Graffiti (plural; singular graffiti or graffito, the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire (see also mural).

 

Graffiti is a controversial subject. In most countries, marking or painting property without permission is considered by property owners and civic authorities as defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime, citing the use of graffiti by street gangs to mark territory or to serve as an indicator of gang-related activities. Graffiti has become visualized as a growing urban "problem" for many cities in industrialized nations, spreading from the New York City subway system and Philadelphia in the early 1970s to the rest of the United States and Europe and other world regions

 

"Graffiti" (usually both singular and plural) and the rare singular form "graffito" are from the Italian word graffiato ("scratched"). The term "graffiti" is used in art history for works of art produced by scratching a design into a surface. A related term is "sgraffito", which involves scratching through one layer of pigment to reveal another beneath it. This technique was primarily used by potters who would glaze their wares and then scratch a design into them. In ancient times graffiti were carved on walls with a sharp object, although sometimes chalk or coal were used. The word originates from Greek γράφειν—graphein—meaning "to write".

 

The term graffiti originally referred to the inscriptions, figure drawings, and such, found on the walls of ancient sepulchres or ruins, as in the Catacombs of Rome or at Pompeii. Historically, these writings were not considered vanadlism, which today is considered part of the definition of graffiti.

 

The only known source of the Safaitic language, an ancient form of Arabic, is from graffiti: inscriptions scratched on to the surface of rocks and boulders in the predominantly basalt desert of southern Syria, eastern Jordan and northern Saudi Arabia. Safaitic dates from the first century BC to the fourth century AD.

 

Some of the oldest cave paintings in the world are 40,000 year old ones found in Australia. The oldest written graffiti was found in ancient Rome around 2500 years ago. Most graffiti from the time was boasts about sexual experiences Graffiti in Ancient Rome was a form of communication, and was not considered vandalism.

 

Ancient tourists visiting the 5th-century citadel at Sigiriya in Sri Lanka write their names and commentary over the "mirror wall", adding up to over 1800 individual graffiti produced there between the 6th and 18th centuries. Most of the graffiti refer to the frescoes of semi-nude females found there. One reads:

 

Wet with cool dew drops

fragrant with perfume from the flowers

came the gentle breeze

jasmine and water lily

dance in the spring sunshine

side-long glances

of the golden-hued ladies

stab into my thoughts

heaven itself cannot take my mind

as it has been captivated by one lass

among the five hundred I have seen here.

 

Among the ancient political graffiti examples were Arab satirist poems. Yazid al-Himyari, an Umayyad Arab and Persian poet, was most known for writing his political poetry on the walls between Sajistan and Basra, manifesting a strong hatred towards the Umayyad regime and its walis, and people used to read and circulate them very widely.

 

Graffiti, known as Tacherons, were frequently scratched on Romanesque Scandinavian church walls. When Renaissance artists such as Pinturicchio, Raphael, Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio, or Filippino Lippi descended into the ruins of Nero's Domus Aurea, they carved or painted their names and returned to initiate the grottesche style of decoration.

 

There are also examples of graffiti occurring in American history, such as Independence Rock, a national landmark along the Oregon Trail.

 

Later, French soldiers carved their names on monuments during the Napoleonic campaign of Egypt in the 1790s. Lord Byron's survives on one of the columns of the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion in Attica, Greece.

 

The oldest known example of graffiti "monikers" found on traincars created by hobos and railworkers since the late 1800s. The Bozo Texino monikers were documented by filmmaker Bill Daniel in his 2005 film, Who is Bozo Texino?.

 

In World War II, an inscription on a wall at the fortress of Verdun was seen as an illustration of the US response twice in a generation to the wrongs of the Old World:

 

During World War II and for decades after, the phrase "Kilroy was here" with an accompanying illustration was widespread throughout the world, due to its use by American troops and ultimately filtering into American popular culture. Shortly after the death of Charlie Parker (nicknamed "Yardbird" or "Bird"), graffiti began appearing around New York with the words "Bird Lives".

 

Modern graffiti art has its origins with young people in 1960s and 70s in New York City and Philadelphia. Tags were the first form of stylised contemporary graffiti. Eventually, throw-ups and pieces evolved with the desire to create larger art. Writers used spray paint and other kind of materials to leave tags or to create images on the sides subway trains. and eventually moved into the city after the NYC metro began to buy new trains and paint over graffiti.

 

While the art had many advocates and appreciators—including the cultural critic Norman Mailer—others, including New York City mayor Ed Koch, considered it to be defacement of public property, and saw it as a form of public blight. The ‘taggers’ called what they did ‘writing’—though an important 1974 essay by Mailer referred to it using the term ‘graffiti.’

 

Contemporary graffiti style has been heavily influenced by hip hop culture and the myriad international styles derived from Philadelphia and New York City Subway graffiti; however, there are many other traditions of notable graffiti in the twentieth century. Graffiti have long appeared on building walls, in latrines, railroad boxcars, subways, and bridges.

 

An early graffito outside of New York or Philadelphia was the inscription in London reading "Clapton is God" in reference to the guitarist Eric Clapton. Creating the cult of the guitar hero, the phrase was spray-painted by an admirer on a wall in an Islington, north London in the autumn of 1967. The graffito was captured in a photograph, in which a dog is urinating on the wall.

 

Films like Style Wars in the 80s depicting famous writers such as Skeme, Dondi, MinOne, and ZEPHYR reinforced graffiti's role within New York's emerging hip-hop culture. Although many officers of the New York City Police Department found this film to be controversial, Style Wars is still recognized as the most prolific film representation of what was going on within the young hip hop culture of the early 1980s. Fab 5 Freddy and Futura 2000 took hip hop graffiti to Paris and London as part of the New York City Rap Tour in 1983

 

Commercialization and entrance into mainstream pop culture

Main article: Commercial graffiti

With the popularity and legitimization of graffiti has come a level of commercialization. In 2001, computer giant IBM launched an advertising campaign in Chicago and San Francisco which involved people spray painting on sidewalks a peace symbol, a heart, and a penguin (Linux mascot), to represent "Peace, Love, and Linux." IBM paid Chicago and San Francisco collectively US$120,000 for punitive damages and clean-up costs.

 

In 2005, a similar ad campaign was launched by Sony and executed by its advertising agency in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Miami, to market its handheld PSP gaming system. In this campaign, taking notice of the legal problems of the IBM campaign, Sony paid building owners for the rights to paint on their buildings "a collection of dizzy-eyed urban kids playing with the PSP as if it were a skateboard, a paddle, or a rocking horse".

