text:
Adaptation opportunities and constraints in coupled systems: Evidence from the U.S. energy-water nexus. Environmental Science & Policy. 70:38-45.. 2017.
Advances in Geographic Information Science . Advances in Geocomputation. :371-381.. 2017.
Advancing a model-validated statistical method for decomposing the key oceanic drivers of regional climate: Focus on northern and tropical African climate variability in the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Journal of Climate.. 2017.
Association with pedogenic iron and aluminum: effects on soil organic carbon storage and stability in four temperate forest soils. Biogeochemistry. :333-345.. 2017.
Attaining whole-ecosystem warming using air and deep-soil heating methods with an elevated CO2 atmosphere. Biogeosciences. 14(4):861-883.. 2017.
Bayesian calibration of terrestrial ecosystem models: a study of advanced Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Biogeosciences. 14(18):4295-4314.. 2017.
Biophysical drivers of seasonal variability in Sphagnum gross primary production in a northern temperate bog. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.. 2017.
Biospheric feedback effects in a synchronously coupled model of human and Earth systems. Nature Climate Change.. 2017.
Building a better foundation: improving root-trait measurements to understand and model plant and ecosystem processes. New Phytologist. 2152911316170177152952218620689897162107186203819819520719991412611992081810211622102229111615018716536620521142821235(1):27-37.. 2017.
Building a Virtual Ecosystem Dynamic Model for Root Research. Environmental Modelling & Software. 89:97-105.. 2017.
Calibration of an agricultural-hydrological model (RZWQM2) using surrogate global optimization. Journal of Hydrology. 544:456-466.. 2017.
Climate mitigation from vegetation biophysical feedbacks during the past three decades. Nature Climate Change. 73546(6):432-436.. 2017.
Climate, soil and plant functional types as drivers of global fine-root trait variation. Journal of Ecology.. 2017.
Comment on "Mycorrhizal association as a primary control of the CO2 fertilization effect". Science. 355(6323):358.2-358.. 2017.
Compiler technologies for understanding legacy scientific code: A case study on an ACME land module. Procedia Computer Science. 108:2418-2422.. 2017.
Contributions of wildland fire to terrestrial ecosystem carbon dynamics in North America from 1990 to 2012. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 31(5):878-900.. 2017.
Damage assessment to subtropical forests following the 2008 Chinese ice storm. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry. 10(2):406-415.. 2017.
Dataset of timberland variables used to assess forest conditions in two Southeastern United States׳ fuelsheds. Data in Brief. 13:278-290.. 2017.
Drought and immunity determine the intensity of West Nile virus epidemics and climate change impacts. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 284289815220401413781625104009(1848):20162078.. 2017.
Drought impacts on photosynthesis, isoprene emission and atmospheric formaldehyde in a mid-latitude forest. Atmospheric Environment. 167:190-201.. 2017.
The effect of plant water storage on water fluxes within the coupled soil-plant system. New Phytologist. (3):1093-1106.. 2017.
Effects of climate change on probable maximum precipitation: A sensitivity study over the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 122354969511463142124284311324682996875713220202043477711611953740122261137087521128116734915205251991193913219048158(93393155141HY58741045241112):4808-4828.. 2017.
An energy-stable time-integrator for phase-field models. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. 316:1179-1214.. 2017.
Evaluating the Community Land Model (CLM 4.5) at a Coniferous Forest Site in Northwestern United States Using Flux and Carbon-Isotope Measurements. Biogeosciences Discussions. :1-35.. 2017.
Evapotranspiration across plant types and geomorphological units in polygonal Arctic tundra. Journal of Hydrology. 553:816-825.. 2017.


text:
To find out whether
your symptoms meet the
criteria for diagnosing
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your doctor may ask
you questions about:
The dietary history will include questions about food
allergies and whether your symptoms seem to be related to any particular foods.
Foods that most commonly cause symptoms include lactose (milk sugar) and
sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum and other
sugar-free products.
The doctor may suggest that for a period of
time you try avoiding foods that seem to cause problems, to see if your
symptoms get better.
To help find out whether you have
irritable bowel syndrome, the doctor will perform a standard physical
exam, including:
A medical history and physical
exam are standard tests for people who have belly pain and changes
in bowel habits.
Key findings in IBS are belly pain that
is relieved with a bowel movement and a change in the consistency or number of
times a day or week that you have bowel movements. The pain is not limited to
one part of the abdomen. It may move around and may come and go. It often
occurs or gets worse when you eat. Stress may also be related to belly
The abdomen may be swollen if you have gas in the
intestines. Your abdomen may be tender when the doctor presses on it. Abnormal
bowel sounds may be heard, especially, but not only, if you have diarrhea. You
may report symptoms such as an urgent need to have bowel movements or a feeling
that you haven't completely emptied the bowel after you pass a stool.
A person who has IBS may have constipation more often, diarrhea more
often, or constipation that alternates with diarrhea.
All other
physical findings should be normal for a diagnosis of IBS.
Because there is no detectable
structural problem that causes IBS, if you have a normal physical exam but you do have symptoms
of IBS, this strongly suggests that you have irritable bowel syndrome. If your doctor thinks your symptoms may be caused by another problem, he or she may recommend other tests, such as:
Your doctor may recommend other tests not in this list. But if there are no symptoms (such as anemia, rectal bleeding
or bloody diarrhea, fever, weight loss, pain that wakes you at night, or recent
change in bowel habits) that suggest other intestinal diseases, few additional
tests are needed. If these symptoms are present, tests for other problems, such
inflammatory bowel disease or an ulcer, may be
Complete the medical test information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test.
Last Revised:
April 26, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Shark Corporation Hand Tools
SharkSaw, SharkGrip
SharkGrip Nail Pullers / Pry Bars
SharkGrip Japanese "cat's paw" type nail pullers have been the choice of professional cabinet makers and woodworkers for years because they're so effective and easy to use. Especially with the proliferation of pneumatic nailers, it's essential to have a genuine SharkGrip¨ nail puller in your tool kit.
SharkSaw Pullsaws
SharkSaw Pullsaws use the innovative pull-to-cut blade, and every aspect of its design: the shape of the teeth, thickness, balance, even the angle of the blade to the handle was created to ensure maximum performance and minimal fatigue.
SharkSaw 10-2206 Rockeater Drywall Saw
A cutting tool for sheet rock, gypsum, wallboard, plywood, and tree roots.


text:
Two months before the troubled October 1 launch of Obamacare exchanges, a key administration official overseeing the program assured a congressional oversight panel that work was on track to roll out a tested website that would make it easy for Americans to enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.
"This is a large and complicated endeavor that I am proud to lead, and every decision is being made by my prior work experience," Marilyn Tavenner testified on August 1 before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, describing the launch of the Healthcare.gov website.
Come Tuesday, the former nurse who heads the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will again find herself before a House committee – this time, to explain how Healthcare.gov failed when the administration flipped the on switch. She will face Republicans eager to prove, thus far unsuccessfully, that the White House orchestrated decisions that may have stalled the system.
Lawmakers on both sides of the partisan aisle are growing increasingly impatient with website snafus that they say are frustrating the public and adding to taxpayer costs. The White House has scrambled to fix technical issues and disputes Republican allegations that political motives were behind changes in the website's function.
Tavenner's scheduled testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to offer insight into the decision-making. A key player, she was cleared to visit the White House 425 times between December 2009 and June 2013, including for several meetings with Obama himself, visitor logs show.
One Oval Office meeting with Obama in March would have occurred as some technology officials in her agency publicly fretted about the possibility that the complicated website would malfunction, telling an insurance forum they were working to avert problems.
Tavenner, 62, who was confirmed for her job by the Senate in May, was optimistic about the rollout when questioned by skeptical Republican senators at an April hearing.
Tavenner is expected to be a critical witness this week because "she's more responsible for decisions made at CMS that probably led to this disaster," said Joe Antos, a healthcare analyst with the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank.
A committee aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "We expect her to be forthcoming. We think she'll be a very serious witness, and she's certainly integral."
Tavenner appears one day before her boss, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, is due to testify before another panel in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Committee aides hope that Tavenner can describe system problems at the more complicated back end of the federal marketplace, where consumers determine their eligibility for premium subsidies and enroll in coverage. Aides and experts fear new crippling problems could emerge as enrollment picks up in November and early December.
There is also intense interest in Washington in learning who decided at the last minute to deny visitors to Healthcare.gov the ability to browse insurance plans without first creating a website account. That decision is widely blamed for the bottlenecks that helped paralyze the system as millions of visitors flooded the marketplace in the first days of enrollment and during the ensuing weeks.
"That (decision) had to be made at the highest possible levels, meaning in my view the White House. That's a strategic call about selling the reform," Antos said.
White House visitor logs, which provide a public record of who visits with administration officials, have not yet been released for the August period when potential problems with the website launch may have been discussed.
Republicans also want to know who in the administration decided to make Tavenner's agency the "quarterback" or system integrator for the huge information technology system behind Healthcare.gov. Analysts say that decision – rather than giving the job to the private sector – also may have created problems.
Last week, the administration announced that it was handing the job over to a private contractor as part of the effort to fix the online enrollment system.
CMS, the agency that oversees the massive federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, already had plenty to do before it took charge of implementing Obamacare, the Senate's leading Republican Mitch McConnell said in May, after voting against Tavenner's confirmation.
Tavenner, who had served as acting administrator for more than a year, was nonetheless easily confirmed by the Senate on a 91-7 vote. Promising to run the agency like a business, she won accolades from leading Republicans who looked favorably on her career as a nurse and later as an executive for Hospital Corporation of America. She left HCA after 25 years to become Virginia's health and human resources secretary.
Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a fellow Virginian, introduced Tavenner at her Senate hearing. He said he differed with Obama's healthcare policy, "but if there is anyone that I trust to try and navigate the challenges, it is Marilyn Tavenner."
House Republican lawmakers at Tuesday's hearing are expected to focus not just on the healthcare website, but on the Affordable Care Act and its impact, aides said.
"The website is terrible … but the real problem is the law, which is causing people to lose coverage that they already have," one Republican aide said.
Democrats will ask Tavenner what steps the administration will take to fix the reported website problems, one House Democratic aide said.
The Democrats may focus on positive experiences of some of the 700,000 people who have filled out applications as a first step toward enrollment, including some who have been denied insurance previously because of pre-existing conditions, the Democratic aide said.
Nonetheless, Democrats view the hearing as a largely political event staged by Republicans as part of their continued criticism of Obamacare, he said.
On Friday, aides to committee Republicans were reviewing what Tavenner said on the record to Congress about the healthcare website before it went live, and comparing that with the actual rollout.
Source : Reuters


