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Swan song for US symphonies?
Many orchestras are facing extinction as donations and funding dry up, while classical musicians are left to scramble for dwindling jobs.
Is there still a market for live classical music in the U.S.? Many symphony orchestras, once well-funded and well-attended sources of civic pride in towns and cities across the country, are finding themselves in crisis.
Some orchestras are simply fading away. Last week, after 30 years of performances, Georgia's Gainesville Symphony Orchestra (GSO) announced it was ending its operations due to drastically reduced donations and a lack of community interest.
"This is a sad day, indeed," Vanessa Hyatt, the symphony's vice president, told the Gainesville Times. "We made every effort to save the GSO. But in the end, we did not have enough public support to save it."
Others are struggling to survive. According to Bloomberg, at least five major orchestras -- from Philadelphia to Honolulu -- have found themselves seeking bankruptcy protection since 2008. Even in Tennessee's storied "Music City," the Nashville Symphony is $102 million in debt.
"Financial problems are not unique to any orchestra," Mitchell Korn, a professor at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, recently told the Nashville Business Journal. "Every orchestra is struggling to find new ways to increase their earnings, increase their fund raising."
In an interview with MSN Money, Michigan State music professor Michael Largey said classical music -- as an academic pursuit and as a profession -- finds itself at a crossroads in the U.S.
"At one time, large music performance programs trained their students for jobs in symphony orchestras," he noted, "confident that there would be plenty of work for their graduates. Now, many orchestras across the country face budget deficits, declining subscriptions and increased hostility between the players and management that results in lengthy strikes."
In fact, musicians with the San Francisco Symphony are ending a costly, two-and-a-half-week-long strike over contract negotiations, while a labor dispute with the Minnesota Orchestra has reached its six-month mark.
One big issue for classically trained musicians is the time, dedication and especially the finances needed to succeed in their profession. "It costs as much or more to get an advanced education as a musician [as it does] going to med or law school ... but if you play your cards right, there will always be a job at the end of med/law," wrote one musician, a principal with a major U.S. orchestra -- who asked not to be named for this article. "The only sure thing after [music] conservatory is lawn mowing."
In his emailed response to MSN Money, the musician noted that current pay scales for performers in top symphonies and orchestras can be very good, with base salaries of anywhere from $80,000 to $150,000. But those salaries plummet further down the performance tier, averaging anywhere from $10,000 to $49,000 annually. "Most orchestra musicians are barely squeaking by at less than living wages," he notes. "And many of them are really, really good."
Many classical musicians also teach, both to supplement their wages and to help pass on their education to future generations. But many musicians and music educators realize they need to evolve if they want their profession and passion to endure.
"Many music schools have responded to these changes by introducing more business-related coursework into their curricula, giving students exposure to the entrepreneurial side of the music world," said Largey. "All music schools recognize, however, that the life of a performing musician is growing more challenging every year."
if CHILDREN ARE NOT EXPOSED TO CLASSICAL MUSIC AT HOME OR AT SCHOOl THE AUDIENCE WILL CONTINUE TO DWINDLE.Well educated parents with cultural background will continue to give children the benefit of exposure to the great composers of classical music and opera while the mass will revert to a blind ignorance .This will pertain as well to all the arts.Literature is also a neglected area ,great paintings ,sculpture all regarded by the "new barbarians "as superfluous.SAD!!
Bruce, League of American Orchestras data shows that very few communities - large and small - are willing to be orchestra-free. In fact, every one of the five orchestras mentioned in the Bloomberg piece you reference in paragraph four have already exited from bankruptcy or reformed: Philadelphia, Honolulu (Hawaii Symphony), Louisville, Albuquerque (New Mexico Philharmonic) and Syracuse (Symphoria). Rachelle Schlosser / Director of Media Relations / League of American Orchestras
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"Well, I got up, getting ready for work, came out ... and heard the sirens go off. It was kind of a surprise because I didn't think there was any kind of tornado activity," said Oakland County resident Jeff Matthews.It used to be that you would only here a siren before a tornado, but not anymore. Warning siren systems are now much more advanced, and for now on you'll hear alarms more often."Oakland County is very aggressive in its siren campaign. I think we have 250 plus sirens spread out across the county," said Theodore Quisenberry with Oakland County Homeland Security.258 to be exact lit up on a computer screen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are near schools, malls, and open places where people may not know what's coming."Primarily what we're concerned with are tornado warnings and/or severe thunderstorm warnings with damaging winds over 70 miles per hour," Quisenberry said.The people at Oakland County's Homeland Security Division decide when to sound the alarm. Quisenberry says they should never be ignored."Any time you hear the sirens go off, you take it very seriously. We don't put them off unless there is a reason for it. When the alarm is sounded, if you're outside, go inside, seek shelter inside."When it comes to bad weather, it's bigger than just where you live. What's happening in a neighboring county could be headed your way."Say the tornado that went through Washtenaw County two months ago and look at what happened with it as far as the number of injuries or fatalities. None. There wasn't any because the alert system was so on top of what's coming that way you could alert the people," Quisenberry said. "Nobody gets caught by surprise."At 1:00 p.m. the first Saturday of every month from March to November, all 258 warning sirens will sound in Oakland County, but that's only a test. Still, you can use that as an opportunity to come up with an action plan for you and your family. There are tips for how to do that on the Oakland County Homeland Security website at www.oakgov.com/homelandsecurity.
WTXF-TV330 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106-2796Phone: (215) 925-2929Fax: (215) 982-5494