 

Tristan Manco wrote that Brazil "boasts a unique and particularly rich, graffiti scene ... [earning] it an international reputation as the place to go for artistic inspiration". Graffiti "flourishes in every conceivable space in Brazil's cities". Artistic parallels "are often drawn between the energy of São Paulo today and 1970s New York". The "sprawling metropolis", of São Paulo has "become the new shrine to graffiti"; Manco alludes to "poverty and unemployment ... [and] the epic struggles and conditions of the country's marginalised peoples", and to "Brazil's chronic poverty", as the main engines that "have fuelled a vibrant graffiti culture". In world terms, Brazil has "one of the most uneven distributions of income. Laws and taxes change frequently". Such factors, Manco argues, contribute to a very fluid society, riven with those economic divisions and social tensions that underpin and feed the "folkloric vandalism and an urban sport for the disenfranchised", that is South American graffiti art.

 

Prominent Brazilian writers include Os Gêmeos, Boleta, Nunca, Nina, Speto, Tikka, and T.Freak. Their artistic success and involvement in commercial design ventures has highlighted divisions within the Brazilian graffiti community between adherents of the cruder transgressive form of pichação and the more conventionally artistic values of the practitioners of grafite.

 

Graffiti in the Middle East has emerged slowly, with taggers operating in Egypt, Lebanon, the Gulf countries like Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and in Iran. The major Iranian newspaper Hamshahri has published two articles on illegal writers in the city with photographic coverage of Iranian artist A1one's works on Tehran walls. Tokyo-based design magazine, PingMag, has interviewed A1one and featured photographs of his work. The Israeli West Bank barrier has become a site for graffiti, reminiscent in this sense of the Berlin Wall. Many writers in Israel come from other places around the globe, such as JUIF from Los Angeles and DEVIONE from London. The religious reference "נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן" ("Na Nach Nachma Nachman Meuman") is commonly seen in graffiti around Israel.

 

Graffiti has played an important role within the street art scene in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), especially following the events of the Arab Spring of 2011 or the Sudanese Revolution of 2018/19. Graffiti is a tool of expression in the context of conflict in the region, allowing people to raise their voices politically and socially. Famous street artist Banksy has had an important effect in the street art scene in the MENA area, especially in Palestine where some of his works are located in the West Bank barrier and Bethlehem.

 

There are also a large number of graffiti influences in Southeast Asian countries that mostly come from modern Western culture, such as Malaysia, where graffiti have long been a common sight in Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Since 2010, the country has begun hosting a street festival to encourage all generations and people from all walks of life to enjoy and encourage Malaysian street culture.

 

The modern-day graffitists can be found with an arsenal of various materials that allow for a successful production of a piece. This includes such techniques as scribing. However, spray paint in aerosol cans is the number one medium for graffiti. From this commodity comes different styles, technique, and abilities to form master works of graffiti. Spray paint can be found at hardware and art stores and comes in virtually every color.

 

Stencil graffiti is created by cutting out shapes and designs in a stiff material (such as cardboard or subject folders) to form an overall design or image. The stencil is then placed on the "canvas" gently and with quick, easy strokes of the aerosol can, the image begins to appear on the intended surface.

 

Some of the first examples were created in 1981 by artists Blek le Rat in Paris, in 1982 by Jef Aerosol in Tours (France); by 1985 stencils had appeared in other cities including New York City, Sydney, and Melbourne, where they were documented by American photographer Charles Gatewood and Australian photographer Rennie Ellis

 

Tagging is the practice of someone spray-painting "their name, initial or logo onto a public surface" in a handstyle unique to the writer. Tags were the first form of modern graffiti.

 

Modern graffiti art often incorporates additional arts and technologies. For example, Graffiti Research Lab has encouraged the use of projected images and magnetic light-emitting diodes (throwies) as new media for graffitists. yarnbombing is another recent form of graffiti. Yarnbombers occasionally target previous graffiti for modification, which had been avoided among the majority of graffitists.

 

Theories on the use of graffiti by avant-garde artists have a history dating back at least to the Asger Jorn, who in 1962 painting declared in a graffiti-like gesture "the avant-garde won't give up"

 

Many contemporary analysts and even art critics have begun to see artistic value in some graffiti and to recognize it as a form of public art. According to many art researchers, particularly in the Netherlands and in Los Angeles, that type of public art is, in fact an effective tool of social emancipation or, in the achievement of a political goal

 

In times of conflict, such murals have offered a means of communication and self-expression for members of these socially, ethnically, or racially divided communities, and have proven themselves as effective tools in establishing dialog and thus, of addressing cleavages in the long run. The Berlin Wall was also extensively covered by graffiti reflecting social pressures relating to the oppressive Soviet rule over the GDR.

 

Many artists involved with graffiti are also concerned with the similar activity of stenciling. Essentially, this entails stenciling a print of one or more colors using spray-paint. Recognized while exhibiting and publishing several of her coloured stencils and paintings portraying the Sri Lankan Civil War and urban Britain in the early 2000s, graffitists Mathangi Arulpragasam, aka M.I.A., has also become known for integrating her imagery of political violence into her music videos for singles "Galang" and "Bucky Done Gun", and her cover art. Stickers of her artwork also often appear around places such as London in Brick Lane, stuck to lamp posts and street signs, she having become a muse for other graffitists and painters worldwide in cities including Seville.

 

Graffitist believes that art should be on display for everyone in the public eye or in plain sight, not hidden away in a museum or a gallery. Art should color the streets, not the inside of some building. Graffiti is a form of art that cannot be owned or bought. It does not last forever, it is temporary, yet one of a kind. It is a form of self promotion for the artist that can be displayed anywhere form sidewalks, roofs, subways, building wall, etc. Art to them is for everyone and should be showed to everyone for free.

 

Graffiti is a way of communicating and a way of expressing what one feels in the moment. It is both art and a functional thing that can warn people of something or inform people of something. However, graffiti is to some people a form of art, but to some a form of vandalism. And many graffitists choose to protect their identities and remain anonymous or to hinder prosecution.

 

With the commercialization of graffiti (and hip hop in general), in most cases, even with legally painted "graffiti" art, graffitists tend to choose anonymity. This may be attributed to various reasons or a combination of reasons. Graffiti still remains the one of four hip hop elements that is not considered "performance art" despite the image of the "singing and dancing star" that sells hip hop culture to the mainstream. Being a graphic form of art, it might also be said that many graffitists still fall in the category of the introverted archetypal artist.

 

Banksy is one of the world's most notorious and popular street artists who continues to remain faceless in today's society. He is known for his political, anti-war stencil art mainly in Bristol, England, but his work may be seen anywhere from Los Angeles to Palestine. In the UK, Banksy is the most recognizable icon for this cultural artistic movement and keeps his identity a secret to avoid arrest. Much of Banksy's artwork may be seen around the streets of London and surrounding suburbs, although he has painted pictures throughout the world, including the Middle East, where he has painted on Israel's controversial West Bank barrier with satirical images of life on the other side. One depicted a hole in the wall with an idyllic beach, while another shows a mountain landscape on the other side. A number of exhibitions also have taken place since 2000, and recent works of art have fetched vast sums of money. Banksy's art is a prime example of the classic controversy: vandalism vs. art. Art supporters endorse his work distributed in urban areas as pieces of art and some councils, such as Bristol and Islington, have officially protected them, while officials of other areas have deemed his work to be vandalism and have removed it.

