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Oakland, Berkeley, And East Bay News, Events, Restaurants, Music, & Arts
On a recent Friday afternoon, Joel Parrott and Nik Dehejia stood in the middle of the grassy highlands of Knowland Park in the hills of East Oakland, staring out at an incredible view of the San Francisco Bay. It was warm and sunny on our trip through the pristine city-owned park in the Oakland hills and its undisturbed natural habitat.
Parrott, president and CEO of the East Bay Zoological Society, the nonprofit that runs the publicly owned Oakland Zoo, told me to imagine bison roaming the land as he talked about the zoo's planned expansion into Knowland Park. "What did the Bay Area look like before there was all this development? ... What did it look like back when the Native Americans were here before the Gold Rush? That's what it's all about."
At that moment, we were standing near the zoo's proposed new tule elk and bison exhibit, just one piece of the so-called "California Trail" project. "[You'll] get to see the American bison in the foreground and the San Francisco Bay in the background," Parrott said.
To our right, Parrott and Dehejia explained, a gondola will carry visitors from the adjacent existing zoo to the project's new interpretive center and visitors' building, which will feature a restaurant with panoramic views of the bay. Surrounding those structures will be exhibits showcasing wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, and more.
Simply put, Knowland Park will look and feel dramatically different than it does now. With its hundreds of acres of peaceful and wild open space — and with the dense urban development of Oakland in the flatlands below — Knowland Park currently looks like you have stumbled upon a stubborn plot of parkland that has, against the odds, avoided human interference.
Dehejia, the Zoological Society's chief financial officer and project director for the expansion, acknowledged the uniqueness of Knowland Park, and argued that it's an ideal setting for Bay Area residents to learn about the ecological history of the region — lessons that he said the Zoological Society would incorporate into the zoo's new California Trail exhibit.
If the society has its way, big changes are indeed coming to Knowland Park. But critics say the changes will irreversibly destroy valuable habitat and cut off the public from open space parkland it has a right to access. Opponents also say that if the $61 million California Trail project is built as planned, it will not spread a message of conservation, as the Zoological Society contends, but instead will set a troubling precedent for the seizure of public parkland and the development of environmentally harmful projects on natural landscapes that are home to threatened and endangered species.
Conservation advocates and Knowland Park neighbors have been fighting the expansion proposal for years as it has weaved its way through the regulatory process. And though the Zoological Society is nearing the finish line — with the goal of breaking ground in 2015 and opening in 2017 — the proposed 56-acre project is not, as the society presents it, a done deal.
Because the Zoological Society has chosen to develop on high-quality natural habitat on the Knowland Park ridgeline — which supports a threatened snake species and features rare plant communities, native grasslands, and more — state and federal regulators are now requiring that the society and the city set aside additional land for "mitigation." That means the project can't move forward unless the city, which owns the zoo, agrees to block off parkland from the public to make up for the habitat loss caused by the zoo expansion.
Currently, the Zoological Society is proposing to take an additional 21 acres of Knowland Park — on top of the 56 acres of parkland it already plans to use in its expansion. The 21 acres of additional parkland would become a "conservation easement" that would be inaccessible to the public in order to protect threatened and endangered species in the area.
Zoo Gone Wild by Bert Johnson on Vimeo.
Activists have long pointed out the irony of the Zoological Society destroying sensitive natural habitat in order to build an artificial exhibit that would feature animals that have disappeared from the East Bay because of habitat loss. And now they contend that the society's plan to take part of a public park away from the public is not only unethical and illegal, but also a bad solution to a problem that the nonprofit created when it chose to develop on sensitive habitat in the first place. The Oakland City Council is expected to vote this fall on the Zoological Society's request to close the additional 21 acres of Knowland Park, in what could be the final major hurdle for the zoo's expansion.
"The zoo will never, ever live this down," said John Taylor, a UC Berkeley professor of plant and microbial biology who has analyzed some of the unique features of the park. "If we build something on top of the most interesting habitat, we can't get it back. ... That would be one of those really sad events, where to celebrate something — native plants and animals — you destroy them."
And if the council gives the green-light to the final plan, critics say it will be yet another example of Oakland city government supporting the Zoological Society at the expense of taxpayers — through a public-private partnership that has become increasingly problematic over the years. According to opponents of the zoo expansion — who have requested and analyzed extensive public records — the Zoological Society has continued to receive substantial public funding, including roughly $24.5 million for its expansion efforts, without adequate oversight or scrutiny by the city.
The activists fighting to save Knowland Park also say the city has not only repeatedly failed to require meaningful environmental reviews of the expansion, but has continued to support the zoo's growth without proper assurances that the taxpayer-funded project is even financially feasible. In fact, activists say the limited records they have obtained raise a number of questions about the fiscal merits of the plan.
That means if the project advances as proposed, Oakland residents could lose more than just sensitive natural habitat.
With roughly four hundred acres of open space, Knowland Park is the City of Oakland's largest, and by some measures, most biologically diverse park. The western highlands of the park feature a rare type of vegetation called maritime chaparral, as well as grasslands and plants native to California, fields of wildflowers, and hundreds of lichen and fungal species.
The park's habitats support a range of plants and animals — including the threatened Alameda whipsnake and California red-legged frog — and make the area an important wildlife corridor for mountain lions, migratory birds, and other native East Bay species.
Government officials have long acknowledged the unique value of the land, which was designated a public park in 1948. That year, the park's namesake, Joseph Knowland (longtime editor and publisher of the Oakland Tribune), who was then the chairman of the California State Park Commission, helped negotiate the purchase of the land from a bank that had a mortgage on the property.
Recalling Knowland Park's inclusion into the state park system in a 1972 interview on file at the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library, Newton Bishop Drury, who was director of the National Park Service in the 1940s, described it as "a wonderful piece of rolling land quite typical of the coast range." And state memos from the 1950s indicate that numerous officials, as part of a Knowland Park advisory committee, had discussed the importance of preserving the site's valuable natural habitat.
"Knowland Park spoke to people," said Laura Baker of the East Bay chapter of the California Native Plant Society, who recently obtained historical records from the state parks department. "They recognized it was a beautiful piece of land."
The park memos discussed conservation priorities and the importance of "protect[ing] the native areas so they could start the processes of natural renewal." Baker, one of the lead activists opposing the zoo's expansion, said that historical records indicate that "when Knowland became a state park, only a portion of it was supposed to be for the zoo."
And an early state parks "statement of purpose" for Knowland Park said the mission of the site was: "To supply day use park facilities and to provide for the development of an arboretum and botanical garden along with limited zoological exhibits."
The Oakland Zoo, which was originally founded in 1922, moved from its previous location in Joaquin Miller Park to Knowland Park in 1939. In 1975, the state transferred Knowland Park to the City of Oakland with an agreement that the site always maintain "public park" uses. If the city "ceases to use the property for public park purposes," the deed of transfer stated, the park "shall revert to the state of California."
Environmental activists are now citing this so-called "reverter clause" as a reason why the city should not approve the Zoological Society's proposal to eliminate public access to 21 additional acres in Knowland Park. And communications between state officials and Zoological Society representatives — which Knowland Park advocates have obtained through public records requests and shared with the Express — reveal that there have been recent internal discussions about whether closing off parkland would violate the terms of the 1975 deed.
But to understand how the Oakland Zoo got to this stage in its project, you first have to understand the history of how the city has given the Zoological Society increasing authority over the zoo operations and the park. In 1982, in what the zoo describes on its website as a "major turning point in the Zoo's development," the city gave the East Bay Zoological Society the responsibility of managing the entire zoo and all of Knowland Park. And soon after, both the city and the nonprofit began setting the stage for the zoo's expansion into previously undisturbed parts of Knowland Park.
In 1998, the city rezoned the park as part of a massive rezoning of thousands of acres of Oakland parkland — a process that was exempt from the state's primary environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, because the overall initiative was aimed at increasing protections and limiting developments on open space. Knowland Park, however, gained a "special use" zoning designation in that process, which set the stage for the zoo's expansion.
At around the same time, the Zoological Society brought forward a master plan proposal for the zoo's future, with the goal of making "optimum use of the unique combination of historic and native Californian landscapes in Knowland Park." That included a "California 1820" expansion project that would teach visitors about "California's rich, natural heritage" through a development on 62 additional acres of Knowland Park. The project would be an extension of the existing, roughly 45-acre zoo at the lower part of the park, making the zoo about 107 acres total.
After the Zoological Society proposed this master plan in 1996, a group of neighbors raised a range of concerns about the proposal and the potential loss of open space, and argued that the plan warranted a full environmental impact report (EIR).
But the city decided that an EIR was not necessary and instead issued what's known as a "mitigated negative declaration," which meant that the city believed that with certain mitigation measures, the project would not have a significant impact on the environment. The city council unanimously approved the plan in 1998, at which point the zoo also negotiated a memorandum of understanding with neighborhood groups that addressed some of their concerns.
"It was this great spirit of compromise ... and it was approved by the neighbors," recalled Parrott, who has been running the zoo since 1985, during a recent interview inside a conference room at the zoo. "Fast forward over all these years," he continued, flashing a grin. "New neighbors."
For a long time, Ruth Malone had no idea that Knowland Park was even accessible to the public. At one point in the 1990s, Malone, who co-founded Friends of Knowland Park, recalled going to the zoo with her husband and asking an official at the entrance if they could hike in the park. "They said, 'No you can't go there,'" she said. "And we didn't investigate it further."
But years later, after she moved closer to Knowland Park, she discovered that she had been given false information. "I could've been coming here all this time," she said.
Anyone can enter Knowland Park, though the city does not post any information online about this fact or put up any signs at park entrances. The Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation didn't even list it as one of its city parks on its website until 2012 after advocates repeatedly demanded it. And city parks staff, Malone said, once incorrectly told Friends of Knowland Park that the parkland was privately owned. "It's been the best kept secret in the city," she added.
From 1999 to 2010, the Zoological Society devoted its time and efforts to new exhibits and projects within the existing zoo, spending about $25 million on improvements. At that point, the society was ready to execute the critical vision in its master plan — expanding further into Knowland Park. While the zoo said it was simply taking its 1998 plan to its logical conclusion, opponents said the proposal the zoo brought forward in 2011 was extremely different from the one the council had previously approved. And it was, they said, more environmentally destructive. "You can't help but characterize it as a giant theme park," Malone said.
A number of key differences alarmed environmental groups. The proposed interpretive center had increased from a 7,500-square-foot, 1-story building covering 0.23 acres to a 34,305-square-foot, 3-story building, covering 0.36 acres. It would now include offices, in addition to a restaurant, classroom, gift shop, and exhibits. The zoo had also added a gondola attraction that would require 7 towers, and an overnight camping area that could accommodate about 100 people.
The footprint of the animal exhibits had also grown from 16.23 acres to 18.07 acres and had been substantially reconfigured such that the bulk of the exhibits had moved farther away from the existing zoo and deeper into the upper part of Knowland Park. That meant that many visitors to the park's remaining open space, including at some of the best viewpoints, would immediately see the zoo's attractions in the foreground when looking out at the bay.
"When you change a project in such a way as they have, that's significant, and that needs to go through a further environmental review," said Norman La Force, chair of the Sierra Club's East Bay public lands committee. But, he continued, "to do a proper environmental review costs money, and frankly, a lot of agencies don't want to spend that kind of money, so they find every which way they can not to review it." La Force argued that a nonprofit, especially one that takes public funding and says it's dedicated to conservation, should be committed to participating in a full environmental review.
But just as it had in 1998, the city said an EIR was not necessary, and instead conducted a more limited review, determining that the project in its new form, with certain mitigation measures, was once again acceptable. The city council agreed and unanimously approved the project.
Scott Miller, zoning manager for the City of Oakland, said the city carefully reviewed and analyzed the updated project prior to the 2011 approval: "Those studies determined there were no significant impacts." And the extensive arguments of the project's critics, he added, were "thoroughly vetted."
But one of the most critical components of an EIR is the meaningful consideration of alternative plans, including exploring other locations for a project. And according to the zoo's opponents, there are numerous ways in which the zoo could expand on its current site, or within lower, less sensitive parts of Knowland Park. "It's really shocking, said Mack Casterman, conservation analyst with the California Native Plant Society's East Bay Chapter, "that when it comes to literally their own backyard, they are purposefully avoiding an alternative that would be less impactful to the really, really special natural resources that are right behind their current facility."
Since 2011, the Zoological Society has continued to argue that its new project plan was legal and environmentally superior to its approved 1998 plan. Notably, Zoological Society and city officials said, the total expansion site has decreased from 62 acres to 56 acres, giving the zoo a total size of about 101 acres rather than 107. The Zoological Society had also abandoned a plan for an environmentally harmful road loop and shuttle system, replacing it with the aerial gondola, which would require no tree removal. And the reorganization of the exhibits will help better preserve grasslands and trees, they said.
During our interview, Parrott — darting back and forth between a 1998 master plan map on one side of the zoo's conference room and a current project map on the other side — said: "It is the same project. Here it is, and here it is. ... That was a conceptual plan. So we went onto the next level of design and development."
Dehejia further noted that the Zoological Society has established a long-term "Habitat Enhancement Plan" as part of the project, aimed in part at eradicating invasive species and replanting native ones: "The project itself is an improvement to the habitat. There's a whole plan that's going to be implemented as a result of this project."
And in June 2012, the Zoological Society got additional good news when an Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled that the updated project was simply a modification of the original plan — striking down a lawsuit that the expansion opponents filed against the city after the council approved the new master plan.
Friends of Knowland Park and the California Native Plant Society, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, couldn't afford to appeal the decision, and at that point, the California Trail project seemed inevitable.
But over the last year, as the project has inched closer to breaking ground, the Zoological Society has run into a new set of obstacles — and this time it isn't just neighbors and environmentalists raising objections.
Before Joel Parrott became the director of the Oakland Zoo in 1985, the Humane Society had named it one of the worst zoos in the country for animal welfare. Parrott, who was previously a consulting veterinarian for the zoo, made it his mission to turn things around.
He started improving exhibits one by one, elevated the institution's animal care standards, adopted more progressive zookeeper training policies, and launched a multi-phase renovation of the zoo that continued for the next twenty years. And he established a number of conservation initiatives at the zoo.
"Dr. Parrott's vision is why we are here," said Amy Gotliffe, the zoo's director of conservation. "To make the animals have a better life and a safe future — that has filtered down to every last person who has worked at the zoo."
Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society, which has partnered with the zoo on a condor recovery project, said zoo officials were immediately excited about the opportunity to collaborate: "It was not only a 'yes,' it was, 'What else can we do?' That was really refreshing. ... And they're providing a tremendous amount of support for condors."
This commitment to conservation, zoo officials say, extends to the expansion project. "It's not honest to say that the people associated with the zoo don't care about conserving the natural environment," said Jim Wunderman, a member of the East Bay Zoological Society board of trustees and president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, a business advocacy group. "The California Trail project ... has been done very thoughtfully and artfully."
