View allAll Photos Tagged Lay-Off
Hey Science! Lay off the dinosaurs, huh?
When I was a kid I thought dinosaurs were the coolest creatures ever. The idea that giant monsters once walked the face of the Earth was the most awesome thing I could possibly imagine.
Unfortunately, every year Science discovers new facts about dinosaurs that strips them of their coolness.
First they told us that everyone's favorite dinosaur, the Brontosaurs, never existed. What we thought was a Brontosaurus was actually the much less cool Apatosaurus. Then they told us that most dinosaurs probably had feathers. That immediately made them about a thousand times less cool to me. Giant monster lizards are awesome. Big birds are not. Birds we've still got all over the place.
Now Science has dealt dinosaurs the ultimate blow. They're now telling us that the most fearsome creature to ever exist, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, was also covered in feathers, and was not a ruthless, meat-eating predator. It was in all likelihood a vegetarian. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like the idea that the T-Rex was nothing more than a giant rooster.
Tell you what, Science. If you uncover any new information that makes dinosaurs cooler, like they could shoot laser beams from their eyes or something, then by all means tell us. But if you discover any more stupid stuff about them, like they were really only 6 inches tall, then keep it to yourself.
Here's my attempt at making the best of the situation and trying to make the T-Rex cool again.
Drawn in Photoshop on the graphic tablet.
Want to see more? Check out my new blog! All the cool kids are doing it!
Wonder who Romeo takes after as he is really rather cute as kids go.......................
- dippy, greatwideyonder, 12/4/2011 3:53
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It seems that she wants to call the baby "Santa " because of Santa Monica......Victoria if you read i suggest Monica would be a really nice name and it's also the name of Virgin Mary's mother!!!!!!!
- Jessica, Venice Italy , 12/4/2011 3:37
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Sat on the grass..whoopee doo doo, Thats big news. And still as miserable as ever....
- I have a lovely life, THE UK , BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT, 12/4/2011 3:08
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Isn't she turning from Victoria to Morticia Addams? That hairstyle is not very flattering. She looks as a good mum, touhg and I wish her the best in her pregnancy
- Ana, Madrid, Spain, 12/4/2011 3:01
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What is wrong with flat shoes Victoria? - Charlotte, Croydon, 11/4/2011 10:52 What is wrong with high heels?
- Catherine, CA, USA, 12/4/2011 1:51
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I continue to wonder why she doesn't smile. Many people/close friends say she is a lovely woman and I have to say she looks beautiful when she does. Try it Victoria. The whole world isn't against you!
- Jan, Surrey, 11/4/2011 23:20
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Does this woman ever smile? She always looks so 'glum'....... - Lorraine, Connecticut, USA, 11/4/2011 12:02============Why should she have a teeth out all the time like some cheap back street woman. Try being followed around by strangers 24/7 for just a week.
- Tamo, Scotland, 11/4/2011 22:48
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stilletos in th park......
- JOHN DOBO, WOLVES, 11/4/2011 22:22
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Always in those ridiculously high heels...
- Wanda, Pennsylvania, USA, 11/4/2011 21:48
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Justagirl, London I know she's excited to be having another baby, but Victoria really seems to HATE being pregnant - or rather, seems to hate being photographed pregnant...sad, really. You could carry that statement on forever!! Never in the history of the world has someone courted the attentions of the press and all it entails for every appearance she makes as much as Victoria Beckham .... who? .......... and then she gurns like a good-un!! Would it really hurt her to 'smile' once in a while for a photograph. She comes over as being so utterly miserable every time we see her. If she hadn't played up to the media so much they would have been left alone. Plenty of real celebrities manage to stay well out of the media so why couldn't they?
- Barbara, Edinburgh, Scotland, 11/4/2011 21:32
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I love victoria!
- Ruby, Wigan, 11/4/2011 21:29
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Ok where are the "why is she embarrassed about her bump?" posts?! I'll answer you in advance - her pregnancy is none of your business!!!! - Fiona, Glasgow, 10/4/2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------No, then why were they so quick to announce it, because if they had not done so I doubt anyone would guess. And why tell us the sex of the unborn, is that our business? Could it be because they actually WANT all of this publicity. Very few pictures of any celebritys are truly papped these days, theyare just staged to look papped, so then celeb can weep crodile tears and cry, 'why wont they leave me alone' when it suits them!
- anon, uk, 11/4/2011 21:09
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I'm sure the reason why she doesn't smile, is because her feet are killing her! Nothing worse!
- Anon, South Wales, UK, 11/4/2011 20:37
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Isn't it warm over there now ? What's with the cardi and all that black ??!!
- judephf, Leeds, 11/4/2011 20:37
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Hi Cathy, Watford, England, Well said!
- Jade, Sussex, 11/4/2011 20:35
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Does this woman ever smile? She always looks so 'glum'....... - Lorraine, Connecticut, USA, 11/4/2011 12:02 Why do you feel the need for VB to be a performing seal? I'm sure she realises that while the publicity is good for brand Beckham, I doubt anyone really wants cameras shoved in their faces 24/7. As for those criticising the heels-well I'm sure she's mature enough to decide for herself what to wear. Most of you would be better off stopping fixating about 'celebs' who have no direct impact on your life.
- Steve , Oxford, 11/4/2011 20:23
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Can she design sunglasses for stomachs?
- MumOfThree, Marbella, Spain, 11/4/2011 20:17
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What is wrong with flat shoes Victoria? - Charlotte, Croydon, 11/4/2011 10:52 -------------------------------- What's wrong with high heels, Charlotte?
- Matilda, London, 11/4/2011 20:10
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Having read many of the comments, I learn she hates her smile, she has bunions, she doesn't like being short and has a complex about it, she's funny, she's happily married with three delightful boys, she's pregant (oh yes she is!). The headline tells me 'she relaxes ... '. One thing I'm sure of, she never looks relaxed in public.
- Maggie, Cyprus, 11/4/2011 20:04
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I think its about time you stop mentioning in every article about the Beckhams that their son suggested Justine Bieber as a name! It's getting old!
- rebecca, hove, 11/4/2011 19:45
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Never mind looking miserable...If I was married to David Beckham I wouldn't be able to stop grinning!!
- jan, leeds, 11/4/2011 19:38
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Does this woman ever smile? She always looks so 'glum'.......
- Lorraine, Connecticut, USA, 11/4/2011 19:02
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I really don't think anyone has the right to judge how a pregnant woman dresses. Some women like are proud to show off their bumps but others don't like to - it doesn't mean they aren't happy to be pregnant or are bad mothers. When I was pregnant I hated showing off my bump, and not for a fear of looking fat, I just somehow felt vunerable! I'm always surprised by how horrible the comments about Victoria Beckham are - what has she actually done wrong - apart from be successful, happily married and stylish?!
- Claire, Darlington, 11/4/2011 18:54
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I hope this miserable woman stays in America....why oh why, did she get an invite to the royal wedding?
- Vicky, London, 11/4/2011 18:24
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If I were her kids, I would be saying, "cheer up mummy, life's not that bad...in fact we are pretty charmed so smile!"
- Caroline, London, 11/4/2011 18:23
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What is wrong with flat shoes Victoria?
- Charlotte, Croydon, 11/4/2011 17:52
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I know she's excited to be having another baby, but Victoria really seems to HATE being pregnant - or rather, seems to hate being photographed pregnant...sad, really. But it explains how she managed to completely avoid being photographed during her pregnancies with Romeo and Cruz, and why she covers herself up so quickly now. Someone needs to tell her she needn't worry - we all know the difference between fat and pregnant, and heaven forbid we ever thinks she's the former. - Natalie, Bristol, 10/4/2011 20:35 I think it's more of a protective gesture that she covers her tummy while being completely mobbed by paparazzi all the time. Have you ever seen how pushy some photographers get?
- Justagirl, London, 11/4/2011 17:44
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Are there no limits to this woman's vanity? Wearing stiletto heels on the grass at a kids' soccer game is beyond ridiculous.
- Mary, Canada, 11/4/2011 17:13
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People posting on here are always moaning about Mylene Klass and other pregnant celebs taking plaster casts of their bumps, wearing next to nothing or cupping their hands under their bumps. Saying they are all show offs and that they are not the first people to get pregnant. Then along comes Victoria Beckham, who keeps her bump to herself, the complete opposite of these other celebs and that is wrong too. Some of you should make your minds up. I'd far rather see VB than any of these other celebs. Perhaps all you VB haters should google interviews that she has given. She is actually a very funny, loving, caring person, mother and wife. She doesn't like her smile, she thinks it's wonky, which is why she doesn't smile and she wears heels because she is short and because she likes them. What crime has she committed that make so many of you haters. She has stuck by David when rumours of infidelity were rife and is successful. GREEN EYED MONSTERS SPRINGS TO MIND.
- Cathy, Watford, England, 11/4/2011 17:01
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and still... no smile!
- Jess, Plymouth, 11/4/2011 16:47
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Im not too sure what the point of this article is.. A pregnant woman sits down whilst her husband gets his legs waxed?
- Anonymouse, Mouseland, 11/4/2011 16:31
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still as rough as ever. and i thought pregnant women "glows?" URGH imagine what her feet looks like!!!
- Catherine, London, 11/4/2011 16:29
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i love VB, but is it me or does she always wear pretty mach the same thing all the time? black blazer, dark top and skinny jeans - and of course a pair of stilettos. haha.
- hannah, mid glamorgan, 11/4/2011 15:59
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Crikey, it was a slow news weekend wasn't it? What with Posh Spice and Billip Piper sitting down, Katie Price went food shopping, Katona went to Alton Towers (with her film crew), some bird from Essex went to the hairdressers.... it's exciting stuff!
- Richard Castles NOTEPAD, Left pocket, hiding behind the blackberry , 11/4/2011 15:43
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Justine Beiber Beckham ha ha ha, kids are so funny. Bless him. Good luck to the Beckhams, lovely family.
- Gail, Ipswich, 11/4/2011 15:19
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Most of us have seen a pregnant woman. If we hadn't, there has been a positive parade of celebrity expectant months over recent months. So much so that I began to wonder why you don't just have a preggers page. We don't need Post to 'reveal' her bump and if she prefers to cover up - that is her choice. I think most people would be self-conscious to have photographers invading all aspects of our life with our (very personal) pregnancy in mind.
- Jo, Bournemouth, England, 11/4/2011 14:23
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Most women love to show off to the world their bump when they are pregnant, she just looks embarrassed by it.
- hellbentyaz, manchester, 11/4/2011 14:14
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sullen, sullen and sullen, does she never give herself a day off?
- estebe, bristol, 11/4/2011 13:26
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Probably taking weight off those bunions!!! Sorry but those shoes are positively awful, it's no wonder she had to sit and rest, they make my feet ache just looking at them! Fancy going to a football game in them too, you would think that just once, she could actually really "relax" and let her hair down........but vb is too aware of the paps for that. Self indulged prima dona
- Chris, Spain, 11/4/2011 13:20
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***STOP PRESS*** Pregnant woman sits down!
- Martina, Bexley, GB, 11/4/2011 12:58
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Please, for all that is Holy: EAT SOMETHING!
- Marie, Tampa, FL USA, 11/4/2011 12:31
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Oh dear DM, Your hot-off-the-press gems today include stories about people: Sitting in a park (VB and Piper) Grocery shopping (Price) At an all expenses paid day out w kids (Katona) People simply walking down the road (Knightly and SJP) and a drug addicts nose (TPT), which incidently left her face years ago. Hardly a rivetting read really hey ? Although most are simply stalking cases, i would have a fiver on Katona's people ringing up to tell you where she was going. - dave, hk, 11/4/2011 03:23 It hasn't stopped you reading the website though has it?
- Aideyb, Somewhere, UK, 11/4/2011 11:56
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Oh dear DM, Your hot-off-the-press gems today include stories about people: Sitting in a park (VB and Piper) Grocery shopping (Price) At an all expenses paid day out w kids (Katona) People simply walking down the road (Knightly and SJP) and a drug addicts nose (TPT), which incidently left her face years ago. Hardly a rivetting read really hey ? Although most are simply stalking cases, i would have a fiver on Katona's people ringing up to tell you where she was going.
- dave, hk, 11/4/2011 10:23
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If this was any other celebrity mom people would be praising her for spending time with her children BUT since its Victoria people will find something to criticize her, in this case the heels and hiding baby bump comments are pouring. I have seen pics of her kissing her sons and being affectionate but DM seems to choose not to publish it.
- jane, NY, 11/4/2011 10:20
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This woman is totally stupid why has she got the heels on please someone tell me its beyond me i am so disguisted why cant she be natural and wear flats because obviously she will be caught out without her image of i am the greatest mother in the world you are a law untoo yourself victoria not posh enough for public school and most certainly not posh in my eyes money cannot buy you class of which you and your family sadly lack - elimay335, middlesbrough, 10/4/2011 23:36 Would all the money in the world buy you some punctuation? Or are you too busy being bitter, hating someone you know next to nothing about?
