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Essential Insights On Treating Chronic Venous Stasis Ulcers
Given the common and chronic nature of venous stasis ulcers, these authors offer salient diagnostic insights, keys to selecting appropriate wound care dressings and a guide to choosing optimal compression modalities. They also emphasize the importance of patient education in reducing the risk of recurrence.
As lower extremity specialists, we are not all trained or equipped to focus our attention on the treatment of venous leg ulcers. This is partly due to the integrated medical systems required to manage these patients with significant, complex medical comorbidities. Another possible factor is economic constraints imposed by inadequate reimbursement strategies that are "out of synchrony with government approved standards of care."1
However, the scope of the problem is greater than we may realize as primary chronic venous insufficiency is "widespread in the population."2 Finlayson and co-workers recently noted that approximately 40 to 50 percent of the adult population has some degree of chronic venous insufficiency with 1 to 2 percent progressing on to ulceration.3
Venous leg ulcers typically develop along the medial distal ankle, affecting over 2.5 million people per year in the United States with 70 to 90 percent becoming chronic and potentially very painful.4 Treatment requires an average of six to 12 months to heal completely and 70 percent recur within five years of closure.5 Recurrence is associated with loss of an estimated 2 million workdays and decreased quality of life.2 The cost for treating patients is burdensome with chronic venous ulcer treatment costing an estimated $3 billion per year in the U.S.6,7
Podiatrists are in an ideal position to help address this clinical issue as part of the limb preservation effort. It is essential to understand the pathologic mechanisms causing the ulcers in order to develop the most evidence-based treatment plan. However, it is helpful to understand the challenges inherent in the lack of standardized diagnostic testing for chronic venous insufficiency. Likewise, it is critical to understand the factors that place patients at risk for progression to ulceration.2
Recently, the National Guideline Clearinghouse accepted a content validated venous ulcer guideline developed by the Association for Advanced Wound Care (AAWC).1 This guideline represents a great step forward in support of our efforts to treat patients with chronic venous insufficiency. The AAWC venous leg ulcer guideline points out that there are multiple economic disincentives to providing optimal care.
Due to the previous lack of a validated guideline, one issue is the inconsistent interpretation of federal regulations, which may lead to inconsistent reimbursement. The economic downturn, which has become as chronic as some of our patients' venous leg ulcers, serves to put evidence-based practices even further out of reach for many.
What can we do in our practice to help those who are not well insured and are not able to pay out of pocket for treatments that improve outcomes? Are we forced to watch our patients "settle" for what the guideline describes as "substandard care with gauze without compression that pushes them to associated pain, increased infection rates and protracted healing time"?1 For these patients, we can best spend our time by teaching the importance of the basics, such as compression, moist wound healing and elevation. We can also suggest lower priced materials such as Unna boots with cohesive wrap, which patients can change frequently with the aid of a family member.
What can we do to address prevention, psychosocial issues, recurrence prevention and treatment? Although more clinical evidence is necessary, recent work by Finlayson and colleagues suggests that psychosocial factors of low levels of social support and self-efficacy are "significantly associated with a greater risk of recurring venous leg ulcers."3 Accordingly, we should encourage the engagement of friends, family and other sources of support.
Essential Diagnostic Considerations
According to the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiologic (CEAP) Classification, a venous type ulcer is one of six different types (see "A Pertinent Overview Of The CEAP Classification" at left).8
Category 1 shows telangiectasias or reticular veins like spider veins.
Category 2 will show varicose veins.
Category 3 will start showing varicose veins along with leg swelling.
Category 4 will show evidence of venous stasis skin changes.
Category 5 reflects skin changes in conjunction with healed ulcerations.
Category 6 describes skin changes in association with active ulceration.
Patients in categories 5 and 6 will most likely need wound care management whereas those in categories 1 to 4 will require long-term preventive treatment. Note that if chronic venous insufficiency goes untreated, it might result in secondary lymphedema, which may further complicate venous ulcer management.
The revised CEAP classification of chronic venous disease defines a venous ulcer as a full thickness defect of skin, most frequently in the ankle region (usually in the gaiter region), which fails to heal spontaneously and is sustained by chronic venous disease.8
The exact etiology of venous ulceration is unknown. However, the mechanism of venous ulcers is theoretically due to the incompetence of the valves causing intraluminal pressures to increase. When venous hypertension is present, blood does not pump as effectively in or out of the area and pools accordingly. Venous hypertension may also stretch veins and allow blood proteins to leak into the extravascular space, isolating extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors, and preventing them from helping to heal the wound.9 Leakage of fibrinogen from veins as well as deficiencies in fibrinolysis may also cause fibrin to build up around the vessels, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching cells.9 This improper functioning of vein pressure results in transudation of inflammatory mediators into the subcutaneous tissues of the lower extremity and subsequent breakdown of the tissue including the skin.
Symptoms may include mild to severe edema of leg as well as sensations of fatigue and heaviness with burning or itching. It is helpful to let patients know that sufficient reduction of edema can offer partial relief, if not full relief, of the aforementioned symptoms. There may also be a rash, redness, brown discoloration of hemosiderin staining, lipodermatosclerotic changes as well as xerosis with thick hyperkeratotic plaques. These shallow lesions occur on the medial lower extremity just above the ankle where venous pressure is greatest due to the presence of large communicating veins.
The base of a venous ulcer is usually red and may be covered with yellow fibrous tissue. If the venous ulcer is infected, there may be a green or yellow discharge. The drainage amount can vary from minimal to moderate. The borders of a venous ulcer are usually irregularly shaped and the surrounding skin is often discolored and swollen. The ulcer may even feel warm or hot. The skin may appear shiny and tight, depending on the amount of edema. The skin may also have brown or purple discoloration, known as "stasis skin changes," about the lower leg.
Venous stasis ulcers are common in patients who have a history of leg swelling, longstanding varicose veins or a history of blood clots in either the superficial or the deep veins of the legs. Ulcers may affect one or both legs.
The differential diagnosis for the venous stasis ulcer can include ischemic ulceration, pyoderma gangrenosum, lymphedema, trauma, neuropathic ulceration and cellulitis (see "What Are The Differential Diagnoses For Venous Leg Ulcers?" at right).10 Complete assessment of the patient's medical history is critical as treating the wrong etiology is a common reason for prolonged ulcerations with a poor outcome. When it comes to patients with suspected venous ulcerations, one should ensure a thorough clinical history, physical examination, appropriate laboratory tests and a hemodynamic assessment. Doing so will enable one to identify both the underlying cause and any associated diseases, and influence decisions about prognosis, referral, investigation and management.
Also keep in mind that if the ulcer persists beyond 12 weeks despite the best evidence-based treatment efforts, one must take a biopsy to rule out carcinogenic conversion or any suspected differential diagnoses.
The venous duplex test is helpful in assessing the superficial and deep venous system of the lower extremity to determine the presence or absence of deep or superficial vein thrombosis. We commonly use the venous duplex test to diagnose chronic venous insufficiency. However, the venous reflux test is more specific than the duplex test since this will show the dysfunctional valve system. Additional diagnostic tools for chronic venous insufficiency include computed tomography (CT), which is not very cost effective. It is important to order ankle brachial indices (ABI) not for diagnostic purposes but rather to determine safe levels of compression therapy. However, the gold standard for diagnosing chronic venous insufficiency is venography. We highly recommend consulting a vascular surgeon early in the treatment process.
Essential Insights On Treatment
The most important goal for the treatment of venous leg ulcers is long-term edema control. The revised validated venous stasis ulcer guideline by AAWC recommends delivery of evidence-based care by qualified professionals using a multidisciplinary team for effective venous ulcer treatment.1 Therefore, it is paramount to get a thorough history, physical examination, and consult the proper team members for development of a collaborative treatment strategy. We believe it is important to consult vascular surgery at the beginning stages of treatment.
Treatment depends on the aforementioned CEAP classification. For patients in Categories 1-4, we emphasize conservative treatment with bed rest, leg elevation and compression stockings.
In addition, one may consider treatments provided by vascular surgeons. These treatments include: injecting a sclerosing agent directly into veins; superficial and perforating vein ablation; deep vein reconstruction; and subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery combined with superficial vein ligation. If an ulcer is present, we recommend the aforementioned conservative treatments and adding local wound care to keep the wound site clean and non-infected. Therefore, cleansing the wound with each dressing change is important.
Clinicians can determine the appropriate type of dressing for ulcers by the appearance of tissue type on the ulcer base (see "How To Select The Optimal Dressing For Venous Ulcers" at left).11
Depending on the wound type and drainage amount, there are a plethora of dressings and therapies from which to choose. These include hydrogels, alginate dressings, collagen wound dressings, debriding agents such as Santyl (Healthpoint) and Accuzyme (Healthpoint), and antimicrobial dressings with silver- or cell-based therapies. Other options include platelet rich plasma (PRP), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), low frequency ultrasound therapy (MIST, Celleration) with composite dressings, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and synthetic skin substitutes. All wound care therapy programs must include compression therapy to be more effective.
There are many different types of composite/compression dressings. However, there is no international guideline for the proper application of compression treatments. In a 2007 article, the World Union of Wound Healing Societies proposed a management plan to assist clinical decision making in the use of compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.12 They explained the diagnosis of venous leg ulcers, treatment options and possible outcomes from the treatment (download "Key Considerations For Compression Therapy In The Treatment Of Venous Leg Ulcers" at http://podiatrytoday.com/files/PT_78.pdf ), which can initially guide the type of compression dressing one uses.
In general, we apply multilayer compression wraps from the toes or foot to the area below the knee. Different types of compression layers on the market include four-layer bandages, double-layer tubular elastic bandages, compression stockings or short stretch compression.
