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Tough tests for Napoli and Porto in play-offs
Friday 8 August 2014
Article summary
SSC Napoli and FC Porto drew Athletic Club and LOSC Lille in the UEFA Champions League play-offs while Arsenal FC face a Turkish team for the second year running.
Article top media content
Article body
SSC Napoli and FC Porto face tough tasks to return to the UEFA Champions League group stage having been paired with Athletic Club and LOSC Lille respectively in the play-off draw in Nyon.
Both Napoli and Porto were eliminated in the group stage last season and, having finished third in Serie A and the Portuguese Liga respectively in 2013/14, must now overcome LOSC – third in Ligue 1 last term – and the Spanish Liga's fourth-placed side Athletic, whose sole previous group appearance came in 1998/99.
For the second season running Arsenal FC face Turkish opposition at this juncture. Twelve months ago they defeated Fenerbahçe SK in the play-offs; now they have been pitted against Beşiktaş JK, whose fifth and last group stage campaign came in 2009/10. Elsewhere in the league route, Danish runners-up FC København take on Bayer 04 Leverkusen and R. Standard de Liège play FC Zenit. The last two met in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup first round, when Zenit won 4-1 on aggregate and went on to lift the trophy.
That tie is the only one of the ten play-off fixtures in which the teams have encountered each other before. In the champions route, Sweden's Malmö FF, PFC Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria and Slovak title holders ŠK Slovan Bratislava need to negotiate FC Salzburg, FC Steaua Bucureşti and FC BATE Borisov to earn a first group appearance. Celtic FC, restored to the competition after Legia Warszawa were excluded, tackle Slovenia's NK Maribor.
UEFA Champions League play-offs
Beşiktaş JK (TUR) v Arsenal FC (ENG) - 19/27 August
R. Standard de Liège (BEL) v FC Zenit (RUS) - 20/26 August
FC København (DEN) v Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) - 19/27 August
LOSC Lille (FRA) v FC Porto (POR) - 20/26 August
SSC Napoli (ITA) v Athletic Club (ESP) - 19/27 August
NK Maribor (SVN) v Celtic FC (SCO) - 20/26 August
FC Salzburg (AUT) v Malmö FF (SWE)- 19/27 August
Aalborg BK (DEN) v APOEL FC (CYP) - 20/26 August
FC Steaua Bucureşti (ROU) v PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) - 19/27 August
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SVK) v FC BATE Borisov (BLR) - 20/26 August
The ten winners of the play-off round ties join 22 automatic entrants in the group stage draw in Monaco on 28 August. The ten losers go into the UEFA Europa League group stage.


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Next month I will be starting university and what better excuse to add some beautiful pieces to my wardrobe? I decided to share a bunch of items I am lusting after with you. All items are from my two favourite online stores ASOS and Missguided.
I made a mistake with the numbering of the items, but I wanted to get this post up asap. I will change the mistake later as my perfectionist side will get the better of me, but ignore it for now. They are numbered from left to right anyway.
Thanks for reading!
What's your favourite item from the wishlist?

subset: commoncrawl


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For a few thousand years now, yurts have been an exceptional choice for shelter. The round structures were long valued for their stability, simple assembly and portability. Such things mattered, because you could throw the components on a mule and venture to foreign lands to start anew. Today in Western culture, yurts are routinely used for glamping. (That's glamour+camping, the bougie version of roughing it.) Yet, the yurts you find today are not so different than those of long ago.
They feature a lattice-wall construction, stabilized by roof struts that span from the wall to the center crown. It's very effective, but not terribly portable. "The trouble is, in the modern world, most people don't move around on mules, and traditional yurt designs are heavy, and won't fit in a car" explains Alec Farmer, founder of Trakke, an outdoors company whose offerings now include a yurt. "That means that, as lovely as they are, they can be a pain to move unless you've got a lot of friends and a van."
For the urban hippy, this is a major drag. That's why Farmer joined his friend, designer Uula Jero, to create the Jero, a modern take on a traditional yurt that's more than 50 percent lighter and compact enough to fit in a typical car.
Jero is an interesting designer, in that he doesn't really like stuff. "During my studies, I got a little bit annoyed with the nature of material production in this world," he says. "Being right in the middle of it as a designer, I had a lot of questions on my mind about the nature of need."
Around six years ago, Jero decided to ditch his apartment and most of his worldly possessions to move into a yurt in an industrialized part of Cologne, Germany. He wanted to rebuild his life from the ground up, freed from the shackles of possessions. "To see how much I actually require," he says. The yurt he built was light enough and small enough to be pulled in a bicycle trailer. It was stable, but rudimentary; buildable but full of idiosyncrasies. He lived in it for a year. And Farmer experimented with nomadic urban habitation, living in a 8x8-foot portable micro-house for a stint.
Since then, Jero has started a family. Full-time yurt living proved to be a struggle. A couple years after he moved out, Farmer approached him to design a yurt that would make it easy for anyone to embrace Jero's simplified lifestyle. The Jero yurt is made of marine plywood, which both designers praise for its low-waste production, inherent strength and ability to withstand harsh environments. While Jero's last yurt was designed by hand, the new yurt was design on a computer and CNC milled to use as little material as possible.
The traditional latticed wall panels were replaced with 17 sheets of flexible, 5mm-thick plywood that, when placed in a circle, form a rigid structure. "Imagine trying to support a coffee cup on a piece of A4 paper," says Farmer. "One sheet is very flimsy, but roll it into a cylinder and you could stand the cup on top of it with no problem at all." If you look inside, you'll see the yurt has an organic shape---18 dowels reach up to the crown and are connected to vertebra, the wood pieces that help stabilize those poles. The vertebra are connected to ribs, the two-pronged pieces that latch to the yurt's walls. Typical yurts of this size (four meters in diameter) have 36 dowels, but the vertebra and ribs allowed the designers to cut that number in half, requiring less wood.
Each component used in the yurt measures 1.2 meters long (the width of a sheet of plywood) and the final weight is around 110 kilograms (less than half the weight of a typical yurt's 200-300 kilograms). Jero says it only takes two people and one to two hours to erect, so that barrier to entry is low. But at £4,500 ($7480), the price tag ain't cheap. Then again, if you're ready to simplify your life, it's really not a bad deal compared to New York City rent.


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I have to find somebody to clean this room. Cob webs every where. Where is that lazy chamber maid? They probably think that I was too old and weak to see what a slobby job they did.
But I am not weak. My powers grow day for day, and soon the princess will turn 16. Soon she'll fall for the curse, and I am free. Free to grow my powers for the next hundred years.
I'd sworn to revenge the humility bestowed upon me by fairy Jane. People think I'm dead, now, because nothing bad has happened to Jane. Yet. They had no idea how patient I can be. I will get my revenge in the end, and I don't mind waiting.
It feels good to have something to live for.
As I glance through the tower window, my pet dragon flies by. He is no bigger than a cat, but still mighty powerful. The woods around the building withered and died under his tiny flames. The earth is scorched and no new life takes form here.


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Top Picks for October
Get your hands on the latest and greatest home decor! Here are our October must haves:
- Geometric Fruit Bowls: the perfect accessory to any kitchen or dining area. The geometrical shape allows the fruit to breathe which makes it last much longer than if kept in your standard ceramic bowl.
- Dear Head Key Holder: The time before you go outside, your front door can be trying for even the most claustrophobic of us, realising your keys/wallet aren't on you is awful. Don't rush off to nail your keys to your hand just yet though, we already have the solution: our deer head key holder fixes to your wall so your keys will always be in the first place you look when leaving the house.
- Minimalist Vase: These minimalist wire bottle vases create the perfect table or mantle decoration. Place some flowers or other decorative objects in the vases to create a subtle but unique display. The perfect accessory for your home!
- Bathroom Print: This print pretty much explains itself, an hilarious addition to any bathroom or home!
Each month we will provide you with our top picks and also stay tuned for other blog posts! Feel free to get in contact if you have anything you'd like to see on our blog and we'll do our best to put something together for you!
The Front Shed


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Historic Dockyard Museum
The Historic Dockyard Museum in Stanley contains many exhibits of social and maritime interest as well as displays of natural history and links with the Antarctic. Temporary exhibitions celebrate anniversaries and events happening in the Islands. The museum is a must-see for all visitors, providing an insight into Falklands' life, past and present.
Traditional Falklands' life and history
The special lifestyle of the Islands is celebrated through farming tools, children's bone toys, fretwork, a recreated kitchen with a peat stove, cutlery and crockery including Goss China, various musical items of which the most impressive is a grand mechanical "jukebox" from the late 1800s and much, much more.
Maritime exhibits include models, figureheads, artefacts and relics from sailing vessels. Read quirky stories of mariners and their exploits in the Islands' waters. Learn also about the modern day fishing industry, the main contributor to the Falklands' economy.
The world's oldest remains of the Warrah, a fox-like animal which once inhabited the Islands, form part of the natural history display which includes fascinating skulls and bones from marine mammals. Many of the Falklands' familiar species are brought to life by taxidermy; an amazingly realistic exhibition of wildlife is set against a backdrop of a recreated seashore. Explore the geological past through rocks, fossils and timelines.
Many visitors want to learn more about the impact of the 1982 war on Islanders and their lifestyles. Listen to audio recordings which tell stories from the perspective of children of those difficult days.
The Falklands are a gateway to Antarctica. The Reclus Hut, a genuine Antarctic refuge, takes you back to the 1950s and to the heart of the explorers' harsh living conditions as you experience the sounds of the winds and really feel the isolation of the deep south.
New beginnings
The newly opened Dockyard complex is made up of a number of buildings, each with an historical significance. The main museum is housed in an old "storehouse". The smithy, boathouse and gaol are part of the legacy of the area whilst the R/T station & telephone exchange was moved here from a previous site. These smaller buildings provide additional areas to explore. Look at tools used by blacksmiths, cobblers, carpenters, farmworkers and horsemen. Discover the history of radio and telecommunications to the present day. See early printing equipment used for everything from newspapers and wedding invitations to proclamations of war.
A visit to Cartmell Cottage can also be included as part of your museum entry. This is one of the oldest houses in Stanley and Falklands' lifestyles of the 1850s, 1940s and 1970s have been carefully recreated.
With so much to take in, set aside at least half a day to make the most of this great attraction.
To find out museum opening times and other practicalities, click here.