- Matthew, Belfast, Ireland, 11/4/2011 9:13
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How nice to see a woman taking care of herself and staying attractive for her hubby throughout her pregnancy, after all you don't stop being a wife because you are carrying a child... - Em, Az, 10/4/2011 17:24 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ugh staying attractive for your hubby???? I find this portion of this comment quite nauseating. I can't stand Victoria but I will say that her overzealous vanity is for the benefit of her public image and for her massive ego and has little to do with staying attractive for David's benefit. Ridiculous comment all the way around.
- Princess Edwina(In a State of Grace), Edwina Manor, Edwinashire , 11/4/2011 9:06
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Some nasty comments on this site. I don't think she is trying to hide her bump, I don't think she has much of a bump (some women don't have a big bump you know). I am not a big fan of Victoria but credit where credit is due, she seems to be a good mother also when I have heard her being interviewed she comes accross as having a good sense of humour and not snobby at all.
- cents, nowhereland, 11/4/2011 8:28
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Lay off the poor girl, you don't know that she hates being pregnant, I think she looks a whole lot better than the usual Hollywood women who wear tight dresses or tops that stretch over their baby bump. There's nothing glamourous about them, they look awful. As for her heels, she's always worn high heels and she's obviously comfy in them too. She and David appear to be great parents, at least they have their children with them and she is at the game to watch her son, unlike so many of these so called stars whose children you see only when it's a good photo op. Reading some of these comments the word "Mieow" comes to mind. Good luck Victoria.
- doreenmoles, san diego california, 11/4/2011 7:36
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I felt vile and extremely tired and ill during all of my pregnancies, she might be feeling rotten and only be out and about for the sake of her boys. Why should she she have to smile and flash her tummy to the world? Also, I'm pretty certain I would not be smiling if strangers were always hiding in the bushes trying to take pictures of my children. I'd be cautious and on-guard, as any caring Mum would be.
- RM, New Zealand, 11/4/2011 7:33
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Leave her alone! Being pregnant isn't a reason to turn into an unstylish whale. Judging her for wearing heals is utterly ridiculous, either you can walk in heels or you can't. As for people assuminng she is hiding her bump, ever think that it might be subconsciously protecting it from the glare and scrutiny of most of the jealous, small minded women such as those leaving comments on this site. I just had a baby and wore my louboutins to the hospital after going into labour and believe it or not CPS didn't come to whisk away my son at birth. How nice to see a woman taking care of herself and staying attractive for her hubby throughout her pregnancy, after all you don't stop being a wife because you are carrying a child...
- Em, Az, 11/4/2011 7:24
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wow people are so mean and nasty...u don't even know the woman. She looks like a great mom, always with her kids and at their games and practices. Leave her alone. And as for her bump...it is so sad that the fact she isn't showing it to the world or that she wears heels while pregnant offends everyone. It certainly doesn't bother me...not like shes smoking or drinking while preggars. If the woman wants to wear heels and kill her back, let her!
- Ashten, New Orleans USA, 11/4/2011 6:48
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This woman is a joke! At least by having the baby in LA she will get what she always wanted - American citizenship.
- Doctor of Philosophy, UK, 11/4/2011 6:43
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i'm the one scared for her being on those heels! by the way, i wonder where she's carrying the baby in her body, i see no big area on her at all.
- hermie weasley, surrey, 11/4/2011 6:40
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This woman is totally stupid why has she got the heels on please someone tell me its beyond me i am so disguisted why cant she be natural and wear flats because obviously she will be caught out without her image of i am the greatest mother in the world you are a law untoo yourself victoria not posh enough for public school and most certainly not posh in my eyes money cannot buy you class of which you and your family sadly lack
- elimay335, middlesbrough, 11/4/2011 6:36
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Looking at these pictures, you can almost feel her silly fear to gain too much weight during her pregnancy, she looks almost as skinny as usual. It must be an enormous challenge for her to 'eat for two', but I doubt she even does it...I can already see the headline 'Posh sheds baby weight in 7 days' , after their baby girl is born. That woman is just insanely vain!
- celebobsessed, Berlin, Germany, 11/4/2011 6:32
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I tell you, I like any WAG in the world above Victoria. She is so contrived and addicted to her image that I don't know how any one can warm to her. I am often baffled at the positive and even nauseatingly adoring comments she receives. Really cringeworthy, and very odd, especially when you read the negative comments directed at Alex Curran and the others.........I often do wonder at the double standards.
- Princess Edwina(In a State of Grace), Edwina Manor, Edwinashire , 11/4/2011 6:31
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Makes me laugh when she tries to cover her bump up. Why? Well she was all too quick to announce she was pregnant and then announce it is a girl, so why the false modesty at 'pretending' to hide her bump? Typical attention seeking and typical stupid press response - annabel, leeds, 11/4/2011 5:49 I don't know if she's trying to cover her "bump" or not but I'd certainly prefer her modest demeanor towards her pregancy than all those other pregnant celebrities who can't be photographed without a hand or both tellingly cupped under their bellies complete with skin-tight clothing (or no clothing at all). Leave her alone, your criticism is truly pathetic.
- Reubenene, Somewhere In The World, 11/4/2011 6:29
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Why should she parade her pregnancy in front of the whole world? Just to satisfy you?! She is clearly a good mother to her sons and undoubtedly will be to her little girl as well so why is it any of your concern that she does not enjoy being pregnant? She doesn't need to embrace her pregnancy as long as she'll be a good mother, it's not like the baby will ever remember what her mom was like when she was pregnant with her! And I admire her for not conforming to the big grin routine set out by DM readers!
- Diana, NC, 11/4/2011 6:26
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This will all takes its toll on her body in about 20 years.
- opinionated, usa, 11/4/2011 6:25
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You can all disparage her all you want, if it makes you feel better, but the facts are still the facts . . . she seems to have a strong and thriving marriage, and three beautiful children to whom she and her husband are devoted. Unlike many celebs, she appears to have her priorities straight--her family comes first, and that is really all that matters. Where is the problem?
- Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, USA, 11/4/2011 6:24
Click to rate Rating 657Report abuse
She looks amazing! Victoria looks incredible and just like the mother that should be a role model for all the WAG fans... Victoria and Davis are wonderful parents and this unwanted (yet taken while being parents like so many of us with children just try and be, without the pappz) I think they are a role model set of parents and role models to any of us who have children should look up on... Rather then the other celebs we read about...
- vodkacat, England, 11/4/2011 6:23
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at least she has her own babies, instead of "buying/adopting" them like some celebs....
- sue, Australia, 11/4/2011 6:16
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she seems more concerned aboout her image than her safety
- sami, brighton, 11/4/2011 6:16
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NO ONE CARES XX
- lollie x, strawberry xxx, 11/4/2011 6:15
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Puts her feet up? She doesn't have a proper job for starters. Miserable as usual, childishly hiding her bump.
- Tina Sparkles, UK, 11/4/2011 5:53
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Natalie I completely agree with you. It's not as if she even has a giant bump to hide! if there is a bump there at all it has to be pretty small because she is still wearing her superskinny jeans unless she has had some especially made with a stretchy tummy! that she hides under her slightly looser tops.
- Colette, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, 11/4/2011 5:46
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Silly woman!! Best not have my belly on show, I've had an edame bean for lunch..... Ugh!!! I look so fat now!!! Pathetic woman!!! And teetering on those Christian Laboutin boots is utterly irresponsible. High heels are bad for your back when you are not pregnant but when you are pregnant, it tilts your pelvis the wrong way. Oh I forgot ......Victoria is too Posh to Push!!!
- NL , London, 11/4/2011 5:36
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Lea, Paris, France, 10/4/2011 21:49....Well said!...My thoughts exactly.!
- Anna, Sunny Britain, 11/4/2011 5:30
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Does this woman ALWAYS sulk?
- Jill, London, 11/4/2011 5:30
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How come some celeb kids have their faces fuzzed out while others dont? It is because some like to pimp out their kids more than others? Just curious... no red arrows needed. :P
- Milly, London, 11/4/2011 5:15
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I wouldn't want to be around her if she took her shoes off. Have you seen the state on her feet? On second thoughts i have no wish to be around her at all. I'd rather be down the pub with my mates.
- taff, wales, 11/4/2011 5:15
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she covers her bump all the time :( she should be proud and not be afraid to show it x
- Laila, UK, 11/4/2011 5:14
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Is it healthy for this woman to sqeeze her pregnancy into tight fitting jeans (because odds on she isn't wearing maternity jeans!). I appreciate some women can have 'small' pregnancies, but she looks completely unnatural, given that according to most media reports she is 5 months pregnant!!! As to those heels, I have little respect for any pregnant woman stupid enough to wear tottering heels like that, they are at a far higher risk of taking a tumble and according to medical experts it tilts the womb!!!
- JT, London, 11/4/2011 5:10
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How can she feel comfortable wearing such high heels when she's pregnant? I'd be afraid of falling over!
- JoJo, Somewhere in Surrey, 11/4/2011 5:09
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Why does Victoria never embrace her pregnancy. She has always seemed to want to hide it.
- Cathy, Brittany , France, 11/4/2011 5:07
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how interesting
- nige b, west yorks, 11/4/2011 5:06
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does she ever wear flats !!!!! i dunno wen i was preg i cudnt do heels was too worried wud harm my posture n baby
- laura, london, 11/4/2011 4:53
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I bet she always calls the paps to come around and plays this pathetic plastic persona for the cameras because it's not possible to look so lifeless, joyless and utterly sad when out with her boys each and every time. I click on the articles about her because I'm into fashion and want to see what she's wearing but her joyless "public" existence fills me with desperation
I sincerely hope she takes this look off her face when alone with her family and friends, she's so much to be thankful for after all. She hasn't just lost her home and relatives in Japan, even those people look more hopeful than this weird sourpuss.
- Lea, Paris, France, 11/4/2011 4:49
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Why would anyone not be proud of their baby bump? She seems embarrassed by it. She is so vain. Poor David!
- Emma, Derbyshire UK, 11/4/2011 4:47
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Since announcing her pregnancy earlier this year she hasn't relaxed her demanding schedule which includes designer her collections "Designer her collections? Oh dear DM. ha ha hahaaaaaa!
- THERESA ARCARI, TENERIFE, 11/4/2011 4:32
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Just looking at the size of those heels make my feet burn
- Jennifer, Lancashire, England, 11/4/2011 4:28
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Has she had something done to her lip? Her top one looks a bit Troutish!!
- Troupstar, Kent, UK, 11/4/2011 4:24
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well isn't young Romeo the absolute image of his father?! and good for them enjoying some normal family time together, certainly the weather for it
- laurie, cheltenham, england, 11/4/2011 4:21
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She Looks Ridicolous, as always, in thoes heels! I bet she goes to bed with her towers just in case she needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night so that she won't feel short and imperfect.
- Mar, SPAIN BARCELONA, 11/4/2011 4:20
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Ok where are the "why is she embarrassed about her bump?" posts?! I'll answer you in advance - her pregnancy is none of your business!!!!
- Fiona, Glasgow, 11/4/2011 4:19
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ugly & hightly dangerous heels - especially when would do anything to have a girl ! its still early into the pregnancy
- claire, TQ devon, 11/4/2011 4:03
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Victoria looked fabulous and take note,her 3 beautiful boys are growing fast esp. Brooklyn
- bernarda m.gonzales, leeds, 11/4/2011 3:55
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Makes me laugh when she tries to cover her bump up. Why? Well she was all too quick to announce she was pregnant and then announce it is a girl, so why the false modesty at 'pretending' to hide her bump? Typical attention seeking and typical stupid press response
- annabel, leeds, 11/4/2011 3:49
Click to rate Rating 73Report abuse
I know she's excited to be having another baby, but Victoria really seems to HATE being pregnant - or rather, seems to hate being photographed pregnant...sad, really. But it explains how she managed to completely avoid being photographed during her pregnancies with Romeo and Cruz, and why she covers herself up so quickly now. Someone needs to tell her she needn't worry - we all know the difference between fat and pregnant, and heaven forbid we ever thinks she's the former.
- Natalie, Bristol, 11/4/2011 3:35
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I wish I looked that glam whilst being pregnant. I am 5 months and feel like a whale. High street clothes don´t off the same sense of sophistication.
- LR, somewhere out there, 11/4/2011 3:20
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She has a complex about her height, being short, you would want to wear tall heeled, stiletos.
- Amy, UK, 11/4/2011 3:16
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Laying off work yet again! If I didn't know better, I might think my girl is getting lazy. 😉
More tomorrow! 💗
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History
United States
Name: USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
Namesake: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Builder: New York Naval Shipyard
Laid down: 1 December 1943
Launched: 29 April 1945
Commissioned: 27 October 1945
Decommissioned: 30 September 1977
Struck: 1 October 1977
Nickname(s):
"Swanky Franky"
"Foo-De-Roo"
"Rosie"
"Rusty Rosie"
Fate: Scrapped
General characteristics (as built)
Class and type: Midway-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: 45,000 tons
Length: 968 ft (295 m)
Beam: 113 ft (34 m)
Draft: 35 ft (11 m)
Speed: 33 kn (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Complement: 4,104 officers and men
Armament:
18 × 1 – 5"/54 caliber Mark 16 guns
21 × 4 – 40 mm Bofors /60 caliber guns
Aircraft carried: 137
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB/CVA/CV-42) was the second of three Midway-class aircraft carriers. To her crew, she was known as "Swanky Franky," "Foo-De-Roo," or "Rosie," with the last nickname probably the most popular. Roosevelt spent most of her active deployed career operating in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the United States Sixth Fleet. The ship was decommissioned in 1977 and was scrapped shortly afterward. She was the first aircraft carrier of the United States Navy to be named in honor of a President of the United States.
