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Moderators: ryguy, chrLz, Zep Tepi
James Carlson wrote:Everybody's having a good time...
Hoaxes involving military incidents
A new category -- Hoaxes involving military incidents -- was added to this listing by James Carlson; the category includes two entries: "The Echo Flight UFO Incident (March 16, 1967)" and "The Oscar Flight UFO Incident (March 24, 1967)". Full sourcing and references have been included, so there are no grounds for deletion of the entries, as was applied 18 May 2013. The deletion was completed by unknown individual(s) in order to facilitate the continuation of these hoaxes to the public via a national press conference review organized under the title "Citizen Hearing on Disclosure" (http://www.citizenhearing.org). The main perpetrator of these two hoaxes, Mr. Robert Salas, is still trying to present his claims, and is a part of this hearing on disclosure.
Make no mistake, however. These two events meet all of the requirements necessary to be included in this list of UFO hoaxes, and they have been fully referenced and discussed. The acts of those perpetrating these hoaxes have been fully documented and make very clear not only their intentions in regard to UFO hoaxes, but the fallacious quality of their claims in the first place, part of which is their silent attempt to edit this listing without cause or explanation. There are no grounds for their deletion, and no attempt was made to explain their possible reasons for doing so. The fact that the perpetrators of a UFO hoax are still attempting to present their spurious claims to the public is not sufficient reason to delete these incidents from this list of UFO hoaxes, and unless a proper challenge is at some point adjudicated by the administrators and editors of Wikipedia, any further attempts to advance the fictional claims they have addressed by attempting to hide the qualities of those claims that reveal their true character will be equally useless, because I'll simply put everything back the way it was, and is.
Part of the unique quality of Wikipedia that makes it such a valued resource is the protocol it has developed to reach considerations and accord regarding what can be supported as fact, and what cannot. By ignoring such protocol in order to practice the deceit represented by hiding dispute and the facts that negate their ridiculous claims, those perpetrating UFO hoaxes make very clear the absence of foundation to their assertions. When claims are established by hiding the proof of their falsity, they -- and those attempting to use such means -- deserve to be packed off into the garbage to which we customarily dispose of useless things, thoughts, and impressions. Let them present a case instead of trying to hide proof of their lies. Every point I've addressed in this listing has been properly referenced, and properly applied. As such, they should only be deleted with cause, and that cause has yet to be presented.
Hoaxes involving military incidents
The Echo Flight UFO Incident (March 16, 1967)
Once considered to be among the top ten UFO incidents supported by the most reliable evidence (as determined by a board of UFO experts), the Echo Flight incident of March 16, 1967 has been proven to be a hoax originally initiated by Robert Salas and James Klotz of CUFON, and was primarily disseminated through numerous web-based articles, radio interviews, and their book "Faded Giant", which is still available for purchase on Amazon and other web-based venues. Specific points intended to support the UFO aspect of the claims were later inserted into the original case study by UFO researcher Robert Hastings in order to increase credibility of the hoax. These points were later published by Hastings in his own book, "UFOs and Nukes", which is also still available for purchase. Based on an actual incident during which an entire flight of ten Minuteman Missiles was disabled by an electronic noise pulse within the logic coupler located in the launch control center of Echo Flight at Malmstrom AFB in Montana, the claims of Salas, Klotz, and Hastings that the incident was the result of a UFO incursion was once considered highly reliable even though there were no actual eyewitnesses to support the claims established. The Echo Flight incident UFO hoax was discovered only when an attempt to confirm the claims of the alleged witnesses was undertaken. All of the confirmatory witnesses named by Salas, Klotz, and Hastings insist that the claims made were false, and that they never confirmed the UFO claims attributed to them. They insist as well that no UFOs were sighted, reported, or investigated, and that the actual cause of the missile failures was well established as an electrical malfunction by those charged to investigate the incident. The fact that no attempts to confirm the UFO aspect of the claims were undertaken by anybody for the first fifteen years that the hoax was perpetrated, even though the UFO aspect of the claims was only inserted into the case 30-years after the fact, there were no eyewitnesses, there was no documented report of a UFO, and there was no investigation undertaken of a UFO as required by active military directives at the time supports the contention of skeptics that UFO proponents are far less inclined to test or otherwise confirm UFO claims than those assessing claims established in regard to other, perhaps more scientific, fields of study.
The Oscar Flight UFO Incident (March 24, 1967)
The identification of this case as a hoax became clear when the primary witnesses to the alleged event were brought together by UFO researcher Robert Hastings for the purpose of changing essential elements of their claims, the establishment of which were intended to create corroborative testimony where such testimony did not originally exist. The Oscar Flight UFO Incident as promoted by these men includes numerous details that were not part of their original claims, while specific elements included in their original claims that contradicted the new assertions of the group were removed.
Upon publication of claims regarding the Echo Flight UFO Incident (March 16, 1967), Robert Salas, James Klotz, and Robert Hastings, together with a small coterie of alleged witnesses, attempted to assert parallel claims regarding another UFO incident that allegedly shut down another full flight of nuclear missiles, this one occurring a week later, on March 24, 1967, at Oscar Flight on Malmstrom AFB. It is alleged that all ten of Oscar Flight's Minuteman ICBMs became inoperative, supposedly after UFOs were seen hovering over them. The personnel responsible for perpetrating this hoax include Captain (then First Lieutenant) Robert Salas, Colonel Frederick Meiwald (named as a confirmation to the UFO claims asserted by Salas and Hastings, charges he has refuted), and Robert C. Jamison. For the record, it should be noted that none of these men actually witnessed anything themselves, making all of their testimony in regard to the alleged UFOs second-hand. All of them admit that the information originated with unnamed individuals who have never come forward to speak on their own behalf, making their claims impossible to verify, and dubious at best. None of the men reported these UFOs within 25-years of the alleged incident, and they have presented no evidence whatsoever to support the claim that any of the Oscar Flight missiles actually failed in 1967 (or on any other date, for that matter).
First Lieutenant Robert C. Jamison claims to have overheard mention by an unnamed individual that a UFO had been sighted by Air Force Security Police at one of the missile silos. He never voiced this claim prior to 1992, and it wasn't until 2006 that he decided the incident took place at Oscar Flight, having been persuaded to reach that conclusion by UFO researcher Robert Hastings. For at least fourteen years he claimed that he could not recall the exact location of the first UFO -- this being the one that was apparently never sighted, reported, or investigated by the USAF. He could only state that he was "certain" the incident occurred at one of the flights near Lewistown, Montana, which could indicate Echo Flight, November Flight, Mike Flight, or Oscar Flight. He asserts as well that he overheard mention on a nearby two-way radio that a second UFO had been "sighted on the ground in a canyon near the town of Belt".
Regarding the failure of all ten missiles at the flight, Jamison apparently has no direct knowledge of that alleged "fact", having participated in the restarting of only 3-4 missiles, a not uncommon task in 1967 given the unexpectedly high number of documented missile failures later proven to have been due to faults in the guidance systems. He claims to have heard from an unnamed NCO that the entire flight had been disabled, but this testimony was never mentioned prior to July 2010, just before Robert Hastings and Robert Salas started openly taking donations for a September 2010 press conference in Washington, DC that Jamison also participated in. Although Jamison claimed before this that an entire flight of missiles -- which he confidently assigned not merely to Oscar Flight, but to one of four possible locations -- had failed, the introduction of the originating source of this information -- the unnamed NCO -- had never been discussed prior to July 2010.
