text:
Platanista gangetica ssp. gangetica
|Scope: Global
Language: English
|Scientific Name:
|Platanista gangetica ssp. gangetica (Roxburgh, 1801)
|Parent Species:
Common Name(s):
Platanista gangetica (Roxburgh, 1801)
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Endangered A2abcde+3bcde+4abcde ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
Needs updating
|Smith, B.D., Braulik, G.T. & Sinha, R.
|Reeves, R. & Taylor, B.L.
Determining the status of this subspecies is especially problematical because of the lack of rigorous quantitative data (current or historical) on numbers, mortality, extent of occurrence, and area of occupancy. However, the diversity and scale of threats – recent, ongoing, and projected – are such that precautionary reasoning is even more appropriate than is usually the case.
Criterion A. Only very limited data are available on the life history of Platanista sp. (reviewed by Brownell 1984). Age at first reproduction is probably between 6–10 years and maximum longevity may be close to 30. Therefore, generation time is probably well over 10 but possibly less than 20 years, which would mean that three generations equals at least 30 years (i.e., from 1974 counting backwards or until 2034 counting forwards) but less than 60 (i.e., from 1944 counting backwards or until 2064 counting forwards).
Subcriterion A1 does not apply because even if the decline has been greater than 70%, the causes are not clearly reversible, understood, or ceased, all of which would have to be true.
Subcriterion A2 can be applied because a population size reduction of more than 50% since some time between 1944–74 is plausible (note that most of the dam and barrage construction has occurred since the late 1950s), and it is certainly true that the reduction and its causes have not ceased (more barrages are planned and under construction — e.g., Kanpur Barrage on the Ganges mainstem; mortality from hunting and net entanglement continue unabated despite protection laws), are not fully understood, and may not be reversible. The basis could rest on any or all of (a) to (e) under A1.
Subcriterion A3 and subcriterion A4 can also be applied because a population size reduction of more than 50% could plausibly be projected over the next 30–60 years, or inferred, projected, or suspected over a period of 30–60 years including both the past and the future, with the causes uncertain, continuing, and possibly irreversible, again in either instance based on any or all of (a) to (e). Evidence for subcriterion A4c is probably the strongest since a precautionary interpretation of life history data indicates a period of 60 years for three generations, which encompasses the dramatic effects of the Farakka Barrage completed in 1974 (see above), as well as at least 19 other barrages and 17 high dams constructed in the GBM system since 1956, and the projected declines in the area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, and/or quality of habitat that will undoubtedly occur if the Ganges-Brahmaputra inter-link canal and dam project is constructed (scheduled to be completed in 2016). The cumulative effects of these projects indicate a probable population size reduction of more than 50% from 1956–2016.
Criterion B. It has not been possible to estimate the extent of occurrence or area of occupancy for this subspecies because its potential total range is vast but severely fragmented, and there is great uncertainty about the continued occurrence of dolphins in many parts of the potential range. In any event, although it would easily qualify under subcriteria B1b and B2b, it would not qualify under either B1ac or B2ac and therefore would not qualify as EN under this criterion even if its extent of occurrence or area of occupancy were within one or both of the stated thresholds.
Criterion C. The substantial investment made to date in surveys has failed to explicitly account for more than about 1,500 animals (Table 1). Although it is possible that the total population size is less than 2,500 mature individuals, current information from field surveys does not allow for this criterion to be credibly applied to the subspecies. If future population assessments ultimately indicate that the population meets the
Criterion D. The population size is definitely greater than 250 mature individuals, so this criterion does not apply.
Criterion E. No quantitative analysis of extinction probability has been attempted for this subspecies.
It is concluded that the subspecies qualifies as EN under criteria A2abcde+3bcde+4abcde, with available evidence strongest for criterion A4c.
The Karnaphuli-Sangu subpopulation should possibly be listed separately as it may qualify for Critically Endangered status.
|Previously published Red List assessments:
|Range Description:
|Ganges-Brahmaputra-Megna (GBM) and Karnaphuli-Sangu (KS) river systems, from the deltas upstream to where rocky barriers, shallow water, fast currents, dams, or barrages (low, gated, diversion dams) prevent upstream movement. The GBM and KS systems are disjunct and therefore so are their respective dolphin populations, although there may be occasional demographic interaction during the high water season if the freshwater plumes of the two river systems meet. There is likely further population separation within the two systems, some of it "natural" but much more of it secondary caused by the presence of physical barriers constructed within the last 100 years. (see Supplementary Material for a distribution map).
The Ganges River Dolphin was considered by some researchers to be a distinct species for several decades (1970s–1990s) and was listed as such in the 1996 Red List. Its range is disjunct with that of the other subspecies, the Indus River Dolphin, Platanista gangetica minor, and therefore the two have been assessed and listed, and should be managed, separately.
The map shows where the species may occur. The species has not been recorded for all the states within the hypothetical range as shown on the map. States for which confirmed records of the species exist are included in the list of native range states. States within the hypothetical range but for which no confirmed records exist are included in the Presence Uncertain list.
|Countries occurrence:
Native:Bangladesh; India; Nepal
|Additional data:
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|Although the aggregate range-wide abundance of Ganges River Dolphins was estimated by Jones (1982) as 4,000–5,000 individuals and more recently by Mohan et al. (1997) as fewer than 2,000, these were only guesses. Population assessments have been based on counts conducted within discrete portions of the vast network of riverine and deltaic habitat occupied by these dolphins. Few rigorous estimates of absolute abundance, with estimates of precision, are available. Available counts and estimates are summarized in Table 1 (in Supplementary Material).
Highest "densities" of Ganges River dolphins (defined as animals per linear river kilometer) have been observed in the Ganges mainstem between Maniharighat and Buxar (1.5/km) (Sinha, unpublished) - and within this segment particularly in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (2.8/km) (Smith, unpublished) and just downstream between Kahalgaon and Manihari Ghat (near Katihar) (3.4/km) (Sinha, unpublished) - and the lower Sangu River, Bangladesh (1.4/km) (Smith et al. 2001). A few Ganges River dolphins were still present during the mid 1990s as far downstream in the Hoogly River as Kakdwip (Sinha 1997). In the Sundarbans of Bangladesh a minimum of 134 Ganges River dolphins were counted resulting in a "density" estimate of 0.09 individuals/km, with Irrawaddy Dolphins Orcaella brevirostris replacing Platanista in higher salinity waters of the southern and western portions (Smith, unpublished). No information is available on the status of Ganges River Dolphins in the Indian Sundarbans, except for historical reports of occurrence (Anderson 1879, Jones 1982).
Roughly accounting for duplicate counts or estimates in Table 1 (in Supplementary Material), the total of about 1,200–1,800 animals provides a reasonable lower range for the total metapopulation abundance. However, considering that areas with potentially large numbers of animals have not been accounted for at all (e.g., Indian portion of the Sundarbans Delta) and that at least some of the counts and estimates are known to be negatively biased (e.g., see Smith et al. 2001), the true number could be several times as high.
Numerical Declines: Although no credible time series of abundance estimates are available for most of the subspecies' range, the numbers shown in Table 1 (in Supplementary Material) imply downward trends in a number of upstream tributaries (see also Range Declines below).
Range Declines: The range of the subspecies has declined progressively since the nineteenth century when it was mapped by Anderson (1879). No dolphins have been reported in recent years between the Madhya Ganga Barrage at Bijnor and the Bhimgoda Barrage near Haridwar, at the upstream limit of their historical range in the Ganges (Sinha et al. 2000). This suggests a roughly 100 km decline in their range in the Ganges River since the late 1800s. In recent years, dolphins have not been reported in the Yamuna River above the Chambal River confluence during the dry season because upstream channels have become too shallow and polluted to support dolphins, but the segment may still be occupied during the monsoon (Sinha et al. 2000). Historically, they were found year-round in the Yamuna River approximately 400 km upstream to Delhi (Anderson 1879).
Elsewhere in the Ganges mainstem, four extant subpopulations are isolated by barrages, including Farakka Barrage located approximately at the center of the subspecies' overall range. In the northern Ganges tributaries, of the six subpopulations that were isolated above or between barrages, three have been extirpated (in the Gandak River above the Gandak Barrage and in the Sarda River above the upper and lower Sarda barrages) (Sinha et al. 2000) and one reduced to insignificant numbers (in the Kosi River above the Kosi Barrage) (Smith et al. 1994). Ganges River Dolphins have apparently been extirpated from the Son River (at least during the dry season) based on a survey covering ca. 300 km upstream of the Ganges confluence, above and below the Indrapuri Barrage (Sinha and Sharma 2003).
Occasional reports of dolphins in the reservoir behind Kaptai Dam (built in 1961) of the KS system occurred until the mid-1990s (Ahmed 2000), but recent surveys have found no evidence that the subspecies survives there (Smith et al. 2001). Thus, the dam's construction is likely to have caused a substantial reduction in the subspecies' range in southeastern Bangladesh, but in the absence of any historical information on occurrence in the upper Karnaphuli no quantitative estimate of range reduction is possible.
No surveys have been conducted in the Damodar River system but a single dolphin was rescued after becoming stranded in a deep pool after flow was diverted during the dry season by an upstream barrage. The downstream effects of at least ten dams and barrages constructed in its mainstem and tributaries has probably severely reduced and fragmented dolphin habitat (Smith et al. 2000).
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|Ganges River Dolphins are generally concentrated in counter-current pools below channel convergences and sharp meanders (Kasuya and Haque 1972, Smith 1993, Smith et al. 1998) and above and below mid-channel islands, bridge pilings, and other engineering structures that cause scouring (Smith, unpublished data). Their fidelity to counter-current pools is probably greatest in fast-flowing channels (Smithet al. 1998). Annual monsoon-driven floods cause great variability in the dolphins' access to large parts of their range. Isolation in seasonal lakes sometimes occurs (especially in the Brahmaputra basin), as does "escapement" from the river channels into artificial water bodies such as canals and reservoirs. Deltaic (brackish) waters are a major component of the total range, but Ganges River Dolphins are not generally known to occur in salinities greater than 10ppt, although they have been recorded in waters as saline as 23ppt (Smith and Braulik, unpublished data).
|Movement patterns:
|Full Migrant
|Major Threat(s):
Water Development Projects
Construction of at least 50 dams and dams within the known or suspected historical range of the subspecies (Smith et al. 2000) has dramatically affected its habitat, abundance, and population structure. The subspecies exists as a metapopulation, with numerous subpopulations isolated to varying degrees by mostly manmade but also natural barriers, as outlined in the preceding section.
In addition to fragmenting dolphin populations, dams and barrages degrade downstream habitat and create reservoirs (known as head ponds (or pondage in India) in the case of barrages) with high sedimentation and altered assemblages of fish and invertebrate species. For example, luxuriant growth of macrophytes and excessive siltation have eliminated suitable habitat immediately above Farakka Barrage (Sinha 2000). Moreover, the insufficiency of water released downstream of this barrage has eliminated dry-season habitat for more than 300 km, or until the Ganges (Padma)-Brahmaputra confluence (Smith et al. 1998). It has also allowed salt water to intrude an additional 160 km into the Sundarbans Delta (Rahman 1986), further decreasing the amount of suitable habitat for this obligate freshwater dolphin (Reeves et al. 1993).
A high dam has been planned for some time just upstream of the dolphins' current (or at least recent) range in the Karnali River, Nepal. If built, this structure would almost certainly eliminate the small amount of dolphin habitat in Nepal's last river with a potentially viable dolphin population (Smith and Reeves 2000). Disturbance and environmental degradation associated with geotechnical feasibility studies and bridge and road construction for the dam already may have contributed to a decline in the number and range of dolphins above the Nepal-India border (Smith 1993, Smithet al. 1994). Another high dam has been proposed for the Surma River in Cachar, India, which would certainly affect dolphins downstream in the Kalni-Kushiyara distributary (Smith et al. 1994).
Since the 1980s, momentum has been growing within India to proceed with large-scale inter-basin water transfer projects, which will involve additional dam construction and diversion of water from rivers inhabited by dolphins. Although no final decision has been taken to proceed with construction, feasibility studies are to be completed in December 2005 and detailed project reports in 2006. It was anticipated in 2004 that, if built, the entire project would be finished by 2016. During the May 2004 national elections in India all political parties supported the construction of inter-basin water transfer projects and promised to accelerate the construction process. Several key categories of potential threat are: (a) further fragmentation of the dolphin metapopulation, (b) reduction or elimination of habitat simply in terms of dry-season flow, (c) "escapement" of dolphins into canals where they are unlikely to be able to get back into rivers and are therefore doomed, (d) cascading effects from interrupted migrations of prey organisms, degradation of prey spawning habitat etc., (e) contaminant flux leading to significant changes in chronic and/or acute exposure to toxins, (f) loss of complexity (channelization, sediment entrapment upstream of dams, etc.) making the rivers less habitable for dolphins, etc, and (g) downstream effects on the ecology of the delta (e.g., saline encroachment, loss of sediment).
Embankments cause sediments to be deposited in the riverbed instead of on the floodplain, thereby eliminating or reducing the extent of the eddy-counter currents where dolphins are generally found. (Smith et al. 1998). They also restrict access to floodplain habitat critical to the reproduction and growth of riverine fish species (Boyce 1990). Approximately 3,500 km of embankments have been constructed in the Ganges mainstem and Gandak, Buri Gandak, Bagmati, Kamala, Yamuna, and Son tributaries (Mishra 1999). Dolphins were apparently extirpated from at least 35 km of the Punpun tributary of the Ganges after embankments were constructed in 1975 (Sinha et al. 2000). Although plans for constructing an extensive system of embankments in the rivers of Bangladesh under the Flood Action Plan (FAP) coordinated by the World Bank (see World Bank 1990) have been drastically scaled-down, several projects are currently planned or being constructed that will have adverse effects on dolphin habitat. These include the Bank Protection and River Training Project (FAP 21/22), Brahmaputra River Bank Priority Works, and Jamalpur Priority Project (FAP 3.1) (Smith et al. 1998). Environmental assessments of these projects have not considered river dolphins, nor have they acknowledged the cumulative impacts of planned embankments, and others built before the FAP, on the fish and crustacean species eaten by river dolphins.
Other sources of habitat degradation in the GBM system include dredging (Smith et al. 1998) and the removal of stones (Shrestha 1989), sand (Mohanet al. 1998), and woody debris (Smith 1993). These activities compromise the ecological integrity of the riverine environments, especially small tributaries where suitable habitat is limited and disproportionately vulnerable to local disturbance. Dolphin habitat is also threatened by water abstraction from surface pumps and tube wells, especially in the Ganges where the mean dry-season water depth has declined dramatically in recent years (Sinha, unpublished). Although the long-term implications of reduced dry-season flows in the Ganges are catastrophic, both for the survival of river dolphins and a major portion of the world's human population that inhabits the Ganges basin, the cumulative effects of reduced water supplies have received little attention. Meanwhile, new projects to divert dry-season flow, such as Kanpur Barrage in the upper Ganges, continue to be constructed (Smith et al. 2000).
Toxic Contaminants
Organochlorine and butyltin concentrations in samples from the tissues of Ganges dolphins were high enough to cause concern about effects (Kannan et al. 1993, 1994, 1997; Senthilkumar et al. 1999). Pollutant loads can be expected to increase with industrialization and the spread of intensive agricultural practices facilitated by water diversion. River dolphins may be particularly vulnerable to industrial pollution because their habitat in counter-current pools downstream of confluences and sharp meanders often places them in close proximity to point sources in major urban areas (e.g., Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Calcutta, and Dhaka). Furthermore, the capacity of rivers to dilute pollutants (e.g., arsenic, DDT) and salts has been drastically reduced in many areas because of upstream water abstraction, diversion, and impoundment. Again, this problem is bound to worsen as more development takes place.
Deliberate killing of river dolphins is believed to have declined in most areas but still occurs at least occasionally in the middle Ganges near Patna, India (Smith and Reeves 2000, Sinha 2002), in the Kalni-Kushiyara River of Bangladesh (Smith et al. 1998), and in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India (Mohan et al. 1997). Dolphins are killed by tribal people in the upper Brahmaputra for their meat and by fishermen in the middle reaches of the Ganges for their oil, which is used as a fish attractant.
Mortality in Fishing Gear
Mortality in fishing gear, especially gillnets, is a severe problem for Ganges River dolphins throughout most of their range (Mohan 1995, Smith and Reeves 2000). They are particularly vulnerable because their preferred habitat is often in the same location as the fishing grounds. In the middle Ganges, although harpooning is now "rare", mortality in fishing nets remains "widespread" (Sinha 2002). A specific problem is that, because dolphin oil is highly valued as a fish attractant, fishermen have a strong incentive to kill any animals found alive in their nets and even to set their nets strategically in the hope of capturing dolphins (described by Sinha 2002 as "assisted incidental capture").
Meaningful quantitative data on the magnitude of catches, either deliberate or incidental, are unavailable and unlikely to become available in the absence of a well-organized, adequately funded, and incorruptible fishery/wildlife management system.
|Conservation Actions:
|Ganges River dolphins are legally protected from hunting in all range states. The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar, India, between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon in the mainstem of the Ganges River was designated as a protected area for dolphins in August 1991 but there is little government support to enforce protective measures. The legal protection in India has been described as "completely ineffective" (Sinha 2002), however a small measure of progress was the convening of the Regional Seminar on Environmental Laws in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bhagalpur, India in November 2003 (Anon 2002). Also, recent proceedings of the Patna High Court (C.J.W.C. No. 5628 of 2001) directed the state and federals governments to allocate funds for supporting efforts to conserve and monitor dolphins in the Ganges. In a few smaller tributaries, dolphins receive nominal protection by virtue of the fact that small portions of their habitat are within or adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries (e.g., Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India, National Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India, and Royal Bardia National Park and Katerniya Ghat Gharial Sanctuary, respectively north and south of the Nepal-India border. Although field trials have shown that shark or fish oils would be efficient substitutes for dolphin oil as a fish attractant and some fishermen in the middle Ganges are now using oil made from fish scraps as an alternative, most apparently continue to use dolphin oil by preference or because suitable alternatives are not widely available in either the Ganges or Brahmaputra systems (Mohan and Kunhi 1996, Smith et al. 1998, Bairagi 1999, Sinha 2002).
|Smith, B.D., Braulik, G.T. & Sinha, R. 2012. Platanista gangetica ssp. gangetica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T41756A17627639. . Downloaded on 20 August 2018.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