Contents
Early career
Roosevelt at commissioning ceremonies in 1945
Franklin D. Roosevelt was laid down at New York Naval Shipyard on 1 December 1943. Sponsor Mrs. John H. Towers, wife of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, christened the ship Coral Sea at the 29 April 1945 launching. On 8 May 1945, President Harry S. Truman approved the Secretary of the Navy's recommendation to rename the ship Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the late president, who had died four weeks earlier.
Roosevelt was commissioned on Navy Day, 27 October 1945, at the New York Naval Shipyard. Capt. Apollo Soucek was the ship's first commanding officer. During her shakedown cruise, Roosevelt called at Rio de Janeiro from 1 to 11 February 1946 to represent the United States at the inauguration of Brazilian president Eurico Gaspar Dutra, who came aboard for a short cruise. During April and May, Roosevelt participated in Eighth Fleet maneuvers off the East Coast, the Navy's first major postwar training exercise.
On 21 July 1946, Roosevelt became the first American carrier to operate an all-jet aircraft under controlled conditions. Lieutenant Commander James Davidson, flying the McDonnell XFD-1 Phantom, made a series of successful take-offs and landings as Roosevelt lay off Cape Henry, Virginia.[1] Jet trials continued in November, when Lt. Col. Marion E. Carl, USMC, made two catapult launches, four unassisted take-offs, and five arrested landings in a Lockheed P-80A.
Fleet maneuvers and other training operations in the Caribbean preceded Roosevelt's first deployment to the Mediterranean, which lasted from August to October 1946. Roosevelt, flying the flag of Rear Admiral John H. Cassady, Commander, Carrier Division 1, led the U.S. Navy force that arrived in Piraeus on 5 September 1946.[2] This visit showed U.S. support for the pro-Western government of Greece, which was locked in a civil war with Communist insurgents. The ship received thousands of visitors during her calls to many Mediterranean ports.
Roosevelt returned to American waters and operated off the East Coast until July 1947, when she entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul. At that time, her quad 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns were replaced by 40 3-inch (76 mm) Mark 22 guns in Mark 33 twin mountings.
USS Roosevelt
Roosevelt at Pier 91 in Seattle, 1953 or 1954
From September 1948 to January 1949, Roosevelt undertook a second tour of duty with U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. In 1950, Roosevelt became the first carrier to take nuclear weapons to sea. In September and October 1952, she participated in Operation Mainbrace, the first major NATO exercise in the North Atlantic. Roosevelt operated with other major fleet units, including the aircraft carriers USS Midway, USS Wasp, and HMS Eagle, as well as the battleships USS Wisconsin and HMS Vanguard.
Roosevelt was reclassified CVA-42 on 1 October 1952. On 7 January 1954, she sailed for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to undergo extensive reconstruction. Too large to pass through the Panama Canal, Roosevelt rounded Cape Horn and arrived at the shipyard on 5 March. She was temporarily decommissioned there for her refit on 23 April 1954.
Refit
Roosevelt in 1956, after SCB-110 reconstruction
Roosevelt was the first of her class to undergo the SCB-110 reconstruction, at a cost of $48 million. She received an enclosed "hurricane bow," one C-11-2 and two C-11-1 steam catapults, strengthened arresting gear, an enlarged bridge, a mirror landing system, and a 482-foot (147 m) angled flight deck. SPS-8 height finding radar and SPS-12 air search radar were mounted on a new tubular mast. The aft elevator was relocated to the starboard deck edge, the forward elevator was enlarged, and all elevators were uprated to 75,000 lb (34,000 kg) capacity. Aviation fuel bunkerage was increased from 350,000 to 450,000 gallons (1,320,000 to 1,700,000 L). Standard displacement rose to 51,000 tons, while deep load displacement rose to 63,400 tons. As weight compensation, several of the 5-inch (127 mm) Mark 16 anti-aircraft guns were landed, leaving only 10, and the 3,200-ton armor belt was removed. Hull blisters were also added to cope with the increased weight. Roosevelt recommissioned on 6 April 1956.
After post-refit trials, Roosevelt sailed for her new homeport of Mayport, Florida. In February 1957, Roosevelt conducted cold weather tests of catapults, aircraft, and the Regulus guided missile, in the Gulf of Maine. In July, she sailed for the first of three consecutive Sixth Fleet deployments. Her assignments in the Mediterranean added NATO exercises to her normal schedule of major fleet operations, and found her entertaining a distinguished list of guests each year.
A-4 Skyhawk of VA-172 aboard Roosevelt during her only Vietnam deployment between August 1966 and February 1967
During a 1958 mid-year overhaul, the 22 remaining 3-inch (76 mm) guns were removed.
On 24 October 1958, Roosevelt supported USS Kleinsmith in the evacuation of 56 American citizens and three foreign nationals from Nicara, Cuba, as the Cuban Revolution came to a climax.
In late 1960, the Control Instrument Company installed the first production Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS) onboard Roosevelt. She recorded her 100,000th aircraft landing in March 1961. During a 1963 overhaul, six more 5-inch (127 mm) guns were removed.
While operating in the Eastern Mediterranean in the fall of 1964, Roosevelt lost a blade from one of her 20-ton propellers. She proceeded from Naples, Italy to New York with the number one shaft locked. After replacing the propeller at Bayonne, New Jersey, Roosevelt returned to the Mediterranean to complete her cruise.
From August 1966 to January 1967, Roosevelt made her only deployment to Southeast Asia, spending a total of 95 days "on the line." Her embarked airwing, Carrier Air Wing One, consisted mainly of F-4 Phantom IIs and A-4 Skyhawks. Roosevelt received one battle star for her service during the Vietnam War.
In January 1968, Italian actress Virna Lisi was invited by Roosevelt's crew to participate in the ship's 22nd birthday celebrations. Lisi helped prepare 5,000 T-bone steaks at a large cook-out staged on the flight deck.
Austere modernization
Roosevelt in 1970 after her austere 11-month refit of 1968-69.
Roosevelt was initially slated to undergo an extensive reconstruction (SCB 101.68) similar to that received by Midway from 1966 to 1970. This plan was derailed by massive cost overruns in Midway's reconstruction, which eventually totalled $202 million. Roosevelt was therefore limited to an austere $46 million refit, enabling her to operate the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II.
In July 1968, Roosevelt entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her 11-month modernization program. The forward centerline elevator was relocated to the starboard deck edge forward of the island, the port waist catapult was removed, the crew spaces were refurbished, and two of the four remaining 5-inch (127 mm) anti-aircraft turrets were removed. Roosevelt also received a deck edge spray system using the new seawater compatible fire-fighting chemical, Light Water. She put to sea again on 26 May 1969.
From 1 August 1969, Roosevelt embarked Carrier Air Wing Six, which served as the ship's air wing for the next seven cruises.[3] In January 1970, Roosevelt returned to the Mediterranean for another Sixth Fleet deployment.
Roosevelt's twenty-first Sixth Fleet deployment was marked by indirect participation in the October 1973 Yom Kippur War, as she served as a transit "landing field" for aircraft being delivered to Israel. The Roosevelt battlegroup, Task Force 60.2, also stood by for possible evacuation contingencies.
From 1973 through 1975, VAW-121 operated aboard Roosevelt as one of the last Grumman E-1 Tracer squadrons in the fleet. Roosevelt received a multipurpose designation, CV-42, on 30 June 1975, but she did not operate any anti-submarine aircraft. In June 1976, Roosevelt embarked VMA-231 with 14 AV-8A Harrier attack aircraft.
The ship embarked Carrier Air Wing Nineteen for its final deployment, which lasted from October 1976 to April 1977.[4] VMA-231 was on board for this deployment, which demonstrated that VTOL aircraft could be successfully and seamlessly integrated into fixed wing air operations. On 12 January 1977, Roosevelt collided with the Liberian grain freighter Oceanus while transiting the Strait of Messina. Both ships were able to proceed to port under their own power.
Decommissioning and disposal
Roosevelt during her final Mediterranean cruise in 1976
By the late 1970s, Roosevelt was in poor material condition. Deprived of the upgrades that Midway and Coral Sea had received, Roosevelt was the least modern and least capable of the class. Furthermore, Roosevelt used General Electric turbines, which gave persistent problems and reduced speed compared to the Westinghouse units used on the other ships. The Navy therefore chose to decommission Roosevelt when the second Nimitz-class carrier, Dwight D. Eisenhower, entered service in 1977. Roosevelt completed her final cruise in April 1977. She was officially decommissioned on 30 September 1977. The decommissioning ceremony was held on 1 October 1977 and the ship was stricken from the Navy List on the same day. Efforts to preserve Roosevelt as a museum ship in New York City failed.
Roosevelt's generally poor condition weighed against retaining her in the reserve fleet. Moreover, her low hangar height of 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) limited the aircraft types that she could handle. It was reasoned that existing Essex-class aircraft carriers could handle the same types of aircraft at lower cost. Some admirals also feared that if Roosevelt were retained, the Carter Administration would use her reactivation as a reason to cancel future Nimitz-class carriers.[citation needed]
On 1 April 1978, the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service sold the ship to River Terminal Development Company for $2.1 million. After usable equipment was removed from Roosevelt at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Inactive Ships Facility, the carrier was towed to Kearny, New Jersey. She arrived on 3 May 1978 and was scrapped that year.
#Tech flops of 2015 #fail
As the year comes to an end we shall take a closer look back of all Tech concern and grabbed the fail list of 2k15.
Normally we will look back to see the success for a change let’s have a look at the failures
1. #Hover board Explodes
Self balancing scooters, referred to hoverboards were the most talked not for the good, almost for the wrong reasons
After a fast attention for their red carpet and music video appearances, as well as their popularity with kids and teens, this handlebar-less caught on news for catching fire and exploding.
Safety concerns caused airlines to ban them on flights. Amazon and Overstock removed them from digital shelves, major cities declared them illegal
2. #Hackers:
So many websites has been hacked this year
Two of the worst happened is to Ashley Madison and Adult friend finder. Hackers also stole sensitive information on about 21.5 million #government employees in July
3. #Volkswagen used software to cheat emissions tests
Volkswagen was in severe danger for admitting to making a vehicle with software that could cheat emissions tests
The #company had recalled nearly 5, 00,000 cars in United States
4. #Google #maps redirect search queries to white house
Google maps pointed people when they search a word with “house”. It directs to the direction of White house. Later Google has apologized for the problem and has fixed the bug soon
5. #Apple Recalled beats speaker
Apple has recalled its beats speaker that used batteries which could over heat and can catch fire and has also held a replacement program for the iSight camera on iphone 6 plus device and 3tb hard drives
6. Google Maps vanished by Pranksters
Someone within Google map maker community had illustrated an Android robot peeing on an Apple logo in rural area of Pakistan
7. #Yahoo’s alibaba conundrum
Yahoo’s board made a big decision selling its Alibaba’s interest of 15%. It resulted down in share of 34% this year
8. #Microsoft lay off thousands
Microsoft this year continued to unwind its acquisition of #Nokia. It has terminated up to 7800 employees globally within its #smartphone
9. Tough year for #twitter
People still don’t know why they should use twitter and how to use it. The number of users using twitter was less. Even though some changes has been made on favorites to likes and new feature moment, it has been really a tough year for twitter
Those of you who follow me know that I've wanted a good opportunity to photograph moose. I really didn't care where. My foiled photo tour in the Tetons this spring (because of my job lay off) was such a disappointment! Moose were on the bucket list there. Last week I got a tip, and was lucky! The whole story is found on my blog at: www.dannenattundrawinds.com
Suffice it to say it was a treat to get close in my home state!
My website: www.tundrawindsimages.com
WHO'S READY to take me on?!
CANADA just wasn't ready for greatness, or national independence, folks!
The Arrow was ushering the Canadian public forward, toward these very related ends.
SO IT'S GOOD the Arrow perished.
THE ARROW asked a lot from Canada.
THE IROQUOIS even more.
And the fainthearts weren't ready.
Mythological aeronautical achievements born from pure CANADIAN RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT … yes, from true Canadian blood, sweat, tears and genuine problem solving skills on a level not seen in Canada since that epic era in the 50s.
Sadly, in the end, a bungling, mentally-disheveled prime minister cancelled everything.
AND a Canadian public too polite to be outraged, too polite to even complain watched from the sidelines as an obvious national travesty unfolded before the eyes of the nation! First the cancellations, then the thousands of subsequent lay-offs, then (and I hesitate to recall this) the cutter's torch to EVERYTHING!
All that Avro Aircraft of Canada had achieved, AND ALL SHE WOULD ACHIEVE, just slid right off the drafting table.
And into the garbage.
The proper response by Torontonians, on the day Dief cancelled the Arrow and the Iroquois projects would have been for the entire Hogtown citizenry to riot (yes, absolutely) and burn down the town.
