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A new group, "Queers Against Pete," has popped up in the Twittersphere. They have a website (which you can check out at www.queersagainstpete.com) and an open letter which you can sign, if you wish. However, before you do that, I'd like to offer my line by line rebuttal. There are some serious errors, omissions, and misrepresentations here which are worth considering. Please note that for the purposes of this blog I have used the letterwriter's own acronym "LGBTQIA" to refer to our community.
Open Letter
Dear fellow members of the LGBTQIA community,
Hello, letter writer!
This election cycle we will be presented with plenty of options. Up and down the ballot, candidate's stances will impact us, our families and communities. If we've learned anything from our ancestors and transcestors, it's that we must speak out…and act up. This primary election is one such example.
Transcestors? Never heard that. Clever word play.
There has been much talk about identity and diversity in the race to win the Democratic party nomination for president. Some have touted former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg's openly gay identity as proof of progress in our politics. However, being gay is not enough to earn the support of LGBTQIA communities.
I agree that being gay is not enough to earn the support of the LGBTQIA community. I wouldn't vote for a gay Republican because their politics do not match mine. There is no reason why anyone in the LGBTQIA community or any community should feel compelled to support Pete Buttigieg just because he is gay.
However, Mayor Pete is proof of progress in our politics – or at least in our society. His candidacy was unimaginable even 10 years ago. Keep in mind it was only 12 years ago that America elected its first Black president. Keep in mind it was only 5 years ago that marriage equality – which I'm sure you have radical arguments against, but stay with me – was legalized across the nation. I came out in 2001 (you can read about that here), and the world was very different. We've come a long way in a relatively short period of time, and that is worth acknowledging at the very least.
We cannot in good conscience allow Mayor Pete to become the nominee without demanding that he address the needs and concerns of the broader Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) communities. While many see different issues in silos, we are clear that LGBTQIA people are directly and disproportionately impacted by police violence, incarceration, unaffordable healthcare, homelessness, deportation, and economic inequality among other things.
This is where it would be nice if you offered evidence that LGBTQIA people "are directly and disproportionately impacted by police violence, incarceration, unaffordable healthcare, homelessness, deportation, and economic inequality." Maybe we are. But citing statistics and sources is important when making a claim. Because, for example, if a Black gay man is shot dead by the police in an extrajudicial execution—as happens far too frequently in our nation—I would argue that more often than not it's because he is Black and not gay.
I will, however, concede the point that LGBTQIA people care about more than what we often refer to as "LGBT rights." I respect the desire to point this out, because too often the media portrays "identity voters" as only caring about a narrow set of issues when that is simply not the case.
Mayor Pete is leaning on the support and actively courting the LGBTQIA community, but has shown time and time again that he is out of touch, not fit to be President of the United States, and simply falls short.
I actually haven't seen Mayor Pete "leaning on the support and actively courting the LGBTQIA community" anymore than any other candidate (and less so than Elizabeth Warren), though I'm not sure why you present that as a bad thing. Candidates should be trying to win over LGBTQIA voters.
- Mayor Pete opposes free universal free public college and does not support cancelling student loan debt;
This is true, and when I endorsed Mayor Pete, I noted it as one of the principle policies on which we disagree. But here's what Mayor Pete's plan does do: it makes public universities free to families making up to $100,000 a year and adds $120 billion to the Pell Grants funds (which is an excellent fund and put me through college). 80% of American families will be eligible for free tuition.
Pete's logic is that the richest among us should be expected to pay their fair share. Pete's plan is not, as you imply, a plan which is built out of selfishness or callousness, but a radical reshaping of American higher education. It opens a door for millions of Americans to get a degree who previously would have been prevented because of the skyrocketing cost of college tuition.
As for student loans, Pete has pledged to cancel student loan debt for students who attend predatory for-profit schools. He has laid out an income-based repayment plan for people struggling with student loan debt – and the loans will be cancelled after 20 years in the plan. He will end wage garnishments for low-income workers, and offer student loan forgiveness to public servants after 10 years of employment in the public sector.
These progressive plans do more than we've ever done to help students and those with student loan debt. They're also more palatable to American voters, the majority of whom oppose free college and paying for loan forgiveness with a new tax. It's important to move the country forward, but we must also meet voters where they are.
- Mayor Pete has no plan to restore the right to vote for all formerly and currently incarcerated people, create an alternative to police, or end cash bail;
Let's take a look at Pete's plan. "Pete will abolish private federal prisons and reduce the use of private contractors, eliminate the for-profit bail industry, and work with states to cap the amount of revenue cities and counties receive from fines and fees." He also wants to eliminate mandatory sentencing and look at sentencing caps, eliminate incarceration for drug possession, legalize marijuana and expunge past convictions. He wants to equalize funding between federal prosecutors and federal public defenders – ensuring a robust and top-notch defense for the accused. He supports a constitutional amendment to ban the death penalty. Pete does support restoring voting rights to felons released from prison, but he does not support allowing those currently incarcerated to vote – an uncontroversial opinion with which 69% of Americans agree.
- Mayor Pete has not addressed the concerns related to Eric Logan, a Black South Bend resident who was shot and killed by a white police officer. Furthermore, while in office, Mayor Pete refused to release the police tapes relating to the demotion of Darryl Boykins, the first Black person to serve as police chief. We echo the demands of Black Lives Matter – South Bend to create a Citizens Review Board and for the release of the tapes;
It would be helpful here if you explained what specific concerns related to the police killing of Eric Logan you want Mayor Pete to address. Your vague wording strikes me as intentional – you want to score political points using a dead Black man but you do not actually have any grievances specific to this case. "The disconnect between the Black community and the municipality under several administrations has been a festering problem in the greater South Bend area for more than 50 years," KaRon Kirkland, a 62-year-old lifelong South Bend resident told NBC last year. "It didn't start with Pete." For more on what Mayor Pete did for Black South Benders, Buzzfeed produced this detailed and thoughtful reporting in December.
As for Darryl Boykins, I'm going to let Pete tell you what happened in his own words, as he goes into the details of the Boykins case in his memoir Shortest Way Home. I've quoted at length here, but I encourage you to stick with it, as it is one of the most misunderstood and misreported aspects of his mayoralty.
"…after interviewing [Boykins] and two competitors for the job, I decided during the transition phase that I would reappoint him," Pete writes. Boykins—who apparently was paranoid that "some other officers" were gunning for his job (despite the fact that Mayor Pete had decided to keep him on)—
"allegedly confronted them with tape recordings that could embarrass them if disclosed. He had access to these tapes because some phone lines in the department were connected to recording equipment used for interviews and investigations, and the officers had been recorded on that equipment without their knowledge. As court filings would later document, the chief threatened to take action against at least one officer he had come to consider disloyal. Perhaps the chief didn't realize that I was already leaning toward reappointing him; or perhaps it just seemed like an insurance policy.
Enter the Federal Wiretap Act—a set of very strict federal laws about recording other people without their knowledge. In fact, making such recordings or disclosing their content can be a felony, punishable by prison time as well as fines. There are state laws, too, against recording a conversation without the knowledge of either party, absent a warrant or other legal clearance. The recorded officers knew it, and complained to federal authorities, who took the issue seriously. So that's how it came to be that, a few weeks into the job of mayor, I learned that my newly reappointed police chief was being investigated by the FBI. Eventually a message came through, thinly veiled but quite clear, from federal prosecutors: the people responsible for the covert recordings needed to go, or charges might be filed……I sat at the end of the conference table in my office and contemplated which scenario was more likely to tear the community apart—a well-liked African-American police chief potentially being indicted over compliance with a very technical federal law, or me removing him for allowing things to reach this point? There was no good option: the community would erupt either way."
Buttigieg then called Boykins, asking him to voluntarily step down. (Pete admits this was a mistake—he should have done it in person, and he learned that lesson.) Boykins agreed, and the community was predictably outraged. The next day, Boykins changed his mind and withdrew his resignation. Pete, however, felt he had no choice. "Even leaving aside that I believed removing him was the best way to avoid him facing potential legal action, I had lost confidence in the leadership of a chief who had not come to me the moment he realized he was the target of an FBI investigation." Pete didn't fire him—only the Board of Public Safety can fire an officer—he demoted him.It was only after this that local press began reporting that the officers who had been recorded had allegedly used racist language to insult Boykins. "The content of the tapes had not come up when I was talking with staff or with the chief about the issue," Pete writes, adding that he was immediately concerned about the "credibility and legitimacy" of the South Bend Police Department. "…[S]ince so many of the worst race-based abuses in modern American history happened at the hands of law enforcement, policing was the most sensitive part of the entire administration when it came to demonstrating that we acted without bias."
The crux of the issue is that Mayor Pete had and has no way of knowing what is on those tapes. The recordings were made illegally. "Under the Federal Wiretap Act," he explains, "this meant that it could be a felony not just to make the recordings, but to reproduce or disclose them. Like everyone else in the community I wanted to know what was on those recordings. But it was potentially illegal for me to find out, and it was not clear I could even ask, without fear of legal repercussions." Mayor Pete still has not heard the recordings and doesn't know if he or the public ever will—not because of some coverup, but because of federal law.
Mayor Pete learned a lot from the Boykins incident. "The most important lessons of this painful episode were… about the deeply fraught relationship between law enforcement and communities of color," he writes. "Ferguson and everything that followed in the Black Lives Matter movement came after the tapes controversy exploded locally, but their urgency grew from the same root: the fact that many of the worst historical injustices visited upon [B]lack citizens of our country came at the hands of local law enforcement."
- Mayor Pete has not said if he would support a moratorium to end deportations or that he would decriminalize border crossing;
Mayor Pete has committed to supporting a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, including a push for legislation on the issue within his first 100 days in office. He wants to reduce barriers to healthcare and education for undocumented immigrants and protect undocumented workers from retaliation when reporting labor violations. He plans to increase the number of visas issued for family reunification will fight for reforms to reclassify spouses and children as immediate relatives and recognizing same-sex partners from countries lacking marriage equality in order to allow an immigrant to sponsor their same-sex partner.
While it is true that he has not said if he would support a moratorium to end deportations or if he would decriminalize border crossings, what you are talking about is essentially an open border. I support open borders (not just in America, but globally). Most Americans do not, and it is a cudgel with which Trump will bludgeon any candidate who does support open borders. That doesn't mean Pete's immigration plan isn't progressive.
- Mayor Pete opposes complete Medicare for All and universal childcare;
It's telling that you had to add the word "complete" before "Medicare for All," because you know to do otherwise would misrepresent Pete's policy. "Medicare for All Who Want It" would automatically enroll the uninsured and be the greatest expansion of American healthcare in history. Only 13% of Americans support "Medicare for All" as proposed by Bernie Sanders – while a majority of Americans support universal healthcare without abolishing private insurance. "Medicare for All Who Want It" insures the uninsured, provides an affordable option to low income people and will prompt private insurers to either compete with lower prices and better products or fail. I am someone who believes healthcare should be free at the point of access, but I do not believe Medicare for All is a winning electoral policy, and I certainly don't believe anyone—not even Bernie Sanders—could get it through Congress, even if both Houses are controlled by Democrats. Barack Obama couldn't even get a public option through because of the conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats. This goes back to meeting voters where they are and choosing practicality and incremental improvements over ideological purity at the expense of power.
From his website: "Pete will make a historic $700 billion investment in affordable, universal, high-quality, and full-day early learning, as well as outside-of-school learning opportunities in K-12 education. He will make early learning and care from birth through age five free for lower-income families and affordable for all, and invest in the child care workforce."
- During his tenure, Mayor Pete demolished homes of many South Bend residents who were unable to afford repairs and drastically ramped up unfair fines;
This is not entirely accurate or fair. It is referring to Mayor Pete's "1000 homes in 1000 days" initiative which, as the name implies, demolished 1000 abandoned or vacant homes in 1000 days. The media has really gotten this story wrong. The project tried to track down owners where they could and provide time and support for renovations to be made to bring the properties up to standards. Indeed, South Bend's lack of enforcement on property codes in the past exasperated issues. This was met with the "South Bend Repair" initiative which poured $1 million into helping homeowners repair dilapidated homes. Another grant would give homeowners $25,000 to repair their homes.
Part of the success of the "1000 homes in 1000 days" is, of course, demolishing unlivable homes (as we know abandoned buildings are hotbeds from crime), but also of refurbishing and rebuilding affordable housing for South Benders. Indeed, Mayor Pete met with residents and took 40% of homes off the demolition list after hearing their concerns (a hallmark of Mayor Pete's mayoralty by the way – he listens to constituents)
Mayor Pete has committed to building or restoring at least 2 million homes for the lowest-income Americans as well as investing in initiatives making homeownership a reality for millions of lower-income Americans, especially lower-income Black Americans who have experienced racial discrimination in housing.
- Mayor Pete does not support boycotting for political reasons;
I cannot find any evidence that supports this claim. He has allowed protestors at his events and has engaged with them when they are willing. I do not know how to respond to this claim other than to say I believe it is a flat-out lie.
- Mayor Pete has no plan to cap credit card interest rates or guarantee a job to everyone who needs one; and
From his website: "When your credit card company rips you off, you should have the right to a day in court with a good lawyer, full rights, and public transparency. In most cases, though, the company probably forced you to sign away that right. As consumers, we should always have the right to a fair process and strong protections that keep companies honest in the first place."
I suppose I must concede that it is true that Pete Buttigieg does not have a plan to guarantee a job for everyone who wants or needs one. To the seven Americans to whom a promise of a job for everyone is a make-or-break issue, Pete Buttigieg isn't your candidate, and fair dos.
For everyone else, Pete plans to ensure workers in the gig economy are guaranteed their labor rights, strengthen unions by fining companies who interfere in union elections, institute gender pay transparency, enshrine multi-employer bargaining rights into law, raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, and end "right to work" laws, among other bold, progressive initiatives. His record in South Bend, where he revived a Rust Belt city on life support, shows that he knows how to grow the economy and attract 21st century businesses and create 21st century jobs. Unemployment in South Bend fell nearly 10% during his time as mayor.
- Mayor Pete supports the increase of defense spending which is already 50% of the federal budget.
"America's security challenges demand a military budget that provides both the overall capacity and specific capabilities to deter conflict across the globe and fight and win if necessary. I've been clear that we need to maintain absolute military superiority. The question of how much we should spend should be defined by where and how we need to spend it to best protect our citizens and our interests," Buttigieg told Military Times last November. He does not mention increasing spending, but rather maintaining our military superiority and modernizing our military. I'm not sure where you're getting this figure from, making this another instance where it would be helpful if you actually cited your sources. The fact that you don't should make anyone reading your latter deeply skeptical of your motives and accuracy in presenting Pete Buttigieg as an enemy to the LGBTQIA community.
These gaps in Mayor Pete's platform will fall particularly hard on LGBTQIA communities. Take housing as an example: 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQIA. Nearly one-third of trans people have experienced homelessness, and one in ten have been evicted from their home for being trans. This is only exacerbated by the fact that there is no federal law that consistently protects LGBTQIA individuals from housing discrimination. And while Mayor Pete, like the rest of the field, supports the Equality Act, this isn't enough. Public housing remains in disrepair in the U.S., with billions in backlogged repairs due to decades of underinvestment, and the changes Pete proposes are grossly inadequate relative to the scale of the problem, and will not solve our housing crisis. We need only look to Pete's track record of tearing down hundreds of homes in Black and Latino neighborhoods in South Bend to show us that he is not committed to protecting our communities.
Here you actually cite your sources, which makes it all the more frustrating—and suspect—that you did not cite sources in your critiques of Mayor Pete. That being said, yes, homelessness is a pernicious problem for the LGBTQIA community, and the Equality Act (which you correctly note Mayor Pete supports) would go a long way in addressing the discrimination the LGBTQIA community faces in housing and public accommodations. As previously mentioned, Mayor Pete has committed to improve public housing and repair or rebuild two million homes for low-income Americans. I'm not sure how that is "grossly inadequate" as it is one of the biggest public works projects in modern American history. The Buzzfeed article you cite with regards to his "track record of tearing down homes" is rightly critiqued in an article from Washington Monthly I cited earlier in this blog and paints a one-sided, slanted, biased view of what happened with "1000 homes in 1000 days" – an initiative which helped many POC and/or low-income South Benders repair their homes and addressed the urban blight of abandoned and decaying houses.
As LGBTQIA people our lives are layered and must have an intersectional framework in our analysis, organizing, and movement building. We know that: Education justice is LGBTQIA justice. Racial and economic justice are LGBTQIA justice. Decarceration is LGBTQIA justice. Immigrant and refugee justice is LGBTQIA justice. Health justice is LGBTQIA justice. Housing justice is LGBTQIA justice. Demanding corporate accountability and for wealthy people to pay an equitable share of taxes is LGBTQIA justice.
Yes, education, racial and economic justice, immigrant and refugee justice, health justice, etc etc etc are "LGBTQIA issues" (or matters of justice as you say) because 1) they effect LGBTQIA people just as the effect the rest of society 2) LGBTQIA people care about these issues just like other communities care about them. So while I think this paragraph comes off as sort of smug, it's not entirely wrong. What is wrong is suggesting Pete Buttigieg doesn't care about these issues.
During this critical election, it's important that LGBTQIA people demand more from our leaders and from a candidate claiming to be in community with us. Leaders within our communities — especially Black trans women — have worked tirelessly over the past two decades to push LGBTQIA movements to value and fight for our full identities and experiences. We cannot afford to go backwards or accept the status quo.
Pete Buttigieg isn't "claiming to be in community with us," he is in community with us. Stop trying to tell me otherwise. He is gay, whether you like it or not. Voting for Mayor Pete is voting to move American forward and bridge the divides within our nation. It is not accepting the status quo, and it is not going backwards.
It is for these reasons and more that a group of us have come together under the banner of #QueersAgainstPete. If you agree, we invite you to add your name to this letter and join our collective voice against Pete Buttigieg's candidacy for president. We believe the LGBTQIA community deserves better than Pete.
I have to question why you hate Pete Buttigieg so much. Writing this letter about one of the most progressive candidates for president in American history instead of any other candidate reeks of homophobia in that it's clearly written from a perspective that Pete isn't a "proper gay" or isn't "gay enough" because whoever wrote this disagrees with his policy positions. I believe the LGBTQIA deserves better than a deliberately misleading open letter and smear campaign against the first openly gay candidate for president. So no, I won't be signing.
I would encourage anyone who has read this far to check out www.peteforamerica.com to find out what Pete Buttigieg really plans to do for Americans (LGBTQIA or not).
Skylar Baker-Jordan is a freelance writer based in Tennessee. His work has appeared at the Independent, Huff Post UK, Salon, and elsewhere. Follow him on Twitter @skylarjordan and become a sustainer at www.patreon.com/skylarjordan