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, however, has questioned the Zoological Society's approach to conservation and mitigation. State Fish and Wildlife is responsible for enforcing the California Endangered Species Act and issuing permits for projects that may harm threatened species — in this case, the Alameda whipsnake. Scott Wilson, the department's acting regional manager, wrote a letter to Parrott in 2012 expressing concerns about the location of the interpretive center building and recommending that the Zoological Society move it to a different spot, 200 yards south. "This effort would leave the rare and high-quality maritime chaparral habitat intact [and] better conserve the Alameda whipsnake population," Wilson wrote, later recommending something activists had long suggested: "The Project footprint could be further reduced by locating other facilities within the current Zoo footprint."
The Zoological Society, however, has not acted on those recommendations.
Andrew Hughan, spokesperson for the state Fish and Wildlife Department, said in a recent interview that the agency has had extensive communications with the Zoological Society since Wilson wrote that letter, and that his agency plans to issue the zoo's permit in the near future.
However, because of the serious impacts of the project, state regulators and officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which enforces federal endangered species laws, are requiring that the Zoological Society set aside a total of about 52 acres for mitigation. In its most recent proposals, the society has suggested setting aside 31 acres within its current expansion site for mitigation and closing 21 acres of open space outside the project perimeter.
However, activists contend that a substantial portion of the additional 21 acres of parkland that the Zoological Society wants to set aside for mitigation is unsuitable for the threatened species and that areas within the proposed expansion that the society plans to set aside for habitat are disconnected from nearby wildlife corridors. Environmentalists further argue that the idea that the zoo is actually protecting any land in the first place is something of a farce, given that Knowland Park is already a designated open space park and therefore effectively protected from harmful development projects.
"Taking land that's already protected and that the public already owns and calling it 'mitigation' ... sets a really bad precedent," said Jeff Miller, a San Francisco-based conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. Typically, developers turn privately owned land — not public land — into conservation easements for mitigation purposes.
Miller also argued that the whipsnakes would not benefit from fragmented conservation sites — especially ones that aren't the best kind of habitat for the species. "It's outrageous. The project is going to destroy what we know is good whipsnake habitat [for the actual zoo expansion] ... and substitute it with much poorer habitat that whipsnakes don't use and never will use."
It is projects like these that kill off a species, Miller added. "It's death by a thousand cuts for the whipsnake. The whole reason the whipsnake is threatened to start with is that its habitat has been fragmented by urban development."
The Zoological Society and its consultants continue to argue that all of the chaparral plant communities, including the best habitat for the snake species, are protected in its plan either through easements or through lack of development. When state regulators expressed initial concerns, "they had been operating without seeing detailed plans and had heard from the opposition a lot of misinformation," said Jim Martin, a biological consultant who has been working for the zoo since 2007.
Today, regulators appear to be siding with the Zoological Society, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service recently issuing a "biological opinion" that the project will not impact the status of the snake species. This document is effectively the final step before federal agencies give the society its permits.
But even if the society gets the green light from state and federal regulatory agencies, opponents are hoping that the city council will be unwilling to support a plan that calls for the removal of public access to a section of a public park.
Emails between state agencies and the Zoological Society, which activists obtained through public records requests, reveal that state officials have recently questioned whether it's even permissible for the city to prevent the public from accessing parts of the park. In order for Knowland Park to abide by the stipulations of its deed, it must maintain "public park purposes."
According to public records, Linda Barrera, general counsel for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, asked the Zoological Society's attorney in March what the group's plans were for "providing public access in and/or around the conservation area," in order to determine whether the expansion might violate the deed's "public park purposes" clause.
Later, after Barrera had apparently discussed these questions with the California State Parks Department — which signed the original deed of transfer — she wrote that the conservation easement could possibly be acceptable if the public would have some "limited access" to the site. Access, in this case, would come in the form of zoo visitors taking gondola rides over the site and viewing it from lookout points.
From the perspective of open space advocates, this would be a clear violation of the "public park" mandate in the Knowland deed, given that people would have to pay for admission to the zoo and then could only view this part of the park from above. "The issue became, how do you give the appearance of public access without the reality of public access?" said Baker of the plant society.
Huey Johnson, former secretary of resources for the State of California and founder of the Resource Renewal Institute, a Bay Area environmental nonprofit, said that the proposal would clearly contradict the Knowland Park agreement, and further send a troubling message about the development of parkland: "It's like letting somebody walk in and rob a bank."
Nancy Graalman, director of Defense of Place, a program of the Resource Renewal Institute that's focused on protecting parklands, added: "It's a laughable proposition that public access can be replaced by flying over it in a gondola."
Representatives from the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department declined to be interviewed for this report, despite repeated requests over several weeks. Scott Miller, the Oakland zoning manager, defended the concept of using existing public parkland for mitigation and said the city is in discussions with the Zoological Society about the best possible solution. "Designating areas for protection of sensitive biological resources is a common park purpose," he said. "We think it maintains an appropriate balance between the protection of natural resources and the public use of parkland." Plus, he added: "The zoo is an incredible resource for the city."
Vicky Waters, spokesperson for the California State Parks Department, also declined to comment, saying the state agency has no official position until permits and reviews for the project are complete. Waters also declined to say what is a permissible "public park purpose" that would meet the requirements of this kind of deed. (She did tell me, however, that the state park system currently includes nineteen conservation easements, but could not confirm if any of them were used for development mitigation).
The Zoological Society, too, continues to argue that blocking off part of a public park for conservation is a clear public park purpose and that the 21 acres of mitigation are inaccessible to the public. I hiked a section of it with Baker, who is 67 years old, and another advocate, who is 64 years old. It's rough terrain, but not inaccessible.
"The zoo is not taking anything," Parrott said, arguing that it is federal and state regulators that are requiring land be set aside for conservation.
Dehejia further argued that the society is adding important protections to parts of the park and that the conservation plan aligns nicely with the institution's broader mission: "It is a wonderful idea. It's going to protect the species. ... To have an endangered species is something we are very excited about. We are a zoo after all."
On a whim, Elise Bernstein decided to attend a board of trustees meeting at the Oakland Zoo in the fall of 2012. She was a member of the zoo and had visited often with her daughter and grandson since moving to the Eastmont neighborhood in East Oakland in 2009. By 2012, she was involved in the efforts to preserve Knowland Park and thought it would be useful to sit in on meetings of the board of trustees, which is the governing body of the East Bay Zoological Society.
The trustees, Bernstein recalled, seemed surprised to have a member of the public show up, but a staffer gave her an agenda packet. Bernstein observed the meeting and left quickly after it ended. But as she was walking toward her car in the parking lot, the staffer who had given her the agenda packet chased after her. "She came running out and said, 'Hey. Hey. Wait. Wait. Excuse me, do you have our financial report?'" Bernstein recalled. "And she took it back. She said, 'I'm sorry. This is not public information.'"
Bernstein said she later kicked herself for not even glancing down at the document. But the situation affirmed some of her suspicions about the Zoological Society's lack of transparency. "The public is entitled to have information about how our money is spent," she said. "This is a city operation. We own the zoo. ... And we own the park."
Critics of the California Trail project argue that the Zoological Society has, over the years, requested and received a significant amount of public funding without being open about its finances — with the organization often citing the fact that it is a private nonprofit. The ongoing lack of financial accountability, opponents say, is an additional red flag for the expansion.
As part of a $72 million capital campaign for the zoo's growth — which includes the California Trail project and a new veterinary hospital that opened in 2012 — the Zoological Society has relied on a range of public funding sources, totaling $24.5 million. Of that amount, $13.7 million comes from a 2002 Oakland bond measure financed by city property owners, $3.5 million from an East Bay Regional Park District measure financed by residents throughout the East Bay, $7 million from a California State Parks nature education grant, and $300,000 from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, a state agency.
The Zoological Society also receives additional funding from East Bay taxpayers for its current operations. Currently, the society receives about $485,000 annually from the city's general fund, about $500,000 from a city hotel tax, and roughly $600,000 from a regional property tax, Dehejia explained. The total of about $1.5 million in annual public funding makes up roughly 10 percent of the society's $14 million budget (a public funding rate that Dehejia said is below industry standards for zoos and aquariums).
Although a dedicated group of project opponents has requested and analyzed public records pertaining to the Zoological Society's current and future operations, it's hard to imagine anyone has spent more time scrutinizing the organization's finances than Jim Hanson, the conservation committee chair for the California Native Grasslands Association. Hanson provided me with extensive records and reports, documentation of records requests that went nowhere, and his own detailed analysis of the zoo expansion. "This is an environmental and financial fiasco," said Hanson, who first got involved in Knowland Park because of his interest in grasslands. "For the citizens of Oakland, it's a real tragic kick in the stomach in terms of economic development in the 21st century."
For starters, Hanson argued that missing financial reports, including ones that he said the Zoological Society is legally obligated to provide to the city, point to a lack of accountability and raise questions about the feasibility of the California Trail project.
For years, he and another Knowland Park advocate, Mimi Pulich, have requested from the city copies of the Zoological Society's "capital improvement budget," which the nonprofit is obligated to submit annually to the parks and recreation department, according to the terms of its management agreement. That report, the contract states, should include a spending plan, information on actual expenses, and a description of its current and future budget.
In 2013, in response to Pulich's request for those reports for 2005 through 2012, a city parks representative said no documents existed. The email, which Pulich shared with me, noted that the parks department had also consulted with the City Administrator's Office and the City Auditor's Office.
Beginning in 2013, the parks representative added in the email, the agency will be "requiring that the Zoological Society provide all reports agreed upon in the agreement." The missing reports and seemingly new commitment to hold the society accountable signaled to the activists that the nonprofit had clearly violated the terms of its own contract. "We're basically doing the city's job for them," Hanson said.
And when the Zoological Society finally submitted a report this year, it included a single page of capital improvement information — one chart with estimated costs for the expansion project and on-site renovations and maintenance. "The absence of detail is striking," Pulich said. "It's certainly not what is described in the management agreement."
The Zoological Society has also refused to release a California Trail financial feasibility study, even though it has produced one internally (a fact society officials confirmed). Because the society is not a public agency, it does not have to release the report, but its refusal is concerning, said Hanson, who argued that the city council should have required that the report be publicly available.
Hanson pointed out that in another Oakland public-private partnership, the renovation of the Fox Theater, the city auditor in 2011 specifically cited the lack of a comprehensive financial feasibility study as one of the factors that led to the city spending significantly more money on the project than initially estimated.
Baker of the California Native Plant Society has also repeatedly requested from the city copies of construction contracts for the zoo's veterinary hospital, which was completed in 2012. The Zoological Society's management agreement with the city spells out a number of requirements, including local hiring practices, for construction projects. But officials with the city's Contracts and Compliance Division told Baker that there was nothing on file for the zoo's hospital project.
A city spokesperson told me in an email that "the agreement between the Zoo and the City is for management services only" and that it appeared the Zoological Society was not obligated to submit a report for the hospital construction. But that statement seems to contradict what's actually in the society's contract, which specifically references requirements for "construction contracts."
Hanson further argued that the limited information that is publicly available raises alarms. For example, the Zoological Society board approved a $10 million loan for the expansion project last year — but, according to Hanson's public records requests, the city council never reviewed it. This is despite the fact that the society's management agreement requires the council to approve loans.
Hanson also pointed out that, in 2012, the Zoological Society itself publicly stated that it was in a difficult financial position and needed more funding for its existing zoo operations. The society made that argument as part of its push for a controversial county parcel tax, Measure A1.
At the time, the society argued that the tax, which would have funneled more than $100 million to the zoo over 25 years, was critical for animal care needs, education programs, and to keep zoo admission prices down. The measure failed to get the required two-thirds vote, and Hanson and other Zoological Society critics have questioned whether it's financially wise for the organization to move forward with a large expansion if it has needs in its existing zoo that have gone unmet.
William Marchant, co-chair of the Zoological Society board of trustees, told me that the A1 defeat meant a loss of financial security against a bad year — one with lots of rain, for example. "We have to continue to increase our revenue."
Regarding contract compliance concerns, Dehejia told me: "We have never been notified that we have been in breach of contract." And Parrott, in reference to the Zoological Society's internal feasibility study, said, "It's private, because people like the Friends of Knowland Park, what do they need to look at our business plan for? ... They're not here to help us improve the business plan." Parrott also declined to tell me the source of the $10 million loan, but said this type of bridge loan was very common. Dehejia argued that this type of loan also does not require council approval.
Parrott said that the Zoological Society would continue to raise funds for the projects that the A1 parcel tax would have allowed, including new exhibits for the chimpanzees and tigers at the existing zoo. But in the immediate future, he said, "a lot of opportunity for our guests and the animals here at the zoo have been lost." Still, he argued that financing for the expansion is fully in place, and separate from the funding for the current zoo: "We wouldn't be moving forward if we weren't really confident."
The California Trail plan, Parrott added, "is extremely feasible, and on top of that, it will enhance our mission to expose children to nature and wildlife."
On a recent summer afternoon, three Knowland Park advocates took me on a trip to the Oakland Zoo. Along the way, they pointed out different exhibits and areas that they thought seemed overdue for an update or renovation, and described other opportunities for growth — within the existing zoo.
They are not opposed to the zoo building major new attractions, they emphasized. But from an education standpoint, they questioned the value of building on parkland, rather than coming up with innovative opportunities to celebrate it — having zoo docents lead hikes through Knowland Park, for example.
"There is plenty of room for them to get their expansion, without taking more public parkland," Baker told me on the drive over to the zoo, noting that most zoos, which aren't located next to wildland parks, find other ways to grow and change and truly promote conservation.
Hanson pointed out that some zoos have built conservation exhibits focused on native species that are endangered today — such as the Santa Barbara Zoo's "California Trails" exhibit, which features animals at risk of disappearing from the state forever due to habitat destruction. The Oakland Zoo California Trail, by contrast, would display animals that have already mostly disappeared from the region because of habitat destruction.
At one point during our zoo trip, we stumbled upon a large banner advertising the California Trail expansion, located in the spot where visitors will get on the gondola. "Embark on the Adventure!" the sign read, featuring images of a grizzly bear and mountain lion and explaining that this is where visitors will begin their "California Trail journey."
They will ride the gondola to the park hilltop where they will arrive at a visitor center and restaurant with bay views. From there, they can stop at a San Francisco Bay overlook, the banner read.
"We can do that any day of the week without having to get on a gondola," Baker said. "It's like selling air, you know?"
Staring at the large banner, looking up toward Knowland Park in the background, Hanson read aloud one part of the sign that he thought was particularly absurd: "'IMAGINE the Bay Area in its natural state.'"
"You're going to have to imagine it," he said with a laugh, "because it will be gone."
Contact the author of this piece, send a letter to the editor, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Showing 1-25 of 40
News - August 14, 4:00 AM


