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2008 Women's Cancer Handbook Resource Guide
General cancer organizations
American Cancer Society
ACS provides information on numerous types of cancers, plus offers an online support group, tips for talking to doctors and info on upcoming fund-raising events in your community. Facing out-of-town treatments? Discover Hope Lodge, free, temporary housing across the United States for those whose best hope for effective treatment is far from home.
CancerCare can help recently diagnosed patients and their families cope both emotionally and financially by finding counseling and monetary support resources online.
Cancer Schmancer Movement
Former star of The Nanny and uterine cancer survivor Fran Drescher started this organization to raise awareness about the importance of early detection among women. The goal: Diagnose all women's cancers at stage I, when they are most curable. Check out the site to read up on facts and purchase Cancer Schmancer gear—proceeds help fund the movement's education efforts.
National Cancer Institute
NCI includes an online dictionary that features 4,000 cancer-related terms to help you better understand the illness. Access info on assessing and lowering your cancer risk and clear up common misconceptions.
Gilda's Club
Created in honor of Gilda Radner, the Saturday Night Live cast member who died of ovarian cancer in 1989, Gilda's Club provides emotional and social support for those who have been affected by cancer of any kind. With 21 clubhouses nationwide and more in development, Gilda's Club is a free refuge for patients and their family and friends, and even includes special programs for children and teenagers. The clubhouses offer support groups, lectures, self-discovery workshops (yoga, cooking, etc.) and social events.
Fertile Hope
Learn how to safeguard your reproductive health in the face of critical cancer treatments with the help of Fertile Hope, a nonprofit organization also dedicated to providing information, support and hope to patients and survivors who have received medical care that may raise their risk for infertility.
Daily Strength
Social support is key to surviving and thriving during cancer treatment and recovery, and Daily Strength offers just that. Currently they have 38 online groups dedicated to those fighting a different type of cancer; their pages allow you to post messages, keep a journal and even upload photos or videos to the website.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Find tons of free features, like the new program, Surviving With Confidence, which aims to dispel common myths and misconceptions about chemotherapy and empower cancer survivors to advocate for the highest quality care. Done with treatment? Download What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance for info on how to make the most of your insurance coverage post-cancer, plus tips to stay protected if you change jobs.
Make sense of the science behind biopsies on this site created by the College of the American Pathologists in Northfield, Illinois, which includes links to news about clinical trials.
Don't face cancer alone. Connect with thousands of people who have also been touched by the disease by creating an online personal web pages, where you can keep others updated on your condition and treatments, learn about therapy options and get advice from people who know the ropes from firsthand experience.
Online Wellness All in One Place
LIVESTRONG.com, a partnership between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Demand Media, blends web social networking (a la Facebook) with Armstrong's passion for health and fitness to challenge people to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Surfers can view health and fitness videos, read articles and food journals and share strategies with other patients, doctors and caregivers for reaching their health goals.
Breast cancer
The most visited online breast cancer resource, BreastCancer.org features more than 4,000 pages of original medical content. Recently revamped to be more user-friendly, the site provides emotional support through discussion boards and chat rooms, plus you can enroll in Ask-the-Expert Online Conferences for live advice from doctors.
Join the fight! Learn whether you're eligble to participate in various breast cancer treatment trials through this not-for-profit organization. They believe that taking part in research trials can lead to quicker approval of new treatment options and improve the quality of life for all breast cancer patients.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Donations to BCRF help fund the organization's extensive grant making program, and in October 2008, they will award over $34 million in new research grants to 165 scientists. In total, they've raised more than $220 million to support breast cancer research worldwide!
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
The Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization) provides unique peer support through YourShoes, a 24/7 breast cancer support center that's staffed by survivors who know what it's like to face the disease. Learn more about Life in Balance, a two-and-a-half day program designed to connect breast cancer patients, survivors and supporters and offer tools for coping with the disease.
My Vision Foundation
Created by 31-year-old entrepreneur Alice Crisci after her recent breast cancer diagnosis, the My Vision Foundation offers resources and funds for women under 40, particularly those who are concerned about infertility post-treatment.
Pink Ribbon Program
Treatment makes many breast cancer patients feel physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted, but recent studies show a link between moderate physical exercise and improved quality of life. The Pink Ribbon Program is all about gaining mobility, strength and confidence through the power of pilates.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
LBBC's site features clinical trial information, breaking breast cancer news and information on its annual conference. Registered users can also participate in online discussion forums.
Whether you're a patient, survivor, family member or friend, you can connect with others just like you in the Pink-Link network. Ask questions, get advice and share support in this online community.
National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund
You can make a difference! Become a trained advocate and learn how you can participate in legislative, scientific and regulatory decisions, promote positive media coverage and raise public awareness for breast cancer.
Breast Cancer 3-Day
Embark on a three-day, 60-mile walk with breast cancer survivors and activists while raising money and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. And don't worry, it's not all walk and no play: They provide nightly entertainment along with tents, meals and hot showers, plus medical support for those who need it. Check online for the 2008 and 2009 schedule of walks taking place across the country.
Revlon Run/Walk for Women
Hit the streets in New York City or Los Angeles for these annual 5K run/walks. The donations you receive help fund cancer research efforts and provide education and support to patients and their families.
Rock Out for a Cause
Enjoy musical performances throughout the month of October at the Hard Rock Café in your town. The restaurant will host a musical event to raise funds for a local charity that supports breast cancer research. Program supporter Melissa Etheridge will be involved in the launch events in Hollywood and Orlando, Florida, and a portion of the proceeds from their Pinktober product line will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Race for the Cure
Grab your sneakers and some friends and participate in the 25th anniversary of the Komen Race for the Cure. The 5K run/walks are available across the country and raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon walks have raised more than $150 million since their incarnation, and you can help to make that number even higher! Nine cities nationwide will host two-day, 39-mile events. A portion of the money raised by the walkers will help underinsured women and men receive screening, support and treatment.
Ovarian cancer
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Get the facts on whether your family medical history puts you at increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. You can also locate genetic counselors near you and connect with other "pre-vivors" (FORCE's word for high-risk women) in an online chat room.
Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
OCRF is dedicated to raising money to fund research for methods of early ovarian cancer detection and finding a cure. Check out the Wall of Hope for inspiration, where women who are bravely battling the disease are honored, as well as for a listing of upcoming fund-raising functions coming to a city near you.
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
The alliance works to increase public and professional awareness of ovarian cancer as well as offer education and outreach at state and local levels to spread advocacy nationwide.
Woman to Woman
This peer program at The Mount Sinai Hospital Gynecologic Oncology Department in New York City provides emotional support and education to women in treatment for uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer.
U.S. Women's Triathlon Series
From October 18 to 19, the National Series women-only triathlon will hit San Diego as part of a four-city national series. Join in to help; proceeds go to ovarian cancer research fund.
Run for Her
Inspired by her mother's 10-year battle with cancer, Kelli Sargent partnered with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 2005 to start this 5K Run and Friendship Walk. Join her and hundreds of others on November 16 in L.A. to walk or run for ovarian cancer awareness and raise funds for the Cedars-Sinai Women's Cancer Research Institute.
Cervical cancer
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
Get the facts on Pap smears, the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer, plus check out the Cervical Cancer/HPV Quilt Project, which composes quilts made of individual squares created by patients or in honor of loved ones with the disease. The quilts are on display in hospitals, cancer centers and clinics. Women who haven't had a Pap in three years can take advantage of the NCCC's FREE Pap Test Day, which is held annually on the second Friday in January; contact your gynecologist to see if he or she is participating.
Women's Cancer Network
Take less than 10 minutes to complete a risk assessment survey and get a customized report outlining your chances of developing gynecologic and breast cancers, including cervical. Want more info? Check out the WCN online bookstore. Through an arrangement with Amazon.com, the network will receive 15 percent of the proceeds when you purchase one of the recommended reads.
National Cervical Public Education Cancer Campaign
Get a yearly e-mail reminder when you sign up for Take the Pledge. By signing the contract, you vow to receive a gynecological exam each year and to ask your health care provider about cervical cancer screening each year. Sponsored by The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the website offers print materials on HPV and is taking great strides in reaching out to Latina and African-American communities.
The digene HPV Test
Learn the ins and outs of HPV, how it's screened and cervical cancer through a series of FAQs. The website also offers a mother-daughter guide to overcoming the discomfort that can come with discussing the subject matter.
Eyes on the Prize
Join an e-mail discussion list, find a local support group or send an e-postcard to your friends to raise awareness of all forms of gynecological cancer.
Tamika & Friends
Check out this online network of survivors and friends affected by HPV and cervical cancer. Members take turns hosting HPV parties to promote awareness and make personal connections.
Leukemia and Hodgkins lymphoma
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
This is one of the largest voluntary health organizations dedicated to blood cancer research, education and patient services. Get financial support, download educational brochures, become an advocate and chat with others who've been there on their discussion boards.
Leukemia Research Foundation
Dedicated to funding research for leukemia, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes, the foundation's site includes research grant listings, patient information and details on donating money toward their efforts.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
LRF, the nation's largest lymphoma-concentrated voluntary health organization, is devoted solely to funding lymphoma research, providing information on the disease and offering patients a helpline.. Their site includes info on Hodgkin lymphoma and non–Hodgkin lymphoma, and provides a support network for patients to connect with peers who are also living with the disease.
