title: 44858 susan collins blamed for supreme courts conservative tilt opposes ruling on harmful texas abortion law

text:
Sen. Susan Collins (Republican from Maine) stated Thursday that she opposed the Supreme Court's decision to remove a Texas law prohibiting nearly all abortions. Critics pointed out her support of Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a key factor in the Supreme Court's decision.
UNITED STATES – JULY 28: Left to right, Senators. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan... [+] Collins (R-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announce an agreement to an infrastructure bill at a news conference held in the Capitol on Wednesday July 28, 2021. (Photo by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images. CQ Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Collins stated in a Forbes statement that the Texas law banning abortions at the first fetal heartbeat detection, well before most women know they are pregnant, was extreme and harmful. She also opposed the Supreme Courts decision. Collins pointed out that the majority opinion of the Court's five most conservative justices did not address the law's constitutionality. It said that it was too early to know if the state could or would seek to enforce Texas law in a way that allows us to intervene. Collins also said the Court should stop the law from being implemented while the underlying procedural and constitutional questions are being litigated by lower courts. Critics highlighted Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh and her confidence that it wouldn't result in the Court overturning abortion rights. Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R. Alaska) were the only GOP votes against confirming Justice Amy Coney Barrett. However, her opposition was rooted in the timing of that vote, rather than Barrett's views.
Collins, along with Murkowski Sens, was one of the decisive votes in Kavanaugh's confirmation. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). She spoke for nearly an hour, saying that she was confident Kavanaugh wouldn't vote to repeal the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision. He argued that justices are constitutionally mandated to look at precedent.
"I believe that a lot people on the left have been wrong about the court's respect for precedent. When Collins was asked last month about Roe's possible overturning, Collins stated that they would consider precedent.
7. This is the total number of Supreme Court justices Collins has voted for since she entered the Senate. She voted to confirm six justices currently serving on the bench, including three Roberts and Kagan. Three Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, were among the minority. Barrett was in the majority.


