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In an ultra-game effort, Exclusive Quality's Sr. Quisqueyano set all the pace in the $150,000 Skip Away Stakes (G3), before dropping a narrow decision to Commissioner at the wire of the 1 3/16-mile test on the Florida Derby (G1) undercard at Gulfstream Park March 28.
With Edgard Zayas in the saddle for trainer Peter Walder, Sr. Quisqueyano assumed command early, clicking off an opening quarter in :24.38 and getting a half mile in :48.97 with Commissioner in close pursuit. After six furlongs in 1:13.81, Sr. Quisqueyano was joined on the front end by Commissioner, who ranged up to challenge for the lead.
Sr. Quisqueyano, however, was far from finished. He dug in bravely and simply refused to give an inch. The two horses separated themselves from the field as they battled the length of the stretch with Commissioner prevailing by a neck on the line, stopping the timer in 1:58.60. It was 7 ½ lengths back to distant third-place finisher Encryption.
"We knew Sr. Quisqueyano is a tough horse to get by," winning trainer Todd Pletcher said of Exclusive Quality's best son who galloped out ahead of Commissioner.
Sr. Quisqueyano, back from a trip to California for the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), increased his earnings to $743,510 and his slate now stands at 31-8-7-3.
Bred in Florida by Do-Little Farm and owned by Loooch Racing Stables, Sr. Quisqueyano is produced from the Polish Navy mare Royal Navy.
Exclusive Quality is Florida's third-ranked leading sire of 2015, and the stakes-winning son of Elusive Quality (sire of champions Smarty Jones, Raven's Pass, Maryfield and Florida Derby, Donn Handicap and Woodward Stakes winner Quality Road), stands for $2,500.


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Everything You Need To Know About Flowers
Everything You Need To Know About Flowers
Flower is the most beautiful thing which can be used in both celebration and sorrow Online Shopping Shop Journey. If there is any type of celebration then you may use the flower to decorate the place or if it's time for sorrow then the flower is used at a funeral. You cannot find any exact use of flowers as you can use it for any reason either for showing love or devotion towards someone. If you want to know the importance of flower then try to get everything you need to know about flower.
Ways of using flowers
You can use the flower in many ways and it can create a great impact in all those ways-
- Use flower as a gift– most of the people use to gift flower to their loved ones like if you are going to show your love toward someone then offer red roses, want to make friends then offer yellow roses and things like that and if you don't know what to gift then you can choose flower as this is the best thing which can be used as beautiful gift that everyone love to have.
- Use for showing devotion– if you are the one who is very punctual in praying to God then you can use the flower to complete your prayer
- For doing decoration– you can decorate any place in such a way that people will love to see where you can use a flower. By using flower you can not only decorate that place but also provide a beautiful fragrance to that place.
There are many other things that will help you in getting everything you need to know about flower.
What is the significance of the arrangement of flowers in a proper way?
You must know the proper arrangement of flowers so that it looks very creative. There are many ways of flower arrangements like if you want to create a romantic atmosphere then use red roses in such a way that anyone will love to see. Don't think that that you can only do such things for your better half but if you want to make your mother, sister or any other one to feel special then use the flower as a way of expression. Flowers are the best way of showing expression if words end.
What is the effect of flowers?
Want to see a smile on the face of your loved one? Gift flower. You can change the mood of any person just by offering them some flowers with or without decoration. You can make bonds stronger than before just by gifting flowers. People who are searching "everything you need to know about flower" may find the only that it is the best gift which you can offer to your loved ones. But if you find that deeply then you will know the importance of flowers and how it is making changes in the life of people.
Hence if you are the one who is looking for something as a gift then try to go for the flowers

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Cows in our farm have eaten something unknown and are producing instant milk. Object of this game is to milk them before they explode. Don't forget to empy your bucket before milking some more.
Use the arrow keys to move and the spacebar to milk the cows and empty bucket.
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For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
When I look back over my life, most of the stupid stuff I did happened when I was alone. God knows that we're weakest when we're by ourselves — that's why he designed other human beings.
Consider the Trinity for a moment. It's a beautiful picture of how relationships are supposed to be. Father, Son and Holy Spirit — three people who live in such tight, loving community that they're truly one.
It's a love party. God loves to hang out with us. And God loves it when we hang out with others. Our relationships should reflect the love and unity that's in the Trinity.
Here's a dumb but relatively meaningful example from my own life. A few years ago, I would have wasted the next half hour watching SportsCenter by myself. Instead, I'm getting together with a group of guys to help comfort a friend whose brother just passed away. God will be there with us.


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I've been complaining about dry skin for the past few weeks (Seriously, winter? Can't you just be over already?), so I was especially pumped when this month's Sample Society box arrived. Tucked inside were two clutch cold-weather skin soothers, Clark's Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask and Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash (I dabbed the mask over my skin last night and let it sit while I caught up on the season premiere of Girls, and when I tissued it off, my skin felt so soft). And the timing couldn't be more perfect: I'm flying home for my cousin's wedding this weekend, and both will fit into my carry-on. What else was inside? A full-size Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eye Pencil in Black (score!); a mini-bottle of Nicole Richie's Eau De Parfum, Nicole—a sexy scent with notes of blackberry, amber, sandalwood, and patchouli; and a tube of Snowberry Instant Deep Cleanser.
If it sounds like you received a way different set of products than I did, it's probably because you did! Now, when you sign up for Sample Society, you're asked to fill out a beauty profile, which is awesome, because that means you'll get products tailored to—if you're anything like me—your sensitive skin and coarse, frizzy hair.
Here's what else is floating around Sample Society this month: StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub, a full-size Sue Devitt Lip Enhancing Gloss, Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo, Diptyque Volutes Eau de Toilette, By Terry Clarte De Rose Firming Radiant-Lift Eye Serum, and much, much more.
For more information about joining Sample Society, visit beautybar.com.
⋅ Daily Beauty Reporter: Your Sample Society Questions Answered!
⋅ Daily Beauty Reporter: Allure's Sample Society—Why Even We Are Signing Up


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CD102.5 cares for our local community, and in times of crisis, we believe that our most important duty as a locally owned and operated radio station is to support our community in the ways that we can. For the past few months, CD102.5 has been running a program called CD102.5 Cares. CD102.5 Cares has offered free advertising to our small business community and has encouraged our listeners to support these small businesses by staying connected, by ordering takeout/delivery, or by using any of the other services provided.
The response to our Cares program has been overwhelmingly positive, and we were delighted to hear from so many of our advertisers that they noticed both increased traffic and awareness of their business during these challenging times. The CD102.5 team has enjoyed learning more about our small business community and establishing lasting personal connections.
As the pandemic restrictions are being lifted and life is starting to return to normal, we will be ending our current Cares program on June 22, 2020, and we will move into our next phase. While we wish that we could offer free advertising forever, as we expected, our inventory availability and resources are being pressured by more and more businesses that are opening and advertising to our audience. We do plan to continue to maintain cd1025.com/cares as a page on our website that features small businesses in need of additional promotion and advertising.
In addition, we stand as a resource and offer many solutions for your advertising and marketing needs through our customized advertising programs. Over 90% of the Columbus market listens to AM/FM Radio every week, and CD102.5 is the market-exclusive Alternative music format. Our audience is large, loyal, engaged, and ready to do business with our advertisers! Now is the perfect time to let us show you how you can benefit by spreading the word about your business to the over 150,000 people who listen to Columbus's Alternative Radio Station each week. If you'd like to learn more, please feel free to call us at 614-221-9923, or complete this form .
Again, it has been a true pleasure to be able to help so many businesses navigate these strange days. We look forward to staying connected as we build a path to a brighter future.
Do you have a local business and would like your information listed here? Click the link above to fill out a brief form, and we'll get to work from there!


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First Birthday Parties
Your baby's first birthday is a monumental milestone for the whole family to celebrate! From birthday party themes and decor ideas to adorable smash cakes…
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1st Birthday
With your baby's summer birthday right around the corner, it's the ideal time to bring fun, fresh colors and patterns to the party. Check out this "party like a pineapple" 1st birthday party theme for inspiration on how to throw a celebration that matches your baby's lively personality.
This adorable donut-themed 2nd birthday party has all the pink shades and colorful sprinkles your little one is looking for. With ideas for the decorations, snacks, desserts, signage and party favors, look no further for birthday inspiration than this creative occasion. Think of how fun it can be to opt for a celebratory donut tower instead of a cake for your toddler's birthday.
Summer doesn't have to end! This "Beside the Seaside" first birthday party inspires a trip to the seashore without ever having to leave your own home. Find inspiration to throw your own coastal-themed party in shades of pink and gold for your little girl as the perfect celebration. This beautiful party includes ideas for the smash cake, snacks, desserts, décor, and more!
Celebrate your baby's first birthday in style with inspiration from this floral-themed party fit for a princess! Get ideas for must-take photographs to capture when your child turns one as well as ideas for a sweet, rosey pink smash cake perfect for the birthday girl to get her hands into!
Get inspired to host a first birthday party for your little girl that will reflect her shining personality. This inspiring pink and gold twinkle twinkle first birthday party has ideas for DIY decorations, the smash cake, must-take photos, appetizers, and desserts for your guests, family, and friends to enjoy!
Does your baby turn one year old this winter? This beautiful first birthday party theme idea, based on The Nutcracker, is a great way to celebrate this big milestone. If your child celebrates a birthday during the holiday season, this inspirational party decor, birthday cake, and invitation idea is a must-see!
Celebrate your little one's big day with these 5 ideas for your baby's first birthday! These tips may help you host a fun, safe, and stress-free birthday party that you, your child, adults and kids can enjoy. From entertaining ideas to healthy snacks—your guests will appreciate each the thoughtful details.


