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New SCUBA-2 camera reveals wild youth of the universe
A team of astronomers from the UK, Canada and the Netherlands have commenced a revolutionary new study of cosmic star-formation history, looking back in time to when the universe was still in its lively and somewhat unruly youth! The consortium, co-led by University of Edinburgh astrophysicist Professor James Dunlop, is using a brand new camera called SCUBA-2, the most powerful camera ever developed for observing light at "sub-mm" wavelengths (i.e. light of wavelength 1000 times longer than we can see with our eyes).
SCUBA-2 is mounted on the world's largest sub-mm telescope, the 15-metre James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), located atop the 4,300-metre high peak of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Prof. Dunlop will present the first results from the survey on 27 March at the RAS / AG National Astronomy Meeting in Manchester.
The new project, named the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey will run for 3 years and will provide the clearest view to date of dust-enshrouded star-forming galaxies. These objects are so remote that the light we detect left them billions of years ago, so we see them as they looked in the distant past. With SCUBA-2 astronomers are able to study objects that existed as far back as 13 billion years ago, within the first billion years after the Big Bang.
Because stars form inside clouds of gas and dust, much of the ultraviolet light from young galaxies is absorbed by this cosmic dust which is then heated to a few tens of degrees above absolute zero (-273 degrees Celsius). The "warmed" (but still rather "cool") dust then remits the absorbed energy at far-infrared wavelengths, which is then further redshifted to longer sub-mm wavelengths en-route to the Earth by the expansion of the Universe.
Detecting such emission is a challenge, both because Earth-based telescopes are warm and hence glow at sub-mm wavelengths and because water vapour in the atmosphere both absorbs and emits light in this waveband. To get around the problems of the atmosphere, the latest sub-mm surveys have recently been conducted from space, using the Herschel Space Observatory. However, the relatively small size (3.5-metre diameter) of Herschel means that the images it produces, while covering large areas, are rather fuzzy. Because its primary mirror is 20 times larger in area, the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, now equipped with SCUBA-2, can provide a much sharper view of the sub-mm sky, especially on those occasions when the sky above the high mountain tops in Hawaii is really dry.
The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey is being targeted at areas on the sky which have already been studied in detail by other telescopes observing at different wavelengths. Of special importance is the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), which is undertaking a major 3-year survey (called CANDELS) of the visible light emission from high-redshift galaxies with its own new camera, Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). By combining the JCMT and HST imaging astronomers can gain an unparalleled view of the most massive galaxies which roamed the Universe back in the "golden era" of star formation activity.
The first image presented here is made using the SCUBA-2 camera at a wavelength of 450 microns. Zooming in, it shows seven distinct sub-mm sources that appeared blended together in the poorer-quality Herschel image. The Hubble images then show that the SCUBA-2 sources are massive, clumpy, violently star-forming disc galaxies, seen at a time when the Universe was about a quarter of its present age.
Prof. Dunlop is delighted by these first deep SCUBA-2 images and looking forward to more results over the next few years. "Edinburgh scientists and engineers worked hard to construct this revolutionary new instrument and, together with our colleagues in Canada and the Netherlands, we're now seeing the fruits of our efforts. With SCUBA-2 we can study the most violently star-forming galaxies in the young Universe, and slowly but surely start to understand how the primitive cosmos evolved into the universe we live in today."
Images And Captions
Caption: The backdrop to the image shows the first deep sub-mm image made with SCUBA-2 at a wavelength of 450 microns. A zoom-in to the centre of this image shows seven distinct sub-mm sources, which were blended together in the poorer-quality Herschel image (shown on the left). These seven SCUBA-2 sources can then be matched to galaxies in the Hubble Space Telescope image (on the right). Further zoom-ins to the Hubble images of four of these galaxies are shown. These reveal that the SCUBA-2 sources are massive, clumpy, violently star-forming disc galaxies, seen at a time when the Universe was about a quarter of its present age. 'z' corresponds to the redshift of each galaxy and here indicates that we are seeing them as they were around 10 billion years ago. Credit: ROE / JCMT / SCUBA-2
The SCUBA-2 image can be downloaded from
Images of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope can be downloaded from
Science Contacts:
Prof James S. Dunlop (S2CLS co-PI)
Institute for Astronomy
University of Edinburgh
Royal Observatory
Tel: +44 (0)131 668 8477
Mob: +44 (0)793 230 4542
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Prof Ian Smail (S2CLS co-PI)
Institute for Computational Cosmology
Department of Physics
Durham University
South Road
Durham DH1 3LE
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 3605
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Prof Mark Halpern (S2CLS co-PI)
Department of Physics and Astronomy
6224 Agricultural Road
University of British Columbia
Tel: +1 604 822 6709
Email: email@example.com
Prof Paul van der Werf (S2CLS co-PI)
Leiden Observatory
P.O. Box 9513
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 71 527 5883
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. Antonio Chrysostomou (Associate Director, JCMT)
Joint Astronomy Centre
660 N. A'ohoku Place
University Park
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Tel: +1 (808) 961 3756
Email: email@example.com
Prof Wayne Holland (SCUBA2 Project Scientist)
Royal Observatory
Tel: +44 (0)131 668 8389
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Media Contacts:
NAM 2012 Press Office (0900 – 1730 GMT, 27-29 April; 0900 – 1630
GMT 30 April)
Room 3.214
University Place building
University of Manchester
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 7313
Dr Robert Massey
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)794 124 8035
Email: email@example.com
Anita Heward
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7756 034 243
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr Klaus Jaeger
Pressereferent / Press Officer im Vorstand der Astronomischen Gesellschaft
Tel: +49 6221 528 379
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dan Cochlin
Media Officer (Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences)
University of Manchester
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 8387
Email: email@example.com
Dr Holly Thomas
Joint Astronomy Centre
Hilo, Hawaii
Tel: +1 808 961 3756
Email: email@example.com
Notes For Editors
SCUBA-2 was designed and constructed at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh
at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, before being shipped to the James
Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii. For details of the JCMT, SCUBA-2
and the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey see the website of the Joint Astronomy
Centre in Hawaii:
University of Edinburgh Institute for Astronomy http://www.roe.ac.uk/ifa/
For more details of the role of the UK ATC in SCUBA-2 see http://www.stfc.ac.uk/ukatc/35365.aspx
Hubble Space Telescope CANDELS Treasury Survey http://candels.ucolick.org/
Hubble Space Telescope (including Wide Field Camera 3) http://www.stsci.edu/
ESA: Herschel Space Observatory http://sci.esa.int/herschel/
Bringing together more than 900 astronomers and space scientists, the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2012) will take place from 27-30 March 2012 in the University Place conference centre at the University of Manchester in the UK. The conference is a joint meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the German Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG) and is held in conjunction with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP: www.uksolphys.org) and Magnetosphere Ionosphere Solar Terrestrial (MIST: www.mist.ac.uk) meetings. NAM 2012 is principally sponsored by the RAS, AG, STFC and the University of Manchester.
The Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS: www.ras.org.uk), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3500 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
The Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG)
The Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG: www.astronomische-gesellschaft.de), founded in 1863, is a modern astronomical society with more than 800 members dedicated to the advancement of astronomy and astrophysics and the networking between astronomers. It represents German astronomers, organises scientific meetings, publishes journals, offers grants, recognises outstanding work through awards and places a high priority on the support of talented young scientists, public outreach and astronomy education in schools.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC: www.stfc.ac.uk) is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar. It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities for example in the area of astronomy, the European Southern Observatory.
Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JBCA: www.jb.man.ac.uk/) is part of the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Manchester. JBCA is split over two main sites: the Alan Turing Building in Manchester and the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire. At Jodrell Bank Observatory, the new Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is a key focus for our work in public engagement and education. Jodrell Bank is a world leader in radio astronomy-related research and technology development with a research programme extending across much of modern astrophysics. The group operates the e-MERLIN national radio astronomy facility and the iconic Lovell Telescope, hosts the UK ALMA Regional Centre Node and is home to the international office of the SKA Organisation. Funded by the University, the Science & Technology Facilities Council and the European Commission, it is one of the UK's largest astrophysics research groups.