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Hey everyone, sorry I've been a little absent from my blog. I have about a week and a half left in the semester and that means that the stress is building. I took an overloaded class amount this semester, since I registered to get my Masters degree as well as my Juris Doctorate. I've already completed 2 out of the 7 classes that I took this semester and 2 more are finished next week. In lieu of a final for those 2 classes, I have a final paper which is 100% of my grade. So needless to say, I've been writing a lot in the last few days and blogging has taken a back seat since I'm just sick of looking at my computer.
Today I have another polish from Anny that Sabrina sent to me in our swap. And this one is definitely beauty.
Anny "It Girl" is a rose gold metallic foil with a strong silver shimmer. I thought this polish was going to be a lot more pink toned, judging by how it looks in the bottle. But on the nail the silver shimmer comes forward, making it more of a neutral rose gold, if that makes any sense. However, it does remind me a lot of Orly "Rage," just a little more silver, so look forward to seeing a comparison post in the future!
The formula on this polish was just alright. It took 3 coats to be opaque and it was pretty slow to dry. So while this polish is really pretty and really metallic, it takes a while to get a finished manicure. The consistency was nice though, not to thick and not to thin. Overall, it is a good polish for those of you who love rose gold but be prepared to be painting your nails for a while.
What do you guys think? What are your favorite rose gold polishes? What are your favorite Anny polishes?

