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Why Does My Dog...
Why Does My Dog Like to Dig?
Dr. Sarah Wooten reveals some of the reasons dogs dig — and what you can do to prevent the frustrating behavior.
Read More: What to do if the kissing is too extreme
The Latest in Why Does My Dog...
Lick Me? (Video)
Is your canine's slobbery kiss simply a way to show affection, or is there more to it than that? Dr. Sarah Wooten explains. Watch our new video ›
Not Get Frozen Paws? (Video)
Ever wonder how canines can walk barefoot on the ice and snow in winter? Dr. Sarah Wooten reveals the science. When booties are a good idea ›
Lick Other Dogs' Muzzles? (Video)
Is this behavior really the friendly doggie kiss that it seems to be? Dr. Sarah Wooten examines what it means. What to do if you see it happening ›
Kick the Grass After Pooping? (Video)
Dr. Sarah Wooten explains what it really means when some canines kick the grass after going to the bathroom. What it has to do with their wild ancestors ›
Cock Her Head? (Video)
Ever wonder what this adorable canine behavior really means? Dr. Sarah Wooten explores the fascinating science behind it. Whether it's an indicator of intelligence ›
Like to Bury Bones?
Have you ever wondered why dogs hide bones, toys and other items? Hint: It has something to do with their wild ancestors. Our veterinary behaviorist explains ›
Sniff Only Certain People?
Does your canine ever seem particularly interested in one person's scent but will ignore others? Here's what's happening. Whether it's true that they can smell fear ›
Look Guilty?
If you swear that your canine acts guilty when he's been bad, the results of two studies will definitely surprise you. Mikkel Becker's advice on your reaction ›
Not Get Frozen Paws?
Have you ever wondered why your pup can walk "barefoot" on ice and snow? A vet reveals the science behind it. When he should wear booties ›
Dig in the Trash Can?
Dr. Wailani Sung explains why your dog goes through garbage — and what you can do to prevent the behavior. Why his ancestors might be to blame ›
Try to Run Away?
Experts think pups bolt out the door because they want to explore the outside world or need more stimulation at home. How to get him to come back ›
Drop to the Ground When He Sees Other Dogs?
It doesn't look like it, but when your dog drops to the ground upon seeing another canine, it's actually a positive signal. When problems can arise ›
Automatically Like Some Dogs and Hate Others?
Ever wonder how your pup chooses her neighborhood pals? Or how about the dogs she seems to instantly dislike? Cues that we humans don't even notice ›
Make a Beeline for Cat Food?
Experts think that dogs make a beeline for feline food because it has a higher protein content than canine kibble. Find out if it's safe for pups to eat ›
Go to People Who Don't Like Pets?
In many cases, people who are not comfortable around dogs mistakenly think that the canine is singling them out. Why indifference can be attractive to pups ›
Cock Her Head?
Experts believe your pup tilts her head when she hears something that could possibly be important to her, like "walk." More reasons she does this ›
Years ago, hunting dogs were bred to "freeze" and point their snouts to alert hunters to the presence of prey. Tips for teaching your pup this behavior ›
Twitch While Sleeping?
Animal experts theorize that while pups are snoozing, they act on their dreams by moving as if they were chasing a rabbit. Why you shouldn't wake him up ›
Lick Other Dogs' Muzzles?
A pup who licks another dog's muzzle may be displaying canine hierarchy, or it could be the equivalent of social kissing. How you should respond to the behavior ›
Steal Objects?
Canine kleptomaniacs snatch stuff like shoes and food for many reasons — sometimes just to get you to chase them. The best way you can respond ›
Like to Have His Belly Rubbed?
There isn't much that's cuter than a canine who rolls onto his back to request a good tummy scratch. Cues that you shouldn't touch him ›
Shred Paper?
Whether it's toilet paper or your son's homework, some canines tear things up as an outlet for their energy or stress. Breeds most likely to be shredders ›
Certain breeds, plus dogs who haven't been neutered or spayed, may wander the streets seeking excitement or mates. How walks and attention discourage this ›
If your canine plops down with his front legs extended and his rear end up in the air, it's a sign that he wants to play. Why social hierarchy isn't a factor ›
Bury Objects?
Your pup likely stashes his favorite toys and treats because his ancestors buried surplus food to hide it from scavengers. How to prevent this behavior ›
Thrash His Toys?
The action of grabbing and shaking playthings from side to side harks back to your pup's instinctual predator drive. What it has to do with killing prey ›
Roll Onto Her Back When She's Scared?
Your pup flops onto his back when he feels fearful or threatened to show deference to other "alpha" dogs. When the behavior may signal a problem ›
Curl Up in a Ball When He Sleeps?
Humans like to stretch out when they snooze, but instinct and temperature cause canines to tuck into a ball. What it means if he's sprawled out ›
Eat His Food Away From His Bowl?
Some canines take kibble from their dish and munch on it in another spot to avoid having an altercation with other pups. How to curb this curious behavior ›
Guard His Food Bowl?
If your canine bears his teeth when you get too close to him during feeding time, it's likely the result of past experiences. How to curb the behavior ›
Pick Fights With Pups Twice His Size?
Little breeds tend to be scared of larger canines, which can cause them to overreact and become aggressive. How proper socialization can help ›
Lick and Chew His Feet?
Dr. Patty Khuly says canines chew on their paws for many reasons, such as boredom, skin allergies and injuries. When to consult your veterinarian ›
Drool So Much?
All dogs salivate to cool down, but pups with big or open lips, like Bloodhounds and Boxers, fling more drool than others. When it could signal a heat emergency ›
Pass So Much Gas?
Dr. Patty Khuly says flatulence could be a sign that your canine has a dietary intolerance to certain foods. When it's time to see the veterinarian ›
Like to Lick My Other Dog's Ear Cavity?
If your pup has a tendency to lick another pet's inner ears, it could be a sign of a compulsive disorder. How to halt this habit ›
Stare at Me?
Dr. Patty Khuly says your dog gazes expectantly into your eyes because he probably wants something from you. More reasons he can't stop looking at you ›
Have a Wet Nose?
Our expert explains why your canine's nose is moist when it's hot outside or when you cook bacon for breakfast. When it's time to see the veterinarian ›
Still Try to Hump Things?
Mounting or humping can be driven by testosterone in a dog's bloodstream, but it isn't always a sexual action. How to discourage this behavior ›
Do a Poop Dance?
Experts think your pup spins and hops before he does his business to help get the digestive tract moving. Other reasons for this behavior ›
Eat Grass?
Your pup might be sampling the lawn, says Dr. Patty Khuly, because he thinks it's fun or to soothe an upset stomach. When you should worry ›
Smell When He's Wet?
Many dogs, especially those who aren't bathed on a regular basis, emit a foul scent when their fur becomes damp. Medical conditions that could be to blame ›
Vomit Yellow Foam?
Dr. Mary Fuller teaches you what to watch for, including a yellow color, when your canine gets sick. When you should call your veterinarian ›
Snap at the Air?
Dogs bite at the air for many reasons, including aggression, simple play or a serious neurological problem. When to consult your veterinarian ›
Crawl Under the Covers?
Experts think your blanket-loving pup might want some added warmth or to snuggle with his favorite human. Breeds who love sharing the sheets ›
Walk in a Circle Before Lying Down?
Experts think this behavior originated from canine ancestors who had to stamp down grass to sleep comfortably. When circling could be cause for concern ›
Roll in Poop?
As gross as at sounds, there are biological reasons your canine basks in the fragrance of Eau de No. 2. How it helps him ward off predators ›
Sniff at the Ground Before He Poops?
There's an instinctual reason why your picky pup has to sniff out the perfect place to do his business. The messages sent by scent marking ›
Push Around His Bowl?
Though bowl play is usually a harmless habit, strange food-related behaviors could indicate a medical problem. Why it helps to film your dog in the act ›
Whine So Much?
Puppies quickly learn that whining is rewarded with attention from their moms and continue this behavior into adulthood. Why Does My Dog... Whine So Much? ›
Like to Stick His Head Out the Car Window?
Your pup looks so happy when he sticks his head out of the car because he gets to enjoy the outdoor scenery and smells. The dangers of letting him do this ›
Refuse to Go Out When It's Raining?
Most humans don't like getting pelted by rain, so can you blame your pup for not wanting to get his paws wet? Tips for reducing storm anxiety ›
Drink From Weird Places?
Our expert explains why canines slurp from ponds and toilets, and how to tell if your dog is drinking too much. Hazardous outdoor water sources ›
Pee When Someone Is at the Door?
Welcoming guests with a puddle of pee is most likely a canine's expression of submission or excitement. Why punishment isn't the answer ›
Shake His Head All the Time?
If you're constantly hearing the jingling of your pup's ID tags, then it's likely that his ears are bothering him. Three possible causes ›
Always Seem Hungry?
It can be hard to tell if your begging pup is truly hungry or if he's just pushing the right buttons for an unnecessary snack. Diseases that cause outsized appetites ›
Lick and Chew His Feet?
Paw licking might seem like a common behavior, but allergies, ticks or tumors could be the cause. When to consult your vet ›
Attack People's Ankles?
A reader wonders about her dog's strange habit of lunging at people's heels when they pass him on the street. Why anxiety might be to blame ›
Refuse to Eat Her Food?
As hard as it is to believe, some pups turn their noses up at kibble because they just don't find it that interesting. Find out if you should worry ›
More on Why Does My Dog...
- Why Does My Dog... Hate Having His Paws Touched?
- Why Does My Dog... Lick His Wounds?
- Why Does My Dog... Dig in Her Water Bowl?
- Why Does My Dog... Howl?
- Why Does My Dog... Chase His Tail?
- Why Does My Dog... Follow Me?
- Why Does My Dog... Pass So Much Gas?
- Why Does My Dog... Shake and Tremble?
- Why Does My Dog... Smell So Bad?
- Why Does My Dog... Scoot His Butt Along the Floor?
- Why Does My Dog... Sniff Me So Much?
- Why Does My Dog... Jump on People?
- Why Does My Dog... Cry?
- Why Does My Dog... Drink So Much?
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Monday, January 26, 2009
Border Boom Times at Ft. Hancock
1 comment:
Weekends to peopleig2tmean that they can have a two-day wowgold4europe good rest. For example, people gameusdcan go out to enjoy themselves or get meinwowgoldtogether with relatives and friends to talk with each storeingameother or watch interesting video tapes with the speebiewhole family.
Everyone spends agamegoldweekends in his ownmmoflyway. Within two days,some people can relax themselves by listening to music, reading novels,or watchingogeworld films. Others perhaps are more active by playing basketball,wimming ormmorpgvipdancing. Different people have different gamesavorrelaxations.
I often spend weekends withoggsalemy family or my friends. Sometimes my parents take me on a visit to their old friends. Sometimesgamersell I go to the library to study or borrow some books tommovirtexgain much knowledge. I also go to see various exhibition to broadenrpg tradermy vision. An excursion to seashore or mountain resorts is my favorite way of spending weekends. Weekends are always enjoyable for me.
- April 20, 2009 at 9:17 AM

subset: commoncrawl


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Lori was very helpful in helping me find my dream home at a time when the housing market for buyers was nearly impossible. Her knowledge and experience in the housing market made us win the bid on my home. She is great realtor that puts her clients first.
ruffus75 http://www.zillow.com/profile/Gregg-Neuman/Reviews/?review=3931606 February 4, 2018


