Freedom Golf Association’s First Annual “Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk” succeeds in showing how adaptive golf is aiding vets’ road to recovery

The enthusiasm and good will were palpable at McDonald’s corporate campus in Oak Brook, Illinois on Sunday, October 29 as the Freedom Golf Association’s (FGA) First Annual “Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk” succeeded in drawing attention to the fact that adaptive golf is clearly helping wounded vets return to normality after their military service. The more than 100 participants conquered the 5K course to show their support for the programs of the Freedom Golf Association, which is leading the way In Illinois in bringing the joy of golf to persons with physical, emotional and developmental needs.

“The 5K Run/Walk was a terrific way to honor Veterans who have been wounded in their service to the country and to acknowledge Illinois’ wounded vets, a growing number of whom have taken up golf to enjoy its many physical, emotional and social benefits,” said Sally Ruecking, FGA’s Vice President of Strategic Advancement. “Adaptive golf is bringing fun into the lives of people who are often left out due to their disabilities.”

Cheered on by the music of the Elmhurst College Jazz Band and with welcoming remarks from E.Q. Sylvester, Chairman of FGA; radio and TV personality Bob Sirott of event co-sponsor WLS-AM radio; and Ruecking, the runners and walkers took to the track with smiles and a sense of mission. Other event sponsors included Molex LLC, Rich Harvest Farms, KF Partners LLC, and Reebie Storage and Moving.

The overall men’s winner was 16-year old Matt Pierce of Alsip, Illinois, who ran the 5K course in 18:59. Second place went to Thomas Potaczek of Bensenville, IL, with a time of 19:23 and third place went to Andrew Pyle of Hinsdale, IL with a time of 22:14.

Among the women, the overall winner was Eileen Skisak of La Grange, IL with a time of 18:59. Eileen also ran in fifth place overall. The second-place women’s winner was 12-year old Alexandra Two, with a time of 25:36; third place went to 10-year old Kelly Fergus of Chicago, with a time of 27:27.

Winners by age group were:

•Male 10-14: James Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL

•Male 15-19: Thomas Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL

•Male 20-24: Ben Landress, Chicago, IL

•Male 30-34: (1st) Michael Bellino, Villa Park, IL; (2nd) Nick Bada, Villa Park, IL

•Male 45-49: (1st) Jim Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL; (2nd) Carmelo Aguinir, Joliet, IL

•Male 50-54: (1st) Bob Fergus, Chicago, IL; (2nd) Ross Hurst, Clarendon Hills, IL; (3rd) Randy Pyle, Hinsdale, IL; (4th) Roger Keys, Northbrook, IL

•Male 65-69: (1st) Jerome Getter, Oak Park, IL; (2nd) John Kosmatka, Valparaiso, IN; (3rd) Karl Johnson, Woodridge, IL

•Male 70-74: James Smith, Clarendon Hills, IL

•Female 15-19: Maria Meyer, Hinsdale, IL

•Female 40-44: Lori Kosmatka, Chicago, IL

•Female 45-49: (1st) Kimberly Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL; (2nd) Arlinda Nunez, Hinsdale, IL; (3rd) Christine Two, Wilmette, IL

•Female 50-54: (1st) Joy Hyzny, Burbank, IL; (2nd) Christie Bellino, Villa Park, IL

•Female 55-59: Jud Hrad, Chicago, IL

•Female 60-64: Sue Shepard, Elmhurst, IL

•Female 65-69: Carol Raska, Oak Park, IL

Freedom Golf Association leads the way in bringing adaptive golf to Illinois and is an integral part of the growing national movement, which has been embraced by major golf entities such as the PGA, LPGA and USGA.

“Freedom Golf Association encourages corporations with cause marketing programs that help the disabled to become FGA sponsors or corporate foundation grant providers and help us grow,” said Ruecking.

About Freedom Golf Association

Freedom Golf Association (FGA), a 501(C)3 non-profit charitable organization, is the leading adaptive golf organization in Illinois and is a charter member of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance. FGA was founded in July 2012 by Edmund (E.Q.) Sylvester. E.Q. is a director of the Western Golf Association (WGA), member of the United States Senior Golf Association (USSGA), member of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and a triple amputee. FGA is dedicated to bringing joy and a sense of freedom to the special needs community through their inclusion in the game of golf.

FGA believes that all special needs individuals deserve a chance to accomplish the same things as any others do and work towards bringing a positive transformation to their lives. FGA contributes to the positive development of those with special needs through the magic of golf.

FGA works to assist individuals with disabilities in many ways:

•Provides professionally run adaptive golf instructional clinics and golf events

•Engages children, adults and veterans with special needs in FREE adaptive golf instruction with other classmates

•Conducts adaptive golf training workshops to increase the number of qualified adaptive golf coaches to instruct individuals with special needs

•Provides leadership and collaboration with nationally recognized organizations on how to expand/grow adaptive golf programs

Based on its growing understanding of the needs of disabled golfers, the FGA has developed a ground-breaking Adaptive Golf Enhancement Program™ that increases the golfing ability of special needs golfers. FGA’s golf coaches learn this six-step process, which helps them better understand and enhance the capabilities of special needs golfers.

To assist coaches and special needs golfers in determining what adaptive measures would be most beneficial, FGA recently invested in what they call a “personal swing sensors and computerized program” to 1) measure the disabled golfer’s initial swing path and limitations; 2) develop an appropriate exercise program to improve flexibility and range of motion; and 3) to chart the golfer’s progress, using the initial swing measurements as a baseline.

In 2016, FGA provided more than 1,300 adaptive golf lessons. In the same year, 110 special needs golfers went out and played on the course. Ten individuals became trained FGA Adaptive Golf Coaches, growing the total number to 42.

79 cents out of every dollar received goes to FGA’s special needs golf programs and events. FGA has led 40 Chicagoland courses in becoming accessible to the disabled community.

For more information about the Freedom Golf Association, please visit the official website at www.fgagolf.org and the online newsroom at www.newsline360.com/freedomgolfassociation. Contact FGA by phone at 855-342-4465 or 630-455-6018, or by email at playgolf@fgagolf.org. Donations to Freedom Golf Association can be made at www.fgagolf.org/donate.html.

Follow FGA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FGA4Golf. Follow FGA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FGA4Golf.

Photo credit: Cindy Kurman, Kurman Communications

One Of A Kind, Robot, Ronald McDonald's, From The 60's-70's, on the TV Show, The Appraisal Fair, in 1999, where they said he was worth $2,000.00 to $3,000.00

This one of a kind McDonald's Robot was made in 1980 by Setmakers Inc., Archives Theatronics, and AVG Entertainment Anamitronics, AVG Technologies, for McDonald's to take on tour a show called 'The Ronald McDonald Show all over different countries.

A Small 19" tall wooden model of this robot in full set up was sold at Heritage Auctions for $840.00

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Learn More

Humphreys hosts Army 10-miler shadow run

By W. Wayne Marlow, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – Over 300 runners from across the Korean peninsula took part in the second annual Army 10-miler Shadow Run hosted here Oct. 2.

First Lieutenant Robert Anderson of the 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion won the nighttime race, designed to mirror the Army’s annual run in Washington, D.C., in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds. First Lieutenant Sarah Rainville took the women’s crown, finishing in 1:16:44.

Anderson said he initially thought only about doing his best and having a good run. But when some entrants passed him early in the race, his focused changed.

“I was going to try and take it easy ... but then an adrenaline rush hit and I decided to pick it up,” he said.

Anderson maintained a steady pace, running the second half in just two more minutes than he did the first five miles. “I felt good the whole time,” he said. “I felt like I had some left in the tank. I started training for it last year, so I’ve been upping my mileage.”

The Camp Humphreys shadow run will be shown on a large screen during the Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 9, and Anderson plans to be there to watch it and participate in his second 10-miler of the week. “This was prep for that one,” he said.

Former United States Army Garrison Humphreys Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Kim fired the opening gun at 9 p.m. locally to coincide with the actual time the run will start in Washington D.C. Led by Kim’s replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Gray, the runners started under the Super Gym walkway, then snaked their way around the airfield twice, ending up back at Super Gym.

“It’s an absolutely great event,” Gray said. “Soldiers work hard, so when you can do something like this to build esprit de corps, it’s a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a good time.”

The crisp, cool October air helped keep the runners fresh, as did rehydration stations manned by volunteers along the route. The constant encouragement by fellow runners and cheering from the sidelines helped push the runners toward the finish.

“It’s not too cold. It’s nice running weather,” Gray said. “You can always wear something to keep you warm, and if it gets too hot, you can dress down.”

Anderson agreed that the race featured ideal conditions. “It’s great weather, no overheating,” he said. “It’s the best weather for running.”

Anderson said he has three brothers in the Army who are also all enthusiastic runners, and there was another family connection of note. Specialist Charles Rodgers IV flew from Hawaii to run the race with his father, Charles Rodgers III, who manages Splish and Splash Water Park on Humphreys. The two finished with identical times of 1:32:40.

Besides ideal weather and enthusiastic observers, the runners were treated to replicas of Washington, D.C., monuments built by Jeffrey Hubbard of the USAG Humphreys Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation office. The replicas, made of Styrofoam and braced by wood supports, included the Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the capitol. The project took about two weeks, according to Hubbard.

“It was to give everybody something extra to look at during the run and to do something different,” Hubbard said. “We figured looking at a poster would be kind of boring. We wanted to give them incentive to go and see the next one. They’ll be here next year. They’re built to last.”

Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring credited volunteers with helping make the run a success.

“We had three drink tables on the trail and at the start and finish point,” he said. “We had BOSS bring in volunteers, folks standing on the road, and people handing out numbers and pace chips before the race.” The computerized chips, attached to the runners’ shoes, started and stopped when someone crossed the start and finish lines, giving everyone an accurate 10-mile time.

For all the logistics involved in having hundreds of people run 10 miles, Herring said most of the work was done beforehand.

“The pre-registration is the most time-consuming,” he said, also mentioning coordination with Military Police, road closures, medical considerations, and taxi and bus services being suspended. But all the work paid off in the end, Herring noted.

Prior to the run, entrants were addressed by USAG Humphreys Commander, Col. Joseph P. Moore.

“We’re here to have fun, and I hope your commanders told you that if you run this, there’s no P.T. tomorrow. Ten miles is no small task,” Moore said. “I’ve run this loop a lot at night. There’s plenty of light out there. The terrain is real friendly. There are no big hills, just a lot of open room to run.”

The top three finishers in the men’s 29 and under category were: Wbatt Reith (1:07:53); Samuel Smiths (1:09:09) and Daniel Bates (1:09:35). Following Anderson in the men’s 30-39 category were David Snow (1:12:41) and Nathan Stahl (1:18:02).

In the men’s 40-49 category, the top three finishers were Brett Bassett (1:14:49), Dan Burnett (1:17:06) and Felix Lassus (1:18:57). Leading the way in the men’s 50 and over category were Robert Nott (1:09:14), Mark Sullivan (1:09:57) and Kwon, Song-ki (1:19:23).

