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Nature Conservation Australia

What we’re doing

‘Enriching our Living Environment’

The Capital Woodland and Wetlands Conservation Trust are raising funds to ensure that the future of Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary and Jerrabomberra WetlandsNature Reserve is assured. The funds will support a range of activities that will allow the reserves to continue to be outstanding locations for nature conservation, ecological research, innovative management, education and nature-based recreation.

Download ACT map and site maps below.

ACT MapACT Map (384 KB)

MF and JW site mapsMF and JW site maps (1137 KB)

Scientific research for the whole planet

Working on these two sites are some of the best scientists in Australia. They are doing active intervention based studies in ways rarely done anywhere. They cover a wide range of disciplines from ecology to hydrology. They bring leading international reputations personally and students who will be future leaders.

Both these projects have the potential to produce long term results in ways we have never managed to achieve before.

This is active science aimed directly at better conservation management for these sites and in similar natural areas in Australia.

Imagine walking through box-gum grassy woodland at dusk. It is a clear, warm, spring evening. Through the tops of the trees you can just see the russet-red sun setting over the Brindabella Mountains. The air is still and filled with the aroma of chocolate lilies, damp woodland soil and eucalypt leaves.

Then, suddenly, the silence is broken by a soulful call in the distance. It’s a rare Bush Stone Curlew!

The light is fading quickly, and you switch on your torch. There is a rustle in the undergrowth. It’s too small to be a kangaroo or a wallaby. You shine your torch in the direction of the sound. Then, from behind a log, a small bettong hops towards you – oblivious to your presence. It digs a little by your feet, and then scoots into the undergrowth. As you scan the open, grassy woodland with your torch you realize that you are surrounded! Bettongs are hopping all around, digging the soil, and scratching in the leaf litter. Smaller bandicoots run between them, searching for grubs and bugs.

The woodland is teeming with life, and you have just experienced something that no-one has experienced in Canberra for nearly 100 years

This is Mulligans Flat Woodlands

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve is one of the most valuable wetland habitat areas in the ACT and is of national and international significance. It is a refuge for migrating birds from the northern hemisphere and inland Australia; is part of Canberra Nature Park, and is located on the Molonglo River floodplain only four kilometers from Canberra’s City centre.

Each year, during the warmer months, the reserve hosts several international travellers. These are the migratory birds that fly thousands of kilometres from the northern hemisphere and seek refuge in the wetlands. Over 80 species of waterbird have been recorded there, including 25 successfully breeding. Another 90 species of birds also use these wetlands.

Come and take a stroll through the wetlands and discover a unique array of wetland and terrestrial habitats, remnants of the wetland’s agricultural origins, and learn about the ecology of this precious place. Pathways and bird hides will help you discover the delights of wildlife watching.

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary achievements to date:

  • Mulligans Flat part of major research partnership into innovative management and restoration of woodlands (commenced 2004)
  • Construction by ACT Government of the predator proof fence (2009)
  • Removal of introduced predators (foxes and cats)  (2009)
  • Sanctuary Centre the focus for information about Sanctuary programs and progress (opened 2009)
  • Formation of Friends of Mulligans Flat community group (2011)
  • Re-introduction of Eastern Bettong (2012)
  • Woodlands walking trails leaflet (2012)
  • Sanctuary’s first ecologist and outreach officer (April 2013)
  • Re-introduction of New Holland Mouse (2013)
  • Volunteering
  • Adopt a hectare
  • Re-introduction of the Bush Stone-curlew (2014)

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve achievements to date:

The Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve has already been the focus of a great deal of activity involving a number of community members and interested organisations.

These activities include:

  • Ongoing removal of invasive plant species, re-establishment of native species, and upgrading of facilities, including existing bird hides and walkways
  • Compiling inventories and systems descriptions of the geomorphological, flora and fauna resources of the Reserve
  • Fencing of riparian zones and riverbanks to exclude stock, in association with the provision of stock watering points
  • Building partnerships with conservation groups, community volunteers and academic research groups, in the assessment and management of the Reserve
  • Allocation of a permanent Ranger to work at the Reserve
  • Refurbishment of bird hides
  • Replacement of footbridge on the Creek Trail
  • Establishment of photo monitoring points
  • Removal of willows and alder along sections of Jerrabomberra Creek and replanting with reeds to create habitat for Lathams Snipe.


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upcoming events

For children nine years and upwards, introducing them to cycling on quiet roads.
Starting from Greenstead Library at 10:30  and ending at 12:30pm
45 minute sessions for adults and children struggling to ride or who have never learnt to cycle.
Cycle Colchester will be at Firstsite between 12noon and 4pm promoting cycling as part of Black...

View previous events

<< <  Page 8 of 8

Well it's been a while.....we are a bit behind on blogs due to maternity leave and illness, however fortunately this has coincided with the coldest months of the year when things are at their quietest in the local cycling calendar. We have had some lovely bright days during February, it feels...

Welcome to our new website, we hope you like it and find it easy to navigate. It's a continually evolving site for you the cycling community, so we welcome feedback. You can contact us via the About Us page.

Despite the warmer than usual...

Please share and like this page on Facebook, you can also join our Facebook Group

local riders

Read Wolf's insirational story about how cycling has transformed his mobility. Find out about the e-bikes he has built, his campaigning for better cycle links particularly between towns and his lobbying for ebikes to be recognised as a mobility aid. 'Getting the bus is causing me big problems, but cycling is good. Going to work by bus I’m sitting down for an hour and a half and I’d have to take painkillers before going to work, but not when I’m cycling.'

View previous interviews

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NEW YORK (AP) -- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) doesn't care for Vice President Joe Biden's criticisms of the city's LaGuardia Airport.

Biden on Thursday likened the airport to "some Third World country" while touting more modern airports in places such as Hong Kong.

De Blasio defended the airport on Friday when asked about Biden's comments. He says the remarks weren't Biden's "finest moment" and calls them "inappropriate." He says that was "not the right way to talk about it."

De Blasio concedes the airport needs upgrades but praises the hard work of its employees. He says he respects Biden but is also a proud New Yorker.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates LaGuardia. It says it's investing $3.6 billion to help give passengers "a world-class terminal."


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Thursday's storms do little damage to Artscape

Thursday night's thunderstorms did little damage to Artscape, the giant free arts festival that opened as planned at 11 a.m. today, organizers said.

"A few things blew around a bit and some installations got wet, but that's all," said Tracy Baskerville, spokeswoman for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. "I was just up there, and a few things looked wet, but it didn't look like they couldn't carry on."

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Baltimore area, beginning at noon today and running through this evening. Officials from several city departments — the mayor's office, police, fire and BOPA — will be meeting throughout Artscape, with an eye toward reacting quickly if severe weather or any other event threatens the festival, an official said.

"We're not expecting storms like we got last night," said Scott Brillman, director of special events for the mayor's office of emergency management. He said planners have made arrangements with owners of area buildings, in case severe weather forces people inside.

Whatever happens, he said, "We're ready to make a quick decision."

Artscape, the nation's largest free arts festival, runs through Sunday on and around the corner of Mount Royal Avenue and Charles Street. More than 300,000 visitors came to Artscape last year.

"We try to go on, rain or shine," Baskerville said.

More Artscape 2012 coverage:
Artscape 2012 Guide
Artscape 2012 music lineup, performance schedule
Pictures: Artscape through the years

Copyright © 2017, Daily Press


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UNSUSPECTING shoppers in a Glasgow newsagent got more than they bargained for as they queued up for their National Lottery ticket on Saturday morning.

The shop’s security cameras captured a flash-mob of National Lottery-funded projects spreading a message of thanks for the funding they’ve received over the last 20 years.

A full samba band popped up in the shop to the surprise of shoppers, including local resident, Mary Anne McMillan, 82.

She said: “What a shock! You don’t expect a Samba band to start playing when you’re buying your National Lottery ticket. I’ve been playing the Lottery for years but I didn’t know my money went to such brilliant causes.”

Browns Newsagent, in the Cardonald area of Glasgow, was specially chosen as the venue for the Lotto Cheer after raising £2.7million for good causes – more than any other independent retailer in Scotland.

Owner, Michael Brown, said: “The Lotto Cheer morning was the most fun our shop has ever known. Our customers have never seen anything like it before – they’re still talking about it.”


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Back to All Events

Wednesday Bible Study

  • Danbury Church of Christ 90 Clapboard Ridge Road Danbury, CT, 06811 United States (map)

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm "Free" Supper

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Bible Study

Our bible studies allow people to not only learn about the Bible but also build friendships and strong relationships.

Downstairs - Fellowship Hall


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With all the classic perfection of a Hans Wegner design, the CH008 is crafted to sit alongside sofas and easy chairs or as the centerpiece of a space. Simple, elegant, and refined without shortcuts. A friendly three-legged stance gives stability and interest.

  • Oil and lacquer finishes on oak, ash, and walnut
  • Available in three diameters
CH008 Sofa Table by Coalesse a brand Steelcase

For more product details about CH008 Sofa Table, please visit


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Monday, March 26, 2012

Cheap Thrills -- ALONG THE CANADIAN #2

This Column Originally Ran on Comics Bulletin
Random Pulls from the Bargain Bin

In these economic times, finding inexpensive entertainment is difficult. Thank goodness for the local comic shop and a slew of comics nobody cares about anymore! Each week Daniel Elkin randomly grabs a comic from the bargain bin (for 50 cents) to see what kind of bang he can get for his two-bits. These are those tales.