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Disagreement. Clash. Battle. Quarrel. Argument. Conflict. Dispute. Fight.
Whatever you call it, at some point in your relationship, you and your partner are bound to butt heads. In fact, the sign of a healthy relationship is that you're fighting fair. The emphasis is on the word 'fair' here. That's because while fighting is all but inevitable, how it's carried out is not always predictable or pretty.
However, there are ways that you and your partner can fight in a productive and even helpful manner. Just like any good relationship, fighting fair will take compromise and respect for your partner, but tit's doable. Atlanta-based psychologist Dr. Laura Louis, PhD, says that a fair fight is all about "coming from a place of wanting to understand your partner's perspective."
Rather than continually hitting emotional and mental gridlock, here are some of the ways you and your partner can become better at having healthy arguments and, in turn, have a stronger relationship.
Setting Ground Rules
In order to have a fair fight, there are rules that should be set in place by couples. (That whole "No hitting below the belt" boxers agreement actually comes in handy for just about everyone.)
One of the first things you should do before having a difficult conversation that has the potential to be a fight, is to "check-in with your partner to determine if they are available… logistically and emotionally," says Austin-based counselor Seth Houdeshell, LCSW, SAP.
If both parties feel up for an exchange, there are a variety of ground rules that you can consider. Houdeshell, for instance, suggests fighting guidelines such as "don't talk over each other" and "be aware of [each other's] triggers." (For instance, if you know one of your partner's sensitivities is about their parenting skills, a fair fight would not challenge or insult them as a parent.)
Knowing when to take a break can also be an important ground rule, says therapist Megan Negendank, LMFT, CST, of Sacramento. A time-out should occur if "either person is too overwhelmed for the argument and notice that they are either too angry and losing control of what they are saying or shutting down and not able to communicate effectively."
When this happens, either party can say they need to hit pause and use that time to calm down, by perhaps taking a walk (no storming out) or listening to some music.
But, this time-out is only for a limited amount of time (at least 30 minutes, Negendank, suggests, but certainly no longer than 24 hours) "and both people should work together to try to understand where the other person is coming from in the disagreement."
Watching Your Language and Tone
One of the key ways to fight fair, Houdeshell says, is to "use a conversational tone of voice," because the way couples address one another during an argument can escalate or deescalate it.
To do this, you can try a soft start-up to your discussion, rather than a hard start-up. For instance, Houdeshell explains, rather than telling your partner, "You left the dishes in the sink again, you're such a mess," you can start with a softer prompt like, "I was really hoping you'd do the dishes, will you have time today?"
Louis adds that positive "I" statements can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding the blame game. She also says that it's important to avoid "always" (i.e. "You're always late"), as it triggers defensiveness, rather than stating your needs in a positive way.
All of the experts agree that for fair fighting, things like yelling, eye-rolling, making demands, shaming, name calling, and/or cursing are major things to avoid.
Reaching a Compromise or Resolution
Now that you've set your boundaries and ground rules, kept your tone and language in check, and taken a limited break when needed, how do you know when it's time to call a fair fight?
For some, it's reaching a compromise. Houdeshell says this can be done by arriving in the middle of each party's desired outcome. (For instance, if one partner wanted to take a 2-week vacation and the other a long weekend, a compromise would be agreeing to go away for a week.) For others, it can be reaching a concrete resolution.
Whatever conclusion you reach together, Negendank says that arguments "end best when each person is able to express what the other person's main concerns are so that each person feels understood."
Just like your time-out during the fight, if you need to take a breather and spend some time apart after the argument is over, that's okay as well. It's all about setting term limits and openly communicating your thoughts and feelings after the fight, too.
"Just tell your partner that it's not because you are angry with them, but you just need some space to decompress," Negendank says. "If your partner asks for this space, give them the benefit of the doubt that they are just trying to take care of themselves and respect their request."
Fighting is Good (When It's Done Fairly)
Bad or unhealthy fights include serious problems like gaslighting, stonewalling, and any kind of abuse, be it physical, emotional, and/or psychological. If your fights include these issues, you and your partner may want to seek outside help in order to have better coping and communication skills.
So long as your fights have not reached this negative or potentially dangerous place, then there's a chance you're fighting healthy, which is ultimately a positive thing for your relationship. This is because, as Houdeshell explains, "it allows your relationship to adjust to your current emotional realities."
"If you don't share the information that comes out in a fight, then you don't really know your partner," Houdeshell says, adding, that your interactions are then just "based on old information or giving you a partial perspective of who they really are."
The benefits of conflict, Louis says, is that it allows us to understand what the key problems are. "[Fights] reveal to us the things we need to change: in ourselves, in our partners and in our relationships."


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Chefs Vij & Lebsack w MFV, Bartier Br, Little Farm & Desert Hills at Rge Rd
When and where
Date and time
Rge Rd 10643 123 St NW Edmonton, AB T5N 1P2 Canada
Map and directions
How to get there
Refund Policy
There are few success stories that can match that of chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur Vikram Vij. Born in India, moved to Austria and then, lucky for us, moved to Canada in 1989 to work at the Banff Springs Hotel. In September 1994, Vikram opened Vij's Restaurant in Vancouver, which New York Times food writer Mark Bittman said was: "…easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world.
Vikram and later opened a second restaurant and market called Vij's Rangoli. Vikram also launched his own range of frozen package meals, Vij's At Home, as well as Vij's Railway Express foodtruck and a third restaurant My Shanti. Vikram was a guest judge on Top Chef Canada in 2011 and 2012. He was a judge on the first ever Chopped Canada and he appeared on CBC's Recipe to Riches. Vikram was also a Dragon on CBC's Dragons' Den. Vikram Vij truly is one of Canada's culinary rock stars.
Join Vikram and award winning Chef Blair Lebsack as they join forces for a remarkable collaborative dinner at RGE RD, named Edmonton's best restaurant in 2015 by Avenue Magazine & one of Canada's best new restaurants by en Route Magazine, paired with the multi-award winning wines of Meyer Family Vineyards featuring owner JAK Meyer, Bartier Bros featuring owner/winemaker Michael Bartier, Little Farm featuring owner/winemaker Rhys Pender MW and Desert Hills featuring owner Randy Toor. This will be an evening you will not soon forget.
*all tickets are non-refundable
*must be 18 years or older to purchase
*dietary restrictions and food allergies may not be able to be accommodated.
*all dinners will begin promptly at the stated times. Please be on time.


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Dec. 11: Message from President Robert A. Corrigan regarding Business building occupation
2009 -- 12:07 p.m.: President Robert A. Corrigan sent an e-mail message to faculty and staff at SF State regarding the Dec. 9 occupation of the Business building. The same message will be sent to all students Friday evening. Read the message at: http://www.sfsu.edu/news/announce/133.html
Dec. 10, 2009, 7:02 a.m.: University Police, with support from the California State University Critical Response Unit and San Francisco Police Department, entered the Business building at approximately 3:15 a.m. today and cleared the building of protesters. The Business building is open for business as usual today; all classes will be held as scheduled.
Dec. 9, 2009: 3:40 p.m.: Classes scheduled to meet in the Business building on Wednesday have been canceled with the following exceptions:
1. MGMT 670.03 will meet in HSS 304 from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
2. BUS 682.05 will meet in trailer 4 (Behind Hensill and Thornton Halls) at 4 p.m.
3. ISYS 565.01 will meet at HSS 151 at 7 p.m.
If you have questions, contact the Registrar's Office via e-mail at email@example.com, by phone at (415) 338-2350, or in person at the One Stop Student Services Center during normal business hours.
10:58 a.m.: San Francisco State University is open today and classes for today, Dec. 9, 2009, are in session with one exception: classes in the Business building are canceled. The campus is safe and operating as usual. There is a protest in the Business building only. At this time it is peaceful. University police, in concert with local law enforcement, are monitoring for safety and senior administration is attending to the situation. The protestors have not yet contacted the administration regarding their concerns.
9:38 a.m.: Classes scheduled to take place in the Business building on Wednesday, Dec. 9 have been canceled. Business classes held in other buildings on campus are still in session.
If students have questions about their work and need to speak with their instructors, faculty will be available at the Seven Hills Conference Center through 2 p.m. and at the Towers Conference Center from 2 to 8 p.m.
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Articles, movies, 360°
Sweden's royal cultural heritage is a never-ending source of knowledge, inspiration and experiences.
The page is refreshed continuously with articles, films and VR tours. Select the category and/or location in the search filter.
This autumn, you can explore four of the royal sites with self-guided visits and guided tours: The Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace, Gr...Read more
The Royal Walks app offers walks in beautiful settings through several of our royal parks. The app now also includes a guide to Haga park!Tickets
The model of the 2021 Portrait of Honour is Carl Bildt, a politician and former prime minister of Sweden. The portrait has been painted b...Read more
This summer, a piece of history that has often been overlooked and taken for granted in our public parks will be on display on Royal Djur...Read more
In the Royal collections there are two bureaus made by Christian Linning, one of the leading Rococo cabinetmakers in Sweden. These commod...Read more
Visit the exhibition 'Daisy: Crown Princess Margareta' from the comfort of your own home. Step into her apartment at the Royal Palace and...Tickets
A very early copy of the American Declaration of Independence hangs on a wall at Rosersberg Palace. Sweden was the first state outside th...Read more
Hunt for lions, find flowers and discover the Palace's gold. Challenging image hunts in the rooms of Drottningholm Palace is hosted for c...Read more
Welcome to the home of royalty! Many kings and queens have called the Royal Palace home. Can you find them? Our image hunts for children ...Read more
The rooms furnished by King Gustav III for his sister Princess Sofia Albertina at Gripsholm Castle are some of the castle's most beautifu...Read more
King Gustaf V, Queen Victoria and their children spent many unforgettable summers together at Tullgarn Palace in the Trosa Archipelago.Read more
On a beautiful summer's day, 28 June 1909, world history came to Tullgarn. The Russian Tsar Nicholas II's 112 metre yacht Standart, richl...Read more
The Royal Walks app offers walks in beautiful settings through several of our royal parks. The app now also includes a guide to the area ...Read more
"Now it's time to paint the old man!" This is how the artist Anders Zorn was greeted by King Oskar II when he arrived at the Royal Palace...Read more
From early May, "The King's sheep" graze on Royal Djurgården – a tradition dating back more than a century. Grazing animals are hired in ...Read more
Get more out of your visit to the Chinese Pavilion with our audioguide. With it, you can listen to or read about the history of this exot...Read more
An audio guide, available via your smartphone, has been created for the Bernadotte Apartments – the rooms at the Royal Palace named after...Read more
'Look at the rugs – find me' – the previous popular exhibition featured the works of Märta Måås-Fjetterström is available from home!Read more
The artists of this year's exhibition at Royal Djurgården in Stockholm is Yinka Shonibare CBE. Shonibare's sculpture will be inaugurated ...Read more
One of the priceless artefacts on display in the Treasury at the Royal Palace of Stockholm is Sweden's Queen's Crown. This differs from t...Read more
The Thinking Hand is an annual scholarship competition for young draftsmen. The nominated entries are ususal exhibited at the Gustav II...Read more
The Royal burial church on Riddarholmen also houses the Coats of arms of deceased Seraphim Knights. The deceased Knight is honoured with ...Read more
Experience the Museum of Antiquities in 360°. The Royal Palace's stone galleries is housing Gustav III's collection of sculptures. Click ...Read more
Out on Drottningholm stands a hidden gem ornamented with dragon heads, which was originally a birthday present from King Adolf Fredrik ...Read more
The Swedish national portrait gallery collection is added to every year with a number of works, including the Portrait of Honour – a pain...Read more
In the middle of Rosendal Palace's main state room, the Lantern Room, stands a very special table. It was a gift from the King of France,...Tickets
Many visitors to the Bernadotte Apartments at the Royal Palace stand and look at one particular portrait which is radically different to ...Read more
A single oil painting hangs in Gustav III's Pavilion in Haga Park. It was commissioned by the king himself, when he met the artist Alexan...Tickets
For several hundred years, Gripsholm Castle was used as a prison. Three kings, an archbishop and countless common thieves have all been i...Read more


