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May 12th, 2006
This isn't a real product, but it's feeling more real every day.
This video was made in 2014 and feels ripped from the headlines of about 2022. We're pretty close to there.
(This video contains a lot of references to poop.)
I'm overloaded with podcasts! Take a few from me!
Here are a few more individual episodes from my recent listening that I enjoyed, and thought you might too.
(I could not find written transcripts for any of these, unfortunately.)
Decoder Ring: "Truck Nutz" (Website / Overcast )
…These plastic novelties have a powerful symbolic charge and are often associated with a crass, macho, red state audience.
But truck nuts are a surprisingly complicated signifier whose symbolic power is increasingly divorced from their real-world usage.
On this episode, we talk to owners and users of truck nuts, investigate the origins of the accessories, and deconstruct the meaning of these oft-joked-about symbols. We'll also take a tour of other novelty testicle products.
Decoder Ring is a Slate podcast about "cracking cultural mysteries".
In each episode, host Willa Paskin explores a common thing from our culture and figures out why it matters.
I have made fun of Truck Nutz before. I did not think there was much more to think about Truck Nutz. I dismissed them as coarse and stupid.
I am the audience, then, for this podcast. It turns out everyone else thinks they're stupid, too, and that, indeed is the joke.
We, as a species, are bad at identifying when groups we don't belong to are being serious vs. when they are being tongue-in-cheek. This is a compelling exploration of the way that boundary can be straddled by Truck Nutz.
(Sorry for any weird mental images there.)
The World in Words: "The Sci-Fi of Another Language" (Website / Overcast)
The meaning of science fiction stories are often tough to pin down.
Do they depict the future or the present? Are they personal or political? Imaginative or reality-based?
Also, is sci-fi global or local? Were H.G. Wells and George Orwell dreaming up specifically British dystopias?
Are the worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin and Philip K. Dick manifestations of American ideals and nightmares?
Reporter Lydia Emmanouilidou set out to answer some of those questions for The World in Words podcast.
Lydia has been reading Chinese sci-fi for several years and has watched it blossom from obscurity to worldwide sensation.
This podcast about language is less about etymology or word origins and more about language itself — particularly how the different languages we speak can affect our lives and filter our understanding of the world.
This episode explores how a story written in a particular language (and cultural context) can be freighted with meaning that is not always apparent in translation, or that can be impossible to translate.
Without Fail: "The Tragedy Expert" (Website / Overcast)
In the days after September 11, 2001, Kenneth Feinberg took on an unenviable task.
Congress had created the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and it was his job to figure out who should receive money and how much they should get.
But much of his time was spent doing something else: listening to people's stories.
Nearly two decades later, he's still the person we turn to in the wake of our worst catastrophes.
This is a podcast about 9/11. So it's a bit of a downer in moments.
It's not about the tragedy itself, but rather how Mr. Feinberg was tasked with choosing who got compensation for losses sustained in the attack.
He is an enormously compelling speaker, and his stories from that time are fascinating and moving.
Miniseries recommendation: "The Dream" (Website / Overcast)
What if we told you that with zero experience and only a few hundred dollars down, this podcast could change your life?
Well, we'd be lying.
This season on The Dream, Jane Marie dives into the world of pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, and all the other businesses that require their members to recruit their nearest and dearest in hopes of a commission.
This mini-series explores a subject that's truly an enormous piece of the national economy, but which is also a source of heartbreak for many.
Part history, part documentary, and part gonzo journalism, it's a very compelling look at get-rich-quick schemes and the folks who pitch them at the needy and desperate.
Hope you enjoy the listens!
I follow artist Ian McQue on Twitter, and recently he posted about his work on the Mortal Engines series:
I have never consumed any Mortal Engines and don't know anything at all about it – but this thread is making me REALLY want to learn https://t.co/fSKRSzrWFw
— David Malki ! (@malki) June 1, 2019
I'd heard the title "Mortal Engines" before, probably in relation to the fact that it was a book series, but didn't know anything about it. I kinda conflated it in my mind with "Moral Instruments", which is a different YA book series I also knew very little about.
But when Ian started posting illustrations like these:
…I became very interested. Old-timey-looking stuff and flying machines! Two of my key interests!!
Ian kindly responded to my above tweet and recommended the books as a good read, so I got the first volume from my library.
It was good! I liked it! It had lots of airships zooming around, which, as stated earlier, I enjoy.
Ian did the cover to a recent edition of the book too:
If you haven't read it, the book (series) centers on the idea of "traction towns", which are giant cities on tracks that roam around a post-apocalyptic wasteland and consume each other for sustenance. The main city in the story (featured on the cover there) is London.
I had the vague sense that there was a movie too, but I'd mostly missed it. So I looked it up! Here's the trailer:
Looks pretty exciting, right? Here are a couple of shots from the movie — interesting, scope-y shots:
All right, fine.
Cool book, cool movie maybe. What's the point?
The books originally came out when it wouldn't be surprising that YA titles would miss me entirely, but the movie came out less than a year ago.
I was a bit curious why this movie never crossed my radar even a little bit.
And then I realized — I had seen the poster in a theater lobby.
Here's the main key art for the movie, the most commonly distributed poster (and the cover of the tie-in edition of the book):
Here are some other posters:
The last one is definitely more interesting and/or typcical, but I'm mainly only seeing it with international logos on there — I don't think it was heavily featured in the US marketing campaign.
The two character posters have at least a little daylight in them (and there are a couple more in that basic style, with other characters), but in particular the close-up of the face communicates nothing about the movie. So it's no wonder I'd skimmed past it without being interested.
The decision to make the main poster look like that puzzles me. Absolutely nothing that seems interesting (to me) about the movie is on the US posters — even granting that one of the posters shows a bit of the city.
1. The movie's target audience is fans of the books, and with the close-up of the Hester Shaw character in the red scarf, they're saying "IT'S A REAL LIVE PERSON" — emphasizing the fact that the thing you recognize (the title) has now been adapted into a movie.
2. The things that I like — weird airships and so on — don't test highly on posters for general audiences, because most people aren't dumb nerds like me. (But could the face close-up really be that much better?)
3. They were trying to sell this to a teenage female audience, and they felt the action stuff skewed too male.
4. They just honestly, legitimately felt this was the most compelling image to sell a movie about enormous carnivorous cities on tank treads??
I should also not gloss over the fact that this was marketed as a "girl power" movie in a post-Hunger Games movie environment. And there were some character close-up posters for Hunger Games. But there were a lot of action shots too.
In my research, I also came across this — an art contest in the leadup to the film's release:
To amplify the launch of the film in December 2018, Universal Pictures is creating an art activation campaign leading up to this film's release, and they want to collaborate with you!
Artists, designers and illustrators from around the world are invited to create one-of-a-kind static artwork for Mortal Engines inspired by the latest imagery, trailers, book series, and the film's themes.
"Art activation campaign."
I'm pretty against this sort of thing on principle, but there totally were some good submissions — at least representing a wider variety of approaches.
(In fact, it looks like the IMAX one above — with the icon of the tread in the background — came from this contest as a submission.)
All of this made me think of other times when poster art chose to rely heavily on close-ups of faces. Did they work? What do each of these posters communicate, I decided to muse about, and is it plausible that a studio could believe each would be enough to sell a movie?
MINORITY REPORT: "Tom Cruise is in this movie. There's a tech theme, and probably a theme about secrets and hidden information? Steven Spielberg directed it." (Note: This is also an international poster, not the main key art that was used to sell the movie domestically.)
UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION: "This is a sequel to a movie that, if you saw it, you know what this one is also about. And this time, there is snow." (There was also an additional, more action-y poster for this film, too.)
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA: "This movie is DEFINITELY about a geisha. It will be largely about that and all that implies. There is no need to also include pagodas and tea sets and Mount Fuji in this image. If you recognize the title, you might know that it's based on a book that was very popular and successful."
SCREAM: "This is a horror-style movie. But we have taken the liberty of explaining the twisty premise of the movie as a very lengthy tagline. At the bottom you can see this is also a Wes Craven movie, and we are foregrounding that it is already 'highly acclaimed' and a 'thriller' so you know it's not a throwaway spoof movie, like the many that will follow in its wake." (This was also accompanied by a full cast poster, among others.)
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: "This is going to be creepy and probably involve death. Maybe you recognize the book title? If we try to include some plot hints such as implying it's about cops and a serial killer, is that really MORE interesting than just being creepy here?"
BLACK SWAN: "This movie has Natalie Portman in it, and you know it's gonna be weird, and maybe creepy? It's a fancy film that has been to festivals, and it's directed by Darren Aronofsky. So just prepare for something weird and probably creepy. Won't it be wild to see Natalie Portman be creepy?"
SALT: Okay this one is worse than Mortal Engines.