For clinical purposes, the level of compression dressing indicated depends on the patient's comfort level, the amount of edema and the results of ABI testing. One should apply compression wraps with caution on the patient who has an ABI below 0.75. Never place compression wraps on a patient with an ABI lower than 0.5 or those who develop a sudden increase of edema on both lower extremities. These two clinical scenarios require consultation with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon for further evaluation for cardiac failure or arterial insufficiency.
If the ABI is between 0.9 and 1.25, the patient can likely tolerate treatment with a four-layer compression or long stretch compression wrap. When the patient has an ABI between 0.75 and 0.9, we recommend single layer compression comprised of cast padding and Coban in spiral formation. However, the use of compression wrap remains dependent on the patient's comfort level and degree of leg edema.
We always recommend starting with single layer compression and gradually increasing the compression as the patient tolerates and as edema allows. In addition, the frequency of dressing changes depends on drainage volume. If patients have heavy exudate, they should change dressings more frequently. Dressing changes can initially occur daily and then gradually decrease to weekly changes depending on the degree of edema and amount of drainage. One can use steroids, either oral or topical, for short periods of time to help decrease exudate.
Sometimes patients can wear Unna boots if their skin shows any type of dermatitis. Unna boots are rolled bandages that contain a combination of calamine lotion, glycerin, zinc oxide and gelatin. Calamine lotion can sometimes provide a soothing effect and it works well on the patient who has a burning sensation. However, the Unna boot itself does not provide any control of edema. Therefore, a compression wrap would still be required.
It is important during treatment to consider the patient's socioeconomic situation and possibly utilize a social worker to assist the patient in the frequent clinic visits that may be required. If a social worker is not available at the facility, arranging visits from the Visiting Nurse Associations of America may be another option. If nursing visits will be part of the treatment plan and follow-up, make sure dressing change orders are very clear and well communicated with the nurse. This plays an important role in treatment outcomes.
Bolton and colleagues recommended that if the ulcer size does not reduce 40 percent within three weeks, the patient may require adjunctive therapies.5 These therapies may include IV or PO antibiotics to treat infection, additional drugs like anti-platelet or anti-clotting medication or vascular surgical options.
Selecting The Appropriate Compression Stockings
Once the ulcer has healed and edema is under control, then one needs to proceed to the recovery phase of treatment. This typically involves a patient centered self-care plan. One option is compression stockings to help keep blood from pooling in the feet and calf.
Compression support hose have different pressure levels. Light compression socks will have 10 to 15 mmHg compression and are good for treating varicose veins, which fall under CEAP Category 2.8 Clinicians may employ medium compression hose, which have up to 20 to 30 mmHg compression, to treat severe varicose veins, chronic venous hypertension and to help prevent venous leg ulcers.
High compression hose have a pressure range of 25 to 35 mmHg compression and are useful for those with severe edema, who require prevention of venous leg ulcers.
Selecting correct compression hose often requires a degree of trial and error. However, it is safe to start the patient who shows hemosiderin changes and a history of venous ulceration with a 20 to 30 mmHg gradient compression hose and add more compression if the patient's edema is not adequately controlled. For example, one can use compression pump treatment in conjunction with the stocking or utilize CircAid® products in combination with stockings.
Patients with severe physical limitations may require additional accessory devices such as donning devices or stocking sleeves. It will be important to utilize either family members or other personal assistants to ensure timely and consistent implementation of the treatment plan.
The table "What You Should Know About Elastic And Inelastic Compression Systems" (at left) provides an overview of some of the basic compression dressings.
What You Should Know About Psychosocial Factors And The Recurrence Of Venous Leg Ulcers
It is important to recognize the patient's psychosocial factors during venous leg ulcer treatment. In a prospective study, Finlayson and colleagues collected data from 80 patients with a previous history of healed venous ulceration and identified the relationship among preventive activities, psychosocial factors and ulcer recurrence.3 They discovered that leg elevation, compression hosiery, high levels of self treatment efficacy and strong social support helped prevent recurrence. The study shows that median time to recurrence was 27 weeks.
The study demonstrated that patients who elevated the leg at least one hour per day for six days a week had less chance of ulcer recurrence.3 Study authors also found that 34 percent of patients were diagnosed with depression when they had ulcer recurrence. High body mass index and low nutritional value will delay the healing process. Overall, psychosocial issues will increase the chance of recurrence by impacting on self-care activities of patients.
Case Study: When A Patient Presents With Longstanding Venous Stasis Ulcers
A 45-year-old Caucasian male presented with a medical history of liver disease, tuberculosis, substance abuse and depression. The vascular clinic referred him for chronic, non-healing venous stasis ulcers of six years' duration. The ulcerations began as trauma on both of his legs from broken glass while crawling through a window.
The patient self treated his wounds at home for a couple of years. However, after not seeing any progress, he decided to see a physician at Boston Medical Center. The patient went to the vascular clinic for three years. During this time, he had venous reflux tests, which revealed incompetent superficial and deep venous systems on both legs. His ABI was 1.0 bilaterally. The patient was using a four-layer compression wrap and had multiple treatments of antibiotic therapy prior to our clinic consultation. Also, during treatment with the vascular team, the patient underwent a right saphenous ablation procedure on the right leg and had intraoperative debridement of the wound sites.
On our initial visit, the patient admitted to smoking for 25 years. The physical examination revealed ulcers on the anterior surface of both legs. There was a 2 cm by 3 cm ulcer on the right leg and a 9.5 cm by 6 cm ulcer on the left leg. The ulcers were deep (approximately 3 to 5 mm) without exposed tendon or bone. The base of the ulcers was 80 percent fibrotic and 20 percent pink granulated tissue. There was no sign of infection and no odor, but there was mild edema. The surrounding periwound tissue had localized erythema, which was more from inflammation than infection.
We debrided the ulcers to subcutaneous tissue. We provided standard of care treatment with the exception of soaking the ulcers for 15 minutes in a silver solution prior to using the compression wrap with PO antibiotics for 10 days.
We also reinforced the necessity to quit smoking and educated the patient to elevate his leg above his heart any time he is resting.
Originally, the patient's ulcers had significant exudate so he came to our clinic three times a week for dressing changes. Then as the base of the wounds evolved into more red granulated tissue and exudate was under control, we reduced his dressing changes to twice per week. Once the base of the wounds filled with granulated tissue, we applied a skin substitute in conjunction with compression wrap after silver solution soaking.
The right leg ulcer healed within two months and we prescribed 20 to 30 mmHg compression hose to control edema. The left leg ulcer is still open but diminished to 5 cm by 3 cm. The patient has cut down on smoking. He is committed to stopping smoking, elevating his leg at least one hour per day and wearing a compression stocking on the healed ulcer leg every day. He has not been using recreational drugs or pain medication for some time now.
Keys To Prevention And Patient Education
It is vital to individualize any treatment, based on the patient's health, medical condition, psychological status and socioeconomic status as well as the patient's physical ability to care for the wound. It is important to apply sufficient pressure to improve the chronic venous insufficiency during the treatment period. If needed, treatments should begin with antibiotics for infection or anti-platelet or anti-clotting medications to prevent a blood clot.
Patients need to understand the treatment plan, the goals of treatment and how the patient and clinician are going to work together to achieve the stated goals. One needs to establish and maintain trust if the treatment is to be effective. It is important patients understand that venous leg ulcers often recur and that treatment is an ongoing process of preventing future ulcers and managing acute ulcerations.
As healthcare providers, it is important to teach patients to monitor their wounds, check for complications often and maintain a daily self-care regimen. This regimen should include the following points.
• Wash feet daily and check for sores, calluses, blisters, injury or infection. Notify your doctor of any such condition.
• Keep the wound and dressing clean and dry, changing the dressing as directed.
• Wear comfortable shoes that do not restrict circulation.
• Maintain regular physical activity. This should include an exercise program advised by a physician or physical therapist. Low-impact exercise, such as walking 30 minutes per day and/or stretching, would be helpful.
• Stop smoking.
• Eat a well-balanced, heart healthy (low salt, low fat) diet. Following such a diet can reduce blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Use compression socks if appropriate.
• Elevate legs one hour daily
Lastly, it is important to communicate with different specialties for input and advice on the treatment plan. This will reduce the long-term cost and will produce a more effective result for the patient.
In Conclusion
Regardless of the etiology of venous ulcerations, it is fundamentally necessary to develop a protocol for clinical practice. One must adapt any preventive method to the patient's socioeconomic needs and abilities if it is to be effective. Clinicians need to balance the patient's needs and desires as they pertain to quality of life issues and associated economic resources. Ultimately, the success or failure of treatment will rely on the trust and teamwork that develops between patients and providers.
Dr. Park is a Research Fellow in Limb Preservation and Wound Healing in the Department of Surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center.
Dr. Allen is the Chief Podiatry Surgical Resident at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur, Ga.
Dr. Gu is an International Scholar in Limb Preservation and Wound Healing in the Department of Surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. He is also a General Surgeon at the Jinling Hospital at the Nanjing University School of Medicine in Nanjing, China.
Dr. Driver is an Associate Professor of Surgery and the Director of Clinical Research, Limb Preservation and Wound Healing at the Boston University Medical Campus and the Boston University School of Medicine. She is also the Director of the Research Fellowship and International Scholars Program at those institutions.
1. Bolton L, Bernato L, Dotson P, et. al. Development of a content validated venous ulcer guideline. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2012; 28(3):35–48.
2. Neglan P, Eklof B, Kulwicki A, et al. Prevention and treatment of venous ulcers in primary chronic venous insufficiency. J Vasc Surg. 2010; 52(5Supp):
3. Finlayson K, Edwards H, Courtney M. Relationships between preventive activities, psychosocial factors and recurrence of venous leg ulcers: a prospective study. J Adv Nurs. 2011; 67(10):2180 -2190.