text:
20 Ounce Jar
Item: BC-20-152S-F
Transparent Ruby Red Buffalo Chips in a 20 oz. container! This product is manufactured by Slumpy's. Bisque Imports proudly manufactures and distributes a variety of products. For the most up to date product information, vendor news, and best practices, click here.
Ruby Red Transparent Buffalo Chips


text:
New 2019 JeepWrangler UNLIMITED SAHARA 4X4 Sport Utility
- Stock: JE79874
- Fuel Economy
- 22.0/24.0 mpg City/Hwy
- Exterior Color
- Punkn Metallic Clearcoat
- Interior Color
- Black
- Body/Seating
- Sport Utility/5 seats
- Transmission
- 8 speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- four-wheel
- Engine
- 2 2.0-Liter I4 DOHC DI Turbo eTorque Engine
Highlighted Features
- Navigation system
- Automatic temperature control
- Emergency communication system
- Wireless phone connectivity
- Exterior parking camera rear
- Front dual zone A/C
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Split folding rear seat
Standard Specifications
- 1-touch down
- Air conditioning
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Automatic temperature control
- Driver door bin
- Driver vanity mirror
- Emergency communication system: SiriusXM Guardian
- Front beverage holders
- Front dual zone A/C
- Garage door transmitter
- Illuminated entry
- Navigation system
- Passenger door bin
- Passenger vanity mirror
- Power windows
- Proximity keyless entry
- Rear beverage holders
- Rear door bins
- Remote keyless entry
- Speed control
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Tilt steering wheel
- Alloy wheels
- Front anti-roll bar
- Front tires: 255/70SR18.0
- Power steering
- Rear anti-roll bar
- Rear tires: 255/70SR18.0
- Tires: all-terrain
- Wheel size: 18"
- 1st row LCD monitors: 2
- AM/FM radio: SiriusXM
- Primary LCD size: 8.4"
- Radio data system
- Smart device integration: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Speaker type: Alpine
- Speakers: 9
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Wireless phone connectivity: Uconnect w/Bluetooth
- Basic warranty: 36 months/36,000miles
- Corrosion perforation warranty: 60 months/ unlimited distance
- Maintenance warranty: 24 months/ unlimited distance
- Powertrain warranty: 60 months/60,000miles
- Roadside assistance coverage: 60 months/60,000miles
- Front center armrest: w/storage
- Front seats: bucket
- Leather steering wheel
- Manual driver lumbar support
- Max seating capacity: 5
- Rear seats: split-bench
- Split folding rear seat
- Compressor: intercooled turbo
- Cylinder configuration: I-4
- Drive type: four-wheel
- Engine liters: 2.0
- Engine location: front
- Fuel economy city: 22mpg
- Fuel economy combined: 19mpg
- Fuel economy highway: 24mpg
- Fuel tank capacity: 21.5gal.
- Horsepower: 270hp @ 5,250RPM
- Limited slip differential
- Manual-shift auto: Autostick
- Number of valves: 16
- Recommended fuel: Premium Unleaded
- Sequential multi-point fuel injection
- Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3,000RPM
- Transmission: 8 speed automatic
- Variable valve control
- Approach angle: 42 deg
- Departure angle: 36 deg
- Ground clearance (min): 254mm (10.0")
- Ramp breakover angle: 21 deg
- Heated door mirrors
- Power door mirrors
- Rear cargo: conventional
- Skid plates
- Trailer sway control
- Compression ratio: 10.00 to 1
- Curb weight: 1,979kg (4,362lbs)
- Engine bore x stroke: 84.0mm x 90.0mm (3.31" x 3.54")
- Engine displacement: 2.0 L
- Engine horsepower: 270hp @ 5,250RPM
- Engine torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3,000RPM
- Exterior body width: 1,875mm (73.8")
- Exterior height: 1,869mm (73.6")
- Exterior length: 4,785mm (188.4")
- Front headroom: 1,082mm (42.6")
- Front hiproom: 1,369mm (53.9")
- Front legroom: 1,046mm (41.2")
- Front shoulder room: 1,415mm (55.7")
- GVWR: 2,495kg (5,500lbs)
- Interior cargo volume: 898 L (32 cu.ft.)
- Interior maximum cargo volume: 2,050 L (72 cu.ft.)
- Passenger volume: 2,936L (103.7 cu.ft.)
- Payload: 399kg (880lbs)
- Rear headroom: 1,059mm (41.7")
- Rear hiproom: 1,440mm (56.7")
- Rear legroom: 973mm (38.3")
- Rear shoulder room: 1,415mm (55.7")
- Towing capacity: 1,588kg (3,500lbs)
- Turning radius: 6.2m (20.4')
- Wheelbase: 3,007mm (118.4")
- Compass
- Configurable
- Delay-off headlights
- Display: analog
- Exterior parking camera rear: ParkView yes
- Front fog lights
- Front reading lights
- Fully automatic headlights
- Low tire pressure warning
- Outside temperature display
- Rear reading lights
- Tachometer
- Trip computer
- Variably intermittent wipers
- Voltmeter
- 4 wheel disc brakes
- ABS brakes
- Brake assist
- Dual front impact airbags
- Dual front side impact airbags
- Electronic stability
- Ignition disable
- Integrated roll-over protection
- Occupant sensing airbag
- Panic alarm
- Security system
- Traction control
Dealer Notes
KBB.com Consumer Reviews
- 5.0
By J on Tuesday, September 03, 2019Drove it out from the dealership on a Friday, after a week I went on a long trip with the family From San Francisco to Los Angeles (365 miles.) Filled her up and still had about a quarter left. Ride was smooth and comfortable. Steering was very responsive, it's a BEAST! Top speed I did was 95 mph and I have no complaints about it. It can get noisy inside at those speed levels due to wind, simply crank up the radio volume.
- 5.0
This is a well designed Wrangler - savvy details
By Just a car guy on Friday, March 15, 2019First off, Wranglers are not for the average Joe. They are war machines originally designed and produced in a short time frame for WWII. Jeeps had one purpose: Assisting soldiers in combat areas through a multitude of carefully thought features making their mission easier. They are not practical "honey, load the kids we're going to the beach" vehicles. Most leak through the car wash. Gas mileage will always be poor due to physics. Handling has been improved but it's not a race track ready Corvette or your rich daddy's late model Benz on Michelin Pilot Sports. Wranglers have been ruined by our soft sided cupcake society and rigorous safety measures yet still score low on crash tests. (Even my newly designed 2018 JL) I've owned a couple Volvo's in my day and my wife one as a daily driver. If you are looking for comfortable seats designed by chiropractors and a top notch safety rating, buy a Volvo...they're in the business of safety. If you are looking to haul three kids buy a Yukon. If you're looking for technology buy a Tesla...man they are nice - and I will own one. If you are bored with your current American three ton truck, ugly car or minivan and need to suppress your midlife crisis cravings don't get a tattoo and buy a Harley - buy a Wrangler instead. Wranglers #1 hold their value like no other! I don't know why nor do I understand it, but they most certainly hold their value like a Toyota Tacoma or better. Wranglers are also ... FUN. They're in a class all by themselves... go topless, door less, windshield less...drive on the beach or in the woods - they are a do whatever you feel vehicle. Not to mention they're the most customized vehicle on the market. The new JL has come a long way from the Willys and CJs and are bearable to drive on longer road trips. The motors are refined and the Pentastar bugs have been worked out. I've owned three Wranglers in my day including my first car which I drove for a record six years. It was fun, unique, and a joy. People are jealous of your topless life and stare you down in the summer time. They envy the fact you can assist hung up fellow motorists in the winter time while they themselves can barely make their way up their own driveways. And whenever you're on a date trying to impress a lady friend it's always a joy to treat her to a fun, country back road and a few splashes with the top down on a nice September evening. (Oh, and don't forget the obligatory and famous Jeep wave :)
- 5.0
A nice jeep for all seasons
By droadrunner on Monday, June 17, 2019We went from corvettes and hi performance cars in the summer to a simple jeep convertible , it pulls a trailer, it is easy to take down the top, and we can drive it in all the rain we get here in pa . I think jeep did a great job on the new JL ,we added a set of rubicon wheels and tires , it looks great and drives nice .
* MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle. It does not include any taxes, fees or other charges. Pricing and availability may vary based on a variety of factors, including options, dealer, specials, fees, and financing qualifications. Consult your dealer for actual price and complete details. Vehicles shown may have optional equipment at additional cost.
* The estimated selling price that appears after calculating dealer offers is for informational purposes, only. You may not qualify for the offers, incentives, discounts, or financing. Offers, incentives, discounts, or financing are subject to expiration and other restrictions. See dealer for qualifications and complete details.
* Images, prices, and options shown, including vehicle color, trim, options, pricing and other specifications are subject to availability, incentive offerings, current pricing and credit worthiness.
* In transit means that vehicles have been built, but have not yet arrived at your dealer. Images shown may not necessarily represent identical vehicles in transit to your dealership. See your dealer for actual price, payments and complete details.
New Arrivals
2020 Jeep Wrangler UNLIMITED S…
- $37,535
- Sport Utility
- Red Exterior
- 2L I4 DOHC DI Turbo w/ ESS Engine
2020 Jeep Wrangler UNLIMITED B…
- $43,450
- Sport Utility
- Green Exterior
- 2L I4 DOHC DI Turbo w/ ESS Engine
2020 Jeep Wrangler SPORT S 4X4
- $38,270
- Sport Utility
- Yellow Exterior
- 2L I4 DOHC DI Turbo w/ ESS Engine
2020 Jeep Wrangler UNLIMITED W…
- $45,255
- Sport Utility
- Gray Exterior
- 2L I4 DOHC DI Turbo w/ ESS Engine