tier: polar

shelf: science-engineering

text:
Temperature-Irradiance Matrix and Determination of Temperature Coefficients of a Monocrystalline PV Module ()
In general, the electrical performance parameters (short-circuit current, Isc; open-circuit voltage, Voc; maximum power, Pmax) of PV modules are determined at Standard Test Condition (STC) so as to ensure their standardization. In IEC 61836 standard, the STC is defined as 1000 Wm−2 irradiance, 25˚C device temperature and AM 1.5 spectral irradiance distribution  . However, the performance of the PV modules in real applications can be completely different from their performances at STC due to the possible environmental conditions they can be subjected to      . Depending on the seasons and geographical locations, PV devices can be exposed to various parameters like wind-speed, ambient temperature; spectrum, irradiance level and angle of incidence of the solar radiation. There have been many works on investigating the effects of these parameters on performances of PV modules and it has been stated that among the mentioned parameters the temperature is the most effective parameter on the performances of PV modules   . Moreover, photovoltaic (PV) modules performance testing and energy rating as described in IEC 61853-1 standard depend on electrical performance parameters of PV modules as a function of temperature  . Therefore, in order to evaluate the effects of temperature on the electrical performance parameters of PV modules, the electrical performance parameters obtained at STC should be extrapolated to any temperature via translation equations developed for this purpose as given in (1)   . As it is seen from, the extrapolations given in (1), the electrical performance parameters from STC to any temperature require the knowledge of α, β and δ temperature coefficients for short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and maximum power respectively.
These α, β and δ temperature coefficients are generally defined as the percentage change of the electrical parameters with change in temperature as α (% ˚C−1), β (% ˚C−1) and δ (% ˚C−1). Accurate determination of these temperature coefficients will ensure the right extrapolation of performance parameters obtained from STC to any temperature and therefore lead correct evaluation of energy yield. This is important for the evaluation of energy yield especially in large-scale applications like solar power plants.
These α, β and δ temperature coefficients of PV modules can be determined using solar simulators or natural sunlight by measuring short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and maximum power parameters under the constant irradiance level and a range of temperatures. The irradiance can be provided by the solar simulators, which are the devices that provide illumination approximating natural sunlight. There are two types of solar simulators can be used as an irradiance source; steady state and flash simulator. Steady state solar simulators as they do continuous irradiation they also provide the required heat for heating the module to measure the temperature dependent performance of the electrical parameters. On the other hand, flash type solar simulators since they have pulse type irradiations with a short pulse durations they have a quite low heating effect. Therefore, a different mechanism is needed to vary the temperature of the PV module to be measured. In this type of solar simulators in general a thermal chamber integrated to solar simulator is needed to be used.
In this work, as a solar simulator xenon light based solar simulator system and to vary the temperature of the PV module the thermal chamber integrated to solar simulator was used. This thermal chamber is a closed type chamber with fast opening door which do not allow the distortion of temperature uniformity over the surface of PV modules under test. For the temperature coefficient measurements, contrary to the most of the works published in the literature for which temperature coefficient measurements have been made at 1000 Wm−2 irradiance level, temperature coefficient measurements were realized at 200 Wm−2 - 1000 Wm−2 irradiance and 15˚C to 75˚C temperature interval. The main motivation for us to make measurements at these intervals is that, according to the standards the temperature coefficient measurements are done at 1000 Wm−2 irradiance level, however in the field, depending on the seasons and the changes during a day, PV modules can be exposed to various irradiance and temperatures levels. For the energy rating, according to the IEC 61853-1 standard, considering the possible conditions that the PV modules may encounter in the field, it is necessary to create a temperature irradiance matrix and to carry out measurements under these conditions. The temperature irradiance matrix and related measurements are the most important input for the energy rating. Therefore, in order to accurately make these measurements this work is organized as follows.
At first step, comprehensive optical, electrical and thermal characterization of the measurement system has been done. Then, traceability of all devices used in the measurement system has been ensured. Finally, the temperature dependent electrical performance parameters of PV modules at various irradiance levels were measured and the, β and δ temperature coefficients of PV module were evaluated using interpolation method described in IEC 60891 standard   .
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Optical Characterization of Measurement System
Temperature dependent electrical performance parameters of a mono-crystalline PV module was measured using the xenon light source based flash type solar simulator integrated to thermal chamber as shown Figure 1. In order to accurately determine the electrical performance parameters of the PV modules, the initial step is to make optical characterizations of the simulator in terms of spectral distribution, spatial non uniformity, instability of irradiance of simulator’s light source at the PV module holder site. Then calibrate the simulator with a suitable reference cell.
The measurement of spectral distribution of solar simulator is needed to be
Figure 1. Thermal chamber integrated solar simulator system.
done so as to check how closely the spectral irradiance of simulator matches with that of solar energy. The solar simulator used in this work is xenon light source based, pulse type simulator with 10 ms pulse width. The spectral match of the solar simulator was measured using a set of apparatus consisting of a spectroradiometer, incidence optics and software. The spectroradiometer is an array type spectrometer has 300 nm - 1100 nm wavelength range, 5 nm band width and 1 - 1000 ms exposure time; the incidence optics has perfect reflecting diffuser and optical fiber; and the software can evaluate spectral irradiance and the spectral match. The spectral match measurements were performed for both 200 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 irradiance levels. At each irradiance level, the radiation from solar simulator incident on the perfect diffuser where a portion of the reflecting rays fall on the optical fiber, which was placed slightly opposite to the diffuser surface, transmits these rays to the spectroradiometer. The spectroradiometer dispersed this light beams into wavelengths within 300 nm - 1100 nm wavelength interval with 5 nm band width. Then with the software, spectral irradiance and from which the spectral matches were evaluated respectively as vary from 0.95 to 1.08 for 200 Wm−2 and 0.99 to 1.06 for 1000 Wm−2 irradiance level as seen from the Figure 2 and Figure 3. Comparing these spectral match intervals with the IEC 60904-9 standard requirements  , this simulator’s spectral matches corresponds to A+ simulator spectral match interval (0.875 to 1.125).
The spatial non-uniformity of solar simulator is needed to see whether all the cells of module under test can be irradiated equally or not. In order to measure the spatial distribution of light sources of this simulator at the module holder site, an irradiated area of 2 × 2 m was divided into 64 identical parts as described in IEC 60904-9 standard  . A specially designed 16 × 16 cm PV cell was used for the measurements of irradiance at each part. The measurements were carried
Figure 2. Isc-Voc curves of monocrystalline PV module.
Figure 3. Pmax-Voc curves of monocrystalline PV module.
out by placing the PV cell to all 64 identical parts respectively, irradiating with the simulator and recording the performance parameters. From the recorded values, using (2)  and the method described in IEC 60904-9 standard the spatial non uniformities of solar simulator was evaluated. The non-uniformities were obtained at 200 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 irradiance levels over 2 × 2 m area are 0.59% and 0.34% respectively. These non-uniformities are lower than the value of A+ simulators according to the IEC standard requirements.
where Max Irr., and Min Irr., are respectively maximum and minimum irradiance values were measured with 16 × 16 cm PV cell.
The temporal instability of solar simulator is needed to see the instability level of light source of during the measurements period. According to IEC 60904-9 standard there are two types of instabilities; short term instability (STI) and long term instability (LTI). The STI relates to the data sampling time of a data set (irradiance, current, voltage) during an I-V measurement and it was determined from the worst case data sets on the I-V curve. On the other hand LTI related to the time period for taking the entire I-V curve. Both STI and LTI were evaluated using the maximum and minimum irradiance values and the relation given in (3). The measured values for STI (<0.25%) and LTI (<1.0%) indicate that the temporal instabilities of xenon based flash type solar simulator used in this work are better than the standard requirements for class A simulator.
where Max Irr., and Min Irr., are respectively maximum and minimum irradiance values were measured with 16 × 16 cm PV cell.
2.2. Characterization of Temperature Non Uniformity of Measurement System
The thermal chamber used in this work is a closed type chamber with fast opening door for not allowing the distortion of temperature uniformity over the surface of PV module under test. This chamber was constructed just in front of solar simulator at the PV module holder site according to the IEC 60891 standard requirements. It mainly consists of a power supply, blowers, an air circulation unit, air flow diffusers, temperature feedback sensors, temperature uniformity control and monitoring units. As it seen from the Figure 1, the module holder, which has thermally nonconductive mounting blocks, is located just at the center of this chamber. The air sent via blowers passes through air circulation channel and the diffuser, spreads homogeneously to the PV module holder area. To control and provide feedback to the blower two temperature sensors were placed in the space outside the area of the PV module holder and four temperature sensors were attached back side of PV module. These four temperature sensors while used to provide feedback to the blower to control the air flow to inside the chamber, their outputs as shown right side of Figure 1, were also displayed from the temperature control unit of thermal chamber so as to observe the temperature uniformity.
In addition to these temperature sensors, four temperature sensors from the simulator systems electronic load were also attached to the back side of PV module. Output of these temperature sensors were measured via simulator software.
The temperature uniformity over the surface of PV module was measured through the outputs of eight temperature sensors connected to their back side just on the cells (four temperature sensors from simulator systems, four temperature sensors from thermal chamber system). All the temperature sensors used in this system have ±1˚C accuracy and ±0.5˚C repeatability.
The temperature uniformity capability of this system over about 2 m × 2 m area within 15˚C to 75˚C temperature interval was investigated as described in the IEC 60891 standard. A 62 cell PV module was mounted to the module holder and eight temperature sensors were attached to its backside. Then, all the doors of chamber were closed and the temperature was set to 15˚C. After the desired temperature stability was achieved temperature values from each sensor were recorded. This process was repeated for all the temperatures from 15˚C to 75˚C with 5˚C intervals. Then, after the completion of measurements the temperature uniformities were calculated using (4) and the results are shown in Table 1. For the all temperature levels the obtained temperature uniformities are less than 1˚C which is almost two times better that the IEC 60891 standard requirements.
where Tmax and Tmin are respectively maximum and minimum temperature values.
Table 1. Temperature non uniformities on PV modules.
2.3. Measurements and Evaluations of Temperature Coefficients
The temperature dependent measurements of the electrical performance parameters (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and maximum-power) of a monocrystalline silicon was performed by implementing the interpolation method described in IEC 60891 standard. According to the IEC 60891 standard the measured temperature coefficients can be valid over ±30% of the measured irradiance value if the PV module under the test is linear; otherwise it can be valid at the irradiance level at which the measurements are done. Therefore, due to these conditions in this work before the temperature dependent measurements, the linearity of PV module under the test was done over 100 Wm−2 - 1000 Wm−2 irradiance range. The irradiance levels at 900 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 were adjusted using the solar simulator’s control cell, from 100 Wm−2 to 800 Wm−2 were adjusted using totally eight attenuation masks which are filters produced by Pasan and they can be placed in front of the simulator’s light source for the attenuation of irradiance level. The linearity of electrical performance parameters of PV module under the test with respect to irradiance levels was evaluated using the least-squares fit method as described in IEC 60904-10 standard  and other works   . The measurement results and evaluated linear behavior of PV module under tests are shown in the Figures 2-5.
As it seen from the Figure 4 and Figure 5, since the PV module under the tests is linear then the temperature coefficients measurements according to the IEC 60891 standard can be valid over ±30% of the measured irradiance value. Therefore, in order to cover the largest possible irradiance range the temperature dependent measurements were determined to be done at 200 Wm−2, 400 Wm−2, 600 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 irradiance levels. In that way the measured temperature coefficients can be valid over the irradiance range from 140 Wm−2 to 1300
Figure 4. Isc-G curve of monocrystalline PV module.
Figure 5. Pmax-G curve of monocrystalline PV module.
After determining the irradiance levels (200 Wm−2, 400 Wm−2, 600 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2) the measurements of the temperature dependent electrical performance parameters of PV module under the tests were performed. In this work, the temperature interval was taken as from 15˚C to 75˚C to both meet the IEC 60891 standard requirements (at least 30˚C temperature range) and also to get the information about temperature dependent variation of electrical parameters in a large scale. For the measurements, PV module under the tests was mounted to the Solar Simulator’s module holder respectively and totally eight PT-100 temperature sensors were attached to its back side in Figure 1. Then the temperature inside the thermal chamber was set to be changed from 15˚C to 75˚C with 5˚C intervals. At each temperature level after the desired thermal stability was reached, the PV module front surface was irradiated by flash type simulator and the electrical parameters as a function of temperature were measured. These measurements were performed for 200 Wm−2, 400 Wm−2, 600 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 irradiance levels as given in Figure 6 and Figure 7. From the short-circuit current versus open circuit voltage (Isc-Voc) and the maximum power versus open circuit voltage (Pmax-Voc) graphs the temperature dependent values of short circuit current, open circuit voltages and the maximum power values for the PV module under the test were obtained as given in Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10. Applying the a least-square linear fits to the temperature dependent graphs of short circuit current versus temperature, the open-circuit voltage versus temperature, the maximum power versus temperature and evaluating their slopes [ΔIsc/ΔT, ΔVoc/ΔT, ∆Pmax/∆T) the α (% ˚C−1), β (% ˚C−1) and δ (% ˚C−1) relative temperature coefficients for the short circuit current, the open circuit voltage and the maximum power were obtained using (4). The evaluated temperature
Figure 6. Isc-Voc measurements of monocrystalline PV module at various irradiance levels.
Figure 7. Pmax-Voc measurements of monocrystalline PV module at various irradiance levels.
Figure 8. Isc-T graph of monocrystalline PV module at various irradiance levels.
Figure 9. Voc-T graph of monocrystalline PV module at various irradiance levels.
coefficients of the PV module at various irradiance levels were shown in Table 2.
Figure 10. Pmax-T graph of monocrystalline PV module at various irradiance levels.
Table 2. Temperature coefficients of a monocrystalline PV module at different irradiance level.
In general, electrical performance parameters of PV devices are determined at Standard Test Condition (STC) (1000 Wm−2, 25˚C, AM1.5). However, the performances of the PV devices in real applications can be completely different from the performances at STC due to the effects they can be subjected to. Depending on the seasons and geographical locations, PV devices can be exposed to various conditions like wind-speed, ambient temperature; spectrum, irradiance level and angle of incidence of the solar radiation. All these conditions have effect on the temperature of a PV module. This, impacts the performance parameters and hence the energy efficiency of PV devices. In order to calculate energy yield correctly, the performance parameters obtained at STC have to be extrapolated to any temperature. This can be done via knowledge of the well-defined temperature coefficients which can be valid over a large temperature and irradiance ranges. In this work by creating a simple irradiance-temperature matrix the measurements of temperature coefficients were performed at 200 Wm−2, 400 Wm−2, 600 Wm−2 and 1000 Wm−2 irradiance levels and 15˚C to 75˚C temperature range. The α (% ˚C−1), β (% ˚C−1) and δ (% ˚C−1) temperature coefficients obtained in this work were evaluated with 0.002 % ˚C−1, 0.02 % ˚C−1 and 0.02 % ˚C−1 respectively. The temperature non uniformity, and the uncertainties of the electrical parameters of the simulator are the important parameters that have significant contribution on these uncertainties.
The market volume of renewable energy sources has been increasing rapidly in recent years. It is known that the uncertainty of the performance parameters of solar energy-based systems (photovoltaics) leads to very high financial uncertainties. Studies have predicted that the market share of photovoltaic-based solar energy systems will increase significantly in the future. This high market volume necessitates measurement needs with high accuracy standards traceable to SI units. For this reason, studies to reduce the uncertainties of the measurements made within the scope of this study will make an important contribution for reducing the mentioned losses.
This project (19ENG01 - Metro-PV) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.


