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Digitization of AAVSO data published in the Harvard Annals

In the 1980s, the AAVSO began a monumental project to completely digitize the paper and punchcard records of the AAVSO.  This project, undertaken just as computers became more common and easy to use, foreshadowed the rapid advancement in networking technology that led directly to the world wide web, and to the AAVSO website.  As a result of the work the AAVSO did, we are now able to serve our archive of over 18 million observations to the entire world via our website, providing decades worth of variable star observations for thousands of different variable stars to researchers world-wide.

However, even this monolithic project had limits, and not all "AAVSO data" were digitized.  In the early years of the AAVSO, while it was still a working group within the Harvard College Observatory, AAVSO data were routinely published via the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, a research publication of the Observatory detailing large and important projects conducted by groups within the University.  Between 1900 and 1925 several large monographs were written and published by HCO director Edward Charles Pickering, either directly, or with the assistance of AAVSO Recorder Leon Campbell.  At the time, these publications were considered the definitive data source, and these data were therefore not kept with the AAVSO archives from which the Digitization project originated.  As a result, many thousands of these early observations do not appear in the AAVSO International Database today

We believe it is imperative both for AAVSO and for the scientific community at large to digitize these observations and make them available in electronic form.

What we have

The AAVSO has paper copies of the Harvard Annals, from which local volunteers can work here at headquarters.  However, the NASA Astronomical Data System (ADS) has also scanned these publications, and images of the pages from these articles are available online through the World Wide Web.

Some example volumes of the Harvard Annals include [as of November 2017, some of these have been done]:

What we need

We need to locate all of the Harvard Annals papers that published AAVSO data and other variable star photometry.  We need to assess (a) how many data exist, and (b) whether they are unique, or have already been digitized from some other source.

We then need to get these data into machine-readable form so that they can be entered into the AAVSO International Database.  This will involve (a) finding and implementing a highly reliable optical character recognition (OCR) program to "read" the scanned files, and then proofreading the results of the OCR, or (b) digitizing them by hand, entering each observation into a spreadsheet or text file that can then be processed.

We then need to write a program that will turn the raw data into our standard Visual format files and upload them, or that will take the raw data and insert it directly into our MySQL database.

How can you help?

People can help in a great number of ways.  If you're thinking of participating in some way,

  • Do you know of and have access to a highly-reliable OCR system?
  • Are you willing to proofread the results of OCR, or to manually enter lots of data on cloudy nights?
  • Are you willing to go through the literature and look for other sources of data of the 19th and early 20th Centuries?
  • Are you good at writing Perl, PHP, or other scripting languages, or working with MySQL?
  • Are you good at organizing and motivating people, and willing to serve as a project leader and help organize and maintain the digitization effort?

All of these will be needed to make this project a success.  It's the perfect way to spend a cloudy night, because you're still adding data to the archives, and making new science possible through your efforts.  If you think you can help in some way, please contact Elizabeth Waagen at AAVSO Headquarters. Whether you can digitize one page or an entire volume, you can help!

Update: November 2017

Since this project started, over 125,000 historical variable star and solar observations have been digitized by the following volunteer digitizers: Bruno Billiaert, Christian Froeschlin, Hunter Johnston, Richard Kinne, Stephen McKay, Ken Mogul, Terry Moon, Stuart Morris, Noah Goldman, Wayne Osborne, Alan Plummer, Kevin Paxson, Andrew Rupp, Brian Skiff, Robert Stine, Matthew Templeton, and Doug Welch. Nearly all have been added to the AAVSO International Database, with the rest in process.

As an example of how these data fit into the current archives, this image shows a light curve for the Mira variable X Andromedae.  The black points are data that were already present in the AAVSO archives, while the red and blue points are visual observations by Leon Campbell and Annie Jump Cannon, respectively, taken from Harvard Annals volume 63.  As you can see, the Campbell and Cannon data add several more cycles to the light curve of this star.  This is just one star of hundreds, and a handful of observations among thousands that we can add to the light curves.

There's much more to do and more volunteers would help make faster work of a big project.  If you're interested in helping out -- regardless of whether you can do a page or a volume -- please contact us!

AAVSO 49 Bay State Rd. Cambridge, MA 02138 617-354-0484


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Cockroach-inspired robot could help save disaster victims

Cockroaches may be unwelcome house guests, but their hard-to-kill nature could help save humans trapped in buildings destroyed by storms, earthquakes or terrorism.

US researchers have studied how cockroaches infiltrate our homes and used the findings to develop a soft-bodied robot that can compress itself and crawl into confined spaces.

As part of the research, the University of California, Berkeley, scientists have also revealed why it takes so much force to squash the pesky insect.

I think [cockroaches] are as revolting and disgusting as other people do, but they can teach us important design principles.

Professor Robert Full

Dr Robert Full, from the university's Department of Integrative Biology, said soft-bodied animals, such as worms, had inspired a new field of soft robotics.

But he said there were clear disadvantages in the functionality of these robots, including speed of travel and their ability to support weight.

This led his team to look at the humble cockroach because "they run fast, jump and fly, but we know they can also go anywhere and get into these tiny little spaces".

"We've worked with cockroaches for years and I think they are as revolting and disgusting as other people do, but they can teach us important design principles," Dr Full said.

For the study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Full and co-author doctoral student Kaushik Jayaram focused on the ability of the American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana, to traverse crevices and crawl in confined spaces.

Cockroaches built to survive

They found the cockroach could compress its exoskeleton in less than a second to enter spaces that were a quarter of its standing height.

Once inside a confined space the cockroach could still move at 20 body lengths per second despite the fact its legs were splayed out.

Dr Full said the compressed cockroach was able to move rapidly because it did not use its feet.

Instead it used a previously unrecorded form of locomotion, which involved using the spines on the tibia of its leg to crawl and push them along.

The researchers also found the compressive forces the cockroaches experience when crossing these small crevices were 300 times their body weight.

But in a finding that explains why you have to hit them so hard with a shoe before they die, the cockroaches could withstand forces nearly 900 times their body weight without injury.

Dr Full said this incredible ability was due to the way the exoskeleton was built.

"The stiffness of the exoskeleton varies a lot depending on where you look," he said.

"The stiffer plates and stiffer tubes for the legs are connected by a very compliant member, so a lot of parts of the exoskeleton are very compliant such as the hinges on the abdominal plates."

Creating a compressible robot

Dr Full said they were able to replicate this feature in a compressible robot with articulated mechanisms, or CRAM.

Manufacturing of CRAM involved using an origami-like approach that included laser-cutting, laminating and then folding of 'exoskeletal-like' plates. The resulting robot was 20 times bigger than a cockroach, but could also be compressed by 50 per cent.

It could also withstand up to 10 kilograms in weight.

"I think it [CRAM] is the beginning for developing a low-cost robot for first responders [in disasters]," Dr Full said.

"The robot we call CRAM would potentially be very good to work in the rubble from tornadoes, earthquakes or explosions.

"You can a have a whole bunch of them that you can throw out to get information about survivors or also whether or not an area is stable for rescuers to go in."

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  Blogs    One-to-One Versus Online Training

One-to-One Versus Online Training

Old Learner02 May 2018

Well, which one would you go for, gasping facts sitting in front of a screen at your own comfort or formally attending classes with your peers to listen to the precious lectures? Well, the debate is on everywhere whether traditional learning methods are better or the new generation online learning. Each has its own philosophy, merits, and demerits to count.

Online learning comes up in various forms, wherein students learn through online teaching sessions, aid assignment help websites, and online doubt clearing sessions. Such programs comprise of the same information as it would have been provided in a regular class, the difference lies in the medium of interaction; online.

Yes, the internet has made every requirement just a few clicks away from us, even education! You would see students studying through online videos, notes and group discussions, proving that technology is on the rise in every field.

On the other hand, numerous schools, institutions, and universities still follow the traditional teaching methods, wherein students gather together in a class to learn from their professors. The concepts are taught face to face, and doubts are cleared in a similar way.

Let us go through some major aspects to compare the two methods to understand them better.

1. Social relations

  •  Online education

Interaction among peers or with your instructor happens in online group discussions, text conversations. This can be a good way to communicate with people around whenever you wish to and you do not need to run out to a specific place to discuss your work. But since social interaction is highly important for a person’s overall development as students learn to develop relations in a society, online training methods may not provide much help in it.

  • Traditional education

Well, you sit in a class full of people around, and you learn various attributes of social behavior other than just the lessons. School is the first society a child goes into. Cooperation, coordination, communication skills, teamwork, leadership etc are some of the key qualities that develop well through traditional education model, as the students spend their school time together. These qualities are crucial for a fine person as well.

  • Online education

Now that is a feature for which online education can indeed prove to be a boon. With online learning, you do not need to force yourself into a rigid time schedule to understand your lessons. You can access it all from your own comfort zone and at a time that suits you as well!