subset: commoncrawl


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Incorporating natural stone into the bath can bring that spa-like feeling home, letting you enjoy its soothing restorative magic day in and day out.
Natural stone like marble and granite is popular in the bath for a reason. Not only are these materials aesthetically beautiful, but the blend of water, light, and stone has been a healing combination for centuries. The Roman baths were almost entirely made of stone and were considered a communal gathering place as well as a place to pamper the body.
Although one might think of natural stone as primarily for ornamentation or decoration, there's more to it than that. We feel these natural surfaces on a spiritual level too. Natural elements like stone are not only luxurious, but they help remind us of the connection we have with the earth. And just a little bit of natural stone can bring warmth into the whole environment, transforming an entire living space into a sanctuary and infusing a sense of peace and harmony.
Natural stone creates a sense of intimacy. It's elegant, durable, and truly timeless—all attributes that make us feel good. So, how do you get that spa-like feeling at home? Here are a few ways you can incorporate natural stone into the bath:
Marble Flooring: Natural stone floors are comforting. The feel of bare feet on natural stone feels very soothing to the body. Marble is an excellent choice. Go for a honed finish. It may be more subtle than a gleaming polished finish, however it will provide better traction, especially in a room that experiences a lot of dampness.
Granite Countertops: Granite is still the top-selling countertop material in America. The traits that make it great in the kitchen also make it perfect for the bathroom. Granite is hard, scratch-resistant, and requires minimal upkeep when properly sealed. Granite isn't affected by humidity and is resistant to heat, making it the perfect spot to rest your hot curling iron. Not only does granite come in a rainbow of color options but it also adds value to your home since it's so desirable.
Steam Shower: Nothing says "luxurious spa retreat" like your own personal steam room. Steam showers are the new "must have" element in today's luxury bathrooms. Steam is said to provide countless mental and physical health benefits. Natural stone can help transform a steam shower into a beautiful, indulgent oasis.
Shower Bench: A shower bench is not only practical, it's a great idea for creating a place to rest and relax in the shower. A shower bench can also serve as a visual focal point. Whether fabricating it in a unique shape or using a stunning stone meant to catch the eye, it can add a bit of drama to an otherwise unnoticed area.
Water Feature: A water feature made out of mosaic tile, granite, or marble can go a very long way in creating a soothing spa environment. First off, the bubbling sound of the water eases away tensions while the feature itself serves as an artistic focal point. Whether it's purely decoration or it has functional purpose, a bathroom water feature creates inviting ambiance.
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The trend of "electrification, intelligence, interconnection and sharing" has become the consensus of the industry. Among them, intelligent technologies include equipped with advanced sensors and other devices to improve the level of intelligent driving, and the use of AI to enhance human-computer interaction experience. The popularization of intelligentization promotes the evolution of automobile from a driving tool to an intelligent mobile space, which is the main direction of the current development of automobile industry. The diminishing marginal cost of intelligent upgrading of vehicles makes the speed of automatic driving upgrade accelerate after L3. In order to achieve high-level autonomous driving technology (above L4), the most critical component is not "lidar". This has almost become a default axiom in the autonomous driving engineering community.
Why can autonomous driving be achieved faster by Lidar
Perception is the prerequisite of intelligent driving, its detection accuracy, breadth and speed directly affect the driving safety of intelligent driving. Environment perception is the basis of automatic driving, and improving the perception ability is a required course of automatic driving. The basic principle and process of automatic driving lies in: firstly, the sensors of the perception layer acquire and construct accurate road condition information (including object modeling and vehicle positioning, etc.), then make decision planning by the information output of the perception layer, send instructions to the executive end, and finally, the executive end actually controls the vehicle behavior. The upgrade from L2 to L3 level of autonomous driving means a leap forward from assisted driving to unmanned driving. The requirements for high-precision modeling and massive real-time computing are increasing exponentially, and the technical difficulties behind them are increasing dramatically. The key link is front-end perception, that is, how to perceive and build a complete model of road conditions.
Lidar has many characteristics such as high accuracy and high applicability, and the addition of lidar enhanced sensor hardware can significantly improve the effect of environmental perception. At present, sensors mainly include cameras, millimeter wave radar and lidar, etc. Lidar has the highest accuracy among all sensors and is less dependent on algorithms. From Mobileye's pioneering to Tesla's development, vision is still the mainstream of intelligent driving, but it is still controversial whether it is fully capable of autonomous driving above L3 level. In the early stage, the high cost of lidar led to the application of Robotaxi, but the effect and mature application itself can exceed the visual system. As the core sensor, lidar can break the algorithm and data barriers built by the pioneers of vision system, and is expected to become the core sensor of the latecomers, which has great market potential from the commercial perspective.
Through active detection technology, lidar can directly build road model and reduce the difficulty of analysis. The modeling of objects and road conditions can be realized directly through active detection, which greatly reduces the difficulty of visual analysis. The core principle of lidar is to use the echo time measurement method used by bat ranging. Infrared pulse light is emitted by laser diode, and part of the beam is emitted after the pulse light hits the surface of the object. The beam is received and recorded by the photon detector mounted on the lidar. The distance between the target surface and the lidar detector can be calculated by calculating the time difference between launch and detection. Because lidar can emit a large number of pulses of light in a second, it can form a huge amount of information about the location of points and create a precise outline of objects to build a three-dimensional model of the surrounding environment. In addition to measuring distance, lidar can also initially identify the material composition of the object and other characteristics, including the use of induced Doppler frequency shift.
The mass production of lidar is approaching and the market is wide
The lidar integrated high-precision map scheme can effectively make up for the defects of high environmental dependence, large computing power demand and short detection range of the vision scheme, and its performance advantages are very suitable for the oEMS to pursue the demand of high-order automatic driving. The laser radar scheme is to add laser radar on the basis of the original sensing device to complete the detection of road and vehicle information. Lidar transmits laser beam to measure the relative distance between the edge of object contour and the device in the field of view, and then the captured contour information is composed of point cloud, and the 3D environment map is drawn and transmitted to the system for analysis and vehicle driving instructions. Lidar effectively makes up for the defects of high environmental dependence of vision scheme, large computing power demand and short detection range, and realizes all-day monitoring. Its performance advantages are in line with the urgent pursuit of high-order automatic driving requirements of oems. Most oems have classified lidar as an indispensable sensing device for L3 and above.
At the same time, lidar's 3D construction capability and accurate depth perception make it an unshakable player in industrial surveying and autonomous driving. In 2017, lidar received its first wave of widespread attention thanks to the L4 autonomous driving commercial market. In 2021, there will be 23 models equipped with lidar, said one lidar marketing manager. "After a long silence, lidar's first year in the car market has finally come." By 2025, 18 to 20 percent of new car models could be equipped with lidar. At the moment, a number of oems have also announced that their models will carry lidar products in the next few years. Volkswagen, for example, has teamed up with Aeva, a lidar maker, to power its porsche and Audi premium brands. In terms of new car manufacturing forces, Xiaopeng has cooperated with Livox, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DJI, to build the Lidar Horiz, which has been loaded on the car and can detect a distance of 150 meters.
With the global deployment of self-driving cars, the United States, China, Germany, Canada and other countries are leading the world in lidar technology. The current lidar market competition pattern, the global lidar market as a whole is in the research and development stage, OEM, component giants and technology companies are in different ways to advance the market layout. As everyone is Shouting "software-defined car", the field of auto autonomous driving has attracted many Internet manufacturers and mobile phone manufacturers. At the same time, the software charging model brought by software-defined cars and the gradual establishment of the automotive software ecosystem make the automobile industry transform and upgrade from the traditional manufacturing industry to the technology industry.
WIMI 3D lidar creates billions of blue ocean commercial solutions
As a global AI computer vision holographic AR representative of the enterprise, WIMI in the name of technological innovation into the autonomous driving and vehicle market. Compared with the original market head players are more aware of the broad development of the lidar market node has arrived. WIMI is catching up with it in the lidar space, with prospective products and a number of automotive partners hitting the excitement of the mass market. It is reported that WIMI was established in 2015 and successfully listed on NASDAQ in April 2020, NASDAQ stock code: WiMi. In one year, the revenue of the whole holographic business exceeded 700 million yuan, and it also received hundreds of millions of strategic investment funds from weibo and other investment institutions.
WIMI focuses on holographic cloud services, Mainly gathered in car AR holographic HUD, 3 d holographic pulse LiDAR, head-wear field holographic equipment, holographic semiconductor, holographic cloud software, holographic car navigation and other professional fields, covering from the holographic car AR technology, 3 d holographic pulse LiDAR holographic visual semiconductor technology, holographic technology, software development, holographic AR advertising technology, holographic AR entertainment technology , holographic ARSDK payment, interactive holographic communication and other holographic AR technology links, is a holographic cloud comprehensive technology solution provider. Applied research and development in semiconductor, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data, 5G and other fields. Since July 2020, the company has started to develop its semiconductor business and provide comprehensive solutions of computer chip products and central processing algorithms and related services as well as software and semiconductor businesses to enterprise customers.
After announcing the acquisition of a patent for waveform generation processing device for optical holography, WIMI will assist 3D holographic pulsed lidar industry applications, and also cover scene applications in the field of autonomous driving. WiMi HoloPulse LiDAR has developed 3D holographic pulsed LiDAR product "WiMi HoloPulse LiDAR" to further expand the company's holographic product portfolio matrix. The WiMi HoloPulse LiDAR is a multi-functional holographic pulsed 3D solid state LiDAR designed to achieve long detection distances of over 200m and capture high-resolution 3D holographic images. LiDAR uses MEMS microscopes to provide high resolution, long detection range and wide field of view. Flexible adjustment of vertical resolution and frame rate, such as dynamic definition of focus area; Reliable detection of weak reflection from distant objects and strong reflection from close objects; Precise location in 3d space is determined by filtering, correlation and statistical analysis; The point cloud generated by the LiDAR sensor maps the sensor environment in the form of 3D. The command is transmitted to the actuator through the control of deep neural network and 3D holographic data is presented.
The multi-function holographic pulsed lidar sensor of WIMI, with large detection field, long detection range, has a unique scanning mode, small size and light weight. With its own point cloud interface, the operation does not need to connect the adapter box. The WiMi HoloPulse LiDAR solution provides a software development package with hardware products, including target detection, classification, and counting functions. Combined with software recognition algorithms, it can provide solutions for many fields (autonomous driving, environmental perception, 3D holographic imaging, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), traffic management, 3D printing, etc.), and rapidly expand the application market of holographic technology. In the auto parts market, which is closely related to autonomous driving, and the emerging things in the autonomous driving industry, the WIMI lidar has also become a vehicle marketing tool to some extent under the impetus of the Chinese autonomous driving market and new forces to build cars.
As a listed company in the holographic AR industry, WIMI has a high global popularity. The global lidar market is expected to exceed $6.4 billion by 2024 as the penetration rate of lidar sensors driven by autonomous driving increases and the demand for high level autonomous driving at L3 level and above increases. The first year of pre-installation mass production of 2021 lidar has arrived.
Media ContactCompany Name: OBNewsOnline IncContact Person: Matt SmithState: LondonCountry: United KingdomWebsite: https://observernewsonline.com