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Andrea Nadel (MPP '11), began a position in May as an Israel program specialist with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, strengthening connections between Minnesotans and Israel through community engagement, immersive travel experiences and cultural exchange. She recently finalized her master's project, which investigated the impact of the concept of Jewish people hood as a motivating agenda within the organized Jewish community.
In addition to her work with American Jewish communities, Andrea has also had international work experience. She spent a summer working as a policy analyst with the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council in Melbourne Australia through the AJC Goldman Fellowship. In 2009-2010, she also worked as an intern with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel's Jerusalem branch as part of the Career Israel internship program.
Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn
University of Minnesota


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Kyle and I took our short, short, short trip home. It was the first vacation we had in a long time. It was excellent and really not that sad. It was great to see our family and friends and was filled with happy times and delicious food. I definitely did not get to spend enough time with my family and definitely did not eat enough crab rangoons when I was back, but now I guess I have something to look forward to next time!
The only sad part about it was being back in Korea and not with family. I am happy to come back to Korea and am looking forward to what this next year holds but that does not mean that I do not miss things from home.
Here are a few pictures from the time at home:
Thanks for the great times everyone and I miss you tons and love you!


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Greetings and welcome ! We are glad you chose to visit with us on our website today.
On behalf of the entire church community I want express our desire that during your browsing you will experience the the presence of the Creator of The Universe, God, our loving heavenly Father in a personal way that is uniquely yours.
We invite you to visit our church and join us in worship. Your presence with us on the Holy Sabbath Day will magnify our praise and enhance our worship and thankfulness to our magnanimous Creator, King, and Redeemer. In the beginning He formed us in His own image and it is by His power alone that our fallen human hearts are re-created, on this earth, after the divine similitude and we become His children. He is returning to this earth again, soon, to rescue and restore to us the dominion and glory of Eden in the Earth made new. We want you to be with us in that glorious kingdom that He is now preparing for us all. To that end we invite you feel at home with us and join us as we journey together with Jesus toward the heavenly Canaan.
Pastor Roger Wazoua


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Aquatech Jellyfish Tanks
Our Aquatech Jellyfish aquariums are made in the UK from clear cast acrylic. Both the Aurelia and Cassiopeia range provide slow, circular water flow with a bare minimum of interior hardware to prevent delicate animals from becoming injured by pumps or the tank itself.
Originally a German design (kreisel means spinning top), the tank has no sharp corners and keeps the housed animals away from the plumbing. Water moving into the tank via a spray bar gives a gentle flow that keeps the inhabitants suspended. Water leaves the tank to the built in sump through a screen, which prevents jellyfish from being sucked up into the pump intake.
Sometimes referred to as Kreisel and Pseudokreisels, the Aurelia and Cassiopeia tanks are "U" or semicircle shaped, using downwelling inlets that let gravity create a gyre in the tank.
Please call for further details
The Cassiopeia II & III features 2 Filter Plates and Baffles (Left & Right)
Standard Sizes
Custom sizes always available in addition to Species Specific filtration systems.


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When i couldn't find this incredible song on Youtube, i just HAD to upload it… My favourite female voices EVER! If you are looking to buy this cd, try here:
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The SoCal Indie Bestseller List for the sales week ended Aug. 14 is based on reporting from the independent booksellers of Southern California, the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and IndieBound. For an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.org.
1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: Gabrielle Zevin
2. Heat 2: Michael Mann, Meg Gardiner
3. Lessons in Chemistry: Bonnie Garmus
4. Portrait of an Unknown Woman: Daniel Silva
5. Horse: Geraldine Brooks
6. The Last White Man: Mohsin Hamid
7. Mercury Pictures Presents: Anthony Marra
8. Properties of Thirst: Marianne Wiggins
9. Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
10. Lapvona: Ottessa Moshfegh
1. Happy-Go-Lucky: David Sedaris
2. I'm Glad My Mom Died: Jennette McCurdy
3. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir: Michelle Zauner
4. Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angels: Paul Pringle
5. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: James Clear
6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F—: Mark Manson
7. Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers: Mary Rodgers, Jesse Green
8. Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission: Mark Leibovich
9. How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth: The Moth, Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, et. al.
10. The World's Worst Assistant: Sona Movsesian
1. 1984: George Orwell
2. Death by Bubble Tea: Jennifer J. Chow
3. Animal Farm: George Orwell
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Douglas Adams
5. The Way of Kings: Brandon Sanderson
6. Interview with the Vampire: Anne Rice
7. Dune: Frank Herbert
8. Bridgerton: The Duke and I: Julia Quinn
9. The Well of Ascension: Brandon Sanderson
10. The Shining: Stephen King
1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Taylor Jenkins Reid
2. It Ends with Us: Colleen Hoover
3. Where the Crawdads Sing: Delia Owens
4. Book Lovers: Emily Henry
5. Malibu Rising: Taylor Jenkins Reid
6. Verity: Colleen Hoover
7. Apples Never Fall: Liane Moriarty
8. The Song of Achilles: Madeline Miller
9. The Personal Librarian: Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
10. Circe: Madeline Miller
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Breck Eisner Delivers Updates on the Flash Gordon Remake
by Alex Billington
March 1, 2010
Source: Heat Vision, Movieline
The Crazies is currently in theaters now and that means director Breck Eisner has been out talking with the press. In two interviews, Eisner chats about the status of the Flash Gordon remake he's been attached to since 2008. The good news is that it's the very next project for him. "Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless are working on the script right now. We're on the second draft now. It should be in the studio in a month or two. I'm very bullish on it. But it's a giant movie and will take a long time to do," Eisner told Heat Vision. He also spoke with Movieline about what to expect with the remake and it sounds like its being modernized a bit.
"Flash Gordon is a project I've been pursuing for years, it's a real passion of mine. The writers have been breaking story the past couple of months, and we have a couple months to go until the draft goes into Sony. Assuming they achieve everything we talked about, I think it will be a really great script.
It's not a remake of any movie that's been done before. Nothing to do with the camp of the '80s, nothing to do with the serials of the '50s. It's definitely based on the Alex Raymond strips from the '30s and '40s, told from the point of view as if he was redoing the strips today. The audience that was reading the strips back then was a very different audience that today's audience. It's an action-adventure, very dynamic, aggressive, with a really strong central character."
Eisner goes on to say that "it's a gigantic movie, so these things are tough to get made." It sounds like he's pushing for a big budget which is why Sony is taking their time to make sure this is perfect before moving forward. "Sony's got to commit big money to it and love it, and there's going to be years of prep. It's a lot of work! But if we can pull it off, I think it would be quite fantastic." I really hope so! After recently seeing The Crazies, I have some high hopes for this director. I totally loved his visual style and I'd love to see him get a big budget and go all out on an action/sci-fi like this. Come on Sony, give him the greenlight, let's do this!
6 Comments
Flash aaaaaaaa He'll save everyone of us
OCP on Mar 1, 2010
It's most definitely NOT good news that this is his next project. Leave poor old Flash alone! Everything we hear from Eisner about this film keeps pushing troubling phrases like 'dark, aggressive, violent, modern' and so on, which is terrible news. Turning one of the most colourful comic characters out there into a Jason Bourne/Dark Knight clone is not the way to do it. And Eisner is a competent director at best - he has no style or vision. How he's getting this high-profile gig I don't know. I guess being the son of a former studio head makes up for the shortfall in the talent department... Oh, and regardless of how these Hollywood types try to spin it to make themselves seem less creatively bankrupt, if a character or property has made to the screen before in some form or another, what you are doing is a REMAKE!
Mathieu on Mar 1, 2010
This sounds pretty cool to me. I really like the 80's Flash Gordon, I saw it in the theater opening weekend. But I think a new updated version can work if they do it right.
Mega Jet Jaguar on Mar 2, 2010
A new Flash Gordon film might be fun, if it was helmed by a great director rather than a Rent-A-Hack like Eisner. Anyone got any suggestions for a better choice?
Mathieu on Mar 2, 2010
Mike McGowan on Aug 25, 2010
We know Lucas did both his Palpatine & Darth Vader based upon Ming, the skycity and underwater city plus weapons with beams of light, the introduction with words going towards the infinite space and even Death Beam star all based upon Flash. Please, DON'T FORGET there's no Flash Gordon without Ming like there's no Batman without a Joker. Ming sounds like Ming dynasty and Mongo sounds like Mongolian people, hence there's good reason to depict him like a Fumanchu with long nails and goatee. I hope he wears purple and SEVERAL a la Chinese robes and perhaps "Aelita" inspired look combo with old serials. I hope they hire an ASIAN actor (Chow Yun Fat, Ken Watanabe or James Hong/Lo-Pan) with contact alien lens wearing a dark yellow face that blushes GREEN, after all he's an ET with a Chinese look.
omnipresent on Sep 6, 2010
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Lead your Superlife: Healthy, Happy, Confident
It's Possible! – Staying healthy at your desk
The struggle is real – spending most of your office hours sitting at a desk typing away furiously not only often leads to body aches, but also weight gain. Besides experiencing a dropping metabolic rate from your mid-twenties onwards[1], which is the age at which several of us would have entered the workforce by, having a desk-bound job significantly reduces the opportunities for our bodies to work out.
If you are experiencing this, don't worry – (a) you are not alone, for a study has shown that over 60% of Singaporeans have gained weight since starting work[2], and (b) this article provides helpful tips.
1) Walk whenever possible.
Admit it – most of the time, you take vehicular transport not because you cannot afford the time to, but because you are lazy. If taking a bus to work saves you only 5 minutes of traveling time as compared to walking, why not spend that time losing weight by walking? Not only will you physically see the effects of the latter in the long run, doing so is great for your heart, and good health is priceless.
2) Avoid using the office phone.
Unless a co-worker whom you need to speak to is seated in another building, why not get up to talk to him/her, instead of using the office phone? Give yourself as many opportunities to get moving as possible. Moreover, in this day and age where technology is taking over so much of human communication, face-to-face interactions are refreshing. Doing so also allows you to pick up nonverbal cues that may be important to your task at hand.
3) Drink lots and lots of water.
This tip is gold, and will remain gold forever. Not only is drinking water important for concentration[3] and digestion[4], it promotes weight loss[5]. Bring a huge water bottle to work so that water is easily accessible from your seat. It will also help if you are especially fond of that bottle's design, so that you look forward to drinking from it every time! Get a bottle in your favourite colour 🙂
4) Don't snack.
When we are stressed, we are drawn to high-energy foods[6]. However, it is common knowledge that compulsive snacking is a usual cause of weight gain. Read here for tips to stop snacking. Alternatively, choose healthier snacks like our quinoa chocolate, instead of salt-loaded potato chips.
5) Work out!
Work outs don't have to only come in the form of 1-hour brisk walks or 2.4 km runs a la NAPFA tests 😉 Simple exercises such as leg extensions and thigh muscle static contractions can be done while not leaving your seat. You can even bring a yoga mat to work and find a corner to do some stretching. Do not be bothered by stares from co-workers – after all, it's your health, and good health is priceless. Treasure it and maintain it while you still have it!
[1] Fetters, K. A. (2015). How your metabolism changes in your 20s, 30s and 40s. Women's Health [online]. Retrieved from <http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/how-your-metabolism-changes-as-you-age> [Accessed 19 March 2016].
[2] JobsCentral. (2014). Over 60 per cent of Singapore workers gained weight since starting work [pdf]. Retrieved from <http://careerbuilder.com.sg/docs/Weight%20Gain%20at%20Work%20Press%20Release.pdf> [Accessed 19 March 2016].
[3] Hearn, M. (2016). Water and brain function: How to improve memory and focus. Water Benefits Health [online]. Retrieved from <http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/water-and-brain.html> [Accessed 19 March 2016].
[4] Laskey, J. (2015). The health benefits of water. Everyday Health [online]. Retrieved from <http://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/water-body-health.aspx> [Accessed 19 March 2016].
[5] Bjarnadottir, A. (2015). How drinking more water can help you lose weight. Authority Nutrition [online]. Retrieved from <https://authoritynutrition.com/drinking-water-helps-with-weight-loss> [Accessed 19 March 2016].
[6] Healthy Eating. (n.d.). Why do we snack. Healthy Eating [online]. Retrieved from <http://stress-snacking.eu/why-do-we-snack> [Accessed 19 March 2016].