Or, at the very least, Exhibition Stadium.
There should have been no other response.
That's it. Case closed.
Dief's idiocy would then have been overturned, and AVRO CANADA would have gotten back to changing the world, doing Canada proud by surprising Canada and the world with compounded ongoing technologically significant innovations, all the while making lots of money for both the company, and its dedicated and believing employees.
Alas, the Arrow and Iroquois had lots of fans, oodles of them in fact … just no fighters ~
When CANADA was SUPER-GREAT we produced the Avro Arrow and the Orenda Iroquois.
Why were these Canadian technological achievements so awesome, you ask?
CF-105 Avro Arrow's “FIRSTS and NOTABLES” to the uninitiated:
• FIRST AIRCRAFT designed with digital computers being used for both aerodynamic analysis and designing the structural matrix (and a whole lot more).
• FIRST AIRCRAFT design to have major components machined by CNC (computer numeric control); i.e., from electronic data which controlled the machine.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT to be developed using an early form of "computational fluid dynamics" with an integrated "lifting body" type of theory rather than the typical (and obsolete) "blade element" theory.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT to have marginal stability designed into the pitch axis for better maneuverability, speed and altitude performance.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT to have negative stability designed into the yaw axis to save weight and cut drag, also boosting performance.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT to fly on an electronic signal from the stick and pedals. i.e., first fly-by-wire a/c.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT to fly with fly by wire AND artificial feedback (feel). Not even the first F-16's had this.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT designed to be data-link flyable from the ground.
• FIRST AIRCRAFT designed with integrated navigation, weapons release, automatic search and track radar, datalink inputs, home-on-jamming, infrared detection, electronic countermeasures and counter-countermeasures operating through a DIGITAL brain.
• FIRST HIGH WING jet fighter that made the entire upper surface a lifting body. The F-15, F-22, Su-27 etc., MiG-29, MiG 25 and others certainly used that idea.
• FIRST sophisticated bleed-bypass system for both intake AND engine/exhaust. Everybody uses that now.
• FIRST by-pass engine design. (all current fighters have by-pass engines).
• FIRST combination of the last two points with an "ejector" nozzle that used the bypass air to create thrust at the exhaust nozzle while also improving intake flow. The F-106 didn't even have a nozzle, just a pipe.
• Use of Titanium for significant portions of the aircraft structure and engine.
• Use of composites (not the first, but they made thoughtful use of them and were researching and engineering new ones).
• Use of a drooped leading edge and aerodynamic "twist" on the wing.
• Use of engines at the rear to allow both a lighter structure and significant payload at the centre of gravity. Everybody copied that.
• Use of a LONG internal weapons bay to allow carriage of specialized, long-range standoff and cruise missiles. (not copied yet really)
• Integration of ground-mapping radar and the radar altimeter plus flight control system to allow a serious strike/reconnaissance role. The first to propose an aircraft be equally adept at those roles while being THE air-superiority fighter at the same time. (Few have even tried to copy that, although the F-15E is an interesting exception.)
• FIRST missile armed a/c to have a combat weight thrust to weight ratio approaching 1 to 1. Few have been able to copy that.
• FIRST flying 4,000 psi hydraulic system to allow lighter and smaller components.
• FIRST oxygen-injection re-light system.
• FIRST engine to have only two main bearing assemblies on a two-shaft design.
• FIRST to use a variable stator on a two-shaft engine.
• First use of a trans-sonic first compressor stage on a turbojet engine.
• FIRST "hot-streak" type of afterburner ignition.
• FIRST engine to use only 10 compressor sections in a two-shaft design. (The competition was using 17!!)
The Avro Arrow was Canada's finest aviation achievement, even though it never entered RCAF service.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it all you lousy (and laugh-at-able) AVRO CANADA DETRACTORS ~
© R.L. Whitcomb
© 2014 Special Projects In Research
This RARE Toronto photo, is the stately Arrow in mock-up form … taken from inside Avro Canada buildings that no longer exist at the now barren and chillingly desolate Derry and Airport Road intersection at YYZ..
THIS PHOTO (and others) were a special gift to me, a few years back, from a man who needs no introduction (at least in Avro Arrow circles) Canadian author, Marc-André Valiquette. Marc actually owns SEVERAL authentic Avro Arrow artifacts!
MARC has just released a new Arrow book, "Avro CF-105 Arrow - Canada's Supersonic Sentinel" that features many, never seen before photos of the Arrow.
You can get your copy, here: www.warplane.com/gift-shop/books/avro-cf-105-arrow-canada...
Or here: www.aviationworld.net/default/aviation-books/aviation-his...
Highland Park High School / Junior College / Career Academy
In many ways, the histories of Detroit and Highland Park – a separate city located within the borders of Detroit –are very similar. Both cities experienced tremendous growth as a result of the automobile industry, and built up their city services to meet demand. Both cities lost population after the auto industry left. And today, both cities are struggling with how to provide the same city services to fewer people with less tax revenue. Budget cuts have led to the closure of most of Highland Park’s fire stations, libraries, and schools.
A three-block stretch of Highland Street running west from Woodward Avenue was one the civic center of the city. Along Highland and nearby streets were five schools, three churches, two hospitals, and the main library, mixed in with ornate high-rise apartment buildings. In this densely populated neighborhood one could be born, baptized, attend nursery school, elementary school, high school, and college, all without going more than three blocks in any direction. Right at the center of the neighborhood is the old Highland Park High School and Junior College, a block-long slab of quarry-faced limestone that played an important role in the development of Highland Park from an obscure village into an industrial boomtown.
Early days in Highland Park
In 1900, Highland Park was just a small village north of Detroit, population 427. Through the early 1900’s, the city grew as Detroit developed north along Woodward Avenue, spurring residential development. In 1907, Henry Ford began to move his automobile production from the Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit to a new, much larger factory located in Highland Park. The factory opened in 1909; a year later the population of Highland Park had risen to 4,120 as workers quickly built up neighborhoods around the Ford plant.
Like other early school districts, Highland Park Schools taught from Kindergarten to the 8th grade level, at which point young adults were expected to join the workforce. Starting in 1911, high school courses were introduced, with 42 students enrolled in 9th and 10th grade levels at Stevens Elementary, then moved to the new Ferris School when it opened in November. The next year 11th and 12th grades were introduced. Demand for higher education was enough that by 1912, plans were underway to build a dedicated high school building.
Building a new high school
Initially the board of education wanted to build the new high school east of Woodward Avenue, at Farrand and John R Streets, but instead settled a large rectangular parcel of land along Glendale Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Though the high school would take up only a small part of the land, school officials wanted additional space to expand the school if needed. Excavation at the site began as the first high school class of 14 students graduated from Ferris School in 1913. In 1914, a contract for construction of the new building designed by Wells D. Butterfield was awarded for $460,000. It could comfortably seat 1,000 students, though it was believed that it would be quite a few years before the school reached capacity.
The first unit of Highland Park High School was of English type architecture, laid out with a central mass three stories tall, with two end wings linked by classrooms. The east wing had a 1,100-seat auditorium, and the west wing featured a three-story gymnasium and basement swimming pool. In the center were school offices, a library, and recitation rooms. The exterior was done up in quarry-faced gray limestone, with mouldings and detail work of dressed Bedford stone. Inside the school were long hallways of Caen stone and ornamental carved oak. Dedicated classrooms included sewing, carpentry, machine tooling, botany, chemistry, and drawing.
The cornerstone was laid down in October of 1914. Construction on the high school had progressed far enough that by June of 1915, the auditorium was used for graduation as work on the rest of the building continued. The new building was scheduled to formally open in September, but even before then school administrators were facing an unanticipated problem: overcrowding.
Expansion
Between 1910 and 1916, the population of Highland Park grew from 4,100 to 28,000. By 1920 there would be 46,500 residents, a staggering 1,000% increase in population over just 10 years. Workers from across the globe were drawn to Detroit and Highland Park in particular, by the Ford factory and its promise of a $5 a day wage. The assembly line had revolutionized the way that cars were made, and in doing so, made Highland Park the center of the automotive revolution. The school board found itself with hundreds of new students every year, requiring hasty additions to existing school buildings, and the construction of new schools in neighborhoods that were springing up around town.
By the time Highland Park High School opened in September of 1915, enrollment far exceeded expectations, with 850 students signing up. In 1916, just a year after it opened, that number grew to over 1,000 high school students, filling the school to capacity. Plans for a second unit of the high school for 1,500 additional students to be built next to the first were immediately drawn up, with construction beginning in 1917.
Though the second unit of the high school used identical building materials and same English styling as the first, it was laid out differently. Initially the second unit was intended to be a high school for girls and a junior college, and was built with its own separate gymnasium and swimming pool. Instead of a second auditorium, a larger library and additional classrooms were set aside for a junior college program that would share the building with the girl’s high school. The new high school for girls opened in September of 1918, with a total enrollment of 1,525 students. Highland Park Junior College opened in 1918 as well, with 35 students. Course offerings included French, rhetoric, history, chemistry, zoology, and analytic geometry.
Within a few years the two high school programs merged and became co-ed. In 1927, a vocational education building including an automobile repair lab was built to south of the school, connected by an overhead walkway. A further addition to the vocational wing was added in 1938, and the auditorium was renovated in 1939. The high school thrived, with as many as 3,000 students and a host of extracurricular activities, including athletics, homemaking, and a school radio station.
Great Depression, Second World War
Enrollment at Highland Park Junior College steadily increased to around 300 students by the 1920’s, but slowed in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Lack of adequate space and a drop in the number of students to 159 in 1929 nearly led to the closure of college, but the residents of Highland Park voted to keep it open. This paid off in the long run, as after the Second World War ended enrollment skyrocketed from 117 in 1943 to 1,800 in 1947 as veterans returning to Highland Park used the GI bill to pay for college education.
By the 1940’s, population in Highland Park had peaked. Ford had moved auto production out of Highland Park to a new factory in the suburbs in 1927, and moved its headquarters to Dearborn in 1930. The construction of freeways made it easier for people to live outside the city, hastening an outward flight or residents to the suburbs. The racial composition of Highland Park changed as well. By 1968, over half of the 4,488 students were black, while teachers and administrators were mostly white. Sit-ins protesting the lack of diversity in the school administration were frequent in 1969.
The high school moves out
As part of a district-wide modernization program, several older schools in Highland Park were demolished and replaced with newer buildings in the 1950’s and 60’s. A nursery school was built on the south side of the campus in 1950, and an elementary school was built a block south in 1961. Plans for a new, modern high school to be built north on Woodward Avenue were drawn up in the early 1970’s, which would replace the existing school. The junior college (now a community college) would take over the entire building and expand its vocational offerings.
Construction on the new building was already underway when on the evening of March 18th 1975, a large fire broke out in the gymnasium of the old high school. Stacks of rolled-up wrestling mats were set alight as a practical joke, but the blaze quickly spread out of control, causing the roof and floor to cave into the basement swimming pool. The fire burned for over five hours as firefighters from Highland Park, Detroit, and Hamtramck struggled to contain it to just the gymnasium. While smoke and water damage throughout the high school were repaired fairly quickly, repairing the gymnasium was estimated to cost over $600,000. Since the high school was moving out in the near future, athletics were moved over to the community college building, which had its own pool and gymnasium. In 1977, the new Highland Park Community High School on Woodward Avenue opened, and the community college took over the Glendale campus. A temporary roof was built over the shell of the burned-out gymnasium, as administrators struggled with what to do next.
Not wishing to demolish the handsome limestone façade of the gym, the wing sat empty until 1983, when the community college approached Bloomfield Hills landscape architect James Scott about reusing the space. Scott envisioned turning the empty hall into a “multi-purpose concourse” and performing arts space, linking the two units together. Within a few days his ideas went from sketches to planning, and work began a short time later. The swimming pool, into which burning debris from above had been dumped, was covered by a new floor and sealed off. The open area above was a mix of the old and new, retaining the limestone wall of the adjacent gym, but incorporating modern styling throughout. Hexagons were the dominant theme, with planters turning the concourse into a green space. Work on the renovation concluded in 1985. In the years after the space was used for concerts, special events, and art galleries.
Community college struggles
Though enrollment at Highland Park Community College was 2,000 to 3,000 through most of the 1980’s, the college operated at a deficit that had grown to $1.4 million dollars by 1989. In an effort to save money, school administrators cut the LPN and respiratory therapy programs, sparking a four-day sit in strike by students. Though the administration reverses its decision, the financial situation continued to deteriorate, with accusations of rampant misuse of funds. After missing two consecutive annual audits, Michigan Governer John Engler began to withhold state funding for the college, as investigators report that Highland Park Community College “had the worst facilities of any community college in the state.”
In February of 1995, Governor Engler announced that all funding for the college would be stripped from the budget due to chronic financial and academic problems, stating, “Though the college has a long and distinguished tradition, it has become apparent that it is no longer an economically viable institution." Local representatives fought hard to keep the school open, arguing that it was making progress in fixing its financial situation and that the loss of the school would be devastating to Highland Park’s troubled economy. By December of 1995 the college had run out of money, and closed down.