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October is here! Theoretically, this is my favorite month. The air starts to get crisp, and you can layer clothing and wear sweaters. Football season is in full swing. If you live anywhere but here, the leaves start to change colors, and you get to start up the first fire in the fireplace for the year. Hot apple cider is the beverage of choice, and Halloween comes at the end and seems to kick off the beginning of the holiday season. I love it!Now, to make October even more special for me, I am getting married this month. (For those of you who were wondering about my father-daughter dance, we took the advice of several readers and decided to go with "What a Wonderful World," but we decided we would rather dance to the Michael Buble version, because it's a smidgeon faster.) That means I have been too busy doing bridal and wedding stuff to get the chance to see or hear any local bands. I actually had one scheduled, and then I had a bridal thing come up, so I didn't show. (Yes, I feel guilty.) So I thought I would give y'all one more cop-out article, and then I'll go back to my job of listening to bad bands to make sure that you don't have to.I don't know why people keep insisting that Halloween is for kids. I think that it can be the most incredibly fun, adult holiday out there. What other time of the year can you wear a patent leather miniskirt, thigh boots, fishnet stockings, and a bustier and be considered kitschy and not trampy? This is the one day each year – next to Mardi Gras – when you can dress up as stupidly as you like, and people applaud you for it rather than make fun of you.
If your costume isn't too complicated, the parties can be a blast! I have a Wiccan friend who throws the best Halloween parties every year (you gotta love those pagans), and these are the music tips that I have learned from her parties and other awesome Halloween parties I have attended over the years.
The best music cannot be found on those cheesy Halloween CDs that you can get in the party stores. Take some time, do your research, and get some really cool Halloween mixes downloaded onto your computer, and create your own party CDs. "Monster Mash" is a must – even though nobody dances to it – as is "The Purple People Eater" and the Chipmunks' version of "Witch Doctor." The theme music to The X-Files– the dance mix version – is a must-have for any Halloween party.
In fact, any theme song from a horror film is acceptable, as long as it has been put on a dance track. This is a party, not a haunted house, so you want your music to be scary androckin'. A classic for decades has been Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," which is the theme music for The Exorcist. No Halloween party could be complete without Michael Jackson's "Thriller," which should be immediately followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show's "Time Warp."
Any song that mentions witches, bewitched, and magic is good; also, look for songs that use the word "nightmare." Two of my favorites are Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare" and "A Nightmare on My Street" by D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. For sheer cheesiness, nothing beats "Ghostbusters," and almost any song by the band Type O Negative is appropriate for a scary party.
If you're going for a more retro type of party, there are plenty of old songs out there that have a frightening vibe to them. Find any version of "That Old Black Magic," and make sure to have a copy of Ella Fitzgerald's "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" on hand, along with her version of "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead" from The Wizard of Oz. For that retro sound with a modern twist, play Squirrel Nut Zippers' "Hell."
I find it best if you take all of the genres and just mix them all together. Sometimes, the cheesier they are, the better they are going to be received by your guests. Halloween is the perfect time to play those songs that nobody wants to admit they like, but really, they are among their guilty, little pleasures. So go get your costume, decorate with fake cobwebs and dry ice, and remember: Some of the best parties are the ones that aren't afraid to put a little goof in with their scare.