4. Snyder RJ. Treatment of nonhealing ulcers with allografts. Clin Dermatol. 2005; 23(4):388–95.
5. Brem H, Kirsner RS, Falanga V. Protocol for the successful treatment of venous ulcers. Am J Surg. 2004; 188(1A Suppl):1–8.
6. Mustoe T. Understanding chronic wounds: a unifying hypothesis on their pathogenesis and implications for therapy. Am J Surg. 2004; 187(5A):65S–70S.
7. Moreo K. Understanding and overcoming the challenges of effective case management for patients with chronic wounds. Case Manager. 2005; 16(2):62–3, 67.
8. Kakko SK, Rivera MA, Matsagas MI, et. al. Validation of the new venous severity scoring system in varicose venin surgery. J Vasc Surg. 2003; 38(2):224-8.
9. Stanley AC, Lounsbury KM, Corrow K, et al. Pressure elevation slows the fibroblast response to wound healing. J Vasc Surg. 2005; 42(3):546–51.
10. Collins L, Samina S. Diagnosis and treatment of venous ulcers. Am Fam Physician. 2010; 81(8):989–996.
11. Velasco M. Diagnostic and Treatment of Leg Ulcers. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2011; 102(10):780-790.
12. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Principles of best practice: Compression in venous leg ulcers. A consensus document. MEP Ltd.,
London, 2008.
Additional References
13. Sibbald RG, Olsted HL, Schultz GS, et al. Preparing the wound bed 2003: focus on infection and inflammation. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2003; 49(11):
14. Burrows C, Miller R, Townsend D et. al. Best practice recommendation for the prevention and treatment of venous leg ulcers: update 2006. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2006; 41(1):44 –55.
Editor's note: For further reading, see "How To Manage Venous Stasis Ulcerations" in the May 2007 issue of Podiatry Today, "Treating Venous Stasis Ulcers In The Lower Extremity" in the October 2004 issue or "Vascular Intervention In Difficult Wounds" in the July 2002 issue.


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Silver Lake Park
The Daily Plant : Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Don't let the skies fool you-spring is here and to prove it, there are dozens of determined flowers blooming all over the city. This year, Parks & Recreation is marking this annual spring phenomenon with an on-line "blooming guide," called "Parks in Bloom 2003." The guide provides New Yorkers with a list of locations of blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees in every borough. Nature-lovers can consult this resource to plan the most horticulturally interesting walks possible, while nature novices can use it to impress their friends with their sudden ability to distinguish between flowering dogwood and cherry trees.
The new blooming guide underscores Parks & Recreation Commissioner Benepe's horticultural goals for the agency. Benepe aims to make New York, "flower city" and with continuing help from numerous corporations, non-profit organizations, community groups, and citizen volunteers, it looks like New York will secure the title any day. Already, more flowers will bloom in New York's parks and gardens than ever before. And, as a quick read of the on-line guide confirms, New Yorkers can stroll through any park this time of year and encounter a huge variety of spring blooms.
In Brooklyn, for example, azalea and forsythia bushes, red buds and tulips decorate the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Horticultural enthusiasts can also head to the Narrows Botanical Gardens, and take in daffodils, forsythia and tulips. And at Borough Hall, the cherry blossoms are just starting to come out in full force. In the Bronx, some of the best blooms are found in Van Cortlandt Park. The 1,146 acre park is crowded with flowers this time of year, including marigolds, daffodils, cherry, dogwood, and Red maple tree blossoms. There are also a variety of flowering trees at the entrance to Pelham Parkway (Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue), while Crotona Park is home to fields of daffodils and white flowering pear trees. Daffodils can be seen all over Manhattan-throughout Central Park, Saint Nicholas Park at 135th Street and East River Park on the Lower East Side. Of course, the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park is the premier Manhattan destination to take in breathtaking blooms. Daffodils, tulips, columbine, Jacob's ladder, Lily of Valley, hyacinths, pansies, and ipheion, an unusual blue flower from South America, are just are few of the flowers that are blossoming in the Heather Garden's lavish garden beds. Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park is known for its pink cherry blossoms. The cherry trees also compete with the white flowering pear trees, and gold forsythia bushes. Also in Queens, Cunningham Park is famous for its tulips and Forest Park for its forsythia. On Staten Island, Silver Lake Park and Clove Lakes Park are crowded with cherry blossoms, crabapples, daffodils, forsythia, and tulips. Silver Lake Park also boasts flowering pear trees, while Clove Lakes park is home to star magnolia trees.
In addition to the floral displays described above, there are also thousands and thousands of daffodils in every borough, planted almost entirely by volunteers, as part of the "Daffodil Project" in partnership with New Yorkers for Parks. Planted in the wake of September 11th, as a living memorial of hope, it's especially uplifting to see the daffodils in this dreary weather-they are a reminder that sunnier days are ahead.
Hope you enjoyed yesterday's Parks & Recreation mini quiz. Below are the answers with brief explanations.
1. (C) - According to Parks & Recreation's Planning Division, the agency
has a total of 1,726 parcels or parks and playgrounds.
2. (C) - The Historic House Trust preserves and promotes 22 historic houses, however only 20 of these houses are open to the public.
3. (D) - Seward Park, the nation's first municipally built playground, opened on October 17, 1903. The city acquired the land for Seward Park by condemnation in 1897. In addition to the state-of-the-art playground, the 1903 plan featured a large track with an open play area and a farm garden for children.
4. (D) - Each summer, 1.4 million gallons of water are used to fill Astoria Pool in Astoria Park, Queens.
5. (C) - Starburst Jelly Beans is the lead sponsor of Central Park's 57th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 19. Newmark Real Estate was the main sponsor of the Great Halloween Party in the fall while Hormel Deli was the lead sponsor of Parks & Recreation's Winter Festival 2003.
6. (A) - Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse - "Little Red Lighthouse" is the only lighthouse under the jurisdiction of Parks & Recreation. "Little Red" became Parks property in 1951. The lighthouse was originally erected in Sandy Hook, NJ in 1880, and was moved to its present location in 1921. The lighthouse improved navigation on the Hudson until it was officially decommissioned in 1947. The Coast Guard intended to destroy the lighthouse until Parks & Recreation took over the historic structure.
7. (A) - The total acreage to date of City parkland is 28,634 acres.
"Flowers are lovely; love is flower-lie;
Friendship is a sheltering tree."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Directions to Silver Lake Park
- Two New Tot Lots Debut On Staten Island
- Parks & Recreation Cuts The Ribbon At New Drumgoole And Silver Lake Park Tot Lots
- Before They Were Parks (Part II)


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— Grief support group, meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evenings in the library at Effort United Methodist Church, Merwinsburg Road, Effort. (570) 629-1890, ext. 109.
BLUE RIDGE HOOK & LADDER FIRE COMPANY AUXILIARY, meeting 7:00 p.m. at the fire house in Saylorsburg. Cover dish meeting. (610) 863-2065. . COMMUNITY AID:
— Salvation Army soup kitchen open from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at the Citadel, 226 Washington St., East Stroudsburg. Call: (570) 421-3050.
DEBTORS ANONYMOUS support group meeting at noon at the Zion United Church of Christ, 14 N. Eighth St., Stroudsburg. 12 step program for people whose debts or compulsive spending have made their lives unmanageable. Call (877) 717-3328 or visit www.debtorsanonymous.org. DRUG AND ALCOHOL SUPPORT
— Al-anon (570) 296-5900, www.pa-al-anon.org.
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— Stroudsburg Moose Lodge, 705 Stokes Mill Rd., East Stroudsburg, 7 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. and kitchen open at 6 p.m. Bingo coordinator is Al Smith. Information: (570) 421-5783.
— Duplicate Bridge, at 10 a.m. at Hughes Library (Route 611 and Chipperfield Drive), Stroud Township. Partner guaranteed. Open, stratified, non-smoking. Light refreshments provided. Entry Fee: $5 — first time players play free. Call: JoAnn Mauger at (570) 620-2638.
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUB, Pocono Mountain, meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 25, in the Tobyhanna Elementary Center cafeteria, Pocono Pines. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
— Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Coping With Loss Support Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Washington, N.J. (973) 383-0115.
Barbershop Chorus of the Poconos, local chapter of SPEBSQSA, meeting, at 7:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Scotrun. New members welcome. Call Ed Krawitz at (570) 421-3139.
POCONO MOUNTAIN WOMEN'S CLUB, meeting 7 p.m. at Tobyhanna Elementary School cafeteria, Old Route 940, Pocono Pines. Information: Andrea Hauck at (570) 646-9532. POCONO WOODCARVERS: meeting and demonstrations, 7 p.m. at Cherry Lane United Methodist Church, Tannersville. Beginning and advanced carvers welcome. Carving sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. Call: Jim Sebring at (570) 421-6147. SERVICE CLUBS
— Barrett Township Lions meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Cook's Touch Restaurant, Route 390, Mountainhome.
— Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 1180, 5:30 p.m. weigh-in, 6:30 p.m. meeting, at Zion United Church of Christ, 14 N. Eighth St., Stroudsburg. (570) 992-2436
— Rotary Club of the Smithfields, 7 a.m. at Dansbury Commons Dining Hall (Faculty Staff Dining Room), Normal Street, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg.
— West End Kiwanis Club, breakfast and meeting 7:30 a.m. at Cherry's Sunset Family Restaurant, Route 209 near Route 534, Kresgeville. (610) 681-4482.
THE NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, meets at 1 p.m., at Tobyhanna Army Depot Chapel. Refreshments are available. (570) 839-9968 or firstname.lastname@example.com. WEIGHT CONTROL SUPPORT: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, East Stroudsburg Chapter 988, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church, 55 Smith St., East Stroudsburg. Call: Dolly (570) 629-2858.


text:
Hot chocolate with marshmallows is perfect. But it has potential to be more perfect. How? With boozy marshmallows, of course.