Download a sun safety brochure to learn the steps for preventing skin cancer, then consult the self-examination guide and follow the steps for checking your skin in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Melanoma patients can find tips for undergoing treatment, including advice on easing side effects and ensuring proper nutrition.
Melanoma Patients' Information Page
Connect with other patients via private chat rooms about treatments, doctor contacts and anything else that's weighing on your mind. Find selected readings tailored to a patient's specific cancer, a glossary to help you sort through all the medical jargon and staging and prognostic calculators.
Skin Cancer Foundation
Browse through a list of sun-protective clothing and films for car and home windows that carry the SCF seal of approval, which guarantees that the product has an SPF of 15 or higher, has been thoroughly tested and shouldn't cause irritation. Sun safety has never been so easy!
Melanoma Hope Network
Get info on how to indentify suspicious spots, as well options for support and treatment if you've been diagnosed. You can also test out TrialFinder, which matches a patient's medical profile with compatible clinical trials as well as notifies patients via e-mail when new treatments become available. The site also features a database of treatment centers that meet the MHN's standards of excellence.
American Academy of Dermatology
Test your sun smarts and get personalized tips by taking the AAD's Rays Your Grade safety survey. Find a free skin cancer screening in your area and get the facts on skin cancer, melanoma, sunscreen and indoor tanning.
Road to Healthy Skin Tour
Get a free skin cancer screening through October 31 aboard a 38-foot customized RV that's making stops across the country. Click on the online calendar to learn when it's rolling into your city.
Colorectal cancer
National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
Cofounded by Katie Couric, this organization funds research to develop better tests and treatments for colorectal cancer. Scope out the Colorectal Cancer Legistlation Report Card to find out if your state has passed preventative screening legislation, and send a letter to your state legislator to voice your support.
Colon Cancer Alliance
Whether you need help with your own diagnosis or that of a loved one, find a buddy on the CCA site who can relate. The site provides detailed information on colon cancer symptoms, genetics, risk factors, statistics and support initiatives. Plus, sign up to receive newsletters and info about regional seminars.
The Colon Club
Order your own "colondar," a calendar featuring photographs of 12 survivors and their stories for each month of the year. Survivor Molly McMaster cofounded the club to inform young people about the disease after she was diagnosed at just 23.
Colorectal Cancer Coalition
Join the movement! Discover how you can take part in advocacy efforts that increase research funding for colon and rectal cancer prevention and treatment.
Undy 5000
Run or walk in a 5K race sponsored by the Colon Cancer Alliance—just be sure you're dressed appropriately: in your underwear! Opting for running shorts over skivvies is optional, but the CCA undie run will draw attention to your derriere and raise awareness for this easily detectable disease. Races will be held in the fall in Philadelphia, Phoenix and Dallas, and plans are currently under way to add more locations.
Lung cancer
LUNGevity Foundation
Throw an event to fight back against lung cancer with support from LUNGevity. The site can help you orgaize everything from parties to marathons to motorcycle rallies, all in an effort to bolster the battle against lung cancer. Planning to run a LUNGevity marathon? Use their virtual trainer to get ready for the run!
This CancerCare-based website is the virtual home to the national nonprofit organization, which provides free, professional help to anyone effected by lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Online Foundation
A virtual clearinghouse for lung cancer, this site is a directory to related resources on the Web.
Lung Cancer Alliance
Good news: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta allotted $204 million to breast and cervical cancer research in 2005. Bad news: The budget included no money for lung cancer research. Check out this site to download and sign a petition to increase federal funding for lung cancer studies and education—and urge your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to do the same!
Code Blue for Lung Cancer
Want a loved one quit the sticks? Download this 25-minute podcast to her computer. This powerful documentary sends a hard-to-ignore message about the number-one cancer killer that may make her think twice before reaching for another cigarette.
American Lung Association
Get a personalized treatment report for a variety of lung conditions, including cancer. Their interactive tool helps you understand your diagnosis as well as the pros and cons of your treatment options.
Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
Get updates on lung cancer news and tips on their blog, plus learn how to host an event to support lung cancer research.
3rd annual Boston Area Lung Cancer Walk/Fun Run
Help bring awareness, education and research funds to lung cancer by joining the LUNGevity Foundation benefit on November 1, 2008, in Castle Island, South Boston, Massachusetts. This walk consists of committees of individuals who have been affected by lung cancer in some way, shape or form. Check out the website for more information to register for the event.
Simply the Best Dinner Gala III
Come together to honor the lung cancer victims who leave this world too early along with Lynn, Sherr, Kayce, Chris and Elizabeth Jennings, all relatives of the late, great ABC news anchor Peter Jennings. The Simply the Best Dinner Gala III will be held at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco on November 15, 2008.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association
Get facts, treatment options and a free support packet through this national nonprofit organization for patients, survivors, family members and health professionals. ThyCa aims to inspire and motivate by connecting the public to support groups locally or via e-mail. The site also provides an individualized person-to-person support system based on diagnosis and personal preferences.
American Thyroid Association
Find a thyroid specialist in your state with their interactive map, as well as brochures on thyroid disease, surgeries and tests.
Light of Life Foundation
Thyroid cancer survivor Joan Shey created the Light of Life Foundation (LOL for short) in 1997 to help ensure that sufferers never feel lonely again. LOL holds monthly support groups, provides patients with hospitality baskets and educational information, and organizes survivor teams for marathon running. In conjunction with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the foundation created the Light of Life Award to recognize those who have made great contributions to thyroid cancer research and treatment.
What Helped Get Me Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope
Edited by Julie K. Silver, M.D. ($18, American Cancer Society, October 2008)
Dr. Silver surveyed nearly 300 survivors from around the world and interviewed top medical experts to create this road map from diagnosis, to treatment, to recovery and beyond. Hundreds of survivors—including celebs such as Carly Simon and Lance Armstrong—offer true life experiences, encouragement, hope and solutions to "getting through" the cancer journey.
The 10 Best Questions for Surviving Breast Cancer: The Script You Need to Take Control of Your Health
By Dede Bonner Ph.D. ($15, Fireside)
This book highlights the most important questions you and your loved ones should be asking your doctor at each step of your treatment and recovery. You can also use it as a guide to asking the personal questions that will help you maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle with friends, family and colleagues.
Five Lessons I Didn't Learn From Breast Cancer: (and One Big One I Did)
By Shelley Lewis ($14, National American Library)
The book offers a provocative take on a familiar subject. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, author Lewis grew tired of being told that the experience would teach her profound lessons in life. In her book, she aims to relieve the pressure of finding meaning in the disease, and to free women to simply fight it and get back to their lives. Lewis shares her five strategies for coping with cancer, as well as the stories of other breast cancer survivors, from a refreshing and real perspective.
Lopsided: How Having Breast Cancer can be Really Distracting
By Meredith Norton ($24, Viking)
An irreverent account of Norton's battle with breast cancer and a comical memoir of a life unusually lived. At 34, Norton was diagnosed with an aggressive and lethal form of breast cancer. Her memoir chronicles each stop of her harrowing experience while maintaining a sense of humor about her attempts to avoid victimhood and maintain her individuality.
Cancer Is a Bitch: Or, I'd Rather be Having a Midlife Crisis
By Gail Konop Baker ($22, Da Capo, October 2008)
A funny and moving memoir, Baker shares her struggles with juggling breast cancer treatment, midlife, motherhood and marriage with a "rogue boob"—and, ultimately, triumphing.
Taking Care of Your "Girls"
By Marisa Weiss, M.D. (co-written with her daughter, Isabel Friedman) ($16, Three Rivers Press)
This practical guide walks mothers through the myths and facts of breast development and care while dispelling the common misconceptions about what's "normal" for breast health. Although directed for a younger audience, moms can learn a thing or two from the read, too!
The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men and Teenagers
By Shobha S. Krishnan, M.D. ($40, Praeger)
A gynecologist, family physician and mother, Dr. Krishnan delves into the pros, cons, misconceptions and legislative controversy surrounding the HPV vaccine in her new book. This up-to-date guide provides a wealth of information for readers who are unsure about the vaccine.
One Bite at a Time: Nourishing Recipes for Cancer Survivors and Their Friends
By Rebecca Katz ($22, Celestial Arts)
This cookbook aims to ease the dietary struggles that can come with cancer treatment, such as food restrictions, damaged taste buds, nausea and poor appetite. Katz gives patients and caretakers tons of ideas for easy, simple tasty recipes while also catering to the special needs, taste changes and sensitivities experienced by those going through cancer treatments.
Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor: More Rebellion and Fire for your Healing Journey
By Kris Carr, author of Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips
Carr's second book offers more smart and spunky tips for overcoming the fear and uncertainty of cancer. Chock full of exercises, meditations, brainstorms and stories to inspire anyone diagnosed with cancer (or the people close to them), Carr encourages patients to be empowered participants in their healing and to "live like they mean it!"
Frosted Pink With a Twist
Enjoy a night of charitable entertainment with ABC's Frosted Pink show at 4 P.M. ET October 12. Olympic gymnasts and musical stars will raise awareness for the event's founding partners, which include the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
In the Family
Premiering on PBS on October 1, the documentary follows 31-year-old Joanna Rudnick's struggle after learning she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. The cameras follow Joanna as she decides whether to have a mastectomy and hysterectomy in an effort to slash her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.


