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Cost of living in Porto Alegre, Brazil compared to Aleppo, Syria

warning WARNING! Aleppo has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates. You can also get this comparison using the parallel street rate in Aleppo.
TOTAL + 156%
warning WARNING!  This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,277 prices entered by 142 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 19, 2017. Exchange rate: 158.110 SYP / BRL *

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International Cost of Living Index

Cost of living in Porto Alegre (Brazil) is 156% more expensive than in Aleppo (Syria)

For example, you would need at least 523,965 £ (R$ 3,314) in Porto Alegre to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 205,000 £ in Aleppo.

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Get an overview of this hotelLuxury Islamorada oceanfront resort with pool

Popular property highlights

Free self parking
Free valet parking
Free WiFi
On private beach
Business center

Hurricane Monument

Located on Upper Matecumbe Key, Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge & Spa is less than a mile from the Hurricane Monument. It's a 2-minute drive to the History of Diving Museum, and 5 minutes to Theater of the Sea. Morada Way Arts & Cultural District is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

2 pools, private beach

The resort boasts 2 pools, a lagoon, a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a private beach. There’s a fitness studio and a spa, and guests can enjoy a sunset cocktail at oceanfront Tiki Bar. The hotel's 4 restaurants serve everything from sushi to chicken parmesan.

Sweet views, free WiFi

All rooms and suites feature tropical island-inspired decor, plus private balconies offering views of the ocean, the lagoon, or the landscaped gardens. Free WiFi makes it easy to stay connected, while marble tubs, pillowtop mattresses, and flat-screen TVs keep guests comfy and entertained.

Hotel Amenities

Hotel Amenities

Simply walk outside to feel the sun on your face at the sand beach. At Cheeca Lodge & Spa you can cool off in one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools and indulge in a pampering afternoon at the full-service spa.

Dining is available at one of the resort's 3 restaurants. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the resort's bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. This beach resort also offers outdoor tennis courts, a golf course, a health club, and a spa tub. Onsite self parking and valet parking are complimentary.

  • Picnic area
  • Number of outdoor pools - 2
  • Elevator/lift
  • Fitness facilities
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Poolside bar
  • Business center
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Express check-out
  • Free self parking
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Free valet parking
  • Limo or Town Car service available
  • On private beach
  • Conference space size (meters) - 427
  • Luggage storage
  • ATM/banking
  • Concierge services
  • Gift shops or newsstand
  • Outdoor tennis courts - 10
  • Total number of rooms - 212
  • Number of floors - 4
  • Golf course on site
  • Tennis on site
  • Newspapers in lobby (surcharge)
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Number of bars/lounges - 2
  • Full-service spa
  • Conference space
  • Spa treatment room(s)
  • Tours/ticket assistance
  • Meeting rooms 6
  • Coffee shop or café
  • Free WiFi
  • Pool sun loungers
  • Steam room
  • Sauna
  • Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
  • Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Spa services on site
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Number of restaurants - 3
  • Conference space size (feet) - 4600
  • Spa tub
  • Wedding services
  • Garden
  • Multilingual staff

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi

Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Free self parking, Free valet parking

Room Amenities

  • Premium TV channels
  • Premium bedding
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding available
  • Balcony
  • Ceiling fan
  • Free newspaper
  • Air conditioning
  • In-room climate control (air conditioning)
  • Phone
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Turndown service
  • Designer toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • In-room massage available
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Plasma TV
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Iron/ironing board
  • In-room safe
  • Cable TV service
  • Free WiFi
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available

Where to Eat

Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning.

Atlantics Edge - Overlooking the ocean, this restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).

Limoncello - This restaurant serves dinner only. A children's menu is available.

Nikai Sushi - This restaurant serves dinner only.

24-hour room service is available.

Nearby Things to Do

A private beach, outdoor tennis courts, a health club, and complimentary bicycles are featured at the resort. 2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a spa tub. Other recreational amenities include a sauna and a steam room.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

  • Snorkeling on site
  • Free bicycles on site
  • Fishing on site
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Kayaking on site
  • Windsurfing on site
  • Parasailing on site
  • Yoga classes/instruction on site
  • Pilates classes on site
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fitness classes on site
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby

Spa Services

Cheeca Spa has 7 treatment rooms. Services include massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. The spa is equipped with a sauna. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.

  • Sauna in spa
  • Number of treatment rooms 7
  • Body wraps
  • Body treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Facial treatments
  • Aromatherapy treatments
  • Massages

If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.

  • Accessible bathroom
  • Roll-in shower
  • In-room accessibility

Hotel Policies

Check-in time starts at 4 PM

Check-in time ends at midnight

Minimum check-in age is 18

Check-out time is 11 AM

Payment types

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

  • Pets not allowed

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
No cribs (infant beds) available

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
  • Resort fee: USD 52.00
We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.

Optional extras

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
  • Breakfast fee: between USD 5 and USD 30 per person (approximately)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Hotel Name

  • Cheeca
  • Cheeca Lodge
  • Cheeca Lodge Hotel
  • Cheeca Lodge Hotel Islamorada
  • Cheeca Lodge Islamorada
  • Cheeca Hotel Islamorada
  • Cheeca Lodge And Spa
  • Cheeca Lodge Florida
  • Cheeca Lodge Spa
  • Cheeca Resort Islamorada
  • Cheeca Islamorada

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.

Awards & Affiliations

  • Cheeca Lodge & Spa is listed in the 2015 Travel + Leisure 500.

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Get an overview of this hotelHotel in Harrisburg with free breakfast and business center

Popular property highlights

Breakfast included
Free self parking
Free WiFi
Pets allowed
Business center

Situated in Harrisburg, this hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, Deer Valley Golf Course, and Hollywood Casino. Penn National Race Course and Giant Center are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Hotel Features

Along with coffee/tea in a common area, this hotel has a business center and free newspapers. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include RV/bus/truck parking.

Room Amenities

All 42 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and microwaves, plus free WiFi and TVs with cable channels. Guests will also find coffee makers, free local calls, and hair dryers.

Hotel Amenities

Hotel Amenities

Wireless Internet access is complimentary. A business center is on site. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast. This Harrisburg hotel also offers coffee/tea in a common area, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and RV/bus/truck parking. Complimentary self parking is available on site.

  • Business center
  • Free breakfast
  • Total number of rooms - 42
  • Coffee/tea in common areas
  • Free self parking
  • Number of floors - 2
  • Free WiFi
  • RV, bus, truck parking
  • Free newspapers in lobby

Family Friendly Amenities

  • Family Hotel
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi

Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Free self parking, RV, bus, truck parking

Room Amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • In-room climate control (air conditioning)
  • Free local calls
  • Premium TV channels
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Hair dryer
  • Television
  • Desk
  • Cable TV service
  • In-room safe
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Free WiFi

Where to Eat

Guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast.

Nearby Things to Do

  • Golfing nearby

If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.

  • Accessible bathroom
  • In-room accessibility

Hotel Policies

Check-in time starts at 3 PM

Check-out time is 11 AM

Payment types

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10 per night.

  • Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 15 per night

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.

Optional extras

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
  • Pet fee: USD 15 per night
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Hotel Name

  • Econo Lodge Harrisburg
  • Econo Lodge Hotel Harrisburg

We should mention

Children 18 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.

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Iowa to Hagerstown Flights

Sometimes you just need to get out of town or maybe you’re looking for a change of scenery. Regardless of the reason, a flight from Iowa to Hagerstown will do just the trick! Go on, plan to see all the famous landmarks and eat your weight in the local cuisine. Your trip is beckoning, so answer the call by packing your suitcase and filling your travel itinerary with exploring Hagerstown.

Whether you’re flying for business or jet-setting on your personal time, you’ve come to the right place. Here at, we’ll pair you up with CID to HGR flights that won’t make your bank account wince. Ready to temporarily leave behind Iowa for new horizons? Browse through our cheap airfare, and filter by flight times and dates until you find just what you had in mind. From flights without layovers to ones that arrive early in the morning, you’ll come across plane tickets that suit your travel preferences. You can even bundle your flight to HGR with hotels and car rentals to score even bigger savings.

All set to hit the clouds? Book your travel arrangements with us today and have left-over money to put toward your travel outings and adventures.


text:
Beginning of main content
Trip Type
Flight 1
Flight 2
Flight 3
Flight 4
Flight 5

Search over 321,000 hotels worldwide and 400 airlines worldwide.

Secure incredible value with Expedia's Price Guarantee.