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Blowing in the Wind – Tunnel, That is, at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
NASA exhibits and education lead Tony Springer (right) demonstrates a flow visualization wind tunnel to help visitors conceptualize how a wind tunnel works and what it contributes to aeronautics. The miniature wind tunnel was one of the interactive displays in the NASA exhibit at the 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (NASA photo / Tom Tschida)
Aeronautics can seem like such heady stuff, but NASA staff members at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta used a tool to bring some sky-high concepts down to Earth for Fiesta visitors.
One such tool was the flow-visualization wind tunnel that brings the wind tunnel aeronautical engineering technology down to a more manageable, desktop size.
"Before we fly anything it's tested in a wind tunnel, regardless of whether it is researched at NASA or with our partners in other government agencies, industry or academia," said Tony Springer, NASA lead for communication and education.
Visitors at the Balloon Fiesta had an opportunity to experience for themselves the value of wind tunnels and how they work, regardless of how they're used to test components, concept models or full-size aircraft or automobiles.
In the case of the miniature flow-visualization wind tunnel, a smoke-like vapor is used to demonstrate the airflow around an object placed in the wind tunnel. Wind-tunnel components take incoming air through a honeycomb material that increases the air to provide what researchers call laminar flow, or smooth air.
The model wind tunnel permits people to observe airflow patterns over scale-model aircraft and cars to better visualize what researchers are looking for in their designs. It also shows how the wind tunnel can help those researchers see on the ground a representation of how a concept, shape or component will perform in flight.
"We can show people how air moves over or around an aircraft and explain to them how similar methods are used in launch vehicles and even tall buildings to see how the air is going to flow, or what the aerodynamic characteristics are of the object," Springer said.
A wave of hot air balloons takes off during a mass ascension during the second day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 4. (NASA photo / Tom Tschida)
NASA uses wind tunnels at its centers, other government agencies or at industry-partner facilities. The tunnels range in size from a few inches to full-scale tunnels of 80 by 120 feet that can test a full-sized aircraft, he explained.
"Wind tunnels allow you to determine what the aerodynamics of a vehicle are before you actually expend money on a full-scale aircraft. They're also used to reduce the unknowns, because you don't want to put a person or some hardware at risk," Springer said.
The concepts usually start small and get larger as the test article solidifies from data acquired through a number of increasingly complex tests in incrementally larger wind tunnels with bigger and bigger models, Springer said. Researchers essentially start off with a toy, where they can take the wings and flight control surfaces off and they can change out components to determine the optimum aerodynamic range through wind-tunnel tests.
"Every U.S. commercial and military aircraft or launch vehicle has been tested in NASA wind tunnels or uses NASA-developed technology. NASA has gone beyond the fundamental research that defines the concepts to actual application of them in the wind tunnel and following on with flight test," Springer said.
A number of key modern aircraft technologies were first proven in wind tunnels before undergoing the crucible of flight research.
A team led by Dr. Richard Whitcomb of Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., originated a number of those technologies, including area rule, the supercritical wing and winglets.
Area rule is the concept that a narrowing of the fuselage over the wing reduces aerodynamic drag at transonic speeds.
Crewmembers tip a hot air balloon gondola upright to prepare it for the final stages of launching. (NASA photo / Tom Tschida)
The supercritical wing, an airfoil shape that reduces drag at speeds just below Mach 1, enables an aircraft to go slightly faster or see an increase in performance as a result of drag reduction. Research flights made at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., with a modified F-8 validated wind-tunnel predictions that aircraft using the supercritical wing experienced increased cruising speed, saw improved fuel efficiency of about 15 percent, and saw better flight range than those featuring conventional wings. As a result, supercritical wings are now common on most modern subsonic military and commercial transports.
Winglets, which were tested on a KC-135 at Dryden, are end plates on the wing that "fool" the wing into behaving as though it had a longer span. In other words, with winglets, the wing is more efficient without the performance penalties of actually having a larger wing. The economic advantages of winglet use eventually led to their adoption on light aircraft, business jets, airliners and heavy military transports.
Another area of wind-tunnel use is icing research, which has made flight safer through use of NASA's world-class facilities, Springer said.
Aerodynamic drag reduction also is valuable to the design of semi trucks and racecars.
In fact, a research effort led by Ed Saltzman at Dryden on aerodynamic drag on semi trucks revolutionized the trucking industry in the 1970s. That research lead to major design changes resulting in an increase in efficiency and a 20 to 25 percent increase in fuel economy over vehicles that did not feature the aerodynamic improvements.
A professional racing association used the NASA Langley Full Scale Wind Tunnel for a detailed look at aerodynamics on racecar drag reduction. Another area of interest was the impacts of aerodynamics with multiple racecars, Springer said.
› View Balloon Fiesta Photo Gallery
Jay Levine
Editor, X-Press Special Delivery
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Find this article at:


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Experience the revolutionary, 3D fit comfort of the women's ABEO B.I.O.system® Nellie pump with neutral support, featuring built-in orthotics custom fit to the contours of your feet. The classic low-heeled pump is embellished by decorative fixed straps for added flair. ABEO B.I.O.system footwear is designed to fit your specific arch type for increased stability, balanced weight distribution, reduced foot fatigue, and reduced shock and stress on joints.
- A neutral footbed provides enhanced arch support and is designed to match most foot types, providing all-day comfort, support, and stability.
- Full-grain leather upper with fixed decorative straps for added interest.
- Soft leather sock lining naturally wicks away moisture, providing a comfortable environment.
- Molded polyurethane footbed is shock absorbent and adds cushioning.
- B.I.O.system technology supports feet and aligns the body, balances weight distribution, and reduces foot fatigue, shock and stress on joints.
- Flexible thermoplastic rubber outsole provides increased traction and stability.
- Lightweight ABS heel with a stacked leawood finish.
- Heel Height: 1½ inches
Customer Reviews
Way too big! Disappointed
I have multiple pairs of Abeo's, as I wear them almost exclusively and have for several years. I had to return these because they were way too big. I could easily put my thumb in between my heel and the back of the shoe. I bought a pair in black and a pair in brown. Unfortunately, the brown pair was on clearance so I cannot return. They weren't quite as much too big as the black ones, but still too big and I am stuck with them.
This is a good "work" shoe with good support.
I really like the support in these shoes, but they seem to run a bit big. My usual size is a bit too big, but the next half size down was snug, so the comfort of walking is affected by that.
This is a good \work\" shoe with good support."""
I really like the support in these shoes, but they seem to run a bit big. My usual size is a bit too big, but the next half size down was snug, so the comfort of walking is affected by that.
Heel slips
Very cute shoe and comfortable in general except my heel slipped. I wear a nine and ordered a nine. But I had to return.
.I liked the low heel.Very comfortable. Wanted something a little dressy for church.