Following Rainville in the women’s 29 and under category were Kyle Wilson (1:22:20) and Liela Moser (1:26:01). In the women’s 30 and over category, top finishers were Sarah Stahl (1:20:45), Adam Leinen (1:27:52), and Jamila Moody (1:34:11). Taking the women’s over 40 crown was Kim, Hui-ok (1:37:06). In the women’s over 50 category, Barbara Garner (1:37:31) took first, followed by Susan Jentoft (1:43:23).

Photos courtesy U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, FMWR Marketing

Click here to view the garrison’s official Facebook fan page

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

I'm starting to feel the inclination to get back into electronics hobbyism these days - and on the photography side that means closeup / macro shots will be coming along soon.

The fever hits me now and then to make some LEDs blink, and the way I generally do that is to write software for a microcontroller (MCU) - a tiny, cheap, single-chip computer - to do it.

Why bother? You might well ask. Well! MCUs form the heart of all sorts of nifty circuitry - anything that isn't actually a computer and yet is "computerized", which is pretty much everything, anymore. I plan to make fun simple things like clocks and little games and decorative blinky lights, but stuff like homemade MP3 players, GPS units, simple autonomous robots, and Web-based remote control devices are now well within the reach of hobbyist designers. All you have to do is get specialized circuitry to handle the GPS reception or MP3 decoding or time displaying, then plunk a MCU down to order it around according to directions specified by software you write.

These three circuits pictured are all "programmers", or interface devices that let you send MCU software from the PC where you wrote it to the actual MCU chip. These are all for the PIC family of chips manufactured by Microchip, Inc.

In the upper left, the venerable PIC-1a from 1996, a small-scale-commercial variant of a famous programmer invented in April 1994 by a hobbyist named David Tait. The "Tait Classic" circuit, as it came to be known, was intended only for one kind of PIC MCU, the surprisingly useful 16C84. It had space for a 1024-instruction program and 36 bytes of data RAM. Much, much more powerful MCUs are available these days for less than the old C84 cost, but it was a great little chip. The Tait programmer made hobbyist MCU programming affordable, I believe; until recently the professional-grade tools for it were very pricey by hobbyist terms. The Tait Classic could be built for a few dollars or ordered pre-assembled from a cottage industry sort of shop like I did for, IIRC, about $50.

In the upper right, a cottage-commercial version of the P16Pro40, which is basically a newer and more flexible version of the Tait Classic, able to handle several different chips. I think I got this one in about 2004.

These two both still work, as far as I know, but they connect to the PC through the parallel port - and modern PCs don't often have parallel ports! Certainly the little netbook I use now doesn't. Hence, my decision to buy the programmer in the bottom of the shot, the Pickit 3. It's a USB-based programmer made by Microchip itself, and it has several features the Tait-types don't - plus it's fairly cheap, as things like this now are (about $70 for the "deluxe" version of the Pickit 3).

Nifty, eh?

Case History:

A 21 year old woman presented with a 3 x 2 cm swelling in the right forearm for one year.

The swelling was painful for two weeks. She gave a history of one episode of generalized tonic clonic seizure, six months ago with loss of consciousness in the post-ictal period.

Physical findings and complete hemogram were unremarkable. Biochemical parameters including blood sugar, serum urea and creatinine were normal. ESR was mildly elevated and was 32 mm/hour.

Excision of the forearm swelling was performed.

Discussion:

Histopathology revealed a parasite with irregularly-shaped membranous foldings and scolices representing Cysticercus larva in subcutaneous tissue.

Subsequently, Computerized Tomography (C.T.) imaging revealed a small hyperdense lesion in the right frontal lobe surrounded by perilesional edema. Post contrast image revealed irregular enhancement. C.T. features were suggestive of neurocysticercosis.

Cysticercosis (tapeworm infection) is the most common parasitic disease worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 50 million affected people (Surg Neurol 2005;63:123). It is endemic in Mexico, Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and India (Infect Dis Clin North Am 2000;14:97).

The larval stage of Taenia solium (pig tapeworm) is Cysticercus cellulosae. It enters the human body by ingestion of food or water contaminated with eggs of Taenia solium, through endogenous autoinfection and also by reverse peristalsis. Del Brutto has proposed a diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis of which our case has one absolute criterion and one major criterion (J Neurol Sci 1996;142:1).

Cysticercosis affects subcutaneous tissue, muscles, eyes and the brain. Subcutaneous tissue and muscular involvement usually comes to focus when pain develops in the affected area. Cigar shaped calcification in soft tissue is seen in radiological studies. Ocular cysticercosis occurs in the conjunctiva, vitreous and in the subretinal space, the latter leading to retinal detachment. Fundoscopic examination may show freely floating cysticerci in the vitreous and anterior chamber. Ophthalmic examination in our patient was normal.

Neurocysticercosis is considered as one of the leading causes of adult onset seizures worldwide. Parenchymal neurocysticercosis affects the brain parenchyma while extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis has parasites in the ventricles, cisterns, subarachnoid space or in the spinal cord. Convulsions, meningitis and intracranial hypertension occur due to neurocysticercosis. Intracranial herniations, stroke and status epilepticus are complications due to neurocysticercosis.

Approximately half of the patients with cysticercosis present with subcutaneous nodules (Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (2012), 8th ed). However, the

association of neural and subcutaneous cysticercosis is rare (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008;74:385).

The case is discussed to emphasize the importance of neurologic and ophthalmic examination in patients with subcutaneous cysticercosis. The patient recovered by treatment with Praziquantel and steroids in tapering doses.

Contributed by: Dr. Thiriveni Balajji and Dr. M. Kavitha, Coimbatore Medical College (India)

See topic here.

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Humphreys hosts Army 10-miler shadow run

By W. Wayne Marlow, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – Over 300 runners from across the Korean peninsula took part in the second annual Army 10-miler Shadow Run hosted here Oct. 2.

First Lieutenant Robert Anderson of the 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion won the nighttime race, designed to mirror the Army’s annual run in Washington, D.C., in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds. First Lieutenant Sarah Rainville took the women’s crown, finishing in 1:16:44.

Anderson said he initially thought only about doing his best and having a good run. But when some entrants passed him early in the race, his focused changed.

“I was going to try and take it easy ... but then an adrenaline rush hit and I decided to pick it up,” he said.

Anderson maintained a steady pace, running the second half in just two more minutes than he did the first five miles. “I felt good the whole time,” he said. “I felt like I had some left in the tank. I started training for it last year, so I’ve been upping my mileage.”

The Camp Humphreys shadow run will be shown on a large screen during the Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 9, and Anderson plans to be there to watch it and participate in his second 10-miler of the week. “This was prep for that one,” he said.

Former United States Army Garrison Humphreys Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Kim fired the opening gun at 9 p.m. locally to coincide with the actual time the run will start in Washington D.C. Led by Kim’s replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Gray, the runners started under the Super Gym walkway, then snaked their way around the airfield twice, ending up back at Super Gym.

“It’s an absolutely great event,” Gray said. “Soldiers work hard, so when you can do something like this to build esprit de corps, it’s a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a good time.”

The crisp, cool October air helped keep the runners fresh, as did rehydration stations manned by volunteers along the route. The constant encouragement by fellow runners and cheering from the sidelines helped push the runners toward the finish.

“It’s not too cold. It’s nice running weather,” Gray said. “You can always wear something to keep you warm, and if it gets too hot, you can dress down.”

Anderson agreed that the race featured ideal conditions. “It’s great weather, no overheating,” he said. “It’s the best weather for running.”

Anderson said he has three brothers in the Army who are also all enthusiastic runners, and there was another family connection of note. Specialist Charles Rodgers IV flew from Hawaii to run the race with his father, Charles Rodgers III, who manages Splish and Splash Water Park on Humphreys. The two finished with identical times of 1:32:40.

Besides ideal weather and enthusiastic observers, the runners were treated to replicas of Washington, D.C., monuments built by Jeffrey Hubbard of the USAG Humphreys Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation office. The replicas, made of Styrofoam and braced by wood supports, included the Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the capitol. The project took about two weeks, according to Hubbard.

“It was to give everybody something extra to look at during the run and to do something different,” Hubbard said. “We figured looking at a poster would be kind of boring. We wanted to give them incentive to go and see the next one. They’ll be here next year. They’re built to last.”

Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring credited volunteers with helping make the run a success.

“We had three drink tables on the trail and at the start and finish point,” he said. “We had BOSS bring in volunteers, folks standing on the road, and people handing out numbers and pace chips before the race.” The computerized chips, attached to the runners’ shoes, started and stopped when someone crossed the start and finish lines, giving everyone an accurate 10-mile time.

For all the logistics involved in having hundreds of people run 10 miles, Herring said most of the work was done beforehand.

“The pre-registration is the most time-consuming,” he said, also mentioning coordination with Military Police, road closures, medical considerations, and taxi and bus services being suspended. But all the work paid off in the end, Herring noted.

Prior to the run, entrants were addressed by USAG Humphreys Commander, Col. Joseph P. Moore.

“We’re here to have fun, and I hope your commanders told you that if you run this, there’s no P.T. tomorrow. Ten miles is no small task,” Moore said. “I’ve run this loop a lot at night. There’s plenty of light out there. The terrain is real friendly. There are no big hills, just a lot of open room to run.”

The top three finishers in the men’s 29 and under category were: Wbatt Reith (1:07:53); Samuel Smiths (1:09:09) and Daniel Bates (1:09:35). Following Anderson in the men’s 30-39 category were David Snow (1:12:41) and Nathan Stahl (1:18:02).

In the men’s 40-49 category, the top three finishers were Brett Bassett (1:14:49), Dan Burnett (1:17:06) and Felix Lassus (1:18:57). Leading the way in the men’s 50 and over category were Robert Nott (1:09:14), Mark Sullivan (1:09:57) and Kwon, Song-ki (1:19:23).

Following Rainville in the women’s 29 and under category were Kyle Wilson (1:22:20) and Liela Moser (1:26:01). In the women’s 30 and over category, top finishers were Sarah Stahl (1:20:45), Adam Leinen (1:27:52), and Jamila Moody (1:34:11). Taking the women’s over 40 crown was Kim, Hui-ok (1:37:06). In the women’s over 50 category, Barbara Garner (1:37:31) took first, followed by Susan Jentoft (1:43:23).

Photos courtesy U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, FMWR Marketing

Click here to view the garrison’s official Facebook fan page

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Panama Canal Deputy Administrator Manuel Benítez examine the computerized controls at the Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Panama, on April 10, 2015, as the Secretary visited the historic transit way after joining President Obama in attending the Summit of the Americas. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

I-5 Design and Manufacture used computerized 3D software to create this conceptual design for the interior of the River Springs Casino. This design draws from the idea of a desert oasis to get its color scheme and the "river" is depicted in the wavy translucent ceiling panel elements suspended from the ceiling.Some of the décor elements that were designed by I-5 include the suspended wave form ceiling panels, custom designed carpet which is a variation of the ceiling panels, cashier signage, wall panels, custom columns and more. Click here to see more examples of Casino Design

I've lovingly named this turntable "Sue". It's so awesome it deserves a name. In fact, I'll put it up against any high-end Technics turntable.