Highland Park Career Academy, Final Years
The immediate impact of the closing of Highland Park Community College was that students were stranded in mid-study, some just a semester away from graduation. Though other nearby colleges tried to accommodate students, many never finished their studies, and walked away from secondary education. While elected officials fought to get funding restored, the school reopened as the Highland Park Career Academy, offering an alternative high school program and vocational training for students and young adults in the fields of nursing, dental hygiene, and auto repair. In 2001, the Ford Motor Company opened an automotive training center in the vocational education building, complete with demonstration cars.
Highland Park City Schools steadily lost students through the 2000’s, with K-12 enrollment falling to 2,700 by 2008 as students were lured away to other nearby school districts. As schools were funded by the state on a per pupil basis, this led to a major revenue shortfall for Highland Park. On January 23rd, 2009 the school board shut down the career academy with no official notification to parents, laying off 36 teachers to close the budget gap. Students were again left in the lurch with the cancellation of their programs, with few options for continuing their studies elsewhere. and leaving students stranded in mid-study. Only seniors were allowed to stay at the school until the end of the school year, with the remaining students to attend night school at Highland Park Community High School. However, the first scheduled night of classes was canceled without explanation. Most students dropped out, and the building closed for good in the summer of 2009.
For over 90 years, the old high school and college had been the center of Highland Park’s education system. By the time the school closed, the neighborhood and city around it had changed considerably. Ferris School and the hospitals closed in the 1990’s, along with the main library in 2002. The nursery school closed permanently in 2005. Most of the apartment buildings along Glendale and Highland had been vacated years ago, leaving large gaps in the fabric of the neighborhood. In the end, the closing of the career academy wound up costing the school district a large amount of funding, as students dropped out or left for other school districts. With just 969 students enrolled in 2012, the state of Michigan declared a financial emergency, and the Highland Park City Schools were taken over by a state emergency financial manager, who converted the district into a privately operated charter school system.
The new charter school operator found that the three remaining school buildings – Highland Park Community High, Ford, and Barber – were in terrible disrepair, and required proximately expensive work to be brought up to standards. In early 2012, school officials started looking at consolidating all of the schools into one K-12 as a way to save money. One alternative discussed was the reopening of the old high school and college building, which was large enough to support all of the students left in the district. The emergency manager visited the closed building in February to see if it would viable to reopen.
Since its closing in 2009, the old high school and college had been frozen in time, with little more than security and routine maintenance being carried out in its empty halls and classrooms. Though fairly secure for a few years, when the state took over the Highland Park City Schools, patrols at the closed building had been discontinued, leaving the school briefly open to scrappers and metal thieves. In the short time between the state takeover and the resumption of security at the school, scrappers had done enough damage to make reopening the school cost prohibitive. The plan was abandoned in favor of letting the three remaining schools stay open.
In the years since, scrappers and vandals have dismantled the old Highland Park High School. When the local Police department set up two non-working squad cars in the back of the building to deter people from entering, the cars were vandalized and removed less than a month later. In October of 2012 the windows of the school were boarded up, but by that time the damage had been done. The property was put up for sale with an asking price of $3 million dollars.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Highland Park High School / Junior College / Career Academy
In many ways, the histories of Detroit and Highland Park – a separate city located within the borders of Detroit –are very similar. Both cities experienced tremendous growth as a result of the automobile industry, and built up their city services to meet demand. Both cities lost population after the auto industry left. And today, both cities are struggling with how to provide the same city services to fewer people with less tax revenue. Budget cuts have led to the closure of most of Highland Park’s fire stations, libraries, and schools.
A three-block stretch of Highland Street running west from Woodward Avenue was one the civic center of the city. Along Highland and nearby streets were five schools, three churches, two hospitals, and the main library, mixed in with ornate high-rise apartment buildings. In this densely populated neighborhood one could be born, baptized, attend nursery school, elementary school, high school, and college, all without going more than three blocks in any direction. Right at the center of the neighborhood is the old Highland Park High School and Junior College, a block-long slab of quarry-faced limestone that played an important role in the development of Highland Park from an obscure village into an industrial boomtown.
Early days in Highland Park
In 1900, Highland Park was just a small village north of Detroit, population 427. Through the early 1900’s, the city grew as Detroit developed north along Woodward Avenue, spurring residential development. In 1907, Henry Ford began to move his automobile production from the Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit to a new, much larger factory located in Highland Park. The factory opened in 1909; a year later the population of Highland Park had risen to 4,120 as workers quickly built up neighborhoods around the Ford plant.
Like other early school districts, Highland Park Schools taught from Kindergarten to the 8th grade level, at which point young adults were expected to join the workforce. Starting in 1911, high school courses were introduced, with 42 students enrolled in 9th and 10th grade levels at Stevens Elementary, then moved to the new Ferris School when it opened in November. The next year 11th and 12th grades were introduced. Demand for higher education was enough that by 1912, plans were underway to build a dedicated high school building.
Building a new high school
Initially the board of education wanted to build the new high school east of Woodward Avenue, at Farrand and John R Streets, but instead settled a large rectangular parcel of land along Glendale Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Though the high school would take up only a small part of the land, school officials wanted additional space to expand the school if needed. Excavation at the site began as the first high school class of 14 students graduated from Ferris School in 1913. In 1914, a contract for construction of the new building designed by Wells D. Butterfield was awarded for $460,000. It could comfortably seat 1,000 students, though it was believed that it would be quite a few years before the school reached capacity.
The first unit of Highland Park High School was of English type architecture, laid out with a central mass three stories tall, with two end wings linked by classrooms. The east wing had a 1,100-seat auditorium, and the west wing featured a three-story gymnasium and basement swimming pool. In the center were school offices, a library, and recitation rooms. The exterior was done up in quarry-faced gray limestone, with mouldings and detail work of dressed Bedford stone. Inside the school were long hallways of Caen stone and ornamental carved oak. Dedicated classrooms included sewing, carpentry, machine tooling, botany, chemistry, and drawing.
The cornerstone was laid down in October of 1914. Construction on the high school had progressed far enough that by June of 1915, the auditorium was used for graduation as work on the rest of the building continued. The new building was scheduled to formally open in September, but even before then school administrators were facing an unanticipated problem: overcrowding.
Expansion
Between 1910 and 1916, the population of Highland Park grew from 4,100 to 28,000. By 1920 there would be 46,500 residents, a staggering 1,000% increase in population over just 10 years. Workers from across the globe were drawn to Detroit and Highland Park in particular, by the Ford factory and its promise of a $5 a day wage. The assembly line had revolutionized the way that cars were made, and in doing so, made Highland Park the center of the automotive revolution. The school board found itself with hundreds of new students every year, requiring hasty additions to existing school buildings, and the construction of new schools in neighborhoods that were springing up around town.
By the time Highland Park High School opened in September of 1915, enrollment far exceeded expectations, with 850 students signing up. In 1916, just a year after it opened, that number grew to over 1,000 high school students, filling the school to capacity. Plans for a second unit of the high school for 1,500 additional students to be built next to the first were immediately drawn up, with construction beginning in 1917.
Though the second unit of the high school used identical building materials and same English styling as the first, it was laid out differently. Initially the second unit was intended to be a high school for girls and a junior college, and was built with its own separate gymnasium and swimming pool. Instead of a second auditorium, a larger library and additional classrooms were set aside for a junior college program that would share the building with the girl’s high school. The new high school for girls opened in September of 1918, with a total enrollment of 1,525 students. Highland Park Junior College opened in 1918 as well, with 35 students. Course offerings included French, rhetoric, history, chemistry, zoology, and analytic geometry.
Within a few years the two high school programs merged and became co-ed. In 1927, a vocational education building including an automobile repair lab was built to south of the school, connected by an overhead walkway. A further addition to the vocational wing was added in 1938, and the auditorium was renovated in 1939. The high school thrived, with as many as 3,000 students and a host of extracurricular activities, including athletics, homemaking, and a school radio station.
Great Depression, Second World War
Enrollment at Highland Park Junior College steadily increased to around 300 students by the 1920’s, but slowed in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Lack of adequate space and a drop in the number of students to 159 in 1929 nearly led to the closure of college, but the residents of Highland Park voted to keep it open. This paid off in the long run, as after the Second World War ended enrollment skyrocketed from 117 in 1943 to 1,800 in 1947 as veterans returning to Highland Park used the GI bill to pay for college education.
By the 1940’s, population in Highland Park had peaked. Ford had moved auto production out of Highland Park to a new factory in the suburbs in 1927, and moved its headquarters to Dearborn in 1930. The construction of freeways made it easier for people to live outside the city, hastening an outward flight or residents to the suburbs. The racial composition of Highland Park changed as well. By 1968, over half of the 4,488 students were black, while teachers and administrators were mostly white. Sit-ins protesting the lack of diversity in the school administration were frequent in 1969.
The high school moves out
As part of a district-wide modernization program, several older schools in Highland Park were demolished and replaced with newer buildings in the 1950’s and 60’s. A nursery school was built on the south side of the campus in 1950, and an elementary school was built a block south in 1961. Plans for a new, modern high school to be built north on Woodward Avenue were drawn up in the early 1970’s, which would replace the existing school. The junior college (now a community college) would take over the entire building and expand its vocational offerings.
Construction on the new building was already underway when on the evening of March 18th 1975, a large fire broke out in the gymnasium of the old high school. Stacks of rolled-up wrestling mats were set alight as a practical joke, but the blaze quickly spread out of control, causing the roof and floor to cave into the basement swimming pool. The fire burned for over five hours as firefighters from Highland Park, Detroit, and Hamtramck struggled to contain it to just the gymnasium. While smoke and water damage throughout the high school were repaired fairly quickly, repairing the gymnasium was estimated to cost over $600,000. Since the high school was moving out in the near future, athletics were moved over to the community college building, which had its own pool and gymnasium. In 1977, the new Highland Park Community High School on Woodward Avenue opened, and the community college took over the Glendale campus. A temporary roof was built over the shell of the burned-out gymnasium, as administrators struggled with what to do next.
Not wishing to demolish the handsome limestone façade of the gym, the wing sat empty until 1983, when the community college approached Bloomfield Hills landscape architect James Scott about reusing the space. Scott envisioned turning the empty hall into a “multi-purpose concourse” and performing arts space, linking the two units together. Within a few days his ideas went from sketches to planning, and work began a short time later. The swimming pool, into which burning debris from above had been dumped, was covered by a new floor and sealed off. The open area above was a mix of the old and new, retaining the limestone wall of the adjacent gym, but incorporating modern styling throughout. Hexagons were the dominant theme, with planters turning the concourse into a green space. Work on the renovation concluded in 1985. In the years after the space was used for concerts, special events, and art galleries.
Community college struggles
Though enrollment at Highland Park Community College was 2,000 to 3,000 through most of the 1980’s, the college operated at a deficit that had grown to $1.4 million dollars by 1989. In an effort to save money, school administrators cut the LPN and respiratory therapy programs, sparking a four-day sit in strike by students. Though the administration reverses its decision, the financial situation continued to deteriorate, with accusations of rampant misuse of funds. After missing two consecutive annual audits, Michigan Governer John Engler began to withhold state funding for the college, as investigators report that Highland Park Community College “had the worst facilities of any community college in the state.”
In February of 1995, Governor Engler announced that all funding for the college would be stripped from the budget due to chronic financial and academic problems, stating, “Though the college has a long and distinguished tradition, it has become apparent that it is no longer an economically viable institution." Local representatives fought hard to keep the school open, arguing that it was making progress in fixing its financial situation and that the loss of the school would be devastating to Highland Park’s troubled economy. By December of 1995 the college had run out of money, and closed down.
Highland Park Career Academy, Final Years
The immediate impact of the closing of Highland Park Community College was that students were stranded in mid-study, some just a semester away from graduation. Though other nearby colleges tried to accommodate students, many never finished their studies, and walked away from secondary education. While elected officials fought to get funding restored, the school reopened as the Highland Park Career Academy, offering an alternative high school program and vocational training for students and young adults in the fields of nursing, dental hygiene, and auto repair. In 2001, the Ford Motor Company opened an automotive training center in the vocational education building, complete with demonstration cars.
Highland Park City Schools steadily lost students through the 2000’s, with K-12 enrollment falling to 2,700 by 2008 as students were lured away to other nearby school districts. As schools were funded by the state on a per pupil basis, this led to a major revenue shortfall for Highland Park. On January 23rd, 2009 the school board shut down the career academy with no official notification to parents, laying off 36 teachers to close the budget gap. Students were again left in the lurch with the cancellation of their programs, with few options for continuing their studies elsewhere. and leaving students stranded in mid-study. Only seniors were allowed to stay at the school until the end of the school year, with the remaining students to attend night school at Highland Park Community High School. However, the first scheduled night of classes was canceled without explanation. Most students dropped out, and the building closed for good in the summer of 2009.