subset: commoncrawl


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Our vacation home on the south end of Canyon Lake is a good base for day trips into and around the Texas Hill Country.
Day Trip to Austin
Day Trip to Bandera
Day Trip to Boerne
Day Trip to Fredericksburg
Day Trip to Greune
Day Trip to New Braunfels
Day Trip to San Antonio
Day Trip to San Marcus Outlet Malls
Where to put geology of Hill Country, Edwards Acquifier, Balcones Escarpment? g. Why go, mileage, directions, best time to go, and a few photos.
How to get there. Take 2673 to 306 east onto I35 north, then exit near RiverDrive or 11th in Austin.
Highlights of Austin.
- Traffic gridlock — expect it.
- University of Texas — busy and crowded
- Blanton Museum of Art
- LBJ Library
- Capital of Texas and Bullock Museum
- Barton Springs & Zilker Park (map pdf)
- Harry Ransom Center.
- Congress Avenue.
- Sixth Street
- Umlauf Sculpture Center
San Marcus – springs Bandera – Cowboy Capital of the World
Fredericksburg – peaches, wines, excellent Nimitz museum, German food.
New Braunfels – Restaurant McAdoos, winding Guadalupe River
Schlitterbahn – Get your tickets via on-line, get there early.
San Antonio – river walk, Alamo
Boerne – town square
Wimberley – Art shops
Gruene – Dance hall.
Austin – University of Texas, Bullock Museum, Texas State Capital, Blanton Museum across from Bullock, Town Lake, Barton Springs, Ransom Center