Picked this bad boy up at Salvation Army for $5. It works beautifully; all it needed was some adjustment to the counter-weight. Way better than that crappy Ion at least.

Found the specs on this table. As you see, not bad for half a saw-buck.

Type: Two-speed, computerized fully automatic quartz-servo direct drive turntable

Motor: 20-pole, 30-slot DC brushless

Drive System: Direct spindle drive electronically servo controlled

Platter: 300mm aluminum alloy die-cast, weighing 1.3kg (2 86lbs.) The heaviest platter I've run across.

WOW & Flutter: less than 0 018%

Read out direct at the FG output.

Signal to Noise Ratio: better than 75dB (DIN-B)

Build-Up Time and Arc Angle: within 1.8sec. (150°)

Platter Speed Deviation: ±0.002% (QUARTZ-SERVO ON)

Temperature Coefficient: less than 0.00003%/°C (QUARTZ-SERVO ON)

Load Characteristics: 0% (QUARTZ-SERVO ON)

Platter Speeds: 33-1/3, 45 rpm

Tonearm: Statically-balanced S-shaped D-O-B tonearm with two point pivot support

Length: 220mm pivot to stylus

Overhang: 17.5mm

Offset Angle: 24.5°

Minimum Tracking Force Setting: 0.5g (when using cartridge guaranteed to operate at 0.5g stylus pressure)

Acceptable Cartridge Weight: 4 to 10g

Cabinetry: Slim-line cabinet with anti-howling insulators and hinged free-stop dust cover

Cartridge: SC -50

Type: IM Type

Frequency Response: 10 to 20,000Hz

Output voltage: 3mV per channel (1,000Hz, 35.4mm/sec.)

Optimum Load: 47k ohms

Tracking Force: 2.5 ±0.4g

Stylus: 0.6 mil diamond spherical (SN-50)

Power Requirements: 100, 120. 220, 240V50/60HZ

Power Consumption: less than 10 watts

Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 440 x 133 x 385

Weight: 6,9kg (15.1 lbs.) Net, 8.1kg (117.9lbs.) Packed

Note to vintage Sansui turntable owners

In case you haven't discovered this yourself, if the "Computer" is no longer working, check the belt on the small motor below the tonearm. I noticed people on a forum having problems with the auto functions no longer working. The circuity may be just fine. Your problem could be as simple as a bad belt. This looks to be the case with my turntable.

I'm running on the assumption I can pick up a replacement at my local hifi shop or vacuum supply store for a couple bucks.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

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Humphreys hosts Army 10-miler shadow run

By W. Wayne Marlow, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – Over 300 runners from across the Korean peninsula took part in the second annual Army 10-miler Shadow Run hosted here Oct. 2.

First Lieutenant Robert Anderson of the 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion won the nighttime race, designed to mirror the Army’s annual run in Washington, D.C., in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds. First Lieutenant Sarah Rainville took the women’s crown, finishing in 1:16:44.

Anderson said he initially thought only about doing his best and having a good run. But when some entrants passed him early in the race, his focused changed.

“I was going to try and take it easy ... but then an adrenaline rush hit and I decided to pick it up,” he said.

Anderson maintained a steady pace, running the second half in just two more minutes than he did the first five miles. “I felt good the whole time,” he said. “I felt like I had some left in the tank. I started training for it last year, so I’ve been upping my mileage.”

The Camp Humphreys shadow run will be shown on a large screen during the Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 9, and Anderson plans to be there to watch it and participate in his second 10-miler of the week. “This was prep for that one,” he said.

Former United States Army Garrison Humphreys Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Kim fired the opening gun at 9 p.m. locally to coincide with the actual time the run will start in Washington D.C. Led by Kim’s replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Gray, the runners started under the Super Gym walkway, then snaked their way around the airfield twice, ending up back at Super Gym.

“It’s an absolutely great event,” Gray said. “Soldiers work hard, so when you can do something like this to build esprit de corps, it’s a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a good time.”

The crisp, cool October air helped keep the runners fresh, as did rehydration stations manned by volunteers along the route. The constant encouragement by fellow runners and cheering from the sidelines helped push the runners toward the finish.

“It’s not too cold. It’s nice running weather,” Gray said. “You can always wear something to keep you warm, and if it gets too hot, you can dress down.”

Anderson agreed that the race featured ideal conditions. “It’s great weather, no overheating,” he said. “It’s the best weather for running.”

Anderson said he has three brothers in the Army who are also all enthusiastic runners, and there was another family connection of note. Specialist Charles Rodgers IV flew from Hawaii to run the race with his father, Charles Rodgers III, who manages Splish and Splash Water Park on Humphreys. The two finished with identical times of 1:32:40.

Besides ideal weather and enthusiastic observers, the runners were treated to replicas of Washington, D.C., monuments built by Jeffrey Hubbard of the USAG Humphreys Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation office. The replicas, made of Styrofoam and braced by wood supports, included the Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the capitol. The project took about two weeks, according to Hubbard.

“It was to give everybody something extra to look at during the run and to do something different,” Hubbard said. “We figured looking at a poster would be kind of boring. We wanted to give them incentive to go and see the next one. They’ll be here next year. They’re built to last.”

Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring credited volunteers with helping make the run a success.

“We had three drink tables on the trail and at the start and finish point,” he said. “We had BOSS bring in volunteers, folks standing on the road, and people handing out numbers and pace chips before the race.” The computerized chips, attached to the runners’ shoes, started and stopped when someone crossed the start and finish lines, giving everyone an accurate 10-mile time.

For all the logistics involved in having hundreds of people run 10 miles, Herring said most of the work was done beforehand.

“The pre-registration is the most time-consuming,” he said, also mentioning coordination with Military Police, road closures, medical considerations, and taxi and bus services being suspended. But all the work paid off in the end, Herring noted.

Prior to the run, entrants were addressed by USAG Humphreys Commander, Col. Joseph P. Moore.

“We’re here to have fun, and I hope your commanders told you that if you run this, there’s no P.T. tomorrow. Ten miles is no small task,” Moore said. “I’ve run this loop a lot at night. There’s plenty of light out there. The terrain is real friendly. There are no big hills, just a lot of open room to run.”

The top three finishers in the men’s 29 and under category were: Wbatt Reith (1:07:53); Samuel Smiths (1:09:09) and Daniel Bates (1:09:35). Following Anderson in the men’s 30-39 category were David Snow (1:12:41) and Nathan Stahl (1:18:02).

In the men’s 40-49 category, the top three finishers were Brett Bassett (1:14:49), Dan Burnett (1:17:06) and Felix Lassus (1:18:57). Leading the way in the men’s 50 and over category were Robert Nott (1:09:14), Mark Sullivan (1:09:57) and Kwon, Song-ki (1:19:23).

Following Rainville in the women’s 29 and under category were Kyle Wilson (1:22:20) and Liela Moser (1:26:01). In the women’s 30 and over category, top finishers were Sarah Stahl (1:20:45), Adam Leinen (1:27:52), and Jamila Moody (1:34:11). Taking the women’s over 40 crown was Kim, Hui-ok (1:37:06). In the women’s over 50 category, Barbara Garner (1:37:31) took first, followed by Susan Jentoft (1:43:23).

Photos courtesy U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, FMWR Marketing

Click here to view the garrison’s official Facebook fan page

Sagrada Família or Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Catalan) or Basílica de la Sagrada Familia (Spanish) or Basilica of the Holy Family, is a large still largely unfinished church building in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on Sagrada Família is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica. On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In July 1936, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt and broke their way into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí's original plans, drawings and plaster models, which led to 16 years of work to piece together the fragments of the master model. Construction resumed to intermittent progress in the 1950s. Advancements in technologies such as computer aided design and computerized numerical control (CNC) have since enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. However, some of the project's greatest challenges remain, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolizing an important Biblical figure in the New Testament. It was anticipated that the building would be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death, but this has now been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The basilica has a long history of splitting opinion among the residents of Barcelona: over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's Cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design, and the 2007 proposal to build a tunnel nearby as part of Spain's high-speed rail link to France, possibly disturbing its stability. Describing the Sagrada Família, art critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art", and Paul Goldberger describes it as "the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages". The basilica is not the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, as that title belongs to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (Barcelona Cathedral). The Basílica de la Sagrada Família was the inspiration of a bookseller, Josep Maria Bocabella, founder of Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José (Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph). After a visit to the Vatican in 1872, Bocabella returned from Italy with the intention of building a church inspired by the basilica at Loreto. The apse crypt of the church, funded by donations, was begun 19 March 1882, on the festival of St. Joseph, to the design of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, whose plan was for a Gothic revival church of a standard form. The apse crypt was completed before Villar's resignation on 18 March 1883, when Antoni Gaudí assumed responsibility for its design, which he changed radically. Gaudi began work on the church in 1883 but was not appointed Architect Director until 1884. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked: "My client is not in a hurry." When Gaudí died in 1926, the basilica was between 15 and 25 percent complete. After Gaudí's death, work continued under the direction of his main disciple Domènec Sugrañes i Gras until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Parts of the unfinished basilica and Gaudí's models and workshop were destroyed during the war by Catalan anarchists. The present design is based on reconstructed versions of the plans that were burned in a fire as well as on modern adaptations. Since 1940, the architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari and Francesc Cardoner have carried on the work. The illumination was designed by Carles Buïgas. The director until 2012 was the son of Lluís Bonet, Jordi Bonet i Armengol. He has been introducing computers into the design and construction process since the 1980s. In 2012, Barcelona-born Jordi Faulí i Oller took over as architect of the project. Mark Burry of New Zealand serves as Executive Architect and Researcher. Sculptures by J. Busquets, Etsuro Sotoo and the controversial Josep Maria Subirachs decorate the fantastical façades. The central nave vaulting was completed in 2000 and the main tasks since then have been the construction of the transept vaults and apse. As of 2006, work concentrated on the crossing and supporting structure for the main steeple of Jesus Christ as well as the southern enclosure of the central nave, which will become the Glory façade. The church shares its site with the Sagrada Família Schools building, a school originally designed by Gaudí in 1909 for the children of the construction workers. Relocated in 2002 from the eastern corner of the site to the southern corner, the building now houses an exhibition. Chief architect Jordi Faulí announced in October 2015 that construction was 70 percent complete and had entered its final phase of raising six immense steeples. The steeples and most of the church's structure are to be completed by 2026, the centennial of Gaudí's death; as of a 2017 estimate, decorative elements should be complete by 2030 or 2032. Visitor entrance fees of €15 to €20 finance the annual construction budget of €25 million. Computer-aided design technology has been used to accelerate construction of the building. Current technology allows stone to be shaped off-site by a CNC milling machine, whereas in the 20th century the stone was carved by hand. In 2008, some renowned Catalan architects advocated halting construction to respect Gaudí's original designs, which, although they were not exhaustive and were partially destroyed, have been partially reconstructed in recent years. In 2018, the stone type needed for the construction was found in a quarry in Brinscall, near Chorley, England. The main nave was covered and an organ installed in mid-2010, allowing the still-unfinished building to be used for liturgies. The church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 November 2010 in front of a congregation of 6,500 people. A further 50,000 people followed the consecration Mass from outside the basilica, where more than 100 bishops and 300 priests were on hand to distribute Holy Communion. Gaudí's original design calls for a total of eighteen spires, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. Nine spires have been built as of 2021, corresponding to four apostles at the Nativity façade and four apostles at the Passion façade and the Virgin Mary spire. According to the 2005 "Works Report" of the project's official website, drawings signed by Gaudí and recently found in the Municipal Archives, indicate that the spire of the Virgin was in fact intended by Gaudí to be shorter than those of the evangelists. The spire height will follow Gaudí's intention, which according to the report will work with the existing foundation. The Evangelists' spires will be surmounted by sculptures of their traditional symbols: a winged bull (Saint Luke), a winged man (Saint Matthew), an eagle (Saint John), and a winged lion (Saint Mark). The central spire of Jesus Christ is to be surmounted by a giant cross; its total height (172.5 meters (566 ft)) will be less than that of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, as Gaudí believed that his creation should not surpass God's. The lower spires are surmounted by communion hosts with sheaves of wheat and chalices with bunches of grapes, representing the Eucharist. Plans call for tubular bells to be placed within the spires, driven by the force of the wind, and driving sound down into the interior of the church. Gaudí performed acoustic studies to achieve the appropriate acoustic results inside the temple. However, only one bell is currently in place.

