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If you've ever spent time hiking in Minnesota's State Parks, you've likely noticed blue hiking club signs along some of the trails. Those signs designate trails that are part of the Minnesota's Hiking Club trail system. To find out more about the club, we interviewed Amy Barrett who works for the Division of Parks and Trails. Find the full interview below.
Q: Tell us about the hiking club.
A: The hiking club is an opportunity for people to get out and explore the most significant trails in Minnesota's state parks. They tend to be easy, family-friendly routes that take people past some of the most significant natural features in these areas. So, if you were driving through and area and you wanted to stretch your legs, but you only had an hour, you could often do one of these hiking club hikes. They give you a real sense of the park.
What is fun about the hiking club hikes is that at the halfway point of the route there is a sign posted with a secret word, so it gives kids in particular something to look for if they start getting bored. It makes it sort of a treasure hunt.
The secret password at the end of each trail has some significance to the park that it's in. When you find it, you can write it down in the booklet that comes with the hiking club kit. It gives you a way to document your mileage. People who want to track their mileage can see it accumulate and purchase patches that show how far they've hiked in the Minnesota State Parks.
Q: How many hiking club trails are in the state of Minnesota?
A: There are 75 state parks across the state and 67 of them have hiking club trails.
Q: What has surprised you most about the hiking club?
A: As a participant it surprised me that couple of the hikes over 6 miles long. The Beaver Creek State Park hike, for example, is 6.2 miles. That's a more significant undertaking than I expected. However, it suggests is that there is a hike for everyone. Hikes vary from 1 to about 6 miles, with most being 2-3 miles.
Most of the hikes in our parks are geared for a beginner level, but there are also some that are more challenging. If you find a hike is too challenging, you can always do a segment of the hike. You might not always make it to the password sign and back on your first attempt.
Q: What are the trail milestones?
A: The milestones include 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 175 and all miles. Patches can be purchased when people reach each milestone. At the 100 miles participants receive a free night of camping. They also receive a free night of camping and a hiking club plaque when they reach the all miles milestone.
Q: Are there any misconceptions about the hiking club?
A: To someone who doesn't get out and do it very often, hiking sounds more difficult or challenging than it needs to be. If we would say that we are going for a casual walk it might not seem as intimidating as saying we are in the hiking club. So, that is something that I would want to clarify with anyone who has concerns.
Also, people might not know what to bring. It's important to pack right for an enjoyable hike. If you don't have sunscreen, if you don't have water, if you don't have snacks, then you might not have a very good time. But, if you have the appropriate amount of food and clothing, you can go longer and have more fun.
Q: What packing advice would you give to people who are new to hiking?
A: Water is the most important thing to bring. Make sure you have enough not only for yourself, but for everyone hiking with you. If you have kids don't underestimate how thirsty they might get. Water and nutritious snacks will help keep everyone's energy level up.
Dress for the weather and know the forecast is going to be (even if they aren't always accurate). Dressing in layers is usually the best way to go. You might start off with a sweatshirt or jacket in the morning, but you'll be able to throw it in a backpack once you get warmed up.
It's always a good idea to wear sunscreen, especially if you're hiking a trail with a lot of sun exposure. We also encourage bug spray because it is not uncommon to find a mosquito.
Bringing a paper map is helpful. A lot people have GPSs and smart phones, but it's not always possible to get reception when you're in a forest. We have printed maps available at the offices as you enter the park.
Good footwear is also very important. Comfortable closed toe shoes are best. You wouldn't want to take kids out on a hike with flip flops. We don't want them to get blisters, so be careful about the footwear you select when going on the trails.
Q: Are there other things about the hiking club that people might not know about?
A: Something that people might not know about is that the hiking club trail coincides with the Wildflower Geocaching Adventure. It involves finding a hidden box in each of the state parks and when opening the box there is a little log book and a collectible flower card inside. The collectible card has a picture and fun facts about a flower that can be seen in that park. Through the cards, families can learn about natural resources that have been protected at that location.
There is also a Passport Club where you get a stamp for every park that you visit. If you're in the hiking club, you might as well join the Passport Club for additional rewards along the way (such as a free night of camping or a plaque when you've visited all of the state parks).
Q: How do people get involved/join?
A: People can join by purchasing a club kit for $14.95 each at most state park offices that are staffed, at the DNR Information Center in Saint Paul (500 Lafayette Road), or by calling 1-888-646-6367. The kit includes great descriptions of the hikes and a place to log the trail passwords and hike memories. It helps people keep track of where they have been and where they need to go.
After purchasing a kit, look for a blue Hiking Club sign at state parks. Staff at the offices can direct you to the beginning of the trail heads if you are unsure of where to go. The state park trail maps online also show where the trailheads in each park are located.
Q: What North Shore hiking club trail(s) do visitors need to put on the top of their "to do" list?
A: The hiking club trail in Goosbery Falls State Park is 2.2 miles. You start at the visitors' center and follow the trail to the Gooseberry River, cross the bridge as you take in views of the upper and middle falls. Then hike the Gitchi-Gummi trail known for its high overlooks, stunning views of Lake Superior and the Gooseberry River Valley. The end of the trail brings you to a point that juts out into Lake Superior where you are rewarded with beautiful views from the overlook.
Grand Portage is also another great place to visit. It is a one mile hike on a boardwalk, so it is an easy hike to take if you are with someone in a stroller or in a wheelchair. Along it you'll get to see Minnesota's highest waterfall, which is 120-feet on the Pigeon River.
Q: Where can people get more information about the club?
A: For more information on the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club, visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html or call the DNR Information Center at (888) 646-6367