Flexibility is one of the major reasons for a majority of people who choose online training methods. It gives in the space to fit in your other commitments in your day as well. Most of the online courses require the students to log in once in a week to go through the study materials provided, participate in the online discussions and complete the assignments before the next login schedule. This gives a lot of time to complete your other tasks simultaneously, without causing any harm to your studies.

  • Traditional education

Well, in contrast to the comfort of online training, traditional learning methods would make you follow a strict time schedule of learning continuously for hours at a stretch. Like it or not, but you would have to go through it! It may become a tough job if you plan to work along with your studies.

  • Online training

One needs to be highly self-motivated to enroll in an online learning program. You will not be having any bells ringing after each class or teachers around you to push you to study. You are the only one who can motivate you. To tackle this problem, students must restrain themselves from any kind of distractions during their study time and develop a keen interest in the course to maintain motivation. One must find their motivation within themselves, thus do not forget you objective of joining the online program.

  • Traditional education

The challenge of self-motivation is won over by the regular interaction between students and teachers in the traditional education model. Being on the school campus, students can be reminded time to tie about the upcoming examinations and assignments.

Following are some further pros and cons of online training and traditional training which will definitely help in deciding the right option for you.

1. Online training

  • It encourages students to develop a sense of responsibility for their learning.
  • Builds successful accuracy and habit of working within given deadlines, as students have to complete the given tasks within a limited time period.
  • Students become skilled in handling the online software.
  • Group discussions are carried out online, through emails or in chat rooms, which gives students the opportunity to interact with their instructors and peers.
  • Flexibility in time schedule is one of the most beneficial advantages of online training courses. You can study as per your own time schedule without any hassles.

  • Those with a low self-motivation and discipline will find it tough to cope up with online classes. Students should develop a regular habit of completing their work within time and be in touch with the instructors on a regular basis.
  • It may happen that students feel isolated from their peers and instructors.
  • Internet problems could be a huge hindrance while you work. A good internet connection and speed is a must for online learning.
  • It can be tough at times to clear your doubts through an online medium. Or, it could also happen that you would have to wait for hours to get your doubt cleared, which will affect your work pace.

2.Traditional learning

  • Students receive face to face instructions, which is the best way for a quick learning and understanding the concepts in a better way.
  • Your teachers are available around you all the time to clear your doubts.
  • Socializing and learning social behavior is another important feature of traditional learning. Students learn to socialize with other people of various age groups, races, genders, regions, languages etc, which promotes diversity.

  • While you get sick or go through an injury, there is no other way but to take a leave from the school. This slows down your academic schedule and often students lag behind due to the pending work.
  • A strict time schedule is a must to be followed for traditional learning, which may come up as an obstruction if you want to work along with your studies or have other important commitments.

Comparing the two systems in terms of various features, it turns out that each has its own advantage and disadvantage. As a student is the one who bests knows about himself, you must choose what is the best option as per your time schedule and requirements. If you are willing to work along with your studies, sick and bedridden for a time period or have family commitments to meet, enroll in an online learning program. This way, you will not be losing either on your academics or your other important tasks.

On the other hand, if you find it challenging to keep yourself motivated all the time to do everything on your own responsibility and looking to bring discipline into your life, surely then going to a school is the best option for you. Along with studies, it will also give you the opportunity to mix with people from various social groups and the golden chance to learn socializing.

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Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Paintings

Posted 06-22-2012 at 08:59 PM by ChrisGeorge
Updated 06-25-2012 at 03:07 PM by ChrisGeorge
Yes, the title reads correctly. He has an exhibition of his paintings opening up today, June 23, at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and showing through September 23. There are some of examples of his artwork in the latest, July-August, issue of Poetry magazine. I don't subscribe but have been picking up the issues in this the periodical's centennial year, as I noted in a recent blog entitled "A Hundred Years of Pegasus."

As you might anticipate, seeing Ferlinghetti's name on the cover of the new issue, I plucked the magazine from the shelf fully expecting to read some poetry by Ferlinghetti, having been an admirer of his work since I saw a video of him reading "Dog" while I was attending Loyola College here in Baltimore circa 1969. I came across a nice Youtube video of five of his poems including "Dog" uploaded by PoemsBeingRead. Check it out.

Can't say I am too fussy about your art, Lawrence, sorry... a bit on the messy side, with a smudgy Jasper Johns feel to it, but I do like your poetry. I almost met you once, back in 1982 when I attended a poetry extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Ginsberg was there and Gregory Corso along with English pop poet Adrian Mitchell and three Liverpool poets that I like, the late Adrian Henri, Brian Patten and Roger McGough. Also British poets Basil Bunting, aging, grizzled, and looking like Ezra Pound with a blanket over his thin legs, as I told him later after the show at a gathering at the Chelsea Arts Club, and Roy Fisher. Although you were on the program, you couldn't make it over to London. If I recall correctly you had been in a car accident which explained your absence. My loss!

The Liverpool triumvirate of poets, Henri, Patten, were heavily influenced by you and Ginsberg, and the other Beats. And didn't Allen declare in 1965 that "Liverpool is at the present moment the center of consciousness of the human universe." Pop poetry created in the Beatles' wake.

Adrian Henri was a painter as well as a poet. He painted a dramatic painting of tributes laid on the ground after the April 1989 football (soccer) disaster at Hillsborough, Yorkshire, in which 96 fans died when they were crushed and the authorities were slow in responding to the emergency. For shame. That's the painting below, "Flowers for Liverpool."

You can hear Adrian's elegy on the tragedy, "The Bell", if you go here.

Adrian told me that he felt in the shadow of Adrian Mitchell, now also now sadly passed on. But while Mitchell's work might have garnered more attention for its leftist political stances, Adrian Henri's work was softer edged and I think more heartfelt and poetic. I miss him.

Flowers for Liverpool by Adrian Henri, 1989
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Everyday Skincare w/ Color Up Therapeutics

                        Shop: Color Up Therapeutics Website | Cleanser | Serum | Moisturizer
 In a world where the term CBD is used daily, why not use it for you skincare as well??  I am not an expert on CBD but what I do know is that it has helped many.  I also think that it is genius to put it into facial skincare, like Color Up Therapeutics has done. "At the root of our CBD infused line of professional skincare products is the belief that when our body finds homeostasis- balance - it benefits not only our overall wellbeing, but every organ within the body". This definitely includes our face and the biggest organ of all our skin.

I have been using Color Up Therapeutics for the past 2 1/2 weeks and pretty much loved it from the first day. Foaming cleansers have not been my favorite in the past, but after trying the hydrating one from this line I can truly say it's amazing. Normally foaming cleansers dry out my skin, but not this one. I actually feel moisturized after using it. Then add in the serum which uses hyaluronic acid to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and adds extra hydration. Following it up with the UV Damage Repair Moisturizer. This allows all day moisture and prevents your skin for the tireless effects of sun exposure and the harsh climates. Finishing up with their lip treatment that keeps your lips from dryness with organic hemp seed oil.

What is your skincare routine? Why not add a little CBD to it with Color Up Therapeutics.

Skincare c/o Color Up Therapeutics

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                                                Ms. Allens Awesome Stars
                                                         AU K-2 Grades

    My name is Sue Allen and this is my 14th year teaching in the ABSS School System and my third year teaching at Smith Elementary School. I am looking forward to a very exciting 2018-2019 School year as we will explore new adventures, discoveries and learn a lot about many things and about each other.


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Game Tables

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Entertain Your Friends and Family

Shop this impressive selection of game tables at Academy and find the right activity for your space and tastes. Whether you're into poker games with your crew that last deep into the night, high-paced action on the foosball or air hockey table with the kids, or looking for a classic pool table or dartboard to complete the dream basement barroom, you'll find this collection of table games has something for everyone.

After a long meeting or class, there's nothing like a game of pingpong to help you relax and destress. Transform a spare room into an action packed arcade with basketball games, or make the most out of your space with combination tables that feature a variety of engaging activities. By browsing table games online at Academy, you'll have instant access to hundreds of premium designs. With a few of these amazing products, your house will become the neighborhood's most popular entertainment destination.

Invest in Quality Equipment

In this line of fun table games, you'll find professional quality designs that will provide years of amusement. Like all gear, sportswear and equipment from Academy, these games are manufactured from high-quality materials, by some of the industry's most popular brands. In short, these are the best table games available anywhere. Keep the grandkids busy while they visit over the holidays, or make the most out of that rainy afternoon with your buds. There's nothing like a game of cards to bring the family together, a shuffleboard match to settle a friendly dispute, or solitary dart practice to help you focus.

Turn that unused space into a highly entertaining fun-zone, or transform the kitchen into a casino for game night. Choose from games that double as handsome furniture, and items that easily tuck away for storage when not in use. Take your home's fun potential to the next level with game tables from Academy.


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We live in a sea of software. Need help with marketing? There’s an app for that. Inventory tracking? No problem. There are thousands of support software on the market today, and they’re all vying for the chance to streamline and strengthen your business. Sounds great, even easy, right? Business IT software is definitely a boon to the management processes, but like anything, relying on too many apps could lead to disarray and high maintenance costs.