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Very Visual Nonfiction
From Wiki
Article in Juvenile Nonfiction and Picture Books categories.
Nonfiction titles for young readers that convey most of their information through images and whose design is a delight for any age.
- James Solheim
- Created and Designed by David Salariya
- You Wouldn't Want To series
- Andrew Solway
- Hidden Life series,
- What's Living in Your Classroom? , etc.
- Seymour Simon
- Animals Nobody Loves , etc.
- Ernest Drake
- Steven Jenkins
- Actual Size , etc.
- Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop
- Melissa Eskridge Slaymaker
- Lynn Curlee
- Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop
- Molly Bang
- Jane Yolen
- Judith St. George and David Small
- Pamela S. Turner and Van Nascimbene
- Maira Kalman
- Mordicai Gerstein
- Jeanette Winter
- Wallace Edwards
- Laura Krauss Melmed
- Julius Lester
- Susan E. Goodman and Lee Christiansen
- Antje Damm
- Rosalyn Schanzer
- Douglas Florian
- Of course, take a look at
- Check out the
- See Through History series published by Viking.

subset: commoncrawl


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My first step to organized perfection is the Household Notebook. I started one of these a couple of years ago but never really finished it. I put a few things in it but then forgot that I did so and just ended up "losing" them.
I started with a generic binder and Mod Podged paper to it. Then, I stamped the front and added a ribbon. This was all done at a class at Archivers a looooonnnng time ago.
|My Binder
|Inside of my binder
|"Whatcha keepin' tabs on"
|Planning Section
|Weekly Planner
|Weekly To-Do
|Weekend To-Do List
|Master To-Do List
|Subsections under Family
|Birthdays and Anniversaries
In the Home Management section, I will have sections to keep a home inventory list, movie and book lists, home decorating ideas, party planning ideas, and tips & tricks.
Under the Meals & Menus section, I can plan our weekly menus! I can plan as far ahead as I want or just stick to the week-by-week schedule.
|Weekly Dinner Menu Plan
|Favorite Recipes
|Recipes to Try
|Important Phone Numbers
|Contact List
|Business Card Holder
I'm linking this idea to all of my linky parties listed here!
UPDATE: Printable pages are available in my Etsy store!!


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NEW ORLEANS – The Georgia College men's cross country team was tabbed No. 9 in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as announced by the NCAA Tuesday.
The Bobcats return nine runners, adding only one in the offseason. Other notable Peach Belt Conference (PBC) teams in the top-10 are No. 3 UNC Pembroke, No. 4 Columbus State University and No. 8 Clayton State University. The Conference Carolinas took the top-2 spots. Queens College is tabbed No. 1 and King College takes No. 2.
The Bobcats finished 9-of-25 in the NCAA Southeast Regional at Charlotte, N.C. Daniel Horseman (Cohutta, Ga.) finished 25-of-164, pacing the Bobcats.
GC cross country starts its season Friday, Sept. 2 at home, hosting the Bobcat Invitational on the West Campus Cross Country Course.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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Copyright 2015 Pioneer Lucerne Hardware, pioneerhardware.com, shoppioneerbh.com, all art and content copyrighted.


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2-21-4 Kanda-Jimbocho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
From inside Japan, 03-3261-3939
|Nearest Station
2 minutes from
"Subway Jimbocho Station" (Exit A1)
|Narita Airport
From Narita Airport to Jimbocho
By Bus + Train (95mins, ¥3060)
By Train (92mins, ¥1150)
Haneda Airport
(Tokyo Airport)
From Haneda Airport (Tokyo Airport) to Jimbocho
By Bus + Train (60mins, ¥960)
By Train (41mins, ¥590)
2 minutes from "Subway Jimbocho Station" Exit A1 or Exit A6" (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Shinjuku Line & Mita Line). If you have big baggage, we recommnend " Exit A1 " because Exit A1 has escalators for easy access.
Sakura Hotel Jimbocho 2-21-4 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan
Access from major stations in Tokyo
From Tokyo: 10 minutes, total fee-160yen by "Metro Marunouchi Line" & "Metro Hanzomon Line" (change at Otemachi stn.) From Ueno Station: 20 minutes by "Metro Ginza Line" & "Metro Hanzomon Line" (change at Mitsukoshimae stn.) From Shinjuku Staion: 10 minutes by "Toei Shinjuku Line" From Shibuya Station: 12 minutes by "Metro Hanzomon Line"
This web site uses cookies. You will be agreeing to the use of our cookies by continuing to browse the site. Find out more here.


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Jessica Hardy was five years old when she watched her first Olympics, and she was 21 when she learned that after qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Games that her lifelong dreams of becoming an Olympian would remain a dream when she withdrew from the Summer Games.
This a story of greatness, and the path to greatness begins with encouragement. As a child watching her first Olympics, the swimming events in particular, Jessica was in awe of what she saw. "I thought they were the coolest people," to which Jessica's step-father replied, "Why can't that be you?" But it was Jessica's mother who transformed ambition into action when she took Jessica to the local Southern California pools to learn how to swim. What started as a mother's safety initiative quickly revealed a competitive spirit when a local swim team would come to practice. Jessica "wanted to beat them, not practice with them, beat them!"
By her sophomore year of high-school Jessica had won at the state level. In her junior year, she had won at nationals. Loving the water and the California lifestyle at age 18, Hardy matriculated at The University of California Berkeley, and as an undergrad made the national team. A four-time NCAA champion in only two years, Jessica relinquished her eligibility and turned professional so that she could train with Dave Salo, one of the most successful breaststroke coaches in the world, at The University of Southern California. Within a year Jessica had broken her first world record in the hundred meter breaststroke with a recorder time of 106.22.
Dedication and hard work paid off for Hardy, who in 2008 qualified for the Summer Games in Beijing. However, the feelings of elation and jubilation quickly gave way to utter disbelief when on July 23, 2008 Jessica was informed that drug tests from her Olympic trials came back positive with trace levels of clenbuterol, a banned substance. Jessica to this day maintains that she had "never even heard of clenbuterol" and persisted that she must have "ingested a contaminated substance."
Subsequently, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced that "U.S. swimmer Jessica Hardy, of Long Beach, CA, tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol at the U.S. Olympic Trials on July 4, 2008, and [she] has agreed to withdraw from the 2008 United States Olympic Team in the best interests of the team." Furthermore, and compounding the situation, Jessica was banned from the sport for two years.
"It was the lowest point of my life, " Jessica said. "Looking back on it, [I] don't know how I got through it." Suffering from depression and post traumatic stress disorder Jessica sought refuge with a sports psychologist. "I had trained so incredibly hard to achieve such outstanding heights and fell victim of something I didn't even do."
But this is not a victim's story. This is, in fact, is a story of greatness.
"The ordeal made me a stronger person and athlete, stronger than I knew I could be," Hardy noted. With her sports psychologist, Jessica began to train her brain in the same fashion she had trained her body, with stamina and endurance. Mapping out "weakness, anxiety, pressure" through neuro-agility exercises Jessica took on the job of staying calm and focused, along her daily workout both in and out of the pool, and staged her comeback.
And with the 2012 Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha Nebraska, Hardy removed all doubt about her abilities, as well as her character. Jessica won heats that qualified her to compete in four Olympic events at the 2012 London Games including the 50 and 100 meter freestyle and 4x100 meter freestyle and medley relays.
On July 29th, Hardy along with her teammates, Missy Franklin, Lia Neal, and Allison Schmitt, swimming in the 4x100 meter freestyle race finished in a total time of 3:34:24, an American record, and won herself an Olympic Bronze Medal in the process.
"I am grateful for every day I'm able to participate in my sport. Every day I get to do what I love and I really enjoy the experience and this process. I'm more excited because I'm allowed to do it, and that wasn't always the case."
Why can't that be you? Even when faced with major obstacles, Jessica Hardy has shown us that it can be.