No Expedia cancellation fee to change or cancel almost any hotel reservation.

Cheap DRW to IAH Flights

Prices found within past 7 days. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Darwin to Houston Flights

Sometimes you just need to get out of town or maybe you’re looking for a change of scenery. Regardless of the reason, a flight from Darwin to Houston will do just the trick! Go on, plan to see all the famous landmarks and eat your weight in the local cuisine. Your trip is beckoning, so answer the call by packing your suitcase and filling your travel itinerary with exploring Houston.

Whether you’re flying for business or jet-setting on your personal time, you’ve come to the right place. Here at, we’ll pair you up with DRW to IAH flights that won’t make your bank account wince. Ready to temporarily leave behind Darwin for new horizons? Browse through our cheap airfare, and filter by flight times and dates until you find just what you had in mind. From flights without layovers to ones that arrive early in the morning, you’ll come across plane tickets that suit your travel preferences. You can even bundle your flight to IAH with hotels and car rentals to score even bigger savings.

All set to hit the clouds? Book your travel arrangements with us today and have left-over money to put toward your travel outings and adventures.


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Searching for the world's best drinks and what makes them extraordinary.

Searching for the world's best drinks and what makes them extraordinary. EZdrinking is a drinks blog by Eric Zandona that focuses on distilled spirits, wine, craft beer and specialty coffee. Here you can find reviews of drinks, drink books, articles about current & historical trends, as well as how to make liqueurs, bitters, and other spirit based drinks at home.

Review: Tequila - A Natural and Cultural History

Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata and Gary Paul Nabhan, Tequila: A Natural and Cultural History, (Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 2003), 113 pages, $14.95.

Ana Valenzuela is the world's leading authority on agave plants, their cultivation and their use in making distilled Spirits. Valenzuela grew up in the heart of tequila country and she received her doctorate in biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon Mexico. She has written extensively on the biology of agave as well as its traditional and contemporary cultivation. Her newest book A Indicación Geográfica Tequila: Lecciones de la Primera denominación de Origen Mexicana (2014) focuses on the use of sustainable agricultural practices in agave cultivation. Her co-author Gary Paul Nabhan is an ethnobotanist who has been studying the use of agave in the Americas for over four decades. Both Valenzuela and Nabhan were students of the late Dr. Howard Scott Gentry, a pioneer in agave botany and taxonomy.

Tequila: A Natural and Cultural History is not your typical book on tequila. Like the title suggests, the book focuses on the large number of agave varieties, some of the defining traits of the most commonly cultivated varieties and the process of cultivation for distilling tequila. Valenzuela and Nabhan also go into depth about the traditional knowledge and practices that sprung up around tequila production. One of the most interesting claims they make is that tequila is an inherently Mexican product not because of where it is made or because it uses agave, but because it is a mestizo spirit. The majority of Mexicans are mestizo, a mix of indio (indigenous) and criollo (American born Spaniards) ancestry and culture. Similarly, tequila was born from the combination of pulque (a pre-columbian fermented agave beverage) and European distillation technology. Traditional tequila production incorporated indigenous cultivation and fermentation practices learned centuries before the arrival of Europeans, with Old World technology.

The emphasis on agave taxonomy can at times seem overwhelming for those coming to the book primarily out of interest for tequila. However, this sets the stage for Valenzuela and Nebhan's discussion how the growing popularity and global demand for tequila have slowly created new methods of production agave cultivation. Large tequila distilleries buy their blue agave from campesinos (farmers) who plant and grow clones of clones of the blue agave in tight mono-cropped fields. While this is more efficient and cost effective, this practice has created a plant that lacks the genetic diversity to resists new threats from pests and disease. In 1998, forty million agave plants, or about one fifth of all agave in Jalisco were struck by a disease that rotted the agaves from the inside out. While Valenzuela and Nebhan found that blue agave fields that were inter-cropped with other varieties of agave or legumes lost fewer plants during this plague, large tequila producers still favor agave farms that are at the greatest risk for future plagues. Valenzuela and Nebhan close their book commenting on the remarkable growth of tequila in general and premium tequila in particular and they express a hope for continuation of the tequila industry because of its significant economic benefit to people in the industry. However, their primary concern is that the reliance on mono-cropping and the cloning of blue agave puts the whole industry at risk for future distribution if a new pathogen wreaks havoc in the genetically uniform fields of Jalisco.

Valenzuela and Nebhan's book is a unique and important book for any tequila aficionado. Now that the book is over ten years old, its information is by no means revolutionary or completely novel, but that does not mean it is outdated. Valenzuela and Nebhan bring a scientific perspective to agave and tequila that is uncommon in most of the literature. Most other books on tequila are written by bartenders, drink writers and others in the alcohol or service industry. While other books contain information on the scientific aspects of agave cultivation and the potential dangers of mono-cropping and cloning, Valenzuela and Nebhan offer credible a solution to this problem. Their suggestion to reincorporate traditional cultivation practices are not born out of a Luddites nostalgia for the past but a scientific understanding of best practices that will promote the continued health of blue agave and its genetic resistance to new pathogens. This in the end will ensure that tequila will be able to be enjoyed for generations to come.


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 Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the television show Star Trek. Since 1966 the many movies and television series have been giving us a glimpse into the future, whether it’s a cellphone-like communicator, computer tablet, or transparent aluminum.

But since we’re in the medical imaging field, there’s no doubt that we would like a tricorder invented more than any other object in the Star Trek universe, because it would completely revolutionize medicine. The medical version of this fictional device can tell you just about anything you need to know about the body, including the diseases it has or the parasites within. In the most recent movie, tricorders can even look inside the body much like an MRI scan or x-ray. Perhaps the most amazing aspect is that tricorders are all handheld, something that we certainly won’t be seeing anytime soon (though ultrasound scanner are getting amazingly small).

As we think about the future of diagnostic imaging, we can always hope that medical diagnoses will eventually be made with a device the size of a small tissue box. But there will be many advances in medical imaging before we get to anything like a tricorder. Let’s take a look.

Computer Medical Imaging “Reading”

Here’s the aspect of medical imaging that’s right around the corner. For over a hundred years the reading of diagnostic images have been interpreted by doctors. Most of the time this hasn’t been a problem, but there was always room for error.

Computer programs are being written that allow computers to interpret medical images. Amazingly, the more images they process, the better they get at finding abnormalities in the body. They’ll be able to pinpoint problems that humans might miss so that another scan (or a different scanning method entirely) can be performed in a more precise spot. The most advanced, still in its testing phases, also take medical and family history into account so that it can look for problems in specific areas.

Don’t worry, the computer won’t be making the final decisions, and scans will still be looked at by radiologists or other medical imaging experts, including your doctor. But the more information that is brought together means more accurate reading.

Radiation Dose Reduction

When you learn about the originals of x-ray technology at the end of the 19th century, it’s pretty scary. There would be a radiation source behind the patient, and the doctor would stand in front of the patient with a fluorescing screen in order to look inside their bodies. In the days before they knew about the dangers of ionizing radiation, it wasn’t good for the patient. But it was much worse for the doctor, because he would be getting huge doses, patient after patient and day after day.

As technology has progressed, the amount of x-rays needed to perform tasks has dropped exponentially. The last big revolution in x-ray imaging was the invention of digital x-rays to replace traditional film x-rays. As digital sensors become more sensitive, less and less x-ray ionization will be needed in order to see inside the body, eventually reaching the point where it’s so negligible that there will be no risks whatsoever.

Those are just two of the many advances we’ll see in medical imaging in the coming years, but there are many more in the near and far future. Stop back next month to find out more.


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Llandeilo Antiques and Vintage Fair @ Llandeilo Civic Hall

Llandeilo Civic Hall, Crescent Road, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6HW

  • 03 Jun 2017 10am until 4pm Saturday
Llandelio Fair 2017

Admission is just £1

Derwen Fairs

  • Held on the first Saturday of every month at the Civic Hall, Llandeilo this boasts a good range of a affordable antiques including silver,gold pocket watches, vintage toys,clothes,kitchenalia,jewellery,collections of pewter,coins,books,furniture and much ,much more.

    The fair can be found in the centre of Llandeilo and close to the main car park.Homemade snacks and refreshments are available at the fair .
  • Families recommends that you always check details of the event with the organiser.
Show drive time

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Hough Loader Legacy

Frank G. Hough's front-end loader innovations are still on the job today.

| October 2006

John Mulcahy recently completed this pair of restorations and then put them back to work in his South Weymouth, Mass., excavating business. The Payloader on the left is a 1969 Model H-65C with an articulated frame. The truck is an International Harvester Paystar 5000.