Logistical Overload

The more apps you have, the more subscriptions, costs, and tracking, you’ll have to manage. Even in the cloud, working with too much software can be overwhelming for any small-to-medium business. Besides software costs, you’ll also want to consider staffing, whether you have enough employees to manage the programs you’re running and if they’re skilled enough to use them. Some applications will necessitate engaging outside consultants for help – which isn’t a bad idea- but relying too much on outside aid could cause confusion and disrupt workflow.

It’s easy to spend a lot of time researching apps only to discover that they’re either insufficient to your needs or integrate poorly with the rest of your resources. Ideally, you’ll want to have software on a shared business management platform. Not only does this ease the logistics of operating multiple business functions, but ensures that the applications you’re using are properly integrated for optimal performance. IT integration is your best friend or worst enemy.

Integration Pitfalls

All companies utilize data for core functions, from targeting sales initiatives to managing expenses. The software supporting these functions are in a constant state of gathering, sharing, and using data between one another to provide users with insight and automation. Integration refers to when multiple software subsystems are be linked into one cohesive system. This is how you can have several apps connecting accounting, sales, and even human resources with the same key information, one area informing another.

Using too much software, or software that has poor integration properties, can undermine the overall functionality of your management system. Data could be duplicated or become inconsistent between multiple apps. Some software simply doesn’t integrate well with others, leading to performance issues throughout the information system. Too many apps with poor integration will just be separate aspects of the whole business that you must work harder to manage independently. You could pay professionals to sync the various software with each other, but the software structure will probably continue to have dysfunctions. Instead of relying purely on software applications, using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system will streamline all your of major operations in one place.

A Single Source Solution

CRM platforms like Salesforce host an array of business applications in a single ecosystem through a shared integration. While apps are good to have, you don’t need a ton of apps to run your business. Instead, focus on building a network of several applications that work well together in a single environment. Using software built for CRMs provide multiple functions that give you both structure and the customizability to address any of your business’ needs. This consolidation will not only streamline your business but allow you to focus more holistically on your business goals and less on the software logistics of the back office.

This flexibility and built-in integration are exactly what Accounting Seed brings to the Salesforce CRM. As a single source solution for all your business’ accounting needs, the software is inherently designed to smoothly connect and transfer data between all Salesforce applications. Instead of managing a ton of exterior apps, Accounting Seed lets you use one accounting software that is naturally linked with the other software within the CRM.

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What’s open, what’s closed on Presidents’ Day 2018

What’s open, what’s closed on Presidents’ Day 2018

Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 19, 2018.

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. It honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the first U.S. president. Some states also honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president. Both Lincoln and Washington have birthdays in February.

What’s open/closed on Presidents’ Day?

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices are closed.

All USPS stores and post offices are closed. USPS won’t accept or deliver any mail (excluding Priority Mail Express mail items). Pick-up and delivery will resume on Tuesday, February 20. However, FedEx and UPS provide normal pickup and delivery services.

Financial markets are closed in the U.S. as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will observe the holiday. Bond markets are also closed.

The vast majority of major regional and national banks are closed for Presidents’ Day. Some local Lexington banks may be open, please call specific locations for holiday hours. ATMs are available 24/7 for emergencies.

Fayette County Public Schools are closed on Monday, February 19. Most private schools also take off in observance of the holiday, but you will need to check with specific schools.

Most retail shops and groceries are open and operating on regular store hours for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

LexTran buses are operating on a regular schedule.

Lexington Public Libraries are all open.

Trash Collection Revised Schedule

No trash collection will be made on Monday, February 19 in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. Residents and businesses that normally receive curbside pick-up on Monday will be serviced the Wednesday after the holiday, February 21. Those impacted should place their carts out after 4 pm on Tuesday to ensure Wednesday collection.  Businesses with dumpsters (landfill-bound and recycling) normally serviced on Monday will have their units picked up on Tuesday, February 20. Businesses with dumpsters normally serviced on Tuesdays will have their units picked up on Wednesday, February 21. Thursday and Friday pick-ups will be made as usual.

Lexington Recycling Center, Electronic Recycling Center, and the Haley Pike Composting Facility are closed on the holiday.

The Mary Todd Lincoln house is hosting a Presidents’ Day Family Event at 10 am on Monday February 19. The event includes games and activities focusing on “Presidential Pastimes,” inspired by the leisure activities the Lincoln family enjoyed. The event is designed for children ages 5-10 but is open to all students in grades K-12.

Subscribe to the Ace e-dition for Lexington news, arts, culture, and entertainment, delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning.


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When Lawyer Misstatements Amounts to Civil Fraud

Norman Groot, Investigation Counsel PC

This article summarizes a recently published decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal which somewhat clarifies the where the line is drawn between a lawyer’s fair and zealous advocacy for their client and their liability for civil fraud for deceiving the Court and opposing counsel with false statements.

In our fraud recovery litigation, from time to time, we encounter lawyers for alleged fraudsters who make positive statements on behalf of their clients with the intention of having the court and opposing counsel rely the statements as if they are honest. In other words, we deal with lawyers who seek to give the impression that, by virtue of their profession, their statements not supported by evidence are honest and they not being used as a tool by the client to dupe the Court.

As an example, we recently dealt with a rogue’s lawyer who advised the Court, in the context of a civil contempt proceeding against the rogue, that an adjournment was necessary because the rogue was in police custody and therefore attend court. In fact, this lawyer’s statement to the Court was not true. This false statement was made after the lawyer was aware of his client’s long criminal record for fraud and breached orders to attend court, and after the lawyer was aware that his client had lied to the Court on numerous occasions in prior civil contempt proceedings.

In the example discussed above, the issue became whether the rogue’s lawyer should be personally liable for costs. The lawyer made similar false statements at the subsequent contempt hearing based on his rogue client’s unverified information, and then filed an affidavit with false information sworn by the rogue in yet a third adjournment attempt in the same contempt proceeding. This behaviour, in the absence of due diligence, raises the issue of how far will a Court let a lawyer go with making false statements before a sanction will be imposed.

The Court of Appeal in Paulus v. Fleury, 2018 ONCA 1072 provides some insight into this issue.

The Superior Court Decision: Paulus v. Fleury, 2018 ONSC 1188

On February 20, 2018, the motions judge in Paulus v. Fleury ruled that statements made by the plaintiff lawyer to defence counsel at a pre-trial to induce a settlement in a personal injury action amounted to civil fraud, and based on this finding the Court set aside a settlement for $850,000 agreed to at the pre-trial. The Plaintiffs appealed the decision that their lawyer engaged in civil fraud, and sought an order to enforce the settlement.

On December 21, 2018, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the finding that the plaintiff lawyer’s statements to defence counsel amounted to civil fraud, and held the settlement reached at the pre-trial was enforceable. The Ontario Court of Appeal relied on the recently released Supreme Court of Canada decision in Groia v. Law Society of Upper Canada, 2018 SCC 27, to conclude that a lawyer does not engage in misconduct if he or she acts on his or her client’s information in good faith.

The facts in Paulus v. Fleury pertain to a garden variety motor vehicle accident. At the pre-trial conference, plaintiff counsel advised the Court, defence counsel, and the defendant adjuster that the plaintiff would call third party witnesses who were “independent” and “good, solid witnesses.”

In reliance on the character of the third party witnesses, and for other reasons, the defendant agreed to settle. Subsequent to settlement, the defendant learned that the witnesses the plaintiff lawyer had referred to were not independent, and were not likely to be credible. The defendant asked the Court to set aside the settlement based on “false representations of counsel [that] would create a real risk of clear injustice to the defendant” (para 34).

The motions judge relied on the test for civil fraud as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Hryniak v. Mauldin, 2014 SCC 7, at para. 87, and held that:

  1. the statement of plaintiff counsel that the witnesses were “neutral” was false,
  2. plaintiff counsel knew the statement was false or was reckless in making the statement,
  3. the purpose of making the false statement was to have the defendant believe the plaintiff’s case was stronger than it was,
  4. the defendant did rely on the false statements of plaintiff counsel, and
  5. as a result the defendant incurred a loss in the sense that they agreed to pay more than the case was worth (para 51).

The motions judge further held that the plaintiff lawyer was bound by the doctrine of honesty and good faith in contractual dealings as declared by the Supreme Court in Bhasin v. Hrynew, 2014 SCC 71. In other words, if one choses to make a statement, it must be an honest statement in the context of contractual dealings.

The motions judge stated “it is obvious that counsel have a duty not to lie or make knowingly misleading factual statements” and that this duty is owed to both the Court and to opposing counsel (paras 58 to 59). The motions judge acknowledged that an opposing lawyer is not obligated to disclose weaknesses in his client’s case, but if a lawyer raises an issue, then the statements he or she makes must be honest (para 62).