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A day after Apple unveiled its iPad tablet computer, there are plenty of complaints: No camera. An awkward keyboard. And software that only handles one task at a time.
But the strangest thing about the iPad, a device meant to surf the Web, is its lack of Flash.
Flash, the video-and-interactivity software made by San Jose-based Adobe, is practically ubiquitous on the Web, according to Adrian Ludwig, group manager for the Flash platform. YouTube runs on it, as does Hulu; it powers everything from online ads to Flickr slideshows to mortgage calculators. It's also increasingly common on smartphones and other mobile devices.
Apple itself describes Flash as the "standard for delivering high-impact, rich Web content" that can be "deployed immediately across all browsers and platforms."
All platforms, that is, except Apple's iPhone -- or the new iPad, which runs similar software. That omission led to an embarrassing moment when Apple CEO Steve Jobs demonstrated the iPad's Web browser, and quickly encountered an error message where a box of Flash content should have appeared.
"Apple doesn't want it there," said Ludwig.
Really. It's not a money or technology issue: Adobe freely licenses Flash to device manufacturers like Apple, and Ludwig says Flash runs well on similar devices.
But Apple's terms of service for software that runs on the iPhone -- software that's also compatible with the iPad -- expressly forbids the kind of free-form interactivity that Flash allows. iPhone apps can't be a platform for other apps -- and that's exactly what Flash is.
Adobe has a workaround: Its Packager software takes a Flash app and recodes it to be an iPhone app. But, as Ludwig points out, Apple still has to approve that app before iPhone users -- or, soon, iPad users -- can download it. And Apple strictly controls which apps go onto its App Store.
Right now, anyone can write a Flash app, publish it on a website, and let users run it anywhere.
Preventing that kind of end run around its App Store may be the real reason for Apple's aversion to Flash.
Silicon Alley Insider speculates that Apple may want to also control which ads appear on its iPad. Flash is a popular format for online ads -- but Apple recently bought Quattro Wireless, a mobile-advertising startup, and may want publishers to be forced to go through its service for ads on its devices.
Apple may well be shooting itself in the iPad, though. Users may have been willing to put up with the occasional Flash error on the iPhone, which can surf the Web but isn't really designed for surfing regular Web pages. The iPad, on the other hand, is meant to be a Web-friendly device. "It's like holding the Internet in your hands," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in Wednesday's announcement.
Some of the Internet, at any rate. Adobe's Ludwig points out that 85 of the 100 most popular websites incorporate Flash.
Until Apple changes its mind on Flash, that's a lot of broken Web pages.
Image via Engadget


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Reminder: Grants Available for IYA2009 Projects
31 March 2009
Deadline this week!!
The IAU and UNESCO have earmarked a certain amount of funding to support IYA2009 related projects and activities in developing regions. This call for proposals comes via the Developing Astronomy Globally cornerstone and is thus targeted at providing seed funding and basic support in order to stimulate astronomy activities in developing regions. Note that although this funding is aimed specifically at "developing countries", exceptions with appropriate motivation will be accepted - the main concern simply being who the beneficiaries would be. Proposals should also be in alignment with the IYA2009 goals and more specifically the Developing Astronomy Globally goals.
More info: http://www.developingastronomy.org/activities.php
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22


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Would you mind telling us how many attendees were active forumites or not ... ish.
Would you mind telling us how many attendees were active forumites or not ... ish.
14 active Formites, 33 diners in total but if my boat is anything to go by I had 2 Formites and 4 "lurkers" on board. 3 of the "lurkers" have been to Cherbourg at least 4 times.
Its unfortunate that so many of the regulars could not make it probably like yourself through circumstances beyond their control. I assume over the years there is always a turnover of people moving on and new people joining.
While numbers were down this year I personally thought the quality was high and it was very convivial but maybe I am biased.
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, although the slog back to Chichester was very wet indeed! Great food, great company, and to my amazement nothing on the boat broke (apart from the torches (ingress of water).
Thanks again.
Chris Monniot and crew.
Thanks to all for arrangements
As the rest a great sail over after changing boat and departure point


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Precautionary injection nothing new for Marcum
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Returning to camp on Thursday after a brief stay in New York, Mets right-hander Shaun Marcum insisted that the cortisone shot he received in his right shoulder was nothing more than a precaution.
"I feel like it's part of my Spring Training routine," Marcum said, noting that he received similar injections the past three springs. "It's precautionary to make sure everything's OK. I told [manager] Terry [Collins] and [general manager] Sandy [Alderson] I'd rather miss three days of Spring Training than miss a week or two during the season."
Marcum first approached Mets trainers about his shoulder when he noticed his velocity lacking in Saturday's start against the Marlins. Because he was already scheduled to fly to New York on his off-day to search for a place to live, Marcum met with team orthopedist David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Altchek administered an MRI exam, which revealed no structural damage. But Marcum still received a cortisone injection for what the Mets called an impingement in his shoulder.
The right-hander classified his shoulder discomfort as "pretty much the same issue" that sidelined him for three weeks last spring, but he stopped short of calling it painful.
"As far as pain, not really," Marcum said. "Stiffness, not really. My shoulder flexibility, range of motion, I was a little tighter than I had been prior to that. It's just something we decided to get checked out."
Marcum insisted that the issue will not prevent him from opening the season in the rotation, tentatively debuting in the Mets' second game, against the Padres at Citi Field on April 3.
"I feel strong," Marcum said. "I do. It's just something that, looking back at my last start, my velocity was down a little bit. I said something to the trainers. They really didn't even want to do the injection. I had to talk them into it."


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ANNE-SOPHIE HAJJAR, the marketing offer manager for control and monitoring in Final Distribution Boards at Schneider Electric, is responsible for the Acti 9 communication system solution. She holds two master's degrees; one in Telecom and Information Systems from Telecom Paris Sud Engineering School and the other in Business Administration from Paris Dauphine University.
Q. What exactly is capillary data acquisition?
A. The capillary concept is nothing new in botany or biology. It's the ability of liquid to flow to the extreme ends of a system. When applied in data management, you substitute "liquid" with "data", and you can picture data flowing to and from places unreachable by conventional systems.
Q. How does the capillary energy management system work?
A. It zooms in and retrieves data from individual loads. Take, for example, your conventional meter. It measures a building's overall energy usage. But with capillary data acquisition, you can fine-tune the focus and home in on a room followed by an individual load. It puts high-precision micro-info at your fingertips.
Q. How do such systems support energy efficiency and availability?
A. Through monitoring, control, and metering. Capillary monitoring maintains a constant watch on your final distribution boards. It can pinpoint which load in a particular room is guzzling electricity due to equipment malfunction. You can take action quickly and save energy. It tells you immediately, for example, which circuit breaker has tripped so you can quickly intervene and ensure operational continuity.
Q. What solutions are available for capillary energy management?
A. There are products available on the market today. However, they require extensive control wiring and communications cabling. But a ready-to-connect system, like the Acti 9™ control system by Schneider Electric, gives basic control with optimum protection and easily integrates with any facility management architecture. That means it supports energy efficiency practices in any environment. Acti 9 switchgears retrieve information from the final distribution boards, the ones at the point of use. They are plug-and-play devices with a single cable. Just clip them on and the information flows from the final distribution boards to the facility management system. Smart, fast, and easy.


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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The experimental drug linaclotide can relieve some cases of chronic constipation, but the majority of patients showed no significant benefit, according to the results of two studies published in the August 11th New England Journal of Medicine.
More than 21 percent of the volunteers showed improvement if they took the drug. Among patients given a placebo, the rate was no higher than six percent.
But the chief author, Dr. Anthony Lembo, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said the satisfaction rate among patients was much higher.
Over 40 percent of the volunteers in both studies said they were quite satisfied or very satisfied with the way their treatment improved their bowel habits. The rate was no higher than 23 percent among volunteers who got a placebo.
There were side effects. Diarrhea led more than one in 25 of the linaclotide recipients to stop taking the drug. Just one in 200 placebo patients stopped their treatment.
The drug is being developed by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Forest Research Institute, which paid for the studies and helped design the tests. The two companies announced yesterday that they have submitted a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for linaclotide.
Up to one in five people suffers from chronic constipation, according to the authors of the study, which means they have fewer than three bowel movements per week, often with pain, excessive straining, a feeling of blockage, or very hard stools. Doctors usually recommend adding fluid, dietary fiber and exercise before turning to laxatives.
"Chronic constipation can dramatically negatively affect one's quality of life," said Dr. David Schwartz, director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who was not involved in the study.
"If these results hold up in future longer-term trials, linaclotide potentially offers an effective and safe option for patients with chronic constipation, especially those individuals that do not respond to laxatives," Schwartz told Reuters Health.
The pair of studies reported in the Journal involved 1,272 volunteers at more than 200 clinical centers in Canada. They were divided more or less evenly into three groups who received 145 micrograms of linaclotide, twice that dose, or a placebo pill, all taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast.
At the beginning of the trial, all reported having fewer than three bowel movements per week. They took the treatment for 12 weeks.
In one of the two trials, half the patients had their treatment switched between linaclotide and placebo at the end of the 12-week period.
The drug was considered to be effective if it produced at least three bowel movements per week and an increase of one bowel movement per week from baseline for at least nine out of 12 weeks. Patients used an interactive voice-response system to log their progress.
In neither trial was the higher dose more effective than the lower dose.
"For each trial, scores for constipation relief, treatment satisfaction, and treatment continuation were also significantly greater in the linaclotide groups than in the placebo group," the researchers said.
Patients who were switched to placebo lost the improvements they had experienced with the drug.
Lembo told Reuters Health that the crossover part of the study was designed to see if there was a "rebound effect" among patients who were suddenly taken off the drug.
"You clearly don't see that. When you stop the drug, they're not worse than when they started," he said.
"If it works, it's clear it works," Lembo said. "It happens pretty quickly, within a week, and you pretty much reach a plateau."
SOURCE: bit.ly/qR26Th New England Journal of Medicine, August 11, 2011.