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Ramsar Advisory Missions: Report No. 41, Ichkeul, Tunisia (2000)
Special attention is given to assisting member States in the management and conservation of listed sites whose ecological character is threatened. This is carried out through the Ramsar Advisory Mission, a technical assistance mechanism formally adopted by Recommendation 4.7 of the 1990 Conference of the Parties. (The Ramsar Advisory Mission mechanism was formerly known as the Monitoring Procedure and the Management Guidance Procedure.) The main objective of this mechanism is to provide assistance to developed and developing countries alike in solving the problems or threats that make inclusion in the Montreux Record necessary.
Ramsar Advisory Mission No. 41: Tunisia (2000)
A mission jointly undertaken by the World Heritage Convention, IUCN-The World Conservation Union, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, with assistance from Eurosite
Report on a mission to Ichkeul National Park, Tunisia
28 February – 4 March 2000
Lotfi Baccar, Mike Smart, Anada Tiega & Patrick Triplet
1. The authors of the present report were requested by the World Heritage Centre (UNESCO), by IUCN, and by the Bureau of the Ramsar Convention to study the situation at Ichkeul National Park in order to:
- evaluate the present conservation status of Ichkeul National Park, which is included (with the agreement of the Tunisian authorities) on the World Heritage in Danger List and on the Ramsar Convention's Montreux Record;
- evaluate both the programmes to monitor the Park's ecosystems, which the Tunisian authorities are currently carrying out, and the management of the Park;
- provide advice to the Tunisian authorities, to UNESCO, to IUCN, and to the Ramsar Bureau on the scientific parameters to be included in the programme of monitoring, study and restoration of the site;
- make recommendations to the Tunisian authorities, to UNESCO, to IUCN and to the Ramsar Bureau on any other measures likely to improve the conservation of the site.
2. The mission's programme was as follows:
|Sunday 27 February 2000:
|Arrival in Tunisia of Mr Smart
|Monday 28 February 2000:
|Visit by Mr Smart to the General Department of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture) and to the Ministry of the Environment.
Visit by Mr Baccar to the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE).
Arrival of Mr Tiega and Mr Triplet; contacts with ANPE and the other members of the mission.
|Tuesday 29 February 2000:
|Meeting at ANPE.
|Wednesday 1 March 2000:
|Visit to Ichkeul National Park and discussions with staff of the Park.
|Thursday 2 March 2000:
|Visit to the fishery station at Tinja and to the Sejenane dam.
Meeting with Mr Mansour Taieb, Regional Commissioner for Agricultural Development, Bizerta and his colleagues.
|Friday 3 March 2000:
|Meeting with Mr Ali El Hili, President of the Tunisian MAB Committee.
Final meeting at ANPE to decide on the main points and conclusions of the report.
Meeting with Mr Bechir Ben Mansour, Managing Director of ANPE.
|Saturday 4 March 2000:
|Visit by Mr Baccar, Mr Tiega and Mr Triplet to the General Department of Forests.
Brief description of Ichkeul National Park
3. Ichkeul National Park is made up of the three major landscape units, as follows:
- A shallow lake (about one metre deep on average) with an area of 89 km2. This lake is characterized by seasonal variations in water depth and salinity; the latter ranges from 5 gms/litre in winter to more than 30 gms/litre in summer. This alternation is influenced by inflow of fresh water from the catchment in winter, and in summer by reverse flow of sea water via the Lake of Bizerta through the Tinja canal. The low salinity in winter promotes the development of aquatic plants (and in particular of Potamogeton pectinatus) which at its greatest extent covers an area of up to 35 km2. This vegetation is the principal food of some 200,000 wintering migrant water birds.
- Temporarily flooded marshes covering 30 km2. These marshes are characterized by extensive stands of rushes Scirpus lacustris and S. maritimus, which are the main food of Greylag Geese Anser anser and of the roughly 2,000 cattle belonging to people living in the Park. These plants require a period of flooding with water of low salinity for several months.
- A jebel (mountain), which constitutes an isolated outcrop on the southern shore of the lake and makes a major contribution to the natural beauty of the site.
History of the conservation of Ichkeul
4. The Ichkeul lake and marshes have long been recognized (together with Doñana in Spain, the Camargue in France and the El Kala region in Algeria) as one of the four major wetland areas in the western basin of the Mediterranean. Ichkeul National Park (covering an area of some 12,000 hectares) is one of the few sites listed under three international agreements: (a) Biosphere Reserve (1977); (b) World Heritage Convention (1979); and (c) Ramsar Convention (1980). The documents presented at the time of Ichkeul's inclusion in these international lists noted that construction of dams on the rivers which provide water for the lake and marshes, as planned in the Master Plan for the Waters of Northern Tunisia, was likely to have an impact on the ecological character of the site.
5. During the 1980s, a research programme was carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with University College London, CNRS (France) and Sogreah, a Grenoble firm of consulting engineers. The programme was financed by DG XII of the European Commission, with the aim of evaluating the impact of the dams on Ichkeul. The Master Plan, in its original version, contemplated the building of six dams on rivers flowing into Ichkeul, the largest of which were the Joumine and Sejenane dams. The Joumine dam (with a catchment of 418 km2 and a capacity of 100 million m3 of water) became operational in 1983, the Ghezala dam (with a catchment area of 48 km2 and a capacity of 15 million m3) in 1984, and the Sejenane (with a catchment area of 307 km2 and a capacity of 140 million m3) in 1994.
6. The Tunisian authorities, aware of the impact of these dams on the natural environment at Ichkeul, organized an international seminar on Ichkeul in 1990. The principal result of this seminar was a decision to carry out a multidisciplinary study, more thoroughgoing than previous work, of all aspects, both biotic and non-biotic, of the National Park. This study, carried out between 1993 and 1995 under the auspices of the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), provides a very full documentation of the situation and in no way hides the threats, represented by the decrease in water inflow, to the integrity of the wetland ecosystems. The study, entitled "Etude pour la Sauvegarde du Parc National d'Ichkeul" and financed by a grant from KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany, was carried out by a multidisciplinary and multinational team of experts, with the following objective:
- identification of the ecological and biological characteristics of Ichkeul National Park, and of the evolution of its ecosystems and the factors threatening their equilibrium, with a view to devising an optimal ecological management programme which takes account of the requirements of social and economic development in the region.
The technical approach followed in the study comprised the following stages:
- Bibliographical synthesis of all previous studies.
- Critical analysis and diagnosis of the development activities carried out, under way or planned in the National Park and its area of influence, in order to define their impact on the environment.
- Extensive programme of simultaneous measurements of biotic and abiotic parameters in the lake and marsh ecosystems, in order to understand their functioning and to establish tolerance limits.
- Modelling of the various physical and biological phenomena which govern the behaviour of the lake and marshes, adjusted on the basis of observed data, in order to draw up an integrated management plan for the lake-marsh system and a predictive forecasting model for short term management of the lake.
- Drawing up of a programme for social and economic development of the region, setting forth a series of priority actions related to the demands of the National Park's ecosystems.
- Definition of an optimal system of ecological management for the National Park, providing a scenario for socio-economic and ecological development of the region in a sustainable manner, and development of a Management Plan for the area of the Park with:
- operating instructions for the sluice at Tinja;
- a management plan for the sluice; and
- a supporting programme of socio-economic measures.
Since the publication of this report, ANPE has continued to measure certain parameters in the lake, in particular water salinity and levels, and the status of submerged flora.
7. The Tinja sluice, built in the late 1980s on the Tinja canal to control water exchanges between Lake Ichkeul and the Lake of Bizerta, only began operating in 1996, on the basis of data collected by ANPE. The principle of its operation (opening – closing) is based on the recommendations of the Study, which aim to meet the ecological tolerance levels of the site, mainly as regards water salinity and level.
8. Given the risk of change in ecological character, Ichkeul was included in 1990 in the Ramsar Convention's Montreux Record ("Record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur"), and in 1996 on the World Heritage in Danger List. At its annual meetings, the World Heritage Committee reviews the status of sites in danger and it requested a mission to present a report on the status of Ichkeul in 1999. The Ramsar Convention undertook a mission to Ichkeul in January 1997.
9. The present mission was informed of numerous other measures adopted by the Tunisian authorities, since the Study was completed, in order to promote the conservation of Ichkeul, in the light of the growing recognition in Tunisia of the importance of conserving natural habitats in general and of Ichkeul in particular. This recognition is shown by:
- the decision to cancel the construction of the other dams originally planned on three rivers (the Douimis, Mellah and Tine) flowing into Ichkeul.
- the construction and operation of the Tinja sluice.
- the classification of Ichkeul, in the planning of water resources by the General Department of Hydraulic Studies and Works in the Ministry of Agriculture, as a water consumer and the decision to grant Ichkeul an annual water quota.
- the decision to supply Ichkeul with water from the Sidi El Barrak dam (situated in a neighbouring catchment) once this dam becomes operational, probably in spring 2001.
- the closure of the marble quarries on the mountain at Ichkeul.
- the decision to route the future Tunis-Bizerta motorway well away from Ichkeul.
- the measurements to monitor the status of Ichkeul carried out by ANPE since the end of the Study.
- the construction of waste water treatment plants at Mateur and Menzel Bourguiba, which will make it possible to improve the quality of the water reaching Ichkeul.
Criteria for including Ichkeul in the World Heritage and Ramsar Lists
10. A document issued by the World Heritage Centre ("Brief Description of Sites Inscribed on the World Heritage List" WHC 99/15) notes that the lake and marshes at Ichkeul provide habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds (in particular ducks, geese, storks and flamingos), and that it is the last remaining site of a chain of freshwater lakes which once extended right across North Africa. This document shows that Criterion (iv) - biological value - was the basis of Ichkeul's inclusion in the World Heritage List. It should be noted that, while Ichkeul was predominantly a freshwater lake before the construction in 1881 of the canal linking Bizerta to the sea, the lake has been characterized over the last hundred years by the alternation of fresh water in winter and brackish water in summer.
11. In the same way, the biological value of the site was what motivated its inclusion on the Ramsar Convention's List of wetlands of international importance. The occurrence of large numbers of migratory birds, which occupy the top position on the food chain, is a sign of the high carrying capacity of the site and of the abundance of available food, particularly plants and insects. The lake and marshes are also a representative example of a type of wetland important at regional level, and meet Ramsar's criteria 1,3,5 and 6 for identifying wetlands of international importance.
12. Biosphere Reserves call for a mosaic of habitats, some of which are free of human use, whilst others support human activities, including scientific research. There are in fact important fisheries on the lake and some grazing in the marshes.
13. The mission considers that the combination of the three ecosystems - lake, marsh and mountain - combine to create a site of exceptional natural beauty: it is indeed rare to find a rocky mountain outcrop rising from the middle of a wetland. This feature is entirely consistent with Criterion (iii) for identifying sites for the World Heritage List.
Current conservation status
14. Despite all the conservation measures taken by the Tunisian authorities, it must be emphasized that the lake and marshes have undergone a very serious loss of biological diversity following the change of hydrological regime in the wetland. The fundamental question is whether it is possible to restore, at least in part, the previous richness.
15. As forecast in the Study, the decrease in inflow of fresh water caused by the filling of the dams has led to salinization of the lake and marshes, changes in the flora, and to a decrease in numbers of water birds, especially of wintering birds.
16. Water quantity and quality. The inflow of water to the lake has decreased, particularly during the filling of the dams, and especially the Sejenane dam. This shortfall was exacerbated by a number of years with low rainfall. As a result, natural evaporation in summer has increased and sea water has entered through the Tinja canal, leading to high salinity of the waters. Under these conditions, operation of the Tinja sluice is a very delicate matter; it calls for the application of the operating instructions which are triggered by the water salinity and levels observed, in order to predict the optimum opening time and period, and thus to satisfy the ecological tolerance levels of the lake/marsh ecosystems. Since it was first operated in 1996, the sluice has been closed in summers 1996, 1998 and 1999 (years of good or average rainfall) but remained open in summer 1997 after a winter of poor rainfall. The effect of this management, based on the recommendations of the Study, in decreasing the salinity of the water has been palpable. However, it must not be forgotten that the period until the Sidi El Barrak dam comes into operation is a transitory period, given that the managed Ichkeul catchment is not yet functional.
17. The mission noted that winter 1999/2000, up to the beginning of March, has been relatively dry. As a result – unless the spring brings an appreciable increase in rainfall – the sluice is likely to remain open in summer 2000, which would lead to a renewed upsurge in salinity, and hence a loss of the benefits laboriously obtained during previous summers.
18. Submerged flora of the lake. The increase in salinity of the lake has led to a change in the submerged flora. The beds of Potamogeton pectinatus, the principal food of wintering ducks and coots, have been replaced by beds of Ruppia which can tolerate a higher level of salinity but seem less palatable to water birds.
19. Flora of the marshes. The flora of the marshes (and particularly of the marshes at the mouth of the Joumine and Sejenane rivers) has suffered even more greatly. This is due, on one hand, to the very high level of salinity in the waters of the lake and, on the other, to the lack of leeching of salt from the marsh. Formerly the salt deposited in the marshes in summer was leeched by the autumn floods of the rivers. At present the flow of the rivers is very low and, in the case of the Joumine, the water course now flows through a drainage canal beginning in the agricultural land in the Mateur Plain and continuing through the marsh inside the National Park.
20. This increase in salinity in the marshes has led to a general change in the flora, which is at present dominated by plants which tolerate a high level of salinity and are of little interest either to water birds or to cattle. Two plants in particular have suffered from this increase in salinity: rushes Scirpus spp. and reed Phragmites australis. The latter formerly formed a belt all around the water area, which provided shelter and nesting sites for a whole series of birds, as well as habitat for mammals (including otter Lutra lutra) and insects.
21. Birds. The increase in salinity and the changes to the flora have naturally had a considerable impact on populations of birds, which are at the top of the food chain and which led to Ichkeul's inclusion in the lists of international conventions.
22. The available ornithological data are unfortunately incomplete, and not always reliable. It is nevertheless certain that the numbers of wintering ducks and coots have decreased from an average of 200,000 individuals to a level situated around 50,000. The wintering geese feed on bulbs of rushes; their numbers, which in the 1980s sometimes exceeded 20,000 individuals, do not at present reach a thousand. Species which nest in the reed belt (such as herons and egrets, but also the globally threatened Marbled Teal Anas angustirostris and Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio) have disappeared as breeding birds, and there have been no observations for a long time of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (also globally threatened), even though it is featured in the Ecomuseum as a characteristic species of the site. The role of birds as bio-indicators should be emphasized: good numbers of birds normally occur where ecological conditions are excellent.