For £5 (plus £10 shipping per order) you get 16 sauce soaked marshmallows. They come in two flavors—Guinness and Maker's Mark. Buy them, then you can instantly turn any liquid into an adult beverage. Just don't mix them up with your regular bag of Jet Puffed mallows. [Wondermade via OhGizmo]


text:
Deerstore.com necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 18 diseños de 6 diseñadores freelance.
current logo for deerstore.com needs to be refreshed and updated
We would like our current logo to be updated. We want to keep the concept of a whitetail deer head peeking out of the letter "D" (can view current logo at http://www.deerstore.com) but we need a sharper looking logo created with this old concept. We would like to keep the forest green color featured in the logo, since our main products are painted in this color. We also want the logo to work in grayscale so that it can be visible when we send out a letterhead through the fax machine. Our customers are whitetail enthusiasts and our website is being redesigned with more of a nature theme. We desire two parts to our logo. The main part is the letter "D" with the whitetail head poking through and sometimes we want "eerstore.com" to be included in the logo (to spell Deerstore.com with the "D" from the logo). In other words, we want the option to have both - a logo that shows just the "D" with the whitetail head peeking through and a logo that shows both the "D" with the whitetail head poking through and the rest of the word "eerstore.com"
- natural color scheme, colors found in nature
- a dark forest green color somewhere in the logo
- the letter D with a whitetail deer head poking through
- the option to add the letters "eerstore.com" to the logo
- the option to add the letters "elclayna" to the logo (Delclayna is our parent company name)
- no capital letters to spell "eerstore.com" or "elclayna"
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Friday, August 31, 2007
ABC Staff Association Expects Howard Win
A stripper, button holed KRUDD in a public car park and got all her gear off for him. The poor bastard couldn't get away! Quelle embarrassement!!
Turns out it was a prank by an ABC TV production team.
Dear, oh dear, oh dear. If you want to guarantee youself a short career at the state owned broadcaster, you cannot find a better way to do it than to take the piss out of that little bullshit artist so beloved by the self professed literary elite at the ABC.
Let The Killing Begin
Meanwhile the loopy anti-tazer brigade can rest easy now that their criminal friends have a few months respite during which they can face real live ammunition from Mr Glock instead of the evil 50,000 volts from Mr Tazer.
If the police want to ensure tazers are given the go ahead for permanent use, all they have to do is shoot and kill at least one crim each week from now until November.
But will it be Helen that has her chips as Goff sticks the knife in?
I recall senior Tory Michael 'Tarzan' Heseltine saying he "foresaw no circumstances" in which he would stand against Margaret Thatcher for the Tory Party leadership many years ago.
In time, he did, explaining he never "foresaw" things would get quite so bad.
Anyway, I am sure Goff and/or his allies will be doing the sums, whether it be whether Goff has the numbers to take the party, or the numbers to take the country.
Politicians of whatever stripe have few principals.
Once Liarbour MPs and ministers realise their only hope of survival is ditching Clark, they will do so, for so many have no other life outside politics.
Of course ditching the 'Bilious Bitch' may not be the answer. Polls still show she is popular, despite her regime being increasingly incompetent. There may well be no Goff boost in the polls. And if he does take over, a lengthy spell in opposition may await, as Insolent Prick explains.
Either way, the future looks grim for Liarbour, and all National has to do, is remain on top of the game.
Getting the Busway 'blues', the politics and added pollution of public transport.
Labour Caves In - Give's Exclusive Brethren Unlimited Spending
Helloooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Exclusive Brethren were not campaining FOR any party. They were campaigning AGAINST the Green Party. So long as they adopt the same strategy next time round they can spend as many millions as they like.
Why, oh why, do we continue to pay these useless incompetents their parliamentary salaries and allowances? They couldn't organise a decent crap on a tour of a sewerage farm.
The Wrinklies
Today's headline from The Herald demonstrates his wisdom in eschewing the fascinating and tempting 'reverse mortgage' market. That is, where the retired oldies with bugger all income and a mortgage-free home can trot along to the friendly lender and take out a loan. Interest accrues until their deaths at which time the property will be sold by the estate and the loan and interest repayed. The idea is that they stick the loan proceeds into a savings account and give themselves a few hundred dollars each month to supplement their incomes, gradually using up the capital and it's diminishing interest.
There were and are a few traps and we are about to see one of them. What happens if the lender goes broke and the receiver moves to call up the loans? Where will the then much older wrinklies go to refinance so that the receiver can pay out the debenture holders? Will the receiver be forced to sell up the oldies and tip them out onto the street? If the Wrinklies are lucky, their homes will be sold to investors who will allow them to stay on as tenants. Of course, the real howls of anguish will come from the money grubbing children of the wrinklies who will see their windfall profit from eventual sale of the home disappear.
One of the reasons responsible lenders do not engage in this reverse mortgage market is that they have too much to loose by way of brand damage should they ever be forced to sell up such a security property and be featured on Fair Go, 60 Minutes and every other bleeding heart media circus in the land.
Another trap for the 'olds' of course is that they might live too long and need to go back for another bite of the cherry to maintain their lifestyles, only to find that the accrued interest and plateauing property prices have conspired to render them in a state of negative equity.
That's a polite way of saying 'your debt is bigger than your asset.'
Michael Cullen seems to have absolutely no idea that he is shortly to be over whelmed by an economic tsunami. Professional commentators have predicted it for at least a year. They call it a 'financial storm.' First, the sub prime debacle in the US, then the collapse of the NZ finance company sector, now the pending disintegration of the high risk reverse mortgage market - so who will be next? I don't know but I'm sure there is much more to come. When it get's here this is what it will look like and it will happen very fast.
I'm starting to warm toward the probability of an early election following a lost vote of confidence in the house - probably early in 2008, after the sheeple have suffered a disastrous Christmas of little cheer and good will.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Helengrad's Hottest Wimmin
Well, if Zoo magazine can search for the "20 Sexiest New Zealand Babes", No Minister can do the same.
We searched all over the Beehive for these Liarbour Lovelies.
And in best Panty Slut Boy Fashion fashion, will give you Six of the Best!
1- Dear Leader- Helen of Mt Albert, the face that Decommissioned a Thousand Ships. The flirty 50-something is so hot, her photos need 'shopping' and boy, do we pay for it as the Dominatrix disciplines members and dishes the dirt.
2- Heather Simpson- Dear Leader's Chief of Staff. So hot is this butch, beefy babe, one needs a staff to give one added satisfaction in the places this chief cannot reach.
3- Judith Tizard- Dear Leader's handbag and consort. Well despite her being no use at anything political, her continued positions in government suggest there must be some positions she is good at.
4- Marion Hobbs- Boo Boo or the Fifth teletubby will certainly make allowances and accommodate anyone outside Wellington Central. Boo Boo! Is the response of all those she serves.
5- Ruth Dyson- This Banks Peninsular Babe makes an arresting sight as she drives people to drink with her desire to perform as any other Liarbour member- sucking the public tit.
6- Nanaia Mahuta- This Tainui Temptress is big enough to satisfy the largest taniwha. Kia-Whooaarrra!
But do you agree. Or does Helengrad have even hotter babes?
Phillip makes a right John of himself
It starts with roger nome, aka philip john making an irrelevant and impertinent comment on a post about the Electoral Finance Bill. Then the fun begins when he accuses the Business RoundTable of writing the Employment Contracts Bill through two lawyers. Of course philip john gets this information from.........Winston Peters in Parliament.
I managed to chime in with a correcting piece he acknowledged and then Insolent Prick and DPF just make a total dick of him. He then says he 'has to go' just when he was shown up as the twit he is.
It's bloody funny, but also bloody sad. Philip John is a wannabe academic.
God help us.
What would happen after a "Fall of Baghdad?"
One of the religious leaders has declared a ceasefire.
And the US army veterans seem more confidence of success too.
The latest push seems to be working and maybe Adolf's patience will at last be rewarded.
But what gets me is why do the left seem so keen on American failure?
Can they honestly believe that the world will be a safer place if Islamic terrorists and assorted third-parties succeed against a democratically elected government in Baghdad?
What will be the impact on other Middle East Countries?
How will this impact on the rights of women and gays in such places?
Aren't the left supposed to support these ideals?
Or do they come second in their lust for a defeat of America, their hatred of George Bush?
How would the mullahs in Iran react? President Armed Jihad would certainly go nuclear. Do we want to see this despot with his finger on the button?
Do we really think Al Queda will give up its struggle? That Osama Bin Laden will return to the family construction firm in Saudi, or will he plan greater attacks knowing he has defeated The Great Satan?
And how will other despots react the world over knowing that America has been humiliated?
It could be Islamic terrorists in Thailand and the Philippines. Chavez in Venezuela, or places we do not yet even know about.
I am sure an increasingly belligerent Russia with its strongman Putin would also take advantage of the situation. Do we really want another Cold War that might even get warm or hot?
And what about Israel? What about Taiwan? Might China also take advantage there?
Just in case you are wondering, Mark Steyn looks back at the Vietnam War and how the defeat of America impacted on geo-politics in the 70s and 80s.
It was not a happy result. Millions died and many countries were in turmoil.
False Advertising - Episode II
Now it is time to launch another formal complaint. This time against the visual contrivance which purports to be a likeness of Her Majesty, The Prime Minister.
Here is the real thing, brought to us yesterday by FairFacts Media.
Adolf calls on readers to compile a list of statutes and codes of conduct which this aberration contravenes. For starters, what about
Sale of Goods Act - unmerchantable goods
Advertising Code - deceptive advertising
Forgeries Act - no, that won't work. The fake bears no resemblance to the original - even when she's having a good day.
The question arises as to who should be charged with an offence. Adolf suggests the list might be long and might include Wikipedia, The Labour Party, Parliamentary Services (for approving the invoices) and any news media organisation which has published this crap, knowing it has been photoshopped to the extent it no longer even slightly resembles the haggard features of the Killer Queen.