March 14, 2012 – paid 50 cents for:
Published by: Obion Comics
Written by: Joel Rivers
Art by: Joel Rivers

Sometimes it is hard to believe that May, 2004 was actually almost eight years ago. I mean, I remember it like it was yesterday. Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage, Fahrenheit 9/11 won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, both Shrek 2 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban were packing folks in the movie theaters, and Megas XLR debuted on Cartoon Network.

Both Friends and Fraiser said goodbye in May of 2004, Phish announced that they would be breaking up at the end of the Summer, and Tony Randall died.

In May 2004, both Skinny Puppy and PJ Harvey released albums, Nintendo officially announced what would later be known as the Wii, and from Portland, Maine, Obion Comics publishes Xeric Grant Winner Joel Rivers' black and white Western tale, Along the Canadian #2.

According to their website, The Xeric Foundation is “a private, nonprofit corporation established by Peter A. Laird, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Planet Racers which offers financial assistance to committed, self-publishing comic book creators and qualified charitable and nonprofit organizations.” This, though, will be the last year they will be doing this. Anyway, the fine folks at the Xeric Foundation saw in Joel Rivers enough talent to award him a grant to pursue his dream of publishing his 6 issue mini-series about the Old West. Today, I found it in the bargain bin.

Issue #2 of Along the Canadian has the subtitle “Cottonmouth”. It begins like this:

I hate when the voices in my head want to know why I killed them.

The next page takes us to Fort Smith, Arkansas in the year 1873. Our mustachioed nightmare having man turns out to be the sheriff of that them thar town, and he's lookin' fer some new deputies (willing to pay them $10 a week, too). Nobody seems to take him very seriously. I think there is a back story to this.

Luckily, to get the plot moving forward, these fine folks come riding into town.

Elly and her Uncle have a bit of a problem. They've been followed into town by a no good rootin' tootin' snake oil peddler (Jones) who, much to her chagrin, is sweet on poor Elly.

Elly's Uncle (as well as her mom) ain't keen on Jones the snake oil peddler neither. But Jones is a persistent cuss who people say is “a white witch-man from out east” who seems to have an affinity for snakes.

As an aside: Regardless of whatever flaws of execution that Along the Canadian #2 contains (and there are some, but not many) – I will always remember that panel above. Just so you know.

As he is friends with the Uncle and all (and, after a home cooked meal, seems to be growing sweet on Elly himself), the Sheriff agrees to go talk to Jones about his harassment. Writer/artist Joel Rivers then provides the following four panels:

Now this is what the Xeric Foundation must have seen in Joel. The use of shadows, the pacing, the silence – this is good stuff. This is what you can do in comics.

The Sheriff sits down with Jones and they discuss his affinity for Elly. Jones pours the Sheriff a drink, which turns out to be drugged. While passed out, the Sheriff has some strange dreams involving a nun, a dead wife, and a snake (SNAKE!). The Sheriff finally comes to, but by then Jones has kicked the crap out of Uncle and taken Elly out into the Creek Nation. The Sheriff, his honor and fondness for Elly at stake, rides off into the prairie – towards Deep Fork.

Once again, Rivers shows those Xeric Foundation grant winning chops here.

The Sheriff eventually finds Jones' cabin, and then makes a dramatic kicking the door down* kind of entrance. Gun out, he lets a rather calm Jones know his intention:

Pacing, layouts – Rivers is nailing it. And so is Jones. Nailing the Sheriff on the head with a big stick, that is.

Which leads to this bit of awesomeness:

After punching Elly in the face, Jones grabs the Sheriff's unconscious body and tosses him into the swamp(?) by the cabin.

Then this happens:

Which leads to this:

Call me a sucker or an idiot or even Your Chicken Enemy, but I think this is wonderful for all the reasons I've said before – the pacing, the layouts, the use of shadows. Sure, it's not a high-level masterpiece, but if you ask me, it is one of the great tragedies that Along the Canadian #2 has ended up in the bargain bin and not in everybody's long boxes at home.

Oh yea … wait … Rivers isn't done telling his story. Elly runs down to the water and finds the Sheriff.

Classic. It had to be done, right? Sure the villain popping up just when you think he is defeated is not a ground breaking plot device, but somehow here it is just a little gift. It's like when they ask you if you want Jimmies on your Sundae. And who doesn't love Jimmies?

When I pulled Along the Canadian #2 out of the bargain bin and took a gander at the cover, I thought this was going to be one of those columns that I would have to slog through with the voices in my head begging me to either stop or jam an ice pick into my left eye socket.

I mean, that's a pretty crappy cover.

But I was thankfully wrong. I read Along the Canadian #2 with an increasingly expanding grin on my face as I turned each page. What the hell was this little gem doing in the bargain bin? Didn't Joel Rivers win a grant from the Xeric Foundation to put this out – doesn't that come with any clout at all? Is it because he self- published it through his own Obion Comics? From Maine? Did he lack the resources to give it the big pimping and therefore it languished in sales and interest? Where was the press? All I could find was a short review in the Comics Journal that says some nice things. Doesn't the Xeric Foundation issue press releases?

The whole thing kinda makes me sad. This is a good comic, and now it is jammed in the bargain bin rubbing ink with the likes of Ogre and Satan's Six.

The good news is that Joel Rivers has collected the entire six issue series into an OGN (which you can buy here), but it's inclusion among the detritus of comic book high-hopes low-talent speaks to a wider issue that Steve Savage and I have been discussing of late here on Comics Bulletin.

A Comics Necropolis.

Go read what we have to say about this idea. Then, for the sake of something as good as Along the Canadian, think about doing something.

See you next week.

* I can't write something like that without thinking of this:

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Testimony 21-30

Testimony #21

Jessica and Tommy (Prewedding + Wedding day)JnT EUPW-206a

The shooting began with a perfect weather however it started pouring when we were only half way done. It was getting cold and we were about to give up. Daniel was so passionate and insisted to keep it going, very detailed to try the light and angle before taking every pic, so professional! It’s great that we found you! Thanks so much for the hard work, Daniel, Rex, Long!
See you again on our wedding day.

Review Jessica and TommyJnT EUPW-80aJnT EUPW-129aJnT EUPW-237aJnT EUPW-246a

Testimony #22

Irene and Rick (Prewedding)

Review Irene Rick 01

MUA 啊LONG 也辛苦了，不單每日需要比其他人早到為我們準備，亦需要一路上兼任紗童，‘食蕉’，人肉GPS及試位Model，仲要無時無刻留意我個妝。超有型的Long，遇著我這搗蛋新娘也無皺眉，邊有新娘上好粉Set好頭帶太陽眼鏡？畫好嘴飲水？Sorry呀，因為我平時真係無化妝。

review irene and rick 05Review Irene Rick 03

Review Irene Rick 02Review Irene Rick 04

Testimony #23

Naomi and TK (Prewedding ＋ Wedding Day)review naomi and tk 01

第一次看到Daniel 的相，是在12年好姊妹的婚禮上，當時我看到姊妹的結婚相，全程在尖叫，很漂亮！很特別！很壯觀！第一次看到如此與眾不同的結婚相！由那日起，Daniel Tam 此大名，記下了！心裏跟自已說，我的結婚相，一定要找他拍！
13年，決定結婚的一刻，便馬上找Daniel book 時間影pre-wedding, 同時亦book 了big day攝影！
而我亦知道自已並沒有作錯誤決定，找Daniel 作攝影師是明智選擇！Pre-wedding 當日，Daniel 與他的crew 十分專業，化妝師Ivy 把我由巫婆變成公主！加上Daniel 的技術，相片馬上昇華(心心眼)! 看著Daniel 以及工作人員拿左重重的攝影器材，帶我倆上山下海，務求找最美的風景拍最美的相片，而全日都只吃了頓m 記，在這再次說聲不好意思還有，thank you so much!!!
Pre-wedding 的相美得讓我看了再看！Big day 當日，親友們見到pre-wedding 的相片都讚口不絕！我早早便通知姊妹們，開心笑便ok 啦！有Daniel 在，準全都變大美人！而且，Daniel 把親友們的神情捕捉得十分自然，好看，全都是我想要的效果！Daniel Tam , 強！還有你的crew! 讚！！多謝你及你的crew, 讓我的婚禮變得不一樣！！

review naomi and tk 04review naomi and tk 03

Testimony #24

Cynthia and Simon (Prewedding)review cynthia and simon 02

睇到唔願訓呀… 好多謝 Daniel Tam Ka Nam 幫我地影左輯咁靚既相!
未影之前, 真係好期待, 仲成日係咁睇佢facebook d 相, 真係好impressive, 好鐘意. 一直好期待見呢個有18萬人LIKE 既攝影師 所以影之前其實我係勁緊張.
仲記得晌拍攝前一日, 佢已經打俾我同我分析天氣狀況會係點.. 而拍攝當日都真係好似佢講咁.. 雖然因為能見度低而影唔到我期待既藍天白雲相 但佢反而利用呢樣野做出另一種意境! 仲影左一輯好靚既相添! 要做到咁一D都唔簡單. 感謝讓我們遇上你!

review cynthia and simon 04review cynthia and simon 01review cynthia and simon 03

Testimony #25

Peggy and Andy (Prewedding)Review peggy and andy 01

Daniel, 1000000 thanks for your and MUA C Long’s hard work in the pre-wedding shoot. We never expected that you initiated to walk around all the places on the first day we arrived after a mid night tiring flight. What also amazed us was you and ah Long worked for 19 hours on the shooting day for us, and traveled total 8 places but still in energetic and professional mode. Even though we kept banned by those temple guys and station staffs for taking picture, you and ah Long still tried to hard to sneak in first to explore the place and briefed us the pose with ah Long as model. We believe it can never happen without such a cooperative team work of you and ah Long. We deeply appreciate for your professionalism and passion in talking those beautiful pictures and wonderful make up and hairdos. We will definitely recommend my friends to find you for photo shooting and MUA C Long Chung for make up in the future. We look forward in reviewing the pictures later. Keep in touch~

Review peggy and andy 04 Review peggy and andy 03Review peggy and andy 02

Testimony #26

Carrie and Fung (Pregnancy)

review carrie and fung 01

Thanks so much for bringing me another wonderful photo-shooting experience yesterday.