Front-end loaders are so commonplace that they blend into the mechanical landscape at construction sites. Most farms, many estates and even some suburban homes are equipped with at least one. This ever-practical tool is designed principally for loading bulk materials and excavation, but it gets used for everything from hoisting engines out of pickup trucks to scraping away sod for a new flowerbed.

Who built the first tractor loader is anybody's guess, but it was likely the result of an enterprising farmer's desire to find an easier way to load manure. Some primitive tractor-mounted loaders used winches to raise and lower the bucket, while others employed more tenuous gear-driven mechanical linkages. Frank G. Hough (pronounced Huff), a young engineer in Chicago, believed in the potential of hydraulics and pioneered a much better way in the early 1920s. With his initial invention, Hough excavated the footings for a material-moving legacy whose contributions included the first production wheel-tractor-mounted front-end loader, first integrated wheel loader, first four-wheel drive loader and the largest mechanically driven loader, among many others.

In the beginning

At age 20, Frank G. Hough (1890-1965) was superintendent for the Field Mining and Milling Co., in Lafayette County, Wis., when he first became interested in applying hydraulics and wheels to movement of bulk materials. This eventually led the young engineer to a position as vice president and general manager of the Blair Mfg. Co. in Chicago, where, in 1922, he sold his first tractor-mounted shovel attachment. This original shovel, mounted on a Fordson farm tractor, was based on an invention whose patent he shared with Russell B. North and Royal R. Miller. The device was called the North hydraulic digger.

At Blair, Hough rapidly developed loaders for McCormick-Deering, Allis-Chalmers, and Case farm and industrial tractors. By the late 1920s the company offered the Blair hydraulic digger alongside bulldozers and backfilling blades that could be fitted to wheeled tractors and track machines.

The Blair hydraulic digger consisted of a vertical mast frame mounted to the front of the tractor, a pair of loader arms that pivoted at the rear of the tractor connected to a bucket up front, and a hydraulic lift mechanism. Essentially, a hydraulic cylinder located between the mast-frame's side rails raised a pair of cable-threaded sheaves that in turn raised the bucket-end of the loader arms, which were attached to the cables' ends. The vertical mast's side rails guided the loader arms, and the cable-sheave arrangement allowed the cylinder's relatively short stroke to be translated into higher lift. It looks like a little rattletrap in comparison with modern loader designs, but it was innovative and quite useful at the time.

Hough purchased Blair Mfg. Co. in 1931, and in 1933 incorporated as the Frank G. Hough Co. Like its predecessor, the newly named company concerned itself with engineering and sales, but not fabrication. Meili-Blumberg of New Holstein, Wis., and others were contracted to manufacture Hough's designs and drop-ship them directly to customers or dealers. In the early 1930s the company's products included tractor-mounted loaders, bulldozers and sweepers.


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| January/February 1964

1912 M. Rumely engine

Here is a picture of a 25 HP, 1912 M. Rumely, 10-3/8' x 11', 140 lbs. boiler, No. 5953.

Mrs. Leo Turley

Publicity Chairman for Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association

It must have been midnight or later the night of September 7th, 1963, when the final blatant peal of the whistles of the giant black steam engines and the small scale model miniatures dimmed and the black smoke settled over the grounds of the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. This brought down the final curtain of the 14th Annual Reunion, called by far the most successful to date. Attendance was estimated in excess of 100,000 for the four-day event which began September 4th and continued through the 7th.

Now internationally famous, guests registered this year from 37 states, Mexico, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Washington, D. C. Many come to the event year after year.

From the first annual Reunion in 1950 with the display of 15 steam engines, the event has grown until, now in the 14th year, some 116 large and small steam and gas engines and miniature models can be seen. The largest engine on the ground is an under mounted Avery belonging to C. R. Willits and son of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It is 40-120H.P. and was built in 1923. This year 23 old farm tractors were on the grounds, along with 54 stationary gas engines, ranging in size from to 7 horse power, one stationary steam engine and one hot air engine.

Over 100 antique cars are on exhibit, by many considered the most outstanding display in the Midwest. They range from a Stanley Steamer to the sports roadster and some of the cars are worth as much as $10,000 as collector's items. The cars 'come alive' and can be seen in operation as they parade in front of the grandstand.

The steam engines, giant sources of power of yesteryear, are used at the Midwest Old Threshers to thresh grain, saw wood, and make shingles. These are authentic exhibitions.


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Welcome to Celebrate Recovery Community

Healing takes place among a network of brothers and sisters, which is why small groups are such an essential part of Celebrate Recovery.

Whatever the hurt, hang-up, or habit might be, people honestly working through the material in these step-study groups are able to form strong bonds and support teams, find accountability partners, sponsors, and friends through sharing and caring. Most importantly, they are able to be freed from the shame, guilt and pain of their issues by learning to let go and let God take over – one day at a time!

Our open step study groups are listed below. You are welcome to contact the leader before you attend for more info, but are not required to do so. There isn’t anything else you need to do, but show up!

How do I get started?

The entry point for Celebrate Recovery is to come on Friday Night starting at 6:00pm. After the worship service we will ask you to attend Celebrate Recovery Orientation for your first meeting. This will give you a feel for what to expect in the small groups. All you have to do is show up and we will walk you through everything.


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Cheyenne managed US-based private fundraising event for the American Friends of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. She was featured as Philadelphia’s Top 24 “Power Women” and as one of Miami’s “50 Savviest”  Cheyenne was selected by O Magazine as “Instagrammer of the Month.

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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
      Calendar of Events

      Note: When attending an event at FERC HQ, please allow enough time to go through security.
      Note: Transcripts of Commission Meetings, Scoping Sessions, Conferences and Hearings are available for a fee from
              Ace-Federal Reporters, Inc. at (202) 347-3700, prior to when they are posted in the respective dockets on FERC.gov.
  Testimony - April 26, 2012
  Congressional Testimony - Testimony - April 26, 2012
Event Name: Testimony
Start Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012
End Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Summary: Norman Bay to testify before the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee
Description: OE Director will testify on Weather-Related Electrical Outages.

You can watch this hearing ny going to http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2012/4/weather-related-electrical-outages.

Norman C. Bay's bio.
Title : Weather-Related Electrical Outages
* Start Time : 9:30 a.m.
Location : SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building
Testimony :
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Testimony [PDF]
* All times are local


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Washington State Medical Marijuana
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Stacey373 - August 5

Hi Everyone! I recently was talking to my sister-in-law who has a medical marijuana card and she told me with the Fibro I would qualify to get a card too.

So I've done some research and I found a place that offers this that is VERY private here in Washington State. (they have several offices through out the state) You can check them out on their website CBRMedical. One of the "Qualifying Conditions" they list is Fibromyalgia and, of course, chronic pain.

All you have to do is print out 2 pages of "initial" paperwork to fill out. You have to have a valid WA state driver license or ID card. you can either sign a release for your medical records to be sent to them or you can go to your doctor's office and ask for a copy of them yourself. It says you must have current medical records withing the last 2 years or within the last 1 year for chronic pain. (I was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago so I would just get the records from that point on) You have to pay $200 the day of your appointment. The appt last 90 minutes and by the end of it, if you qualify, you walk out with a "medical marijuana card". If you don't qualify they refund your money back to you. (that's a good thing!)

That's all I know for now...I haven't actually done anything with this myself, except I printed the paperwork from their website. I can say that in the past I have smoked (very rarely) and I did it at night when I went to bed. It really did help me to sleep and it also helped with the pain through the night. so it DOES help fibro sufferers!

Just thought I would pass this information along and hopefully it might help someone out there! Take Care, Stacey :o)

BTW...if anyone happens to do this, can you let me know how it went? Thanks!

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Samuel Rector Hieronymus

Photo added by Marvin Davis

Samuel Rector Hieronymus

  • Birth 16 Sep 1786 Loudoun County, Virginia, USA
  • Death 22 Sep 1866 Lee County, Kentucky, USA
  • Burial Williba, Lee County, Kentucky, USA
  • Memorial ID 97576077

Samuel Rector Hieronymus was the son of:

Johann Frantz (Francis) Hieronymus, born in Lorsbach, Germany 24 September 1729 – died in Clark County, Kentucky, 1815 and Elizabeth Rector, born in Fauquier County, Virginia, 14 December 1744 – died in Clark County, Kentucky.