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Apple TV Installation
Is Apple TV right for our home?
Apple TV is a device manufactured by Apple that allows you to stream video content from the iTunes store or other outlets such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, MLB.TV and other various streaming services. Video content as well as music and photos to name a few can all be experienced using AirPlay right from your iOS device. AirPlay Mirroring allows you to view any video content when you stream it from a newer Mac. With costs continually rising so many customers are ditching cable and moving towards a Netflix or Hulu application for their viewing pleasure. If you're interested in Apple TV for your home, contact Digital Inceptions to see how we can help.
Why would I want Apple TV professionally installed?
One of the many benefits of Apple TV is its easy installation. When you hire Digital Inceptions to install your Apple TV, our team will go the extra mile to walk you through the interface and provide you with some recommendations for new technology to ensure you have the optimal set up. Our customers also love that we customize viewing profiles for each member of the family. Your children can have their favorite Disney Channel programs right at their fingertips while Game of Thrones can be hidden away from their view. If you need some added support, we can also install, demo, test and configure your device for you. There really is no limit to the scope of our services. Contact us today to see what we can do for you. We are always on-hand if you have any questions for our technicians.
Learn more about Apple TV installation today.


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Air conditioners, Building automation systems (BASs), CFLs, Chillers, Commissioning, Daylighting, Elevators and escalators, Exterior lighting, Hospitals, Laundry appliances, LEDs, Lighting controls, Metal halide lighting, Monitoring-based commissioning, Municipal and healthcare facilities, Plug loads, Retrocommissioning, Windows
Each day, hospitals serve thousands of employees, patients, and visitors while being open 24/7. This naturally results in high energy use, making hospitals excellent targets for energy-efficiency measures. An average US hospital uses 31.0 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 103,600 Btu of natural gas per square foot annually. In a typical hospital, lighting, space heating, and water heating represent about 65% of total energy use (Figure 1), making those systems the best targets for energy savings. By increasing energy efficiency, hospitals can improve the bottom line, freeing up funds to invest in new technologies and improve patient care.
Average energy use data
To better manage your building's energy costs, it helps to understand how you are charged for those costs. Most utilities charge commercial buildings for natural gas based on the amount of energy delivered. Electricity, on the other hand, can be charged based on two measures: consumption and demand (Figure 2). The consumption component of your bill is based on the amount of electricity, in kWh, that the building consumes during a month. The demand component is the peak demand, in kilowatts (kW), occurring within the month or, for some utilities, during the previous 12 months. Demand charges can range from a few dollars per kW-month to upwards of $20 per kW-month. Because it can be a considerable percentage of your bill, you should take care to reduce peak demand whenever possible. As you consider the following energy cost-management recommendations, keep in mind how each one will affect both your consumption and demand.
Quick fixes
Many hospitals have tight facility budgets, so low- or no-cost reductions in energy expenditures are especially important.
Turning things off
Although these may seem like simple measures to take, remember that every 1,000 kWh that you save by turning things off equals US$120 off your utility bill (assuming average electricity costs of $0.12/kWh).
Lighting In a typical healthcare facility in the US, lighting represents 16.2% of electricity consumption, not including its impact on cooling loads. Train staff to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Posting "Please turn the lights off when not needed" stickers above light switches will remind both staff and visitors to do so. Another option is delamping where illumination is excessive.
Office equipment Desktop computers can use more than twice the energy used by a flat-screen monitor, so it is important to sleep or power down computers that are not in use. The Energy Star Low Carbon IT Campaign provides ways to reduce IT costs, including free software that automatically places active monitors and computers into a low-power sleep mode through a local area network. Smart power strips with built-in occupancy sensors are available to shut off plugged-in devices like printers and monitors when there are no users present. Many of these strips power down devices that aren't needed while continuing to provide power to devices that must have power all the time.
Kitchen appliances Where possible, only have kitchen equipment turned on when it's in use. Good habits such as preheating ovens no more than 15 minutes prior to use and using fan hoods only while cooking can reduce energy use in kitchens.
Air-handling units There may be large fan systems serving areas unoccupied at night. In cafeterias, educational spaces, or offices, these units can be shut off during unoccupied hours.
Turning things down
Some equipment cannot be turned off entirely, but turning it down to minimum levels where possible can save energy.
Lighting controls Automatic lighting controls such as occupancy sensors, timers, photosensors, and dimmers save energy and help reduce maintenance costs. Rooms that are used only periodically, such as offices, break rooms, storage rooms, and restrooms, can produce significant energy savings when equipped with occupancy sensors and timers. For staff desks, a combination of occupancy sensors and time switches can accommodate people who arrive early or stay late. A recommended strategy for hallways is to use a combination of scheduled lighting and dimming plus occupancy sensors after-hours. In addition, dimmers and switches can be used to control light levels in areas receiving natural light. A study of 10 healthcare facilities in New York State found that lighting controls paid for themselves in an average of 1.2 years.
Operating-room air-handling setbacks Many operating rooms have air-handling units that draw 100% of their supply from outside air, which needs to be heated or cooled depending on the season. Occupancy sensors or manual switches can be installed in these rooms that will reduce the operating speed of the supply and exhaust fans when the rooms are unoccupied.
HVAC operation and maintenance
Regularly scheduled maintenance and periodic tune-ups save energy and extend the useful life of HVAC equipment. Create a preventive maintenance plan for your hospital that includes regularly scheduled tasks such as cleaning, calibration, component replacement, and general inspections. Ensure that information on setpoints and operating schedules is readily available for reference when equipment is checked or recalibrated.
Check and use controls Ensure thermostats are set correctly so different parts of the building are at the appropriate temperatures at the appropriate times. Use HVAC controls to reduce ventilation in areas when they're not in use. This can be especially useful in operating rooms because they have very specific and essential needs that must be met during surgeries but are not required at other times.
Check the economizer Economizers are used in many air-conditioning systems to save energy. When the air outside is cool enough, the economizer draws in cool outside air to reduce the need for mechanically cooled air. The economizer uses input from various sensors to decide when to let outside air in and how much to let in. If not regularly checked, the linkage on an economizer damper can seize or break. An economizer stuck in the fully opened position can dramatically inflate a building's energy bill by allowing in hot air during the cooling season and cold air during the heating season. About once each year, have a licensed technician check, clean, and lubricate your economizer's linkage, calibrate the controls, and make repairs if necessary.
Follow a steam trap inspection and maintenance plan Steam traps remove water from the steam distribution system once it has cooled and condensed in a radiator or other heat exchanger. This configuration saves energy because it means all steam will release its heat to warm air before being cycled back into the boiler. However, mechanical steam traps can become stuck open, which wastes heat since live steam is being released. They can also become stuck in the closed position, which leads to a buildup of condensate that can cause significant damage to the system (this type of failure is less common and more easily diagnosed than when traps are stuck open). According to a US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office Steam Tip Sheet (PDF), without maintenance, 15% to 30% of the installed steam traps in a steam system may fail within 3 to 5 years. This is significant because a single failed trap can waste more than $50 per month, and a hospital can have hundreds or even thousands of steam traps. Oversizing steam traps can cause the traps to work too hard, which can lead to blowing of live steam. Dirt accumulation can also plug up valves or cause them to get stuck open, releasing live steam. To actively monitor steam traps and get notified when they fail, steam trap monitors can be installed. Each one can monitor up to 16 steam traps to identify leaks. This can be especially important since one steam trap failing can lead to the failure of other steam traps draining into the same line. There are some general warning signs that steam traps may be failing:
- The boiler room is unusually hot.
- The condensate receiver is venting abnormally large amounts of steam.
- Water seals on condensate pumps are failing quickly.
- It is hard to maintain the boiler operating pressure.
- Maintaining the low pressure in return lines is difficult.
- Water hammer occurs—this is when slugs of condensate accelerate quickly in the pipes until stopped suddenly, which can damage equipment and cause pipes to collapse.
Maintain chillers Cleaning the chiller's coils can greatly increase chiller efficiency. If the coils are dirty, the heat-transfer efficiency will decrease, significantly decreasing the efficiency of the unit. For a 10-ton unit, a $50 cleaning will typically pay for itself in two months and yield an additional $200 in savings over the course of the year. To see if a chiller could benefit, check the temperature difference between return and supply chiller water. This should generally be about 10° to 15° Fahrenheit (F). If the difference is much lower, it's likely due to low efficiency and indicates the system could likely benefit from cleaning and maintenance.
Sequence chillers Operators often run more chillers than necessary for a given load. Because every chiller has a range of loading conditions wherein it operates most efficiently, turn chillers off to keep the remaining operating ones in their most efficient zone—typically, above the 30% to 50% loading mark. Chillers are far less efficient when operating below 30% of full load. As cooling loads increase, bring additional chillers online when the others are leaving their most efficient loading zone. If one chiller is significantly smaller than the rest (often referred to as the "swing" chiller), it can be brought on- and off-line first to keep the larger chillers more fully loaded. More chillers should not be turned on until the chillers currently running are at full load.
Operate multiple cooling towers to save fan power While it's advantageous to run as few chillers as possible, it's also advantageous to run as many cooling towers as possible. Most chilled-water plants have excess capacity, so that one or more cooling towers aren't operating during low-load hours. To make the most of existing cooling towers, simply run condenser water over as many towers as possible, at the lowest possible fan speed, and as often as possible. This way, fan motors use less energy to cool the water. If two cooling towers run at half speed (instead of one at full speed), together they would reject slightly more heat than the single-tower operation while drawing only half the power.
Maintain cooling towers A dirty or corroded cooling tower is often the root of inefficiencies in these systems. To avoid this, cooling towers should be cleaned and maintained annually.
Check air-conditioning temperatures With a thermometer, check the temperature of the return air going to your air conditioner and then check the temperature of the air coming out of the register nearest the air-conditioning unit. If the temperature difference is less than 14°F or more than 22°F, have a licensed technician inspect your air-conditioning unit.
Increase filter efficiency Filters should be changed on a monthly basis; they should be changed more often than this if you are located next to a highway or construction site where the air is much dirtier. Having clean filters can greatly increase HVAC efficiency. Increasing the cross-sectional area of filters can lead to more energy-efficient filtration. This can be achieved by using angled or pleated filters.
Check cabinet panels and clean condenser coils On a quarterly basis, do a maintenance check on your rooftop air-conditioning unit: Make sure the panels are fully attached with all screws in place, and also check to see that gaskets are intact so no air leaks out of the cabinet. If chilled air leaks out, it can cost $100 per year in wasted energy per rooftop unit. In addition, check condenser coils quarterly for debris, natural or otherwise, that can collect there. Thoroughly wash the coils at the beginning or end of the cooling season.
Check for airflow Hold your hand up to air registers to ensure that there is adequate airflow. If there is little airflow or if you find dirt and dust at the register, have a technician inspect your unit and ductwork.
Control blowdown Blowdown is used to remove solids from water in the boiler. This is necessary because solids will fall and form sludge at the bottom of the boiler, which lowers the boiler's ability to transfer heat. Dissolved solids lead to foaming and carryover of boiler water into steam. So, blowdown is necessary at both the bottom and on the surface of the liquid. However, too much blowdown is wasteful and unnecessary. Installing a blowdown control system can help ensure that the best amount of surface blowdown is being used by monitoring the amount of water discharged in relation to the amount of dissolved solids present.
Avoid excess combustion air According to the DOE Building Technologies Program, decreasing excess combustion air by 15% will lead to a 1% increase in boiler efficiency (see Efficient Hospital Boilers Result in Financial, Environmental, and Safety Payoffs [PDF]). Tune combustion air to reduce excess air and to decrease accumulations in the air that lower combustion efficiency.
Decrease water impurities Treat water before it enters the boiler since impurities in the water can lead to up to a 12% decrease in boiler efficiency. Chemical treatments, clarifiers, and filters can be used to remove impurities. Additionally, water can be treated once it's in the boiler to avoid buildup of impurities on boiler surfaces and decrease foaming.
Kitchen equipment
Hospital kitchens feature a variety of energy-using equipment, and 11% of a hospital's energy consumption is used for cooking (see also Improving Energy Efficiency in Commercial Kitchens).
Keep equipment clean Cleaning equipment can help it operate more efficiently and extend its life. For example, sediment in the bottom of a fryer can reduce its efficiency, and debris at the bottom of an oven can prevent the door from sealing well.
Check oven and steamer seals To keep heat from escaping, it's important to make sure the seals around oven and steamer doors are in good shape and create a proper seal. If not, you may need to replace the seals.
Turn off unused equipment Running equipment that's not in use wastes a significant amount of energy in commercial kitchens. Not only does the equipment itself tend to be inefficient, but it's often turned on as soon as the workday commences—and it remains on until long after the last meal has been prepared.
Longer-term solutions
Although the actions covered in this section require more time and investment, they can dramatically increase the efficiency of your facility without compromising patient care or comfort.
There are usually four steps to implement longer-term solutions. Before looking into these solutions, the hospital should analyze energy use so it is understood where energy is being used and where the hospital can save the most energy. Then, before any solutions are implemented, it should be understood exactly how they will benefit the hospital. The next step is the installation of the equipment. Finally, it is essential to continue maintenance of the equipment and ensure it continues to function as efficiently as possible.
Additionally, whenever faced with major equipment replacement, consider the full life-cycle costs, including maintenance and energy. Because hospitals tend to occupy the same facility for decades, considering life-cycle costs can help you to save money in the long run.
Commissioning strategies is a technical procedure that encompasses building inspection and systems testing to ensure facility performance according to equipment specifications and the owner's expectations. Commissioning can increase a hospital's efficiency, which decreases operational costs and increases equipment lifetime. Additionally, not only can commissioning uncover problems currently occurring, it can also help the hospital take preventative measures to avoid future problems. When commissioning is applied to an existing building that hasn't been commissioned before, it's called retrocommissioning. Hospitals can be excellent candidates for retrocommissioning because they tend to be energy-intensive, have long operating hours, require large amounts of outside air, and may use old equipment. Moreover, many hospitals have acquired new wings over the years without the benefit of a commissioning study or even recalibration of their building automation systems (BASs).
The majority of problems identified by commissioning tend to concern HVAC systems—in particular, air-distribution systems. Hospitals can benefit substantially from commissioning and retrocommissioning. A 2009 study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that 75% of retrocommissioning projects had a payback period of 2.4 years or less. If your building was previously commissioned, consider investing in recommissioning every three to five years.
Hospitals can also perform ongoing monitoring-based commissioning, which uses sensors and software in addition to standard commissioning practices to provide a real-time account of systems within a building. This way, when large problems occur or things break, they can be fixed immediately rather than having the problem go undetected until recommissioning takes place. It also provides more persistent energy savings than conventional commissioning. Spaces should always be recommissioned when their use changes. As part of your contract, require your commissioning agent to provide instructions and documentation that can be used for future staff training and maintenance checklists.
Building automation systems
Approximately 73% of healthcare sector floor space is controlled with a BAS, also known as an energy management system. This system can control the HVAC, lighting, security, and other systems from one central location. This can increase efficiency and allow for easier monitoring of these various systems. By monitoring things like occupancy, temperature, lighting, and pressure, the BAS can run the different systems only when they're needed and with minimal energy when they are running. Hospitals often have older, pneumatic-control systems that can be recalibrated or replaced with electronic systems. These newer systems are able to save much more energy than the older systems in place in many hospitals. BASs can also be useful for continuous monitoring and commissioning. In that case, data analysis software or a third-party diagnostic service can help identify operational anomalies. A BAS saves energy by:
- Only running systems when they're required, by deciding which equipment needs to be running where and when based on a schedule of when and where the building is generally occupied and the weather
- Ensuring that the different systems within the building are running at minimum capacity
- Decreasing peak demand by reducing power to certain systems, like lighting, when the power draw of a building reaches a set number (with minimal impact on occupant comfort)
BASs are very effective in hospitals due to the large amount of energy hospitals consume and the specific needs of different rooms. BASs must be commissioned and operated properly for full energy-saving benefits to be realized.
Installing energy-efficient lighting has the potential to cut energy costs while improving satisfaction and performance among patients and staff. Hospital lighting retrofit projects can have an average payback of less than 1.9 years, according to a study of 10 hospitals in New York.
LEDs LEDs are well on their way toward becoming an effective option for a growing variety of uses, including replacing incandescent lamps, parking lot lighting, recessed downlighting, ambient lighting in offices, and many high-bay applications. Despite technological advances, successful application of LEDs still requires care in selecting products that will meet specific illumination needs, match manufacturer claims, and be compatible with any controls that are employed. In a 2014 case study, a hospital replaced 1,262 CFLs with LEDs that were compatible with the existing sockets and ballasts. According to Next Generation Luminaire (NGL) Downlight Demonstration Project: St. Anthony Hospital (PDF), this decreased total annual energy use by 59%. The estimated energy savings were 131,279 kWh per year, translating to annual savings of $15,193 at $0.12/kWh.
LEDs require less maintenance than most other light sources as they boast a life ranging from 25,000 hours to more than 100,000 hours, depending on the application. The competition ranges from 1,000 hours for incandescent lamps to as much as 70,000 hours for induction lighting. For conventional lamps, such as incandescent, fluorescent, or high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, life is defined as the hours of operation after which half of a representative sample of lamps can be expected to fail. In contrast, LEDs don't generally fail outright, rather, their output declines over time—so the industry generally defines LED life as the point at which the light output has declined to 70% of its original value.
Fluorescent lamps If your facility uses T12 fluorescent lamps or commodity-grade T8 lamps, relamping with high-performance T8 lamps and electronic ballasts can reduce lighting energy consumption by 35% or more. Adding specular reflectors, new lenses, and occupancy sensors or timers can double the savings. Paybacks of 1 to 3 years are common. LEDs, in the form of replacement tubes, retrofit kits, or new fixtures, have also become a viable option, offering considerable savings even compared to the best fluorescent options.
Smart lighting design in parking lots Parking lots are often overlit; an average of 1 foot-candle of light or less is usually sufficient. The most common lamps used for outdoor lighting are HID sources—including metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps. In recent years, fluorescent lamps, CFLs, and induction lamps have also become viable sources for outdoor lighting, offering good color quality and better control options than HIDs. But the best choice in most outdoor applications is LEDs—they can reduce light pollution and light trespass while offering high efficiency and long life. LED fixtures can be expensive, but costs are decreasing and performance continues to improve. LEDs also work better than other light sources with dimming and occupancy-sensing controls, which can lead to increased energy savings in parking lots.
Security lighting Using occupancy sensors with outdoor security lighting can save energy and improve security.
Daylighting A design strategy that uses a mix of both natural and electric light sources increases comfort and reduces energy costs. Appropriate window shading and separate shades on high windows are relatively low-cost retrofit options to increase daylighting. Light pipes and skylights can bring sunlight into interior spaces on top floors. Dimming ballasts and daylighting controls can be used to reduce the amount of electric light used when daylight is present. Natural light also provides other benefits besides energy savings. Patients in rooms with more natural light recover faster, and staff in hospitals with more daylight have higher productivity and job satisfaction. Additionally, with more daylighting, the hospital will rely less on electric lighting and can divert more energy to critical equipment during a power outage.
LED signage Installing LEDs in exit signs can decrease energy and maintenance costs as well as increase safety, as LED exit signs are brighter than conventional signs.
Autoclaves are used to sterilize equipment (usually surgical instruments) with hot steam at high pressure. Due to the high pressure, they require steam to be at higher temperatures than do most other steam appliances found in hospitals. By installing steam temperature boosters for autoclaves or spot steam generators that serve only autoclaves, the facility can reduce the temperature of the steam generated at the central plant and thus reduce energy costs. Autoclaves are also good candidates for heat recovery. The heat from the waste water or steam used in autoclaves can, using heat exchangers, be used to preheat water for autoclaves or boilers.
Cogeneration and other sources of heat recovery
Cogeneration systems provide both heat (for space or water heating) and power. Known as combined heat and power (CHP) systems, they have more applications and offer more savings potential for hospitals than for any other class of commercial building. CHP systems are particularly useful to hospitals because they can provide critical power when the grid is down. Though CHP systems cannot replace the need for backup generators (they're required by law), CHP can still provide a reliable source of power and heat. Backup generators are more likely to have problems when they're needed because they're not used often and not always as well maintained. CHP systems are much better maintained because they're in daily use. Additionally, backup generators take a few seconds to start up after a grid failure, whereas CHP systems will already have been running.
Some hospitals are installing advanced incineration systems to destroy medical waste. Capturing and using the waste heat from incinerators can be cost-effective in some cases. The University of Michigan saved $400,000 in annual steam bills by coupling medical waste incinerators with cogeneration.
Laundry and kitchen equipment as well as showers, boilers, and autoclaves can benefit from heat-recovery systems, which can be added as a retrofit. Waste heat from boiler exhaust stacks can also be effectively recovered and used to preheat boiler makeup water.
HVAC systems account for a large fraction of hospital electricity and natural gas consumption. Opportunities for savings exist in a wide range of Heating & cooling, Ventilation & air handling, and Heating & cooling equipment.
Use efficient boilers Condensing boilers achieve high efficiency by capturing additional heat released from condensing flue gas. Although more expensive, a condensing boiler has an average simple payback period of 5 years, with a 20% return on investment. The energy performance of existing boilers can be enhanced with stack gas heat recovery (also known as condensing heat exchangers), air preheaters, water recovery equipment, outdoor temperature controls, and pipe insulation. When replacing boilers, ensure they're the proper size for the load required by the hospital—which could have changed significantly since the last boiler was installed. It can be beneficial to install multiple smaller units. Since boilers are more efficient when operating at a higher capacity, this approach allows more, smaller boilers to be operating more efficiently instead of one large boiler operating inefficiently.
Install adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) ASDs can be added to pumps and fans in HVAC systems, saving energy by allowing motors to adjust their output to fluctuating heating, cooling, and ventilation needs. Installing ASDs saves the most energy in spaces with lower ventilation requirements and can decrease power used by fans by up to 50%. Further savings are possible by using energy-recovery equipment, demand-controlled ventilation, and efficient fan motors.
Use demand-controlled ventilation Equipment can adjust the outside air ventilation depending on the occupancy and ventilation needs of the space. Occupancy can be determined a few different ways, with carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors being the most common. Areas with dense and sporadic occupancy patterns, such as lobbies or cafeterias, may be appropriate for demand-controlled ventilation using CO2 sensors. Occupant counting, such as ticket sales or video recognition, can also be used to estimate occupancy levels and determine ventilation needs. Occupancy sensors is another method, but it cannot differentiate between one person and full occupancy. Because of this, areas with fairly consistent and less dense occupancy levels, like offices, are good candidates for controlled ventilation using occupancy sensors. Finally, if fluctuation in occupancy can be predicted, such as in classrooms, ventilation can be scheduled with the BAS. All of these methods attempt to eliminate unnecessary ventilation and thus save energy without decreasing comfort.
Choose appropriate size fan Install fans that are the right size for the application so they'll operate most efficiently. A whole-building analysis helps to ensure that fans are properly sized. Though this analysis may add to the cost of a project, the cost of a smaller fan will be lower, and the cost of operation will be decreased.
Install displacement ventilation systems Displacement ventilation can decrease energy use and reduce the likelihood that germs will spread. Cool air is supplied near the floor, and when it comes into contact with occupants, it absorbs the heat. This warm, contaminated air rises to the ceiling and is taken out of the room at the ceiling exhaust. Displacement ventilation only works for cooling, so a separate heating system is required. Ceiling heights should be at least 9 feet for this measure to be effective.
Install a coil bypass Adding a coil bypass to the heating and cooling coils can be useful. When the heating and cooling coils do not need to be in use, the bypass damper can open, allowing air to pass through the bypass with a much lower pressure drop. This saves fan energy. Since the installation of the coil bypass and controls can be expensive, this measure only makes sense for hospitals in climates where heating and cooling are often unnecessary.
Replace old chillers and boilers with efficient models When heating and cooling equipment is nearing the end of its life, there is an opportunity to install efficient and variable-capacity chillers and boilers. These replacements can offer considerable savings.
Use efficient auxiliary equipment Chilled-water systems are custom designed for each application, and employing efficient auxiliary equipment, like efficient pumps, valves, controls, and operating strategies, can often have a bigger impact than selecting an efficient chiller. Annual energy costs of a chiller can amount to one-third of its purchase price. In descending order, the most efficient chiller compressors are generally centrifugal, screw, scroll, and reciprocating.
Install water-side economizers A water-side economizer evaporatively cools water in a cooling tower and delivers it to a building's chilled water coils via a flat-plate heat exchanger. In northern climates, the opportunity for free cooling with a water-side economizer typically exceeds 75% of the total annual operating hours, whereas in southern climates, such free cooling may only be available during 20% of operating hours. Typical simple payback periods from energy savings range from 2 to 5 years.
Install Energy Star equipment Look for Energy Star–qualified commercial food service equipment when making new purchases. Dishwashers, fryers, griddles, hot food holding cabinets, ice machines, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, and steam cookers are now available in energy-efficient models which are often 15% to 30% more energy efficient than standard equipment.
Install new prewash sprayers in kitchens Prewash sprayers are used to remove food from dishes, utensils, pots, and pans before they are placed in a dishwasher. Although all new low-flow sprayers are currently required to limit flow rate to 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm), many existing sprayers use up to 5.0 gpm. Given the small initial cost of low-flow prerinse spray valves, the payback for this measure is typically less than two months.
For more information on increasing energy efficiency in the kitchen, see Cooking & refrigeration.
Install more efficient washers Use Energy Star washers to decrease energy and water used by washers. Energy Star washers are 37% more efficient than other washers and also generally have larger capacities so that fewer loads of laundry have to be done. Additionally, front-load washers are more efficient than top-load washers because they can vary the amount of water used with the size of the load. Choose washers with higher spin speeds to decrease the energy needed for drying. Install dryers with sensors that turn the dryer off when clothes are dry. Finally, train staff how to best use the washers and dryers to maximize efficiency.
Reduce laundering temperatures Hospital laundry is typically done in water at 160°F, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (see "Laundry: Washing Infected Material"), hospital laundry can be safely washed at temperatures below 160°F. This is assuming the cleaning agents work in colder water and are used in the proper amounts.
Use ozone laundering Hospitals are one of the best candidates for ozone laundering because there's a large quantity of laundry that is not too soiled, and disinfection is particularly important. Ozone is a cleaning and disinfecting agent. It is injected into the water entering the washing machine where it breaks down soil molecules and destroys bacteria. Ozone breaks down soil molecules better than traditional cleaning agents, like chlorine. Ozone laundering uses cold water rather than hot water because ozone lasts longer in cold water. Using ozone laundering also decreases washing and drying times, so the motors in the appliances have to run for less time. According to PG&E's Energy Solutions for Ozonated Laundry Systems in Hospitality Facilities (PDF), on average, ozone laundry systems (including washing and drying) save 8,651 kWh annually, or 3.5%. Additionally, ozone laundering decreases water and detergent use because detergent and rinsing are generally not necessary unless the laundry is particularly soiled.
Use CO2 laundering CO2 laundering uses CO2 instead of water. CO2 is used in the machine at high pressure when it's a viscous liquid to clean the dirty laundry. Then, the pressure is reduced and the CO2 turns back into a gas, so there's no drying necessary. The CO2 is removed from the machine and then filtered and distilled after each load to be used again. CO2 washers save water and energy in addition to having shorter washing cycles and increasing garment life, since there's less heat and agitation. CO2 laundering is appropriate for hospitals because it provides absolute disinfection.
Hospital plug loads and efficient medical equipment
Nonmedical equipment There are ways to reduce nonmedical plug loads in different parts of hospitals (office, kitchen, and laundry), as described here.
Medical equipment Although there is not a lot of medical equipment available with an emphasis on energy efficiency, there are a number of developments in progress, including rating systems for the efficiency of medical equipment. Medical imaging equipment represents a good source of increased efficiency because it draws a lot of power when not in use and is in use only in short bursts. The Magnetom Amira from Siemens is an energy-saving magnetic resonance imaging scanner that is currently available. This machine saves energy by switching into standby mode when not in use. Energy Star is also coming out with ratings for medical imaging machines with different modes that will decrease power draw when the machines are not actively being used. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project is also a good way to stay up to date with standards and developments with medical equipment.
Solar Since hospitals are typically large facilities, they may be good candidates for solar photovoltaic (PV) power. There are many things to consider when installing PV, including mounting, positioning, tracking, shading, and weather. If roof space is limited, parking lot canopy PV systems can be a good choice. PV systems in parking lots also have other benefits, such as providing a very visible commitment to the environment; and they provide shade and shelter for parked cars. If the hospital owns empty or unused land, that can be another good option for installing PV, as it makes good use of otherwise unused land and often has a larger capacity than rooftops. For more information on PV and financing options, see On-Site Commercial Solar PV Decision Guide—For the Healthcare Sector (PDF) from the DOE.
Windows Windows provide daylight and views, but they also affect heating and cooling loads. Your particular climate will have a large effect on what's best for your hospital. If cooling loads are dominant, glazing that transmits adequate light for daylight activity while minimizing solar heat transmission is best. In buildings where heating is the major HVAC load, glazing should be carefully chosen to minimize heat loss and, in some cases, configured to increase passive solar heat gain while maximizing daylighting. For more information on windows, see Building structure & automation.
Cool roofs Eliminating heat gain through the exterior roof and walls can be a cost-effective and low-risk way to reduce cooling loads and peak demand. One of the most effective measures is using light-colored roofs. See Cool Roofs to determine if they may make sense for your hospital.
Improved insulation Insulating exterior walls and roofs can have a big influence on room comfort and energy costs in older facilities. Nearly 40% of hospitals are improving the insulation in their buildings. Also, check insulation on ducts and pipes as well as hot water tanks. Replace or repair damaged insulation.
Elevators Energy use can be reduced by installing more efficient elevators, though this usually results in long payback periods if installed for the energy savings alone. There are other benefits to efficient elevators, though, such as high performance and improved reliability.
Vending machine controls Consider upgrading to Energy Star–qualified vending machines. This can reduce energy use by up to 50% (depending on the age of the machine), producing annual savings of around $150. Energy Star vending machines also come with software that can put the vending machine into low-energy lighting and refrigeration modes when the area is unoccupied, which can cut energy use by up to another 20%.
Office equipment Use Energy Star office equipment such as monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and power adaptors. Replace cathode-ray tube monitors with liquid crystal display monitors.
All content copyright © 1986-2020 E Source Companies LLC. All rights reserved.