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|Authored By: Joyce Goldstein; courtesy of the California Dried Plum Board
|Cinnamon, allspice and cloves are the secret to this excellent sauce.
|Diet Types: Dairy Free, Wheat Free
|Serves: 8
|Cooking Time: 30 minutes - one hour
|In small saucepan, bring dried plums and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer dried plums to food processor, reserving cooking liquid. Add 1 cup of the cooking liquid (adding add'l water, if necessary), wine, lemon juice, oil, lemon peel, sugar, pepper, salt,, cinnamon, allspice and cloves to food processor; process until smooth. Return to saucepan; simmer over medium-low heat 10 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, grill salmon over medium-hot coals (or broil on rack or broiler pan 3-4 inches from heat) 7-11 minutes or until fish is cooked to desired doneness, turning once. Serve with sauce. Tip: Salmon fillets with skin may be substituted for salmon steaks. Place salmon, skin sides down, on rack or broiler pan. Broil 3-4 inches from heat 6-8 minutes or until fish is cooked to desired doneness, without tuning. Proceed as above.
|Printable Version
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subset: commoncrawl


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Frank Ocean "Dust" (Stop Motion Animation) from Sam Frank Productions on Vimeo.
One thing I love about the OFWGKTA crew is that they have inspired so much creativity (with their creativity). I've been loving Frank Ocean's "Nostalgia Ultra" tape and apparently I'm not the only one. Two of my filmmaker/producer friends created videos inspired by his songs. Above is Maya Table's video for "Dust" and below you'll find a video for "American Wedding" made by the homie Artemus Jenkins.


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When complete, this will be the largest telescope of its kind built by amateur astronomers.
Astronomical (use) telescopes are generally equatorially mounted. The LAT will use a much cheaper altitude azimuth (gun) mounting and uses computers to synthesize equatorial motion.
Telescope animation files; One for us with telephone MODEMS (254Kbytes (note file size)) small animation and for you technology 'haves', a larger version. (1.8 Mbyte (note file size)) big animation of LAT 'tracking' Arcturus.
Marathon session
Well, folks. This was the BEST weekend's worth of work on the mirror since we had our marathon sessions last year.
Prior to this weekend, our last optical test found the mirror in a strange condition. The last 4 to 6 hours of work on the edge that was SUPPOSED to make that zone more parabolic had, in fact, made it seemingly more SPHERICAL.
(Actually, on closer inspection, the outer zone is likely either hyperbolic or toroidal. I'm not sure which.)
Well, this would be bad enough but what made it worse was the fact that there was a sharp slope discontinuity 10" in from the edge between this strange outer zone and the fairly good parabola that we have in the inner 25" of the mirror. This discontinuity made in nearly impossible to accurately measure the shape of the glass.
(Perhaps I should say, it was nearly impossible for ME. Dick seemed to have no trouble with this at all and came to roughly the same conclusions quantitatively that the rest of us came to qualitatively.)
Anyway, the upshot of it all was that this edge at the 10" zone had to go. So, after some discussion, we decided to do about an hour on this zone. And, we decided to do it BY HAND.
The reason for doing only an hour by hand is that we were nervous about working this zone. You see, 10" in from the edge is almost EXACTLY over the 70% zone. And this is the zone that we want to have HIGH on the glass. So, overworking this zone could set us back by some months by taking OUT some of the correction that we have labored so hard to put IN.
Further, this was my first experience hand polishing. You see, when it comes to actually making mirrors with your hands, everyone on my polishing team has more experience than I do. And, I can tell you that polishing with a 9" tool that is well seated while leaning over a 70" piece of glass that is turning at 6 RPM is hard work.
We took turns every 5 minutes so no one would get too tired and went through the hour with no trouble at all.
After that, we cleaned up the glass and let it sit while we went to lunch. After lunch, we came back & stood it up for a test.
Except for the fact that the shop gets REAL hot during the daytime when you close it up to reduce air currents, the test went well. (Well, I had some trouble with the light source in my tester but we used Dave's instead.) It showed, as we expected, that we could work much longer in that zone without any danger.
So, we put the glass down again and went to Denny's to have our board meeting. During the meeting, someone suggested that we continue to polish today. After all, it was still early and we knew that we could polish in that zone safely. So, back to the shop and, with more confidence this time, we allowed the machine to polish that zone with the 9" tool for 45 minutes.
We cleaned up the glass for a second time and, since it STILL wasn't dark yet, we decided to wait for a couple of hours and do a second test.
The second test went better than the first (with the shop being cooler and my tester working better) and we got good wire readings all the way from the edge to the innermost zone 1.5" from the center. (Anthony notices some minor circular striations that the 9" tool and the machine put into this zone. I guess we'll have to change the stroke again next time.) We STILL have work to do on that zone but we'll wait for this last wire test to be reduced to numbers before we polish again.
(As it happens, several of us are unavailable for the weekend of the 21st so the next session will be on 6/28.)
I will be sending out the results later this week but for the moment I am excited by the possibility that we may be able to use this weekend as a model for polishing in the near future.
It appears that waiting just an hour or two is sufficient to eliminate any thermal effects that polishing may have on the optical test at the units of wavelengths level. When we get to within a fraction of a wavelength we will have to revisit this issue. But, for now, this observation allows us to polish, test, decide how to continue, polish again, and test again, ALL IN ONE DAY.
by Dan Zuras
April 1996
Much of the Large Amateur Telescope progress to date has been in the grinding & polishing of the primary mirror.
After receiving the glass from Tasmania in late 1989, it took more than two years before we were able to get the money & expertise necessary to finish the design & fabrication of the grinding machine as well as the A-frame hoist & lifting bands needed to move the glass.
My notes show that during this time we : visited Lick Observatory to look for sites; designed & built the drip pans; built the A-frame out of scrap in Dick Vaubel's shop; worked out the computer controls strategy; estimated the electrical power needed; rewired the old shop for 220 3-phase; came up with a mathematical theory of the transformation of celestial coordinates to alt-az coordinates that includes fabrication errors; and experienced the Oakland fire that burned down the Medlocks' house. We were not exactly idle.
The actual grinding began on January 18th, 1992 at 3:30 with a mixture of 30 & 60 grit on the back.
We ground the back first for three reasons. First, we wanted to stress relieve the glass. Second, we wanted the back to be flat so it would sit well in the mirror cell. And, third, we wanted to get familiar with how to use the grinding machine in a way that wouldn't risk the optical surface of the glass.
In the two months we ground the back we went from the 30/60 mixture to 60 grit alone to 120 to 240 to 400 & finally to 30 micron grit. The 46.5 hours we put on the back resulted in a surface with a sagitta of one thousandth of an inch over 6 feet. (This works out to a radius of curvature of 10 MILES! Jack Zeiders characterized this as f-long.)
During this time we also : talked with Ethan Clifton about the possibility of using his patented Monoptic dome for our building (we eventually concluded that it would be far too expensive); picked up a horizontal mill from a man named Buckminster; worked out more computer control details; and Kevin Medlock & Rob Toby designed & built the edging machine.
March of '92 was spent getting the kinks out of the edging machine. The edger was attached to the grinding machine to turn it into a vertical lathe with a diamond wheel tool and an automatic feed of about one stroke in 8 hours.
While this meant a very slow cutting rate, the machine could operate unattended safely and, thus, in two months it was possible to put 96 hours into edging the glass. We finished edging on May 14th 1992.
May 16th 1992 was a big day. We flipped the glass over onto the front that day. It took an hour & a half and a half a dozen supervisors but we did it. After that, it took another month before we began grinding as everyone went to Riverside to attend the RTMC that year.
Grinding on the front began on June 12th, 1992 with a mixture of 16 & 60 grit. We quickly abandoned that in favor of 46 grit. (The 16 grit was like grinding with rocks.) The first 53.5 hours of hogging was done with the 46 grit in which we flattened out the original f-2 curve to about f-2.8 by removing 5/8" more glass on the edge than the center.
In September, we decided we needed to replace the steel disc we were using as a grinding tool. At 30" it was too small & was thought to be riding over some of the larger irregularities.
So we bought 360 pounds of Quickcrete and cast a 42" diameter tool using a Sonotube as a mold. (Sonotubes are those thick cardboard tubes that are used to cast freeway overpass supports.) After waiting a couple of weeks for it to cure, we sealed it with Bondo and attached a number of Mexican terra cotta floor tiles to it as the grinding surface. We also attached a mounting plate with a trailer hitch ball in it to connect to the trailer hitch we use to move the tool.
It was in the process of seating this tool that I learned a hard lesson : when you are seating a new tool, always use a short stroke. I used a stroke that went over the edge of the glass & knocked a few chips off before we could stop the machine. (Until the tool seats, there is danger of the corners of the tiles nicking the edge of the glass.)
Grinding continued into 1993 with this tool for another 46 hours and, then..., the turntable bearing seized up. We had gone from 46 grit to 300 grit by this time & we believe that grit had worked its way into the bearing race and ruined the bearings.
This put us out of commission for a couple of months until Kevin could design & build a new turntable bearing out of the thrust bearings from a couple of trucks.
The new bearing was finally installed on May 22nd 1993. It worked better than ever right from the start & it is still in use today with no evidence of wear at all.