 

Pixnit is another artist who chooses to keep her identity from the general public. Her work focuses on beauty and design aspects of graffiti as opposed to Banksy's anti-government shock value. Her paintings are often of flower designs above shops and stores in her local urban area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some store owners endorse her work and encourage others to do similar work as well. "One of the pieces was left up above Steve's Kitchen, because it looks pretty awesome"- Erin Scott, the manager of New England Comics in Allston, Massachusetts.

 

Graffiti artists may become offended if photographs of their art are published in a commercial context without their permission. In March 2020, the Finnish graffiti artist Psyke expressed his displeasure at the newspaper Ilta-Sanomat publishing a photograph of a Peugeot 208 in an article about new cars, with his graffiti prominently shown on the background. The artist claims he does not want his art being used in commercial context, not even if he were to receive compensation.

 

Territorial graffiti marks urban neighborhoods with tags and logos to differentiate certain groups from others. These images are meant to show outsiders a stern look at whose turf is whose. The subject matter of gang-related graffiti consists of cryptic symbols and initials strictly fashioned with unique calligraphies. Gang members use graffiti to designate membership throughout the gang, to differentiate rivals and associates and, most commonly, to mark borders which are both territorial and ideological.

 

Graffiti has been used as a means of advertising both legally and illegally. Bronx-based TATS CRU has made a name for themselves doing legal advertising campaigns for companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Toyota, and MTV. In the UK, Covent Garden's Boxfresh used stencil images of a Zapatista revolutionary in the hopes that cross referencing would promote their store.

 

Smirnoff hired artists to use reverse graffiti (the use of high pressure hoses to clean dirty surfaces to leave a clean image in the surrounding dirt) to increase awareness of their product.

 

Graffiti often has a reputation as part of a subculture that rebels against authority, although the considerations of the practitioners often diverge and can relate to a wide range of attitudes. It can express a political practice and can form just one tool in an array of resistance techniques. One early example includes the anarcho-punk band Crass, who conducted a campaign of stenciling anti-war, anarchist, feminist, and anti-consumerist messages throughout the London Underground system during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In Amsterdam graffiti was a major part of the punk scene. The city was covered with names such as "De Zoot", "Vendex", and "Dr Rat". To document the graffiti a punk magazine was started that was called Gallery Anus. So when hip hop came to Europe in the early 1980s there was already a vibrant graffiti culture.

 

The student protests and general strike of May 1968 saw Paris bedecked in revolutionary, anarchistic, and situationist slogans such as L'ennui est contre-révolutionnaire ("Boredom is counterrevolutionary") and Lisez moins, vivez plus ("Read less, live more"). While not exhaustive, the graffiti gave a sense of the 'millenarian' and rebellious spirit, tempered with a good deal of verbal wit, of the strikers.

 

I think graffiti writing is a way of defining what our generation is like. Excuse the French, we're not a bunch of p---- artists. Traditionally artists have been considered soft and mellow people, a little bit kooky. Maybe we're a little bit more like pirates that way. We defend our territory, whatever space we steal to paint on, we defend it fiercely.

 

The developments of graffiti art which took place in art galleries and colleges as well as "on the street" or "underground", contributed to the resurfacing in the 1990s of a far more overtly politicized art form in the subvertising, culture jamming, or tactical media movements. These movements or styles tend to classify the artists by their relationship to their social and economic contexts, since, in most countries, graffiti art remains illegal in many forms except when using non-permanent paint. Since the 1990s with the rise of Street Art, a growing number of artists are switching to non-permanent paints and non-traditional forms of painting.

 

Contemporary practitioners, accordingly, have varied and often conflicting practices. Some individuals, such as Alexander Brener, have used the medium to politicize other art forms, and have used the prison sentences enforced on them as a means of further protest. The practices of anonymous groups and individuals also vary widely, and practitioners by no means always agree with each other's practices. For example, the anti-capitalist art group the Space Hijackers did a piece in 2004 about the contradiction between the capitalistic elements of Banksy and his use of political imagery.

 

Berlin human rights activist Irmela Mensah-Schramm has received global media attention and numerous awards for her 35-year campaign of effacing neo-Nazi and other right-wing extremist graffiti throughout Germany, often by altering hate speech in humorous ways.

 

In Serbian capital, Belgrade, the graffiti depicting a uniformed former general of Serb army and war criminal, convicted at ICTY for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnian War, Ratko Mladić, appeared in a military salute alongside the words "General, thank to your mother". Aleks Eror, Berlin-based journalist, explains how "veneration of historical and wartime figures" through street art is not a new phenomenon in the region of former Yugoslavia, and that "in most cases is firmly focused on the future, rather than retelling the past". Eror is not only analyst pointing to danger of such an expressions for the region's future. In a long expose on the subject of Bosnian genocide denial, at Balkan Diskurs magazine and multimedia platform website, Kristina Gadže and Taylor Whitsell referred to these experiences as a young generations' "cultural heritage", in which young are being exposed to celebration and affirmation of war-criminals as part of their "formal education" and "inheritance".

 

There are numerous examples of genocide denial through celebration and affirmation of war criminals throughout the region of Western Balkans inhabited by Serbs using this form of artistic expression. Several more of these graffiti are found in Serbian capital, and many more across Serbia and Bosnian and Herzegovinian administrative entity, Republika Srpska, which is the ethnic Serbian majority enclave. Critics point that Serbia as a state, is willing to defend the mural of convicted war criminal, and have no intention to react on cases of genocide denial, noting that Interior Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin decision to ban any gathering with an intent to remove the mural, with the deployment of riot police, sends the message of "tacit endorsement". Consequently, on 9 November 2021, Serbian heavy police in riot gear, with graffiti creators and their supporters, blocked the access to the mural to prevent human rights groups and other activists to paint over it and mark the International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism in that way, and even arrested two civic activist for throwing eggs at the graffiti.

 

Graffiti may also be used as an offensive expression. This form of graffiti may be difficult to identify, as it is mostly removed by the local authority (as councils which have adopted strategies of criminalization also strive to remove graffiti quickly). Therefore, existing racist graffiti is mostly more subtle and at first sight, not easily recognized as "racist". It can then be understood only if one knows the relevant "local code" (social, historical, political, temporal, and spatial), which is seen as heteroglot and thus a 'unique set of conditions' in a cultural context.