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A corrigendum for this article has been published. To view the corrigendum, please click here.
International Journal of Population Research
Volume 2016, Article ID 7690697, 8 pages
Impact of Postmigration Living Difficulties on the Mental Health of Afghan Migrants Residing in Istanbul
1Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
2Department of Sociology and Social Services, California State University, East Bay, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
3Department of Sociology, Galatasaray University, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
4Department of Social Work & Social Ecology, Behavioral Health Institute, Loma Linda University, Redlands, CA 92373, USA
Received 25 April 2016; Accepted 28 August 2016
Academic Editor: Sally Guttmacher
Copyright © 2016 Qais Alemi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Background. The sociopolitical situation in Afghanistan continually pushes Afghans to seek safety and better socioeconomic prospects in neighboring and foreign countries. In this paper we examine the mental health of Afghan migrants residing in Istanbul, Turkey, an understudied population at high risk of psychopathology. Methods. We surveyed 158 Afghan migrants to assess psychological distress using a culturally grounded measure of mental health, the Afghan Symptom Checklist [ASCL], and used hierarchical regression analysis to examine the impact of postmigration living difficulties (PMLDs) on mental health. Results. We found that depressive, somatoform, anxiety-like symptoms occurred often, as did a number of culturally salient idioms of distress. Regression analyses showed that while socioeconomic variables and poor physical health status significantly predicted psychological distress, PMLDs exerted the strongest negative effect. The most pressing PMLDs for Afghans in Turkey are poverty, unemployment, lack of treatment for health problems, fears of being deported and related legal challenges, and family-related stressors. Conclusion. Our results point to the importance of the critical need to create culturally sensitive interventions to remediate high levels of psychological distress by addressing related PMLD stressors in a highly vulnerable Afghan migrant population residing in Turkey.
1. Introduction
The volatile civil war in Syria and conflict and economic instability in Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa have led to unprecedented population movements from the Middle East to the European Union (EU). An estimated 1.26 million new asylum claims were made in EU nations at the end of 2015 [1]. Among these close to 64,000 new claims were made by asylum seekers either directly from Afghanistan due to social and economic disadvantages [2] or from Afghan refugees who previously resided in Iran and Pakistan, and are now leaving these countries after governments have shifted policies about Afghan refugees in their territories. For example, Iranian authorities announced that they will not renew work permits for Afghans because the current embargo has significantly affected their economy, while authorities in Pakistan stipulated that (undocumented) Afghans may be subject to immediate deportations [3]. Therefore, conditions in these countries have made it difficult for Afghans to enter the labor market, in addition to instilling fears of being sent back to Afghanistan where the country's immediate future remains uncertain leading to increased migration to Turkey.
As part of this population movement, Turkey has become a major transit country for Afghans seeking to reach EU countries [4] and while some Afghans seek to permanently resettle in Turkey with over 90,000 asylum claims by mid-2016 [5], most migrants are deemed illegal. Indeed, Turkish asylum policies promote asylum rights only to refugees from Europe, and settlement laws grant legal status only to people of Turkish descent and culture [6]. Most EU countries' policies of closed borders have not stopped this migration and have instead resulted in an illegal underclass that is highly exploited [7] and lives in inhumane conditions due to poverty [8]. While this is true for all immigrant groups, the plight of Afghan migrants tends to be worse than that of Syrian refugees, a population viewed by the Turkish government as having a legitimate need for (temporary) protection but still facing restrictions from accessing the formal labor market, health services, and education for their children [9].
A recent systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies on Afghan refugees and asylum seekers that resettled in western nations reveals high rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with premigration traumas and postresettlement stressors to include economic strain, status and social support loss, and limited host country social integration [10]. Studies of other nationalities show that common psychiatric disorders in refugees and asylum seekers are intensified by host country detention [11], fears of being deported [12], worry about family back home/family separation [13, 14], and long asylum processes [15]. Asylum processes that delay residence permits have been shown to limit socioeconomic integration [16] and deter family reunification [17] factors that have recently been shown to play a protective role in psychological health among asylum seekers in Australia [18] and the Netherlands [19]. While these studies provide new insights into the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, the validity of a few of these studies [11, 12, 14, 17, 18] is tempered by the cross-sectional study design including small and nonrepresentative sample sizes and in some cases the use of measures validated in research with nonrefugee populations.
The current study aims to build on prior studies of Afghans in exile by examining the mental health of Afghan migrants residing in Istanbul, Turkey. We refer to Afghans in this study as "migrants," due to their inability to obtain an official refugee status in Turkey.
Specifically, we examine the severity of psychological distress using a culturally grounded measure of mental health developed in Afghanistan, the Afghan Symptom Checklist or ASCL [20]. We also examined the extent to which sociodemographic factors, self-reported physical health status, and postmigration living difficulties contribute to their psychological distress. We hypothesized that sociodemographic variables of conceptual relevance and poor physical health status would significantly predict psychological distress and that postmigration living difficulties would have the greatest (negative) impact on the mental health of respondents.
2. Methods
2.1. Sample, Setting, and Procedures
Inclusion criteria for this cross-sectional study were being of Afghan ancestry, 18 years of age or older, and residing in Istanbul, Turkey, regardless of legal classification (transit migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker). Power analysis using Power software, version 3.1 [21], estimated that a sample size of 172 participants was required based on obtaining a moderate effect size of , type I error of , and power of . The Afghan first author and an Afghan research assistant collected data over a 10-day period in late September 2015 within Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district, a resettlement hub for Afghans and other immigrants. Recruitment involved a combination of street-intercept, convenience, and snowball sampling methods. Before administering surveys, an IRB-approved information sheet was presented to participants, which we used to obtain verbal consent. Of note, we successfully argued to not require a signature for consent, as previous studies found that this discouraged potential participants from responding since it reminded them of past confrontations with authorities [22], thus undermining trust and rapport.
2.2. Instrumentation
2.2.1. Sociodemographic Information (Control Variables)
We elicited data on age, gender, marital status, years in Turkey, educational attainment, and employment status. A proxy for income was assessed by asking participants whether they could comfortably pay bills every month with their current household income ("yes/no"), a method previously used with Afghan refugees [23]. We assessed social support using another proxy measure asking "Do you have family present in Turkey ("yes/no")?"
2.2.2. Physical Health (Control Variable)
We assessed physical health status using items from the physical health component of the Short-Form/SF-8 [24] (mean score of four items). This includes a measure of self-rated health, the level of bodily pain one is experiencing, and two items on how much physical health limits daily work and physical activities. Scores range from 0 to 18 with higher scores on the health index denoting greater physical health. The health index demonstrated adequate internal consistency in this sample (Cronbach's α = .772).
2.2.3. Postmigration Living Difficulties (Independent Variable)
We used the Postmigration Living Difficulties (PMLD) checklist [25] for measuring the severity of postmigration problems commonly encountered by asylum seekers within the past 12 months. Items relate to immigration matters, employment-related challenges, access to various types of health services, and isolation/loneliness/separation. Responses are rated on a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from "0" ("no problem at all") to "4" ("a very serious problem") with total scores ranging from 0 to 96. A principal components analysis (PCA) procedure with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization yielded five components with all but one item ("worries about family back home") loading at .550 or higher on a component. Table 3 shows the five subscales that were created (PMLDs 1–5) and their respective Cronbach's alphas (ranging from .719 to .891). PCAs were also conducted on each subscale. Each PCA found only one component with an eigenvalue of 1.0 or higher and that component explained the range from 53.9% to 73.8% of the variance.
2.2.4. General Psychological Distress (Outcome Variable)
We used the Afghan Symptom Checklist (ASCL) [20] for measuring the frequency of distress symptoms. Originally developed and validated in Afghanistan, the ASCL consists of 23 distress items, including some traditional items known to western psychiatry relating to depressive symptoms (e.g., crying, insomnia, and social withdrawal), as well as some items aligned with Afghan society such as indigenous idioms and indicators relating to ruminative sadness ("jigar khun"/sadness resulting from a painful experience, "thinking too much"), somatic distress (e.g., "fishar e bala"/internal agitation), and stress induced reactivity (e.g., "asabi"/stressful irritability). Each question is asked for the previous two weeks. Scores range from 23 to 115 derived from response choices ranging from "1" ("never") to "5" ("everyday"). The ASCL has been used in research with Afghan refugees in southern California [22] in which Afghans reported comparably lower levels of psychological distress (M = 41.7, SD = 15.55) than men (M = 50.54, SD = 12.10) and women (M = 68.21, SD = 16.70) in Afghanistan [20]. The ASCL demonstrated excellent reliability in this sample (Cronbach's α = .942).
2.3. Data Analysis
SPSS, version 23.0, was used for all data analysis. Both categorical and continuous variables were subjected to bivariate tests to examine associations with ASCL scores using one-way ANOVAs, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson's correlations where appropriate. For scales with less than 10% missing data we used the mean substitution method [26] to replace missing values for continuous variables. Data was screened to assure linearity and normality and to test for multicollinearity as similar constructs were used as predictor variables across various steps in our regression analysis but no data transformations or exclusion of constructs was warranted. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to develop a predictive model of psychological distress. In Model 1 demographic covariates of conceptual relevance were controlled; physical health status was subsequently added in Model 2, and the PMLD (full scale) was added in Model 3. Additionally, in order to better understand which PMLD items were most salient for this sample, we removed the PMLD long scale and instead incorporated the five PMLD subscales identified through our PCA in Model 4. In Model 5 we entered only the PMLD subscales that were significantly associated () with psychological distress in Model 4.
3. Results
3.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics
Table 1 displays the sociodemographic characteristics of our participants. Most of the 158 Afghan participants were male (, 83.3%); ranged in age from 18 to 57 years with a mean age of 25.67 (SD = 7.87); reported an average length of residence in Turkey of 2.55 (SD = 3.31) years; were not having family present in Turkey (, 64.7%); were unemployed (, 78.7%); and had unstable incomes (, 75.5%). Perceived health status ranged from 0 to 18 with a mean rating of 10.49 (SD = 4.21), and PMLD scores ranged from 3 to 96 with a mean of 48.65 (SD = 21.05).
Bivariate analyses conducted for multivariate model building purposes exploring the relationship between SES and other variables of interest and psychological distress indicated that unemployment (, ), lower income (, ), lower physical health/scores on the health index (, ), and PMLDs (, ) were significantly associated with higher psychological distress symptoms. These significantly related items were then retained for the multivariate model analyses.
3.2. Severity of Distress Symptoms (Outcome Variable)
ASCL scores ranged from 24 to 115 with a mean of 60.17 (SD = 20.50). Table 2 shows reported distress symptoms occurring at least once per week. Some of the most frequently reported symptoms include "feeling sad," "trouble concentrating," "thinking too much," "difficulty sleeping," and becoming "jigar khun" (a form of sadness resulting from a deeply painful experience).
3.3. Extent of Postmigration Living Difficulties
Table 3 displays each of the PMLD subscales and the frequency with which items were rated as "serious" to "a very serious problem." Five of nine items within the first subscale, "conditions of extreme precarity" (e.g., poverty, deportation fears, and being unable to return home in an emergency), were rated by from serious to very serious by over 50% of the sample whereas "asylum-related difficulties" (PMLD 2) were less often noted as a serious concern. At least half of the participants endorsed all three items relating to "employment-related problems" (PMLD 3) from serious to very serious. "Access to medical and social services" (PMLD 4) was problems for many as shown in the fourth subscale, and in the "marginalization and family-related stressors" (PMLD 5) subscale family-related items were pressing for more respondents.
3.4. Impact of Postmigration Living Difficulties on Mental Health
Table 4 shows the results of a series of regressions to test the influence of the four sociodemographic variables and perceived physical health index that correlated in the bivariate analyses with the ASCL at . In addition we explored the association of the PMLD (full scales and subscales) with the ASCL. In Model 1 we entered the control variables of years residing in Turkey, family members in Turkey (proxy for social support), employment, and income. This model explained 22.6% of the variance with income and employment being significantly (and negatively) associated with distress levels. Years in Turkey and having family in Turkey were not significantly associated with distress.
The physical health index (Model 2) and the full PMLD index (Model 3) were added in subsequent models. Model 2 shows that, as expected, the health index is negatively associated with psychological distress (, ). The health index explains additional 17.4% () of the variance (beyond the base model) and has a standardized beta more than double that of either income or employment. Model 3 shows that adding the full PMLD to the base model explains additional 16.4%, slightly less than the health index. This suggests that the health index influences psychological distress slightly more than the PMLD checklist.
However, we get a different picture in Model 4, which replaces the full PMLD with the five PMLD subscales. The five subscales explain much more variance (30.8% or ) than either the health index (Model 2) or the full PMLD (Model 3). Four of the five subscales are significantly related to psychological distress, with PMLD 1 (conditions of extreme precarity) most strongly associated with distress (, ) and PMLD 3 (employment-related problems) not significantly related to distress at . Note that PMLD 4 (access to medical and social services) is significantly but negatively related to distress. These results run counter to expectations and are additionally surprising because its bivariate correlation with distress is positive (, ). Thus, controlling for the other subscales reverses the direction of the relationship between PMLD 4 and distress. When included in the full PMLD index, PMLD 4 items act to weaken the PMLDs influence on distress.