For over 90 years, the old high school and college had been the center of Highland Park’s education system. By the time the school closed, the neighborhood and city around it had changed considerably. Ferris School and the hospitals closed in the 1990’s, along with the main library in 2002. The nursery school closed permanently in 2005. Most of the apartment buildings along Glendale and Highland had been vacated years ago, leaving large gaps in the fabric of the neighborhood. In the end, the closing of the career academy wound up costing the school district a large amount of funding, as students dropped out or left for other school districts. With just 969 students enrolled in 2012, the state of Michigan declared a financial emergency, and the Highland Park City Schools were taken over by a state emergency financial manager, who converted the district into a privately operated charter school system.
The new charter school operator found that the three remaining school buildings – Highland Park Community High, Ford, and Barber – were in terrible disrepair, and required proximately expensive work to be brought up to standards. In early 2012, school officials started looking at consolidating all of the schools into one K-12 as a way to save money. One alternative discussed was the reopening of the old high school and college building, which was large enough to support all of the students left in the district. The emergency manager visited the closed building in February to see if it would viable to reopen.
Since its closing in 2009, the old high school and college had been frozen in time, with little more than security and routine maintenance being carried out in its empty halls and classrooms. Though fairly secure for a few years, when the state took over the Highland Park City Schools, patrols at the closed building had been discontinued, leaving the school briefly open to scrappers and metal thieves. In the short time between the state takeover and the resumption of security at the school, scrappers had done enough damage to make reopening the school cost prohibitive. The plan was abandoned in favor of letting the three remaining schools stay open.
In the years since, scrappers and vandals have dismantled the old Highland Park High School. When the local Police department set up two non-working squad cars in the back of the building to deter people from entering, the cars were vandalized and removed less than a month later. In October of 2012 the windows of the school were boarded up, but by that time the damage had been done. The property was put up for sale with an asking price of $3 million dollars.
At Calais France. These ferries travelling across La Manche are laying off employees now because of the Chunnel.
Highland Park High School / Junior College / Career Academy
In many ways, the histories of Detroit and Highland Park – a separate city located within the borders of Detroit –are very similar. Both cities experienced tremendous growth as a result of the automobile industry, and built up their city services to meet demand. Both cities lost population after the auto industry left. And today, both cities are struggling with how to provide the same city services to fewer people with less tax revenue. Budget cuts have led to the closure of most of Highland Park’s fire stations, libraries, and schools.
A three-block stretch of Highland Street running west from Woodward Avenue was one the civic center of the city. Along Highland and nearby streets were five schools, three churches, two hospitals, and the main library, mixed in with ornate high-rise apartment buildings. In this densely populated neighborhood one could be born, baptized, attend nursery school, elementary school, high school, and college, all without going more than three blocks in any direction. Right at the center of the neighborhood is the old Highland Park High School and Junior College, a block-long slab of quarry-faced limestone that played an important role in the development of Highland Park from an obscure village into an industrial boomtown.
Early days in Highland Park
In 1900, Highland Park was just a small village north of Detroit, population 427. Through the early 1900’s, the city grew as Detroit developed north along Woodward Avenue, spurring residential development. In 1907, Henry Ford began to move his automobile production from the Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit to a new, much larger factory located in Highland Park. The factory opened in 1909; a year later the population of Highland Park had risen to 4,120 as workers quickly built up neighborhoods around the Ford plant.
Like other early school districts, Highland Park Schools taught from Kindergarten to the 8th grade level, at which point young adults were expected to join the workforce. Starting in 1911, high school courses were introduced, with 42 students enrolled in 9th and 10th grade levels at Stevens Elementary, then moved to the new Ferris School when it opened in November. The next year 11th and 12th grades were introduced. Demand for higher education was enough that by 1912, plans were underway to build a dedicated high school building.
Building a new high school
Initially the board of education wanted to build the new high school east of Woodward Avenue, at Farrand and John R Streets, but instead settled a large rectangular parcel of land along Glendale Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Though the high school would take up only a small part of the land, school officials wanted additional space to expand the school if needed. Excavation at the site began as the first high school class of 14 students graduated from Ferris School in 1913. In 1914, a contract for construction of the new building designed by Wells D. Butterfield was awarded for $460,000. It could comfortably seat 1,000 students, though it was believed that it would be quite a few years before the school reached capacity.
The first unit of Highland Park High School was of English type architecture, laid out with a central mass three stories tall, with two end wings linked by classrooms. The east wing had a 1,100-seat auditorium, and the west wing featured a three-story gymnasium and basement swimming pool. In the center were school offices, a library, and recitation rooms. The exterior was done up in quarry-faced gray limestone, with mouldings and detail work of dressed Bedford stone. Inside the school were long hallways of Caen stone and ornamental carved oak. Dedicated classrooms included sewing, carpentry, machine tooling, botany, chemistry, and drawing.
The cornerstone was laid down in October of 1914. Construction on the high school had progressed far enough that by June of 1915, the auditorium was used for graduation as work on the rest of the building continued. The new building was scheduled to formally open in September, but even before then school administrators were facing an unanticipated problem: overcrowding.
Expansion
Between 1910 and 1916, the population of Highland Park grew from 4,100 to 28,000. By 1920 there would be 46,500 residents, a staggering 1,000% increase in population over just 10 years. Workers from across the globe were drawn to Detroit and Highland Park in particular, by the Ford factory and its promise of a $5 a day wage. The assembly line had revolutionized the way that cars were made, and in doing so, made Highland Park the center of the automotive revolution. The school board found itself with hundreds of new students every year, requiring hasty additions to existing school buildings, and the construction of new schools in neighborhoods that were springing up around town.
By the time Highland Park High School opened in September of 1915, enrollment far exceeded expectations, with 850 students signing up. In 1916, just a year after it opened, that number grew to over 1,000 high school students, filling the school to capacity. Plans for a second unit of the high school for 1,500 additional students to be built next to the first were immediately drawn up, with construction beginning in 1917.
Though the second unit of the high school used identical building materials and same English styling as the first, it was laid out differently. Initially the second unit was intended to be a high school for girls and a junior college, and was built with its own separate gymnasium and swimming pool. Instead of a second auditorium, a larger library and additional classrooms were set aside for a junior college program that would share the building with the girl’s high school. The new high school for girls opened in September of 1918, with a total enrollment of 1,525 students. Highland Park Junior College opened in 1918 as well, with 35 students. Course offerings included French, rhetoric, history, chemistry, zoology, and analytic geometry.
Within a few years the two high school programs merged and became co-ed. In 1927, a vocational education building including an automobile repair lab was built to south of the school, connected by an overhead walkway. A further addition to the vocational wing was added in 1938, and the auditorium was renovated in 1939. The high school thrived, with as many as 3,000 students and a host of extracurricular activities, including athletics, homemaking, and a school radio station.
Great Depression, Second World War
Enrollment at Highland Park Junior College steadily increased to around 300 students by the 1920’s, but slowed in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Lack of adequate space and a drop in the number of students to 159 in 1929 nearly led to the closure of college, but the residents of Highland Park voted to keep it open. This paid off in the long run, as after the Second World War ended enrollment skyrocketed from 117 in 1943 to 1,800 in 1947 as veterans returning to Highland Park used the GI bill to pay for college education.
By the 1940’s, population in Highland Park had peaked. Ford had moved auto production out of Highland Park to a new factory in the suburbs in 1927, and moved its headquarters to Dearborn in 1930. The construction of freeways made it easier for people to live outside the city, hastening an outward flight or residents to the suburbs. The racial composition of Highland Park changed as well. By 1968, over half of the 4,488 students were black, while teachers and administrators were mostly white. Sit-ins protesting the lack of diversity in the school administration were frequent in 1969.
The high school moves out
As part of a district-wide modernization program, several older schools in Highland Park were demolished and replaced with newer buildings in the 1950’s and 60’s. A nursery school was built on the south side of the campus in 1950, and an elementary school was built a block south in 1961. Plans for a new, modern high school to be built north on Woodward Avenue were drawn up in the early 1970’s, which would replace the existing school. The junior college (now a community college) would take over the entire building and expand its vocational offerings.
Construction on the new building was already underway when on the evening of March 18th 1975, a large fire broke out in the gymnasium of the old high school. Stacks of rolled-up wrestling mats were set alight as a practical joke, but the blaze quickly spread out of control, causing the roof and floor to cave into the basement swimming pool. The fire burned for over five hours as firefighters from Highland Park, Detroit, and Hamtramck struggled to contain it to just the gymnasium. While smoke and water damage throughout the high school were repaired fairly quickly, repairing the gymnasium was estimated to cost over $600,000. Since the high school was moving out in the near future, athletics were moved over to the community college building, which had its own pool and gymnasium. In 1977, the new Highland Park Community High School on Woodward Avenue opened, and the community college took over the Glendale campus. A temporary roof was built over the shell of the burned-out gymnasium, as administrators struggled with what to do next.
Not wishing to demolish the handsome limestone façade of the gym, the wing sat empty until 1983, when the community college approached Bloomfield Hills landscape architect James Scott about reusing the space. Scott envisioned turning the empty hall into a “multi-purpose concourse” and performing arts space, linking the two units together. Within a few days his ideas went from sketches to planning, and work began a short time later. The swimming pool, into which burning debris from above had been dumped, was covered by a new floor and sealed off. The open area above was a mix of the old and new, retaining the limestone wall of the adjacent gym, but incorporating modern styling throughout. Hexagons were the dominant theme, with planters turning the concourse into a green space. Work on the renovation concluded in 1985. In the years after the space was used for concerts, special events, and art galleries.
Community college struggles
Though enrollment at Highland Park Community College was 2,000 to 3,000 through most of the 1980’s, the college operated at a deficit that had grown to $1.4 million dollars by 1989. In an effort to save money, school administrators cut the LPN and respiratory therapy programs, sparking a four-day sit in strike by students. Though the administration reverses its decision, the financial situation continued to deteriorate, with accusations of rampant misuse of funds. After missing two consecutive annual audits, Michigan Governer John Engler began to withhold state funding for the college, as investigators report that Highland Park Community College “had the worst facilities of any community college in the state.”
In February of 1995, Governor Engler announced that all funding for the college would be stripped from the budget due to chronic financial and academic problems, stating, “Though the college has a long and distinguished tradition, it has become apparent that it is no longer an economically viable institution." Local representatives fought hard to keep the school open, arguing that it was making progress in fixing its financial situation and that the loss of the school would be devastating to Highland Park’s troubled economy. By December of 1995 the college had run out of money, and closed down.
Highland Park Career Academy, Final Years
The immediate impact of the closing of Highland Park Community College was that students were stranded in mid-study, some just a semester away from graduation. Though other nearby colleges tried to accommodate students, many never finished their studies, and walked away from secondary education. While elected officials fought to get funding restored, the school reopened as the Highland Park Career Academy, offering an alternative high school program and vocational training for students and young adults in the fields of nursing, dental hygiene, and auto repair. In 2001, the Ford Motor Company opened an automotive training center in the vocational education building, complete with demonstration cars.
Highland Park City Schools steadily lost students through the 2000’s, with K-12 enrollment falling to 2,700 by 2008 as students were lured away to other nearby school districts. As schools were funded by the state on a per pupil basis, this led to a major revenue shortfall for Highland Park. On January 23rd, 2009 the school board shut down the career academy with no official notification to parents, laying off 36 teachers to close the budget gap. Students were again left in the lurch with the cancellation of their programs, with few options for continuing their studies elsewhere. and leaving students stranded in mid-study. Only seniors were allowed to stay at the school until the end of the school year, with the remaining students to attend night school at Highland Park Community High School. However, the first scheduled night of classes was canceled without explanation. Most students dropped out, and the building closed for good in the summer of 2009.
For over 90 years, the old high school and college had been the center of Highland Park’s education system. By the time the school closed, the neighborhood and city around it had changed considerably. Ferris School and the hospitals closed in the 1990’s, along with the main library in 2002. The nursery school closed permanently in 2005. Most of the apartment buildings along Glendale and Highland had been vacated years ago, leaving large gaps in the fabric of the neighborhood. In the end, the closing of the career academy wound up costing the school district a large amount of funding, as students dropped out or left for other school districts. With just 969 students enrolled in 2012, the state of Michigan declared a financial emergency, and the Highland Park City Schools were taken over by a state emergency financial manager, who converted the district into a privately operated charter school system.
The new charter school operator found that the three remaining school buildings – Highland Park Community High, Ford, and Barber – were in terrible disrepair, and required proximately expensive work to be brought up to standards. In early 2012, school officials started looking at consolidating all of the schools into one K-12 as a way to save money. One alternative discussed was the reopening of the old high school and college building, which was large enough to support all of the students left in the district. The emergency manager visited the closed building in February to see if it would viable to reopen.
Since its closing in 2009, the old high school and college had been frozen in time, with little more than security and routine maintenance being carried out in its empty halls and classrooms. Though fairly secure for a few years, when the state took over the Highland Park City Schools, patrols at the closed building had been discontinued, leaving the school briefly open to scrappers and metal thieves. In the short time between the state takeover and the resumption of security at the school, scrappers had done enough damage to make reopening the school cost prohibitive. The plan was abandoned in favor of letting the three remaining schools stay open.
In the years since, scrappers and vandals have dismantled the old Highland Park High School. When the local Police department set up two non-working squad cars in the back of the building to deter people from entering, the cars were vandalized and removed less than a month later. In October of 2012 the windows of the school were boarded up, but by that time the damage had been done. The property was put up for sale with an asking price of $3 million dollars.