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Despite shaky outing, Turner making strides
Right-hander pitched three scoreless before tiring in fourth vs. Cardinals
JUPITER, Fla. -- Progress is coming in incremental stages for Jacob Turner.
The Marlins are hoping the 21-year-old right-hander can make up ground in a hurry, as Spring Training moves into its final stages.
Tuesday was a step in a positive direction, even though the numbers weren't entirely pretty.
In the Marlins' 5-4 loss to the Cardinals, Turner gave up four runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts in five innings.
More than the bottom-line numbers, the encouragement is based on his first three innings, which were all scoreless.
"Turner was much better today," manager Mike Redmond said. "His first two innings were really good. He was pretty good in the strike zone, threw a lot of strikes, and mixed in his offspeed pitches. Those fourth and fifth innings, he just got the ball up a little bit. You could see he was starting to give up some long fly balls, and finally gave up a home run."
Allen Craig belted a solo homer to open the scoring in a two-run fourth inning.
In the fifth, St. Louis jumped on Turner for two more runs. His afternoon was finished after 64 pitches, 42 for strikes.
"I felt good about it," Turner said. "My mechanics felt good. I was able to throw pitches where I wanted to. I think there were some pitches in the middle innings I left up more than I would have liked. Other than that, everything was very good."
Since the start of Spring Training, Turner has struggled to establish consistency. He had flaws in his delivery, mainly timing-related, that he's been trying to iron out. For the most part, he has. Next on the list is getting sharper.
The big picture question regarding Turner is how he fits into the Marlins' plans.
Entering camp, he was considered a strong frontrunner for a rotation spot. While that's still expected, it's not guaranteed. He must earn his place.
"Personally, I've felt I've gotten better every outing, mechanically," Turner said. "Mechanically, I feel good."
Some coincidences also have factored into Turner's spring.
By chance, in all three of his Grapefruit League starts, Turner must feel like he's seeing red. That's because he has faced the Cardinals all three times. (St. Louis and Miami share a Spring Training facility in Jupiter.)
The first outing was a tough one, as Turner gave up six runs in one-third of an inning on Feb. 28. On March 9, Turner met up again with the Cardinals, tossing three scoreless innings. In all, he's 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA for the spring.
"I joke around about it," Turner said of repeatedly facing St. Louis. "As a pitcher, you feel like they know you, but also you feel like you know them.
"And [also], they've had a different lineup every time I've faced them. It's a little different when they've got different guys in there every time."
Additionally, Turner has seen some game action on back fields in Minor League scrimmages.
"I'm just going out there competing," he said. "Obviously there have been times in this camp where I would have liked to pitch better than I have. At the same time, I'm going out there competing and giving it everything I have. I'm not really worried about pressure or anything like that."
What the Marlins are looking for from Turner is consistency in the strike zone.
"Progression. Getting better in the strike zone," Redmond said. "Throwing strikes, and commanding his pitches. His first outing, he was all over the place with his command. He just looked really uncomfortable. He looked much better today. He looked more confident. He was around the zone all day."


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- Dates: January 17 - January 27, 2013
- Website: www.sundance.org/festival
- Festival Insiders are volunteers who have been specially trained to help you navigate the Festival. Have questions about buying tickets? Where to catch a shuttle? Grab a cup of cocoa? Find a restroom? Festival Insiders have the answers. These friendly folks hang out on Main Street and at other Festival venues sporting wide smiles and "Ask Me" buttons.
- Each year the Sundance Film Festival selects 200 films for exhibition from more than 9,000 submissions. More than 50,000 people attend screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah. In addition to discovering filmmaking's newest talent through the Festival's program of documentary, dramatic, and short films, Festivalgoers experience live music performances, panel discussions with leading filmmakers and industry figures, cutting-edge media installations, parties celebrating the Festival community, and more.
- The Sundance Institute provides year-round support for artists in the film industry through fellowships and workshops.
Sundance Film Festival
The most important film event in the United States, the Sundance Film Festival takes place each January in and around Park City, UT (with theaters in other Utah cities as well). Sundance is a leading showcase for new films, particularly emerging directors, and the key de-facto marketplace for American and international independent movies. It includes competitive sections for American and international dramatic and documentary films -- feature-length films and short films -- and a group of non-competitive showcase sections, including Premieres, New Frontier, Spotlight, and Park City at Midnight. The festival introduced a new non-competitive section for low- and no-budget narrative films for the 2010 festival, entitled "NEXT." It's said that independent filmmakers set their calendar by Sundance. Indeed, many sync up their production process to match Sundance's deadlines, but -- of the more than 3,700 submissions -- only about 120 features are invited to screen at the festival, setting in motion moves for many to find other festivals to debut a film once the Sundance lineup is set. With a dominant position among U.S. festivals, Sundance annually draws industry, programmers, and journalists from around the world leading to considerable scrutiny of its lineup and event. The sales of films from its roster became a key barometer of the festival's success in the 90s, but the measuring stick is changing as the marketplace and sales process for independent films evolves in light of new business models for movies driven by companies that fall outside of the traditional Hollywood studio system. Festival programmer John Cooper was named the new Director of the Sundance Film Festival, in the wake of the departure of longtime festival director Geoff Gilmore. The event launched an initiative at its 2010 event to bring festival films to YouTube during the event and has expressed a commitment to further develop such approaches. And this year, the Sundance Institute tapped a former studio executive, Keri Putnam (formerly of Miramax), as its new Executive Director.


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Subscribe To Kevin Bacon May Play The Villain In R.I.P.D. Updates
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If we've learned anything from the movie world in 2011, it's that Kevin Bacon is still quite awesome. Between Super and X-Men: First Class he has shown that he still has the skills that made him a star and also plays a pretty damn good villain. Hopefully he'll take what he learned from those films and apply it to his newest gig.
Variety has learned that Bacon is currently in negotiations to play the central antagonist in R.I.P.D. Set to be directed by Robert Schwentke and co-starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges, the film is based on the comic series of the same name by Peter Lenkov. The script was written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, whose previous work includes Clash of the Titans, Aeon Flux, Crazy/Beautiful and The Tuxedo. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 28, 2013.
The story follows a young cop named Nick Walker (Reynolds) who is killed while on the job and hired to be a part of an afterlife police force: The Rest In Peace Department. Teaming up with a gunslinger from the Old West named Bo (Bridges), Nick works to find the man who killed him. While the article doesn't explicitly say it, one can assume that Bacon will be the man that murdered Nick Walker.
While the fact that Manfredi and Hay are holding the pens gives me pause, the cast is slowly becoming absolutely stacked. Who the hell wouldn't want to watch a movie in which Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges hunt down Kevin Bacon?


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Scenes From Hester Street Fair Opening Day
Last Saturday could not have been a more perfect, balmy day to mark the opening of the 2013 season of the Hester Street Fair.
The outdoor market is tucked away in the historic Lower East Side, an homage to the pushcart market that thrived there at the turn of the century. While the Hester Street Fair has certainly become a food destination, there are also plenty of great shops to peruse once your bellies are full. The array vintage and handmade goods shops sell everything from acid washed jean jackets to handmade jewelry and handmade unicorn headgear.
The Hester Street Fair will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of October at the corner of Hester and Essex streets (map) in the Lower East Side.
Click through the slideshow to see all of the foodstuffs we found there »
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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A Warren man was arraigned Tuesday on charges he had sex with a 16-year-old girl who attends a local high school where he worked as a coach.
Derek Michael Knoll, 24, faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He recently resigned as assistant varsity football coach, and freshman boys' basketball coach, at Warren Woods-Tower High School.
Warren police said Knoll and the teenager had consensual sex. Under Michigan law, the age of consent is 16, but Knoll is charged because officials allege he abused his position of authority to have sexual conduct with a student at the school where he worked.
'This is an ongoing investigation with possible additional charges to be added,' Warren Detective Cpl. Dan Bozek told 37th District Judge Jennifer Faunce during Knoll's arraignment by video at the Warren Police Department lockup. Bozek said the sex occurred at two homes in the city, between Dec. 12, 2012, and March 13, 2013.
In determining bond for Knoll, Faunce was asked by Bozek to prohibit Knoll from residing at home, located close to De La Salle Collegiate High School and an elementary school.
Knoll's attorney, Michael Dennis, unsuccessfully argued that Knoll should be released on a personal recognizance bond.
'He's not a flight risk,' Dennis said. 'This isn't a situation where he's a predator.'
Faunce set bond at $25,000 cash or surety, and ordered Knoll to be on house arrest with a GPS tether if he was able to post bail. She also prohibited him from having any contact with minors.
Knoll posted bail approximately two hours later and was released. He declined comment as he left the Warren Police Department lobby with family members. However, Donny Knoll said his family in the past couple of days has received dozens of messages of support from friends and current and former athletes coached by his brother.
'They've got his back and know the great person he is,' he said. 'No one loves Warren Woods-Tower more than him.'
Derek Knoll is a graduate of Warren Woods-Tower High, and played on the football, basketball and baseball teams, his brother said. He began coaching at the school five years ago but resigned two weeks ago.
'It's the hardest thing he's ever had to do in his life,' said Donny Knoll, 26.
A hearing to determine whether Derek Knoll should stand trial is scheduled for April 30.
He is the second person who worked for the Warren Woods Public Schools to be charged in the past five days with criminal sexual conduct. Last Friday, retired Warren police officer Dale Malesh was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for a relationship with a 16-year-old who attends Tower High School. He was taken into custody outside his home by Warren police without a struggle after officers – some carrying high-powered rifles - surrounded the house on Loreto Street in Roseville. Malesh, 62, said at this arraignment last week that the charges 'are without merit.'
Up to his retirement from the Warren police force in January 2011, Malesh spent 11 years as a school resource officer in Warren Woods schools. The 16-year-old girl cried and left the courtroom after District Judge Dean Ausilio set Malesh's bond at $150,000.
Afterward, she told The Macomb Daily her relationship with Malesh was consensual and called the charges against him overblown. The teenager, whose name is not being published by the newspaper, said she has known Malesh since she was a middle school student.
A law enforcement source familiar with both cases said the allegations against Derek Knoll surfaced during the police investigation of Malesh, which included a review of text messages from Malesh's cellphone and one belonging to the girl in his case.