In addition to Jamison, Robert Salas has also claimed that the entire flight of ten missiles failed, but it is a matter of record that his story has changed significantly since he first went public with his claims in 1996. It is no exaggeration to assert that Salas' documented inconsistency is the only consistent aspect of his claims. He has changed the date of the incident, the location of the incident, the number of missiles involved, the time of the incident, the order of events, the details of telephone calls made both during and after the incident, the number as well as the names of the individuals who either initiated or participated in the communication of those details (both during and after the incident), both the personal and official responses to the incident, as well as the complete record of USAF personnel who have allegedly confirmed the claims he has made. His involvement (with Robert Hastings and James Klotz) in the perpetration of the Echo Flight Incident UFO Hoax tends to lessen his credibility in regard to this matter as well. It's also very hard to ignore the fact that the one man Robert Salas has named to confirm his account of a UFO at Oscar Flight, his unit commander, Colonel Frederick Meiwald, has stated that he remembers no more than four missiles ever failing while he was on duty. More to the point, Meiwald also insists that he remembers nothing in regard to a UFO sighted during a missile failures incident, which apparently occurred on a date he also does not recall, all of which he admitted outright to Robert Hastings during a telephone interview, the clear contents of which Hastings chose to ignore, insisting instead that Meiwald had confirmed 100% of Salas' UFO assertions.
In regard to the Oscar Flight location of the incident, Robert Salas originally claimed to have been on duty at Echo Flight (see: The Echo Flight UFO Incident above), and later at November Flight, when the alleged incident took place. It should be noted that during the three years Salas claimed to have been on duty at November Flight when the incident occurred, he was in possession of an October 1996 letter from Meiwald insisting strongly that they had only served at Oscar Flight. During this entire 3-year period, Salas knowingly claimed that Meiwald confirmed his story of a UFO coincident to the failure of missiles at November Flight, where Frederick Meiwald admits they had never served. All of the above changes to the details of this alleged event does, however, prove without even the slightest doubt one salient fact: Colonel Frederick Meiwald is the only witness testifying to this incident who has insisted from the very beginning that the location was Oscar Flight. None of the other witnesses can make this claim. Unfortunately, he also stated more than once that he remembers nothing about a UFO sighted during this or any other missile failures incident.
It should be noted that it was only upon the instigation of UFO researcher Robert Hastings that Jamison and Salas finally agreed that the event they recalled took place at Oscar Flight on 24 March 1967. James Klotz, co-author with Salas of "Faded Giant" and party to the creation of the Echo Flight UFO Incident (March 16, 1967), has refused to endorse the new date so clumsily attached to the Oscar Flight claims. Given that a cursory examination of USAF Project Blue Book records available since July 1967 proves that there were no equipment failures throughout Malmstrom AFB on 24 March 1967, this refusal to attach his name to another hoax of the same type was probably a good idea when such a hoax can be so easily refuted.
It's also very hard to ignore the fact that the one man Robert Salas has named to confirm his account of a UFO at Oscar Flight, his unit commander, Colonel Frederick Meiwald, has stated that he remembers no more than four missiles ever failing while he was on duty. More to the point, Meiwald also insists that he remembers nothing in regard to a UFO sighted during a missile failures incident, which apparently occurred on a date he also does not recall, all of which he admitted outright to Robert Hastings during a telephone interview, the clear contents of which Hastings chose to ignore, insisting instead that Meiwald had confirmed 100% of Salas' UFO assertions.
It's also very hard to ignore the fact that the one man Robert Salas has named to confirm his account of a UFO at Oscar Flight, his unit commander, Colonel Frederick Meiwald, has stated that he remembers no more than four missiles ever failing while he was on duty. Meiwald confirmed 100% of Salas' UFO assertions.
Tim Hebert wrote:It's all interesting to see the "forces" at play. Prior to posting here, I took a look at the wiki article for Malmstrom and saw the "Alleged UFO Incident" and see that it appears to be basically the same since I last saw it.
Recent complete deletion of all UFO report references
I just have a couple of things to note:
1. Since I started trying (since July 2012) to get you people here at Wikipedia to refrain from publishing the UFO nonsense that you have liberally littered the internet with, there is one very consistent complaint that you have have continuously assailed me with: you repeatedly insisted that any editorial changes I've made must also have an associated summary detailing the changes I've made and why they were necessary.
After a series of communications from last night, I've noted that editors apparently found it necessary to delete the entire discussion of The Oscar Flight UFO Incident from this article (general article on Malmstrom AFB), and to delete about two-thirds to three-fourths of the contents of another article, "List of UFO-related hoaxes" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UF ... _incidents. I couldn't help but notice that no justification for or detailed explanation of these sweeping changes has been posted. It seems more like someone simply deleted what they didn't like (or didn't want to justify) and refused to explain it -- and these were HUGE changes, large swaths of the articles in question simply REMOVED.
Is this simply more arbitrary b.s. that you don't feel needs to be explained? I have to tell you, the dancing that Wikipedia editors have forced me to go through this past year without reason or real cause, and without bothering to even examine the materials I've presented to justify the claims I've made and the changes I've requested you to assert have left me with a really sour taste in my mouth. To note that other editors seem to have no respect for the detailed negotiations and regulations that I've been forced to abide by tends to lessen the casual respect the lot of you labor under the impression you actually deserve. So my question is: do you believe that the protocols you've instituted serve as a means to enforce good order and consistent change, or is just a way to discourage people from correcting the most egregious errors and blatant lies that you've chosen to promote?
2. If you had simply deleted the single paragraph regarding an alleged Oscar Flight UFO incident from this one general article about Malmstrom AFB as I had originally requested nearly a year ago on the grounds that it represented a complete lie that never occurred and that those attempting to publish had failed to substantiate, you might have saved yourself a lot of grief, poor publicity, and a growing reputation based on the disdain of those who now see that you really don't stand for much of anything in the line of high principles until somebody craps all over your parade. You could have saved yourself from all of this by simply examining the references that were included with the original paragraph you decided to publish when it was first submitted, or when I asked you to do so in July 2012.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm thankful you finally decided to do just that, something I put a lot of effort in trying to convince you to do, but it's a little hard to ignore the fact that it took you nearly a full year, and that you seem to have adopted this remedy simply to avoid the chore of actually examining the somewhat lengthy repercussions of allowing publication of that original paragraph in the first place.
The past couple of days I've been informed that self-published works do not qualify as a valid reference. The primary references of that original paragraph were all self published works. I've been informed that references that do not have a reputation for error-checking and the substantiation of claims addressed do not qualify as a valid reference. None of the references to that original paragraph can assume that reputation, and all, in fact, have been properly assessed as sources that have no published assertion of such ethical admission and -- by their noted failure to apply such rules -- have been charged regularly with publishing completely false and misleading accounts. I've also been informed -- and this is the funniest thing -- that an article should represent the views of the mainstream academic community towards the subject of the article and does not present original research ideas and concepts of the Wikipedia editors or others whose ideas are outside of the standard academic and scientific views of the subject. The standard academic views in regard to a UFO taking out 20 missiles at Malmstrom AFB are NOT on the side of those making such a claim. In fact, the standard view of the mainstream academic community is universal: IT IS BUNK THAT HAS NO BASIS IN HUMAN REALITY. When these ridiculous assertions were made in Washington, DC, the only comment coming from the "Washington Post" reporter who was present as the ONLY representative of those evincing the standard academic and scientific views of the subject was that the cookies they served were good!
Why did it take nearly a full year for you people to address these issues?
I sincerely hope I never have cause to correct your grievous errors again. I have been told that I never should have been involved in the first place, because MY attempts to correct YOUR admitted errors constituted a Conflict of Interest. In light of the facts addressed above, perhaps you should reexamine that Conflict of Interest clause, because it looks to me that if someone has no exceptional reason to desire the correction of your numerous errors of fact, application, and irresponsible need to publish claims that have no redeeming characteristics at all and cannot possibly be asserted without the publication of blatant lies and false conclusions, you would today be known as the publishers of a UFO account that has been claimed by one man who has been selling it and denounced by dozens who were actually there. In such a case, YOU would become the perpetrators of the fraud simply because YOU refused to conduct any of the fact checking you expect of the references used by your editors, something you could have avoided had you merely examined those references in the first place as I repeatedly asked you to do.
sentry579 wrote:I think your goal in editing and contributing should be to see that some balancing sourced statemants are made, and that you provide links to where a reader can find objective factual information on the topic.