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Install the Microsoft Outlook Backup Add-In Tool.
If the backup command is not listed in the Outlook File menu, you will need to make sure it is installed by doing the following:
|If Outlook Backup Addin is listed, click to select Outlook Backup Addin, and skip steps 5-12.
|If you receive a There are no results to display message, click Change whether hidden and system files are included. Click the Expanded - includes all files and folders radio button, and then click Search.
Enable the Microsoft Outlook Backup Add-In Tool
If the Outlook backup tool is not showing in the Outlook File menu even after installing it, you can enable it by performing the following:
For additional information on backing up your Outlook information, please refer to the Microsoft KB Article: "How to automatically backup your personal folders file in Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2003"Article ID: 238782.
Identyfikator artykułu: SLN17771
Data ostatniej modyfikacji: 04/04/2016 08:40 AM
Dziękujemy za uwagi.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rangers Fall to Leland and Gray 3-2 in Semi's
TOWNSEND-The Leland and Gray Rebels moved past the Lake Region girls in the semi-finals by the slimmest of margins, a 3-2 win in Townsend. Lake Region out hit Leland and Gray 7-4 but an early passed ball with no cover at home, single tallies from a three walk inning, and the only extra base hit recorded by the Rebels, gave the home team a 3-0 lead. Lake Region prevented further damage when left fielder Callie-Rae Cashin pulled in a fly ball and picked off a Leland and Gray runner as she scrambled back to second.Although down 3-0, Lake Region came back as they have all spring when Carly Perron was hit by a pitch. Kayla Royer ripped a shot down the right field line scoring the first Ranger run and leaving Royer at third after a poor relay by the Rebel rightfielder. Corrina Cota promptly hit a long fly to center scoring Royer slicing the score to 3-2 after five. Lake Region had several other chances in the contest as they left nine men on base during the afternoon.