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Report: Cape Cod has challenges amid economic woes
Cape Cod slow to recover from recession
Cape Cod and nearby islands were hit the hardest by the national economic downturn when compared with other Massachusetts area and the region continues to endure the slowest recovery so far.
That's according to research released Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the state Executive office of Labor and Workforce Development. The "Labor Market Trends in the Cape & Islands Region" report shows that the economic downturn fueled the departure of immigrants and younger workers.
The region started the decade with the oldest labor force in the state, with those 45 years and older accounting for 56 percent of civilian workers in 2008-10. Those aged 16 and 34 account for 23 percent of workers and nearly 33 percent of the unemployed.
People leaving for higher education don't return because of lack of affordable housing.


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News tagged with molecular microbiology
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Molecular microbiology
Molecular microbiology is the branch of microbiology devoted to the study of the molecular principles of the physiological processes involved in the life cycle of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, unicellular algae, fungi, and protozoa. This includes gene expression and regulation, genetic transfer, the synthesis of macromolecules, sub-cellular organization, cell to cell communication, and molecular aspects of pathogenicity and virulence.
Molecular microbiology is primarily involved in the interactions between the various cell systems of microorganisms including the interrelationship of DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis and the manner in which these interactions are regulated.
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Chapter 1 Verse 7
Tell me, (O thou whom my soul loveth), where thou feedest, where
thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon: For why should I be as one
that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions.
church having, in the two former verses, directed her speech to the daughters of Jerusalem, and given them an account of herself, and present condition, with the reasons thereof, which she did, in order to solve their objections, and remove all discouragements from them that might arise from thence; and being sensible of her weakness and sinfulness in complying with, and embracing the traditions and doctrines of men, in which she found no solid food for her soul; she therefore makes application to Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, that he would feed, refresh, guide, direct, and restore her wandering soul. In these words are,
I.A request made unto him.
II.Some arguments used by her to prevail upon him.
I.Here is a request made by the church of Christ, which consists of two parts.
First. To know where he feedeth; "Tell me where thou feedest."
Secondly, That he would inform her where he rested and refreshed his flock in the heat of the day, "where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon;" both which we shall enter into a consideration of.
First, She desires to know where Christ fed; which is to be understood not passively, where he himself was fed, or where he fed himself; but actively, where he fed others, namely his flock; which, though not expressed in the original text, must be understood; and it may be observed here, that God's own children sometimes may be at a loss to know where Christ feeds; which may arise, either from the prevailings of corruptions in them, whereby they have stepped out of the ways of Christ; or from the hidings of God's face, and the withdrawings of the Sun of righteousness, or from the violent temptations of Satan, and fierce persecutions of the world; but when they are hungry, and desirous of spiritual food, they will enquire after it, and are very jealous, lest they should not be fed by Christ, and with the wholesome words of faith and sound doctrine; therefore in these straits they make their application to Christ, and him only, who "feeds his flock like a shepherd;" which branch of Christ's work and office we shall now consider; and shall endeavor to shew,
1st, What this phrase supposes and intends, as referred to Christ.
2dly, What he feeds his flock with.
3dly, How, after what manner, and by what means he feeds them.
4thly, Where he does so.
1st, It will be proper to enquire what is supposed and intended by Christ's feeding souls.
1. It supposes that Christ is a shepherd; and he frequently calls himself so, in John 10. The scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, do abundantly testify that he bears this character, and stands in this relation to his people, where he is called God's shepherd, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts," (Zech. 13:7) now he is so called because he is the shepherd, whom God the Father hath approved of, chosen, appointed, set up, and sent to be the shepherd of the sheep; who, as such, died for the sheep and rose again, and as such must give an account unto the Father, of all the sheep which he has entrusted him with; he must bring in the full number, yea, must not have one of them wanting. He is also called the chief shepherd; "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory, which fadeth not away," (1 Peter 5:4) which title he well deserves; for he that is God's shepherd, is also God's fellow, entirely equal to him in the dignity of his nature, and in the fullness of his power and glory; all other shepherds are under him, they receive their commissions from him, have their several flocks assigned to them by him, are furnished with abilities from him to feed them; to him, at last, must they give an account of themselves, their work, and the flocks that were put under their care, and from him shall they receive the never-fading crown of glory. He likewise calls himself the good shepherd; "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep," (John 10:11) and he may very justly call himself so, for so he was to him that employed him, and so he is to those who are made his care and charge; he was faithful to his Father, that appointed him, and is merciful and compassionate to, careful and tender of the sheep committed to his trust; of which, a greater proof cannot be given, than his laying down his life for them. He is called the great shepherd; "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep," (Heb. 13:20) which will manifestly appear, if we consider the dignity of his person, being the Son of God; the nature of his flock, the souls of men, therefore he is called "the shepherd and bishop of souls;" and also the largeness of his abilities for this work: he has an exquisite knowledge of them, he can call them all by name; he is endued with infinite wisdom and prudence to manage and order his flock aright; has an almighty arm to protect and defend them from all their enemies; is furnished with large supplies of grace for them, and bears an inexpressible love unto them. Finally, he is the one, and the only shepherd; "I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them," (Ezek. 34:23) not but that there are other shepherds, which are under Christ, and whom he employs in his service, to feed his flock; but Christ is the chief and principle; God the Father never did, nor ever will set up any other; he is the only shepherd that owns the flock, having purchased it with his own blood, and he alone is able to take care of it.
2. Feeding being applied to Christ, not only supposes that he is a shepherd, but also that he has a flock to feed; "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd," (Isa. 40:11). All the elect are Christ's flock, they are "his people, and the sheep of his pasture;" the Father has given them to him, and has put them into his hands; he has also purchased them with his blood, and calls them by his grace: hence they know his voice, follow his steps, believe in him, and therefore shall never perish, but have everlasting life. Which flock is, 1. A distinct one; it is distinguished from all others, by electing, redeeming, and efficacious grace; Christ's sheep are distinct from the world's goats, and Satan's wolves in sheep's clothing, and will one day be separated and manifestly distinguished, not only from the open enemies of Christ, but also from all painted hypocrites, and carnal professors, 2. Though this flock is divided into many parts and branches, yet it is but one flock; for, as there are but "one fold, and one shepherd," so there is but one flock under the care of this shepherd; though there are many particular flocks or churches here on earth, yet there is but one general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven." 3. This is but a little flock; "Fear not, little flock, etc." (Luke 12:32). Christ's cote of sheep are little and contemptible in the eyes of the world; and are low and mean in their own eyes; they are few in number, when compared with the world's goats, though when all appear together in glory, they will be a "great multitude, which no man can number." 4. It is called a flock of slaughter: Thus said the Father to the Son, "Feed the flock of the slaughter," and he replied, "I will feed the flock of the slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock," (Zech. 11:4-7) and it is so called, because it is exposed to the cruelty and barbarity of open and avowed enemies, and to the ravenings of wolves in sheep's clothing; the saints, for the sake of Christ and his gospel, have been "killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter," (Rom. 8:36). 5. Nevertheless it is a beautiful flock, as the people of the Jews are called in Jeremiah 13:20; the saints are beautiful in Christ's eyes, being clothed with his spotless righteousness, washed in his precious blood, and sanctified by his Spirit; therefore, however black they may be in their own eyes, or in the eyes of others, they are comely and delightful in the eyes of Christ.
3. This act of feeding, takes in and comprehends the whole work and business of a faithful shepherd towards his flock; all which Christ fully and exactly performs, 1. He knows them distinctly, and takes a particular account of them; he knows them so, that he can call them all by name; he knew them full well in his father's gift of them to him, and so he did when he shed his precious blood for them; he knew distinctly all that he died fort and in effectual calling, he sets his mark, stamps his image on them, that it may also appear, both to themselves and others, to whose flock they belong; he took a particular account of them, when the Father put them. into his hands, and made them his care and charge, and they shall "again pass under the hands of him that telleth them;" for he will take care that not one of them shall be lost, but shall be all safely folded in heaven. 2. He not only, as a shepherd, takes a particular account of his flock, but he also leads them out, goes before them, and they follow him; he leads them out of the barren pastures of sin, and leads them into the green pastures of his love and grace; he goes before them as an example to the flock, of love, meekness, humility, patience, etc. and they follow him, in an observance of his ordinances, and in an obedience to his commands, till he has safely conducted them to glory. 3. He protects them from all their enemies; Christ's flock is exposed unto, and surrounded by many a roaring lion; ravenous wolves, and snarling dogs stand ready to devour it, had they but as large a permission, and as good an opportunity as they desire; but as David defended his father's sheep from the lion and the bear, so does Christ defend his; he has power enough to do it, and there is not wanting in him, either will, courage, or diligence. 4. He restores his sheep, when they have wandered and strayed from the fold; as it is natural for sheep to go astray, so at as common to Christ's sheep, not only before, but after conversion; "I have gone astray like a lost sheep," says David (Ps. 119:176), "seek thy servant;" Christ does so, when his sheep go astray, he seeks every where until he has found them; when he lays them upon his shoulders, and brings them into his fold again, rejoicing; he restores their souls to their former life and liveliness, and "leads them in the paths of righteousness, for his own name's sake." 5. He heals all their diseases; there are many diseases which sheep are liable to, and therefore had need to be well looked after; so there are many diseases which Christ's sheep are liable to, but they are all healed by him; he binds up the broken hearted, strengthens the weak, heals the sick and wounded; none ever die of their diseases; he is a sovereign, free, universal and infallible physician. 6. He watches over them in the night seasons, as the shepherds of Bethlehem did over their flocks; he watches over them night and day, in the dark and cloudy day, in the night of affliction, temptation and desertion; he never leaves them, nor forsakes them. 7. In short, he makes all necessary provisions for them; so that they shall not, neither can they want any good thing; he takes care that they shall have the best of food, and what is most suitable and proper for them; he has all fullness of grace treasured up in him, and he freely distributes it among them as they stand in need.
Having thus taken notice of what is supposed and intended in this act of feeding, I shall now consider,
2dly, "What Christ feeds his flock with," and that is, 1. With himself, who is "the bread of life," which being fed upon by faith, supports and maintains the life of God's children; and such are the nature, virtue, and efficacy of it, that if a man eat thereof, he shall never hunger after the sinful pleasures of this life, so as he has heretofore done; he shall also never die the second death, but shall live spiritually here, and eternally with Christ hereafter. Christ's "flesh is meat" indeed, and "his blood is drink indeed;" and the believing soul tastes a sweetness therein, and receives nourishment from hence. Christ is the hidden manna, the food of the wilderness, which faith lives upon, whilst travelling through it. O how richly are the saints fed, whose food is Christ himself! 2. He feeds them with the gospel, the doctrines and promises of it; the doctrines of the gospel are "the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ," in which believers are nourished up; these are sweet to their taste, the joy and rejoicing of their hearts, and are esteemed by them more than their necessary food; the promises of the gospel are "exceedingly great and precious;" faith often lives upon them; the whole gospel furnishes the believer with a variety of food; in it are milk for babes and meat for strong men; there is what is suitable to the dispositions, tastes, and constitutions of all God's children. 3. He feeds them with the discoveries of his love and grace; he brings them into his "banqueting-house," and his "banner over them is love;" there he gives his best wine, and revives and refreshes their fainting and drooping souls with it; he not only feeds them with himself, "the bread of life," but he also sheds abroad his love in their hearts, which is "better than wine;" and thus, with both these, from time to time, does he regale them; and in making such comfortable repasts for them, which they largely feed upon, they "grow stronger and stronger," until, at length, they become perfect men in Christ Jesus. But,
3dly, "How, after what manner, and by what means does Christ feed his flock?" This is the part of the church's request; for so the words may be read, "Tell me how thou feedest, and how thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon.7979h[rt hkyaquomodo pascas, Tig. Vers. So the Syriac Vers. And Jarchi. Vid. Ainsworth in loc. Now, Christ feeds his flock: 1. By his ministers, who are his under-shepherds, to whom he gives commissions to feed his flock, saying, as he did to Peter, John 21:15, 16, 17: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep;" who receive food from Christ, the great Shepherd, and have suitable gifts and graces bestowed upon them, that they may feed souls "with knowledge and understanding," that is, with the doctrines of the gospel; which is the food Christ would have his fed with, as has been shewn already. 2. He feeds them by his ordinances, which are "breasts of consolation" to his people, out of which they suck, and are satisfied. Christ oftentimes makes a feast for his people, in his ordinances, and bids them welcome, and says, "Eat, O friends, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved;" and their faith feeds heartily upon "the goodness and fatness of his house." 3. He does all this by his Spirit; it is the Spirit of Christ that takes Christ, and the things of Christ, and sets them before us, for faith to feed and live upon; it is he that applies the doctrines, and seals the promises of the gospel to us; and it is he that sheds abroad the love of Christ in us; the ministry of the word, and the ordinances of the gospel, are the means of feeding souls; but these would be dry breasts, and would fall short of satisfying and refreshing them; were they not attended with the Spirit of Christ.