A few weeks ago both Echo and Oscar Flights were listed in the wiki article as hoaxes or complete fabrications...that appears to have disappeared from the article. At least that's how I remembered the initial article. Perhaps Carlson will be able to shed some light on my memory of the editing events.
What's the best way to deal with the issues with Wikipedia? The best approach, one that I had proposed in a past blog post when I became aware of the Wikipedia articles on the Malmstrom UFO incidents, is to have two sections to any given UFO wiki entry. That is one can present evidence (with citations) supporting the UFO hypothesis and a separate section could present a dissenting view point (with citations) with an alternative hypothesis. This way both sides can be heard/read in a fair and consistent way. Let the reader decide which side presents the credible point of view.
I do not believe that there should be any form of censorship regardless of who is presenting their respective points of view. Hastings and Salas, and others, should be freely able to have their viewpoints aired out in Wikipedia's format as well as that of James Carlson...or me, for that matter. Its up to the reader to decide who makes the better case.
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Department of Corrections
January 3
- Mario Ortega, 29, was charged with a parole violation.
Logan County Sheriff's Office
January 3
- Misty Lee Marick, 34, was charged with a probation violation.
- Nicole Yvonne Crouch, 25, was charged with a violation of a protection order.
- Brandee June Maxson, 27, was charged with first-degree criminal trespass.
- Gabriel Lee Reeves, 31, was charged with driving under the influence and bicycle not equipped with red reflector visible for 600 feet.
- A deputy responded to a theft at County Road 24 and 29.
- A deputy was dispatched to an accident at C.R. 46 and 85.

subset: commoncrawl


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Same-sex marriage ban stalls in Indiana
- Proposed ban couldn%27t go before voters until at least 2016
- Supporters divided over civil unions
- Gay marriage backers celebrate %27big victory%27
INDIANAPOLIS -- A constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana won't go to voters in November — and may never.
A decision Thursday by the Indiana Senate not to restore the original language of the proposed constitutional amendment means that even if it passes, as expected, during a final vote Monday, it would have to pass a future legislature and couldn't go before voters until at least 2016.
But with public attitudes quickly shifting away from such bans, supporters likely will have a harder time winning over another legislature. And the U.S. Supreme Court may make the issue moot before then.
"It's a big victory for us," said Megan Robertson, campaign director of Freedom Indiana, a coalition of amendment opponents who jubilantly celebrated at the Statehouse. "It's kind of a resounding win because they couldn't even bring (the original language) up for a vote. We'd like to see it beat outright, but this is a big deal."
Some lawmakers wanted to restore a provision banning civil unions. But no such proposal was brought forward for a vote.
RELATED:Virginia judge strikes down gay marriage ban
"The chances of this making it are getting slimmer and slimmer," said Robert Dion, a political science professor at the University of Evansville. "The yearslong push just took a big body blow. The Senate was the place to make the last stand — and it didn't even happen."
The House previously removed the civil union ban to gain enough Republican support to pass the amendment, which now simply bans same-sex marriage.
Supporters were disappointed at the outcome but vowed to continue fighting for the measure, known as House Joint Resolution 3.
"We view this as a delay, not a defeat," said Eric Miller, founder and executive director of Advance America, a conservative advocacy group pushing the amendment. "We're still going to work to pass a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman."
The Senate's decision came after intense lobbying from those on both sides of the issue. As senators made their way into the chamber, competing chants from a couple of hundred sign-waving supporters and opponents filled the hallways.
The months of lobbying and Thursday's boisterous atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the dead silence on the Senate floor that followed a request for proposed changes. Several senators had filed potential alterations, but none was offered for a vote after it became clear at a private GOP caucus that the changes lacked the votes to pass.
"At first, I almost missed it because I was so excited to hear what they were saying," said Angie Suggs, an amendment opponent celebrating afterward with the crowd. "Once they said they weren't going to amend it, I thought I was stuck in time. I thought, 'Did I really hear that?'"
For Suggs, the issue is a personal one. She and her lesbian partner plan to get married in March in Iowa. "So this really hit home for us. We want a life together. We just want protection for our rights."
The General Assembly first approved the same-sex marriage ban — with a second sentence that also barred civil unions — in 2011. Supporters, including Gov. Mike Pence, wanted lawmakers to approve that version for the required second time so that it could go to voters for a final vote during the November general election.
Pence has said he wanted it passed this year rather than in 2016. That's when, presumably, he would be running for re-election.
What happened Thursday could create problems for supporters and Pence.
"You can't help but read this as a defeat for (the governor) this year," said Joseph Losco, a political science professor at Ball State University. "Each year we see a tick up of support for same-sex marriage and against the amendment."
Supporters aren't going to wait around for that.
Conservative advocacy groups say they plan to make the voting records of lawmakers an issue in upcoming elections.
"We will be back next year, pushing to take this issue to the people of Indiana," said Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana.


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The $820 million contract, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, comprises Sempra Energy's 156MW Energia Sierra Juarez (ESJ) wind farm in the Mexican state of Baja California. The project will send power northward to California customers of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Sempra's regulated subsidiary.
The contract's $106.50/MWh price provides a rare glimpse at power prices - possible because of transparency required with deals between corporate affiliates. California maintains some of the highest electricity prices in the US.
Still pending are cross-border permits and construction of a substation that will interconnect to the 500kV Southwest Powerlink transmission line. But San Diego-based Sempra plans to begin building turbines next year, when it expects at least some to be operational.
The project is intended to satisfy SDG&E's remaining renewables portfolio standard (RPS) requirements through the 2016 compliance period. California's aggressive RPS calls for 33% clean generation by 2020, with 75% of that total to come from in-state projects. ESJ qualifies because the substation will be on the US side.
Tax benefit
Mexican projects do not qualify for the US government's lucrative production tax credit (PTC) subsidy, which is on track to expire at the end of this year. But Mexico's government offers 100% first-year tax depreciation, which Sempra can leverage by virtue of its significant holdings south of the border. "This is a project California can count on with or without the PTC being extended," said Sempra spokesman Scott Crider. "That, in some ways, is a competitive advantage - because there's certainty given the RPS requirements."
Overall, ESJ is seen as the first phase of what could result in 1.2GW of Sempra wind development in Mexico. "There are certainly tremendous wind resources in northern Baja," Crider said. "It's some of the last remaining high-quality resources on the West Coast that are untapped."
But not everyone expects a lot of the electricity ever to reach the US. Transmission on the Mexican side would require significant expansion, cross-border permitting remains difficult and the Mexican government is offering increasingly competitive prices likely to keep most renewables generation at home.
"I don't see us getting that much wind from northern Baja," said Michael Shames, executive director of San Diego watchdog Utility Consumers' Action Network. "But the answer really will be determined by economics."


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How Does an Observatory Work?
HG平台现金网 When magma rises through Earth's crust to a mid-ocean ridge, ocean observatory sensors detect the ground motion, the spilling lava, and the chemicals spewing from hydrothermal vents. Observations are relayed back to shore-based researchers, who can command their instruments and a robotic vehicle to make specialized measurements, and then muster an expedition to inspect the eruption firsthand.


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Kabul municipal services sub-par, survey finds
Kabul municipal services sub-par, survey finds
Experts list inadequate facilities, rapid replacement of mayors, which result in the introduction of new plans and strategies, and administrative corruption as the main reasons behind the imbalanced delivery of urban services. The Kabul Municipality, however, acknowledges some of these irregularities but at the same time confirms that a new strategy has been formulated to improve services and resolve the city's problems.
Municipality services & public cooperation and satisfaction
Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) conducted a survey in 21 municipality districts of Kabul on 16 different governance indicators and services available in the various districts of the municipality. As many as 1,275 persons, seven percent of whom are women, were interviewed in the survey published in 2016.