The Court of Appeal Decision: Paulus v. Fleury, 2018 ONCA 1072

The Court of Appeal noted that the motions judge did not have the benefit of Groia v. Law Society of Upper Canada, 2018 SCC 27, at the time he heard the motion. Groia is relevant because of its discussion regarding a lawyer’s duty of resolute advocacy on behalf of a client. That duty is relevant to an assessment of whether submissions by counsel amount to civil fraud.

In Groia, the Supreme Court held that the fact that a lawyer is mistaken is not a basis in itself for a finding of misconduct. Where counsel challenges opposing counsel’s integrity, that challenge does not amount to professional misconduct if the allegations are reasonably based and made in good faith, even if counsel is mistaken (para 12).

In Groia, the Supreme Court further held that the impact of an accusation of professional misconduct could so severely affect the reputation of the recipient lawyer that it is appropriate to require both good faith and a reasonable basis for the allegation. The Court stated:

[For a lawyer], maintaining a reputation for practicing with integrity is a lifelong challenge. Once sullied, a lawyer’s reputation may never be fully restored. As such, allegations of prosecutorial misconduct must have a reasonable foundation. …The consequences for the opposing lawyer’s reputation are simply too severe to require anything less than a reasonable basis for allegations impugning his or her integrity.

The Court of Appeal noted that a lawyer’s duty of resolute advocacy has limits. As Rule 5.1-2(e) of the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct indicates, when a lawyer is acting as an advocate, he or she shall not “knowingly attempt to deceive a tribunal by offering false evidence, misstating facts, presenting or relying upon a false or deceptive affidavit, suppressing what ought to be disclosed, or otherwise assisting in any fraud, crime, or illegal conduct.”

The Court of Appeal held that the statements of the plaintiffs’ lawyer were not statements of fact, but rather statements of opinion for which there was a reasonable basis at the time the statements were made. The Court of Appeal noted that “there was no indication of a criminal record that might undermine the witnesses’ credibility or any other history of dishonesty” (para 23).

The Court of Appeal characterized plaintiff counsel’s statements as a “legitimate exercise of advocacy. No complaint could have been made if counsel had provided a jury with the same observations concerning the quality of the witnesses in issue. Opinions as to whether someone is a good or independent witness are as open to debate and disagreement as opinions as to whether someone is a good lawyer” (para 24).

When do False Statements by Lawyers Amount to Civil Fraud?

In Paulus v. Fleury, the Court of Appeal held that a factual misrepresentation by counsel in judicial proceedings could amount to deceit or civil fraud when, for example, counsel tender a forged cheque as evidence of payment of a debt knowing the cheque was a false document. “In those circumstances there would be no reasonable basis for the factual assertion; nor could it be said that the statement was made in good faith” (para 30).

In applying this logic to the fraudulent adjournment that we were dealing with, it suggests that a lawyer should not make statements to the Court if the lawyer is basing statements solely on unsworn information from a rogue. If the lawyer takes the risk of making statements based solely on information from a rogue, then the lawyer has a duty to disclose his or her false statements once the dishonest nature of the statements is known to him or her.

The bottom line in the Paulus v. Fleury decision was the Court of Appeal’s observation that mistakes by lawyers are a “frequent occurrence”. Counsel may lose credibility with the Court and their colleagues if they are not scrupulously careful about factual assertions, or if they advance arguments with no reasonable foundation, but these should not amount to civil fraud in this context unless there is neither a reasonable basis for the statements nor a good faith belief in their accuracy (para 29).

Non-Prosecution Agreements, Deferred Prosecution Agreements, and Remediation Agreements

David Debenham, McMillan LLP

A Non-prosecution agreement (“NPA”) , a Deferred prosecution agreement (“DPA”) and a Remediation Agreement (“RA”) are voluntary arrangements between a criminal prosecutor and usually a corporate accused facing white collar criminal charges, in which the accused receives a conditional amnesty on certain terms and conditions instead of going to trial on charges of criminal misconduct.  Fulfillment of the conditions results in dismissal of the charges, whereas breach of the conditions results in an automatic guilty plea.  Under the NPA, charges are threatened, but not filed, under the DPA charges are filed, but do not proceed.  Since there is no court filing, there is no need for an NPA to become public, although it is common practice to publish them on government websites. Common terms in such agreements include full disclosure of the particulars of the offence, payment of a fine, paying restitution to any victims of the criminal activity, waiver of any limitation periods, and the implementation of a remediation and ongoing compliance program to ensure no repetition of criminal behavior in the future.

While such agreements are common in the United Kingdom and the United States, Canada was not receptive to such agreements because of the strict compartmentalization of law enforcement officials and Crown prosecutors, that made negotiations untenable.  For example, full disclosure to the police provided no assurance of an agreement being entered into, as the Crown prosecutors had to take a fresh, independent look at the matter, at which time they might decide to prosecute with all of the accused admissions in hand.  Also problematic, was the fact that there was no mechanism to bind the police and the prosecution to any arrangement other than a “gentlemen’s agreement” that could be undone at any time for any reason, as there is no statute of limitations in Canada, and Charter protections only come into effect once charges are laid.  Once charges are laid, control of the prosecution is out of the hands of the police, and under the control of the Crown Prosecutors, who are far more comfortable with suspended sentences than stays of proceeding and dismissal of charges involving complex compliance monitoring.

With the attitude toward white collar crime moving away from trials and punishment to one of creating a culture of ongoing corporate compliance, Canada chose to implement its own form of DPA, called a “remediation agreement”.  As a result, PART XXII.I of the Criminal Code was enacted to provide for “an agreement between an organization accused of having committed an offense and a prosecutor, to stay any proceedings related to that offense if the organization complies with the terns of the agreement.  Under s. 715.32 a prosecutor may enter into a remediation agreement if there is (a) a reasonable prospect of conviction, (b) the offense was not committed by a criminal or terrorist organization and did not result in serious bodily harm or injure the national security, (c)   the prosecutor believes that such an agreement is in the public interest, and (d) the Attorney General has consented to the negotiation of a remediation agreement.  In considering the public interest, the prosecutor must consider (a) the circumstances under which the offence was brought to the attention of the investigative authorities (e.g. was there voluntary disclosure by the offender?), (b) the nature and gravity of the offence, including its effects on any victims, (c)whether the offender has made reparations and taken steps to avoid further occurrences (d) whether the organization has disciplined those involved in the offence, (e) the degree of involvement of senior officers of the organization, (f) whether the organization has fully disclosed those involved, and their degree of involvement, (g) the organization’s previous criminal and regulatory record, and any previous remediation agreements, any other factor the prosecutor deems relevant.

Notwithstanding the above, s. 715.32(3) of the Criminal Code confirms that in charges involving bribery of foreign government officials, the prosecutor shall not consider the the national economic interest or the reputation of the organization and individuals involved.  This specific provision was required by Canada’s obligations under Article 5 of the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, which states that “Investigation and prosecution of the bribery of a foreign public official shall … not be influenced by considerations of national economic interest…or the identity of the natural or legal persons involved”.   The treaty and the Criminal Code provision therefore prevents a “beggar thy neighbor” approach where organizations corrupt foreign government officials in order to secure and enhance domestic employment.

Where a remediation agreement has been entered into, it must be approved by the court that would otherwise have been the venue for the criminal trial.  If approved, the terms of the agreement are published, unless the court orders otherwise.

The prosecutor’s decision as to whether or not to enter into negotiations for a remediation agreement is purely an act of prosecutorial discretion and is not reviewable by any court.[1]

The Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”) is the Deputy Attorney General of Canada. (DPPA is the enabling statute. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is the relevant government department.  The Attorney-General has the power to assume control over a prosecution under s. 15 of the DPPA.  Under the Shawcross doctrine the Attorney General can never take into account personal or partisan political considerations, but may consider matters of public policy.  In considering public policy, the Attorney General may, but is not obliged to, consult with cabinet colleagues to ensure a knowledge of all relevant facts, and those colleagues must not put pressure on the Attorney General in the matter.  The Attorney – General must apply “his judicial mind” as to considerations of “public morale and order,”[2] and is to be the sole judge of whether to intervene under s. 15 of the DPPA based on whether there is a reasonable prospect of success and matters of public morale and order (“the Shawcross Doctrine”).  Given the provision in s.715.32(3) of the Criminal Code about the irrelevance of the national economic interest in cases involving the alleged bribery of foreign public officials, the Attorney General’s “judicial mind” should exclude such considerations in these particular class of cases.[3]

[1] SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. v. Canada [2019] FC 282: Krieger v. Law Society of Alberta [2002] SCC 65Miazga v. Kvello [2009] SCC 51, at para 46-47

[2] S.O. 2006, c.9,s121

[3] Gravel c. Epiciers Unis Metro Richelieu Inc. [1999] CanLii 7046 (QCCS)

What Fraud Victims Should Know About the Tax Consequences on Settlements in Fraud Actions

Norm Groot, Investigation Counsel PC

At Investigation Counsel PC, we are often asked by victims of fraud for advice with respect to negotiating settlements in fraud actions. To state the obvious, fraud victims often have a well-founded skepticism that the defendant they settled with cannot be trusted to fulfill their settlement obligations honourably.