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Computers for Developing Countries
Computers can make a vital difference to the lives of children in the developing world. Through access to computers, children can develop ICT skills that will dramatically improve their job prospects.
However, most children in Ghana graduate from formal education without any ICT skills. Around five billion people globally do not have access to ICT and are therefore excluded from the global information economy and remain locked into poverty. At the same time, individuals, businesses and schools in the UK are throwing away millions of working PCs every year. These computers could be donated to schools and colleges in Ghana to help children gain the ICT skills that will be essential to building a better future
CARE (Collect And Recycle Ecologically) Computers For Developing Countries is a Ghana based NGO that was established to further the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Anna's speech made in 2001 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rio Summit 1992 and the Johannesburg Summit. He said:
What is even more daunting a task, is to translate sustainable development and it's various connotations and implications for the benefit of our future young generation. Chapter 36 of Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit established that education is the cornerstone of the sustainable development.
CARE Computers For Developing Countries NGO has been established with a two-fold vision. Firstly, to assist in the education and development of the less privileged secondary/tertiary school student of the developing country, and secondly, to help address the environmental issues of dumping of computer waste. Our vision is founded on the desire to help bridge the gap between the student in the developming country and his/her counterpart in the developed country through the use of information technology (IT) as well as leading the way in encouraging others to responsibly manage waste (irreparable PC's) in a worldwide acceptable manner through the adoption of W.E.E.E legislation.
Simply put, CARE takes redundant computers donated by businesses, schools and other institutions here in UK, prepares them for use by deleting the existing data to DOD (Department of Defence) standards and reloads the appropriate software prior to shipment to Ghana. As our donors regularly upgrade their computer facilities, existing computers become redundant. CARE takes redundant ICT equipment and uses this opportunity not only to help school children in Ghana with their study of ICT and access to PC's in general, but also to help the environment by recycling (using approved and acceptable international standards) and raising environmental awareness.
Who benefits?
See the latest list of Ghana schools that have benefitted from donated computer equipment...
CAREC4DC is a Ghana based NGO
Dansoman Junction, Kaneshie-Winneba Road, Accra, Ghana
Registered in Ghana 2006 as a Limited Company: G-19,460 | Ghana NGO Number: D.S.W/4550

subset: commoncrawl


text:
— Picképlein
Radisson Blu Palace Hotel, Noordwijk aan Zee
Enjoy a refreshing stay at this Noordwijk aan Zee hotel
Whether travelling for business or pleasure, you'll enjoy a relaxing, restorative stay at the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in the delightful town of Noordwijk aan Zee. Convenient to the most beautiful beach in the Netherlands, the hotel also offer easy accessibility to great shopping in the Noordwijk aan Zee city centre. The impressive hotel features 120 spacious and elegant rooms and suites, offering the utmost in comfort, privacy and thoughtful amenities like Free high-speed wireless Internet access. Two on-site restaurants welcome guests to enjoy exquisite dining featuring innovative Dutch fare and popular international favourites prepared with the freshest and most ecological ingredients. Settle into stylish Paul's Bar and enjoy a perfectly mixed cocktail in the jazz-inspired setting. Both business and leisure guests appreciate the convenience of the well-equipped Fitness Club and the hotel's Wellness Centre, which offers indulgent beauty and spa treatments. Eleven flexible conference rooms complement two well-appointed board rooms, making the hotel an ideal venue for business meetings, presentations and social gatherings.
- Enjoy a relaxing stay at this hotel in the charming town of Noordwijk aan Zee in The Netherlands.
- Only 25 kilometres from Amsterdam's Schipol airport, the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel Noordwijk aan Zee provides easy access to the beautiful nearby beaches and breathtaking bulb fields of The Netherlands.
- Choose from 115 rooms and five suites, each offering desirable amenities, including Free high-speed Internet access, steam showers and individual climate control.
- Enjoy international favourites and delicious traditional Dutch cuisine in the hotel's on-site restaurants, Brasserie & Lounge Circles and Restaurant Chatillon.
- Relax with a glass of local wine, favourite beer or perfectly mixed cocktail in the intimate jazz bar.
- Plan a productive meeting in the hotel's modern and well-equipped conference space.
- Take advantage of the Wellness Centre and schedule a relaxing massage or a refreshing manicure or pedicure.