Grinding continued right down to 10 micron grit until we finished on August 14th 1993 at 6:30 PM. We had put 269 hours on the glass altogether in the year & a half of grinding. The back took 46.5 hours, the edge took 96, & the front took 126.5.
During this time : Rob Toby built a spherometer to measure the curvature of the glass; we checked out Morgan Manufacturing in Aptos to see if they could make the race for an observatory dome; worked on a grant proposal; rebuilt the turntable support; added a fan to cool the turntable motor; and rewired the grinding machine for slow start.
In September 1993, I went to ABE Dental in Belmont and bought 200 pounds of dental stone. (The man that sold it to me said, "Boy that must be SOME cavity you've got there!") We used this and the rest of the Sonotube to cast our first pitch lap.
During this time, it was decided to move our operation from Hayward to San Leandro to save money on rent. The Hayward shop was costing us $636/month. We now share a shop with Epoch Instruments for $200/month. While the extra distance added to my commute, at a savings of over $400/month, it is well worth it.
The move took us through the holidays and then we started polishing in the new shop on April 16th, 1994 at 2:00.
Within a month, we had a good enough polish to do our first optical test. Dave set up the test instrument and, sure enough, we had a sphere! This is exactly what we hoped for at this point and meant that we were OK to start figuring for a parabola.
During this time : Denni Medlock & I went to a chop shop & bought 3 motorcycle chains to replace the worn out drive belt; Dave Barosso wired up the new shop for 220 3-phase; we mounted the attachment plate on the pitch lap (TWICE!); we built an enclosure as a clean room for the polishing machine; Rob made a mold for the pitch squares; we cast the pitch onto the tool; and John Bower came up with a design for the mirror mount.
For a small mirror, the difference between a sphere and a parabola of the same radius is measures in tens of millionths of an inch. For our 70" f-3, the difference is 3 THOUSANDTHS of an inch!
While that may not sound like much, Anthony Stillman once calculated that one wavelength of glass removed from the entire surface of a 6' diameter disc amounts to 1.5 cubic centimeters of glass. And, that 1.5cc must be removed by POLISHING it away! Experience has shown that we can move anywhere from 1.5 to 6 wavelengths in a 12 hour polishing session.
Of the 136 wavelengths we must remove to go from a sphere to a parabola, as of the time of this writing, we have removed all but 24.5.
The last two years have consisted mainly of long hours polishing & testing. We try to polish in 12 hour marathon sessions lasting all day Saturday and test as often as we believe we need to.
I am often amazed at the dedication of the polishing team. Those marathon sessions mean getting up early on a Saturday morning, working all day, and getting home well past midnight.
In these last two years we have : changed out the eccentric drive pulley 2 or 3 times; gone through 2 pitch laps (thats not counting 3 pitch recasts & we're nearly ready for our third lap); changed the polishing compound; improved our cleanroom procedures; developed a new theory of mirror testing; seen Mark Thein design & build a roll down door for our cleanroom; refabricated & replaced the lap overarm; replaced the hitch plate after the failure of the old one; thought we had some astigmatism that turned out to be band strain; replaced the overarm pivot; performed 10 optical tests and rasped & channeled the lap & changed the polishing stroke countless times.
To date, we have put 228.5 hours into polishing and we believe that we have another 120 hours or so before we get to within one wavelength of our final figure. At the rate we tend to go, that works out to another 10 months or so before we can see the end of this task.
So, if all goes well, by this time next year, Group70 should be able to say that we have finished the primary mirror. All in all, a significant milestone in the creation of a new telescope.
Anthony Stillman
Ernie Piini
Dan Zuras
Jack Kellythorne
Donn Mukensnable
Rick Powell
Joe Kral (ME-10)
& Kevin Tibbs (ALT-AZ consultant)
(use the BACK button on your browser).
Last modified: Friday, 18-Mar-14


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|Common Raven showing its hackles and large beak
The Common Raven Corvus corax is one of the heaviest passerine birds and the largest of all the songbirds. It is easily recognizable because of its size (between 54 and 67 centimetres long, with a wingspan of 115 to 150 cm, and weighing between 0.69 and two kilograms) and its black plumage with purple or violet lustre. It has a ruff of feathers on the throat, which are called 'hackles', and a wide, robust bill. When in flight, it has a wedge-shaped tail, with longer feathers in the middle. While females may be a bit smaller, both sexes are very similar. The size of an adult raven may also vary according to its habitat, as subspecies from colder areas are often larger.
A raven may live up to 21 years in the wild, making it one of the species with the longest lifespan in all passerine birds.
| American Crow
The Common Raven is often mistaken for an American Crow in southern Canada and the United States. Both birds are from the same genus (order of passerine birds, corvid family –like jays, magpies and nutcrackers, Corvus genus) and have a similar colouring. But the American Crow is smaller (with a wingspan of about 75 cm) and has a fan-shaped tail when in flight (with no longer feathers). It also has a narrower bill and lacks the raven's hackles. Their cries are different: the raven produces a low croaking sound, while the crow has a higher pitched cawing cry. While adult ravens tend to live alone or in pairs, crows are more often observed in larger groups.
|Common Raven vs American Crow
The Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is a medium to large saltwater fish: generally averaging two to three kilograms in weight and about 65 to 100 centimetres in length, the largest cod on record weighed about 100 kg and was more than 180 cm long! Individuals living closer to shore tend to be smaller than their offshore relatives, but male and female cod are not different in size, wherever they live.
The Atlantic Cod shares some of its physical features with the two other species of its genus, or group of species, named Gadus. The Pacific Cod and Alaska Pollock also have three rounded dorsal fins and two anal fins. They also have small pelvic fins right under their gills, and barbels (or whiskers) on their chins. Both Pacific and Atlantic Cod have a white line on each side of their bodies from the gills to their tails, or pectoral fins. This line is actually a sensory organ that helps fish detect vibrations in the water.
The colour of an Atlantic Cod is often darker on its top than on its belly, which is silver, white or cream-coloured. Its exact colour varies between individuals and seems to depend on its habitat in order to camouflage, or blend in: when there's lots of algae around, a cod can be reddish to greenish in colour, while a paler grey colour is more common closer to the sandy bottom of the ocean. In rocky areas, a cod may be a darker brown colour. Cod are often mottled, or have a lot of darker blotches or spots.
The Atlantic Cod may live as long as 25 years.
The North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalæna glacialis) is one of the rarest of the large whales. It can weigh up to 63,500 kilograms and measure up to 16 metres. That's the length of a transport truck and twice the weight! Females tend to be a bit larger than males – measuring, on average, one metre longer. Considering its weight, it's fairly short, giving it a stocky, rotund appearance. Its head makes up about a fourth of its body length, and its mouth is characterized by its arched, or highly curved, jaw. The Right Whale's head is partially covered in what is called callosities (black or grey raised patches of roughened skin) on its upper and lower jaws, and around its eyes and blowhole. These callosities can appear white or cream as small cyamid crustaceans, called "whale lice", attach themselves to them. Its skin is otherwise smooth and black, but some individuals have white patches on their bellies and chin. Under the whale's skin, a blubber layer of sometimes more than 30 centimetres thick helps it to stay warm in the cold water and store energy. It has large, triangular flippers, or pectoral fins. Its tail, also called flukes or caudal fins, is broad (six m wide from tip to tip!), smooth and black. That's almost the same size as the Blue Whale's tail, even though Right Whales are just over half their size. Unlike most other large whales, it has no dorsal fin.
For a variety of reasons, including its rarity, scientists know very little about this rather large animal. For example, there is little data on the longevity of Right Whales, but photo identification on living whales and the analysis of ear bones and eyes on dead individuals can be used to estimate age. It is believed that they live at least 70 years, maybe even over 100 years, since closely related species can live as long.
Unique characteristics
The Right Whale has a bit of an unusual name. It is thought to have been named by whalers as the "right" whale to hunt due to its convenient tendencies to swim close to shore and float when dead. Its name in French is more straightforward; baleine noire, the black whale.
The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a fascinating migratory fish with a very complex life cycle. Like salmon, it lives both in freshwater and saltwater. But its life-cycle is exactly the reverse of salmon's: the eel is a catadromous species. It is born in saltwater and migrating to freshwater to grow and mature before returning to saltwater to spawn and die. The American Eel can live as long as 50 years.
It is a long, slender fish that can grow longer than one metre in length and 7.5 kilograms in weight. Males tend to be smaller than females, reaching a size of about 0.4 m. With its small pectoral fins right behind its gills, absence of pelvic fins, long dorsal and ventral fins and the thin coat of mucus on its tiny scales, the adult eel slightly resembles a slimy snake but are in fact true fish. Adult eels vary in coloration, from olive green and brown to greenish-yellow, with a light gray or white belly. Females are lighter in colour than males. Large females turn dark grey or silver when they mature.
It is known by a variety of names in Canada, including: the Atlantic Eel, the Common Eel, the Silver Eel, the Yellow Eel, the Bronze Eel and Easgann in Irish Gaelic. In Indigenous languages, like Mi'kmaq, it is known as k'at or g'at, the Algonquins call it pimzi or pimizi, in Ojibwe bimizi, in Cree Kinebikoinkosew and the Seneca call it goda:noh.
The American Eel is the only representative of its genus (or group of related species) in North America, but it does have a close relative which shares the same spawning area: the European Eel. Both have similar lifecycles but different distributions in freshwater systems except in Iceland, where both (and hybrids of both species) can be found.