shelf: software-docs

title: Ibm and nvidia join forces to expand edge networking capabilities

text:
IBM launches Edge Application Manager on the NVIDIA EGX platform.
The abilities and reach of edge networks are receiving a boost thanks to a recently announced partnership between IBM and NVIDIA. IBM has launched a new edge solution, the IBM Edge Application Manager, on the NVIDIA EGX platform.
Generally speaking, edge computing denotes a distributed computing system that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed. This structure improves response times and saves bandwidth.
The IBM Edge Application Manager will enable users to deploy applications or AI models on up to 10,000 edge devices simultaneously, and the software will automatically manage the elements throughout their life cycles. The solution will run on the NVIDIA EGX platform, which debuted last October and supports edge application frameworks on NVIDIA T4 Tensor Core GPUs.
EGX is part of a larger ecosystem that includes more than 100 technology companies worldwide. The IBM Edge Application Manager has made it one of the largest partners for EGX as a whole.
According to IBM, Edge Application Manager enables improved flexibility and scalability. The software supports containers through Red Hat OpenShift, which means jobs can start and stop as microservices orchestrated by Kubernetes and deployed on devices running Docker. By minimizing data transport to central servers, IBM expects its solution to reduce vulnerabilities and costs and tap into new sources of data created and processed at the network edge.
The importance of edge networks and edge computing is becoming more and more apparent, according to Gartner, as “Around 10% of enterprise-generated data is created and processed outside a traditional centralized data center or cloud.” By 2025, Gartner predicts this figure will reach 75 percent.


tier: cub

shelf: health

title: Photo: Jason Henry

text:
Photo: Jason Henry
Nadine Burke Harris
21st Heinz Awards - 2016
A pediatrician and the founder and CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness, Nadine Burke Harris, M.D., received the 21st Heinz Award for the Human Condition for addressing toxic stress in children, a significant, yet often unrecognized risk factor for chronic disease later in life.
Having dedicated her career to working with children from underserved communities, Dr. Burke Harris is transforming pediatric care by pioneering protocols to identify and treat the spiraling effects of toxic stress in children. Dr. Burke Harris was the founding physician of the Bayview Child Health Center (BCHC), established in San Francisco in 2007. After identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress as a major health threat to her patients, Dr. Burke Harris created the Center for Youth Wellness (CYW) in 2011 with a mission to prevent, screen and heal the impacts of ACEs and toxic stress.
Research has linked ACEs to a significantly increased risk of chronic disease later in life, including diabetes, asthma, kidney and heart disease, obesity, cancer, substance abuse, depression and suicide. Children who experience or witness violence or who are in environments that are neglectful or unsafe suffer from high levels of stress and fear. This trauma triggers the release of stress hormones, which in turn creates chemical reactions in the body and brain, affecting the immune and hormone systems. When stressful situations happen repeatedly and intensely, children’s bodies become overtaxed at a time when their brains, nervous systems and organs are still developing, causing long-term damage.
Together, BCHC and CYW are dedicated to offering pediatric care in conjunction with behavioral and mental health services essential to mitigating the damaging consequences of ACEs. Through the development of a life-saving screening tool to identify ACEs in young patients, Dr. Burke Harris is working to change the way pediatricians will diagnose and treat children suffering from toxic stress. Screening helps parents and caregivers identify and understand how early adversity may be affecting their child’s health, well-being and learning. The results then guide physicians in implementing the appropriate interventions, which include mindfulness and coping skills, nurse home visits, education and support for improving lifestyle choices for both children and their families, who may also be suffering from toxic stress.
Dr. Burke Harris is sharing her screening method with colleagues around the world, and to date the tools developed have been downloaded by nearly 1,000 clinicians from 15 countries, along with a set of recommendations for evidence-based interventions for parents and patients.
Through her clinical practice and ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate other physicians, Dr. Burke Harris is transforming the practice of pediatric medicine, with protocols that can help prevent chronic disease and even early death.
Note: This profile was written at the time of the awards’ presentation.


shelf: finance

title: Possible shutdown no default

text:
Sometime in the next few weeks, Washington is going to turn its attention from Syria back to the budget.
Right now, the debt of the US government – or at least the amount of debt subject to a legal limit – is $16.7 trillion. It’s been stuck at that level since May, which is when the Treasury Department started taking “extraordinary” measures to avoid hitting the limit. These measures, like postponing payments to federal worker retirement plans and not reinvesting interest payments, are the kinds of accounting gimmicks that would land a private-sector CFO in jail. But in the public sector, where you make the rules…?
Despite horror stories, we don’t think investors should lose any sleep about the debt limit. There will not be a default on US Treasury securities. Not even a temporary or technical default. No matter what happens, there is more than enough money coming from tax receipts to pay interest on the debt. Moreover, the Congress will pass an increase.
The only way to avoid this is if the government, overnight, started running surpluses. That may sound good in theory, but it’s hard to see how it happens in the real world. If the government continued to pay interest on the debt and fully fund the Pentagon, Medicare, and Social Security, then all other spending would have to be cut about two-thirds across the board…immediately and permanently.
Even in the unlikely event that Congress waits so long to pass an increase in the debt limit that the Treasury Department runs out of accounting gimmicks, there still won’t be a default. Regardless of what the Obama Administration says in public, Treasury would use incoming revenue to pay interest on the federal debt before it made other payments. Saying they would do anything else is just a bluff.
One plausible scenario is that, in exchange for lifting the debt limit, the president gives the GOP a temporary victory on part of the health law, postponing the individual mandate to buy health insurance for one year, just like he’s already postponed the mandate on businesses to provide insurance.
The other big fiscal issue is the spending bills that fund the non-entitlement side of the budget, like the military, federal education spending, the EPA,…etc. Those need to be passed by October 1, in order to authorize spending, or we face a supposedly awful “government shutdown.”
We see at least a temporary shutdown, like the US experienced in 1995-96, as a distinct possibility. Despite the breathless, hand-wringing pundits, as we saw in the past, this type of a shutdown is not nearly as scary as it seems. Money still flows into the Treasury Department and money still flows out, for Social Security checks and the like. The military still operates. As long as the debt limit goes up, the debt still gets paid, without missing a beat.
The only change is that, in a shutdown, non-essential services stop and non-essential federal workers get furloughed. If you show up at a national park, you won’t get in. Passports might not get issued. Federal grants will grind to a halt. That might be inconvenient, but it’s not the end of the world.
If a shutdown happens, it would probably be a week at the very longest. In the end, we think the spending bills get passed and keep the lower spending targets that started with the Sequester back on March 1.
But, we are not worried about a prolonged shutdown. If it lasted much longer – a month, say – we suspect the spenders in Washington would end up losing the political battle, as many voters realized how little they missed what the government wasn’t doing.
This information contains forward-looking statements about various economic trends and strategies. You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and actual results could be materially different. There are no guarantees associated with any forecast and the opinions stated here are subject to change at any time and are the opinion of the individual strategist. Data comes from the following sources: Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Federal Reserve Board, and Haver Analytics. Data is taken from sources generally believed to be reliable but no guarantee is given to its accuracy.


shelf: education

title: 28538

text:
The microflora of Blue Stilton cheese.
PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Blue Stilton is a blue-veined cheese manufactured in a restricted area of the UK, using lactic starter cultures plus a secondary culture of Penicillium roquefotti. The aim of this study was to determine the change in microflora during ripening of the cheese and to investigate potential microbial interactions. Additionally, the volatile compounds present in mature samples of cheeses exhibiting few blue veins were compared with those in good quality cheeses, showing ample blue veining.
Experiments on cheeses from a single dairy, monitored during the ripening process, showed that the total Lactobacillus count increased from levels of around 103 cfu g-1 on day one to around 107 cfu g-1 after 8 weeks of ripening. This is comparable to values found in other cheeses including both mould-ripened and non mould-ripened varieties. Yeast counts were generally higher than those found in other cheeses and also increased to levels in the region of 107 g-1. The total viable count (TVC) decreased from around 109 g-1 initially, reflecting the presence of the starter bacteria, to 107 g.1, suggesting a decline in the starter bacteria similar to that found in other cheeses.
Mature cheeses always exhibited similar numbers of microorganisms although the species varied between cheeses. High quality, mature, cheeses were compared with sub-standard cheeses from the same production site. The predominant species of lactobacilli in good quality cheeses were Lb. plantarum and Lb. curvatus, whereas in poor quality cheeses Lb. brevis predominated. This corresponded to the results of gas chromatography-olfactometry, which indicated the presence of fruity off flavours in poor quality cheeses. Several strains of these species were isolated, as indicated by differing capabilities in utilisation of a range of carbon sources.
Yeast species also varied between good and poor quality cheeses with Candida sphaerlca and C. catenulata predominating in good cheeses and C. famata, C. lipolytica and C. catenulata also occurring in both good and poor quality samples. Strain differences were observed by the biochemical profiles and two strains of C. famata demonstrated inhibitory effects against P. roqueforti when incubated under anaerobiosis. It was concluded that these strains may affect the development of blue veins in Stilton cheese when maturation conditions encourage their proliferation.
Comparisons were made between samples of cheeses from several Stilton producers and the results suggested that although the levels of the groups of microorganisms tested were similar, the species of lactobacilli and yeasts present were different. This suggests that the indigenous microflora may have a significant impact on the flavour of cheeses from individual production sites.
It was concluded that the microflora of Blue Stilton cheese may have a significant impact on the quality of the product both in terms of flavour and the development of the blue veins.
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shelf: home-craft

title: History, Construction & Design

text:
History, Construction & Design
From its simple origins to its beautiful reincarnation as The Ocean Lodge, this section tells the story of our transformation. If you like history and factoids, this is for you!
The story of The Ocean Lodge begins with the Major Motel, established in the 1950s. Jack and Mary Jane Swynenberg, who became owners in 1980, sold this property to Mike Clark, Tom Drumheller and Patrick Nofield in March of 2001. It was their dream and their vision that became today’s warm and welcoming Ocean Lodge; the crown jewel in the collection of hospitality properties for the parent company Escape Lodging.
Escape Lodging Company prides itself on creating inns and restaurants with a natural feel, intrinsic warmth and timeless architecture. With this in mind, designers Abbott Heys & Associates, of Seattle, were retained to create this 1940s style beach resort. Architects Ed Abbot, Michael Skidmore and interior designer Gabriele Heys put their collective talents together to create this wonderfully special oceanfront inn. It is our most sincere hope that we have created a place for you and your family where memories will take root and bring you back year after year.
We broke ground on The Ocean Lodge in January 2002. Our Ocean Lodge signature two-story lobby fireplace was crafted by local stone masons and is constructed from Columbia River basalt rock and embellished by the massive mantle-piece of driftwood found here on our beach following a particularly fierce winter storm. The beautiful wood floor in our lobby is another centerpiece of our lodge. The spruce wood was reclaimed from an old Boeing worker house, once populated by Rosie the Riveter women who worked at the aircraft factory during WWII. We reclaimed more wood; this time from the Astoria High School’s bleacher seats. We salvaged the gymnasium benches, and then cut, refinished, and gave them new life as our lobby stairs and front entry doors.