text:
How to Use the Images
This image shows three views of the dam. The left side shows what a visitor looking upstream at the dam would actually see. The cut-away view on the right side shows features that would not be visible from the surface. Although not shown in the illustration, all of the features shown in the cut-away are duplicated on the other side of the dam. The cross section in the upper right hand corner is a side view.
Questions for Illustrations 1:
1. Look carefully at the cut-away view. Can you trace the course the water follows from the reservoir through the power plants and outlet works and then back into the river? How does that change if the level of the reservoir is getting too high?
2. How many of the features mentioned in Reading 2 can you find in this image? Is the image or the reading more useful in helping you understand Hoover Dam?
3. Reclamation engineers prepared hundreds of drawings for the construction company—all much more detailed than this simplified illustration. Why do you think the detailed drawings were necessary? How do you think the engineers decided where to locate the features shown here?
4. Look at the drawing in the upper right hand corner. Why do you think the dam had to be so thick at the bottom?
5. Find the penstocks that carry the water from the intake towers to the horseshoe-shaped powerhouse at the foot of the dam. One of the definitions of "penstock" is a pipe or conduit that carries water from a reservoir to electrical generating equipment. The Boulder Canyon Project Act said that the cost of building Hoover Dam had to be repaid by selling electricity and that contracts for all the electricity had to be signed before construction began. Why do you think that was required? When the contracts were signed, almost two thirds of the electricity went to Southern California. Why do you think that might have been the case?
Click here for a larger version of Illustration 1.


text:
Conor Lawrence - Rhino Stationery
What could be better than a letterpressed rhino ready to charge? One with wings? Ok, here it is.
This is a two color letterpress stationery set for artist rep Conor Lawrence designed by Aurora Whittet at Red Organic. The printing is red and silver metallic inks on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. The cards are on a thick, rhino worthy 165lb cover stock.