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St. Jude Helping Hands volunteers have fun and give parents a break
For most kids, Friday nights are filled with sleepovers, staying up late and celebrating the end of the week. But the children staying on the inpatient units at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital don't get to have a "normal Friday night." That's where I come in — and where all St. Jude Helping Hands volunteers come in.
There really isn't anything typical about my shift as a Helping Hands volunteer. This respite care program allows parents to take a short break, such as take a shower, run an errand or talk to a doctor. While they do that, I may play with one child in a hospital room, gather a group of kids for a dance-off or engage in a game of Monopoly with a group of teens.
I help give these children, and sometimes their parents, a somewhat "normal" Friday night.
I try to make each shift extra special for the patients and siblings. No two Fridays are alike. I may play with Barbie dolls and paint fingernails one night, and the next week conduct tours of the fish tanks or gaze up at the stars.
One evening, a particularly creative patient and I started a painting party near the jukebox. Within a short time, we had more than 30 patients and family members involved. As people came off the elevator, they joined us. We went to inpatient rooms to see who else wanted to take part. Even a family from ICU came down to take a break. The entire glass wall in the second-floor lobby was covered with patient and family art. It stayed up a couple of weeks.
I get so much out of serving as a St. Jude Helping Hands volunteer. The patients and their families teach me what grace is; what hope is; what joy is. They remind me of what is really important in life: being with each other, offering a smile, a shoulder and an ear. Their courage is extraordinary. Their tenacity is unmatched. Their ability to laugh and enjoy life is remarkable.
I hope the laughter and support I've been able to give some of the patients has helped them in some small way. I plan to volunteer at St. Jude as long as I physically and mentally can.
Several volunteer opportunities are available, whether you're looking for the weekend or during the week. Whether you wish to volunteer as an individual or as a group, St. Jude Volunteer Services offers something to fit everyone. Even though St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is in Memphis, there are also opportunities for volunteering outside the Memphis area.
Related Posts
Studies of rare craniopharyngioma reveal ways to improve long-term outcomes for patientsNov 15, 2022
It's in the genes: research reveals obstacles on the road to health for cancer survivorsSep 7, 2022
Expanding the St. Jude strategic plan to $12.9 billion helps further advance its missionJul 15, 2022


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Difference between revisions of "Suzuki GS250FW"
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Revision as of 01:55, 10 November 2019
|Suzuki GS250FW
|Also called
|[[:Category:Standard motorcycles|Standard]] [[Category:Standard motorcycles]]
Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
|Compression ratio
|6 Speed
|Front: 38 mm Telescopic forks
Rear: Swinging arm
|Front: Single 300mm disc
Rear: Single 230mm disc
|Front Tire
|110/70 -17
|Rear Tire
|140/70 -17
|1410 mm / 55.5 in
|158 kg / 348 lbs (dry),
|Recommended Oil
|Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
|Service Manual
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. The engine featured a 12.5:1 compression ratio.
It came with a 110/70 -17 front tire and a 140/70 -17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 300mm disc in the front and a Single 230mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 38 mm Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Swinging arm. The bike weighed just 158 kg / 348 lbs. The wheelbase was 1410 mm / 55.5 in long.
Every once in a while, some motorcycle company decides to find the smallest engine displacement that can be divided into four cylinders. Honda did it in 1973 with the CB350F, Benelli responded a few years later with its 250 Quattro, and now there is the Suzuki GSX250FW. Suzuki's little Four is a technical marvel of sorts. The four-stroke, double-cam, liquid-cooled, 249cc mini-motor has 44mm pistons traveling through a 41mm stroke. Just how big is a 44mm piston? Three of them could fit into a [[Honda XL600]] cylinder without touching each other or the cylinder wall. But even engineers hell-bent for miniaturization couldn't bring themselves to put four itsy-bitsy valves in a space well under two inches in diameter, so the GSX makes do with two valves per cylinder.
The rest of the motorcycle is more normally sized, scaled-down to about 90 percent of a typical 550. Shorter people fit it best, but even a six-footer isn't cramped. The styling, which is reminiscent of an '83 Suzuki GS750SD, is only medium-sporty rather than effecting the pure racing look that is typical of the hot-rod 250s sold in Japan.
That's okay, for this 250 doesn't pretend to be a pure sportbike. It can't. First, it weighs 398 pounds with a half-tank of gas; that's 30 pounds more than Suzuki's own 400cc GSX-R, and 70 pounds more than the two-stroke 250s. Second, the tiny, high-tech Four simply doesn't put out much power. Suzuki claims 36 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, which is substantially below the 45 bhp the two-stroke street racers all make. The non-impressive power-to-weight ratio of the GSX leads to non-impressive performance, as indicated by its mid-16-second quarter-mile. The GSX feels particularly gutless when pushed hard,requiring high revs without accelerating very briskly in return. On the other hand, the GSX250 is a sophisticated, scaled-down sport-tourer for the rider not in a great hurry. It will eventually reach speeds of 90 mph or more on the open road, so it's adequately fast there. When not asked to accelerate hard, the Suzuki loses its gutless feel, and the engine is as about as velvety smooth as anything with reciprocating parts can be. The chassis, which is far ahead of the engine no matter how the bike is ridden, delivers quick steering with big-bike stability. The seat is well-shaped and padded, and the bars and footpegs placed for long-range comfort. All in all, the GSX is the luxury 250 that offers four-cylinder looks and feel in the smallest Japanese multi yet.
|Make Model
|Suzuki GS 250FW
|Engine Type
|Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
|249 cc / 15.2 cu in
|Bore X Stroke
|44 x 41 mm
|Cooling System
|Liquid cooled
|4 x 29 mm Mikuni carburetors
|Max Power
|26.8 kW / 36 hp @ 14000 rpm
|Max Torque
|20 Nm / 2.1 kgf-m / 14.8 lb-ft @ 13000 rpm
|6 Speed
|Final Drive
|Front Suspension
|38 mm Telescopic forks
|Rear Suspension
|Swinging arm
|Front Brakes
|Single 300mm disc
|Rear Brakes
|Single 230mm disc
|Front Tire
|110/70 -17
|Rear Tire
|140/70 -17
|Length: 2045 mm / 80.5 in Width: 735 mm / 28.9 in Height: 1240 mm / 48.8 in
|1410 mm / 55.5 in
|Dry Weight
|158 kg / 348 lbs