Samuel Rector Hieronymus was born, 16 September 1786 in Loudoun County, Virginia and died, 22 September 1866 in Owsley (now Lee) County, Kentucky.

He married first, Nancy Elkins born ca. 1801 in Kentucky, they were married 13 September 1821, she died 2 September 1823 in Kentucky.

They had one son: Francis Hieronymus, born 6 November 1822, died 1884 in Lamar, Missouri. Married, Anna Bush.

Samuel Hieronymus married second, Sally White, born ca. 1809 in Mercer County, Kentucky, and died 27 January 1871 in Lee County, Kentucky. They were married, 7 October 1828 in Kentucky.

Sally White was the daughter of Whitfield White and Judy (Boston) White.

Samuel and Sally (White) Hieronymus had the following children:

Nancy (Hieronymus) Davis Duff, born 9 July 1829, Madison County, Kentucky, died, 8 May 1908. Married, 1.Charles E. Davis, 2. Clayborne Duff. (My G.G.Grandmother)

Damaris (Hieronymus) Burrows, born, 19 June 1831, Boonesborough, Kentucky, died, 23 February 1860. Married, Charles Burrows.

George Whitefield Hieronymus, born 26 November 1833, Estill County, Kentucky,died, 2 December 1910. Married, Mary Duff.

Thomas Frye Hieronymus, born 16 August 1837, Estill County, Kentucky, died, 8 February 1900, Lee County, Kentucky. Married, Tandy Bush.

Judith Emily (Hieronymus) Nickell, born 16 April 1841, Breathitt County Kentucky, died, 21 May 1900.

In 1837, Samuel and Sally Hieronymus moved from Madison County to Breathitt County (now Lee) by Flat Boat by way of the Kentucky River. Going up the Middle Fork of the river they stopped at Blink's Branch at what is still known as the Hieronymus Ford near Grays Bend.

There Samuel and his brother-in-law, B. Franklin White, had purchased a large tract of land and started farming. Samuel took boat loads of tobacco down the Kentucky river to the Ohio and then the Mississippi river to New Orleans and then walked back home. He also raised and sold horses at market.

It is interesting to note that after his move from Madison County to the land he acquired in what is now Lee County, that he lived the rest of his life in the same location. But because of the creation of the counties of Kentucky he is found in the following census records.

1830 Federal census, Madison County, wife and two children.

1840 Federal census, Breathitt County, wife and five children.

1850 Federal census, Owsley County, wife and all six of his children plus his daughter Nancy's husband, Charles Davis and their two children, James and Charles.

1860 Federal census, Owsley County, with his wife Sally and his two children Thomas and Judith (on this record, Judith appears as J.E.)

The 1860 census for Owsley County Kentucky shows him as a Farmer whose property is valued at $3,500 and his personal property valued at $1,500.

The same property is now located in Lee County.

The Hieronymus Story, 1997, The Hieronymus Family in America.
Rector Records, by Larry King.
Hieronymus History, by Sally Hobbs Hill, 1947. A biography of Rev. Joseph Hooker Hieronymus.
Remembering Lee County, by Bernice Calmes Caudill.
Genealogical research by Mary Eugenia (Whisman) Davis.
Federal census for: 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860.

Samuel Rector Hieronymus is my G.G.G.Grandfather.
Marvin Davis, January 2013.

Links to Children:
Nancy (Hieronymus) Davis Duff
George W Hieronymus
Thomas F Hieronymus
Damaris (Hieronymus) Burrows
Judith Emily (Hieronymus) Nickell

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

See more Hieronymus memorials in:

  • Maintained by: Marvin Davis
  • Originally Created by: Jerry Griffin
  • Added: 22 Sep 2012
  • Find A Grave Memorial 97576077
  • Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed ), memorial page for Samuel Rector Hieronymus (16 Sep 1786–22 Sep 1866), Find A Grave Memorial no. 97576077, citing Buck Creech Cemetery, Williba, Lee County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by Marvin Davis (contributor 47782857) .


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The Street Art of Bristol: Banksy and More!

Bristol Street Art

In August 2017 Jess and I visited Bristol for a week, partly to see the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, and partly because we’d not explored this beautiful city together.

Naturally we’ll be writing more about our visit to the city and giving you some ideas and suggestions for what to see, but I wanted to start off our posts with a tour of some of Bristol’s street art.

Regular readers will of course know that we are big fans of street art, and have already put posts together covering the street art in cities from Glasgow to Barcelona. So of course, we couldn’t visit Bristol, believed home of arguably the world’s most famous street artist, Banksy, without doing a post!

I’m going to cover a number of pieces of street art in this post. First, I’ll go over the majority of accessible and surviving Banksy street art that you can find in Bristol. Then I’ll share some other notable pieces I found.

It’s definitely worth remembering that street art is very much a moveable feast, so many of the pieces below will likely change by the time you get to Bristol. However, the areas where they are found will likely have new pieces, so I’ll share some of the best locations in Bristol for street art, as well as tips and advice on how to find Bristol’s best street art. Let’s get started!

Banksy Street Art in Bristol

As I previously mentioned, infamous street artist Banksy is believed to have started his street art career in Bristol, and a number of his pieces survive today. Of all the pieces of street art in Bristol, these are the most likely to still be there when you visit.

1. The Well Hung Lover

Bristol Street Art Banksy

Found on Frogmore Street, the best view of this artwork is from higher up on Park Street, which is very close to Bristol Cathedral and the Town Hall. As you’ll see from the image, it has been slightly damaged by someone with a paintball gun, but the overall image of man hiding from his lover’s partner is still very much intact!

2. The Mild Mild West

Bristol Street Art Banksy

This piece of artwork, depicting a teddy bear taking on Riot Police, can be found on Stokes Croft, north east of the city centre.

3. The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum

Banksy Street Art Bristol

Found in Hanover Place, near Albion Docks, the Girl with the Pierced Eardrum is a take on the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring” image by Dutch artists Johannes Vermeer. Instead of an earring though, the piece has a alarm – hence the name.

4. The Grim Reaper / The Ferryman

Bansky Ferryman Bristol

I’m not sure when a street artist transitions from vandalism to proper art, but in the case of Banksy, this transition has definitely taken place. Take for example this piece, an image which depicts death as the ferryman, which originally appeared on the side of a permanently moored boat in Bristol, which was being used as a nightclub.

Concerned that exposure to the elements was damaging the artwork, it was actually removed from the ship, carefully conserved, and is now on display in Bristol’s M Shed galleries.

Also on display at the M Shed is Banksy’s Tesco Value Petrol Bomb. Entry to M Shed is free, and well worth it during your visit to Bristol.

5. Rose Trap

Bristol Street Art Banksy

Just up a rather steep street from the Mild Mild West is the Rose Trap, an early Banksy piece which has been given some protection by local residents who clubbed together to install protective plexiglass and even a frame. It’s quite a small piece, but still worth visiting – find it on Thomas St. N just before it reaches Fremantle Square.

6. Take the Money and Run

Bristol Street Art Banksy

One of the earliest pieces of Banksy artwork surviving in the city, this is actually a collaboration between a number of street artists, including Inky and Mobz, and was done prior to Banksy adopting the more famous stencil style. Found opposite the Old England Pub just off Bath Buildings Road.

7. Paint Pot Angel

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Whilst this isn’t technically street art, it seemed appropriate to include here. The Paint Pot Angel was a part of the 2009 Banksy versus Bristol Museum installation, which showcased over 100 of Banksy’s works. This is the only piece still on display in the museum, but takes pride of place in the entrance hall.

Some of my favourite piece of Street Art in Bristol

Moving on from Banksy now, and here’s a quick run down of some of the pieces of street art I found whilst wandering the city. I walked over ten miles when scouting out street art in Bristol, and still felt there were countless more installations to discover!

Bristol Street Art

This guy reminded me of the gulls in Finding Nemo. Mine?

Bristol Street ArtBristol Street Art

This character, who will be familiar to any British child of the eighties, is Morph. He hails from the same development studios as Wallace and Gromit, which is based in Bristol, and I found a variety of Morph arts around the city.

Bristol Street Art

Bristol Street Art

Bristol Street Art

I went street art hunting on a Sunday, which turned out to be an excellent idea because many of the shops have their shutters decorated – something you would only see when the shops are shut!

Bristol Street Art

Bristol Street Art

Some of the street art is really quite giant.