The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a medium-sized songbird, about the size of a sparrow. It measures between 15 and 18 centimeters (cm) in length and 29 to 32 cm in wingspan, and weighs between 15 and 20 grams (g). But while it is average-sized, it's far from average-looking! Its back and tail plumage is a distinctive steely, iridescent blue, with light brown or rust belly and a chestnut-coloured throat and forehead. Their long forked tail and pointed wings also make them easily recognizable. It's these wings, tail and streamlined bodies that make their fast, acrobatic flight possible. Both sexes may look similar, but females are typically not as brightly coloured and have shorter tails than males. When perched, this swallow looks almost conical because of its flat, short head, very short neck and its long body.
Although the average lifespan of a Barn Swallow is about four years, a North American individual older than eight years and a European individual older than 16 years have been observed.
Sights and sounds:
Like all swallows, the Barn Swallow is diurnal –it is active during the day, from dusk to dawn. It is an agile flyer that creates very acrobatic patterns in flight. It can fly from very close to the ground or water to more than 30 m heights. The species may be the fastest swallow, as it's been recorded at speeds close to 75 kilometers per hour (km/h). When not in flight, the Barn Swallow can be observed perched on fences, wires, TV antennas or dead branches.
Both male and female Barn Swallows sing both individually and in groups in a wide variety of twitters, warbles, whirrs and chirps. They give a loud call when threatened, to which other swallows will react, leaving their nests to defend the area.
Freshwater turtles are reptiles, like snakes, crocodilians and lizards. Like other reptiles, they are ectothermic, or "cold-blooded", meaning that their internal temperature matches that of their surroundings. They also have a scaly skin, enabling them, as opposed to most amphibians, to live outside of water. Also like many reptile species, turtles lay eggs (they are oviparous). But what makes them different to other reptiles is that turtles have a shell. This shell, composed of a carapace in the back and a plastron on the belly, is made of bony plates. These bones are covered by horny scutes made of keratin (like human fingernails) or leathery skin, depending on the species. All Canadian freshwater turtles can retreat in their shells and hide their entire body except the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). This shell is considered perhaps the most efficient form of armour in the animal kingdom, as adult turtles are very likely to survive from one year to the next. Indeed, turtles have an impressively long life for such small animals. For example, the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingi) can live for more than 70 years! Most other species can live for more than 20 years.
There are about 320 species of turtles throughout the world, inhabiting a great variety of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems on every continent except Antarctica and its waters. In Canada, eight native species of freshwater turtles (and four species of marine turtles) can be observed. Another species, the Pacific Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata), is now Extirpated, having disappeared from its Canadian range. Also, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) has either such a small population that it is nearly Extirpated, or the few individuals found in Canada are actually pets released in the wild. More research is needed to know if these turtles are still native individuals. Finally, the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), has been introduced to Canada as released pets and, thus, is not a native species.
Little Brown Bat
The Little Brown Bat, or Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) weighs between 7 and 9 g, and has a wingspan of between 25 and 27 cm. Females tend to be slightly larger than males but are otherwise identical. As its name implies, it is pale tan to reddish or dark brown with a slightly paler belly, and ears and wings that are dark brown to black.
Contrary to popular belief, Little Brown Bats, like all other bats, are not blind. Still, since they are nocturnal and must navigate in the darkness, they are one of the few terrestrial mammals that use echolocation to gather information on their surroundings and where prey are situated. The echolocation calls they make, similar to clicking noises, bounce off objects and this echo is processed by the bat to get the information they need. These noises are at a very high frequency, and so cannot be heard by humans.
Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are considered medium-sized odontocetes, or toothed whales (the largest being the sperm whale, and the smallest, the harbour porpoise), being of a similar size to the beluga, its close relative. Males can grow up to 6.2 m -the average size being 4.7 m- and weigh about 1,600 kg. Females tend to be smaller, with an average size of 4 m and a maximum size of 5.1 m and weigh around 900 kg. A newborn calf is about 1.6 m long and weighs about 80 kilograms. The narwhal has a deep layer of fat, or blubber, about 10 cm thick, which forms about one-third of the animal's weight and acts as insulation in the cold Arctic waters.
Like belugas, they have a small head, a stocky body and short, round flippers. Narwhals lack a dorsal fin on their backs, but they do have a dorsal ridge about 5 cm high that covers about half their backs. This ridge can be used by researchers to differentiate one narwhal from another. It is thought that the absence of dorsal fin actually helps the narwhal navigate among sea ice. Unlike other cetaceans –the order which comprises all whales–, narwhals have convex tail flukes, or tail fins.
These whales have a mottled black and white, grey or brownish back, but the rest of the body (mainly its underside) is white. Newborn narwhal calves are pale grey to light brownish, developing the adult darker colouring at about 4 years old. As they grow older, they will progressively become paler again. The narwhal's colouring gives researchers an idea about how old an individual is. Some may live up to 100 years, but most probably live to be 60 years of age.
The narwhal's most striking feature is undoubtedly its tusk. This long, spiral upper incisor tooth (one of the two teeth narwhals have) grows out from the animal's upper jaw, and can measure up to 3 m and weigh up to 10 kg. Although the second, smaller incisor tooth often remains embedded in the skull, it rarely but on occasion develops into a second tusk. Tusks typically grow only on males, but a few females have also been observed with short tusks. The function of the tusk remains a mystery, but several hypotheses have been proposed. Many experts believe that it is a secondary sexual character, similar to deer antlers. Thus, the length of the tusk may indicate social rank through dominance hierarchies and assist in competition for access to females. Indeed, there are indications that the tusks are used by male narwhals for fighting each other or perhaps other species, like the beluga or killer whale. A high quantity of tubules and nerve endings in the pulp –the soft tissue inside teeth – of the tusk have at least one scientist thinking that it could be a highly sensitive sensory organ, able to detect subtle changes in temperature, salinity or pressure. Narwhals have not been observed using their tusk to break sea ice, despite popular belief. Narwhals do occasionally break the tip of their tusk though which can never be repaired. This is more often seen in old animals and gives more evidence that the tusk might be used for sexual competition. The tusk grows all throughout a male's lifespan but slows down with age.
Shorebirds form one of the most interesting, important, and spectacular groups of birds in Canada. They comprise a diverse group of species, including the plovers, oystercatchers, avocets, stilts, turnstones, sandpipers, yellowlegs, snipes, godwits, curlews, and phalaropes.
To the uninitiated, many species of shorebirds, especially the smaller sandpipers, appear confusingly similar, representing variations on a design involving long legs, a long bill, sharp, dynamic wings, and a streamlined body. These design features all reflect the lifestyle for which the birds are adapted—long legs for wading in water or on mudflats or marshes, the long bill for searching for tiny animal and insect prey by probing into Arctic tundra or a variety of substrates, and long wings and a streamlined body for swift flight over long distances.
Common Tern
Everyone who has visited the coast is familiar with gulls, those graceful, long-winged birds that throng the beaches and harbours and boldly beg for scraps. The gulls are a family of birds that live mainly at sea, either along the shore, or out in the ocean itself. Worldwide, there are more than 350 species of birds that live either partially or exclusively at sea, and these are generally known as "seabirds."
The table below lists the 14 families of marine birds and the approximate number of species in each (the exact number of species is continually being revised as genetic research reveals that some very similar-looking birds are so different in their genetic makeup that they constitute different species). All species belonging to the albatross, auk, frigatebird, gannet, penguin, petrel, and storm-petrel families feed exclusively at sea. In addition, many species of cormorants, grebes, gulls, jaegers, loons, pelicans and terns feed either entirely or mainly at sea. The Phalaropes are the only shorebirds that feed at sea.
Families of birds in which all species feed either entirely of partially at sea and the approximate number of species in each family appear below (from http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ioc-lists/master-list/). The number of species that breed in Canada are shown in parentheses. Ducks and grebes that feed at sea are not included.
Ptarmigans are hardy members of the grouse family that spend most of their lives on the ground at or above the treeline. Three species are present in North America: the Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus, the White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus, and the Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus.
Like other grouse, ptarmigans have chunky bodies, short tails and legs, and short, rounded wings. Willow Ptarmigans weigh from 450 to 800 g, White-tailed Ptarmigans weigh about 350 g, and Rock Ptarmigans are intermediate in size.
All ptarmigans have feathered feet, unique among chickenlike birds, which improve their ability to walk in snow. They also have white wings throughout the year. Inflatable red combs above their eyes, which are especially evident in territorial and courting males, are inconspicuous to barely visible in females.
Ptarmigans have three seasonal plumages per year, instead of the two that are usual for most birds. These plumages keep the birds, particularly the female, well camouflaged at all times. In winter, all ptarmigans of both sexes are basically white. Whereas White-tailed Ptarmigans have permanently white tail feathers, the tails of Willow and Rock Ptarmigans remain black throughout the year. In winter, male—and some female—Rock Ptarmigans sport a black stripe that extends through the eye to the bill (as if they had put on charcoal goggles to prevent snow blindness), distinguishing them from male Willow Ptarmigans.
In ptarmigans, the moult, or shedding of old feathers, starts with the head and progresses towards the tail. As soon as the spring snowmelt begins, females moult into a barred breeding plumage of brown, gold, and black. Female ptarmigans are difficult to tell apart in spring, but the overall tones of the White-tailed Ptarmigan females are cooler in comparison to those of the other two species. Breeding males delay their moult.