In 2018 we acted as counsel for Kuwait investors who lost $1.8M to a British Columbia based business associate. At the eve of trial, a $2.7M settlement was reached. Thereafter the defendant attempted to renegotiate the settlement, alleging the victims owed tax to the Canadian Revenue Agency, so that he could obtain a tax credit. This is their story.

Al-Thamer v. Bakhtiyari, 2018 BCSC 1526

On August 16, 2018, the Supreme Court of British Columbia released its decision in Al-Thamer v. Bakhtiyari, 2018 BCSC 1526, on the issue of whether a defendant may be permitted to withhold part of a settlement payment to pay potential tax liabilities to the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), as opposed to making full payment to his victims. The Court held that an alleged rogue cannot withhold part of a settlement to obtain a tax credit from the CRA if he fails to provide an accounting for the allegedly defrauded funds.

The Investment and Resulting Litigation

On May 6, 2015, the Plaintiffs, investors from Kuwait, filed a claim against the defendants Shirvan Elyassi Bakhtiyari (“Bakhtiyari”) and his company 415185 B.C. Ltd. (415 BC Ltd.”) seeking general and punitive damages for fraud, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion and conspiracy. In addition, the Plaintiffs sought an accounting of their funds from the Defendants.

In their Statement of Claim, the Plaintiffs alleged that in the 1990s they transferred $1.8M to Bakhtiyari and his company in exchange for a beneficial interest in some land that 415 BC Ltd. owned in Delta, British Columbia. The Plaintiffs alleged that the property increased in value well in excess of the $1.8M they paid, that Bakhtiyari refused and failed to provide them an accounting of what he used their money for, despite their repeated requests, and that he had dishonestly converted their funds for his own use or that he had pocketed the increase in value of the property.

On July 24, 2015, the Plaintiffs filed a certificate of pending litigation (“CPL”) against the Delta property. Thereafter, discoveries of the Plaintiffs were held in England and discoveries of the Defendants were held in Vancouver. Throughout the discovery process, Bakhtiyari continued to refuse to provide the Plaintiffs with an accounting of what he did with their money. No evidence was ever provided that any of the Plaintiffs’ money was invested in the Delta Property or any other land.

The Settlement

 On January 22, 2018, on the first day of a trial scheduled for four weeks, the parties participated in a day-long mediation and settled the Plaintiffs’ claims. The Minutes of Settlement included the following terms:

1. the defendant Bakhtiyari (personally) to pay $2,750,000 Cdn for general damages, costs, disbursements and prejudgment interest on behalf of all Defendants on an all-inclusive basis;

3. the $2,750,000 was to be paid on the following schedule:

a. $1,000,000.00 payable by February 1, 2018. and

b. $1,750,000.00 payable by June 30, 2018;

7. upon payment of the $2,750,000 …, the Plaintiffs would file the required documents to lift the CPL;

8. upon payment of the $2,750,000, the Plaintiffs… would instruct their counsel to prepare, endorse and deliver to counsel for the Defendants a consent dismissal order which shall provide for dismissal of proceedings… as if there had been a trial of the action on the merits; and

12. the Plaintiffs were solely responsible for any and all tax liability or obligations that may accrue to them in relation to the receipt of the $2,750,000.

On January 25, 2018, Bakhtiyari delivered, by personal cheque, the first instalment of $1M to counsel for the Plaintiffs.

On June 27, 2018, just prior to the payment deadline for the second instalment, Bakhtiyari refused to pay the second installment of $1,750,000, but rather proposed to pay the amount of $1,062,500 and remit $687,000 to the Receiver General on the basis that the Plaintiffs owed $687,000 pursuant to s. 116(5) of the Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.).

The essence of Bakhtiyari’s reasoning was that if a CPL had been issued, this implied the Plaintiffs had made a capital gain of $900,000 (the settlement of $2.7M was $900,000 more than the Plaintiffs’ original $1.8M investment). The alleged rogue Bakhtiyari suggested, post settlement, that as the Plaintiffs were not Canadian citizens, it was his civic duty to ensure the Plaintiffs paid tax to the Canadian government.

Bakhtiyari advised the Plaintiffs that his proposed withholding could be avoided if:

1. the Plaintiffs obtained a clearance certificate from the CRA with respect to the transaction and provided it to him;

2. an undertaking from Plaintiffs’ counsel to withhold from the second and final instalment an amount sufficient to satisfy the Plaintiffs’ potential tax obligations until the CRA issued a tax clearance certificate in order to satisfy s. 116 of the Income Tax Act; or

3. Plaintiffs’ counsel provide an opinion from a Canadian tax lawyer confirming that no withholding is required which could be relied upon by the Defendants.

It appeared to the Plaintiffs that Bakhtiyari was seeking to obtain a tax credit on the Plaintiffs’ money that he never provided an accounting for. In response to Bakhtiyari’s demands, the Plaintiffs brought an application seeking an order requiring Bakhtiyari to pay the sum of $1,750,000 in accordance with the terms of the Minutes of Settlement.

Bakhtiyari in turn filed a cross-application seeking an order that he pay to the Plaintiffs only $1,062,500 and remit the balance owing, being $687,000, to the Receiver General. Bakhtiyari also sought an order releasing the CPL against his Delta Property.

The Submissions of the Parties

The Plaintiffs relied upon the principles of contract interpretation. In other words, they argued that the words of the Minutes of Settlement do not leave any doubt as to their meaning: Mountain v. TD Canada Trust, 2015 ONSC 4929 (CanLII) at para. 12; Olivieri v. Sherman (2007), 2007 ONCA 491 (CanLII), 86 O.R. (3d) 778 at para. 48 (C.A.); and Brentwood Enterprises Limited Partnership v. Revelstoke Mountain Resort Limited Partnership, 2014 BCSC 773 (CanLII) at para. 27.

The Plaintiffs submitted that per Term 12 of the Minutes of Settlement, the Plaintiffs assumed full responsibility for any tax liability. The Plaintiffs further submitted that they are at liberty to adopt a tax plan of their choosing, and if that tax plan is high-risk, then it is their own cross to bear. The Plaintiffs submitted that unlike Mountain v. TD Canada Trust, the Defendants did not require an indemnification clause with respect to a tax risk.

Bakhtiyari submitted that s. 116(5) of the Income Tax Act required him to withhold 25% of the funds and remit these funds to the CRA because the property was purchased with funds from a non-resident. Bakhtiyari further submitted that the CRA should ultimately determine if any tax was owing, and that pursuant to s. 227(1) of the Income Tax Act, he was not in breach the Minutes of Settlement due to his obligation to withhold funds from a non-resident and remit to the CRA.

Bakhtiyari referenced a number of cases including Fieguth v. Acklands Ltd. (1989), 1989 CanLII 2744 (BC CA), 37 B.C.L.R. (2d) 62 (C.A.) which concluded that where there had been a binding settlement agreement, deductions in accordance with the Income Tax Act were required by law. Notwithstanding that Fieguth v. Acklands Ltd. was a wrongful dismissal case which dealt with tax principles germane to employment scenarios, Bakhtiyari submitted that these principles were applicable and were utilized in a contract case: Geraghty v. Halcyon Waterspring Inc. (1999), 32 C.P.C. (4th) 152 (Ont. Gen. Div.).

The Court’s Decision

The Court held that the terms of the Minutes of Settlement were clear: the Plaintiffs explicitly agreed at Term 12 to be responsible for any tax implications.

The Court further held that per Term 13 of the Minutes of Settlement, the parties agreed there was no finding that the $1.8M the Plaintiffs’ paid to the Defendants 25 years earlier had actually been invested into the Delta property as was supposed to have occurred.

The Court further held that notwithstanding that the Defendants had not provided any evidence that the Plaintiffs’ money had been invested as represented, Term 10 of the Minutes of Settlement declared that there was no admission of liability by the Defendants, and that the settlement was a compromise of a disputed claim.

The Court rejected Bakhtiyari’s suggestion that the taxes owing would be $687,000, or 25% of $2.7 million that he sought to withhold. The Court found that the Plaintiffs invested $1.8 million; received $400,000 in returned capital prior to the litigation, and paid $450,000 in legal fees. Accordingly, the capital gain, if any, was approximately $500,000, implying the potential taxes would be significantly less than the amount alleged by Bakhtiyari.

With respect to any potential capital gain, the Court found that the settlement amount reflected payments for compounded pre-judgment interest and other legal expenses—not the profit derived from any investment in land. On this basis, the Court held that there was no capital gain at all in the circumstances of this matter. The Court granted the Plaintiffs’ application and dismissed Bakhtiyari’s cross application.