Bristol Street Art

And some of it is very poignant, like this tribute to a lost parent.

Bristol Street Art

Bristol Street Art

Where and How to Find Street Art in Bristol

Other than the Banksy pieces mentioned in this post, which are more likely to survive the passage of time, the majority of the pieces in this post will likely be replaced, painted over, or removed. In fact, even many of Bansky’s pieces have been removed. The areas that they are to be found however will likely remain the same.

There are three main areas in Bristol where you’ll find street art: Central Bristol, Stokes Croft, and South Bristol, along North Street.

My advice is to do one of two things. Either pick up a copy of the incredible Bristol Street Art map by Where the Wall, or take a Where the Wall Street Art Tour.

Personally, I did the former, and spent a happy day with a map and my camera finding as many pieces of street art as possible. However, if you want to learn a bit about the street art rather than just take pictures of it, I’d highly recommend taking a tour, which is very well reviewed and has won a number of local tourism awards.

Bristol Street Art

Further Reading

Well, that was a quick tour of some of our favourite pieces of street art in Bristol. As I mentioned at the start of the post, we’ve got lots more content coming up on Bristol, but for now, here are some more resources you might find useful for your trip.

A guide to the Street Art of Bristol, including all the best Banksy pieces and tips and advice on how to find the best street art in Bristol

And that’s it for our guide to the street art of Bristol! Which was your favourite piece? Do you seek out street art when you travel? Let us know about it in the comments below!

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From the November 2012 Print Edition

for Riley At twenty inches tall you first stood up, Attracting my attention with loud coos Under the glass-top table where the news Was spread around my clinking coffee cup. Finger to finger touched, then palm to palm, A game played on the glass less than an urge To find the path on which our lives . . . . Continue Reading »


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Gosford Tutors and Gosford Tutoring

First Tutors: Australia makes it easy for you to find private tuition in Gosford or elsewhere across the country. Home tuition is one of the best ways to improve confidence and enjoyment in a subject. Use First Tutors: Australia to find private tutors offering tutoring locally in Gosford, then simply choose whomever best matches your requirements.

First Tutors: Australia is the only website that can find you all the tutors matching you individual requirements in your local vicinity in Gosford through just one easy search! We can help you or a child study for exams, offer term-time support, assist adult education, and offer language tuition, so if you want to learn Italian, take a Spanish course or prepare yourself for French life, we can help - and all in Gosford! Our search will organise local tutors (from Gosford) in your area by their hourly tuition charges and distance from you.

Alternatively, if you are a private or online tutor and would like to offer home tuition in Gosford - or elsewhere across the country, please register with First Tutors: Australia or find out more about us here. Private tuition is a great way to refresh your own knowledge whilst helping someone else expand theirs, all in your local Gosford area!


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Back to all reports

In correct signage

Reported in the Street nameplates category by peter mcmanus at 16:00, Friday 6 January 2017

Sent to Waltham Forest Borough Council 5 minutes later

Should say no through road resident access only. This will stop drivers trying to get to Palmerston road which is also blocked

RSS feed of updates to this problem Receive email when updates are left on this problem.

  • This council does what it wants not the public want .will not vote for this council ever again

    Posted by peter mcmanus at 18:41, Friday 3 February 2017

  • Still open, via questionnaire, 10:07, Saturday 4 March 2017

  • Still open, via questionnaire, 10:46, Saturday 1 April 2017

  • This council is a waste of time so i am not going any further with this they don't take notice of what you tell them

    Posted by peter mcmanus at 10:46, Saturday 1 April 2017

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Flash Games Play Online Games

Play Super Mario Sunshine 128 Online

Play Super Mario Sunshine 128 Game

Thursday, May 26, 2016

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Super Mario on new adventures sunshine 128, better graphics and more fun, beware the obstacles and enemies, destroy all them, reaches the end of each world and achieve the victory!. A lot of fun in this game waiting for you. Do not delay anymore and start playing alone you can pass all the levels and show your friends how much you like to play online. Have a fun playing online your favorite Super Mario Sunshine 128 game!

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We hope the game Super Mario Sunshine 128 to play online is to your liking, do not forget Flash Games Player offers you the best online games, from the most extreme games such as action games including games of persecution, dexterity using your keyboard or mouse and games that will accelerate the pulse of your heart, fighting games or car super games to the most sweet and entertaining games such as girl games where you can play dress up, makeup and baby care as a real life, Mario Games or our most complete collection of skill games. Remember we also we add new games every day. Have a fun play.

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  • EBACE: Business aviation not as safe as it is cracked up to be?

EBACE: Business aviation not as safe as it is cracked up to be?

Corporate jet operations may be safe, but other business aviation operators appear to be taking an unjustified ride on the corporate sector's good reputation.

That is the conclusion of a highly detailed report into global business aviation safety carried out by the UK Civil Aviation Authority in association with the International Business Aviation Council and the Business Aviation Safety Partnership. This team found that the fatal accident rate for all business jet civil operations is more than eight times that for large Western jets in airline operation, and four times that for large Western-built turboprops flying commercial operations.

The study made a number of recommendations for correcting the situation, but improved pilot training headed the list of priorities.

Rex Features
 © Rex Features

This is not the kind of self-image business aviation has. And as the sector expands and becomes a higher-profile part of the total global air transport system, the resulting public perception would have a detrimental effect on business. The latter is inevitable unless business aviation improves its safety performance, because industry expansion without improvement would mean a proportionate increase in the number of fatal accidents.

If the industry fails to address safety issues and if, as anticipated, the advent of very light jets significantly expands the air taxi sector, the indicators are that safety figures would be particularly hard hit. The statistical logic at work is that, according to the report, the two parts of the industry whose safety performance drags the rest down are air taxis and owner-flown business jets.

The CAA says the air taxi/ad hoc charter market is worthy of a study in its own right, observing: "The higher overall fatal accident rate for air taxi operations may justify further analysis. European operators are subject to direct regulatory oversight under EU-Ops, the same as for regular public transport, whereas in the USA, air taxi operations are overseen by the less-demanding Part 135 regulations. It is believed the EU-Ops-regulated air taxi operations may demonstrate a far better safety record than the overall [global] figure would suggest. This is a recommended further area for study."

In 2005 Air Safety Support International, a division of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, commissioned a report from Cranfield University to carry out a risk assessment of international general aviation and corporate aviation.

The report revealed that US Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air taxi operations had the highest risk, and that the corporate sector's relatively high safety performance was due to "the use of up-to-date aircraft, professional pilots and pre-existing company procedures."

Recommendations included the introduction of a "no-blame" incident reporting system because there was a reluctance to report errors, and an investigation of the feasibility of introducing flight data monitoring to detect exceedances and incidents.

The International Business Aviation Council commissioned a study of accidents between 1998 and 2003 to determine what the effect might have been on the occurrences had the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations been implemented at that time. The report concluded that between 35% and 55% of the accidents could certainly or probably been prevented by implementation of IS-BAO.

It is the unfavourable comparison of overall business aviation accident rates with those of the airline industry, combined with rapid growth in business jet operations, that persuaded the CAA the subject deserved serious study. It may not be entirely coincidental that the UK is home to the largest business aviation industry in Europe, but whether it is or not the CAA has always analysed global airline safety, and felt it was time to extend its understanding of operational performance in this growing sector.

The authority says: "Analysis by the UK CAA of worldwide fatal accidents to large jet and turboprop aeroplanes, as described in the CAP 776 Global fatal accident review, revealed that business jets appeared to be involved in a disproportionate number of fatal accidents. The potential for growth in this sector prompted further study, which included an analysis of safety data supplemented by externally contracted research that involved personal industry visits and a questionnaire sent to operators and pilots to obtain feedback on any safety-related issues."

The CAA points out that the study has been endorsed by the Business Aviation Safety Partnership, of which the European Business Aviation Association is a member.

The period under study was the eight years from 2000 to the end of 2007, in which time 59 business jets suffered fatal accidents. The fatal accident rate figures for that period show large jets in airline operation suffered fewer than 0.2 fatal accidents per million hours flown, airline turboprops about 0.8, and business jets 1.7 fatal accidents per million hours flown on all types of civil operation.

The main recommendations emerging from the study covered action required in four arenas: pilot training, regulator interaction, operational issues like crew fatigue, and interaction with air traffic control (see box).