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30 hours, 1,000 miles, 1 bike
Steamboat team
December 3, 2006
Travis Newbold awoke from a sleep-walking daze last week wondering why he had just dragged his bed across the room.
The days that have passed since he raced in the grueling Baja 1000 have not dulled his visceral memories.
"I couldn't sleep for nights after" (the race), the 23-year-old Routt County native said. "I had dragged my bed across the room, my hands were bleeding. I was thinking in the dream that I needed to get my bike out of the trail to not get run over by a trophy truck."
Newbold teamed up with Steamboat's Jeff Crochiere, 42, to accomplish a simple feat that escaped 46 percent this year's record field of 431 entrants in the 1,048-mile haul down Mexico's Baja Peninsula – finishing the race.
The pair not only finished, but they took 12th in their Sportsman motorcycle class. They finished Nov. 17 after just more than 30 hours of racing.
"The bike held together," Newbold said. "Well, I crashed in the first 100 miles, had a couple flat tires, two in the front, had a rear tire explode. But other than that, everything magically fell together. I think it was luck."
Recommended Stories For You
Newbold and Crochiere's luck began at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at the race start in Enseneda, where they randomly pulled the No. 3 draw in their class of 53 riders. Because many of the motorcycle pro classes had already started the course, Newbold had to race the spectator-lined streets of Ensenada – slick with antifreeze – before hitting 70 miles of blinding desert dust.
"I prefer to charge hard early to pass people and get in front of the dust right away," Newbold said. "You're in a cloud and can't see, but you have to be as close as possible for a safe pass. I'd hit rocks the size of watermelons and scream like a schoolgirl – it's Russian roulette."
When Newbold finally broke free of the pack, he entered a grove of trees at about 60 mph and nailed a rock. The impact threw him over the bike's handlebars. But he suffered only a bloody finger and a broken visor and hand guard, so he mounted the Honda XR 650 for another 200 miles.
Crochiere took over at about 1 p.m. and cruised through the clear afternoon at high speeds as racers spread out along the course. Tire issues then became a factor.
"I rode down to the nylon core of the tire," Crochiere said. "The front tire was flat with a dozen broken spokes, and I had to go about 25 miles on it to our pit."
As night fell, Crochiere broke another spoke and flattened the replacement tube. Fortunately, the team met up in San Ignacio to get new rims and tires for the technical night portion of Crochiere's 400-mile stage.
Crochiere noted the 120 miles of beach dunes and steep talus slopes ravaged by erosion from an October hurricane. Aided with only a couple of halogen beams, Crochiere said it was the most challenging riding he has experienced.
"Those huge rock climbs are unmerciful when it's dark and trophy trucks and buggies are passing you," Crochiere said. "It's a mental game keeping your focus that long."
Amidst the trying, numbing night hours in the saddle, Crochiere rolled through a vivid scene in the town of Viscaino.
"There were people in lawn chairs partying and watching you come in on this two-mile road lined with nothing but bonfires burning in the middle of nowhere," Crochiere said.
Crochiere handed the bike off to Newbold in the dwindling hours of the night to get a much-needed hour of sleep.
Kept awake by the modified buggies on his tail, Newbold "put the hammer down" until sunrise.
"The night is brutal, it's like everything's out to get you," Newbold said. "But seeing the sun come up as I was dropping down into the Sea of Cortez was surreal."
Crochiere rode the final 100 miles into La Paz across sand arroyos and "silt beds that were like talcum powder."
"My son and our friends were at the finish where they closed a section of the highway," Crochiere said. "They inspect your motorcycle, but before you can shut off the bike the swarm of kids are on you. You also got to see the carnage of buggies coming in with blown-out axles and ATVs with their back ends broken off."
After 20 tanks of gas and eight air filters, Newbold and Crochiere got to take home a memento of their "dirty, filthy, sweaty, happy" finish – a tiny snap button that reads "Baja 1000 Finisher."
"That button means more to me than any trophy I've won," Newbold said. "I live for that hardware, there's nothing else in comparison."
Crochiere began the long 38-hour drive home satisfied to have achieved his objective and accomplished a physically taxing challenge on a set of five recently broken ribs. But then a thought began itching in the back of his head: "Now how much faster could we do it next year?"