Jamdertin Wants a Debate?
Never has it been so obvious that his so called political party is nothing more than a sham Labour front, set up to manipulate MMP for the benefit of Labour. Now is the time for a complaint to the electoral office.
I was amused to hear the extensive coverage given to Winston's winsome Gold Card for oldies. Some dozey old codger was complaining about the absence of any discounts for electricity, demanding that the gummint 'do something about it' and talk to the electricity companies. The silly old dope should have learnt by now that he won't get anything of value from Helen Clark or Winston Peters unless he can deliver at least an hour's prime time television coverage and front page photos in every national daily.
Even more amused to hear RLW News crowing about the discounts ranging from 5% to 50%. That got me to wonder which sort of business might offer a huge 50% discount? The answer, of course, is one with enormous profit margins and one which would expect minimal patronage from 'old bastards.'
You've got it. Must be a brothel.
A Blues Brothers babe , Cruella De Ville or the Black Widow of Death
Health Service Horror Stories- reality strikes when it happens to a close mate
A good friend of mine had a little too much to drink on Sunday night and fell off the third floor balcony of my apartment.
111 was dialled and St John's Ambulance managed a rapid response to my rural north of Auckland location.
But the service at North Shore Hospital was frankly, quite disgraceful.
On entering the hospital things seemed to go smoothly as he was x-rayed, etc.
However, my mate needed a "cat scan" just to make sure all was ok and that was promised for daybreak on Monday morning.
Come Monday morning, no cat scan. Ditto afternoon and evening as my friend just waited and waited.
For a so-called Emergency Care Centre, things did not seem to progress with any speed whatsoever.
So by Monday night, 24 hours or so after arrival, there was still no sign of any cat scan or any further 'assessments.'
By this time, my friend was getting somewhat frustrated and keen to go home.
He had spent Monday afternoon waiting in a corridor, despite having his own cubicle earlier
Throughout both Sunday and Monday, many patients were cluttering up the corridors on their trolley beds and all the little cubicles were full too.
I also heard a doctor making a comment about all the beds being 'full."
Come Monday night, out of frustration, my friend discharged himself from hospital after the hospital somehow 'forgot' to assess him or give him his cat scan.
And while obtaining medicine at an Auckland GP yesterday, we discovered the hospital had also not allocated him an ACC number .
Now, for the next few weeks, my friend will be wearing a neck brace, though he should be back at work next week.
I am reluctant to blame the actual doctors and nurses as they all seem to be rushing around like blue arsed flies and it cannot be good for them if stressed out patients might take out some of their frustrations on the hospital staff.
My friend is not the most patient of patients and he did snap at one of them, though he later apologised.
But it all makes you wonder of the human cost of the current health service 'crisis.'
First of all, patients are not getting the treatment they need, either missing out on services or procedures necessary for effective treatment; delayed treatments may be less effective, and the patients themselves may discharge themselves before they should out of frustration.
Staff are also getting unnecessary abuse, which can only add to their stress or unhappiness, and if they are tired then there is a greater risk of them making mistakes, or simply 'forgetting' people, as happened here.
Now, the problems at North Shore Hospital are not new. They have been well covered by the New Zealand Herald.
But as noted elsewhere, isn't it heartening to know, that rather than looking at how the New Zealand health system might operate more effectively, that we have a health minister more bothered about where John Key sleeps than where hospital patients sleep.
And while Gollum Hodgson spends his time on digging dirt on John Key, at least the local National MPs, Wayne Mapp and Dr Jonathan Coleman, are doing their bit to help to tackle the problem
Speaking of hypocrites, what's the latest on Trevor Mallard!
Now, let us hear the full story.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Bimbo Knocked Off By Veteran
She was prattling on about how things are different now and she was stupid enought to assert '...and we have a much more robust media now...'
Mike Moore stopped her in her tracks with "I don't know about that!"
Where do these TV stations get such children from only to dress them up as reporters?
Great Stuff !
Naaaahhhhh. Thatcher has style.
Hattip Whaleoil and hoisted from 'Stuff.'
Prima Facie Case For Press Gallery
Of course the inference is that the ladies and gentlemen of the press gallery 'go easy' on the gummint of the day in order to ensure they continue to receive 'inside information' on the stories du jour. There may be some truth in that, I don't know because I'm not close to the action.
However there is an emerging story which should have the journalistic nostrils of an ambitious young political scribe twitching. It is the story of political spying and breaking and entering which has simmered for the past two years or so.
When one looks back over events of the last two years, one sees a pattern of covert surveilance and criminal activity emerging, which pattern does not seem to have existed before. It looks something like this:
We have the Foreman burglaries carried out by men in suits; the Brash e-mails stolen; Key's rubbish bins ratted by men in suits, Key's house burgled; a particular PI asked to spy on John Key; and now strong indications from the industry that Labour is using PIs to dig dirt on John Key. It seems to Adolf to be more than coincidence that the latest in this interesting litany became known just as Labour launched it's carefully co-ordinated public attacks on the character of John Key.
It is in the public interest for the people of New Zealand to know whether the party and its leadership which aspires to sit in opposition for the next twenty years is worthy of the priviledge or is just a gang of mobsters led by a shifty back room Al Caponesque buffoon and fronted by a glib band of publicity savvy liars.
John Key's Speech Writer
David Farrar has hi-lighted Moore's skewering of Winston Peters as 'the foreign minister who hates foreigners' but for me the pieces de resistance were:
'Exactly what does the "consort" Judith Tizard and the legion of Ministers outside Cabinet actually do?
Perhaps it's good they don't do much. They manage the remarkable feat of being self-important, expensive, trivial and irrelevant at the same time.'
'The attacks on possible, probable enemies of the state has even gone overseas to attacks on Australian Foreign Minister Downer....'It's no wonder they want to shut down critical polital commentary for a whole year before an election.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Even The Press Gallery Knows Labour Burgled Key's House
'This desperation for any scrap of information, any document that can be flourished against him, seems to put into context the burglary of Mr Key's home while he was on a well-publicized overseas holiday, and the mysterious raids on his home garbage bins, detected by neighbours on several occasions. These were not homeless people, looking for discarded Parnell food portions. They were well-dressed operatives who took off swiftly when their activities were detected.'
Watergate Hotel
Who wrote this? Some faceless and unattributable editorial junior hack?
No, one of country's senior political scribes, Richard Long
Those Faceless Men
We seem to have our own version of 'faceless men' or possibly 'faceless women.'
These are the people who write some of the crap which is foisted upon us in the form of daily newspaper editorials. Every day we can see in the same newspapers which have ranted about the evil anonimity of bloggers, unattributed opiniion put up without so much as even a pseudonym by which people can judge the consistency and political leanings of the writer.
Fortunately for New Zealand, it is likely 98% or more of the population doesn't bother reading them.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Bad Bad News
The Iraqi government at last is getting it's shit together and appears to have reached an internal political accommodation now that the Yanks have woken up that they are fighting an insurgency, not a war.
Perhaps George Dubbya is just so much smarter than his many detractors say he is.
Adolf can hear the widespread muttering of 'oh shits' and 'goddamnits' from the halls, vaults, corridors and shabby squalid dens of the Defeatists as their anti American dreams continue to evaporate.
The irony of it all is that it has taken eight months of ineffectual posturing and empty threats from the Democrats and their one or two republican fellow travellers to push Malarky into getting alongside his own enemies to work out a compromise.
You see, these Iraqis know all about MMP.
I agree with Hitchens - does that make me a twat too?
It's indisputable though - Hitch is spot on with this piece in the Guardian. Not that I agree with him about the rightness of invading Iraq, mind - but he's certainly spot on with the inadvisability of comparing that invasion with the invasion of Viet Nam.
Ham Fisted Hodgkin
'Mr Hodgson said he had spent about 30 minutes preparing the speech on Mr Key last week and two hours talking to the media about it.'
Last week he was boasting in parliament that 'he had been 'digging around..'
So why, oh why, did not Ms Trevatt follow up with the obvious question - "Mr Hodgkin, so who actually did the digging? Did your information come from a private investigater?"
No Minister is reliably informed Labour asked a PI to tail John Key before the last election. Fortunately the PI was a National supporter and refused the assignment.
The only character Hodgkin is about to assassinate is his own.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
New Blog
Adolf has always had a fascination for economics, having engaged in some foundational university study of the subject, albeit limited and a very long time ago. (Many of the technicalities are over my head but I have never let a deficiency in understanding of the finer points inhibit the outpouring of opinion on any subject.)
The pinnacle of my career in the discipline was a remark made to Rodney Hide at a pre-election function. I opined that economists were invented to make weather forecasters look good. Someone took me aside and let me know he is a trained economist. We both seem to have survived the incident.
And hey, I went out and bought Rodney's book today on the strength of Cactus Kate's review. I hope it will keep me going for at least half the journey to Europe next week.
We'll All be Rooned, Said Hanrahan........
Since the late 1960s, much of the North Atlantic Ocean has become less salty, in part due to increases in fresh water runoff induced by global warming, scientists say.
--Michael Schirber, LiveScience, 29 June 2005
The surface waters of the North Atlantic are getting saltier, suggests a new study of records spanning over 50 years. They found that during this time, the layer of water that makes up the top 400 metres has gradually become saltier. The seawater is probably becoming saltier due to global warming, Boyer says.
--Catherine Brahic, New Scientist, 23 August 2007
These gems courtesy of Andrew Bolt
Saturday, August 25, 2007
G'day Trev. Where's Yer Big Mouth Been Lately?
No Minister suspects there is a very good reason the failed stadium salesman has been banished from the war room. He's become a serious liabilty because of his inability to keep his zipper up.
This is the man who shouted across the floor of the house to then National Party leader Don Brash '...speaking of affairs, how's Diane?'