For each indicator, five options were assigned: "Very good, good, fair, bad, and very bad." Each option was given a number to signify the level of citizen satisfaction -- 5 for very good, 4 for good, 3 for fair, 2 for bad, and 1 for very bad.
The survey results show that the only the two indicators: 1. Public cooperation with the municipality, and 2. Process of document verification and licencing in municipality, had public satisfaction levels of 'nearly fair'. Public satisfaction levels were reported as "bad" for the rest of the indicators.
Specifically, the indicators solid waste management, transparency and accountability in tax collection, public participation in decision-making, reconstruction of roads, recreational parks and green areas, standardization of private construction, sanitation, canalization system, buildings and maintenance of infrastructure, effectiveness of the complaint addressing mechanism, access to public information, accountability to public, bus stops and car parking services were reported as "bad", obtaining marks from 2.4 to 1.8.
Survey results also indicate that public cooperation with the municipality has been better than its satisfaction with urban services.
District 3 has the highest rate of public cooperation with the municipality in terms of environmental protection, while public satisfaction levels with municipality services was deemed to be fair.
Wahidullah, a resident of District 3, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the culture of keeping the city clean was growing with each passing day and that was the reason for growing public cooperation with the municipality.
"Municipality services are not bad in our area where most of the people throw solid wastes in the trash bins installed by the municipality. But heaps of garbage can be seen in some areas around trash bins. It shows the municipality does not properly administer these areas. Corruption may exist in the municipality like other institutions," he said.
Nisar Ahamd Habibi Ghori, who worked in different section of the municipality for 14 years, recently resigned his job at the sanitation department. He acknowledged public cooperation in keeping the city clean had increased and the urban culture was rising.
Ghori, who resigned about a year and a half ago, said people's role in keeping the city clean was important as the municipality with around 5,000 personnel could not manage a city of millions of people, with 70 percent unplanned areas.
He said the municipality had limited financial resources and machineries and could hardly deal with construction and maintenance of roads.
According to the Central Statistics Organization (CSO), around four million people are currently living in Kabul.
Abdul Jalil Sultani, public relations chief of the municipality, suggested previous mayors be held responsible for their poor performances. Currently, he said, insufficient budget, lack of required capacity and personnel -- in addition to corruption -- contributed to poor urban services. The municipality had thus fared poorly, he argued.
Abdullah Jan Habibzai was appointed as acting Kabul mayor in May 2016. Mohammad Aslam Akrami and Abdul Ahad Wahid were his predecessors.
Sultani said the indicator of public cooperation with the municipality secured higher marks in the survey because it existed at some levels. He lamented that on the national level Kabul was the only city where public cooperation with the municipality was dismally low.
"Enough public cooperation would enable the municipality to offer more effective services," he added.
Low public satisfaction
The residents of District have the highest level of satisfaction with municipal services and public cooperation with the municipality is fair.
Mohammad Zahir, a resident of the district, said: "People in our neighbourhood put garbage in the trash bin. Municipality workers empty the bin on time, so garbage doesn't accumulate. The municipality has also paved most of streets in the area. Therefore, residents are satisfied."
However, residents of District 18 complain of the urban services and the level of satisfaction and cooperation is also low.
Alhaj Taimor Shah, an inhabitant of the Tarakhel village of Deh Sabz area of District 18, called the municipality's services unbalanced.
He said: "There have been no services provided by the municipality in our village. Except for the main road, all other routes are not asphalted. We face many problems in managing solid waste. "There is no garbage bin in our village, and no area has been specified for dumping waste. People throw trash wherever they want; we are sick of the stink and flies rising from garbage,"
He added: "The municipal serves areas based on relations and references, particularly neighborhoods where senior government officials live. But the poor people have no one to refer to and no one from our area is in a high place."
Mohammad Hamayun Kazim, an environmental expert, believes balance was not maintained in delivery of urban services because the municipality focused more on areas where senior government officials lived. Also, the municipality pays no attention to unplanned areas of city.
"In Qala-i-Zaman Khan area in District 16 or other parts far from the city centre, fewer services are provided by the municipality, because people there don't have high government jobs."
"On the other hand, in Wazir Akbar Khan in the 10th district, where ministers, rich and senior government officials live, only roads and building fronts are spruced up by the municipality," he continued.
The survey shows municipal service delivery in Districts 16 and 10 are 'nearly good'.
Kazim said lack of coordination among relevant organs (municipality, Ministry of Urban Development, Land Authority and other offices) had led to arbitrary acts in service delivery. Removal of mayors based on the choice of the sitting president has been another major problem during the past decade and a half.
Article 141 of the Constitution says: "To administer city affairs, municipalities shall be established. The mayor and members of municipal councils shall be elected through free, general, secret and direct elections. Matters related to municipalities shall be regulated by law". But there have been no such elections yet.
But Nisar Ahmad Habibi, a former sanitation head at the municipality, was asked why more attention was given to areas where government authorities lived. He replied: "I cannot comment on the current situation; but during my tenure, government officials were not paid more heed..."
Apart from other factors -- lack of personnel, equipment, budget, unplanned areas and the frequent replacement of mayors -- population density is another reason that contributes to unbalanced and bad service delivery. "In some municipal districts, the size of population is also not kept in view and no plan exists for addressing these issues."
Each mayor after being appointed prepares his own plan. As a result, time is wasted on devising plans by each new mayor. "It is a big mistake," he observed.
Sultani emphasized former officials had to be held accountable for municipality's past performances. "But, this year, the municipality has learnt -- after an assessment of last year's performance -- that the services it provided last year were not balanced in some cases."
For better service delivery, Nisar Ahmad Habibi proposed, the number of sanitation department personnel should be increased, resources of the municipality enhanced and the private sector given a role.
Mohammad Hamayon Kazim urged the municipality to develop a plan in consultation with experts to improve and balance its service delivery. "The plan should also ensure greater public participation in keeping the city clean," he said.
"There are global models guiding municipalities on how to include unplanned, irregular areas and illegally-constructed homes in a plan and how to provide better urban services in such localities. But the Kabul Municipality has not yet paid serious attention to such issues," he said.
Abdul Jaleel Sultani said in compliance with a study it had conducted and also keeping in view previous initiatives, the municipality had drawn up a new plan that would go into effect next year and pay adequate heed to maintaining balance in service delivery.
"Improving service delivery in and development of unplanned areas, constituting 70 percent of the city, as well as giving a due share to the private sector in urban facilities were also part of the plan", he explained.
Paucity of resources was a big issue, he said, adding the municipality planned to conduct public awareness programmes to facilitate greater public participation in delivery of urban services and set up people's councils in different districts of the city.
Administrative corruption is another major problem in ensuring better and balanced urban services, according to him. As many as 180 staffers, including high-ranking officials, involved in such cases have been identified and referred to judicial organs in the past one and a half years.
He did not name officers but said they worked in the operation/logistics section of the municipality. Sultani stressed the need for continued fight against and eradication of corruption in the municipality.
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Calendar of Events 2020
Towns 4H Garden Club Projects – 2017
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Horticultural Tip – Monthly at TUMGA meetings
How to become a Friend of the TUMGA Master Gardeners 2018
TUMGA 2014 in a Brief Review
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Overview: Materials and techniques
Even though I've built dozens of cabinets and furniture pieces, I don't consider myself a high-end finisher. But I've developed my own little collection of tips, systems and techniques for applying oil-based polyurethane. It gives me great results, quickly and painlessly. This is a skip-the-brush system. It's all about rolling poly on the big areas, using wipe on poly on the small ones, and above all, controlling dust. I'll show you the tips I used while I was finishing my latest project, a flat-screen TV stand.
Tip 1: Sand out pencil marks
Spotting flaws
Use a light held at a low, raking angle to check for scratches, dirt and any other imperfections while you sand and apply finish coats.