Among business aviation operators using jets during the years 2003-7, figures supplied by the International Business Aviation Council and quoted in the CAA report show that the fatal accident rate for air taxis is 3.49 per million flying hours, for corporate operations it is 0.24, for owner-operated business jets it is 1.28, and the overall figure for all business jets flying civil operations is 1.45 per million flying hours. This tells much the same story as the CAA's own figures for the period 2000-7.

The report presents a breakdown of the 59 fatal accidents under study by the type of operation being performed. This shows that the highest number (21) happened on ferry or positioning flights, 17 occurred on "private/business" flights, six carried cargo, five performed passenger operations, four were air ambulance flights, three were training, and there were three "other" categories.

The tendency for the risk to be higher during non-revenue flights is an issue the US Federal Aviation Administration has decided to study, because it is a phenomenon that carries across all types of operation, including airlines.

Broken down by phase of flight, the CAA study shows business jet fatal accidents happen most often on approach (19), with landing second at 12. The remainder score as follows: taxi one, take-off eight, climb 11, en-route one, "flight" one, descent four and go-around two.

The primary causal factor in 16 of the 59 fatal accidents under study was "flight handling", according to the CAA, which makes it the most common, but it was also one of several causal factors in a total of 22 of the accidents. The causal factor that was present in more of the mishaps than any other was "omission of action or inappropriate action", which was contributory in 25 accidents (42%), although it was the primary cause in only nine. To summarise, the top five primary causal factors were flight handling (16 accidents/27%), lack of positional awareness (11/19%), omission of action or inappropriate action (nine/15%), poor professional judgement/airmanship (four/7%) and disorientation or visual illusion (two/3%).

As for circumstantial factors, poor visibility or lack of external visual reference was the most common, present in 21 accidents (36%).

A major part of the CAA report consisted of an analysis of the responses to questions sent by the CAA to pilots, operators and training organisations operating in the sector based in the UK. The main points that came out of the survey was that while pilots use simulation for their type rating training, most pilots do not have access to simulation for recurrent training, because for some types there is no such simulation available in the UK.

A high proportion said that pre-course distance learning material was inadequate, and did not prepare them for type training. Respondents also said that many employers did not provide their crews with sufficient training to cope with unfamiliar destinations or those with unusual characteristics, despite the fact that business jet pilots are more often exposed to new or occasionally used destinations than airline pilots.

Finally, business jet pilots, particularly those who operate single-pilot flights, say that fatigue can be a problem because their crew duty frequently includes far more pre-flight preparation and post-flight management than airline operations do, extending their crew duty time well beyond what an airline pilot would experience for a flight of a given length. They also remark that little or no "whole task" training is offered despite the fact that this is a natural characteristic of business aviation flying.

Business aviation operators needs to address "the limited ability of pilots to conduct safe flight without a serviceable flight management system". Although they are familiar with using automation, says the UK Civil Aviation Authority, business jet pilots demonstrate "incomplete understanding or variable ability in areas such as the use of auto-flight modes, particularly in relation to vertical guidance, energy management and poor weather operations".

Lack of access to training in simulators - particularly for recurrent training - is cited as a problem that affects a large proportion of business jet pilots in the global industry. So when training takes place it is frequently in the aircraft itself, which - for safety reasons - limits the kind of exercises that can be flown. The study recommends:

The investigation of low-cost simulation options so that recurrent training can be carried out in simulators.

The need to keep proper training performance records for the pilot workforce and to analyse pooled performance records for indicators of what, in the training system, needs improvement.

Despite the unique nature of business jet pilots' jobs - particularly when they are away from base at remote locations - they receive little or no company training in managing "additional duties", the CAA observes.

These include the expectation that pilots will often help clients with non-flying arrangements for the trip under the total service concept that business aviation embraces, and there is a need to liaise with airfield staff at remote locations for the care of the aircraft. If there is no preparation for any of this, says the CAA, the crew can be dangerously distracted from their primary tasks of flying the aircraft and managing the flight as a safe operation. The report recommends:

Major pilot training organisations should be informed of pilot feedback on "whole task" training and any pre-course training materials.

The report notes that operators perceive a lack of interest in business aviation by regulators, and often find it difficult to establish who their contacts should be at their national agency. In Europe, the business aviation community says it feels ill-informed about changes promulgated by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Joint Aviation Authorities. The report recommends this should be addressed, and suggests an information leaflet summarising issues specific to business aviation, and providing contacts.

Pressing issues, says the report, spread across the gamut of operations. They include flightcrew fatigue, commercial pressure - particularly, it notes, in air taxi operations, de-icing service providers, standard operating procedures in small operators (lack of guidance), runway length and performance issues, runway contamination, and a poor reporting culture.

The recommendations are equally comprehensive:

  • Make the system for aircrew fatigue evaluation software model available to business jet operators "to raise awareness of flightcrew fatigue issues".
  • For improving standard operating procedures, operators should adopt the IS-BAO (international standard, business aircraft operations).
  • Inform operators of web-based training materials for crew knowledge-related issues, like operations in ice and snow.

Pilots report a lack of air traffic control centre appreciation of business jet performance, particularly climb and descent rates and their relationship to speed restrictions, says the study. UK air navigation service provider NATS data shows that business jets feature in a disproportionately large number of level busts, lateral non-compliance events and runway incursions. The report recommends the business aviation industry should work with air navigation service providers to:

  • Make the performance characteristics of this group of aircraft better known to controllers.
  • Recognise the impact on workload during single-pilot operations of changes to clearances or other instructions.
  • Minimise the number of radio transmissions and frequency changes during critical phases of flight.

All the latest news from EBACE

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Emre Aydın Emre Aydın
Emre Aydın (February 2, 1981) is a Turkish rock singer and songwriter, who used to be the lead singer for 6.Cadde. He has been referred to as emreaydın on his official site to establish a trademark. The singer won the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008 in the "Europe's Favourite Act" category. Emre Aydın was born in Isparta on 2 February 1981. He graduated from Antalya Anadolu Lisesi (high school) and then studied economics at Dokuz Eylül University in İzmir.

Read more about Emre Aydın on Last.fm.
ჩემი დამთხვევები

მომხმარებლები, რომლებსაც მოსწონთ "Emre Aydın"


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Automatic (1995)

A kickboxing cyborg security agent accidentally kills a corporate officer who was trying to rape a blonde employee in this sci-fi copy of Die Hard. The head of the corporation orders his security teams to kill both the cyborg and the… More

Directed By:
Rated: R
Running Time:
Release Date: June 1, 1995
DVD Release Date: November 21, 1995
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Dean McKenna
This fast-paced riff on <i>The Terminator</i> is a bit more clever than the usual knockoffs. Olivier Gruner's fantastic as a compassionate… More


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Quick Project Snapshot

Functional connectivity and the human brain functional connectome

Understanding how the brain works requires knowledge of how brain regions communicate with each other to form large-scale functional networks. The “functional connectome” is a term used to describe the collective set of functional connections in the brain. Measuring these connections at any scale is a great challenge. Our research includes investigations into how best to measure these networks at a macroscopic scale (millimetre resolution) with non-invasive neuroimaging methods such as functional MRI (fMRI). Functional connectivity provides a measure of the correlations in activity over time between brain regions, and is the mainstay of current research into brain networks. Our investigations include correlation-based functional connectivity explorations as well as data-driven approaches such as independent component analysis and machine learning. We are also developing novel approaches such as Dynamic Regional Phase Synchrony (DRePS).

Selected publications

Omidvarnia A, Pedersen M, Walz JM, Vaughan DN, Abbott DF & Jackson GD. Dynamic Regional Phase Synchrony (DRePS): an instantaneous measure of local fMRI connectivity within spatially clustered brain areas.  Human Brain Mapping 37(5) 1970–1985 (2016) ( doi: 10.1002/hbm.23151 ).

Warren AEL, Abbott DF, Vaughan DN, Jackson GD, Archer JS. Abnormal cognitive network interactions in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A potential mechanism for Epileptic Encephalopathy. Epilepsia 57(5) 812–822 (2016) ( doi: 10.1111/epi.13342 ).

Tailby C, Masterton RAJ, Huang JY, Jackson GD, Abbott DF. Resting state functional connectivity changes induced by prior brain state are not network specific. Neuroimage 106:428-40 (2015). ( doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.11.037 ).

Pedersen M, Curwood EK, Archer JS, Abbott DF & Jackson GD. Brain regions with abnormal network properties in severe epilepsy of Lennox-Gastaut Phenotype: Multivariate analysis of task-free fMRI. Epilepsia 56(11) 1767–1773 (2015) ( doi: 10.1111/epi.13135 ).