23. The mountain. The flora, the birds and the mammals of the mountain are of course little affected by variations in the salinity of the wetland, although birds of prey depend on the marshes for their prey. The Study refers to a risk of overgrazing by cattle from the villages. The decrease in the number of people living at the foot of the mountain could lead to a decrease in grazing pressure, though the cattle do not necessarily belong to people living in the Park.
Monitoring of biotic and abiotic factors
24. ANPE has established an on-site technical team, whose role includes carrying out a programme of measurements and studies suggested by the Study. This permanent team, based in the Reception Centre on the mountain, has since 1997 been monitoring a number of different parameters, both abiotic and biotic. The mission emphasizes the importance of this work, congratulates the researchers, and expresses the hope that this work may continue.
25. The abiotic factors monitored are the quantity and quality of waters of the lake (monthly transects, records of salinity, lake levels, rainfall). The biotic factors studied are essentially submerged flora (transects, identification of species, records of biomass). Non-systematic observations relate to marsh flora (above all of rushes) and bird censuses.
26. The mission considers that it is absolutely essential, as a basis for the restoration of the biological diversity of the site, to maintain this monitoring programme, and indeed to extend it. In response to a request from the Tunisian authorities, the mission proposes the monitoring programme set out in paragraphs 27 to 33 below.
27. Water quality and quantity. Maintain the existing programme.
28. Bathymetry. Monitor the evolution of the bed of the lake, where sedimentation patterns may have been changed through the operation of the Tinja sluice, particularly around the sluice itself.
29. Submerged flora of the lake. Maintain the current programme, and strengthen it by associating expert botanists (either from Tunisian universities or from specialized institutions within the administration). An annual visit during the period of maximum extent should be enough to measure the tendencies.
30. Flora of the marshes. Establish seasonal monitoring of the state of the marshes through transects, especially of the reeds and rushes.
31. Birds. This is the most difficult problem, and it is fundamentally a problem of institutions. Identification and censusing of birds at Ichkeul is not easy. Many observations and censuses of birds have been made at Ichkeul over the last forty years by a variety of observers, some more reliable than others. These observations have never been collected in a single place, nor checked for reliability. It is therefore necessary to create the institutional conditions for carrying out this task, and to train qualified personnel needed to:
- collect, store, analyse and above all check the accuracy of the historical data;
- carry out censuses of birds, preferably on a monthly but at least on a bimonthly basis, from October to March, and on a bimonthly basis from April to September;
- analyse the evolution of bird numbers in the lake and marshes, considering them as indicators of the general health of the ecosystems.
32. While the drop in bird numbers at Ichkeul is certainly due to the degradation of the natural environment there, external factors (such as a possible general decrease in the numbers of certain species, poor conditions on the breeding grounds, or loss of migratory stopover points in other countries) may have an impact on migratory bird populations. This ornithological work at Ichkeul should therefore be placed in its international context.
33. The mountain. Monitor the status of fauna and flora (paying particular attention to overgrazing). Annual monitoring using a series of transects, with additional checks from time to time, should be sufficient.
34. The mission is well aware that a programme of monitoring of this scope requires considerable efforts in the field of administration (establishment of new institutions or strengthening of existing ones), of staff training and of field work. The mission considers that Tunisia can legitimately seek scientific and technical support from international organizations and financial input from funding bodies for the execution of this monitoring programme.
Proposals on the long term management of Ichkeul
35. The mission took note of the many policy decisions taken by the Tunisian authorities to promote the conservation of the natural environment in general and of biological diversity of Ichkeul in particular (see paragraph 9). The mission also noted a number of practical and positive measures currently being carried out (operation of the sluice, setting up of exclosure plots in certain sensitive areas of the marshes, visitor reception measures). The mission noted that - thanks to the Study for the Safeguard of the Ichkeul National Park - Ichkeul has the good fortune to have at its disposal a collection of basic data of great scientific value, which are often lacking at other sites of comparable importance. The mission considers that a summary of the Study should be published in an international scientific journal, so that the international scientific community can also take advantage of Tunisia's experiences.
36. If the biological diversity of Ichkeul National Park is to be restored to the maximum extent possible, two things will be required: an integrated management plan and an institution capable of implementing this plan.
37. Integrated management plan. Any internationally important protected area should - according to international conventions - have a management plan. The Ramsar Convention has officially adopted Guidelines on management planning for Ramsar sites, which comprise three stages: description of the site; definition of short-, medium- and long-term objectives, derived from the description; and execution of measures to attain these objectives. The Guidelines add an important proviso: management planning is a constantly evolving process, since the measures taken will change the description, which will in turn change the objectives, which will once again affect the measures to be taken. The Ramsar Convention has also provided its Contracting Parties with guidelines for encouraging and strengthening the participation of local communities and native populations in the management of wetlands.
38. As mentioned above, the Study for the Safeguard of the Ichkeul National Park drew up an integrated management plan for the Park. However, the mission recommends strongly that this plan should be updated and implemented, with the involvement of all concerned interest groups. The mission considers that the objectives of the plan should take account not only of the flora and fauna of the Park, but also of the human users: fishermen and graziers, visitors and tourists. The plan should look into the possibility of enhancing the value of the Park, for example through instituting payment for entrance, expanding the visitor reception facilities and activities, marking the boundaries of the Park (particularly in the southern sector) and ensuring the return of benefits from the Park to the inhabitants of the region, perhaps by establishing a quality label with the name Ichkeul attached to it (as has been done at Doñana). The Study envisaged that Ichkeul should be set in its regional economic context. Guidance in this field might be found in the "Strategic Plan for the sustainable development of the area around Doñana" drawn up by the Andalucian authorities around the Doñana National Park.
39. Institutional framework. The implementation of an integrated management plan of this kind makes it necessary to set up an appropriate management body, with the necessary powers of decision. At present Ichkeul National Park undergoes a large number of different impacts which may sometimes come into conflict: conservation, fishery, agriculture, dams, tourism.
40. The Park is currently managed by the General Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, but the conservator has neither his own budget, nor a specific administrative structure for the Park. Other departments of the same Ministry of Agriculture have other responsibilities for other matters which have important impacts on the natural environment: the General Department for Hydraulic Studies and Works for dams; the General Department of Rural Engineering for the management of the immediately adjoining agricultural areas (there is no buffer zone); the General Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for fishery management and negotiations with the private fishery licence holder. The Ministry for the Environment and Land Planning plays an important role in co-ordination of the activities of other ministries relating to the environment (and in particular in environmental impact studies), and represents Tunisia at many international events. The ANPE (which comes under the authority of the Ministry of the Environment) is responsible for the management of the Visitor Centre and for collecting data on the natural environment of the Park.
41. There is, thus, in the present management of the Ichkeul National Park, a sharing of powers and responsibilities between different administrations. Sectorial management of this kind is a classic source of management problems in natural environments. It is indeed astonishing that things have gone so well until now, and tribute must be paid to the spirit of co-operation between the various services and persons concerned. But it is clear that the management of a site so important at both national and international levels - and, above all, of a site facing a delicate and difficult restoration programme - requires the establishment of a suitable management structure with the material facilities and human resources necessary. The Interministerial Monitoring Committee which has functioned until now has been a forum for discussion of the problems that arise, but does not have the powers required for the implementation of an integrated management plan.
42. The mission therefore strongly recommends the establishment of an institutional structure, endowed with the means and powers necessary to implement the integrated management plan.
Urgent matters
43. The mission wishes to draw the attention of the Tunisian authorities to a number of very urgent matters, already mentioned in the above paragraphs, which need immediate action. These are:
- restoration of the Joumine marsh (investigation and application of a system for flooding the marsh with run-off waters, even at a low flow);
- siltation of the lake (through a new bathymetric study which, when compared with the one carried out under the Study for the Safeguard of Ichkeul National Park, could identify possible problem zones);
- possibility of releasing water in the immediate future, and forecasting of the results, using the management model.
44. Restoration of the Joumine marsh. As noted in paragraph 19, salt from the Joumine marsh is no longer leeched out by river floods. A canal in the marsh carries run-off waters from agricultural land in the Mateur Plain towards the lake. The soils of the marsh have as a result become harder and saltier, and the flora has become more salt-loving and less attractive for herbivorous birds. This situation could rapidly be remedied, and part of the site's biological diversity could be restored, by reflooding parts of the marsh with water from the drainage canal. It would be enough to carry out a topographical study in the marsh and to divert the water into the appropriate sectors. The mission strongly recommends that this work, which furthermore appears to be relatively low in cost, be carried out.
45. Siltation of the lake. The closing of the Tinja sluice in the summers of 1996, 1998 and 1999 may have had an impact on sedimentation patterns in the lake (see paragraph 28). Sediments, which would formerly have been carried away through the Tinja canal to the Lake of Bizerta and the sea, may have been held back in Ichkeul lake by the sluice. It may be therefore that the depth of the lake is decreasing more rapidly, which might provoke changes in the water regime or flooding. The mission therefore recommends that a bathymetric study, which would not be very expensive, be carried out to resolve this question.
46. Releases of water. Winter 1999/2000 has produced relatively little rainfall. There is a high probability that the salinity and water levels required to trigger the closing of the sluice (19 gms/litre at 1.00 metres NGT) will not be reached, as in 1997. This would lead to another sharp rise in salinity in the course of summer 2000, and the reductions in salinity levels achieved in 1998 and 1999 would be wiped out. The only possible solutions are: either heavy rainfall in the course of March/April 2000, which is highly desirable; or releases of water from the Sejenane or Joumine dams. The mission visited the Sejenane dam and saw that the dam had not this year reached the overflow level which would automatically supply the lake at Ichkeul. The mission realizes that it is difficult to release water from the dam when farmers themselves are short of water, but it requests the Tunisian authorities to consider this possibility, given the urgency of the situation at Ichkeul and the international values concerned.
Recommendations to IUCN and UNESCO
47. Distribution of the present report. The mission requests IUCN and UNESCO to make a copy of the present report available to the Tunisian authorities as soon as possible, so that they are aware of its content.
48. Maintaining Ichkeul on the World Heritage in Danger List. The text of the Convention provides that a site may be removed from the World Heritage List, if the values which originally motivated its inclusion on the List are lost. Recognizing the impact of the dams on these values, the World Heritage Committee included Ichkeul on the World Heritage in Danger List in 1996.
49. Germination tests have been carried out on seeds of Potamogeton collected in the sediments of the zone occupied by beds of this plant before 1996 (western part of the lake). These laboratory tests, carried out under optimal salinity conditions for germination, were successful and proved that the lake still maintains its potential to reconstitute the beds of Potamogeton which have currently been replaced by beds of Ruppia. The same is true for the restoration of rushes over large areas of marsh several years after the disappearance of the plants; they reappear when marshes are flooded during the right period for germination and also in pools of rainwater in little depressions.
50. This being the case, the answer to the question "For how long will the environment remain capable of retaining potential for restoration?" remains an enigma. It is clear that the current restoration process will last for several years. The mission recommends that Ichkeul should remain on the World Heritage in Danger List and on the Ramsar Convention's Montreux Record for some time (probably several years), until the outcome of the restoration programme is known. The Committee could consider the possibility of removing Ichkeul from the World Heritage List if it should prove that the restoration programme has not succeeded. If the programme is successful , the Tunisian authorities should be congratulated.
Annex: Summary of recommendations
(a) Monitoring
1. Maintain the current ANPE programme of monitoring water quality and quantity (paragraph 27).
2. Monitor the development of bathymetry of the lake (paragraph 28).
3. Maintain the current ANPE programme of monitoring the submerged flora, and extend it further by strengthening the team through the appointment of specialized multidisciplinary staff (paragraph 29).
4. Begin a monitoring programme for the flora of the marshes (paragraph 30).
5. Improve the monitoring of bird populations (paragraph 31).
6. Set up an institution with the ability to collect, store, analyse and check the ornithological data, and train the necessary staff (paragraph 31).
7. Monitor the fauna and flora of the mountain (paragraph 32)
(b) Management of the Ichkeul National Park
8. Update and implement the integrated management plan for the Park and its surrounding area, using the Ramsar Guidelines on management planning for wetlands (paragraph 37-38).
9. Establish an institutional structure with the means and powers necessary for the implementation of this management plan (paragraph 39-41).
(c) Urgent matters
10. Restore the Joumine marsh (paragraph 44).
11. Study the siltation of the lake (paragraph 45).
12. Consider water releases from the dams in spring 2000 (paragraph 46).
(d) Administrative measures
13. Make the present report available to the Tunisian authorities (paragraph 47).
14. Maintain Ichkeul on the World Heritage in Danger List and on the Montreux Record until the results of the restoration plan are known (paragraph 48).
15. Consider removing Ichkeul from the World Heritage List if the restoration plan is not successful (paragraph 50).
16. If the restoration plan is successful, remove Ichkeul from the World Heritage in Danger List and from the Montreux Record, and congratulate the Tunisian government on its efforts to conserve Ichkeul, which will have led to the site being maintained as a World Heritage site and as a Wetland of international importance (paragraph 50).
(e) Scientific publication
17. Publish in an international scientific journal a summary of the Study for the Safeguard of Ichkeul National Park (paragraph 35).