Of the 198 species of woodpeckers worldwide, 13 are found in Canada. The smallest and perhaps most familiar species in Canada is the Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. It is also the most common woodpecker in eastern North America.
This woodpecker is black and white with a broad white stripe down the back from the shoulders to the rump. Its wings are checkered in a black and white pattern that shows through on the wings' undersides, and the breast and flanks are white. The crown of the head is black; the cheeks and neck are adorned with black and white lines. Male and female Downy Woodpeckers are about the same size, weighing from 21 to 28 g. The male has a small scarlet patch, like a red pompom, at the back of the crown.
The Downy Woodpecker looks much like the larger Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus, but there are some differences between them. The Downy's outer tail feathers are barred with black, unlike the Hairy Woodpecker's, which are all white. The Downy is about 6 cm smaller than the Hairy, measuring only 15 to 18 cm from the tip of its bill to the tip of its tail. And the Downy's bill is shorter than its head, whereas the Hairy's bill is as long as or longer than its head length. The Downy's name refers to the soft white feathers of the white strip on the lower back, which differ from the more hairlike feathers on the Hairy Woodpecker.
Woodpeckers are a family of birds sharing several characteristics that separate them from other avian families. Most of the special features of their anatomy are associated with the ability to dig holes in wood. The straight, chisel-shaped bill is formed of strong bone overlaid with a hard covering and is quite broad at the nostrils in order to spread the force of pecking. A covering of feathers over the nostrils keeps out pieces of wood and wood powder. The pelvic bones are wide, allowing for attachment of muscles strong enough to move and hold the tail, which is important for climbing.
Another special anatomical trait of woodpeckers is the long, barbed tongue that searches crevices and cracks for food. The salivary glands produce a sticky, glue-like substance that coats the tongue and, along with the barbs, makes the tongue an efficient device for capturing insects.
Signs and sounds
As early as February or March a Downy Woodpecker pair indicate that they are occupying their nesting site by flying around it and by drumming short, fast tattoos with their bills on dry twigs or other resonant objects scattered about the territory. The drumming serves as a means of communication between the members of the pair as well. Downys also have a variety of calls. They utter a tick, tchick, tcherrick, and both the male and the female add a sharp whinnying call during the nesting season.
Hatchlings give a low, rhythmic pip note, which seems to indicate contentment. When a parent enters the nest cavity, the nestlings utter a rasping begging call, which becomes stronger and longer as the chicks mature.
One of the heaviest of North American owls, the Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus stands nearly half a metre tall, with a wingspan of almost 1.5 m. As is the case with most diurnal birds of prey—those that are active during the day—the female is larger and heavier than the male. The average weight of the female is 2.3 kg compared to 1.8 kg for the male.
Adult males may be almost pure white in colour. Adult females are darker, their white feathers barred with dark brown. First-year birds of both sexes are more darkly marked than their adult counterparts. Immature males resemble adult females, and immature females are heavily barred and may appear dark grey when seen from a distance. The light coloration of Snowy Owls provides camouflage when the owls are perched on snow, but this advantage is lost in summer. As spring approaches and the ground becomes bare, Snowy Owls move to sit on patches of snow or ice. No one knows whether they do this to camouflage themselves or whether they are merely keeping insects away or staying cool.
A dense layer of down, overlaid with thick feathering, insulates the Snowy Owl's entire body, including the legs and toes, and enables the bird to maintain a body temperature of 38 to 40°C, even when the air temperature reaches -50°C. In strong wind, Snowy Owls may seek shelter by crouching on the ground behind a windbreak, such as a pile of stones, snowdrift, or bale of hay.
The Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla, only about 30 g in weight and 14 cm long, is one of Canada's smallest shorebirds. Its name comes from the partial webs between its toes. Males and females are identical in rather plain brown or grey plumage although females are slightly larger. The species can be difficult to distinguish from other small sandpipers.
Semipalmated Sandpipers moult, or shed, their body feathers twice a year. The change to the greyish-brown fall-winter plumage usually starts on the breeding grounds and is completed after arrival on the non-breeding area. The moult that takes place on the non-breeding area prior to spring migration gives them a slightly brighter (more brown) breeding plumage. Adults moult their flight feathers (wings and tail) gradually—retaining the ability to fly at all times—and only once per year, usually in the non-breeding area.
Some juveniles do not replace any flight feathers in their first winter, as these are quite new. Others, however, moult some of the outermost primaries (outer wing feathers), which are important for flight and wear most rapidly.
Signs and sounds
The Semipalmated Sandpiper's voice is a single note chit or cheh.
Of the 19 species of raptors, or birds of prey, in Canada, three are Accipiters. Accipiters are small to medium-sized hawks of swift flight that occur around the world. The Canadian species are the Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus, the Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii, and the Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is found in North, Central, and South America, the Cooper's Hawk only in North America, and the Northern Goshawk on five continents.
Accipiters can be distinguished from other types of hawks by their flight silhouettes (see sketch). Like the buteos (e.g., the Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis) and harriers (the Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus is the only Canadian harrier), the accipitrine hawks have rounded wings; however, these are shorter than in the other two groups. In contrast, the wings of another group of hawks, the falcons, such as the Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk Falco sparverius, are pointed.
All accipiters generally have similar colouring, small heads, long tails, and short rounded wings. The female of each species grows larger than the male. They range in size from the small male Sharp-shinned Hawk, which is smaller than a gull, to the large female Northern Goshawk, which at 55 to 66 cm is larger than a crow. The Cooper's Hawk is intermediate in size; the male Cooper's is easily confused with the female Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the female Cooper's Hawk is almost as large as the male Northern Goshawk. There are distinguishing characteristics—for example, the shape of the tail is square for the Sharp-shinned Hawk, rounded for the Cooper's Hawk, and almost square for the Northern Goshawk—but identification is difficult.
Adult Trumpeter Swans Cygnus buccinator are large birds with white feathers and black legs and feet. The feathers of the head and the upper part of the neck often become stained orange as a result of feeding in areas rich in iron salts. The lack of colour anywhere on the swans' bodies distinguishes them from other white species of waterfowl, such as snow geese, which have black wing tips.
The male swan, or cob, weighs an average of 12 kg. The female, or pen, is slightly smaller, averaging 10 kg. Wings may span 3 m. Young of the year, or cygnets, can be distinguished from adults by their grey plumage, their yellowish legs and feet, and until their second summer of life, their smaller size.
The shape and colour of the bill help in identifying the Trumpeter and Tundra swans in the field. Trumpeters have all black bills; Tundra Swans, formerly called Whistling Swans, have more sloping bills, usually with a small yellow patch in front of the eye. If this patch is missing, it is quite difficult to distinguish between the two birds unless the voice is heard. At close range, an observer should look for a salmon-red line on the lower bill.
A third type of swan, the Eurasian Mute Swan, is often seen in Canadian parks and zoos. The Mute is all white with a black knob on a reddish-orange and black bill. The Trumpeter Swan is the largest of the three species.
Signs and sounds
Although very similar in appearance, the Trumpeter Swan and the Tundra Swan have quite different voices. The Trumpeter Swan has a deep, resonant, brassy, trumpet-like voice; the voice of the Tundra Swan is softer and more melodious.
Many naturalists and hunters consider the Wood Duck Aix sponsa to be the most beautiful duck in North America, if not the world. The male in its multi-coloured breeding plumage, worn from October through June, is unexcelled among ducks. The female is less showy, although still beautiful and more colourful than other female ducks.
Wood Ducks are intermediate in size, between the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal; on average, males weigh 680 g and females weigh 460 g. From a distance, the male Wood Duck on the water appears as a dark-bodied, dark-breasted, light-flanked duck with a striped crested head and a light-coloured throat. At close range, its iridescent plumage, red eyes, and black, red, and white bill are conspicuous. A white eye-ring, light-coloured throat, and fine crest distinguish the female from both the male Wood Duck and females of other species. Both sexes usually show a downward pointing crest at the back of the head, and their long broad square tails are distinctive features in flight.
The wings of Wood Ducks are highly characteristic. The primary wing feathers, which are the 10 outermost flight feathers attached to the wing beyond the wrist, are dark in colour. The outer vanes of these feathers look as if they have been sprayed with aluminum paint. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck so marked.
Adult coho salmon have silvery sides and metallic blue backs with irregular black spots. Spawning males have bright red sides, and bright green backs and heads, with darker colouration on their bellies. The fish have hooked jaws and sharp teeth. Young coho salmon are aggressive, territorial and often vibrantly coloured, with a large orange anal fin edged in black and white.


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Purchasers in most large Canadian centres can add Land Transfer Taxes to their list of closing costs.
Unless you live in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or rural Nova Scotia, land transfer taxes (or property purchase tax) are a basic fact of life. These taxes, levied on properties that are changing hands, are the responsibility of the purchaser. Depending on where you live, taxes can range from a half a per cent to two per cent of the total value of the property.
Many provinces have multi-tiered taxation systems that can prove complicated. If you purchase a property for $260,000 in Ontario, for example, .5 per cent is charged on the first $55,000, 1 per cent is charged on $55,000 - $250,000, while the $250,000 - $400,000 range is taxed at 1.5 per cent. Your total tax bill? $2,375.00.