 

A spatial code for example, could be that there is a certain youth group in an area that is engaging heavily in racist activities. So, for residents (knowing the local code), a graffiti containing only the name or abbreviation of this gang already is a racist expression, reminding the offended people of their gang activities. Also a graffiti is in most cases, the herald of more serious criminal activity to come. A person who does not know these gang activities would not be able to recognize the meaning of this graffiti. Also if a tag of this youth group or gang is placed on a building occupied by asylum seekers, for example, its racist character is even stronger.

By making the graffiti less explicit (as adapted to social and legal constraints), these drawings are less likely to be removed, but do not lose their threatening and offensive character.

 

Elsewhere, activists in Russia have used painted caricatures of local officials with their mouths as potholes, to show their anger about the poor state of the roads. In Manchester, England, a graffitists painted obscene images around potholes, which often resulted in them being repaired within 48 hours.

 

In the early 1980s, the first art galleries to show graffitists to the public were Fashion Moda in the Bronx, Now Gallery and Fun Gallery, both in the East Village, Manhattan.

 

A 2006 exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum displayed graffiti as an art form that began in New York's outer boroughs and reached great heights in the early 1980s with the work of Crash, Lee, Daze, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. It displayed 22 works by New York graffitists, including Crash, Daze, and Lady Pink. In an article about the exhibition in the magazine Time Out, curator Charlotta Kotik said that she hoped the exhibition would cause viewers to rethink their assumptions about graffiti.

 

From the 1970s onwards, Burhan Doğançay photographed urban walls all over the world; these he then archived for use as sources of inspiration for his painterly works. The project today known as "Walls of the World" grew beyond even his own expectations and comprises about 30,000 individual images. It spans a period of 40 years across five continents and 114 countries. In 1982, photographs from this project comprised a one-man exhibition titled "Les murs murmurent, ils crient, ils chantent ..." (The walls whisper, shout and sing ...) at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

 

In Australia, art historians have judged some local graffiti of sufficient creative merit to rank them firmly within the arts. Oxford University Press's art history text Australian Painting 1788–2000 concludes with a long discussion of graffiti's key place within contemporary visual culture, including the work of several Australian practitioners.

 

Between March and April 2009, 150 artists exhibited 300 pieces of graffiti at the Grand Palais in Paris.

 

Spray paint has many negative environmental effects. The paint contains toxic chemicals, and the can uses volatile hydrocarbon gases to spray the paint onto a surface.

 

Volatile organic compound (VOC) leads to ground level ozone formation and most of graffiti related emissions are VOCs. A 2010 paper estimates 4,862 tons of VOCs were released in the United States in activities related to graffiti.

 

In China, Mao Zedong in the 1920s used revolutionary slogans and paintings in public places to galvanize the country's communist movement.

 

Based on different national conditions, many people believe that China's attitude towards Graffiti is fierce, but in fact, according to Lance Crayon in his film Spray Paint Beijing: Graffiti in the Capital of China, Graffiti is generally accepted in Beijing, with artists not seeing much police interference. Political and religiously sensitive graffiti, however, is not allowed.

 

In Hong Kong, Tsang Tsou Choi was known as the King of Kowloon for his calligraphy graffiti over many years, in which he claimed ownership of the area. Now some of his work is preserved officially.

 

In Taiwan, the government has made some concessions to graffitists. Since 2005 they have been allowed to freely display their work along some sections of riverside retaining walls in designated "Graffiti Zones". From 2007, Taipei's department of cultural affairs also began permitting graffiti on fences around major public construction sites. Department head Yong-ping Lee (李永萍) stated, "We will promote graffiti starting with the public sector, and then later in the private sector too. It's our goal to beautify the city with graffiti". The government later helped organize a graffiti contest in Ximending, a popular shopping district. graffitists caught working outside of these designated areas still face fines up to NT$6,000 under a department of environmental protection regulation. However, Taiwanese authorities can be relatively lenient, one veteran police officer stating anonymously, "Unless someone complains about vandalism, we won't get involved. We don't go after it proactively."

 

In 1993, after several expensive cars in Singapore were spray-painted, the police arrested a student from the Singapore American School, Michael P. Fay, questioned him, and subsequently charged him with vandalism. Fay pleaded guilty to vandalizing a car in addition to stealing road signs. Under the 1966 Vandalism Act of Singapore, originally passed to curb the spread of communist graffiti in Singapore, the court sentenced him to four months in jail, a fine of S$3,500 (US$2,233), and a caning. The New York Times ran several editorials and op-eds that condemned the punishment and called on the American public to flood the Singaporean embassy with protests. Although the Singapore government received many calls for clemency, Fay's caning took place in Singapore on 5 May 1994. Fay had originally received a sentence of six strokes of the cane, but the presiding president of Singapore, Ong Teng Cheong, agreed to reduce his caning sentence to four lashes.

 

In South Korea, Park Jung-soo was fined two million South Korean won by the Seoul Central District Court for spray-painting a rat on posters of the G-20 Summit a few days before the event in November 2011. Park alleged that the initial in "G-20" sounds like the Korean word for "rat", but Korean government prosecutors alleged that Park was making a derogatory statement about the president of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, the host of the summit. This case led to public outcry and debate on the lack of government tolerance and in support of freedom of expression. The court ruled that the painting, "an ominous creature like a rat" amounts to "an organized criminal activity" and upheld the fine while denying the prosecution's request for imprisonment for Park.

 

In Europe, community cleaning squads have responded to graffiti, in some cases with reckless abandon, as when in 1992 in France a local Scout group, attempting to remove modern graffiti, damaged two prehistoric paintings of bison in the Cave of Mayrière supérieure near the French village of Bruniquel in Tarn-et-Garonne, earning them the 1992 Ig Nobel Prize in archeology.

 

In September 2006, the European Parliament directed the European Commission to create urban environment policies to prevent and eliminate dirt, litter, graffiti, animal excrement, and excessive noise from domestic and vehicular music systems in European cities, along with other concerns over urban life.

 

In Budapest, Hungary, both a city-backed movement called I Love Budapest and a special police division tackle the problem, including the provision of approved areas.

 

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 became Britain's latest anti-graffiti legislation. In August 2004, the Keep Britain Tidy campaign issued a press release calling for zero tolerance of graffiti and supporting proposals such as issuing "on the spot" fines to graffiti offenders and banning the sale of aerosol paint to anyone under the age of 16. The press release also condemned the use of graffiti images in advertising and in music videos, arguing that real-world experience of graffiti stood far removed from its often-portrayed "cool" or "edgy'" image.

 

To back the campaign, 123 Members of Parliament (MPs) (including then Prime Minister Tony Blair), signed a charter which stated: "Graffiti is not art, it's crime. On behalf of my constituents, I will do all I can to rid our community of this problem."

 

In the UK, city councils have the power to take action against the owner of any property that has been defaced under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) or, in certain cases, the Highways Act. This is often used against owners of property that are complacent in allowing protective boards to be defaced so long as the property is not damaged.