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Uh, compared to what?
When Muhammad and his Companions succeeded in their military conquest of what is today Saudi Arabia, they commanded that the practice of all non-Muslim religions would be henceforth forbidden. Polytheistists, Christians, Jews and anyone else who refused to convert had to leave or be killed. This policy has been continuously in place in the land of Islam's foundation ever since, by the express order of the founder of that religion. To this day, by law all citizens of Saudi Arabia must be Muslim. [See, for example, Tolerance and Coercion in Islam by Israeli scholar Yohanan Friedman, especially chapter 3.]
Prior to the Islamization of Arabia it had been a place where Pagan polytheists lived side by side with Jews and Christians. Here, religion was debated freely, and individuals were free to make their own religious choices, and free to change their minds. It was precisely this freedom that gave Muhammad and his Companions the opportunity to spread their new ideas.
Centuries earlier Christians had gained political power in the Roman world in the early 4th century AD with the ascension of Constantine to the throne. Immediately, they sought to impose their religion by force on the entire population of the Roman Empire, which at the time may have comprised as much as 1/4 the human race. Respected historians have described the violent intolerance of the early Christians in the harshest possible terms, such as the following:
[T]he determination of the Christian leadership to extirpate all religious alternatives [was] expressed in the silencing of pagan sources and, beyond that, in the suppression of pagan acts and practices, with increasing harshness and machinery of enforcement.Edward Gibbon, in his The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, famously attributed the success of Christianity first and foremost to "the inflexible, and if we may use the expression, the intolerant zeal of the Christians." But Gibbon, and the same is true of Bury and Macmullen as well, emphasized not only the intolerance of the Christians, but the tolerance of the Pagans whose religions the Christians sought to (and largely succeeded in the attempt to) extirpate.
[Ramsay MacMullen, Christianity and Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries]
Persecution was an unavoidable consequence of Constantine's act in adopting Christianity. Two of the chief points in which this faith differed from the Roman State religion were its exclusiveness and the vital importance which it assigned to dogma. The first logically led to intolerance of pagan religions, the second to intolerance of heresies, and these consequences could not be averted when Christianity became the religion of the State.
[J.B. Bury, History of the Later Roman Empire]
Gibbon explicitly contrasted the "intolerant zeal" ushered in by the triumph of Christianity, with the prevailing "religious harmony of the ancient world" that preceded it. This "harmony" often exceeded mere toleration, in fact, so that "even the most different and even hostile nations embraced, or at least respected" each other's religious traditions. J.B. Bury puts it like this: "The purpose of the official cults in the pagan State was to secure the protection of the deities; these were liberal and tolerant lords who raised no objection to other forms of worship; and toleration was therefore a principle of the State."
Ramsay MacMullen, in his Paganism in the Roman Empire speaks of the "accommodation, fraternal welcome, courteous referral, or punctilious deference" that was shown by Pagans to each other (that is, to Pagans of widely different cultures and nations, often worshipping very different Gods in very different ways). MacMullen points out that this terrestrial good behavior was a reflection of what ancient Pagans assumed was a similar harmony in the Heavens: "until Christianity introduced its own ideas. Only then, from Constantine on, were Gods to be found at war with other Gods." [p. 93]
Michael Jerryson: From Clueless Dupe to Self-Righteous Debunker
I apologize for the above brief history lesson. The problem is that many highly educated people are either completely unaware of the historical record when it comes to the violent intolerance of Christianity and Islam, or they feign such ignorance when they find it convenient to do so. A case in point is Michael Jerryson, co-editor of a recent scholarly anthology on Buddhist Warfare.
Until quite recently (2006 or thereabouts) Jerryson apparently had been suffering under the delusion that Buddhism is an otherworldly religion whose hundreds of millions of adherents were all committed pacifists. The surprising thing (not really, though, if you have ever met many western "Buddhist scholars") was that Jerryson had acquired this ridiculous conception of Buddhism while supposedly "studying" the religion as a graduate student!
Jerryson's eyes were opened, though, in 2006 when he traveled to a region of Thailand where a series of deadly attacks against Buddhists by Muslim terrorists had recently taken place. Jerryson had been excited when he heard of these attacks because he was sure that this would provide a wonderful demonstration of the miraculous powers of Buddhist "peacemaking" against those nasty Jihadis. However, when Jerryson arrived on the scene he was mortified to find Buddhists actually -- horrors -- defending themselves!!
As soon as he recovered from the deep swoon that must have resulted from the initial, terrible shock, Jerryson immediately knew what had to be done. The world had to be told the truth: Buddhim has a dark side!! Jerryson simply could not stand the thought that there might be others who did not know the terrible, hidden secret that he had just discovered first hand: that Buddhism is not a pacifist religion after all.
Jerryson himself tells this story, with a straight face, in a literally self-promoting entry by him at the religiondispatches.org website (dated January 12, 2010), pushing his book. The article breathlessly claims that whereas previously "some of the great interpreters" of Buddhism have engaged in an outrageous fraud by promulgating "the notion of a purely mystical and otherworldly Buddhism", Jerryson will now reveal the sordid "history of Buddhist violence and warfare." He does this, naturally, not to bury Buddhism, but to "humanize" it.
Jerryson claims that he was the unsuspecting victim of "a very successful form of propaganda" being propagated by Walpola Rahula, the Dalai Lama and D.T. Suzuki. I will get back to those three great Buddhist teachers in a moment, but first I want to point out that Jerryson's stupidity and lack of intellectual curiosity are obviously no one's fault other than his own. Even worse, all he has done is trade in one fairy tail, that Buddhism is a purely pacifist religion, for another one: that Buddhism is just as violent and intolerant as Christianity and Islam.
Jerryson claims that there was a "Buddhist propaganda" campaign throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, to convince people of the terrible lie that Buddhism is a "religion of peace". The star witnesses that Jerryson calls are all certainly well-credentialed. But have they ever said what Jerryson claims they have said?
Walpola Rahula (1907-1997) wrote the following in his most famous book What the Buddha Taught:
This spirit of tolerance and understanding has been from the beginning one of the most cherished ideals of Buddhist culture and civilization. That is why there is not a single example of persecution or the shedding of a drop of blood in converting people to Buddhism, or in its propagation during its long history of 2500 years. It spread peacefully all over the continent of Asia, having more than 500 million adherents today. Violence in any form, under any pretext whatsoever, is absolutely against the teachings of the Buddha.The above quote might at first appear to lend some credence to Jerryson's claim, but that would only be true if critical reading skills are no longer being taught (or, better yet, required for admission) in graduate schools, or at least at UC Santa Barbara. The first and last sentences in the above paragraph are statements of opinion, whereas the middle two sentences are statements of historical fact.
[What the Buddha Taught, p. 5]
Moreover, the first three sentences in that paragraph are all very specifically concerned with "tolerance", "understanding", "persecution" and most specifically with the lack of any reliance on violence in the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia. The last sentence, by contrast, makes a sweeping statement about Buddhism's view of all violence whatsoever. It is certainly a leap to go from (1) the claim that Buddhists preach and practice tolerance and understanding and do not engage in violence in the name of religion, to (2) the claim that "Violence in any form, under any pretext whatsoever, is absolutely against the teachings of the Buddha."
Any critical reader will note that the examples given by Rahula in the first three sentences do not prove the sweeping claim of the final sentence. It should also be apparent that even if the final sweeping claim were proven false, that would not amount to disproof of the far more limited claims of the first three sentences.
In fact, taken by itself, this one paragraph is not sufficient to tell us what Rahula's position on "violence" is. There are other places where he reiterates his conflation of Buddhism with pacifism, as when he states that "It is too well known to be repeated here that Buddhism advocates and preaches non-violence and peace as its universal message, and does not approve of any kind of violence or destruction of life. According to Buddhism there is nothing that can be called a 'just war'."
But Rahula also makes frequent, and always approving, mention of "the great Buddhist Emperor Asoka of India" who set a "noble example of tolerance and understanding." In fact that is taken from just a half page or so prior to the four sentence paragraph quoted above. Rahula explicitly states than an absolute commitment to "non-violence, peace and love" did not interfere with Asoka's ability to "administer ... a vast empire in both internal and external affairs."
There is no evidence, nor has anyone, including Rahula, ever claimed, that Asoka disbanded his armies altogether, or in any other way renounced the basic right of national self-defense. Rather, Asoka renounced conquest, which is a very different thing!
Over 12 years ago Matthew Kosuta produced a thorough study of "The Military in the Pali Canon", in which he documented that while there is a "pacifist ethic" in Theravada Buddhism (of which Walpola Rahula is a modern representative), this "ethic" has always "coexisted" with "a strong military tradition ... side by side with the Buddhist ideal."
Kosuta's conclusion is that the Pali Canon (which is as close as one can get to the "original" teachings of the historical Buddha) "recognizes that, in a mundane perspective, the military is ever present, of high prestige, and even necessary in some circumstances for the protection of Buddhism." Kosuta tries to have it both ways by also claiming that "ultimately ... the military is not conducive to Buddhist ethics." But the facts Kosuta presents speak clearly: there was nothing new, or in any way "propagandistic", about Walpola Rahula's statements concerning non-violence. Whatever contraditions there might be in Rahula's position on violence have always been intrinsic to Buddhism's relationship to the "real world"!
What of the Dalai Lama? The message of non-violence that he has promoted is different from that of Walpola Rahula in two important ways: (1) His Holiness does explicitly renounce Tibet's right to military self-defense, and (2) this aspect of the Dalai Lama's message of non-violence is at variance with historical precedent in Tibetan Buddhism. But, nevertheless, the Dalai Lama's statements on non-violence do not support Jerryson's bizarre claim of propagandistic deception.
The Dalai Lama has not sought to mislead people about the historical position of Tibetan Buddhism with respect to self-defense. In fact, much of the Dalai Lama's argument concerning non-violence has always been directed precisely at his fellow Tibetans, many of whom believe that Tibet should fight against the Chinese just as Tibetans have always fought against foreign threats in the past. One of the most prominent critics of the Dalai Lama's pacifism was his own older brother, Taktser Rinpoche, who participated in military resistance to the Chinese occupation of Tibet in the 1950's and 60's.
Anyone with any real interest in Tibetan Buddhism will quickly learn that Tibet, which has been a Buddhist country for over a thousand years, has never been a pacifist nation. Tibet is far more accurately described as a warrior nation, and this did not change all that much when it became a Buddhist nation. That is not necessarily something that Tibetan Buddhists brag about, but it is the historical reality. But rather than bothering to study the history of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, it appears that the sum total of Jerryson's knowledge of the subject is simply what he has gleaned from the "santaclausified" version of the Dalai Lama in the mainstream media, which merely demonstrates Jerryson's own incuriousness.
Finally, the Dalai Lama himself has at times conceded that even his pacifism is not absolute. In particular, on the question of terrorism His Holiness has on multiple occasions since the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks, indicated that a purely non-violent approach is not sufficient to respond to and protect against terrorism.
So once again there is no basis for Jerryson's claim to have been duped by the Dalai Lama, any more than he was tricked by Walpola Rahula. But what about D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966)? This is surely the weakest of Jerryson's "witnesses". Anyone at all familiar with Suzuki's writings knows that he was an ardent admirer and proponent of "Samurai" style Zen, of the Rinzai school variety. Only a moron could possibly make the claim the D.T. Suzuki engaged in "Buddhist propaganda" to convince the world that Buddhism is pacifistic. In fact, only an abject fool could for a moment believe that modern Japanese Zen is in any way pacifistic.
Of course there were a great many abject fools studying Japanese Zen during the 60' and 70's. Many of them are today among the most well known Zen teachers in the West. It is one of the great mysteries of the 20th century how it came to be that apparently none of these Zen students ever bothered to ask, "What did you do during the war, Roshi?" But whether or not they did ask such questions, and regardless of the answers given if they did, it was an open secret that if there had been any Japanese Zen Masters who openly opposed their government during the period of Empire and War they did not live long, certainly not long enough to travel to California after the war.
Here is what D.T. Suzuki wrote under the heading "Zen and the Samurai", which is the title of Chapter IV of his Zen and Japanese Culture:
It may be considered strange that Zen has in any way been affiliated with the spirit of the military classes of Japan. Whatever form Buddhism takes in the various countries where it flourishes, it is a religion of compassion, and in its varied history it has never been found engaged in warlike activities. How is it, then, that Zen has come to activate the fighting spirit of the Japanese warrior?Much more could be said. But this is already much more than enough time and effort wasted on such foolishness.
In Japan, Zen was intimately related from the beginning to the life of the samurai. Although it has never actively incited them to carry on their violent profession, it has passively sustained them when they have for whatever reason once entered onto it. Zen has sustained them in two ways, morally and philosophically. Morally, because Zen is a religion which teaches us not to look backward once the course is decided upon; philosophically, because it treats life and death indifferently. This not turning backward ultimately comes from teh philosophical conviction; but, being a religion of the will, Zen appeals to the samurai spirit morally rather than philosophically. From the philosophical point of view, Zen upholds intuition against intellection, for intuition is the more direct way of reaching the Truth. Therefore, morally and philosophically, there is in Zen a great deal of attraction for the military classes.