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||'''February: Kevin R. Slatteronsky'''
||'''February: [[Kevin Slatteronsky|Kevin R. Slatteronsky]]'''
|Kevin R. Slatteronsky infiltrated the Special Investigative Division on Gangs (SIDG) in an undercover operation which resulted in the conviction of four police officers on corruption charges. Slatteronsky's cover was that he was a new police officer fresh from the institute and was looking for mentors to "show him the ropes." His impressive abilities at winning the confidence of other officers was critical to the investigation. He lives in Granton with his wife Melba.
|Kevin R. Slatteronsky infiltrated the Special Investigative Division on Gangs (SIDG) in an undercover operation which resulted in the conviction of four police officers on corruption charges. Slatteronsky's cover was that he was a new police officer fresh from the institute and was looking for mentors to "show him the ropes." His impressive abilities at winning the confidence of other officers was critical to the investigation. He lives in Granton with his wife Melba.
Revision as of 02:18, 4 July 2008
The site
Gpdiad.com is the website of the Gotham Police Internal Affairs Department. Their slogan is "respect, accountability, service."
The Internal Affairs Division conducts investigations in the following instances:
If the citizens of Gotham are to have the trust and confidence in the police, the Gotham Police Department must to foster a good relationship with its citizenry. This means someone must take the responsibility of policing the police.
Police officers face situations calling for immediate assessment and swift action, and must be free to exercise their best judgment and to initiate action in a reasonable, lawful, and impartial manner without fear of reprisal. At the same time, they must observe the rights of all people. Citizens must feel free to question police conduct which they feel is improper.
The Internal Affairs Division of the Gotham Police Department is a spotlight, charged with illuminating the actions of officers in the investigation of accusations of wrongdoing. In this capacity it protects the public, and also the police. By investigating accusations the Internal Affairs Department can be counted on to reveal malfeasance but also protect police officers from malicious accusations that otherwise would taint reputations and eventually limit the effectiveness of police officers.
Glenn Barhyte
The featured "officer of the month" is Glenn Barhyte:
Glenn Barhyte in the spotlight.
Glenn joined the force fourteen years ago and has shown an exemplary work ethic. He was born in Gotham, but his father was an engineering professor, so from the time he was five until he was fourteen, he and his parents lived in Utrecht. His family returned to Gotham and he has spent the rest of his life here, leaving only to attend Northeastern where he received a degree in criminal justice.
Glenn has a wife, Cecilia, and a Golden Retriever named Burt.
• Favorite Food: "A good burger!"
• Favorite Song: "Arguably the Stones' biggest hit, from 1965."
• Favorite thing to do on his day off: "Day off?"
Participants have reported sending emails to firstname.lastname@example.com and receiving personalized responses back. He is adamant about not being able to talk about the mob's connection to any police officers, but he nevertheless gave information that could be used in Gothampolice.com/secureinternaldocuments.
Audio Surveillance Feed
From information from Gothampolice.com/secureinternaldocuments, a page for an audio surveillance feed was found here The user must be logged in as barhyteglenn, using the password tevredenheid in order to access the page. The stream went live at 3PM EST on December 1.
December 1
(A Zshare mp3 file of the 2 minutes when the conversation starts up in the pie shop)
Man 1 is most likely Lt. Karl Breitup
Man 2 is most likely Detective Sergeant Jason McCree
Woman 1 is most likely Betty
[footsteps approach]
[Man 2] Just coffee for both of us. Nobody eats here.
[Man 1] Flass did.
[both chuckle]
[Man 2] Yeah, Flass would eat off a train floor.
[Man 1] I heard he's lost a lot of weight.
[Man 2] What'd you expect, the guy's a vegetable.
[Woman 1] Your coffee, you want anything with that?
[Man 1] Hey Betty, just the special.
[Woman 1] You don't want pie or nothin'?
[Man 2] Ah, no thanks. The missus made three pies for the Thanksgiving. I'm all pie'd out.
[Woman 1] So is it just coffee? What am I, some kind of barista or somethin'?
[Man 1] Hey, I promise, we'll tip good.
[Woman 1] Half of my tables just drinking coffee. Stupid Italians. Now, Mr. Falcone, he liked a piece of pie. Special's with the check.
[Man 2] She charged us for the coffee. Well you know we gotta pay here - there'll be a drop point... Look at this, will ya? Two bucks for coffee.
[Man 3] It's okay guys, coffee's on the department this time. (hushed and serious) Internal Affairs, hands on the table. I'll take your side arms and we'll all go downtown.
[Man ?] Internal Affairs?
[Man 3] Keep your voices down. Hands on the table.
[commotion in background. Gunshots fired]
[Man 4] Fire, we got fire. Backup, we need backup.
[Man 2?] Oh, God, Karl!
[Man 4] Officer down.
[gunshots] [bullets ricochet][shuddering and panting can be heard]
[Man 2?] ...couldn't stay up in the parking lot. You had to arrest us in the middle of a restaurant?! Who do - who do you think eats here?! Boy Scouts?! Just who the hell do you think eats here?! Jesus Christ! Karl!
[Man 4] 2361, I need backup. 1445 Maloney.
[Dispatch] Unit 2361, we have reports of shots fired. Units are on the way.
[Man 4] We got an officer down, repeat an officer down.
[Dispatch] Copy that.
[Man 4] Suspects are two white males, one f- [feedback]
December 4
Upon visiting the site of the first feed, participants could access an associated audio surveillance file in the archives, taken after the December 2 sting operation where Karl Breitup was shot and killed. Glenn Barhyte is interrogating Jason McCree regarding his corrupt behavior on the Gotham police force. (A Zshare mp3 file of Barhyte's interrogation of McCree)
[Barhyte] Let's see here...your record has a note that you were hit pretty hard with the fear toxin. Hmmm says you've got signs of anxiety disorder: nightmares, flashes of rage...
[McCree] Yeah, yeah. I can handle it.
[Barhyte] Well, we can talk about that with the DA.
[McCree] Don't pretend you're making me any deals. You don't care about me.
[Barhyte] Hey, I've got a dead cop. You think I don't care?
[McCree] You guys in Internal Affairs, you know what you are? You're the guys in grade school who got to be hall monitors. You'd rather side with the teacher and the principal than with your own.
[Barhyte] Hey, somebody's got to watch.
[McCree] And someone's got to pick up the garbage too. Oh...shouldn't have said that.
[Barhyte] It's okay.
[McCree] No. Cause garbageman is honest work. [pause] I...I got a kid. He's only a couple years younger than Gina Tortericci. I've got her picture cut out of the newspaper and clipped to the visor of my squad car. Can't sleep. Get home at night, I turn on the TV and drink until I can sleep. Except, even then I can't. We..we all come into this job wantin' to do good. We all become cops, wantin' to make things better.
[Barhyte] So what happens?
[McCree] It's the job. It's the damn job. If we all come in wantin' to do right, how else do you explain it? I miss my kid's basketball game, because I'm on duty. I miss Thanksgiving dinner because I'm on duty. My kid gets a chance to go to basketball camp but...but there ain't no way we can afford it. I'm missing Thanksgiving dinner to haul junkies to the ER, but when my wife tells me that my kid has been offered a trip to basketball camp over spring break, I gotta say no. The junkie doesn't think I'm a hero, and my wife and my kid hate that I'm never home. And then, a little cash falls in my lap. And I can come home and say, "Here, send him to camp." I didn't wanna go to the House of Pies. You know how I felt? Blood money for that girl Gina. But I'd already said, "Yes," too many times. So I did. Cause that's what Gotham is like these days. It's a dark time. And no matter what you do, somebody's getting hurt. Now Karl's dead. Everybody's gonna talk about what a crooked cop Karl was. No one's gonna talk about the kids he coached. Now...I'm gonna go to prison. And I'm pretty sure my kid's going to end up missing basketball camp. All right, you got your confession. Get me a pad and a pen so I can write it out and then send in Dent. He's waitin', right? All of us cops. We know he's watchin'.
[door opens and footsteps fade]
Other officers of the month
March 26, 2008
The home page of Gpdiad.com has been updated with new "Internal Affairs Officers of the Month."
|March: Jason Arguellino-Diaz
Jason transferred to Internal Affairs from the Anti-Smuggling Marine Unit. He is to be commended for a life-saving incident which occurred while Jason was off-duty and shopping in a hardware store in the 1200 block of Farragut Avenue in Granton. A car careened off the street and crashed through the storefront window. The late-model compact car was pinned between the store wall and an inside cement pillar. Taking tools from aisle 12 of the hardware store, Arguellino-Diaz drilled into the car using a 120 volt electric drill, then picked up a 16-inch, 13-volt double-insulated cordless saw. He used the tool to cut thru the car metal and extract the victim. The officer staunched the bleeding and provided basic first aid which stabilized the patient. The EMT at the scene said that Arguellino-Diaz' quick thinking and expert sawing saved the victim's life.
|February: Kevin R. Slatteronsky
Kevin R. Slatteronsky infiltrated the Special Investigative Division on Gangs (SIDG) in an undercover operation which resulted in the conviction of four police officers on corruption charges. Slatteronsky's cover was that he was a new police officer fresh from the institute and was looking for mentors to "show him the ropes." His impressive abilities at winning the confidence of other officers was critical to the investigation. He lives in Granton with his wife Melba.
|January: Melvin R. Finnigity
Melvin was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Section (Night Shift) of the Field Operations Division before a transfer to Internal Affairs. He is to be commended for his formerly unrecognized talent at decrypting coded conversation, which resulted in a successful investigation of several corrupt police officers in the Western Division. He lives in Gotham where he enjoys building his own golf clubs and making his own pizza.
June 9, 2008
The home page of Gpdiad.com has been updated with new "Internal Affairs Officers of the Month."
|June: Jojo
Jojo, Internal Affair's drug-sniffing German Shepard, found a kilo of drugs that went missing from the narcotic's department evidence locker last month. Jojo's primary handler, Officer Celia Beatersly-Rhodes, was on her way to take Jojo to the department vet for a routine checkup when she decided to stop at a nearby station to surprise an old partner. Trained to pick up the slightest trace of illegal substances, Jojo started barking immediately upon entering the ex-partner's work area. The ex-partner claims he was taking the evidence to the forensics lab for special testing, but the matter currently remains under investigation. And for the record, Jojo's checkup went fine.
|May: Rosemarie Anna Dunslim
Rosemarie has been an Internal Affairs staple since the department's inception. Affectionately known as Rosie, she has handled numerous roles in the department. For five years, she managed the desk of division Chief Bennett Riley until she was asked last year by Commissioner Loeb himself to man the intake line for the "We Are the Answer" program. "My office is a mess without her, but Rosie is so talented and able that the commissioner felt she was needed elsewhere, and he was right," said Riley. Dealing with an intake line is one part skill, one part intuition, and one part psychology. Rosie used all her talents when she received a call from a mentally disturbed Gotham citizen. Using the man's nonsensical sputtering, Rosemarie figured out that an off duty police officer wearing a disheveled GPD jacket was threatening to arrest random citizens outside Alienz, a nightclub in trendy North Gainsbury. Internal Affairs is currently investigated this alleged abuse of police authority. As for the informant? Rosie tracked him down and made sure he had a permanent place to sleep and access to medical care.
|April: Juan Gustavo DeSilviano
For ten years, Juan DeSilviano has brought his investigative excellence to Internal Affairs. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice from Yorke College, DeSilviano joined the GPD as a surveillance expert. As a child, he built and operated ham radios, which led to an interest in recording devices. Combine that with a passion for James Bond and you have a super-sleuth in the making. Last month, DeSilviano built a custom rig for dancer Kiki Laroo, who performs at a docklands nightclub frequented by members of the Gotham underground. The tiny device recorded an illegal transaction between a Maroni foot soldier and an officer from Sheal station. DeSilviano's expertise, good nature, and professionalism have made him a favorite among colleagues. Former partner Glenn Barhyte calls DeSilviano, "the best cop I've ever worked with. That man really knows his job."
IAD Statistics
May 7, 2008
The home page is updated with statistics of the IAD's work.
|The Internal Affairs Division Investigation Statistics YTD
Vehicular Pursuits: 357
Deaths in Custody: 13
Allegations or complaints of misconduct involving the department: 15,491*
*Last year the Gotham City Police Department investigated 257 allegations and complaints against members of the department. 97% of this year's allegations and complaints were received through the "We Are the Answer" program.
(Gpdiad.com) -- (direct link)


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All PSAs can be downloaded, including: TV, Out of Home, Print, Radio and Web Banners, through Ad Council's PSA Central platform.
Download the guide on how to access PSAs using PSA Central here.
Alyson Bus Shelter
Jodi Bus Shelter
Cory 30 Sheet
Erika 30 Sheet
Expiration Date Chart
Please consult this chart for reference on when PSA talent agreements expire. Chart will be updated on a continuing basis.