shelf: history-culture

text:
FOREIGNER partners with Red Cross for Ukrainian relief efforts
FOREIGNER have announced that they will partner with the American Red Cross to donate and raise funds for Ukrainian relief efforts during their exclusive headlining residency show at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas beginning Friday, March 25.
FOREIGNER will donate $5,000 from each residency show at The Venetian Theatre to the American Red Cross Ukrainian relief efforts, and also invite concertgoers to join in donating in any denomination large or small to the American Red Cross representatives on site.
The show, “The Best Of Foreigner 4 Live”, is a celebration of the 40th anniversary of FOREIGNER‘s biggest-selling album. The LP was released on July 2, 1981 and spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other album in the history of Atlantic Records. “Juke Box Hero” came in 1986 and has since become FOREIGNER‘s signature rock anthem. The audience will be treated to songs from “4” as well as FOREIGNER hits such as “Cold As Ice”, “Feels Like The First Time” and “I Want To Know What Love Is”.
Says FOREIGNER founder, Songwriters Hall Of Fame member and lead guitarist Mick Jones: “The plight of everyone impacted by this conflict is an international tragedy. While we face our own ongoing struggles here at home, I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with the American Red Cross in doing our part in the relief efforts. Our goal is to offer some solace or small comfort to traumatized people in the region. I could think of nothing more American than a gesture of such brotherly love to those who are feeling so displaced and alone in this world right now. I ask all those attending our shows at The Venetian to join with FOREIGNER‘s fundraising efforts in any way they can to help enhance our nightly donation of $5,000 to this most important and unfortunate humanitarian crisis.”
As fighting in Ukraine continues, the global Red Cross network is providing lifesaving aid to those in need — both in the country and in neighboring areas. More than three million people have fled Ukraine to nearby countries and an estimated 18 million — a third of the country’s population — will need humanitarian assistance. As the fighting intensifies, so does the dire humanitarian situation and needs on the ground.
The American Red Cross has deployed international crisis responders to Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania to provide humanitarian relief in support of the international Red Cross operation helping families who fled their homes. These highly trained crisis responders—who are lending skills such as information management, cash assistance programming, GIS systems, communications and leadership—are supporting on-the-ground relief efforts alongside local teams, including the Polish Red Cross, Moldovan Red Cross and Romanian Red Cross.
For more information on how the Red Cross is helping relief efforts in Ukraine, click here.
Tickets to “The Best Of Foreigner 4 Live” start at $49.95, plus applicable fees. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, venetianlasvegas.com, any box office at The Venetian Resort or by calling 702.414.9000 or 866.641.7469. All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
The eight performances are:
March 2022: 25, 26, 30
April 2022: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9
With ten multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million.
Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero”, “Cold As Ice”, “Hot Blooded”, “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Urgent”, “Head Games”, “Say You Will”, “Dirty White Boy”, “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide No. 1 hit “I Want To Know What Love Is”, FOREIGNER still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success.
FOREIGNER‘s lineup includes Jones, the visionary maestro whose stylistic songwriting, indelible guitar hooks and multi-layered talents continue to escalate FOREIGNER‘s influence and guide the band to new horizons; lead singer Kelly Hansen, one of rock’s greatest showmen who has led FOREIGNER into the digital age while inspiring a whole new generation of fans; noted bassist Jeff Pilson; Michael Bluestein on keyboards; guitarist Bruce Watson; Chris Frazier on drums and guitarist Luis Maldonado.


shelf: civic-law

title: Elections and Voting

text:
Elections and Voting
Town Election Day 2025 will be Saturday, May 10. Nominations have closed. In-person voting will be held at McCathran Hall between 4-7 pm, followed by the Annual Town Meeting at 8 pm.
Absentee ballots are available for anyone who prefers not to vote in person. Through Saturday, May 3, you can drop off an application for an absentee ballot (PDF) in person at the Town Office or you can send an application by mail to P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880-0216. After May 3, applications can only be dropped off in person, and ballots can only be received, at the Town Office. Please call 301-926-2256 to ensure someone will be present.
Voter Registration for Residents
In order to vote in Town elections and at Town Meeting, you must be currently registered to vote in Montgomery County at an address in Washington Grove. If you are not registered to vote in Montgomery County, instructions to accomplish that are available at the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
General Information about Voting in Washington Grove
Washington Grove is an incorporated Town and member of the Maryland Municipal League. It is governed by citizen volunteers chosen in annual elections on the second Saturday of May. Elections are conducted by a three-member Board of Supervisors of Elections, appointed bi-annually by the Mayor, and are held in the Town Hall.
Any Town resident registered to vote in Montgomery County is qualified to vote in Washington Grove elections.
Mayors are elected to one-year terms and are required to have lived in Town for two years immediately preceding their election. Councilors are elected to three-year terms and are required to have lived in Town for one year immediately preceding their election.
Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Board of Supervisors of Elections, on or before the second Monday in April preceding the election. The signature of two qualified voters as nominators and an acceptance by the nominee are required.
Absentee ballots are available upon request from the Chair until ten days before an election.
Results of the annual elections are announced at the annual Town meeting held election night.


title: Arkansas quarterback entering the nfl draft shows the lengths prospects go to for an odd but crucial measurement at the combine

text:
Scott Halleran/GettyBrandon Allen hopes his hands will measure bigger at the NFL combine.
The NFL combine has an assortment of odd, sometimes trivial measurements, tests, and questions for prospects.But one measurement can be so crucial that Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen has been seeing a masseuse in preparation, hoping it helps his status in the draft.
As Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman details, the hand measurement for quarterbacks can be crucial at the combine.
A large hand doesn’t just help with ball security on snaps and with preventing fumbles, according to Feldman — NFL executives think it can be crucial for throwing the ball in inclement weather.
At the Senior Bowl in Alabama last month, Allen’s hands were measured at 8 1/2 inches from thumb to pinkie, the smallest of any quarterback’s at the game. Feldman says anything over 9 1/2 inches is considered large.
Allen has since been seeing a masseuse to get hand massages twice a week in hopes that the muscles will loosen up and he can stretch his hand farther.
Allen told Feldman he hoped he could “maybe get another 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch here or there because the muscles in my hands were really tight and this can loosen them up.”
“I have long fingers,” he added. “It’s worth a shot.”
Allen went on to say, however, “It’s obviously something I can’t control.”
Though the relationship between hand size and cold-weather performances is tenuous, hand size is still an important factor to NFL executives, even over height. Feldman notes that Russell Wilson and Drew Brees, two shorter quarterbacks, have huge hands (Wilson’s measure over 10 inches). Teddy Bridgewater, meanwhile, drew questions during his pro day for having small hand measurements.
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, meanwhile, has massive mittens:
Carson Wentz: 6052. 237. 10 hand
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 25, 2016
“I didn’t even know it was even a thing till this year,” Allen told Feldman. “I’ve never dropped a ball or never had fumbling problems. I don’t think it’s really a factor.”
Regardless, to teams looking for a quarterback it does matter, and Allen taking time (and money) to get hand massages every week shows that a seemingly small combine measurement can have significant effects.
Update: It worked!
#Arkansas QB Brandon Allen whose hand was measured at 8 1/2 at Senior Bowl was now measured at 8 7/8 inches at combine thx to massage work.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 25, 2016


title: Bugs or ghost orbs

text:
Spring is around the corner, which means the weather is warming up, and the chance to do outdoor investigations. But investigating outdoors poses a whole new set of challenges. With the increase in temperatures comes an increase in bugs. Every investigator knows that bugs love to show up in your photographic evidence as orbs. Also, every investigator knows that skeptics love to point out the possibility of bugs posing as orbs when debunking your evidence.
I’m not against orbs; I believe that orbs are legit paranormal phenomena, but they are also the most common and, therefore, the easiest to mistake. If you are getting a lot of orb storm photographs, you must rule out the possibility of bugs. Besides being bit, I have developed two easy methods to determine if bugs are flying around in your investigation site and contaminating your evidence.
The first method is to take your UV flashlight and shine it into the darkest area of your investigation site. Bugs, especially flying ones, are attracted to UV light. In about a minute, if you start to get swarmed, you have to seriously consider that the orbs you are getting in your photographs are bugs.
The second method uses your digital camera. Turn on your digital camera’s flash and hold it close to your chest. Point yourself in the direction of the darkest area of your investigation site. Stare out into the darkness and snap a photo. The light given off by your flash will, for an instant, illuminate any pesky critters flying around. You can also gauge the amount of bug activity at your site.
Is there any method for controlling the amount of bug activity at your investigation site? Not really. Some methods may ward off the bugs for a short time and limited in area, but as for eliminating bugs altogether, I do not know of anything other than freezing cold temperatures.
So, if you are investigating outside, bugs are always a consideration, but hopefully, these two methods should help you gauge the bug activity and the probability of these pesky creatures contaminating your evidence.