The completion of the spires will make Sagrada Família the tallest church building in the world—11 meters taller than the current record-holder, Ulm Minster, which is 161.5 meters (530 ft) at its highest point. The Church will have three grand façades: the Nativity façade to the East, the Passion façade to the West, and the Glory façade to the South (yet to be completed). The Nativity Façade was built before work was interrupted in 1935 and bears the most direct Gaudí influence. In 2010 an organ was installed in the chancel by the Blancafort Orgueners de Montserrat organ builders. The instrument has 26 stops (1,492 pipes) on two manuals and a pedalboard. To overcome the unique acoustical challenges posed by the church's architecture and vast size, several additional organs will be installed at various points within the building. These instruments will be playable separately (from their own individual consoles) and simultaneously (from a single mobile console), yielding an organ of some 8,000 pipes when completed. Together with six other Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, part of la Sagrada Família is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as testifying "to Gaudí's exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology", "having represented el Modernisme of Catalonia" and "anticipated and influenced many of the forms and techniques that were relevant to the development of modern construction in the 20th century". The inscription only includes the Crypt and the Nativity Façade.

Santa utilizes modern technology (computerized tomography) to examine his toys for possible defects prior to delivering them.

His trusty elves assist him in this endeavor.

Meanwhile, Mrs Santa makes sure her husband is well-fed.

Computerized industrial sewing machines have been a godsend for the people in charge of dressing these images.

Chivay, Peru.

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Korea hosts nighttime Army 10-miler

By W. Wayne Marlow, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – Over 300 runners from across the Korean peninsula took part in the second annual Army 10-miler Shadow Run hosted here Oct. 2.

First Lieutenant Robert Anderson of the 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion won the nighttime race, designed to mirror the Army’s annual run in Washington, D.C., in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds. First Lieutenant Sarah Rainville took the women’s crown, finishing in 1:16:44.

Anderson said he initially thought only about doing his best and having a good run. But when some entrants passed him early in the race, his focused changed.

“I was going to try and take it easy ... but then an adrenaline rush hit and I decided to pick it up,” he said.

Anderson maintained a steady pace, running the second half in just two more minutes than he did the first five miles. “I felt good the whole time,” he said. “I felt like I had some left in the tank. I started training for it last year, so I’ve been upping my mileage.”

The Camp Humphreys shadow run will be shown on a large screen during the Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 9, and Anderson plans to be there to watch it and participate in his second 10-miler of the week. “This was prep for that one,” he said.

Former United States Army Garrison Humphreys Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Kim fired the opening gun at 9 p.m. locally to coincide with the actual time the run will start in Washington D.C. Led by Kim’s replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Gray, the runners started under the Super Gym walkway, then snaked their way around the airfield twice, ending up back at Super Gym.

“It’s an absolutely great event,” Gray said. “Soldiers work hard, so when you can do something like this to build esprit de corps, it’s a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a good time.”

The crisp, cool October air helped keep the runners fresh, as did rehydration stations manned by volunteers along the route. The constant encouragement by fellow runners and cheering from the sidelines helped push the runners toward the finish.

“It’s not too cold. It’s nice running weather,” Gray said. “You can always wear something to keep you warm, and if it gets too hot, you can dress down.”

Anderson agreed that the race featured ideal conditions. “It’s great weather, no overheating,” he said. “It’s the best weather for running.”

Anderson said he has three brothers in the Army who are also all enthusiastic runners, and there was another family connection of note. Specialist Charles Rodgers IV flew from Hawaii to run the race with his father, Charles Rodgers III, who manages Splish and Splash Water Park on Humphreys. The two finished with identical times of 1:32:40.

Besides ideal weather and enthusiastic observers, the runners were treated to replicas of Washington, D.C., monuments built by Jeffrey Hubbard of the USAG Humphreys Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation office. The replicas, made of Styrofoam and braced by wood supports, included the Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the capitol. The project took about two weeks, according to Hubbard.

“It was to give everybody something extra to look at during the run and to do something different,” Hubbard said. “We figured looking at a poster would be kind of boring. We wanted to give them incentive to go and see the next one. They’ll be here next year. They’re built to last.”

Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring credited volunteers with helping make the run a success.

“We had three drink tables on the trail and at the start and finish point,” he said. “We had BOSS bring in volunteers, folks standing on the road, and people handing out numbers and pace chips before the race.” The computerized chips, attached to the runners’ shoes, started and stopped when someone crossed the start and finish lines, giving everyone an accurate 10-mile time.

For all the logistics involved in having hundreds of people run 10 miles, Herring said most of the work was done beforehand.

“The pre-registration is the most time-consuming,” he said, also mentioning coordination with Military Police, road closures, medical considerations, and taxi and bus services being suspended. But all the work paid off in the end, Herring noted.

Prior to the run, entrants were addressed by USAG Humphreys Commander, Col. Joseph P. Moore.

“We’re here to have fun, and I hope your commanders told you that if you run this, there’s no P.T. tomorrow. Ten miles is no small task,” Moore said. “I’ve run this loop a lot at night. There’s plenty of light out there. The terrain is real friendly. There are no big hills, just a lot of open room to run.”

The top three finishers in the men’s 29 and under category were: Wbatt Reith (1:07:53); Samuel Smiths (1:09:09) and Daniel Bates (1:09:35). Following Anderson in the men’s 30-39 category were David Snow (1:12:41) and Nathan Stahl (1:18:02).

In the men’s 40-49 category, the top three finishers were Brett Bassett (1:14:49), Dan Burnett (1:17:06) and Felix Lassus (1:18:57). Leading the way in the men’s 50 and over category were Robert Nott (1:09:14), Mark Sullivan (1:09:57) and Kwon, Song-ki (1:19:23).

Following Rainville in the women’s 29 and under category were Kyle Wilson (1:22:20) and Liela Moser (1:26:01). In the women’s 30 and over category, top finishers were Sarah Stahl (1:20:45), Adam Leinen (1:27:52), and Jamila Moody (1:34:11). Taking the women’s over 40 crown was Kim, Hui-ok (1:37:06). In the women’s over 50 category, Barbara Garner (1:37:31) took first, followed by Susan Jentoft (1:43:23).

Photos by Edward N. Johnson, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, PAO

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Sultan Ahmet I Camii (The Blue Mosque) İstanbul, Türkiye - © All rights reserved. (Camera: CANON FTb with 200 mm tele)

Sultan Ahmet I Camii (The Blue Mosque) photoed from Divan Yolu Caddesi, İstanbul.

Picture from BW film (nondigital), - made so it looks old (by hand), like belonging to some prior time, then scanned from photopaper, then framed and ajusted on computer.

-----

©FTJ-The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet I Camii)SH-06-2©1971-09-12_14,43,13-1648x1140.jpg

Photography shot at location in Coral Gables, FL

www.doctorordonez.com

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the US Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the Army since 1969.

The latest model, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, is primarily operated in an armed reconnaissance role in support of ground troops. The OH-58 has been exported to Austria, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. It has also been produced under license in Australia.

On 14 October 1960, the US Navy asked 25 helicopter manufacturers on behalf of the Army for proposals for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Bell Helicopter entered the competition along with 12 other manufacturers, including Hiller Aircraft and Hughes Tool Co, Aircraft Division. Bell submitted the D-250 design, which would be designated as the YHO-4. On 19 May 1961, Bell and Hiller were announced as winners of the design competition.

Bell developed the D-250 design into the Model 206 aircraft, redesignated as YOH-4A in 1962, and produced five prototype aircraft for the Army's test and evaluation phase. The first prototype flew on 8 December 1962. The YOH-4A also became known as the Ugly Duckling in comparison to the other contending aircraft. Following a flyoff of the Bell, Hughes and Fairchild-Hiller prototypes, the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was selected in May 1965.

When the YOH-4A was rejected by the Army, Bell went about solving the problem of marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped quarters for the planned three passengers in the back. The solution was a fuselage redesigned to be more sleek and aesthetic, adding 16cuft/0.45m3 of cargo space in the process. The redesigned aircraft was designated as the Model 206A, and Bell President Edwin J Ducayet named it the JetRanger denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger.

In 1967, the Army reopened the LOH competition for bids because Hughes Tool Co, Aircraft Division could not meet the contractual production demands. Bell resubmitted for the program using the Bell 206A. Fairchild-Hiller failed to resubmit their bid with the YOH-5A, which they had successfully marketed as the FH-1100. In the end, Bell underbid Hughes to win the contract and the Bell 206A was designated as the OH-58A. Following the Army's naming convention for helicopters, the OH-58A was named Kiowa in honor of the Native American tribe.

In the 1970s, the Army began evaluating the need to improve the capabilities of their scout aircraft. The OH-58A lacked the power for operations in areas that exposed the aircraft to high altitude and hot temperatures, areas where the ability to acquire targets was a critical deficiency in the tactical warfare capabilities of Army aviation.

The power shortcoming caused other issues as the Army anticipated the AH-64A's replacement of the venerable AH-1 in the Attack battalions of the Army. The Army began shopping the idea of an Aerial Scout Program to industry as a prototype exercise to stimulate the development of advanced technological capabilities for night vision and precision navigation equipment. The stated goals of the program included prototypes that would "...possess an extended target acquisition range capability by means of a long-range stabilized optical subsystem for the observer, improved position location through use of a computerized navigation system, improved survivability by reducing aural, visual, radar, and infrared signatures, and an improved flight performance capability derived from a larger engine to provide compatibility with attack helicopters."