Begin by drawing light, squiggly pencil lines on the surface at each grit stage. When the pencil lines disappear, you're ready to move on to the next grit. You're wasting your time sanding coarse, open-grained woods like ash or oak baby-butt smooth. I generally start at 80 grit and end with 100 or 120 grit. Sanding through all the grits to 220 grit won't improve the finish one bit. But with closed-grained woods like maple or birch, don't skip any grit steps, and go all the way to 220 grit.
Tip 2: Maintain a clean work area
A clean work area is key. The more dust free the project and the surrounding surfaces, the less work you'll have and the more flawless your finish will be. Before the finishing starts, I vacuum the project, the workbench and the floor. Under the piece to be finished, I spread out 6-mil poly to protect the floor from drips and spills and make cleanup easy. I'll reuse these sheets several times, then toss them. Don't finish on the same day you sand; the dust stays in the air for hours. Start finishing with clean clothes and hair.
Tip 3: Wipe the project with mineral spirits
Lose the dust
Wipe down every square inch of the workpiece with a lint-free cotton cloth dampened with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol.
Wipe down the project with a tack cloth, or a lint-free cloth saturated with solvent. I like to use an old, clean cotton T-shirt for this and the wipe-on step shown later. This step removes nearly all traces of dust. It only takes a few minutes for the solvent to evaporate so you can get started on finishing. Don't use water; it'll raise the grain and you'll have to sand again.
Tip 4: Use a roller on large, flat surfaces
Roll on poly fast—then quit!
Dampen the 6-in. roller with mineral spirits and roll the poly on all of the large flat areas and cabinet interiors. Coat the surface and quit. Don't continue to work the finish.
I love these little 6-in. rollers. You can get the poly on fast and evenly. No brushstrokes, puddles or thin spots. I've had bubble problems with some rollers. I prefer to use 6-in. microfiber rollers dampened with mineral spirits. There's always a bit of leftover lint, but only on the first coat. A Teflon baking tray makes a great rolling pan.
Don't freak out when you see the finish right after you lay it down. It'll look like it's full of flaws. Just roll it out and use the raking light to make sure the surface is completely covered. Don't keep working the finish. Let it be, and it will flatten out. I keep a can of spray poly handy in case of bubbles. A light mist knocks them out.
After each coat, redip the roller in mineral spirits and put it into a zippered plastic bag for the next coat and leave the wet tray to dry. In a couple of hours, the dried poly just peels right out of the pan. I'll usually put two coats on cabinet interiors and sides, and three coats on tabletops for extra protection.
Tip 5: Finish both sides at once
Finish both sides at once
Coat the bottom first and then flip over the top, resting it on standoffs while you roll the finish on the top. The Painter's Pyramid shown is available at home centers.
With a solid wood top like this one, finish both the top and the bottom surfaces, even if the bottom won't show. Skip this step and the top can twist, cup or warp. To save drying time, coat the bottom and then immediately flip it over to finish the top. I just don't care if there are a few fingerprints. Right after the top is rolled out, I roll the edges and then go around them with a dry foam brush to eliminate any drips or thick spots. I skip the final coat on the underside. Being short a single coat on the underside isn't a big deal.
Tip 6: Use wipe on poly for small or tight areas
Wipe on poly
Dribble wipe on poly on the rag and wet the entire area. Sand between coats with extra-fine sanding pads.
After the roll-on coats are dry, I use Minwax wipe on poly (use the same sheen you chose for the roll-on poly) for the face frames, legs, doors or any other narrow, small or intricate areas. I do this after the large areas are dry so I don't smudge adjacent areas. I like it because only two things get dirty: a glove and a cotton rag, both of which I toss after each coat. (Spread them out to dry first.) I can put on two to four coats of wipe on poly in one day depending on the temperature and humidity. There are no drips, sags or runs—ever. And because Minwax wipe on poly dries so fast, there's rarely a dust problem. The downside to Minwax wipe on poly? Because the coats are so thin, you need lots of them. I'll put on as many as eight coats of Minwax wipe on poly when two rolled coats would do the trick.
Tip 7: Lightly sand with pads and paper
Sand lightly between coats
Wipe off dust whiskers with extra-fine sanding pads. For larger blemishes, use 280-grit paper. The raking light will show you when the surface is smooth.
I lightly sand between coats with extra-fine synthetic sanding pads. The goal is to roughen the surface a bit and rub out dust motes, hairs and drips. If there are stubborn nibs that stand up to the pads, grab 280-grit and be more aggressive. Then just wipe off the dust with mineral spirits and apply another coat.
Tip 8: Let the final coat dry in a dust-free area
Dust-free area
For big projects, build yourself a temporary drying booth with poly sheeting. If it's cool, use an electric space heater to hasten drying and shorten the time that dust can become embedded in the finish.
For the final coat, I vacuum the work area again and let the dust settle overnight. In the winter, I warm the room and then turn off the overhead furnace a couple of hours before finishing to settle any dust.
After the finish is on, I immediately roll small workpieces into my shop bathroom, which is nearly dust free. If it's cool in the bathroom, I use an electric space heater to speed up the drying. If it's a big project, I make a drying booth out of 6-mil poly sheeting first, which nearly eliminates dust specks.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.
- Orbital sander
- Paint roller
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.
- 6-mil plastic sheeting
- Mineral spirits
- Polyurethane
- Sandpaper
- Synthetic sanding pads
- Wipe-on polyurethane


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This article was on the Today.Com site. It's gives us Ladies, and some men too, multiple uses of Honey. I personally am looking forward to trying some of these.
Experiencing a rough patch? Mix equal parts olive oil and honey to create a thick lotion. Rub on dry skin and let sit for 10-20 minutes before rinsing the area for smooth (and staying) results.
This use of honey for skin brings a little sweetness to your lips. Combine 1 teaspoon of honey with 1/2 cup of natural beeswax (grated), 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 drops of vitamin E oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Once blended into an even (and creamy) concoction, separate mixture into small containers with lids (should make about 12 mini batches).
Combine 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of water in a microwave-safe container, then heat in the microwave or above the stove until the mixture turns brown (approximately 30 seconds). Let cool, thinning the mixture with more water if it appears too thick. Use a small spatula to thinly apply wax to skin, then apply a muslin cloth strip, pressing and smoothing in the direction of hair before peeling back in a swift motion.
Add a teaspoon of honey to regular shampoo to smooth damaged tresses, or combine with a teaspoon of olive oil for deeper conditioning. Apply to hair and let soak for 15 minutes (add 10 minutes for more damaged strands) before shampooing as usual.
Combine 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 cup hot water and let solution dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil, then pour in bath water.
Reserve a little dab of honey for skin and apply to blemishes, then keep covered with a Band-Aid for 30 minutes. (Honey also works as an antiseptic for burns and abrasions.)
Combine 2 teaspoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey. Smooth solution over face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off.
Melt 1.5 ounces of beeswax and 3 ounces of apricot kernel oil in the microwave. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and, once cooled, divide into small tins for quick cuticle repair on the go.
Stir a couple pinches of ground nuts into a tablespoon of honey (adding a squirt of lemon juice). While the ground nuts exfoliate and the lemon juice brightens, the honey will moisturize for a smooth surface.
Using honey for skin doesn't just involve softening. Proving one of the easiest (and better smelling) wart removers, apply honey to problem area twice a day until you see results.
Add a tablespoon of honey to a liter of water and, after shampooing, rinse your hair with this concoction to tame fly-aways. THROAT SOOTHER: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 cup of water. Heat and stir.


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PARSIPPANY, N.J. (AP) -- Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent on a bone marrow cancer drug made by Millennium Pharmaceuticals.
Watson's Actavis division asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve a generic version of the drug Velcade, which is used to treat multiple myeloma. One of the companies that markets the drug has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Watson, and as a result, the FDA won't approve Watson's generic for 30 months, or until the litigation is resolved.
