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Acronis announces new solution with anti-ransomware and blockchain-based capabilities

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation Personal Backup Solution Offers Must Have Groundbreaking Anti-Ransomware and Blockchain-Based Capabilities.

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation solves the multi-billion dollar cyber-threat nightmare with real-time protection against ransomware attacks targeting data and delivers theindustry’s first blockchain-based certification and electronic signature technology.

Acronis, a global leader in hybrid-cloud data protection and storage, today announced Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation with Acronis Active Protection™ — active protection against ransomware attacks on user data, Acronis Notary™— blockchain-based data certification and verification capabilities — and Acronis ASign™ — the most consumer-friendly electronic document signing service. Acronis True Image is the first and only backup solution in the market that introduces Active Protection technology to detect and prevent ransomware attacks in real-time, automatically recover all data from the backup, self-protect backups and the backup application.

According to the FBI*, damages from ransomware are growing at an alarming rate, affecting thousands of people every day. This year, cyber-attacks will increasingly threaten data on every personal computer** and Acronis delivers the ultimate protection for user data.

Acronis True Image is the fastest and most complete personal backup solution, outperforming the closest competition by more than two times*** and protecting data on Windows and Mac computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, and Facebook social network accounts. Acronis True Image delivers ultimate data protection for personal and family data using AES 256 encryption and stores it in multiple destinations, including external drives, NAS devices, network shares, and the secure Acronis Cloud.

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation is the most secure backup on the market due to new unique data protection capabilities:

- Acronis Active Protection for real-time active protection against ransomware. Acronis Active Protection identifies unusual activity on computers and prevents malicious applications from damaging user data, backups, and backup software. Cutting-edge behavioral heuristics detect and prevent new and known ransomware attacks, making the backup more secure, and reducing a number of times data need to be restored from the backup.
- Acronis Notary for Blockchain-based data authentication. Acronis Notary offers certification of the content of any file and verification of content modifications against the original version. Unique, “digital file fingerprints” are stored in a distributed, immutable database based on blockchain technology. Blockchain allows users to verify the authenticity of the information at any time. This is especially important for valuable documents such as contracts, medical records, and financial documents.
- Acronis ASign for blockchain-based document certification. Acronis ASign allows multiple parties to execute and certify a document with a secure and publicly auditable digital signature. Users can protect their backed-up documents, which are verified with Acronis Notary and electronically signed – all within the same reliable backup solution.

“With more than 5 million people using Acronis True Image, we know how to provide data protection for individuals and families around the world,” explains Serguei Beloussov, co-founder, and CEO of Acronis. “With Acronis Active Protection, Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation is the ultimate solution for protection of data against cyber-attacks and an important addition to any anti-virus software, especially free or embedded antivirus software.”

“Modern cyber threats are changing the way people and organizations approach protecting their valuable data, demanding almost on-the-fly adaptation to ever evolving threats," said Phil Goodwin, Research Director, IDC. "Acronis True Image incorporates interesting leading edge technologies designed to help thwart a range of threats and minimize any potential data loss.”

Eugene Kaspersky, chairman and CEO of Kaspersky Lab, said: “The world is facing a rising and increasingly dangerous tide of ransomware affecting individuals and businesses alike. Of course, ideally you should never pay criminals if your data is encrypted by ransomware; that’s all very well in theory, but when it’s your family photos or business documents encrypted, the idealism can swiftly go out the window. There are many measures that can be taken to avoid the damage from ransomware, but a high-end Internet security suite and a reliable backup disconnected from the system is still essential to ensure business continuity if the worst does still happen. And I welcome Acronis's introduction of backup suited to this trend.”

Besides the unique new capabilities, Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation introduces many more improvements and innovative features to secure Acronis’ position as the leading, fastest, and most innovative consumer backup provider:

- Easy to use, modern interface: A touch-friendly interface across all devices with an easy-to-use web interface for remote data access and management.
- Additional features for Mac users: Unmounted NAS support for source and backup destinations, wireless backup of mobile devices to Mac computers with local data browsing capabilities; file notarization and electronic signatures via Acronis Notary and Acronis ASign, and support for Mac OS X Sierra.
- Complete mobile backup experience: AES-256 data encryption, file preview and recovery, browsing of all cloud backups from a mobile device.
- Backup and recovery capabilities for Facebook accounts: Browse and recover a Facebook account data to an existing or new account with data encrypted and stored in the Acronis Cloud.

“I chose Acronis for my family because I really need to trust my data backup. With Acronis we can be sure that our digital belongings are safe thanks to this very reliable and fast data backup and restore technology”, said Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 Team.

Pricing and Availability

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation is a new premium subscription for the award-winning Acronis True Image backup solution. Special upgrade pricing is available for the existing Acronis True Image customers. For more details, please visit

Pricing starts at 99.99 a year for one computer and 1 TB of Acronis Cloud Storage. Discounts will be provided for a few weeks after the product availability to celebrate the launch of Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation.

*** Based on internal tests.

About Acronis
Acronis sets the standard for hybrid cloud data protection through its backup, disaster recovery, and secure file sync and share solutions. Powered by the Acronis AnyData Engine and set apart by its image technology, Acronis delivers easy, complete and affordable data protection of all files, applications and operating systems across any environment—virtual, physical, cloud and mobile. Founded in 2003, Acronis protects the data of over 5 million consumers and 500,000 businesses in over 145 countries. With more than 100 patents, Acronis products have been named best product of the year, and cover a range of features, including migration, cloning and replication. Today, Acronis solutions are available worldwide through a global network of service providers, distributors and cloud resellers.

Source: Acronis International GmbH

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Honda Motor Company has been operating in India for a long time now and today it enjoys a reputed position in the automobile market. Although the company had to go through a decline in the domestic sales by 3.61% in the year 2015, the Jazz model also helped the brand to gain a double digit growth in the last fiscal. The recently conducted 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi also saw a host of vehicles from the company and now here we have a long list of Honda upcoming cars in India 2016-17 that will be rolled out one by one in the coming months.

Most of these enlisted models consist of SUVs and crossovers with highly advanced and magnificent looks. Some of these have been exhibited already in the form of concepts at various global platforms and now we can’t wait anymore to witness the launch of these cars in the market. So, before you lose your patience, let’s take a look at the Honda upcoming cars in India 2016-17.

Honda HR-V

  • Expected Launch Date: Mid 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 15-20 Lacs

In the last 10 years, the demand for SUVs in Indian market has been sequentially rising. With the purpose to dike the gap between the Honda BR-V and CR-V. In the next year, the Japanese car maker will launch the Honda HR-V. The HR-V looks like a proper SUV, courtesy to it hunchback silhouette and sharp shoulder line. Honda HR-V shares its platform and features with the Jazz hatchback and also some of its design.

The HR-V will be loaded with many latest features like new front grille with LED headlamps, sloping roof-line and sporty rear design, touch-screen infotainment system, touch-screen climate control and steering with mounted controls are carried forward from the CR-V. Globally, HR-V will available with a 1.8 litre, 141bhp petrol and a 1.6 litre, 118 bhp i-DTEC diesel engine options. The car price will be close near Rs. 15 lakh – Rs. 20 lakh.

Honda CR-V Facelift

  • Expected Launch Date: 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 21-25 Lacs

Exhibited at the Bangkok Motor Show this year, the facelift version of this crossover is expected to be launched in the next few months with certain cosmetic changes. It could possibly get some tweaks at the front portion containing an aggressive grille, which will be flanked by a pair of stylish headlamps carrying LED Daytime Running Lights.

Moving to the rear portion, it will bear a re-vamped tail gate along with a chrome bar that could be seen running along the length of the boot lid. Interior changes will be minimal including a new 7-inch multimedia infotainment system accompanied by an HDMI interface, a 3-angle reverse parking camera and lane change assist system.

Powertrain would be similar with the same 2 litre and 2.4 litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC petrol motor, whereby the 2 litre unit will be fitted on the entry level variants. If Honda brings a diesel trim, it would consist of a 1.6 litre i-DTEC motor that could be mated to a 9-speed automatic tranny. As far as the petrol variant is concerned, it will be carrying a CVT replacing the existing 5-speed AT. An FWD as well as an AWD could be there on the offer.

Honda Vision XS 1

  • Expected Launch Date: June 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 12 Lacs

The concept of this SUV model was exhibited at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo with just 2 doors and now the reports suggest that the company could soon introduce its production version in the near future with 4 doors. The features that were found in the concept like dynamic fog lights, sleek headlamps, alloy wheels and chrome window sills are going to be carried as it is by the car when launched.

Honda Vision XS 1

The interior flaunts a dual combination of black and white color scheme and the dashboard dons a slim look. There is a multi-functional steering wheel with control switches mounted on it and the centre console contains a gear shift box, centre armrest as well as cup holders. Under the hood, this model is expected to be packed with a 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine that does duty on the Amaze and City. This engine can efficiently make 100PS at 3600 rpm and 200Nm at 1750 rpm. However, nothing is confirmed about the output of Honda Vision.