To verify this we ran a regression (not shown) using a scale consisting of 20 PMLD items (not including items from PMLD 4), and it has nearly the same change in as Model 4. In comparing Model 5 to Model 2, we see that adding the four PMLD subscales to the model with demographic controls and health status explains additional 14.5% of the variance ( increases from 40.0% in Model 2 to 54.5% in Model 5). It shows that the health index remains significant at as do PMLDs 1, 2, and 5. Of these, PMLD 1 is most strongly associated with distress, with a standardized beta () more than double any of the other variables.
4. Discussion
The sociopolitical situation in Afghanistan indicates no end sight for the exodus of Afghans in search of safety and better socioeconomic prospects in neighboring and foreign countries. Afghans residing in Turkey are an understudied population who, as observed here, are at high risk of psychopathology. The results of this study show that distress symptoms occur at rates higher than previously reported in the US [23] and mirror those of research conducted in Afghanistan [20]. Of note, items indicative of depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms occurred often, as did a number of culturally salient idioms of distress, information that could be used to guide the development of much needed culturally salient interventions [27].
The degree of distress reported here was found to be associated with the rampant levels of unemployment and inadequate income (Model 1), which aligns with prior studies of Afghans and other nationalities showing similar associations [28, 29]. Much of the influence of employment and income is mediated by both health status and postmigration living difficulties, as indicated by the low and nonsignificant beta for income and employment in the full regression (Model 5). This raises a question of causal processes that a larger sample panel study might illuminate. Additionally, the predictive power of the [poor] physical health status variable on ASCL scores was demonstrated, even net of postmigration difficulties. This points to the importance of addressing both the health needs and living difficulties of this population and justifies the inclusion of physical health variables in future research that utilizes the PMLD checklist.
Our findings only partially confirm our first research hypothesis given that null associations were observed between ASCL scores and other key variables, possibly due to low representation of respondents within variable subcategories. For example, ASCL scores did not vary by length of residence in Turkey, as was found, for example, among Sri Lankan refugees in Canada [30]. This may reflect the precarious conditions and status of even longtime Afghan residents in Turkey and raises questions of whether over time conditions might improve for Afghans in Turkey, at least in the current political climate with continuing influx of refugees into Turkey.
The PMLD checklist in its full form as tested here confirmed our second research hypothesis, but we found the PMLDs' explanatory power greatly increased by dividing it into subscales or removing the four items in PMLD 4 ("access to medical and social services"). Using five subscales generated by Principal Components Analysis also improved our understanding of which living difficulties most influence distress levels for this population. The strongest influence on distress is PMLD 1 ("conditions of extreme precarity"), which includes fears of being sent home, poverty, loneliness, and poor access to medical care that reflect the conditions of this community of Afghan migrants most of whom are without legal status, unemployed, and unable to enter the formal labor market. It is likely that many are forced to accept low wages in poor job conditions within the informal economy, as previously documented in Syrian refugees [9]. Indeed, the negative correlation of PMLD 4 controlling for the other PMLD subscales likely reflects the extreme precarity of this population. That is, worries about access to dentistry, counseling services, and welfare, although important, are not central concerns of individuals in highly precarious situations.
In addition to the influence of conditions of extreme precarity, we found that subscales related to asylum challenges (e.g., conflict with immigration officials) and marginalization (e.g., communication difficulties) and family-related stressors (e.g., worry about family in Afghanistan) contributed to the high distress levels. These findings parallel the stressors documented with Iraqi [13] and Sudanese asylum seekers [14] and suggest that well-being and adjustment for Afghans in Turkey may indeed be hindered by basic unmet needs impeding basic human survival, including resources such as personal health, paid employment, and social support [31]. Thus we contend that, alongside the need to remediate distress symptoms, a first response should be to improve basic living conditions of Afghans in Turkey. While no solid evidence exists on specific interventions for improving the mental health of Afghans and other migrant groups [32], evidence points towards addressing the aforementioned psychosocial stressors alongside remediating traumatic symptoms, which may optimally facilitate functional improvements [33]. Studies of asylum seekers in Australia [18] and in the Netherlands [19] emphasize that improving health may require interventions that advocate for tangible necessities such as access to gainful employment, work rights, family reunification, and legal residency.
Our finding that the items in PMLD 4 substantially suppressed the influence of the full PMLD points to the importance of conducting analyses that reflect the diversity of difficulties captured in this scale. That Cronbach's α for the full PMLD is .930 demonstrates the limitations of this reliability measure without also considering factor structure.
4.1. Strengths and Limitations
A major strength of this study is that we used a culturally grounded measure of mental health to assess distress levels, which is critical considering the lack of relevant instruments commonly used in research with refugees [34]. While our study points to significant needs of this hard to access population several limitations should also be noted. First, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inferences. Also, the small sample size obtained through convenience sampling limits generalizability especially with respect to the limited number of female participants, though this imbalance is somewhat representative of the actual migration trends which favors males. Moreover, to limit respondent burden, we constrained our measures to currently experienced psychological distress, thus not allowing us to tease out current versus premigration and transit-related traumatic experiences. For brevity sake we also did not assess potentially important constructs such as acculturation to Turkish culture and used a single-item measure to assess social support instead of a validated scale. Any of these might fall under salient factors described in a recent qualitative study of US-based Afghan refugees [35] and could have served as important control variables here as these likely also had an impact on our participants mental health.
4.2. Conclusion
This study further contributes to our understanding of the mental health of Afghan migrants, an understudied and highly vulnerable group, largely deemed illegal whose status in Turkey may propagate an ongoing cycle of poverty, poor health, and psychopathology. Throughout the data collection process the vast majority of participants displayed great curiosity about the potential use of the information. Nearly all expressed the hope that it would be used to inform positive responses to their needs by local authorities. While there is clear need with respect to physical and mental health, most primarily spoke of the pressing need to remediate other tangible postresettlement stressors such as the need to work and provide for their families. Also, as mostly single, younger men are the ones setting out to find better lives, many have lost important sources of social support. Perhaps intervention efforts could begin by building on the experience and social capital of those who have lived longer and are more established in the informal Afghan communities in Istanbul. Even at nominal remuneration this would provide meaningful engagement for those who would share their experience, while at the same time helping those who are new to this environment. While modest, such an effort could serve as a first and somewhat realistic step toward helping improving the dire situations many Afghan migrants endure and help prevent frustrations from becoming increasingly adversarial.
Competing Interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The authors thank the participants in this study for their time and useful insights. They also thank Mr. Najib Nooristani for his assistance with collecting data. Dr. Qais Alemi would like to gratefully acknowledge the support provided by a seed grant from the Behavioral Health Institute at Loma Linda University. Also, Dr. Didem Danis would like to express her gratitude for the support provided by Galatasaray University Scientific Research Division (BAP Grant no. 16.502.001)
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- M. Toar, K. K. O'Brien, and T. Fahey, "Comparison of self-reported health & healthcare utilisation between asylum seekers and refugees: an observational study," BMC Public Health, vol. 9, no. 1, article 214, 2009. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- C. J. Laban, H. B. P. E. Gernaat, I. H. Komproe, I. Van Der Tweel, and J. T. V. M. De Jong, "Postmigration living problems and common psychiatric disorders in Iraqi asylum seekers in the Netherlands," The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 193, no. 12, pp. 825–832, 2005. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- R. Schweitzer, F. Melville, Z. Steel, and P. Lacherez, "Trauma, post-migration living difficulties, and social support as predictors of psychological adjustment in resettled Sudanese refugees," Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 179–187, 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- C. J. Laban, I. H. Komproe, H. B. P. E. Gernaat, and J. T. V. M. de Jong, "The impact of a long asylum procedure on quality of life, disability and physical health in Iraqi asylum seekers in the Netherlands," Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 43, no. 7, pp. 507–515, 2008. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- L. Bakker, J. Dagevos, and G. Engbersen, "The importance of resources and security in the socio-economic integration of refugees. A study on the impact of length of stay in asylum accommodation and residence status on socio-economic integration for the four largest refugee groups in the Netherlands," Journal of International Migration and Integration, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 431–448, 2014. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- K. Carswell, P. Blackburn, and C. Barker, "The relationship between trauma, post-migration problems and the psychological well-being of refugees and asylum seekers," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 107–119, 2011. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- D. C. Hocking, G. A. Kennedy, and S. Sundram, "Mental disorders in asylum seekers: the role of the refugee determination process and employment," The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 203, no. 1, pp. 28–32, 2015. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- M. Lamkaddem, M.-L. Essink-Bot, W. Devillé, A. Gerritsen, and K. Stronks, "Health changes of refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia: the role of residence status and experienced living difficulties in the resettlement process," The European Journal of Public Health, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 917–922, 2015. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- K. E. Miller, P. Omidian, A. S. Quraishy et al., "The Afghan Symptom Checklist: a culturally grounded approach to mental health assessment in a conflict zone," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 423–433, 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- F. Faul, E. Erdfelder, A.-G. Lang, and A. Buchner, "G∗Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences," Behavior Research Methods, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 175–191, 2007. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- A. A. M. Gerritsen, I. Bramsen, W. Devillé, L. H. M. van Willigen, J. E. Hovens, and H. M. van der Ploeg, "Use of health care services by Afghan, Iranian, and Somali refugees and asylum seekers living in The Netherlands," The European Journal of Public Health, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 394–399, 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
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- J. E. Ware, M. Kosinski, J. E. Dewey, and B. Gandek, SF-8 Health Survey Manual—How to Score and Interpret Single-Item Health Measures: A Manual for Users of the Sf-8 Health Survey, Quality Metric Incorporated, Lincoln, RI, USA, 2001.
- D. Silove, I. Sinnerbrink, A. Field, V. Manicavasagar, and Z. Steel, "Anxiety, depression and PTSD in asylum-seekers: associations with pre-migration trauma and post-migration stressors," The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 170, pp. 351–357, 1997. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- J. Cohen, P. Cohen, S. G. West, and L. S. Aiken, Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, Routledge, Mahwah, NJ, USA, 2013.
- B. A. Kohrt, A. Rasmussen, B. N. Kaiser et al., "Cultural concepts of distress and psychiatric disorders: literature review and research recommendations for global mental health epidemiology," International Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 43, no. 2, Article ID dyt227, pp. 365–406, 2014. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- S. S. Lecerof, M. Stafström, R. Westerling, and P.-O. Östergren, "Does social capital protect mental health among migrants in Sweden?" Health Promotion International, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 644–652, 2016. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar
- F. Lindencrona, S. Ekblad, and E. Hauff, "Mental health of recently resettled refugees from the Middle East in Sweden: the impact of pre-resettlement trauma, resettlement stress and capacity to handle stress," Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 121–131, 2008. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
- M. Beiser, A. M. Goodwill, P. Albanese, K. McShane, and P. Kanthasamy, "Predictors of the integration of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Canada: pre-migration adversity, mental health, personal attributes, and post-migration experience," International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 29–44, 2015. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
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Keepin' It Ice Cool In London
I swear a bit of sun comes out and everyone goes a little bit crazy! Especially in the city, there is nowhere to cool down unless you fancy having a dip in Hampsted Heath's Lake - so you have to find alternative ways to chill out. Literally. I searched high and low to find some of the best icecream parlours in London that are both instagram worthy as well as having incredible taste.
Chin Chin Labs
A few years ago I had been to the only Chin Chin Lab in London, which is in Camden Lock. Since then, they have been lucky to have expanded to multiple stores across the capital. What is amazing about Chin Chin Labs is that the ice cream is made with liquid nitrogen, made to order. This means you get amazing quality ice cream that doesn't melt as fast. Before you go, check out what the weekly specials are, as they are different from store to store. Once you have selected your flavour you can add on a topping which ranges from bee pollen honeycomb to truffle crumb. I love the Willy Wonka-esque magic, from the creation of the ice cream to the innovative flavours.
54 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 3DS
Snowflake is quite a popular ice cream parlour in London due to it's wide variety of flavours and luxurious gelato. One of my favourite foods is popcorn - so once I saw that Snowflake has created a unique popcorn flavour, I had to try it. I thought, why not mix it up with another favourite of mine, coffee, to try them both. The gelato was so creamy and full of flavour, but melted faaaaar to quickly for me to get a cool picture of it! So be quick if you want that perfect shot!
102 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 0TP
by CHLOE.
If you haven't heard of by CHLOE, you're about to! This US chain has made it's way across the pond so us Brits can finally indulge in the vegan-deliciousness! Everything here is totally instagrammable, but I came to try the ice-pops. With a small array of flavours, the one that really took my fancy was the Birthday Cake Ice-pop. I didn't really know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. Once you pop the lid, you see a large chunk of actual birthday cake, with sprinkles! Underneath is a vanilla flavoured ice-cream with a continuation of hundreds & thousands. Enjoy your ice-pop in one of these comfy hanging chairs and watch the world go by.