4thly, The last enquiry is, Where does Christ feed? To this I answer, in the gardens, his several and particular churches, according to chapter 6:2. "My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens." Would any, with the church, know where Christ feeds? It is where his gospel is powerfully preached, his ordinances purely administered, and the laws of his house faithfully put in execution: this may then serve as a direction to such enquiring souls, who would be glad to know where Christ feeds, that they may feed with him; let such seek after a gospel ministry and sit under it; or a church in gospel-order, and give up themselves unto it, to walk with the saints, in all the ordinances, and commands of Christ. So much for the first part of the request. It remains to be observed,
Secondly, That the church is also desirous to know where Christ "makes his flock to rest at noon;" and there was a great deal of reason for her to make such a request as this, for it was noon with her; the sun was in its meridian, in its full strength, and had looked upon her, as she declares in the former verse. The allusion is to shepherds in hot countries, leading their flocks to some shady place, where they may be sheltered from the scorching heat of the sun; which, as Virgil says, was at the fourth hour, or ten o'clock, two hours before noon.8080Inde, ubi quarta sitim coeli collegerit hora, Georgic. 1. 3. 5:327. We read of prozati<a mesembriazunta, sheep nooning themselves, or lying down at noon, under a shade by a fountain asleep.8181Plato in Phaedro, p. 1230. Some by noon understand the noon of the everlasting day of the saints" happiness and felicity in heaven, where Christ feeds his elect with joys that will never end;8282Hieron. et Bernard. in Sanct. et Diodat, in loc. "leads them to fountains of living water, wipes all tears from their eyes," and gives them an everlasting rest from all their toil and labor; but I think, by it we are rather to understand, either, 1. The noon of temptation, which is sometimes very hot, fierce and violent; Satan throws his fiery darts, thick and fast, which oftentimes give the believer much uneasiness; he is "in heaviness through manifold temptations;" but Christ makes him to lie down quietly, and rest safely; which he does, either by shading him from the violent heat thereof, or by supporting him under it, or else by giving him deliverance from it. Christ has sweet resting-places for his people, in the time of temptation, and would you know where and what they are? I answer, the fullness and all-sufficiency of grace, which is in him, is what he makes a believing soul sweetly to rest in, at such a time; when he is pleased to say unto it, as he did to the apostle Paul, when in such a case, "My grace is sufficient for thee:" such sweet resting-places, in times of temptation, are also his precious blood, which always speaks peace and pardon, and is of an eternal efficacy; his spotless righteousness, in which, as neither law nor justice, so neither can Satan find any flaw; as likewise, his atoning sacrifice, by which he has effectually "put away sin," and perfected for ever them that are sanctified; and so is his advocateship and intercession, in the discharge of which, he pleads the believer's cause, answers all Satan's charges and accusations exhibited against him, and prays for him, "that his faith fail not;" moreover, the covenant of grace is another resting-place, which stands firm and sure, and the promises thereof are absolute, unconditional, and shall never fail. Now these are some of those sweet resting-places, in which Christ causes his people to lie down and rest in the noon-time of temptation: or else, by noon may be meant, 2. The noon of affliction, which is sometimes very sharp and severe upon God's children; so that as Job says, chapter 30:30. their skin is black upon them, and their bones are burnt with the heat thereof;" they have generally a large share of afflictions in this world; this sun oftentimes smites them very severely: but Christ has his resting-places for them, where he makes them lie down and rest, which are such as the world know nothing of; he grants them his presences and goes along with them, when they walk through the fire, or through the water, so that the one shall not kindle upon them, nor the other overflow them; he puts underneath his everlasting arms, and supports them under all their trials; he makes their beds in their affliction, so that it becomes easy to them; he discovers his love and grace to their souls, and gives them views of their interest in him; he remembers his word of promise to them, on which he has caused them to hope; lets them see that all their afflictions are in love, that they are all working for their good, and when he thinks proper, he delivers them; and upon such pillows, and in such resting-places as these, does he cause his people to lie down, where "he gives his beloved sleep," in the noon-time of affliction: Or else, 3. By the noon may be meant the noon of persecution; and this, indeed, seems to be the case of the church here; the sun of persecution had scorched her; and her "mother's children were angry with her;" and therefore, being in distress and anguish of soul, she desires to know unto what cooling and refreshing shades Christ used to lead his flock at such a time. It is an allusion to shepherds, as before observed, who, in those hot countries, used to lead their flocks in the heat of the day, which is at noon, to some cool and shady place, where they might repose themselves, and be preserved from the vehemence of the scorching sun. Most of the Jewish writers8383Fide Targam et R. Sol. Jarchi in loc. So Lyra. interpret it of the captivity o£ the people of Israel, which was a time of tribulation and distress unto them: the heat of persecution seems chiefly intended, which fiery trial oftentimes befalls God's children; but Christ has his resting-places for them, at such a time, and under such a trial; he will "recompense tribulation to them that trouble his people," but to those that are troubled, that is, with persecution, he will "give rest with us," says the apostle (2 Thess. 1:6, 7): rest here, and rest hereafter; he gives liberty of soul when in prison, and fills with an unspeakable joy, even when both their goods and good names are spoiled, and taken away from them; he gives them a peace under all the racks and tortures, cruelty and barbarity that are exercised upon them by their enemies, which passeth all understanding; they find such rest, satisfaction, and contentment in the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, that they choose rather with Moses, "to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season," (Heb. 11:25).
Thirdly, The arguments she makes use of to obtain her request, which are these, 1st, She argues from her strong love and affection to him; "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth:" it is true, these words may be considered as an endearing title which she gave to him; but yet they seem more strongly to express her singular esteem of him, and her sincere and unfeigned love and affection to him, than those usual titles, my love, or my beloved, do; which love of hers might be very well improved as an argument to obtain her request, thus. "O thou who art the great Shepherd of the sheep, tell me in what pastures thou art graciously pleased to feed thy flock, and to what cooling shades thou dost lead them, in the heat of the day, to screen them from the scorching sun. She who makes this humble request unto thee, though mean and unworthy of thy notice, yet is one that loves thee with all her heart and soul; who, though of late, through the weakness and sinfulness of her own heart, and through the fear and force of others, has stepped aside from thy commandments to the doctrines and traditions of men; yet, being made sensible of her weakness and folly therein, cannot be easy to continue among those false teachers and worshippers; and therefore, from a real love to thy person, a respect to thine ordinances, and a regard to thy glory, humbly desires to be informed of these things." Now, though the church knew full well that her love to Christ could merit nothing, nor deserve a gracious answer from him; yet she was sensible that expressions of love were very pleasing to him, and therefore she takes this method. The nature, causes and actings of a soul's love to Christ have been shewn on verse 3. 2dly, She argues and expostulates with him, on the account of her present case, and what was likely to befall her, if he did not give her some speedy directions; "for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" There is much difficulty and difference in the rendering of the Hebrew word, which we translate "as one that turneth aside";8484Vide Aben Ezram in loc. some render it "as one that covereth herself, or is covered",8585jyf[kwJv perizallomh>nh, Sept. duet amicta vel operta, Michaelis; quasi operieus se, Piscator; ut obnubens, Coeceius; sicut obvelans se, Marckius. So Zohar, in Leviticus fol. 7.3. either as an harlot;8686So Mercer in loc. so Tamar covered herself, which made Judah take her to be an harlot (Gen. 38:14), or as a widow in mourning,8787Vide Yalkut and R. Sol. Jarchium in loc. it being the custom of mourners to cover themselves (Ezek. 24:17, 22), and then the sense is, "Why should I be suspected to be an harlot, and looked upon as an unchaste woman, that has left her own husband to follow strangers; when thou, who art the searcher of hearts and trier of reins, knowest that I love thee in sincerity, and am heartily desirous of following thee in thine own ways:" or se the sense is, "Why should I appear in a widow's dress, and go mourning and sorrowing as if I had no husband: O tell me where thou art, and where I may enjoy thy presence, and be delighted with thy company." Junius and Tremellius translate the words thus, "Why should I be as one that spreadeth the tent with the flocks of thy companions;" and give this as the sense, "Why should I? I would not, though but for a time, have any conversation with such persons, who pretend to be thy friends, and are not; I cannot bear it, my soul abhors and detests the thoughts of it, though, perhaps, thro" my weakness and infirmities, I may do it; O therefore tell me quickly, speedily, where thou feedest." Others render it "as one that wanders about, declinest or turns aside by the flocks of thy companions":8888Targum in loc. R. David Kimchi in lib. Shorash. rad. Hf[ this agrees with our version; and from these words we may observe, 1. That there are some who would be the associates and companions of Christ, who indeed are not; these were not really so, but usurped to themselves an equal power and authority with Christ: such are those who take upon them an arbitrary and lordly government of Christ's flock, who make and impose laws on the consciences of men, which Christ never established, and who teach doctrines contrary to those which Christ taught, and which are derogatory to his honor and glory: such rivals with. And pretended companions of Christ, are, the pope of Rome, who exalts himself above all that is called God; Arians, who deny Christ's divinity; Socinians, that oppose his satisfaction; and all self-justiciaries, that advance the doctrine of justification by works, in opposition to justification by his imputed righteousness: but such Christ will not own as his friends, nor suffer to be his rivals and companions; for as his own arm brought salvation to him, so the government is alone upon his shoulders; as he was alone in the purchase and salvation of his flock, so he will be in the government and feeding of it; for his glory, which arises from thence, he will not give to another. Christ never did, nor never will empower any to make new laws, nor coin new doctrines for his church and people. 2. These false and pretended friends and companions of Christ, who are no other than wolves in sheep's clothing, have their flocks. Heretics and false teachers, in all ages, have had their followers, and sometimes large numbers have been drawn away after them; and this God suffers in a judicial way; he gives men up to believe a lie, because they love not the truth; but having itching ears, grew weary of it and want something new: also these are permitted to have their flocks, by themselves, that Christ's little flock might be distinguished from them, and that those who are chosen, loved, and approved by God, might be made manifest; as also to animate and excite the faithful ministers of the gospel to be constant and assiduous, bold and faithful to preach the doctrines of Christ. and to oppose errors. 3. Believers are very fearful, lest they should, and are very desirous that they might not go aside from the ways of Christ; they are jealous of their own hearts, and are sensible that there is in them a propensity thereunto; they know that Satan uses all the crafty methods, and takes all the opportunities he can to draw them aside, and corrupt their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ; they are apprized of their own weakness, and know that they are not kept by their own power, but that if they are left to themselves, they shall soon divert to crooked paths: and the present case of the church also manifestly shews that God may, for a time, suffer his own children to be carried away with the error of the wicked; but when they are made sensible of it, they will be filled with an holy indignation against it, and make it their principal request at the throne of grace to be delivered out of it, and that their feet may be guided and directed in the paths of Christ: now those who are desirous that they may be kept from turning aside unto, and joining with the flocks of false teachers, who vainly pretend to be the friends and companions of Christ, should abide in the Lord's inheritance, keep close to Christ's ways and ordinances, and not believe every spirit, but try them according to the word of God, as the noble Bereans did; they should earnestly beg that the gospel which is preached unto them might effectually work in them, and make deep impressions upon them; so shall they not be "like children tossed about with every wind of doctrine." But let us hear what directions Christ himself gives to the church in the following words.
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A potential ballot measure that would give more power to the mayor of Sacramento is going before the City Council tonight. The idea is similar to one rejected by the council last year.
Assistant City Attorney Matthew Ruyak says there are other changes to the city's charter that would be in the same ballot measure.
"Certain additional requirements for when meetings should be held -public meetings to vet potential candidates for certain offices," says Ruyak. "The mayor would propose the budget and council would have to vote on it, and then there's a potential veto power including line-item veto."
The council could overturn a mayoral veto if six of the eight council members agree.
If the proposal goes to the ballot and passes, the mayor could fire the city manager with or without cause.
"It wouldn't have control over the city manager," says Ruyak. "Its ordinances would be subject to veto, etcetera. It also gets its powers slightly changed through the independent redistricting commission because it would then be obligated to accept the redistricting commission's boundaries."
A redistricting commission would reset council boundaries and a compensation commission would set council pay.
A majority of the council will have to vote yes if the measure is to go on the November 2014 ballot.
The council voted down a similar proposal in 2012.