 

In July 2008, a conspiracy charge was used to convict graffitists for the first time. After a three-month police surveillance operation, nine members of the DPM crew were convicted of conspiracy to commit criminal damage costing at least £1 million. Five of them received prison sentences, ranging from eighteen months to two years. The unprecedented scale of the investigation and the severity of the sentences rekindled public debate over whether graffiti should be considered art or crime.

 

Some councils, like those of Stroud and Loerrach, provide approved areas in the town where graffitists can showcase their talents, including underpasses, car parks, and walls that might otherwise prove a target for the "spray and run".

 

Graffiti Tunnel, University of Sydney at Camperdown (2009)

In an effort to reduce vandalism, many cities in Australia have designated walls or areas exclusively for use by graffitists. One early example is the "Graffiti Tunnel" located at the Camperdown Campus of the University of Sydney, which is available for use by any student at the university to tag, advertise, poster, and paint. Advocates of this idea suggest that this discourages petty vandalism yet encourages artists to take their time and produce great art, without worry of being caught or arrested for vandalism or trespassing.[108][109] Others disagree with this approach, arguing that the presence of legal graffiti walls does not demonstrably reduce illegal graffiti elsewhere. Some local government areas throughout Australia have introduced "anti-graffiti squads", who clean graffiti in the area, and such crews as BCW (Buffers Can't Win) have taken steps to keep one step ahead of local graffiti cleaners.

 

Many state governments have banned the sale or possession of spray paint to those under the age of 18 (age of majority). However, a number of local governments in Victoria have taken steps to recognize the cultural heritage value of some examples of graffiti, such as prominent political graffiti. Tough new graffiti laws have been introduced in Australia with fines of up to A$26,000 and two years in prison.

 

Melbourne is a prominent graffiti city of Australia with many of its lanes being tourist attractions, such as Hosier Lane in particular, a popular destination for photographers, wedding photography, and backdrops for corporate print advertising. The Lonely Planet travel guide cites Melbourne's street as a major attraction. All forms of graffiti, including sticker art, poster, stencil art, and wheatpasting, can be found in many places throughout the city. Prominent street art precincts include; Fitzroy, Collingwood, Northcote, Brunswick, St. Kilda, and the CBD, where stencil and sticker art is prominent. As one moves farther away from the city, mostly along suburban train lines, graffiti tags become more prominent. Many international artists such as Banksy have left their work in Melbourne and in early 2008 a perspex screen was installed to prevent a Banksy stencil art piece from being destroyed, it has survived since 2003 through the respect of local street artists avoiding posting over it, although it has recently had paint tipped over it.

 

In February 2008 Helen Clark, the New Zealand prime minister at that time, announced a government crackdown on tagging and other forms of graffiti vandalism, describing it as a destructive crime representing an invasion of public and private property. New legislation subsequently adopted included a ban on the sale of paint spray cans to persons under 18 and increases in maximum fines for the offence from NZ$200 to NZ$2,000 or extended community service. The issue of tagging become a widely debated one following an incident in Auckland during January 2008 in which a middle-aged property owner stabbed one of two teenage taggers to death and was subsequently convicted of manslaughter.

 

Graffiti databases have increased in the past decade because they allow vandalism incidents to be fully documented against an offender and help the police and prosecution charge and prosecute offenders for multiple counts of vandalism. They also provide law enforcement the ability to rapidly search for an offender's moniker or tag in a simple, effective, and comprehensive way. These systems can also help track costs of damage to a city to help allocate an anti-graffiti budget. The theory is that when an offender is caught putting up graffiti, they are not just charged with one count of vandalism; they can be held accountable for all the other damage for which they are responsible. This has two main benefits for law enforcement. One, it sends a signal to the offenders that their vandalism is being tracked. Two, a city can seek restitution from offenders for all the damage that they have committed, not merely a single incident. These systems give law enforcement personnel real-time, street-level intelligence that allows them not only to focus on the worst graffiti offenders and their damage, but also to monitor potential gang violence that is associated with the graffiti.

 

Many restrictions of civil gang injunctions are designed to help address and protect the physical environment and limit graffiti. Provisions of gang injunctions include things such as restricting the possession of marker pens, spray paint cans, or other sharp objects capable of defacing private or public property; spray painting, or marking with marker pens, scratching, applying stickers, or otherwise applying graffiti on any public or private property, including, but not limited to the street, alley, residences, block walls, and fences, vehicles or any other real or personal property. Some injunctions contain wording that restricts damaging or vandalizing both public and private property, including but not limited to any vehicle, light fixture, door, fence, wall, gate, window, building, street sign, utility box, telephone box, tree, or power pole.

 

To help address many of these issues, many local jurisdictions have set up graffiti abatement hotlines, where citizens can call in and report vandalism and have it removed. San Diego's hotline receives more than 5,000 calls per year, in addition to reporting the graffiti, callers can learn more about prevention. One of the complaints about these hotlines is the response time; there is often a lag time between a property owner calling about the graffiti and its removal. The length of delay should be a consideration for any jurisdiction planning on operating a hotline. Local jurisdictions must convince the callers that their complaint of vandalism will be a priority and cleaned off right away. If the jurisdiction does not have the resources to respond to complaints in a timely manner, the value of the hotline diminishes. Crews must be able to respond to individual service calls made to the graffiti hotline as well as focus on cleanup near schools, parks, and major intersections and transit routes to have the biggest impact. Some cities offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of suspects for tagging or graffiti related vandalism. The amount of the reward is based on the information provided, and the action taken.

 

When police obtain search warrants in connection with a vandalism investigation, they are often seeking judicial approval to look for items such as cans of spray paint and nozzles from other kinds of aerosol sprays; etching tools, or other sharp or pointed objects, which could be used to etch or scratch glass and other hard surfaces; permanent marking pens, markers, or paint sticks; evidence of membership or affiliation with any gang or tagging crew; paraphernalia including any reference to "(tagger's name)"; any drawings, writing, objects, or graffiti depicting taggers' names, initials, logos, monikers, slogans, or any mention of tagging crew membership; and any newspaper clippings relating to graffiti crime.

This relates to my blog post

www.heatheronhertravels.com/how-to-eat-well-in-sardinia/

 

This photo is licenced under Creative commons for use including commercial on condition that you link back to or credit http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/.

 

See my profile for more detail.

 

Village: Nayagaon, Block: Lalganj District: Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh(UP), India, 4 June 2013:.Child Protection Committee (CPC) members conduct a monthly meeting at the village square, discussing issues relating to protection of children from abuse exploitation and neglect. The CPC is a village level committee, responsible for creating a safe environment for children in the villages, with special focus on prevention and elimination of child labour from communities. UNICEF formed CPCs in collaboration with Government of UP and civil society groups under a Child Rights program supported by IKEA in 5100 villages of eastern UP. .UNICEF India/2013/Prashanth Vishwanathan.