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No two descriptions of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey offered at Pac-12 Media Days were exactly alike.
Oregon LB Johnny Ragin III
"He's a worker…He's someone who's going to make you pay if you're not doing your job.
"Christian's just a hard-nosed, downhill runner. He doesn't seem super shifty to me. He's just a versatile player."
Ragin's description of McCaffrey's running style — hard-nosed, downhill — defies the oft-repeated mantra, which paints McCaffrey as the kind of play-in-space weapon who flourishes in a college offense, but doesn't necessarily translate to the NFL.
Cal DE DeVante Wilson:
"I look forward to facing Christian McCaffrey. He's a great player. He had a pretty good game against us last year."
And how. McCaffrey took a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, went 41 yards to the house on a reception, and rushed for 192 yards.
"He's a patient runner. He's very fast, but he knows how to use his blocks. He has good vision. He'll stop on a dime, and he's a home-run threat [who] can take it to the house every time."
Washington State DB Parker Henry:
"It's hard to stop him, because there's so many ways he can beat you: running, receiving, he's a good blocker. He's just a dynamic player all the way around. He deserves all the hype he gets, all the accolades he earned.
"He has a good mix of power and elusiveness. Some people think he's just a make-you-miss guy, but that's not the case. He'll put his shoulder down and run you over.
"He's a heckuva player and everyone knows if you want a shot to beat Stanford, you've got to contain him."
Washington State came about as close to beating Stanford as any opponent that didn't last season, 30-28, and the Cougars defense performed admirably against McCaffrey. He rushed for 107 yards and caught for a team-high 26, but was denied the end zone.
Even so, the Heisman Trophy runner-up saved the day, and first place in the Pac-12 North, with a tight-rope run along the sideline late in the game.
Stanford head coach David Shaw said in the days following, "not many human beings could do that."
Had Henry ever seen anything comparable?
"To be completely honest, no. He's a special talent, and he's able to do stuff that not a lot of people could do."
UCLA LB Jayon Brown:
"Great offensive line in front of him, great offensive scheme, and he's just a baller. He makes it happen on special teams, and they play through him on offense…He's the guy they've got to get the ball to to be victorious."
McCaffrey's Heisman campaign ostensibly began in Stanford's Thursday night romp over UCLA last October, in which he rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns.
The springboard that launched Christian McCaffrey to this point now, when he's discussed as an all-time college great, came on Thanksgiving weekend 2014, also against UCLA. In that one, he matched a team-high with 64 yards rushing, and caught a pass out of the backfield for 21 yards.
McCaffrey saw touches earlier in the season as a slot receiver, but Shaw showcased the do-everything play-maker in a role foreshadowing his 2015 eruption.
I covered that game live and was immediately intrigued. I asked Shaw the following spring about McCaffrey's potential, and the coach said he "got flak…for not playing him enough."
Limiting McCaffrey was a strategic decision from Shaw, who added, "we're trying to start a great career."
As impressed as I was with McCaffrey in 2014, I couldn't foresee the kind of impact he would make in 2015.
I am on record having written that two of the best individual performances I have ever covered live were courtesy of Christian McCaffrey — and they occurred in consecutive weeks.
The first was Stanford's Pac-12 Championship Game defeat of USC, a performance that sealed McCaffrey's place on the Heisman Trophy ballot. He rushed for 207 yards, caught for 105 with a touchdown and even passed to quarterback Kevin Hogan for a score.
Next came the Rose Bowl in an outing that ranks among the Granddaddy's best individual efforts ever, and one that might have made a few Heisman voters rethink their ballots.
Despite his 172 yards rushing on just 18 carries, and 105 yards receiving — including a 75-yarder that went to the house on the game's first play — a single moment from the Rose Bowl best captures the McCaffrey magic.
Heading into the New Year's Day matchup, McCaffrey had scored via kickoff return, pass, reception and rush, but not punt return. Scoring off a punt would put him in a club that included only Reggie Bush and C.J. Spiller.
I asked him before the Rose Bowl if he was going to get that punt return — somewhat jokingly, I admit. Thus, when he ran one back on Iowa, I was left just about speechless.
To that end, I understand the varied opinions of his playing style.
Opponents have so many different descriptions for Christian McCaffrey, because there's simply just so many superlatives that can be applied to his game. Sometimes, words simply fail.


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Repairing Concrete Picnic Tables
Repairing Concrete Picnic Tables – Concrete picnic tables and furniture have become a popular choice for many homeowners and commercial property managers who want outdoor furniture with little maintenance and upkeep. Concrete picnic tables are durable, long lasting and stand up to time and much better daily use than wooden picnic tables.
When a concrete picnic table becomes damaged or corrupted, you may be tempted to replace the unit. With the right ingredients, you really can fix most types of breaks in the concrete picnic table. Concrete mix powder with water in a mixing vessel, or to prepare a pre – mixed concrete solution according to the package directions. The concrete solution to form a thick paste you can shape to keep fit you graduate. Spray picnic table with a constant flow of water from a garden hose for about three minutes to moisten the area of the break. Wet concrete is easier to repair when you are using a mixture of concrete.
12 Photos Gallery of: Repairing Concrete Picnic Tables
Concrete picnic tables cloth to remove any standing water or puddles and allow water to enter the table for about two minutes. Apply the concrete mix for cracks on the picnic table surface with a spatula. Push the mixture into the crack depth and smoothing the surface to remove the excess concrete. Cover the repaired area with a canvas or plastic sheeting, and allowing the concrete mix to cure for at least 24 hours.


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How to Unclog Toilet with Vinegar
Clogging drains are horrible and they may happen at an inopportune time and these are expensive to be fixed. It feels awful especially when you have guests and your toilet doesn't respond well. The toilet drain issue is not unusual in the household repairing system. That's why best flushing toilets are great to avoid such inconvenience. Your toilet might get slow because of clogging and you are almost tired of pouring drain cleaners and chemicals without figuring out the actual cause. Unclogging a toilet is sometimes not so hard when you know proper home remedies. Here are remedies on how to unclog the toilet with vinegar and some useful tips to keep it neat and clean.
This troubleshooting period of drain clog might let you frustrated. You even can't think to use a toilet because of this problem. Even though you clean your toilet every day still accumulation cause clogging in the drain which slows down the flow of water.
Before you plan to go systematic and call a plumber or a handyman, consider fixing this issue at home with home remedies and techniques. The remedies are user-friendly and can be performed by any adult person in a home. You must go for some guidance before you grab screws and bolts.
Best Way Unclog Toilet with Vinegar
This is the most common remedy to open and clear the drains of toilets, kitchen, and garden. This formula is effective and can be performed under the supervision of an expert. Vinegar has a cleaning and breaking agent. Slow flushing toilet vinegar combined with baking soda makes a great remedy.
Boil a bucket of water and add one cup of vinegar and an equal amount of baking soda into the water. Lift that bucket and pour that mixture from your waist length directly into the toilet bowl so it makes pressure and pressure helps in unclogging any obstruction in the drain
Let this solution amalgamate in the drain overnight to make it worthy of reaction. Flush the toilet in the morning to figure out if it worked or not.
Tip to Remember
Flush your toilet and put your ear closer to the pipe so that you might hear gurgling or suction sounds. If you failed to hear any sound in the pipes, the clog is still there.
How to Fix slow Toilet Drain with Water Delivery
Slow water delivery also causes a poor drainage system. Make sure your toilet has enough water in the water reservoir or should be filled till the vertical spillover. Toilets are made to flow a certain amount of water while a flush, slow water delivery can cause slow spillover.
Consider Repairing Tools Connected to the Water Tank
This problem may arise due to frequent flushing and inadequate water in the tank. Make sure repairing the parts in a toilet water tank to operate and avoid any clogging and slow drainage system. Slow water flow is also one of the reasons for clogging in the toilets.
Use Plumbing Snake and Plunger to flush off quickly
Your siphon stream gives the suction expected to a good flush. It is situated in the drain opening at the base of the bowl. To clear it, pour some bowl cleaner in the tank, hold up the measure of time assigned in the cleaner's guidelines, and flush. On the off chance that this doesn't work, you could have an obstacle in the jet. With the bowl loaded with water, use a plunger vivaciously a few circumstances to clear any waste or flotsam and jetsam that may be a hindrance in a toilet.
How to خeep Toilet Drains Clean and Clear?
Even though you keep your toilets clean and take good care of them but at times you suffer from this problem.
Pour hot water in the toilet bowl twice a week which washes away any stuck particles in the drain.
Use a drain opener twice a week for its proper functioning.
How to Prevent Drains from Clogging?
By and large, if you are aware of what you put down your channels, you truly shouldn't have to clear them of flotsam and jetsam all the time – perhaps once a month or something like that. Be that as it may, few drains should be examined in a routine, especially a bath or a shower and bathroom sink drains. Since that is generally where hair turns into an issue. Shedding hair while shampooing or shaving is an almost a regular routine, however, it doesn't take much to obstruct a drain pipe. When you add to that the majority of the cleaner and toothpaste you're utilizing, it's anything but difficult to perceive any reason why obstructs can happen so rapidly and be so tenacious.
- Slow flush toilet vinegar solution you can use once a week to keep your toilet drain free of obstacles.
- Make sure children never visit toilets without your supervision. It may arise a chance of throwing toys and other un-flushable substance in the toilet bowl.
- Prevent toilet from throwing unnecessary hair and plastic clips.
- Keep examining the water flow whether it is slow or normal.
Do not make your Toilet a Garbage Can
This critical issue should never be ignored. You cannot throw unnecessary stuff in the toilet. People often throw materials like cigarettes and tissues and other materials which ultimately reach the bowl drain and build an obstruction in the toilet. Kindly be aware of what goes down your channels.
Avoid this listed stuff to put in the drains.
- Stickers
- Rice and pasta
- Coffee grounds
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Hair
- Glue
- Paint/paintbrush
- Soap and bottle caps
- Motor oil and edible oil
- Toddler wipes and female sanitary products
- Razors and rubber gloves