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Barrier Event Grease
Event Grease
Event Grease gives protection to the legs, chest and belly as they skim and knock against fences.
Contents: Our natural formulation contains the purest lanolin, vegetable surfactants and herbal concentrates blended together to form a tough greasy lubricant which stays on through the most demanding conditions. Most importantly it allows the skin to breathe.
Soothing and Pain Relieving: We include natural high grade essential oils known for their soothing and pain relieving qualities. They also help to disperse bruising and soothe minor cuts and grazes.
Allows skin to breathe: Does not seal the skin, allows it to breathe which is of great consideration especially in hot weather.
Directions for Use: Apply liberally to the legs, chest and belly.
Removal: Although our Event Grease is a tough greasy lubricant that stays on through demanding conditions it can be easily removed with 'Lavender Wash' one of our lovely body washes.
Safety Data: Non-toxic & Non-irritant
FEI or Jockey Club Rules : No materials have knowingly been included in this product that may contravene these rules.
Storage: Store in original container away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Available Pack Sizes : 5k, 1k


text: With competition for business fiercer than ever, the addition of equipment that makes you stand out from your competitors is a good way to distinguish yourself from the pack. Consider adding depth and capability to your fleet with limited-access drilling. Get into the backyards and other tight spaces others can't, with the superbly designed and built limited access drills from MARL and Fraste. The PL series also includes drills configured for construction, micropiles, foundation work, and shallow water wells.