text:
|Top Royal Military College of Canada people
|Order of the British Empire
Grand Cross's star of the Order of the British Empire
|Awarded by the Sovereign, on the advice of the Government
|For God and the Empire
|Awarded for
|A national order of merit
|Currently constituted
|Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
|Grand Master
|Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh
|Grades (w/ post-nominals)
|Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE)
Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE)
Commander (CBE)
Officer (OBE)
Member (MBE)
|Next (higher)
|Royal Victorian Order
|Next (lower)
|Varies, depending on rank
Ribbons: civil (upper), military (lower)
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions. In decreasing order of seniority, these are:
Only the highest two ranks admit an individual into knighthood or damehood automatically, an honour allowing the recipient to use the title "Sir" (male) or "Dame" (female) before his or her first name (though men can be knighted separately from the Orders of Chivalry). Honorary knighthoods, given to individuals who are not nationals of a realm where Elizabeth II is Head of State, permit usage of the honour as a post-nominal but not as a title before their name. These recipients are classified as honorary members of the Order they receive, and do not contribute to the numbers restricted to that Order as full members do.
There is also a related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are not members of the Order, but, who are nonetheless affiliated with the Order. The British Empire Medal has not been used in the United Kingdom or its dependencies since 1993,[1] but is still used by the Cook Islands and by some other Commonwealth nations.
The Order's motto is For God and the Empire. It is the most junior of the British orders of chivalry, and the largest, with over 100,000 living members worldwide.[2]
King George V founded the order to fill gaps in the British honours system: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath honoured only senior military officers and civil servants; The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George honoured diplomats; and the Royal Victorian Order honoured those who had personally served the Royal Family. In particular, King George V wished to honour the many thousands of people who had served in numerous non-combatant capacities during the First World War. Originally, the Order included only one division; however, in 1918, soon after its foundation, it was formally divided into Military and Civil Divisions.
This order has a more democratic character than the exclusive Order of the Bath or the Order of St Michael and St George, and in its early days was not held in high esteem. This, however, has changed over the years.
Several past American statesmen and diplomats who have performed service for, or on behalf of, the United Kingdom have been given the designation of Knight Commander of the order. However, since membership requires swearing allegiance to a foreign head of state (currently Queen Elizabeth II), the title is officially considered "honorary", and the person is/was not "officially" titled Sir or Dame. Occasionally, media influence and lack of public awareness lead to foreign recipients being incorrectly accorded the prefix title, a well known example being Bob Geldof, an Irish citizen who is widely referred to as 'Sir Bob'.
The British monarch is Sovereign of the Order, and appoints all other members of the Order (by convention, on the advice of the Government). The next most senior member is the Grand Master, of which there have been three: Edward, Prince of Wales (1917–1936), Queen Mary (1936–1953), and the current Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (1953–present).
The Order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 Officers and 1464 Members may be appointed per year. Appointments are made on the advice of the governments of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth realms. By convention, female judges of the High Court of Justice are created Dames Commander after appointment, while male judges become Knights Bachelor.
Although the Order of the British Empire has by far the highest number of members of the British Orders of Chivalry, there are fewer appointments to knighthoods than in other orders. Most Knights Commander are honorary members or British subjects living abroad, with only a handful being residents of the United Kingdom. The grade of Dame Commander, on the other hand, is the most common grade of dame in the British honours system, and is awarded in circumstances in which men would be created Knights Bachelor.
Most members are citizens of the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth realms. Citizens of other countries, however, may be admitted as "honorary members". They do not count towards the aforementioned numerical limits, and are not formally addressed as "Sir" or "Dame". They may be made full members if they subsequently become citizens of Commonwealth realms. See List of honorary British Knights.
At the foundation of the Order, the "Medal of the Order of the British Empire" was instituted. In 1922, it was renamed the "British Empire Medal". Recipients, who are not members of the Order itself, are grouped into the Civil and Military Divisions. Only junior government and military officials are awarded the medal; senior officials are directly appointed to the Order of the British Empire. The United Kingdom's Government has not recommended the awarding of the medal since 1992, although some Commonwealth realms continue the practice.
The Order has six officials: the Prelate, the Dean, the Secretary, the Registrar, the King of Arms, and the Usher. The Bishop of London, a senior bishop in the Church of England, serves as the Order's Prelate. The Dean of St Paul's is ex officio the Dean of the Order. The Order's King of Arms is not a member of the College of Arms, as are many other heraldic officers. The Usher of the Order is known as the Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod; he does not – unlike his Order of the Garter equivalent, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod – perform any duties related to the House of Lords.
If one is appointed to a higher class within the order, one must return one's existing insignia in exchange for the more senior one, and cease using the junior post-nominal letters. Some people, however, have been appointed to both divisions, such as Dame Kelly Holmes, who has been appointed an MBE in the military division and a DBE in the civil division, and is therefore known as "Dame Kelly Holmes, DBE, MBE (Mil.)".[citation needed]
Members of the Order wear elaborate costumes on important occasions (such as quadrennial services and coronations), which vary by rank (the designs underwent major changes in 1937):
On certain "collar days" designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform, formal day dress, or evening wear. When collars are worn (either on collar days or on formal occasions such as coronations), the badge is suspended from the collar. Collars are returned upon the death of their owners, but other insignia may be retained.
At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used:
Grand Cross's mantle
Member's badge, obverse and reverse
Close up of star on mantle
Full MBE including ribbon and case the MBE was presented in.
|Order of the British Empire ribbon bars
|since 1936
The chapel of the order is in the far eastern end of the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, but it holds its great services upstairs in the main body of the cathedral. (The Cathedral also serves as the home of the chapel of The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.) Religious services for the whole Order are held every four years; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. The chapel was dedicated in 1960.
Members of all classes of the Order are assigned positions in the order of precedence. Wives of male members of all classes also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander; relatives of Ladies of the Order, however, are not assigned any special precedence. As a general rule, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives (see order of precedence in England and Wales for the exact positions).
Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander prefix "Sir", and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander prefix "Dame", to their forenames (never surnames – thus Sir Antony Sher may be shortened to Sir Antony, but not to Sir Sher). Wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Dames. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when the names of the former are written out in their fullest forms. Male clergy of the Church of England do not use the title "Sir" as they do not receive the accolade (i.e., they are not dubbed "knight" with a sword), although they do append the post-nominal letters.
Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal "GBE", Knights Commander "KBE", Dames Commander "DBE", Commanders "CBE", Officers "OBE" and Members "MBE". The post-nominal for the British Empire Medal is "BEM".
Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander who are not citizens of Commonwealth realms are not entitled to the prefix "Sir" or "Dame", but may still use the post-nominal abbreviations. For example, American Bill Gates was made a Knight Commander, yet he is not entitled "Sir William" or "Sir William Gates III", although he may use the title "William Henry Gates III, KBE". Honorary knights do not receive the accolade. Bob Geldof, KBE received a knighthood in 1986, and up until now people still refer to him as "Sir Bob" as if it were his correct title; however, he is not a citizen of a commonwealth realm, so he is not entitled to use the prefix "Sir". If recipients later become citizens of Commonwealth realms, then they are usually made substantive members of the Order, and are entitled to begin using the Sir prefix. For example, Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan was appointed an honorary KBE in 2005. He subsequently took dual British and Irish nationality, was made a substantive member, and is now entitled to use the name "Sir Terry Wogan".[7]
Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters. They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with a depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter. Knights and Dames Commander and Commanders may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet.
The order has attracted some criticism for its connection with the idea of the British Empire. The poet Benjamin Zephaniah publicly rejected an OBE in 2003 because, he said, it reminded him of "thousands of years of brutality." He went on to say, "It reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised."[8]
Others have declined honours, but, at the request of the Prime Minister's office, did not reveal the fact until some years later. In 2004, a House of Commons Select Committee recommended changing the name of the award to the "Order of British Excellence" and changing the rank of "Commander" to "Companion," as the former was said to have a "militaristic ring."[9][10]
In the early 1980s, the respected politician Baroness (Shirley) Williams of Crosby, PC, a Social Democrat and former Liberal Democrats Leader in the House of Lords, declined a knighthood which would have entitled her to be styled Dame Shirley. Later, however, in 1993, she accepted membership in the House of Lords, because she felt that a permanent seat in the Upper House of Parliament would, unlike a knighthood, allow her to make a significant contribution to public life. As a Member, Baroness Williams has led efforts to modernise the House of Lords.
The members of The Beatles were made MBEs in 1965, to much criticism. John Lennon justified the comparative merits of his investiture by comparing military membership in the order, saying, "Lots of people who complained about us receiving the MBE received theirs for heroism in the war – for killing people." He continued: "We received ours for entertaining other people. I'd say we deserve ours more."[11]


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Bill Black
Elvis auditioned for him.
They started jamming on "That's Alright," and you know the rest. Much of Bill Black's career was spent as Elvis Presley's charismatic bass player, but Black also led a successful career as a bandleader, landing charting in the Hot 100 nearly twenty times.
Bill Black was a participant in a major event in the evolution of rock and roll: the recording of Elvis Presley's first single for Sun Records on July 5, 1954.
On that day, Presley—along with bassist Bill Black and guitarist Scotty Moore—spontaneously broke into a rocking arrangement for "That's All Right," a blues song by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. Black slapped the bass strings, providing the rhythm to go along with the blues, and the chemistry between the three musicians helped launch Presley's career and the rock and roll revolution.
The flip side, a rollicking cover of Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky," came from Black, who began playing it as Elvis and the others fell in. Elvis Presley's singles for Sun were jointly credited to "Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill." Later, Elvis's sidemen were renamed "the Blue Moon Boys."
At the time, Moore and Black were both members of a hillbilly band called the Starlite Wranglers. Moore had made contact with Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Recording Studio, and Phillips thought of him when he wanted to test out Presley as a singer. Though he didn't bowl over either Moore or Black at an impromptu audition at Moore's home in Memphis, Phillips wanted to hear how the three of them would sound on tape—and the rest is history.
Black remained with Presley through 1958. During these years, Presley went from reserved truck driver to charismatic "Hillbilly Cat" to hip-swiveling superstar. All the while, Black's string-popping bass and infectious personality were on display wherever Presley played, from small-time shows all over the South to the breakthrough TV appearances following Presley's signing to RCA. Black's bass was an important element in the skeletal arrangement of "Heartbreak Hotel," Presley's first single for RCA. Black switched from standup bass to electric bass at the 1957 session for "Jailhouse Rock," making him one of the first to play a Fender Precision on a rock and roll recording
Black and Moore first parted ways with Presley in September 1957 over disagreements about money. They had been put on a modest salary—by Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager—while Presley's income was skyrocketing. For a two-week period, they were out of the band and Presley looked for replacements, but both sides relented, and they were rehired at a higher per diem.
After leaving Presley for good in 1958, the bassist became a bandleader in his own right, forming a group that was known both as Bill Black's Combo and the Bill Black Combo. Recording for Memphis-based Hi Records, they charted an impressive nineteen instrumental hits on Billboard's Hot 100 between 1959 and 1965. These included "Smokie—Part 2" (Number Seventeen pop, Number Four R&B), "White Silver Sands" (Number Nine pop, Number Four R&B) and a remake of Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" that reached Number Eleven.
Like many instrumental outfits of that time, the Bill Black Combo had a danceable country-soul sound built around saxophone, organ, guitar, drums and Black's driving bass. They called it "the untouchable sound." Bill Black died of a brain tumor in October 1965 at the age of 39, but the combo continued without him, playing into the Eighties.
Inductee: Bill Black (bass; born September 17, 1926, died October 21, 1965)


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i need to display under every article in the main page, the respective number of post views. I tried with a plugin called wp.postviews but I cant figure out how it's works...it allow only the widget component.
What I have to do to get the postviews? I think I have to use the plugin above and add some extra php code on the index.php
Thanks for help


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Hsu introduces and describes the relevant concepts, principles and applications of modern computer logic design. The text includes chapters on Boolean algebra, transistor circuits, combinatorial logic circuits and sequential logic circuits.Hsu, John Y. is the author of 'Computer Logic Design Principles and Applications' with ISBN 9780387953045 and ISBN 0387953043.[read more]
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Nunhems Global Website
- Home
- Innovation
- >> Cell Biology
Cell Biology
Modern cell technologies lead to a quicker multiplication of donor plants and ensure uniformity in plant reproduction through regeneration from a single cell into a whole plant again.
This helps us to save time in developing improved varieties.
This helps us to save time in developing improved varieties.
|Another common application of this technology is culturing plant reproductive organs. The result is a plant with half the normal number of chromosomes. This haploid plant can be lead to double its chromosome complement. The final product of this work is a 'doubled- haploid', a truly homozygous individual. This technique is a time-saving alternative to repeated selfing for the creation of inbred lines.