No Minister has been aware for some time that at the very same time these taunts were being thrown, the Mallardorous pecker was leading the Minister for Heineken Bottles into nether regions far removed from the fidelity of marital responsibility to which he sought to hold the leader of the opposition.
Watch tomorrow's Sunday newspapers.
All adolf can say is:
What a prick this man has turned out to be. Why does Hodgkin spend so much time trying to dig dirt on John Key when there is so much dirt he could find so much closer to home?
Will the real 'Horris Edwards Clark' stand up please!
Kamikaze Pete and The Big Prang
'.....Pete Hodgson, the kamikaze pilot who forgot to pack his aircraft with explosives?'
Not to be outdone, Fran O'Sullivan weighs in with this as she analyses John Key's superior tactics and strategy.
'........Key set the bar higher for the Government's attack dogs.'
It's not often Franno gets it so badly wrong. Hodgkin is no attack dog - he's just a toothless old pussy who couldn't catch a dead mackeral washed up on the beach. So, it's to be expected that he is being left for dead by a smooth, sleek and powerful 'blue marlin' like John Key.
Labour's problem is that for the first time, they are up against someone who is brighter and smarter than they are. And how it showed this week.
Friday, August 24, 2007
$6.40 per Kilo
But for Cullen's incompetence which drove up the exchange rate on the back of userous interest rates, the pay out might have been closer to $8.00 per kilo.
You see, dear readers, every one cent movement in the exchange rate changes the dairy pay out by ten cents per kilo, either way. It's a fair bet that a good chunk of this years sales will have been hedged at over 75 cents. Just imagine how well off we might all be if we were back at 60 pr 65 cents, with interest rates at 6 or 7 percent. That's the real price we have paid for Cullens uncontrolled increases in gummint spending and his outrageous election bribes which he intends to repeat in his next budget - if he lasts that long.
TVNZ Finds Answer To Sagging Ratings
Come on Helen, I dare you! Follow your political soulmate
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Miss Slackistan and the Burka Beauties V the PC Plods
Pat Harvey, mayor of the borough of Restormel and one of the judges, said: "I felt that the community enjoyed their act. The group was excellent."
Two Inches withdraws but retirement gives him a very big package
UK blogger Guido Fawkes delivered the news that has Britons celebrating- John Prescott, deputy PM to the departed Tony Blair, will soon leave Westminster.
"Prezza will get a pension valued at well over a million pounds and paying him over £1,000 a week. He of course has no declared interest in his son's property dealing - largely involving politically sensitive planning applications or public sector land."
The Hull MP, also known as 'The Mouth Of the Humber', can look back on a remarkable career of sex and sleaze, which has obviously been so well rewarding.
His Wikipedia entry highlights "contentious events" that would make him so well at home in New Zealand Labour.
There's violence, from when he punched a protestor. There's sex, such as shagging his secretary (and he has a small dick, apparantly); plus a whole raft of dodgy business deals.
He even tried political smears, with the respected Sunday Times reporting claims he had a 'sex dossier' proving Tony Blair had a gay fling with Gordon Brown- Tricia McDaid dossier. It's news about Tony but we always wondered about Gordon!
Not surprisingly, New Zealand Labour had Prezza over to speak at their 2001 conference. He is so one of them and they obviously learnt from each other.
Now, Prescott looks set to spend more time with the Hoover, though he has apparantly secured a top job in Brussels. It could be worse for long suffering wife Pauline. 'Jabba The Hut' might use some of his pension and 300,000 pound autobiography payment on a penis enlargement!
Why Did The Dems Cave In?
This, following eight months of empty rhetoric in which The Dems failed to make any impact on Bush's conduct of the war and in fact gave him all the funding he needed. At heart they are gutless wind bags.
A couple of days ago there were reports in the WaPo that Hillary Clinton and assorted other Democrat senators and congressmen were recognising some successes in Iraq. It seems the vapid defeatists Pelosi and Reid are becoming isolated, along with the hysterical leftist nutroot blogosphere. Now it is possible to see why.
The Islamofascist victory, for which the Democratic Party, most US media organisations and the Australian and New Zealand Left have worked so hard, appears about togo up in smoke. If this report is correct and there is little reason to doubt it is, then the insurgency (there is no war, just a vicious, murderous insurgency) is about to go up in smoke.
The American Democrats, Australian Kruddites and New Zealand's spineless appeasers' worst fears are about to come true. Maliki has made the necessary political moves to end the slaughter, thanks in large part to the muscle provided by General Petraeus' surge. Why, even that idiot Obama is talking about sending 30,000 MORE troops to Iraq.
Even Charles Chauvelle Thinks So
Update: And now Colin Espiner thinks so too.
But Socialists know best and they continue their attempts to find some dirt on John Key.
Hodgkins just doesn't get it. People now are actually asking out loud "Why the hell are you grovelling around trying to besmirch a fine man's character while people are dying on hospital waiting lists?" I heard exactly that question asked today.
Helen Clark will regret her smart arsed jibe about body bags coming home from Iraq.
She's sending hundreds of New Zealnders home in body bags from the nation's hospitals while her useless health minister and even more useless strategist Hodgkin flounders about trying to smear and denigrate this National Party leader who just keeps smiling as Labour cuts its own throat.
Hodgkins' latest effort is an obtuse reference today to leaky homes. Labour will need all the body bags they can get because after the next election there will be a mass burial of the worst, most corrupt, cancerous and corrosive administration in this tiny nation's history.
But Was it a Pork Sausage?
Was a pork sausage thrown at a 74 year old Imam outside the local mosque?
Pete Hodgson & Garbage
Mr Hodgson later told the Herald that he was not sure whether Mr Key had broken any law, and in fact it was "entirely possible he hasn't".Absolutely Bill.
Asked why the issue had been raised now, Mr Hodgson referred to a recent Herald article which discussed how many MPs lived outside their electorates.
He said that had triggered some interest, the Labour Party had already done some "digging", and he collated it and took it to the House for the general debate.
Mr Hodgson's attack met with immediate derision from National Party deputy leader Bill English, who said that on a day when New Zealanders were thinking about high interest rates, events in the global economy and the state of the health system, the most important thing was apparently where Mr Key lived in 2002.
There are some seriously nasty and evil people in that Labour Party. Instead of focusing on the country's problems they are wallowing in the cesspit. Mallard, Hodgson, Cosgrove. They're nothing but playground bullies.
Ministers of the Crown? No way.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Chinese in town as Red Empress defends a Bill "the Gang of Four would have been proud."
It follows the irony of Chinese government officials visiting Wellington as John Key spoke out over what the New Zealand Herald's Audrey Young brands as "the repressive, anti-democratic Electoral Finance Bill - that of which the Gang of Four would have been proud."
"I don't recall seeing a Government so defeated on a bill before it has begun."
Young speculates National might be called in to help, just as Key did over the anti-smacking bill.
Meanwhile, the NZ Law Journal yesterday added its opposition to the bill, noting it does nothing to help people take part in politics.
However, The Hollow Woman, branded the journal editor a right-winger who can be relied on to oppose Labour, and citing Nicky Hagar's book, declared Key 'a bagman.'
Obviously, the pressure is getting to the Diabolical Despot as she lashes out like this.
But the Evil Empress has only herself to blame, as she passed the Bill at one of her cabinet meetings.
Now, she sees the Bill sealing her fate and that of her corrupt and incompetent regime, with Key's National 'Blue' Army ever more certain to liberate Helengrad from the Red's repressive rule.
Key Derangement Syndrome strikes again
Boobs on Bikes - we have frontal shots!
Forked Tongue
Today the Nation's most Boring Bullshit Artist brushes aside adverse opinion polls on the grounds that '...mid term polls always bounce around...'
Why on earth would anyone be stupid enough to buy a second hand election from these two faced liars?
Remember the old western movies? 'Kimo Sabe, this man speak with forked tongue!'
Unpopular And Incompetent
In today's Herald we now find Air New Zealand considers its engineering maintenance contracts with the Australian Defense Forces also at risk. This is grown up stuff - seriously damaging, not just a few ad hoc charters here and there. If these contracts are lost then, as has been suggested by David Farrar, shareholders indeed will take class action against Cullen under rarely used provisions of the Companies Act.
All this because their focus groups gove them an early inkiling of what is coming in public opinion polls.The most alarming aspect of the whole debacle and one which the media have not picked up is that it is becoming clear that Clerk, Cullen and Goff are so obsessed with poll ratings that they are prepared to sacrifice not only the future profitability of any public company which gets too close to them but also the future good relations of our country with our neighbours.
This is what we get for having fools and amateurs running the country.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Ruddy hell! Fairfax fires blogger over Kevin's cock-up as Australia laughs at the wannabe wanker.
Irony upon irony is setting the scene in Australia following controversy over Kevin Rudd's visit to a New York Strip club- an event he was apparantly too pissed to remember.
First of all, where are the feminists attacking such a blatant sexist act, of Rudd exploiting those poor working girls, as he visited Scores on a taxpayer funded junket?
Apparantly for ALP members, it's all right, no matter how much they talk about their Christian family values.
Then, late yesterday came news of that great Aussie defender of worker's rights against the evil Howard regime- Fairfax Media- has sacked a blogger- the award-winning Jack Marx of the Sydney Morning Herald- for a satirical post imagining what might have happened on that fateful club visit.
All this is great fun for Aussie blogger Tim Blair and his many readers, relishing such controversy, as much as we are at No Minister.
Somone even digs up a speech from Fairfax Media CEO David Kirk talking about free speech to emphasise the ironies and hypocracies over the issue.
At least Fairfax Media in New Zealand can see the funny side, unless Stuff features a new cartoonist today.
Of course, it's all great fun, with Rudd appearing with Kerry O'Brien on the 7.30 report to explain himself, and he has also been linked to another sexclub, this time in Melbourne.