title: July eye mission

text:
From July 10 – 19, our on-the-ground partners at MEAK performed 296 cataract surgeries, 5 excisions, and treated 4 case of trachoma – a condition that left untreated, causes blindness. In addition to the procedures performed by our medical team, 510 pairs of reading glasses were distributed along with 305 pairs of sunglasses.
These missions grant access to eye care and the early detection and treatment of eye diseases. Cataracts, trachoma, and infection often lead to blindness in under-resourced communities. By bringing eye clinics to these communities, we give eyesight back to thousands of individuals.
It takes a team to accomplish great things! The MEAK team is composed of 2 ophthalmologists, 2 surgeons, 3 nurses, an anesthetist, a pharmacist and 11 support crew. A month before embarking on a mission, this team works with local leaders, churches, and health providers to identify areas and individuals in need. After screening thousands of community members, the team is ready to start a mission.
In July, local churches – the PCEA Elburgon and ACK Nyahururu – donated the space needed to set up a mobile eye camp. Over the nine-day mission, patients were screened again before being sent for surgery and post-operative care.
The day after surgery, bandages are removed and many patients experience an immediate restoration of sight. This is absolutely life-changing. Those unable to work, prepare food or care for children are able to once again. Remote missions make families healthier and more productive, they are transformative for both the individual and the community.
Thank you to our generous donors and the MEAK team for making this mission possible!


title: Embrace martech for improved marketing for financial institutions

text:
Marketing for financial institutions is changing fast, and MarTech tools are leading the way. By using MarTech, financial institutions can improve how they connect with account holders to drive loyalty and primary financial institution status. Here are three key ways MarTech can boost marketing for financial institutions:
Effective marketing for financial institutions starts with the right tools. Implementing MarTech can transform your marketing efforts, but it’s important to follow the right steps. Here are three essential steps to ensure you get the MarTech tools you need:
Choosing the right MarTech solution requires a clear understanding of your institution’s specific needs and goals. Evaluate different financial services marketing platforms based on their features, integration capabilities, scalability, and support services. Be sure your IT team is on board with the new software and that it meets all of the regulatory requirements. Opt for a solution that not only fits your current requirements but also has the potential to grow with your institution.
Having an executive sponsor can greatly facilitate the adoption of new technology. This leader can champion the project, helping to overcome any internal resistance and accelerate the decision-making process. An executive sponsor also ensures that the project remains a strategic priority, securing the necessary resources and attention.
Successful implementation of MarTech tools depends on widespread adoption and enthusiasm across the organization. Communicate the benefits clearly and regularly, provide training sessions, and share early wins to get everyone on board and excited about the possibilities that MarTech can bring.
Consider the case of a regional credit union that successfully integrated a MarTech platform to boost its marketing. They involved staff from various departments to select and implement the tools, creating a culture of innovation and teamwork. By sharing regular updates and showcasing the financial services marketing platform’s positive impact—like increased engagement and higher conversion rates—they kept everyone excited and invested in the project. This collaborative approach not only improved marketing results but also strengthened internal communication and morale. The credit union’s success demonstrates the powerful benefits of embracing MarTech across the organization.
Marketing for financial institutions is rapidly evolving, and MarTech tools and AI predictive modeling are at the forefront of this transformation. By embracing MarTech, banks and credit unions can enhance their connection with account holders, driving loyalty and securing their position as the primary financial institution. Personalized digital experiences, efficiency and automation, and enhanced reporting and analytics are key ways MarTech can revolutionize marketing efforts.
To get started, follow three essential steps:
Involving staff from various departments and sharing regular updates on the platform’s impact fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, as demonstrated by the success of a regional credit union.
By leveraging these tools, financial institutions can achieve greater efficiency, deeper account holder insights, and more impactful marketing strategies. Start your journey today with a MarTech platform designed specifically for banks and credit unions, and unlock the full potential of your marketing efforts. Embrace MarTech to stay competitive, engage account holders, and drive long-term success. Take the first step to transform your institution’s financial services marketing capabilities and pave the way for a future of growth and success.


title: Feurr live club fair 2023 extravaganza club fiesta for offshore

text:
School Year: 2023 – 2024
The opening remarks were followed by the commencement of ceremonies, instilling resilience, competence, and integrity within the offshore community. The FEU Multi-Faith Prayer, the Philippine National Anthem, Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas, and the Panatang Makabayan, led by the speakers, show the shared values within the offshore student body. The ceremony was then concluded with the Mission and Vision of FEUR, reinforcing the commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development.
After the formalities, the participants’ attention shifted to the event’s focus— the clubs. Unveiled through clips from the face-to-face Club Fiesta red carpet walk, each club had its spotlight, displaying its distinctiveness and the myriad opportunities it can offer to enhance the talents and abilities of every student. This visual event proposed and gave a heads-up to what the offshore students can expect in their extracurricular lives, igniting the light of their excitement for the vast exploration of possibilities.
Furthermore, the students blasted with fun during the webinar organized by the Media Arts Club. This web event served not only as an introduction to the diverse activities that are to be expected and offered by the participating clubs but also to promote a platform to foster collaboration. It encouraged the students to engage in interactive games like 4 Pics 1 Word, which helped enhance camaraderie despite the geographical distances among offshore grades and sections.
Afterward, the students’ optimism was concluded with each section’s adviser handing out Google Forms to their respective classes, with each eagerly meticulously choosing their preferred clubs that reverberated with their interests and talents. This fiesta was not limited to the students picking the clubs they wanted to join— but it also showed FEURR’s values of collaboration, competence, resilience, and integrity.


title: 3 bedroom 3 bathroom villa catalkoy

text:
This is a beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa with 10m x 5m private swimming pool in the very popular area of Upper Catalkoy.
It is a generously sized villa of 200 sqm and sits on a plot of 2/3rds of a donum.
It is a well maintained and much loved property which has been a home since it was built in 2005.
You enter the property via gates onto a long drive which has parking for 5/6+ cars. There is a car port adjacent to the house.
When you step through the front door you enter into a large entrance hallway. This has a beautiful sweeping staircase, a guests cloakroom, doors to the kitchen and lounge as well as a large log burner which is used to heat the radiator system throughout the property.
The lounge is of a good size and is triple aspect. It has its own log burner as well as a radiator, air-conditioning unit and two ceiling fans. It has patio doors leading out onto the terrace which looks out over the pool and garden.
The dining area is up a few steps and there is plenty of room for a dining table and chairs. Again, this is triple aspect. The kitchen is well equipped and is finished off with a nice granite worktop and breakfast bar area.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms. The master bedroom has its own en-suite, wardrobes and doors leading out onto its own private balcony.
Bedroom 2 is of a good size and is dual aspect as well as having its own east facing private terrace.
Bedroom 3 is dual aspect and is of good proportions.
There are beautiful mature gardens which wrap around the property with a good choice of fruit trees – mandarin, mulberry, apple and banana! You are spoilt for choice when it comes to outside seating areas.
There is a 10m x 5m private roman ended swimming pool, perfect to cool off during the hot Cyprus summers.
There is also a separate outbuilding which has its own access. This is currently used as an industrial kitchen but could easily be converted into a studio or man cave.
There is air-conditioning and fly screen throughout this property.
It comes with full individual title deed (house registered) and there is no VAT to pay.
This really is a beautiful and comfortable home that needs to be seen to be appreciated.