I am lucky enough to find a professional and trustworthy photographer like YOU to witness and record my 2 precious moments in life.
Per-wedding photos are definitely important to every girl but for me, maternity photos are even more important! It’s because pregnant ladies may not have other chances in life that perceive ourselves as beautiful, gorgeous, elegant and healthy even with our 40-something-inch waist length!
I am looking forward to the birth of my baby girl as well as the new-born photo shooting session by you few months later! I am confident that your good hands can make another great page for my “life photo album”.

My heartfelt thanks to you again!

review carrie and fung 02

Testimony #27

Kareena and Omesh (Prewedding)

Review Kareena and Omesh 01It was about a year ago when we began our search for a photographer to take our pre-wedding photos. We had no idea what we should be looking for, who was hot in the market, what prices would be considered reasonable, etc. We were basically thinking how will we ever find “The One”?!

When we came across Daniel’s website and looked at his work, we knew right way that Daniel would be “The One” who could do the perfect job for us.

On the day of the shoot, Daniel showed up professionally prepared with a bucket full of energy. Taking into account the style of photos we were looking for, Daniel suggested great locations and provided the perfect make-up artist who did the make-up flawlessly and naturally. During the shoot, Daniel came up with various creative ideas and we were amused by how imaginative he can be. Although the weather turned bad as the day rolled along and we were both very tired from from hours of posing. Daniel was still full of energy and inspiration. We had an amazing day with Daniel and his crew. We were extremely happy with what Daniel and his team did for us and know without a doubt that we had made the right choice. We were also absolutely stunned at was delivered to us with the price paid – it was definitely the money. We are extremely excited that Daniel will also be shooting for us on our wedding day and simply can’t wait to see more of his wonderful work.

Review Kareena and Omesh 03 Review Kareena and Omesh 02

Testimony #28

Monica and Daniel (Prewedding)Review Monica and Daniel 07

My fiance and I were fortunate enough to have found Daniel Tam Ka Nam and had a very enjoyable shoot with him, that ended with many many stunning photos. Daniel is a very gifted photographer, and what strikes me most about him is how he manages to capture the joy and magic on the day and reflect those in the photos in such a classy and tasteful manner. His images not only fulfill what you had in mind, they exceed it. We cannot stress enough how happy we are to have entrusted him with our pre wedding shoot. We were indeed in very good hands. Thanks again Daniel!

Review Monica and Daniel 08

Review Monica and Daniel 01Review Monica and Daniel 02Review Monica and Daniel 04Review Monica and Daniel 05Review Monica and Daniel 06

Testimony #29

Edna and Dorian (Wedding Day)

Review Edna and Dorian 04Hi, Daniel, we just want to extend our appreciation to have Daniel Tam Ka Nam and hid creqws to be our wedding day photographer. Though we haven’t seen all the photos yet but your same day slideshow video were absolutely stunning and impressive to everyone. 朋友同屋企人都好鍾意,真係百看不厭!

Actually our schedule wedding day was overrun, we were fortunate enough to have your prompt advice and idea on how to continue the photo shooting and captured every precious moment right on time with a perfect location. You are so well talented and your crews are just awesome! Thank you for everything!
Look forward to seeing your wonderful work!

Review Edna and Dorian 01 Review Edna and Dorian 02 Review Edna and Dorian 03Review Edna and Dorian 05 Review Edna and Dorian 06 Review Edna and Dorian 07

Testimony #30

Cece and Anthony (Wedding Day)Review Cece and Anthony 02

Hi Daniel, words cannot express how lucky we feel to have you and your team to capture those precious moments on our wedding day. I’ve received so many compliments from friends and families telling us how those images brought tars into their eyes, even though, we were all laughing so hard in those photos. I guess, that’s your talent– to touch the bottom of people’s heart through those magical images you create!

Review Cece and Anthony 09Review Cece and Anthony 01Review Cece and Anthony 03 Review Cece and Anthony 04 Review Cece and Anthony 07Review Cece and Anthony 06Review Cece and Anthony 08


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Barnsley Independent article: The scandal of our children being able to legally buy ‘fake’ cocaine and ecstasy

So called ‘legal highs’ are substances designed to produce the same, or similar effects, to drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. But their chemical make-up is different enough to avoid being covered by the law. Often they are sold as bath salts, research chemicals, plant food or advertised as ‘not for human consumption’ to get round the law.

I have been contacted by numerous constituents, raising their concerns about the selling of ‘legal highs’ from a shop in the arcade in town. Many people believe it has caused an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area, having witnessed users snorting these substances and then collapsing or vomiting and generally causing a disturbance. Often paramedics have had to be called to deal with the appalling results. The police can only move them on, as the substances are not illegal, but the users readily return later.

It has led to some businesses losing customers and their staff being afraid to venture outside of their shops alone. This is extremely worrying on many levels. Firstly, it does little to boost the local economy; this is an area which is particularly attractive and often draws in visitors from outside the area. Secondly, residents and business owners should not have to fear for their safety in broad daylight in the middle of our town. Thirdly, it has been reported that adults have been seen buying these substances for children.

Whilst the owner of this particular business has implemented his own ‘Over 18s only’ policy, it clearly isn’t working. And it is a wider issue for all of society in that, as the law currently stands, these substances are deemed to be perfectly acceptable for children of any age to buy. The fact that they carry the message ‘Not for consumption’ clearly does not prevent them being consumed.

I have spoken directly to the owner of the business. He claims that if he wasn’t selling them, then someone else would be. That may be the case but we can only deal with the reality of the situation – which is totally unacceptable.

I am in discussions with local stakeholders to see what can be done on this issue – including South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, Barnsley Council, Trading Standards and local business people. I am also pursuing the issue nationally to see how the law can be changed to tackle the issue; current legislation cannot keep up with how quickly and easily these substances can be chemically altered and, therefore, exempt from the law.

I have also asked Barnsley Council to talk to the Department of Communities and Local Government to see if a by-law can be created to tackle the use of legal highs in this specific part of town.

‘Legal highs’ are a blight on our town and a threat to our children; this issue needs everyone’s urgent attention. I will pursue this issue until we reach an acceptable resolution for our town. I will not let this matter go, as it is vital to Barnsley’s long term prosperity.

This article was first published in the Barnsley Independent on 30 April 2014.

To read my latest articles as they are published, sign up here.

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Darren Forde is a Cork wedding photographer with a natural, creative style, telling the story of your day with unique wedding photography.

I have wanted to be a photographer since I received my first camera, an old manual Pentax ME film camera as a parting gift from my employer in New York, 20 years ago. I fell in love with it straight away and it accompanied me around the world.

That was then and now I specialise in Wedding Photography both in Ireland and Overseas.

I always strive to tell a story with my pictures, documenting your wedding day through the images I capture in a natural and creative way. For me this is the essence of wedding photography. A picture really should tell a thousand words. Most photography is done on the fly, in the moment, and this is what I love. Seeking out the little moments and details of the day, capturing unique classic and contemporary images that instantly bring you back to that wonderful day. I love blending into the crowd and capturing the special moments in a documentary style and mixing that with beautiful natural portraits you will treasure forever.

It’s a great feeling for me to have captured one of the happiest days of your life in such a creative way.

Would you like to do a quick check on the availability of your date?

Slip a few details into the boxes below, hit send and I’ll be right back to you. Fingers crossed!

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SBIN0015702 IFSC Code

State Bank Of India, Karaikudi Bazaar branch, Karaikudi
IFSC Code (used for RTGS and NEFT transactions)
Bank State Bank Of India
Branch Karaikudi Bazaar
Address 288 Sekkalai Road, Near Periyar Statue, Karaikudi 630001
Contact 9445863719

NEFT Contact Number 022
NEFT FAX 022 - 27561664
City Karaikudi
District Sivaganga
State Tamil Nadu
Netbanking URL
Operating From 22/03/2012
Type of Bank Nationalised Bank
Visits 143
Working Hours Weekdays (Mon - Fri) : 10 AM - 4 PM Weekend (Sat) : 10 AM - 1 PM

Top Banks in India

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SYNB0008058 IFSC Code

Syndicate Bank, Sijua Bhubaneswar branch, Bhubaneswar
IFSC Code (used for RTGS and NEFT transactions)
MICR Code 751025013
Bank Syndicate Bank
Branch Sijua Bhubaneswar
Address Syndicate Bank Br Sijua Bhubaneswar C 359 1818 Patrapada Near Techno School Bhubaneswar 751019 Dist Khurda State Odisha
NEFT Contact Number 022 22653157 / 022 22653158
NEFT FAX 022 22653156
City Bhubaneswar
District Khurda
State Odisha
Netbanking URL
Operating From 19/06/2013
Type of Bank Nationalised Bank
Visits 84
Working Hours Weekdays (Mon - Fri) : 10 AM - 4 PM Weekend (Sat) : 10 AM - 1 PM

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This is a new web site (still in beta as you can see if you click on the link) that is really helpful to everyone who owns a car, truck, SUV…whatever. They are a veritable one stop shop for everything having to do with your vehicle. If you are thinking about trading in your old clunker, they can tell you how much you can expect to get out of it at by clicking on the “what’s it worth” icon. I found out my ’06 Honda Civic is holding up it’s value pretty good (as I thought it would). So, if you are thinking about trading in, you can find out what your car is really worth. Don’t depend on the salesperson telling you what it’s worth. Find out at this new site.