Honda Vezel

  • Expected Launch Date: September 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 10 Lacs

The all new Honda Vezel which has been already launched in Japan at 1.87 Million Yen, which translates to INR 11.14 Lacs, is now soon going to make its way to the Indian market. Here, it will compete with the likes of Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport. From outside, this compact SUV bears sloping lines along the C Pillar and its sharp curves give it even more appeal. It looks quite sporty and resembles a lot with Jazz.

honda vezel

As we move inside the car, the interiors give a hint of Jazz as well as CR-V with a superior quality which is expected to be the best in its segment. There is a large boot space and the front seats are available in a coupe like arrangement with sufficient elbow room. It is also expected to be fitted with high quality soundproof material along with dampers.

It is anticipated that Vezel will be containing several hi-tech fitments in the form of Honda’s G-Force Control Technology (G-CON), electric parking brake, city brake active system, and automatic brake hold accompanied by Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Body and Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body. It will be offered with a 1.5 litre engine option in both diesel and petrol guises. Transmission will be handled by a 7-speed CVT and both 2WD and 4WD could be there on the offer.

Honda Brio SUV

  • Expected Launch Date: 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 9-13 Lacs

Nothing has been confirmed officially as of now but the reports are doing rounds that the peppy Brio could be developed in an SUV avatar by the company. Apart from being based on the Brio platform, it will be sharing its wheelbase measuring 250 mm with Mobilio and the length of Amaze that stands at 2650 mm. From outside, it will be donning a sporty look with the use of roof rails, alloy wheels, body cladding, rear spoiler and much more.

From inside, it will be available with a 5-seat configuration with the rear seats with a foldable facility. The base variants will be carrying a fabric upholstery, whereas the high end variants could receive leather upholstery. Talking about the engine lineup, it will consist of 1.5 litre i-VTEC motor that makes 117Bhp and 145Nm of maximum output, while the diesel mill will be fitted with a 1.5 litre i-DTEC unit that pumps out 98Bhp and 200Nm of maximum output.

Honda Civic

  • Expected Launch Date: 2017 End
  • Expected Price: INR 20 Lacs

Back in August 2012, when the eighth generation of Honda Civic failed to sustain itself in the Indian market, it was discontinued in the country. This time around, the Japanese automobile giant is planning to re-introduce the sedan in India. From outside, it will bear an all new Flying H grille flanked by a pair of optional LED headlamps, long bonnet, air-intakes integrated into the front bumper, new tail lights, along with some elongated dimensions.

There isn’t much detail about the interior, but it is being speculated that the sedan is going to be loaded with several wow factors in terms of style, comfort and equipments. For safety, there will be fitments like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, multi-angle rear view mirror, and Honda LaneWatch. Coming to the engine specs, it is expected to be powered by two engine options namely 1.5 litre VTEC petrol unit and a 1.6 litre i-DTEC motor mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT facility.

Honda NSX

  • Expected Launch Date: December 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 25 Lacs

NSX is a sports car concept that had already made its first appearance at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2014. It’s a high performance vehicle carrying a wide, low yet aerodynamic stance. From the rear, its design is slanting backwards and looks very appealing to the eyes. Cosmetic elements like honeycomb radiator grille, large windscreen and LED headlamps are some highlights at exterior portions.

The cabin dons a dual color scheme of black and wine red and there is a wide use of leather as well as velvet material. There is a 3-spoke steering wheel covered in leather, advanced infotainment facility and chrome accents on certain portions. Mechanically, it is expected to be powered by 3 different electric motors out of which one will be available with a V6 unit while the other 2 will be offered with an AWD setup. As far as transmission is concerned, there is going to be a dual clutch automatic facility that ensures proficient gear shifts every time.

Honda WR-V

  • Expected Launch Date: 2017
  • Expected Price: INR 7.5-10.5 Lacs

This Jazz based sub-4 metre was spotted testing in South America recently and market reports are strongly suggesting that it will make its way to the Indian shores by the next year. In the global market, it is expected to be positioned below HR-V and above the Jazz model. It is going to make its world debut at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show, which will be held in November, 2016.

Honda WR-V

This upcoming crossover is going to be rolled out with both diesel and petrol engine options consisting of a 1.5 litre i-DTEC, a 1.2 litre i-VTEC and a 1.5 litre i-VTEC unit respectively. The diesel mill is tuned to propel 99Bhp and 200Nm of peak torque. The rest two petrol powertrains efficiently generate 88.75Bhp/110Nm and 118Bhp/145Nm of maximum output respectively. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and a CVT arrangement.

Final Words

So, this was the compilation of Honda upcoming cars in India 2016-17 along with their respective features as well as mechanical specifications. All the aforementioned vehicles are likely to be launched in the country within next few months. However, Honda has not itself given any confirmation on the same and hence there might be some variations as compared to other reports.

It’s always good to have a number of options, and looking at this compilation of Honda upcoming cars in India 2016-17, it seems like the prospective buyers will get a lot of choices, particularly in the SUV segment.

We hope that this blog was informative enough for you. If you have any suggestions or queries, kindly let us know about your feedback in our comments section below.

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B4H > Soldier Studies > Civil War Voices

I will contact who I can, but please update your Civil War blogrolls and remove Blog4History and add my Civil War blog: Civil War Voices @ my Civil War soldier letters archive: Soldierstudies.org.

B4H is becoming less and less a Civil War blog so I would appreciate you passing the word. Thanks much!

About admin

Travel and History blogger Twitter @JoeDuck
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to B4H > Soldier Studies > Civil War Voices

  1. Is there a blog where you’re posting updates about the SoldierStudies site and effort? I’d really like to follow the project, but it seems like the blog you’ve directed us to is more about the individual letters.

  2. Chris says:

    The blog will post updates, but the best way to see what is new in the database is this link:

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Inspiration: The Capelet Sundress

How great is this pattern? I almost hit "buy it now" before I realized how simple it is: a square neck fitted bodice, flared skirt (circle or half?) and straps that button on in front. The cherry on top? The little capelet that attaches to those same buttons. Mon dieu, I'm getting a little pink from the sun! I must put on my little capelet! (Yes, that's exactly what I would say.)

Anyway, it's getting to be sundress sewing season, and I think it would be such fun to incorporate at least one little capelet into my ensembles. I think I would start with a fitted capelet pattern, like the one from Butterick 5032:

Then I would make a muslin of it, try it on with my dress and figure out my style lines and buttonhole placement from there. (You could also do this on a dress form.)

What do you think? Will you be also be flouncing about in a sundress capelet ensemble this summer?

P.S. The pattern at the top is from a repro seller that I am not familiar with, and I have no experience with their products, FYI.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Re-post: The Modern Crinoline Tutorial

Readers, this tutorial is from a couple years ago, and I think it's an "oldie but goodie." I dug my yellow crinoline out of a moving box this morning (yes, I still have things in boxes; don't judge) to wear under a 50s-style shirtdress. I was reminded how handy this crinoline is for those days you want just a little extra fullness, plus the benefits of a half slip. Enjoy!

Here's how to use this tutorial:

1. Watch the video for an introduction.
2. Look at the pattern diagram for the measurements on my crinoline (yours might be different depending on your hip measurement and the length desired).
3. Follow the sewing directions.

The video!

The pattern diagram! (Click to see it full-size.)

The sewing directions!

**Note: finish all seams with the method of your choice.

1. Cut your pattern pieces out. Cut two of pattern piece 1 in Rayon Bemberg or another slip fabric like charmeuse or china silk. Cut pieces 2 and 3 out of a sheer fabric with lots of body like cotton organdy or silk organza.

2.Sew the upper portion on the crinoline following the instructions on this tutorial.

3. Sew pieces 2 and 3 together at the side seams. Press seams open. They'll now be large circular pieces.

4. Gather the tops of pieces 2 and 3. I prefer to gather by sewing a large zig zag over a piece of sturdy cotton string or cord, and then pulling the cord up to gather.

5. Pin gathered piece 2 to the bottom of piece 1. Distribute the gathers evenly and pin together. Baste, and then stitch. Press seam upward.

6. Pin gathered piece 3 to the bottom of piece 2. Distribute the gathers evenly and pin together. Baste, and then stitch. Press seam upward.

7. Sew lace to the bottom of piece 3 using a very narrow zig zag stitch. Trim the excess fabric from the back of the lace.

8. Add a bow to the waistband.

9. Slip your crinoline on under a full skirt.

10. Sashay about!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the vintage blouse pattern, blue jersey fabric, and Nars lipstick is Katty Lea! Come on down and claim your glamorous prize.

A big thanks to The Blue Gardenia for another fabulous giveaway!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Easy Felt Roses Tutorial (with Video!)

I never get tired of roses! (I have at least 21 tattooed on my body--I can never quite count them correctly.) The ones here are made from wool felt and I plan on making buckets full of them. They're great as a bouquet on your tabletop, but they're also fantastic for hair clips, brooches, sashes, etc.

I came up with my technique after reading this lovely paper roses tutorial. One day while working on my millinery class homework on the train (of all places), I realized that the process could be applied beautifully to felt-like fabrics, if they were stitched in place by hand. A tilted retro hat was born.

I became a little obsessed, and starting making roses out of a wool felt remnant I had on hand. (I'm using this lovely felt from Purl in the video below.)