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Ted Barraclough's | birds
Ted Barraclough has carved and whittled for as long as he can remember however it was in retirement that Barraclough began carving and painting this series of native Australian birds.
In his essay for this book Glenn Barkley (curator Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney) writes: "I feel that although there may be those artists whose feather counts might be more correct, and whose realism is more exact, this has little to do with what 'art' might be. And the lack of emphasis on craft runs counter to a hyper over-skilling and this is what makes Barraclough's birds so good ... Ted Barraclough is a modern day Gepetto, bringing the timber to life as if only he can hear a sound within it and find its natural form".
This 440 page hardcover book contains 253 beautiful full colour photographs of Barraclough's birds capturing the passionate skill of the artist and the imbued personality of his creations.
Glenn Barkley (curator Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney)


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September 18, 2015
Julia R. Greer, Professor of Materials Science and Mechanics, and colleagues including graduate student David Chen have shown that metallic glasses has an atomic-level structure although it differs from the periodic lattices that characterize crystalline metals. "Our group has solved this paradox by showing that atoms are only arranged fractally up to a certain scale," Greer says. "Larger than that scale, clusters of atoms are packed randomly and tightly, making a fully dense material, just like a regular metal. So we can have something that is both fractal and fully dense." [Caltech story]
Tags: APhMS research highlights MedE MCE Julia Greer David Chen


text: Remember what we told you a few weeks ago about getting some free Pre? Starting today, May 31st and running through June 6th, Reward Zone members can enter to win one of ten Palm Pre handsets with six months of free Sprint service from Best Buy Mobile. Get out your lucky horseshoe, clutch your rabbit's foot or pick a four leaf clover before logging into your reward zone membership page. Good luck!


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Spring break means sunshine, beaches, and tropical beverages. Especially after Coldest Winter Ever, trips to warmer climes seem mandatory. But our family had other plans. We would visit my husband's parents in a small town 200+ miles north of where we live.
While this vacation locale won't bring us any beach days, it does offer opportunity for rest and relaxation. With grandparents on-site to mind the kids, I can sleep in, work out, and tackle projects that haven't been moving forward back home. One project in particular–remember Marshmallow Madness?–kept me busy today.
Since that last January marshmallow post, I've been drawing up outlines, testing recipes, dreaming up marshmallow flavors and uses (popcorn balls, anyone?), and researching what's already out there in hopes of advancing my own spin on DIY 'mallows.
To that end, I bought bottles of sweet red wine and sherry, intending to try these wines in marshmallows. Weeks went by, the bottles collecting dust on the shelf (save the sherry, which I enjoy sipping come evening) and I wondered when my schedule would allow me a few hours in the kitchen to try these new marshmallow flavors.
Knowing I'd have plenty of time at my in-laws, I packed it all up and set out to turn my mother-in-law's kitchen into a marshmallow test kitchen.
And how. After making three different kinds of marshmallows–sherry, sweet red wine, and root beer–I can say without reservation that there IS such a thing as marshmallow overload. Tasting along the way, many spoonfuls of sugary fluff were consumed. Add to that the many marshmallows "tested" after project completion, and I write this in the throes of a sugar coma. That said, here's a review.
The sherry and red wine flavors were riffs on Alton Brown's recipe, subbing alcohol for part of the water (1/2 cup for the sherry and 2/3 cup for the red wine). Red wine won for appearance as it started out deep purple, then faded to light pinkish lavender after whipping. Sherry won flavor, if only because I prefer sherry over red wine.
Wanting to make a 'mallow for the kids, I turned to Marshmallow Madness (Shauna Sever beat me to this book title!) for its Root Beer Float marshmallow. Sever's recipes had different proportions of corn syrup, sugar, and liquid compared to other recipes I've tried, though she knows what she's doing as her marshmallows were fluffiest and the "batter" easiest to work with. I'll be turning to Sever's book again.
I wasn't overly crazy about any of these flavors, though that's more about my being sick of marshmallows than it is marshmallow quality. My best bet is to step back from marshmallow making, though I'll need to hit it again soon as I've signed on to teach a marshmallow class at a local cooking school. The madness must continue. I'll also be reporting back here, eventually offering up the root beer float marshmallow recipe as well*. Please stay tuned!
*Can't wait for the recipe? Let me know in comments or on deLizious facebook and I'll send it your way.