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Mapei UK's new website is now live, and it comes with a newly transformed layout! With plans to move up the ranks with construction industry professionals, the current platform format is fresh-faced and user-friendly to coincide with the expectations of Mapei's global audience.
A long way from its previous structure, the new website provides a clear pathway for those looking to navigate their way through the information and support offered by Mapei for all of its product lines, including products for Ceramic tiling, EWI & Coatings, Concrete Admixtures, Resilient, Wood and Industrial flooring, Waterproofing and Concrete Repair to name a few. It will also continue to offer technical data on its vast collection of products, as well as information on product sustainability, credentials and certifications.
The website will retain its current content which features links to products highlighted in the BIM library, an extensive catalogue of Mapei products, and product videos. Mapei projects will also have a dominating presence, providing visitors with a realistic view into the quality of products Mapei delivers to all types of projects.
A new addition to the website allows visitors to log in to 'My Mapei Area', a feature that aims to personalise customer experience. Upon registration to the members section, visitors will receive exclusive newsletters, while also having the ability to save favourite articles, projects and products of interest.
Also featuring on the website will be a news section with the latest updates on new products, projects, events and CPDs, as well as information on important dates for training courses at the recently opened Mapei Academy training centre situated in Halesowen, West Midlands.


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Lori E. Andrus is a founding partner of Andrus Anderson LLP, based in San Francisco, California.
Ms. Andrus specializes in class actions and complex litigation, encompassing a wide range of subject matter. In recent years, Ms. Andrus has focused her practice on equal pay cases. Ms. Andrus has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating (AV) for legal ability and ethical standards. The National Law Journal named Ms. Andrus as one of the nation's 75 "Outstanding Women Lawyers." Ms. Andrus graduated with honors from Duke University School of Law.


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What are the weakest attractions between molecules? a. ionic forces c. covalent forces b. Van der Waals forces d. hydrogen forces
Jennifer Patterson
in Chemistry
1 answer
The correct answer is B. Van der waals forces is the weakest force of intermolecular. It is a temporary force that occurs when the electrons of two atoms in adjacent positions that make the atoms form dipoles which can be temporary dipoles or a strong dipole-dipole forces.
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text:
Hi Everyone!
It's been a while, I know! I've been traveling in Italy and since I've been back I haven't really gotten back into the swing of blogging until now. I'm sorry for the lack of posts, but I'm back with loads of good ones lined up including my Italy blog post which I'm really excited for!
But onto the post…
If you're an avid Lushy like myself, you'll have seen the new Jelly Bombs – The idea of which left me starstruck just at the site of them!
During a recent shopping trip, my stepdad snook off and bought me two (Thanks Paul! Here's that mention on my blog you've been waiting for!!) and I couldn't wait until I tried them.
The first one that I've decided to try is the Green Coconut scent. Which smells amazing, but I wouldn't say it was distinctively coconut based, maybe more summery and tropical!
It obviously left my bath a gorgeous bright green, but this time I was more intrigued by the consistency of the water, rather than the colour!
The 'jelly' consistency is an odd one… I have seen people describe it as a snotty consistency opposed to jelly-like – which is disgusting; yet true!
Only the top layer of the water is the jelly consistency, whilst the rest of the water remained normal! As you can see in the photo, the jelly clings to your skin, which I think is where you get all of the moisturising benefits!
As the big kid I am, I loved this bath bomb, however I expected to be in a bath full of jelly (maybe that was just me being over optimistic, I'm not sure)
I would buy again, but it wouldn't be used every time I had a bath, they take much longer to dissolve than normal bath bombs!
Let me know if you've tried any of the new Jelly Bombs in the comments!
Until next time,


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China imported 208,205 barrels Iranian oil per day despite US sanctions
The latest figures issued by China's customs authorities show that China imported 208,205 barrels of Iranian oil per day, in the month of June.
China's still importing oil from Iran weeks after the US imposed sanctions aimed at halting sales of crude oil from the Persian Gulf nation.
The export of Iranian oil to China continues while Washington is monitoring Iranian oil shipments and last week imposed sanctions on a Chinese company for transporting Iranian oil.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on 22 July that Chinese company Zhuhai Zhenrong and one of its executives knowingly violated US sanctions banning the import of Iranian oil.
China is buying Iranian oil in defiance of US sanctions.
Beijing customs data show China still importing Tehran's oil despite US measures designed to cut Tehran's exports to 'zero'.
Iran stresses that it will continue oil exports despite all pressures. Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia said in early May that Iran has mobilised all its resources to sell oil in a 'grey market', to circumvent illegitimate US sanctions against the country.
Oil sales are a crucial part of Iran's efforts to stand against the 'maximum pressure' campaign of financial sanctions launched by the US after it pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal last year.
The deliveries of Iranian oil to China come as Beijing wrestles with Washington over trade, with the world's two largest economies fighting over tariffs, access to each other's markets and the role of the US in extending sanction threats to countries that deal with its adversaries.
Despite US sanctions, our oil refineries have been operating with high capacity over the last year, and this week, Iran's gasoline production exceeds 110 million litres per day, which is the highest historical figure.
-China imported Iranian oil


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We all know too well that women dream of their big day from a very young age, some experts even say that they are thinking of colour schemes and flower arrangements whilst still drinking imaginary cups of tea and playing dress up with their friends!
OK, maybe a slight exaggeration, but do not underestimate the amount of thought that your girlfriend will have put into this before marriage even crossed your mind! For this reason, it is imperative that you come up with some kind of mind


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Squeezing my sofa through the door, hacking foot stools and coffee tables, and putting wheels on everything!
Read time: 6 minutes
Let's start with the sofa. The main event in a living room as far as I'm concerned. They get heavy usage and are massive. Where you slob out after work, relax, watch TV, snack and chat with friends. Basically, all the good stuff.
As a renter living in flats furnished by higher unknown forces for all of my adult life, I realised I had never actually had a sofa to call my own before. l have certainly sat in a few though; I have lived in 13 different houses in the 15 years since I was 18, so I reckon I'm a bit of a connoisseur.
So when I got the chance to buy one of my own in our new place I was super excited. I didn't realise how eye-wateringly expensive they are however, and it turns out I have very expensive taste indeed. Green velvet ones don't come cheap apparently! Failing that, I have always wanted a brown leather sofa – something a bit like a Chesterfield. So it was off to the furniture charity shop to try my luck. I love our local one – Barnet Furniture Recycling Centre, I could spend hours there (and have done). It's a bit hit and miss though so you have to go regularly to snap up a bargain, but eventually after a couple off weeks we lucked out and found a three-seater for a very respectable £100. Jackpot. Not quite a Chesterfield but decent quality and I reckoned we could make something of it if I changed the legs one day – perhaps a bit like this one I'd seen for exactly 23.99 times the price in West Elm.
Here are the wonderful chaps from the centre delivering it. You can hardly tell the difference right?!
A side note on doorways here.
Why are doorways always too narrow? We regularly need to get sofas and beds and washing machines and fridges in and out of our homes and yet we continue to build them far too narrow to make this achievable without scraping and scratching walls, disassembling it or passing it through a window instead (just me??).
Now, buried deep inside the 2010 Building Regulations (stick with me guys – it's worth it!) is the mysteriously named Part M 'approved document'. Part M suggests that when building and upgrading, any internal doorways should have a minimum of 75cm clearance, ideally 80cm. To compare – mine are 74cm, but once you take into account the thickness of the door when it's open, this reduces to just 69cm.
80cm was not plucked from thin air. It is there because at this width someone using a wheelchair can comfortably get through without shaving bits of themselves off. Sounds sensible right? And just common courtesy not to leave your friends and family who may have difficulties with mobility outside too. Not to mention so much easier for the guys trying to get my sofa in. My flat was built in the 1960s, so long before Part M. But given that the average home lasts for around 100 years and during this time it is likely to house a whole host of residents of different ages and abilities, with furniture and bikes and walkers and prams continually making their way in and out, building any doorways from now on just that tiny bit wider can make a massive difference as we grow and change. And don't get me started on how cool I think barn and pocket doors are. That's for another day….
However, while Part M is an incredibly powerful piece of guidance, it remains only guidance, not an obligation. And outside of the construction industry, it's pretty unknown, so no one is demanding it. So do your bit and make sure you ask your architect or builder about it if you ever find yourself doing any renovations.
But back to the sofa.
Our new one has a pretty low back without a headrest, so it actually requires some secret core strength to sit in it. Fine right now, and while I plan on having six-pack abs deep into my 90s (in my dreams), this set up may not always suit. Sofas with the option to add on good-looking headrests as part of a modular design don't seem to exist. And your choice in higher backed ones at the moment are pretty limited too – unless you like the throne aesthetic or want a La-Z-Boy.
It is also LOW. I count myself as pretty fit, but even I struggle to get up from it without my Weetabix. Everyone knows someone who has had to throw out a sofa before the risk of becoming permanently beached there gets too real. I mean it's great for the Barnet Furniture Recycling Centre and me right now, but come on guys, it's not exactly sustainable – economically or environmentally.
If you are buying one brand new they are a huge investment too, so you really want them to last. It baffles me why there are so few customisations you can make to adapt this major piece of furniture with you over time. I suppose sofa makers like you buying new ones – DFS adverts won't pay for themselves I guess. All you can really do at the moment is use dreaded chair raisers, or change the legs out entirely for something taller. Thank goodness the latter is becoming easier to do, and this is exactly what I am planning with my own sofa. I love PrettyPegs who make custom legs to personalise your Ikea furniture. It totally changes the look of your sofa for a snip of the price of a new one. Places like Loaf offer various height legs to go with their chairs now too, which is great.
Sadly my sofa is not an Ikea one (in fact I have no idea about its origin or how many homes and bottoms it has seen – I find it best not to know…). So in order to make my West Elm inspired version I am hoping to change the legs over to slightly taller narrower legs to give it a bit of extra height as well as bring it into 2019. If you do DIY like me just be very careful anything you do can safely take the load.
Next up, foot stool.
These are all over every interiors Instagram post at the moment. People have gone mad for them as a way to spice up their front room, as well as being an absolute blessing for tired legs and creaky knees. Big ones, small ones, sometimes multiple. Though they are not all made equal. Getting one that supports your lower leg all the way from the back of the knee to the ankle at a nice gentle downward angle is the way to elevated bliss.
For me personally, I love L-shaped sofas as a way to get my feet up and relax, but they are not for everyone as they take a surprising amount of strength and flexibility to get your legs up there. It's why modular sofas are great so you can adapt them as you need – not just to the shape of your room, but the shape of you. But seeing as an L-shaped sofa isn't what the charity shop gods provided for us this time, I hatched another plan. In Ikea we found a lone part of a Vimle sofa in the reduced section, which doubled up as some extra storage too. Happily it was also green (though sadly not velvet). It did weigh an absolute tonne though and once in situ it really was in situ forever. And there is only one place it can go in the room without it looking stupid, which meant that when people came over it was in the way. Paul and I needed it in different positions to make it comfortable too. Not great for the adaptability I was looking for. I wanted to be able to change the room configuration to suit different lounge users without giving myself a hernia every time.
So I added wheels. These £10 ones from Amazon in fact. Sorted. Just check they can safely take the weight. These ones are pretty hefty and also have brakes so if we ever want to use it as an extra seat it doesn't roll away with our guests.
I also got a little wheely cart from Flying Tiger to sit beside the sofa and the lamp which you can move around to bring your cup of tea closer as you need too. Putting wheels on things is my new favourite thing I think, everything is just so much easier to move where you want it. I really want to put all my furniture on them now! Reaching plugs, hoovering, changing the layout when I get bored, it just makes so much sense.
Now I have been completely suckered in by Instagram, and have become a big fan of putting a big tray on a footstool as a 'coffee table', but Paul was dead set against it. Seeing as he is a proud Northern tea drinker and it is his tea that would rest upon it the most, I conceded. I can see it's probably not that practical either really – having to move a big heavy tray every time you want to put your feet up – where does it go?
But nor was there room for a nice coffee table as well as our massive footrest. I tried a few things but just wasn't loving it. I really wanted a Charley C-side table from West Elm (always West Elm!) which I think I may actually be in love with (also see this blog for more reasons why they are so great, not just look pretty) but as the purse wouldn't allow at that moment, I decided to get creative instead and make my own little coffee table / footrest house.
I am hardly a master carpenter however, so I was so excited to find out about Playwood. These are nifty connectors in all different colours that you can use to securely connect standard thicknesses of wood sheeting to create all manner of furniture to your exact specification. So I measured the space so my design would fit our living room with plenty of circulation space (more on this next time) with the footstool able to neatly tuck away into its own little garage.
Using Playwood connectors means that it is completely adaptable too. I can easily undo them and create a new design if ever this one no longer suits. When we inevitably move again and have to try and fit all our stuff in a different configuration, it will travel flat and may well then be reborn as something else. It's also cheap as chips. Not to everyone's taste but works for us and fun to make. I thought I would eventually paint it or something – but the raw look is growing on me.
Here's the wood being cut to my specification in Homebase. 5 cuts for free!
So that's it for part one of the living room. In part two I will be covering plug sockets, curtains, flooring, lighting, TV units. Exciting stuff! Thanks for reading as always. Get in touch anytime or feel free to share with anyone who is thinking about updating their living room too. Would love to hear what you are doing in yours.