To make one rose, here's what you'll need:
  • a 2 x 32" strip of wool felt (you can play around with longer or shorter lengths for different effects)
  • all purpose sewing thread
  • a long hand sewing needle
  • green florist's stems (optional, use these to make a rose to put in a vase) Note: I used a small-gauge wire for this, but I would recommend looking for something like a 20 or 18 gauge to support the weight of the felt rose.
Now's the part where I demo the technique. Please forgive the casual outfit; I got really excited about this and didn't have time to change out of my Pee-Wee Herman t-shirt or touch up my makeup.

I hope this is useful to you, my dear sewing friends. Let me know if you have questions!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Vintage Pattern + Fabric + Lipstick Giveaway!

It's a lovely day for a giveaway, don't you think? Denise from The Blue Gardenia is back with some goodies, and as usual, they are FABULOUS.

Denise always lets me pick out the pattern to giveaway, which is both fun and makes me feel powerful. I noticed that she has an unusually good selection of 50s patterns in bust size 38", which can be hard to find. I've been feeling the need for simple but adorable casual blouses in my wardrobe. So McCall's 3848 really spoke to me.

Isn't it cute? It's got the perfect slim kimono sleeves, sexy-but-not-too-low scoopneck, and a lovely v-neck back. And it's "instant"! (Gotta love the quotation marks on that one.) (I also love how the lady in brown accentuated with a brooch on her hip. What a style trailblazer!)

But that's not all. The winner of the givaway will also get fabric to make this top, a peacock blue jersey.

And last but not least! A lipstick to complete the look. (Actually, you should probably wear a skirt or pants or something to complete the look as well.) Funny Face by Nars. (How Audrey!) It's a fabulous fuschia.

To enter, please leave a comment here by the end of the day on Monday the 26th. All countries eligible. Please make sure I have a way of getting in touch with you, whether that's leaving your e-mail in the comment or linking back to a profile or page where I can contact you.

And finally! Denise is giving a discount on all her fabulous wares at The Blue Gardenia as well. Get 15% off by entering the code Gertie Blue through the end of the giveaway period.

Thanks, Blue Gardenia!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

And the Next Thing I Knew, I Was Ripping Up the Carpet.

Hey, there are only so many times a girl can hear "why don't you rip up a little corner of the carpet and take a little peek?" before she succumbs to temptation. And once I ripped up that little corner, I discovered that I reeeeally like ripping up carpet. (It makes the most satisfying sound!)

Before I knew it, I had gathered some proper tools and put my workin' clothes on.

Many satisfying ripping sounds later, I had this.

Don't worry, I did a little research first though. I didn't realize so many people paint their subfloors! What an excellent idea! So rebellious! (Here's a blog with great advice, BTW.)

I saw some stenciled floors and fell in love.

Dudes, it's a lace floor! So now I'm thinking a background color like this wall.

With white stenciling on top.

Of course, I have to do the whole "wood filler" and sanding thing first. Home Depot, here I come!

P.S. Thanks for all of your excellent advice yesterday! Without it, I might never have known the joy of ripping up carpet.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Carpet in the Sewing Room: Okay or Nay?

Hello, readers! I'm back from a week of moving into our new house (!) and I really have nothing to complain about: it's gorgeous, roomy, brand new, and did I say roomy? Henry had to learn how to navigate stairs, but he's now a pro.

I'm in the midst of getting my sewing room worked out. There's one little problem: it's carpeted. And I am a DISASTER at losing pins all over the place. (If Jeff ever decides to leave me, that will be the reason, I swear.) I worry about pins and needles getting lost in the carpet and getting embedded in my feet (this comes from someone who once had to have a toothpick removed from her foot in an emergency room; just ask my mom).

I had hoped to put in some sort of hard flooring before we got completely moved in, but it's not quite in the budget. So I'm curious: do any of you sew in a room with carpeting? How do you handle it? I've heard of some clever methods of pin sweeping that include a large magnet attached to a broom--anyone?

P.S. So as to not completely ignore the formality of including a picture with a blog post, here is my new dining room table, along with some paint chips that I'm thinking about for the sewing room (1, maybe 2 walls of it). Did you know there's a paint color called "couture"?  I'm surely not the only lady who's chosen a paint color based on its name, right?

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Interfacing Insights from Fashion Sewing Supply (Plus Discount!)

Readers, I know that interfacing can be a tricky subject to understand fully. That's why I'm thrilled to have an interview with Pam Erny today, owner of Fashion Sewing Supply. Pam has interfacings custom milled to her specifications, and her products are widely thought of as the best available to the home sewing market. (I would have to agree; that's why I used her interfacings in my new online tailoring class!) I asked Pam some of my burning interfacing questions below. Read on for her answers, and for a special discount on Fashion Sewing Supply.

Why did you decide to start an Interfacing Business?

Many of your readers may know that I am a Professionally trained Shirt-maker and Tailor.  I decided to start Fashion Sewing Supply, when the Italian source for the interfacing I had been using for my personal sewing and for my clients' custom-made  garments was no longer available.  So, seven years ago...using my savings and begging for a loan from the bank, I started Fashion Sewing Supply. That sounds easier than it was, because the Interfacings already on the wholesale market did not meet my very picky standards. I could not find true "professional-grade" Interfacings to offer to my customers. That meant I had to design and manufacture my own line, by consulting with textile chemists and by contracting with mills to produce a full range of Interfacing types.

Why is interfacing important?

Interfacing is the foundation of any garment.  It's not a "second-thought" sewing product!  To have a great looking garment on the outside, we all need great quality interfacing on the inside.  Just like proper seam stitching: just because you cannot see it from the "public side" of your garment, it's still very important.
What makes your "Pro-Series" brand of Interfacing different than others?

I firmly believe that  fabric should be supported by fabric. So all of my interfacings start with the best quality fabrics, not mill leftovers or that stuff that looks like paper.  And the fabric we use is milled very wide, we do not slice it up into narrow widths. Why? Wide interfacing saves you money, makes your layout easier, and one yard can often be used for many projects (and it goes a long way, especially since we always cut 38-inch "yards"). We then have those wide fabrics thoroughly steamed at the mill 2 times and then flash-dried with heat so that they do NOT shrink when you use them. Then the interfacings that are going to be made fusible have specially designed "finely crystallized" resins of the highest quality applied to their wrong side.  Since all of our interfacings do not shrink, none of that annoying "interfacing pre-soak/ pre-treat routine" is needed.  Fashion Sewing Supply  Pro-Series interfacing is ready to use right out of the box when it arrives at your door.

How do you recommend fusible interfacing be applied?

Regardless of what brand of interfacing you decide to purchase, always follow the directions.  And if your interfacing does not come with application directions, call the place where you bought it, and ask. At, we include a detailed set of instructions with every order, and a PDF download of those instructions is  available in the Tutorial section of our site. And soon, more useful information about using  our Pro-Series interfacing will be available to download. In the meantime here are some links to some cool ways to use and apply interfacing (now on my blog site) that you might find interesting and useful:

What are some common mistakes sewers make when applying interfacing, and how can they be avoided?
The most common mistake I see and hear about, is not preparing/pre-treating the fashion (sewing) fabric you are using by washing, steaming, or dry-cleaning it before the interfacing is applied. Our Pro-Series interfacings from do not shrink, but your fabric might. So please pre-treat your fabric!  If you see bubbles or ripples after washing your finished garment, it is for two possible reasons: 1. The interfacing you used was not of high quality and shrunk, pulling the fabric along with it.  2. Your fabric shrunk, and pulled the interfacing along with it. And one more very important thing...always follow the directions that come with your interfacing.

What are the types of interfacing you recommend every sewer have on hand, and why?
I am often asked this question, and I recommend that sewers have the following interfacings on hand, and because they are of such fine quality, even if you do not use them for years they will still be as "fresh" as the day they were milled.  And remember, because they are so wide, one yard goes a long way.

-- Pro-Weft Supreme Light (and Medium) Fusible Interfacing,
for most tailoring applications and collars/cuffs on shirts made from medium weight fabrics like flannel and denim.
-- Pro-Tricot Deluxe Fusible Interfacing,
for all weights of knit fabrics.
-- Pro-Sheer Elegance Fusible Interfacing,
for lightweight woven fabrics like dress/blouse-weight cottons and linens, cotton lawn, "silky" polyesters, and most silks.
And if you make classic shirts, having Pro-Woven Shirt Crisp Fusible Interfacing on hand will help make your shirts look like the expensive designer shirts you  see in upscale boutiques!

Gertie, in closing...I would like to offer your blog readers a special offer. Get 10% OFF  your entire purchase at by using the Coupon Code GERTIE10 during checkout. This coupon-code will be good for 5 days, starting on the day this interview appears on Gertie's Blog.
(And don't worry...if you have already purchased interfacing from us within the past few days, we added 10% more to each yard we cut for you :)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Dude, We Bought a House.

Life changes are afoot! Jeff and I have been in the process of buying, um, a house. We closed on it yesterday, and then we bought a car for good measure! We're moving to Beacon, NY, as of next week. I'm a little overwhelmed right now and not really in the best blogging state of mind, so things may be a bit quiet here.