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AfricanFootball looks ahead to Matchday 4 of the 2017 CAF Champions League, which will see eight matches are played in midweek.
The action gets underway on Tuesday afternoon in Kinshasa as DRC giants AS Vita look for their first points in Group C when they host Ethiopia's Saint George, while the late match sees Sudan's Al Merrikh desperate for a home win when they host Group A rivals Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique in Omdurman.
Moving on to Wednesday, Cameroon's Coton Sport are on the hunt for their first points in Group D when they host Zambia's Zanaco in Garoua in the only afternoon match.
The remaining five fixtures all take place late at night, with the other Group D clash between Wydad Casablanca and Al Ahly in Morocco only set to kick-off early Thursday morning CAT time.
Arguably the biggest clash sees defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa face a tough trip to Esperance Tunis, with the former in need of another powerful away performance to come back into quarterfinal contention.
Group B is also delicately poised (just two points cover the four teams) ahead of its two matches on Wednesday night, as Al Ahli Tripoli host CAPS United and USM Alger welcome Zamalek, while a second successive match in Omdurman will see Etoile Sahel looking to put on foot in the next round with victory over Group A rivals Al Hilal.
CAF Champions League, Matchday 4 fixtures
All times CAT
Tuesday 20 June
Group C – AS Vita v Saint George – 16h00
Group A – Al Merrikh v Ferroviario Beira – 22h00
Wednesday 21 June
Group D – Coton Sport v Zanaco – 16h00
Group A – Al Hilal v Etoile Sahel – 21h00
Group B – Al Ahli Tripoli v CAPS United – 22h00
Group B – USM Alger v Zamalek – 23h00
Group C – Esperance Tunis v Mamelodi Sundowns – 23h00
Thursday 22 June
Group D – Wydad Casablanca v Al Ahly – 01h00


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A Double-Duty Dinner: Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Pear Sauce
Pear-Spiced Pork Tenderloin is a favorite autumn dish. Warm hints of the fall flavors of cinnamon and cloves, are sweetened with brown sugar and subtly heated with cayenne and chili powder. It's a richly flavored dish that stands alone as pork tenderloin one night and becomes a family favorite pulled pork on another.
Double-duty dinners is a home cook's dream. Two for the price, or effort, of one. Excellent to freeze for later use.
2 1-pound pork tenderloins
1/2 cup Spiced Pear Juice (R.W. Knudsen)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
freshly cracked pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 medium pear, cored, peeled and cut into chunks
Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
Place large pork tenderloin in a 13 x 9-inch pan.
Mix brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder in a separate bowl and rub into the pork tenderloin.
Pour Spiced Pear Juice over the pork tenderloin.
Carefully rub into the pork the brown sugar spice mix.
Cover with foil and bake for about an hour, 15 minutes. Remove foil, add chunked pear and return to the oven for another 15-20 minutes, until the pork is tender, at temperature, and can easily be shredded with two forks.


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My Blog
Posts for: June, 2020
By Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates of Corpus Christi
June 24, 2020
Category: ENT Care
Tags: Throat Cancer
Your ENT doctor sees, diagnoses, and treats many conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat. One of the most worrisome is throat cancer, along with malignancies of the pharynx, tonsils, and larynx. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America reports that the incidence of throat cancer increases with age (65 and older) and gender (male). As with most cancers, early recognition of symptoms, a proper diagnosis, and the right treatment are the keys to recovery.
Signs of throat cancer
The American Cancer Society says a persistent sore throat--one lasting two weeks or more--is a danger sign you should report to your primary care physician or otolaryngologist right away. Other signs of malignancy include:
- A continuing cough
- Hoarseness of voice
- Unexplained and significant weight loss
- Trouble swallowing easily (dysphagia)
- Pain in the jaw or ear
- White or red patches or sores in the mouth which do not heal
- Nose bleeds
- Headaches
- Swollen tissues anywhere in the head/neck area
- Numbness in the mouth and especially the tongue
- Continual nasal congestion
Sadly, untreated throat cancer spreads to other parts of the body, including the lips, lungs, and bones. More severe symptoms, such as bone pain or coughing up blood, can indicate metastasis of throat cancer.
Risk factors and prevention
Many throat cancers can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle risk factors include:
- Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol consumption (more than two drinks daily if you a man and more than one a day for women)
- HPV exposure (Human Papilloma Virus) through oral sex
- A diet low in vegetables and fruit
- GERD, or acid reflux disease, in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus
- Trouble with breathing and speaking
- Headaches
To minimize your risk, your physician may recommend smoking cessation, losing weight to avoid GERD, a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, and less alcohol. Asbestos exposure poses a cancer risk. Additionally, your dentist helps with early detection as he or she checks you for oral cancer with each routine office visit.
How to beat it
The American Cancer Society reports that about 12,000 people in the United States receive a throat cancer diagnosis annually. Five-year survival rates improve with early staging. See your doctor right away if you exhibit these concerning symptoms. Live longer, and live well.
By Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates of Corpus Christi
June 12, 2020
Category: ENT Care
Tags: Allergy Medication
An ear, nose, and throat professional (ENT) is a great resource when it comes to your allergies. Whether your symptoms are caused by seasonal changes or triggered by animal dander, an ENT can help you find the medication you need. Here is a small guide to finding the right allergy medication for you.
Decongestants vs. Antihistamines
There are two major types of allergy medication. Understanding the difference between them helps you find the right fit. A decongestant relieves your symptoms after your allergies have kicked in. They clear out your stuffy or runny nose, along with relieving any itching or sneezing. Antihistamines focus on stopping your allergies before they even start. They give you twenty-four-hour protection so you don't have to worry.
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are a quick and direct way to clear up nasal congestion. These are bought over-the-counter or with a prescription. You insert the spray into each nostril, doing one or two pumps for the full effect. They are available as both decongestants and antihistamines.
Eye Drops
A common problem with allergies is how it affects the eyes. They can get red and watery, causing pain and discomfort. This is especially true if you use contact lenses for vision. There are eye drops targeted specifically at allergy relief. These will clear up any redness and discomfort quickly.
Medication Side Effects
Talk to your ENT about any side effects of allergy medication that they recommend or prescribe. You can voice any concerns that you may have, guaranteeing a medication that works for you. That's one of the benefits of getting a prescription medication compared to over-the-counter. If you do purchase over-the-counter, be aware of these possible complications.
- Over-the-counter antihistamines have been known to cause blurry vision, constipation, drowsiness, and possibly weight gain.
- Nasal sprays can lead to constipation, nose bleeds, and an upset stomach.
- Oral decongestants have been linked to high blood pressure.
If you experience any of these symptoms after taking a medication or nasal spray, talk to your ENT right away. They can advise you to discontinue a pharmaceutical and switch to something different. Through trial and error, you'll find a functional treatment plan that works for your needs.
By Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates of Corpus Christi
June 01, 2020
Category: ENT Health
Tags: Dysphagia
You may take it for granted, but swallowing water, food, or saliva is actually a very complicated process. It requires vast systems of nerves and muscles working together. Patients that struggle to swallow normally have what is known as Dysphagia. This is not a stand-alone condition but a symptom of something else. It's why you need to schedule an appointment with an Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) right away. The elderly are especially at risk and can end up aspirating.
The Swallowing Process
There are four distinct stages of swallowing. You do this hundreds of times every day without even realizing it.
- The oral preparation stage is where the food or liquid is made ready for swallowing. In terms of food, this means chewing your food.
- Next is the oral stage where the tongue moves food or liquid to the back of the mouth. This starts the swallowing process.
- Then comes the pharyngeal stage, where the contents of the mouth go through the pharynx, throat, and esophagus.
- Last is the esophageal stage, where it transfers from the esophagus into your stomach.
Symptoms of Dysphagia
Pay attention to these symptoms if dysphagia is suspected:
- A constant feeling of something, either water or liquid, being stuck in the throat.
- Problems controlling saliva production, i.e. drooling.
- The sensation of a lump in the throat.
- Discomfort in the chest or throat.
- Coughing or choking when trying to swallow, drink, or eat. This is due to substances being pulled into the lungs.
- Difficulties sustaining a normal weight caused by swallowing interfering with nutritional intake.
What Is Causing My Dysphagia?
The most common cause is Gastroesophageal Reflux. This is a GI condition where stomach acid travels up the esophagus and pharynx. Other possibilities include:
- Tonsillitis or throat infections
- Scarring or damage to the esophagus
- Medication side effects
- Tumors in the lungs, esophagus, or throat
- Nerve diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
What to Expect With Treatment
Your ENT specialist works with you to determine the cause of your dysphagia. Addressing the underlying condition can start a path to recovery.
In some cases the cause is unclear. Your ENT will do everything possible to determine what is behind your dysphagia. They will ask you about the history of this problem and examine your throat. They might recommend a swallow test or various types of laryngoscopy.