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A few of this month's electronic coupons at Upromise.com includes:
- $1/1 Charmin MegaRoll TP
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To load up on this month's electronic coupons, go to Upromise.com to sign up for for an account. You can then load the electronic coupons or reload your electronic coupons to your store loyalty card! They can be loaded onto store loyalty cards to several stores in your area, including Kroger, Meijer, Marsh and CVS, and many more.
Once loaded on your card, print out a list and keep it in your coupon binder to refer to each week when making your grocery list. The e-coupon amount will be deposited into your Upromise account within a few weeks following your purchase.
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This is probably one of the cuter 'for kids' lessons that I have submitted lately. I thought it would be a good idea and fill a request to make a tutorial on "how to draw cupid for kids", step by step. This cupid concept is perfect to tackle even if it's not Valentine's Day. There is so many ideas that one can choose from when using a cupid in a drawing concept. Just the fact that this cupid is in front view makes it even more adorable because you are getting to show off the wings, bow and arrow, and most importantly, his diaper. The simple concept is going to make you want to draw cupid for kids at least twice. You can use the same face, body, and pose to create both a female and male version. If you decide that you want to turn this male into a female cupid, all you have to do is give this figure a dress and longer hair. Use this cupid wisely because once you take the time out of your day to draw it out, you might as well be doing it for a good reason. I got to get out of here for now because I still have another two tutorials coming your way. Peace out people!
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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10.7 Personal Progress
Personal Progress is an achievement program designed to help young women strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ, prepare for their future roles, and prepare to be worthy to make and keep sacred temple covenants.
The goals of the program are outlined in the Young Women Personal Progress book. Young women work with their parents and Young Women leaders to set and accomplish goals that are based on the Young Women values.
After careful consideration, parents and leaders may modify the program to help young women with special needs. For example, they may consider the needs of young women with disabilities or educational limitations, young women who join the Church or become active in Young Women after age 16, and young women who are not Church members. When making any changes or exceptions for one person, leaders should consider the effect those changes may have on others.
Personal Progress Activities at Mutual
Young Women leaders and class presidencies may plan some Personal Progress activities for Mutual (see 10.8.1). For example, all young women could assist with another young woman's value project. Such group activities should be planned prayerfully and selectively to ensure that the Personal Progress program remains personal for each young woman.
Emblems, Certificates, and Recognition
Ward leaders may obtain Personal Progress certificates and awards through Church Distribution Services. They use ward budget funds to purchase these items.
Personal Progress Responsibilities of Leaders
Young Women Leaders
When a young woman reaches age 12, the second counselor in the Young Women presidency
The leaders give the young woman a Young Women Personal Progress book and explain the program to her and her parents. They encourage her parents to work with her in selecting and completing Personal Progress experiences and projects. They explain that her mother may also work on Personal Progress and earn an award. Other women may also help and participate in the program themselves.
Young Women leaders give the young woman copies of For the Strength of Youth and True to the Faith (if the bishop has not already given them to her). They also give her a pendant with the Young Women logo on it, which can be ordered through Church Distribution Services.
Young Women leaders also give this orientation to young women who enter the organization later than age 12.
Additional instructions for parents and leaders are included in the Young Women Personal Progress book.
When a young woman completes the entire Personal Progress program, the bishop interviews her. This can be part of his annual or six-month interview with her. He may use the standards in For the Strength of Youth as a guide. He may also verify her attendance at sacrament meeting and in seminary (where available) and her reading of the Book of Mormon. When he determines that she is ready to receive the Young Womanhood Recognition, he signs her Personal Progress book. He may present the award to her in a sacrament meeting.
- Home
- Handbook 2
- 10. Young Women


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Podfathers Podcast
(Formerly JFKFC Podcast & John, Frank, and Chuck Podcast)
This version is Edited for a general audience
This version is Edited for a general audience
PrePodcast #1:
Welcome to the new(?) JFKFC podcast featuring comedian / impressionist Frank Caliendo, and
Phoenix radio vets John Holmberg & Chuck Powell and producer Rich Page (aka Dick Toledo). As the guys try to figure out the logistics of starting a brand new podcast and where to go with it they rolled tape. So, here you can consider these audio clips a PRE podcast before a somewhat finished product debuts in the coming weeks. After introducing the players in the JFKFC podcast we tried to define the guys' roles. Including what for Chuck to do? Moderate? Lead? Keep notes? Continuing on with PRE-episode 1 we discussed Frank working on Political candidate voices during the election year. And how Ron Paul's voice sounds like the late Carol Channing which would then lead to a channing battle against mogul Donald Trump. Voice discussion turned to children and dogs in this segment. Chuck is now in his 40's and has always seen himself as having kids. He has yet to become a father however so we discussed being an older father and how sometimes when you do have kids all you want to do is get out of the house.Download »
PrePodcast #2:
Pre-Podcast 2 gets underway with John having an "uncooperative sock" which leads to research on the history of
socks and somehow includes late actor Dom Deluise and a mention of Cannonball Run. Part 2 of Episode Two continues our wardrobe discussion and adds in the frustration of damp pants, mentions of Charles Barkley and a feature that will become a regular feature called "The Chuck Off" which has to be heard to be understoodDownload »
PrePodcast #6
Pre-Podcast #6:
Bobby Lee
The Podfathers Podcast #1
Podcast #1:
Sebastian Maniscalco
The Podfathers Podcast #4
Podcast #4:
Bryan Callen
The Podfathers Podcast #5
Podcast #5:
Aries Spears
The Podfathers Podcast #7:
Podcast #7:
Steve Martorano
The Podfathers Podcast #8
Podcast #8:
Jay Pharoah & Ralphie May
The Podfathers Podcast #10
Podcast #10:
Just the guys
The Podfathers Podcast #11
Podcast #11:
Ben Bailey
The Podfathers Podcast #12
Podcast #12:
Flip Orley
The Podfathers Podcast #13
Podcast #13:
Jake Johannson
The Podfathers Podcast #14
Podcast #14:
Owen Benjamin
Frank as a Podcast Guest:
Frank as a Podcast Guest:Listen to Frank's parenting perspective on The Dadsaster Podcast »
Listen to Frank on Daren Streblow Comedy Show Podcast »
Submit a podcast link »


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Never give human medications to your cat unless you have been told to do so by your veterinarian. Most people pills, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), are toxic to felines.
A high-calorie pet formula packs a nutrient-dense punch and has even saved the lives of cats that are in need of gaining weight. Because of the calorie density in such formulas, a cat can ingest about one-quarter of the bulk of standard cat food and get the same nutritional benefit. Below, Virginia-based veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson, who is a member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council, weighs in on when a higher-calorie formula may or may not be right for your furry friend.
When to Feed High-calorie Food"If your cat has lost weight, it's possible that something is going on metabolically that needs to be addressed," says Nelson. "No normal cat on a normal diet is going to start to drop weight unless there's something underlying. This is specifically a recovery diet." Cats treated for inflammatory bowel disease, as well as the following conditions, are often prescribed calorie-dense foods:
When Not to Feed Maximum-calorie FoodA pet owner should not independently make the decision to put a cat on any prescription diet. A high-calorie formula "is a phenomenal food to have in your arsenal, but no owner should say, 'I'm going to make a diet change because my cat is losing weight,'" says Nelson. "These foods are very high-protein, very high-fat. Start it unnecessarily, and your cat's going to end up with pancreatitis or horrible diarrhea."
TransitioningSwitching to a new food generally requires a transition period, but Nelson explains that when cats need a high-calorie formula, time is often of the essence. "Typically, in situations where this food is required, you don't have transitioning time. If you have to deal with a little diarrhea versus their liver getting compromised, you go for the former."
Transitioning off is another story. Once a cat's underlying issue has been identified and addressed, and the cat returns to a healthy weight or the oral problem is resolved, spend seven to 10 days adjusting the ratios of the new diet back to the older one.
More on cat food from our sponsor
Rose Springer is a frequent contributor to The Daily Cat and The Dog Daily. She lives in New York City.
Click a star to rate this article
Jeanne says: My 14-year-old male cat is losing weight. I've spent over $1,000 at the vet so far to try to find out why. Blood tests and urine show his kidneys and liver are fine, no diabetes. He is taking thyroid medication daily. We've cleaned and fully examined his teeth. An ultrasound shows no tumors, but thickened walls in his digestive tract. He's been eating a single-protein food, and now a single-protein prescription food. He's still losing weight - I just think he hates the food now. What else can I do?
Elaziz says: My cat was allergic to fleas and had the same soyptmms. I would take your cat to the vet. But i understand in hard time you may not have money, so i'll give you some advice if you can't go to the vet. Get advantage, it will kill the fleas fast. wait a couple weeks, is the scabs healing up? then it was probably the fleas, if notChange her food, scabs can also be from a food allergy, if you change her food and it clears up you know that's what it is Mange is pretty bad, you should take the kitty to the vet if possible, because like said before it can be passed to people and other pets. again i'm only giving this advice in case you are in a situation where you can't take the kitty to the vet right now, but you need to as soon as you can.References :
Cats reach full skeletal development when they are this old:
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The senior members of the Grant County High School baseball team remembered their emotions following last year's two losses to 32nd District rival Williamstown.
There were some tears, but mostly just a big empty, hollow feeling.
On Monday evening, the roles were reversed as Grant County extracted revenge on the Demons, roughing up five pitchers and pounding out 12 hits en route to a 10-0 six inning victory at Williamstown.
The victory was the first for Grant County since the 2006 season.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Grant County News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
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Charles "Charley" Morris Edmonson
Charles "Charley" Morris Edmonson, 62, of Benton, passed away Monday, July 11. He was born February 1, 1949, in Bauxite. Charley retired as a First Sgt. from the U.S. Army, then worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years, until his retirement in February. He was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church where he served as deacon. Charley was preceded in death by his parents, Lofton and Corene Edmonson, and two brothers, Wayne Edward Edmonson and Ronald Morgan Edmonson.
He is survived by his wife, Avon Edmonson, of Benton; two daughters, Ronda Edmonson and Carol Brown, both of Hot Springs; sister, Mary Chism of Benton; three grandchildren, Terrin, Abby and Gage, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Michael Edmonson, Bryan Edmonson, Derek Chism, Brad Chism, Rick Davis and Gary Sledd.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ashby Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Old Rosemont Cemetery.
Online guest book: www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.