In the meantime, Tim Blair's commenters have dug up a selection of You Tube videos to take the piss out of dear old Kevni.
We have the Chaser's War on Everything with a spoof election advert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB3Hlv7rg1M&mode=related&search=) , a bizarre debate in parliament where Rudd is called "a naughty boy" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6PrqA32Bp4&NR=1 ) and an appropriate song- The Bad Touch from The Bloodhound Gang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTW8oUV8Aq0).
"You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the discovery channel..."
Finally, we mustn't forget New Zealand.
Dear Leader has expressed her displeasure, saying that visiting strip clubs is "inappropriate behaviour."
Remember, Labour don't like people making the most of their natural talents, even if they did legalise prostitution.
It is so unfair that some ladies and gentlement can make big bucks from having stunning bodies.
Labour believes in equality, right, so below shows a stripshow for the right on- the Chippendales. Even the Puss-faced Puritanical Princess might approve.
After Helen, now Michael Cullen looks ever more naked
Fairfax blogger/ columnist Bernard Hickey again shows intelligence never seen before in Rod Oram with a fine article looking at how the kiwi housing boom has been funded from overseas.
Now those Japanese housewives are looking a little nervous and some are wanting their money back.
A plea to our commenters
We know you hate lezzos, you dumbasses - we take that as read. Pricks like you hate just about everyone that isn't a fellow right-wing mouth-frother. You don't have to prove anything. Every time I read a comment from one of you rabbiting on about "carpet-munchers," all I can think is that if you hate "carpet-munching" that much, I can only feel really, really sorry for your long-suffering girlfriend.
In short - please spare us the merry quips about the PM's alleged cunnilingual preferences, not to mention the well-observed gags about her husband's supposed public toilet antics. You're only making yourselves look like twats.
Key laps it up as poll-dancer Helen strips off support
Where Is All The Money Going?
Surely an enterprising cub reporter might have asked a few questions? Such as:-
Has there been a corresponding spending increase in other media sectors?
Is there more being spent on subscription TV advertising? (Which, BTW, annoys the hell out of me when I have to sit through these bloody ads after I've already paid for Sky)
Is there in fact a general decline in overall advertising expenditure as business leaders anticipate the forthcoming Labour induced recession which has been triggered by a general collapse of the finance company sector?
Now You Know Why
She's taken a hiding in the latest opinion poll.
Not just a hiding but a veritable thrashing.
God knows how much further she will go down when the next lot of polls reflect her latest rabid ravings.


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Sunday School – 10:00 am
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Wednesday Bible Study - 6:30 pm
12859 Martin Road Spur
Northport, AL 35473
Watering the Tulips
August 24, 2016
"Paul…called to be an apostle…" – Romans 1:1
There is no office of an apostle in the church today. That may come as somewhat of a surprise to some of the readers of this article, but it's a fact. Peter, Andrew, James, John…the rest of the twelve…along with Paul held an office in the early church that isn't part of today's Christian economy. A simple study of the Biblical qualifications for an apostle should correct any misunderstanding along these lines.
First, an apostle had to be personally chosen by Jesus Himself. In Luke 6:12-16, Jesus "called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles." These men are listed by name. When Matthias was chosen to replace Judas in accordance with Scripture, the early church prayed for God to reveal the man He had chosen for the office (Acts 1:24). Paul was personally met by the resurrected Messiah on the road to Damascus and chosen by Him (Acts 9:1-8, 15). Unless a man is personally chosen by Jesus Himself, he is unqualified to be an apostle.
Secondly, an apostle had to be taught by Jesus personally. Without a doubt, the original twelve were taught daily by Jesus throughout His personal ministry here on Earth. Even when replacing Judas, it was required that his predecessor must have accompanied the group of disciples from the baptism of John until the ascension of Jesus into Heaven (Acts 1:21-22). Paul makes it plain that he was taught the Gospel "through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:12). Even his knowledge of the events in the upper room when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper came directly from Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Unless a man has received his teaching directly from the Lord Jesus Christ, he is unqualified to be an apostle.
Thirdly, an apostle must have been an eyewitness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Again, when choosing the replacement for Judas, it was required that he "must become with us a witness to his resurrection" (Acts 1:22). That is, since the apostles were sent out as witnesses of the risen Christ, Judas' replacement must have seen the risen Christ with his own eyes. On the road to Damascus, Paul himself became a witness of the resurrected Christ. Unless a man has seen Jesus alive with his own eyes, he is unqualified to be an apostle.
Fourthly, apostles had miracle working power. Matthew 10:1 says, "And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction." Notice, this wasn't healing a person who was deaf in one ear or healing some difficult to diagnose disease. These men healed "every disease and every affliction". Paul spoke of himself to the church at Corinth when he said, "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works" (2 Corinthians 12:12). Unless a man has verifiable miracle working power over "every disease and every affliction", he is unqualified to be an apostle.
Apostles were gifts to the early church. Through them Scripture was penned and truths were taught. They were the foundation of the church itself (Ephesians 2:20). When building a house, you don't continually lay a foundation. This is done one time at the beginning. The same is true concerning the apostles.
There simply are no apostles today. It's speaking improperly to label anyone today as an apostle. Let us see that Biblically, nobody alive today can fit these qualifications. May we be Biblical in our use of Biblical terms.
Watering the Tulips is brought to you by Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Northport, AL. For more information, please visit www.sovereigngrace.net. "Your App to the Gospel" can be downloaded on the AppStore for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, Google Play for Android & the Microsoft Store for Windows Mobile. Please download it today!


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The Library and Archives Canada has put on more images of the Dieppe Raid on Flickr.
I didn't know that the Dieppe Raid was also called "Operation Jubilee" and it was supported by over 5000 Canadian troops.
There are photos showing advertisements in newspaper about Victory Bonds, a striking photo showing men from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry kneeling at the graves of Canadian soldiers killed at Dieppe, and an unidentified infantrymen of the Essex Scottish Regiment.
The images are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lac-bac/sets/72157630512532280/with/7556117254
You can also see other photos at Through a Lens: Dieppe in Photographs and Film at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/dieppe/index-e.html


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This story has become an instant viral success. Amanda Ghassaei, assistant tech editor at Instructables has, for the first time ever, 3D printed an (almost) perfect replica of a 12-inch vinyl record. Created on the Objet Connex500 for it's exceptional detail resolution, the record comes out of the printer with functioning audio-laden grooves that can be picked up quite adequately by the record needle. For more technical details, the full story is covered by Nathan Hurst over at WIRED.
Great job Amanda! If you are reading this – may I suggest that you use the Objet High Temperature material for your next 3D printed record? As well as providing high temperature resistance, this engineering plastic material provides an extra level of surface smoothness and hardness that may help to improve the overall sound quality (just be extra careful removing it from the tray – as it's slightly more brittle than the Objet VeroWhite material).
Best of luck!
This post is also available in: French Japanese Portuguese (Brazil) Spanish


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Wireless Demand Response Controls for HVAC Systems. 2007. LBNL-2512E..
Using Dimmable Lighting for Regulation Capacity and Non-Spinning Reserves in the Ancillary Services Market. A Feasibility Study. 2010. LBNL-4190E..
Technology Evaluation of Programmable Communicating Thermostats with Radio Broadcast Data System Communications. 2008. LBNL-6530E..
Taxonomy for Modeling Demand Response Resources. Berkeley, 2014. LBNL-176840..
Strategies to Increase California Food Processing Industry Demand Response Participation: A Scoping Study. 2007. LBNL-63668..
Small Business Demand Response with Communicating Thermostats: SMUD's Summer Solutions Research Pilot. 2009. LBNL-2742E..
Residential Thermostats: Comfort Controls in California Homes. 2008. LBNL-938E..
Residential demand response evaluation scoping study. 2006. LBNL-61090..
Real Time Pricing as a Default or Optional Service for Commercial and Industrial Customers: A Comparative Analysis of Eight Case Studies. 2006. LBNL-57661..
Real Time Pricing and the Real Live Firm. Berkeley: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2004. LBNL-54978..
Price Responsive Demand in New York Wholesale Electricity Market using OpenADR. LBNL/NYSERDA, 2012. LBNL-5557E..
Predictability and Persistance of Demand Response Load Shed in Buildings. 2015. LBNL-187399..
Powerchoice Residential Customer Response to TOU Rates. Research Into Action, 2009. LBNL-3870E..
Phase 1 Results: Incentives and Rate Design for Energy Efficiency and Demand Response. 2006. LBNL-60133..
Phase 1 Results: Establish the Value of Demand Response. 2006. LBNL-60128 ..
Pacific Gas & Electric Company 2007 Auto-DR Program: Task 13 Deliverable: Auto-DR Assessment Study. PG&E, 2008..
Opportunities for Open Automated Demand Response in Wastewater Treatment Facilities in California - Phase II Report. San Luis Rey Wastewater Treatment Plant Case Study. CEC/LBNL, 2010. LBNL-3889E..
Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Open Automated Demand Response in Wastewater Treatment Facilities in California - Phase I Report. 2009. LBNL-2572E..
Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Demand Response in the California Cement Industry. CEC/LBNL, 2010. LBNL-4849E..
Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Automated Demand Response in Industrial Refrigerated Warehouses in California. 2009. LBNL-1991E..
Opportunities for Demand Response in California Agricultural Irrigation: A Scoping Study. CEC/LBNL, 2013. LBNL-6108E..
Opportunities for Automated Demand Response in Wastewater Treatment Facilities in California - Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant Case Study. CEC/LBNL, 2012. LBNL-6056E..