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NEW YORK (AP) — Police questioned a suspect Tuesday in the death of a subway rider pushed onto the tracks and photographed while he was still alive — an image of desperation that drew virulent criticism after it appeared on the front page of the New York Post.
A day after Ki-Suck Han was hit by an oncoming train, emotional questions arose over the photograph of the helpless man standing before an oncoming train at the Times Square station.
The moral issue among professional photojournalists in such situations is "to document or to assist," said Kenny Irby, an expert in the ethics of visual journalism at the Poynter Institute, a Florida-based nonprofit journalism school.
He said that's the choice professional photographers often face in the seconds before a fatality.
Irby spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday, a day after the newspaper published the photo of Han desperately looking at the train, unable to climb off the tracks in time. It was shot for the Post by freelance photographer R. Umar Abbasi.
"I'm sorry. Somebody's on the tracks. That's not going to help," said Al Roker on NBC's "Today" show as the photo was displayed.
CNN's Soledad O'Brien tweeted: "I think it's terribly disturbing — imagine if that were your father or brother." Larry King reached out to followers on Twitter to ask: "Did the (at)nypost go too far?"
Commentary posted on social media and in news broadcasts came down to one unanswered question: Why didn't Abbasi help Han?
But Irby said it's not that simple.
"What was done was not necessarily unethical," Irby said. "It depends on the individual at the time of action."
It depends, he said, on whether the photographer was strong enough to lift the man, or close enough. Abbasi said he got the shot while running to the scene and firing off his camera in hopes the flash would attract the attention of the train conductor, the Post reported.
"So there was an attempt to help," said Irby, who blames Post editors "for the outcry" because they made the decision to publish the image.
The Post didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press and didn't immediately make Abbasi available. His number isn't listed in New York area telephone directories.
Another professional reluctant to reach conclusions was veteran photographer John Long of the National Press Photographers Association, where he is chairman of the ethics committee.
"I cannot judge the man," he said. "I don't know how far away he was; I don't know if he could've done anything."
However, both Long and Irby said that as a photographer, "you are morally obliged to help" — if possible, rather than take a picture.
Added Irby, "I would argue that you're a human being before you're a journalist."
New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said investigators recovered security video showing a man fitting the description of the assailant working with street vendors near Rockefeller Center.
Witnesses told investigators that they saw the suspect talking to himself before approaching Han, getting into an altercation with him and pushing him into the train's path.
Police took the man into custody Tuesday, but he hasn't yet been charged.
Han, 58, of Queens, died shortly after being hit on the tracks. Police said he tried to climb a few feet to safety but got trapped between the train and the platform's edge.
Subway pushes are unusual. Among the more high-profile cases was the January 1999 death of Kendra Webdale. A former mental patient admitted he shoved her to her death.
After that, the state Legislature passed Kendra's Law, which lets mental health authorities supervise patients who live outside institutions to make sure they are taking their medications and aren't a threat to safety.
Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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I am an internet addict. I once used the internet as a tool, but now spending time on the computer visiting the same sites repeatedly has become my primary form of entertainment. Frankly, it's not very entertaining. I'm not reading books or watching movies the way I did before. So, in order to break out of this bad habit, I've made a Lenten vow to cut the time I spend on the internet in half. I'm not counting my work in photoshop, because that's usually creative. I'm also not reducing the time I spend writing, whether it's for posts here or messages to friends. These are too important and too satisfying. It's just not productive to check my visitor stats three times an hour, or twitter or facebook or email or ebay or YouTube. So far, it's working out okay. I've read half a book in the last two days, and I'm even enjoying my time on the computer more than before. I'm hoping that the time I spend away will result in more interesting blog posts, since the quality of what entertains me is reflected here.
I have another confession to make. I spend way too much time on the internet correcting mistakes and submitting complaints. I'm constantly removing my hands from the keyboard and telling myself, "You are not the internet police. This is not your job!" Here's a good example. Tonight my book club is discussing Willa Cather's Death Comes For The Archbishop. I got the book out of the library over the summer, kept it for nine weeks, and never got past page fifty. We have a very good rule at book club—you can come if you haven't read the book, but you can't join in the discussion. If I don't go to enjoy the company, not to mention all the wine and snacks, then I'll just sit at home browsing the internet again. This morning I went to cliffsnotes.com (oh, the horror!) to read the summary in order to follow tonight's discussion. There was a sloppy error in the synopsis, obvious even to someone who hasn't read the book, so of course I had to submit a correction to the site. Yesterday I complained to iTunes because I had to enter my credit card number and mailing address just to use the "like" button on an album page. It's bad enough that you have to waste time downloading an entire software package just to browse their store. Spending less time on the computer will not reduce my urge to correct and complain, but I won't have as much time to follow through.
I know I need to stay off ebay, but at least I rarely spend money there. I have become fascinated by the selling of cancelled checks as "authenticated autographs." Seriously. People are auctioning bank checks, either written to or by celebrities. When they're written to a celebrity, it's the endorsement on the back that is the valued autograph. Woe to any collector whose favorite celebrity had an accountant that used a rubber stamp! My favorite so far is a check written by Elizabeth Montgomery (Bewitched) to a Hollywood grocery store in 1974. It is the amount that intrigues me. Back in 1974, you could buy an awful lot of groceries for $560. Was she having a party? Somebody has already purchased this gem, but not to worry. There are two other checks written by Montgomery that are still for sale. I can't help wondering about the more recent checks, with account numbers, addresses, and driver's license numbers on them. They haven't been blacked out and can be seen clearly in the images posted on the internet. There really isn't any privacy anymore. Of course, with paypal and online banking, handwritten checks themselves will soon become antiques from another age.
The other night, I tweeted my intention to spend less time on the internet. I woke up to find a whole bunch of new people following me on twitter. Is this supposed to be an affirmation or a temptation?!
Update: I got a friendly note from the webmaster at cliffsnotes.com thanking me for my correction. ITunes sent a customer service survey asking me for my opinion of the response I never received about my complaint!


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Skip to Main Content
About Us
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Public Safety Services
Sheriff's Office
Marine & Recreational Vehicle Division
Recreation Safety Section
Snowmobile Safety
Snowmobile Safety
You must successfully complete a snowmobile safety course if you are:
A person who is at least 12 but less than 17 years of age operating a snowmobile without direct supervision of a person 21 years of age or older must have in their immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate.
A person who is at least 12 but less than 17 years of age may not cross a highway or street without having a valid snowmobile safety certificate in their immediate possession.
Snowmobile safety training is recommended for all snowmobile operators. Modern snowmobiles are capable of high rates of speeds over snow and ice. With the countless hazards associated with operating a snowmobile, training is a crucial factor in safe and responsible snowmobile operation.
Michigan Conservation Officers, in cooperation with schools, organizations and associations, take an active role in assuring that all of Michigan's citizens are given the opportunity to take a snowmobile safety course. The course emphasizes safe and responsible snowmobile operation.
Michigan Snowmobile Regulations:
Click to view the latest regulations in the State of Michigan
Michigan DNR endorsed online course:
Click for the Michigan DNR endorsed online course
Safety Education and Training:
Snowmobile safety education training is recommended for all snowmobile operators and is required for youth ages 12 to 17:
Click for a listing of snowmobile safety courses state wide
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Watch the New Trailer for HBO's Mysterious Drama The Leftovers
Apr 28, 2014 9:15 AM EDT
"Some bad sh--'s coming and there's no getting around it." HBO has released the first full trailer for its upcoming post-apocalyptic drama The Leftovers and from the looks of it, things aren't going to be pretty. Season MVPs: The year… Read more


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Poll: Surging partisanship among American voters
(CBS News) When it comes to political ideology, Americans are more divided than at any point in the last 25 years, according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
The poll shows Republicans and Democrats are increasingly far apart on questions surrounding values and beliefs. In 1987, when Pew began gathering data on how members of both parties feel about a set of 48 value-oriented questions, the average disparity between Republicans and Democrats was 10 points. In 2012, the average was an 18-point difference.
Much of the increase has been relatively recent: Between 1987 and 2002, the differentials fell within a 3-point range, alternating between 9, 10, and 11 points. In 2003, however, the average difference in partisan voter values jumped from 11 to 14 percent, where it remained constant until 2007. In 2009, the number jumped to 16 percent, and in 2012 it reached 18 percent.
While partisan polarization has surged in recent years, the differentials have remained relatively stable among other demographic groups, including race, income, education, religiosity, and gender.
"We've been asking the same questions in the same way for 25 years," said Carroll Doherty, one of the associate directors of the poll, in an interview with Hotsheet. "The partisan divide is now by far the largest single gap among the public and the parties are more polarized than they ever have been in that 25 year period."
According to the survey, conducted from April 4-15 among 3,008 adults nationwide, both Democrats and Republicans have become more ideologically homogeneous in recent years. A majority of Republicans call themselves conservatives, while an increasing number of Democrats identify as liberal. Conservative Republicans outweigh moderates by two to one, and there are about as many self-proclaimed liberal Democrats as moderate Democrats.
The most pronounced divides are between committed supporters of President Obama and Mitt Romney on questions about the scope and performance of the government, as well as issues related to the economy, environment and immigration. Between 1987 and 2012, the partisan division on the role and scope of the government jumped from 6 to 33. Between 1992, when the question was first asked, and 2012, the differential between Republicans and Democrats on questions surrounding the environment catapulted from 5 to 39. On immigration, the difference has jumped from 4 in 2002, when Pew started asking the question, to 24 in 2012.
"The supporters or Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are very far apart on nearly all issues, but what's a little less clear is where roughly a quarter of the voters come down." Those so-called swing voters, Doherty says, are "cross-pressured" -- meaning that "on some issues they side with Romney voters and on some issues they side with Obama voters."
The poll also notes a growing number of Americans who choose to identify as independents rather than Democrats or Republicans.
Thirty-eight percent of the survey's respondents said they identify as independents, while just 32 percent of called themselves Democrats, and 24 percent identified as Republicans.
"The number of independents continues to rise," said Doherty. "It's at the highest percentage in more than 70 years, and the percent affiliating with a party is at its lowest percentage."
Doherty cited a growing dissatisfaction with both parties -- as well as Washington -- as part of the reason for that change.
"Roughly 10 years ago you had roughly equal numbers of Republicans, Democrats and independents," Doherty said. "But as we've seen the parties pull apart, the number of independents has grown."