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The Best Dog Collar for Your Pit Bull
"Pit Bull" is the general term used for dogs of specific characteristics such as a muscular neck, a broad chest, almond-shaped eyes, and a short coat. Breeds that commonly fall under this broad term are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bully, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
No matter which of these breeds you have or if your pup is a mix of these, you basically have a pit bull. That means having to deal with not just an intelligent and affectionate dog but also one that's strong-willed, brawny, and powerful. Whether you're looking to buy a fashionable gold chain collar or finding functional basic collars, it's essential that you consider all these general pit bull traits.
Concerns Regarding Pit Bulls and Dog Collars
A pit bull wearing a wide Martingale dog collar.
The main concern about finding the best collar for a pit bull is their strength. These dogs are generally known as heavy pullers and so require all their dog accessories to be heavy duty and made with the highest standards of durability. Otherwise they could easily snap off, which could have serious consequences, especially if it happens at a public area.
Apart from strength, pit bulls have a uniquely muscular structure. Their necks and their chests are broader and brawnier than most breeds. So, it's critical for you to take measurements of your pup and find a collar with the right size and fit.
How to Choose a Collar for Your Pit Bull
A pit bull wearing a basic flat collar.
Knowing that your dog is either already strong and thickset or will soon be, these are the specific features you should look for in a dog collar for your pit bull:
First and foremost, a pit bull's collar should be hard-wearing and able to withstand pulling. Check for weak points that could potentially break when you're out on a walk. If it's metal, will it rust? If it's fabric, how quickly will it fray? Also, check on the buckle and determine whether it looks tough enough to be used for a long time.
Though material is part of durability, there are particular concerns you need to consider regarding what your dog's collar is made of. Basic collars are typically made of nylon webbing or leather, which are generally safe but don't last as long as metal. With metal collars, rust is commonly the main concern, so choosing a collar made of premium stainless steel is essential. Additionally, stainless steel is considered a hypoallergenic material, which is good if your pit bull often has skin issues.
Sizing is one of the most critical parts of dog collar safety. A collar that's too tight can obstruct your dog's airways and make it difficult for them to breathe. It could even cause injury to your dog's throat. On the other hand, any pit bull could wiggle out of a dog collar that's too loose.
To size your pit bull properly for a dog collar, it's always best to measure around the neck, just above the chest and shoulders. Measure with a snug fit and add two inches to get your ideal dog collar length. You know you got it right when there's enough space for about two finger-widths when you insert your fingers between the collar and your dog's body.
Dressing your dog up in style is one of the perks that bring joy to being a pet parent. Although this might come only after safety and durability in your list of priorities, it's unashamedly a valid consideration. Thankfully, dog models on Instagram and other social media platforms do a good job of showing what's currently on trend and what are canine fashion faux pas.
Nevertheless, the best style is really based on your personal preferences. So whether you're attracted to dog collars that reflect human streetwear or Cuban link chains that are all the rage among pit bull owners, there really aren't any wrong choices.
Dog Collars Available for Your Pit Bull
There are generally four types of collars you can buy for your pit bull. Consider each one to determine which one best suits your handling technique, safety standards, and style preferences.
1) Flat Collar
A pit bull wearing a flat collar with identification.
Every dog will have a flat collar since it is generally considered as the most practical option. They're readily available and come in a variety of patterns and colors. Plus, they're easy to put on and off, especially when they come with a quick-release buckle. This small scrap of nylon or leather usually provides enough control over pit bulls that have been trained to walk loosely on a lead.
2) Choker Chain Collar
A pit bull wearing a typical choker dog chain.
The choker chain is generally considered as a training tool used on hard pullers and dogs with behavioral issues. They're usually made of metal links that complete a chain meant to tighten around your dog's neck when they pull on the lead. Behavioral corrections are also communicated by jerking on lead, which exerts pressure around the neck. While some behaviorists swear by this, it can be a dangerous accessory at the hands on an untrained handler.
3) Martingale Dog Collar
A pit bull wearing a Martingale made of nylon and metal chain links.
The Martingale collar is similar to the choker because they tighten around a dog's neck to aid in correcting their behavior. These are usually made with wide scraps of nylon webbing, a metal link chain, or a combination of both. Although it also serves to exert pressure around a dog's neck, they're generally considered a safer choker alternative because they can't tighten to the point of actual choking.
4) Cuban Link Chain Collar
Loki the Palm Beach Exotic Bully wearing a Cuban link dog chain.
The Cuban link dog collar is basically a pimped out version of your typical flat collar. Though it started out as a trendy piece of dog jewelry, they're now being made into strong, hard-wearing dog collars that can withstand the pull of even an adult pit bull. These are a well-loved option because they're remarkably durable and look incredibly hip.
The Best Type of Dog Collar for Your Pit Bull
Bear the Staffordshire Bull Terrier wearing a classic a Spark Paws dog necklace set.
Unless you're working with a behaviorist that advises otherwise, the only collars you should consider for your pit bull are the basic flat collar and the more on-trend Cuban link dog chain.
The flat collar is one of the most basic accessories any dog owner will have. They're no-frills collars that are easy to put on and adjust to the perfect fit. Plus, they come in innumerable colors and prints that it's easy to find one that suits your dog well. The only real issue is that they need to get washed regularly and replaced often.
The Cuban dog collar is possibly the most iconic piece of jewelry when it comes to canine designer fashion. But more than being a stylish dog necklace that perfectly suits the pit bull's stoic expression yet spunky personality, a well-crafted gold chain dog collar doesn't fray and won't snap even when subjected to a strong dog's pulling power. Pair it with a Cuban Link Leash and a Letter Pendant and you will for sure turn heads anywhere you go!
Pit bulls might be incredibly powerful, but some effort on training and a well-made collar should be all you need to enjoy their company. Whether you choose a gold dog chain or any of the other available pit bull collars, always be sure to invest in high-quality ones that fasten securely so you can take your pup out for walks and leisure trips with safety and confidence.


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Entries tagged as 'slideshow'
CNN.com recently highlighted a house by SG Blocks in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to the slideshow:
Also watch the video (1:35) previously run on CNN.
Sunset Magazine debuted the Modern Cottage Idea House by Modern Cabana at their recent 2009 Celebration Weekend.
From the slideshow:
The cottage will remain on display for an Open House.
where: Menlo Park, CA
location: 80 Willow Road
date: June 12 - July 19, 2009
time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
cost: $15 adults, $13 seniors (Fridays only), $5 children 12 and under
notes: Friday, Saturday and Sundays (closed July 4, 2009)
Hat tip: Jetson Green on June 4, 2009.
Back in October, The Guardian provided a gallery of pictures which they consider to be
Note: Inhabitat is part of the Guardian Environment Network.
The gallery includes 3 prefab homes:
Hat tip: The Green Blog on October 20, 2008
Witold Rybczynski filed a slideshow report from MoMA's Home Delivery show. In his usually candid style, he gives his impressions of the show, inside and out:
I'd dare to say that just being included in the MoMA show makes each of the featured projects a first-place, upright winner, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, back to Witold:
He shares his thoughts on the BURST*008:
The System3:
Larry Sass's Instant House:
The m-ch:
(Though he suggests buying an Airstream trailer instead.)
And the Cellophane House:
For the rest of Rybczynski's thoughts and some great photos, check out the whole slideshow at Slate.
title: Instant Houses
subtitle: Would you buy a home made in a factory?
publication: Slate
author: Witold Rybczynski
length: 10 images, 1,200 words
publication date: August 13, 2008
(Hat tip: Treehugger)


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Overkill's The Walking Dead Xbox One [Digital Code]
Sold out
Game Features:
- Overkill's the Walking Dead is all about tension and fear. Actions have consequences and every sound you make risk pulling the horde closer. Sometimes a knife is better than a gun
- You and your friends take on both walkers and other survivors so make sure your party is on the same page
when it comes towhat character to play and weapons to wield
- Throughout the city you can find add-ons & attachments, such as scopes and silencers, increasing your weapons efficiency. You will also be able to craft other tools & devices to increase your chances
- For each successful mission, you will gain experience & earn weapons as more and more pieces of each character's background unfolds


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Ferenc Tobak (1, 7, 14), Player and maker of the Hungarian "Duda": Ferenc was born in Kecskemt, Hungary, into a family where music, simply put, is a part of life. He has recorded with the finest musicians of Hungary, including Vasmalom and Marta Sebestyn with Muzsiks. Ferenc is a published author, as well as Hungary's most respected maker of bagpipes and has won recognition and numerous awards for his excellence in instrument making.
Ferenc Tobak Drone Magic
SKU: rce726


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Date of Last Revision
2021-09-09 02:11:57
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2015
International students are a small and diverse student population present in any sizable American university. One of the greatest obstacles in their path is the acquisition of the English language. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs, such as the English Language Institute (ELI) at the University of Akron, attempt to address this problem. By studying how this student population progresses in their academic studies, EAP programs and their associated universities can make well-informed decisions on how best to serve their English Language Learners. One way to study International students is through the use of a Markov model based on university data. The statistically calibrated model is helpful in that it can reveal at what stage of their studies students are struggling the most or succeeding the most. Our results show that ELI students are well prepared, since international students who are first time freshman seem to have a higher progression rate to the sophomore level than the standard STEM population of students. We also find that students who repeat their freshman year are more likely to repeat again than progress to the sophomore level.
Research Sponsor
Tim Norfolk
First Reader
Curtis Clemons
Second Reader
Gerald Young
Recommended Citation
Gagne, Lucas, "Modeling the Progress and Retention of International Students Using Markov Chains" (2015). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 3.
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics Commons, Higher Education Commons


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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes have signed German forward Matthias Plachta to a one-year entry-level contract Thursday.
The 24-year-old Plachta had 14 goals and 21 assists in 47 games this season with Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
A native of Freiburg, he also had five goals and four assists in 15 postseason games.
Plachta scored two goals for Germany in the World Championships in the Czech Republic.


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Adopting a child can be very time-consuming and stressful. They can take a few months or several years. When considering how long does it take to adopt a child, there are many different factors to take into consideration. These factors include the age of the child, the race of a child, and the type of adoption.
The first factor is the type of child that you want. There is a much longer wait for infants than for older children. Many older children wait for years without ever finding an adoptive parent. There's a shorter wait for minority children. There is less of a demand for children of Eastern European, African and Asian descent. The demand is higher for children of Western European descent.
The second factor is the type of adoption. Adoption of an older child in foster care can occur relatively quickly. Do you want a newborn? Finding a newborn can take many years. International adoptions can also take several years.