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Xmas wreaths add to Christmas cheer # atoz challenge
My first acquaintance with a wreath was rather morbid : I was in Class 7 and our class teacher assigned me with the task of taking a wreath to the home of a classmate who had lost her father, on behalf of the entire class. The job itself filled me with dread and I prayed that the delicate floral offering wouldn't fall or get damaged as I wobbled on my bicycle. Luckily it didn't but I always associated wreaths with sorrow till we got our own Xmas wreaths at home.
My little girls were fascinated by the Christmas decorations in the club and always wanted to decorate the home with green and red buntings, the Christmas tree and wreaths. We searched high and low for decent wreaths but couldn't find any. So one trip when Hubby Dear got home XMas wreaths, they were thrilled beyond belief. Every year they were put up one on the front door and one on the door of their room.
Obviously, they were kept away every year back in their original packing , on top of the cupboard only to be taken down the following year. For the past two years my younger daughter has been 'borrowing' these wreaths for her own Christmas celebration.
Doesn't this wreath planted in the centre of her Christmas breakfast look enchanting?
Xmas Wreaths
The word wreath comes from the word "writhen" that was an old English word meaning "to writhe" or "to twist." The art of hanging Christmas wreaths originated from the Romans who hung wreaths on their doors as a sign of victory and of their status in society.
Christmas wreaths are made by twisting or bending evergreen branches into a large circle which are then decorated with pinecones and a red bow. The circle shape of the wreath is made to represent Christ's eternal love, his strength, and the creation of new life.
– See more at: http://www.wilsonevergreens.com/christmas-wreath-history/#sthash.yIYHwcAx.dpuf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~With only three days to go the 7th A to Z Challenge is coming to an end. Today is X for Xmas wreaths
Do visit the A to Z Challenge posts on Facebook.


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Pain Channel
Topics & Medications
Related Channels
Pentazocine Addiction
No, they are not the same. Physical dependence occurs when the body becomes used to a medication or substance after routine use. As a result, stopping the medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Not all medications cause physical dependence, and not all medications that cause physical dependence lead to addiction.
Addiction is the continued use of a medication or substance even though it causes harm. This is a serious and complex disease associated with craving and uncontrolled use. Just like a person can have a physical dependence on a drug without being addicted to it, a person can be addicted to a drug that does not cause physical dependence.
Opioid medications, such as pentazocine, have the potential to cause dependence with chronic use. This is the reason the medications usually have to be stopped slowly in people who have been taking them routinely.
Opioids also have the potential to cause addiction. Misusing the medication may increase the risk for abuse. This is why it is important to follow the instructions for the medication closely and to only use as much of it as your healthcare provider has prescribed. If the amount of pentazocine you have been prescribed is not adequately controlling your pain, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you or someone you know may be developing a problem with pentazocine addiction, it is important to seek help right away. Waiting could cause the problem to become worse. Addiction is a treatable illness, and help is available. However, you cannot overcome the problem alone.
Your healthcare provider is a great place to start when searching for help with pentazocine addiction. He or she will be able to assist you in dealing with the problem and can also suggest other helpful resources.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD


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Drug Story Theater: Treatment for Both Audience and Actors
-Joan Goodchild, Aug 29, 2018
Recovering addicts will tell their 'Drug Story' at East Bridgewater school
- Shannon Gallagher, Dec 18, 2017
Once a kid on 'Zoom,' Shrand now an adult helping youth in drug recovery
- Linda Murphy, Jan 20, 2017
Performance Tells True Stories Of Addiction
- Lannan M. O'Brien, Mar 10, 2016
Drug Story Theater actors speak from experience
- Adam Silva, Mar 29, 2017
Performance Tells True Stories Of Addiction
- K.C. Myers, Mar 11, 2016
Overdose deaths continue downward trend
- Tom Relihan, Aug 23, 2017
Mashpee Substance Use Task Force
- Hope P. Hanscom, June 8, 2018
Quincy students educated on drug abuse, opioid crisis
-Tréa Lavery, April 12, 2018
One-quarter of Mass. residents know someone who died from opioids, survey suggests
- Felice J. Freyer, March 12, 2018
Drug Story Theater Expands Innovative Addiction Prevention Program For Students To More Than 60 Cities And Towns Across Massachusetts
News Provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Recovering Teen Addicts Take Their Stories Onstage
-Mindy Todd, Feb 2, 2017
Drug Story Theater Improv Performance Comes to HUBweek Boston October 17, 2018
Staying Clean with Drug Story Theater
WGBH News-June 8, 2019


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Seahawks Insider Blog
Morning links: New team, new role for Harper
[caption id="attachment_18401" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Seattle Seahawks' Chris Harper carries the ball as linebacker Malcolm Smith, right, defends during NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 27, 2013, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)[/caption]Good morning. Today is a regular Wednesday for game week, so we will have conference calls with Carolina head coach Ron Rivera along with a Panthers player this morning. Also, we'll have injury updates on players from Pete Carroll's press conference today.
Receiver Chris Harper, the Seahawks fourth round selection in this year's draft, talked about his new role with San Francisco after the team signed the Kansas State product off of Seattle's practice squad.
Harper said he'll have to learn how to get into a 3-point stance for the first time, as the 49ers plan on using him as an H-back, similar to the way San Francisco used former tight end Delanie Walker.
"They put him all over the field," Harper told reporters down in San Francisco. "And he's a great athlete. You can see that on film. … He's a big guy that can run."
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com ranks Russell Wilson the No. 8 quarterback in the league.
ESPN's Terry Blount says to don't expect the type of impact from this year's rookies that the Seahawks received from last year's class.
Danny O'Neil of 710 ESPN Seattle reads between the lines on Pete Carroll's Monday press conference.
Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com takes an early look at Carolina.
The Seahawks debut at No.1 in ESPN's weekly power rankings.
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports places Seattle at No. 1 as well.
Five of the eight NFL experts at CBS Sports pick the Seahawks to beat Carolina this week.
Chris Burke and Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated pick the Seahawks to win the NFC West.
Brian Billick of Fox Sports places the Seahawks at No. 3 in his NFL power rankings.
Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated says the Seahawks moved Bruce Irvin to SAM linebacker with an eye toward defending Colin Kaepernick and the read option.
The Daily Meal names CenturyLink Field the best stadium for craft beer.
ESPN's Herm Edwards places just two Seahawks among the top three at their position, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. You must be an ESPN Insider to view this.
Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer notes that the Panthers have the worst record in the league in season openers at 6-12 in 18 seasons.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 49ers have brought in John Skelton for a tryout.
Jack Bechta of the National Football Post argues for changes in injured reserve rules. This is a good read if you have questions about how IR designations work.
Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that Leon Washington worked out for the N.Y. Giants on Tuesday.


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This week the boys sit down prolific Super Mario Maker savant GrandPooBear to talk about getting partnered and how Twitch monetization is a weird and wacky thing. How does he deal with this love/hate relationship with Nintendo?
We dig into the nitty gritty of PS4 Neo rumors. Talk about the ending of an era with the Xbox 360 going out of production. Share some Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan impressions and finish up with the question, "What does it take to make a classic remake".
Listen closely for a special tribute to a legendary artist whom we recently lost.
Show links!
- Watch GrandPooBear on Twitch!
- Get Aurion
- Playstation NEO details!
- Xbox 360 has been discontinued.
- Doom isn't true enough to its roots.