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Making History:
Penland Weaving Institutes, 1929-1938
Craft instruction at Penland, known initially as the Penland Weaving Institute, was conducted under the auspices of the Penland Weavers and Potters. The summer workshops grew out of Lucy Morgan's desire to provide advanced training for the women working in the home-based weaving industry she had established in 1923. Under the leadership and guidance of Morgan and weaving instructor, Edward F. Worst, the program grew from a few days of weaving demonstrations in 1928 to six weeks of craft instruction offered during the summer of 1938.
While learning to weave at Berea College in 1923, Lucy Morgan had become familiar with the work and writing of Edward F. Worst, a noted Chicago public school educator, weaver, and author of the authoritative book, Foot Power Loom Weaving (1918). Morgan enlisted the aid of Worst as she sought advanced training for the women working in the Fireside Industries (later known as the Penland Weavers and Potters), the community craft cooperative she had established upon her return from Berea. During the summer of 1928, Worst visited Penland and spent a few days instructing the community weavers in advanced techniques. The following winter Morgan spent nine weeks in Chicago honing her weaving skills under Worst's tutelage with the intent of sharing this newly acquired knowledge with the Penland weavers.
At Morgan's invitation, Edward Worst returned to western North Carolina to give a week's instruction in weaving. Word spread that he would be teaching a summer course and people outside the Penland community began to inquire if they also might attend. Lucy Morgan later declared the summer of 1929 as the founding of Penland School of Handicrafts because both the local weavers and seven students from outside the community gathered together at Penland to receive instruction under Edward Worst. Worst taught weaving every summer, many times without remuneration, until his death in 1949.
The primary intent of the institutes was to provide the Penland weavers and neighbors with instruction in traditional crafts. However, Lucy Morgan soon realized that these workshops had become a nexus for a craft community that would extend well beyond the Penland mountain top. Bonnie Willis Ford described this phenomenon in an article printed in the January 1936 issue of The Weaver.
One of the most gratifying things connected with all the six Institutes has been the fact that there have been gathered during these years, from the four corners of the continent, people who, by their very presence, enthusiasm, and good sportsmanship have created such a spirit of good fellowship on the Penland hill top as to be felt long after they returned to their widely-separated places of abode and work.
The early weaving institutes met first in Morgan Hall, a residency and dining hall for the Appalachian Industrial School, and later in Ridgeway Hall, a two-story classroom and dormitory for the Episcopal mission school. The Appalachian Industrial School served as the umbrella institution under which Morgan organized her community weaving program. Looms were set up on Ridgeway's large front porch. Mixed in with the clacking of shuttles and treadles was the thunderous noise of children roller skating on the upper porch. The competing sounds of the skates and the need for additional room for the expanding summer institutes led to the construction of the Edward F. Worst Craft House in 1935.
Craft House was named in honor of Edward Worst who played an important role in the early development and expansion of the craft school. His national reputation drew many new students to the remote Penland community and his skill as an instructor in weaving, design and bookbinding kept many of them registering for successive institutes. Through Worst's influence classes in other media, such as basketry and pottery, were added to the curriculum. Edward Worst's commitment to the work at Penland was as strong as his energy was indefatigable. Paul Bernat, founding editor of The Handicrafter magazine, was a frequent guest at the early institutes. After attending the 1931 institute, Bernat noted that:
It seemed as if Mr. Worst was devoting all his hours to weaving, depriving himself of all relaxation in the desire to attack one more point in this complex subject. The mass of detail that he attacked was bewildering; there were excursions into draft writing; earnest coping with the intricacies of double weaving; a resume of eight-harness weaving, round-table discussions on texture, design, color harmony, and the trends in weaving. Throughout the Institute Mr. Worst maintained a tireless pace, commencing early in the morning, often only desisting at night when the fingers of sleep closed in.
Worst felt strongly that classes should be open to students of all skill levels – a practice that continues today at Penland School of Crafts. Another enduring philosophy established during the initial institutes and extending to the present time was the informal structure of the classes. Paul Bernat, again reporting on the 1931 institute, observed that:
No hidebound restrictions were laid down for the routine conduct of the Institute, and its sessions did not run along greased rollers; but in the element of haphazardness much was gained. In the arts it is time we learned that efficiency is not necessarily conducive to beauty, and that following through processes faithfully in no measure adds to the artistry. The weavers attending, all of whom had a working knowledge of the craft, gained much more through these dartings in their field than a systematized course could have given.
In the beginning summer institutes were one week long; but, in 1933 classes were expanded to two weeks and by 1938 there were two summer sessions of three weeks each. Early weaving institutes included instruction in simple bookbinding and demonstrations in making pottery and pewter ware. In 1932 classes in basketry, leather-tooling, and ceramics were offered. Edward Worst's son, Louis, a craft teacher in the Chicago public schools, taught the basketry classes. Howard C. Ford, assistant professor of art at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College taught pottery with the assistance of Rissie Tipton of Penland. Tuition that summer was $10 per person; room and board was set at $2.50 per day.
Each new institute built upon previous ones with the introduction of new crafts and additional instructors. The interest in the weaving classes was so great that Rupert Peters, a 1935 Institute student, was asked to return the following year as Worst's assistant. Clyde Miller's jewelry making classes, first offered in 1935, soon outpaced all other crafts, except weaving, in popularity.
Institute faculty included members of the Penland community who brought craft skills learned from family members or through Lucy Morgan's community craft program. Local craft instructors included, among others; Emma Conley who taught dyeing with native plants; flax spinner Harriet Conley; local weavers Beatrice Green, Georgia Morgan, Ellen Fortner, and Mary Grindstaff; John Morgan who taught basketry; potter Rufus Wyatt; and Arthur Woody and his daughter, Decie, who taught chair seat weaving.
During the 1930s, vocational and occupational therapists, home extension agents, handicraft teachers, and a scattering of professional weavers joined the community weavers as institute students. Those coming to Penland from outside the community primarily were learning new craft skills and honing existing ones that they would take home and apply in their professional work with others. The 1935 institute students included individuals representing four American Indian schools – Sequoyah School, Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Indian School, Concho, Oklahoma; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota; and Cherokee Indian Reservation School, Cherokee, North Carolina.
Weaving Institutes also included students and guests representing private and government craft programs. In addition to 40 Penland weavers, others attending the 1931 Institute included Clementine Douglas of the Spinning Wheel in Asheville, North Carolina; Mrs. N. W. Johnson, director of weaving at Crossnore School, Crossnore, North Carolina; LaDelle Allen, manager of the Craft Shop at the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Anna Lalor Burdick, Federal Director for Vocational Education for Girls and Women, Washington, DC; and, George W. Coggin, State Director for Vocational Education, Raleigh, North Carolina.
It was not unusual for students to give demonstrations or instruction in their individual craft specialties. Naida Ackley and Kathleen Campbell, occupational therapists from Marion, Virginia taught leather tooling during the 1932 and 1933 Institutes. Home Marketing Specialist Isadora Williams taught card board weaving during the 1935 Institute and during the 1936 Institute Reba Adams, a Home Industries Specialist from Athens, Georgia, taught the group how to make whisk brooms out of long leaf pine needles. Fellow institute students Anne L. Fisher and Frances Goode from Palmer Lake, Colorado gave demonstrations in the spinning, weaving and knitting of Angora rabbit wool.
In addition to craft instruction and demonstrations, students participated in field trips to Roan Mountain and to the various gem mines in the area. Evenings were spent around the fireplace listening to stories or viewing lantern slides illustrating the history of Penland and its neighbors. The slides were taken by Bayard Wootten, a noted photographer and cousin of Lucy Morgan. Sometimes students and instructors would visit Penland neighbors like Doc Hoppas, known for his mountain tales. Hoppas and his family were accomplished musicians who often entertained weaving institute participants with old mountain ballads and dance music.
During the 1935 Institute, extracurricular activities included presentations and exhibitions of work by visiting tapestry artist Joy Kime Benton, from Hendersonville, North Carolina and Wilma Stone Viner, tapestry weaver and dyer from Saluda, North Carolina. Burnley Weaver, wood and linoleum block printer from Biltmore, North Carolina demonstrated block printing and exhibited a number of his prints. Stuart Nye, also from the Biltmore community, exhibited his hand-made jewelry and on another evening Bessie Trimble and Angelique High White Man, from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota gave a program of Lakota songs and dances.
By 1936, the content of the summer program had become so diverse that the original name, Penland Weaving Institute, was discarded in favor of a new name – Penland School of Handicrafts. After Penland School of Handicrafts was incorporated in 1938, the institutes began to be known simply as the summer sessions and were no longer under the auspices of the Penland Weavers and Potters. Legal ties to the Appalachian School were severed and the Penland Weavers and Potters began operating as a department of the newly incorporated craft school. By then the course of instruction had expanded to include weaving, pottery, jewelry making, metal-crafts, shoe making, color and design, puppetry, corn shuck crafts, flax and wool spinning, vegetable dyeing, chair seating, lapidary, knots and braids, and American Indian pottery and bead work.
Weaving Institute participants traveled from all over the country to attend classes at Penland and by the 1940s and 1950s there were students and instructors from around the world, as well. In her history of the Penland Weavers, Bonnie Willis Ford wrote that the "effect of the Institute on the work at Penland and on the community has been tremendous. It has literally converted a little mountain community into a veritable mecca for crafts loving people."
In an article for The Handicrafter magazine, Lucy Morgan reflected upon the 1934 Weaving Institute, expressing sentiments that would typify for many the Penland experience for decades to come.
As one grateful member of Mr. Edward F. Worst's institute conducted each year at Penland, I would like to share with those who could not be with us some of the things taught in last summer's classes. Twenty-two looms were threaded with as many interesting weaves, requiring from two to ten harness shafts, and some of them were threaded two and three times during the two weeks. New weavers, weavers with little experience, and veteran weavers who came for new vision and new enthusiasms, sat at looms on the long porch and played, not on a harp of a thousand strings, but on looms with a thousand charms, and made music in the souls of the creators of beauty.
- Michelle A. Francis, 2008
See More: About the Penland School of Crafts
- Ames, Marjorie B., Editor. "Looking at the Crafts." The Handicrafter II, no.5 (July-August 1930): 34-36.
- Ames, Marjorie B., Editor. "Looking at the Crafts." The Handicrafter III, no.1 (November-December 1930): 41-45.
- [Bernat, Paul]. "The 1931 Weaving Institute at Penland." The Handicrafter III, no. 7 (November-December 1931): 36-37 https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/periodicals/hc_3_7.pdf
- Ford, Bonnie Willis. "Learning From a Great Teacher." Mountain Life and Work VII, no. III (October 1931): 22-23.
- Ford, Bonnie Willis. "Penland's Weaving Institute." The Weaver III, no. II (April 1938): 29-30. https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/periodicals/tw_3_2.pdf
- Ford, Bonnie Willis. "Sixth Annual Weaving Institute at Penland." The Weaver I, no.1 (January 1936): 19-22. https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/periodicals/tw_1_1.pdf
- Ford, Bonnie Willis. "The 1932 Weaving Institute at Penland." The Handicrafter III, no.7 (November/December 1931): 36-37. https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/periodicals/hc_3_7.pdf
- Ford, Bonnie Willis. The Story of the Penland Weavers. Penland, Penland School of
Handicrafts, Third Printing 1941.
- "From Institute to School." Mountain Life and Work XI, no.3 (October 1935): 29.
- Morgan, Lucy with LeGette Blythe. Gift from the Hills: Miss Lucy Morgan's Story of Her Unique Penland School. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1971.
- Morgan, Lucy. "Gleanings from the Penland Institute, Article I—Pillow Tops." Handicrafter VI, no. 1 (c.1935): 20-23. https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/articles/hc_6_1_2-6.pdf
- "Weaving Institute at Penland." Mountain Life and Work 9, no. 3 (October 1930): 31.
- Weaving Institute Files, 1930-1938. Jane Kessler Memorial Archives, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC.