One of the things I think is innovative about DriverSide is they can let you know how much you should pay for repairs. This is something that people really need to know about. I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard horror stories of people (mainly women) who have wound up paying for new tires and front end alignment to the tune of well over a $1500.00. That is highway robbery. This feature alone is worth the reason to at least investigate what this site is all about. So, if you want to know exactly what to pay for repairs on your car in your town, check out DriverSide.

One of the best features is DriverSide allows you to list your car for sale for free. I’m not sure how they are able to do that for free. But, I would certainly make sure to take advantage of their generosity. I don’t want to begin to even tell you how much this one feature alone would cost you on eBay and other web sites. This is an excellent site that is only going to get better. I have bookmarked them for future reference. It is well worth checking out if you want to save money on your car.

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Thanksgiving 2014 was so good that I didn’t step one foot outside of my house for 2 whole days after!!
 I didn’t even post any pics on Instagram until today.

All of my guests showed up with delicious contributions in-hand and we ate and talked and laughed and played games and I thought for a moment, “I should really be posting photos of all of this on Instagram…”, but every time I got ready to, it seemed silly to stop living my life to share the documentation of my life….so I didn’t. I just stayed present with my people and figured I’d leave the rest to this week.

Guess who got braces?!!

Engrossed in Taboo
As much as I love Christmas, I have to say that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.
I have so much to be grateful for this year.
After coming off of a very recent health scare, I am grateful that I can say that I’m healthy…nothing is more important than this.
I’m grateful for a career that I love and jobs and clients that I like & projects that excite me.
I’m grateful for my family–people who are smart, very witty, and all around awesome.
I’m grateful that I’ve been able to see all of my best friends this year which is no small feat, considering that they’re each spread out to the corners of this country.
I’m grateful to be 35…and that I love being 35! I saw an episode of the Kardashians over the weekend where Khloe was turning 30 and sad about not being where she thought she would be. It made me laugh because on this side I know how, if you give it time, it can be so much better than you anticipate.
I’m grateful for my faith. It has carried me through, changed me & keeps me expecting the best.
I’m grateful for financial stability.
I’m grateful for my big, audacious dreams that have me excited to work & keep me up at night. I have big, big plans, y’all.
And I’m grateful for the people who joined me last week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday…truly, good friends make life worth living.

As I love to say, my cup runneth over….and I hope yours did/does too.

3 Comments on GRATEFUL.

  1. LiveLaughDecorate
    December 2, 2014 at 10:28 am (3 years ago)

    Love it! Especially that you overcame the need to document your life for IG, and decided to live in the moment. Isn’t Taboo the best? Folks get so competitive, yours truly included. Anywho, glad you had a great time with great friends and looking forward to all the bad-ass things you’ll be up to next year.

  2. Kristen
    December 2, 2014 at 1:42 pm (3 years ago)

    your house is so cute 🙂

  3. Shavonda@AHomeFullOfColor
    December 12, 2014 at 11:48 am (3 years ago)

    How bout that black trim though!!! Im so happy you had a wonderful thanksgiving surrounded by love and friendship.

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What does caiaphas mean?

Definitions for caiaphasˈkeɪ ə fəs, ˈkaɪ-

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word caiaphas.

  1. Caiaphas

    Joseph Caiaphas, known simply as Caiaphas in the New Testament, was the Jewish high priest who is said to have organized the plot to kill Jesus. Caiaphas is also said to have been involved in the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. According to the Gospel accounts, Caiaphas was the major antagonist of Jesus. An ossuary with the name "Joseph son of Caiaphas" was found in Jerusalem in 1990. The authenticity of that discovery has been challenged by some scholars on various grounds.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Caiaphas

    the High-Priest of the Jews who condemned Christ to death as a violator of the law of Moses.

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of caiaphas in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of caiaphas in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Images & Illustrations of caiaphas

  1. caiaphascaiaphascaiaphas

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Held at Open Theater (OT) of IT Del at 05.00 pm, Vinculos concert was opened by Dr. Arnaldo Marulitua Sinaga, ST., M.InfoTech on behalf of the Rector of IT Del that was being under assignment in Jakarta. He thanked the Education and Cultural Minister Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Effendy, MAP for his willingness to come and watch Vinculos music concert  in person  at  IT Del.

Vinculos has performed more than 300 concerts in 12 countries. This was their first visit to Southeast Asia. In their visit at the time, they brought a mission for social, education and culture exchange. This event was sponsored by General Directorate of Education and Culture in cooperation with Government of Toba Samosir, Humbang Hasundutan and Samosir.

In its concert at IT Del on last Saturday, Vinculos played together with Batak Toba’s uning-uningan music group, Mataniari already performing in several countries, too.

The viewers’ enthusiasm upon watching the concert showed how proud they were for being Bataknese. Hopefully, such concert will be able to promote the fascination of Lake Toba in the eye of  the world, so Lake Toba Tourism can be more and more worldwide known.

vinculos di IT Del

vinculos di IT Del


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For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2004
Contact Info:
Miles Benson

Newhouse News Service

WASHINGTON -- Problems at the polls and allegations of other irregularities in the Nov. 2 election are gaining serious attention in the nation's capital.

The House Administration Committee, which produced the Help Americans Vote Act, or HAVA, after the disputed 2000 result, will hold hearings in the new year on how well the $3.9 billion reforms worked. The panel will examine a wide range of new allegations about fraud and mismanagement, according to Chairman Robert Ney, R-Ohio, and John Larson, D-Conn., the ranking minority member.

In some cases, the purported abuses could have helped re-elect President Bush. In others, they might have benefited his challenger, Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Ney said the hearings, which will start early after Congress convenes in January, "will be extensive."

'Far from perfect'

In addition, the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, which was established under HAVA, will meet Tuesday to review complaints of voting "anomalies" and plan further action, said Kay Stimson, a commission spokeswoman.

"We have no investigative or rule-making authority, but we are tracking the anomalies and we are tasked with updating voting equipment standards. We have asked the states to provide us with information on what happened," Stimson said.

Most state election officials have not yet certified their election results, and the Electoral College will not meet to cast the official ballots in the presidential election until Dec. 13.

"This was far from a perfect election," said Kay Maxwell, president of the League of Women Voters, who has called for an investigation into continuing voter registration problems and the long lines and delays that confronted many voters, particularly in Ohio, the pivotal state in determining the outcome.

Welcoming the House hearings and the Election Assistance Commission plans for follow-up, Lloyd Leonard, the league's advocacy director, said, "These are good first steps. They will have a lot of work to do."

"The election was badly underfunded and understaffed," he said. "Something was wrong at the polling places. It is unconscionable to wait two hours to vote, let alone six hours, which is what happened in some places in Ohio. They should determine if those lines were only in some areas but not others and where there was any partisan pattern of unequal treatment."

Maxwell said states and localities should also pursue their own examinations of Election Day problems.


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Missing Teeth

Having a missing tooth or teeth can be unsightly and cause significant chewing problems. There are several means to replace missing teeth which include implants, bridges or dentures. At Redland Bay Smiles our Dentists will discuss the pros and cons of each with you as well as the associated costs.

Other Dental Services:


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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A Blessed Year of Blogging

Hey everyone! Can't believe I've been blogging for an entire's been a crazy ride. I'll never be able to thank you enough for all you've done for me. The prayers, the views, the love. It's been amazing. So, in honor of today, I made my very first vlog!

Much much love to each and every one of you. XO
Marissa Mayer

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Survived & Revived

Good (early) morning? Sorry it's been awhile, but I've got lots on my mind and plenty to share. And as I probably mentioned in an earlier post, I recently went down to New Orleans for the LCMS National Youth Gathering. To describe my experience in simple terms: life-changing. But anyways, here I am off track let's go!

If we look back on last summer, most of you can recall that I was stuck in a deep pit of depression. The worst I probably have ever been. Most days I found myself wanting to die. Life lost most of it's value in my eyes. The world was devoid of color and purpose. For those of you who don't have depression or don't quite understand what I's an analogy. If life was a birthday party, I was living in a funeral while everyone around me was eating cake and opening presents.

People around me were having fun summers and spending time with their families while I watched mine fall apart. If you haven't heard me say it a bajillion times already, here it is again: divorce sucks.

I remember being warned about suicide and those kinds of things as a fairly young kid, and trying to fathom why anyone would want to kill him or herself. It seemed hard to understand, and little did I know that I would be the one making scars on my thigh and pouring pills into my hands years later.

Despite all the loss I faced, the demons that attacked me on a daily basis, God pulled me through it. Without Him, I have no doubt in my mind that I would be dead. Through each attempt, I remember the taunting voices in my head, but then a voice in my heart saying, "Marissa, my child, you are loved." I know it's something I never shared, but it's true. While the sad part of me begged for everything to end, I knew deep down I wanted to be saved from trying to kill myself. I wanted that calming voice to keep telling me that I was loved. Today, I'm here, able to tell you that I survived it all. Answered prayer.

Now back to my trip. The National Youth Gathering was...well, uplifting. I can't actually form a good sentence for you. I was spiritually revived when I saw the love of Christ among 25,000 other Christians. To witness that many people all worshiping the same God that worked miracles in my life (and in all of theirs)'s beautiful.