.

 

House Bill 980, relating to “Highway Safety” (aka Distracted Driving Bill) – This measure is effective July 1, 2013. While all counties have some form of a distracted driving ordinance in place, this measure establishes a state law that creates consistent requirements across all counties for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving and will simplify enforcement. Crash data from the DOT shows that during 2007, 32 percent (2,871 of the 8,770 collisions) were attributed to inattention to driving.

 

Senate Bill 4, relating to “Motor Vehicles” (aka Universal Seatbelt Bill) – This measure requires all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, effective immediately. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times. Unrestrained back seat passengers were more than three times as likely to have injuries that were fatal or required hospitalization compared to restrained back seat passengers, based on DOH’s analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records. Additionally, among back seat passengers who were treated for injuries by EMS, average medical charges were nearly tripled among those who did not use seat belts ($11,043), compared to restrained passengers ($3,817).

 

The bill signings were done in conjunction with the DOT’s launch of the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, held in partnership between the state and counties with federal funding. During the national Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and throughout the year, police statewide will be continuing strict enforcement of the state seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.

  

Several stories circulate relating to this grave, all alas, unsubstantiated. The most popular version appears to stem from a small plaque which one adorned the headstone and bore the following legend...

  

"it is alleged that this is the grave of a gypsy boy who, while tending sheep, fell asleep in a dike. In remorse he hanged himself because he feared to return to his tribe"

 

Unwritten tradition maintains that his fear was founded on his belief that, whilst asleep, one of his sheep had strayed. All however were found to be safe when counted home.

 

Recent researches, would appear to indicate that this story owes its origins to a claim that the original incident was chronicled in the 'Bury and Norwich Post', even giving an approximate date...1841. Substantial research has, to date, failed to identify this account, and part of the original claim verges on pure fantasy.

 

Prior to 1974 the grave was surrounded by ratten cane hoops similar to those used to fabricate the backs of certain chairs. To these, it is alleged, passing gypsies, on their way to Newmarket races, would tie ribbons corresponding to the colours of the predicted winner of the next big race.

 

Also about this time, stories began circulating about the mysterious maintenance of the site. Fresh flowers were regularly seen, new vases appeared and the grass was kept close-cropped. Gypsies remorseful of the lad's death, pixies, fairies and sympathetic locals were all attributed with it's upkeep. The reality however, was in fact far more mundane. A lady from Northolt in Middlesex, concerned at the graves apparent neglect, made fortnightly trips to the site.She errected a wooden cross on the grave which bore the words...

  

To Joseph

An unknown Gypsy Boy

R. I. P.

 

She subsequently confided that she selected the Mythical name Joseph because of its biblical connections, being that of Mary's husband.

 

Recently, that cross was replaced by the one pictured above which reads simply:

 

"Gypsy Boy"

 

Today it is known that gypsies pay scant regard to the grave, indeed their knowledge would also appear to have been gained from published sources.

 

Location

 

The grave, now surrounded by a simple chain link fence, still bears the simple wooden cross which carries the short epitaph. It lies immediately behind the signpost at the crossroads where the Chippenham to Moulton road cosses the one linking Kentford and Newmarket

 

Whilst braces quote gold coast relates to perhaps a more economical and sometimes a necessary treatment, Invisalign is still the preferred option used to align crooked teeth. The plastic aligners are clear and relatively invisible making them aesthetically appealing. People will hardly notice you are wearing aligners. However, before you book an appointment you need to know a few things about Invisalign.

You may develop a lisp in your speech

The liners may affect your speech in the initial days. Some people experience a lisp, but others rarely do. However, it is a small issue that will gradually disappear as you adjust with the liners.

You will wear them for 22 hours

For a successful Invisalign, you must wear the aligners for 22 hours. I thought I could leave them behind when attending a party. This means you have a total of two hours per day to eat and clean the aligner. Consequently, you must be mindful of time.

You might experience pain

You may feel some pain in the first weeks but is not unbearable. The pressure on the teeth can cause pain. However, you should consult your dentist if the pain is unbearable. You might not experience any pain, but you will feel some uncomfortable tightness when you change trays. Some people say they are relatively pain-free.

Cleaning the aligners

Taking care of the aligners is easy, but you must take good care of them. The dentist may recommend brushing them with the toothpaste of just water. The dentist can also recommend retainer cleaning tablets, diluted bleach, or mild denture cleaner.

Your teeth may need filing

It may reveal a recommendation for filing if your teeth are overcrowded. Other terms such slenderizing, shaving, or interproximal reduction (IPR). Slenderizing is not painful but feels just uncomfortable. Your Invisalign quotes gold coast is inclusive of this as part of the initial examination

Aligners stain easily

Drinks like coffee and tea can stain the aligners especially if you do not follow the regiment bushing routine. After consuming such drinks follow up immediately by bushing the teeth.

You will brush an extra number of times in a day

Food particles and plaque can accumulate as the teeth move and this can lead to foul breath and even cavities. Thus, it is crucial that you brush your teeth after eating anything. This means that you must carry a toothbrush everywhere.

Attachments can detach

Do not worry when your attachments come off. Visit your orthodontist or dentist and have them reattached.

Removing the aligners is an art

Removing the attachments is hard. However, you can purchase a set of aligner removers to help you with the task. Have one at home, in your car, and in your pocket, so you do not encounter any inconvenience.

Follow up visits and after Invisalign

Invisalign quotes gold coast pricing is inclusive of checking on the progress of treatment through to fruition. After successful completion of Invisalign, you will need to wear retainers every night. The retainers help keep your teeth in position. orthodontistexpertgoldcoast.com

ift.tt/2dprDxU

Photo credit: David Estrada/Grupo Creativo Naturaleza Secreta

 

Relates to UNDP-supported Green Climate Fund-financed project 'Coastal Resilience to Climate Change in Cuba through Ecosystem Based Adaptation' ("Mi Costa") www.adaptation-undp.org/GCF-Cuba

 

Cruising down the main street of Florida Beach, bumping into the fishing base and returning down the beach road makes one realize that the town is very narrow.

 

The penetrating sea is like a sharp sword, taking land from the fragile town and the houses.

 

Unfortunately, it is estimated that by 2050 Florida Beach will disappear from the sea and be stranded on muddy soil.

 

This is additional to the wear and tear suffered through the years from hurricanes, with Irma (2017) one of the most devastating.

 

Shrinkage isn't the only thing visible when walking its streets. The village is empty, closed houses abound, and it's almost rare to see villagers loitering.

 

“This is one of the places in Cuba where more evidence exists of coastline modification caused by climate change," says Isabel Cristina Marquez Ulloa, Coordinator of the 'Mi Costa' project.