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The final of the CAF Champions League could be an all-North African affair after Esperance and Al Ahly won their respective groups, thereby avoiding a semi-final clash. Orlando Pirates grabbed the final place in the round of the last-four by holding the already qualified Ahly to a goalless draw, with the winner of the competition set to represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the year in Morocco.
Game of the week
Zamalek 4-1 AC Leopards
If ever there was a game that Leopards' fans would have preferred the White Knights not to find their form, it was the final group game. Needing to do better than Pirates on the day, the club from the Congo were simply outplayed by the five-time champions, who had already been eliminated ahead of the match. Leopards put up some resistance in the opening half and went ahead through Rudy Bhebey-Ndey in the 23rd minute, but Mohamed Ibrahim and Shikabala turned matters around before the break. Ahmed Gaafar added two goals in the second half to give the home side a convincing victory in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna. Both sides finished on seven points, but Zamalek took third place through the head-to-head results.
Other matches
Although seven-time champions Al Ahly were assured of a place in the semi-finals, there was still plenty at stake in their final Group A game in Johannesburg against Orlando Pirates, with the South African club needing to win to be guaranteed a place in the next round. Ahly, on the other hand, needed a draw to avoid finishing behind the Buccaneers, thus avoiding Esperance in the semi-finals. Pirates looked the stronger side in the first half, but failed to create many chances and once the Zamalek score (which was being played at the same time) began to filter through to South Africa, there was no reason for Pirates to go forward. As suck the proceedings coasted to a scoreless draw, giving both teams a place in the round of the last four with Ahly finishing on 11 points and Pirates on eight.
In Group B, the only thing outstanding ahead of the final round of matches was whether Sewe Sport or Recreativo would finish third with the honours going to the Ivorian side after a 2-2 draw in Angola. Last year's beaten finalists Esperance had already won the group and finished the group phase with a 2-1 victory at second-placed Coton Sport through first-half goals by Khaled Gharsallaoui and Ahmed Akaichi. The home side, who earlier had a penalty saved, pulled one back deep into second-half injury time through Niger international Daouda Kamilou. The Tunisian club won the group with 15 points, while Coton placed second on eight and the other two sides finished with five.
Player of the week
Disappointingly, Zamalek forward Mohamed Ibrahim started the last three Champions League matches on the bench. But when given a chance to start against Leopards by coach Helmi Toulan, the 21-year-old grabbed it. Not only did he score the all-important equaliser, the Pharaohs' international was an integral part of Zamalek's attack from the off. "We were eager to beat Leopards to apologise to our fans," he said after the game. "We defeated a strong team which produced strong performances during the competition and they were close to reaching the semis."
The stat 6 -The number of matches that Al Ahly has played against Cameroon clubs in African club competition. Their semi-final tie against Coton Sport will be game seven and eight. In 1983 the Cairo giants beat Canon Yaounde 5-0 and 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions Cup, and a year later they beat the same opposition in the final of the CAF Cup Winners' Cup on penalties after both sides won their home matches 1-0. In 2008, Ahly beat Coton Sport 4-2 on aggregate (2-0 and 2-2) in the Champions League final.
What they said
"We had chances and we should have put one away... we played to win - there is no doubt about it. We've done the country proud and qualified for a change," Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Saafter the 2005 champions qualified for the semi-finals.
Have your say
Are we going to have a repeat of last year's final when Al Ahly faced Esperance en route to the Egyptians' seventh title. In order for that to happen, the two North African teams have to first see off Coton Sport and Orlando Pirates respectively in the semi-finals.