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Alliance international workers in Sarajevo, Bosnia Hercegovina, and Berlin, Germany, are joining forces to help restore an elementary school's industrial arts classroom, which was destroyed in Bosnia's historic flooding last spring.
When an Alliance worker from Bosnia visited colleagues in Berlin, where one of their popular outreaches is an art gallery, the idea for a school fund-raiser featuring Bosnian artists quickly developed.
At the Source community center in Sarajevo, an Alliance outreach, workers called on local artists to donate works that could be sold at the event. Through the Source's annual film festival, as well as a Thanksgiving photography show, Alliance team members have nurtured relationships with many of the city's artists, who were thrilled to be part of the project.
Twenty artists volunteered their works for the show. From the submissions, 15 pieces were sent to the gallery in Berlin.
The exhibit, Art for Renewal, began January 24 and runs through February 28. Pray that funds needed to replace the school's industrial arts equipment will be raised and that opportunities to share the gospel will be plentiful.
Pray for Alliance workers in Bosnia Hercegovina and Germany as they reach out to their communities through the arts.
The prayers of God's people strengthen Alliance personnel to live and serve across the globe. Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests, joining our worldwide family in praying for them.
Learn More
Read more Alliance and CAMA relief efforts after Bosnia Hercegovina's historic floods in May 2014. To learn more about the annual film festival in Sarajevo, read "A New Perspective" by Petula Myers, in the March 1, 2014, issue of Alliance Life.