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Thu, 26 November 2009
Lesley reflects on the epic journey and reveals the glamourous and not so glamourous world of recording a radio programme on a bike. There are some surprises.
Direct download: On_the_Bike_2009_Wrap_Up.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 1:54am UTC
Wed, 18 November 2009
Lesley finally arrives in Stornoway and it is a mad dash around...mobile phones, festivals and some spectacular singing. Stay tuned for more next week.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_Ness_Gospel.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 5:00pm UTC
Wed, 11 November 2009
After the late night at Callanish, Lesley heads off to meet people who want to talk Gaelic with her and share some of the experiences of the islands...kit houses...supermarkets...
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_Butt_of_Lewis.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 11:43am UTC
Wed, 4 November 2009
UIg beckons and so does a moon light encounter at the Callanish Stones with pagans, Christians and shamans. This is a memorable On the Bike for so many reasons.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_Uig.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 11:25am UTC
Wed, 28 October 2009
Lesley cycles off to Scalpay, home of sea captains and posh houses, but starts with sheep.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_Scalpay.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 2:39pm UTC
Wed, 21 October 2009
In this extra episode of On the Bike recorded in October 2009, Lesley talks through how the series was originally commissioned and her reflections to this stage in the journey.
Direct download: On_the_Bike_Mid_Way_Catch_Up_2009.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 1:48pm UTC
Wed, 14 October 2009
Lesley meets weavers,tourists and incomers in this week's repeat of 'On the Bike'. This programme was recorded in 2006 but it feels like it could have been recorded only last week.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_North_Harris.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 8:44am UTC
Wed, 7 October 2009
In this episode, Lesley ventures out from Lochmaddy. Norman MacLeod explains Lochmaddy, Neil Nicholson explains designer thatching and the MacKillops discourse on the Brahan Seer, geese and seal oil.
Direct download: On_the_Bike_-_North_Uist.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 11:50am UTC
Wed, 30 September 2009
In this week's episode, Lesley meets fellow cyclists, gets advice about tourism, and learns about seals. All round and about Benbecula.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_-_Benbecula.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 12:49pm UTC
Wed, 23 September 2009
In this week's episode of 'On the Bike', Lesley is on South Uist and encounters Gaelic musicians, dancers, a marina, buy outs and the need for a road. As ever, Lesley finds the characters who will make you smile.
Direct download: On_The_Bike_3.mp3
Category:On the Bike 2009 -- posted at: 10:26am UTC


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Browse Teaching with Textbooks
Turn your students into 'master chefs' by using learning menus that allow differentiated instruction. [...] »
Class discussion and personal inquiry builds an interactive relationship between students and their textbooks. [...] »
Help students identify with the past via children who lived through the Civil War. [...] »
Show your students how to challenge the authority gap between the textbook and themselves. [...] »
Allow students to see that history as we know it is interpretation, perspective, and bias. [...] »
The language of history textbooks challenges English language learners and native speakers alike. Face it head-on. [...] »
Turn your textbook into a conversation by scanning its language for biases. [...] »
Make the most of your textbook—engage students in close reading and analysis. [...] »


text: Back home studying, Lola Foxx was bored to tears and sexual. She got a phone call from a buddy and they begun talking dirty. This got Ms. Lola wet and she commenced fidgeting with her vagina. He got there, picked up her dress, and sucked her muff. Then she rode his prick till she reached an orgasm multiple times.


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My Ghoul Friday
Check back often!
Recent Moans from the Minions...
Kurcha lives in a home built into a hillside, with only the chimney and the large moss-covered circular door as evidence to its presence.
The main living area - a cozy single room - houses his bunk, hearth, and a wooden table with benches. An orange tattered curtain drapes the entrance to a second room hidden in the back, with shelves from floor to ceiling, packed with inventory of used goods for trading.
Each day, he packs his rickety cart full of items, hanging pans, lanterns dusted with rust, and various tools over the side to conserve room for larger trinkets in the main compartment.
He pushes it happily down the rock-strewn path (more of a parting through the tall grass made by the countless times he's taken this route) until he reaches the Meadow Market where he'll spend the day bartering with travelers, locals and other vendors.
This figure is 5.5 inches tall.
Maggie speaks in a language that sounds like squirrel-jibberish to me. Her voice is soft, friendly, and not too high but definitely feminine.
She wears a scarf to keep her unruly hair - with bangs that grow down the middle of her face - in place on windy days (and even not-so-windy days).
She chatters and chitters as she walks along, collecting items for her daily craft project: some beach glass, a bit of long grass, perhaps some feathers left behind from a passing robin. For good measure, she gathers some dandelion for afternoon tea, and perhaps the petals can be used in her creation as well.
She doesn't usually plan ahead when it comes to her crafting. Often, she decides what to make once she's gotten her inventory home and spread out on the kitchen table. Besides, the final product isn't what's important, rather the journey to get there. When she looks at the birdhouse made from sticks and seashells, she sees a day at the beach well spent with a friend and a picnic lunch. As she uses the pot holder made from woven grasses, she smiles at the memory of almost losing her sandal in the pond as she plucked the long blades free.
Her creations are memories materialized. And isn't that a lovely way to decorate.
This figure is approximately 4.5 inches tall.
I've tossed this idea around for a long time, and finally sat down to put it together. I think it's pretty cute.
I wanted to put together very simple sculpture displays in jars. I've started with a group of ghosts (below) and a family of owls in a nest (left).
I like the idea of having Halloween sitting on a shelf like a preserve, just as you would with peaches or other summer fruits that remind you of warmer days during the winter.
I'm going to make a pumpkin one as well, and bring all three to my next convention to see how people respond to them. Perhaps I'll make an entire series for the fall if folks respond well. We'll see.
What do you think?
I've been able to complete a number of figures this past week (thank goodness) in a flurry of productivity. FanExpo/Festival of Fear is a month away, and for once I'd like to pretend I'll have enough made to take a breather before the big event (a ghoul can dream).
I have 3 Plague Doctors on the table, 5 unpainted plants, 2 unpainted Minions, and scores more to complete. I've harvested mini pumpkins, and even come up with a new idea that I'll test out at the show (if they sell well, I may make a bunch for the fall). More on that tomorrow.
For now, let me introduce you to the latest Little Minion.
An academic, Clay spends most of his time shuttling from lecture to lecture, and studying into the night
He conducts experiments and has a real passion for potion brewing.
I tried to learn more about him, but he shushed me without even looking up from his notes.
Don't do business with Cyril. He's a swindler and a liar without any sense of remorse for his underhanded dealings.
It's surprising how many are taken in by his promises and that big grin. But then again, only the desperate seek him out, and desperation dulls logic.
He coos and coddles, assuring them they've made a wise decision coming to him.
Discretion is assured, until he uses the secret to blackmail.
Contracts available for the tentative. Even if they were worth the paper they were printed on, Cyril has a talent for fine print. Be careful what you ask for, since he bends and wields wording to his benefit.
When you deal with Cyril, you get more than you bargained for.
This figure is approximately 6.5 inches tall.
Pilch looks forward to the Autumn Festival every year.
He tends to his small garden at the edge of the river with a devotion only true green-thumbs can appreciate. He dotes on all his plants, but he's especially fond of his pumpkin patch which is responsible for producing all the pumpkins to decorate the festival.
At night, he'll tie a copper plate to his head with a lit candle perched on top to help him work by moonlight in his beloved garden, polishing the pumpkins, weeding, shooing away any little critters who might mistake his masterpieces for a midnight snack.
This figure is approximately 8 inches tall.
I've been so busy getting ready for shows that I've forgotten to post any of my finished creations. Now that Scarefest is finished I can concentrate on preparing for FanExpo/Festival of Fear in August.
I was able to complete my creature bio journal beforehand which was no easy task. I purchased a gorgeous journal with a raised silver design on the cover. In it, I placed more than 40 photos and hand wrote an equal amount of short bios, one for each of my Minions and Dark Dwellers. I wanted to create a sort of portfolio that felt more like something you might stumble across in an attic.
The fact that it took hours upon hours to complete, and it turned out so well, and it's a rather expensive journal to begin with, I'm actually a bit concerned someone might walk off with it at the bigger shows/conventions when the place is packed. I'm going to have to devise a tie down of some sort just for piece of mind.
In this book you'll find some of my new figures, including these two.
First is Hoggart, a greed demon who takes whatever a person covets most.
He may even influence outcomes to ensure what we crave is finally within our hands only to have the satisfaction of taking it from us, and devouring it.
I have some news regarding Scarefest I want to share with you. I mentioned recently that I would be a vendor at Scarefest, a backyard BBQ Haunter Tradition for many years in Ontario. This year the organizer arranged a park space so even more haunters and vendors could attend. It was the next step in evolution for the beloved event which continues to grow.
The City of Vaughn (where the park is) contacted the organizer after they received an anonymous complaint regarding Scarefest:
"This individual who called in took the time to educate the Municipal Officials on our Scarefest web site, pointed out how many vendors we had attending and what they were being charged for a booth, inquired if we had all the proper permits for the park, and asked how all the residents in the neighborhood would feel about all the additional cars on the street." (You can read the full story on Facebook).
Was playing with some smaller figures.
Something tinier than usual.
No back stories but pocket-sized monsters.
At about 4 inches in height (not including the party hat) it's like evil concentrated.
There's a few of them on the table waiting to be finished.
We'll see if people like them at this year's shows.
Speaking of which, I'll be at Scarefest on July 7th. It's an outdoor Haunter Convention in Thornhill ON. BBQ, over 30 vendors/exhibitors, and all for free (though they ask for a donation for Sick Kids Hospital).
Bring your family. Bring your dog. Monkey Boo will be there too for at least part of the day!
You don't have to worry about running into Beezle in a dark alley or old forest.
He rarely resides in our realms.
He is more likely to influence our choices with a whisper, inflame frustration or cloud our rational thoughts, all from behind an invisible curtain.
A splash of selfishness.
A dash of doubt.
An inflated sense of entitlement.
A pinch of paranoia surrounding loved ones or friends.
A batch of bad judgment.
These are the contributions he adds to the ingredients of our everyday lives.
It's easy work. Mankind only needs a nudge. And sometimes, not even that.
More images below.
This figure is just shy of 6 inches tall.
The best place to find current art and WIPs is Instagram
I'm also on Twitter but be prepared for political commentary
My self-published book is still available!
Craving more Halloween goodness?
Here are some sites to satisfy the hunger.
All content copyright © 2007-2017 GhoulFriday.com (unless otherwise noted). And remember, safety first! Please read and understand our full disclaimer.