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Costumed Spider-Man convicted of harassment in NYC
Associated Press
NEW YORK – A costumed Spider-Man has been convicted of harassing a woman in a Times Square spat. It involved him swearing, her hurling snow and him taking a swing at her.
The judge acquitted Phillip Williams on Wednesday of a more serious charge of attempted assault. It's a misdemeanor, while harassment is a non-criminal violation.
Williams has to pay a $250 fine or serve seven days in jail.
Williams and Victoria Goreaciuc both say he cursed while complaining that she didn't tip him for posing for a photograph with her children in February 2013.
She left but later returned, confronted him and tossed a handful of snow at him.
She says he then punched her in the face.
He says he swung in self-defense after a cold chunk hit his head.


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In the world of spa treatments, it all goes back to water and travel. After all, the word "spa" itself comes from Spa, Belgium, a popular watering spot back in the 1600s. In the centuries since, cultures all over the globe turned to natural, mineral-rich waters to treat a wide array of concerns, from the medical (sinus issues, muscle and joint pain) to cosmetic (skin clarity, psoriasis).
Slideshow: See the 12 enticing hot springs
The ancient Romans turned soaking into an art form -- and a part of daily life -- and as the Roman Empire grew, baths known as thermae were established wherever mineral springs were discovered. Over the years, many of these ancient hot spring towns grew into wellness resorts, particularly once European doctors started recommending "water cures" in the 18th century. With so many steamy spots to choose from in the world, we've narrowed our list down to natural hot, mineral, and geothermal springs in historic, picturesque locations, including two right here in the U.S. Here are some of the prettiest places to jump in and say "ahhh."
Banff Upper Hot Springs, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Surrounded by dramatic alpine views, these hot springs in western Canada were considered a sacred healing site by the area's native residents. In 1882, workers building the Canadian Pacific Railway happened upon two of the spring pools at the base of Sulphur Mountain -- and the news quickly spread. The first European visitors arrived in 1884, and two years later construction on a bathhouse begun. The Banff Upper Hot Springs bathhouse, completed in the mid-1930s, has been declared a protected Heritage Building.
The benefits: Located at 5,200 feet above sea level, Canada's highest natural springs are rich in such minerals as sodium, magnesium, bicarbonate, calcium and sulfate, which have skin healing and muscle-relaxing properties. Despite their long journey from deep underground, these waters are also the hottest in the Rocky Mountain range, clocking in at up to a muscle-warming 104 degrees.
How to soak: The Banff Upper Hot Springs complex -- which includes one large pool and a bathhouse -- is located about a mile and a half south of the town center, and is accessible by public Banff Roam Bus service; buses run every 40 minutes. The pool is fed by water directly from the spring source, which lies in a protected part of the National Park. (www.hotsprings.ca, $7.30 entrance fee.)
Ma'In Hot Springs, Jordan
Like those of their neighbor, the Dead Sea, the healing powers of these desert oasis springs are biblical: King Herod would travel here often for medical treatment and legend has it that Salome did her famous dance in his nearby villa. Since then, kings, queens and commoners of all types have come to enjoy the hot and cold springs, many of which tumble down from picturesque waterfalls.
The benefits: Known locally as Hammamat Ma'in, the springs originate from winter rainfalls in Jordan's highland plains. As the water makes its way through the Wadi Zarqa Ma'in valley, underground lava fissures help heat them (temps range from 104 to 145 degrees) and infuse them with skin-healing minerals such as hydrogen sulfide, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Stand under one of the hyperthermal waterfalls for a natural deep-tissue massage.
How to soak: The springs are located in a desert valley near the Dead Sea, about 866 feet below sea level; it's about a 20-minute drive from the town of Madaba and one hour from capital city Amman. The public bathing complex at Hammamat Ma'in includes Roman baths at the base of a waterfall (visitjordan.com; $14 entrance fee). The facility is popular with local families and can get crowded on weekends. For a more private experience, check-in to the Evason Ma'In Hot Springs resort next door, where guests enjoy after-hours entry to the main springs, as well as access to falls and pools located on the hotel grounds. (011-962-5-324-5500; sixsenses.com/Evason-Ma-In; from $207 per night.)
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Modern-day Mexico is home to hundreds of mineral spring sites, and it's said that the tradition of soaking in these balnearios can be traced far back as the Aztecs (16th-century emperor Montezuma was a fan). Today, some of the most popular, and prettiest, sites lay just outside San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. Though native peoples were surely making use of these thermal waters for centuries, it wasn't until the town's "re-discovery" by artists and Mexican movie stars in the 1950s that formal spas and baths were constructed.
The benefits: The area around San Miguel de Allende features thermal, alkaline, sulfur and freshwater springs, though the first two are most popular for bathing. Despite legends that these waters have "age-reversing" effects, most bathers come to relax under the heated falls and soak up the generally therapeutic natural minerals.
How to soak: There are several mineral springs along the road from San Miguel de Allende to Dolores Hidalgo that are open to the public for a fee. Escondido Place is a favorite and has five open-air thermal pools, three covered springs, and lush grounds perfect for picnics. escondidoplace.com; $7.50 entrance fee.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
A heating company formed the lagoon (which holds 1.5 million gallons of sea- and freshwater) to explore geothermal heating methods in the late 1970s. By 1981, people were bathing in the lagoon-and noticing marked improvements in skin conditions. The site became a popular tourist attraction, with official public facilities opening in 1987 and a full spa in 1999.
The benefits: With its volcanic rocks, electric-green moss and steaming waters, the area around the Blue Lagoon looks like something from another planet. Fans of the waters agree that the results are otherworldly. High amounts of silica help exfoliate skin, strengthen its barrier function and heal inflammation, while minerals from the seawater revitalize skin. Microorganisms found here also help reduce signs of UV damage and stimulate collagen production. Skin care products made with the therapeutic waters make great souvenirs.
How to soak: The facility, 40 minutes from the center of Reykjavik, includes steam baths, sauna, relaxation areas and lagoon pools. Enjoy the massaging waterfalls and lather on some pure geothermal silica mud (provided free of charge). In-water massages and other spa treatments are available for an additional fee. (bluelagoon.com; $39 entrance fee.)
Budapest, Hungary
Ancient Celtic settlers were the first to make use of the therapeutic waters (they named the area Ak-Ink, or "ample water"), followed by the Romans, who built the first official baths and re-dubbed the place Aquincum. Though the bathing culture continued through centuries of Hungarian and Turkish rule, the traditions floundered in the 18th century-until the re-discovery of some thermal springs in the 1800s. A scientific interest in the benefits led to the construction of some of the city's most famous bathhouses, some which remain today.
The benefits: The thermal waters are rich in a variety of minerals, including fluoride, calcium, hydro-carbonate, sodium, magnesium and sulphate. The combination has proved effective in treating chronic arthritis and other joint illnesses and orthopedic woes. The water from drinking wells is also high in similar minerals, and is good for treating gastric ulcers and various internal inflammations.
How to soak: There are enough mineral springs under the city of Budapest to feed more than 50 public baths and pools, numerous private spas and countless drinking fountains. We suggest the stunning Szechenyi Bath, which opened in 1913. The complex includes three large outdoor pools, heated to varying degrees, plus several pools with jets and waterfalls, saunas, and spots for aqua-aerobics and other therapies. (szechenyibath.com; entrance fee from $12.50.)
Bath, England
Archeological evidence suggests activity around these springs in southwest England as far back as 8000 B.C. Those water-crazy Romans constructed the first formal baths in the first century AD (visitors can tour the remains today) and the baths' popularity didn't wane in the centuries that followed. As Jane Austen fans know, the waters were popular throughout the 1700s and 1800s with travelers looking to "take the waters." In 2006, after more than a decade of renovations, the Thermae Bath Spa complex opened in some of the most historic bath sites.
The benefits: The three wellheads under the center of Bath are sourced by ancient rainwater that has made its way up through the region's limestone faults. The waters (which can be as warm as 117 degrees) contain more than 42 minerals, including sulphate, calcium, silica, iron and chloride. Doctors have sent patients here for centuries to treat rheumatism, psoriasis, gout and even infertility; injured WWII servicemen also came here for rehab. These days, most soakers seek relaxation and relief from skin issues.
How to soak: The Thermae Bath Complex is right in the center of Bath, about a 15-minute walk from the railway station. The main building houses the largest of the thermal baths, the New Royal Bath, has a whirlpool as well as a "lazy river," a heated rooftop pool, aromatherapy steam rooms and a full-service spa (thermaebathspa.com; entrance fees from $34). Across the street, the smaller (and very basic) thermal Cross Bath stands at the site where ancient Celts and Romans honored their respective goddesses (thermaebathspa.com; $21 for 90 minutes).
Arenal Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to six active volcanoes and 61 more that are dormant or extinct. Thanks to all this geothermal activity, the country also boasts several hot springs sites, most notably around the Arenal Volcano in the northwest. Technically still active (it's said to be "resting"), Arenal's heat and minerals infuse streams that flow through the marshes and grasslands at its base. Several hotels offer access to the springs, but the original-and the gold standard-is the Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, opened in 1993.
The benefits: Tabacón's hot springs are 97 percent rainwater that has sunk deep into the earth and been heated, and the remaining 3 percent is magma-based. As the mixture rises back to the surface, it brings with it minerals. The springs are naturally heated to a muscle-relaxing 77 to 122 degrees and the high levels of hydrothermal flora and fauna strengthen the skin's defense system and repair surface damage. Even better, the springs are low in sulfur. Meaning you won't stink after taking a dip.
How to soak: If staying at the luxury resort is not in the budget, buy a day pass to enjoy the dozen mineral pools (including one with thermal water slide and another with a swim-up bar), three thermal waterfalls, and sweeping volcano views. (tabacon.com; from $60 for a day pass.)
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
Back in the early 1500s the Ute Indians enjoyed these southwest Colorado hot springs, which sit about 8,600 feet above sea level. Ore miners (and speculators) came to the region in the 1880s, and a private homestead was established on the land that's now Dunton. The owners recognized the hot springs' moneymaking potential and started charging a nickel to take a dip. The first "hot tub" was built in a log-lined pit, followed by various shack bathhouses. By 1918, though, the mining boom was bust and the town deserted. The current owners took over in 1994 and spent seven years turning the whole town into an upscale resort.
The benefits: The naturally heated Dunton springs are high in iron and magnesium, with trace amounts of lithium. Along with the therapeutic benefits of the minerals and heat (temps range from 85 to 106 degrees), soakers get the added bonus of calcium bicarbonate, which reputedly helps open peripheral blood vessels and improve circulation.