My plans for the next couple weeks consist of: 1) staying sane while packing up our little Queens apartment, 2) sewing curtains and pillows with the garment fabrics I have on hand, 3) purchasing the washer/dryer of my dreams, and 4) blogging as much (or as little) as I can.

Things are changing, but not too much. I'll still be here, and I'll still be teaching at The Sewing Studio in New York City. (Want to help a girl pay her mortgage? I still offer private lessons!) When I set up my new studio in the new house, I'll be back to sewing my usual stuff.

Readers, I'm so excited. Jeff and I have wanted this for a while. And it's happening! Thank for your support; it means the world to me to get your nice comments and emails every day.

P.S. The cats have no idea what's in store for them.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Scenes from the Sewing and Stitchery Expo

It was a whirlwind trip! I'm still recovering from the red-eye flight I took home, but I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the Sewing and Stitchery Expo. I will be back with a more detailed post on my experience and thoughts; this is just a teaser!

One of the first things you see is the giant bull head, pictured above. (That's a bull, right? I'm not up to date on my farmyard animals.)

Inside, the vendors, runway, and classrooms! Here's the Palmer/Pletsch book display.

Nancy's Sewing Basket was a great booth. They had Vintage Vogue 1019 made up in some cocoa-brown sparkly suiting.

I had to come home with some of the embroidered velvet you see on the left here; it was a necessity.

I attended several fashion shows. I met these gentlemen after the Simplicity show. They come together every year and always make coordinating outfits from flamingo-print fabric. They're pretty popular, as you might imagine.

I was hosted by Coats and Clark, who are celebrating their 200th anniversary! Here's Lynn Browne and Michele DeFay displaying commemorative tins they gave out. The tins are adorable and have vintage thread ad artwork on them.

Coats sponsored a charity event called the ProAm Fashion Show. 16 mentors (the "pros") were matched up with 16 local girls (the amateurs) and sewed a project to be worn in a fashion show, and ticket sales raised money for the Mary Bridge children's hospital. I was beside myself when I got to step in at the last moment to introduce one of the girls. Her name is Maya, and we were like two peas in a pod. Here she is wearing the cute floral sundress she made for the show.
It was totally the highlight of the event for me, meeting these girls who are so into sewing! They were all so sweet and enthusiastic; I loved it.

Another highlight: the scone truck. These scones are made with pure magic; that's the only explanation.

I tried out a Juki straight stitch machine. It does 1500 stitches a minute!

A vintage dress form on display. It's made from cardstock pieces, and could be mail ordered and assembled.

The book shopping was excellent. The Unicorn Books booth was carrying items from Lacis, which I found has a huge inventory of historical fashion and sewing books, like Vintage Lingerie by Jill Salen.

 Look inside! A 1950s Dior brassiere.
There are also patterns from each garment (in the sample size only) that can be blown up to be used. Fantastic for research purposes.

We passed a carwash with a rotating pink elephant sign. Of course I had to take a picture!
 More to come!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

All A-twitter In Puyallup!

Readers! I'm here at The Sewing and Stitchery Expo. Taking in fashion shows, buying appliqué stabilizer--ah, the glam life! I'm live tweeting on The Twitters as @sewgertiesew. More to come!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Also in Progress: Vintage Surplice Bodice Dress

Man, I am all over the place right now. It's like UFO Land at Chez Gertie. I'm making a quilt, trimming a hat I blocked (I'm taking a millinery course at FIT!), and knitting some socks. And then last night I madly started dyeing 5 yards of extra-wide muslin in a tiny bucket in my kitchen sink to make a duvet cover. I'm basically out of my mind. So, what to do? Add another project, of course!

In December, I blogged about making the pattern above in velvet. Well, I've clearly missed the velvet train so I'm making it in cotton brocade! Peacock blue cotton brocade!

This pattern has a one-piece underarm gusset, as opposed to the two-piece gusset I wrote a tutorial on. It's different in its application in that you have to sew the entire underarm and side bodice seam first, leaving a diamond-shaped hole for the gusset. Then the gusset is inserted in one go, pivoting at each corner. It's kind of tricky, and I'm still working on sewing them a little more, um . . . effortlessly.
This brocade has a really lovely geometric pattern and a soft sheen.

I used fusible stay tape to stay the neckline and top of the sleeve, both of which are cut on the bias.

It really helped keep things in place. I didn't stay the back sleeve, and it stretched by a couple inches! Not to self: stay BOTH sleeves next time.

P.S. Oh, I'm also doing the final check on the pattern sheets for my book. Pippi is helping.

© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake


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Good Reads
Josephine Skriver
When it comes to impact – models, unlike trends, are a tricky thing to forecast. Once a new model has done the fashion week circuit for at least two seasons, one can start to pinpoint what brands hold certain girls dear to their hearts.
In this editorial spread and cover for Vogue Italia, Steven Meisel shoots some of the new faces for this fall, for a photo-shoot titled Pret-A-Porter.


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'Thoroughbred Week' Now on Keeneland's Website

(Edited press release)

Keeneland’s website now features the racing telecast “Thoroughbred Week,” hosted by John Henderson. The 30-minute program presents recaps of the previous week’s top stakes races.

The show may now be accessed by going to the simulcast racing section of  Keeneland's website, selecting video from the drop down menu, and then Thoroughbred Week.

In addition to race recaps, “Thoroughbred Week” offers commentary on winning owners and breeders, and the racing and sales history of each stakes winner. It airs Saturdays on WLEXTV in Lexington; WGFL-TV in the Gainesville/Ocala, Fla., market; and throughout the East Coast on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.

Henderson coproduces the telecast along with Scott Rion of Rion & Associates, a Lexington-based equine advertising agency.

Most Popular Stories


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Flying Spur Mare Leads Way at Australian Sale

(Edited William Inglis & Son press release)

Minelli, a winning daughter of Flying Spur, was the top-selling broodmare Wednesday during the William Inglis & Son mixed sale at Oaklands Junction in Australia. In foal to General Nediym, she was purchased for Aus$110,000 by Glentree Downs Pastoral. The consignor was Newhaven Park Stud, agent.

In all, 246 mares were sold for a gross of Aus$2,419,850 and an average of Aus$9,836. The clearance rate was 81%.

Most Popular Stories


text:
June 24, 2017 4:12 AM ET

Internet Software and Services

Company Overview of PodcastOne

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PodcastOne, an advertiser-supported podcast network, provides digital on demand podcasting services through Web and mobile platforms in the United States. The company covers categories, such as comedy, games and hobbies, health, kids and family, society and culture, sports and recreation, and TV and films. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Beverly Hills, California. PodcastOne operates as a subsidiary of Courtside Entertainment Group.

335 North Maple Drive

Suite 127

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

United States

Founded in 2013

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Compensation as of Fiscal Year 2016.

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Forbes and PodcastOne Announce Partnership for Launch of 'Forbes on PodcastOne' Network

Forbes and PodcastOne announced a partnership to launch the Forbes on PodcastOne network. The deal includes joint efforts in podcast development and production, as well as distribution, promotion, marketing and advertising sales. The companies plan to collaborate on podcasts in the areas of video gaming, sports, tech, hip-hop and more, initially launching with four programs focused on business, women and tech. Forbes on PodcastOne, which Forbes will oversee, will feature smart, timely programs that integrate Forbes content and are hosted by Forbes contributors or staff journalists.

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text:
UD Men's Lacrosse BIO
49 Luke Salzer

At Delaware: First-year member of the squad as a freshman midfielder • expected to be part of No. 3 midfield unit with fellow freshmen Matt Olbrich and Ryan Wieczorek • solid player wiith good quickness • is developing a hard outside shot.

High School: Standout at Langley High School • three-year varsity standout for head coach Earl Brewer • team captured district and state titles three straight year in 2010-12 and also captured the Northern Regional title in 2012 • three-time all-district and all-region selection • earned honorable mention All-Met honors as a senior in 2013.

Personal: Luke Michael Salzer ("saul-zer") • born Dec. 27, 1994 • son of David and Victoria Salzer • older brother, Ben, is a senior studying business at Delaware and is a member of the UD ice hockey club team • honor student at Delaware who has not yet declared a major at Delaware • would like study business • father is a contractor and a graduate of Virginia and mother is a graduate of Virginia Tech • enjoys rock climbing, wakeboarding, and roller hocky in his spare time • fan of the Washington Redskins (NFL) and Washington Capitals (NHL) • uncle, Eric Sievers, was a standout football player at Maryland who went on to an NFL career with the Chargers and Patriots.
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Great Falls, Va.
High School: Langley
Major: Economics
Experience: High School
IMGUniversity of DelawareCAAADIDASSt Francis Healthcare1290 The Ticket94.7 WDSDGrotto Pizza


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Little White Food Lies

Hopefully you ignore most food commercials and advertisements. I do. And I police myself with broadcast tv, online ads, and magazines that offer gleaming promises of health. The nutritional benefits pop out from boxed and other packaged goods in those dangerous middle aisles at the market, and this week, we are focused on how egregious some of the claims are and offer you five tips for keeping your head on straight when it comes to food purchases.

Favorite False Claims
The grocery store is a land mine for so many people! And the quick stop spots can be even worse, especially if you are hungry already. If you eat out for every meal, your food choices are a ticking time bomb. You absolutely cannot get the right kinds of foods, in the right quantities, into your body when you rely on the nutritional philosophy of a chef and his/her menus.