In early March 1974, the Army created a special task force at Ft Knox to develop the system requirements for the Aerial Scout Helicopter program, and in 1975 the task force had formulated the requirements for the Advanced Scout Helicopter (ASH) program. The requirements were formulated around an aircraft capable of performing in day, night, and adverse weather and compatible with all the advanced weapons systems planned for development and fielding into the 1980s. The program was approved by the System Acquisition Review Council and the Army prepared for competitive development to begin the next year. However, as the Army tried to get the program off the ground, Congress declined to provide funding for it in the fiscal year 1977 budget and the ASH Project Manager's Office (PM-ASH) was closed on 30 September 1976.

While no development occurred during the next few years, the program survived as a requirement without funding. On 30 November 1979, the decision was made to defer development of an advanced scout helicopter in favor of pursuing modification of existing airframes in the inventory as a near term scout helicopter (NTSH) option. The development of a mast-mounted sight would be the primary focus to improve the aircraft's ability to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions while remaining hidden behind trees and terrain. Both the UH-1 and the OH-58 were evaluated as NTSH candidates, but the UH-1 was dropped from consideration due to its larger size and ease of detection. The OH-58, on the other hand demonstrated a dramatic reduction in detectability with an MMS.

On 10 July 1980, the Army decided that the NTSH would be a competitive modification program based on developments in the commercial helicopter industry, particularly Hughes Helicopters development of the Hughes 500D which provided significant improvements over the OH-6.

The Army's decision to acquire the NTSH resulted in the "Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP)". Both Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopters redesigned their scout aircraft to compete for the contract. Bell offered a more robust version of the OH-58 in their model 406 aircraft, and Hughes offered an upgraded version of the OH-6. On 21 September 1981, Bell Helicopter Textron was awarded a development contract. The first prototype flew on 6 October 1983, and the aircraft entered service in 1985 as the OH-58D.

Initially intended to be used in attack, cavalry and artillery roles, the Army only approved a low initial production level and confined the role of the OH-58D to field artillery observation. The Army also directed that a follow-on test be conducted to further evaluate the aircraft due to perceived deficiencies. On 1 April 1986, the Army formed a task force at Ft Rucker, AL, to remedy deficiencies in the AHIP. As a result of those deliberations, the Army had planned to discontinue the OH-58D in 1988 and focus on the LHX, but Congress approved $138 million for expanding the program, calling for the AHIP to operate with the Apache as a hunter/killer team; the AHIP would locate the targets, and the Apache would destroy them in a throwback to the traditional OH-58/AH-1 relationship.

The Secretary of the Army directed instead that the aircraft's armament systems be upgraded, based on experience with Task Force 118's performance operating armed OH-58D helicopters in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Prime Chance, and that the aircraft be used primarily for scouting and armed reconnaissance. The armed aircraft would be known as the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, denoting its new armed configuration. Beginning with the production of the 202nd aircraft in May 1991, all remaining OH-58D aircraft were produced in the Kiowa Warrior configuration. In January 1992, Bell Helicopter received its first retrofit contract to convert all remaining OH-58D Kiowa helicopters to the Kiowa Warrior configuration.

The OH-58D introduced the most distinctive feature of the Kiowa family — the Mast Mounted Sight (MMS), which resembles a beach ball perched above the rotor system. The MMS by Ball Aerospace & Technologies has a gyro-stabilized platform containing a TeleVision System (TVS), a Thermal Imaging System (TIS), and a Laser Range Finder/Designator (LRF/D). These new features gave the aircraft the additional mission capability of target acquisition and laser designation in both day or night, and in limited-visibility and adverse weather.

One distinctive feature of operational OH-58s are the knife-like extensions above and below the cockpit which is part of the passive Wire Strike Protection System. It can protect 90% of the frontal area of the helicopter from wire strikes that can be encountered at low altitudes by directing wires to the upper or lower blades before they can entangle the rotor blade or landing skids. The OH-58 was the first helicopter to test this system, after which the system was adopted by the Army for the OH-58 and most of their other helicopters.

Maj Gen John Norton, commanding general of the Army Aviation Materiel Command (AMCOM), received the first OH-58A Kiowa at a ceremony at Bell Helicopter's Ft Worth plant in May 1969. Two months later, on 17 August 1969, the first production OH-58A Kiowa helicopters were arriving in Vietnam, accompanied by a New Equipment Training Team (NETT) from the Army and Bell Helicopters. Although the Kiowa production contract replaced the LOH contract with Hughes, the OH-58A did not automatically replace the OH-6A in operation. Subsequently, the Kiowa and the Cayuse would continue operating in the same theater until the end of the war.

On 27 March 1970, an OH-58A Kiowa was shot down over Vietnam, one of the first OH-58A losses of the war. The pilot, Warrant Officer Ralph Quick, Jr, was flying Lt Col Joseph Benoski, Jr as an artillery spotter. After completing a battle damage assessment for a previous fire mission, the aircraft was damaged by 51-cal/13mm machine gun fire and crashed, killing both crew members. Approximately 45 OH-58A helicopters were destroyed in Vietnam due to combat and accidents. One of the last combat losses was of an OH-58A from A Troop, 3-17th Cavalry, flown by 1st Lt Thomas Knuckey. On 27 May 1971, Lt Knuckey was also flying a battle damage assessment mission when his aircraft came under machine gun fire and exploded. Knuckey and his observer, Sgt Philip Taylor, both died in the explosion.

In early 1988, it was decided that armed OH-58D (AHIP) helicopters from the 118th Aviation Task Force would be phased in to replace the SEABAT (AH-6/MH-6) teams of Task Force 160th to carry out Operation Prime Chance, the escort of oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War. On 24 February 1988, two AHIP helicopters reported to the Mobile Sea Base Wimbrown VII, and the helicopter team ("SEABAT" team after their callsign) stationed on the barge returned to the US. For the next few months, the AHIP helicopters on the Wimbrown VII shared patrol duties with the SEABAT team on the Hercules. Coordination was difficult, but despite frequent requests from TF-160, the SEABAT team on the Hercules was not replaced by an AHIP detachment until June 1988. The OH-58D helicopter crews involved in the operation received deck landing and underwater survival training from the Navy.

In November 1988, the number of OH-58D helicopters that supported Task Force 118 was reduced. However, the aircraft continued to operate from the Navy's Mobile Sea Base Hercules, the frigate Underwood, and the destroyer Conolly. OH-58D operations primarily entailed reconnaissance flights at night, and depending on maintenance requirements and ship scheduling, Army helicopters usually rotated from the mobile sea base and other combatant ships to a land base every seven to fourteen days. On 18 September 1989, an OH-58D crashed during night gunnery practice and sank, but with no loss of personnel. When the Mobile Sea Base Hercules was deactivated in September 1989, all but five OH-58D helicopters redeployed to the continental US.

In 1989, Congress mandated that the Army National Guard would be a player in the country's War on Drugs, enabling them to aid federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with "special congressional entitlements". In response, the Army National Guard Bureau created the Reconnaissance and Aerial Interdiction Detachments (RAID) in 1992, consisting of aviation units in 31 states with 76 specially modified OH-58A helicopters to assume the reconnaissance/interdiction role in the fight against illegal drugs. During 1994, 24 states conducted more than 1,200 aerial counterdrug reconnaissance and interdiction missions, conducting many of these missions at night. Eventually, the program was expanded to cover 32 states and consisting of 116 aircraft, including dedicated training aircraft at the Western Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS) in Marana, AZ.

The RAID program’s mission has now been expanded to include the war against terrorism and supporting US Border Patrol activities in support of homeland defense. The National Guard RAID units' Area of Operation (AO) is the only one in the Department of Defense that is wholly contained within the borders of the United States.

During Operation Just Cause in 1989, a team consisting of an OH-58 and an AH-1 were part of the Aviation Task Force during the securing of Ft Amador in Panama. The OH-58 was fired upon by Panama Defense Force soldiers and crashed 100yds/91m away, in the Bay of Panama. The pilot was rescued but the co-pilot died.

On 17 December 1994, Army Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) David Hilemon and Bobby Hall left Camp Page, South Korea, on a routine training mission along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Their flight was intended to be to a point known as Checkpoint 84, south of the DMZ "no-fly zone", but the OH-58C Kiowa strayed nearly 4mi/6.4km into the Kangwon Province, inside North Korean airspace, due to errors in navigating the snow-covered, rugged terrain. The helicopter was shot down by North Korean troops and CWO Hilemon was killed. CWO Hall was held captive and the North Korean government insisted that the crew had been spying. Five days of negotiations resulted in the North Koreans turning over Hilemon's body to US authorities. The negotiations failed to secure Hall's immediate release. After 13 days in captivity, Hall was freed on 30 December, uninjured.

The Army has employed the OH-58D during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Due to combat and accidents, over 35 airframes have been lost, with 35 pilots killed.

The age of the helicopters and the loss of airframes resulted in the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program to procure a new aircraft, the Bell ARH-70, which was later canceled in 2008 due to cost overruns.

www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WME25E_Bell_OH_58A_Kiowa_Pima...

The UP manifest on the right is actually coming at you, running long nose forward with 3 engines of light power. But, the crashed computerized signal system at the diamond isn't letting it through to Global 3. So, the conductor of the light power lets a "Z" train through first (with the DPU on the left), then flags the light power on the right to come through. Shot at the Rochelle, IL Railroad Park.

The battery-powered LRV was specially designed to meet the demands of extended lunar exploration and featured computerized navigation, a portable television system capable of sending color images back to Earth via satellite, the ability to carry almost four times its weight, and special wire-mesh wheels capable of navigating the difficult lunar surface. Additionally, special materials provided the LRV protection from lunar temperatures ranging from -200°F to over 200°F. It proved to be a robust vehicle and greatly expanded the possible zone of exploration from each landing site.

The Museum's LRV was built by Boeing as an engineering mock-up, used for form/fit checkout and astronaut demonstrations. It was donated by the Friends for Long Island's Heritage in 1991.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Analog 8 step sequencer, home-made, based on Velleman kit mk107 as described by MirlitronOne. Housing is a Tandy-12 Computerized Arcade. Works like a dream on my Dark Energy. The LED's are underneath the pots.

From the first roll of film run thru my "new" Canon A-1. Pretty nice camera. More features than the AE1 or AE1 Program. Internal light meter seems to be accurate. I think I am going to like shooting more with this camera.

This is taken along side one of the buildings of the Carrom Company in Ludington. I am not sure if it is technically called Carrom Company or Merdel Manufacturing, but they are the makers of the Carrom game boards. Anybody remember these? I had one as a kid, and I purchased one from right here in Ludington at the plant for my daughter a few years ago. In this day of everything being computerized, it is nice to plan an old fashioned game with no electronics at all.

Taken 12/20/2014 in Ludington Michigan

Canon A-1

Agfa Vista 400 (expired 2006, metered at 200)

Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens

f/8

1/60

Negative scanned with Epson V500

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Case History:

A 21 year old woman presented with a 3 x 2 cm swelling in the right forearm for one year.

The swelling was painful for two weeks. She gave a history of one episode of generalized tonic clonic seizure, six months ago with loss of consciousness in the post-ictal period.

Physical findings and complete hemogram were unremarkable. Biochemical parameters including blood sugar, serum urea and creatinine were normal. ESR was mildly elevated and was 32 mm/hour.

Excision of the forearm swelling was performed.