Tax Issues on Settlements in Fraud Cases

While the Court ruled in favour of the Plaintiffs, it also noted that if the Plaintiffs, as non-residents of Canada, had disposed of taxable Canadian property, they would have been liable to pay tax under s. 116 of the Income Tax Act, and that Bakhtiyari, as the “purchaser” of such a disposition, would have been required to withhold it under s. 116(5).

However, because none of the settlement funds were identified as pertaining to any specific cause of action, and because the parties expressly agreed that there had been “no admission of liability by the Defendants”, and because the settlement was “a compromise of a disputed claim”, the Court looked to the intent of the parties to see if any allocation towards a capital gain was intended.

The Court cited Schwartz v. Canada, 1996 CanLII 217 (SCC), [1996] 1 S.C.R. 254, where the CRA sought to tax a settlement amount received by a departing lawyer from his firm as a “retiring allowance”. There was no evidence that any part of the settlement was allocated to a “retiring allowance”. The Supreme Court of Canada found that, there being no such evidence, the amount was not taxable. The Court said at para 41:

Logically, the Minister should not have the burden of presenting, in every case where the apportionment of a general award is at issue, specific evidence amounting to an explicit expression of the concerned parties’ intention with respect to that question. However, there must be some evidence, in whatever form, from which the trial judge will be able to infer, on a balance of probabilities, which part of that general award was intended to compensate for specific types of damages. [Emphasis in original.]

Similarly, in this case the Court found that the parties’ settlement was a calculated business decision which was intended to free the Defendants from the consequences of litigation and not strongly related to the value of the Plaintiffs’ claims. Bakhtiyari agreed to pay the settlement amount without admitting liability and without agreeing that the Plaintiffs had any interest in the land.

What this case essentially stands for is the importance of drafting Minutes of Settlement that considers the tax consequences of the deal. Here, the intent of the parties was that the funds were compensation for general damages, legal fees, disbursements, and pre-judgment interest. There was no evidence that the Defendants invested the Plaintiffs’ monies in the Delta property. The result was that Bakhtiyari could not obtain a tax credit on funds he refused to account for.

December 29, 2018


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PRINCE2® is becoming more agile! We welcome a new product – PRINCE2® Agile

The latest AXELOS initiative – the first major product development from its project and programme management (PPM) portfolio – will seek to blend the best of PRINCE2 and agile methods in the “PRINCE2 agile” best practice guide and qualification.

Scheduled for launch in Q1/Q2 2015, PRINCE2 agile is already a work in progress, with agile guru Keith Richards of agileKRC as lead author. Along with talking directly to other agile gurus globally during the research process, Keith will be working alongside nominated mentor Larry Cooper of BSSNexus Global Inc. in North America to get his regional perspective.

The aim is to provide additional information for organizations and individuals already using PRINCE2 but involved in agile methods. The guide will help experienced PRINCE2 practitioners tailor management controls for agile development while helping agile developers understand PRINCE2 governance requirements.

Frances Scarff, Product Development Director at AXELOS said: “We believe the concepts in PRINCE2 and agile are complementary, mutually supportive and should be part of the skills toolkit for professionals responsible for both project management and agile delivery.”

We will update this page as the project progresses.

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GE Additive Introduces Arcam EBM Spectra H

The electron beam melting (EBM) melting system offers a large build volume and is designed to handle high-heat and crack-prone materials.

GE Additive’s Arcam EBM Spectra H metal additive manufacturing system is designed to handle high-heat and crack-prone materials, complementing the company’s existing electron beam melting systems. Initially, the Arcam EBM Spectra H will support both titanium aluminide (TiAl) and Alloy 718. Additional Ni-super alloys will be supported from 2019.

The Arcam EBM Spectra H incorporates features and enhancements intended to drive down cost by increasing the productivity of the system. It offers a 39 percent larger build volume, increased from 200 × 200  380 mm to 250 mm in diameter by 430 mm. According to GE Additive, the build speed is as much as 50 percent faster. A 6-kW HV unit means that all pre- and post-heating steps can be accomplished in half the time compared to other EBM machines. Improved heat management via a moveable heat shield keeps heat in the build area, and an improved layering procedure reduces the need for heating, saving as much as 5 hours in a full-height build.

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The new system is available to pre-order. It will be manufactured at Arcam’s plant near Gothenburg, Sweden with expected delivery from Q4 2018 onwards.


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Sunday Preview (September 6th edition)

Once again we have the privilege of gathering for worship tomorrow and the LORD our God will surely bless His Word as it is proclaimed to you.

Morning Service

It this word of blessing that we will focus on in the morning sermon on Genesis 49 with the twelve sons of Israel and their respective blessings. The oracle concerning Judah later comes to a glorious climax in Revelation 5:1-10 as an answer to Jacob's plea in the middle of the oracle as he cries out, "I wait for your salvation, O LORD".

We are also waiting and hearing the LORD's word to us and reminded, in Hebrews 2, of our need to respond to that word: "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2:1-4)

Afternoon Service

In the afternoon, our sermon will be on Colossians 3 which has been selected as this year's Family Visiting Theme. We will consider our calling as believers to live in light of God's wondrous kindness to us in the Son. What are the actions of Adoration that we are to be known for and demonstrate with regularity?


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Markets – Renewable Energy Storage

Design Redox Flow Batteries with superior performance and significantly lower costs

The need for energy is increasing globally as is the demand to move cleaner non-polluting technologies.

Wind and solar energy production is increasing as well and becoming a lot more cost competitive. In some areas of the world, there is a commitment to use wind and solar for the generation of the majority of power needs in the near future.

One of the most significant challenges is balancing the production of solar and wind generated power with demand. For example, tourist destinations (islands, etc.) experience a surge in demand for a few weeks of the year. In order to address this asymmetry between demand and supply we need solutions that enable us to store effectively, long-term, and at a low-cost excess power during off-peak periods and release it when needed.

Redox Flow Batteries

One of the most promising technologies that is already deployed to achieve this is the various forms of flow batteries. Vanadium based flow batteries are the most popular, though other technologies, like iron-based batteries, are gaining momentum. Some of the key benefits of Redox Flow Batteries are:

  • flexible layout (due to separation of the power and energy components)
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  • Operate at higher current and power densities vs. Li-ion

Advent materials (membranes, custom electrodes) have been tested with excellent results in flow batteries.


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Better Imaging with Better Outcomes

Our Seaside Imaging facility offers state-of-the-art imaging technologies that generate detailed images of internal body structures used to evaluate and diagnose a wide range of conditions including stroke and heart disease. This incredible technology is housed within a relaxing environment designed to look like a beachfront boardwalk. Beach-themed murals, Adirondack chairs, and the sounds and smells of ocean waves put our guests at ease during their exams. Imaging equipment has been built to resemble large sand castles, and changing booths are replaced by beach cabanas. This unique, peaceful environment helps to alleviate stress and anxiety.

Your Path to Healing

Cutting-Edge Technology — Compassionate Care

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The Imaging Test You Need, When You Need It

When your loved one is injured, or when you have symptoms of an illness, you want the best care right away. The experts in our imaging center understand your concerns and your goals. We use every advanced tool available to pinpoint the problem and get you or your loved on the road to healing.

All this happens in our unique setting. We designed it to immerse you in a relaxing experience — our hallways and flooring look like beachfront boardwalks, and the walls are covered with beach-themed murals. You’ll sit in Adirondack chairs and change in a beach cabana instead of an ordinary changing booth. Our imaging has been built to resemble a large sand castle, and inside you’ll be surrounded by the sound of ocean waves.

This soothing environment is backed up by our state-of-the-art technology and our commitment to keep you informed about every step of your care.  At AdventHealth Celebration, each member of your team of radiologists, physicians, nurses, and other professionals takes the time to answer your questions and explain your test procedure. Count on us for care that considers the whole person ¬— body, mind, and spirit.

Your care with us may include some of these proven tests and procedures:

Bone-Density Scans (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA). This advanced form of X-ray technology can diagnose osteoporosis by measuring bone loss.

CT Scans (Computed Tomography).  Our 256-Slice CT scans provide detailed, three-dimensional images that help your team reach an accurate diagnosis quickly.

Digital X-Ray. This technology allows X-ray images to be viewed right away on a computer. It uses less radiation than standard X-rays, and doctors can magnify the image on the screen and easily send it to other experts.
Fluoroscopy (Moving X-Ray).  This continuous X-ray “movie” shows movement of a body part or the path an instrument or contrast dye inside the body.

IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy). This highly accurate therapy enables doctors to deliver radiation treatments to areas of the body that move, such as the lungs.

IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy). This advanced technology delivers radiation treatments to tumors while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

3T MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). MRI imaging uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the body’s interior that are viewed on a computer. Our 3T MRI produces exceptionally precise detail.

Mammography, Screening and Diagnostic. Screening mammograms are routine tests that look for breast cancer in women who don’t have any symptoms. If your screening mammogram shows an area of concern, or if you have a breast lump or other symptoms, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic mammogram that focuses on that specific area.