text: With an elegant yet bold, inspired split spokes, Redbourne?s new Meridian Land Rover rims point to an adventurous character that evoke the mechanical sophistication of fine navigation instruments, perfectly in keeping with the Land Rover attitude of discovering the unknown. We?ve chosen two stand apart finishes for these Range Rover rims that emphasize the design?s powerful lines: a radiantly shimmering gloss black, and a strikingly contrasting gloss black with a brilliant mirror cut face. Each is exceptionally durable, for long lasting good looks. Like all Redbourne wheels, Meridian Range Rover wheels are engineered to carry heavy loads encountered highway driving. In fact, the Meridian cast monoblock alloy wheels are rated at 2300 lbs per, nearly five tons for a set of four. The wheels are hub centric for a velvety smooth ride and they accommodate redeployment of OE tire pressure monitoring systems, lugs and LR logo center caps. And they are designed to accommodate oversized Brembo brake rotors common to Land Rover vehicles.


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Each month we'll be highlighting one of our church family's ministries. With almost 40 different ministries, there is place for everyone to plug in and serve!
This month's highlighted ministry is our ChildCare
Ministry Leaders: Christy Foster
Mission Statement: We are blessed with many children in our congregation. A good portion of those children are babies and toddlers. We also have guests who visit us and many times they will bring babies and toddlers.
If the parents of the babies and toddlers wish to leave their children in the care of dedicated adults in our nurseries, they can do so and know their children are well cared for while they (the adults) attend worship.
The ChildCare Ministry has also provided ChildCare when there are special events such as Financial Peace University, movies, and special speakers.


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Story highlights
Pedro Hernandez is accused of choking to death 6-year-old Etan Patz
Relative: I reported comments made by Hernandez to police in the 1980s
Police in Camden, New Jersey, were not immediately available for comment
Attorney: Hernandez has not entered a plea due to a pending psychiatric evaluation
A member of Pedro Hernandez's family walked into a Camden, New Jersey, police station in the 1980s and reported that Hernandez told relatives and others that he had killed a boy in New York and threw the body near a Dumpster – but there's no indication anything came out of that report, the family member told CNN.
"You feel like they didn't believe you. I felt empty and a little bit mad," the relative said. "I was expecting something else."
Now, 33 years after Etan Patz disappeared, Pedro Hernandez stands accused of choking to death the 6-year-old youngster after luring him to the basement of a corner grocery store in New York City, and of throwing away his body inside a trash bag.
The family member, who CNN has agreed to not identify, said there was no receipt of paperwork to document the information provided – nor was the relative ever contacted again about the report.
"Police asked whether I was mad" at Hernandez or had an ulterior motive, the source added.
Hernandez allegedly confided the information to a New Jersey church prayer group that included some members of his family and his then-spiritual adviser, the source told CNN.
Tomas Rivera, a leader of the prayer group, declined comment Monday on Hernandez or the prayer group, citing authorities who told him not to talk to the media.
Pastor: Wife of suspect in Etan Patz case 'absolutely shell-shocked'
At 19, shortly after Patz's disappearance on May 25, 1979, Hernandez left his job as a stock clerk and returned to his mother's home in North Camden, New Jersey. The attempt to tell police that Hernandez might have killed a child happened a few years after that.
CNN has not been able to reach Camden police for comment.
"When he moved home, he was really nervous and shaking all the time," the family source said of Hernandez. "He constantly had diarrhea, and he spent a lot of time just looking out the window," the source added, saying the behavior was out of character for Hernandez.
Hernandez also allegedly told his first wife that he had killed a boy, according to the source. CNN has not been able to reach her. The two divorced, and Hernandez has remarried.
Neighbors say suspect in Patz killing lived a quiet life with his family
Before Hernandez was picked up for questioning last week, the family source was visited by police and asked about any previous confessions from Hernandez about killing someone.
Surprised to be contacted after so many years had gone by without hearing anything, the family member asked, "What took you so long?"
The family member didn't get an answer and doesn't know what prompted police to visit.
The relative had no explanation for why no other relative spoke up years ago. "Maybe they didn't want to get involved," the source said. "I wasn't going to stay quiet. I have a conscience."
The family source said he was surprised on Friday, when Hernandez' defense attorney announced in court that his client has a long psychiatric history, is on medication for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and suffers from hallucinations.
Attorney Harvey Fishbein said Hernandez – who was on suicide watch at Bellevue Hospital on Sunday – has not entered a plea due to a pending psychiatric evaluation.
New York police say they tracked down Hernandez after a tipster they won't identify contacted police last month. The person came forward after seeing publicity surrounding the FBI's search of an unrelated basement in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, a half block from Etan Patz' home.
New York police have not responded to a request for comment about the latest development.
But in a press conference Thursday, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said no family members or spiritual advisers ever contacted police. It's not clear whether Kelly was referring to the New York Police Department or any police department.
Meanwhile, police have asked New York's Sanitation Department for trash pickup and dumping records dating back to 1979, said Vito Turso, a spokesman for the department.
"We said we would search for those handwritten logs," he said. However, he said, businesses in the area could have hired private companies to haul away their trash, and "we would have no records of their pickup schedules."
The Patz case was the first of several high-profile cases that catapulted concern about missing children to the forefront of national consciousness.
The relative of Hernandez is concerned about what Etan Patz's parents must be going through.
"At this moment, they must be hoping this is the right guy, and they don't go through this again," the source said. "It's going to be like a nightmare for them, if it turns out it's not Hernandez."
"They must want to know the truth and get this over with," the relative added. "At least they will know."


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Ronan recently speculated (apparently after some discussion with Brad) that sealing ordinances encourage 'the dead to stay together at a time when, with the immensity of eternity before us, we may feel drawn to leave our earthly relationships behind'. In 'Everything is Illuminated', at the conclusion of Alex & Jonathan's 'very rigid search', Alex writes to Jonathan and explains that through their journey 'we have shared something to exist for' [1]. I want to explore a little more fully, in my own way, the ideas underlying this perspective.
Sealing rituals do not serve solely as symbols for our relationships rather they enact or memorialise the reciprocally constitutive nature of identity. Accepting a relational vision of apotheosis (i.e. Temple sealings) suggests that our potential divinity is inextricable from those to whom we are sealed. I am who I am because of those I have been sealed to; or, more accurately, I am sealed to those who have constituted who I am. And those sealings have been ritualised both in the temple and through baptism. We cannot, like Latour would suggest [2], re-assemble our associations without re-assembling ourselves. If we left these relationships behind in order to roam eternity surely we might be less-than the person we were, or, at the very least, we would be different from that other (prior) person. This is not to suggest that we cannot leave nor that the act of leaving might not be beneficial (Christ's condescension might suggest otherwise) but we cannot escape that through leaving we are inevitablely different.
In addition Alex's comment suggests that the desire to continue to exist is in part derived from these shared experiences. As someone who is intimidated by the boundlessness of the eternities [3] and who can (perhaps) envisage a time when I might choose to cease to exist [4], Alex's words resonate with me deeply. That our continued existence ensures the eternal nature of our (sealed) shared experiences provides one potential reason why I would choose to live forever [5].
- Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything is Illuminated.
- Bruno Latour, Reassembling the Social.
- Eugene England, Enduring in Dialogues with Myself.
- Julian Barnes, The Dream in The History of the World in 10 ½ Chapters
- Steven Peck, Crawling out of the Primordial Soup in Dialogue. The idea in Steve's essay which I draw upon here refers to his view that divine truth and knowledge are preserved through interaction between agents, from consciousness to consciousness.


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Roasted with lemon or served as a salad with a caramelized shallot dressing. Cooked or raw I'm a fan of Brussels sprouts. However, in the eyes (and pans) of many of us – Brussels sprouts can be dangerous Brassicas. Well maybe not dangerous, but still something to be avoided. Indeed, the difference between a good sprout – sweet and nutty with just a hint of crunch – and its evil cousin – sulfurous and soggy – is totally in the hands of the cook.
Brussels sprouts, part of the Brassica genus, are an edible bud. They're mini cabbages, really, in the same family as kale and regular-sized cabbage. Brussels sprouts have been grown since the 13th century in Belgium. But somehow on this continent, by the middle of the last century, they developed a reputation for being repulsive. Partly because they were often served boiled to a pulpy mess. Times have changed and so have our attitudes towards this little bud. Treat your Brussels sprouts gently and cook them hot and fast (or not at all) and they will reward you with tenderness and a complex flavor.
Sprouts with Caramelized Shallot Dressing
Try shaving them raw and tossing them with one of the best sweet and sour vinaigrettes I know. Caramelized Shallot Dressing. This salad has a good balance of earthy and bright flavors. It is full of crunch (apples) and cream (pecorino). The chewy dates provide unexpected texture. The shredded Brussels sprouts provide the thrill of frill. Not something you can say about any old salad. GREG
Follow the link on "evil cousin" above and watch Brussels Sprouts: A Horror Film a silly video I made way back in 2009!