Watson said U.S. sales of Velcade, or bortezomib, totaled $740 million over the 12 months ended Oct. 31. The drug is marketed in the U.S. by Millennium, a unit of Japanese drugmaker Takeda. Johnson & Johnson sells Velcade in other markets. Watson said Millennium filed the patent infringement lawsuit.
Shares of Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. rose 5 cents to $89.26 in morning trading.


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Like many people, I have a dishwasher and a disposer, which are plugged into an outlet in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Also like many, this is where I keep a whole host of cleaning products and other things that children should be kept away from. So, as part of general childproofing of my home, I am going to install a child-safe latch on the cabinet door.
The question is, does the outlet under the sink still need to be tamper-resistant by code if the cabinet itself is made inaccessible by some other means? Also, since it's a "wet" area, does it additionally need to be weather-resistant?


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The following items were compiled from reports prepared by law enforcement agencies:
Willits Police Department
February 26
* Report: 5:04 a.m. Hit and run damage in Safeway parking lot.
* Report: 8:13 a.m. Verbal disturbance on 1400 block of S. Main Street.
* Report: 11:10 a.m. Verbal disturbance at Safeway.
* Report: 11:15 a.m. Unwanted subject on Shell Lane.
* Report: 11:19 a.m. Unwanted subjects at Jack in the Box.
* Report: 5:44 p.m. Burglary on 200 block of Holly Street.
* Report: 6:26 p.m. Theft at Coast to Coast Hardware.
* Report: 8:27 p.m. Man behaving suspiciously near Chevron station.
* Report: 8:48 p.m. Possible controlled burn out of control north of Willits.
* Report: 11:12 p.m. Cow loose in Blosser Lane Elementary School parking lot.
February 27
* Report: 1:39 a.m. Person sleeping in Evergreen Shopping Center.
* Report: 12:57 p.m. Burglary at Monkey Wrench.
* Report: 8:51 p.m. Domestic dispute between man and woman near Blosser Lane Elementary School.
* Report: 11:58 p.m. Group of loud subjects in Evergreen Shopping Center.
February 28
* Arrest: Pushpa Regmi, 25, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement.
* Report: 11:38 a.m. Missing person reported at Blosser Lane Elementary School.
* Arrest: 1:45 p.m. Jody Ray Smith, 41, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs where prisoners are kept.
* Report: 3:28 p.m. Group of unwanted subjects refusing to leave on E. San Francisco Avenue.
* Arrest: 5:03 p.m. Gene Christian Roediger Jr., 46, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and driving with a suspended license. (note: The sheriff"s booking log had erroneously listed the elder Roediger)
* Report: 6:03 p.m. Juvenile missing from Redwood Children"s Services.
* Arrest: 8:40 p.m. Claud Alexander Walker, 24, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of violating felony probation and on an outstanding warrant.
* Report: 9:45 p.m. Two of Willits homeless community were sleeping inside the Willits post office.
March 1
* Report: 11:45 a.m. Theft from Safeway.
* Arrest: 12:54 p.m. Chad Daniel Mabery, 25, of Willits, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
* Report: 3:02 p.m. Hit-and-run damage to vehicle on Wood Stret.
* Report: 4:04 p.m. Illegal dumping of garbage on 300 block of Creekside Drive.
Mendocino County Sheriff"s Office
February 26
* Alicia Dawn Elliott, 31, of Covelo, was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, trespassing, obstructing a peace officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance and violating probation.
February 27
* Troy Daniel Bidwell, 28, of Willits, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant.
March 1
* Victor Gene Schleuder, 55, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of violating parole.
Derek Anthony Britton, 30, of Covelo, was arrested on suspicion of domestic assault, false imprisonment with violence and violating probation.
California Highway Patrol
February 27
* Matthew Garrett Pietak, 46, of Placerville, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, violating probation, driving with a suspended license and fourth conviction for drunk driving within four years.
* Rachael Laura Baker, 28, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and violating probation.
February 28
* Leticia Rodriguez Torres, 29, of Laytonville, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.
* Lori Michelle Bequette, 31, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oregon State Police
February 27
* Cesar E. Gonzalez-Rivas, 36, of Willits, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession and distribution of marijuana. Gonzalez-Rivas was sent to the Marion County Jail and was later released on bail.
Gonzalez-Rivas was driving a 1996 Toyota Tacoma pickup 9 p.m. on Interstate 5 near Salem, Oregon when he was stopped for speeding. Oregon State Police report finding 15 pounds of marijuana "concealed inside the pickup" in sealed one-pound bags.
Marin County
February 25
* David Lee Tolbert, 62, of Laytonville, was arrested on Highway 101 by the California Highway Patrol in Marin County near the Sonoma County line on suspicion of drunk driving, violating probation, and failing to use his ignition control device.
Officers located Tolbert after a citizen reported a Toyota Tundra pickup truck weaving in and out of traffic southbound on Highway 101 near Petaluma. Tolbert pulled off the highway near the Redwood Landfill overpass and witnesses confronted him and took his keys.
Tolbert became combative with the witnesses, who restrained him until officers arrived, according to the CHP.
Officers learned Tolbert"s license had been suspended because of his prior drunk driving convictions in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
According to the CHP, Tolbert was also violating the terms of his probation by failing to keep an ignition control device that detects alcohol consumption by the driver. Police impounded the truck.
NOTE: Under U.S. law, all those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. TWN encourages those arrested to contact the newspaper upon conclusion of their case so the outcome can be reported.


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The best of New Zealand
* Subject to availability.
- Discover sublime New Zealand landscapes with exceptional diversity.
- Sail in New Zealand's fjords, listed with UNESCO.
- A call at Picton, in the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys.
- Meet the Maori people, brave warriors with ancestral traditions and customs.
- In Wellington, discover the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.
- The stopover in White Island, a volcanic island with an unreal atmosphere, between lunar landscapes and steam emanating from the numerous fumaroles.
- A lecturer passionate by New Zealand history will be on board.
Staterooms & Suites
Deluxe Stateroom $6,100 Available Prestige Deck 4 $6,810 Available Prestige Deck 5 $7,130 Available Prestige Deck 6 $7,480 Available Deluxe Suite Deck 5 $12,090 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 3 $10,380 Available Deluxe Suite Deck 4 $10,380 Available Deluxe Suite Deck 6 $12,090 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite $14,020 Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite $14,710 Available Privilege Suite Deck 6 $15,440 Available Privilege Suite Deck 5 $15,440 Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 $16,960 Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5 $19,830 Not Available Owner's Suite $20,810 Available
Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.
As the fifth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.
Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.
Port of call & excursions
DunedinEmbarkation 30/01/2021 from 15H00 to 16H00 . Departure 30/01/2021 at 16H30 .
Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city and is often referred to as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. This city of the south, wears its Scottish heritage with pride. The city contains some of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. The picturesque Silverpeaks hinterland to the North West provides a picturesque backdrop and The Otago Peninsula, which lies within the city boundaries, has internationally renowned wildlife reserves, including the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross.
31 January 2021 – Sailing Dusky SoundArrival 31/01/2021. Departure 31/01/2021.
Dusky Sound is one of the most isolated fjords in Fiordland National Park. This huge, protected natural zone situated in the south-west quarter of New Zealand's South Island is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. The sheer cliffs, waterfalls, shimmering lakes and primitive forests here are each more beautiful than the next. These spectacular landscapes sculpted by successive glaciations are a source of endless wonder. In 1773, the British navigator James Cook spent a few weeks at Dusky Sound, as demonstrated by a plaque that can be seen at Astronomer's Point. During your sailing, observe the richness of the local wildlife: cormorants, seagulls, New Zealand fur seals, but also Fiordland crested penguins, a rare and endemic species.