Discussion:

Histopathology revealed a parasite with irregularly-shaped membranous foldings and scolices representing Cysticercus larva in subcutaneous tissue.

Subsequently, Computerized Tomography (C.T.) imaging revealed a small hyperdense lesion in the right frontal lobe surrounded by perilesional edema. Post contrast image revealed irregular enhancement. C.T. features were suggestive of neurocysticercosis.

Cysticercosis (tapeworm infection) is the most common parasitic disease worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 50 million affected people (Surg Neurol 2005;63:123). It is endemic in Mexico, Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and India (Infect Dis Clin North Am 2000;14:97).

The larval stage of Taenia solium (pig tapeworm) is Cysticercus cellulosae. It enters the human body by ingestion of food or water contaminated with eggs of Taenia solium, through endogenous autoinfection and also by reverse peristalsis. Del Brutto has proposed a diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis of which our case has one absolute criterion and one major criterion (J Neurol Sci 1996;142:1).

Cysticercosis affects subcutaneous tissue, muscles, eyes and the brain. Subcutaneous tissue and muscular involvement usually comes to focus when pain develops in the affected area. Cigar shaped calcification in soft tissue is seen in radiological studies. Ocular cysticercosis occurs in the conjunctiva, vitreous and in the subretinal space, the latter leading to retinal detachment. Fundoscopic examination may show freely floating cysticerci in the vitreous and anterior chamber. Ophthalmic examination in our patient was normal.

Neurocysticercosis is considered as one of the leading causes of adult onset seizures worldwide. Parenchymal neurocysticercosis affects the brain parenchyma while extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis has parasites in the ventricles, cisterns, subarachnoid space or in the spinal cord. Convulsions, meningitis and intracranial hypertension occur due to neurocysticercosis. Intracranial herniations, stroke and status epilepticus are complications due to neurocysticercosis.

Approximately half of the patients with cysticercosis present with subcutaneous nodules (Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (2012), 8th ed). However, the

association of neural and subcutaneous cysticercosis is rare (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008;74:385).

The case is discussed to emphasize the importance of neurologic and ophthalmic examination in patients with subcutaneous cysticercosis. The patient recovered by treatment with Praziquantel and steroids in tapering doses.

Contributed by: Dr. Thiriveni Balajji and Dr. M. Kavitha, Coimbatore Medical College (India)

See topic here.

Times Square NYC New Years Eve Midnight Ball Drop - New Years Day Celebration New York City USA 2021 - 2022

#TimesSquareNYC #NewYearsRockinEve #RockinEve #Hello2022 #NYC

The Times Square Ball is a time ball located atop the One Times Square building in New York City, primarily utilized as part of New Year's Eve celebrations held in Times Square. Yearly at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, the ball is lowered 77 feet (23 m) down a specially designed flagpole, resting on the midnight to signal the start of the new year. The first ball drop in Times Square took place on December 31, 1907, and has been held annually since (except in 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts). The ball's design has also been updated over the years to reflect new advances in technologies—its original design utilized 100 incandescent light bulbs, iron, and wood in its construction, while its current incarnation features a computerized LED lighting system and an outer surface consisting of triangle-shaped crystal panels. As of 2009, the ball is also displayed atop One Times Square year-round and is removed only for general maintenance.

The Ball is covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles

Gift of Wisdom; Revealed as the 2022 Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball theme

The Times Square ball drop is one of the best-known New Year's celebrations internationally, attended by at least one million spectators yearly, with an estimated global audience of at least 1 billion. The prevalence of the Times Square ball drop has also inspired other similar ball drops held locally in other cities and towns around the world.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest

Performers 2021 - 2022

Starting at 6:00pm

Jonathan Bennett

Sino-American Friendship Association (“SAFA”)

ABC’s Planet Fitness Dance Performance with Liza Koshy

USO Show Troupe

Jeremy Hassell

KT Tunstall performs her hit songs Black Horse and The Cherry Tree

Ja Rule and Ashanti

ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Journey

KT Tunstall performs John Lennon’s Imagine

Karol G ( Carolina Giraldo Navarro Medellín Colombia )

DON OMAR WITH NIO GARCIA - Los Angeles

DADDY YANKEE - Puerto Rico

At the base of the One Times Square Building is a Walgreens store with a monitor stating Happy New Year 2022 Walgreens facing the MTA Subway exit -

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc is listed on the NASDAQ as WBA - The NASDAQ is also located in Times Square NYC.

The closest Metropolitan Transportation Authority MTA Subway is Times Square – 42nd Street New York City Subway station - N R Q S 1 2 3 7 trains and A C E trains at 8th Avenue

The Chinese Lunar calendar follows a 12 year cycle and each of the 12 years is represented by 12 Animals which form the Chinese Zodiac. The 12 animals, are: Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, and the Pig.

2019 Pig

2020 Rat

2021 Ox

2022 Tiger

2023 Rabbit

2024 Dragon

2025 Snake

2026 Horse

2027 Sheep

2028 Monkey

2029 Rooster

2030 Dog

Hashtag metadata:

#HappyNewYear #HappyNewYears #FelizAñoNuevo #FelizAnoNuevo #Feliz #AñoNuevo #AnoNuevo #TimesSquare #TimesSquareNYE #TimesSquareNY #TimesSquareNewYorkCity #TimesSquareNewYork #TSNYC #TSNYE #NY #NewYork #NewYorkCity #NewYearsEve #NYE #US #USA #Happy #NewYear #NewYears #December #Party #Celebration #Holiday #DickClark #RyanSeacrest #DickClarksNewYearsRockinEve #ABCTV #FortySecondStreet #2021 #2022

Photo

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphone photo

Photos

Times Square, New York City, USA The United States of America, North America

12/31/2021 - 01/01/2022

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Humphreys hosts Army 10-miler shadow run

By W. Wayne Marlow, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – Over 300 runners from across the Korean peninsula took part in the second annual Army 10-miler Shadow Run hosted here Oct. 2.

First Lieutenant Robert Anderson of the 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion won the nighttime race, designed to mirror the Army’s annual run in Washington, D.C., in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds. First Lieutenant Sarah Rainville took the women’s crown, finishing in 1:16:44.

Anderson said he initially thought only about doing his best and having a good run. But when some entrants passed him early in the race, his focused changed.

“I was going to try and take it easy ... but then an adrenaline rush hit and I decided to pick it up,” he said.

Anderson maintained a steady pace, running the second half in just two more minutes than he did the first five miles. “I felt good the whole time,” he said. “I felt like I had some left in the tank. I started training for it last year, so I’ve been upping my mileage.”

The Camp Humphreys shadow run will be shown on a large screen during the Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 9, and Anderson plans to be there to watch it and participate in his second 10-miler of the week. “This was prep for that one,” he said.

Former United States Army Garrison Humphreys Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Kim fired the opening gun at 9 p.m. locally to coincide with the actual time the run will start in Washington D.C. Led by Kim’s replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Gray, the runners started under the Super Gym walkway, then snaked their way around the airfield twice, ending up back at Super Gym.

“It’s an absolutely great event,” Gray said. “Soldiers work hard, so when you can do something like this to build esprit de corps, it’s a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a good time.”

The crisp, cool October air helped keep the runners fresh, as did rehydration stations manned by volunteers along the route. The constant encouragement by fellow runners and cheering from the sidelines helped push the runners toward the finish.

“It’s not too cold. It’s nice running weather,” Gray said. “You can always wear something to keep you warm, and if it gets too hot, you can dress down.”

Anderson agreed that the race featured ideal conditions. “It’s great weather, no overheating,” he said. “It’s the best weather for running.”

Anderson said he has three brothers in the Army who are also all enthusiastic runners, and there was another family connection of note. Specialist Charles Rodgers IV flew from Hawaii to run the race with his father, Charles Rodgers III, who manages Splish and Splash Water Park on Humphreys. The two finished with identical times of 1:32:40.

Besides ideal weather and enthusiastic observers, the runners were treated to replicas of Washington, D.C., monuments built by Jeffrey Hubbard of the USAG Humphreys Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation office. The replicas, made of Styrofoam and braced by wood supports, included the Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, and the capitol. The project took about two weeks, according to Hubbard.

“It was to give everybody something extra to look at during the run and to do something different,” Hubbard said. “We figured looking at a poster would be kind of boring. We wanted to give them incentive to go and see the next one. They’ll be here next year. They’re built to last.”

Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring credited volunteers with helping make the run a success.

“We had three drink tables on the trail and at the start and finish point,” he said. “We had BOSS bring in volunteers, folks standing on the road, and people handing out numbers and pace chips before the race.” The computerized chips, attached to the runners’ shoes, started and stopped when someone crossed the start and finish lines, giving everyone an accurate 10-mile time.

For all the logistics involved in having hundreds of people run 10 miles, Herring said most of the work was done beforehand.

“The pre-registration is the most time-consuming,” he said, also mentioning coordination with Military Police, road closures, medical considerations, and taxi and bus services being suspended. But all the work paid off in the end, Herring noted.

Prior to the run, entrants were addressed by USAG Humphreys Commander, Col. Joseph P. Moore.

“We’re here to have fun, and I hope your commanders told you that if you run this, there’s no P.T. tomorrow. Ten miles is no small task,” Moore said. “I’ve run this loop a lot at night. There’s plenty of light out there. The terrain is real friendly. There are no big hills, just a lot of open room to run.”

The top three finishers in the men’s 29 and under category were: Wbatt Reith (1:07:53); Samuel Smiths (1:09:09) and Daniel Bates (1:09:35). Following Anderson in the men’s 30-39 category were David Snow (1:12:41) and Nathan Stahl (1:18:02).

In the men’s 40-49 category, the top three finishers were Brett Bassett (1:14:49), Dan Burnett (1:17:06) and Felix Lassus (1:18:57). Leading the way in the men’s 50 and over category were Robert Nott (1:09:14), Mark Sullivan (1:09:57) and Kwon, Song-ki (1:19:23).

Following Rainville in the women’s 29 and under category were Kyle Wilson (1:22:20) and Liela Moser (1:26:01). In the women’s 30 and over category, top finishers were Sarah Stahl (1:20:45), Adam Leinen (1:27:52), and Jamila Moody (1:34:11). Taking the women’s over 40 crown was Kim, Hui-ok (1:37:06). In the women’s over 50 category, Barbara Garner (1:37:31) took first, followed by Susan Jentoft (1:43:23).

Photos courtesy U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, FMWR Marketing

Click here to view the garrison’s official Facebook fan page

As with all GM full-size lines, the De Ville was redesigned for 1971. The new GM full-size bodies, at 64.3 inches front shoulder room (62.1 inches on Cadillac) and 63.4 inches rear shoulder room (64.0 inches on Cadillac) set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel-drive models of the early to mid-1990s. Pairs of individually housed squarish headlamps were set wider apart. The V-shaped grille had an eggcrate style insert and was protected by massive vertical guards framing a rectangular license plate indentation. A wide hood with full-length windsplints, a prominent center crease and hidden windshield wipers was seen. A Cadillac crest decorated the nose and new indicator lamps appeared atop each front fender. A horizontal beltline molding ran from behind the front wheel housing, almost to the rear stopping where an elliptical bulge in the body came to a point and where thin rectangular side markers were placed above and below the chrome strip. The rear wheel openings were again housed in fender skirts. Tail lamps were of the same type as before but were no longer divided by a chrome bar. Long horizontal back-up lamps were set in the bumper, on either side of a deeply recessed license plate housing. De Villes were set apart visually by thin bright metal rocker panel steps and signature script on the front fenders bearing the series name. The bottoms of the rear fenders were decorated with a bright metal beauty panel that was wider than the rocker panel strips and blended into the molding running along the bottom of the fender skirt. The standard engine remained the 472, still rated at 375 SAE gross horsepower and 365 lb·ft (495 N·m) of torque.