Through Christ I am saved. I have survived life thus far, and now that my faith has been revived, I'm excited to see where He continues to take me.

Take me, mold me, I am Yours,
Marissa Mayer
Other announcements:

1) 13K views by the time this is posted! Yay! THANK YOU ALL!

3) Continue to LIKE Depressed But Blessed on:
 Twitter (@depressbless)
And you can follow my personal Instagram (@marii_mayy)

4) Happy 1st Birthday to DBB is coming up in only a few days! With that, I'm hoping to try a vlog (video-blog post for those of you who don't know what this is)

5) And as always, thank you for the support and prayers. Keep on sharing my blog, and I'll keep on writing! Feel free to contact me (side forum or social media) with any ideas, questions, suggestions...etc. that you have! Love to hear from you!

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Do What You Want

Good evening...another late night post. Oops!

You might be thinking that the title of this post is slightly sassy. I guess I couldn't come up with a better one to tie together some stuff...hope it works! And just as a PSA: I'm leaving early Friday morning for the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans and won't be back until Wednesday night at like I won't be writing for a little over a week probably.

Anyways, I went to my grandma's swing again the other night all by myself. Like I've said in many other posts, I actually love doing stuff by myself a lot. I call them "Marissa dates" and I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's very peaceful. I sat at the swing, read the rest of my book, and then felt compelled to pray. So I did. I asked for peace as I get ready for my trip, and that God would open my heart as I gathered with 25,000 other Christians to worship and learn more about my faith. I prayed for a lot of other personal things, and when I was done, I didn't feel ready to leave. I felt a weight removed from my shoulders.

It took me awhile to realize what happened, but I came to understand that I had just willingly placed my fears into God's hands knowing that He would handle them. I had basically told God "do what you want with me and my heart on this journey"...and it felt great to give more of my heart to Him. As I struggle with some relationships, I also feel ready to keep them or let them go, according to His will. I rest more peacefully knowing that I want His plan because it is better than mine.

After the swing, I went to Culver's all by myself and for the rest of the night I was in a great mood because I was starting to do what I wanted...and that means listening to God and following Him wherever He leads me. Life's just so much easier when you let God do what He wants.

I hope you all have a wonderful finish to the week and make time to pray. As always, I'm praying for you and I cannot wait to come back and celebrate the one-year anniversary of DBB! God has definitely done some major work through me and in me in the past year. Thank you for sticking by my side and reading Depressed But Blessed. It means the world to me!

Lord, calm my fears and mold me into the Christian you want me to be,
Marissa Mayer

Thursday, July 7, 2016

The "Upside" of Living With Depression

Good evening everyone! I've been having some issues with writer's block lately...

For an update on myself, I guess I've been doing okay. I'm still suffering from the heartbreak, but I've been keeping busy enough to keep it to a minimum. I find my depression to be slight, it comes and goes as it pleases depending on the day. I'm currently not taking any of my herbal supplements either. I'm also getting super excited for my trip to New Orleans (from July 15th-20th). Anyways, that's the update on me! So here's tonight's read: The "Upside" of Living With Depression

Whenever we hear the word "depression" it's easy to quickly think of the terrible mental illness that plagues a huge chunk of the human race. To those of you who have read my blog before, I'm sure you have learned a lot about the scary and dark days I face. However, it is possible to put a positive light on living with this mental illness and I think these are a handful of things I have learned and have been reminded of along the way.

1. You finally understand who your friends really are...

I know I've said it before, but I've lost a lot of people throughout my journey with depression. Some people just aren't sure how to handle me, and I guess I can understand that. At the same time, I've found a lot of great people who are actually there for me when I need them. I've gained some great relationships with people and lost some toxic ones.

2. The simple blessings...

When I get stuck in a period of really rough depression, it's the little things that can really help me. Whether it's an extra long hug from my mom or getting the right cup of coffee, depression has opened my eyes to the littlest of blessings and made me more appreciative of the world I live in.

3. I can see just how strong I've become...

While I use the word "weak" to describe how I feel a lot, I know that it's temporary. I've lived for 16 years, and while I've attempted to cut it short a few times, I've somehow survived everything in my past. Wait, scratch that. I know how I's through Christ! And that leads me to number 4...

4. ...yet I can see my reliance on Christ...

It'd be silly to think I've gotten this far on my own. I got here through falling...countless times. Falling straight into my Father's arms and asking Him to pick me back up. Each time, He has carried me a little further, and then placed me back on my feet when I'm ready to walk again. Always nearby, I know I can rely on my Lord and Savior to guide me through this crazy route of life.

5. I've learned to love just a little bit bigger...

There are a lot of times when I find it hard to love myself, but somehow, I think I've learned a lot more about loving others. By living with depression, I can easily understand that the people around me are facing many different battles too! God has opened my heart more to the idea of loving because Christ first loved me. Of course, as I'm growing up, I've gotten a lot closer with my mom, who is a great example of what love looks like, as well as my little cousin, Emma. You can read more about them in: My Two Best Friends

6. I recognize stigma and want to fight it...

Stigma stands quite strong against mental illness. I didn't even know what it was until I faced quite a few of my own stigma experiences. It hinders many people from getting the help they need and one of my biggest hopes is that it can be eliminated from today's society. And that's why I'm so blessed to stand with organizations such as Project Semicolon, NAMI, MHA, and of course others who blog about mental illness.

To summarize some of those points, and lead you to the greatest "benefit" of depression...I think it's safe to say that my faith continues to grow. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm almost certain that I wouldn't even be alive. Each step of the way, I am reminded that prayer never ends, the blessings never end, and His love for me most definitely never ends. It's exciting to watch myself grow, and I thank all of you for helping me too, as I continue my journey as a depressed but blessed daughter of the King.

Another upside to my depression? Being a Christian blogger!
Much love,
Marissa Mayer

Like this post? Read a similar one: The Beauty That Lies Beyond The Depression


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Tuesday, April 18, 2017

It's been over two weeks since I've last posted, and even today I'm still not sure I feel ready.

I simply don't have enough to say anymore. I lack content. The past year and a half of writing has been repetitive, I'm sure you've heard me say it all before. A lot of people tell me they too think of starting a blog, but it's actually super hard to maintain when you have zero motivation and even worse, nothing to write about.

The end of senior year is coming up fast and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel prepared to let it all go. The past four years I've basically been begging for May 19th to come faster, but now, it's sinking in. I'm filled with excitement, fear, and some sadness at leaving this behind and moving ahead. On a brighter note, I met my roommate recently and so that takes a lot of anxiety off the table.

Also, as a PSA, I wouldn't watch 13 Reasons Why if you haven't already. I did, and the whole suicide scene made me sick and I felt terrible for two days. It's a lot to take in and I really wouldn't suggest it. It also puts up a whole new meaning to stigma...

Sorry this whole post is choppy...I'm feeling pretty empty. Wish I had more for you. I guess for now I'm just gonna take a little break until I can get back on track and figure out what I'm doing. You can always stay updated with my Instagram.

Marissa Mayer

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A handout photo taken on 7 January 2016 shows damage from a fire near Waroona in Western Australia. The out-of-control blaze 110 kilometres south of Perth more than doubled in size in 24 hours and burned through 130,000 acres, with a third of the town of Yarloop destroyed. Photo: Australia Fire and Emergency Services

By Tyler Hamilton
28 February 2016

(The Star) – The wind was unusually strong, and it swept across Saskatchewan farmland without warning or mercy to canola farmers who had just cut and laid out their crops to dry.

Kim Keller, 31, remembers the mid-September day clearly. It was 2012, her first year working back on the family’s 4,900-hectare grain farm in Gronlid, a hamlet about 200 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. An auto insurance adjuster for the previous six years, Keller realized after a decade away that the farm is where she yearned to be.

The windstorm was fast, furious and persistent. “We watched as all our hard work was literally blown away,” Keller said. “I wondered to myself, what did I just do? I had quit a stable job, and in my first year of farming my crop was literally gone. It had a massive impact on our livelihood.”

The stress led to anxiety and despair that Keller has learned is all too common — and poorly understood — in farming communities. She worries that climate change is amplifying mental distress as farmers struggle with floods, unseasonable frosts, with floods and windstorms scientists say are becoming more frequent and severe.

Planting crops year to year is becoming a “roll of the dice,” said Keller, a third-generation farmer.

“The weather we tend to experience lately seems to be at one extreme or the other — drought or flooding, -40 C or 35 C. These unpredictable and extreme weather patterns add to all the other stressors farmers experience and deal with.”

When extreme weather hits, such as the droughts of 2001 and 2002 and floods in 2010 and 2011, it can reduce crop yields by as much as 50 per cent, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

A report published in January by researchers at the University of British Columbia and McGill University found that between 1964 and 2007 crop damage from extreme weather, mostly drought, reduced production in Canada, the United States and Australia by an average of 20 per cent — double the global average.

Co-author Navin Ramankutty, a professor of global food security at UBC, said the data cautiously suggests that extreme events are occurring more frequently over time. More certain, he added, is “more recent events have had a greater impact.”

A warming climate with more volatile weather can also weaken crops, making them more vulnerable to weeds, insects and disease.

Farmers already have it tough.

The World Health Organization has long identified farming as having among the highest rates of occupation-related depression and suicide, particularly during times of economic hardship. Climate change is expected to amplify that stress, taking a toll around the world. [more]

For normally stoic farmers, the stress of climate change can be too much to bear

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Plumeria Art-a-thon

I am absolutelly in love in Plumeria flowers. They remind me of the tropics... and I love everything tropical themed! I have been painting plumerias all month and plan to paint one every week! Yes, probably ambitious of me...but will keep you posted. Here is my first one...