title: 6th annual dragon parade lunar new year festival 2017

text:
Celebrate the Year of Rooster with Dragon and Lion Dances, Martial Arts, Japanese Taiko, Cultural Dances, Arts and Crafts and Exotic Asian Food
Free Admission • Fun for all ages
Lunar New Year is the most celebrated holiday in East Asia. Although Chinese New Year is not an official holiday in Western countries, many of the Asian countries & Asian organizations in America hold large celebrations and parades to share its spring festivity. In the past, cities like Sydney, London, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have held many successful Lunar New Year Parades that attract thousands of crowds each year.
The Year of the Rooster marks the 5th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade held in Orlando, Florida. The festivity has received overwhelming response from local and far away communities alike. This year, Asia Trend Magazine is partnering with Mills 50 (Orlando Mainstreet District), R.E.A.C.H. (Recognizing Educating Asian Cultural Heritage) and Y.E.S.S. (Youth Enrichment and Senior Services) to join forces to host the 6th Annual Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival on February 11 from 11:00am to 5:00pm
The festival parade starts at the Anthem College Parking lot and will end at Orlando Fashion Square Mall’s front entrance (between Dillard’s & Macy’s). Parade will be followed by another 5-hours of Spring Festivity that will take place at the lobby stage inside of Orlando Fashion Square Mall. Last year, 7500+ patrons came out and enjoyed cultural performances, Arts and Crafts, as well as, exotic food and other exhibitions. Admission is free.
more info at http://www.centralfloridadragonparade.org/


title: Monarch

text:
In Monarch you play as an heir to the throne. Your mother, the Queen, has lived out her years and will soon pass on the crown. The time has come for you and your siblings to demonstrate your intelligence, compassion, bravery, and strength as leaders. Out perform your siblings to demonstrate your ingenuity and strength. Choose strategies that will bring prosperity to the land and glory to your court. Defend the realm from threats and famine. Only the player with the most majestic court will be named heir.
There are many paths to choose from, but only one will become the next monarch. Who will reign?
Monarch is a light strategy game for 2-4 players that lasts 45 minutes. The primary mechanic is set collection; each of the sisters aims to assemble a court of Court Cards in order to prove her worth: wise advisors, exotic animals, and symbolic regalia. Each of these Court Cards provides crowns, and the sister whose court contains the most crowns at the end of the game becomes the Queen.
There are tricks to assembling a majestic court. Some cards don't work together well: the Astronomer is worth nothing if in a court with the Fireworks because he will be unable to see anything! Other cards work very well together: the Beastkeeper is worth more crowns for each animal she shares a court with.
Justin reviews Resonym’s 2015 game Monarch, designed by Mary Flanagan!
Join Meeple Mountain in celebrating the impact and influence of web series TableTop 10 years after it first aired!


title: Looking into the earths interior with geo neutrinos

text:
Borexino and KamLAND make the first measurements of Earth’s neutrinos.
The journal Science celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2005 and in a special issue listed what it considered to be the top 25 questions facing scientists during the next quarter of a century (Kerr 2005). These questions included: how does the Earth̓s interior work?
The main geophysical and geochemical processes that have driven the evolution of the Earth are strictly bound by the planet̓s energy budget. The current flux of energy entering the Earth’s atmosphere is well known: the main contribution comes from solar radiation (1.4 × 103 W m–2), while the energy deposited by cosmic rays is significantly smaller (10–8 W m–2). The uncertainties on terrestrial thermal power are larger – although the most quoted models estimate a global heat loss in the range of 40–47 TW, a global power of 30 TW is not excluded. The measurements of the temperature gradient taken from some 4 × 104 drill holes distributed around the world provide a constraint on the Earth’s heat production. Nevertheless, these direct investigations fail near the oceanic ridge, where the mantle content emerges: here hydrothermal circulation is a highly efficient heat-transport mechanism.
The generation of the Earth’s magnetic field, its mantle circulation, plate tectonics and secular (i.e. long lasting) cooling are processes that depend on terrestrial heat production and distribution, and on the separate contributions to Earth’s energy supply (radiogenic, gravitational, chemical etc.). An unambiguous and observationally based determination of radiogenic heat production is therefore necessary for understanding the Earth’s energetics. Such an observation requires determining the quantity of long-lived radioactive elements in the Earth. However, the direct geochemical investigations only go as far as the upper portion of the mantle, so all of the geochemical estimates of the global abundances of heat-generating elements depend on the assumption that the composition of meteorites reflects that of the Earth.
The uranium and thorium decay chains and 40K contribute about 99% of the total radiogenic heat production of the Earth; however, both the total amount and the distribution of these elements inside the Earth remain open to question. Thorium and uranium are refractory lithophile elements, while potassium is volatile. The processes of accretion and differentiation of the early Earth, as well as the subsequent processes of recycling and dehydrating subducting slabs, further enhance the concentrations of these radioactive elements in the crust. According to Roberta Rudnick and Shan Gao, the radiogenic heat production of the crust is 7.3 ± 1.2 (1σ) TW (Rudnick and Gao 2003).
The expected amount and distribution of uranium, thorium and potassium in the mantle are model dependent. The Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) is a canonical model that provides a description of geological evidence that is coherent within the constraints placed by the combined studies of mantle samples and the most primitive of all of the meteorites – the CI group of carbonaceous chondrites – which have a chemical composition similar to that of the solar photosphere, neglecting gaseous elements. The model predicts a radiogenic heat production in the mantle of about 13 TW. However, it needs to be tested because, on the grounds of available geochemical and/or geophysical data, it is not possible to exclude the theory that the radioactivity in the Earth today is enough to account for the highest estimate of the total terrestrial heat. Some models are based on a comparison of the planet with other chondrites, such as enstatite chondrites, and alternative hypotheses do not exclude the presence of radioactive elements in the Earth’s core. In addition, other models suggest the existence of a geo-reactor of 3–6 TW induced by important amounts of uranium present around the core. The debate remains open.
Neutrinos from the Earth
Geo-neutrinos are the (anti)neutrinos produced by the natural radioactivity inside the Earth. In particular, the decay chains of 238U and 232Th include six and four β− decays, respectively, and the nucleus of 40K decays by electron capture and β− decay with branching ratios of 11% and 89%, respectively. The decays produce heat and electron antineutrinos, with fixed ratios of heat to neutrinos (table 1). A measurement of the antineutrino flux, and possibly of the spectrum, would provide direct information on the amount and composition of radioactive material inside the Earth and so would determine the radiogenic contribution to the heat flow.
The Earth emits mainly in electron-antineutrinos, while the Sun shines in electron-neutrinos. The order of magnitude of the antineutrino flux on the surface, following the model hypotheses, could be 106 cm–2 s–1 from uranium and thorium in the Earth and 107 cm–2 s–1 from potassium, as compared with a neutrino flux of 6 × 1010 cm–2 s–1 from the Sun. Given the two types of crust (continental and oceanic) and their different composition and thickness, the expected flux of geo-neutrinos differs from place to place on the Earth’s surface. Moreover, considering that this variation can be as much as an order of magnitude, a detector’s sensitivity to geo-neutrinos coming from the mantle and the crust will depend on its location.
The process for the detection of low-energy antineutrinos used by the detectors currently running (KamLAND at Kamioka, Japan, and Borexino at Gran Sasso, Italy) and under construction (SNO+ at SNOlab, Canada), is inverse beta decay with a threshold of 1.806 MeV. Hence, only a fraction of the geo-neutrinos from 238U and 232Th are above threshold (figure 1), and the detection of antineutrinos from 40K remains a difficult challenge even for the next generation detectors. These experiments use liquid scintillator as the detecting material: one kilotonne of it contains some 1032 protons. As a consequence the event rate is conveniently expressed in terms of terrestrial neutrino units (TNU), defined as one event per 1032 target protons a year.
In the underground experiments devoted to the measurement of geo-neutrinos, liquid scintillator – essentially hydrocarbons – provides the hydrogen nuclei that act as the target for the antineutrinos. In these detectors a geo-neutrino event is tagged by a prompt signal and a delayed signal, following the inverse beta decay: ν–e + p → e+ + n – 1.806 MeV.
The positron ionization and annihilation provide the prompt signal. The energy of the incoming neutrino is related to the measured energy by the relationship: Eν = Emeasured + 0.782 MeV. The prompt signal is in the energy range (1.02, 2.50) MeV for uranium and (1.02, 1.47) MeV for thorium. The neutron slows down and after thermalization is captured by a proton, making a deuteron and a gamma ray of 2.22 MeV. The gamma ray generates the delayed signal. In large volumes of liquid scintillator the delayed signal is fully contained with an efficiency of around 98%.
The prompt–delayed sequence of the inverse beta decay provides a strong tag for electron antineutrinos, well known since the pioneering experiment of Clyde Cowan and Fred Reines in 1956. There is a correlation in space and time between the prompt and delayed signals. The correlated time depends on the properties of the scintillator and is in the order of 200–250 μs. The correlated distance between the two signals is related to the spatial resolution of the detector (around 10 cm at 1 MeV) and is driven by Compton interactions – with a probability of about 100% it can be less than 1 m.
Any electron-antineutrinos besides the ones produced within the Earth, and any event that can mimic a prompt–delayed signal with a neutron in the final state, can be a source of background. In particular, consider electron-antineutrinos produced by nuclear power reactors. Their energy spectrum partially overlaps the one for geo-neutrinos, but shifted towards higher energies up to about 10 MeV. Some 400 power reactors exist, mainly in North America, Europe, West Russia and Japan. Therefore, depending on the location of the underground laboratories, this background can produce a significant interference with the detection of geo-neutrinos.
Among other background sources there are (α,n) reactions resulting from contaminants in the scintillator, such as 210Po, and cosmogenic radioactive isotopes such as 9Li and 8He, which are produced by muons crossing the laboratory overburden. 9Li and 8He decay through beta-delayed neutron emission with T1/2 = 178.3 ms and 119 ms, respectively. Using dead-time, a cut of 2 s after each detected muon crossing the liquid scintillator, can reject this background with an efficiency of 99.9%. A high level of radiopurity and a fiducial mass cut will reduce uncorrelated random coincidences, which can arise from impurities such as 210Bi, 214Bi and 208Tl.
The first attempt to detect geo-neutrinos was made by the KamLAND experiment in 2005, where a signal was detected at the 2σ level (Araki et al. 2005). Three years later the same experiment reported a second measurement at 2.7σ (Abe et al. 2008). In 2010 Borexino reported evidence of geo-neutrinos at 4.2σ (Bellini et al. 2010). This was followed by a measurement in KamLAND with the same significance (Inoue 2010 and Shimizu 2010). The KamLAND and the Borexino experiments both make use of a large mass of organic liquid scintillator shielded by a large-volume water Cherenkov detector and viewed by a large number of photomultipliers (around 2000). In KamLAND in particular, a fiducial mass of around 700 tonnes can be selected, whereas in Borexino the maximum target mass can be as much as 280 tonnes. The statistics of the KamLAND measurement is higher than in Borexino owing to the larger volume and longer exposure; on the other hand the signal-to-noise ratio in the geo-neutrino spectrum window is about 2 for Borexino and about 0.15 for KamLAND.
The interesting quantity is the flux of geo-neutrinos in a given location on the Earth’s surface. This depends on the spatial distribution of the heat-generating elements within the Earth. Geo-neutrinos can travel as much as some 12,000 km to the detector. Therefore, the measured flux of geo-neutrinos must include the effect of neutrino oscillations. It turns out that for geo-neutrinos, the global effect of oscillations is reduced to a constant suppression of the flux through an average survival probability, <Pee >, of around 0.57.
The number of observed geo-neutrino events in KamLAND is 106 + 29 – 28 (+89–78) at 1σ (3σ) with 2135 live-days and a target mass of about 670 tonnes. Borexino has observed 9.9 + 4.1 – 3.4(+ 14.6 – 8.2) geo-neutrino events in 482 days and 225 tonnes at 1σ (3σ). The rate in TNU for the Borexino and KamLAND observations corresponds to 64.8 + 26.6 – 21.6 and 38.3+10.3–9.9, respectively. In fits to the detected data in both experiments, the shapes of the geo-neutrino spectra are the same as in figure 1, assuming the chondritic Th/U mass ratio of 3.9. The combined KamLAND and Borexino observation has a significance of 5σ (Fogli et al. 2010). Figure 2 shows the allowed range for geo-neutrino rates in Borexino and KamLAND as a function of the Earth’s radiogenic heat. The minimum radiogenic heat of Earth corresponds only to the crust contribution.
The signal-to-noise ratio for reactor antineutrino background in the geo-neutrino energy range is a fundamental parameter for geo-neutrino observations. In Borexino in particular this ratio – neglecting other backgrounds – is around 1.3 because there are no nearby nuclear reactors. Indeed, at Gran Sasso the weighted distance to reactors <Lreac> is about 1000 km. By contrast, at Kamioka <Lreac> is around 200 km with a signal-to-noise ratio of about 0.2. Therefore, at present the significance of the Borexino measurement is limited only by the statistics (figure 3). This indicates that a spectroscopic measurement of the geo-neutrino signal is feasible, taking into account the overall low background rate.
In a few years a third detector, SNO+, with a weighted reactor distance <Lreac> of around 480 km should be operational. A combined analysis of the Borexino, KamLAND and SNO+ experiments could constrain the radiogenic heat of the mantle. In the long term, LENA – a super-massive detector of about 50 kilotonnes – could observe as many as 1000 geo-neutrinos a year. LENA would be located at the Centre for Underground Physics at Pyhäsalmi in Finland with <Lreac> of around 1000 km.
• The authors acknowledge some interesting discussions with W F McDonough, R L Rudnick and G Fiorentini.