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Confession: I am an introverted bookworm who would rather shove toothpicks under my fingernails than make small talk. Yes, I will talk about the weather, when I must, but I am also very likely to avoid circumstances where I must altogether.
I do, however, love (and I do mean love) big, chewy conversations. It's how I process information, and along with writing, it's definitely one of the things that keeps me moving ahead from all that life seems to hand me.
There's really nothing I won't talk about and some of the very best, impactful conversations followed periods of grief when I was trying to make sense of what was happening and get through it.
And let's be clear; a huge part of my work is conversation. I am not always a big contributor to it, but I witness my clients as they say what they need to and then offer what I hope are thoughtful pieces that help them to see themselves more clearly. When I first started my coach training, back in 2008, I remember noticing, as if I had just discovered a magic goose that spit out gold, that the work was as simple as a conversation, and as profound as we allowed it to be.
All this to say: conversations drive me and I love to have them. I love to ask people about their journey with grief, I love to hear about loved ones who have died (I always ask their names so that we may speak them aloud and bring them into the space—dead people love it when we talk about them!), and I love to hear about the incredible experiences of the people around me.
I believe we all long for connection and to be truly seen by the people around us and the swiftest way into this is to share our messy, sloppy vulnerability with others.
In my mind, I have a fantasy that one day, for some reason, I will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel's show. Earlier this year, I saw a short clip on social media of Jimmy talking about his experience with his newborn son and his heart condition and it drew me right in. He was vulnerable and open and so endearingly raw that I couldn't help myself and became a big fan. I seem most drawn to public figures who would make great dinner guests, and I could easily see hanging out with him. I started to record his show every night, and watch it whenever I have time and he has an interesting guest.
As a result of Jimmy sharing his life so openly, he created intimacy with a stranger and connection we would not have otherwise had. He modelled what I wish we would all do.
In this mix was the integration of a weekend I had in Texas at a live coaching event. I spent the weekend with about sixty other women and although it was my first time to attend one of these events (see above note about being a raging introvert,) I made an agreement with myself going in that I would be open to what came my way. During the weekend, we had discussions about race and privilege, hate and fear, leadership and intersectionality. I met some important new connections who would become a part of this unfolding, and set the wheels in motion.
I returned home from that weekend sick with a vicious cold, with a whole lot of confusion. The book was nearing completion on the first draft, and my business felt like it needed to be burned to the ground and started again. I was feeling called to work with people around grief, but the relationships and individuals I have always worked with were also still calling. So began the process of mixing them together and creating some news ways to work.
One morning, I rose with a single phrase in my head: "Start the podcast."
I had talked about it, I had danced around it, and it was time. Grief: A Love Story – the podcast was born and I am thrilled to share it with you now. It's my very favourite things, all in one place.
In it, we will have brave, sometimes-unconventional conversations about grief, life, death, mourning and all the things that lie among them. We will talk about relationships because along with death, they are the universal experience of all of us. You can expect a show each week, my trademark way of being with all of it, and conversations you never thought you would ever have.
To be among the first to hear, to have your finger on the pulse of all of it, you'll want to join me here where it will all shake down. See you there!


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With the closure of our last temporary exhibit, Hands on Nature, it was time to change up the museum's complementary children's exhibit in the Discovery Room. For the month of June we have installed a new Aboriginal-themed display to celebrate National Aboriginal History Month and on June 21, National Aboriginal Day.
There are representative activities and decorations from each of the three Aboriginal groups in Canada: Inuit, First Nations, and Métis.
There are displays featuring the First Nations, Inuit and Métis as well as the bison (buffalo), an animal that has historically been very important to Aboriginal peoples of Alberta.
Activities include First Nations crafts, mini tipi's and mosaic medicine wheels, as well as Métis colouring sheets.
There is also a game matching animals with their Inuktitut names (the language of the Inuit).
Bring the kids and come on down to the museum to celebrate National Aboriginal History Month and National Aboriginal Day… and do not miss our new feature exhibitions, highlighting the anniversary of the start of WWI, Joining Up and Home Front, opening on June 17, 2014.


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Original expectations for Palace probably didn't include the Listed feature on the opening session of Killarney's July festival but Aidan O'Brien's filly gets punters off to a flying start ahead of four days in Kerry.
Palace is joined by her stable-mates Terrific and Beyond Brilliance among 13 for the Cairn Rouge Stakes and it will be a sixth start of a season that hasn't delivered to date on a lot early promise.
The Fastnet Rock filly was Joseph O'Brien's pick in the Irish Guineas only for soft ground to ruin her chance while Ryan Moore could only get her into seventh in the Oaks at Epsom.
If anything Palace's last defeat behind Carla Bianca in a Listed contest at Naas was most disappointing of all but she could be worth another shout now that she drops slightly in trip. Seamus Heffernan rides her for the first time.
Carla Bianca's trainer Dermot Weld should know where he stands with Palace and runs Sparkle Factor here. But preference is for the Ballydoyle filly who holds several Group One entries later in the season.
A wind operation looked to have a major impact on Ronava when he won easily at Wexford a month ago and an 11lb
hike may not stop tonight's handicap hurdle contender.
Orgilgo Bay was runner-up in a Beresford in his juvenile days and was placed in last season's Fred Winter at Cheltenham. On the back of an encouraging run behind El Salvador on the flat at Bellewstown last week he should be hard to beat at Downpatrick this afternoon.
IC Gold easily won a point-to-point on his last start and could be ahead of the handicapper in the second of this afternoon's handicap hurdles.


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This post is part of a series focusing on sexual harassment in middle and high school, launched in conjunction with the release of AAUW's latest research report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, which was supported by the Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle and the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund. Follow @AAUWResearch on Twitter for updates.
As parents, we spend days and weeks and years building up our children as we prepare them to leave our nests. The list of things to worry about is endless. So is the list of moments to enjoy. You hope other parents are doing their jobs well, because as our children come to be school age and spend long hours together in class, they become a family of sorts.
And that family can get dysfunctional. I had 31 classmates in my grade as I went through grades 7–12. We were like brothers and sisters. That didn't stop my male classmates from groping my breasts in the hallway or pinching and twisting them so hard I was left breathless, exposing themselves, or pressing themselves up against me at the row of lockers. I don't remember any of them ever getting into any trouble over it.
I had no idea at the time that it was sexual harassment. It was routine, it was violating, and it was sexual in nature. I put on a "tough girl" attitude, threw a few punches, and by the end of high school was popular and left alone by the guys, having established myself as a girl who wasn't going to take it.
It wasn't until AAUW asked me to write on this topic that I really remembered all of that or worried about my daughter going through it herself. I think I've just kept telling myself with all of the awareness of bullying and prevention, it won't be an issue when my now 5-year-old Amelia reaches junior high.
I think I've been fooling myself.
"Sexual harassment is as rampant as it is undiscussed," says Rachel Simmons, girl expert and bestselling author of the newly revised Odd Girl Out. "It can be extremely dangerous for a girl to challenge the unwanted attention of a male peer. Adolescent girls gain status from their association with boys — particularly high-status boys — so speaking up may come with painful social consequences from both boys and other girls. Feeling silenced, on top of the anxiety and lack of safety a harassed girl feels, can make it difficult, if not impossible, to concentrate in school or maintain healthy self-esteem."
Have I been building up my daughter just to have her knocked down? This is the kid now known worldwide as being full of awesome. Is she going to throw a punch at a classmate someday because he grabbed her inappropriately? Is she going to come home crying because girls in gym class were snapping her bra and calling her sexually lewd names for months?
I think instead of worrying, which is not something I happen to be good at, I'll do what I do best. I'll help AAUW educate parents so that we can build up awareness around the serious issue of sexual harassment in school and knock the problem down.
This post was written by Pigtail Pals' Melissa Atkins Wardy.


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Can We Achieve Perfect Health?
We can't evolve or engineer our diseases away. And besides, the arms race between viruses and our genes may mean health is a moving target, one that would be dangerous to reach.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on research suggesting why natural selection hasn't succeeded in eradicating our susceptibility to disease, and why breeding other animals for health or productivity also has a dark side.
You'd think that evolution would weed out the bad seeds. People who carry them get sick and die, while those with good genes thrive and have more children -- shouldn't their genes crowd out the bad ones? But no. Instead, there is an astounding diversity of those genes, which belong to a group called the Major Histocompatibility Complex, or (luckily) MHC for short.
"There are hundreds of varieties of MHC genes in most vertebrate species," says Wayne K. Potts, a professor of biology at the University of Utah. "One gene has 2,300, which holds the record." And since the weaker varieties persist, so does vulnerability to disease.
But when researchers transferred viral particles among strains of mice that had developed different genotypes to resist them, they found that, in each strain, some of the viruses were able to penetrate defenses and infect the mice. If all the strains had developed identical defenses, this could not have happened. But the mice would then be more susceptible to a devastating new supervirus that could wipe out all the strains.
The mouse and human species are thus protected by genetically diverse responses -- but it's imperfect protection. And a continuing arms race between viruses and MCH genes may mean that health is a moving target, and one that would be dangerous to reach even if we could. By breeding cattle, pigs, and other animals to resist disease and administering antibiotics, we are also reducing diversity and increasing the likelihood of diseases that may jump to human beings.
"We could back off the antibiotics if we bred back in some MHC diversity," [Wayne Potts] says. Range cattle still have it, and could be bred into dairy herds. Of course, range-cattle MHCs may be accompanied by genes that don't produce as much milk. Farmers may be reluctant to cut their sales, and consumers may be unwilling to pay higher milk prices. That's another kind of arms race: economics and health.
When I spoke to an agricultural marketers association in the 1990s, the members were talking about PRRS -- Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome -- an autoimmune disease of swine that is as awful as it sounds. According to my hosts, it had developed in large farms where pigs were treated with antibiotics for "enhanced health status." It had become such a threat that trucks servicing possibly affected farms had to have their tires disinfected each time they left. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) PRRS has since become a threat in Asia.
And a crucial (though not sufficient) step in the spread of human AIDS was the campaign of colonial powers in Africa to inoculate both locals and colonists. Inexpensive machine-made syringes, an innovation of the 1920s, thus became one of the most lethal as well as life-saving medical innovations in history. (See this review of Jacques Pépin's Origins of AIDS.) So the quest to conquer all disease, in humans as in the animals they have domesticated, can have tragic unintended consequences.
Over 50 years have passed since publication of René Dubos' Mirage of Health, which injected skepticism into medical discourse at the height of therapeutic optimism in 1960. Its opposite pole is the quest for human biological immortality through the convergence of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and computer science, the Singularity. Yet no matter how many practical, ethical, and even evolutionary obstacles can be argued against the goal of perfect health, there's part of the human spirit that resists reality in favor of the impossible dream. And I'm not sure it's a bad thing.
Image: Reuters