text: Minutes of the special meeting of Thursday, June 28, 2001 (As approved amended August 7, 2001) The San Francisco Public Library Commission held a special meeting on Thursday, June 28, 2001 in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library. President Higueras called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM The following members were noted present: Bautista, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman. The Secretary reported Commissioners Streets and Swig excused attendance. The Secretary reported that Commissioner Chin's arrival could be delayed. AGENDA ITEM #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT City Librarian Susan Hildreth provided the Commissioners with a background summary of the branch library site search process to date. She then introduced Mr. Charlie Dunn of the Department of Real Estate, who gave a more detailed report on how the Library had first reviewed 7 or 8 potential branch library locations in each of the neighborhoods whose branch library was currently in rented facilities. Mr. Dunn noted that the community meetings held in these neighborhoods had provided important additional leads as well as called attention to potential sites that the Library had not considered. Mr. Dunn reported that based on preliminary reviews, the number of potential branch library locations being proposed for the Commission's preliminary consideration had been reduced to 2 or 3 locations in each of the neighborhoods. Mr. Dunn clarified that what he was requesting was that the Commissioners act to direct library staff and the Department of Real Estate to enter into discussions with the property owners of these potential branch library locations to further explore their availability for use by the Library. Mr. Dunn noted that he did not propose to present the Commissioners with a ranked list of recommendations but rather that he would gather data on economic and other factors that the Commissioners would need to weigh before making a choice. Mr. Dunn further observed that the Commission would have to request that the Board of Supervisors approve selection of the Library Commission's recommended choice for the new branch library location. Mr. Dunn outlined the basic criteria used in considering potential sites to be: a minimum of 7,000 sq. ft. of available space; a preference for a corner site; and location in a vacant space in a commercial rather than residential area. Mr. Dunn reported that the input from residents at the neighborhood community meetings on the proposed branch library locations had had a significant impact in reducing the numbers of potential locations from 7 or 8 to 3. At the suggestion of President Higueras, Mr. Dunn first presented the various proposed sites for the new Glen Park Branch Library. Site A was identified as the "Kelly" site located at 2820 Diamond Street and its rear lot. Mr. Dunn explained that this location was 12,943-sq. ft. currently occupied by two-story building. He noted that the building was not deemed historically significant and that the property was immediately adjacent to city owned open space that would allow options for various entryways into the proposed site. Mr. Dunn also reported that thus far he had had no contact with the owner and did not know if the property was available for purchase. Site B was reported as the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) District parking area located on Bosworth Street. This location was identified as having 8,000 sq. ft of available space and it was noted that the Transit District was eager to cooperate in developing this location for a joint use facility. Site C was described as the location of a former and proposed neighborhood serving grocery store located at Diamond and Wilder Streets. Mr. Dunn noted that what was proposed for this location was a condominium project with the new branch library located on the second floor of a multistory building which would house a grocery on its ground floor. Mr. Dunn noted that there would be 8 to 10,000 sq. ft. available to the Library at this location and as the development project was already underway this location offered an opportunity to fast track development of the branch library if this site were chosen. Public comment on Agenda Item #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT (Glen Park sites) Mr. Greg Elsner, a 20 year Moffett Street resident, expressed happiness that a new branch library was being proposed and noted that more than 30 people had attended the neighborhood meeting considering the potential locations. Mr. Elsner reported that a voice vote at that meeting had favored selection of Site A, the "Kelly" site noting that its corner location made it very accessible to neighbors and to travelers on BART as well as to nearby schools. Mr. Elsner reported that the members of the Glen Park Association also supported selection of Site A. Mr. Elsner also remarked that Site C had potential, but expressed concern with the library's second floor location. Mr. David Prowler, representing the developers of Site C, expressed happiness at its inclusion among the list of preferred sites. Mr. Prowler noted that the developer of this property was a neighborhood resident who bought the property in order to preserve the neighborhood serving market as well as to meet other neighborhood needs such as expanded space for the branch library. Mr. Prowler called Site C's location as the "Times Square" of Glen Park and noted that while the idea of a mixed use development might take getting used to, the entire project provided a great opportunity and some challenges for the neighborhood. Mr. Prowler noted that the developer proposed that the branch library would have a strong street level as well as second story presence and expressed confidence that any challenges could be overcome to make this project a success. Ms. Miriam Moss, a former school teacher and 26 year Glen Park resident, voiced opposition to the selection of Site C, particularly calling attention to the problems inherent in locating the branch library on the second floor over a grocery store. Ms. Moss found that Site A was preferred and commented that locating the branch library on the second level in a mixed use facility diminished its importance as an educational center in the community. Mr. Chris van Loben Sels, a resident of Wilder Street voiced strong opposition to selection of Site B. He noted that BART had demolished a significant portion of Wilder Street properties in order to build its station and that choice of Site B would impose further negative impacts on the residents of Wilder Street. Mr. van Loben Sels commented that development of the branch library on Site B would result in both privacy and security concerns for Wilder Street residents created by locating a multi-level facility on that site. Mr. Ed Regan noted that he was not a Glen Park resident but applauded the Library's efforts to purchase property for new branches. Mr. Regan recommended that such branches be located in business districts located on bus lines. Ms. Joanne Nordstrom, President of the Glen Park Merchants Association reported its unanimous support for the selection of Site B, the grocery development project, noting that this project was already under development and offered a great opportunity for getting the branch library going quickly. She further noted that this project offered an opportunity for a good architectural development in the busy heart of the neighborhood. Ms. Sybil Boutilier, a Glen Park resident, favored selection of Site A noting that the neighborhood wanted both a new grocery as well as a new branch library. Ms. Boutilier suggested that the Library should control its own facility and that a new branch located at Site A in the center of Glen Park Village would be close to BART, shopping, and schools. She found this to be the most beneficial location. Mr. Rube Warren, a Planner for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District, described the potential use of three different configurations for a facility located on Site B, the BART parking lot. Mr. Warren noted that it offered superior pedestrian access potential and suggested that the branch library could be built at grade level on Bosworth Street. Mr. Warren responded to some of the concerns raised by reporting that the BART District would conduct an architectural design charette for any proposed facility to suggest options to resolve the potential problems noted. Mr. Bruce Bammaker of the Glen Park Association and Glen Park Merchants Association suggested that Site C, the Diamond Super location offered the best option for enhancing the urban presence of the branch library in a central location. He further noted that the Branch Library was the only city facility in Glen Park and that it was therefore important to get this project moving. Mr. Bammaker also noted that Site B, the Diamond Super site, was the choice of the leadership of the community. Mr. Ed Rogan expressed disappointment at having missed the community meeting but noted that it was his sense that Site A, the "Kelly" site was the most attractive, calling it the cornerstone of the neighborhood. Mr. Rogan noted the importance of the Library controlling its own site and noted that the grocery store location was going to be developed in any event. Mr. Rogan found the BART site (Site B) unacceptably far from the center of the neighborhood favoring a "Main Street" location instead. Ms. Andrea O'Leary voiced her support for Site A noting that this neighborhood branch library had special needs and that locating at the "Kelly" site placed the branch library next to an open space area. She found this much preferable to what she termed the "industrial" character of the BART site (Site B) and problems posed by the grocery site (Site C). Mr. Michael Rice, Vice President of the Glen Park Association, noted that no site was ideal and that there were pluses and minuses to each. He identified Site A as the most favorable. Ms. Nora Dowley thanked Susan Hildreth City Librarian and Donna Corbeil, Library Chief of Branches for their efforts to involve the neighborhood fully in the process of replacing the branch library with a new facility. Mr. Peter Warfield, while noting he was not a Glen Park resident, observed that as a city resident that might wish to access the library in Glen Park he was concerned with its development. Mr. Warfield expressed displeasure that documents related to the site selection process were not available prior to the meeting, that he had wished to see what other sites had been considered, and that he felt that the entire process was closed. Mr. Warfield expressed the view that the Commission was being asked to rubber stamp recommendations without being made aware of other options. Mr. Warfield requested that information on a timetable for the development of the various branches be made available in order to provide more opportunities for members of the public to provide input. Commission comment on Agenda Item #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT (Glen Park sites) Vice President Steiman, a Glen Park resident, discussed the many issues that had been discussed in the community meeting that had been held to gather neighborhood input into the site selection process. Commissioner Steiman observed that the new library needed to be a focal point of the neighborhood as were many of the Carnegie branch libraries the center of their neighborhoods. She expressed concerns with the 2nd floor location proposed for Site C as well as concerns that could arise during the projected long-term problems that could develop in a mixed use setting. Vice President Steiman indicated that she felt Site A, the "Kelly" site as the likely best location but noted that the owner may not wish to sell and use of the city's "eminent domain" power may not be possible when there are nearby alternative locations available. Vice President Steiman commented that she also had concerns with Site B, the BART site noting cost concerns as well as a dislike for a multistory garage that could be necessary if that site were chosen. Vice President Steiman expressed the wish that this site selection be very carefully considered with neither too much haste nor too long a delay in bringing a recommendation to the Commission. Commissioner Bautista expressed appreciation to the Glen Park neighbors who took part in this process and noted that she had visited the sites. She expressed her commitment to listen carefully to the input from the community in order understand the neighborhood's vision for their library and to give the community a sense of ownership of their new branch library. Commissioner Bautista commented that she found any of the three proposed sites acceptable, but wanted to give the wishes of the residents of Glen Park a major role in choosing which location was picked. Commissioner Coulter thanked the residents for their very active role in helping to choose the branch library's location. Commissioner Coulter asked Mr. Dunn to explain what would happen if the Commission was not satisfied with the recommendation for a site that resulted from the negotiations by library staff and the Department of Real Estate. Mr. Dunn responded with a very detailed discussion of the process which library staff and his Department would undertake to insure that there would be a complete workup on each of the proposed sites outlining in detail the weight given to various factors which would underlay their recommendations. Mr. Dunn noted that consideration would be given to both the acquisition as well as development costs within the limitations included in the bond issue. He also noted that Library Bond Project Manager Marilyn Thompson and City Bureau of Architecture staff would be actively involved in reviewing these sites. Vice President Steiman noted that as Glen Park is a major transit hub consideration should be given to selecting a site with potential for future expansion suggesting that there could be a need for a larger neighborhood library in the future. Commissioner Chin welcomed the neighborhood residents' comments and inquired concerning what yardstick the Department of Real Estate used to determine what a reasonable cost for a branch library site might be. Commissioner Chin cautioned that the Library Commission had to be fair to every neighborhood in making funds available for the various branch libraries. Ms. Hildreth noted that the bond program did include predetermined budget amounts for the various projects. Mr. Dunn responded that the Department of Real Estate was required to pay fair market value for properties that it acquired and that each location would be professionally appraised and recommendations would be made based on amounts within the limits of funds available for these projects in the bond program. City Librarian Susan Hildreth noted that the original timeline for the various branch libraries could be revised as circumstances changed to warrant bringing some projects forward earlier than originally proposed. MOTION: By Commissioner Bautista, seconded by Commissioner Coulter to authorize the Department of Real Estate to negotiate and enter into purchase agreements with the property owners of the proposed Glen Park Branch Library sites and bring its recommendations for the selection of a Glen Park site to the Library Commission for its consideration, review, and approval. ACTION: Aye 5-0 (Bautista, Chin, Coulter, Higueras, and Steiman) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AGENDA ITEM #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT (Visitacion Valley sites) Mr. Dunn next described in extensive detail the similar process used by the Department of Real Estate to identify and evaluate seven or eight potential branch library sites in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood. Mr. Dunn noted that in this case as well the input by neighborhood residents at a community meeting concerning possible sites for the branch library was very useful, bringing to his Department's attention a location which had not been previously considered. Mr. Dunn noted that none of the three locations in the preliminary recommendations was perfect. Mr. Dunn reported Site A as 75-83 Leland Avenue, a two parcel 11,764 sq. ft site in a mid-block currently occupied by a laundry. Mr. Dunn described the current layout as one building on three lots resulting in one parcel being landlocked and thus of lower value. He noted that selection of this property would require very creative design of the branch library because of the irregular shape of the property. Mr. Dunn identified Site B as 201-231 Leland Avenue, a very large 16,000-sq. ft. location currently occupied by a neighborhood serving grocery store. He noted that it might be necessary to split this lot to recover some of the costs of its purchase, but also pointed out that this size would allow ample parking as well as opportunities for landscaping. A point against selection of Site B would be the loss of a neighborhood serving business. Mr. Dunn then described Site C, 2500-2510 Bayshore Boulevard, an 8,000 sq. ft. property on a corner location currently occupied by an auto repair facility. Mr. Dunn noted concerns with this site as being the very busy traffic at Visitacion and Bayshore and the potential need to clean up toxic materials currently on the site. Mr. Dunn reported to the Commissioners that so far none of the property owners had been contacted regarding purchase of these properties. Public comment on Agenda Item #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT (Visitacion Valley sites) Mr. Marvin Seeman, a Visitacion Valley neighbor discussed the views expressed by neighborhood residents and library patrons at the neighborhood community meeting that took community comment on the potential branch library locations in Visitacion Valley, expressing a strong preference for the "Rutland" (Site B) site. Mr. Seeman noted that there were many negatives such as extensive traffic, the potential impact of the Third Street Light Rail Project, noise, and the great difficulty of access to the site for both drivers and pedestrians with the Bayshore auto repair shop site (Site C). Mr. Seeman noted that the "Rutland" site (Site B) better served the Visitacion Valley neighborhood, that in contrast to the Bayshore site the parking was good and that the grocery store location was closer to the majority of the neighborhood population. Mr. Seeman further noted that a bus line goes directly to the grocery location. He observed that the laundry site (Site A) offered little improvement over the existing location and that he strongly supported the "Rutland" site (Site B). Mr. Will Wagler commented that Visitacion Valley was undergoing an exciting renaissance, pointing to the recent creation of a public greenway stretching through the neighborhood and the community organizing which occurred concerning the proposed Home Depot. Mr. Wagler noted that the former Schlage Lock Co. site now offered opportunities for development of new town center. Mr. Wagler expressed a preference for a larger site for the branch library observing that a majority of residents found the Super Fair Market location the best potential site. Mr. Wagler noted that a major grocery could be developed on the Schlage Lock site lessening concerns about displacing an existing business. He pointed out the significant design limitations that proposed Site A would pose. Mr. Wagler recommended that the library develop the new branch as a "green" building so that the building would educate by example as much as the books it contained. An anonymous member of the public expressed regret at not offering comments concerning the Glen Park sites and pointed out that that in both these neighborhoods history had guided their development. This person commented that neighborhoods wanted strong services provided in a quiet intimate neighborhood setting. This individual commented on Commissioner Bautista's observation that the library should look to the neighborhood for its vision and noted that the neighbors were looking to the Library Commission to provide the leadership. The anonymous member of the public commended President Higueras' commitment that the Commission would take a very active role in making sure that the library is served by the locations that are chosen. Mr. Ed Regan noted that he was glad that the library was getting these properties, but expressed his belief that it does little good to build additional libraries without expanding library hours. Ms. Aggie Shapiro, a lifetime resident of Visitacion Valley, informed the Commissioners of how much the library meant to the neighborhood. She expressed the hope that it could be located near schools, across from a church, and readily accessible to public transit. Ms. Shapiro expressed strong support for the "Rutland/Leland" site (Site B) as offering the best opportunity to create a wonderful new neighborhood center, like South San Francisco's Grand Avenue. Ms. Sue Cauthen, member of the Council of Neighborhood Libraries and San Francisco Tomorrow's Library Task Force noted that the Visitacion Valley Branch Library and other small branches had the fewest hours and expressed the hope that in addition to new facilities consideration could be given to additional hours. Ms. Dede Puma, Visitacion Valley Branch Librarian urged the Commission to choose the largest possible site, noting the need for additional space to accommodate future growth. Ms. Puma recommended that the Leland Avenue Site (Site B) be strongly considered. Ms. Puma thanked the community for attending the meeting and offering their comments. Mr. Peter Warfield, while noting that he was not a Visitacion Valley resident, expressed concern with the lack of availability of information concerning all of the sites considered and expressed a preference that explanatory materials be available earlier. Mr. Warfield seconded comments that choosing sites with additional space available for future expansion, such as is available at the Richmond Branch, allowed for opportunities for future growth. Commission comment on Agenda Item #1 BRANCH LIBRARY SITE SELECTION REPORT (Visitacion Valley sites) In response to a question by Vice President Steiman, Ms. Shapiro indicated that the Visitacion Valley neighbors clearly preferred the "Rutland" site (Site B). Vice President Steiman observed the resident's special insight into their needs should be given great consideration when making this choice and thanked the neighbors for their participation. President Higueras congratulated Mr. Dunn for this preliminary report and noted that the Commission looked forward to gathering more information and fully understanding the neighborhood's thoughts and insights on this matter. President Higueras noted that there were few "ideal" sites available, but that the point raised that the new libraries should not only provide excellent library services but also enhance the livability of the neighborhood's "Main Streets" would be a key element in the library's planning. President Higueras noted that the libraries figure prominently in addressing the livability of these neighborhoods. Commissioner Bautista called attention to the high population of children and young people in these neighborhoods and emphasized how important it would be that the most suitable locations be found for libraries to nurture education in these communities . She also expressed a preference that larger sites be chosen to facilitate future growth. Vice President Steiman expressed a concern that the actions of other city departments not limit the library's options to develop various sites. In response to questions by Commissioner Chin, Ms. Hildreth and Mr. Dunn indicated that the Grocery site (Site B) was strongly preferred over both of the other two sites unlike the case in Glen Park where all three sites had pros and cons. A neighborhood resident offered an explanation as to why there had not been any neighborhood interest in locating the library at the Schlage Lock site. Commissioner Chin commented on the importance of considering children's safety issues when reviewing these sites. At the request of President Higueras, the Secretary repeated the language of the previous motion concerning the Glen Park site. This provided President Higueras an opportunity to clarify the point that in Mr. Dunn's next report to the Commission on this matter in addition to the information concerning the acquisition costs of the parcels that the Commission wished Mr. Dunn to provide details of potential development costs as well. In response to questions by President Higueras, Mr. Dunn indicated that his next report on this matter might be available for Commission review by the end of August. MOTION: By Commissioner Coulter, seconded by Commissioner Bautista to authorize the Department of Real Estate to negotiate and enter into purchase agreements with the property owners of the proposed Visitacion Valley Branch Library sites and bring the preferred alternative for the selection of a branch library site to the Library Commission for its consideration, review, and approval. ACTION: Aye 5-0 (Bautista, Chin, Coulter, Higueras, and Steiman) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agenda Item #2 PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Peter Warfield noted the concerns raised about potential toxic substances on some of the sites and asked that Mr. Dunn report the specific steps to be taken to investigate clean up of these toxic substances and how this would figure into the suitability to build on these sites. Mr. Chris van Loben Sels of Glen Park noted that there was no discussion of a double tier garage at the Community meeting, that there was longstanding and significant opposition to construction of a multi-tier garage in Glen Park, and that the cost of such a structure would significantly impact the differential costs of developing the BART site. Mr. Ed Regan recommended that all of the new facilities should have three stories. An anonymous member of the public commented that this person found a significant resonance in these discussions with a previous discussion of the relocation of the Glen Park Branch to a proposed large-scale development in the neighborhood that was opposed by the neighbors. This person noted that residents want developments to retain human scale to maintain the livability of the neighborhood rather than giant chain stores. The anonymous member of the public was pleased with the sensitivity that the Commission had shown to some of these issues and urged that all these developments be considered from an "on the street basis" and that it was a shame that a more programmatic look had not been taken when considering placements of these libraries, noting the lack of a library serving Diamond Heights patrons. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agenda Item #3 - ADJOURNMENT MOTION: by Commissioner Chin, seconded by Commissioner Bautista that the meeting be adjourned. Public comment on Agenda Item #3 ADJOURNMENT None offered ACTION: AYE 5-0 (Bautista, Chin, Coulter, Higueras, and Steiman) The meeting was adjourned at 7:30PM Michael Housh, Commission Secretary 8/8/01 The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting 1