Made with Real Fruit - do not kid yourself, nothing that says made with real fruit counts as real fruit. Nothing in a box, nothing in a bottle, nothing cooked. Consuming fruit is crunching on an apple, peeling and eating a banana, slicing strawberries and putting them in your yogurt (sorry Fage FruYo).
Boosts Immunity - anything that has vitamins in it theoretically boosts your immunity, so don't be fooled by this benefit. Your immunity is maintained from cleanliness, healthy nutritional balance, exercise, good sleep, and managed stress. Not from a package of fruit chews or juice mixers.
Aids in Digestion/Regularity - few modern lifestyle issues upset basic life more than constipation, indigestion, and irritable bowl syndrome. So it's no wonder that the big food companies will go great lengths to steer you into certain choices along the aisle. A big winner in this category is added FIBER. Eat whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains - or some combination thereof - and you will not need a snack bar with fiber.

There are plenty of other culprits: whole grains, all-natural, made from scratch, etc that prey on your hurried approach to food shopping. But here are five tips that you can use to ward off these empty promises:

1. Keep a running list of staples you need access to. Even if you eat out for most meals, you still need a few items at your fingertips. *And for the record, breakfast should ALWAYS be eaten at home because you need to eat within an hour of waking up. With a list of staples, you can enter a market knowing the items you need to purchase without having to browse and make decision based on what you see.

2. Never shop for food on an empty stomach. You always buy more than you should when you enter the market with little hunger pains, totally at the mercy of the primitive side of your brain. Shop after your meal, with your list - that's the best strategy to maintain your logic. Also, stay away from those middle aisles unless you know exactly what you are going for...danger zone!

3. If you are trying to change your habits, RID your kitchen and office of the items that are preventing you from reaching your goals. Throw them away! Boxed crackers, pretzels, cookies, candies, ice cream, soda, heavy pastries....toss them into the garbage (we'd suggest that you give them to a food shelter but honestly, no one should be eating this stuff)!

4. Indulge yourself once or twice a week and enjoy! But keep your portion sizes in check. Many nutritional experts recommend that you live by the 80/20 or 75/25 rule where for most days you take the steps that are necessary to eat properly but that once or twice a week you get to indulge. We love this tip - just don't gorge yourself on a heart-attack hamburger with fries, a beer, and ice cream every week.

5. You must have learned a bit about the human body in school. High school perhaps? THINK about what happens to food after it brings a brief smile to your face when it tastes good. Yes, it's important to enjoy food. And it's important for food to be fast sometimes. BUT, it's mandatory that the stuff fueling your cells, tissues, and organs is stuff that can be put to use. Much of the crap just turns to fat, so learn to love useful food. It can change your life.


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Realtor of the Game wins $10,000!

Boise Hunter Homes Gives $10,000 to Realtor Jennifer Horsley-Stacey

Today, our Boise Hunter Homes crew had the honor of presenting Jennifer Horsley-Stacey, a Realtor with John L. Scott, a giant $10,000 check. Here at BHH, we love to give back to our local Realtors that have supported us through the years. Every year, during the Boise State football season, we offer game day tickets to Realtors that have sold one of our homes in the last year. The lucky Realtors that sell more than one of our homes or continue to show our product to their clients get elected as the Realtor of the Game. They get an opportunity to go down to the field on a commercial break and throw 3 footballs into a quarterbacks practice net. If they make 1 out of 3 balls into the net, that is worth $500. If they make 2 out of 3 balls, that is worth $1,000 and if they Realtor makes all 3 balls, that is worth $10,000!

That is exactly what Jennifer and her Husband Jade did at the BSU vs BYU Game on October 24th, 2014. We are just thrilled to give this money to a well deserving Realtor such as Jennifer. She has always been a huge supporter of Boise Hunter Homes and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to win so big. Have a blast at the Bowl Game Jennifer, and  good luck when you take your trip to Las Vegas. We will be rooting for you!

If you are a Realtor and would like the opportunity to win $10,000 like Jennifer did, we would love to give it to you. All you have to do is sell 2 or more of our homes in the next year and we will gladly give you the opportunity.


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Thus Spake Vivekananda by Dr. Neria H. Hebbar SignUp
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Thus Spake Vivekananda
by Dr. Neria H. Hebbar Bookmark and Share

In the wake of such a brilliant analysis by Dr. Bali It is worth to read that speech delivered on September 11, 1893 at the Parliament of Religions in chicago by the most venerable monk:

“Sisters and Brothers of America,

“It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

“My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: "As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."

“The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me." Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.”

At the conclusion of the World Congress on September 27, 1893, Vivekananda spoke again and pleaded for unity and tolerance. He subtly denounced proselytization (though he did not use that word):

“The World's Parliament of Religions has become an accomplished fact, and the merciful Father has helped those who labored to bring it into existence, and crowned with success their most unselfish labor.

“My thanks to those noble souls whose large hearts and love of truth first dreamed this wonderful dream and then realized it. My thanks to the shower of liberal sentiments that has overflowed this platform. My thanks to this enlightened audience for their uniform kindness to me and for their appreciation of every thought that tends to smooth the friction of religions. A few jarring notes were heard from time to time in this harmony. My special thanks to them, for they have, by their striking contrast, made general harmony the sweeter.

“Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity. I am not going just now to venture my own theory. But if any one here hopes that this unity will come by the triumph of any one of the religions and the destruction of the others, to him I say, "Brother, yours is an impossible hope." Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid.

“The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant. It develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant.

“Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.

“If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world, it is this: It has proved to the world that holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written in spite of resistance: ‘Help and not fight,’ ‘Assimilation and not Destruction,’ ‘Harmony and Peace and not Dissension.’”

More by :  Dr. Neria H. Hebbar
Views: 1969
Article Comment Also relevant here is Tagore’s conception of India, in his poem Bharat tirtha, as a place of pilgrimage for nations where various races and religions have met through the ages to commingle in a single body of humanity:

'He mor chitta punyatirthe jagore dhire
Ei bharater mahamanaber sagartire.
Keho nahi jane kar aobhane kato manusher dhara
Durbar srote elo kotha hote samudre holo hara
Hethay arya hetha anarya hethay dravir chin
Shak hundal pathan mogal ek dehe holo lin
Paschim aji khuliachhe dwar
Setha hote sabe ane upahar
Dibe ar nibe milabe milibe jabena phire
Ei bharater mahamanaber sagartire.'

[My heart, awake in this holy land of India; it is a place of pilgrimage for nations to mingle in a confluence of humanity.
Nobody knows who urged them yet they came from different lands and merged in a single body – the Aryans, the non-Aryans, the Dravidians, the Chinese, the Scythians, the Huns, the Pathans and the Mughals – all of them like so many separate streams flowing irresistibly to lose at the end of their journeys their individual identities in one vast sea. Now the West has opened up its gates, all are collecting its prized gifts and the same irreversible process of mutual exchange and assimilation is taking place once again in that holy confluence of humanity.]
Article Comment In this context we may like to read the following Tagore poem (in my translation) which is very relevant.

Who is obsessed by religion
He is blind
He only kills and gets killed.
Even an atheist is blessed
Because he doesn’t have the vanity of any faith.
Humbly he lights up his reason
Defies the authority of scriptures
And seeks only the good of men.

He who kills as infidels
The followers of other faiths
Dishonours his own faith
He kills the son in the name of the father
Busy only with the rituals
He loses his reason
He hoists a blood-stained flag in his temple
In the name of God
He worships the Devil.

Those who have retained in their creed
The shame of ages, the cruelties and barbarities
With those rubbish
They are building their own prison –
I hear a bugle is blowing
The bugle of universal doom
With his scythe the god of destruction is coming.

Planting him as a stake who comes to liberate
Putting him up like a dividing wall who comes to unite
Flooding the world with poison in his name
Who brings love from a divine source –
They drown sailing in a boat they themselves have scuttled
Yet they blame someone else!

I invoke you O you the supreme judge
Please come to end this degeneration of religion
Save those who are deluded by their faith.
Your altar they have flooded with blood
Please completely smash it
Hurl your thunder at the prison walls of faiths
And bring to this cursed land
The light of reason.

Dharmamoha from the collection Parishesh by Rabindranath Tagore.

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Bombardier Wins Australian Good Design Awards for Melbourne and the Gold Coast’s FLEXITY Trams

August 7, 2014 Gold Coast Transportation,  Press Release

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has won Good Design® awards for its Australian tram projects in Melbourne and Gold Coast.

The Melbourne tram, based on the BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Swift platform and the FLEXITY 2 tram for the Gold Coast in Australia, were each awarded a Good Design Award in the Automotive and Transport category.

Inspired by the stunning natural environment, the design of the front end of the Gold Coast FLEXITY 2 vehicle features the quintessential image of a wave breaking on the shores of the world famous beaches of the Gold Coast. A custom LED lighting solution was also developed to complement the striking aesthetics of the vehicle, branded with the signature blue and gold colours of this popular tourist area. Fourteen trams manufactured at Bombardier’s Bautzen site in Germany have been delivered to the franchisee-operator, GoldLinQ. Passenger service commenced on July 20, 2014.