Just back from a holiday in Sicily which gave me the opportunity to sketch again for the first time in a while. This one was something of a warm up sketch after such a long lay off so I made sure to choose something nice and simple.
Sorry for not posting in a while. I have been trying to keep up with people's streams (and largely failing), but there's been a lot of bad stuff happening. Health issues in the family which seem to be clearing up fortunately, a re-org at work followed just two days ago by a round of lay-offs. Wasn't laid-off myself but a lot of people I worked with were, some of whom I've known for nearly 12 years. Haven't felt much like posting, though I have enjoyed the pics people have posted.
Easing my way back into taking photos after a long lay off.... not the best composition, still find it hard to visualise stitched panos (this is 3 portrait shots form the TSE24ii).
If I were little Billy I'd lay off the taunts, because it doesn't look like the pole is going to hold the raptor much longer...
My take on a scene that appears in a lot of cartoons.
www.flickr.com/photos/59395264@N03/6590058807/in/set-7215... 291
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Grandma's 1950 era Mirro Aluminum Coffee Pot. It was used up until 2005. Made in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Mirro Aluminum Company
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The Mirro Aluminum Company was an aluminum cookware company that existed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, from 1909 to 2003. It was colloquially referred to as simply Mirro.
History
Founding - 1940
The roots of the company can be traced to the founding of three companies: the Aluminum Manufacturing Company founded by Joseph Koenig in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in 1895; the Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company, founded in neighboring Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Henry Vits in 1898; and the New Jersey Aluminum Company founded in 1890 in Newark, New Jersey. In 1909, the three companies merged, and the resulting company was renamed the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company.
It was headquartered in Manitowoc and headed by Vits as president and Koenig as vice president. In 1910, in a $200,000 deal between George Vits and the eastern capitalists, all offices and manufacturing were moved to Manitowoc.
The company received its first government contract in 1911, winning an $80,000 contract to build aluminum canteens developed by Joseph Koenig for the army. Koening filed for a patent in April 1911 and was granted patent US1062716 in May 1913.
By 1914, the company reported that its employment was over 400 and building space had grown to almost 90,000 sq ft. In 1915 the company acquired the facilities of the Standard Aluminum Company, another manufacturer in Two Rivers. For the next two years the company concentrated on the production of cooking utensils. The Mirro brand was introduced in 1917.
The company continued to grow and by 1920 had increased its capital to $12,000,000.
1941-1982
During World War II Mirro retooled its factories to make aluminum products for the military. When the war ended in 1945, the company expanded into aluminum toys, making the popular Sno-Coaster saucer shaped sled. In 1957 shareholders approved a name change to the Mirro Aluminum Company.
In 1958, Mirro began manufacturing a line of 16 ft aluminum boats under the Mirro-Craft name. The boats, introduced at the Chicago National Boat Show in February of that year, were designed by naval architect David Beach. Shipment of production boats did not start until January 1959.
In late 1971, Mirro purchased Cruisers, Inc., of Oconto, Wisconsin, a manufacturer of Fiberglass boats ranging in length from 16 ft to 25 ft.
At its peak, Mirro was the world's largest manufacturer of aluminum cooking utensils, and over time it had as many as eight plants in three states, with products ranging from pots and pans to small boats and aluminum siding.
In 1982 the boat business was divested. It was purchased by employees and moved to Gillett, Wisconsin, to a plant formerly owned by Mirro. The new company was named Northport, Inc. The MirroCraft tradename was transferred to the new company.
In 2003 Northport was purchased by Weeres pontoons of St. Cloud, Minnesota.[17] The fiberglass boat portion was sold to Cruisers, Incorporated of Oconto, Wisconsin. This company is now known as Cruisers Yachts.
1983-2003
Mirro was acquired by The Newell Companies in 1983. Facing competition from other manufacturers, Newell had moved most of its Manitowoc area operations out of the country by 2001, and shuttered the most modern of the area Mirro plants in 2003. Mirro also closed its administrative offices in Manitowoc at that time, ending the company's 118-year history in the area.
Post 2003
The manufacturing facility in the industrial park on Mirro Drive on the northeast of Manitowoc, was purchased by Koenig & Vits, Inc., when it closed. They formed an alliance in 2005 with Tramontina, a Brazil-based cookware and cutlery manufacture to manufacture cookware in Manitowoc at the plant. July 8, 2019 the company announced it is closing the Manitowoc manufacturing plant, laying off 145 workers.
The current owner of the plant, Skana Aluminum, was incorporated in 2009. The plant is currently operated as a contract custom aluminum rolling mill.
As of July 2014, The trademark name Mirro (U.S. Trademark 86,014,641) was registered to Groupe SEB.
The trademark for MIRRO CRAFT (U.S. Trademark 72,057,085) was renewed in 2009 by Northport Marine LLC of Gillett, Wisconsin.
The part of the old plant in the downtown location, bounded by 15th, 16th, Franklin and Washington streets, has been demolished. The current owner of this parcel is EJ Spirtas Manitowoc LLC.
2015-2017
The building begun being dismantled in 2015 and demolished in 2017.
Plans for redevelopment of the remaining portion of the building occupying the south third of the block into the Mirro Shops, are currently on hold.
The former 250,000 sq. ft. distribution center next to the plant on Mirro Drive was sold to Orion Energy Systems by Koenig & Vits in 2004
The newer downtown building in the next block west bounded by 16th and 17th streets is owned by LVR Properties LLC
: : Haze Mission Log : :
: : Deceased, Apparently : :
I always thought when Death was upon me I would except it and focus on the afterlife, but no. I kicked Death straight in the gut and ran before he could claim me.
So did the rest of my Squad.
We wondered through the debris stopping once every so often for Blast to catch his breath. He had got the brunt of the impact. His trusty cannon had been snapped in two like a twig and so had his leg. He was using a spare rifle from the escape pod as a back up weapon and a crutch. He hobbled along audibly gritting his teeth and sighing loudly. We didn't mind. Or at least I didn't. Hull and Sweep where ahead of me, both vacant and staring off into space.
I can't blame them for not wanting to chat. Being put in the GAR's bad books for no given reason is not a regular occurrence. The Chancellor had scrubbed the 457th clean off the list. Our local command and field data was still operational. It was nothing more than a little Black Box that sent us Information and updates when soldiers went missing or worse, as well as mission objectives.
But this time it just sent out the list of dead of MIA. No one I know of made it out. Every single clone... Every single one of my Brothers where dead or dying all thanks to the whim of one soul.
The Chancellor.
____
CC-5038 "Haze" I think we should go and confront our boss regarding the sudden "Lay off's"
____
The others stopped and turned to face me. Sweep rubbed his claws together apprehensively, Hull just nodded and drew the bolt back on his rifle, sending a spent cartridge flying out of the side.
Blast echoed Hull's threatening gesture...
____
CC-5755 "Blast": : Agreed, We'll show him how difficult it is to kill the 457th...
: : Log End : :
_______________________________________
I am not letting Theta Die so Easily! >:3
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. On this photo my boat was stopped making no way through the water, the two largest of the Whales came up from a depth right to the side of the boat until nearly touching then veering away at the last minute. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
© I m a g e D a v e F o r b e s
Engagement 1,500+
Hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond
STAFF NEGLIGENCE BLAZE
The well-appointed hotel Cameron House at Loch Lomond had suffered a huge blaze on the morning of Dec 18th 2017 , sadly leading to the deaths of two of the hotel's guests who were on holiday. The main building was reduced to a shell when the roof collapsed
THE BUILDING
The former 18th century Mansion House & Estate was owned long term by the Dumbarton Shipbuilding Smollett family. I wasn't until 1986 that the family had sold their house and land to become a 5-Star hotel. Bought by American Investment Group KSL Partners for £75M in 2015
It has been reported that the company owning the hotel will have to Lay Off over 100 people but the main building will be rebuilt from it's embers. An enquiry report into the incident blames the lack of H&S training of staff with one member discarding open fire ashes into a bin full of paper which ignited
I guess I'm going to have to lay off on my begging him to let me take his photo. This is the reaction every time these days...
The renewal of the 7 East Acton service saw Metroline invest in new buses. The East Lancs Scania deckers have been deployed elsewhere. With the new hybrid Volvo B5LH/wrights taking over the 7. This particular bus is seen arriving at the lay-off stand, awaiting a return to service. I wonder if this route will revert back to Russell Square, in the future.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History
Name:Chateau Thierry
Builder:American International Shipbuilding
Cost:~$2,000,000
Yard number:678
Laid down:25 January 1919 as Skanamania
Launched:24 December 1919
Completed:June 1920
Acquired:
By the Army: 1921
By the Navy: 15 July 1941
Commissioned:
Army: 1921 - 1941
Navy: 6 Aug 1941 - 9 Sep 1943 1940
Army: 5 Mar 1944- 1946?
Honors and
awards:One battle star for World War II service
Fate:Unknown
General characteristics
Type:Design 1024 ship
Displacement:9,050 tons (lt)
Length:448 ft
Beam:58 ft
Draft:28 ft
Propulsion:Steam turbine
Speed:15 knots
Complement:253
Armament:(WWII) 1 x 5"/38 caliber dual purpose gun, 4 x 3"/50 caliber dp guns, 8 x 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
Chateau Thierry was a troop transport that served with the US Army and US Navy. Originally built for service during the First World War, the ship arrived too late to see service in that war, but operated as an army transport, USAT Chateau Thierry, between the wars. With America's entry into World War II, the vessel was transferred to the US Navy and redesignated USS Chateau Thierry (AP-31). In 1943 she was transferred back to the Army and converted into a hospital ship, USAHS Chateau Thierry, in which role she was to serve for the remainder of the war.
Chateau Thierry was built in 1921 by the American International Shipbuilding Corporation at Hog Island, Pennsylvania. She was transferred from the Army to the Navy 15 July 1941, and commissioned into the latter 6 August 1941, Commander J. K. Davis in command.
Prewar Army service
Chateau Thierry played a part in the assumption by the United States of responsibilities in the western Atlantic in the period before entrance into World War II as she carried Army and civilian personnel and cargo from Brooklyn, New York, to ports in Greenland, Iceland, and Nova Scotia, between 13 September 1941 and 2 January 1942.
The ship's first captain, Jerry Allen, sailed her maiden voyage as a U.S. Army Transport from Baltimore to Manila in 1921. He captained the Chateau Thierry on a number or trips from the east coast to Pacific ports. One started in 1925 in Manila, stopped in San Francisco, traversed the Panama Canal and docked in New York.[1]
War Department plans to establish bases in Greenland, known by the code name "Bluie" were at risk when Navy notified Army that ships could not be spared ships for a required two month layover.[2] The recently acquired Munargo being transferred to Navy for that purpose and addition of Chateau Thierry was the solution.[2] The Army's Greenland force had been scheduled to depart 19 May 1941 but repairs were required for Munargo delayed departure until 19 June when Chateau Thierry and Munargo with 469 officers and men of the force departed New York bound for Argentia, Newfoundland where they would refuel and await news of ice conditions.[2] The ships departed Argentia 30 June and arrived off Narsarssuak, Greenland to establish Bluie West One as the major Army and Navy base in Greenland.[2]
World War II
On 15 July 1941 Chateau Thierry was transferred from Army to Navy and continued operations between Brooklyn and outposts in Greenland, Iceland, and Nova Scotia during September 1941 and 2 January 1942.[3]
With the entry of the United States into the war, she sailed from Brooklyn 15 January 1942 carrying some of the first American troops to cross to Northern Ireland. Chateau Thierry sailed on to Scotland to embark British troops and sailors for transportation to Halifax and New York City. Two more voyages with soldiers from New York to Argentia, Newfoundland, followed, and on 19 May, she got underway for Charleston, South Carolina, to embark Army and civilian passengers. She sailed on by way of Bermuda for a round of calls at African ports, sailing south around Cape of Good Hope for Eritrea, where she landed the last of her passengers and took a new group on board. On her return passage she picked up Navy gun crews and other survivors of two merchant ship sinkings, at west African ports.
Invasion of Sicily
Chateau Thierry resumed her transport duty to the North Atlantic until 29 April 1943, when she cleared New York for a voyage to North Africa, well escorted in a safe passage. Returning to New York, she embarked soldiers and sailors, and cleared 10 June for Oran, arriving 21 June. Here she prepared for the invasion of Sicily, for which she sailed 5 July. Assigned to the floating reserve, Chateau Thierry lay off the hotly contested Gela beaches 10 July as the assault began, and late in the day began landing her reinforcements, continuing into the night. She remained off Sicily for 2 days, firing to aid in turning back the heavy German air attacks, and taking on board Italian prisoners of war.
Returning to Bizerte 13 July she landed the Italians, then returned to Sicily to embark members of naval units not needed ashore now that the landings had succeeded. Laden with German prisoners of war at Oran, Chateau Thierry sailed 9 August for New York which she reached 22 August.
Conversion to hospital ship
Sailing on to Boston, she was decommissioned there 9 September 1943, and returned to the Army who used her as a hospital ship for the remainder of the war. Chateau Thierry was one of the 12 hospital ships that were involved in the Invasion of southern France. The hospital ship also saw service in the Pacific.