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The barefoot-like ride you love in the Nike Free, as well as an ultra-comfortable fit come together in the Nike Free 4.0 V3 Reflective Running Shoes. Sleek and fast, these runners hug your foot with breathable mesh and a modified inner sleeve. A shining star in its own right, this model is a standout in the Nike Flash Pack, a group of runners designed to get you noticed when light is low. Featuring 3M technology, the upper reflects light for a lightning bolt-like look as you run.
Go anywhere the road takes you (even after dark!) with these advanced minimal reflective running shoes from Nike. Designed with a fused Phylite midsole for an ultra-light, yet resilient ride, these runners also feature strategically placed carbon rubber on the outsole for extra durability right where you need it. The waffle outsole also has deep flex grooves for serious flexibility.
Day or night, the standout look of the Nike Free 4.0 V3 Reflective Running Shoes is sure to turn some heads.


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Your gift can help protect our air, water, land and wildlife, and our health. Support for EarthShare National helps us continue our innovative partnerships and programs aimed at accelerating the pace of positive environmental change.DONATE TO NATIONAL NOW »
Across the country, gleaming new solar panels and sleek wind turbines are sprouting up as our country begins shifting to cleaner forms of energy. But something is preventing us from getting the most out of this new green energy: old power lines, meters, and billing systems.
Today, our energy sources are more diverse, our generating capacity is more variable, and the distance between where we generate and use power has increased. More and more homes are now becoming energy producers in their own right with rooftop solar and electric vehicles, for example.
On top of that, more severe storms are putting our electrical grid at great risk. During Hurricane Sandy, 8.1 million homes lost power, some for over a week. It was the largest storm-related power outage in the region's history. Events like this are costing our country $150 billion per year.
We have the technology to rapidly adjust to fickle supply and shocks from big storms, but are we using it?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (otherwise known as the Stimulus or ARRA) that was passed by Congress to get the US out of the recession is investing nearly $4 billion into smart grid projects around the country. The money goes to training the technicians who will operate the smart grid, installing smart meters, and making our electricity distribution and transmission more efficient, among many other things.
In addition to updating our aging infrastructure, this money already generated $7 billion in economic output and nearly 50,000 full-time jobs.
What does the smart grid look like in action? Think of it this way: what if your home was as intelligent as your smart phone? What if you could get real-time information about where your energy was coming from and how much it cost in any given moment? That would give you a lot more freedom to save money and make choices about your energy use. The country would save a lot of energy too.
Kansas City Power & Light, a utility in Missouri, received funds from the ARRA to set up a demonstration project (one of many) that integrates local renewable energy, better storage, EV charging stations, digital readouts for customers, and training programs.
In Baltimore, Baltimore Gas & Electric also received ARRA funds to update their local grid with new electric meters and personalized energy information for their customers. BG&E CEO Ken DeFontes explains these changes:
These changes to our grid are positive, but there is still much to be done. The Electric Power Research Institute estimated it will take up to $476 billion to upgrade the grid over the next 20 years (compare that to the $4 billion invested by the federal government through the ARRA). Our old grid is costing consumers more money each year while simultaneously becoming more unreliable: blackouts now take 20% longer to fix than they did just 10 years ago. Unfortunately, with ARRA funds approaching their expiration, all the progress made on upgrading our grid may stall in the years ahead.
EarthShare members like the Environmental Defense Fund and the Alliance to Save Energy are supporting the policies and technologies that will move our energy system into the green future. Learn how you can support this revolution by reading the resources below.
Smart Grid Overview, Environmental Defense Fund
Energy Efficiency and the Smart Grid, Alliance to Save Energy
What Is the Smart Grid?, US Department of Energy
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.


text: Finding Storage in Pittsburgh, PA Do you need a storage unit in Pittsburgh, PA? Here at Storage.com, you can find, compare, and rent Pittsburgh self storage all at one site. With our listings, you can learn about facility locations, unit sizes, prices, and storage features available in Pittsburgh. Once you've found the perfect unit for your storage needs, you can rent it quickly and easily at Storage.com. COMMON REASONS TO USE SELF STORAGE IN PITTSBURGH The Steelers, the Pirates, and the Penguins—while the black and gold City of Champions is certainly well known for its teams and its fans, Pittsburgh has much more than professional sports to draw new residents and keep loyal ones in town. The iconic steel city has experienced a renaissance in the 21st century, building a new tech industry and witnessing an influx of new residents. With a low cost of living, substantial job opportunities, and a large number of colleges and cultural attractions, Pittsburgh has been named "America's Most Livable City" several times by Forbes and The Economist in the last five years. Whether people have recently relocated to Pittsburgh, or are lifelong residents, many find a need to use for self storage in Pittsburgh at some time. Using Self Storage When Moving to Pittsburgh Pittsburgh is on the move with thousands of new residents relocating to the city each year. Many make the move to pursue new jobs in the city's growing tech, medical, and educational sectors. Google, Apple, and Intel top the 1,600 technology firms with offices in Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is the largest employer in the area, with 48,000 employees. Medical research is an influential industry in the area, with the presence of several research universities, hospitals, and biomedical companies. Also, eight Fortune 500 companies and six of the top 300 U.S. law firms keep their headquarters in Pittsburgh. With so much burgeoning industry, along with a low cost of living and desirable city amenities, many people are making the move to Pittsburgh. When it comes to finding a new home in a new city, the transition can be challenging. Many people use mini storage in Pittsburgh to make their move easier as they coordinate moving dates, work start dates, and other details. When renting storage during a move, look for these features: Short-Term Rental Agreement: Hopefully you won't be in transition for long. A flexible lease at a Pittsburgh storage facility can ensure that you don't rent space for longer than you'll need it. Drive-Up Access: Make the move easier by renting a Pittsburgh storage unit with drive-up access. You can back your moving truck up to your storage unit, making it much easier to move large appliances and bulky furniture. Additional Security Features: Since you're storing all of your belongings, you may want to choose a unit that provides advanced security features like alarmed units, video surveillance, or on-site management to give you peace of mind. Self Storage for College Students in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh has been called "America's Smartest City," thanks to the 68 colleges and universities found there. The University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and Duquesne University are just a few of the institutions that draw thousands of students to the city. Students arrive from all over the country and the state of Pennsylvania for college. When students have to move out of campus housing over the summer, many choose to store their college necessities in a Pittsburgh storage locker, rather than moving it all home and then bringing it back in a few months. College students who use Pittsburgh mini storage over the summer can save themselves a lot of hassle and also money, as renting storage may cost less than moving all of their belongings twice. Here are some tips for college students looking to store their dorm essentials: Most students only need a small unit, such as a 5x5 or 5x10, to store items from a dorm room. If you're looking for more space, consider sharing a storage unit with a friend or roommate to save money. A short-term rental agreement is a good idea for students who only need to store belongings for a few months. Then you will only pay for storage as long as you are actually using it. Look for Pittsburgh storage facilities that offer promotions like a free moving truck with unit rental or a discount on the first month's rent to save money. Gain More Living Space with Self Storage in Pittsburgh Sometimes, people just need more space at home. Maybe you have outgrown your current space with the addition of children or other family members to the household. Perhaps you have a hobby that requires bulky equipment or supplies. You might live in a smaller apartment in an urban area and need more space for recreational equipment or excess belongings. Whatever the reason, you can use Pittsburgh mini storage to help clear rarely used items from your home and create more living space. Renting self storage is more economical than moving into a larger home or apartment, so to make the most of your current space, use self storage to store seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, documents and files, recreational equipment, extra furniture, and more. Look for these features when renting long-term self storage: Location: Location will help determine the cost of your storage unit. If you do not need to access your belongings very often, you can save money by renting at an outlying facility. If you need to make more frequent trips to your storage unit, you will want to choose a location close to your home. Also, your unit's location within the facility can make a difference in price. Units on upper floors usually cost less, but if you have large or heavy items to store, you may want a unit on the first floor with drive-up access. Extended Hours: You will probably want to find a storage facility with extended hours in the evenings and on the weekends to make it more convenient to access your belongings. Some Pittsburgh storage facilities provide 24-hour access. Self Storage for Pittsburgh Small Businesses Pittsburgh's economic upswing makes it an ideal location for starting and operating a small business. In fact, many start-ups in the tech and medical research sectors select Pittsburgh as the home of their young companies because of the economic opportunities in the area. Any small business is probably looking to keep costs down as it grows, and self storage is a smart solution for many companies that need more space. Rather than renting a larger office space, many local businesses rent a Pittsburgh self storage unit to house equipment, office supplies, records, or inventory. Beneficial self storage features for small businesses: Security: When storing valuable business investments like inventory, furniture, and electronics, you may want to choose a facility with additional security features like video surveillance, alarmed units, or on-site management. Climate Control: Extreme temperatures can damage sensitive items like electronics, paper documents, or inventory. Because Pittsburgh weather fluctuates between hot and humid conditions in the 90s in the summer and sub-freezing temperatures as low as -19 degrees in the winter, you may want to rent a climate-controlled storage unit in Pittsburgh to protect your assets. Climate control will maintain moderate temperatures and humidity levels in your unit, with temperatures remaining between 55–85 degrees. Business Center: Some Pittsburgh storage facilities provide amenities for business owners, such as meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, and electrical outlets inside storage units to help them conduct business while at the facility. RESERVE YOUR PITTSBURGH STORAGE UNIT TODAY! Thank you for visiting Storage.com. If you have found a storage unit in Pittsburgh that fits your needs, you can rent it today by reserving it online, or call in to speak with a storage representative. 14 Reasons Why You Should Consider Moving to Pittsburgh Retiring at a beach community not your scene? Then you'll love the retired life in Pittsburgh. NerdWallet dubbed it one of the best places to retire in 2013. Find out what else there is to love about living in Pittsburgh with this city guide.