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A new federal government contract recently awarded to Frontier RV could mean big increases in production and employment levels for the Longview-based company, according to News-Journal.com, Longview, Texas.
"We have about 75 employees now, and that could easily double with this contract," said Johnny Hernandez, president of the 7-year-old Longview RV manufacturing firm. Frontier topped a field of 16 companies vying for part of the federal contract and was one of four firms awarded portions of the bid, he said.
Hernandez said the initial phase of the contract is worth $2.165 million in revenues to Frontier with the potential during the five-year life of the contract being as much as $176.67 million.
"This contract comes at a time when our industry is in distress," Hernandez said. "Discretionary spending has really slowed, and our sales have slowed."
Hernandez said orders for traditional recreational vehicle dealer sales have resulted in production levels at Frontier of about two or three units a day since November. That is about half the normal five to six units a day the plant would expect to produce that time of year, he said.
"Financing is still really tight," for retailers and consumers to borrow money for products, he said. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), shipments of towable RV trailers were down 71.9% in December compared with December 2007.
Meanwhile, towable retail sales totaled 5,465 compared to 9,095, a 39.9% decrease" in December, said Thomas Walworth, president of Statitsical Surveys Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.
"Beginning in May (2008), dealers began aggressively lowering new unit inventories," Walworth said. That trend continued through the end of the year as the national economic recession hit the industry hard, prompting manufacturers to scale back, he said.
The contract awarded to Frontier is one of four national contracts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is for the production of as many as 1,500 travel trailers a year for five years. Those units could provide temporary housing in emergency situations.
Hernandez said the contract, for a minimum of 100 units and a maximum of 1,500, could significantly increase production and Frontier's payroll.
To win the contract, the company had to meet a number of recently implemented standards for temporary housing intended for emergency use, Hernandez said.
"We had to eliminate the use of formaldehyde-emitting materials, maintain continuous air exchange and have air-conditioning systems that meet HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) standards," he said. Each unit also must meet handicapped accessibility standards, he said.
Hernandez traveled to Washington, D.C., in October to meet with federal officials about the new standards.
In March, officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and FEMA toured the Longview plant.
"On April 7, they announced the five-year contract for up to 6,000 units a year divided among the four makers," Hernandez said. Frontier has already received a firm contract to make the initial 125 trailers, he said.
This past week, Frontier shipped its prototype model to Washington for viewing by congressional officials, and Hernandez was to appear at a hearing on the quality standards of the new units.
"The units we're providing are ones that we designed and came up with the materials to meet their requirements," Hernandez said. "They're a little nicer than what FEMA has used in the past."
Each of the 34-foot units would have a retail price of about $28,000 if sold on the open market, he said, because of the special features federal officials are requiring, he said.
Those features include having a 5-foot turning radius for wheelchairs, cabinet and sink fronts that can be removed to make them handicapped accessible and shelving and appliances that are handicapped accessible, he said.
The first of those units are scheduled to come off the assembly line about June 10.
Once completed, each unit has to be tested by an outside independent testing firm, Hernandez said. Toxicology tests for volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and formaldehyde will help ensure the air inside the units meet federal guidelines, he said.
The units produced in Longview will be shipped to a staging area in Selma, Ala., where they will await the next hurricane, tornado, flood or other disaster responsible for destroying homes and sparking a need for temporary housing. Hernandez said he hopes FEMA will establish a similar staging, or storage area for the temporary housing, much closer to East Texas.
"We're making a pitch for them to do a staging area here in Longview," he said. With disasters such as Hurricane Ike that destroyed hundreds of homes in the Galveston area, having units available closer to the Texas Gulf Coast makes sense, he said.
The three other firms awarded FEMA contracts under the contract are in Indiana and Georgia.
They are TL Industries, Harbor Homes and D&D Disaster Services, according to a statement released by FEMA.


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"We have the right to know what's in our water!" Greenpeace demanded at the launch of the 3-week "Right-to-Know" Water Patrol Expedition along Marikina River. The expedition, which travels for 85 kilometers for three weeks, will examine and document sources of toxic pollution from Marikina River all the way to Laguna Lake during the month of September.
At the launch, thirty Water Patrol Activists in twelve boats investigated and documented possible water pollution hotspots along Calumpang, Marikina. Greenpeace is calling on the government to require factories to disclose the chemical wastewater that they discharge into rivers, as part of a campaign to protect the country's freshwater sources.
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