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Egg-cellent Biscuit Muffins
Prep 20M | Bake 20M | Enjoy in 40M
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we have to agree. That's why no matter how busy your schedule is, these grab-and-go egg biscuit muffins are a great way to fuel your day. Prepare a batch on Sunday for a nutritional and portable breakfast throughout the week.
Makes 12 muffins.
12 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Place eggs in single layer in saucepan. Cover, by 1-inch (2.5 cm), with cold water. Set the pan over high heat and bring the water to rolling boil. Place tight fitting lid on pan and remove from heat. Let stand for 6 minutes. Drain water and place eggs under cold running water for 1 minute or until cool enough to handle. Peel and set eggs aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Stir flour with sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add butter and rub into flour mixture, using fingertips, until mealy. Stir in the buttermilk and chives until well combined.
- Line muffin tin with large paper liners. Working with wet hands, roll 3 tbsp dough around each hard-cooked egg and place in paper liners. Top with cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until tops are golden.
Get the nutrition facts for this recipe here.


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BU to host national herpetology conference
September 13, 2017
BRANDON, Man. – A large-scale event for Canadian herpetologists is coming to Brandon University (BU) this week.
About 70 people from across Canada will take part in the fourth Annual Conference of the Canadian Herpetological Society (CHS), from Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17. The participants will include representatives from universities, government agencies and other organizations, as well as individuals interested in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles.
The Society's previous Annual Conferences have been held at the Toronto Zoo, the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, and the University of Calgary, although the roots of the event go much deeper than that, with this being the 27th meeting of the previous associations that joined to form the CHS in 2013.
"Having this conference at BU is an exciting opportunity to show off the university, and advertise our growing graduate program in Environmental Life Sciences," said Dr. Pamela Rutherford, the conference's lead organizer and an Associate Professor in BU's Department of Biology.
"Hosting the conference does raise our national profile, and will help us attract future undergraduate and graduate students."
About a third of the presentations will be made by students, who have travelled to Brandon with assistance from BU's Faculty of Science, the Vice-President (Academic & Provost) Office and the President's Office. Shawna Philpott and Alyssa Eagle, students in BU's Master of Science (Environmental and Life Sciences) program will be among those taking part.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Christina Davy of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. She will discuss collaboration, creativity and compromise in reptile conservation.
"Many of the presentations are very specialized, but in general many address the importance of collaboration in developing effective conservation practices," Rutherford said. "The conference provides an opportunity for researchers, conservation practitioners, naturalists, and educators to identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations."
Participants will also check out some of the unique plants and animals of the area, with a field trip to the Spirit Sands in Sprucewoods Provincial Park, which is home to cacti, Northern Prairie Skinks and Western Hognose Snakes. Manitoba is the only province in Canada where the Prairie Skink, an endangered lizard, can be found.
Other local participants in the Conference will include representatives from Manitoba Sustainable Development and CFB Shilo.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Pamela Rutherford
Associate Professor, Biology
Rob Henderson
Marketing Communications Officer