In November 1971, a showroom-stock 1971 Coupe de Ville placed third in the annual coast-to-coast Cannonball Run, posting the highest average speed of the event, 84.6 mph (136.2 km/h) (excluding stops) and averaging 8.9 mpg-US (26 L/100 km; 10.7 mpg-imp).

In 1972 a modest frontal revision placed more emphasis on horizontal grille blades. The parking lamps were moved from the bumper to between the square bezeled headlamps, which were now set wider apart. V-shaped emblems made a return on hood and deck lid. New standard features included a bumper impact system, automatic parking brake release, passenger assist straps and flow through ventilation system. New De Ville signature script was affixed to the sides of the rear roof panels. Sales reached a record 194,811.

New energy absorbing bumpers were seen on all GM cars in 1973 and it brought styling refinements to De Ville. Grilles were widened and had an intricate eggcrate design. Larger vertical rectangles housed the parking lamps between wide spaced headlamps which had square bezels but round lenses. Bumpers ran fully across the front and wrapped around each end. Vertical guards were spaced much further apart at a point outboard of the grille. The rear end had a bumper with a flatter upper section housing an angled license plate recess. Border outline moldings vertically "veed" paralleled the fender edge shape at the rear bodysides. Single horizontally mounted rectangular rear side marker lamps were placed over and under the rear tip of the thin beltline trim. Cadillac script was seen on the front fender sides below the belt molding behind the wheel opening. This was the final year for hardtop Coupe de Villes, an irony since it was their introduction of the hardtop that made them such a sensation in 1949. Sales set a new record at 216,243.

In 1974 a wide eggcrate grille was used. Dual round headlamps were mounted close together in square bezels. Further outboard were double deck wraparound parking lamps. Shorter vertical grille guards appeared in about the same position as before. Rear fendersides were flatter without the elliptical bulge. The thin beltline molding was positioned lower by several inches. The rear end had vertical bumper ends with the tail light built in. Both bumpers, especially the rear, protruded further from the body. Coupe de Villes were no longer hardtops, instead sporting large wide "coach" windows giving a thick center pillar look. A new curved instrument panel housed a digital clock. New standard features included an integral litter container. A Space Saver spare tire was standard when De Villes were ordered with optional white sidewall steel belted radial tires.

1974 also saw the introduction of the optional "Air Cushion Restraint System". Known today as airbags, this option provided protection for front seat occupants in the case of a frontal collision. One bag was located in the steering wheel, the other in the dashboard in front of the front seat passenger. The glove box was replaced with a lockable storage compartment under the dashboard. The option was unpopular and was discontinued after the 1976 model year.

A new option package was a fully padded Cabriolet roof treatment. It incorporated a landau-style top with bright metal forward divider strip. Another new option package was the d'Elegance package. Similar to the Sixty Special Brougham's package of the same name, it featured velour upholstery, Deluxe padded doors, front seatback storage pockets, deep pile carpeting, floor mats, see-through standup hood ornament and vinyl tape accent stripes. The "d'Elegance" name remained with the de Ville series as a package through 1984. In 1997 it became a separate model designation for the sedan.

Styling changes for 1975 brought dual rectangular headlamp lenses flanked by rectangular cornering lights wrapped around the body. A new cross hatched grille also appeared. Sedan de Villes now featured slim triangular quarter windows that mimicked the coach windows that appeared on Coupe de Villes the previous year. New standard equipment included front fender lamp monitors, power door locks, high energy ignition, steel-belted radial tires. The 210 hp 500 V8 replaced the 472 as the standard engine. Electronic fuel injection became optional in March 1975. Another option was the Astroroof with sliding sunshade that permitted use as an electrically operated sunroof or a transparent closed skylight. An ordinary sunroof panel was also available.

In 1976 the grille saw a new and finer crosshatching pattern. Cornering lamps got new horizontal chrome trim while tail lamps gained a new bold look. Eight different color accent stripes were available. Vinyl tops were now integral padded Elk grain material. New trims included sporty plaids, plush velours, knits and 11 distinctive genuine leathers. Coupe de Villes had a new vinyl roof whose top molding served as a continuation of the door "belt" molding. A Controlled (limited-slip) Differential was included for extra traction. An optional illuminated entry and theft deterrence system was optional. A new Freedom battery never needed water. New turbine veined and wire wheel covers were offered. A new option locked the doors when the transmission lever was shifted to "Drive". Cadillac also offered Track Master, a computerized skid prevention system that automatically pumped the back brakes in an emergency to shorten stopping distance. New options included a push-button Weather Band built into the AM/FM stereo signal-seeking radio, loose pillow style seats for d'Elegance packages, plus power passenger and manual driver seatback recliners for 50/50 front seats. Of the 15 standard and six optional Firemist body colors, 13 were new this year. New standard features included map light, Soft-Ray tinted glass, spare tire cover, washer fluid level indicator, and steel belted radial whitewall tires.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Alcazar Cabaret Show in Pattaya City has all the allure and razzmatazz of a Las Vegas nightclub. Dazzling performances by artists in glittering evening gowns thrill nightly audiences, as well-groomed ladies mime and dance against a backdrop of surround-sound and computerized lighting. The unique feature of Alcazar's entertainment, that sets it aside from Las Vegas, is that all the girls are boys! Yes, they all are ladyboys! Transvestites!

Today in Brazil, there was a national referendum on whether or not guns should be prohibited.

O comércio de armas de fogo e munição deve ser proibido no Brasil?

Our voting machines are computerized.

1 is for not prohibiting guns.

2 is for prohibiting guns.

This is a controversial topic in a country with such high rates of homicide (I think the highest in the world), murders, and social problems.

I view both sides but personally I want my right to own a gun for self-defense on the farm if I choose.

Note: My aunt actually wrote 2 on her hand incase she forgot which button to press, which I found hilarious. That´s probably the main reason for inspiring this picture!

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman had its grand opening on January 6, 2006. Tony Bennet and Sheryl Crow provided the entertainment. Prominent at the ribbon cutting, holding scissors and standing side by side, were Mike Ryan the brash young Canadian born developer and Alfred Schwan. Who is Alfred Schwan? Schwan was a director for the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation and Marvin's brother. In 1992, Marvin M. Schwan created the charitable trust foundation, funded with nearly $1 billion, to benefit organizations associated with the Lutheran Church. At the time of his death, he lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was one of the wealthiest men in America. Forbes magazine rated Marvin M. Schwan the 70th richest American in 1992.

Privately owned Schwan’s, based in Marshal, Minnesota, is a sizable producer, wholesaler, and retailer of food products employing about 16,500 people. It operates an estimated 2,300 computerized vans that deliver frozen food, including meat, vegetables and juices, to customers’ homes. The yellow vehicles, bearing a swan logo, have been described as traveling 7-Elevens. Schwan also expanded into the nation’s leading supplier of frozen pizza to school cafeterias and grocery stores under the Tony’s, Better Baked and Red Baron brands. Marvin Schwan died suddenly in 1993 at the age of 64. Alfred P. Schwan died in 2011 age 86.

Developer of the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Michael Ryan, formed a company IRR Limited that was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on April, 21 1998, to develop the project. According to a 2009 US tax return The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation loaned IRR Limited $210,828,153 with an owing balance of $202,218,186. The tax return says that IRR Limited were not in default as of 2009.

Critics question how Mike Ryan was able to pull off getting The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman built. Ryan claims he was just a young, 31-year-old guy “trying to make something happen”. He got a call from the regional head of development for the Ritz-Carlton. “He… said ‘we want to be in Cayman and we can’t make it work. Would you come and put a project together and we’ll give you the brand and we’ll invest money’. That’s how it started, in 1997,” he says.

Ryan's idea was to create the best Ritz-Carlton in the world. He got Greg Norman to design Blue Tip (nine hole) golf course and La Prairie to establish a spa at The Ritz-Carlton. Ryan also targeted Chef Eric Ripert who created Le Bernardin, the New York City restaurant known as the Temple of Seafood. Ripert's Ritz Carlton restaurant is known as Blue - now entering its 12th year. Getting Ripert on board was a major coup for Ryan.

In 2012 Ryan said the hotel was paying about $100,000 per month to keep North Sound Club Golf Course open. He said the hotel is paying $150 per night per room for electricity. He says the current business model is simply unsustainable.

While the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman proved to be a successful hotel, the companies created by its developer, Michael Ryan, to construct and later manage the property were placed into receivership in 2012 over an unpaid $250 million loan. The hotel was then sold by the receivers at a public auction in November 2012 to Connecticut based Five Mile Capital Partners for just $177.5 million. It was the largest real estate auction in the history of the Cayman Islands. The $210 million invested by Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation was unsecured and was a total loss following the auction.

Cayman-based Dart Real Estate purchased the 375-room Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from Five Mile Capital Partners, LLC. in October, 2017. Kenneth Dart’s Dart Real Estate is the most important real estate firm in the Cayman Islands, best known for its flagship Camana Bay mixed-use development and the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and accompanying residences. The long-term management agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company remains in place.

Compiled by Dick Johnson

February 2018

Collection Name: MS482 Miscellaneous Missouri Photograph Collection

Description: Computerized illustration of the pattern of the "Show Me" Tartan, Missouri's official state tartan. Design by Kenneth Slayor. Visit the Secretary of State's State Symbol website for more information on the State Tartan.

Photographer/Studio: Kenneth Slayor, Chilhowee, MO

Coverage: United States - Missouri

Date: c2019

Rights: permission granted

Credit: Courtesy of Missouri State Archives

Image Number: MS482_Digital011.tif

Institution: Missouri State Archives

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

A CRA Networks generated by Crawdad Text Analysis System 2.0. This text network represents all of the news articles released by Reuters (around 25) during the second hour of 9-11. Note this is being discussed now as a "terrorist attack", and the early mention of "bin laden" and "palestinian".

An electrician inspects a new signal panel installed on the 7 Line Extension, which extended subway service from Times Square to 34th Street Hudson Yards along Eleventh Avenue in New York City.

Judges’ Comments: Focus is key to the safety-critical and often-unseen work of the signal maintainer, where a misplaced wire could lead to disaster. In this exceptional portrait equal focus is balanced between the technician at work and the miles of wire and relays that are carefully tagged and threaded through racks. The stark cleanliness of this image highlights today’s intercity rail systems' use of computerized signal technology in an almost lab-like setting that was once conveyed by wires, poles, and telegraphs.