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Does bullying really exist among kindergarten children? The answer is a clear yes. Some teachers and parents may still question this evidence, thinking that young children are not capable of "so much meanness". Based on our research and research from colleagues during the past 15 years, we can say that children do not need to be "mean" to bully peers. They just have to learn that their behavior is rewarding and they will keep on with their attacks.
Research on bullying in kindergarten is still new. Nevertheless, all studies conducted in different countries have demonstrated that bullying occurs at approximately the same rate in kindergarten as in elementary school (1, 2, 3). What may differ are the forms of harassment, but the general features are similar. An example:
Mike would very much like to play with Sarah, Andrew, and Simon. He sometimes asks but usually gets the same answer: they don't want him. They habitually ignore him or they tell him he is good for nothing. However, sometimes they ask him to join. That's when they want to play family and need a dog. Dogs do not speak and they have to do everything they are told to. After some 5 minutes Mike usually gets very sad and runs away.
This is neither a conflict nor a playful situation among equal peers. This is a typical case of bullying and it occurred in a kindergarten and was repeatedly observed by the teacher. It has all elements of bullying that we know from older school children: A child who is repeatedly the target of negative acts, several children who stay together to bully their victim, a situation in which the victim has no chance to defend him/herself and an adult who does not really know if she/he should intervene.
Bullying is a Social Problem
There is agreement among researchers that bullying is a social problem and we can observe that children take over or are forced into the same kind of roles in kindergarten as those found among older school children. Furthermore, children in the group can influence the process by helping the victim, supporting the bully, or choosing to ignore what they witness (4). The main roles can be described as follows:
Children Who Are Bullies
- We can observe children, whom we call bullies. They have fun in pestering a specific peer using a broad range of negative behaviors. These may range from hiding shoes, destroying a picture, saying nasty things, refusing to sit beside the targeted child, to beating, throwing stones and the like. Bullies do not often use physical means to aggress their victim and seem to be rather manipulative knowing very well whom they can aggress against without retaliation, where they can do it unobserved, and even how to get peers to assist them. They feel powerful, like Eric, 6 years old, who used to say: "I'm the boss here". Although percentages in kindergarten vary depending on the assessment methods that were used, . In our kindergarten studies, combining teacher ratings and peer nominations, we find around 10% of kindergarteners are bullies. These children are very well aware of social norms and rules, but they have to learn to respect them.
Children Who Are Passive Victims
- Our studies also indicate that about 6% of kindergarten children can be categorized as passive victims, children who are victimized by the bully and some other peers (the bully's assistants) on a regular basis and who do not retaliate when attacked. Teachers often tell us that these young victims are very kind children. In our research, we find that these kindergarteners usually share belongings, help and console their peers, even if although they do it less often than children who are never involved in bullying or victimized. These passive victims also seem to have difficulties asserting themselves, saying "No, I don't want this!" Furthermore, they play alone more often than other children and seem to have difficulties making friends, approaching other children, asking peers to play, etc. Not surprisingly, we also find that these children have fewer friends and are less liked by peers than bullies or children who are not involved in bullying at all. It would be of great help for these children to gain more self-confidence in social relationships. For example, they may benefit from in training in assertiveness with non-aggressive peers. Also, every experience of that enhance their self-competence would be helpful to these children in order to minimize their vulnerability in the peer group.
Children Who Are Aggressive Victims
- There are also children who themselves behave highly aggressively in the peer group and who become victimized. We call them aggressive victims, and our studies indicate that this characterizes about (around 8% in our studies) of kindergarteners. These children are very impulsive and use physical aggression much more often than bullies do. They seem to lack self-control and to react all too quickly and aggressively to provocations or to what they perceive as such. And even if they defend themselves vehemently, they cannot stop the bullying. Their impulsiveness is also "used" and manipulated by the bullies, who know how to provoke their outbursts. These children also seem to lack skills that are helpful in finding friends, they actually have few friends and are not well liked by peers.
Children Who Are Assistants to Bullies
- There are also children in the group who do not initiate bullying, but sometimes assist the bullies, and other children who sometimes are bullied, but not as regularly as the victims described above.
Children Who Are Witnesses to Bullying
- Finally, about half of the children in a kindergarten group never bully peers and are never attacked by peers. Our studies show that these children often feel angry or sad when they witness bullying and sometimes try to help the victim. Importantly, results from our prevention studies show that these children can learn to help victims. This, however, has to be combined with clearly defined behavior rules in the class. Then, children can very well learn to tell bullies to stop to bullies (indicating that the behavior is "against the rules they have agreed upon") and to get help from the teacher, when the bully does not stop.
What are the Consequences of Bullying at this Young Age?
- Psychosomatic symptoms - Kindergarten children who are harassed by their peers have been reported by parents and teachers to be stressed, to show different psychosomatic symptoms (for example, headaches), to be afraid of going to kindergarten and to show depressive symptoms.
- Peer rejection - In our studies, we find that bullying among younger children is very similar to bullying among school children; it is a problem that concerns the whole group of children in the class as well as the adults (teachers and parents). Kindergarten children like victims much less than non-involved peers and even bullies. Also, victims lack friends who could protect them. We know that peer rejection remains stable for years and has long-lasting negative consequences for children's well-being and social adjustment (5) and also may lead to further victimization (6). Given such evidence, it is clear that children who lack friends, who are not well accepted in the group and who even are victimized need special attention and adult's help to come out of such vicious circles.
Consequently, even if we see that many children in the peer group are upset about bullying, research findings are very consistent with observations from teachers, showing that victims and their peers cannot bring the situation to an end and that bullies do not stop by themselves. All findings indicate that the situation is highly reinforcing for bullies and that they themselves, like the victims, are confined in their role. This means that adults have to become directly involved and stop this harmful situation.
Our experience with the prevention of bullying in kindergarten shows that teachers need to do the following:
- First, they need to learn to differentiate between bullying and more typical interpersonal conflicts between young children, and and to recognize early and the sometimes ambiguous signals of bullying and to do so early on.
- Secondly, teachers need to understand that early interventions are necessary to stop bullying and that it is necessary to talk with the whole class and discuss acceptable and non-acceptable behavior. Clear and early communication about bullying helps children who are victimized (they feel supported and protected) and it helps bullies and their assistants who get a clear picture of what is allowed and not. It also contributes to a feeling of security in the whole group, as children perceive that they are not left alone in awkward situations.
Also, parents should be aware of their role as educators and models and communicate the same attitudes as teachers do.
Some Implications of our Knowledge about Bullying in Kindergarten:
- Bullying is unfair and adults must take it seriously as early as in kindergarten.
- Be aware of social, indirect, hidden and ambiguous forms of bullying; they already occur in kindergarten.
- Pay attention to symptoms and possible indicators of victimization, like unwillingness to go to kindergarten, stress or sadness
- Listen to children when they report on "trivial" daily hassles that seem to upset them. It may be one of many hassles.
- Talk with the children about "good and bad things" happening in the kindergarten group.
- Talk about the unfairness of bullying and provide children with alternative behaviors
- Teach children to say no!
- Give children an opportunity to feel competent
- Give children who feel insecure in situations with peers some social training
- Use teaching forms and games that enhance integration of all children
- Encourage children who are not involved in bullying to intervene when they witness such situations. They may be trained to tell the bully to stop, to ask the teacher to help or to include the victim in play situations.
All recommendations listed above are part of our prevention program against bullying in kindergarten and school (7).
Some papers from our team on bullying in kindergarten:
Alsaker, F. D. (2004). The Bernese program against victimization in kindergarten and elementary school (Be-Prox). In P. K. Smith, D. Pepler, & K. Rigby (Eds.), Bullying in schools: How successful can interventions be? (pp.289-306). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Alsaker, F. D., & Gutzwiller-Helfenfinger, E. (in press). Social behavior and peer relationships of victims, bully-victims, and bullies in kindergarten. In S. R. Jimerson, S. M. Swearer, & D. L. Espelage (Eds.), The International Handbook of School Bullying. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Alsaker, F. D., & Nägele, C (in press, 2008). Bullying in kindergarten and prevention. In W. Craig, & D. Pepler (Eds.), An International Perspective on Understanding and Addressing Bullying. PREVNet Series, Volume I. PREVNet: Kingston, Canada.
Alsaker, F. D., & Nägele, C (submitted, July 2008). Vulnerability to victimization in kindergarten: Need for a differentiation between passive and aggressive victims. Merril-Palmer Quarterly.
Alsaker, F. D., & Valkanover, S. (2001). Early diagnosis and prevention of victimization in kindergarten. In J. Juvonen, & S. Graham (Eds.), Peer harassment in school: the plight of the vulnerable and victimized (pp. 175-195). Guilford Press. Valkanover, S.,
Alsaker, F. D., Svreck, A., & Kauer, M. (2004). Mobbing ist kein Kinderspiel. Arbeitsheft zur Prävention in Kindergarten und Schule [Bullying is not a game: Teachers' book on preventing bullying in kindergarten and school]. Bern: Schulverlag
Françoise D. Alsaker is a professor in developmental psychology at the University of Berne, Switzerland. Her special interests are: socio-emotional development and developmental psychopathology. In the past years, she has lead two large research projects on: 1) victimization and its prevention through kindergarten and primary school and 2) on Swiss adolescents' health (national study).
- Alsaker, F. D., & Nägele, C (in press, 2008). Bullying in kindergarten and prevention. In W. Craig, & D. Pepler (Eds.), An International Perspective on Understanding and Addressing Bullying. PREVNet Series, Volume I. PREVNet: Kingston, Canada.
- Alsaker, F. D., & Nägele, C (submitted, July 2008). Vulnerability to victimization in kindergarten: Need for a differentiation between passive and aggressive victims. Merril-Palmer Quarterly.
- Stassen Berger, K. (2007). Update on bullying at school: Science forgotten? Developmental Review, 27,90 – 126.
- Salmivalli, C., Lagerspetz, K., Björkqvist, K., Österman, K., & Kaukiainen, A. (1996). Bullying as a group process: participant roles and their relations to social status. Aggressive Behavior, 22, 1-15.
- McDougall, P., Hymel, S., Vaillancourt, T., & Mercer, L. (2001). The consequences of early childhood rejection. In M. Leary (Ed.) Interpersonal Rejection (pp. 213-247). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Ladd, G. W. & Troop-Gordon, W. (2003). The role of chronic peer difficulties in the development of children's psychological adjustment problems. Child Development, 74, 1344-67.
- Alsaker, F. D. (2004). The Bernese program against victimization in kindergarten and elementary school (Be-Prox). In P. K. Smith, D. Pepler, & K. Rigby (Eds.), Bullying in schools: How successful can interventions be? (pp.289-306). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