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Perfect Perennial Flowers
Have the sun, weather and insects gotten the best of your flower gardening beds? As summer continues, your once-colorful garden beds may start to fade. Bring some color and life back to your flower garden by caring for your existing perennial flowers and planting new late-blooming perennials whose bold color will last well into fall.
Start by tidying up your flower garden, pulling weeds and deadheading tattered plants. Your perennial flowers will grow much better without the competition of weeds, and removing dead flower heads will encourage blooming now and new growth in the spring.
Any overcrowded plants can either be dug out and replaced, or divided and replanted for a fresh start. For new late-blooming perennials, make sure to purchase low-maintenance, heat-tolerant plants that will fare well under the August sun. These plants should be watered before planting and should be planted at the same depth they were grown in the container.
Here are a few suggestions for late-blooming perennial flowers that will provide color not only to your garden beds, but your pots and window boxes as well:
- Black-eyed Susan is a hearty and vibrant perennial that blooms from late summer to frost. It acclimates well and won't require much deadheading.
- Toad lily is a hardy perennial that resembles an orchid, and has an exotic look to it. The red- and purple-speckled flower does best in part sun to full shade, but will fare well against late summer's unforgiving heat. Its nectar will attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- 'Blue Autumn' aster is another flower that will attract butterflies. The daisy-like deep blue flower does best in full sun and peaks from August to October.
- Selected daylilies produce many blossoms over a long period in the late season. Try planting varieties such as 'Heirloom Heaven,' 'Autumn Minaret,' and 'The Jury's Out' for plenty of colorful, tall blossoms.
- Salvia Leucantha, commonly known as Mexican sage brush, produces beautiful white and purple spikes from late summer until frost. There are many varieties of salvia that bloom in fall in an assortment of colors.
Late summer is also a good time to plant spring-blooming perennial fkiwers. This will give them a head start thanks to warm soil and drenching rainfalls. Make sure to plant them a solid six weeks before the first frost.


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Professor Roukes receives the Palmes Académiques
Mr Axel Cruau, Consul general of France in Los Angeles, bestowed Professor Michael Roukes with the Palmes Académiques on Tuesday, June 11h, 2013. The award ceremony was held at the prestigious California Institute of Technology where Prof. Roukes has led key research work since 1992. The event was attended by notable guests, including Caltech's president, Prof. Jean-Lou Chameau.
The Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an award medal, instituted at the start of the 19th Century, for key French and international figures who have played a crucial role in the fields of academia, culture and education. Prof. Michael Roukes was awarded the prestigious rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques because of his crucial work in strengthening ties between France and the USA in the fields of physics and nanoscience.
Mr Cruau, Prof. Roukes and Prof. Chameau at the end of the award ceremony during which Prof. Roukes was bestowed with the Palmes académiques (© Consulate general of France in Los Angeles 2013).
As stated by Mr Cruau, the Consul General of France, during his speech, Prof. Roukes is a distinguished scholar in the field of quantum measurement and applied biotechnology. Prof. Roukes was instrumental in the founding of multiple research centers at Caltech, namely Caltech's Kavli Nanoscience Institute. Throughout his career, he has fostered strong connections with France. As a holder of a Chaire d'Exellence, he initiated a relationship between Caltech and theLETI (Laboratoire d'Electronique et des Technologies de l'Information), located in Grenoble and headed by the CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives). This collaboration led Prof. Roukes and Laurent Malier, the director of LETI, to found The Alliance for Nanosystems VLSI (very large scale integration), a partnership focused on creating nanosystems-based tools. Prof. Roukes' Caltech research group currently specializes in collaborative nanoscience research, focusing on the creation and application of nanodevices to further develop the domains of fundamental measurement, engineering, and biological and medical sciences. Prof. Roukes was recently named one of the brilliant scientists to contribute to the Brain Activity Map project (also know as the BRAIN Initiative) launched by President Barak Obama in April 2013.
— Aurelie Perthuison


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Submit an event, attraction or venue to be considered for listing on this website.
You can find a comprehensive guide to markets around Australia at The White Hat Guide to Markets in Australia.
Markets in VictoriaMarkets in MelbourneMarkets in NSWMarkets in SydneyMarkets in QueenslandMarkets in HobartMarkets in AdelaideMarkets in PerthMarkets in DarwinSome accrediting bodies
White Hat Markets


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Donald Morris
Donald Morris, Ph.D., CPA, CFE, CFP, professor of accountancy, has 18 years of practice as a Certified Public Accountant and extensive teaching experience.
For ten years he managed his own accounting practice in the Chicago area dealing with an eclectic clientele of entrepreneurs. He holds a Masters of Taxation from De Paul University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Southern Illinois University.
His teaching interests include financial and tax accounting, as well as business ethics. He is co-author of the 2006 Accounting Desk Book (CCH) and author of a recently released book Opportunity: Optimizing Life's Chances (Prometheus).


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Drawers Provide Secure, Dust-Free Storage And Organization
Akro-Mils introduces a new family of products — AkroDrawers . Available in both 12" and 18" lengths, AkroDrawers keep supplies and parts secure, dust-free and neatly organized. The AkroDrawers line features five convenient sizes and five colors: Red, Yellow, Gray, Blue and Crystal Clear, which keeps contents highly Easy to label for quick inventory identification, each AkroDrawer contains multiple grooves for optional width dividers.
AkroDrawers feature a wide front handle for easy gripping when full or filled with heavy contents.Ideal for virtually any industry, AkroDrawers are stackable when used alone, or for more versatility, AkroDrawers can be used with the wide array of special bundled packages that Akro-Mils has designed to provide a clean and organized look to even the most heavy-duty needs, including Super Modular Cabinets — stackable or wall mountable units available in three sizes:
- Stackable Cabinets — much larger than the Super Modular Cabinets, Stackable Cabinets provide increased storage capacity and can be safely stacked up to three high.
- Secure Mini-Cabinets — available in both quick-view and solid door models, lockable to store sensitive supplies
- Louvered Carts — industrial-grade mobile workstations with welded-steel frames and steel-reinforced hardwood tops.


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Capture your best video right from your iPhone. Learn recording techniques and how to control exposure, set focus, and more. Get hands-on with the latest iPhone in this session or bring your own. Recommended for beginners.
More about Skills
In Skills sessions, you'll get familiar with the fundamental techniques and tools of a creative topic. These are different from Product sessions, which are for anyone completely new to a product or app.