Plumeria Night watercolor by Lenila L. Batali

Until the next one I finish,

Aloha~ Lenila

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ASC (A Second Chance) Prison Ministry

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Important Australian and International Fine Art
20 September 2017

(1791 – 1843)

watercolour and pencil on paper

22.5 x 34.5 cm

bears inscription on label verso: C. D. Wittenoom / A STREET SCENE IN PERTH / … / Drawn circa 1832. / …

$150,000 – 200,000
Sold for $292,800 (inc. BP) in Auction 51 - 20 September 2017, Sydney

Captain Alfred Walter Frances Fuller, United Kingdom
Thence by descent
Mrs Estelle Fuller, United Kingdom
Sotheby’s, London, 30 January 1969, lot 93
Private collection
Christie’s, Melbourne, 3 May 1988, lot 99
Private collection, Perth

Various displays, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, February 1989 – 2017
Unknown Land: Mapping and Imagining Western Australia, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, 17 September 2016 – 30 January 2017 (as ‘Sketch of St. George’s Terrace, Perth’)

O’Brien, J. and Statham-Drew, P., On We Go: The Wittenoom Way – The Legacy of a Colonial Chaplain, Fremantle Press, Western Australia, 2009, pp. 46 – 47 (illus.)

Catalogue text

St George’s Terrace is the main thoroughfare of Perth. Formerly cited as one of the most charming boulevards in Australia, it was utterly transformed by the mining booms of the 1960s and 1970s. After a kilometre of imposing skyscrapers, a section of colonial buildings still stands clustered around the Barrack Street precinct but these date predominantly from the years after convict labourers arrived in the 1850s. Going back even further to 1837, Charles Wittenoom stood some twenty metres back from that corner as he drew this historically important view of the young township, then known as the Swan River Colony. To the right is the entrance to what is now Barrack Street, so named for the army barracks which originally stood along the track that continues on the other side of the Terrace. In the foreground, where a mature Marri tree is depicted leaning over the road, was the residence of the artist’s brother Reverend John Burdett Wittenoom who had arrived in Perth in 1830 to take up the position as the colony’s Chaplain, a mere seven months after the Lieutenant-Governor, Captain Stirling, had arrived with the first settlers on the Parmelia.

As part of his contract, Reverend Wittenoom was given title to lot L1, ‘a narrow, deep allotment of about one acre on St George’s Terrace’,1 with Bazaar Street (now The Esplanade) as one of its boundaries. He soon bought the adjoining lot, which had a claypit. Leasing this to a brick maker in return for a tithe of 10,000 bricks, Wittenoom and his sons constructed a handsome two-storey house: ‘The bricks were made and burnt on the premises … The ‘tout ensemble’ looks exceedingly well and hath rather a genteel appearance than otherwise. It is much admired, being decidedly the most substantial and best built house in the colony’.2 He also planted a bountiful garden featuring a grove of thirteen peach trees. Wittenoom had formerly taught at Oxford University and augmented his theological duties in Perth by founding the colony’s first grammar school in 1838. He enthusiastically promoted the new colony in letters home, describing the climate as being ‘splendid and more congenial to health than any other on the face of the globe’;3 and became involved with the Children’s Friend Society, a charitable organisation based in London which found posts in the various British colonies for orphaned or abandoned children. It was this confluence of interests that led his brother Charles to travel to Perth, arriving in late December 1835.

Sketch in the Town of Perth,
Western Australia
, 1839
hand coloured engraving
10.1 x 16.8 cm
image courtesy of the
National Library of Australia, Canberra

Already known as a sketcher and newspaper man, Charles chartered a small ship (the Giraffe) from London and brought with him ten children on behalf of the Children’s Friend Society.4 Four weeks later, he took the Giraffe on to Sydney where he stayed for a few months before charting another vessel, the Isabella, for a trading journey to the Dutch East Indies. Detained for a while in Timor, the Isabella returned to Sydney then continued to Perth, arriving 23 November 1836.5 This time Charles stayed for four months and it is almost certain that he completed this drawing during that period. In the early days of the colony there had been much speculation, but also much disappointment, fuelled by ‘get-rich-quick’ settler schemes proposed in London, most of which were undermined by dismal reports from returning ships’ captains who had deposited their passengers at the then-desolate tent city of Fremantle, some miles from the actual township of Perth. If the ships had journeyed further upstream, they would have found a more attractive and well-sheltered location described by its now-displaced indigenous inhabitants as ‘Nyungar boodjar, Nyungar land … [a river landscape created by] the Waakal or Dreamtime Serpent … weaving its bulky body across the plain, curving down to a wide path in front of The City of Perth, the bloated belly of a well-fed python’.6 Recognising the true potential of the new colony, the Wittenooms sought to change the misinformation being disseminated in England.

Sketch of the Town of Perth, Western Australia, c.1836 – 37 is one of only four known drawings executed by Charles Wittenoom whilst in the colony.7 Looking east down the Terrace, he depicted the principal buildings and made a feature of native trees which had been retained along the streetscape, augmented by flourishing introduced species. Riding toward the viewer in a stylish Stanhope gig is a figure identified by previous researchers as Reverend Wittenoom (in the absence of a visible clerical collar or scarf, it would seem this accreditation is based on the figure’s sober coat, tightly buttoned on a hot summer’s day). To the left, the hill gently inclines to the natural ridgeline that Hay Street now follows. The white-washed building shown is the original soldiers’ barracks (1829 – 30) with a roofed tent featuring striped canvas added as a side annexe. In front of this is the Officers’ Barracks built between in 1833, and further along, the Military Hospital (1831) bounded by Cathedral Avenue with the adjacent gaol (c.1829) at the corner of Pier Street. Opposite the Officers’ Barracks, visible between the trunk of the Marri tree and the edge of the drawing, is the small cottage, a ‘Palmer’s Hut’,8 which was Captain Stirling’s original home.9 Subsequently promoted to Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Stirling journeyed to London for a year in August 1832 and on his return10 found the original cottage too small for his needs, so took over the new Officers’ building for his family and as a Vice-Regal headquarters until a more appropriate Government House could be built.

The scene has all the warmth of a Perth summer and the bucolic air of pastoral commerce which would have communicated a clear and positive message to potential emigrants. Further evidence is the shadows, which are cast as if on a summer’s day in England, pointing to the north whereas in Perth, naturally, they face south. The message here is clear – Perth is presented as a genteel mirror of English society. Charles left the colony on 31 March 1837, a week after his brother opened ‘the new building erected to serve as both courthouse and church’. Still standing opposite the site of the Reverend’s own house, the Old Court House is central Perth’s only survivor from these foundation days.11 On arriving in London, Charles contacted Nathaniel Ogle, a Fellow of the Geological Society who had already published a range of books.12 It is almost certain that the two men knew of each other and may have even discussed Charles’ journey beforehand, as Ogle himself had been involved in an unsuccessful earlier proposal to found a colony south of Perth with ‘nearly 1000 well-selected companions to Leschenault and La Vasse’.13 Four of Wittenoom’s drawings were translated into engravings by J. Henshall and reproduced in Ogle’s highly influential The Colony of Western Australia: A manual for emigrants 1839, a richly detailed compendium which radically altered perceptions of the colony. In the engraved translation of Sketch of the Town of Perth, Western Australia, however, Charles appears to have suggested one distinctive addition – an enhanced view of Captain Stirling’s original dwelling peeking through the lush foliage. In addition, the original image of the Reverend in his horse-drawn gig was replaced with a dray, and the various street characters were augmented with a group of four aboriginal figures in European clothing.

Of the four original drawings executed by Charles, two are in Australian collections – Sketch of the Town of Perth from Perth Water, Western Australia (The Janet Holmes à Court Collection, Perth); and View from the Court House Arthur's Head, Freemantle [sic] (State Library of New South Wales, Sydney). The third remains in private hands, whilst examples of the engravings are held by various institutions and private collectors. Sketch of the Town of Perth, Western Australia was last offered for sale in 1988 when it achieved the then-record price of $93,500 for a Western Australian colonial drawing.14 There are other artist renditions of Perth and Fremantle from the 1830s but this particular work is unique with its aspect of St George’s Terrace as it appeared in its earliest inception 180 years ago.

1. O’Brien, J. and Statham-Drew, P., On We Go: The Wittenoom way. The legacy of a colonial chaplain, Fremantle Press, Western Australia, 2009, p. 25
2. Wittenoom, J.B., letter to cousin William Jersey, 24 July 1832, quoted in O’Brien, J. and Statham-Drew, P. op. cit., p. 26
3. ibid., p. 26
4. ‘Shipping Intelligence’, Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal, Western Australia, 2 January 1836, p. 626
5. ‘Shipping Intelligence’, Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal, Western Australia, 26 November 1836, p. 804
6. Collard, l. et al., ‘Oorl Ngulluck Koorliny (Come we walk together)’, in White, T.A. (ed.), Perth: a guide for the curious, UWA Publishing, Perth, 2016, p. 35
7. A fifth drawing, Front View of the Artist’s House, 1832 (Art Gallery of Western Australia), is attributed to Reverend Wittenoom but Charles is increasingly considered to be the most probable artist.
8. See Royal Perth Hospital Heritage Society website:, accessed 13 July 2017
9. On the site of the contemporary Stirling Gardens, this building has been previously mis-identified by researchers as being Reverend Wittenoom’s house, but his was well out of this drawing’s frame, some thirty metres south of the mature Marri tree.
10. Stirling landed 19 August 1833, via the James Pattison.
11. Reverend Wittenoom’s house was demolished in 1890 and replaced by the Weld Club.
12. The Royal Geographical Society was founded in 1830 and the first paper read before the original members dealt with Western Australia.
13. Battye, J.S., Western Australia: A history of its discovery to the inauguration of the Commonwealth 1924 (facsimile edition), University of Western Australia Press, Perth, 1978, p. 78. The author thanks Janet Muir of Muir Old and Rare Books, Perth, for direction to this source.
14. Christie’s, Australian Paintings, Prints & Sculpture, Melbourne, 3 May 1988, lot 99

The author thanks Melissa Harpley and Eileen Jellis, Art Gallery of Western Australia, for assistance in cataloguing this work.