title: EU Server Relocation - December 2020

text:
EU Server Relocation - December 2020
After tomorrow's maintenance of the main PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds servers, in which the developers will install patch 10.1, PUBG Corp. will begin the process of moving the European servers to Frankfurt.
Last month we ran tests in various regions around Europe to find a server location that would provide the best network conditions for the greatest number of players. The results are in, so let’s go over where the servers will move to, and when it will happen.
Affected platforms: Xbox, PlayStation, Stadia
Time and date: Starting after server maintenance for Update 10.1
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
So, why Frankfurt? We’re working with certain server providers, and thus have a set number of locations that we can choose from. Since almost everyone from Europe is playing on the same servers, it’s important to make sure that network conditions, such as ping, are as evenly spread across the continent as possible.
Frankfurt showed the second best results out of the regions we tested, and our longer-term plan is to move our servers to Paris next year. Paris showed the best results for our overall EU player base, but there’s still some work left to do to get servers here prepped and ready. The data also showed that PC players would benefit by moving to Paris as well and would bring improvements over our current server location.
After we move our console players to Frankfurt, we’ll be monitoring closely to make sure our servers are running smoothly. We know data doesn’t always show the complete picture though, so please tell us about your experiences on console once the servers have moved!
See you on the Battlegrounds,


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Looking for Rapid Detox in Arizona? Here’s Why People Travel to Waismann Method
For over 26 years, Waismann Method has been the gold standard in rapid opioid detox. While we are located in Southern California, we have treated thousands of patients from Arizona who seek safe, medically advanced opioid detoxification.
If you’re searching for rapid detox in Arizona, it’s essential to understand that not all detox centers offer the same level of medical safety, expertise, and post-detox care. Unlike one-day rapid detox centers that may lack proper hospitalization and medical oversight, Waismann Method provides opioid detox under sedation in an accredited hospital, ensuring the highest standard of care and safety.
Understanding Rapid Detox
At Waismann Method, our focus goes beyond opioid detoxification. We aim to support the body’s natural ability to regain physiological balance by minimizing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and assisting with the early stages of neuroregulation. Our medically guided approach is built on nearly three decades of experience, clinical excellence, and a commitment to individualized patient care.
Unlike traditional or one-day detox centers, Waismann Method treatment begins with admission to a full-service, accredited hospital. Patients receive thorough medical evaluations, pre-detox stabilization, and the safest and most appropriate detox protocol for their specific needs. In most cases, this includes accelerated opioid detoxification under sedation.
Key components of our approach include:
- Medical stabilization before detox to support patient safety and reduce the physical stress of withdrawal
- Customized detox protocols based on each individual’s health, substance use history, and tolerance
- Post-detox transition to Domus Retreat, where patients receive supportive care in a private setting to assist with physical and emotional adjustment
Our goal is to help patients safely overcome acute opioid dependence and to support the brain and body’s return to a more balanced state. While detox is an essential step, the ability to sustain wellness often depends on what happens in the days immediately following. That’s why we provide a continuum of care that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and a true medical understanding of opioid use disorder.
Waismann Method offers one of the most trusted and effective medical detox protocols available today—helping people take the first critical step toward a healthier, opioid-free future.
Why Arizona Residents Choose Waismann Method in Southern California
Patients from Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, and across Arizona choose Waismann Method because of its unmatched medical expertise, comprehensive care, and nearly three decades of successful outcomes. Here’s why:
1. Medically Supervised Hospital Detox
Unlike many Arizona rapid detox centers, Waismann Method provides opioid detox in a full-service, accredited hospital under the care of Dr. Michael H. Lowenstein, a quadruple board-certified expert in anesthesia, pain management, and addiction medicine. Our hospital-based approach ensures the safest, most effective detoxification process, helping patients navigate withdrawal with medical precision and physiological stability.
2. No Need for a Companion
Many detox centers require a family member or friend to be responsible for post-detox care, placing undue pressure on loved ones. At Waismann Method, we believe patients deserve professional medical and emotional support throughout their recovery. Our team provides around-the-clock care, allowing patients to focus entirely on their healing without relying on non-medical caregivers.
3. Comprehensive Post-Detox Recovery at Domus Retreat
Detoxing from opioids is more than just removing substances from the body—it’s about retraining the brain and nervous system to regain balance. After detox, patients transition to Domus Retreat, where they receive:
- Personalized support to assist with the physiological and emotional adjustment
- Nutritional and IV therapy to promote neuroregulation and physical stabilization
- Private, peaceful accommodations to allow the body and mind to recover optimally
4. Proven Expertise: Over 26 Years of Unmatched Success
Waismann Method is the most experienced and trusted rapid detox center in the U.S., with nearly three decades of success. Thousands of patients from Arizona and beyond have chosen our scientifically advanced, medically comprehensive detox approach, knowing they are receiving the highest level of expertise and care available.
5. Hospital-Based Safety—No Risky “One-Day” Detox
Beware of overnight or one-day detox programs that lack proper medical oversight, often discharging patients prematurely when they are still in a vulnerable state. At Waismann Method, we prioritize patient safety and long-term success by providing hospital-based detox under sedation, followed by continued care to help patients stabilize physically and emotionally before returning home.
If you’re in Arizona and looking for the most effective, medically advanced opioid detox, Waismann Method provides a level of care that no other center can match.
How Arizona Residents Can Begin Their Rapid Detox Journey
If you’re in Arizona and searching for the safest and most effective way to detox from opioids, Waismann Method provides a personalized, medically advanced approach that ensures safety, comfort, and success. Here’s how to start your journey:
✔ Step 1: Call Us for a Confidential Consultation
When you reach out, we take the time to understand your unique needs and answer any questions. We will explain the entire detox process and, if you are interested, provide an intake form—which you can complete over the phone or via email. There is no commitment at this stage.
✔ Step 2: Personalized Treatment Plan
Your intake information allows our medical team—often our medical director—to assess your health and opioid dependence history. Based on this, we develop a customized treatment plan that aligns with your physiological needs and expectations, ensuring the best possible outcome.
✔ Step 3: Scheduling & Travel Coordination
If you decide to proceed, we will set a date for admission and assist with your travel arrangements. Upon arrival, a private car service will meet you at the airport and transport you directly to the hospital, ensuring a seamless transition into care.
✔ Step 4: Hospital-Based Rapid Detox
Once at the fully accredited hospital, you will be admitted to a private room where our medical team will begin pre-medication and stabilization to prevent withdrawals before detox begins. You will then undergo opioid detox under sedation, supervised by highly experienced board-certified physicians and critical care specialists.
✔ Step 5: Recovery & Adjustment at Domus Retreat
Following detox, patients transition to Domus Retreat, where they receive:
- Personalized post-detox care to help the body and mind adjust
- Nutritional and IV therapy to support neuroregulation and healing
- Emotional support from specialized professionals to assist with the adjustment phase
- Guidance on relapse prevention and long-term wellness
✔ Step 6: A New, Opioid-Free Life Begins
With Waismann Method, detox is just the first step in regaining control of your health. Our program is designed to eliminate physical cravings, restore neurological balance, and provide the smoothest transition to an opioid-free life.
The #1 Choice for Arizona Rapid Detox: Call Us Today
If you’re searching for rapid detox in Arizona and want the most advanced, safest option, Waismann Method is here to help.
📞 Call us now: 1-800-423-2482
Don’t settle for risky detox options—choose the best in medical opioid detox with Waismann Method.