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Jaffrey woman charged with arson
May 13. 2013 11:58AM
JAFFREY - A 48-year-old woman is charged with arson in a May 9 fire that damaged her 23 Forest Park home.
Mary Jane Britch, 48, is accused of setting fire to her home located at Forest Park Estates. She was arrested Friday on felony charges of arson and reckless conduct.
She was detained in the Cheshire County jail pending arraignment Monday in 8th Circuit Court, Jaffrey District Division.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Investigator Keith Rodenhiser of the state Fire Marshal's Office at 223-4289 or Jaffrey police at 532-7865.


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(AP) Romney says reporters can cover Israeli fundraiser
By KASIE HUNT
Associated Press
U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney has reversed course and will let reporters cover his remarks to donors at a fundraiser in Israel.
Romney's campaign says the typical group of reporters will be allowed to cover a high-dollar fundraiser at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on Monday morning.
The campaign had said on Saturday that it planned to prevent the typical coverage of a fundraising event in a public space.
One of those expected to attend is Sheldon Adelson, the American casino mogul who's pledged to spend more than $100 million to defeat Democratic President Barack Obama.
Donors at the event were asked to contribute $50,000 or to raise $100,000. Romney advisers say the event is expected to raise more than $1 million.


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Mary Louise Mumma, 90
Mary Louise (Johnson) Mumma, 90, formerly of Spencer and Martinsville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Services will immediately follow at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer. Rev. Wayne Johnson, nephew, will officiate.
Mary Louise entered this life on January 14, 1924 in Owen County, Indiana. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Spencer. She worked at the old Bell Telephone office as a switchboard operator in Spencer and as a cafeteria worker in Martinsville. She took pride in housekeeping, canning, baking and sewing. She is the daughter of the late Dell and Ellie Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ralph, Renos and John Johnson.
Survivors include her husband, Frank E. Mumma; daughter, Suellen (Tom) Nelson of Clarksville, Tennessee; in-laws, John (Rosalee) Mumma, Mary Pietzuch, and Leota Ooley, all of Owen County; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.westparrishpedigo.com.
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ALBANY — New York State voters think government corruption is a major problem in the state capital, and many say Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has done a lackluster job of fighting it, a poll released on Wednesday said.
The poll, by Quinnipiac University, found that voters had an overwhelmingly negative view of the Legislature, and nearly 9 in 10 voters said government corruption was a serious problem in the state. The survey was conducted from April 9 to 14, shortly after two state legislators were charged by federal prosecutors in unrelated corruption schemes.
Many voters suggested that Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat who ran for governor on a platform of cleaning up Albany, had fallen short of his goal. Fifty-seven percent approved of his overall job performance, an increase of two percentage points from last month. But voters were more critical when it came to his efforts at reducing corruption: 52 percent rated his work as not so good or poor, compared with 37 percent who described it as excellent or good.
"They think it's the governor's obligation, more than the Legislature's, to drain the cesspool, and they're not convinced he's doing a good job," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Following the two scandals, Mr. Cuomo said he would seek to improve the state's election and campaign finance laws. Last week, as Quinnipiac pollsters were surveying voters, he said he would propose legislation to make it easier for district attorneys to prosecute corruption. This week, after the polling had finished, he said he would seek the creation of an independent office to enforce state election law.
Voters were even more negative about legislative leaders; three-quarters rated their efforts at cleaning up corruption as not so good or poor.
Some also appeared to have soured on an unusual arrangement in which control of the State Senate is being shared between Republicans and an independent faction of Democrats.
Fifty percent of voters described the deal as a power grab, compared with 35 percent who thought it was an effective form of government — a reversal from when Quinnipiac asked voters about the arrangement just after it was announced in December. The group of Democrats had included one of the charged legislators, Senator Malcolm A. Smith of Queens, who was accused of trying to bribe his way onto the ballot for mayor of New York City. On Monday, the majority coalition removed Mr. Smith from its ranks.
Voters were skeptical about the installation of a system of public financing for state elections, which is the centerpiece of a package of reform measures that government watchdog groups and many Democratic officeholders hope will pass this year. Only 37 percent of voters said they supported public financing for state elections, and just 35 percent said they believed such a system would reduce government corruption.
The poll,of 1,404 registered voters, was conducted by telephone; it has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.