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Alibaba's IPO breaks the world record
The total value of Alibaba shares sold as part of the IPO reached $25 billion after underwriters exercised their options, making it the largest ...
Alibaba's IPO breaks the world record
The total value of Alibaba shares sold as part of the IPO reached $25 billion after underwriters exercised their options, making it the largest ...
E-retailer Wayfair values itself at over $2 billion
The home furnishings retailer set the value as it filed additional paperwork for its planned initial public offering of stock. The company aims to ...
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A giant billboard shows just how mainstream m-commerce has become.
The City of Chicago yesterday started a month-long construction project on the legendary Lake Shore Drive. That's just not a smart move, but that's another story. Anyway. I was taking an alternate route when to my great surprise I spied a giant billboard before me (see picture at right; don't worry, I was not driving). It read: "Fashion Wherever You Are. eBay." And there was a huge smartphone with fashion on display.
When eBay Inc. is advertising its Fashion App on Ashland Avenue in Chicago, you know mobile commerce has gone mainstream. There are no instructions on what to do or where to go. It is presumed the savvy consumer will know to go to their app store, search eBay fashion, download the app, and begin shopping anywhere, anytime. People are shopping via mobile, which is why a company like eBay is reaching out to the common man through such a traditional medium as a billboard.
Here are some mobile commerce fun facts from eBay:
Mobile commerce has come into its own. Half of all mobile phones in use today are smartphones, according to The Nielsen Co. And when people buy smartphones, they begin shifting desktop web activity to their powerful new mobile devices. And that's going to make for a very interesting holiday season in mobile commerce. Get ready.
A mobile marketing expert offers five tips to retailers on how to approach new marketing ...
Posted 09/16/14
While some retailers benefit from apps, many retailers may find building a responsive design site ...
Posted 09/08/14
Consumers with a new Huawei smartphone equipped with a fingerprint reader will be able to ...
Posted 09/02/14
Retailers need to know how smartphone users shop to take these shoppers from "I want ...
Posted 08/28/14
If there's something you've bought offline that you weren't able to buy online, we're probably thinking about that."