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The Land Where the Blues Began is one of five films made from footage that Alan Lomax shot between 1978 and 1985 for the PBS American Patchwork series (1991). A self-described "song-hunter," Alan Lomax traveled the Mississippi Delta in the 1930s and 40s, at first with his father John Lomax, later in the company sometimes of black folklorists like John W. Work III, armed with primitive recording equipment and a keen love of the Delta's music heritage. Crisscrossing the towns and hamlets, jook joints and dance halls, prisons and churches, Lomax recorded such greats as Leadbelly, Fred McDowell, and Muddy Waters, all of whom made their debut recordings with him.
In the late 1970s Lomax returned with filmmaker John Bishop and black folklorist Worth Long to make the film The Land Where the Blues Began. Shot on video tape, the film is narrated by Lomax and includes remarkable performances and stories by Johnny Brooks, Walter Brown, Bill Gordon, James Hall, William S. Hart, Beatrice and Clyde Maxwell, Jack Owens, Wilbert Puckett, J. T. Tucker, Reverend Caesar Smith, Bud Spires, Belton Sutherland, and Othar Turner The Association for Cultural Equity's Alan Lomax Archive channel on YouTube additionally streams outtakes from this film: other strong performances by Walter Brown, Sam Chatmon, Clyde Maxwell, Jack Owens, Joe Savage, Bud Spires, Napoleon Strickland, and Othar Turner. Turner is also in Gravel Springs Fife and Drum on Folkstreams.
Alan Lomax's book by the same title won the 1993 National Book Critics Award for nonfiction.