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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and ViewPoint Bank are pleased to announce they have awarded a $49,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to North Collin County Habitat for Humanity (NCCHFH). The grant will provide seven first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance on newly constructed Habitat homes in McKinney.
All seven homes will be constructed and sold to qualified Habitat families below 60 percent of the area's median income level. Most of the homes will be located in the east McKinney neighborhood of LaLoma, an older neighborhood that has been designated by the city for revitalization.
Habitat homes are constructed with the assistance of volunteers and sold at cost with an interest-free mortgage to qualified Habitat homebuyers. Qualified applicants are required to meet sweat equity hours by providing hands-on construction labor for other Habitat homes, as well as complete homebuyer education and financial literacy courses.
"We have already closed on five homes thanks to this AHP grant," said NCCHFH Executive Director Celeste Cox. "We plan to begin constructing more homes this spring. We are just thrilled to work with FHLB Dallas and ViewPoint Bank again to obtain the AHP funds and help these homebuyers bridge the funding gap that ultimately puts them into a new home. By working with the city of McKinney and uplifting an older neighborhood, it really turns out to be a win-win situation for everyone."
ViewPoint Bank, an FHLB Dallas member institution in Plano, is a proud partner of NCCHFH.
"ViewPoint Bank shares in NCCHFH's vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and we are proud to partner in their efforts to improve the lives of people in our community," said Cindy Bathea, CRA development officer at ViewPoint Bank.
AHP grants are awarded through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions, such as ViewPoint Bank, to assist in the development of affordable, owner-occupied and rental housing for very low- to moderate-income households. This year, FHLB Dallas awarded $8.3 million in AHP funding to 31 projects across its five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. The funding will result in the creation or rehabilitation of 1,248 housing units across the District.


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The road to happiness, health and relaxation is best traveled by bike!
Your gallery pages should be very easy for me to understand. Images on these pages should be related to each other so I don't have to spend time figuring out what the images are trying to say.
Remind me why I can't wait to take action, and tell me to call, visit, or email
0800 000 000
"Keep testimonials short, to the point, directly related to the rest of the page content, and always attributable to someone."
- John Vinny Doe


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Saturday evening, of Parent's Weekend, we were invited to a football game. Trinity University vs. Rhodes College. Just by happenstance my son got into both schools, but he decided to go to Trinity. Both schools have modest Division 3 football teams but the parents were treated to a fun time, including a tailgate party, pre-game.
The small stadium was packed, and the school was nice enough to give me a pass to shoot from the field. That's one of the (many) advantages of a small school, I suppose. I can't see the University of Texas at Austin giving me a pass, at the last moment, for field level photography.
I had my usual two Olympus cameras, one with the 14-150mm travel zoom and the other with a wide-angle. I got some okay shots with the telephoto, but nothing special. And, as the light level fell, the f4-5.6 aperture was inadequate for the job. Instead, this close up wide-angle made for a more dramatic image.
Perhaps this is obvious, but even Division 3 football players are big. Tall, yes, but also very wide. I'm not a very large person and I feared getting trampled, if the excitement heated up. I cautiously shot around the players, so that I wouldn't be in their way.
Please support this blog by clicking on my Amazon Link before buying anything.


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Home >> Uk + Ireland >> England >> Somerset >>
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"KILMINGTON, a parish in the hundred of Norton Ferris, county Somerset, 9 miles S. of Frome, its post town, 6 from Bruton, and 4 N.W. of Mere. The parish is small, and considered to be the most easterly in the county. A battle was fought here between the Danes and Alfred the Great. Near Stourhead is a triangular brick tower, 155 feet in height, founded in 1772 by Henry Hoare, Esq., commemorative of the victory gained by Alfred over the Danes; and in the S.W. extremity of the parish is a small oval intrenchment called Jack's Castle. The inhabitants are principally employed in agriculture. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £450. The living is a rect* in the diocese of Bath and Wells, value £498. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a plain structure, with a tower containing two bells. In the church are interred the remains of Mr. Hartgill, and his son, both murdered in the reign of Queen Mary, by Lord Stourton, and others, who were convicted and executed. Kilmington manor, formerly belonging to the crown, was granted to the family of Le Port, in the reign of Edward I.; it afterwards passed to the family of the Hartgills. Sir Ainslie Hoare, Bart., of Stourhead, is the present owner of Kilmington manor." From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2003
Archives and Libraries
References in the British Library:
- [54 Geo. III. Public Local & Personal Acts, c. 93]. An act for inclosing lands within the several parishes of Kilmington, Charlton Musgrave, Wincanton, and Penselwood, in the County of Somerset, etc. [London, 1814]. pp. 16. fol.. [1814].
You can also perform a more selective search for churches in the Kilmington area or see them printed on a map.
Description and Travel
- The section of The National Gazetteer (1868) relating to this parish - transcribed by Colin Hinson.
Ask for a calculation of the distance from Kilmington to another place.
Click here for a list of nearby places.
Historical Geography
You can see the administrative areas in which Kilmington has been placed at times in the past. Select one to see a link to a map of that particular area.
- The Ordnance Survey 1:10560 County Series 1st edition (c.1884-1887) map of the area provided by Somerset Heritage Centre.
- The Ordnance Survey 1:10560 County Series 2nd edition (c.1900) map of the area provided by Somerset Heritage Centre.
You can see maps centred on OS grid reference ST775361 (Lat/Lon: 51.123997, -2.322407), Kilmington which are provided by:
- This place shown on an OpenStreetMap map.
- Google Streetview
- StreetMap (Current Ordnance Survey maps)
- OpenStreetMap
- Bing (was Multimap)
- OldMaps (Old Ordnance Survey maps.)
- Old Maps Online (Other old maps.)
- National Library of Scotland (Best site for old maps)
- Vision of Britain (Click "Historical units & statistics" for administrative areas.)
- English Jurisdictions in 1851 (Unfortunately the LDS have removed the facility to enable us to specify a starting location, you will need to search yourself on their map.)
- Magic (Geographic information) (Click + on map if it doesn't show)
- Elgin Road Works
- GeoHack (Links to on-line maps and location specific services.)
- All places within the same township/parish shown on an Openstreetmap map.
- Nearby townships/parishes shown on an Openstreetmap map.
- Nearby places shown on an Openstreetmap map.
You can also see Family History Societies covering the nearby area, plotted on a map. This facility is being developed, and is awaiting societies to enter information about the places they cover.


text: Lopetegui began coaching as Spain U17's assistant manager in 2003 [Reuters] Spain have confirmed the sacking of their football team manager Julen Lopetegui just 24 hours before the start of the World Cup 2018 in Russia. The Spanish Football Federation confirmed the sacking of Lopetegui, who is due to take over at Real Madrid next month, on Wednesday, just two days before the team's opening World Cup game against Portugal. At a press conference, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales said the federation was "forced" to sack Lopetegui after it found out about his appointment five minutes before the announcement was made. "We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish you the greatest of luck," said Rubiales. "The negotiation has occurred without any information to the RFEF. Just five minutes before the press release. There's a way to act that needs to be fulfilled. It's the Spanish team. You can not do things this way. "I admire Julen a lot, I respect him a lot, I think he's a top trainer and that makes it more difficult to make the decision. I don't feel betrayed. Lopetegui, while he's been with us, has done impeccable work. Lopetegui's replacement would be announced "soon", added Rubiales. Fifty-one year old Lopetegui is due to take over at European Champions Real Madrid next month after Zinedine Zidane, who led the Spanish club to three successive Champions League titles, stepped down last month. Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, also face Morocco and Iran in their group in Russia. SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies World Cup 2018 Spain Sport Football World Cup


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Live at #SXSWedu2017 - The future of EdTech. Clear Choice Test Prep provides free tools for tutors! Deliver better test prep tutoring with Clear Choice.Read More
I didn't take this picture of the Austin skyline. It's a stock photo from a few years back. You can tell because there aren't any construction cranes in the picture. Right now, as I type this, there are approximately 20 throughout the cityRead More