text: Just 4 miles to downtown Venice and Venice Beach this lovely second floor end unit condo is located at the back of the community offering extra privacy....wonderful water views.....and expansive views of the 15th fairway of Capri Isles Golf Course from your screened balcony. Your front also offers pond views and you are just a short walk to the community pool and cabana. Built in 2004 Ravinia consists of 88 units located between two golf courses, and conveniently located to shopping and restaurants and I75. A true three bedroom which could also be used as a den. Nice open floor plan with dining room and eat in kitchen, island, quartz countertops and blacksplash with lots of storage. Master suite has a walk in closet, dual sinks, and large shower There is also an inside laundry room with sink and not to mention a one car garage. Community offers heated pool, cabana, weekly get togethers and pet friendly! Come enjoy our Florida lifestyle.


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Lv67 Loop Quest: 探險家羅納 Luona the Explorer - Rough Guide
You must be at least Level 67 to do this quest.
The starting NPC, 羅納 is located near the Dark Shadow Wolf spawn point in Mount Babel. If Dark Shadow Wolf is up, and you are not capable of killing it, don't try this quest, as most of the tasks will take place near the npc.
- This quest is mostly explained in really simple terms, as it was written after completing all the quests, not during it, and I didn't really have time to read more than the basics, much less translate in detail on the really short time limit quests. If lack of coordinates is a problem, I can try to add them later.
- For quests that require trapping mobs, you should always lower the mob's hp first to improve success rates. I am not sure it's possible to trap a full hp mob for this. However, even at low hp you may still fail a few times, so make sure you can survive the attempt.
- When handing in quests to the npc, I strongly recommend you return to him on foot, unless the next quest is not timed (5th and 10th quests). I almost failed the first fishing quest because I flew back to him instead of walking to him.
1. Trap 5 Wolf Cubs using the quest item. Lower their hp first before attempting. (15 min 50 sec)
2. Trap 1 Grizzly Bear using the quest item (technically I think you are after the bear's fur). Lower its hp first before attempting. (15 min)
3. Retrieve an item from South of Rabbit Village, near the South landing pad. After flying down there and landing, use the 1 in the journal to locate it and use the quest item to obtain it (it's next to the house). I recommend you do not fly directly to the npc to hand this in, fly to the guild castle and return the npc on foot from there. (8 min 20 sec)
4. Fish in the river using the quest item, 5 times. Use the 1 in the journal to go to the location. (2 min 30 sec)
5. Go to Mirror Academy and 'Persuade' 10 Wild Sprites to go back to the NPC with you. Or in other words, trap 10 Wild Sprites using the quest item. (No Time Limit)
6. Talk to an npc outside the guild castle, near the landing pad, and return to the questgiver. I recommend you fly to the npc you need to reach, but walk on foot on your way back to hand in. (3 min 30 sec)
7. Obtain 10 lumber from chopping a nearby tree. Use the 1 in the journal to go to the location. (2 min 30 sec)
8. Kill Female Wolves to obtain 5 Wolf Blood. You can just kill them, no trapping is involved this time. (13 min)
9. Visit an npc in the farming area (close to the farming tool vendor) to get an item (I think it was some kind of cooked fish?), then return to the npc to hand it in. It is safe to fly back to the questgiver to hand in this time. (5 min 20 sec)
10. Trap 10 Male Wolves using the quest item. (No time limit)
Each Quest gives:
1 Purple Rabbit Dice Chest
After the 5th and 10th quests:
20 Devil Dusts
After completing the 10th Quest:
Title: 冒險犯難鐵漢 (Max MP +9%)
Lv67 Loop Quest Rough Guide
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THOMASVILLE, NC - An international grocery chain is opening its second store in the Triad and tenth in the state this month.
Lidl US will be on 1147 Randolph Street, and will open on August 24, 2017.
The first 100 customers to come to the grand opening at 7:40 a.m. will get a chance to win a $100 Lidl gift card. Early shoppers will also get a chance to sample products, get reusable bags, and more.
Lidl To Open In Thomasville Late August
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The NSW Mental Health Commission is working with the community to update how it tracks and reports on the progress of mental health reform in NSW.
Throughout August, the Commission met with people with lived experience of mental health issues, families and carers, service providers and data experts to start developing new indicators that it will use to monitor and report on how efforts to improve mental health in NSW are progressing.
NSW Mental Health Commissioner Catherine Lourey said the new indicators will measure the impact of Living Well, the 10 year plan to improve mental health in NSW, but also other big changes to mental health care that people in NSW are experiencing. These include the roll out of Primary Health Networks, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
"The community and the sector know what good mental health looks like and feels like, and that is why we are asking them how we can best measure if people's mental health is getting better," Ms Lourey said.
"While the Commission has existing indicators of reform that we have used in reports like One Year On, so much has changed in mental heath care in recent years that it is important now to refresh them."
The new headline indicators will focus not just on people's health outcomes, but also areas of their life that impact on mental health like education, employment, physical safety and housing.
Throughout August, the Commission travelled to Blacktown, Armidale and Griffith to hear from individuals and families affected by mental health issues on how they would like reform to be measured. Government agencies, service providers and data analysts have also provided input via the project's Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group.
In the coming months, the Commission will seek wider feedback from the whole community. Ms Lourey encouraged people to keep their eyes open for upcoming opportunities to take part.
"When governments make big changes to our mental health and social support systems, what they are really trying to do is improve people's lives," Ms Lourey said.
"Finding ways to monitor and report on whether people's lives are actually getting better is a challenge, but it is an important step in knowing whether reform efforts are having the impact they are supposed to."
Opportunities to take part will be shared in on the Commission's website, email newsletter and social media channels in coming months.