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Devin C. Hughes

In today’s multicultural environment, it is still not uncommon for workplaces to be divided down racial or cultural lines. Devin addresses the topics of racism (direct or indirect) and intolerance head on, helping leadership teams break down barriers to productivity and achieve greater success as a result of increased understanding. The training we provide works towards breaking down barriers and making communication easier through greater self awareness and understanding of cultural issues that are often daunting and uncomfortable for professionals who are trying to engage diverse communities.Type your paragraph here.

Plain and simple – the workplace is diverse, and your workforce must understand how to communicate with people who are different than them.

Learning Objectives

After attending this course, attendees will be able to:

  • Develop a strong understanding of their own “self” in order to understand how deeply engrained culture is in our behavior
  • Understand their diversity self-awareness and competencies
  • Define culture and diversity, and understand where cultural influences come from
  • Openly discuss diversity and cultural differences as a means of celebration of differences
  • Pinpoint their own assumptions and perceptions
  • Create an action plan for reducing and eliminating biases, stereotypes and prejudices
  • Understand their own conflict style and how culture plays into it, so that they can develop a plan for better conflict resolution
  • Become better self-monitors of their verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Communicate effectively with co-workers, team members, and clients despite cultural barriers
  • Empathize and respect others in order to create a supportive and collaborative work environment
  • Understand and recognize their own perceptions and stereotypes
  • Interpret the behaviors of individuals from another culture
  • Celebrate differences in ideas and ways of doing things

Create a Workplace that Celebrates Diversity & Inclusion


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Posts Categorized: Green Sector

Insurance Company Need Not Disclose Cover

Winning a legal case is one thing. Getting paid is quite another, so it makes good sense to do your homework on a defendant to make sure that they are ‘good for the money’ before you undertake litigation. Much information is available. Credit ratings can be ascertained, and company accounts can be obtained from Companies… Read more »

Giant Solar Park Receives High Court Blessing

In a case which underlined the priority being given by planners to renewable energy sources, proposals for a solar energy park – comprising almost 54,000 photovoltaic panels on agricultural moorland – have been approved by the High Court despite objections from a neighbouring landowner. The objector argued that planning permission granted for the project was… Read more »

Aircraft Safety Concerns Scotch Wind Turbines Scheme

Wind turbines marching across the countryside are not to everyone’s taste and are a constant source of controversy. However, it was concerns about aircraft safety, not the visual impact on the landscape, which resulted in planning permission being refused for two 100 metre high turbines in rural Norfolk. The local authority had refused consent for… Read more »

High Court Blocks 22 Hectare Solar Energy Farm

Government policy is firmly in favour of encouraging renewable energy sources, but that did not avail the would-be developers of a solar energy plant which was planned to cover more than 22 hectares of countryside. In striking down planning permission for the scheme, the High Court identified numerous failings by local planners. The owner of… Read more »

Nationally Important Waste Facility Gets Green Light

Plans for a state-of-the-art energy-from-waste plant and recycling facility – which are considered to be of ‘national significance’ – have received the green light after the Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to the scheme. The plant was projected to have capacity to handle 585,000 tonnes of residual waste every year. Development consent was granted… Read more »

Waste Plant Project Cost Over-Run – Who Carries the Can?

Two companies, each of which claims the other should bear the heavy burden of a cost over-run during construction of a waste-to-energy plant, had to resort to the High Court to make sense of their respective contractual obligations. Company A had employed company B to design the plant’s engineering elements. The former said that it… Read more »

Wind Farms Attracting Central Government Concern

In a clear indication that the visual and other impacts of the ever-increasing number of wind farms have become a matter of Central Government concern, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government overruled one of his own planning inspectors in scotching plans for a six-turbine development in East Yorkshire. Local planners refused consent… Read more »

Land with solar panels will not be eligible for BPS

Land parcels with solar panels on them will not be eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). This includes the land between, underneath and around the panels, even if it is being grazed, or is accessible for grazing. This also means that farmers cannot count this land, or any features on it (such as buffer… Read more »

Camborne signs with sPower

DFA Law client Camborne Capital has formally entered a partnership with sPower and its principal shareholder, Fir Tree Partners, to acquire, develop and construct large-scale solar PV assets in the UK under the FIT, ROC and CFD regimes. sPower is a leading independent power producer headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, which owns and/or operates… Read more »

Huge Solar Energy Farm Proposals Back on Track

A company which wants to build an enormous solar energy farm on a site in Suffolk, equivalent in size to almost 65 football pitches, has had its hopes of winning planning permission for the scheme boosted by a High Court ruling. Although Lark Energy Limited had been granted consent for a much smaller facility, it… Read more »


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Mileage Reimbursement

Do You Drive To And From Medical Appointments?

When workers' compensation insurance adjusters are dealing with unrepresented employees, they rarely mention that injured workers have the right to be reimbursed for mileage. Countless injury victims spend years driving to and from medical treatment, never realizing that they could be getting money for every mile.

At the law firm of D'Agosto & Howe, LLC, our lawyers are experienced in mileage reimbursement and Connecticut workers' compensation claims. As a former insurance defense attorney, Steven G. Howe knows the ins and outs of the system and how to maximize the amount our clients receive.

What You Need To Know

If you are making trips to or from doctor appointments, therapy sessions or other types of medical treatment, you have the right to be reimbursed. The amount of reimbursement changes every year, depending on the price of gasoline and other factors. Most recently, injured workers were eligible to receive 55 cents per mile.

When you are out of work and trying to make ends meet on 75 percent of your normal paycheck, receiving mileage reimbursement can make a significant difference. This reimbursement is also retroactive. If your original workers' compensation case was filed on time, there is no statute of limitations on mileage reimbursement. This means that if you have been driving to and from appointments for a significant number of years, you could potentially claim hundreds of dollars in past-due payments.

Mileage reimbursement is not the only issue that workers' comp insurance adjusters fail to tell people about. Contact our firm to learn more and explore your full range of rights and options.

Call A Connecticut Workers' Compensation Attorney Serving Bridgeport, Waterbury And Milford

Call our Shelton office at 203-538-9026 or toll free at 800-749-8616, or send us an email today to schedule a free initial consultation. We respond to all phone messages and emails no later than one business day.


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American Diabetes Association Lauds Senate for Passage of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

April 11, 2007

 The American Diabetes Association today issued the following statement in response to the passage by the Senate of the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act” (S.5), which will accelerate stem cell research by easing existing funding restrictions and supporting research that uses embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines. Darlene Cain, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association, made the statement on behalf of the Association.

“The American Diabetes Association applauds the Senate’s decision to pass this important legislation. For five long years, our nation’s leading respected scientists and researchers have been held back by federal stem cell restrictions that have prevented them from making significant advances toward a cure for diabetes and other chronic debilitating diseases.

“For the millions of patients with type 1 diabetes that rely on insulin to survive, and for the millions more with type 2 diabetes who would benefit from new treatments, the passage today of the ‘Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act’ brings us one step closer to unlocking the resources that could lead to major discoveries in our fight against this disease.

“As a strong supporter of this legislation, we urge members of the Senate and House to work together to override the veto that President Bush has promised. Only then can we move forward in our fight to cure diabetes.”

Diabetes is one of this nation’s most prevalent, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases. Nearly 21 million American children and adults live with diabetes, and another 54 million have pre-diabetes. According to the CDC, one in three Americans – and one in two minorities – born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, if current trends continue. Every year, diabetes contributes to over 224,000 deaths.

About the American Diabetes Association

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and every 21 seconds another person is diagnosed with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (Association) is the global authority on diabetes and since 1940 has been committed to its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To tackle this global public health crisis, the Association drives discovery in research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and provides support and advocacy for people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes and the health care professionals who serve them. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETESS (1-800-342-2383) or visit Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn)


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Old 08-15-2011, 06:10 PM   #8
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Re: How come knowone talks about an oversupply?

We are at 7 months post partum, and things have definitely calmed down a bit. DS still has trouble being able to comfort nurse in the evenings (he usually gets an onslaught of milk when all he wants to do is comfort suck), but it is getting better. Block feeding did help a lot, and mostly eliminated the green poop from the foremilk/hindmilk inbalance, although it does occasionally still sneak in there. And DS has also adjusted to my super fast letdown, and most of the time is keeping up now. He is no longer coughing and sputtering at every feeding, which is fantastic.