Read more about the 2023 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards: railphoto-art.org/awards-2023/

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Moveable full-color LCD screen (122 x 91 mm)

Automatic / programmable thread cutter (scissors button)

Start / stop button

Up / down needle key

Adjustable speed control

Needle threader

8 white LED lamps illuminate entire sewing area

Computerized thread tension control

Drop feed dog

External memory device : ATA card / USB memory key

Multi-voltage

Independent bobbin-winding motor

Multilingual interface - 10 languages

Upper & bobbin thread sensor

Hard cover with storage box

QUILTING FEATURES

Advanced Quilting system:

Advanced Quilting Guide

Advanced Quilting Hoop (140x200mm)

24 Advanced Quilting Designs and Patterns

Advanced Quilting Calculator

Advanced Quilting Print Tool

Advanced Quilting Template

Automatic stippling stitches for the Advance Quilting Hoop

Ergonomic adjustable knee-lifter

Built-in "hand-look" stitches

EMBROIDERY FEATURES

170 embroidery designs including 48 exclusive quilting designs

10 alphabets and two- and three-letter monograms

Lettering - upper & lower case

Programmable thread-cutter for skipped stitches

Automatic needle return after thread break

Maximum embroidery size : 200 x 280 mm

Embroidery format : .JEF & .JEF+

File storage: built-in 3MB memory, ATA card, USB memory stick, CD-Rom and PC connection

Instantly adjustable embroidery speed, from 60 to 800 spm

SEWING FEATURES

347 built-in stitches, including 38 exclusive to Elna

13 buttonholes

4 alphabets available in upper and lower case

Maximum stitch length : 5 mm

Maximum stitch width : 7 mm

Satin stitch elongation

Memory cancellation and recall

Folder system : built-in, ATA card, USB

Twin needle key

ACCESSORIES

Hoops:

3 standard hoops included (200 x 200 mm / 140 x 200 mm / 126 x 110 mm)

3 optional hoops (200 x 280 mm / 140 x 200 mm / 50 x 50 mm)

"Clothsetter" table

PC Digitizer EX software

untuk keterangan hub

021 991013939

081686526093

CATATAN :

- Kondisi mesin jahit / mesin obras adalah baru.

- Bergaransi.

- Bebas ongkos kirim hanya DALAM kota Jakarta, tidak termasuk Bekasi, Depok dan Tanggerang.

- Ongkos kirim luar kota Jakarta sesuai tarif resmi Jasa Pengiriman Tiki paket reguler.

- Harga dapat berubah sewaktu-waktu.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Here is my latest marble machine. It is called Mr. Marbles because the bowtie reminds me of Mr. Peanut. This machine is made from Maple, Cherry, and Zebrawood for the bowtie, however each one I make will have a different species of wood for the bowtie to give them each a bit of uniqueness. Every part has been made by hand, no cnc milling or computerized design was used.

Here is the youtube video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBG3hctA3P8&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

Joint Forces Training Base home to energy-efficient headquarters

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 79th Sustainment Support Command will soon have a new headquarters, organizational maintenance area and acres of parking at the Joint Forces Training Base here. The work is all part of a nearly $25 million project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.

Andy Stevens of Retrofit Services Company from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was onsite Sept. 12 putting the finishing touches on the computerized building management system that will control the state-of-the-art energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the headquarters building. The system uses multiple condensers and is nearly 30 percent more efficient than systems of just five years ago.

"This one [building zone] is calling for one stage cool, fans on, temperature is 72 [degrees] in the zone and the set point is 72, so it's doing just fine," said Stevens. "You can change your occupancy status at any time, emergency override it, shut it down and we do have the chemical alert push-buttons that will close all dampers inside and out."

The alert buttons are located throughout the facility and once activated because of an attack or a release of hazardous chemicals, no air is allowed in or out of the building to protect the occupants, according to Maj. Phillip Oster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Santa Ana Resident Office deputy who oversees the project.

To reduce construction costs and increase future savings, the project is using eco-friendly features, like re-cycled material, and in the case of the covered parking lots, they will generate energy with a photovoltaic system. The contract partner's quality assurance manager for the project explained the feature.

"At peak, they produce 375 KVA [kilovolt-amps]," said Edward Desmond, Cox Construction of Vista, Calif. "In theory, it's enough power to offset the footprint of the Army Reserve Center building."

While not designated a net-zero facility, the extensive use of energy efficient materials during construction will enable the photovoltaic system to actually return power to the Los Alamitos grid, off-setting the operating costs of other buildings on the base, according to Desmond.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the use of "low flush" urinals in government facilities. This project takes it a step further with water-free urinals. The USACE Engineer Research and Development Center estimates that they pay for themselves in six-months to three years and the cost savings don't end there. All new Army construction is designed to satisfy the Silver-level standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council guidance.

According Oster, the project is in the "punch list" stage with safety officials, contractors and District project delivery teams making final inspections before furniture is installed and the customer takes possession of the ARC in October.

Freedom Golf Association’s First Annual “Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk” succeeds in showing how adaptive golf is aiding vets’ road to recovery

The enthusiasm and good will were palpable at McDonald’s corporate campus in Oak Brook, Illinois on Sunday, October 29 as the Freedom Golf Association’s (FGA) First Annual “Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk” succeeded in drawing attention to the fact that adaptive golf is clearly helping wounded vets return to normality after their military service. The more than 100 participants conquered the 5K course to show their support for the programs of the Freedom Golf Association, which is leading the way In Illinois in bringing the joy of golf to persons with physical, emotional and developmental needs.

“The 5K Run/Walk was a terrific way to honor Veterans who have been wounded in their service to the country and to acknowledge Illinois’ wounded vets, a growing number of whom have taken up golf to enjoy its many physical, emotional and social benefits,” said Sally Ruecking, FGA’s Vice President of Strategic Advancement. “Adaptive golf is bringing fun into the lives of people who are often left out due to their disabilities.”

Cheered on by the music of the Elmhurst College Jazz Band and with welcoming remarks from E.Q. Sylvester, Chairman of FGA; radio and TV personality Bob Sirott of event co-sponsor WLS-AM radio; and Ruecking, the runners and walkers took to the track with smiles and a sense of mission. Other event sponsors included Molex LLC, Rich Harvest Farms, KF Partners LLC, and Reebie Storage and Moving.

The overall men’s winner was 16-year old Matt Pierce of Alsip, Illinois, who ran the 5K course in 18:59. Second place went to Thomas Potaczek of Bensenville, IL, with a time of 19:23 and third place went to Andrew Pyle of Hinsdale, IL with a time of 22:14.

Among the women, the overall winner was Eileen Skisak of La Grange, IL with a time of 18:59. Eileen also ran in fifth place overall. The second-place women’s winner was 12-year old Alexandra Two, with a time of 25:36; third place went to 10-year old Kelly Fergus of Chicago, with a time of 27:27.

Winners by age group were:

•Male 10-14: James Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL

•Male 15-19: Thomas Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL

•Male 20-24: Ben Landress, Chicago, IL

•Male 30-34: (1st) Michael Bellino, Villa Park, IL; (2nd) Nick Bada, Villa Park, IL

•Male 45-49: (1st) Jim Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL; (2nd) Carmelo Aguinir, Joliet, IL

•Male 50-54: (1st) Bob Fergus, Chicago, IL; (2nd) Ross Hurst, Clarendon Hills, IL; (3rd) Randy Pyle, Hinsdale, IL; (4th) Roger Keys, Northbrook, IL

•Male 65-69: (1st) Jerome Getter, Oak Park, IL; (2nd) John Kosmatka, Valparaiso, IN; (3rd) Karl Johnson, Woodridge, IL

•Male 70-74: James Smith, Clarendon Hills, IL

•Female 15-19: Maria Meyer, Hinsdale, IL

•Female 40-44: Lori Kosmatka, Chicago, IL

•Female 45-49: (1st) Kimberly Mercurio, Hinsdale, IL; (2nd) Arlinda Nunez, Hinsdale, IL; (3rd) Christine Two, Wilmette, IL

•Female 50-54: (1st) Joy Hyzny, Burbank, IL; (2nd) Christie Bellino, Villa Park, IL

•Female 55-59: Jud Hrad, Chicago, IL

•Female 60-64: Sue Shepard, Elmhurst, IL

•Female 65-69: Carol Raska, Oak Park, IL

Freedom Golf Association leads the way in bringing adaptive golf to Illinois and is an integral part of the growing national movement, which has been embraced by major golf entities such as the PGA, LPGA and USGA.

“Freedom Golf Association encourages corporations with cause marketing programs that help the disabled to become FGA sponsors or corporate foundation grant providers and help us grow,” said Ruecking.

About Freedom Golf Association

Freedom Golf Association (FGA), a 501(C)3 non-profit charitable organization, is the leading adaptive golf organization in Illinois and is a charter member of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance. FGA was founded in July 2012 by Edmund (E.Q.) Sylvester. E.Q. is a director of the Western Golf Association (WGA), member of the United States Senior Golf Association (USSGA), member of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and a triple amputee. FGA is dedicated to bringing joy and a sense of freedom to the special needs community through their inclusion in the game of golf.

FGA believes that all special needs individuals deserve a chance to accomplish the same things as any others do and work towards bringing a positive transformation to their lives. FGA contributes to the positive development of those with special needs through the magic of golf.

FGA works to assist individuals with disabilities in many ways:

•Provides professionally run adaptive golf instructional clinics and golf events

•Engages children, adults and veterans with special needs in FREE adaptive golf instruction with other classmates

•Conducts adaptive golf training workshops to increase the number of qualified adaptive golf coaches to instruct individuals with special needs

•Provides leadership and collaboration with nationally recognized organizations on how to expand/grow adaptive golf programs

Based on its growing understanding of the needs of disabled golfers, the FGA has developed a ground-breaking Adaptive Golf Enhancement Program™ that increases the golfing ability of special needs golfers. FGA’s golf coaches learn this six-step process, which helps them better understand and enhance the capabilities of special needs golfers.

To assist coaches and special needs golfers in determining what adaptive measures would be most beneficial, FGA recently invested in what they call a “personal swing sensors and computerized program” to 1) measure the disabled golfer’s initial swing path and limitations; 2) develop an appropriate exercise program to improve flexibility and range of motion; and 3) to chart the golfer’s progress, using the initial swing measurements as a baseline.

In 2016, FGA provided more than 1,300 adaptive golf lessons. In the same year, 110 special needs golfers went out and played on the course. Ten individuals became trained FGA Adaptive Golf Coaches, growing the total number to 42.

79 cents out of every dollar received goes to FGA’s special needs golf programs and events. FGA has led 40 Chicagoland courses in becoming accessible to the disabled community.

For more information about the Freedom Golf Association, please visit the official website at www.fgagolf.org and the online newsroom at www.newsline360.com/freedomgolfassociation. Contact FGA by phone at 855-342-4465 or 630-455-6018, or by email at playgolf@fgagolf.org. Donations to Freedom Golf Association can be made at www.fgagolf.org/donate.html.

Follow FGA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FGA4Golf. Follow FGA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FGA4Golf.