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Sizing Considerations
There are two other considerations to take into account when sizing a whole house fan system:
Location: If located in a coastal region where the climate is cooler, a good system should work great. If located in a desert region where the climate is very hot during the day but cooler during the night, the best system would make the most sense.
Ceiling Height: If the ceilings in the home are taller than 8 feet, be sure to size the system a little bit larger to account for the increased air volume inside of the home.
Zoned and Central
After determining the total amount of airflow needed, it is time to select a system. We offer three types of systems:
Superior System: Zoned Cooling with multiple QuietCool Energy Saver or Stealth Pro fans in the system.
Advanced System: Zoned Cooling with multiple QuietCool Classic or Trident Pro fans in the system.
Basic System: Central Cooling with a single QuietCool fan located centrally in the home. These fans can be from either the Classic or Professional Series.
Central (single-fan) system
A centrally installed system is a single fan system that is installed in a central location in the home, as the name implies. A single system would typically be installed at the midpoint of a single-story home, or at the top of the stairs in a two-story home. A single QuietCool system will nicely ventilate an entire home, but lacks the individual room control that a zoned system offers.
Zoned (Multi-fan) system
A multi-fan zoned system gives the homeowner maximum control over their ventilation and cooling needs. When sizing a zoned system, the combined CFM of all zoned units (not each individual fan) needs to add up to the total CFM requirements. All zoned fans can be turned on simultaneously when the entire home needs to be cooled. A zoned system also allows individual bedroom control, however, and allows for more specific airflow control.


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Fault Tolerant Asynchronous Adders through Dynamic Self-reconfigurationSong Peng and Rajit Manohar
This paper presents a systematic method for the design of a reconfigurable self-healing asynchronous adder. We propose a graph-based model for the design of a fault-tolerant linear array with external inputs and outputs with a minimum number of spare resources. A K-fault-tolerant asynchronous adder design is pre- sented based on this analysis, together with the nec- essary support logic for dynamic self-reconfiguration. Experimental evaluations show that our method incurs both low hardware cost and small performance overhead compared to traditional approaches to fault-tolerance.


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There are 26 bones in each of your feet plus two sesamoid bones located under each big toe. Your feet have 25% of all the bones in your body. Wow! All these little bones plus the chunkier odd-shaped bones are joined together with synovial joints.
It is the lining of these synovial joints that is inflamed in rheumatoid arthritis. That is bad news as there are so many of them. All these little joints become inflamed and swell. My feet were the first to complain when rheumatoid arthritis announced itself in my body.
My rheumatologist said it is common for RA to start in the feet as well as in the hands.


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"Oh! Albion remains...Sleeping now to rise again...Yeah!"
Is Great Britain going batty? Great Satan's coolest Uncle ever, takes to the stand to handle certain elements worried about the wrong thing:
"When in doubt - knock 'em out"
Illegit regimes, with a track record of tormenting their own people, their neighbors, fiddle about with WMD and blow off Internat'l requests hammered out in good faith - then the 'calculus of risk' changes significantly - the burden is on those illicit regimes themselves to prove they are safe as milk in the new millennium.
This is absolutely correct (aside from being a wonderful reminder to such regimes of how the largest Arab army in history passed right out in 20 days when confronted with fully crunk democratic militaries created with a new, laughing race of Voltiguers).
Blaming Great Satan and Great Britain for not having 20/20 behind sight in the aftermath of 911 is, well, decorum prohibits tons of adjectives, let's just say highly questionable.
Uncle Tony wanted to make sure lottie dottie everybody got the memo - including (yet not limited to) NoKo, Libya, Syria and Iran and that pre emptive preventive war would sweetly fire off unconflicting signals - a really...
"Powerful, clear and unrelenting message that if you were a regime engaged in WMD - you had to stop"
Uncle Tony also offered up a copy of Dr Kenneth M. Pollack's fully crunk "Threatening Storm: The Case For Invading Iraq" (which the committee already had several copies)
Internat'l concensus fanboys were blindsided with they pants on the ground when ex PM Blair reminded everyone that when doing Iraq" the issue was very, very simple. It was about the need to make very clear that you did not defy the international community on WMD."
Blame the League of Hot! Democrazies for the Iraq war? Tore up from the floor up over it's legality or illegality?
"History will judge whether deposing Saddam Hussein was a good or bad thing. But the Chilcot inquiry should focus on what happened in 2002 and 2003. The efforts in 2010 by those who supported the intervention to re-write history have Stalin as well as Saddam laughing in their graves."
Pic "We can't get them all, but when we can - we should" with Jade Ewen


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Rita nodded at the figure of their father, sitting out of earshot on a bench and quietly feeding the birds. "Dad's not doing too well," she said, "but he still owns the business. Body's going to pieces but his mind is still sharp. And he won't let us sell."
Gnat folded his arms. "S-surely, even given the cost of raw materials, there's a considerable profit to be made there, to say nothing of the cachet the bakery holds with the community."
"It's not as big a profit as you'd think," Jim Jr. scoffed. "And you really have to knead and bake and scrape it out of every little piece of dough. It's hard work, and we've been doing it since we were kids. We want out."
"What about people like m-..ah, people that love the place? Warm baked goods, especially sweets, are statistically much more likely to form lasting memories. Think of all the kids that grew up on Orville's."
"What about all the kids that grew up in Orville's, huh?" Jim Jr. snapped.
"There's $100,000 in baking equipment alone in that shop, easy," said Rita. "Old stuff, good stuff, stuff that they don't make anymore. The stand mixer itself is worth $10,000; Stone Ground Bakery upstate is willing to pay cash and even haul it away for us."
Gnat looked at the distant, hunched form of Jim Sr. "And your dad?" he said. "What about him?"
"Listen, kid," said Jim Jr., irked at the gall of someone walking up and interrupting his stroll to cast aspersions on his motives. "Dad cares more about his dumb breads than he does about us. Always has, always will. So, as soon as he can't hold us back anymore, we're going to return the favor."
"Well then," said Gnat. "I think I may have just saved you the trouble, then, Orvilles." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a cookie, lavishly if crudely decorated to resemble a copyrighted cartoon character. Biting into it, Gnat's eyes fluttered with joy for a moment before he continued, chewing heavily. "I just unraveled the fabric of your bakery and everything in it. This cookie is all that's left of your inheritance."
He threw it at their feet, startling Rita and Jim Jr. enough that neither could respond.
"Go on and see what you can sell that for," Gnat said. "You've earned it."


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Length: 1.6 miles Rating:
This trail features steep rocky sections and some tight switchbacks. Cold Springs Creek Flows through dense woods and grassy fields on its way to the Pigeon River. The forest shows hints of its past history-farming, logging, narrow gauge railroads, settlements, and signs of recent forest management. The grassy ridges of Max Patch Mountain near the Tennessee state line crown the area. Trails combined with forest service roads to provide loop opportunities.
Directions: Take Harmon Den Exit off I-40 near the NC/TN state line. Head northeast on FR 148 (Cold Springs Road) about 3 miles to Harmon Den parking area on the left. Parking for trailers is also available at lower junction of FR 148 and 3526.


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Garden Bungalow
- Max:2 Person(s)
- Bed: King-size
+66 85 911 8169, +66 98 281 3194, +66 86 954 3632
10/2 Moo8 T.Ao-Nang, A.Muang, Krabi 81210
Top Sea View Bungalow is luxury are located on the top of the hill with full Ocean view and the room on top level of the resort. On your private terrace you can enjoy spectacular view of the Andaman Sea. The bungalows are surrounded with tropical gardens.
You can watch the sunrise from your room with the nice view of Mosquito Island and Bamboo Island. The bungalows have large bedrooms, a large bathroom and are only 50-100 meters from the beach. Each Bungalow is fabricated in natural wooden materials with thatched roof. Top Sea View Bungalow room size is 34 sq.m.
Beach Mat
Daily Maid Service(Make up the room every 2 day)
Fan Room
Drinking water 2 bottles every day
Kings size bed
Laundry basket
Luggage Rack
Mosquito Net
Room Size
Sea View
Bathroom with shower
Free toiletries
Free Wifi


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Preview 2018: Previewing and looking ahead to the Miami University RedHawks season with what you need to know.
Preview 2018: Miami University
– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players, Key Game, Fun Stats
– What Will Happen & Win Total Prediction
– Recruiting Class Analysis | Schedule Analysis
– Miami University Previews 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2010 was a long, long time ago.
Miami University used to be a MAC powerhouse, but it had one amazing conference championship-winning run in 2010, and that's been it since 2005. The program that went 13-1 with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm in 2003 has one winning season in the last 12 years.
This is the team to break through, but the experience has to translate into wins in close games.
Coming off an amazing run to a bowl game in 2016, the 2017 RedHawks had the pieces in place to contend in a weak MAC East.
Instead, they managed to los five games by eight points or fewer, and they did the near-impossible and lost to both Bowling Green and Kent State. Bowling Green's only other win was over Kent State, and Kent State's only other win was over Howard.
Miami has to be able to bust out of its shell a bit. It has to crank up the pace a bit, it has to finally run the ball for over 2,000 yards again, and it has to use all the good parts returning to come up with a winning season.
Gus Ragland might just be the MAC's best quarterback – at least when he's on – and he get to work behind a line with all five starters back. James Gardner is one of the league's top receivers, and the running backs are good enough to do more – it's time to start scoring 40 points a game once in a while.
The linebacking corps is as good as any in the MAC, and while there needs to be more of a pass rush, the line should be fine against the run.
Solid offense, good enough defense, decent special teams – it's enough to get to six wins in the MAC.
It's enough to expect a lot more wins.