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SHREVEPORT — The Lakeside Warriors and head coach, Joey Pesses, hit the road on Friday to take part in the Calvary Baptist Jamboree in Shreveport.
The Warriors entered the jamboree riding some momentum from a strong showing in their scrimmage with Logansport, looking to continue their strong play. And the Warriors did just that, tying Jonesboro-Hodge 20-20.


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Nebraska has dropped out of The Associated Press college football poll after its latest humbling loss, and the top of the rankings was unchanged after No. 1 Alabama passed its first big test of the season.
The Cornhuskers, No. 23 last week, are unranked the day after UCLA won in Lincoln, Neb., 41-21. The Bruins scored the final 38 points. Since Nebraska's record streak of 348 consecutive poll appearances ended in September 2002, there have been only two seasons (2010, '11) in which the Huskers have been ranked every week, starting in the preseason.
The Tide received all but 1 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel after beating Texas A&M 49-42. The Aggies are 10th. The rest of the top five is Oregon, Clemson, Ohio State and Stanford.
South Carolina rose from 13 to 12 in the AP poll after defeating Vanderbilt 35-25 at home on Saturday. They also rose in the USA Today poll from 14 to 13.
Clemson held steady in both polls (3 and 4 respectively) during their off weekend. They travel to Raleigh to face North Carolina State Thursday night.
Copyright 2013 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 12-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy were stabbed multiple times in the attack.


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Blaine rallies to trample Squalicum
Published on Wed, Sep 14, 2011 by
Jerry Huls
Read More
Domo arigato, Mario Gobbato. That was the collective sentiment of the fans and his teammates after the junior tailback helped to shake off the doldrums of a horrific first quarter, as Blaine came from behind for a 41-23 Northwest conference (NWC) victory over Squalicum in the Borderites' home opener Friday, September 9.
It was the Storm defense that found itself caught in a maelstrom in the second half.
Gobbato, following a second consecutive crushing performance by the Blaine offensive line, rushed for 300 yards on 26 carries and a staggering six touchdowns.
"It's a credit to our offensive line," Blaine head football coach Jay Dodd said to his charges immediately after the game.
Gobbato rushed for 251 yards in the second half as the bigger, more physical Borderite line, led by Jessie Antzak imposed its will on Squalicum, wearing down the Storm defenders, caving edges and turning short carries by Gobbato into long forays into the secondary.
Midway through the first quarter it looked that there might be a completely opposite result.
Squalicum took the opening kick-off and engineered a nine-play, 80-yard drive capped by a Clark Hazlett 50 yard touchdown pass to tight end Lucas Potes for a 7-0 lead.
On the Borderites' first drive, Tyler Chau fumbled, and Hazlett made them pay with an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Landon Tripp. Hazlett started the game 4-of-5 for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Blaine went three and out on its next possession, however, punter Eddie Martinez lost the snap in a blinding low sunset, and Squalicum again had the ball deep in Blaine territory with a chance to bury the Borderites.
The pivotal play of the game was Chau's opportunity for redemption, however, when he picked off a Hazlett pass at the 3-yard line. The turnover seemed to take the wind out the Storm.
The Borderites rallied and engineered a drive later in the quarter with Gobbato getting his first score from a yard out. He saved his showcase run for the second half.
On the third play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Gobbato took a play between tackles and seemed to be spun down after an 8-yard gain, but had caught himself with his hand. The Storm defense seemed to let up though no whistle had blown, so Gobbato zipped away, eluding the secondary and breaking three more tackles on his way to a 55-yard touchdown jaunt. The score was a backbreaker for Squalicum, whose defense seemed impotent from that point on. On his very next carry, after a Storm turnover, Gobbato scored from 26 yards out.
While the offense continued its success from the week before, the defense rebounded from a lackluster game against Hazen. The Borderites intercepted Hazlett four times, two by Chau, had five tackles for loss, including two sacks, and, up until a 56-yard touchdown in mop-up time against the reserves, held the Squalicum run game to under two yards a carry.
While the victory allows Borderite nation to heave a collective sigh, there are still flies in the ointment for Blaine before they face Lynden on Friday night. Blaine still had three fumbles, losing two. Starting quarterback Parker Wallace was only 1 for 6 in the game and had three balls dropped. Wallace also suffered a sprained knee. How soon he can return remains to be seen. If he can't go, Dodd will be turning to athletic but inexperienced Nathan Kramme, who guided the Borderites' through the rest of the game.
The victory raised Blaine's record to 1-1 (1-0 in the NWC and 1-0 in 2A).
Lynden, 45-7 victors of Bellingham, visits Blaine Friday, September 16 at 7 p.m.


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FCC to Rebuild Its Site in Drupal
Federal Communications Commission follows The White House's lead.
The Federal Communications Commission plans to update its website, fcc.gov, using the open source CMS Drupal. The FCC joins WhiteHouse.gov, and Commerce.gov, and Ed.gov as another government agency making the switch to the open source CMS.
"This decision is a significant step towards modernizing our own underlying online infrastructure -- a key stage in redesigning and rebuilding FCC.gov," FCC managing director Steven VanRoekel said.
The new FCC.gov is expected to launch before years end.
Issue 168/2014
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Tool Predicts Which Websites Will be Compromised
Carnegie Mellon researchers say 3 million pages could fall down the phishing hole in the next year.
SSH Key Management Guidelines
The US government rolls new best-practice rules for protecting SSH.
Knoppix 7.4 Released
Klaus Knopper announces the latest version of his iconic Live Linux system.
PHP Attack Puts WordPress and Drupal at Risk
All websites that use these popular CMS tools could be vulnerable to denial of service attacks if users don't install the updates.
Heartbleed Bleeds On
According to a report, many potential victims of the Heartbleed attack have patched their systems, but few have cleaned up the crime scene to protect themselves from the effects of a previous intrusion.
Drone Brain Goes Open Source
DARPA and NICTA release the code for the ultra-secure microkernel system used in aerial drones.
Password Management Services Vulnerable to Attack
Should you trust an online service to store your online passwords?
New Raspberry Pi Adds Two USB Ports
New B+ board lets you build cool things without the complication of a powered USB hub.


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NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) – It appears as though North Carolina voters are split in their support of President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney as we enter the last stretch for the 2012 presidential elections, according to the latest Elon University Poll.
Poll results show both candidates claim 45 percent of the vote, while 5 percent remain undecided.
According to a press release from the university, the most recent telephone poll of 1,238 likely voters was conducted last week and has a margin of error of 2.79 percentage points.
Of those polled, respondents said Obama was better able to handle national security, health care, foreign relations and immigration while Romney outperformed the President in the area of the economy.
According to Elon University, Obama is polling much stronger with those who voted early. But, of those who have not voted yet, the challenger holds and advantage.
"The economy is the most prominent issue of the election and is an important reason why Mitt Romney is in a tight race with the incumbent president," said Kenneth Fernandez, director of the Elon University Poll in a press release. "But respondents also seem to have a growing optimism about the economy. More people believe the economy will improve over the next year, and those optimists are more likely to vote for Barack Obama."
Overall, the poll showed young voters in North Carolina tend to favor Obama, while older voters show more support for Romney.
In a conference call, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said these results go along with their research as well.
"The race is tied," Jim Messina said Monday morning. "We believe on the ground we can win it."
Here are the totaled responses to some of the questions asked.
ON THE ISSUESNorth Carolina likely voters cited Obama as best able to handle many different issues - most pronounced were foreign relations and health care - with the exception of the economy, which Romney was seen as better able to address.The candidate best able to handle each issue:Economy: Romney (52 percent) versus Obama (42 percent)Relations with Other Countries: Obama (52 percent) versus Romney (42 percent)Health Care: Obama (50 percent) versus Romney (43 percent)Immigration: Obama (47 percent) versus Romney (45 percent)National Security: Obama (47 percent) versus Romney (46 percent)CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICSObama narrowly edged out Romney among North Carolina likely voters when asked which candidate best shares their values and which candidate has the clearer path for addressing the nation's problems.Which candidate shares your values more closely?Obama: 47 percentRomney: 45 percentWhich candidate is more honest and trustworthy?Obama: 46 percentRomney: 38 percentWhich candidate has the clearer plan for addressing the country's problems?Obama: 45 percentRomney: 41 percentWhich candidate would be more likely to raise taxes on the middle class?Romney: 49 percentObama: 37 percent
Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.