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History of Diving Museum
The History of Diving Museum in Islamorada continues to expand and grow as a living tribute to its founder.
"There's always something new happening here," said museum curator Tim Hemsoth. "We've added a lot of new interactive stuff that visitors can play with."
Dr. Joe Bauer, who spent nearly 40 years assembling a massive collection of historic dive gear and seven years working to open a museum to display it, died in 2007. The museum had opened several months previously.
"Dr. Bauer saw the museum completed prior to his death," Hemsoth said. "He was very happy with the results."
Bauer himself described the 6,000-square-feet museum as "the world"s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical diving apparatus."
No one has disputed the assertion.
His widow, Dr. Sally Bauer, remains active in the nonprofit organization that operates the museum.
"We continue to expand and embellish the exhibits like Joe wanted," Hemsoth said.
Joe Bauer now can be heard at the museum in a new audio narrative at the impressive Parade of Nations exhibit. The display features a wall of 45 historic dive helmets, with Bauer explaining the history and importance of helmet technology. "Every nation that built a dive helmet is there," Hemsoth said.
Work continues on the museum library, a reading room dedicated to underwater exploration. The facility will be available for group meetings at a nominal cost, Hemsoth said.
Signage along U.S. 1 now highlights the "sunken treasure" aspect of dive exploration. "We have not changed the focus of the museum," Hemsoth said. "The search for treasure is inextricably linked to diving history; it"s nearly impossible to separate the two."
Some items of recovered treasure have been displayed, and more exhibits could be added in coming months.
A room is dedicated to Keys dive pioneer Art McKee, who used his hard-hat gear (he came to the Keys to do underwater work on Overseas Highway bridges) in the late 1930s to recover some of the first treasure off a Spanish galleon shipwreck, near Plantation Key.
Visitors see variations on the Divinhood, a helmet made in Miami with an open bottom for easy use. The helmet is credited with revolutionizing the field of marine biology.
The museum expects to shortly unveil its new photo-opportunity aquarium, a 400-gallon display tank with local marine species. Mounted behind the tank will be vintage "hard hat" diving helmets that visitors can peer through.
"We expect that people can take pictures through the aquarium and it will look like people are underwater," Hemsoth said.
The popular Into the Abyss exhibit features historic deep-diving suits such as the "Iron Duke" from 1913. Fifteen years later, the suit went to a then-astonishing 450 feet to recover items from a sunken ship.
"Visitors are amazed that people actually dove in this equipment, compared to the [lightweight] diving equipment of today," Hemsoth said. "But virtually all this stuff from pre-World War 2 was working equipment being used to salve ships, save lives and do critical work underwater."
A display also notes the post-war rise in recreational scuba diving due to the popularity of the Cousteau-Gagnan regulator.
"Recreational diving essentially started right here in the Keys,"" Hemsoth said.


text:
Inspired by quilt design of Sandy Bonsib
From American Patchwork & Quilting, April 2000
7/8 yard total of assorted dark prints for blocks
1 yard total of assorted light prints for blocks
3-1/2 yards of navy print for blocks and outer border
1-7/8 yards of blue print for blocks and inner border
2-1/3 yards of blue toile for blocks, setting squares and triangles, and corner triangles
3/4 yard of dark blue print for binding
7-1/4 yards of backing fabric
86x99" of quilt batting
Finished quilt top: 79-3/4x92-1/2"
Finished block: 9" square
Quantities specified for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.


text:
Ladies Is Pimps Teacup
One-of-a-kind hand painted vintage teacup by Los Angeles designer, Emily Hillburg. Display on your shelf or serve at tea time with biscuits and boy tears.
PLEASE NOTE: all teacups are vintage and completely one of a kind - because of this, the teacup you receive may not look like the ones you see pictured. Returns will not be accepted on this item, but items may be exchanged at the shipping expense of the customer.
The Deets:
- Safe for food and drink
- NOT microwave/dishwasher safe
*This item will ship in approximately 12-14 business days.


text:
Message Board
Joe Simpson Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Simpson has written!
Author Simpson's Book Reviews
Touching the Void
Best friends, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates found the answer to an age old question. During an attempted first ascent of the mountain Siula Grande in the Chilean Andes, Simpson broke his on the decent, and the arduous task of getting off the mountain alive began. In a relentless storm Yates, lowering Simpson on 300ft of rope in the dark with a body belay, Simon accidently lowered Simpson over a cliff. Straining to hold Joe's body in mid-air, Simon was...


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Actress Sarah Jessica Parker has swapped her beloved high heels for sneakers after doctors warned her shoes were causing irreversible damage to her feet.
Parker wore stilettos almost every day for six years while she played fashion-forward Carrie Bradshaw in hit TV series Sex and the City, and now she's paying for it.
She tells Net-a-Porter's online magazine, "For 10 or so years, I literally ran in heels. I worked 18-hour days and never took them off. I wore beautiful shoes, some better made than others, and never complained."
But after twisting her ankle in a cheap pair of shoes while starring as a working mother in 2011 movie I Don't Know How She Does It, the 47 year old made an appointment with a podiatrist, who advised Parker to start taking better care of her body.
She explains, "I went to a foot doctor and he said, 'Your foot does things it shouldn't be able to do. That bone there… You've created that bone. It doesn't belong there.' The moral of the story is, the chickens are coming home to roost. It's sad, because my feet took me all over the world, but eventually they were like, 'You know what, we are really tired, can you just stop – and don't put cheap shoes on us?'"


text:
The NHL awards were last night; we didn't watch. (Mostly a Jay Mohr thing.) So we couldn't tell you what outfit the readers of Seventeen picked out for Jeff Skinner, or if the pointless Jennings Trophy was handed beforehand, like the technical Oscars.
We can tell you that at some point, the Ted Lindsay (né Lester B. Pearson) Award suffered some structural damage. After Sedin was named the players' MVP, perhaps showing that the players watch less hockey than we think, he made every effort to hide the trophy's broken stick in photo ops.
No one's saying how the trophy got dinged. But last year's winner was Alex Ovechkin, and we wouldn't put it past him to spend a year taking it everywhere and doing horrible things with it, Lord Stanley style.