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I need to get used to Pu-erhs. I just got this one and I really like it while I'm drinking it but the after taste – I need to get used to. It might be because I'm a novice when it comes to Pu-erhs and perhaps one develops a taste and appreciation for it. I'm not knocking it by any means. I like it. I need to give it some more time. I am calling it my thinking tea. The aroma is really nice.
3 min, 45 sec


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|#Netflix #StreamTeam #Dragons
Soaring beyond their home on the island of Berk in search of new dragons, Dragons: Race to the Edge introduces some of the most exciting dragons yet, each with its own amazing abilities -- shock waves, cannon balls and fire blasts, just to name a few.
With the magical Dragon Eye, an artifact Hiccup finds aboard an abandoned ship, Hiccup learns there is more outside the confines of Berk, and that a little curiosity and determination can make every day an exciting journey. In Hiccup's own words, this changes everything.
|Thanks to Netflix I was able to surprise my girls with party favors!
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/az12qtD1A4U
Turbo FAST (Season 1 now streaming, new episodes 7/31)
New on Netflix for Adults:
CREEP (07/14) When a videographer (Patrick Brice) answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in a remote mountain town, he finds his client (Mark Duplass) is not at all what he initially seems.
YouTube trailer: https://youtu.be/FBR8VcdpE4Y
YouTube trailer: https://youtu.be/FBR8VcdpE4Y
SEASONS 1 and 2 streaming now
SEASON 1, 2, & 3 Streaming NowThe women of Litchfield unapologetically return for the third coming. With a crisis of faith and their beliefs and loyalties being tested, each character must decide what and who to believe in.
I've enjoyed OITNB because as bad as my life gets, it's never as bad as theirs is in a women's prison. I really like the #SorrynotSorry theme this season. Are you wondering what else we've been watching for the last month? My girls and I are watching Gilmore Girls together from the beginning. I watched it years ago when it aired on tv, but I'm in such a different place in my life now that it feels like a new show to me. My youngest daughter likes to call them Glimmer Girls. We also watched Between, Parenthood, 30 Rock, Nikita, & Rules of Engagement.
|Bye for now & happy streaming! ~ Stephanie


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Canucks-Ducks Preseason: No "Quit" in Vancouver's VocabularySeptember 25, 2009
The only thing standing between this first preseason loss and been blown out was Andrew Raycroft, who was outstanding in the second period when the Ducks outshot the 'Nucks 15-6, with the combined two period totals registering 24-11.
Cory Perry's tip-in goal as he went to the net hard and was not picked up by the defense surely could not be placed on Raycroft, as he was in position but had no help. Raycroft was turning back the Ducks as they seem to come in waves, with grade "A" chances by Andrew Ebbett, Brendan Mikkelson, and Petteri Nokelainen, just to name a few. It was like the whole Anaheim team was taking turns doing practice drills on the Canuck goalie.
Anaheim's Ryan Whitney's slap shot from the point gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead and made it look like the night—and, along with it, the unbeaten streak for the Canucks—was over. But if it's one thing this team is building on, which will carry into the start of the regular season next Thursday in Calgary, it's that "no quit" mentality.
Well that's exactly what took place, as a Matt Pope wrist shot cut the Ducks' lead in half, and then Shane O'Brien's point shot with 54 seconds left in regulation tied it up. So for the third game in a row, the fans were treated to another overtime game—this time with a different ending.
Teemu Selanne, with his patented wrist shot from a sharp angle, beat Raycroft as he went down to block the shot, and Selanne put it over him into the top shelf.
That's a decent record, 6-0-1, with which to be going into the final two games of the preseason, with games in Calgary on Saturday, which you can see on TSN, and Edmonton on Sunday (Canucks.com). Louie will start on Saturday and Cory Schneider on Sunday, with Schneider looking to be heading to Manitoba after Raycroft's fine play last night and in the previous games.
As Raycroft told the Vancouver Sun after the game, "Other than that last goal...overall my body of work I think I accomplished what I wanted to do coming in here." I would say his play has earned him that backup spot, which this year with the Olympics, may end up being some 15-20 games.
As I mentioned as early as training camp, the players that were cut (Oberg, Walsky, Ellington, Labrie, Ramsey, and MacHesney) and assigned to Manitoba, along with Sauve being sent back to his junior team (Saint John), does not come as any big surprise. That fact that Petrovicky and Scatchard ran into injury problems when they needed playing time pretty well sealed their fate also, as they were released.
Cody Hodgson's struggles, which I wrote about in my last article, seems to be the continuing affects of that back injury, along with some nerve damage, that limited him in training camp, and he may be placed on the IR for the start of the season. Coach Alain Vigneault suggested that Hodgson will likely play in both weekend games. My question here would be "Why are they playing him with that type of injury when it has not fully healed?"
As this all shakes out, it leaves Shirokov, who is supposed to start skating today and is slated to play on the weekend and Hansen, as the two left who will most likely stay with the 'Nucks. That would leave them as the 12th and 13th players, respectfully, to be rotated in the early part of the season, until some of the players come off the IR list.
Look for the next two games to have some set lines that will be playing in Calgary next Thursday, as this looks like a season with great optimism and expectations.


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Pop from Polar Bear & King, Trädet, Alice Boman, Little Children and Natten
Polar Bear & King – "Holy Ground"
Polar Bear & King is a new duo who have just released their first single, "Holy Ground". Quite a pleasant acquaintance with falsetto vocals dressed in a powerful folk pop sound which emphasize the song title.
Trädet – "Minds" (feat. Linnea Sundemo)
Trädet is the artist behind this bright, soft electropop creation, "Minds", together with Linnea Sundemo, who has supplied vocals and lyrics. "A track about pretending, longing, waiting, maybe begging" they write.
Alice Boman – "Be Mine"
Alice Boman is in her very own special dimension, a dimension full of peace and harmony. Luckily for us we can visit her now and then to rest our weary heads. Like now, when she's releasing this beautiful single "Be Mine", taken from her debut album released this summer. The video is created by the video artist Anders Weberg.
Little Children – "Hey Hey"
I don't say no to new songs from Linus Lutti and his Little Children. Here in the latest single "Hey Hey" with a rawer and closer sound compared to the last two songs from earlier this year.
Natten – "Taxi Taxi"
Finally a new song and video from Natten, "Taxi Taxi", this time with vocals by Wonder Wendy. "The video making process involved building a coffin, digging graves and organizing a night time cultic ritual in an undisclosed location in Stockholm. Quite simply a very enjoyable saturday night", they tell.


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The desire of many people to work in the field of cryptocurrencies has fallen sharply after the fall of the market.
According to a special search engine dedicated to the search of work, indeed.com the number of search queries with the word Bitcoin was on average 39 requests per million for December 2017. December 14 was was the peak of such requests at 46 million. But since mid-December, the number of queries began to fall. From mid-December to 15 March, the number of search queries with the word "bitcoin" has fallen by 76%, and "cryptocurrency" by 41% (see details in table below).
The trend not only meets the prices of cryptocurrency, but the amount of traffic generated by leading cryptocurrency exchanges as well as the number of "cryptocurrency" of queries at leading search engines.
Interest in the "Blockchain"
Despite this, interest in the "Blockchain" remains relatively high. At the moment the number of such queries is equal to 47 million. This number declined a bit from the recent high in late February, but remained virtually unchanged during the three month period up to March 15.
Andrew flowers, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab believes that:
Strong interest to work in the field of blockchain says that candidates, no matter what happens with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the future, I think blockchain technology is a promising direction.
Employers, in turn, are not looking for professionals from the field of blockchain, but rather specialists in this sphere, but in specific areas. In the top ten are: developer, recruiter, programmer, IT Director, Java developer, C # developer, senior QA, technical architect, senior designer and finally project Manager.


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Explore! Discover! College & Careers.
Encouraging learning. Inspiring careers. Mentoring students.
What's a Career Academy?
A Career Academy is a small learning community within a large comprehensive high school. In Career Academies, students learn in smaller groups that help build multi-year relationships with teachers and other students. Specialized classes teach the skills that students need to succeed in college and career. Students can earn income while getting valuable job experience through their internships and summer jobs. Career Academy students go to college more often than other students.
Solid Academics, Employability and Career Skills…
That's What Career Academies are all About.
Top 10 Reasons to be an Academy Student