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20 North Main St
(also enter on 224
Benefit Street)
Providence, RI 02903
Open today10am–5pm
Explore exhibitions. Search and browse the collection
Plan your museum experience. Tours, admission, directions
Talks, discussions, workshops, resources, and research
Be a part of the museum. Join, give, participate
The how and why of art and design
Aert de Gelder, Portrait of an Old Man, ca. 1680-1685, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edward M. Harris
Aert de Gelder, Esther and Mordecai, ca. 1685, Museum Appropriation Fund


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Hi everyone!
Kim asked if I'd host this week for Wednesday Stamp Club! This week, I've prepared a little video for you too which you can find HERE. The challenge, is to use your MFT Stamps to create a piece of altered art/home decor. I just love filling my house with little bits here and there. Its so much more fun (and less expensive) than buying something ready made from the store. And besides, you get to show your stamps some love!
Here's my sample using MFT's Bling Bet and the MFT Perfect Plaid Ribbon.
This week's chatter thread has been set up, I'd love to chat with you, so please come on by! You can meet us here:
To enter this week's challenge – you'll need to create your own piece of altered art and upload it to your blog, or your online gallery if you don't have one. Add the URL of your piece to the Mr Linky below. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, February 2nd at Midnight EST.
How could I forget to add the winner of last week's texture challenge…. drum roll please…. congratulations to Chris! I just LOVE the ruffled treatment around her card, and that cuttlebug moon. So very sweet!
See you on the forum!!


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Excitement and anxiety mount a day before Scotland votes on independence
NFL Players Association appeals Ray Rice's indefinite suspension
Laying it on thick with Newman and the New Pornographers rock band
Column: Without Scottish athletes, Great Britain won't live up to that name
PETERBOROUGH -- Sporting an animated purple onion costume, Cheryl Ellis...
(FRASERVILLE) The display boards at the Orange Lodge showed five options, but the biggest and most detailed ones laid out plans for the recommended one -- a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 28 and County Road 21 (Wallace Point Road).
Several area residents dropped in Thursday night to learn about the logistics of the intersection if the stop signs are removed and circular lanes installed around a centre island. The preliminary designs about have Hwy. 28 traffic slow from the speed limit of 80 km/h down to 30 to 40 km/h as the road curves to alert drivers to the roundabout ahead. The goal is to keep traffic from all four directions moving, rather than having the delays by County Road 21 drivers as they wait to cross the busy road.
Here are some of the answers provided to the most-asked questions:
• There are expected to be fewer collisions and less serious injuries or damage since vehicles wouldn't hit at 90-degree angles, as they do at the current intersection. Instead, cars would sideswipe others.
• Pedestrian and cyclist crossings would be added at four points -- two on Hwy. 28 and two on County Road 21
• Signs will be added 80 metres before the intersection to alert drivers to the change ahead.
• There will also be a public education campaign via various media so drivers are aware of the roundabout and how to use it.
• The roundabout would cost $580,000 to build, including changes to the roads leading up to it. Curbs would be installed as well.
• The County of Peterborough owns the land around the intersection so it can build at any time. T
• The construction period about be two to three months, with lane reductions, but the highway would remain open to traffic during that time.
• With less braking and accelerating at the stop signs, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions would be lower.
• The centre island would likely be planted with trees consistent with the natural area. Stones and directional signs would also be part of the design.
• Extra street lights would be added to improve visibility and awareness.
From here, members of the public can submit comments to the County until Dec. 6.
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Today marks the first day of Kwanzaa. The African American and Pan-African holiday, which continues through Jan. 1, has its roots in the ashes of a riot.
Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of black studies at Cal State Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. Following the 1965 Watts riots, Karenga was searching for a way to bring African Americans together as a community, according to history.com.
The professor researched African "first fruit" harvest festivals. He combined aspects of several different cultures, including the Zulu and Ashanti, to form Kwanzaa.
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase that means "first fruits."
Families celebrate Kwanzaa in different ways, but most involve songs, dances, drums and storytelling.
On each of the seven nights, a child lights a candle and one of the seven Kwanzaa principles slated for that evening is discussed.
Those principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.


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(WMC-TV) – A 17-year-old is recovering after being shot in the neck outside the North Frayser Community Center Tuesday night. He was there Tuesday to attend a "stop the violence" meeting sponsored by a Memphis city initiative.
Memphis police say the community center was full of young people from Raleigh and Frayser, ranging in age from 13 to 24.
According to investigators, the 17-year-old victim from Raleigh stepped outside to use the phone, and was hit in the neck by a stray bullet that ricocheted off the building.
Some are speculating gangs were behind the shooting. Officers have not confirmed that but they are investigating every angle.
"I would have told them 'Don't bring the Bloods from Raleigh to the building.' But they didn't even ask," said youth minister Joe Hunter.
Joe Hunter is the founder of a group called Gang Inc. at the North Frayser Community Center. It is an organization designed to stop gang violence. He says the 901 Block Squad did not notify him about the meeting that had three youths from Raleigh and the rest from Frayser.
Delvin Lane, who leads the 901 Block Squad, says he does not think the shooting had anything to do with gangs.
"I don't think it was an attack on him from kids over here," he said.
Whatever the reason for the shooting, the young people who like to come to the center are thinking twice.
"It makes it not safe to come around," Trell Bell said. "Folks got to start coming in their house early 'cause night time it be too unsafe."
Memphis police are investigating. The victim was taken to the MED, and police say he has been upgraded to non-critical condition.
Copyright 2013 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.
According to Joe Hunter, a pastor who works to stop gang violence, told Action News 5 on the scene there was a gang prevention activity being held at the community center at the time of the shooting.
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Via alwaysmarilynmonroe.tumblr.com- On the right is modern Plus Size beauty queen Chloe Marshall, who is an actual size 16 (UK) and on the left is Marilyn in a costume test for Something's Got To Give in 1962, four months before she died. As you can clearly see Marilyn was never a size 16 and at her highest weight was 140 pounds (10 stone) compared to Chloe who weighs 175 pounds (12.5 stone) Before I get many hate messages telling me what is wrong with using Marilyn to make a person feel better, I will say once more that I am focusing on the facts that for the majority of her life Marilyn weighed 115-121 pounds and died at 117 pounds (8.2 stone) her small weight gain was due to her two miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy. Therefore the picture so often used to criticise modern day celebrities is inaccurate as she was pregnant. The irony being that Marilyn was at the low end of her BMI and her measurements (35-22-35 are smaller or the same size then many celebrities today (Dianna Agron;36-25-35 Lea Michele; 34-25-35 Holly Madison; 36-23-36 and Kourtney Kardashian; 34-24-35) I have no problem with any size, (before people start saying that) I am simply stating that I have a problem with people claiming Marilyn was bigger than she was and using her against anti-skinny propaganda when it is inaccurate and creates more myths. It is a fact that if Marilyn was alive today she would wear size 6-8 (UK) clothing, with her waist being too small. I think many people assume that because Marilyn's waist was so small that she must of been a bigger size, when this is false. Compared to Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian who have average size waists (26) but have larger hips (45 and 40) which makes them look more curvy. There is nothing wrong with being a size 16 or any size for that matter, I am just focusing on the facts about Marilyn. If people want to believe Marilyn was a bigger woman then that is fine, but I am simply trying to put the true facts out there. :) (Taken with instagram)
See… Marilyn was NOT a modern 16. She was (exactly) my size. So there.
Let's start again
Ok so i thought I'd better start again with this because i never really used it properly. So hello world, and welcome to my random blog of all things I like, love and loathe.
This is AMAZING!
(Source: crookedsunshine, via girl-heathen-13-deactivated2013)
OMG hamster dressed as frog. Stupid and cute!
(Source: animalsdressedasotheranimals)
#TIE88 #ThisIsEngland
CHINA Tiger Labrador
via @lexrecords
Dogs painted as tigers and pandas. I can't figure out if this is cute or just cruel!
[Enter Breaking Bad Reference Here] of the Day: Irina Kristy, a 74-year-old Suffolk University adjunct math professor, will be arraigned later this month on charges of conspiring to cook and distribute methamphetamine.
Her son, 29-year-old Grigory Genkin, pled not guilty to the same charges last month.
The duplex of the Somerville, MA resident, who considers Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov a friend, had been under police surveillance since August of last year. Authorities finally raided the home on November 7th, finding several hazardous materials associated with the production of meth.
"Due to the amount of materials and contraband located and seized…It is believed that… Kristy was complicit in the methamphetamine operation," said Somerville Det. Michael Brown in his report.
Kristy is due to appear in court December 21st; Genkin is also due back later this month.
In addition to her position at Suffolk University, Kristy, who emigrated to the US from the Soviet Union in 1985, is also a lecturer at Boston University.
According to her reviews on RateMyProfessors.com, she was considered something of a scatterbrain, with one former student warning fellow BU undergrads to "NEVER take her unless you absolutely have to," adding, "she's a nice lady but gets flustered easily."
(Source: thedailywhat, via reeo)


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What Had You Glued to Your TV — Olympics or World Cup?
Look Like an Olympian
Shaun White Heats Things Up in Rolling Stone
Tech Spotting at the 2010 Winter Games Closing Ceremony
Did You Watch the Winter Games?
Olympic Casting: Who Could Play the Athletes
Get the Dirt on Olympic Champion Bode Miller
Picture It: The Taste of Victory
5 Fun and Functional Upcycled Accessories
Olympic Casting: Who Could Play the Athletes
Should Athletes Medal Even If They Fall?
Name That Dish!