Archer JS, Warren AEL, Stagnitti MR, Masterton RAJ, Abbott DF& Jackson GD(=joint senior authors). Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Phenotype: Secondary network epilepsies. Epilepsia 55(8):1245-54 (2014). ( doi: 10.1111/epi.12682 ). IF=4.6.

Archer JS, Abbott DF, Masterton RAJ, Palmer SM, Jackson GD. Functional MRI interactions between dysplastic nodules and overlying cortex in periventricular nodular heterotopia. Epilepsy & Behavior 19(4):631–634 (2010) ( doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.09.018 ).

Waites AB, Briellmann RS, Saling MM, Abbott DF, Jackson GD. Functional connectivity networks are disrupted in left temporal lobe epilepsy. Ann Neurol 59(2):335-343 (2006). ( doi: 10.1002/ana.20733 ).

Waites AB, Stanislavsky A, Abbott DF, Jackson GD. Effect of prior cognitive state on resting state networks measured with functional connectivity. Human Brain Mapping 24(1):59–68 (2005). ( doi:  10.1002/hbm.20069 ).

A/Prof David Abbott

Epilepsy Neuroinformatics Laboratory

The Neuroinformatics Laboratory undertakes advanced neuroimaging analysis methods development and applied research to further our understanding of the human brain in health and disease. Whilst the work in the laboratory is relevant to a wide range of brain mapping applications, a particular emphasis of the research is towards methods that can help better understand the causes and consequences of epileptic seizures. This includes implementation, development and application of advanced image analysis procedures for structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) - including simultaneous EEG & fMRI. These non-invasive imaging modalities together with advanced computational methods are capable of mapping human brain activity at millimetre spatial resolution and millisecond temporal resolution. Our scientists work collaboratively with local and international clinical research teams, sharing analysis methods and data in a multidisciplinary pursuit of discovery.

The Neuroinformatics Laboratory has a range of software publicly available.  Please click below for further information and downloads.

Software Available

All Projects by this Lab

Functional neuroimaging analysis to identify brain abnormality in epilepsyArtefact reduction in functional MRIFunctional connectivity and the human brain functional connectomeFunctional MRI Processing PipelinesLaterality of brain functionMorphometryQuantitative voxel-based analysis of qualitative imagesSimultaneous EEG-fMRIT2 relaxometry

The Florey's Epilepsy division is a world-leading centre for epilepsy research. The division has major groups at both the Florey’s Austin and Parkville campus. The group studies mechanisms that cause epilepsy from the level of cells to the function of the whole brain. We use technologies including advanced MRI and cutting edge cellular physiology techniques to allow us to understand genetic and acquired mechanisms that give rise to epilepsy. Together with our colleagues from The University of Melbourne and across Australia we are working towards finding a cure for epilepsy.

All Labs that operate in this Division

Epilepsy Cognition LaboratoryEpilepsy Neuroinformatics LaboratoryImaging and EpilepsyInnate Phagocytosis LaboratoryIon Channels and Human Diseases LaboratoryNeural Networks LaboratoryNeurophysiology of Excitable Networks LaboratoryPsychology and Experimental NeurophysiologySleep and CognitionTraumatic Brain Injury Laboratory


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Florey Events

Posted on 27/02/2015

InSearch - unlocking the secrets of Parkinson's - Warrnambool

To promote World Parkinson's Day in April 2015, Parkinson's Victoria in partnership with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health will launch InSearch, a series of research lectures and events across Victoria.

InSearch is a unique opportunity for people living with Parkinson’s, families, carers and health professionals to learn about current international and national research from leading researchers and clinicians. The theme of this year’s InSearch series is “Unlocking the Secrets of Parkinson’s” and will include public lectures in Melbourne, Warrnambool and Bendigo.

In 2015, InSearch will also include research lectures in Warrnambool and Bendigo. These lectures will be presented by Dr. Wesley Thevathasan and Associate Professor David Finkelstein.

Dr. Thevathasan is a Melbourne-based neurologist who will present his innovative research in the field of deep brain stimulation. Associate Professor Finkelstein will speak about his research experience as head of the Parkinson’s disease laboratory at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, including the role of alpha-synuclein and the relationship between growth factors and exercise in Parkinson’s.

Warrnambool lecture

When: Tuesday 21 April 2015

Time: Doors open at 5pm. Lecture from 6 – 7.30pm.

Location: Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Lecture Theatre (J Building), Princes Highway, Warrnambool

Tags: Lecture/Symposium


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Dementia is an all-encompassing term for the decline in cognitive ability that occurs in more than 100 brain diseases, including Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and the biggest cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease.

It is important to understand that dementia is a symptom of an underlying disease and is not an unavoidable consequence of growing older.

However, age is the biggest risk factor in developing dementia, so as our population ages the incidence of dementia is rising. A small percentage of dementias are due to inherited disorders in which the onset of dementia occurs early, in someone's 40s or 50s.

People with dementia usually deteriorate gradually, and the symptoms will differ from one person to another, but all involve a deterioration in cognitive ability - that is the ability to remember, plan, reason and learn. A person's mood and personality will also be affected, with depression a common co-morbidity.

The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, Vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), Huntington's disease, Alcohol related dementia (Korsakoff's syndrome) and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.

Early Symptoms include:

  • Confusion
  • Unusual irritability
  • Forgetfulness
  • Impaired decision making

Late Symptoms include:

  • Forgetting major events and/or names of loved ones
  • Inability to care for one’s self or home
  • Inability to manage daily responsibilities
  • Personality changes, sometimes including aggression
  • Difficulties sleeping, using the toilet and eating

Useful Information

If you are seeking more information on living with dementia please follow the link below.

Dementia Information

View labs and projects

If you are worried about the signs and symptoms of dementia, your first visit should be to your general practitioner.

The Florey is home to two disease diagnosis laboratories, the National Dementia Diagnostic Laboratory and the Australian National Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease Registry.

Your clinician will arrange the appropriate tests directly with the services.

View labs and projects


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Bill O'Reilly Is OUT! Fox News Fires Veteran Show Host Amid Sexual Harassment Claims

That mother-fer is OUT! Fox News' top-rated, top-grossing show host Bill O'Reilly is getting his due after a rash of sexual harassment claims have come to light. And by the way, screw 21st Century Fox of taking so long to let this dude go!The new channel's parent company said in a statement Wednesday, "After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel."Uh yeah, HE agreed he...

What feeling does this article give you?

#hashtags to follow:

Fox News [+]    Bill [+]    Reilly [+]    Century Fox [+]    Company and Bill [+]    Fox News Channel [+]

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Luke’s Force Powers In Star Wars: The Last Jedi Revealed

Ask any Star Wars fan worth their salt to identify the true hero of Lucasfilm’s original trilogy and they’ll likely gravitate toward Luke Skywalker, the Tatooine farm-boy-turned-Jedi-Master who helped topple the Galactic Empire and their totalitarian regime.

Luke has certainly seen better days, though. Last we checked in on Mark Hamill’s Tatooine farmboy, he had helped conquer the Galactic Empire and restore peace and prosperity to Lucasfilm’s galaxy far, far away. But after his...

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Star Wars [+]    Lucasfilm [+]    Luke Skywalker [+]    Tatooine [+]    Jedi [+]    Galactic Empire [+]    Luke [+]    Mark Hamill [+]

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With any luck, the stock market will be off to a strong start in September, gaining support from today's bevy of encouraging economic data. The positive data -- including the Chicago Manufacturing Index and consumer spending numbers -- has not lifted the market much today, though likely because it's the last Friday of August and the start of a holiday weekend.

But the beat goes on: The Purchasing Management Index (PMI) from Chicago, which measures results in the Midwest, rose to 58.9 last month, up from 55.9 and topping the 55.5 estimate. A number above 50 indicates economic expansion. Today's 58.9 is the highest reading since May 2002 and, more significantly, the fourth increase in a row, indicating steam building in the economy.

Additional encouragement came from the employment component of the index, which rose to 51.2 from 46.0, showing regional job expansion rather than contraction. These numbers bolstered Thursday's Commerce Department report, which said the U.S. economy grew a surprisingly strong 3.1% annualized in the three months ended June (during which time, not coincidentally, the stock market began to recover).

Meanwhile, consumer spending remained strong in July, rising 0.8%, with the pedal to the metal in auto sales, especially. Consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the U.S. economy, was buttressed during the recession by mortgage refinancings (which are drying up) and tax cuts. A second round of cuts added about 1% to the average take-home pay this summer.