“We are delighted to see Bombardier's shared commitment to a passenger-centric design being recognised with this Australian Design Award for the FLEXITY trams,” said Michel Masson, CEO of Keolis Downer, the operator of Yarra Trams and GoldlinQ.

“Whether travelling with a surfboard at Surfers Paradise, or to a cafe in Melbourne, Bombardier have delivered public transport purpose built for Australia's most vibrant cities,” added Mr Masson.

GoldLinQ CEO, Phil Mumford said the award received by Bombardier echoed feedback from Gold Coaster’s about how fantastic the trams looked when moving around the system while testing.

“Because of Bombardier’s ability to customise the design these trams will become a feature of the Gold Coast” said Mr Mumford.

The Melbourne FLEXITY Swift tram has been exclusively designed for the Melbourne tram network. These trams have been designed to ensure a smooth ride on a historic network. High visibility in the cityscape, with the design carried through to the interior, with clear customer information as well as easy access for people with restricted mobility, maximises the passenger experience and creates a visually and emotionally holistic public transport design. At its Dandenong site in Australia, Bombardier is manufacturing 50 trams ordered by Public Transport Victoria, with five trams already in passenger service.

Bombardier’s Australian Industrial Design team, based in Brisbane, has previously won the Australian Good Design Award for the design of the VLocity 160 train manufactured at Dandenong for regional Victoria.

Trams and light rail vehicles are the most energy efficient mode of transportation, consuming up to five times less energy per passenger than cars travelling with an average of between one and two people. Bombardier’s fully customisable trams and LRVs have a recyclability rate of approximately 92 per cent and a recoverability rate of about 98 per cent (recycling + energy recovery). They are designed for sustainable mobility throughout their life cycle. To date, 3,500 trams and light rail vehicles from Bombardier have either been ordered or are already operating in about 100 cities in more than 20 countries around the globe.

The Good Design Award is Australia’s longest standing national design award and promotion program. Its heritage dates back to the Industrial Design Council of Australia (IDCA) established in 1958. The Australian Good Design Awards are recognised by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), the world organisation for industrial design.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors

Follow Bombardier Transportation on Twitter @BombardierRail.

BOMBARDIER, FLEXITY and ECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

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Prime Timers

PrimeTimers is a group of seniors who meet monthly (except July and August) for fun, fellowship, a meal and program which is educational and entertaining.

PrimeTimers meet in the Commons at our Buford Road Campus (directions here) on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m.

Reservations for lunch should are suggested.  Contact our office at 804.2721475 or Norman Burnes at Norman.Burnes@bonairbaptist.

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Poor test results 'a lack of iodine'

A lack of iodine may partly explain why Australian schoolchildren are being beaten in international tests by their counterparts in Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong, according to an expert on iodine deficiency.

Cres Eastman: Salt makes you smarter

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has set the goal of Australia's school system being in the world's top five by 2025.

International test results released in December placed Australia 27th in the world in year 4 reading, 22nd in science and 18th in maths.

Writing for Fairfax Media today, Cres Eastman, a professor of medicine at the University of Sydney and an internationally noted expert on iodine deficiency, says the top performing systems, including Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong, had diets that were rich in iodine because of salt iodisation and consumption of fish and seaweed.

In contrast, he said a national survey of schoolchildren in 2003-04 had confirmed the re-emergence of iodine deficiency here after an absence of almost half a century.

The main cause of the problem was that the dairy industry had stopped using iodine to sterilise milk containers, because it caused fluctuating levels - but this had been compounded by the reluctance of consumers to buy iodised salt for home use, and the fact that the local food industry made only limited use of it in food manufacturing.

Since 2009, Australian regulations have required iodised salt be used in all bread except organic bread.

The World Health Organisation has identified iodine deficiency as the ''commonest global cause of preventable loss of intellectual performance''. During pregnancy moderate to severe iodine deficiency can cause an irreversible loss of 10 to 15 IQ points in offspring. Health authorities recommend iodine supplements of 150 micrograms a day for pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Professor Eastman said iodine deficiency was not the only cause of Australian schoolchildren's poor performance but ''may well be a significant contributory factor''.

The story Poor test results 'a lack of iodine' first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.

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When: Saturday 25 March 2017
Time: 09h00
Venue: Solms-Delta Wine Estate
Price: R120 per person
Status: Passed

The local 'Music van de Caab' project, sponsored by Solms-Delta and Boschendal, under the leadership of Adriaan Brand of Springbok Nude Girls, seeks to preserve and develop the diverse musical heritage of the rural Cape, including the fostering of local musical talent.

The 'Music van de Caab' acts that will be performing at the 10th annual ATKV Oesfees include the Klein-Handjies Pre-school Choir, the “Kaapse Klopse” walking band, Langbroeke - a female choir ensemble, Die Soetstemme, the Delta Valley Entertainers and the Lekker Lekker Delta group. Other South African artists who will be sharing the stage include Radio Kalahari Orkes, Manouche, Nick Turner, Riku Lätti, Bacchus Nel, Jackie Lätti, Hannes Coetzee, Die Papier Familie Orkes, Akkedis, Les Javan, Hemelbesem and Yoma, Brain Cloete, Churchil Naudé, Die Wasgoedlyn, Tribal Echo and the African Jazz Pioneers.

Traditional food and excellent wines from the Solms-Delta Wine Estate will be on sale. There will be an area for kids managed by events company, Cre8tive Kids. Kids are registered and are looked after inside a safe area - they can look forward to playful activities all day.

Date: 25 March 2017
Venue: Solms-Delta Wine Estate
Time: 09h00
Cost: R120 per person
For more information, visit or contact / +27 (0) 21 874 3937

Explore The Boschendal Estate

Guest accommodation is a recent addition to the farm with luxury accommodation ranging from the historical Herbert Baker designed Rhodes Cottage to beautifully restored farm labourer cottages. With emphasis on stylish simplicity the guest cottages are authentic, rural yet contemporary in character.

The Farm

Agriculture and a simple farm lifestyle is at the heart of Boschendal. One of the oldest farms in South Africa, founded 1685, the farm has grown with the passing centuries into a cherished source of wholesome produce, great wines and happy memories.

Eat & Drink

The Cape Dutch farms were historically renowned for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. What crowned this welcome was the Cape table, laden with wholesome dishes made from ingredients from the farm’s werf and fields.


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Map text Image Map
Boschendal Farm Trails

Mountain Bike Trail Starting Point
Mountain Bike Trail
Hiking Starting Point
Hiking Trail

Please remember to always take a hat, enough water and sunblock on the trails.

Manor House & Reception to:

The Olive Pres 250m
The Werf Cottage 300m
Clarence Cottage 600m
Rhoes Cottage 2.2km
Orchard Cottages 2.6km

Orchard Cottages to:

Mountain Vineyards Dam 100m
Farm Spa 100m
Rhodes Dam 800m
Rhodes Avenue Entrance 2km
The View Site 2.2km
Manor House & Reception 2.6km

Rhodes Avenue Entrance To :

Rhodes Cottage 1.6km
Farm Spa 1.8km
Orchard Cottages 2km
Mountain Vineyards Dam 2.1km
Rhodes Dam 2.5km
The View Site 4km

Main Entrance to:

Rhodes Avenue Entrance 200m
Manor House & Receptions 500m
Rhone Homestead 1km
The Cellar Door Tasting Centre 1km

Please Note

The receiption contact number is 021 870 4247
Security can be reached at all times on 082 821 8486
Be cautious of free-range children and animals on the farm.
Please limit your driving speed to 40km/h.
This is a working farm so please be awarew of tractor and farm vehicles using the roads.
No dogs allowed, not even small or cute ones.
(We love them but they keep our wildlife away.)
Have fun, enjoy the farm and pleawse look after it for us.

Explore The Boschendal Estate

Our Wines

Given our exceptional winemaking heritage of almost 300 years, the Boschendal cellar masters meticulously balance rustic tradition and modern innovation to produce classic, fruity wines while upholding the ecological integrity that has become synonymous with our brand.

Weddings & Functions

Boschendal provides an idyllic natural setting for large and small functions. The Boschendal Manor House, Rhone Homestead, The Olive Press, the Werf Restaurant and the beautiful gardens are available to host an array of celebrations or events in a relaxed and tranquil environment.

Eat & Drink

The Cape Dutch farms were historically renowned for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. What crowned this welcome was the Cape table, laden with wholesome dishes made from ingredients from the farm’s werf and fields.


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Eric Schlosser burrows into one of the U.S.’s biggest nuclear threats: our own weapons

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/DoD
An MK6 Titan II nuclear missile

In the autumn of 1980, at a massive underground missile silo in rural Arkansas, the course of human history almost changed forever.

When celebrated journalist Eric Schlosser learned how just a small bit of clumsiness nearly led to the detonation of a thermonuclear warhead on American soil — one with the equivalent of four pounds of high explosives for every person then living on Earth — his course certainly did change.