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Tanzania Population: 52,482,7262 VISITORS FROM HERE!
« Previous Country | Next Country » Back to Flag Counter Overview
|Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule ended in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. The formation of a government of national unity between Zanzibar's two leading parties succeeded in minimizing electoral tension in 2010.
Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only two mountains on the continent that has glaciers (the other is Mount Kenya); bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest
|Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
|Geographic coordinates:
| total: 947,300 sq km
land: 885,800 sq km
water: 61,500 sq km
note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Size comparison: more than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California
|Land Boundaries:
|total: 4,161 km border countries (8): Burundi 589 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km, Kenya 775 km, Malawi 512 km, Mozambique 840 km, Rwanda 222 km, Uganda 391 km, Zambia 353 km
|1,424 km
|Maritime claims:
| territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
|varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
|plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
|Elevation extremes:
|Natural resources:
|hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
|Land use:
| agricultural land: 43.7% arable land 14.3%; permanent crops 2.3%; permanent pasture 27.1% forest: 37.3%
other: 19% (2011 est.)
|Irrigated land:
|1,840 sq km (2012)
|Natural hazards:
|flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (elev. 2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru
|Current Environment Issues:
|soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory
|International Environment Agreements:
| party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
|^Back to Top
| noun: Tanzanian(s)
adjective: Tanzanian
|Ethnic groups:
|mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
|Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages
| Christian 61.4%, Muslim 35.2%, folk religion 1.8%, other 0.2%, unaffiliated 1.4%
note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim (2010 est.)
|52,482,726 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2016 est.)
|Age structure:
| 0-14 years: 44.06% (male 11,678,349/female 11,444,708)
15-24 years: 19.71% (male 5,173,239/female 5,169,214)
25-54 years: 29.74% (male 7,840,941/female 7,767,797)
55-64 years: 3.5% (male 802,760/female 1,034,151)
65 years and over: 2.99% (male 668,102/female 903,465) (2016 est.)
|Dependency ratios:
| total dependency ratio: 93.8%
youth dependency ratio: 87.6%
elderly dependency ratio: 6.2%
potential support ratio: 16.1% (2015 est.)
|Median age:
| total: 17.6 years
male: 17.3 years
female: 17.9 years (2016 est.)
|Population growth rate:
|2.77% (2016 est.)
|Birth rate:
|36 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Death rate:
|7.8 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Net migration rate:
|-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
| urban population: 31.6% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 5.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
|Major urban areas - population:
|DAR ES SALAAM (capital) 5.116 million; Mwanza 838,000 (2015)
|Sex ratio:
| at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
|Mother's mean age at first birth:
|19.6 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
|Maternal mortality rate:
|398 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
|Infant mortality rate:
| total: 41.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
|Life expectancy at birth:
| total population: 62.2 years male: 60.8 years
female: 63.6 years (2016 est.)
|Total fertility rate:
|4.83 children born/woman (2016 est.)
|Contraceptive prevalence rate:
|34.4% (2009/10)
|Health expenditures:
|5.6% of GDP (2014)
|Physicians density:
|0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
|Hospital bed density:
|0.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)
|Drinking water source:
| improved:
urban: 77.2% of population
rural: 45.5% of population
total: 55.6% of population
urban: 22.1% of population
rural: 56% of population
total: 46.8% of population (2015 est.)
|Sanitation facility access:
| improved:
urban: 31.3% of population
rural: 8.3% of population
total: 15.6% of population
urban: 68.7% of population
rural: 91.7% of population
total: 84.4% of population (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|4.69% (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|1,385,800 (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|35,700 (2015 est.)
|Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
|5.9% (2014)
|Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
|13.6% (2011)
|Education expenditures:
|3.5% of GDP (2014)
| definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic
total population: 70.6%
male: 75.9%
female: 65.4% (2015 est.)
|School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
| total: 8 years male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2013)
|Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
| total: 5.8% male: 4.5%
female: 7.2% (2013 est.)
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|Country name:
| conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form: Tanzania
local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
local short form: Tanzania
former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar note: the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964
|Government type:
|presidential republic
| name: Dodoma; note - officially changed in 1996; serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly; de facto the capital remains in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation
geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
|Administrative divisions:
|30 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Tabora, Tanga
|26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent on 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent on 10 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar on 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964
|National holiday:
|Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
|several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; amended many times, last in 2012; note - in 2012, the Tanzania Constitutional Review Commission was formed, and in June 2013, completed the first draft of a new constitution and a second version in December; a 640-member Constituent Assembly, formed in February 2014, passed a new constitution draft in October; a national referendum planned for April 2015 has been postponed (2016)
|Legal system:
|English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation
|18 years of age; universal
|Executive branch:
| chief of state: President John MAGUFULI (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President John MAGUFULI, Dr. (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government busines in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2020); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%
note: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; election held on 25 October 2015 was annulled by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission and rerun on 20 March 2016; President Ali Mohamed SHEIN reelected; percent of vote - Ali Mohamed SHEIN 91.4%, Hamad Rashid MOHAMED 3%, other 5.6%
|Legislative branch:
| description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (357 seats; 239 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 102 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve a 5-year term); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (81 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 5 seats reserved for government appointed regional commissioners, and 1 seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term)
elections: Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives elections last held on 25 October 2015 (next National Assembly election to be held in October 2020; next Zanzibar election NA; note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; no date for repoll announced as of early November)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Zanzibar House of Representatives - election annulled
|Judicial branch:
| highest court(s): Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 60 but can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges may serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts
|Political parties and leaders:
|Civic United Front or CUF (Chama Cha Wananchi [Seif Shariff HAMAD, Secretary General] National Convention for Construction and Reform - Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATCA] Party of Democracy and Development or CHADEMA (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) [Freeman MBOWE] Revolutionary Party or CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) [John MAGUFULI] Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA] United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO] Note: in March 2014, four opposition parties (CUF, CHADEMA, NCCR-Mageuzi, and the National League for Democracy) united to form Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (Coalition for the People's Constituion) or UKAWA; during local elections held in October, 2014, UKAWA entered one candidate representing the three parties united in the coalition
|Political pressure groups and leaders:
|Economic and Social Research Foundation or ESRF Free Zanzibar Tanzania Media Women's Association or TAMWA Tanzania Private Sector Foundation or TPSF Twaweza
|International organization participation:
|ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, EAC, EADB, EITI, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
|National symbol(s):
|Uhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors: green, yellow, blue, black
|National anthem:
| name: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)
lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia, but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
|Diplomatic representation in the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador Wilson MASILINGI (since 17 September 2015)
chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125
|Diplomatic representation from the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Virginia BLASER (since October 2016)
embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam
mailing address: P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000
FAX: [255] (22) 229-4970 or 4971
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Tanzania is one of the world's poorest economies in terms of per capita income, but has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism. GDP growth in 2009-15 was an impressive 6-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining. The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for more than one-quarter of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs about 80% of the work force; agriculture accounts for 7% of government expenditures. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular. The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, that provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact grant, worth $698 million, and, in December 2014, the Millennium Challenge Corporation selected Tanzania for a second Compact. In late 2014, a highly publicized scandal in the energy sector involving senior Tanzanian officials resulted in international donors freezing nearly $500 million in direct budget support to the government. The Tanzanian shilling weakened in 2015 because of lower gold prices, election-related political risk, and outflows from emerging market currencies generally.
|GDP (purchasing power parity):
| GDP (purchasing power parity): $150.6 billion (2016 est.) $140.6 billion (2015 est.) $131.4 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|GDP (official exchange rate):
|GDP (official exchange rate): $46.7 billion (2015 est.)
|GDP - real growth rate:
|7.2% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) 7% (2014 est.)
|GDP - per capita (PPP):
| GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,100 (2016 est.) $2,900 (2015 est.) $2,800 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|Gross national saving:
|21.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 22% of GDP (2015 est.) 21.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
|GDP - composition, by end use:
| household consumption: 62.3%
government consumption: 13.4%
investment in fixed capital: 36.5%
investment in inventories: -5.9%
exports of goods and services: 22.9%
imports of goods and services: -29.2% (2016 est.)
|GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
| household consumption: 62.3%
government consumption: 13.4%
investment in fixed capital: 36.5%
investment in inventories: -5.9%
exports of goods and services: 22.9%
imports of goods and services: -29.2% (2016 est.)
|Agriculture - products:
|coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
|agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); mining (diamonds, gold, and iron), salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer
|Industrial production growth rate:
|6% (2016 est.)
|Labor force:
|26.96 million (2016 est.)
|Labor force - by occupation:
| agriculture: 80% industry and
services: 20% (2002 est.)
|Unemployment rate:
|Population below poverty line:
|67.9% (2011 est.)
|Household income or consumption by percentage share:
| lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)
|Distribution of family income - Gini index:
|37.6 (2007) 34.6 (2000)
| revenues: $6.257 billion
expenditures: $8.084 billion (2016 est.)
|Taxes and other revenues:
|13.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
|Public debt:
|36.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 34.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
|Fiscal year:
|1 July - 30 June
|Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (2016 est.) 5.6% (2015 est.)
|Current account balance:
|-$4.121 billion (2016 est.) -$4.007 billion (2015 est.)
|$5.985 billion (2016 est.) $5.709 billion (2015 est.)
|Exports - commodities:
|gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton
|Exports - partners:
|India 21.4%, China 8.1%, Japan 5.1%, Kenya 4.6%, Belgium 4.3% (2015)
|$9.976 billion (2016 est.) $9.843 billion (2015 est.)
|Imports - commodities:
|consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil
|Imports - partners:
|China 34.6%, India 13.5%, South Africa 4.7%, UAE 4.4%, Kenya 4.1% (2015)
|Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|$3.771 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.073 billion (31 December 2015 est.) note: excludes gold
|Debt - external:
|$15.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $15.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
|Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
|Market value of publicly traded shares:
|$1.803 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.539 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.264 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
|Exchange rates:
|Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 2,182.3 (2016 est.) 1,989.7 (2015 est.) 1,989.7 (2014 est.) 1,654 (2013 est.) 1,583 (2012 est.)
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|Electricity - production:
|6.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - consumption:
|5 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - exports:
|0 kWh (2013 est.)
|Electricity - imports:
|60 million kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - installed generating capacity:
|1.2 million kW (2014 est.)
|Electricity - from fossil fuels:
|33.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
|66.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from other renewable sources:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Crude oil - production:
|0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - imports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - proved reserves:
|0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
|Refined petroleum products - production:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - consumption:
|58,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - imports:
|55,380 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - production:
|550 million cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - consumption:
|550 million cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - exports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - imports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - proved reserves:
|6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
|Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
|10 million Mt (2013 est.)
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|Cellular Phones in use:
|total: 39.666 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 78 (July 2015 est.)
|Telephone system:
| general assessment: telecommunications services are marginal; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service
domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and exceeds 75 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radi
international: country code - 255; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2015)
|Broadcast media:
|a state-owned TV station and multiple privately owned TV stations; state-owned national radio station supplemented by more than 40 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)
|Internet country code:
|Internet users:
|total: 2.734 million percent of population: 5.4% (July 2015 est.)
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|166 (2013)
|Airports (paved runways):
| total 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
|Airports (unpaved runways):
| total 156
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 98
under 914 m: 33 (2013)
|gas 311 km; oil 891 km; refined products 8 km (2013)
| total 4,567 km
narrow gauge: 1,860 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,707 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
| total 86,472 km
paved: 7,092 km
unpaved: 79,380 km (2010)
|(Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable) (2011)
|Merchant marine:
| total 94
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 66, carrier 4, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 42 (Japan 1, Romania 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Syria 23, Turkey 13, UAE 3)
registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 2, UK 1) (2010)
|Ports and terminals:
|major seaport(s): Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
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|Military branches:
|Tanzania People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007)
|Military service age and obligation:
|18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
|Military expenditures:
|1.13% of GDP (2012) 1.12% of GDP (2011) 1.13% of GDP (2010)
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|Transnational Issues
|Disputes - International:
|dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake
|Refugees and internally displaced persons:
|refugees (country of origin): 177,335 (Burundi); 62,505 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2016)
|Illicit drugs:
|targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia
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Source: CIA - The World Factbook