How to soak: Dunton's deluxe cabins start at $550, but day passes are available for travelers who aren't spending the night or booked in the spa (treatments are $185). Once on site, you can choose to soak in one of several pools, including the renovated 19th Century bathhouse, two outdoor pools, or directly at the source. (duntonhotsprings.com; $115 for a day pass, including lunch.)
Saturnia, Italy
Legend has it that hilltop Saturnia's thermal springs bubble up at the exact spot where Jupiter's thunderbolt fell in a battle with Saturn. The Bronze Age Etruscans were the first to partake of the waters, and even built a temple on the site to thank the gods for this gift; later, the Romans constructed what some say was the world's first public bathhouse. After getting a bad rep in the more puritanical 14th century (some thought the hot waters marked the gates of Hell), the springs were re-discovered in the 1800s and continue to be the Tuscan town's claim to fame.
The benefits: The waters originate from Monte Amiata, a dormant volcano that still pumps water from its craters and rivers. Along with a mineral mix including sulfur, bicarbonate and alkaline, the water contains also plankton. The combination also is beneficial for muscle, joint, cardiovascular and respiratory issues.
How to soak: The stunning Cascate del Mulino, just outside of town, is a series of thermal waterfalls that cascade into natural pools of travertine rock. The water bubbles up at about 99 degrees year-round, making this a popular relaxation spot even in the winter, and at night (access is available 24/7, at your own risk.) There aren't any facilities at the park-just strip down to your bathing suit and hop in. (cascate-del-mulino.info; free.)
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Evidence suggests that a variety of Native American tribes came together in peace to bathe in these waters in the Ouachita mountain valley. A naturalist and a chemist were sent to the region following the Louisiana Purchase, and sent word in 1804 of steaming waters and natural minerals. By 1828, a simple hotel had been built to shelter bathers and over time dozens of spas were opened, with the additional enticement of horse racing and gambling. The casinos aren't as prominent now, but you can still stroll streets lined with Victorian houses and historic hotels.
The benefits: The town's thermal waters are sourced from 47 springs on the western slopes of Hot Springs Mountain. As they make their way up through the earth, the springs are infused with an array of minerals and heated to about 143 degrees; the combination has proved effective in treating symptoms of arthritis, gout and joint and rheumatic issues. You are welcome to fill up on cold mineral drinking water at several pumps around town.
How to soak: There are several hotels and spas in town that make use of the thermal waters, but for a more traditional experience, head into Hot Springs National Park. Get a history lesson at the Fordyce Bathhouse, now a museum. Then get in the waters yourself at the Quapaw Bath. First opened in 1922, the facilities include private mineral baths — the perfect choice for those not excited about soaking with strangers. (quapawbaths.com, $30 for a private mineral bath.)
Kusatsu, Japan
The mountain town of Kusatsu in central Japan is one of the oldest hot springs sites in the country, with claims of travelers soaking here as early as the 2nd century. Samurai came in the 1600s, looking to heal their wounds. By the 1700s Kusatsu was a booming resort destination for those suffering from red light district illnesses like syphilis. The interest became scientific in 1876 when a German doctor began researching the healing powers of the waters, and helped create more targeted medical treatments using the springs.
The benefits: Kusatsu's location near one active volcano and two dormant ones means there are more than 100 springs and baths, called onsen. Full of sulfur and healing minerals from the volcanic ground, the waters treat bruises, sprains, stiff muscles and burns, as well as chronic indigestion. Temperatures can reach a scalding 129 degrees, so bathing is not allowed in the hottest pools.
How to soak: There are several public bathhouses in Kusatsu, one of the most popular being Sainokawara Rotenburo. This open-air bath in Sainokawara Park can accommodate up to 100 bathers and is open year-round (japan-guide.com; $6 entrance fee). Otakinoyu has outdoor pools and a wooden bathhouse with seven tubs of varying temperatures (japan-guide.com; $10 entrance fee). Located near a source spring, Shirohatanoyu, one of the 18 free local communal baths, has two small tubs (japan-guide.com; free).
Yambajan, Tibet
Tibet can be a complicated country to get to (see our advice here). Once there, you can visit numerous hot spring sites, with Yambajan easily being the most picturesque. Glaciers, ancient forests and snow-capped hills surround the town, which sits on a cold plateau at the base of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains. There are eight springs here, all with evocative names like Bread-Steaming Hot Spring (where bread can be cooked over the steam heat), Vinegar Boiling Spring and Fish-Cooking River (which runs so hot, fish get boiled and float to the surface).
The benefits: Yambajan is home to several types of thermal waters, including geysers and springs ranging from warm to boiling (the water in the main bathing pools is cooled in open-air cisterns before it is deemed safe for soaking). While the springs are high in sulfur and other minerals thought to be therapeutic, most travelers come to soak up the muscle-relaxing heat and peaceful atmosphere. Note that because of the high-altitude, long soaks and vigorous exercise in the hot waters are not recommended and you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
How to soak: The safest place for soaking is in one of the indoor and open-air bathing and swimming pools that have been built along the geothermal field. For the best views, come in the early morning, when the steam rising off the pools seems to melt into the snow-capped mountains in the background. Yambajan is accessible via public bus from Lhasa. (tibettravel.info; $5 entrance fee.)
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Global Warming on Mars
NASA Science News home
If humans ever build communities on Mars, they might want to find a way to turn up the global thermostat. At a recent NASA-sponsored conference, "The Physics and Biology of Making Mars Habitable", scientists discussed ways that future colonists might make the frigid planet a little more comfortable.
Above: Artists' James Graham and Kandis Elliot impression of a wetter and warmer Mars. [more from ThinkQuest.org]
One solution might be to pump enough greenhouse gases into the Martian atmosphere to create a runaway greenhouse effect. Here on Earth, the idea of a runaway greenhouse sets off alarm bells. But on Mars it could be a plus. Scientists at the conference speculated how it might be possible to warm Mars just enough to evaporate the planet's available carbon dioxide (CO2 trapped in ices and frost) into the atmosphere, where such gases could contribute to keeping the planet warm.
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Margarita Marinova, an undergraduate student at MIT, believes she has an answer to both problems: use artificially created perfluorocarbons (PFCs) to initiate the planetary warming process. Marinova has been studying the warming effects of PFCs, in collaboration with Chris McKay, a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute at the Ames Research Center. McKay was one of the organizers of the terraforming conference where Marinova presented her research.
PFCs have several advantages. First, they are super-greenhouse gases. A little bit does a lot of warming. Second, PFCs have a very long lifetime. This causes serious problems on Earth, but their longevity would be a positive factor on Mars. Third, they do not have any negative effects on living organisms.
Above: Sunlight is absorbed by a planet's surface, which then radiates warming infrared energy into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases prevent that energy from escaping into space.
The sunlight that hits a planet's surface arrives primarily as visible and ultraviolet light. The planet absorbs this solar energy, and then re-radiates warming infrared energy back out into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere work as a global layer of insulation, trapping that infrared radiation and preventing it from escaping into space.
CO2 and water are good at trapping some of this infrared energy, but not all of it. On Earth, there's so much CO2 and water in the atmosphere that it doesn't matter if some infrared radiation escapes back into space.
But on Mars, terraformers will want to trap every bit of heat they can. A carefully chosen combination of PFCs could do the job quite handily.
"When we first start warming Mars," explains Marinova, "we'll want to cover the whole spectrum" of thermal infrared radiation. "Once CO2 is released, it will take over" part of the job, and PFCs will only need to be used to plug the gaps.
"That depends," says Marinova, "on how fast we make the gases." According to rough calculations, "if you had 100 factories, each having the energy of a nuclear reactor, working for 100 years, you could warm Mars six to eight degrees." At that rate, to increase the average Martian temperature to the melting point of water -- it's about minus 55 degrees Celsius now -- would take about eight centuries. Actually, it wouldn't take quite that long, Marinova points out, because her calculation doesn't include the feedback effect of the CO2 that would be released as Mars got steadily warmer. "Devising more efficient artificial super-greenhouse gases will also make it faster," Marinova adds.
Above: Though still an undergraduate student, Margarita Marinova is advancing our understanding of how to make Mars habitable for humans. Pictured with her is Phobos, a teammate from the Haughton-Mars expedition to the Arctic. Image courtesy The Mars Society.
Human habitation of Mars is a long way off. NASA's current plan for exploring the Red Planet, which spans the next two decades, does not include even a pioneering human mission to Mars. By the time a permanent settlement is established there -- one that might begin the task of terraforming the planet -- technological advances may make it possible to warm its atmosphere far more efficiently than is possible using the techniques being studied today by scientists like Marinova.
Editor's note: We recently published an article explaining how the solar wind is able to erode Mars's atmosphere because the Red Planet does not have a protective magnetosphere. Will future terraformers need to establish a global magnetic field on Mars to protect any atmosphere they create? Not necessarily. The planet Venus, for instance, has a chokingly thick atmosphere, but no magnetic field to protect it against the wind from the nearby Sun. Every planetary atmosphere is a balance between "sources and sinks." If some process (like volcanism) pumps gas into the atmosphere at a rate that substantially exceeds solar wind loses, the atmosphere will persist. The equilibrium on Venus happens to favor a thick atmosphere.
Outpacing solar wind erosion will be one of many challenges that future colonists might face. Fortunately, though, the solar wind is less powerful now because of stellar evolution than it was billions of years ago when the Red Planet presumably lost most of its air. That might give the needed edge to the terraformers! --Tony Phillips
Super-Greenhouse Gases Analysis -- summary of Marinova's research into super-greenhouse gases that could be used to help terraform Mars
The Physics and Biology of Making Mars Habitable -- Web page for the conference where Marinova presented her research
Bibliography on terraforming -- extensive list of publications about terraforming, compiled by Chris McKay of NASA's Astrobiology Institute
The Terraforming Information Pages -- links to a variety of resources about terraforming
NASA Astrobiology Institute -- home page
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|The Science and Technology Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sponsors the Science@NASA web sites. The mission of Science@NASA is to help the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilities.
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|Source: NASA Astrobiology Institute
Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips
Curator: Bryan Walls
Media Relations: Steve Roy
Responsible NASA official: John M. Horack