That course, into the dark heart of America’s nuclear weapons, began in Colorado Springs, as he was researching a very different, but similarly mighty force — our nation’s fast food industry. That research ultimately culminated with his bestselling book Fast Food Nation, a groundbreaking exposé that forever altered the way Americans view fast food. As he was seeking for the right project to take on next, he began spending time with local Air Force personnel, and began hearing again and again about nuclear near disasters that had been kept from the public. And then he heard about the Damascus accident (see excerpt below), a chilling event that nearly unleashed a firestorm big enough to consume the state of Arkansas. As he began to learn more about that incident, he realized that just under the surface was something much bigger and scarier than a single, devastating accident — the past and present dangers of our nuclear arsenal. After five years of research and another one in writing, he has brought us a harrowing, page-turning book that is a must-read for anyone remotely interested in nuclear — and American — security.

* * * *

The following is an excerpt from Eric Schlosser’s book, Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety. It has been reprinted by arrangement with The Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Eric Schlosser, 2013.

On September 18, 1980, at about 6:30pm, Senior Airman David F. Powell and Airman Jeffrey L. Plumb walked into the silo at Launch Complex 374-7, a few miles north of Damascus, Arkansas. They were planning to do a routine maintenance procedure on a Titan II missile. They’d spent countless hours underground at complexes like this one. But no matter how many times they entered the silo, the Titan II always looked impressive. It was the largest intercontinental ballistic missile ever built by the United States: 10 feet in diameter and 103 feet tall, roughly the height of a nine-story building. It had an aluminum skin with a matte finish and U.S. AIR FORCE painted in big letters down the side. The nose cone on top of the Titan II was deep black, and inside it sat a W-53 thermonuclear warhead, the most powerful weapon ever carried by an American missile. The warhead had a yield of 9 megatons — about three times the explosive force of all the bombs dropped during the Second World War, including both atomic bombs.

Day or night, winter or spring, the silo always felt the same. It was eerily quiet, and mercury vapor lights on the walls bathed the missile in a bright white glow. When you opened the door on a lower level and stepped into the launch duct, the Titan II loomed above you like an immense blacktipped silver bullet, loaded in a concrete gun barrel, primed, cocked, ready to go, and pointed at the sky.

The missile was designed to launch within a minute and hit a target as far as six thousand miles away. In order to do that, the Titan II relied upon a pair of liquid propellants — a rocket fuel and an oxidizer — that were “hypergolic.” The moment they came into contact with each other, they’d instantly and forcefully ignite. The missile had two stages, and inside both of them, an oxidizer tank rested on top of a fuel tank, with pipes leading down to an engine. Stage 1, which extended about seventy feet upward from the bottom of the missile, contained about 85,000 pounds of fuel and 163,000 pounds of oxidizer. Stage 2, the upper section where the warhead sat, was smaller and held about one fourth of those amounts. If the missile were launched, fuel and oxidizer would flow through the stage 1 pipes, mix inside the combustion chambers of the engine, catch on fire, emit hot gases, and send almost half a million pounds of thrust through the supersonic convergent-divergent nozzles beneath it. Within a few minutes, the Titan II would be fifty miles off the ground.

The two propellants were extremely efficient — and extremely dangerous. The fuel, Aerozine-50, could spontaneously ignite when it came into contact with everyday things like wool, rags, or rust. As a liquid, Aerozine-50 was clear and colorless. As a vapor, it reacted with the water and the oxygen in the air and became a whitish cloud with a fishy smell. This fuel vapor could be explosive in proportions as low as 2 percent. Inhaling it could cause breathing difficulties, a reduced heart rate, vomiting, convulsions, tremors, and death. The fuel was also highly carcinogenic and easily absorbed through the skin.

The missile’s oxidizer, nitrogen tetroxide, was even more hazardous. Under federal law, it was classified as a “Poison A,” the most deadly category of man-made chemicals. In its liquid form, the oxidizer was a translucent, yellowy brown. Although not as flammable as the fuel, it could spontaneously ignite if it touched leather, paper, cloth, or wood. And its boiling point was only 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures any higher, the liquid oxidizer boiled into a reddish brown vapor that smelled like ammonia. Contact with water turned the vapor into a corrosive acid that could react with the moisture in a person’s eyes or skin and cause severe burns. When inhaled, the oxidizer could destroy tissue in the upper respiratory system and the lungs. The damage might not be felt immediately. Six to twelve hours after being inhaled, the stuff could suddenly cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema leading to death.

Powell and Plumb were missile repairmen. They belonged to Propellant Transfer System (PTS) Team A of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, whose headquarters was about an hour or so away at Little Rock Air Force Base. They’d been called to the site that day because a warning light had signaled that pressure was low in the stage 2 oxidizer tank. If the pressure fell too low, the oxidizer wouldn’t flow smoothly to the engine. A “low light” could mean a serious problem — a rupture, a leak. But it was far more likely that a slight change in temperature had lowered the pressure inside the tank. Air-conditioning units in the silo were supposed to keep the missile cooled to about 60 degrees. If Powell and Plumb didn’t find any leaks, they’d simply unscrew the cap on the oxidizer tank and add more nitrogen gas. The nitrogen maintained a steady pressure on the liquid inside, pushing downward. It was a simple, mundane task, like putting air in your tires before a long drive.

Powell had served on a PTS team for almost three years and knew the hazards of the Titan II. During his first visit to a launch complex, an oxidizer leak created a toxic cloud that shut down operations for three days. He was twenty-one years old, a proud “hillbilly” from rural Kentucky who loved the job and planned to reenlist at the end of the year.

Plumb had been with the 308th for just nine months. He wasn’t qualified to do this sort of missile maintenance or to handle these propellants. Accompanying Powell and watching everything that Powell did was considered Plumb’s “OJT,” his on-the-job training. Plumb was nineteen, raised in suburban Detroit.

Although an oxidizer low light wasn’t unusual, Air Force technical orders required that both men wear Category I protective gear when entering the silo to investigate it. “Going Category I” meant getting into a Rocket Fuel Handler’s Clothing Outfit (RFHCO) — an airtight, liquidproof, vaporproof, fire-resistant combination of gear designed to protect them from the oxidizer and the fuel. The men called it a “ref-co.” A RFHCO looked like a space suit from an early-1960s science fiction movie. It had a white detachable bubble helmet with a voice-actuated radio and a transparent Plexiglas face screen. The suit was off white, with a long zipper extending from the top of the left shoulder, across the torso, to the right knee. You stepped into the RFHCO and wore long johns underneath it. The black vinyl gloves and boots weren’t attached, so the RFHCO had roll-down cuffs at the wrists and the ankles to maintain a tight seal. The suit weighed about twenty-two pounds. The RFHCO backpack weighed an additional thirty-five and carried about an hour’s worth of air. The outfit was heavy and cumbersome. It could be hot, sticky, and uncomfortable, especially when worn outside the air-conditioned silo. But it could also save your life.

The stage 2 oxidizer pressure cap was about two thirds of the way up the missile. In order to reach it, Powell and Plumb had to walk across a retractable steel platform that extended from the silo wall. The tall, hollow cylinder in which the Titan II stood was enclosed by another concrete cylinder with nine interior levels, housing equipment. Level 1 was near the top of the missile; level 9 about twenty feet beneath the missile. The steel work platforms folded down from the walls hydraulically. Each one had a stiff rubber edge to prevent the Titan II from getting scratched, while keeping the gap between the platform and the missile as narrow as possible.

The airmen entered the launch duct at level 2. Far above their heads was a concrete silo door. It was supposed to protect the missile from the wind and the rain and the effects of a nuclear weapon detonating nearby. The door weighed 740 tons. Far below the men, beneath the Titan II, a concrete flame deflector shaped like a W was installed to guide the hot gases downward at launch, then upward through exhaust vents and out of the silo. The missile stood on a thrust mount, a steel ring at level 7 that weighed about 26,000 pounds. The thrust mount was attached to the walls by large springs, so that the Titan II could ride out a nuclear attack, bounce instead of break, and then take off.

Eric Schlosser’s interviews with people at the Damascus Incident indicate the warhead could have detonated. | Photo by David Schmalz

In addition to the W-53 warhead and a few hundred thousand pounds of propellants, many other things in the silo could detonate. Electro-explosive devices were used after ignition to free the missile from the thrust mount, separate stage 2 from stage 1, release the nose cone. The missile also housed numerous small rocket engines with flammable solid fuel to adjust the pitch and the roll of the warhead midflight. The Titan II launch complex had been carefully designed to minimize the risk of having so many flammables and explosives within it. Fire detectors, fire suppression systems, toxic vapor detectors, and decontamination showers were scattered throughout the nine levels of the silo. These safety devices were bolstered by strict safety rules.

Whenever a PTS team member put on a RFHCO, he had to be accompanied by someone else in a RFHCO, with two other people waiting as backup, ready to put on their suits. Every Category I task had to be performed according to a standardized checklist, which the team chief usually read aloud over the radio communications network. There was one way to do everything — and only one way. Technical Order 21M-LGM25C-2-12, Figure 2-18, told Powell and Plumb exactly what to do as they stood on the platform near the missile.

“Step four,” the PTS team chief said over the radio. “Remove airborne disconnect pressure cap.”

“Roger,” Powell replied.