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InEos X5
- Dentsply Sirona CAD/CAM
- https://www.dentsply.com/en-us/prosthetics/cad-cam.html#tabs=MultiMat2Sinter
PRODUCT OPTIONS: InEos X5
Dentsply Sirona World 2017 to Feature Viral Video Speaker
Hey! It's "the guy" who was in "THAT video" you saw on Facebook, and he's speaking at the premier dental event of the year! Best-selling author Simon Sinek, who was recently featured in a viral video about Millennials, will speak during the general session of Dentsply Sirona World 2017, Sept. 15 at The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Sinek, who is also well known for his engaging TED Talks, will address essential leadership skills, earning success, and establishing a brand that goes the distance. So whether you're looking to carve out your niche in the local...Read More
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Productivity for Every Practice
Sirona's intraoral products are designed to provide you with solutions to help you make advances in digital dentistry by transforming your daily work and patient interactions. Whether you are using state-of-the art intraoral imaging systems or advanced laser treatment devices, Sirona's innovative techologies can enhance every part of your practice. Click to view document....Read More


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The past year presented several valuable lessons to beekeepers. For example: bees should be managed according to weather conditions and plant phenology, not calendar date; monitoring Varroa is crucial since mite populations can explode under certain circumstances; and the timing and choice of Varroa treatment can have variable outcomes. Also, reading pesticide labels is imperative! In … [Read more...]
You are here: Home / Archives for formic acid
Reflections on 2010
December 11, 2010 By Tony Jadczak, State Apiarist
Filed Under: Bee Inspector Comments Tagged With: Api Life Var, Apiguard, Bee Inspector, deformed wing virus, formic acid, MiteAwayII, Mites, miticide, parasitic mite syndrome, Swarming, Tony Jadczak, treatment options, Varroa, Varroa Mite


text: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks rose Monday, with the S&P 500 SPX, +0.82% bouncing back after its first weekly decline in eight, as Italians voted in general elections and on thinking Japan would move to stimulate its economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.93% rose 37.87 points, or 0.3%, to 14,038.44. The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.82% added 6.32 points, or 0.4%, to 1,521.92. The Nasdaq Composite COMP, +0.90% gained 17.67 points, or 0.6%, to 3,179.48. "We continue to view the stock market as being in the mid-late stages of a multi-year bull market, thus view near-term market dips as buying opportunities rather than a trigger to suggest investors significantly reduce equity exposure," Fred Dickson, chief investment strategist at Davidson Companies, wrote in an email.


text: A free guide to help plan for the future 13 November 2012 McCarthy & Stone finds many over-60s fail to put finances in order and launches free guide to help them plan for the future.As the Association of British Insurers warned last week that living beyond 100 will become the norm by 2100*, research from later living experts McCarthy & Stone reveals many over-60s have no idea how they are going to cope financially.McCarthy & Stone, which has launched a free mini guide to financial planning for later life to help people plan for their retirement, conducted research among 1,000 retired people aged over 60 and found: Nine per cent of respondents have no idea how they are going to cope in the future, which if compared to the population of over 60s living in the UK, equates to over 1.2m people** 25 per cent have not made a will 48 per cent have never talked to their family about their money, pension, savings or future housing and care needs McCarthy & Stone's new financial planning guide provides a variety of information, including a financial planning checklist, advice on state benefits that people might be entitled to and options to help them fund their retirement, including equity release and downsizing. It also gives advice on issues such as making a will and appointing a power of attorney. Ali Crossley, Executive Director of McCarthy & Stone, said: "As experts predict that life expectancy will continue to increase, people cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand about the way they will manage financially in their retirement years. They need to discuss these issues with their family and put clear plans in place."Our new free guide provides a concise overview of the key financial issues and options that people should consider when planning for retirement, plus organisations that can provide further help and advice. We believe it will be invaluable for many older people who feel daunted by the financial implications of retirement." The guide follows a number of financial services that have recently been launched by McCarthy & Stone including a Pension Annuities Service, an Equity Release Service, a Lasting Power of Attorney Service and a Guaranteed Funeral Plan.The guide can be obtained by calling 0800 919 132 or by emailing email@example.com ENDS For more information:Andrew Baud, firstname.lastname@example.com, 020 3397 3383 or 07775 715775 Julian Hargood, email@example.com, 020 3397 3383 or 07521 907919 Catherine McNulty, firstname.lastname@example.com , 020 3397 3383 or 07943 855078 Notes to Editors McCarthy & Stone Money provides financial planning services to people in later life. The company offers a range of financial services that are tailored around the customer to enable them to make the right choices when making important decisions about how to support their retirement lifestyle: An annuities comparison service. An equity release service in partnership with Age Partnership. Later Life Planning services such as will writing and the preparation and registration of a Lasting Power of Attorney (Property & Finance), as well as thoughtful and cost-effective support with planning a funeral. A Free Benefits Advice that offers customers support to help understand which benefits they are entitled to and how much financial support they can expect to receive. *Otto Thoresen sets out a five point plan to tackle the UK savings gap in his speech to The Actuarial Profession Life Insurance Conference in Brussels (PDF). www.abi.org.uk **14,275,000 over 60s in the UK in 2011 (Office of National Statistics, UK Population Report, 29 March 2012). 9% of this group equals 1,284,750. The research was conducted for McCarthy & Stone by OnePoll