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The moral center of HBO fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" is Sean Bean's Lord Eddard Stark, an honorable battle-hardened warrior who leaves his home and splits up his beloved family to go serve as advisor to the troubled king.
"He's a character I've not really played before," Bean says. "I've played many strong characters, but always a bit on the sinister side. It was quite a change to play someone strong, loyal and courageous, who puts his faith in his family, his king and his realm."
The series shot in Northern Ireland and Malta. The cast faced everything from rain, wind and mud to 90-degree heat and baking sun. Bean wore ice packs on his back to cool down under costumes heavy with leather and fur.
The physical demands also included fight sequences. In one sword fight, Stark fights honorably but is badly wounded in a sneaky move by his opponent's minion.
"That scene is emblematic of him in the sense that he's powerful, but he's constantly foiled and threatened," Bean explains. "He's a fish out of water but keeps his dignity and loyalty. He's constantly battling to keep those qualities."
To prepare, "I just tried to be good," Bean laughs. He also read the bestselling George R.R. Martin novels that inspired the series.
"That was a real benefit, having the book to garner information," he says.
Bean sees the fantasy kingdom of "Games" as a mirror of our world: "People do things for power and money. The values, feelings and morals are the same."
Antiheroes and the actors who love them | Actors always playing the bridesmaid | Prior noms hope to repeat | Actors in Emmy contention
Lead Actor Contenders
Sean Bean | Steve Buscemi | Jeremy Irons | Matt LeBlanc |


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Report of Col. Erasmus D. Keyes, Eleventh U. S. Infantry, Commanding First Brigade, First Division
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME 2 [S# 2] — CHAPTER IX, pp 353-356
Camp on Meridian Hill, Washington, July 25, 1861
SIR: In compliance with the orders of Brigadier-General Tyler, I have the honor to report the operations of the First Brigade, First Division, in the action of the 21st instant, at Bull Run, and during the two succeeding days.
Leaving my camp near Centreville at 2 o'clock a.m. I took my place in the First Division as a reserve. At 9.15 o'clock a.m. at the distance of half a mile from Bull Run, I was ordered by General Tyler to incline the head of my column to the right, and direct it through an open field to a ford about 800 yards above the stone bridge. Before the whole brigade had entered upon the new direction the enemy opened fire from a battery across the run, and threw upon the First and Second Regiments Connecticut Volunteers some twenty-five or thirty rounds of shot and shell, which caused a temporary confusion and wounded several men. Order was shortly restored, and the brigade closed up on Sherman's column before passing the ford.
After crossing, I marched at once to the high ground, and, by order of General Tyler, came into line on Sherman's left. The order to advance in line of battle was given at about 10 o'clock a.m., and from that hour until 4 p.m. my brigade was in constant activity on the field of battle. The First Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was met by a body of cavalry and infantry, which it repelled, and at several other encounters of different parts of the line the enemy constantly retired before us. At about 2 o'clock p.m. General Tyler ordered me to take a battery on a height in front. The battery was strongly posted, and supported by infantry and riflemen, sheltered by a building, a fence, and a hedge. My order to charge was obeyed with the utmost promptness. Colonel Jameson, of the Second Maine, and Colonel Chatfield, Third Connecticut Volunteers, pressed forward their regiments up the bare slope about one hundred yards, when I ordered them to lie down at a point offering a slight protection and load. I then ordered them to advance again, which they did, in the face of a movable battery of eight pieces and a large body of infantry, towards the top of a hill. As we moved forward we came under the fire of other large bodies of the enemy, posted behind breastworks, and on reaching the summit of the hill the fire became so hot that an exposure to it of five minutes would have annihilated my whole line. As the enemy had withdrawn to a height beyond, and to the support of additional troops, I ordered the Maine regiment to face by the left flank and move to a wooded slope across an open field, to which point I followed them. The balance of the brigade soon rejoined me, and after a few moments' rest I again put it in motion and moved forward to find another opportunity to charge.
The enemy had a light battery, which he maneuvered with extraordinary skill, and his shot fell often among and near us. I advanced generally just under the brow of the hills, by a flank movement, until I found myself about half a mile below the stone bridge. Our advance caused the Confederates to retire from the abatis, and enabled Captain Alexander, of the Engineers, to clear it away. In a short time the enemy moved his battery to a point which enabled him to enfilade my whole line; but as he pointed his guns too far to the right, and only improved his aim gradually, I had time to withdraw my brigade by a flank movement around the base of a hill in time to avoid a raking fire.
At this time a lull in the discharges of our artillery, and an apparent change of position of the enemy's left flank, made me apprehensive that all was not right. I continued my march, and sent my aide, Lieutenant Walter, to the rear to inquire of General McDowell how the day was going. The discontinuance of the firing in our lines becoming more and more apparent, I inclined to the right, and after marching six hundred or seven hundred yards farther, I was met by Lieutenant Upton, aide to General Tyler, and ordered to file to the right, as our troops were retreating. I moved on at an ordinary pace, and fell into the retiring current about one hundred and fifty yards in the rear of General McDowell and staff. Before crossing Bull Run, and until my brigade mingled with the retreating mass, it maintained perfect freedom from panic, and at the moment I received the order to retreat, and for some time afterwards, it was in as good order as in the morning on the road. Half an hour earlier I supposed the victory to be ours.
The gallantry with which the Second Regiment of Maine Volunteers and the Third Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers charged up the hill upon the enemy's artillery and infantry was never, in my opinion, surpassed. I was with the advancing line, and closely observed the conduct of Colonels Jameson and Chatfield, which merits in this instance, and throughout the day, the highest commendation.
I also observed throughout the day the gallantry and excellent conduct of Colonel Terry, Second Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, from whom I received most zealous assistance. At one time a portion of his regiment did great execution with their rifles from a point of our line which was thin, and where a few of our men were a little tardy in moving forward.
Colonel Terry, in his report, calls attention to the coolness, activity, and discretion of Lieutenant-Colonel Young and Major Colburn. The latter, with the adjutant of the regiment, Lieut. Charles L. Russell, showed conspicuous gallantry in defending their regimental colors during the retreat, this side of Bull Run, against a charge of cavalry. Colonel Terry also commends the devotion of Drs. Douglas and Bacon to the wounded while under the hottest fire of artillery. Private Arnold Leech is also highly praised for having spiked three abandoned guns with a ramrod and then bringing away two abandoned muskets.
Colonel Jameson, of the Second Maine Regiment, gives great credit in his report to Lieut. Col. C. W. Roberts, Maj. George Varney, and Adjutant Reynolds for their coolness and courage on the field. Sergeant G. W. Brown, of Company F; A. J. Knowles and Leonard Carver, of Company D; A. P. Jones and Henry W. Wheeler, Company A, and Peter Welch, Company I, he mentions for their noble conduct in accompanying him to remove the dead and wounded from the field under a very heavy fire of artillery and musketry. He mentions, also, Captain Foss, Sergeant Samuel Hinckley, of Company A, and Corporal Smart, Company H, for important extra services during the day. He also speaks in high praise of Sergeant W. J. Dean, who was mortally wounded while in the advance of the line, bearing the beautiful stand of colors which was presented the day before on the part of ladies from Maine residing in San Francisco, Cal. Capt. E. N. Jones, of the same regiment, fell mortally wounded while exhibiting great courage in rallying his men to the charge.
Lieutenant-Colonel Speidel, of the First Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, was set upon by three of the enemy, who undertook to make him a prisoner. The lieutenant-colonel killed one and drove off the other two of his assailants and escaped. I observed the activity of Captains Hawley and Chapman, Adjutant Bacon, and Lieutenant Drake on the field.
Colonel Chatfield, of the Third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, gives special credit to Major Warner and Adjutant Duryee for their coolness and energy in assisting to keep the men in line and in urging them forward into action. The men of the Third Regiment brought off in the retreat two of our abandoned guns, one caisson, and several baggage wagons, and behaved with great coolness in the retreat, and the bulk of the regiment was present to repel the charge of cavalry this side of Bull Run.
I received during the day and on the retreat the most gallant and efficient assistance from Lieutenant Hascall, Fifth U.S. Artillery, A. A. adjutant-general; Lieutenant Walter, First Connecticut Volunteers; Lieutenant Gordon, Second U.S. Cavalry, aides, obeyed my orders on the field with alacrity; and Lieutenant Ely, First Connecticut Volunteers, brigade commissary, assisted me zealously. Lieutenants Walter and Gordon are both missing. The former I sent to the rear at about 4 p.m. to ascertain from General McDowell how the day was going, since which time I have not seen him nor do I know his fate. Lieutenant Gordon was with me two miles this side of Bull Run on the retreat, where I saw him the last time. I trust he will yet be found. My two mounted orderlies, Cooper and Ballou, were both with me until near the end of the conflict, and are both missing. My brigade being far in advance, and the ground very hilly and interspersed with patches of woods, rendered it difficult to avoid being enveloped by the enemy. The last individuals probably missed their way and were killed or captured.
I have delayed this report of the action until all the wanderers could be gathered in, and the following may therefore be taken as a very close approximation to the actual casualties in my brigade. Those reported missing are supposed to be killed or taken prisoners.
In addition to the reported loss of the Second Maine Regiment, Lieutenant Skinner, Surgeon Allen and his son, while assisting the wounded, were taken prisoners. The aggregate loss of this gallant regiment was therefore 174 out of 640, which was the complete strength on going into action.
It was impossible to obtain exact returns of my brigade on the morning of the 21st, but I am certain its aggregate strength was about 2,500 men. We captured fifteen of the enemy and brought six prisoners to Washington.
In concluding the account of the battle, I am happy to be able to add that the conduct of the First Brigade, First Division, was generally excellent. The troops composing it need only instruction to make them as good as any in the world.
I take the liberty to add, in continuation of this report, that the Third Connecticut Regiment and a part of the Second Maine Volunteers, of my brigade, left their camps near Centreville at about 10 o'clock a.m. by order of General Tyler, and arrived at Camp McDowell, six and a half miles from the Potomac, at dawn of day the morning after the battle. The camps of my four regiments and that of one company of cavalry were standing, and during the day I learned that the Ohio camp, a mile and a quarter this way, was vacant of troops, and the camp of the New York Second had only a guard of fifty or sixty men left in it. Not wishing the enemy to get possession of so many standing tents and such an abundance of camp equipage, I ordered my brigade to retreat no farther until all the public property should be removed.
The rain fell in torrents all day the 22d. The men were excessively fatigued, and we had only eleven wagons. Brigade Quartermaster Hodge made two journeys to the city to obtain transportation, but with four or five exceptions the drivers refused to come out. Our eleven wagons were kept in motion, and at nightfall the troops were drenched to the skin and without shelter. So, leaving guards at the regimental camps of my brigade, I moved forward with the bulk of the Third Connecticut Regiment, and by 11 o'clock at night the majority were housed in the Ohio and New York camps.
We kept good watch through the night, and early in the morning of the 23d instant Quartermaster-General Meigs sent out long trains of wagons, and Brigade Quartermaster Hodge walked six miles to Alexandria and brought up a train of cars, and the work of removal proceeded with vigor. As early as 5.30 o'clock p.m. the last thing of value had been removed and sent forward, to the amount of 175 four-horse wagon loads. The order to fall in was then given, and the brigade marched in perfect order, every man with his firelock, and at sunset bivouacked near Fort Corcoran.
I acknowledge great indebtedness to Brigade Quartermaster Hodge. But for his untiring exertions in procuring the means of transportation nearly all the public property must have been abandoned. The men of the different regiments labored with extraordinary zeal, considering their great fatigue, and they merit the highest praise. I had given permission to about one hundred sick and lame to limp forward in advance, and about an equal number of cowards and recreants had fled without permission. The balance of my brigade, faithful and laborious, stood by, and they may claim the right to teach that it is unmanly to destroy the public property, and base to abandon it to the enemy, except in cases of the extremest necessity.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Colonel Eleventh Infantry,
Commanding First Brigade, First Division
Capt. A. BAIRD, Asst. Adjt. Gen.,
Headquarters First Brigade, First Division