“Caution. When complying with step four, do not exceed one hundred sixty foot-pounds of torque. Overtorquing may result in damage to the missile skin.”

As Powell used a socket wrench to unscrew the pressure cap, the socket fell off. It struck the platform and bounced. Powell grabbed for it but missed.

Plumb watched the nine-pound socket slip through the narrow gap between the platform and the missile, fall about seventy feet, hit the thrust mount, and then ricochet off the Titan II. It seemed to happen in slow motion. A moment later, fuel sprayed from a hole in the missile like water from a garden hose.

“Oh man,” Plumb thought. “This is not good.”

* * * *

The unraveling progression of that incident in Damascus threads the narrative of Command and Control, which examines the development and proliferation of America’s nuclear arsenal, the many accidents and near-misses that have occurred over the years since its inception, and the grave risk we still face from the very mega-weapons that were designed to protect us.

I first became acquainted with the book back in March, when unexpected circumstances forced Schlosser to bring in another fact-checker in the closing moments before his deadline. I met him at his house on a Sunday at around 5 p.m., and he presented me with a cardboard box stacked with documents and books. The first thing he demanded was that I remain sworn to secrecy about everything I read until the book was published. He then presented me with a section of text that needed checking, highlighting certain points and advising me where I might find the relevant source material.

“So, do you want all this done tonight?” I asked, a little incredulous.

“I don’t even know if it’s possible,” he said, “but if you can get it done, that would be great.”

He made little attempt to veil his desperation, and my heart sank — the last thing I wanted was to disappoint one of my idols. I put on a good face and vowed to do my best, but privately I was terrified of coming up short.

After feverishly working until 3 a.m. (and almost, but not quite, finishing), I arrived back at his house the next morning, where I would spend the next five days doing much of the same: scanning through hundreds of pages of documents, books and articles. Often times, I would flip through a dull, declassified Air Force report a few hundred pages long and find only a handful of sentences highlighted. The depth of Schlosser’s research, seen firsthand, was awe-inspiring.

The office he disappeared into every day to finish his endnotes was, in my mind, a top-secret laboratory. He never let me look inside. But every afternoon we would hang out briefly on his patio and bask in the sun, and he would talk candidly about nuclear weapons, and writing. More than once, he likened himself to a farmer, laboring for six years in research and writing to make this book come alive. Or as he said it, “for the crop to come in.”

But from an outsider’s perspective looking in, his work to create Command and Control seemed more akin to a nuclear weapons designer: He delved deep into complex problems. He focused on elegant structure, ensuring all the pieces fit together just right. He wrestled with the darkest of all eventualities. And in the end, he wrote a book that is masterfully researched and conceived, that is both explosive and haunting, and most urgently, intended to make this country safer.

* * * *

While in Colorado Springs, Schlosser was interested in learning more about space warfare. But as he spent more time with Air Force personnel stationed there — many of whom had formerly spent time working in missile silos — the subject of nuclear weapons kept creeping into conversation.

“I found myself more interested in the stories they were telling me of near-misses than I was in space,” Schlosser says.

And then he heard about Damascus.

What began initially as an account of that incident alone became, through research, something much bigger. Though he’d been interested in nuclear weapons in his youth, and had studied nuclear strategy and game theory at Princeton, he realized his ignorance about the past and present realities of our nuclear arsenal “was profound.”

“The story got bigger,” he says, “and to me, it became much more important than the thrilling story of just one accident. It became the story of just how close we came to having many, many accidents.”

The first near miss of the nuclear age, we learn from his book, happened at its very beginning, in July 1945. On the night before testing the first atomic bomb near Carrizozo, N.M., a young Harvard-trained chemist named Donald Hornig was ordered, for security purposes, to guard the weapon until morning (he drew the short straw on account of his youth). It just so happened that on that night there was a violent electrical storm, one that threatened to set off the bomb’s “X-unit,” a detonating component that was highly sensitive to electricity. It was a fact that Hornig was all too aware of — he had designed the X-unit, and a week prior one had fired prematurely (outside of a bomb) due to a lightning storm. At midnight, Hornig was given permission to abandon his post, which he did happily. The bomb survived the night, and at 5:30 the next morning, scientists and military personnel witnessed the world’s first atomic explosion, a mushroom cloud that reached eight miles into the sky.

“It didn’t happen,” Schlosser says of that first near miss, “but it really could’ve.”

The same truth holds, he says, for the many near misses since. “The fine line has always been there.”

A quick run through of some of the accidents that Schlosser has gleaned from declassified documents is a terrifying exercise: In 1958, on a runway in Morocco, a B-47 carrying a hydrogen bomb blew a tire and quickly caught fire, consuming the bomb, which burned but did not detonate. The U.S. government kept the incident secret, informing only the King of Morocco.

Not even one month later, due to the mechanical failure of a locking pin, an atomic bomb fell out of a B-47 and landed in a yard in South Carolina. Though it lacked a nuclear core, the high explosives it contained carved a crater 50 feet wide and 35 feet deep, blowing the doors off a nearby house. Thankfully only a half dozen chickens were killed.

In 1961, a B-52 carrying two hydrogen bombs took off from Goldsboro, N.C., for a routine circular route along the East Coast. As it finished its second loop, the plane sprung a fuel leak and soon began spinning out of control. As it fell, a bomb was pulled from the plane by g-forces, its arming wires yanked out. When that bomb parachuted to the ground in a field outside Faro, N.C., its nose sent a firing signal, but the core did not explode — only a single ready/safe switch in the cockpit had prevented a thermonuclear detonation. The other bomb’s chute failed to open, and it sank more than 70 feet into the ground, never to be recovered.

These examples are a few of many that Schlosser has uncovered, and they vividly illustrate a point that he brings home repeatedly.

“It’s hard to think of a machine that we use in our lives that doesn’t screw up occasionally,” he says. “But there are some machines that, when they go wrong, have much greater consequences.”

His examination of recent mishaps is no less troubling and — given the technological advancements of the age — maybe even more so. Take an incident that occurred in 2007, when six cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads were mistakenly loaded onto a B-52 in North Dakota. They sat on the plane overnight, and were flown the next morning to a base in Louisiana (in violation of U.S. law), where they sat for nine hours before anybody realized they were missing. Occasional human error, Schlosser reminds us, is every bit as unavoidable as the mechanical kind.

That event thankfully led to the recent (and long overdue) advent of bar codes on nuclear weapons in lieu of serial numbers that had to be written down when they changed hands. Finally, our military can now track its nuclear weapons like FedEx can track its packages.

* * * *

With degrees in history from both Princeton and Oxford, Schlosser’s command of the past and his talent for research are on full display in Command and Control. The endnotes alone are more than 100 pages long, in small print. (“My notes are insane,” he says. “If someone reads the book and doesn’t even look at the notes, it wouldn’t bother me at all. I wanted to put them there to be completely transparent, the opposite of the government.”)

But it is Schlosser’s gift for storytelling that brings the book to life. He assembles the Damascus narrative through countless hours of interviews with men who were there. He describes how they looked, their personalities, their backgrounds, their family lives. But most revealing of all, he tells us their thoughts in the moments as the disaster unfolds, and ultimately escalates. The result is a hair-raising, minute-by-minute account of the most rarefied order.

The last piece I fact-checked for Command and Control was the climactic finish to the Damascus
accident. Truth be told, I had difficulty interrupting my reading to
check on the facts. Even more difficult was to not be able to talk
about it with anyone but Eric. Keeping that story to myself over the
last six months has been the hardest secret I’ve had to keep.

* * * *

“If I had been talking about food, that place would have been packed,” Schlosser told me recently, after a talk he gave in San Francisco. We were back at his hotel, one-on-one for the first time since March. I denied him his right to sulk, and told him he had been great.

And he was. In a too-sparsely filled auditorium that evening, Schlosser summarized key points. His voice retained its characteristic passion, and the crowd stayed rapt. And though on the exterior he was cool, calm and collected as always, it was apparent to my eyes that I was looking at a man on fire. The urgency he feels about the subject of nuclear weapons burns within, impossible to fully contain.

“This problem never went away, this danger never went away,” he said in closing, “but our memory of it has, our thinking about it has. And ultimately, the point of my book is to remind people these weapons are out there, they’re ready to be used … and that we need to have a national discussion and debate on these sorts of questions. How many nuclear weapons do we need? What do we need them for? Where will we aim them? Why would we use them? When would we use them? Do we need to get rid of them entirely? These are issues of fundamental importance, and without a national debate on them, decisions are going to be made as they were made throughout the Cold War — by a small number of policymakers in Washington D.C., acting in secret.”

“Good things can happen,” he continued, “and I think the president of the United States right now is right on the mark on these issues, and all he’s lacking is a movement.”

The impact of Command and Control might not be immediate, but it will be game-changing. The alarming risks of retaining a nuclear arsenal of America’s size (at the time of Schlosser’s writing, approximately 4,650 nuclear weapons) are meticulously illustrated, and seem to dwarf the threat they were designed to protect us from. This book will bring nuclear weapons back to the forefront of the nation’s psyche. It’s that powerful.

And hopefully, it can spark the kind of popular movement that Schlosser says Obama is lacking, and America’s nuclear age can end in the same way it began: as a near miss.