 53! A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton
November 7, 2014 - One Day at a Time: A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton
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The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.


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Religion deserves rigorous attention and scholarship as it is one of the most significant facets of human experience and civilization building. Human history is inseparable from religious belief and practice, and it continues to be a major influence in self-expression, art and literature, politics, economics, ethics, and civic engagement.
The Religious Studies Minor at SIUE is a multi-disciplinary and, hence, methodologically pluralistic program administered by the Department of Philosophy. A wide array of courses taught by faculty from diverse disciplines can be combined to earn a minor in Religious Studies, giving students multiple academic perspectives through which to gain a deeper understanding of this major human undertaking.
For more information, please read the corresponding portions of this website, or contact Dr. Saba Fatima, Religious Studies Minor and Assistant Professor of Philosophy.