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According to Marc Stein to ESPN.com the Pistons have tabbed Celtics assistant coach Lawrence Frank to become their next head coach. This is detremental to the Knicks because Frank was Mike D'Antoni's top choice to run the Knicks defense. He was rumored to be a strong candidtate in New York due to his time spent with the team before last season and the fact that his family remained in New Jersey while he coached with Boston this past season. Its unknown where the Knicks go from here. It is a mystery to me why the Knicks did not go hard after former Rockets assistant Elston Turner who now holds the defensive coordinator job with the Phoenix Suns. It will be interesting to see where the Knicks go from here as now Minnesota is the only open coaching vacancy with everybody else having a good part of their staffs in order. I was afraid this would happen and it has. It is not the end of the world but Frank would have been a fabulous fit with the Knicks.
[Image via Ultimate Sports Talk]
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Pohatu Penguins: Tourism for a Great Cause
Grab a rental car from Christchurch Airport and head to beautiful Banks Peninsula to meet New Zealand's largest colony of Little Penguins.
Pohatu Penguins
Tourism for a great cause
Akaroa, on Banks Peninsula in Canterbury, is pretty special. It is a stunningly beautiful part of New Zealand, set in a tranquil harbour, with a unique history. In the 1800s, Akaroa was to be the centre of a French Colony in New Zealand. Fifty-three hopeful French emigrants set sail for Akaroa Harbour aboard the ship Comte de Paris. By the time they arrived, the Treaty of Waitangi had been signed, and the Union Jack was flying at Akaroa. The emigrants stayed, and their influence lives on in the street names and architecture of Akaroa Village.
Today, Banks Peninsula is home to a different type of colony. Flea Bay, twenty minutes' drive from Akaroa, is where you will find the largest Little Penguin Colony on mainland New Zealand. To be exact, the penguins here are known as White-Flippered, Canterbury's own variant of the Australasian Little Penguin species. Landowners Shireen and Francis Helps have spent 30 years running a conservation programme here, which includes predator protection, monitoring, and rehabilitating injured birds.
For this trip, my family opted for a 24 hour Pohatu Package. This meant starting in Christchurch with a hire car at Christchurch Airport. It's an easy drive of around an hour and a half to Akaroa. Pohatu staff met us at the Information Centre in Akaroa, organising a safe place to leave our rental car, when we transferred to their van for the trip to Flea Bay.
After passing over one of the highest passes on Banks Peninsula, we left the van to walk the rest of the way to Flea Bay, through the Tutakakahikura Scenic reserve. This was a gentle two and a half hour walk, mostly downhill and shaded, past towering waterfalls which cascade over ancient lava flows, and head to the sea. We followed in the same direction, eventually arriving at the humble farm cottage which will be our accommodation for the night.
The rest of the day was ours to just enjoy and relax. We headed to the windswept beach to dip our toes in the somewhat chilly water, and wait until evening for our penguin viewing.
With darkness, we set off to the main farm homestead. Outside were friendly sheep and lambs for cuddles. Pohatu staff tended to a couple of rescued penguins who are being rehabilitated on the farm. 'Dizzy' was blind, with a gammy leg, who had been picked up on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.
"She can't be returned to the wild," our guide told us, "as she can't hunt. Hopefully she can go somewhere like the Antarctic Centre is Christchurch."
Francis Helps gave us a talk about their work, and the penguins. There are several places in Australasia where penguins can be observed coming ashore – Phillip Island in Victoria is an example – where the penguins are watched by hundreds of people every night. The beauty of Pohatu is that this is low impact tourism. Just the handful of us on the tour trooped after Francis across the rugged paddocks to find quiet places to watch without disturbing the shy visitors. With the help of binoculars we could identify groups of penguins heading into the bay.
"They will stay on the shore until it gets completely dark," Francis said, "then head higher up to their burrows and chicks."
In turn, we made our way back to the cottage through the dark, ready for hot chocolate and bed, feeling that we'd been part of something special.
Carolyn Cossey is a Content Writer for VroomVroomVroom.co.nz – the leader in car rental comparison in New Zealand, Australia and around the globe. She loves to hunt out special parts of the world for adventures, usually with her two children along for the ride.


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Breast Implants and cancer
Last Reviewed: January 10, 2006
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I have had breast implants for 15 years. Can breast implants cause cancer?
Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds:
The Institute of Medicine conducted a thorough report on the safety of silicone breast implants. The report states that breast cancer is no more common in women with breast implants than those without breast implants. Several studies have reported slightly higher rates of lung and vulvar cancer in women with breast implants, but these studies are inconclusive because they did not take in to consideration other risk factors (like smoking).


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These fast but fugly creatures are evidence of why form shouldn't alwaysbe permitted to follow function when it comes to supercars. Shield your eyes, children.
Styled by a blind man, the Japanese Orochi is neither beautiful, nor fast. Its 3.1-litre Toyota V6 – also used in Camrys and Hiluxes – needs every one of its 173kW to move the 1590kg Orochi. And by move, we mean, you'll want to take the Stelvio in the downhill direction.
Made in Germany and looking like it's having an allergic reaction to something, the wide and wild Apollo was basically a racecar with numberplates. A 588kW, twin-turbo 4.2-litre V8 was nestled in a spaceframe chassis, and clad in carbonfibre panels it weighed 1100kg.
If a mummy rhinoceros and a daddy echidna loved each other very much, they might conceive something like the Panoz Abruzzi. Though visually-challenged, a 440kW front-engine V8 powered the rear wheels. Eighty one were built to celebrate 81 years of Le Mans.
Ever wondered why sports bike makers don't have a crack at cars? Here is the evidence: a hammerhead shark on wheels. Still, it had a 3.5-litre V12, 300kW and weighed 1150kg. It went over budget and was never produced.
As close as you'll get to an F1 car for the road, the goggle-eyed, insect-like T1 was built by engineers who worked on the McLaren F1. With a 3.5-litre, 429kW atmo V8 – in a chassis weighing 470kg – the berserk T1 was on fire (sometimes literally).
One-off, Gallardo-based, with a 447kW V10 and as gentle on the eyeballs as sulfuric acid. With styling modelled off a fighter jet, you'd ask Lamborghini to fit yours with an ejector seat in case you ever drove past somebody you knew.
Soon people will see the Veyron for what it is: fairly unfriendly to the eyeballs. Looking like a wombat run over by a semi-trailer, the worst were those painted to look even more offensive. Like this L'or Blanc, adorned in porcelain, made to look like it's parked under lights. Hmm.
Looking like it just crawled out of a river in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the Covini brings a little F1 Tyrrell P34 to the 21st century. Boasting a 4.2-litre V8 and rear-wheel drive, the Italians who built it say the extra wheels give more front-end grip and better braking. Who cares?
One for the 'put-it-back-it's-not-done-yet' files, the Swiss Faster One might have a moustache, but its speed will boil the marrow in your bones. Weighing 900kg with a 671kW twin-supercharged LS7 V8 and AWD, it hits 100km/h in 2.7sec. Fast, but fugly.
The Cormeum started life as a dignified Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, then the Swiss tuning house Mansory worked their, er, magic and mostly ruined it. With a silly wing on the back, Ferrari 599 lights at the front and a one almighty grille, this one has a face only its mother could love. Fortunately just 15 SLS's were ruined by Mansory so the chances of you ever seeing a Cormeum are slim.


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Perspectives on Safety
Our Perspectives on Safety section features expert viewpoints on current themes in patient safety, including interviews and written essays published monthly. Annual Perspectives highlight vital and emerging patient safety topics.
Narrow Results Clear All
Approach to Improving Safety
- Culture of Safety 1
- Error Reporting and Analysis 1
- Legal and Policy Approaches 1
- Quality Improvement Strategies
- Technologic Approaches 1
Safety Target
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What Can the Rest of the Health Care System Learn from the VA's Quality and Safety Transformation?
with commentary by Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH, The Transformation of Patient Safety at the VA, September 2006
Five years after the landmark Crossing the Quality Chasm report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the quality and safety of health care in the United States remains far from ideal.(1) It is easy to feel pessimistic. Can health care organizations really...


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It may be the holiday season, but auto thieves don't take a holiday.
So while you're stealing a kiss under the mistletoe, they may be stealing your car right from under your nose.
Among major American holidays, those falling at the end of the year are crunch time for crooks.
In 2016, New Year's Day ranked No. 3 with 2,242 stolen cars reported. Meanwhile, New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve ranked Nos. 5 and 7, respectively, with between 2,050 and 2,100 thefts each.
But thieves do seem to want some time off: Compared with the daily average for the year, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving were fairly quiet.
Turkey Day may not have been stuffed with stolen-car reports, but Black Friday, while not a holiday, was a bargain-shopping bonanza for car thieves, who scored hot deals on 2,262 cars — putting it just behind the No. 1 car-theft holiday, Halloween, which saw nearly 2,600 thefts.
After decades of steady decline, auto theft is on the rise as thieves find clever ways of cracking your car's anti-theft technology.
But a little common sense still goes a long way:
Keep your car locked when unattended and never leave the key or fob inside as 57,000 people did in 2015, resulting in a 22-percent spike in theft-by-key.
- Remove anything of value from view, as even an empty backpack looks appealing to a thief.
- Stow packages in the trunk before driving to the next store in case you're being watched.
- And never leave you garage-door opener in the car or program your home address into your GPS system under "home" as it could lead thieves straight to your house.
Follow these tips and your biggest problems this holiday season will be bad fruitcake … and worse sweaters.