31 January 2021 – Sailing Doubtful SoundArrival 31/01/2021. Departure 31/01/2021.
Referred to as the Sound of Silence, there is a secluded serenity that surrounds Doubtful Sound in contrast with the better-known Milford Sound. Lieutenant James Cook named 'Doubtful Harbour' in 1770 as he was uncertain if it was navigable under sail. Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords with a maximum depth of 421 m. It contains three distinct 'arms' and several outstanding waterfalls in the area from Deep Cove to the open ocean. Your ship will spend time navigating around Secretary Island through both Thompson and Doubtful Sounds. You will enjoy the spectacular scenery from the outer decks.
1 February 2021 – Milford SoundArrival 01/02/2021 early morning. Departure 01/02/2021 midday.
Milford Sound fjord is among one of the most beautiful natural sites in New Zealand. So much beauty will quite simply take your breath away. Located on the south-west coast of South Island, in the Fiorldland National Park, this sumptuous inlet carved out by glaciers advances over at least 15 kilometres inland, in the Southern Alps. Majestic cliffs seem to surge out of the dark waters, rising several hundred metres high: an abrupt relief from where impressive waterfalls cascade.
2 February 2021 – At seaArrival 02/02/2021. Departure 02/02/2021.
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
3 February 2021 – PictonArrival 03/02/2021 early morning. Departure 03/02/2021 late afternoon.
A must-see entry point to South Island, Picton is a little coastal town girded by gentle hills, located on the south side of the Queen Charlotte inlet. The cafés and restaurants which border the charming waterfront give a very lovely view of the fjord. You can also decide to get some height above sea level, and walk in the surrounding areas. However, Picton is above all an opportunity to explore the unique Marlborough fjords. This interweave of submerged valleys, making numerous different navigable routes, are among the most beautiful natural wonders of New Zealand.
4 February 2021 – WellingtonArrival 04/02/2021 early morning. Departure 04/02/2021 late afternoon.
Crowned with gentle green hills, Wellington harbour is located in the far south of North Island. This city offers a charming pell-mell of traditional and modern cultures, bestowing on the New Zealand capital, a unique atmosphere, at once friendly and avant-guard. Where some sites, like the large National Te Papa Tongarewa museum, reflect the city's Maori past, others, like the many cafés and restaurants, affirm the inhabitants' incredible lust for life.
5 February 2021 – NapierArrival 05/02/2021 midday. Departure 05/02/2021 early evening.
On the east coast of North Island, south of Hawke's Bay, you'll find Napier. Mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, reviving from its ashes in less than two years, it grew into a magnificent Art Deco style city, very in-vogue at the time. With its pure lines mixed with traditional Maori designs, the singular New Zealand character of this city will intrigue you. You'll discover all this extraordinary architectural heritage as you take a stroll through the city. Wine lovers will be able to taste some of the best wines from the region, which is famous for its vineyards.
6 February 2021 – White IslandArrival 06/02/2021 early afternoon. Departure 06/02/2021 early evening.
Located in the Bay of Plenty, White Island is an active volcano which has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years. It is possible to walk inside the main crater and experience nature's immense power, as gas and steam burst up from far below the Earth's crust. The smell of sulphur and the noise of steam emanating from the many fumaroles makes for an amazing sensory experience. The island has also been identified as an important bird area because of its breeding colony of Australasian Gannets.
7 February 2021 – TaurangaArrival 07/02/2021 early morning. Departure 07/02/2021 late afternoon.
Located to the north of Rotorua, Tauranga stretches the length of the Bay of Plenty, sheltered from the ocean by the island of Matakana. This coastal city boasts a flourishing economy thanks to its port, and is a pleasant and pretty town with a peaceful, relaxed feel. The seafront area is contemporary and lively, dotted with cafés and restaurants. The town centre reveals more picturesque charms, while the surrounding area is packed full of natural delights. Travel on to the town of Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: a fantastic opportunity to experience an absolutely exceptional geothermal phenomenon.
AucklandDisembarkation 08/02/2021 at 08H00 .
Auckland is New Zealand's largest, most populated and busiest city. Located on an isthmus linking the peninsula of Northland to the expansive North Island, it seems to float between land and sea. It is one of the few cities in the world to have two separate harbours : Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. You will understand why Auckland is known as the city of sails when you see the forest of masts in the marina. The 328 metre-high Sky Tower offers splendid views of the city. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes such as Mt Eden, Auckland is noted for its abundant nature and magnificent black-sand beaches. A blend of Maori, European and Asian cultures give the city a vibrant atmosphere.
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
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Device may be alternative in the blind's fight to see
A device that helps people use sounds to build images in their brain could be used as an alternative to invasive treatment for the blind, scientists say.
The vOICe sensory substitution device trains the brain to turn sounds into images, allowing people to create a picture of the things around them.
Researchers at the University of Bath in Britain asked blindfolded sighted participants to use the device while taking an eye test. Results showed the participants - even without any training with the device - were able to achieve the best performance possible.
Michael Proulx, who led the university team, said: ''This level of visual performance exceeds that of the current invasive technique for vision restoration, such as stem cell implants and retinal prostheses after extensive training.
''Sensory substitution devices are not only an alternative but might also be best employed in combination with such invasive techniques to train the brain to see again or for the first time.''
Participants were asked to perform a standard eye chart test called the Snellen Tumbling E test, in which the letter E is viewed in different directions and sizes.
Normal, best-corrected visual acuity is considered 20/20, calculated in terms of the distance in feet and the size of the E on the eye chart. The participants were able to achieve the best performance possible, nearly 20/400.
''How well do you see what you hear? The acuity of visual-to-auditory sensory substitution'' is published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Press Association


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Although this is not breaking news, Mayor de Blasio's war on the unborn remains shocking and morally reprehensible, and it is something we must continue to address.
While doing a radio interview in New York City last week, the host, Kevin McCullough, mentioned to me how the mayor has promised to work aggressively to shut down crisis pregnancy centers – not to shut down abortion clinics, or crack houses, or houses of prostitution, or gambling dens, but rather to shut down one of the few places in the city dedicated to saving life of the innocent.
Why this war against babies in the womb?
Immediately after de Blasio's election, Kirsten Andersen reported on Lifesite News that:
"New York City has been called 'the abortion capital of the world.' The city has some of the laxest restrictions and the highest abortion rate in the country, with 41 percent of its pregnancies ending in elective termination. According to New York Magazine, 10 percent of all U.S. abortions happen in the state of New York, and seven out of ten abortions in the state take place in New York City.
"But those statistics aren't high enough for newly elected Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, who claims the city is 'underserved' by its dozens of abortion centers, and for whom increased access to abortion was a key part of his campaign platform."
What an indictment on the voters of New York City who elected him, based, in part, on these promises.
That, however, was only part of his pledge. As noted by Dr. Susan Berry on Breitbart.com, again shortly after his election,
"Bill de Blasio, who was elected Tuesday with 73 percent of the vote, also pledged to help abortionists wipe out their main competition – pro-life crisis pregnancy centers – which he refers to as 'sham' clinics. These centers offer women financial and logistical assistance to either keep their babies or place them with adoptive families."
Oh, the crime of these horrid, "sham" clinics, offering women alternatives to abortion, encouraging them to view (by ultrasound) the precious life within their wombs before terminating their pregnancies, and offering them "financial and logistical assistance to either keep their babies or place them with adoptive families."
What would motivate someone to oppose crisis pregnancy centers? And why would he declare war on clinics devoted to preserving life and providing help to women to bring new life into the world? How much radical feminism must he embrace – and much more – to stake out this position?
Why not declare war on Kermit Gosnell-type abortion clinics? Surely, in the abortion capital of America, there must be many safety violations – aside, of course, from the guaranteed threat to the safety of the baby in the womb. Where is the mayor's concern about this?
Instead, Red Alert Politics opined that for de Blasio, "solidifying the city's reputation for lax abortion regulations is top priority."