Nuclear Medicine. This technique uses small amounts of radioactive materials that are inhaled, swallowed or injected into the bloodstream. These “radiotracers” accumulate in areas with cancer or inflammation. A special camera detects these areas. PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) scans are a type of nuclear medicine.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography). These scans are a type of nuclear medicine. They use substances called radiotracers to identify specific areas of concern inside the body.

Radiation Oncology: Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. This powerful treatment is widely used in cancer care.

4D Ultrasound Imaging: With this test, high-frequency sound waves capture live images of the inside of the body. It can help diagnose the cause of swelling, infection, and unexplained pain. It’s also used to monitor unborn babies.

Here to Guide You Through Every Step

Imaging tests can be stressful if you don’t know what to expect. Your imaging team at AdventHealth Celebration will explain each step of your procedure. We want you to feel at ease before, during, and after your test.

We start by asking about your medical history, including any medicines you’re taking and allergies you may have. Since some imaging tests are done in a confined space, we’ll ask if you’ve ever experienced claustrophobia.

Most imaging tests take between 30 minutes and one hour. Depending on your specific test, we may ask you to:

  • Fast for several hours before your test
  • Change into a gown or scrubs
  • Remove any metal jewelry or electronic devices
  • Drink a liquid called contrast or a radiotracer. In some cases this substance is injected into a vein.
  • Arrange for a ride home so you don’t have to drive

After your test, your expert team will carefully assess each image and deliver the results to you as soon as possible.

Making Your Care More Convenient

Your health is our top priority, and we want to make your visit with us as convenient and reassuring as possible. That’s why we offer:

  • Our unique, healing environment
  • Immediate access to your images so your physician can make critical treatment decisions
  • Walk-in and same-day appointments, to fit your schedule
  • After-hour and weekend appointments
  • 24-hour online scheduling for some imaging and lab tests

We take care of the details, so you can focus on your health. It’s another way we care for you with kindness, empathy, and love.

An Asian doctor prays with an African-American woman at the hospital.
Skilled Radiologists. Advanced Technology.

Medical Imaging Services You Can Rely On

Our team of skilled radiologists work with the area’s most advanced medical imaging technologies for faster diagnosis and treatment.

A male radiologist studies CT scan images on a computer.
Trusted Medical Imaging

Just a Click Away

If you need an imaging exam, we’re here to help. We’ll connect you with the radiology expert that best fits your needs.

Convenient Locations. Faster Results.

Whole-Person Care and Support

Our multidisciplinary care team offers a wide variety of Imaging Services at locations that are convenient to you. We work to get you your results quickly so you can start getting the care you need. We’re also here to help connect you with the resources you need to overcome any roadblocks — whether it’s helping you find someone to drive you home after an imaging appointment, or connecting you with support groups for people who share your diagnosis. Because at AdventHealth Celebration, it’s not just about healing your body; it’s about easing your mind, lifting your spirit, and getting you back to whole health as soon as possible.


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Montane’s AW16 kit features a new collection of Gore-Tex jackets and gloves

This year Montane received a license to use Gore-Tex fabric in its outdoor kit and now the brand has just shown us some of the jackets and gloves made from it ahead of their launch on Monday.

Listed under the Gore-Tex® Pro category (for intense activities and extreme weather conditions) comes the Endurance Pro Jacket (£430) and the Alpine Pro Jacket (£330). The Endurance Pro is a jacket for extreme conditions featuring pretty much everything you can imagine in it, whereas the Alpine Pro is lighter in weight and classed as a technical shell.

Left: Endurance Pro and Right: Alpine Pro
Left: the Endurance Pro jacket and Right: the Alpine Pro jacket (our fave). Other colours are available too

Under the Gore® C-Knit™ backer technology category comes the Surge Jacket (£300) which is a lightweight and breathable mountain shell about £100 less than the Endurance Pro and slightly cheaper than the Alpine Pro jacket.

Finally, coming under the Gore-Tex® Active category is the Spine Jacket (£250), which is a minimalist, breathable mountain trail running shell, taking its name from the Montane-sponsored Spine Race no doubt.

Surge and Spine
Left: the Surge jacket and Right: the Spine jacket. Note Surge has two lower pockets while the Spine just has the one pocket diagonally across the chest
Womens Surge and Spine
Womens Surge and Spine jacket colours

Montane has also made a pair of Gore-Tex gloves called the Icemelt Thermo Glove (£90) which is made from softshell fabric and has a goat leather palm. Inside is a Gore-Tex® inner layer and there’s PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation on the back of hand and fingers for warmth.

About Author

Dan Tye Dan came up with the idea for Adventure 52 after realising there wasn't a single publication focusing on adventure. He has been a pilot in the RAF, a ski instructor and has spent the past 12 years as journalist for motorcycling, flying and adventure magazines.

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Rwenzori Mountains National Park - Uganda

Popularly known as the Mountains of the Moon and was discovered by white explorers in 1889. Everyone from experienced hikers to casual day hikers find the Rwenzori Mountains National Park a magnificent environment, with its non-volcanic mountains capped with snow, massive ice-rime sculptures, awe-inspiring vegetation and unique fauna. The mountains are 120 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide were forced up during the creation of the Great Rift Valley.

At the centre of the range are six snow capped peaks. The highest Mountain of the range, Mount Stanley is the third highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.  Mount Stanley’s highest peak, Margherita rises 5,109 meters above sea level. Other peaks in the range include Alexandria, 5,083 meters; Speke, at 4,890 meters; Emin at 4,791; Gessi at 4,715; and Luigi di Savoia at 4,627 meters. Interestingly more people visit the Rwenzoris to explore the vegetation than to climb the glaciers and peaks. Because of the strange evolutionary pattern, common plants grow to absurd proportions. Lobelias weigh in at 60 kilograms while heather shoots upto 10 meters.

The people on the lower slopes of the Rwenzori Mountain are the Bakonjo. Strong and energetic, they are well suited to life in the mountains, which are an integral part of their traditional beliefs.

Over 500,000 Ugandans living below the park boundary are dependent on the park watershed for year round agricultural production. Major crops include coffee, beans, maize, yams, Irish potatoes, and wheat.

Getting there

Ibanda, the nearest town to Nyakalengija Park headquarters (the starting point for climbing in the mountains), is about 69 kilometers from Fort Portal, 25 kilometers from Kasese, and 389 kilometers from Kampala. It is served by a good tarmac road from both Fort Portal and Kasese. The nearest large town Kasese was served in the past by rail from Kampala but has an airstrip in place to accommodate air charters.

When to go

Constant mist covers the mountains all year round. The driest months are usually July and August, and December to February. Visits at any other time might be disappointing.

Where to stay

The growth of the tourism ecosystem in Kasese region has led to the set-up of some great accommodation facilities at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Visitors have the option of choosing from lodges like Ihamba Safari Lodge, Equator snow lodge and budget options like Rwenzori Backpackers, Mihunga Safari Lodge, and Ruboni community camp.

Along the central hiking circuit, camping sites are available at convenient stopping points. Accommodation is also available in Kasese town.

Head south out of Fort Portal town on Kyebambe road towards Kasese. About 5 kilometers out of town on the left side of the road, stand at the Karambi tombs, where Toro King Kasagama and his son Rukidi II are buried.  There’s not much else to see before the Rwenzori Mountains National Park turnoff but the scenery along the way is beautiful, and you pass through several small towns. Some 54 kilometers from Fort Portal you come to the turn off to Ibanda and the Nyakalengija Park headquarters. From there its another 10 kilometers to Ibanda and another 5 kilometers through banana and sugar plantations before you reach Nyakalengija where the hiking trail begins.

The usual trip to Rwenzori Mountains lasts seven to nine days, which is just long enough to hike the well travelled central circuit trail. Shorter trips can also be arranged but they do not reach the high mountains.  It is best to allow a minimum of six days even for shorter trips. No special climbing equipment is necessary unless you attempt one of the summits although you have to keep in mind that hiking is tough work, usually in poor weather and should not be taken lightly. Carry along a map or one of our knowledgeable guides can avail you with one. We recommend you but the Ruwenzori Map and Guide by Andrew Wielochowski.

Before you attempt a climb or high altitude hike, make sure you are aware of the dangers and symptoms of mountain or altitude sickness which can be fatal. These symptoms usually become noticeable after 3000 meters. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, and slight loss of coordination. Severe symptoms include abnormal speech and behavior, severe nausea and headaches and persistent coughing spasms.  If you have any of the severe symptoms, immediately descend to lower altitudes.

Be aware too of the dangers of hypothermia. You have to waterproof most of your items. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature is lowered usually caused by a combination of wet and cold condition.  Note that severe symptoms of hypothermia include disorientation, lethargy and mental confusion.