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Crown Meeting - Amsterdam - November 10-11th
December 17, 2017, 09:06:24 pm »
Crown Meeting - Amsterdam - November 10-11th
We would like to thank everyone that came out to meet us in Amsterdam. It is always a pleasure seeing so many of us together.
We have made a huge amount of progress over the past three months releasing Systemnodes developed by Ashot, adding Artem to lead our Atomic efforts, and all our ambassadors worldwide. We are extremely confident in where we are positioned. The first Atomic API will be available in the coming months.
Crown believes in a future which is governed by its community, where the leading principles are the independence of the individual and strong social values.
Crown will provide the platform that facilitates this interaction, and powers its creation.
The project is still in its infancy. The team with the help of former Dash developers has created a solid, self-sustaining infrastructure, and is now developing features to create an inclusive platform.
Crown's mission is to become a world leader in blockchain infrastructure, providing blockchain as a platform. In an effort to materialize part of this vision, Crown is working on a humanitarian project in the Caribbean with the potential to impact thousands of lives. We will have more updates on this project soon.
The team believes the current market of ICOs is likely in a bubble. We expect there to be a big correction of the markets, where only those projects with a strong community and a real use will survive - like Amazon, Google, PayPal and eBay & co did in the dot-com bubble.
To elaborate on our strategy, a paper will be released in the coming weeks outlining Crown's position, and why we strongly believe this approach will survive the correction.
Marketing & Communications
We want to grow our community with people who share our vision. People that will stick with us when the bubble bursts and the going gets tough. To this end, our communication and marketing efforts will be intensified over the coming period to reach more people.
The rationale being that up until now, we have maintained a low profile as we have not had totally unique features to market. With the release of Systemnodes and the architecture of Atomic established, we believe now is the time to ramp up our marketing. To this end, a professional marketing team has been hired to support this endeavor.
This means that you can soon expect to see a stronger online media presence for Crown. Starting with the introduction of a
telegram group
Team development
To continue the momentum and build up more speed - an experienced developer has been hired to work on the Governance System full time, starting in December. He will work on integrating identity & registration on the blockchain.
Furthermore, a notarization officer - someone familiar with the legal process will be recruited. This will be someone who can take ownership of developing it.
To strengthen future releases, a part-time tester will be hired and efforts will be made to encourage community testing on Bitcointalk. Our system architect, imagineer and former Dash hangaround Chaositec will build a modular testnet, for automated testing.
Last but not least, the options to recruit a project manager or assigning this role to someone currently on the team are considered - to assist the full-time developers.
Ledger integration was funded by the community & dev team not too long ago. Unfortunately, Ledger decided that they could not support Crown integration due to potential BTC address conflicts. The funding for this proposal have been returned to the dev fund.
In the meantime we are working on Bitcore. After Bitcore is integrated we will be working on the insight block explorer. This will allow for Crown integration on Trezor. Solving the BTC address conflicts will also be looked into, and should be feasible.
During the meeting it was expressed that the current website had an unprofessional feel to it. We are looking at all angles of our project to improve, and welcome feedback from our community.
We invite you to please share your thoughts about the website with us by completing this survey
Atomic Community Presentation
Upcoming Releases and Events
Crown will release a naming convention and define terms. To keep more consistency and avoid confusion (i.e. confuse Atomic with Atomic Swaps). Ideas are welcome, and a vote will follow at a later point to decide the naming of releases.
Dash has recently updated its block size. This is their take on solving transaction speed. Crown solves it in a different, more environmentally sustainable and at the same time elegant way, allowing for bigger theoretical throughput while staying lean. The research paper on this method will be drafted in the coming months and will be subjected to an academic peer review.
An official Crown blog will be created to provide updates on what the team has been doing (including ambassadors).
Upcoming Conferences
Crown will attend the following conferences, and host a booth at each of them:
BitBrum - November 19th -
[li]Malta - December 7th -
Miami - January 18th - 19th -
[li]Miami - March 16th, 17th - Core team meeting
Photos from the event
Last Edit: December 17, 2017, 09:14:08 pm by Twister
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Crown Meeting - Amsterdam - November 10-11th


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You got Starship Troopers in my Turok, you derivative bastards.
Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M. was based on the Armorines comic created by Valiant before Acclaim bought them out. While the original series focused on a crack team of government operatives, the video game was basically a cash-in on the cult-classic film adaptation of Starship Troopers. The game was poorly received due to technical shortcomings.


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I burned my pelts with grace, relieved that they still squeal; a lotus with these grains, the only drink that heals.
— Lime Pinched Rails
I saw The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2008) yesterday after work. I loved it. Accuracy and authenticity (of the combat/bomb-disarming world) aside, it shows male vulnerability and sensitivity in ways that I had previously believed only competitive team sports could express. It's not even the willingness and desire to be affectionate. I don't think wartime scenarios encourage or facilitate gestures of affection. It's not even that the main characters exhibit nervousness and contextual fear. Nope, it's that they are capable of feeling regret and succumbing to a loss of stoic composure.
Amy Taubin's article on the film in the May/June 2009 issue of Film Comment is a wonderful read. Actually, the only reason why I even know it exists is because of her article. What's more, the reason I purchased this particular issue was for Oliver Sacks's piece on Michael Powell's film A Matter of Life and Death (1945). After a brief exposition on Kathryn Bigelow, the film's director, Taubin kicks off the analysis. She describes The Hurt Locker as "a totally immersive, off-the-charts high-anxiety experience from beginning to end" (32). A plot synopsis follows: "In the opening sequence, the squad's leader (Guy Pearce) is killed. His replacement, Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner), operates in a manner that immediately seems more reckless than his predecessor, and which his teammates, Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), who are in the final 38 days of their rotation, fear will get them all killed" (32, 34).
There isn't a whole lot more I can add to the discussion. Taubin touches on nearly everything that Bigelow's film is and might be. For instance, she notes that The Hurt Locker "suppress[es] backstory and plot in the interest of the existential present," the film "is structured entirely as a procedural. Each of the team's seven missions has its own dramatic arc…There are no character arcs; these three guys are the same at the end of film as they are at the beginning" (35). Bigelow's film is low on the info regarding who the bomb techs are; we learn relationship status and domesticity details in one scene, but nothing about why the men enlisted…only a couple of facts about their military career (Sanborn spent seven years gathering intelligence; James is a ranger).
As for Taubin's assertion about the lack of character arcs… The men do adjust their attitudes throughout the film–onscreen. These changes are reactionary and likely temporary. Taubin might be suggesting that the characters' experiences in combat don't affect them any more than the film's depiction of them would allow the viewer to believe. And sure enough, Taubin's elaboration substantiates my hunch: "The arc of the movie is in us: as we accumulate knowledge—intellectual and experiential—about the characters and their situation, our attitudes and feelings change. In the end it's all about James. He acts; Sanborn and Eldridge react to his actions, yo-yoing between hatred and something approaching adoration" (35).
She also does a great job illustrating the film's aesthetics with respect to cinematography and editing: Breathtakingly kinetic and spatially coherent (a rare combination), The Hurt Locker puts us in the middle of a fully three-dimensional theater of war with mines underfoot and snipers everywhere. Working with DP Barry Ackroyd, Bigelow devised a brilliant choreography for camera and actors. The film was shot handheld: four operators armed with Super-16 cameras simultaneously covered the action vérité-style—glued to the actors' bodies and eyes, responding with zip pans and zooms and off-balance tilts to sudden movements that spell danger to the left, the right, in front and behind. Bob Murawski and Chris Innis's editing is similarly quick and nervous; the rapid changes in POV as they cut from one camera's coverage to another's make you feel as if you, like the characters, are under threat from all sides" (32).
I'm usually not that keen on facial close-ups and handheld camerawork if there isn't a sufficient amount of balancing tripod/steadycam and long shot (ahem, Public Enemies). In the case of The Hurt Locker, though, I lapped up every CU and rocky image. I didn't even think about how many long shots there were (of which there were enough).
The only other Kathryn Bigelow films I've watched in their entirety so far are Point Break (1991), Strange Days (1995), and The Weight of Water (2000). I've seen Near Dark (1987) and Blue Steel (1989) in pieces but not yet in full. I don't think that The Hurt Locker is as "garish" as Strange Days or as stylized as Blue Steel, but it incorporates some of the reverie-like qualities of Point Break and The Weight of the Water. There are a few moments of "ballistic balletics"…not so much during as after the firing of guns.
My only criticism is the use of non-diegetic music. It doesn't happen often, perhaps only three times, but it didn't seem necessary.
D'accord, to be honest, I do have three points to add to Taubin's discussion:
1. Despite the subject matter, there were times when I fell into a fit of hysterical laughter; the man sitting in front of me heartily chuckled too. There's one line that James says on his second (I think) bomb-deactivation mission that had me in stitches. It went something like: "There's enough here to take/bring us all up to see Jesus…if I'm going to die, I want to die comfortable." It was the way he said it that just did it.
2. The storyline concerning Eldridge's "therapy" sessions with Colonel John Cambridge (Christian Camargo). If memory serves, there are two scenes where Cambridge visits Eldridge just to talk about whatever might be on Eldridge's mind. The purpose seems to be to acknowledge how mentally taxing it is on the soldiers not only to stay alive but also to make sense of what they're doing and why. Minor spoilage ahead; highlight relevant words at your own discretion. In what could be argued an example of gratuitous spectacle and drama, Cambridge joins Eldridge, Sanborn, and James on a job–to see what it is like for Eldridge. Cambridge is friendly with the Iraqis on the street. He is reluctant to display aggression or hostility until the last possible moment and then pays for his diplomatic behavior by stepping on an IED. His helmet survives the blast. Eldridge runs over visibly distraught and in disbelief. What was the reason for this scene? To reiterate the reality of urban warfare? Cliched or not, these things happen?
3. The scene with James as a civilian and picking up a box of cereal. He's faced with a plethora of choices: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, all kinds of General Mills products in the foreground screen-left (and a wee bit out of focus). James is in the middle of the frame, filmed in low-angle long shot. When the camera cuts to a close-up of his face, he appears overwhelmed and perplexed at the same time. The juxtaposition between his expression and the ostensibly endless cereal aisle is comical in an absurd sort of way, but it conveys a significant message. James has just spent approximately a month in an environment where his choices were limited to kill or be killed. Even if one broadened that decision to more nuanced circumstances (wait for backup/go now; go now/go later; shoot to scare/shoot to kill), they're temporally based and would yield potentially fatal consequences. But cereal?
There are too many options. More importantly, however, is that James probably doesn't even know what kinds of cereal his "wife" buys. The last scene in the film indicates that James would rather be in a situation where probability of anything is 50/50. Live/die. Now/later. Move/stop.
Product Placement & Branding: Pepsi, Washington Redskins (a wall pennant), the aforementioned cereals; Guy Pearce, David Morse, and Ralph Fiennes (cameo appearances).
Click here for more pictures. Click here for audiovisual treats.