On the heels of the strong data, some analysts are projecting a robust turnaround for the second half of this year, saying the U.S. economy could grow at upwards of 6% annualized. Whether this happens or not, the fact that, at around 6%, unemployment has remained relatively low compared to other recessions supports the argument that we're closer to strength than weakness.

Bonds sold off on today's news and long-term yields jumped nearly five basis points, with 30-year yields rising to 5.25% and the 10-year rising to 4.46%. Falling bonds, rising stocks, at least regional cases of steadying unemployment, healthy consumer spending, and numbers showing economic expansion -- it all might point to a classic turnaround. Here's hoping.

On Tuesday, we'll see August Institute for Supply Management (ISM) numbers. A reading of 53.0, up from 51.8, is expected.


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Well, whaddya know? It seems there was a bottom.

For a while there, after the stock of financial and legal consultant Resources Connection (NASDAQ:RECN) began its free fall Wednesday, I have to admit -- I wasn't sure there was a "bottom" at the bottom of the well. Fortunately, the stock has stopped falling for the time being. Let's use the breather this affords us to take a quick look at the numbers that pushed Resources over the edge:

  • Fiscal Q1 2008 revenue up 18% to $191.4 million (so far, so good ... )
  • International revenue leading the charge, up 31% year over year (OK ... )
  • Fiscal Q1 earnings up less than 5% (whoopsy daisy!) to just $0.23 per share.

That makes for -- let me check my calculator -- a 5.9% net margin for the quarter. Which would be cause for popping champagne corks if we were talking about "Always Low Margins. Always" king Wal-Mart, but is a bit less cause for rejoicing at a firm that in fiscal 2005 netted 10.4% profit on its revenue.

Margins slip so employees won't
Indeed, margins were the big story at Resources Connection this quarter, with management blaming its disappointing profits on -- I kid you not -- "increased vacation benefits for a majority of our associates and a decrease in conversion fees which carry a 100% gross margin."

Let's put aside for the moment the question of just what the heck a "conversion fee" is (Hint: Read the 10-K annual report, and you'll learn it's essentially a headhunter's commission that Resources bills for itself whenever one of its clients wants to poach an employee from Resources' employ). I must admit, this is the first time I have ever seen a company blame an earnings miss on: "Our employees needed a nap." But when you get right down to it, I have to say I get where Resources is coming from on this one.

Working in the legal field (my day job), I'm well-acquainted with the phenomenon of highly educated professionals taking highly paid jobs in an effort to repay highly high student loans. Very often, such workers work round the clock, last a year, perhaps two -- and then burn out and quit. I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that the same thing happens at firms like Resources, BearingPoint (NYSE:BE), and Accenture (NYSE:ACN). Maybe even at "experts-for-hire" firms like FTI (NYSE:FCN) or Navigant (NYSE:NCI). So it makes sense to me when Resources explains: "While our gross margin was adversely impacted in part due to increased associate vacation, we felt the additional benefit was important in continuing to attract and retain the best talent over the long term."

For a firm that is quite literally the sum of its parts (the employees), and that cannot thrive if there is constant turnover in the ranks, Resources must do what it takes to keep those employees happy. Even if that means missing an earnings estimate.

Resources Connection is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation. Take your free trial of the market-beating newsletter service today.

Fool contributor Rich Smith does not own shares of any company named above. Wal-Mart and Accenture are Inside Value recommendations. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Ebix (Nasdaq: EBIX) carries $328.0 million of goodwill and other intangibles on its balance sheet. Sometimes goodwill, especially when it's excessive, can foreshadow problems down the road. Could this be the case with Ebix?

Before we answer that, let's look at what could go wrong.

AOL blows up
In early 2002, AOL Time Warner was trading for $66.27 per share.

It had $209 billion of assets on its balance sheet, and $128 billion of that was in the form of goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill is simply the difference between the price paid for a company during an acquisition and the net assets of the acquired company. The $128 billion of goodwill in this case was created when AOL and Time Warner merged in 2000.

The problem with inflating your net assets with goodwill is that it can -- being intangible after all -- go away if the acquisition or merger doesn't create the amount of value that was expected. That's what happened in AOL Time Warner's case. It had to write off most of the goodwill over the next few months, and one year later that line item had shrunk to $37 billion. Investors punished the stock along the way, sending it down to $27.04 -- or nearly a 60% loss.

In his fine book It's Earnings That Count, Hewitt Heiserman explains the AOL situation and how two simple metrics can help minimize your risk of owning a company that may blow up like this. Let's see how Ebix holds up using his two metrics.

Intangible assets ratio
This ratio shows us the percentage of total assets made up by goodwill and other intangibles. Heiserman says he views anything over 20% as worrisome, "because management might be overpaying for the acquisition or acquisitions that gave rise to the goodwill."

Ebix has an intangible assets ratio of 80%.

This is well above Heiserman's threshold, and you should keep a close eye on just how the company is fueling its growth. It's also useful to compare it to tangible book value, which I explain below.

Tangible book value
Tangible book value is simply what remains after subtracting goodwill and other intangibles from shareholders' equity. If this is not a positive value, Heiserman advises you to run away because such companies may "lack the balance sheet muscle to protect themselves in a recession or from better-financed competitors."

Ebix's tangible book value is -$11.9 million, which obviously raises a yellow flag.

Foolish bottom line
If you own Ebix, or any other company that fails one of these checks, make sure you understand the business model and management's objectives. You can never base an entire investment thesis on one or two metrics, but there is a yellow flag here. I'll help you keep a close eye on these ratios over the next few quarters by updating them soon after each earnings report.

Keep up with Ebix, including news and analysis as it's published, by adding the company to your free, personalized watchlist.

Rex Moore owns none of the companies mentioned in this article. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Ebix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.


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In recent years, Polaris Industries (NYSE:PII) has been known more for its snowmobiles and off-road vehicles than anything else; but that looks to be changing. The company's reboot of Indian Motorcycles, one of the most iconic (and first) American bikes, is starting to pick up the traction that management promised when Polaris reintroduced the brand in August of last year. Recently released earnings showed strong growth over the prior year's numbers, but the market still wasn't thrilled about forward guidance. The thing is, Polaris is setting up to be a long-term winner with a great brand portfolio and comfortable industry tailwinds.

Not enough
Polaris shares fell 4% when it delivered forward guidance that, at the top end, came in at analysts' average estimate of $4.31 billion. On the bottom line, the company's top-end guidance of $6.37 per share came in $0.30 under the Street's estimates.

Despite the strengths in Polaris' just-ended quarter, the market wanted more encouraging forward results. The thing is, "forward" is in reference to the current year, and Polaris' ultimate value may lie beyond fiscal 2014's results.

Hog tie
Even though it missed estimates, Polaris still has projected one-year sales growth of 11%-14%; but let's look beyond that. The company's reboot of Indian Motorcycles, while initially doubted by some, is revving up the long-term prospects of the company.

Indian has the styling, legacy, and (hopefully) quality that can rival the U.S. king of hogs, Harley Davidson. With the first three models barely out the door, and only a fraction of the dealers actually stocking the motorcycles at this point, the implications of Polaris' big investment of 2013 is yet to be seen. Management noted an attractive order backlog that should keep the factory busy for months as the company addresses demand. Still, approaching Harley, a company that generates incredible brand loyalty, is a mighty task for a name that has been dormant for 60 years.

Realistically, Indian won't be the powerhouse brand for Polaris in the short term, given that the company derives the vast majority of its sales from other recreational vehicle lines, but it is an important tool for the company's image. Indian is a glitzy, headline-ready brand for the company, while Polaris' hardcore off-road vehicles are world class and well-respected among die-hard enthusiasts.

Class A management
A big long-term asset for Polaris is its management team. The company, while not targeting big quarter-to-quarter jumps on the financial statements, has proven its commitment to long-term value creation with a heavy R&D department, and a relatively constant flow of new offerings.

Even the language used in management's conference call strikes a docile, long-term tone: "While we cannot control our stock price or our P/E ratio, we do own the inputs and I trust this team to seize opportunities to execute better and to grow sales and net income well into the future."

At more than 16 times forward earnings, investors don't get a bargain on Polaris' growth and management team, but they could get peace of mind. With a global macroeconomic recovery in progress, big-ticket toys should continue to perform well. Led by a team in it for the long run, Polaris remains a solid investment.

Michael Lewis has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Polaris Industries. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.