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BWC/OSU Lifting Guidelines
BWC and The Ohio State University (OSU) have partnered on a research project that could lessen the frequency of recurrent occupational back injuries. Researchers from OSU worked with BWC personnel and Ohio employers to test employees with back injuries and to document the demands of the jobs when they return to work.
A possible reason why second back injuries occur is because the injured employee returns to work without adequate work restrictions while still recovering. When a back injury is aggravated, it often leads to permanent damage. To help prevent this scenario, researchers from OSU and BWC have developed lifting guidelines. The data is based on laboratory studies of 123 individuals. The guidelines are based on low-frequency lifts lasting approximately one minute.
- To aid in developing realistic transitional work programs for employees with low-back disorders
- To provide guidance on the design of lifting tasks to reduce the frequency and severity of initial and recurring back claims
Who should use the guidelines?
- Employers - To facilitate transitional work and evaluate lifting tasks. The guide also can help employers develop job redesign strategies to minimize the risk of initial and recurring low-back disorders.
- Medical professionals - To develop realistic recommendations for injured workers' capabilities. The capabilities can be related to characteristics in the workplace.
- Transitional work providers - To place employees recovering from low-back disorders in the right tasks at the right time. The tool can help return an injured worker to work as soon as possible while minimizing the risk of aggravating an existing low-back disorder.
Furthermore, these guidelines can help facilitate communication between the medical provider, transitional work developer and the employer by matching the injured worker with appropriate jobs and by redesigning jobs. This increases transitional work options.
- The chart and accompanying tool are intended to be used as a guideline and not as a substitute for professional judgment. Contact the Division of Safety & Hygiene for professional assistance.
- Low-back disorder, in this case, only applies to musculoskeletal strains, sprains and non-specific low-back pain.
- These guidelines are not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool or as a medical evaluation device.
- These guidelines are intended as recommendations for populations. One should consult with his or her physician to determine when one has transitioned from the low-back pain group to the normal group.
- These guidelines are intended for low-frequency lifting tasks. Low-frequency is defined as one lift per minute AND fewer than 120 lifts per day.
Instructions for using Lifting guidelines chart
- Determine the angle of asymmetry associated with a specific lifting task. Then, choose the chart that corresponds. There are three separate charts: +/- 30 degrees, between 30 and 60 degrees, and between 60 and 90 degrees.
- Choose a column indicating whether the individual has a lower-back disorder (LBD) or is healthy.
- Determine the maximum horizontal reach distance from spine (measured from spine to hands) using the guide at the top of the columns. The guide is broken down into distances of 12 inches and 24 inches.
- Choose the vertical lift origin for the specific task from the right side of the chart. Vertical lift origin is the level from which lifts will be made. This can be from the floor, from the knees, from the waist or shoulder level. Also, choose the weight of the lift in pounds.
- Determine if your specified lifting conditions fall within the green zone (low risk), yellow zone (moderate risk) or red zone (high risk).
- To minimize the risk of recurrent injury, change any lifting criteria in the high or moderate risk zone so that the lifting task is in a green area of the chart. To do this, consult the Lifting tips page or contact the Division of Safety & Hygiene for assistance.
Note: The maximum weight recommended under the best circumstances for workers with a LBD is 25 pounds, and that has a medium risk of re-injury.
Lifting tips
Eliminate unnecessary lifting
Whenever possible, eliminate manual materials handling by combining operations or shortening the distances that material must be moved. Look at material flow through the facility, and eliminate any unnecessary lifts.
Automate or mechanize lifting
If it's not possible to eliminate the lift, consider automating the lifting task or using a mechanical lifting device. Devices such as hoists, cranes and manipulators can eliminate the forces on the spine associated with manual materials handling. Therefore, the likelihood of back injuries is also reduced.
Modify the job to fit within worker capabilities
If material must be handled manually, design the job to reduce the stress on the body as much as possible. See job modifications below.
- Allow for lifting loads as close to the body as possible. Some techniques to reduce reaching distances are:
- Eliminate any barriers such as the sides of bins or boxes.
- Use a turn table for loads on pallets.
- Use a tilt table to allow for better access into bins.
- Place the load as close to waist height as possible. This may be accomplished by using adjustable lift tables or inclined conveyors to locate the object to be handled at waist height.
- Reduce the need to twist the trunk by re-orienting the lifting origins and destinations.
- Reduce the weight of the load being lifted so that the weights are within these lifting guidelines.


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Mail Today, the tabloid newspaper from the India Today group, has a report today that Gul Panag, the former Miss India Universe, has been signed up by the maverick film maker Ram Gopal Varma to play a crime reporter in an upcoming film.
The buzz in film circles is that Gul Panag may play the role of Jigna Vora, the Asian Age crime reporter who was arrested for her alleged involvement with the underworld in the murder of J.Dey, the investigations editor of Mid-Day.
But true to her movie metier, Gul Panag—a regular on the Sunday night television circuit with a number of journalists among her followers on Twitter—is offering no confirmation.
"I play a crime reporter in the film, a woman who has made her mark in a field that is otherwise dominated by men…. All I can say right now is that the film deals with the underworld and its various connections including the media."
On her website, Gul Panag's bio reads "actor, activist, animal lover, adrenalin junkie, adventurer, avid traveller, automobile enthusiast and biker" all rolled into one. At least the on-screen hack has one thing in common with the rest the pack: she is a jack of all trades.
The media is a recurring theme in Ram Gopal Varma's oeuvre. He made an Amitabh-starrer called Rann on the television industry not too long ago.
Also read: Guess who came to Rajdeep Sardesai's house last night
Shekhar Gupta: The journalism film Dev Anand didn't make
Supriya Nair: When a film star weds a journalist, it's news
Devyani Chaubal: the queen bee of Bombay film journalists
Amitabh Bachchan: I want to expose the media
Sashi Kumar, Ranganath Bharadwaj: Acting is second string in bow


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Book Description:
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Kathryn Hughes, this gripping novel of long-buried secrets will stay with you for ever.
A heartbreaking letter. A girl locked away. A mystery to be solved.
1956. When Ivy Jenkins falls pregnant she is sent in disgrace to St Margaret's, a dark, brooding house for unmarried mothers. Her baby is adopted against her will. Ivy will never leave.
Present day. Samantha Harper is a journalist desperate for a break. When she stumbles on a letter from the past, the contents shock and move her. The letter is from a young mother, begging to be rescued from St Margaret's. Before it is too late.
Sam is pulled into the tragic story and discovers a spate of unexplained deaths surrounding the woman and her child. With St Margaret's set for demolition, Sam has only hours to piece together a sixty-year-old mystery before the truth, which lies disturbingly close to home, is lost for ever…
Read her letter. Remember her story…
My Thoughts:
The story flicks between present day and also to the past where we get a glimpse into the awful life at St Margaret's. My heart literally broke for the children who had to endure time there. Life certainly was far from a loving, stable environment for them and I wanted to wrap them in my arms and take them all to safety.
In present day we meet journalist Sam, who, after uncovering Ivy's letters, makes it her mission to find out more about her as well as the going on's at St Margret's. Wow, does it make for some powerful and very intriguing reading. Like Sam, I had to find out more and was like a dog with a bone. Not being able to let it go.
At times this was quite a sinister read, packed full of mystery and suspense. Yet at the same time it was also an emotional roller coaster of a read. My heart went out to quite a few of the characters. I did feel slightly hardened to the people that had previously worked there though that either made these children's lives hell or did nothing to stop it.
The Girl In The Letter was a mesmerising novel that I struggled to put down. I got so wrapped up in what was happening that I didn't want to go back to real life until I knew how it was all going to end. There were lots of twists and turns that make for some surprising as well as shocking reading. Will certainly be looking out for more books by the author.
The Girl In The Letter is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).