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Mountain Horseback Riding Tour from Santiago
Go off the beaten track on a horseback-riding tour through the mountains of the Santiago area. With an expert guide, you'll follow local 'arrieros' (cowboys) across streams and along scenic terrain. Beginners rest assured: these small but sturdy Criollo horses -- known for their stamina -- will put anyone at ease.


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Grain Hedge is a self-directed discount brokerage that saves farmers money when trading in the futures and options market. For $7 commissions per side producers can execute their marketing strategy with authority, any time the markets trade.
For most of the month, three items were the main drivers of price direction and they were: South American weather, the dollar index, and the USDA reports of the 12th.
Persistently dry and hot weather in January has plagued the growing areas of Northern Argentina and Southern Brazil. The governments and private forecasters of these countries have reduced anticipated production several times over the course of this month. These reductions have given way to tentative plans to add an export levy on corn and wheat for Argentina. These factors have been the key bullish fundamental force driving our grain markets higher domestically. Another factor lending some support is a slightly weaker dollar index.
Debt crisis concerns have once again come to the forefront in the Euro zone. The dollar index has been fairly volatile in a relative tight range. Early in the month, the dollar index hit multi-month highs sending the grain markets lower. The Euro currency comprises the largest portion of the dollar index and when the Euro was weakening it caused the dollar index to rally. To counteract a strengthening dollar, which causes our exports to be more expensive on the world market, the trade had to send prices lower. Towards the end of January, we are seeing the inverse situation occur. The last piece of the trade puzzle for the month was the surprising USDA reports of January 12th.
On the day of the USDA reports, we saw double-digit losses across corn, soybeans, and wheat, with corn being the leader to the downside hitting the daily limit of 40 cents. If we could take this day out of the month corn would have been positive to start the year. We cannot, however, erase that day from the books. We can learn and prepare ourselves for the next big report which comes on March 30th, the Prospective Plantings report.
By the numbers, corn was down 19 ½ cents for the month. Soybeans were down 28 ½ cents and Chicago wheat actually ended the month higher by 9 cents. As far as volatility is concerned, corn was less volatile (as measured by standard deviation from the mean) than the average of the previous 3 years as was Chicago wheat. Soybean prices were more volatile in nature than the previous 3 years average. What can we learn from this month's trade activity? Be prepared for the unexpected moves to the downside. Those moves will cost producers and traders the most on their bottom lines.
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Victoria Law
Victoria Law is a writer, photographer and mother. She is the author of "Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women" (PM Press 2009), the editor of the zine Tenacious: Art and Writings from Women in Prison and a co-founder of Books Through Bars - NYC. She is currently working on transforming "Don't Leave Your Friends Behind," a zine series on how radical movements can support the families in their midst, into a book.
Other articles by this author
What Awaits Chelsea Manning as She Begins Her Sentence as the Military's First Openly Trans Woman?By Victoria Law, Truthout | News Analysis
Gang Instigation Alleged in California Prison Hunger Strike; Force-Feeding PossibleBy Victoria Law, Truthout | Report
Pelican Bay Two Years Later: Those Still Buried Alive Vowing Hunger Strike "Till the End"By Victoria Law, Truthout | Report
New Law Gives Parents Behind Bars in Washington State a Way to Hold Onto Their ChildrenBy Victoria Law, Truthout | News Analysis
"Going Extinct Is Genocide": Lakota Elders Tour to Raise Awareness About StruggleBy Victoria Law, Truthout | Op-Ed


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Keyhole bodice gathers into one-shoulder with bow accent. Gathered waistband accents asymmetrically shirred skirt and sweep train. **(available without train in all Bridesmaid colors as style #363).
Keywords: Chiffon, One Shoulder, A-Line, Wedding Dress, Destination Bridal Gown
Fabric: Chiffon
Available sizes: 0-28
Shown in: Ivory
Available colors: White, IvoryJacket and Sleeve Options