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The information provided herein must only be used by consumers that have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale or lease of real estate and may not be used for any commercial purpose or any other purpose.
Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by TREB.
Toronto Real Estate Board - IDX Last Updated: 12/15/2019 8:11:15 AM


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Re: ChessCube Update: A message from the CEO
2 games a day lmao
so long!!!!!!
The latest ChessCube news and information
gromit wrote:Well, at least I will now have something to spend my cubits on, now that I can't use them for the purposes for which I bought them (viz membership and videos).
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After recounting the votes in the Iowa caucuses, a bombshell from The Hawkeye State: the winner of the first contest of the primary season wasn't actually Mitt Romney, but Pennsylvania shitstain Rick Santorum. And thanks to the pervasive neologism of Santorum's name, every single headline about it is disgusting.
The Washington Post (and every jokester on Twitter) reports that eight precincts failed to turn in their votes by the caucuses' deadline, and thus their votes will never be counted. The final count of votes that followed the rules: Rick Santorum- 29,839 votes, Mitt Romney- 29,805 votes. The Santorum campaign says that this should be a game-changer that will totally tip the election in favor of their guy, but that seems unlikely. Rick Santorum is best known to the younger generation as a gay-hating abortion ban-happy zealot with a name that means post-anal sex discharge.
I cannot see Rick Santorum's name anymore without remembering the words "frothy" and "fecal." And every headline is now a double entendre. Santorum is surging. Santorum is getting a boost. Various homophobes are endorsing Santorum. Santorum doesn't care about birth control. Santorum is running. Santorum is attacking. Santorum mounts. Santorum defends. Santorum blasts. Santorum rips.
These brain assaults won't end until his candidacy ends, and even then, we're probably doomed to at least a Fox News show that will also be a double entendre, or images of his sneering half smirk offering advice to other candidates. Listen to the wisdom of Santorum, you guys. Buy an at-home enema kit.
Santorum finishes 34 votes ahead of Romney in new Iowa tally [WaPo]


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Wilfred Thesiger: The Life of the Great Explorer
HarperPress, 2006 - 528 sivua
Wilfred Thesiger, the last of the great gentlemen explorer-adventurers, became a legend in his own lifetime. This authorised biography by a longstanding friend and associate delves into his little-known character and motivations, as well as recounting the details of his extraordinary life.While Wilfred Thesiger's own classic writings (including The Marsh Arabs, Arabian Sands, Desert, Marsh and Mountain, The Life of My Choice and My Kenya Days) comprehensively cover his classic journeys amongst the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq, across the Empty Quarter in Arabia, they fail conspicuously to shed light on his character and motives, which have remained an enigma.Maitland's biography had Thesiger's support before he died in 2003, and has been written with full access, granted to no one else, to the rich Thesiger archive - vivid, intimate family correspondence, and his own letters, diaries and notebooks which are far more confiding than his scrupulously edited published accounts. Maitland investigates in depth Thesiger's parents and family influences; his wartime experiences and the ethos of conflict; his philosophy as a hunter and conservationist; his development as a writer and photographer; his close friendships with the Arabs and Africans amongst whom he lived; and his sexuality. In all, this major biography of a great and unusual man will take its place on the shelf of outstanding lives of the great explorers.
Kirjan sisältä
teoksessa on 49 hakutermiä camp vastaavaa sivua
Missä on loput tästä teoksesta?
Tulokset 1 - 3 kokonaismäärästä 49
Mitä ihmiset sanovat - Kirjoita arvostelu
WILFRED THESIGER: The Life of the Great ExplorerKäyttäjän arvio - Kirkus
An eccentric explorer in the tradition of T.E. Lawrence, Wilfred Thesiger (1910-2003) lived with tribal warriors in Africa, traveled on camel through the Arabian desert and journeyed to the hitherto ... Lue koko arvostelu
The Emperor Meneliks New Flower
Hope and Fortune
25 muita osia ei näytetty
Muita painoksia - Näytä kaikki
Wilfred Thesiger: The Life of the Great Explorer
Alexander Maitland
Esikatselu ei käytettävissä - 2010
Yleiset termit ja lausekkeet
Abyssinia Addis Ababa Africa April Arabia Arabian Sands August Aussa Awash Awash river Bedu big game Brian British brothers camels camp circumcisions colour companions Danakil Darfur December Dermot desert diary Druze elephant Empty Quarter England entry dated Eton expedition father February feel felt ffrench Blake gave Gavin Maxwell Gavin Young Geographical Journal Graham Watson Haig-Thomas hunting ibid Idris Iraq Jabal January John Verney journey July June Kabina Kenya killed Kutum later Lawi Legation letter dated 30 lion lived London looked Maralal March Marsh Arabs Maxwell Milebrook months mother mountains never night Northern Darfur November Nuer Nuristan October photographs rifle river round Samburu Sandford September Sheikh shooting shot St Aubyn's Sudan Thesiger wrote Thesiger's Tibesti TLMC took travelled tribes tribesmen Turkana valley village visited Wadi Wilfred Gilbert Wilfred Thesiger Wingate writing wrote to Kathleen WT to KMA WT verbatim


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Cristian Wicha designs both furniture and surfboards. And looking at his PK Lounge, that's pretty obvious.
I wasn't going to get too literal with an interpretation, but I just can't help myself—it's as if the base of the chair is the wave and the top of the chair a board!
And while I'm no surfer, I'd love to sit on the thing—just to feel like I was shredding through the living room when, in reality, I was just playing some videogames while drinking beer. [Cristian Wicha via mocoloco]


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The invention of the smart phone triggered the era of citizen journalism revealing the complex relationship between a citizen's right and the police's duty to protect.
The website establishes a "wiki"-like crowd-sourcing platform for comments on the law, even though the public has not been able to see the draft.
Their app, ImEX, creates an online market for farmers, where they can sell their products, pairing consumer demand with farmers supply.
Office of Personnel Management says it detected security breach in April, estimates as many as 4 million current and former federal employees may have been affected.
Global Innovation Through Science and Technology has so far engaged some 2.8 million entrepreneurs worldwide, and the program has helped shape 4,500 startups, with $800 million in revenue.
In Cambodia a dive team trained with U.S. State Department funding to remove unexploded ordinance from rivers and waterways has successfully completed its first mission. VOA Khmer's Cheoung Pochin narrates.
Elite crew, trained with US support, recovers and defuses bomb in Mekong River on its first mission.
Critics worry laws to curb cyber-crime and govern telecommunications will clamp down on few opportunities for free speech.
Over past quarter-century, orbiting workhorse has sent back thousands of images of planets and remote galaxies, expanding our knowledge of universe in unimagined ways.
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced nearly a quarter-billion dollars in new pledges to support the study of science, technology, engineering and math, a group of fields jointly called STEM. VOA Khmer's Cheoung Pochin narrates.
Four identical spacecraft aboard an Atlas V rocket lit up the sky last week as they were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. VOA Khmer's Soeung Sophat narrates.
Tel Aviv University bioengineer begins yearlong study in which he'll try to make whole piece of chicken, starting from one cell.
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These groups meet regularly.
Bereavement Support Group — Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. This group is for adults who are mourning the loss of a loved one. All are welcome. St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Room 105, 8300 Old Columbia Road, Fulton. 410-792-0470, Ext. 214.
Family support group — Fourth Monday, 7:30 p.m. For family and friends of adults with mental illness. First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City. 410-772-9300 or http://www.nami.org/sites/namihowardcounty.
Family Members of an Adult or Teen with a Mental Illness — Fourth Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking group. Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. 410-772-9300 or http://www.nami.org/sites/howardcounty.
La Leche League of Columbia — Fourth Friday, 10:30 a.m. at the cafe upstairs at Wegmans; first Friday, 10 a.m., and third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia; and toddler meetings on varying mornings at 10:15 a.m., in library meeting rooms. Support/help with breast-feeding questions. http://www.lllofmd-de-dc.org/columbia.html.
Living with Breast Cancer Support Group — Fourth Thursday, 7 p.m. Registration requested. Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite G050, Columbia. 410-740-5858.
Mental Illness — Final Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. 410-772-9300.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) — Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Support group for parents of transgender and gender nonconforming children. Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia.
Sickle Cell Disease Support Group — Fourth Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Meets in Howard County General Hospital, Classroom A. (Upon arrival, check information board for any change of location.) 410-465-4822.
Together We Thrive — Fourth Saturday, 10 a.m. Patient support group for men and women diagnosed with cancer. Registration requested. Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center, Medical Pavilion at Howard County, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite G050, Columbia. 410-740-5858.
Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Groups must be open to the public; priority will be given to those that meet in Howard County. Send information to: Support Groups, Baltimore Sun Media Group, Targeted Print, 501 N. Calvert St., Third Floor, Baltimore, MD 21278; fax to 410-332-6495; or email email@example.com.


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by Jamie McKenzie
A mum was left in tears when British Airways business class lounge staff told her to leave after failing to provide her with a high chair for her 11 month old daughter.
Jemma King said she made clear to catering staff that her child was too small to sit up on the lounge chairs provided, could not be sat on her knee while she ate and could not be left alone to crawl about the floor.
But the 36 year old, who was on a work trip to her home town of St Andrews, claims she was asked by employees to "juggle it like any normal parent" before being told, "Business class is for business people, not for babies."