 

With finance from the Adaptation Fund and support from UNDP, the 'Mi Costa' project aims to develop adaptation, and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems: corals, seagrasses and cedar forests.

 

The inclusion of communities in the area in the project is vital, because currently, among the most important problems, is the mismanagement of solid waste and environmental custodianship.

 

Restoring and caring for the coasts is crucial for ecosystems and people. Many villagers, although migrating to the municipality, intend to keep their work at the fishing base and continue this activity as the main source of income.

 

Florida Beach, which still retains part of its beauty and colour, is also a potential national and international tourist destination.

 

#proyectomicosta

"A myth for the pink dogwood flower's delicate color relates to a blush of shame as it was used to make the cross for Christ's crucifixion."

~ Author Unknown

memories, memories, memories...

Northern Ireland's association with the USAAF predominately relates to the training of bomber aircrew and the delivery, repair and servicing of aircraft. Yet for a brief period during 1942 the airfields at Eglinton and Maydown became home to two American Fighter Groups.

 

On 24 June 1942 an air echelon from the 52nd Fighter Group consisting of 200 Enlisted Men, 87 pilots and 3 medical officers left Grenier Field for overseas deployment. Sailing from New York they arrived at Liverpool first, before proceeding to their new home via Larne and arriving at Eglinton on 14 July. The ground echelon followed later, departing New York on 9 August and arriving at Glasgow before boarding the SS Manhattan for Belfast; finishing their journey to Eglinton by train and rejoining the air echelon there on 19 August. Together the air and ground echelons had a total personnel strength of 196 officers and 1531 other ranks. Overall the 52nd comprised of three Fighter Squadrons (FS) with the Groups HQ and the 4th and 5th FS based at Eglinton while the 2nd FS were stationed at nearby Maydown. Principal senior personnel included Colonel Dixon M. Allison, Commanding Officer; Captain G.W West Executive Officer; 1st Lieutenant J.E. Coward, Operations Officer and 1st Lieutenant R.F Keys and 1st Lieutenant R. Levine, Commanders of No.2 and No.4 Fighter Squadrons respectively.

 

Previously having flown the Bell P-39 Airacobra, the 52nd was allocated Supermarine Spitfires from RAF sources. To assist the Americans in conversion to the type, one RAF Flight Lieutenant was assigned to the 52nd HQ and one Flying Officer was allocated to each Fighter Squadron to provide instruction in Spitfire handling. In addition dual control Miles Master III trainers were made available for conversion training. On the whole the American pilots were very pleased with their new aircraft which gave them a new range of altitude, manoeuvrability and reliability, all of which had already been proven in combat. Yet the period of operations at Eglinton was not without its hazards, and records show a small number of accidents. However, these were chiefly of a minor nature, an example occurring on the 28 July when two Spitfires were involved in a ground collision. Unfortunately one fatality did occur, when on 11 August a Spitfire crashed near Portrush killing the Pilot, Second Lieutenant Earl L. Sharpe serving with the 4th FS. (Incidentally and the previous day, another Spitfire had made an emergency landing on the East Strand due to and engine fire.)

 

The 52nd Fighter Groups stay at Eglinton was relatively short lived, and by late August their onward move to three airfields in England had begun. Five C-47 transport aircraft arrived on the 24 August to collect equipment, while those aircraft assigned to the 2FS departed first, routing via Woodvale to RAF Biggin Hill. The next day 4FS left for RAF Kenley, while the administrative and support elements travelled to their new base at RAF Goxhill in Lincolnshire on the 26th, making the journey first by train to Larne, then by ferry to Stranraer, and concluding their journey again by train. Before its aircraft departed the squadron spent 10 days undergoing gunnery training at Ballyhalbert then leaving Eglinton for Goxhill with the remaining aircraft: the Fighter Groups total complement of 66 Spitfires and 4 Miles Masters having all now departed. However, before the end of the year Eglinton would host another Americans Fighter Group, the 82nd - this time flying the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.

  

IWM.

(FRE 11167)

 

Original Source: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205371206

House Bill 980, relating to “Highway Safety” (aka Distracted Driving Bill) – This measure is effective July 1, 2013. While all counties have some form of a distracted driving ordinance in place, this measure establishes a state law that creates consistent requirements across all counties for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving and will simplify enforcement. Crash data from the DOT shows that during 2007, 32 percent (2,871 of the 8,770 collisions) were attributed to inattention to driving.

 

Senate Bill 4, relating to “Motor Vehicles” (aka Universal Seatbelt Bill) – This measure requires all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, effective immediately. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times. Unrestrained back seat passengers were more than three times as likely to have injuries that were fatal or required hospitalization compared to restrained back seat passengers, based on DOH’s analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records. Additionally, among back seat passengers who were treated for injuries by EMS, average medical charges were nearly tripled among those who did not use seat belts ($11,043), compared to restrained passengers ($3,817).

 

The bill signings were done in conjunction with the DOT’s launch of the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, held in partnership between the state and counties with federal funding. During the national Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and throughout the year, police statewide will be continuing strict enforcement of the state seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.

Italien / Toskana - San Gimignano

 

Porta San Matteo

 

San Gimignano (Italian pronunciation: [san dʒimiɲˈɲaːno]) is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form "an unforgettable skyline". Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches. The Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church and Church of Sant' Agostino contain frescos, including cycles dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The "Historic Centre of San Gimignano" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town also is known for saffron, the Golden Ham, pecorino cheese and its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from the ancient variety of Vernaccia grape which is grown on the sandstone hillsides of the area.

 

Territory

 

The municipality of San Gimignano extends for 138 km² and is located on a hill in Val d'Elsa. The altitude difference is between a minimum of 64 meters a.s.l. in the plain of the river Elsa near Certaldo at a maximum of 631 meters in the area of Cornocchio.

 

History

 

In the 3rd century BC a small Etruscan village stood on the site of San Gimignano. Chroniclers Lupi, Coppi and Pecori relate that during the Catiline conspiracy against the Roman Republic in the 1st century, two patrician brothers, Muzio and Silvio, fled Rome for Valdelsa and built two castles, Mucchio and Silvia (now San Gimignano). The name of Silvia was changed to San Gimignano in 450 AD after Bishop Geminianus, the Saint of Modena, intervened to spare the castle from destruction by the followers of Attila the Hun. As a result, a church was dedicated to the saint, and in the 6th and 7th centuries a walled village grew up around it, subsequently called the "Castle of San Gimignano" or Castle of the Forest because of the extensive woodland surrounding it. From 929 the town was ruled by the bishops of Volterra.

 

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena. The city's development was also improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills, in particular saffron, used in both cooking and dyeing cloth and Vernaccia wine, said to inspire popes and poets.