Awards
Chateau Thierry received one battle star for World War II service.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Yeah yeah yeah...I said I'd lay off the frog shots...but then came across this incredible little red-eyed treefrog. This is easily the best looking little frog I've had the opportunity to shoot. He (or she) was still incredibly small, probably about 2.5cm's.
Nice to know there's actually a population of these guys close to home. They've eluded me for ages :P
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Well, it's one for the money,
Two for the show,
Three to get ready,
Now go, cat, go.
But don't you step on my blue suede shoes.
You can do anything but lay off of my Blue suede shoes.
Well, you can knock me down,
Step in my face,
Slander my name
All over the place.
Do anything that you want to do,
Honey, lay off of my shoes
Don't you step on my Blue suede shoes.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes.
You can burn my house,
Steal my car,
Drink my liquor
From an old fruitjar.
Do anything that you want to do,
Honey, lay off of my shoes
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes.
Its been a while since I uploaded to Flickr. And now I'm beginning to wonder why. So I am going to start uploading more, even if I am reaching the 200 photo limit!!!
Also, it is Christmas, so I thought I'd show you a really festive image. This is just as christmas as seeing Santa flying in this sleigh over a chubby snow bound robin. Anyway, everyone wants an AMG for christmas, surely?
I hope you guys all have the best Christmas ever and a happy new year. Just lay off the mince pies!!
I'm not going to lie. There is a strong chance this is a box of Plushformers. She orders a lot of stuff via the mail, but as much as the art, action figures, and rare hoodies love her, none of them battle their box mates for right of first squeeze.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
The Creation of Trafford Park
The development of Trafford Park as the world's first industrial park, (and still its biggest), was dependent upon the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. It was this canal which made it suitable for import of raw materials and export of mercantile goods directly to the River Mersey and on to the world beyond.
The port of Manchester still ranked as fourth most important in the UK, thanks to the Manchester Ship Canal and its direct access to the sea. It ran directly through the Trafford Park Industrial Estate, where other new industries had emerged.
Trafford Park is some 1,183 acres, originally parkland with deer, and Trafford Hall as its centre. The hall was destroyed in the blitz of 1940. It was purchased in August 1896 by Ernest Hooley for the sum of £360,000. Hooley immediately created the Trafford Park Estates Company and set about developing it as an "industrial estate" - then a radically new concept.
The Companies who came to Trafford Park
Trafford Park was the industrial home of the Co-operative Wholesale Society (the CWS), a Rochdale-born organisation , which had a major food packing factory and a flour mill there - they had purchased land at Trafford Wharf in 1903. Within the next few years, over 40 companies had relocated to Trafford Park, and it was, from the outset, a major economic success story for Manchester and its working people.
The British Westinghouse Electric Company had also purchased large tracts of land in the Park in 1899 and began manufacturing turbines and generators there in by 1903. A large housing estate was also built by the company to house its workers. At that time Westinghouse employed half of the 12,000 people working within Trafford Park. In 1919 Westinghouse renamed the company Metropolitan Vickers - it was here that Alcock and Brown met each other and talked the company into building and supplying the Vickers Vimy Aeroplane which they flew across the Atlantic in 1919.
Some of Trafford Park's earliest constructions were wooden grain silos built by the Hovis Flour Mill (now Rank Hovis McDougal) to receive the corn from America and Canada which would feed the population of Manchester. These silos were also destroyed in the 1940 blitz and were subsequently replaced by concrete silos just near to Dock 9 on the adjacent Ship Canal. The Hovis company, had opened the mill in 1914; their brown loaf became synonymous with good quality and "natural" baking. Kemp's Biscuits were also produced there from 1923. With widespread laying-off of textile workers in the two decades after the Great War of 1914-18, Manchester came to depend more than ever on its distribution infrastructure.
In 1938 the Kellogg company opened a major industrial complex at Barton Dock, and massively increased the importation of maize and grain products into the region - their factory uses Trafford Park as its European headquarters, and still makes Corn Flakes there to this day. After 1945, Brook Bond moved their tea packaging factory at the canal side in Ordsall.
Many foreign businesses were attracted to Trafford. By 1933, over 300 American firms had bases in Trafford Park. The Ford Motor Company moved to the Park in 1910 and by 1913 was in production of the Model T Ford Car, before its relocation to Dagenham in 1931- they returned to Trafford during World War II to build Rolls Royce aircraft engines. The Guiness Company began brewing in the Park, and even went so far as to sink artesian wells to obtain clean water for their products. ICI built its first purpose-built factory for the mass production of penicillin. Rank-Hovis still have major production facilities in the Park.
The Fall & Rise of Trafford Park
By the outbreak of the Second World War, Trafford Park had so grown as to acquire the status of a borough in its own right. At its peak (around 1945), the Park employed over 75,000 workers. Trafford Park has continued to grow throughout the years, and has offset many of the worst effects of depression on employment in Manchester. Many new service industries have moved in as well as light engineering and cleaner hi-tech industries.
The decline of the Manchester Ship Canal and the closure of the Port of Manchester in the 1960s and 1970s reflected the depression in the Park's fortunes. However, in recent years there has been a complete turnaround, as the M62 and M60 motorways now fulfil a similar function; the Park has once again found itself connected to the rest of the world. Today there is a distinct sense of revival to Trafford Park.
As shown in many of my Quays images, the prestigious award winning Lowry Centre has been built on the site of the old derelict docks; the Imperial War Museum North now stands defiantly facing the Lowry; the Trafford Centre retail and leisure park built at Dumplington - all signs of regeneration and new life back to the former deer park at Trafford.
Oudeschild ist mit 1.195 Einwohnern der drittgrößte Ort der Gemeinde Texel auf der gleichnamigen Wattenmeerinsel in den Niederlanden. Oudeschild liegt am östlichen Ende der Insel.
Hier befindet sich eine Marina mit 200 Liegeplätzen und ein Fischereihafen. 1780 wurde in Oudeschild erstmals ein Deichdurchbruch vorgenommen und ein Hafen angelegt. In der Zeit davor lag die international bekannte Texeler Reede vor der Küste von Oudeschild, auf der Handelsschiffe mit Wasser versorgt wurden und Lotsen für die Weiterfahrt an die niederländischen Häfen an Bord gingen. Von historischer Bedeutung ist das Fort De Schans.
Im Dorf befinden sich eine restaurierte Windmühle und das Kaap Skil, ein Meeres- und Strandgutmuseum.
With 1,195 inhabitants,
Oudeschild is the third largest town in the municipality of Texel on the Wadden Sea island of the same name in the Netherlands. Oudeschild is at the eastern end of the island.
There is a marina with 200 berths and a fishing port here. In 1780, a dike was breached for the first time in Oudeschild and a harbor was built. In the time before that, the internationally famous Texel roadstead lay off the coast of Oudeschild, where merchant ships were supplied with water and pilots were boarded for their onward journey to the Dutch ports. Fort De Schans is of historical importance.
The village has a restored windmill and Kaap Skil, a marine and flotsam and jetsam museum.
When the heads to our machines are breaking down
one by one causing our machines
to be idle for months and months waiting for parts some machinist
will ask
why Goodstone Aircraft Company doesn't order parts for the heads in
advance
so the heads can be fixed the same day they break down
and another machinist will look shocked and aghast and answer,
"No! No! Goodstone COULDN'T do that - THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE!"
When Goodstone Aircraft Company lays off some of our top machinists
who happen to be at the bottom of the seniority list
for a few months in the winter
to avoid paying them their 2 week Christmas-to-New Years holiday pay
and those top machinists don't come back
when Goodstone tries to recall them,
some machinist will ask,
Is it worth it, laying them off and losing all that skill and all
that good work they'd've done? WHY DOESN'T
GOODSTONE JUST PAY THEM
THE HOLIDAY PAY?!"
and another machinist will get a horrified look on his
face and answer,
Nol No way! Goodstone would NEVER do something like that - THAT WOULD
MAKE TOO MUCH SENSE!"
Our only chance of making sense out of Goodstone Aircraft Company
is by reminding ourselves every so often that they don't
make sense.
General Electric manufactures turbines for power applications at the Schenectady plant. This week the company announced 250 lay-offs at the Schenectady location. I hope that the persons being laid off can cope with this change, get through it successfully, and have a brighter future.
Killer Whales of the west coast of Whalsay, weather conditions were low cloud and mostly calm dry conditions. On this photo my boat was stopped making no way through the water, the two largest of the Whales came up from a depth right to the side of the boat until nearly touching then veering away at the last minute. The Killer Whales (Orcas) were first spotted on the east side of the calf of Linga an Island which is situated of Symbister Harbour. The whales then proceeded into the north west traveling between islands Bruceholm and Hunderholm headed to a bight which lays off mainland Shetland called Bunnydale, here the whales frolicked around breaching and playing swimming upside down etc. Here as you will see in one of the photos the whale also grabbed a tystie for a snack. They then left this location and headed south again around the island of Hunderholm and carried on proceeding south towards nesting and Lerwick area. In the pod there were 2 large Killer Whales and three smaller cubs. The whales travelled at a speed around 6-7 knots into the south.
Merigold, Mississippi, 2011.
If you’ve ever heard the expression King Cotton, what it referred to is this: The USA’s early wealth and therefore power was built on the cultivation and production of cotton - cotton that until the time of the American Civil War was picked primarily by black slaves, and subsequently by free African American plantation workers and sharecroppers up until the mid 20th century. Cotton was planted through much of the South, but it was in the Mississippi Delta region the plant grew best.
Many blues songs contain lyrics referring to the picking of cotton, for it was on the cotton plantations that the music known as Blues originally evolved out of the call and response ‘work songs’ and so called ‘field hollers’ or chants of the plantation workers. All the big plantations had 'juke joints' or jooks on or close to them where the workers could go to socialise, to drink white lightnin’ (grain alcohol), gamble and dance. And it was on such plantations that all the famous early blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Lightnin’ Hopkins grew up and where they first began to play their music to paying audiences.
By the mid to late 1940s however the cotton plantations had became mechanised which led to the laying off of hundreds of thousands of African American labourers and sharecroppers, who as a result migrated to the larger cities of the Midwest and the industrialised cities of the North, such as Chicago and Detroit. And with them went the music and those that played it, where it further evolved into urban electrified blues, that itself was the primary ingredient of and a huge influence on later rock and roll music. So cotton and modern popular music: if you didn’t know the (hi)story, who would have thought there was such a deep connection between the two!
I ran across this picture I took last September. This is our horse trap and the mesas in the background are the north end of the ranch. It's actually about 7 or 8 miles, but looks much closer in this picture.
That's my buckskin, Sam, and the Ranch's grey, Scotty. I had to lay off Sam last summer quite a bit. First he had peeled the hide down on his face from below his eyes almost to his nostrils. Had it stitched back up & looks fine now with some scarring. Then he got bit on the nose by a rattlesnake. He's going to be fun to get back on, did I say fun? LOL He can be a handfull when he's fresh.
Much better viewed large.
We currently have a new storm-water overflow pipe being laid off Dysart Beach. Here you can see a colourful shot of the offshore barge helping to position the 150 metre long pipe-line. This photo was published in our local weekly newspaper along with a short article on the work that I contributed.
Made Explore #274 on 03 Sep 09.
Seriously, you should lay off the coffee!
Day 25 of 365
(for TOTW: "My Secret Life" as a coffee addict)
Made it to Guisburn today, and did better than expected considering the long lay off!
Hully Gully nailed!
(October 15th, 2009) Thousands of protestors flooded the streets in the largest public gathering in Puerto Rican history. The massive strike was in response to the republican governor Luis Fortuño's decision to lay off 16,720 public workers. ~ San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Photo © 2009 Mairym Ramos / SEIU
This one's been in my head for some time, and I finally pulled it out (of my ear). Pretty pleased with the result. Really like how the bokeh seems to be bubbling up and out. I hope you enjoy!
The current US $1 coin program of Presidential Dollars honors past presidents. One unique aspect is its' edge lettering which includes "E Pluribus Unum", the minted year, and "In God We Trust". This is remarkable as it is the first edge lettering in over 75 years, when the lettering was actually present to discourage the illicit shaving of gold from the edges of genuine gold coins. Cool history.
The inspiration for the title is the humorous "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," a 60's era collection of short stories by Jean Shepherd, many of which served as the basis for the much-beloved movie "A Christmas Story."
{I truly do shine in Lightbox - Type L if you're curious}
Join the A Team and Rally for Aurelia!!
Many thanks for stopping by, looking and commenting. I'll wade into your 'stream as well.
p.s. - Going forward I promise to lay off coins as subjects for awhile... ;o)
A year ago Tom Johnstone was tipped to be selected for last years world cup. Alas in the 30-10 victory over Catalan Dragons in early May the free scoring winger ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Yesterday, after a nine month lay off he returned to the fray in a one sided pre season friendly against Halifax. He is seen here in typical style racing for the try line on his way to his third try. Tom has been patient and with the Wakefield team looking quite strong on paper lets hope he has an accident free and successful season on the pitch.