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United Metal Fabricators H-Brace Treatment Table w/ Drawers : Standard features:All steel heavy duty construction Leveling glides Vacuum formed and seamless top Two Drawer Storage Overall Dimensions: 26.5"Wx70"Lx31.5"HSeat Height: 30" Storage Drawers: 26.95"Wx16"Dx4.18"H Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
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Six of the best… Christmas discs
From Bach's Christmas Oratorio to Adams's El niño, Helen Wallace selects the best recordings of festive classical works to listen to this yuletide
Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV248
Christine Schäfer, Bernarda Fink, Werner Güra, Gerald Finley, Christian Gerhaher; Arnold Schoenberg Choir; Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 8869711225-2
You can never have too much Bach at Christmas, so let's start with the work the exhausted cantor cobbled together especially for the festival out of some secular cantatas (BWV 213-5). Naturally, Bach being Bach, no compromises spoiled his inspired six-part act of recycling: from the radiant Sinfonia that sets the scene for the nativity, the memorable seasonal chorales, and the exquisite lullaby 'Schlafe, mein Liebster', this is a work of heavenly coherence. Harnoncourt's latest reading has spirit, warmth and grandeur, and moving contributions from mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink and soprano Christine Schäfer.
King's College Choir: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (2008)
King's College Choir, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury EMI 686 0822
Few occasions are as evocative of Christmas as the service from King's College, Cambridge. The miracle is the annual refreshment of a tradition with new commissions. This 2008 service included Judith Weir's magical 'Illuminare, Jerusalem' (1985) with its buoyant rhythms and spooky organ bass, the aptly titled 'What Sweeter Music' by John Rutter (1987) and the premiere of Dominic Muldowney's pungent, arresting Mary. These sit alongside the famous 'Once in Royal' and some exquisitely-performed favourites, including Howells's 'A Spotless Rose', Tavener's 'The Lamb', and 'In Dulci Jubilo'. Press play on the audio player above to hear a clip from this disc.
Britten: Ceremony of Carols
Westminster Cathedral Choir/David Hill Hyperion CDA 66220
Though originally written for a female chorus, the child Britten was never so vividly in evidence as in this string of festive pearls. The music cries out to be sung by the vulnerable, bright, almost translucent sound of boy trebles, from the icy 'In Freezing Night' to the dazzling canonic 'This little babe'. Framed by a plainchant Hodie Christus natus est, this processional work gives a real feeling of moving within a church, heightened by the haunting resonance of medieval modalism in the music. Hyperion's recording captures boyish vigour haloed in the awesome acoustic of Westminster Cathedral.
Vaughan Williams: Hodie; Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Guildford Choral Society/Hilary Davan Wetton Naxos 8.570439
A very different Hodie, this time by Vaughan Williams. Beside the taut architecture and distilled art of Britten, it can feel a little rambling and indulgent, but his recreation of a Christmas service, with the lessons here sung by a girl's choir, is great festive fun. This new recording presents the work with intimacy and warmth. In the much-loved Fantasia on Christmas Carols for baritone (here Stephen Gadd), chorus and orchestra, the composer delved into England's rich carol heritage, beginning with the mournful 'This is the truth sent from above' and including 'On Christmas night all Christians sing' and the 'Gloucestershire Wassail'.
Poulenc: Christmas Motets
Polyphony/Stephen Layton Hyperion CDA 67623
If audience participation muddies the join-in carols in the King's disc, here's something cool, poised and honed to perfection. The breathtakingly precise Polyphony under Stephen Layton sing my favourite performance of these exquisite motets. Poulenc gives us the eery depth in 'O magnum mysterium', the inimitable delicacy of 'Videntes stellam' and breaks into peals of robust joy with 'Hodie christus nadie est'. There's nothing quite like this sequence in all Christmas music – the innocence of pure driven snow mixed with arch Parisian style.
John Adams: El niño
Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, Dawn Upshaw, Willard White, German SO/Kent Nagano Nonesuch 7559 79634-2
I was lucky enough to witness the premiere of El niño with Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson singing the part of Mary, a memorably moving occasion. Peter Sellars' production was overloaded with video footage and hand signs, but the score itself is one of Adams most direct and heartfelt. Truly, a Messiah for the 21st century, inflected with Latin American folk music and poetry. There's the simplicity of children's songs bound together with a taut narrative and gorgeous arias. Adams' glittering orchestration with his characteristic floating harmonies works to great effect.
Audio clip: Rutter: 'What Sweeter Music'
King's College, Cambridge EMI 686 0822
- Article Type: | Article |
- Article Category: | World of Music |


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Oct 30, 2009
HVRAP demonstrates agents' tradition of support
GLENMONT, N.Y.? Kevin M. Ryan, CIC, president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., addressed the unique support of PIA members to one another as well as their commitment to perpetuating the independent agency system. The comments were part of Ryan?s inaugural speech yesterday at PIANY?s seventh-annual Hudson Valley Regional Awareness Program, in Tarrytown, N.Y. Ryan?s keynote address reminded insurance professionals that the industry has a history of supporting each other through times of crisis:
?Our support of each other has become a source of strength ? My thoughts also were with the individuals affected by the financial crisis; our neighbors and family members, and maybe even some of us here today; who have lost jobs, or their retirement savings. These are difficult times. Our compassion; our interest in fellow members, is an added dimension that separates us from others. This is a quality I hope we never lose.?
As an example, Ryan went on to detail the industry?s support of individual committee members during the September 11th tragedy: ?At this bittersweet time of year, I am reminded of my first PIA board meeting. It was Sept. 11, 2001. I?m sure everyone can remember that day. I had driven to Glenmont from Kingston and when the towers were hit, your board was about to start committee meetings.?
?But, before we officially began, the news was out and next thing I remember, a television had been brought into the boardroom. By that time, the second plane already had hit. Within minutes the decision had been made that there was no way we could have a meeting. Many of us had close connections in the city. If we weren?t already, we instantly became family to each other.?
?That was my introduction to PIA at the board level. There was a unique display of support that day and in the months that followed. The event created an extra closeness, a shared experience; and a certain bond among us.?
Ryan went on to illustrate the dedication of PIA members to each other and their industry: ?By your presence at this event, you demonstrate your commitment to our field and to improvement of your business. You are the hope for the future of our industry ? The contribution each of you makes to your association; to your community, and at your office is commendable. It is this association, comprised of people like you and me, which protects the ongoing welfare of the independent agency system. It is our duty and mission to take part in PIA so it can continue to ensure the prosperity and health of our industry.?
Hundreds of agents, company representatives, exhibitors and other insurance industry professionals attended PIANY?s Hudson Valley RAP. Highlights of the conference included: an awards luncheon, where Frank H. Reis of The Reis Group Inc., Kingston, N.Y., was presented with the Hudson Valley RAP Distinguished Insurance Service award; expansive trade show; timely education sessions on errors and omissions risks as well as bridging the generation gap within insurance agencies; networking opportunities and more.
PIANY is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout the state.


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Tag Archives: Celebrity
Why I'm Definitely NOT HERE for GZ or DMX.
Just this morning, the free world received the absurd news that GZ, murderer of Trayvon Martin, would be in a "celebrity" boxing match with former King of Personal Problems, DMX. Wait…What? Hold. Up.
Posted in Conversation Starter Tagged Birthday, Celebrity, Difference, DMX, Fight, GZ, Justice, Media, Murder, Protest, Reality TV, Society, Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman 2 Comments


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Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to email@example.com. Subject: Morning crap.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California Angels won the AL West last night and then celebrated in the customary manner of wasting perfectly good alcoholic beverages by pouring them on each other. Included in the champagne and beer bath was the jersey of Nick Adenhart, the Angels pitcher who was killed back in April. By a drunk driver.
I'm not sure I would call this tribute "fitting," but at least their fallen teammate was part of the celebration. At least they have something to celebrate this year. Now how about actually beating the Red Sox this time?
[Image via ESPN/Angels]
* * * * *
It's Tuesday. Try to cheer up, will you?


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Things that still puzzle me:1. The guy that nods Bill at the orgy.2. Mr. Milich (Rainbow fashions owner) involment in the whole thing, I don't think he was at the party but he might know about it.3. What would happen to Bill had Mandy not 'saved' him.
i would imagine that everyone at the orgy would wear the same masks from each orgy to the next. since that person didn't recognize his mask, then it was like a greeting nod (yet cautious at that). either that or it's sydney's character.
I think the nod and the hooker knowing he doesn't belong are all amazingly mysterious left unrationalized. As if they could peer right into Dr. Bill's soul.
on another note, and i don't know if this was brought up before, does anyone remember the P.A. that could be seen in the theatrical print of the film? right when he's leaving the bathroom with the O.D.ed hooker you could see a guy with a clipboard clearly in the reflection in the metal rim of the shower. i remember seeing it instantly in the theater
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theres no way sydney's character would be able to know that its dr. bill upon his immediate arrival.i don't think the mask concept really holds up - there are so many fucking people with so many masks, I don't think you could keep track of them all.
did u steal that from sumone? cos that's amazing insight which totally cancels out all the other crap u've said.
Are there many critics who believe this film is actually all a dream? or at least Dr. Bill's?
He tried, almost as a revenge, to get Kidman back for admitting a dream about cheating. I don't think that would drive a man to cheat on his wife -- cheating because of a dream?
In Cruise's dream, he tries to sleep around, but the programmed internal guilt sets in. He can't allow himself, even in the dream world to cheat on his wife.
Quote from: WalrusIn Cruise's dream, he tries to sleep around, but the programmed internal guilt sets in. He can't allow himself, even in the dream world to cheat on his wife.Does he really try?When he visits his patient, immediately after the pot smoking scene, he's confronted with a woman who would give up her husband and everything just to have Dr. Bill, much like Alice's fantasy about the marine. He's obviously disgusted by this. When he picks up the hooker, his wife calls and he's reminded that he should go home. Here, it's a matter of not getting caught, not so much out and out guilt.Dr. Bill's not trying to have sex, and he doesn't have much guilt.