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Another story to add to the masses.
I work at a Michael's Arts and Crafts store in Florida. While working my area of the store (Paint, Drawing and Wood Crafts) one day this past week, I had this couple approach me and ask if we carried "transfer paper". Not knowing what kind of transfer paper they were looking for, I inquired further, asking what kind of project they were working on.
The woman spoke up and asked, "We're looking for transfer paper, you know- the paper tattoo artists use to put stencils on you." She smiled and I just kind of looked at her and her boyfriend. And then she continued, "My boyfriend does all of our tattoos and we need transfer paper for a new piece I want." I looked at her arms and noticed this small, swollen, shiny spot on her wrist, and what looked like an infinity symbol. I told her we didn't carry anything like that, just carbon paper, but that wasn't the same as thermal transfer paper.
I pointed at her wrist and asked if it her "infinity symbol" was new and she held up her arm and said, "Yeah, he just did it about 30 minutes ago, he's got one too." The guy held up his arm next to hers. I wish I could have taken pictures of the atrocity that was that tattoo, along with the melting baby-blurry-dragon on her upper arm.
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the show sounds wonderful!
Casting for Sleeping Beauty
Started by Old Fashioned , Sep 18 2003 03:19 PM
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Managers' Bad Accounting Behaviors of Listed Companies in China
Managers' unintentional or intentional bad accounting behaviors will result in poor quality of accounting information of listed companies, making a great extent to interfere with investors, causing confusion in the capital market, is not conducive to reflect the performance management responsibility. Research on Managers bad accounting behaviors of listed companies is of great significance to improve management, optimize the allocation of social resources. This paper respectively discusses the manifestation and the causes both of managers' unintentional and intentional bad accounting behaviors. It also puts forward recommendations to prevent managers' bad accounting behaviors of listed companies in China, so as to safeguard the interests of stakeholders and provide good environment for capital market by improving the efficiency and accounting information quality of listed companies.
Key words: Bad accounting behaviors; Managers; Listed companies; The quality of accounting information
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968%2Fj.ibm.1923842820110301.103
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Sha'Teria Johnson, of Highland Springs, recently was named to the honor's list for the spring 2012 semester at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. To be eligible for the honor's list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. The following students were named to the dean's list at MBC: Amanda Harrison, Yvonne Knight and Charnelle Smith, of Richmond; and Siobhan Beza, of Glen Allen. To be eligible for the dean's list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74.
The following students have been accepted by Hampden-Sydney College and will begin classes in August: Ahmad Rashad Rudd, of Henrico; Conrad Wesley Broadus, Jr., Tucker Valentine Brown, William Robert Hopkins, Samuel George Johnson, and Edward West Valentine, Jr., of Richmond; and Parker Harrison Campbell, Thomas Meredith Cole, III, Alexander Scott DeWees, Shane Thomas Duffy, John Donald Lloyd, Timothy Ryan Millican, Nicholas Christian Palmer, Jacob Bernard Pope, III, and Eric Douglas Shaver, of Glen Allen.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed local residents to several boards and commissions: Advisory Board on Radiological Technology – Karsten F. Konerding, of Henrico, radiologist with Commonwealth Radiology, PC; Board of Optometry – Joseph E. Droter, O.D., of Richmond, optometrist; and State Rehabilitation Advisory Council – John M. Eisenberg, of Richmond, assistant superintendent of special education and student services.
Mary Cannella, of Glen Allen, recently graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, Ill.
The following students recently graduated from Mary Baldwin College: Jazzmin Booker, of Henrico; Paula Gatti, of Sandston; Sha'Teria Johnson, of Highland Springs; and Noran Knight, Yvonne Knight, Kelly Martin and Jacquelyn Slockbower, of Richmond.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) International has selected Kathy Harkey as CIT Advocate of the Year and Chief Douglas A. Middleton as CIT Police Chief of the Year. Harkey became a certified trainer for CIT and has served as a family member trainer during the 40 hour training since the CIT inception in Henrico. She currently serves as program director for NAMI Central Virginia. Middleton plans to CIT train 100% of Henrico County police officers and the Henrico County Academy recruits. He is also committed to partnering with fire, mental health and the Sheriff's Department to ensure that all first responders are CIT trained.
Board leadership for Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. (GRP) has changed effective July 1: G. Slaughter Fitz-Hugh, III, president of CapTech Ventures, Inc., has been elected vice chair. The following private sector members will continue their service on the Partnership board: Katherine Busser, senior vice president of Capital One; Robert P. DeLille, CEO at Creative; and T. Justin (Jay) Moore, partner at Hunton & Williams, LLP. The following private sector members will serve as board alternates: Ned W. Massee, vice president of corporate affairs at MeadWestvaco Corporation; Doug Roth, senior vice president and area executive at BB&T; Tracy Kemp Stallings, COO at HCA CJW Medical Center; and Kim Scheeler, president of Greater Richmond Chamber. Patricia S. O'Bannon, member of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, will continue as a public sector board member. Virgil Hazelett, Henrico county manager, will continue to serve as a public sector board alternate. William C. Broaddus, partner at McGuireWoods, LLP, will continue to serve as General Counsel for the Partnership. Two Partnership officers, Gregory H. Wingfield, president and CEO, and Valerie Derricott, corporate secretary, were re-elected to their positions.
Glen Allen student to perform at Carnegie Hall
Thanks to a first-place win in The American Protege International Vocal Competition 2014, Glen Allen High School student Matija Tomas will travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall in December.
At the first-place winners recital in Weill Hall, Matija will perform Giacomo Puccini's opera aria, "Chi il bel sogna di doretta." She will perform with other vocalists from around the world and have the opportunity to win other awards and scholarships.
Locally, Thomas has performed with Richmond's renowned Glorious Christmas Nights, Christian Youth Theatre, and WEAG's Urban Gospel Youth Choir. > Read more.
Gayton Baptist Church dedicates new outreach center
The John Rolfe YMCA and Gayton Baptist Church have partnered in an effort to bring greater health and wellness opportunities to the community.
Through this partnership, the John Rolfe Y will run Youth Winter Sports programs, including basketball and indoor soccer, in Gayton's newly renovated $5.5 million outreach center that features a new gymnasium, youth and teen space, social space with café, meeting space and full service commercial kitchen. > Read more.
Henricus Historical Park to host Publick Day Sept. 20
Citizen Staff Reports 09/15/2014
Henricus Historical Park will commemorate its anniversary during Publick Day, a signature annual event that celebrates the establishment of the second successful English settlement in the New World. In September 1611, Sir Thomas Dale, along with soldiers, tradesmen and farmers, ventured from Jamestown to create the Citie of Henricus. Leaders of Henricus developed the first English hospital, chartered the first college in North America, established tobacco as the first cash crop in Virginia, and created a place where Pocahontas lived and met John Rolfe.
Publick Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. > Read more.
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Extras sought for AMC's 'TURN'
Paid extras are being sought to appear in the AMC television series TURN: Washington's Spies, which will begin filming its second season in the Richmond area at the end of September and continue through February.
No experience is required, but producers say that extras must have flexible availability, reliable transportation and a positive attitude.
Arvold Casting is holding an open call on Sunday, Sept. 21 and is seeking men, women and children who are Caucasian, African American and Native American, with thin to average builds and who can realistically portray people living in Revolutionary War times. Long hair is a plus but not a must. > Read more.
Weekend Top 10
TGIF! Celebrate the weekend at Oak Hall Baptist Church's Community Block Party on Saturday. Learn more about ballroom dancing, art and Colonial times. Or take the kids to Generation Z Games for water play or Southern Season to cook up a Disney-theme meal. For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.
Weekend Top 10
Check out these three B's in Henrico this weekend: books, bluegrass and "Born Yesterday." Other activities to participate in – and feel good about – are the 15th annual James River Regional Cleanup and the 5th annual Richmond Out of the Darkness Community Walk. For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.
Glen Allen Day scheduled for Saturday
Business in brief
NBC News' Sara James to speak at Tucker HS convocation
Highland Springs HS wins Keep Virginia Beautiful grant
Henrico Police investigating suspicious death
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Print Edition
Sep. 18, 2014Click here to read the print edition.
Extras sought for AMC's 'TURN'
Weekend Top 10
Weekend Top 10
When the cliche stands tall
Weekend Top 10
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Obituary – Susie Ann Walker
Obituary – Philip "Al" Cebulski
Obituary – Cecelia Davis Stevens
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Glen Allen student to perform at Carnegie Hall
Gayton Baptist Church dedicates new outreach center
Henricus Historical Park to host Publick Day Sept. 20
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The Citizen at 13
Peeling off the labels
A messy food fight
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Hermitage to host Monday night football events
Down to the wire
Babe Ruth 13U World Series arrives in Glen Allen
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CalendarVCU Medical Center will present the seminar "Sleep from Argh! To Zzzz…" at 5:30 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. Learn about the biology of sleep and… Full text


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The Cheney in waitingJuly 19,2013Dick Cheneys daughter wants to be a senator! To give Wyoming a conservative voice! Well, its about time somebody thought of that.
Over the last several years, citizens across our great state have urged me to consider running for the Senate, Liz Cheney said, announcing her candidacy via YouTube. This is now the way to do everything in politics. Soon we will be breathlessly reporting that the new president just posted his inaugural address video.
But a couple of problems with that statement. One is that Cheney only moved to Wyoming last fall, so people were apparently begging her to represent them while she was there on vacation.
Lately, weve had a lot of politicians explain that theyre running for office because folks kept coming up and begging them to go for it. Generally, these are people whose plans are deeply unwelcome by the other members of their party. But nobody ever says, I have decided to heed the clarion call of my insatiable need for attention. Instead, they blame it on random pedestrians.
Everybody knows that no sane politician will actually decide to embark on a major campaign because the man on the street decreed it must be so. Particularly if you are in a place like Wyoming where there actually arent all that many streets and the people you are running into are attending your fundraisers.
I thought we were friends, the blindsided incumbent, Mike Enzi, said of his new opponent. If he wins, he should definitely send her that statement embroidered on a pillow.
The Senate races arent till 2014, but things are already heating up. True, theyre a little warmer in some places than others. For instance, if youre a Democrat who thinks it would be fun to run for office, theres still that opening in West Virginia. Really. Just move there and post an announcement on YouTube.
Well get a preview this October when New Jersey voters elect a successor to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Right now, the money is on Mayor Cory Booker of Newark. If you do not know who Cory Booker is, send him a note and he will come to your house and introduce himself. Or find your lost car keys. Or clean your furnace. Really, just give him a list.
You may be wondering why New Jersey is having a Senate election just a few weeks before everybody there goes to vote for governor. Because Nov. 5 is Chris Christies day, thats why. Keep away from it.
But about Wyoming. Nobody expects the Republicans to lose Enzis seat, but there is currently nothing that makes the Democrats happier than seeing the opposition torn apart by a primary featuring scary right-wing candidates. Particularly scary right-wing candidates with famous names that will remind the nation of how we came to have a war in Iraq.
Plus, the opinion of Wyoming residents is extremely important. When it comes to Senate seats, in fact, each Wyoming registered voter is approximately 70 times more important than a registered voter in California. Obviously, theyre exceptionally smart. Otherwise the Founding Fathers would never have let that happen.
So what do you think Wyoming wants? Somebody younger? Cheney is 46, and apparently planning on suggesting in the most discreet way possible that Enzi is toast at 69. Since the average age of the current Senate is around 62, however, he is barely brown around the edges.
Somebody further to the right? Enzi was ranked the eighth most conservative human being in the Senate in the last National Journal survey. No. 1 was James Risch of Idaho. Would Elect a Woman Whos More Extreme Than the Idaho Guy be a compelling campaign slogan?
Do you think Wyoming wants somebody who will be more impossible for the other senators to work with? Enzi is a low-key, well-liked kind of legislator, and Liz Cheney is definitely sending a message that shes not going to do that. I will never compromise when our freedom is at stake, Cheney said stoutly. Freedom is, of course, at stake every single minute of the day.
Do you think Wyoming wants a fresh face? Cheney is extremely fresh, having lived in the Virginia suburbs until recently. In her YouTube announcement, she basically argued that her genes were from Wyoming, where her grandmother was the first female deputy sheriff of Natrona County. She frequently points out that her great-grandmother was a settler who walked across the state in her bare feet. If we could get a re-enactment of that, it could make this a campaign for the ages.
Meanwhile, her supportive father has agreed to take part in Wyomings annual antelope hunt competition with Colorado. Exciting things happen when Dick Cheney goes off to shoot wild critters.
Gail Collins is a columnist for The New York Times.MORE IN CommentaryTo judge by his Twitter feed, Don Willett seems like an all-around solid guy: native Texan, proud... Full StoryMy mother used to leave the front door unlocked. Full StoryThe New York Times said the following in an editorial: Full Story
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