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(image source: Putumayo.com)
You hear Latin music and it makes you want to dance – but is it a Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, or something entirely different? The beat tempts you to the dance floor, but what do you do once you're out there?
Today my friend and professional Latin dance instructor, Jennifer Gonzalez, guest posts and gives us the basics!
Lovin' that Latin Dance!
by Jennifer Gonzalez
It is hard to believe that just 13-14 years ago I had no idea that merengue, salsa, bachata, or cha cha cha were dances. Ok, maybe in the ballroom world I had heard a bit about cha cha cha or salsa but definitely nothing else. The only type of Latin dance I had ever laid eyes on was whatever came out of Mexico or California. As much as I love the Mexican culture – the dance just didn't do it for me.
Then one day, I met this man. He was (well, still is) Puerto Rican and he introduced me to 'his' music! I fell in love with the music instantly. For one of our dates, we went to go to see the movie, "Dance With Me" staring Chayanne and Vanessa Williams. In the movie, Chayanne takes Williams' character to a club where they dance 'real' salsa (not the ballroom kind.) My eyes probably popped out of my head at that moment as I watched and saw what I thought looked like the most fun you could have out at a club.
I told my then-boyfriend, "I must learn how to dance salsa!" So for my birthday we went to a tiny little club that we had found in the City Paper. After only one lesson I was hooked. I had no problem with the rhythm or the steps and wanted more. What I didn't know was that these lessons were going to open up a whole new world to me full of music, dance, and culture. Little by little I started to learn other dances, where they came from, and how they fit into the culture of Latin America.
What intrigues me is that many times people have a hard time distinguishing Latin music. A merengue will be playing and someone will ask, "Is that salsa?" No. They sound nothing alike. To me. How can you tell them apart? You learn about them!
Merengue is the easiest of the Latin dances to learn. It involves just two beats and two steps. 1-2, 1-2. The man and women mirror each other's feet as they dance and start in closed-position. As they step, there is a slight bend to the knee which will move the hips. They key is to not move your shoulders to the side or to bounce – that will give you away as a gringo (or non- Hispanic person) immediately! The bend in the knee while dancing gives the hips the movement that everyone wants but works so hard to achieve. Because of the easy steps, the leader can move through series of turns without too many issues. The dance originated in the Dominican Republic in the 19th century and is considered the 'national dance'. If you take a trip to the Dominican Republic and stay in a resort, you will most likely find merengue dance lessons each afternoon or evening (sometimes both). You can see the basic movement in the videos below:
One dance gaining in popularity right now is bachata. Everyone and their mother and brother want to learn Bachata – especially here in the Washington DC area. Again, this dance comes to us from the Dominican Republic. Many call bachata the 'country music' of Latin music. The lyrics are often full of heartache, pain, and love and as a result, the dance itself can portray all of these things. Traditional bachata dancing requires partners hold each other very close in the closed position. Their legs will straddle so as to not step on each other's feet (with the woman's right-leg often between the men's legs while dancing). The dance involves 4 steps – 4 to the right, 4 to the left with the 4th step being a left-lift or hip pop (see the video). Although many dance very close together, it isn't necessary. It can be beautiful danced with space between the man and the woman.
Salsa dancing is one of the most complex Latin dances. Not only are the steps harder to learn but there are variations within the dance itself which have caused controversy for years. Salsa music first originated in Cuba (as mambo) before being brought to the United States by Cuban musicians. The origins date back to Cuban Son. When the Cubans brought their salsa to the states it wasn't yet considered 'salsa'. Only after the United States shut the doors to Cuba and other artists took the music, added their own flavor (like Fania All Stars) was it given the name 'salsa'. The style became immensely popular in Puerto Rico due to singers like Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Tito Puente, and others and slowly moved throughout the world. Today, you will find that styles of salsa vary from country to country. Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and more all have their own distinct style of moving.
What does salsa look like when danced? Excellent question! As people start to learn they may find themselves confused. The styles to pick from are: on1 (LA style), on2 (New York/Puerto Rican style), casino (Cuban style), or Colombian. They each have their own way of relating to the music but one thing stays the same: the clave. All salsa music is built upon the clave. If you dance up the clave or down the clave does not matter – just stay with the music. Salsa is danced in 6 beats: 1-2-3, 5-6-7 with on1 and on2 styles pausing for the 4 & the 8. However, Cuban and Colombian salsa most often use every beat of the music. Trying to decide which style to learn can be confusing but I suggest to just pick one, learn it well, and then move on to another.
Video 1 demonstration:
Cuban salsa:
New York Style:
Colombian Style:
Beyond Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata
Beyond the dances mentioned above there are numerous other Latin dances available. The most popular is probably the cha cha cha. Most people are familiar with the cha cha cha from ballroom dancing or tv shows like Dancing With the Stars. Again, cha cha cha was born in Cuba. It progressed from the Danzón and received the name 'cha cha cha' from the sound the footwork would make on the floor. And although many people call it just the cha cha – the proper name is cha cha cha. The footwork is most similar to salsa but with a syncopated step on the 4 and 8. For a feel of the cha cha cha, I might recommend people break out their old Santana music and listen to "Oye Como Va." This song was written by Tito Puente as a straight cha cha cha but Santana took it and created an incredible rock song. The cha cha cha is still there in the song. Although the cha cha cha can be danced to some popular music (as they show on tv) it is best danced to classic cha cha cha music for the proper feel.
Another popular dance is Afro-Cuban rumba. Again, ballroom took what they called rumba and created their own dance. When you say 'rumba' in Cuba or in Puerto Rico or other Latin American countries they will most often assume you are talking about the rhythm that originated in Cuba. Because rumba is so diverse and complex, I would suggest reading this article I wrote for Ritmo Bello which explains the types of rumba as well as gives examples.
Learning these dances not only gives people the opportunity to connect with a culture (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Colombian, Dominican, etc.) it provides an outlet for exercise and socializing. Some of my greatest friends have come through dancing salsa. And for me, I know that I still have so much to learn. Watch the videos, pick up some music from Amazon or iTunes, and get in the groove!
Jennifer Gonzalez has been dancing salsa for the past 12 years and salsa rueda/casino for the past 10. She danced and taught with SAOCO DC for 4 years before having to focus her interests elsewhere due to kids, work, and life in general. She has also taught at the San Francisco Salsa Rueda Festival for two years and independently throughout Northern Virginia. Jennifer dances LA Style on1 and salsa casino but prefers salsa casino. She has trained with Aramis Pazos in Washington DC in AfroCuban dance. She works full-time as a web content manager and in search engine optimization/social media marketing. In addition, Jennifer authors Salsa Casino in DC – a blog dedicated to sharing events, classes, and more that are happening in the Washington DC Metro area as well as teaching people about the Cuban history of dance. Additionally, she is a regular contributor to PlanetTimba.com and The Examiner. When she is not dancing, thinking about dancing, or writing about dancing she spends time with her two children and husband.


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Celebrate Earth Day at the Arboretum!
This Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., roll up your sleeves and come join the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) and Seattle Parks and Recreation for a day of fun service projects to help improve the Washington Park Arboretum!
Organizers have selected about eight work sites throughout the Arboretum. Projects range from weeding and invasive plant removal to mulching and even some trail work, with different tasks suitable for 8-year-olds up through early teens and adults.
This year's service event is expected to draw some 300 volunteers, including a crew from a fraternity and sorority at the University of Washington, groups from Southwest Airlines and other corporate partners, volunteers from the National Park Service, local high schools and other individual participants.
The event officially kicks at 9:30 a.m. with introductory remarks from several speakers, including Tom DeLuca, director of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. By 10 a.m., volunteers will begin fanning out to project sites around the Arboretum, and the event ends at 2 p.m.
If this is the first you've heard of the clean-up, don't worry, it's not too late to sign up! You can register online up until noon on Friday, April 12, and walk-up registration on Saturday will be available beginning at 9 a.m. They're eager for all the hands they can get, so come spend a morning playing in the dirt, celebrating our Earth, working together to beautify our community, and getting youth and community members involved!
Where: Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle 98112. We will meet in the Meadow, which is about a five-minute walk south of the Graham Visitors Center on Arboretum Drive.
What to bring: Water bottle, sack lunch, travel mug for a hot drink, sunscreen, rain gear, long pants, layers of clothing and boots. (Some snacks and drinks are provided.)
What you won't need: Tools, gloves, environmental education and project materials, all of which will be provided on site!
For more info or to register, visit the SCA's event site, email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 206.324.4649.
Photo of 2012 Earth Day volunteers © Student Conservation Association.


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I thought I had us ready to start doing some basics, but I think one of my tweaks has actually caused some flakiness with database connectivity. Oops. So, because it's still that unstable, I think you'd all be frustrated, so give me just a little more time. I can tell you that when we open up (sometime tomorrow,I think, Tuesday) there will be some bumps, but you'll be able to make new posts and play around.
I'm off now to troubleshoot the database snafu I accidentally created.
Thanks, everyone!