The central circuit is by far the most popular hike or climb. Like others it begins at Nyakalengija park headquarters and takes you through the Nyabitaba hut at 2,651 meters. It is a fairly easy walk of about four to five hours. On the way you pass through a small coffee plantation and meadow before hitting the bush and later the forest.  Please wear long trousers as the nettles can be nasty.  The trout filled Mubuku River is on your right as you start the journey. You cross a couple of streams and then the Mahoma River before climbing the ridge to Nyabitaba.

From Nyabitaba you can tackle the trail in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

The next day’s hike on the anticlockwise circuit is tough, taking a minimum of seven hours before you reach the next night stop of John Mate Hut, at 3,505 meters. The path takes you down through the forest dropping steeply to Mubuku River, which you cross by the Kurt Schafer Bridge. You then climb up steeply up the bank and walk several kilometers through bamboo followed by another arduous ascent with many rocks on the path. There you begin to enter the Moorland zone and giant tree heathers are everywhere. Giant Groundsels also flourish. You will stop for lunch at the Nyamileju Hut.

From Nyamileju it is another two hours or so to the John Mate Hut through a giant heather forest following the course of the Bujuku River.

An alternative night stop is the Bigo Hut at 3,445 meters another kilometer or so of tough track through a bog, which often requires wading through deep mud or leap from one grassy patch to the next.

From Bigo the circuit trail heads south west. To continue on the circuit trail from the John Mate Hut on the third day you head towards the Bujuku hut at 3,962 meters. This may take up to six hours depending on the condition of the Bigo Bog which may be slow going if the mud is deep. You pass through another bog before reaching Lake Bujuku, majestically set against a backdrop of Mount Baker’s scree slopes and affording views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. If you intend to climb Mount Speke, make this you base, but you have to spend an extra night to do this. To scale the highest point in the Ruwenzoris you need to base yourself at Elena hut which is about two kilometers off the circuit trail and a three to four hour walk from the Bujuku Hut.

From Lake Bujuku head south to Lake Kitandara at 4,023 meters this takes you to the highest point on the circuit trail the Scott Elliot Pass at 4,372 meters. Kitandara Hut close to the foot of Elena Glaciers are positioned on the floor of Lake Kitandara. This idyllic spot is about a four hour walk from Lake Bujuku.

The following day you begin your descent to the east and head to Guy Yeoman Hut at 3,450 meters. You can also opt to stay the night at the Kabamba Rock Shelter which you reach first.

Plan on about a five hour hike: first a very steep ascent to fresh field pass and then a drop down to Bujongolo, a cliff over hang providing good shelter. After passing through the bog from Kabamba you come across the Yeoman Hut on a ridge above the stiff valley.

The next day which could be you final one on the circuit, you head down the steep valley through bamboo forests and bog across the Mahoma River and two minor streams, to the Nyabitaba Hut. This part of the journey should take about five hours. From there you can push on for another three hours to Nyakalengija base.

In addition to the many unusual plants you see on your journey down the circuit trail, you also may come upon some of the diverse birdlife and animal species that make this their base.

Primates and other mammals in the park include the Chimpanzee, Rwenzori Colobus Monkey, black and white colobus monkey. Blue monkeys, duiker, hyrax and serval.

Some unique birds in the Rwenzori include handsome francolin, olive pigeon, and white-necked raven.

Popular Safari Packages

The Rwenzori Mountains lie on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on the flanks of the western section of the Great Rift Valley. This excruciating 14 day hiking tour covers vast sections of the hiking trail leading hikers to the snow capped Margherita peak on Mount Stanley. This is a physically demanding adventure and thus calls for some minimum levels of physical fitness.

One of the most awesome, breathtaking experiences on earth is to observe a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Closely linked by DNA to humans with researchers estimating anywhere between 95-99% these charismatic herbivores can grow up to 6ft tall. This six day Gorilla tour is inclusive of a one day big 5 game drive of the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda

Covering sections of the western part of the Great Rift Valley, this adventurous journey covers large sections of the National Parks in the western part of Uganda. This 13 day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari takes you into the heart of Uganda witnessing some of the greatest Wildlife spectacles nature has to offer. Besides viewing the Gorillas you will also be accorded the opportunity of viewing the elusive Shoebill Stork.

Short Tour Packages in Uganda

3 Days Lake Mburo NP Safari

Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. This safari is ideal for travelers who are looking at combining a game viewing safari with a one day birding tour. Lake Mburo is located in Western Uganda and was originally gazetted as a game reserve in 1963

4 Days Murchison Falls NP Safari

Murchison Falls Conservation Area ( MFCA ) comprises of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves. This is where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos and crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. This safari includes a brief stop over at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

4 Day Queen Elizabeth NP Safari

Queen Elizabeth National Park has a variety of Flora and Fauna and it’s acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with about 612 species of birds. The various species in this park, has made it a unique park most liked by tourists. This safari is an ideal Big Five game viewing safari with the tree climbing Lions offering some truly amazing spectacles.


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> > > Airlines > The different options when an airline buys a plane

Video - The different options when an airline buys a plane

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When an airline buys a plane, it must make choices about the cabin layout, paint, and sometimes the engines.

In the cabin, various customisation options are offered by aircraft manufacturers.

As Bruno Delile in charge of Air France’s long-haul activity explains: "Airbus and Boeing offer a catalogue of options that allow airlines to select seats, colour shades, partitions, galleys; everything concerning cabin interiors to help a company to differentiate itself from others."

Differentiating themselves from the competition, means they have to go through the various options presented in the aircraft manufacturers’ showrooms, where life-size cabin layouts are on display, such as here at Airbus. Each product offered is certified beforehand and validated by the manufacturer.

In the case of multi-engined aircraft, airlines also have a choice, which is made according to their fuel consumption, noise, CO2 emissions and maintenance cost constraints.

Lastly, there is the company’s livery and fuselage painting to consider. In recent years, new paints have been developed. Being lighter in weight and with improved aerodynamics, they reduce the fuel bill, but cost more than traditional paints. It’s each company’s decision.

Over the last three years at Air France, 500 million euros has been invested in refurbishing all of their aircraft cabins.

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Sopemea acquires UK’s PARC laboratory

Sopemea is positioning itself in the UK testing market with the acquisition of Product Assessment and Reliability Center (PARC), which now allows Sopemea customers to call on a UK laboratory.

The PARC laboratory operates a wide range of mechanical (vibratory, etc) and climatic (temperature, etc) tests. Located in Devon in the southwest of England, about 100km from Hinkley Point, PARC was founded approximately 20 years ago to support the development of local technical companies.

PARC is led by Richard Tabor, who has 25 years of experience in the testing field. The PARC team of 17 employees also includes test engineers and technicians specialized in the field of testing.

The UK facility carries out tests of vibrations and shocks, climate, salt spray, sealing and altitude, and HALT (highly accelerated life testing). The laboratory is equipped with six shakers and 24 climate chambers.

September 20, 2017

About Author

With over 20 years experience in editorial management and content creation for multiple, market-leading titles at UKi Media & Events (publisher of Aerospace Testing International), one of the UK's fastest growing publishing companies, Anthony has written articles and news covering everything from aircraft, airports and cars, to cruise ships, trains, trucks and even tires!

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French in Child Care Centres

Alliance Française de Canberra is now devising French programs to deliver on site in Child Care centres.

We provide a stimulating program of relevant, varied and fun activities in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework which can all take place in your premises.

What are the kids doing?

Children gradually come to communicate in French through games, songs and hands-on activities. Our core values aim at delivering a broadened educational purpose to young learners through a range of exciting opportunities.

We are also happy to discuss and adjust our French program to your expectations and requirements

Who is the teacher?

We are able to achieve these programs by relying on highly skilled and passionate native teachers who believe in creating a warm and caring environment where awareness and creativity are fostered, and play promoted as a key element for learning.

We pride ourselves in our qualified and experienced teaching staff who all hold the Working with Vulnerable People card.

How to set up a French program in your Care Centres?

If you would like to know more about ways of implementing our French program in your Child Care centre, please contact Graziella, our Children Courses Coordinator, by email, over the phone : 02 6257 6696 /  02 6257 2140, or just stop by to visit us in Turner!

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20" Water Filter Cartridge 1m Pleated Paper Jumbo | PTC45-2001

Excl. Tax: $44.00 Incl. Tax: $50.60

Quick Overview

A high flow cleanable fine silt/mud cartridge
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Availability: In stock

A high flow final filter cartridge in a filtration system designed for typical water quality, that contains a normal amount of debris, evidenced by plugging at 6 to 9 months.

Used as an alternative to a 1 micron depth cartridge to allow periodic cleaning.

Premature Plugging can occur during 'high pollen'. The pollen clogs the papers pores but is difficult to see. The paper otherwise looks clean enough...

Can be washed.

When fittings always relubricate the sump Oring and threads, to enable sealing from hand tightening the sump. This avoids flattening of the Oring due to 'overtight'.

Always purge before finishing your systems cartridge change, to avoid unnecessary air spurting through your household taps.

Sumps tighten from the effect of water pump pulsation.

Additional Information

SKU PTC45-2001