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How to prepare Feast Watson Stain and Varnish:
Before you get coating... Let's prep!
New Timber
How to prepare New Timber:
- Sand to a smooth surface and remove all sanding dust before coating.
TIP: Achieve that super-smooth finish (or if the timber grain is open or coarse) by applying a coat of Feast Watson Sanding Sealer and sand back as per the label instructions.
For naturally oily timbers, seal the timber with Feast Watson Proofseal as per the label instructions prior to application.
Previously Coated Timber:
How to prepare Previously Coated Timber:
- Previously varnished surfaces need to be sanded to a dull finish. Remember to remove all sanding dust before coating!


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Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies
Making the transition to a low-carbon economy: the key challenges for China
Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies
Making the transition to a low-carbon economy: the key challenges for China
11th June, 2016 - Development, Economics and finance, Environment & energy, Government and governance | Asia, East Asia
China has realised that for its own sake and from the international community's perspective, it cannot afford to continue on the conventional path of encouraging economic growth at the expense of the environment. Accordingly, the country has placed ecological goals at the same level of priority as policies on economic, political, cultural and social development. Specifically, meeting the grand goal involves not only capping China's nationwide coal consumption to let it peak before 2020 and carbon emissions peak around 2030, but also putting in place a variety of flagship programs and policies. This article argues that the 2030 carbon emissions peak goal is ambitious but achievable and concludes by arguing why there is reason to be optimistic about China's 'green push'.
(Photo: Herry Lawford on flickr)
Press Ctrl+C to copy


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Mike Smith at ModernManTV has finally released this fantastic line up! Here are the details from their site!
Control & Nourishment is the name of the game with the Dauntless Pomade. This is an "unorthodox waterbased pomade" or a water-soluble formula that doesn't harden in the hair. It was designed to be both effective in the hair for styling, as well as nourishing the hair and scalp. It has a smooth and creamy consistency to allow for easy application and styling, but its sticky and tacky to hold it there when your ready. On top of that, its made with 8 different oils and extracts, each with a specific role in repairing and nourishing your hair & scalp. On top of that it also features Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein, which results in smooth and shiny hair while also reducing frizz and flyaways.
It also features our signature line fragrance "fearless", which is a smooth cologne type scent that was developed for our line by White Label Grooming
Fragrance Notes:
Top:Apples, Bergamot,Mandarin, Neroli, Peppercorn, Pineapple.
Middle: Birch, Blackcurrant, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Rose.
Base: Ambergris, Galbanum, Oakmoss,Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla,Vetiver
LIMITED SCENT: Bayrum
Hold Strength:Medium
Finish: Low Shine
Hair Type: Thick/Thin/Fine
Washout: Water-rinse
For best results you can use the Dauntless Pomade on either Damp or dry hair. Simply apply your desired amount to your hair and shape your style until your happy with it.
Distilled Water, Cera Alba (Bees Wax), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) wax, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Vitus vinifera (Grape) seed oil, Maltodextrin / VP copolymer, PEG-7 Glyceryl Monococoate, Btyrospermum Parkii (shea butter),Polysorbate-80, Hydrolyzed keratin protein, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa seed extract, Cocos Nucifera (coconut) Oil, Gardenia Taitensis flower extract, tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, Fragrance, Optiphen Plus
4 oz.
All of our waterbased products have a 1 year expiration date from the date of manufacturing. You can find the date this was made on the bottom of each jar. To extend the life of your product, make sure the lid is always kept on the jar, its stored in a cool-room temperature place, and you use clean hands when scooping the product out of the jar.


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"Adazi" heath is about two thousand hectares wide landscape formed by the sunny and windy mosaic of heath, dunes and sparsely growing trees in the dry, nutrient poor soil. Many animal and plant species rare in Europe are found here. In the early spring mornings Black Grouse lek in the heath, and as the first in the spring emerge Eastern Pasque Flowers with fluffy, purple blooms. In the summer days the simple song of Tawny Pipit can be heard in the plains, but at night European Nightjars rattle resembles the sound of a distant motorcycle engine growl. In the second half of the summer around 20 species of grasshoppers are found in the heath in high numbers. European Roller families from a wide surrounding area feed on them. But the most magnificent the heath becomes during the flowering time in August when purple heather colour is dominant throughout Adazi military training area for several weeks.
In the protected landscape area "Adazi" heath has originated in the result of fires and military activities. Under natural conditions, heaths form in dry areas after fires, in grazed areas or temporarily exist in the clear-cuts. Long term existence of heath relies on regular disturbances. In the Adazi training area frequency and scale of the military training has decreased in last twenty years, so large areas of heath overgrow with trees and bushes and is no longer suitable for open plain plants and animals.
The project will restore 1,100 hectares of overgrown heath. Cutting down of trees and bushes, mowing, controlled burning, as well as sod cutting – new method in Latvia will be carried out in the heath. Before the restoration works area will be cleaned from the unexploded ammunition.


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Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park was established in November 1998. It is Ireland's sixth National Park and is located on the Western seaboard in North West Mayo.
It comprises of 11,000 hectares (110 km²) of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range.
The area includes the beguiling Nephin Wilderness Park. Between Nephin beg and Slieve Carr, at 721 metres above sea level, the highest mountain in the range, lie the Scardaun Loughs.
In a major success for the park, in 2016, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) granted Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park status to Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park to be recognised as Mayo International Dark Sky Park.
A Gold Tier classification is an honour reserved for the most exceptional of dark skies and breathtaking nightscapes, and this recognition completes the '360 degree experience' that the North Mayo national park has to offer, boasting pristine beauty underfoot, all around and up above.
Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park is also the first national park in Ireland to be designated an International Dark Sky Park.
To the west of the mountains is the Owenduff bog. This is one of the last intact active blanket bog systems in Ireland and Western Europe and is an important scientific and scenic feature of the National Park.
The National Park also protects a variety of other important habitats and species. These include alpine heath, upland grassland, heath and lakes and river catchments. Greenland White-fronted geese, Golden plover, Red Grouse and Otters are just some of the important fauna found within the Park.
The Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park is itself part of the Owenduff/Nephin Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). These European designations are part of the Natura 2000 Network, which protect rare and important habitats and species under the EU Habitats and Birds Directive.
For more information: +353 (0)98 49888
Visit: www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie
Or Email: email@example.com


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As the year 2013 comes to an end, we take a look back at the top stories from the pages of the Mercury-Register over the past 12 months.
A ballot of 22 stories was culled from news logs from the past year. Some were ongoing topics, while others were one-day news events. That ballot was submitted to the newsroom for a blind vote. Everyone's vote carried the same weight, from the editor to the part-time clerk.
A top 10 list was created, and we'll count it down over the next two days. Today: No. 10 through No. 6.
10. Ishi joins state Hall of Fame
The state Hall of Fame now has its first Butte County and Oroville resident, when the last Yahi Indian Ishi was inducted in March.
The Yahi's home territory was a bit farther north in Tehama County. Conflict with neighboring settlers reduced the tribe to a mere handful, and in 1908, that group's last hidden camp was broken up too.
Ishi wandered south, and apparently lived for quite some time in the foothills east of Oroville.
On Aug. 29, 1911, he came into town. Unsure what to do with him, the sheriff stuck him in jail for a few days until an anthropologist from the University of California arrived and took Ishi to live out his days in a museum in San Francisco.
9. Cold case arrest
A homicide that occurred a dozen years ago is about as cold a case as there is, but advances in crime-solving technology and witnesses coming forward led to an arrest in just such a case in Oroville.
A fisherman found the body of Shirley Ann Pratt, then 41, on Oct. 12, 2001 in the Oroville Wildlife Area. She had been shot. Her vehicle was found burned just outside the wildlife area.
In July, Marvin Ray Markle, 47, of Biggs, was arrested and charged with murder in the case. He waived a preliminary hearing, so little of the prosecution's case has been revealed.
The case is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 27.
8. Senior housing project
A 50-unit affordable senior housing project was under construction in downtown Oroville at year's end, after surviving a legal challenge and removal of contaminated soil at the site in 2013.
The property at 1511 Robinson St. was the former site of the Vega Center, and before that, Oroville's first hospital. After the city tore down the buildings, some of the soil at the site was found to be contaminated and had to be hauled away this year.
Once remediation was complete, Peteluma Ecumenical Properties started work on what's called the Orange Tree Apartments.
The project also got clearance from the court system in 2013, as the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Sacramento rejected an appeal of a lawsuit filed by neighbor Al Ziburtovicz against the project.
7. Oroville Adult Ed survives
Oroville Adult Ed appeared to be history when Gov. Jerry Brown ordered such programs shifted from school districts to community colleges.
Staff of the school were laid off in light of that decision, and the graduation in June looked like it might be the last for the popular institution.
Brown revised his proposal in May, saying schools could still run adult ed for a couple of years.
In June, the Oroville Union High School District rehired five teachers and three staff and the program was on track to resume classes in August.
6. Marijuana regulation
Butte County spent much of 2013 trying to come up with new regulations to rein in medical marijuana grows, and reduce the environmental damage large-scale operations are causing in the foothills.
County supervisors started considering changes to their marijuana cultivation ordinance early in the year, and seemed to be heading toward some major revisions that would have halved the amount of pot that could be grown on a parcel.
But threats of a referendum by pot growers prompted the board to water down the changes, a step that drew public friction between Larry Wahl of Chico, who favored tighter rules, and the rest of the board.
On another front, the board filed lawsuits against a number of growers for violation of the county grading ordinance.
The county also tried to get the state Regional Water Quality Control Board on the offensive against growers who were creating runoff problems in regard to silt and toxic chemicals used on some grows.
The regional board responded that was just too dangerous, leaving locals flabbergasted. After a series of meetings higher and higher in state government, the regional board was directed to cooperate with the county.