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Jimmy Fallon and Kelly Ripa Face Off in Hilarious 'Tonight Show' Pop Quiz [VIDEO]by Thomas Chau | PopCrush
'Live!' co-host Kelly Ripa stopped by 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' last night (July 9) and the two talk show hosts faced off in a hilarious battle of pop culture knowledge in a new segment titled 'Pop Quiz.'
Ripa and Fallon each sat in hydraulic barbershop chairs while wearing pointy dunce hats. Above them were water balloons with four gallons of water each. 'Tonight Show' announcer Steve Higgins would ask each "contestant" a question from pop culture, such as, "What was the name of the housekeeper Alice's boyfriend on 'The Brady Bunch'" or "In 'The Big Lebowski,' what is the drink of choice for Jeff Bridges' character, The Dude?"
If one person answered the question correctly, the other contestant would be elevated closer to the water balloon above his or her head. If that person got the question wrong, he or she would be moved closer to the balloon.
Watch Fallon and Ripa battle wits in the two videos below. Given how great this segment turned out, we hope to see more of 'Pop Quiz' in the future!
Jimmy Fallon and Kelly Ripa Play 'Pop Quiz' on 'The Tonight Show' – Part 1
Jimmy Fallon and Kelly Ripa Play 'Pop Quiz' on 'The Tonight Show' – Part 2


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The National Park Service will invest $750 million in 750 restoration and protection projects at parks across the country to create jobs and preserve American history and heritage for future generations, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Wednesday (April 22).
The funding comes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, part of the $3 billion allotment to the Interior Department, according to the Environment News Service.
"From the Civil War to the Great Depression, America's best ideas for protecting our national parks and open spaces have often come when our nation has faced its greatest challenges," said Salazar.
"Today, by investing $750 million to restore and protect America's most special places, we are creating a new legacy of stewardship for our national park system while helping our economy stand up again," he said. "These projects at places like Ellis Island in New York and Dinosaur National Monument in Utah are ready to go and will create jobs in communities across the country."
Parks Large and Small Will Benefit
The National Park Service Recovery Act projects will benefit large parks such as Yellowstone, where more than $9 million will be spent to overhaul an antiquated wastewater treatment facility.
At Olympic National Park in Washington state, $54.7 million will fund six mitigation projects to prepare for the removal of the Elwha Dam and restoration of the Elwha River basin.
The funding will also benefit smaller parks such as Perry's Victory and International and Peace Memorial in Ohio, where $7 million will be spent in the first phase of renovating the monument that commemorates Oliver Hazard Perry's naval victory during the War of 1812.
All the projects are long-standing priorities of the National Park Service that meet the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act – that a project addresses the department's highest priority mission needs; generates the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creates lasting value for the American public.
"This important reinvestment in the crumbling infrastructure of our national parks is a step that will create jobs in large and small communities nationwide, and help to restore our nation's heritage for our children and grandchildren," said Tom Kiernan, president of the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association. "There is much more to do to restore our national parks, but this is progress."
The Interior Department's list of National Park Service infrastructure projects includes:
- Upgrading Ash Mountain's failing water system in Sequoia National Park to meet visitor needs and help with fire suppression, and the installation of renewable energy solar equipment to provide power for Yosemite National Park operations.
- The department will invest $30.5 million to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and $7.3 million to restore the District of Columbia War Memorial at the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.
- The Ellis Island Immigration Museum will get $26 million to repair the seawall and save one of its historic buildings. Of the total, $8.8 million will be spent to stabilize the Ellis Island Baggage and Dormitory Building built in 1908, one of the most significant structures at Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island in New York and New Jersey.
- At least $5.5 million will go to rehabilitate Independence Hall Tower at Independence National Historical Park in Pennsylvania. Famous as the location where the Declaration of Independence was debated and adopted, the building is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The legislation passed by Congress in February includes an investment of $900 million that will help reduce the National Park Service's $9 billion backlog of maintenance and preservation projects, and address other park infrastructure needs.
Congress directed approximately $750 million toward national park infrastructure projects through the Department of the Interior; an additional $170 million is provided for national park road repairs through the Department of Transportation.


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City of Lincoln
Mayor's Office
2004 Media Releases
Mayor Coleen J. Seng announced today that tests show lead and copper levels in the City's water are significantly below the federal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over the past six years, no water samples from homes served by the Lincoln Water System (LWS) have exceeded the EPA lead and copper limits.
"Few services are more important to a community than the provision of quality water," said Mayor Seng. "Lincoln is known for its quality of life, and our high water quality is key to that reputation. I want to commend our Public Works and Utilities and Health employees who work every day to monitor water quality for our citizens."
Lead is toxic, especially for children below the age of six. Exposure to high levels of lead can cause permanent brain damage, resulting in learning disabilities or even death. The primary source of lead poisoning is lead-based paint remaining in older homes. To be in compliance with EPA standards, 90 percent of the water samples taken must test below 15 ppb (parts per billion) for lead and below 1,300 ppb for copper. LWS has never exceeded the 90th percentile rule.
"The latest test results are great news for the residents of Lincoln," said Scott Holmes, Manager of the Environmental Public Health Division of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. "The removal of lead from gasoline and paint has greatly reduced the amount of lead to which children are exposed. The elimination of lead solder has helped reduce lead in drinking water."
Steve Owen, LWS Superintendent for Water Distribution, said lead and copper are just two of the many substances for which Lincoln's water is tested. "Monitoring our water quality is a top priority," Owen said. "We take samples every day to assure that Lincoln's water is safe for our customers, and our water quality data is extensive."
Owen also thanked the LWS customers who have volunteered to participate in the water sampling. "Water sampling is very important work," he said. "Without such great participation, this program would be very difficult to manage."
Under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, LWS was required to have samples from 100 Lincoln homes analyzed for lead and copper during the initial sampling period in 1992. Based on the good results, LWS was authorized to reducing monitoring to only 50 homes once every three years beginning in 1995. (A chart of the results follows this release.) Homes with samples exceeding the standards in 1992 and 1995 were retested. In some of those homes, the new tests met EPA standards, and in others, the lines containing lead were replaced.
Those homeowners who participated in the 2004 water sampling received letters summarizing the results from their homes. No further action is required until the next sampling in 2007.


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By completing your order, you understand that the products(s) you are purchasing are U.S. models and may have power / voltage requirements different from that of your country.
Prices shown in currencies other than US Dollars are estimates based on current exchange rates. We will charge your credit card in US Dollars on the day your order is shipped, and the conversion to your local currency will be done at the prevailing rate by your credit card issuer.
PSSL will not mark your parcel as a "gift", declare a value lower than the actual price paid, or otherwise prepare false customs information.
The new Peavey Elements™ weather-proof loudspeakers bring the renowned clarity, power handling and reliability of Peavey sound reinforcement to a series of American-made IP46 rated weather-proof enclosures designed for outdoor installations. Gone are the days of hanging molded enclosures outside only to replace the speaker in a year or two. The all-new incredibly durable, reliable and versatile Elements weather-proof enclosures are a combination of innovative cabinet construction and proven, weatherized components designed for direct contact with the elements in the most demanding climates.
The Elements C series of composite enclosures are constructed from an advanced composite fiberboard material that is dimensionally stable in wet conditions and resists contamination, yet has the resonant properties of wood. This light and durable material ensures unmatched sonic performance while providing year after year of reliable service. The aluminum grills of the Elements C series enclosures feature a barrier membrane that repels water yet allows moisture to escape and does not affect the sonic performance of the loudspeaker.
The IP46 rated Elements C series is available in three two-way full range configurations and as a flyable subwoofer. The Elements 108C combines a 75 X 75 horn with an 8" weather-proof woofer in a compact and durable enclosure.


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Gulf Coast suffers majority of coastal wetlands loss
From our friends at Ducks Unlimited Wetland loss along the Gulf Coast accounts for a staggering 71 percent of the coastal wetland loss in the United States each year, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report. "Louisiana's coastal land loss is the greatest environmental, economic and cultural tragedy in North America," said Phil Turnipseed, director of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wetlands Research Center. Ducks Unlimited points to the study as support for their Gulf Coast Initiative and prioritization of Gulf Coast habitat conservation. "Despite our best efforts at protecting and restoring critical habitat, these losses continue to erode the capacity for coastal Louisiana and Texas to support waterfowl in the single most important wintering area on the continent," said DU Director of Conservation Programs Jerry Holden. Based on the best available data, coastal wetland loss since the 1970s means today's available habitat supports an estimated 3 million fewer ducks in Louisiana. Coastal marsh loss in Texas, combined with drought and the disappearance of rice agriculture, is adding to the already-dramatic foraging deficit on critical wintering grounds for waterfowl species such as pintails. Despite recognition of coastal wetlands as water filters; barriers against flood waters; storm mitigators; and aids to local, regional and national economies, the national loss rate has increased by more than 20,000 acres per year, now at 80,000 acres annually. "We have to stabilize and ultimately reverse the rate of loss of these critical wetlands," said Tom Moorman, director of DU's Southern Region. "Ducks Unlimited works with a variety of state, federal and nongovernmental partners, as well as private landowners, to conserve and improve wetland habitats for waterfowl and other species, and we continue to look for ways to increase the rate of coastal wetland restoration with our partners." For example, DU is seeking additional support for conservation projects via funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. DU is also involved in an innovative partnership with the rice industry to enhance working wetlands on coastal prairies connected to the marshes and supports the use of freshwater and sediment diversions where appropriate to build marsh and important waterfowl and wildlife habitat. "We must all work together and make coastal wetland restoration a priority. These wetlands are vital for waterfowl, but also absolutely crucial to the nation's economy and security," Moorman said. "In the face of sea-level rise, coastal marsh loss and increasingly costly hurricanes, storm surge absorption is more vital than ever to the nation's economic security." Coastal wetlands serve as natural protection from storm-related flooding. By some estimates, approximately 3 miles of coastal wetlands shrink storm surges by up to a foot. The full NOAA report – "Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Coastal Watersheds of the Conterminous United States 2004 to 2009" – and past reports can be found here. Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. By Andi Cooper