Mr. de Blasio's actions have been considered so outrageous – even for a mayor of New York City – that he inspired headlines like this: "Mad Marxist Butcher Bill de Blasio Vows To Close NYC Crisis Pregnancy Centers."
And then there was this headline, posted January 3rd, in the Daily Caller, "'Horses count; babies don't' in de Blasio's New York City."
The mayor stated, "We are going to get rid of horse carriages, period," he said at a news conference Monday [December 30th], according to CNN. He added that he believes the tourist attraction — popular since 1858 — is inhumane and dangerous."
Yes, horse carriages are inhumane and dangerous, but abortion clinics are not.
Although I have no statistics on the horse carriage industry in Manhattan, my family and I have enjoyed them a number of times over the years, and, with my wife and our two daughters being horse lovers, I was never made aware of any abusive treatment of the horses, nor do I recall reading about a large number of injuries or fatalities because of crashes with these horse carriages.
In contrast, one can only begin to imagine how many women have been emotionally or physically scarred for life after having abortions in one of the city many clinics (God alone knows their reasons for the abortions and I'm not claiming that they made easy choices; in many cases, they are victims as well), not to mention how many botched abortions there have been, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of successful abortions.
But horse carriages are inhumane and dangerous?
And in the midst of this madness there is a place in the city where preborn babies are cherished, where women are encouraged to recognize the miracle of life in their wombs and the preciousness of that little girl or boy in its early formative stages, and where standing up for the unborn (as opposed to killing the unborn) is anything but big business.
Yet it against these beacons of light that Mayor de Blasio has declared war. What an outrage and what a shame.


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Despite inconsistencies, provocative tale sets mind reeling
|Chicago Dramatists presents
|Written by Marisa Wegrzyn
Directed by Russ Tutterow
at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago (map)
through June 12 | tickets: $32 | more info
In Hickorydickory, Chicago playwright Marisa Wegrzyn has penned a piece with the potential for becoming a mind-bending, provocative black comedy. With bloody and disturbing – and bloody disturbing – finesse, she spins a story that's part smart dysfunctional family comedy, part coming-of-age drama and part gore-packed thriller.
But – and this is a significant "but" – Hickorydickory in many ways still feels like an early draft rather than a polished, finished product. Clocking in at a few minutes under three hours, it is in serious need of editing. Moreover, Wegrzyn keeps the rules she establishes for her fantasy sci-fi-esque tale of mortality in place only so long as they suit the plot. That means Hickorydickory is marred by false crises. Imagine the story of Rapunzel – girl trapped in an inaccessible tower, prince faced with the challenge of accessing it – but instead of ending with a creative solution involving a hair ladder, happily-ever-after is achieved when the prince suddenly realizes he can fly. Even in the worlds of fantasy, magic and sci-fi, the parameters need to be consistent for the dramatic tension to hold.
Hickorydickory's chief strength lies in Wegrzyn's ability to merge the ordinary with the fantastical. Her characters are people you know, a relatable, middle-class family forced to contend with situations one would expect to see wizards or sorcerers or elves in. It's not really magical realism. Hickorydickory isn't awash in dreamscapes and phantasms. Instead, it shows the everyday nuts, bolts and blood of living with something that just happens to defy the rules of science and the space-time continuum.
Director Russ Tutterow deftly merges both the ordinariness and the mind-blowing fairy tale-esque elements of Hickorydickory. Early on, the worlds of the real and the surreal clash with an impact that elicits laughter and gasps in the same moment. Attempting to repair an old pocket watch, a watch repair apprentice carefully opens the shiny antique – and gets an eyeful of blood when a crimson geyser spews from he workings. It's an extraordinary event in an ordinary moment, powerfully realized.
Clearly, we're not dealing with Swatches here. Third-generation (at least) clock and watch repairer Jimmy (Thomas Gebbia) specializes in a very particular brand: Mortal clocks. As Jimmy and his wife Kate (Gail Rastorfer) explain with exposition that is seamlessly woven into Wegrzyn's conversational dialogue, mortal clocks reveal the precise moment – and cause – of their owner's death. Most people are unaware of their mortal clocks, but every once in a great while someone is tragically born with their mortal clock lodged in the brain instead in its proper place behind the heart. Those unfortunate souls are burdened with knowing when, where and how they will die. Along with that heavy knowledge, they are continually subjected to a relentless tick-tocking countdown toward that final, fatal moment.
Life with this birth defect isn't living, laments Jimmy's 17-year-old daughter Dale (Cathlyn Melvin), it's dying. And Dale is doubly burdened – first with the knowledge of her death's date, and second with the fact that although she's only a senior at New Trier, the date is imminent. Her life is a death march, her doom quite literally weighing on her mind.
Dale's escape from the torturous ticking lies at the center of Wegrzyn's plot. In flashbacks, we meet Dale's teenage parents and learn the traumatic circumstances that led to her clock becoming misplaced. We also learn the lore of mortal clockery, much of it kept in a tome that looks, appropriately, like something out of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. It's in the user's manual that Wegrzyn falters. As two generations of clock shop owners assert, the years allotted by a mortal clock are inalterable. Or at least they are until someone conveniently finds a timely exception.
Hickorydickory is marred by inconsistencies in aging as well. Some people with mortal clocks (Dale's grandmother, Helen) stop aging at a seemingly random point, while others age normally. On a similar note: Dale's father Jimmy is supposed to be in his early-mid 30s but looks to be in his 50s. Since the math of their ages plays an important role in the plot, his premature aging is a tad distracting.
And for all Hickorydickory's need of editing, Wegrzyn leaves some tantalizing issues curiously unexamined. Dale's mother Cari Lee (Joanne Dubach) doesn't age. Unlike Helen, Cari Lee's arrested development is explained. But how does a person trapped at 17 survive for decades? Cari Lee is a sort of female Peter Pan, trying to live outside the cocoon of Neverland. But beyond making her a spoiled, immature brat who becomes irritating after her first scene, Wegrzyn fails to plumb Cari Lee's psychology – or explain why she hasn't been accused by her neighbors of being a vampire. Another hole: Characters occasionally bump into younger versions of themselves, even though there's never any indication that mortal clocks can conjure up living, corporeal flashbacks.
Still, Hickorydickory sets the mind reeling with its implications. And the cast, many of them playing two roles, is solid. As Dale and the young incarnation of Kate, Melvin is terrific. She ably captures both Dale's profound inner sadness at knowing when she's destined to die and the tough, sarcastic outer exterior she dons to cope with that sadness. Rastorfer is capable as Dale's loving stepmother Kate, although as Dale's grandmother Helen she's rather like Norma Desmond swanning through an especially grandiose audition – which is to say, more melodramatically suited to a silent movie than a realistic drama.
The other wonderfully realized aspect of Hickorydickory is Simon Lashford's detailed set. Crammed with every imaginable kind of clock – grandfathers down to pocket watches – it's an emporium where it feels like the past truly lives alongside the present. Barry Bennett's original music is an evocative mix of echo-ey strings and delicate percussive ticks. If the passage of time made a sound, this would be it.
|Rating: ★★★
Chicago Dramatists' Hickorydickory continues through June 12th at their performance space, 1105 W. Chicago (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $32, and can be purchased from their online box office. For more information, go to chicagodramatists.org.
Filed under: 2011 Reviews, Catey Sullivan, Chicago Dramatists, World Premier | Tagged: Barry Bennett, Catey Sullivan, Cathlyn Melvin, Chicago Dramatists, Emily Duffin, Emmi Hilger, Gail Rastorfer, Hickorydickory, Jeff Pines, Jenniffer J. Thusing, Joanne Dubach, Marisa Wegrzyn, Nathalie Alaya, Russ tutterow, Samantha Jones, Simon Lashford, Thomas Gebbia, Tyler Ross | Leave a comment »