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The Ohkay Owingeh riparian restoration project is a series of coordinated projects reaching back to the 1990s that now encompasses over 700 acres of restored ecological mosaic including wetlands, cottonwood gallery forest, grassland, shrub cover, open water, and dense emergent willow thicket that is ideal for bird habitat, particularly Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.
Quick Facts
Project Location:
Ohkay Owingeh, NM, USA, 36.0528006, -106.07057880000002
Geographic Region:
North America
Country or Territory:
United States of America
Temperate Forest, Freshwater
Temperate Forest - Deciduous
Area being restored:
700+ acres
Organization Type:
Project Stage:
Start Date:
End Date:
Primary Causes of DegradationAgriculture & Livestock, Deforestation, Fragmentation, Other
Degradation Description
Two major problems have created a need for ecological restoration: flood control and invasive trees. Flood control channelization in the 1950s prevented springtime flooding and has stopped natural channel meandering ever since. Resulting higher flow velocity further eroded the river channel, lowering water tables and cutting the river off even more from its floodplain. Geomorphological alterations seriously disrupted riparian ecology, and greatly accelerated the spread of invasive plants. Cottonwood and willow bosque were decreasing while salt cedar and Russian olive were increasing. Salt cedar and Russian olive were recorded in the early 1930s and were spreading from the southern reaches of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Today tamarisk and Russian olive are the dominant species in many floodplain areas.. They spread dramatically following the disruptions of channelization and flood control of the 1950s, and have largely replaced native plant species in many places. Besides reducing diversity and wildlife habitat, they are more fire-adapted and burn much more readily than native species. Fires became more frequent and more damaging – and every fire further accelerated the spread of the invasive trees. What happened to the Middle Rio Grande was a loss of channel complexity and a loss of channel-floodplain connectivity. The inability of the river to rework the channel on a bi-annual basis supported the development of a monoculture salt cedar and Russian olive riparian system on the floodplain. Both aggradation and degradation in response to reduced sediment loads and decreased peak flows have been documented.
Reference Ecosystem Description
Irrigated agriculture has been a persistent aspect of life in the Rio Grande valley since the 1500s. Up until the mid to late 1800s, the braided river had a floodplain that was between one and four miles wide composed of a mosaic of cottonwood/willow forest, locally abundant saltgrass meadows, and occasional marshes. Islands may have been vegetated with grass or trees. Historically, the establishment of new stands was often associated with disturbances caused by episodic floods. There are three dominant vegetation types: cottonwood bosque with a willow understory, grass meadows (alkali or wet), and wetlands. The cottonwood/willow bosque occurred in areas with a shallow water table that fluctuated seasonally but rarely stayed near the surface for extended periods. Areas where groundwater was at or just below the surface accumulated significant quantities of salts on the surface, affecting the composition of the plant community. Saltgrass and other salt-tolerant plants typically would dominate the wet, saline-alkali meadows. Flow-through wetlands, containing cattails, sedges, rushes, and emergent vegetation, likely occurred in sloughs and oxbows.
Project Goals
The project had several specific goals: 1) Mimic pre-channelization conditions in the floodplain as much as possible as an interim measure to preserve biotic communities until natural geomorphology can be restored. 2) Remove invasive plants, re-create lost wetlands, provide conditions for native plant recruitment, and maintain diversity in native vegetation. 3) Provide a diverse mosaic of wildlife habitat types. Help re-create aspects of a cultural landscape remembered by older Pueblo residents. 4) Work with government agencies towards restoration of the river and floodplain to pre-channelization conditions where possible, so that natural geomorphological processes can once again provide appropriate abiotic disturbance necessary for sustainable ecosystem function.
The project does not have a monitoring plan.
Ohkay Owingeh pueblo (formerly known as San Juan Pueblo) straddles the Rio Grande 25 miles north of Santa Fe. The project is entirely on tribal land and involves a multigenerational approach, involving the entire community from school children to elders. Tribal natural resource managers were responsible for implementation with assistance from private consulting firms to
partnerships with the City of Española, Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, and Rio Grande Restoration, a non-profit river advocacy organization. Other partners involved in various aspects of the project include EcoSolutions, Four Corners Institute, Conely Sawmill, and the USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs Northern Pueblos Agency.
Description of Project Activities:
1. Remove invasive trees and noxious weeds Invasive, non-native trees were cut and mulched in place with mechanical brush cutting machinery where there was machine access, the ground was dry enough, and there were few native trees or shrubs to save. Where machine removal was unworkable, trees were cut by hand with chainsaws and cut slash was either burned in winter or mechanically mulched later. Stump and root sprouts (which are very vigorous) were treated with Garlon 4® herbicide, carefully applied only to cut sprouts with a hand sprayer. Hand-cut stumps were treated when cut, and sprouts from machine-cut areas were treated when they emerged the next growing season. Follow-up sprout treatments were made twice more, for a total of at least three herbicide applications. Other invasive plants besides trees cause problems too: purple loostrife (Lythrum salicaria) and non-native thistles (Cirsium vulgare and C. arvense) are locally abundant and require control by cutting before seed production and treatment with spot application of herbicide. 2. Re-create lost wetlands New or enhanced channels and waterways are excavated in bosque areas, primarily in existing former river channels. Flows in arroyos have been re-routed into shallower, more meandering channels and spread out over wider areas of former floodplain. Irrigation ditches are maintained and expanded when necessary. Excavation is done with a combination of a trackhoe or backhoe along with a bulldozer or other appropriate equipment, such as dump trucks, to spread excavated soil, minimize slope angles, and avoid large "levees" of excavation spoil at the edge of re-created or enhanced channels and open areas. Hand crews may be involved in these processes. Most excavated soil will remain very near its origin, but some occasionally has to be relocated using dump trucks to adjacent areas in the bosque. Soil erosion control measures have been unnecessary in project areas because they are all located in former (and hopefully future) floodplains where topography is very flat and soil permeability is high. For these reasons, transport of silt from restoration areas into the rivers is essentially impossible. Fill material has been placed appropriately in some projects to ensure that flows are diverted into new channels and flash floods do not revert back to the old channels. All fill placement has been and will be done in accordance with Clean Water Act section 404 permits as required. 3. Plant and encourage native vegetation Cut poles, when needed, are planted as early as possible (typically in February or March) immediately after excavation is complete so that roots have time to develop before buds sprout. Extensive pole planting was done in earlier projects, to provide shade and multi-layer vegetation structure as soon as possible, but after 2002 or 2003 we have done little pole planting. Instead, we have created saturated, bare soil conditions where cottonwood seeds can sprout abundantly, and have developed techniques for transplanting local coyote willow root crowns. Willow root crowns are typically excavated using a backhoe to assist technicians, after the willows to be transplanted have been cut off six to ten inches above the ground using chain saws. The willow roots are loaded into pickup trucks and placed immediately in water for storage, unless they can be transplanted to their new locations within a few hours. They are kept as moist as possible during transportation and planting. Willow root crowns are sometimes planted with the help of mechanical excavation if it is available and can access the transplant site; and sometimes are planted entirely by hand with shovels. Typical planting density is about one half to one meter between plants when the intent is to create habitat for willow flycatchers, and may be less when coyote willow is included in a restoration plant mix primarily for biodiversity. Rooted seedlings and herbaceous transplants are planted wherever soil moisture is adequate, which often means beginning as soon as irrigation water is available, usually in April. Transplanting continues throughout the summer. Coyote willows, transplanted from within the Ohkay Owingeh bosque, can be planted almost year-round where soil is moist. Grass seed for drier areas is planted when moisture and soil temperature conditions seem likely to encourage sprouting; sometimes in the spring if adequate precipitation is anticipated, and sometimes in summer when thunderstorms are expected. Equipment in these instances could include tractors, tractor-mounted augers, backhoes, discs, hand crews and tools, seed broadcasters, and potentially grazing animals. Chicken wire or hardware cloth may be used to protect desirable vegetation from grazing animals or beavers in appropriate areas. Fences are repaired or newly constructed where necessary. Fuels Reduction/Prescribed Burning Another aspect to the project is the reduction of fire danger in order to restore ecological functions on 210 acres of riparian forest along the Rio Grande River within the San Juan Pueblo and on contiguous municipal property owned by the city of Española. Russian olive and other invasive species was removed and native woody species will be planted. The project was an aspect of encouraging collaborative riparian restoration among neighboring communities and working towards a local consensus on what constitutes successful riparian restoration. The project managers also explored the usefulness and marketability of products made from Russian olive, a common riparian invasive species with little or no market value to date. Pile burning is sometimes used as necessary, when other methods of removing or mulching cut woody debris are unfeasible. Generally pile burning is done in the winter, when temperatures are low, wind is minimal, and the surrounding soil and plant material is relatively wet. If possible, pile burning is done when there is snow on the ground or snow is falling. Prescribed burning in the normal forestry sense of intentionally burning standing trees or plant material is not done. Irrigation ditches, agricultural fields, and targeted small areas of vegetation may also be maintained with controlled burning. Hand crews use drip torches and other hand equipment for these procedures. Fire department support from neighboring jurisdictions, including other Pueblos, and from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, has been called in for safety preparedness on occasion when larger burns are contemplated. Burning is done under the auspices of Ohkay Owingeh tribal burn permits.
Ecological Outcomes Achieved
Eliminate existing threats to the ecosystem:
The results of data analysis help determine if changes are needed in restoration methodology. The monitoring protocol has been changed over the years to better meet restoration objectives and changes can be made in the future if necessary. There are at least three examples of adaptive management in Ohkay Owingeh bosque restoration so far: Early in the restoration of the bosque, many cottonwood poles were purchased and planted on the bosque. Soon, it was observed that thousands of cottonwood seedlings would reliably sprout in areas were open, moist ground was created by excavation activities. It has also been observed that New Mexico olive respond well, increasing in density with the removal of the exotics, in the absence of a large scale replanting effort. During the past couple of years, bird monitoring has been added to the regular protocol at several project sites. Many of these birds can be monitored as indicator species for habitat recovery after bosque restoration. Over the years, the addition of certain components to the monitoring of bosque restoration activities at Ohkay Owingeh, give us a richer texture with which to measure restoration success. As restoration activities continue, so do monitoring activities. This allows us to continue to advance in our understanding of bosque ecology as well as to advance in our restoration techniques. Ohkay Owingeh restoration projects have achieved some of the best overall control of Russian olive, elm and salt cedar of any projects on the Rio Grande. Nevertheless, it remains an ongoing struggle. Even if work during a project is successful in removing Russian olives (and other invasive trees) and the vast majority of seedlings and root sprouts, inevitably a few are missed and seed is washed in by the river or brought in by birds and animals. It may be unrealistic to completely eradicate invasive trees from the bosque, but we have come quite close in many areas and a relatively small - but very important - ongoing effort will keep them from invading all over again.
Factors limiting recovery of the ecosystem:
Without restoring natural flooding and meandering, to the extent possible, to both the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama, all our bosque work so far will ultimately be in vain. We have gained some time and stopped the accelerating encroachment of Russian olives and other exotic species into the bosque, but we are treating cancer with band-aids unless we can allow the rivers to create the physical conditions in their floodplains that enable bosque plants and animals to survive and reproduce without constant human help. Many small-scale efforts at geomorphological restoration have been completed at Ohkay Owingeh through the (re)creation of wetlands, reconnection of abandoned river channels back to the Rio Grande, and other attempts to add water back to the bosque. However, large scale restoration of river function is necessary to preserve and perpetuate the bosque as we know it. Without real geomorphological restoration, which means room for the river to flood and meander within the floodplain, all our bosque restoration efforts will only put off the final collapse of an endangered system. It will be take collaborative efforts between government agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation, and local and Tribal governments to carry out the large-scale river restoration that is needed. We should continue to be enthusiastic participants, and in fact we should be leaders, in the Corps of Engineers "General Investigation" that is taking place with our neighboring Pueblos to plan river restoration along the Rio Grande. In the interim, the type of bosque restoration that is taking place at Ohkay Owingeh will provide necessary habitat for riparian plant and animal species and will continue to provide the resources needed by the tribe for cultural purposes. So far restoration projects specifically designed to create habitat for southwestern willow flycatchers have been nominally completed on 83 acres, with work in progress on a further 106 acres. These efforts have brought the Pueblo funding of nearly $1 million, and a desire to ensure continued habitat for flycatchers and other birds with similar requirements has been an important factor in getting funding for our other restoration work. The willows and other vegetation planted in restoration sites has not had time to grow in to sufficient maturity to serve as flycatcher habitat, and will probably need anywhere from 4 to 10 more years to do so. However, a flycatcher was observed in existing willows within a restoration site for the first time last year, raising hopes that the additional water and/or vegetation added to the restoration site may produce the desired result of additional viable habitat even before the newly planted willows get big enough. It seems likely that an increasing focus of restoration efforts may center on flycatchers for the next few years, both in creating new habitat for the future and in understanding the ecological succession processes that are needed to ensure continuing habitat over time. Until and unless the Rio Grande (at least) is restored to a reasonable degree of geomorphological activity - flooding - continued flycatcher habitat will depend ultimately on periodic human intervention to create the young, vigorous early-successional willow breaks needed by flycatchers and many other birds and animals. Even if river channel restoration proceeds with all the speed reasonably possible, there will be a continuing need to create additional habitat for the next few years to ensure that there is not a gap in the availability of suitable habitat in the future.
Socio-Economic & Community Outcomes Achieved
Economic vitality and local livelihoods:
The project has been fortunate so far in securing grant funding for bosque and wetland restoration, and hopefully will continue to be fortunate into the future. Nevertheless, the Pueblo may well face a need to assume a gradually increasing responsibility for protecting and maintaining the success that has been achieved in the bosque. One of the key ways in which this could be done would be for the Pueblo itself to employ one or two tribal members to patrol the bosque regularly on foot. This kind of ranger or bosque manager would be able to spot outbreaks of Russian olive, other invasive trees, or noxious plants or even animals in the bosque. Such a person could also keep track of problems with acequias, trespassing by people or animals, or other issues in the bosque and on the rivers. Any problems discovered that required more manpower than one or two people could provide (such as eradicating an outbreak of Russian olive or purple loosestrife) could be handled by a summer job program like YCC or the Boys and Girls Club to provide extra hands. A "bosque ranger" or similar person could also perform and/or train summer youth to help with some periodic monitoring of vegetation or bird life in the bosque, which would ensure tribal control over data gathered, give the Pueblo vital information about conditions in the bosque and early warning of potential problems, and be helpful in the ongoing effort to secure funding. Additional duties might include helping to patrol for fires in the springtime, prevent trash or septage dumping in the river or bosque, preventing unauthorized vehicle access, and outreach to neighbors to explain bosque restoration. The salary of even one tribal employee engaged in this kind of work full-time would also help provide cost matching that is increasingly important in competing for outside funds. It could well be that some of the responsibilities described above could be combined with some responsibilities already handled by existing Pueblo programs - such as checking gates, managing acequias, patrolling the Tribal Lakes, or monitoring water quality, for instance. If jobs can be combined in this way, an entire new salary would not be needed to get the work done.
Long-Term Management
Monitoring, on a regular basis with a systematic approach, provides information that can be used to make decisions and guide future actions. Goals of monitoring include 1) developing criteria to measure success of projects, 2) development of procedures that allow more than one restoration technique to be tested, and 3) development of scientifically robust monitoring procedures.
Ohkay Owingeh has a standardized vegetation monitoring protocol that has been implemented at all the restoration sites within the Pueblo reservation as well as at some unrestored sites. Nine core parameters are monitored on each restoration project at Ohkay Owingeh, unless there is a compelling reason to use different procedures. These parameters yield a standard set of data for fundamental factors that, taken together, give an overall indication of riparian health and function and a measure of restoration success. Fuel loading has been sampled as well for certain projects.
In 2005, monitoring transects for recording avian species were added in two project areas. This effort has now expanded to include more projects areas and more in-depth sampling procedures. Bird species are monitored as a measure of biological integrity in both unrestored and restored areas. By combining vegetation surveys with bird surveys in restored wetlands on the Rio Grande bosque, we hope to better understand the successional processes of restored wetlands and how these processes affect avian bosque species as indicators of ecological health. Sampling and comparing habitats with different periods of recovery since invasive species removal and wetland restoration or re-creation will yield quantitative information on vegetation density, composition, structure, and vigor as these relate to the species living in and using these habitats.
The standardized methodology described in this section is now normally used at all monitoring sites. Transects are 30 meters in length, oriented east-west (Figure 6-1). Global Positioning System (GPS) readings for each transect is recorded from the west rebar of the transect baseline. Two plots, 10 by 10m, laid out to the north of the transect line, are used for measuring woody species composition. To measure herbaceous species composition and cover, 1m2 subplots are sampled on the interior, southern boundary of each larger plot to give four subplot measurements.
Two photopoints are established for each project. One photograph faces west from the end of the 30m transect and the other faces east. A transect identification number is included in each photograph. Each photograph is scanned into a digital file and archived to compact disk, with identification as to project area and transect identification. Photographs are taken from the same GPS location at each monitoring period to record visible changes in vegetation community composition over time.
The results of data analysis help determine if changes are needed in restoration methodology. The monitoring protocol has been changed over the years to better meet restoration objectives and changes can be made in the future if necessary. There are at least three examples of adaptive management in Ohkay Owingeh bosque restoration so far: Early in the restoration of the bosque, many cottonwood poles were purchased and planted on the bosque. Soon, it was observed that thousands of cottonwood seedlings would reliably sprout in areas were open, moist ground was created by excavation activities. It has also been observed that New Mexico olive respond well, increasing in density with the removal of the exotics, in the absence of a large scale replanting effort. During the past couple of years, bird monitoring has been added to the regular protocol at several project sites. Many of these birds can be monitored as indicator species for habitat recovery after bosque restoration.
Over the years, the addition of certain components to the monitoring of bosque restoration activities at Ohkay Owingeh, give us a richer texture with which to measure restoration success. As restoration activities continue, so do monitoring activities. This allows us to continue to advance in our understanding of bosque ecology as well as to advance in our restoration techniques.
Sources and Amounts of Funding
1.8 million + USD Environmental Protection Agency, United States Forest Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service