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Welcome to Universe Painting Inc: a San Francisco Painting Contractor
Our San Francisco painting company focuses on offering all that we can in the painting industry. We do not want you to have to call two or three different San Francisco contractors to get your project completed. That is why we offer a range of painting services from interior and exterior painting to wood finishing and staining. We also offer commercial and industrial services such as commercial painting, industrial floor refinishing and power washing.
Our San Francisco painting contractors are truly professionals. They stay up-to-date on the latest painting techniques, painting solutions, new paints and technology to ensure they are bringing quality work your painting project. Our San Francisco painting contractors strive to bring you excellent customer service, communication throughout your entire painting project, upfront pricing and a great painting experience.
Universe Painting Inc. - San Francisco Painting Contractor
Universe Painting Inc. is a locally owned and operated San Francisco painting company dedicated to providing the highest degree of customer service, quality of work and satisfaction to our clients in San Francisco. Our commitment to provide the best in quality and craftsmanship to every painting project we complete.
Our San Francisco painting company offers a wide range of painting services for both residential and commercial projects. Combined with years of experience and quality painting products, you can count on Universe Painting Inc. to deliver the highest quality of service at an affordable price.
San Francisco Wood Staining
All exterior wood needs to be protected from rotting, water absorption, ultraviolet rays, moss, and mildew. If left untreated or neglected your wood could deteriorate costing thousands of dollars in unnecessary damage to your San Francisco home.
At Universe Painting Inc., our San Francisco wood staining contractors, specialize in professional cleaning, stripping, brightening, and sealing of all types of wood decks, homes and shake roofs. For many of our wood projects we start with stripper to remove any existing, mill glaze, dirt, moss, mildew, sealers or paints.
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How to Pick Colors for Your San Francisco Home or Office
Most of the time, people need not need to be technical about color combinations or ideas for their San Francisco home. If you want to avoid the common color schemes you see in other homes, you need to think about the effect you would like the room to have in the house. Then find the best color that will fit feeling like the following ideas.
If you want your house or one of your rooms to give a calming effect, the colors that you have to choose are the nature colors especially green. Aside from the calming color of green, another color that can free you from your stress is the color blue. Just like what the color of sea water can do, the blue color in your home can also make you feel as relaxed as you do at the beachside.
If you want your home to feel comfortable and cozy, you can choose the light color of yellow and orange in order to help you achieve this ambiance. If you have an ambiance in mind but still do not have an idea on the right color, what you just need to do is to talk to your local San Francisco painting contractor. Ask them for what they can suggest to your chosen ambiance. In this way, you will be able to have the ambiance that you want and make it happened.


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Very excited to be performing with Maryam Shakiba at the British Museum for the 5th London Interfaith Music Festival.
In a world massacred by hate, let the delicate fingers of music and dance touch the vulnerable skin of our hearts to remind us that different beliefs should not be a cause of war but an opportunity for growth.
Come and join us for this soulful event on religious and spiritual music and dance, in a fantastic venue as the British Museum. Feeling delighted!
FREE entrance.
More infos and registrations here


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2018 Year End Review
As the year comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to reflect and to share some thoughts on the future. The year 2018 hosted a range of emotions for investors. US stocks made all-time highs in January before falling by over 10% in February. After climbing back to a new high in September, the market again fell by more than 10% in October, and continued to flounder in December, posting their worst quarterly decline in nearly in over a decade.
The total return for US stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, was around -5% on the year, which was actually a bright spot for global markets. The S&P 500 was the second-best performing stock market index of the 30 major indices tracked by Morningstar research. India boasted the only market index with a positive return on the year. The return for foreign stock markets was -14%, as measured by the MSCI EAFE.
Generally, when stocks struggle, certain other assets like bonds and gold pick up the slack. However, that wasn't the case in 2018. Bonds, finished the year flat, as measured by the Barclays Agg. Gold prices finished the year around 3% lower.
2019 Outlook
So, how does one decide where to allocate money in 2019?
Despite the recent pullback US stocks still appear expensive relative to foreign stocks.
The US economy appears to be in the later innings of an economic cycle in which we typically see a pickup in inflation, when stocks in the energy / materials sector generally do relatively well.
Non-traditional asset classes like precious metals appear relatively attractive based on current price.
2018 was a year with more unknowns than we've seen in a while, most notably related to trade tensions, fiscal stimulus, interest rate concerns, and political jockeying. We anticipate much of the same for 2019.
We continue to believe that we're in the late innings of the economic cycle and will likely see a recession within the next 18 months, coupled with a notable decline in many stock prices. For this reason, we plan to maintain a conservative stock allocation in coming months.
There's an old stock market adage, "They don't ring a bell at the top," which is well worth heeding as we enter into the New Year. We will adhere to our stated investment strategy, with objective rules and risk management dictating our actions, rather than falling prey to emotions and hunches. We continue to appreciate your trust and confidence and look forward to many more prosperous years to come.
We take great care in stewarding the assets that you and your family have entrusted us to manage. During the holidays we are especially aware of just how blessed we are to work with such trusting and generous families. We are truly grateful for you and wish you continued blessings in the coming year!
Any opinions are those Brady Raanes and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.
The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, and Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the United States & Canada. The EAFE consists of the country indices of 21 developed nations. Gold is subject to the special risks associated with investing in precious metals, including but not limited to: price may be subject to wide fluctuation; the market is relatively limited; the sources are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability; and the market is unregulated.


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6-9 card Sacred Creator Reading
6-9 card Sacred Creator Reading
Why 6-9 cards?
I like to let Spirit guide me in choosing how many cards are needed to get your message across most effectively. Many times when I do 6 card readings, I feel called to pull a couple more cards. Each reading is unique.
I use the Sacred Creator Oracle deck by Chris-anne for these readings.
Your reading will be delivered to you via email 3-5 days after purchase.