And I have dealt with both extreme low supply with my first baby (which later became oversupply with lots of hard work to reestablish my supply), and now oversupply and OALD with this baby, and I can say that I would so much rather deal with the oversupply and OALD than the heartbreaking struggles I dealt with when I nearly lost my milk supply the first time around. Oversupply can be very frustrating, but emotionally so much easier to deal with, at least in my opinion.
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Old 01-30-2013, 05:32 PM   #5
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Re: Shipping Concerns

Well just a little update, still nothing as far as the package. I called on Monday and opened a case with USPS and was told that I will be contacted back by the end of the next business day but never got a call. So I called last night and they told me they would update the notes and it says it is being worked but they have no further information. I thought for sure I would get a call today...nope. I called again and they told me the same thing and that my next step is to contact consumer affairs. They are so completely unhelpful and I am at my wits end. The buyer opened an item not received claim against me already (it's been 10 days since she paid and the post office was not open the day after she paid) and I have kept in contact with her continuously through this whole thing. Anyone have any experience like this? Has anyone had a package go missing like this and had it delivered at some point? Should I just conclude at this point that it is lost? What happens if paypal gives her the refund and then the tracking eventually shows up that it was delivered to her? Does she just get the item for free if she refuses to pay or send it back?
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[kan-uh] /ˈkæn ə/
any of various tropical plants of the genus Canna, cultivated for their large, usually brightly colored leaves and showy flowers.
Origin of canna
1655-65; < New Latin, Latin: reed; see cane Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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  • There's a knock that canna be mista'en, an' a' heard it last night.

  • I canna but think ye're usin me as ye wudna like to be used yersel!'

    Heather and Snow George MacDonald
  • Because, sae far as I see, she canna think that ye hae left a' for him.

    Salted With Fire George MacDonald
  • He canna dee again for ane 'at wudna turn til 'im i' this life!

    Heather and Snow George MacDonald
  • And yet she is a bonny winsome maid, that I canna cast off.'

    Two Penniless Princesses Charlotte M. Yonge
  • canna ye say it's no' for yoursel', it's for the house—she wad na refuse that.

    The O'Donoghue Charles James Lever
  • They canna do mair than they can do: ten pounds is as good as ten hundred.

  • An' I canna min' whan I began to come here first, luikin' for something.

    David Elginbrod George MacDonald
  • I canna jist mind if it was a funeral or a weddin'—but it was fair graun'.

    St. Cuthbert's Robert E. Knowles
  • "Weel, I canna help it," said Leeby, probably beginning to whimper.

    A Window in Thrums

    J. M. Barrie
British Dictionary definitions for canna

any of various tropical plants constituting the genus Canna, having broad leaves and red or yellow showy flowers for which they are cultivated: family Cannaceae
Word Origin
C17: from New Latin cane1
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[mi-kah-doh] /mɪˈkɑ doʊ/
noun, plural mikados.
(sometimes initial capital letter) a title of the emperor of Japan.
(initial capital letter, italics) an operetta (1885) by Sir William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan.
(initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.
Origin of mikado
1720-30; < Japanese, equivalent to mi- exalted + kado gate, door (of the imperial palace) Unabridged
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noun (pl) -dos
(often capital) (archaic) the Japanese emperor Compare tenno
Word Origin
C18: from Japanese, from mi- honourable + kado gate
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Word Origin and History for mikado

1727, former title of the emperor of Japan, from mi "honorable" + kado "gate, portal." Similar to Sublime Porte, old title of the Ottoman emperor/government, and Pharaoh, which literally means "great house."

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Can machines stop suicide?

In a week when attention has turned to the often-overlooked issue of suicide, we’re reminded that it remains the biggest single killer of UK men under 45. Experts have been testing ways to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and help the men who need help most. So could tech intervene to save lives? Julian Blake reports.

man on floorWhichever way you look at it, it’s a shocking statistic. Suicide is the biggest single killer of men in the UK under the age of 45. Last year, according to official statistics, 4,287 male deaths in this country were registered as suicide.

That means that one man in the UK takes his own life every two hours. Men are three times more likely to end their life with suicide. When you add women to the total, it is little wonder that so many of us have been touched by this modern tragedy, with all the dreadful effects on those left behind.

At both a personal and societal level, the big question is: why? To address the issue, practitioners and policymakers have analysed the reasons – not least to support the near-million people who contact support services each year with suicidal feelings.

Every personal story is different, of course. But, official statistics and analysis from specialists like Samaritans tell us that divorce, isolation and poverty are important factors in driving people to such desperation.

There are strong arguments that men find it harder to express their feelings than women, are more likely to act on impulse and drink alcohol when depressed, and are more likely to carry around feelings of extreme guilt.

To respond to the challenge, specialist charities have emerged. These include CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably – which was set up to offer support, challenge culture and support those bereaved by male suicide – and help bring the suicide rate down among men.

“We believe that there is a cultural barrier preventing men from seeking help as they are expected to be in control at all times, and failure to be seen as such equates to weakness and a loss of masculinity,” says CALM. “We believe that if men felt able to ask for and find help when they need it then hundreds of male suicides could be prevented.”

CALM says that, as a result of its work, 456 suicides were prevented in 2016. And the encouraging bigger picture is that there has been a decline in the UK suicide rate, following an increase between 2007 and 2013. That decline has been more significant for men than for women.

CALM operates a free and confidential phone helpline, operating 5pm to midnight every day. It also offers a parallel webchat service. Both are direct, human-driven services.

But could technology – in particular the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and machine learning – also help to address the problem? Could they help break down some of the communication barriers that men seem to have when it comes to discussing their feelings? And could it help alert us to evidence of this most human of problems?

Pete TrainorThese are questions that London-based Ai product creator and thinker Pete Trainor, the co-founder of US Ai, has been trying to address, by bringing his firm’s expertise into the field of men’s mental health.

“In the technology world we recently hit an inflection point that’s going to give us a huge opportunity to do what I always dreamed we could do – help vulnerable people, even before they know they need help,” Trainor blogged last year. “It seems such an incredible waste not to use these wonderful, powerful technological advancements on tackling the bigger issues, rather than trying to sell more shiny things to people.”

Driven by this belief in the potential of Ai to help, last year Trainor’s team worked up an experimental product called Su, offering “a life support system to help men question, explore and find answers to the things that keep them awake at night.” Su (named as an inflection of US) provided a simple chat-based system that would be trained to ask lots of questions “to help you solve the reasons you feel the way you feel.”

Trainor’s team trod very carefully with Su, testing the product only in closed beta with 60 handpicked and vetted men to assess its potential to help in live cases.  One of the key reasons for the caution was to do with unknown regulatory territory in using Ai to support real people with real challenges.

It is looking at the potential for larger-scale deployment of Ai with men’s mental health organisations, but before it could it would need to overcome any legal hurdles around producing and then codifying Ai-driven counselling advice. Instead, US Ai is working with experts in the field of men’s mental health to understand the potential.

“It’s working, but these things are slow,” concedes Trainor. “It takes years and years to train a system to understand the things that make us fragile and human. But what we are doing is starting to look at more innovative ways and methods of collecting enough human generated data to make the training quicker.”

Trainor believes that the rate of success for Ai relies on its abilities to access more and more data about people, so it can learn as much as possible about us, as fast as possible. The real potential for Ai to help address an issue like suicide, he says, lies in the predictive capabilities of Ai – its potential capacity to alert us, and people who can help us, before we even know we need that help.

Campaigners for ‘Ai for good’ argue that our digital footprints offer too many invaluable clues about our behaviour, including our mental health and risk of harm, to be left unexplored. Artificial intelligence, they say, is the only technology capable of processing this data.

If Ai can access the right kinds of data, says Trainor, it could potentially detect and then intervene to help men in crisis. In doing sentiment analysis of the notes that men contemplating suicide write, Trainor’s team found that there was almost always one sentiment difference that demonstrates someone’s intent to go through with actually taking their own life – ‘sense of burden’.

In using a bot like Su, then, if it asks lots of questions and detects a sense of burden in its analysis, then it could flag a real individual issue, and alert a human to intervene.

The ethical question that Trainor and his team are wrestling with is whether monitoring people for signals of feelings like a sense of burden is a violation of their privacy, especially if you don’t tell them up front that you are doing that. If a person using a bot knows that the Ai is looking for clues about their vulnerability, it could undermine the whole exercise.

“You’d need to tell them up front what cues and ticks the Ai is monitoring for and that would totally defeat the purpose of using it,” says Trainor. “Men especially would change their behaviour – it’s called the Hawthorne Effect – when they feel like they’re being monitored – and they just wouldn’t use a service to support them.”

Trainor believes there is also potential for training Ai to understand human behaviour, say by monitoring wifi networks to look at the data on people’s phones connected to that network. “An Ai could absolutely look through chats, emails, notes, social media posts and all the other passive data footprints people have on their phones and look for that sense of burden, for early warning detection,” he suggests. Or it could look for people whose digital footprint suggests a certain behaviour, then map it against suicide hot spots on train lines.

subot_3Big practical, and ethical questions remain, of course, not least around privacy, and the onus of responsibility to respond.

“If you allow Ai to access networks like that,” Trainor asks, “who’s responsibility is it to intervene? Or is it nobody’s role?” If all of that sounds creepy or invasive, Trainor suggests, perhaps we should think about the data being collected about us already, and which few of us challenge.

“They monitor people’s browsing behaviour now, and for what? Sales and marketing opportunities. That’s arguably a far less moral use of our private data than giving it to Ai for our own good.”

However the tech starts to be deployed in the years ahead, it’s clear from the shocking headline stats that the human need exists. It’s also clear that the desire is there among many in industry to deploy Ai for good purpose. It’s an area of research that’s certain to continue.

It’s also clear that we have a big opportunity in front of us. Ai assistants are like Amazon Echo and Google Home are becoming ever-more ubiquitous. Once they start to have life-support baked into them, as they surely will, the chance for those to do the monitoring, counselling and support are profound. The Amazons of the world just have to step beyond their consumer-driven business models, and take responsibility.