Mrs King said, "I was both furious and shocked when they said this to me.
"The way I was treated was 100 per cent discrimination. I was in tears and upset. I was on a work trip with a baby but felt kicked out of the place. It was utterly ridiculous.
"In this day and age, with a company as visible and reputable as BA, it's not inclusive. I was flying business class. I was a business class customer and I'd paid for it."
'You have to juggle it like any normal parent'
Mrs King, who lives in Kent but runs a dance school based in St Andrews, went to get something to eat in the BA business lounge at Edinburgh Airport around 2:30pm on Tuesday.
She had booked a business class flight to London City Airport for her and her baby, Genevieve, at an added cost of about £200. When she asked for a high chair she was told by catering staff they did not provide them because it was against company policy.
But Mrs King said she had been at the same Edinburgh Airport lounge in April and that they did provide her with a high chair. When she told staff, they said this shouldn't have happened because they would have had to borrow one from another part of the airport, breaching policy.
She was then told she could stay and seat her daughter in the lounge chair, but responded to explain this was not suitable or safe for such a young child and that it wouldn't be safe to let her crawl about on the floor.
She asked the employees if they had ever tried eating with a child on one knee, to which one of the female employees replied, "We have got twins and so you have to juggle it like any normal parent."
She was then told by the male member of staff present that the business lounge is "business class for business people, not for babies."
Left in tears by the ordeal, Mrs King left and went to the Aspire lounge where she was provided with a high chair.
The mum said she won't be booking flights with BA in future as a result of her ordeal.
BA have been contacted for comment.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, Edinburgh Evening News


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This stew can be served with boiled yucca or plantains and a vegetable salad. Top it off with some fresh fruit and you have a very healthy meal! Freeze any leftovers and enjoy it later.
Ingredients and Preparation
- In a large, nonaluminum saucepan, stir together the water, white wine, celery, and carrots. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and crayfish and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Strain the shellfish and vegetables from the broth and set the broth aside. Peel the crayfish and shrimp and discard the shells.
- Warm the olive oil in the large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onions and peppers until tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme and oregano. Add the reserved broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the sea bass and squid and simmer for 2 minutes. Return the crayfish, shrimp, and vegetables to the broth and simmer for 1 more minute. Season to taste, ladle into bowls, and serve immediately.


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Blue Bud Stole
The 'Dahlia' collection artistically transforms the handwoven ikat into delicate yet bold floral forms. The interplay of flower scale with other ikat motifs is the focus while often giving a pronounced visual.
22inches x 79inches
All the products created by Translate are handwoven and handcrafted. Hence, subtle variations in color, texture, and finish are the signature of the human hand.
- Wash separately in Coldwater
- Machine wash on gentle cycle
- Hang dry in shade
- Low heat iron
- Don't use bleach
General Caution
- Never wash whites with colored clothes.
- Please don't dry colored clothes under direct sun
- Don't use harsh detergents. Mild liquid detergents are advisable.
- Red's may require being washed separately the first few washes.
All our products are 100% Authentic and Genuine, using the most premium ikat fabrics, stitched to perfection.
We Ship using only the most premium carriers like Bluedart, FedEx & Delhivery for domestic. And Aramex or DHL for International shipments. We take pride in making sure the packages reach you in perfectly sound condition.
We offer FREE SHIPPING on all prepaid orders anywhere in India.
Cash on Delivery is available for more than 15,000 pin codes across India. You can avail COD facilities for a minimum charge, which will be mentioned to you during checkout.
We have an end to end return policy* in place. In any case that you wish to return a product, you can do so if it is still in it's original sealed condition with it's packaging intact. We will retrieve the product and offer you a no questions asked refund within 7-10 working days.
Founders'Translate' is co-founded by the entrepreneur duo Vinita and Vickas Passary using artisanal fabrics that spell luxury. Vinita brings her experience in fashion and retail with her much admired contemporary fashion store 'Anonym'. Her talent lies in creating the perfect synergy of revolutionary patterns and immaculate tailoring, coming up with designs that suits the classics and contemporary in equal. Vinita is exploratory, and self-taught, a unique strength that gives her the user perspective and differentiates her as a fashion and textile designer among her peers. Vinita's commitment in reviving arts fused with unrelenting attention to quality and detail has helped carve her space successfully in the clothing industry. Her better half, Vickas Passary, a successful restaurateur and a passionate art-lover contributes through his business acumen.
Our People
'Translate' is a brain share of like minded people. Bangalore based designer Chandrasekhar — a revivalist by his approach, finds details and styles that are approachable and easy to wear. His genius lies in exploring the hand-woven patterns and translating them to the most contemporary outfits for Translate. We are also proud to provide continuous employment to 50 weavers all year round. These weavers experiment with new designs and patterns to make every product one of its kind.


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Bangladesh's Rana Plaza factory collapse victims still awaiting compensation: survey
Most of the victims of the clothing factory collapse in Bangladesh earlier this year say they are yet to receive any promised compensation from the Western companies that used the facility.
A total of 1,129 people died when the Rana Plaza Complex in Dhaka collapsed six months ago.
The factory complex produced clothes for a range of Western companies, most of which pledged to compensate the victims and their families.
Two charities, Action Aid and War on Want, surveyed 2,297 people, which is almost two-thirds of the survivors and families of those who died when the factory collapsed in April.
Their report found that 93 per cent the victims are still suffering from injuries that are preventing them from returning to work.
The report also said 94 per cent had not received any legal benefits from their employer, while 92 per cent reported being deeply traumatised, with over half experiencing insomnia and trembling from loud sounds.
"The vast majority of people, if not nearly all, have received very little if anything in terms of compensation for the worst industrial disaster in the garment industry in recent years and we think that's completely unacceptable," War on Want's Murray Worthy said.
"The companies that sourced from that factory have a responsibility to make sure that those factories are safe.
"They failed to do so and they now need to make sure that the people who are affected are fully compensation."
Survivors call for compensation
Hundreds of victims and their families on Thursday held a rally at the site of the world's deadliest industrial accident since the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India.
Children carried placards reading: "Please come forward, our parents were killed while working for you. Compensate us."
Reshma Begum survived being buried under the rubble for two weeks before she was finally rescued.
She says she still lives with the trauma of her ordeal.
Sometimes even now in my sleep I have nightmares that I'm trapped in the rubble.Reshma Begum
"Sometimes even now in my sleep I have nightmares that I'm trapped in the rubble," she said.
She says she is angry that little has been done to improve the conditions that hundreds of thousands of people still face within the country's textiles industry.
"Their salaries should be increased. Whatever is needed to make their life safer must be done. They work very hard and suffer a lot," she said.
"These clothes are bought by foreign buyers. I would ask them to give the compensation they have promised."
Naznin Akhter Nazma, 21, who was pregnant when she was pulled from the rubble, said she had not received any compensation.
Having also lost her husband during the plaza disaster, Ms Nazna is struggling to make ends meet and provide for the newborn child.
She said her rent is five months overdue and that shopkeepers will soon stop giving her credit to purchase food.
"It's indefensible that for six months, multi-million dollar companies have left the victims to fend for themselves," Farah Kabir, Action Aid's country director in Bangladesh, said.
"While corporations sit on their hands, the victims of the Rana Plaza disaster are in urgent need of medical and psychological support, as well as the financial means to feed and care for their families."
'Companies avoiding their responsibility'
The disaster caused outrage in the West, with many questioning the ethics of multinational companies using unsafe factories to make their products.
Murray Worthy says the controversy has led to improvements but that there is a long way to go.
"There was a huge outpouring of public anger after that that saw a million people around the world sign petitions calling on various companies to change, and since then a hundred companies have now signed up to a binding agreement to work to make factories safer so we have seen some improvements."
"But realistically we're still seeing a lot of the same kind of attitudes from companies that they think that they can avoid responsibility for these factories, that it's not really their duty to make sure the workers who make their clothes are safe.
"So I think there's still a huge way to go to change the culture in the industry to make sure these kind of things never happen again."
To date only one corporation, which sourced workers from the Rana Plaza factory to produce its clothes, has paid compensation to the victims.
Clothing chain Primark also laid out plans on Thursday for further compensation.
The British-based company said it would initiate a third payout to 550 workers employed by its partner New Wave Bottoms at the factory.
Each of the employees will receive a further three months' wages.
But with many workers earning little as $39 a month, anger continues over whether the victims, or family members of those who died, will ever be adequately compensated.
Walmart and Benetton are among the large companies that produced clothes in the complex.
The Bangladeshi government has cracked down on unsafe workplaces but deadly accidents still take place.
Earlier this month at least 10 people died in a fire that engulfed a factory which produced clothes for Australian companies.
Topics: disasters-and-accidents, bangladesh, asia
First posted


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Digital KVM systems extend video signals and peripheral signals to the editing suites. Monitors and peripheral devices are connected to the receiver units of the KVM system, allowing easy switching of transmissions. This ensures straightforward USB 2.0 high speed transfers, multi-monitoring and 3G SDI signal transport.
Having the computer elsewhere allows the user the freedom to focus on the tasks at hand. Our KVM solutions can also be configured for specific requirements, allowing changes, expansions and upgrades as you need to them. Variable switching options and the ability to bridge large distances ensure efficient use of the entire infrastructure.
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