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A Day in Methuen, October 2016
(pronounced meth-OO-inn,
not METHwin.)
by Emerson Fang
Wind blasts rain outside--
Inside the fortress zephyrs
sing from organ pipes.
-Emerson Fang
A haiku about pipe organs—success! :-)
Actually, this poem is a fairly accurate description of the weather last Saturday, October 22nd. It was a misty, gray and drizzly morning in the Fall, so carrying an umbrella outside was necessary. A light rain started early in the morning, continuing on and off throughout the day, becoming fairly heavy at times. That morning at around 9:00 a.m., Chris requested to do a pick-up at Boylston St. by the corner of the T stop, as he was running a little late. It was a quick ten minute walk from Chinatown to the intersection of Boylston Street and Tremont to meet Chris. After a whirlwind tour of downtown Boston, where Kade hopped in the car from a Massachusetts Avenue corner by Fenway Stadium, the vehicle zoomed toward Cambridge, splashing water onto sidewalks as it sped toward Methuen—fortunately, no one was on the sidewalks that early on a Saturday. Khristian Erich and David jumped in a few minutes after the car stopped in Cambridge, and the group was speedily transported to the nearest highway and on to Methuen and the Andover Pipe Organ Company (which is located in Lawrence, MA, not Andover) — thanks to the skillful maneuvering of Chauffeur Chris. Most of the party in the auto was feeling lethargic from lack of sleep, too much sleep from sleep aids, grogginess, or illness, but the promise of shiny pipe organs waiting in magnificent Methuen cut through the quiescent quintet's queasy start to the car ride like a hot knife through butter, and the excitement continued to build as the wheels approached their destination.
After exiting a seemingly busy highway, the pace slowed down as we entered a calmer, more subdued part of Massachusetts. Methuen is a quiet, small town in Essex County with a population of about 48,000 people, and complete with the typical small businesses (pharmacies, convenience stores, a local grocery store that I've never heard of, and a well known donut shop where one might dunk things in coffee). Once we passed the usual parts of a small town, we came up to a giant brick building, Methuen Memorial Music Hall (MMMH). The building was so tall that it was hard to fit into a single picture; it was mainly a huge mass of bricks on the exterior, but once we entered I was surprised to realize that the reason for the building's height was to contain the "Great Organ" within.
Ed Sampson, the president of the Board of Trustees of MMMH, Inc. warmly welcomed us to the hall. Mr. Sampson, a man in his 70's, is an electrical engineer at Raytheon by day, and is a graduate of Northeastern University. He was happy to see many young organists entering the historic building, and called it a real treat.
Once the majority of people had arrived, Ed gave us a brief history and introduction to MMMH. The Board of Trustees of Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc. mainly consists of older professional people, who oversee the daily operations of the hall, accounting, special events, fundraising, upkeep of the pipe organ, and building maintenance. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages the space and sponsors events for the community, such as silent movies, weddings, and a 15-week summer concert series. Ed told the group that the events don't really pay for the upkeep of the building and payment of performers, so MMMH is fortunate to have the help of local banks and businesses (florists, funeral homes, etc.) that sponsor them.
Ed went into great detail about the history of the pipe organ; most of the finer details are unclear in my mind due to the week time-lapse between the visit and the writing of this article. ;) Fortunately, Ed printed a very informative and extensive packet of information and handed it to us. I would write things verbatim from his packet, but fortunately, Ed already did the work and posted on MMMH's site, so check it out!
The pipe organ, which is also known as "The Great Organ" — most likely due to its colossal size — was built thanks to fund-raising efforts spearheaded by Dr. Jabez Upham, President of the Boston Musical Hall Association. Design and construction of the instrument was completed between 1857 to 1863 in Ludwingsburg, Germany, by E. F. Walcker and Company (a firm recommended to Upham by Franz Liszt). Interestingly, Boston Music Hall is now the location of the present-day Orpheum Theatre on 1 Hamilton Place in Boston.
Eventually, the Boston Symphony Orchestra claimed that space as its home and didn't quite fit on stage along with the massive organ, so a resulting court injunction forced the organ to be expelled from its home. The dismantled organ lay in a wooden building near the New England Conservatory of Music until 1897, when a representative for Edward F. Searles bought the parts at auction. Eventually the organ was moved to its present-day location, and after many changes of ownership, MMMH, Inc. was founded to care for and promote the organ.
The Great Organ was the first concert organ in the United States, and its presence in the United States had a great impact on American organ builders. Ed told us that a year ago, he had attempted to convince the Organ Historical Society of the Great Organ's historical significance. However, we were surprised to learn that, even though the Society agreed the Organ had played a role in the musical history of the United States, the pipe organ itself had so many new or replacement parts that it no longer met their benchmark for preservation status. This was unfortunate news, as the organ and the space it is in are definitely something to be preserved.
According to Ed's pamphlet, the Methuen Organ today has four manuals, five divisions, 85 stops, 116 ranks, and 6,088 pipes, enclosed in a black walnut case that has 32-foot tin facade pipes. Laura played first, performing an exciting rendition of Mendelssohn Organ Sonata No. 3 in A major, after which I played the prelude from César Franck's Prélude, Fugue et Variation. I noticed that there was definitely a lag for the sound to come to me once I depressed the keys—a reality about which Chris had warned me. Even still, it was definitely jarring.
As someone who is new to pipe organ playing, it is a surprising and discombobulating experience to play in a new context, in a new room, and on new manuals, with new stops. This was probably my second or third time playing on an electric action pipe organ, and the fact that the room was so huge made it hard to gauge how quickly I should be going and what I should be listening for. I felt like I was constantly slowing down and not syncing up with what I was hearing. Somehow, I managed to make it through the piece, with a few (hopefully minor) errors and pauses, but I enjoyed the piece's melody and others seemed to like it as well. Overall, it was a fun experience to play on such a mammoth pipe organ, and I'll at least know what to expect in the future when playing in such a large hall.
All of the students who attended the trip had a chance to play on the Great Organ, and it was a delight to hear what everyone has been working on. Chris had to help most of us choose which stops to use, as there were a great deal of options to choose from!
Besides the organ itself, the concert hall has some gorgeous detail work, which is hard to describe in words. Here are some photos instead:
There was also a beautiful reproduction of a fresco of Guido Reni's "Aurora" that was made by Carl Nicoli, with special permission by the Italian government at the request of Edward Searles during Mr. Searles' time in living in Rome.
Toward the end of our playing, pipe organ builders Ryan Bartosiewicz, Matthew Bellocchio, and Jonathan Ross from Andover Organ Company came to give us a tour of the inner-workings of the Methuen Organ. I tried very hard not to fall from the stair-ladders into the pipe workings below!
A little behind schedule, Noel and Jennifer showed up toward the end of the organ tour, and we were treated to Noel's performance of Bach's Pièce d'Orgue and Jennifer's Fantasy on B-A-C-H by Franz Liszt.
Afterward, we all went to the Andover Organ Company in Lawrence, MA to have a pizza lunch. It was great relief, since climbing all those ladders inside the Methuen Organ made me anxious, and when I feel anxious food usually makes me feel better.
The organ company is housed in an old factory complex, in yet another big brick building. I suppose bricks make for sturdy buildings—it seems that the major problem that the MMMH had to deal within its architecture was flooding, rather than structural issues. Anyway, the folks at Andover Organ Company were incredibly informative and knowledgeable. After pizza, we diveded into two groups and received a tour of the shop from Ryan and Jonathan. I went with Ryan's group; we started on the second floor of the complex, which housed many work benches and materials for creating things like the bellows of the pipe organ, electrical components, and for refining pipes to give them a good sound quality.
Ryan showed us how leather was reapplied to the bellows using a special glue. Indeed, the Andover Organ Company also has a shelf full of different leathers, with felt sides, sewing, etc., that have different uses for the organ parts. Some might act as padding for keys so there isn't a click heard when mechanical action keys are pressed, and other leathers can be used in the wind mechanism that have an air-tight seal, for example.
I asked how long it takes to learn the basics of building pipe organs, and Jonathan told us that it's a lifelong process and that he is still learning.
After a intellectually stimulating and exciting tour of MMMH and Andover Organ Company, Chris drove us back to Boston. We were tired enough to pull over for some coffee. Our trip was a lot to digest, and it will take some time to fully appreciate the fruits of the day.
Visiting MMMH and Andover Organ Company made me realize how much a culmination of human knowledge and resources from the past and present are required to maintain and continue the legacy of pipe organ music. It was a great honor to meet Ed Sampson at MMMH and the organ builders today. Pipe organs really are a community effort, which is unique among the instruments that I've played so far—once a violin is crafted, or a piano is moved into a living room, one doesn't have to get a crew of violin builders or piano tuners to come in to make sure things are in working order, and they're made much more quickly and easily than pipe organs. It's also interesting to think about how pipe organs are instruments meant for the community, and community functions, whereas piano and violin can just be solo instruments. As a newer pipe organ student, the significance of the communal history of the pipe organ and the people involved in creating each instrument is becoming more apparent each time I learn something new about it.


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A Love Letter. To: Me
I began a journey to find ways to spark my creativity and to give myself some therapy. So I read that a fun way to deepen self-love is to write a love letter to yourself. I share this with hope that you'll write your own love letter and be reminded that the only love you need is your own.
My dearest Jessica.
You are the most beautifully imperfect person that I have ever met. You hold yourself to such a high standard. But it makes you more alive than anyone else that I know.
You are so forgiving, and I know that doesn't come easy for you. Not a day passes that I am not thankful for what you were willing to forgive so that you could truely heal.
I think you are strong. Not just physically strong, but the kind of strong that comes from going through things.
When you see brutality, you find the beauty in it. You're a survivor. You adapt. I dig that.
I love your smile. Not only is it beautiful, but I know it's not something that you give freely.
And I love it when you're excited and you smile so hard that your cheeks hurt.
You sometimes apologize for being "overly emotional." But that means you care. It means you reflect on life. It means you live deeply. And how can that ever be a bad thing?
I love your courage — to cry, to leap, to give, to receive.
Thank you for trusting your heart over your head even when it means taking a risk, stepping into the unknown, and embracing uncertainty. I think that's the most vulnerable part about you.
I like the moments when you light up with a great idea. And how you look when you fight for it.
You're always reading something, always searching for more knowledge, always expanding your skills, always longing for more awareness. Always craving to create something. I love that.
Your honesty is refreshing.
You're desperate to hear the unspoken words — I love how deeply you listen.
There is always something going on in your mind, a mixture of feelings, hopes, dreams, and ideas that no one knows about. It's a secret that only one person knows.
You are worthy of great things.
You are intelligent.
You are beautiful.
You are strong.
I love you.
This was one of the most therapeutic things that I have yet to write. It made me emotional- high and low. Sometimes you just need to remind yourself that you're beautifully amazing. Here's an article that tells you more about why you need to write a love letter to yourself. Your turn.