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|My Account Tip Center Report
|Serial Number :
|Make :
|Model :
|Year :
|Color :
|Additional Info :
|The package submitted to the 38th St UPS Store at 3:10pm 1-29-2013. In the package was a new JVC (JV GY-HM650) HD Camera that was returning to the store for exchange for another model. UPS staff were aware of the contents of the package. Package was opened by staff member for packaging quality check.On 2-8-13 I received an email from Adorama stating that the package they received was empty. Shipment date: 1-29-2013 Arrive date: 2-5-2013 Submitted package to UPS store: 3:10pm Appeared on Tracking 8:01pm Tracking numbers: Given: 1Z9733000326213181 Actual: 1Z9733000392882370 Content weight: 11.70lb Package value: $5,695 Store Location: Domonique Stevens Association 2602 S 38th St Tacoma, WA 98409
Send an anonymous message to the owner if you have any information regarding their stolen property by clicking the button below.Submit a Tip
If you recieve information about your Stolen JVC GY-HM650, you should contact local authorities immediately.
Do not attempt to recover your Stolen JVC GY-HM650 personally.
If you would like to report a Stolen JVC GY-HM650 on stolen-property.com, you can do so by clicking the link. Stolen-Property.com is not a government agency. If you wish to report a JVC GY-HM650 theft to law enforcement, you need contact your local law enforcement agency.
All Stolen JVC GY-HM650s can be viewed in the stolen property database.


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Located next to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, this citizenM hotel is just a 3-minute walk from Roissypole Station in CDG. There is a 24-hour reception, luggage storage and air-conditioned rooms. The RER Station, which gives direct access to Paris, is 700 metres away.
All rooms feature a king-size bed, a power rain shower and a tablet moodpad, which controls the room's lighting, music, TV and other electrical equipment. WiFi and movies on the TV are provided free of charge.
Guests can stay refreshed with 24-hour food and beverage service, including barista-made coffee and freshly made cocktails. iMac computers and printing services are available free of charge and there is also a self-service kiosk for check-in and check-out, which only takes 2 minutes.
The living room-style lobby features a contemporary art collection and space to relax. The hotel is 22.4 km from Disneyland Paris, 22.7 km from Gare de Lyon and 25.5 km from Eiffel Tower.


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Northside Swim Center
September 1, 2018
By: BHS Aquatics
Photography: Elana Bentley (Girls Polo); Jen Lasater (Boys Polo)
Brandeis Girls and Boys Water Polo teams crushed it in the water winning every match Saturday in the 2018 season opener at the Northside Swim Center. Bronco Girls Polo swam strong with an aggressive passing game in both matches against Taft and Health Careers High Schools resulting in a 12-1 Bronco victory over Taft and 10-3 win against Health Careers. Broncos Junior Magaly Ruiz (#15) scored the first two goals against the Raiders. A tough Broncos defense allowed just seven shots by Raiders with Broncos goalie Ally Bentley (#1) blocking every shot, but one. Led by Brandeis Aquatics Head Coach Megan Perez, Ruiz and Lindsay Robertson (#4) were the top scorers of the girls' first match of the day. Ruiz powered through the water again against Health Careers with a steal and pass to Salma Dessouky (#6) who scored the first two goals against HCHS. Dessouky and Robertson, top scorers in the second match of the day, pushed Brandeis to a 10-3 win over Health Careers. Brandeis Scorers: Lindsay Robertson (#4) with five goals, followed by Salma Dessouky (#6) with three points, and Magaly Ruiz (#15) with two.
Brandeis Boys Water Polo team hit the water hard against Taft in their first match of the season working to defend their Alamo Cup Championship title and repeat last year's undefeated run. Grady Wright's (#13) defensive efforts in the hole forced multiple turnovers giving the Broncos dominance in the pool throughout the match. Wright and Jake Nelms (#10) were top scorers each with four goals followed by Jax Morrow (#22) who nailed another against Taft. Broncos goalie Cade Simecek (#1), known for his high blocks and speed, fought off Taft's nine attempts to score. Brandeis shut it down with a 9-4 win over the Taft Raiders. Brandeis Scorers: Jake Nelms (#10) 4 goals, Grady Wright (#13) another 4, Jax Morrow (#22) one goal and Cade Simecek (#1) 9 saves
Come out to watch the defending champs this Saturday September 8 at the Northside Swim Center as the boys take on SAISD at 9:40am, and Jay/Stevens at 2:40pm. Girls play SAISD at 12:10pm and Jay/Stevens at 4:20pm.


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Here's another addition to the fleet of yachts for sale as Foulques de Raigniac and Charles Ehrardt at Camper & Nicholsons sign the 25m motor yacht First Episode for sale.
An Amer 82 model, she was built by Italy's Per Mare yard in 2001 to a design by Studio Torrigiani. Accommodation is for eight guests in four staterooms including a full-beam master suite plus a double and two twin cabins - all en suite. Her large sun deck has a bar, fridge, barbecue grill and al fresco dining for eight guests. First Episode is well-suited for water sports fun, as the superyacht comes complete with jet skis, water skis and diving equipment.
First Episode is asking €700,000 and her 23m x 6m berth in Antibes, France, is also for sale.


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Mentoring Ireland's Future Workforce
Martin Harrell, Director of HR & Communications for Oxigen Environmental has partnered Cross & Passion College in Kilcullen, County Kildare for the past 5 years. As part of the 5th Year LCVP programme, Martin lectures and mentors students in the area of CV preparation and interview techniques.
With over 20 years of experience in recruitment, Martin firstly instructs students in the art of CV writing and the potential pitfalls in getting it wrong. "With the ever increasing number of potential job applicants, your CV is your opportunity to get your foot in the door, it is your most valuable personal sales tool" says Martin.
Once CV's are generated, Martin returns to Cross & Passion and undertakes mock interviews with the students. Commenting on interviews Martin's tip is; "Never lie. Ireland is a very small place and you will be found out eventually".
Commenting on the process Head of LCVP Sean Dowling stated, "Martin's work in the school provides our students with a valuable learning opportunity which will benefit them in their preparation for their Leaving Certificate and for their lives beyond that".


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Lebanese Basketball Cup: A Small Illustration of the Country
Will money rule Formula One 2014?
The dramatic changes in F1 this season are likely to result in a more intense in-season car development battle than ever before – but can new restrictions prevent it being 'biggest budget wins' in the end?
It is just three weeks before the first of the pre-season tests and with just 12 days of on-track running at best before to the first race – Lotus have already admitted they will miss the first test – there will be plenty of unfinished jobs even when the cars hit the track in anger for the first time in Australia in March.
The switch to a 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine with two supporting energy recovery systems has impacted on overall car design, with new cooling requirements affecting overall aerodynamic performance. This is on top of the changes to the front chassis shape, an altered rear wing, a new single exhaust outlet that puts an end to blown diffusers and a reduction in front wing width that will have a significant impact on endplate design and the airflow around the front wheels.
It has required a complete re-design for this season and some teams are already well ahead in the spending stakes, having taken an unrestricted opportunity to plunge significant resources and personnel into 2014 conceptual design for more than two years.
But despite all this work, this is just the beginning.
The rules are such that there will almost certainly be big differences between the solutions delivered by the three engine manufacturers Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault. That could result in crucial performance differences, but the first priority in terms of resources will be in ironing out the likely reliability issues as the season gets underway.
All this means in-season development will need to be at a high rate from the off and the scope for improvement on such infant designs will reward those who can push their engineers the hardest through the year.
Some insiders expect it to be up to two months before reliability glitches are overcome, given the complexity of this year's changes, and that takes us to race six in Monaco.
The teams who can solve issues sooner will reap the benefit of time spent in development rather than problem solving – and two months, even at last year's rates, would deliver around half a second per lap. The scope in aerodynamic development this year means that benefit will be even bigger.
All this paints a bleak picture for the teams with lower budgets and fewer people.
The Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA), although still in place is all but dead, with Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo claiming it is "very easy to cheat" the system, particularly for the top teams.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who has recent experience of midfield and top level teams, recently admitted that the leaders "probably spend three or four times the money" of the smaller teams.
Most of the paddock has admitted it is time for a budget cap, but that won't be in place until 2015 at the earliest, so this year the purse strings are loose and the pressure to get ahead right at the start of a new era is enormous.
There is one small hope for those with less capacity to spend, and that lies in a reduction in aerodynamic testing.
This year, it will be reduced to nearly a third of what was previously allowed and unlike many promises in the RRA, this restriction should be measurable and enforceable.
Both CFD and windtunnel testing are capped to a maximum amount of 'wind on' tunnel hours and CFD processing power within an eight-week testing period, with one offset against the other up to a combined total.
That will work to a certain extent, but really, for 2014 at least, talk of moving a 'more sustainable F1' is rubbish.
No team is going to restrict their spending when they see the golden carrot of race victories and increased prize money and the potential to be at the front of the field for the long term in what should be a new period of stable regulations.
And no matter what the restrictions, the teams will always find ways to spend their way to success.
Source: Gray Matter's Blog – uk.eurosport.yahoo.com


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Source of APS film
Living in hope.
Madrid / Edinburgh
I don't think they're manufactured any more but there are a lot on ebay, though all or almost all are expired. Amazon US has quite a lot, though whether they're expired or not I can't say. Expired films will be useable but would probably have to be exposed at something less than their nominal speed in order to get good results. As such, I would check if your friend's camera can over-ride the ISO or provide exposure compensation. I'm not familiar with APS film but as it's the newest format I imagine it has something like the DX coding for 35mm film.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3 & K200D, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Pentax User Team
Glasgow, Scotland
All the best.Al
If he resists the lure of digital, 35mm film is much more widely available and second hand compact 35mm cameras are practically given away for free on ebay, including some really fantastic models that would have cost an arm and a leg back in the day!
That sounds like an easier technological leap to sell. Thanks for the suggestion.


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