title: Feebates arent

text:
Last week, reader Jim Smith sent us a message about a post at centrarian.com on an alternative to carbon cap and trade systems for reducing carbon emissions: feebates. The idea behind a feebate is fairly simple: Tax costly behaviors and use the revenues to subsidize beneficial behaviors with the kicker that the total tax revenue will exactly equal the total subsidy outlay.
Centrarian lays out the benefits of the feebate system:
The resulting feebate has a number of advantages. As with a carbon tax, incentives can be set at an affordable level and then the market allowed to find the best solution. In contrast to the cap-and-trade which does not provide continuing incentives to reduce once the cap has been achieved, the feebate does. If lower cost ways of achieving reductions emerge, companies have the incentive to take advantage of them up until the new marginal cost equals the feebate rate. In contrast to both the carbon tax and the cap-and-trade which provide little flexibility in determining the distribution of costs among companies, the feebate...allows vertually [sic] any distribution.
The problem with any externality--like pollution--is the relative price of the costly behavior to the beneficial behavior is wrong. A tax on pollution--set equal to the marginal damage of the last unit of pollution--adjusts the relative price of the costly behavior and provides the incentive to achieve the social welfare maximizing level of the pollution.
The feebate, is the equivalent of a tax, just spread out a little different. Instead of just raising the price of the 'bad' behavior, it both raises the price of the bad behavior and lowers the price of the good behavior. The outcome is the same as the tax, a lower relative price of the good behavior, and incentive to switch. This may be a more palatable alternative, but there doesn't seem to be an economic gain to a feebate versus a tax.
As for the distributional issues, there is again no difference between the tax and the feebate. The criticism of taxes appears to be that they unfairly raise prices to those that have to undertake the bad behavior--you know, because we don't have any other choice--and doesn't go far enough to reward those who out the goodness of their heart undertake the good behavior. The feebate somehow redistributes the costs and benefits more fairly.
First, fairness is WAY overrated. Second, the feebate is no more or less equitable and no more or less distributionally flexible than the straight tax. This is the fundamental reason why many economists--me in particular--are reluctant to try to decide what the best distribution looks like: Each of us has a different opinion of the better distribution and none is best. Somehow it is the judgment of the proponents of the feebate that the distributional outcome created by subsidizing the good behavior is better than just taking the tax revenue and giving it to the poor. I'm not saying one is better because I don't know, I just don't think anyone can either.
So in short, feebates are interesting wordplay, but in the end are economically no different than a tax.


title: Practical ways to stay active with a crazy schedule

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Do you ever feel that you just don’t have enough time to work out? Maybe you schedule your workouts each week, but then they just don’t seem to happen? You desire to prioritize physical activity because it’s important to you, but how can you fit it in with all of the other responsibilities on the to do list?
I’ve been there. Good intentions, but not so good follow through.
If you’re desperate to find ways to sneak physical activity into your day, you’re in for a treat of work out tangibles, friend!
Listen in to learn six tips and tricks to strategically steward your body with a busy schedule. You’ll learn:
- How to weave physical activity into your everyday activities
- Why taking physical breaks and mental shifts can make you more productive
- How you can squeeze in a work out anywhere – including on an airplane
Whether, you’re a student during finals, mom during soccer season, or employee that’s putting in the travel hours, you’ll find the way that is right for YOU to work those muscles during your busy day.
It IS possible for you to be a good friend, mom, and student all while keeping physical activity a priority. It just may take a bit of creativity!
Listen in here on Spotify!
And for those Android users, listen on Stitcher here!
Know someone with a full schedule that always chats about wanting to work out more? Send this episode to them and share these fun and effective work out tips! You’ll work that bootay and cultivate some funny stories along the way!


title: Fixture installation bonney lake wa 98391

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Do you need fixture installation for the household things like a bathtub, kitchen, or bathroom sink in Bonney Lake, WA.? Joe the Pro Plumbing, Heating, & Air delivers exceptional services to its customers.
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tier: grizzly

title: Id1521173647

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- 11,99 €
Gain a thorough understanding of the competing views on the historicity, chronology, and theological implications of the exodus.
The biblical account of the Israelite exodus from Egypt is one of the most enduring narratives ever told and is a foundational event for several world religions. It resonates across cultures with its timeless themes of redemption and deliverance. It is also the only explanation the Bible gives for Israel's origin.
Despite its unique legacy, many scholars regard the exodus as fictitious or a cultural memory that may not be a historical event. Even among those who believe the exodus happened, there is no consensus regarding its date.
Five Views on the Exodus brings together experts in the fields of biblical studies, Egyptology, and archaeology to discuss and debate the most vexing questions about the exodus. Each offers their own view and constructive responses to other leading views:
Early Date: The Exodus Took Place in the Fifteenth Century BC (Scott Stripling)Late Date: A Historical Exodus in the Thirteenth Century BC (James K. Hoffmeier)A Hyksos Levite Led Exodus in the Time of Ramesses II (Peter Feinman)Alternative Late Date: The Exodus Took Place in the Twelfth Century BC (Gary A. Rendsburg)The Exodus as Cultural Memory: A Transformation of Historical Events (Ronald Hendel)
The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.


title: Five fun things to do in vancouver this summer

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What to do for fun in Vancouver this summer.
Summer in the city has started. Whether you’re looking for some fun things to do with your friends, as a visitor or ways to meet new people, add these five things to your list. For those using a wellness tracker, they are also great ways to close your rings at the end of the day.
Five fun activities to during the summer
Rent a bike and ride around Stanley Park. The views are spectacular no matter what time of day you go. It takes about an hour to ride around the park which includes a few short stops to take in the sights and views. If you have more time, stop at the Teahouse for a meal or pack a picnic for the beach. Both second and third beaches have restrooms and concessions and are often lively in the evenings.
No need for prior golfing experience for the Pitch and Put at Stanley Park. You can bring your own wedge and putter or rent them there. The whole experience including clubs and balls costs about $20. It’s a popular thing for locals to do, so plan accordingly.
If you have limited time, mornings before 10 a.m. and evenings are best. The cut off for renting clubs is 6 pm. If you have your own clubs, you can start later in the evening and play until last light. Head over to Stanley Park Brewing after for a refreshing drink and/or meal.
There are outdoor tennis courts in Stanley Park and all over the city that are free to use. Court time is limited to 30 minutes unless no one is waiting for your court. If all the courts are taken when you arrive, pick a court and let the players know that you’re waiting for their court. Play at off peak times during the day when you have the flexibility in your schedule. If you haven’t played in a while, be sure to warm up with some drills to prevent strains, pulls and pops.
The second beach pool in Stanley Park is open and the very popular Kitsilano pool opened this weekend. Both are heated but one has fresh water and the other sea water. Whether you want to swim laps or just play in the water and lay in the sun afterwards, both are good options. Tickets and sessions can be booked online.
Summers in Vancouver can get really warm. If you’re looking for an indoor game to help you beat the heat, add Pickelball to your short list. Most community centers offer lessons, open play and court rentals. Summer registration opens on June 13th at 7 p.m. If you want to play regularly, mark your calendar for the opening of registration. It’s a popular thing to do year round and accessible to all fitness levels. Drop ins are welcome if the register players don’t check in within 15 minutes of the start time.
Elevate your experience
Elevate your experience with brunch or a light bite at the Reflections Terrace at the Rosewood hotel downtown before or after. The roof top patio is perfect whether you like sun or shade. It’s another popular place, so either make a reservation or go during off peak times. The grilled shrimp appetizer is simply delicious.
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