 

In 1199, the city made itself independent of the bishops of Volterra and established a podestà, and set about enriching the commune with churches and public buildings. However, the peace of the town was disturbed for the next two centuries by conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, and family rivalries within San Gimignano. This resulted in competing families building tower houses of increasingly greater heights. Towards the end of the Medieval period, there were 72 tower houses in number, up to 70 metres (230 feet) tall. The rivalry was finally restrained when the local council ordained that no tower was to be taller than that adjacent to the Palazzo Comunale.

 

While the official patron is Saint Geminianus, the town also honours Saint Fina, known also as Seraphina and Serafina, who was born in San Gimignano 1238 and whose feast day is 12 March. The Chapel of Santa Fina in the Collegiate Church houses her shrine and frescos by Ghirlandaio. The house said to be her home still stands in the town.

 

On 8 May 1300, San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri in his role as ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.

 

The city flourished until 1348, when it was struck by the Black Death that affected all of Europe, and about half the townsfolk died. The town submitted to the rule of Florence. Initially, some Gothic palazzi were built in the Florentine style, and many of the towers were reduced to the height of the houses. There was little subsequent development, and San Gimignano remained preserved in its medieval state until the 19th century, when its status as a touristic and artistic resort began to be recognised.

 

Description

 

The city is on the ridge of a hill with its main axis being north/south. It is encircled by three walls and has at its highest point, to the west, the ruins of a fortress dismantled in the 16th century. There are eight entrances into the city, set into the second wall, which dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. The main gates are Porta San Giovanni on the ridge extending south, Porta San Matteo to the north west and Porta S. Jacopo to the north east. The main streets are Via San Matteo and Via San Giovanni, which cross the city from north to south. At the heart of the town are four squares: the Piazza Duomo, on which stands the Collegiate Church; the Piazza della Cisterna, the Piazza Pecori and the Piazza delle Erbe. To the north of the town is another significant square, Piazza Agostino, on which stands the Church of Sant' Agostino. The locations of the Collegiate Church and Sant' Agostino's and their piazzas effectively divide the town into two regions.

 

Main sights

 

The town of San Gimignano has many examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. As well as churches and medieval fortifications, there are examples of Romanesque secular and domestic architecture which may be distinguished from each other by their round and pointed arches, respectively. A particular feature which is typical of the region of Siena is that the arches of openings are depressed, with doorways often having a second low arch set beneath a semi-circular or pointed arch. Both Romanesque and Gothic windows sometimes have a bifurcate form, with two openings divided by a stone mullion under a single arch.

 

Culture

 

San Gimignano is the birthplace of the poet Folgore da San Gimignano (1270–1332).

 

A fictionalised version of San Gimignano is featured in E. M. Forster's 1905 novel, Where Angels Fear to Tread as Monteriano.

 

M. C. Escher's 1923 woodcut San Gimignano depicts the celebrated towers.

 

Franco Zeffirelli used San Gimignano as a stand-in for the town of Assisi in his 1972 Saint Francis of Assisi biopic Brother Sun, Sister Moon. Most of the "Assisi" scenes were filmed here

 

Tea with Mussolini, a 1999 drama about the plight of English and American expatriate women in Italy during World War II, was filmed in part in San Gimignano. The frescoes that the women save from being destroyed during the German Army's withdrawal are inside the Duomo, the town's main church. The account of this episode is, to a large extent, fictional, because, although there are reports of intended retribution against the town, there is no evidence of a plan to destroy the churches. However, the reference to risk of cultural destruction is historic, as the Allies bombed the area for ten days.

 

In the 2005 novel The Broker by John Grisham, Joel Backman takes his second of three wives on vacation in Italy to keep her from divorcing him. They rent a 14th-century monastery near San Gimignano for a month.

 

A 15th-century version of the town is featured in the 2009 video game Assassin's Creed II.

 

(Wikpedia)

 

Piazza della Cisterna is a piazza in San Gimignano, Italy. It has a triangular shape with a slight natural slope and is connected to the nearby Piazza del Duomo by an open passage. The pavement is brick and the piazza is surrounded by houses and medieval towers. There are presently 5 towers onto the square or very near it and the bases of other five are visible on the facade of the various palaces, plus one, the Ridolfi tower, which is no longer in existence having collapsed in 1646 onto the family palace, thus making this relatively small area a concentrate of medieval architecture. In the south-west corner, the piazza meets the Arc of Becci, (l'arco dei Becci), an ancient city gate. The arc is flanked by the massive rectangular towers of Becci (torri dei Becci) on the left and Cugnanesi (torri dei Cugnanesi) on the right.

 

Past the access to via di Castello, which led down to the original Bishop’s castle, the northern side is characterized by the renaissance Cortesi Palace, which includes la torre del Diavolo, and extends along the north side of the square including the old houses of the Cattani family. There remains of two pre-existing towers are clearly visible onto the facade of the Cortesi Palace.

 

The west side is adorned with various towers, like the twin towers of Ardinghelli and the tower of palazzo Pellari visible over the roofs.

 

History

 

The piazza is located at the intersection of two main streets of the village of San Gimignano: la via Francigena that run north to south and la via Pisa - [[Siena]that runs east to west]. The piazza was used as a market and a stage for festivals and tournaments. Originally the area was divided in two squares by the palace and tall tower of the Ridolfi family, the Piazza dell’ Olmo in the inferior and western part and the Piazza delle Taverne in the eastern side and with the cisterna in the middle. In 1646 the tall Ridolfi tower suddenly collapsed, destroying the palace and thus the two squares were merged into one, the Piazza della Cisterna.

 

The piazza is named after the underground cistern (Cisterna) built in 1287. The cistern is capped by a travertine octagonal pedestal, which was built in 1346 under the mayor Guccio Malavolti whose coat of arms with the ladder is carved onto the stones, and is close to the center of the square.

 

(Wikipedia)

 

San Gimignano ist eine italienische Kleinstadt in der Toskana mit einem mittelalterlichen Stadtkern. San Gimignano wird auch „Mittelalterliches Manhattan“ oder die „Stadt der Türme“ genannt. Die Stadt liegt in der Provinz Siena und hat 7717 Einwohner (Stand 31. Dezember 2019). Sie gehört neben Florenz, Siena und Pisa zu den von Touristen meistbesuchten Zielen in der Toskana.

 

Allgemeines

 

Der historische Stadtkern ist seit dem Jahr 1990 Teil des Weltkulturerbes der UNESCO. San Gimignano besitzt noch einige der mittelalterlichen Geschlechtertürme, die in anderen Städten nur als Stümpfe erhalten blieben. Im Mittelalter versuchten die Patrizierfamilien, sich in der Höhe ihres Geschlechterturmes zu übertreffen, obwohl ein luxuriöses Leben darin nicht möglich war. Von den einst 72 Geschlechtertürmen existieren in San Gimignano heute noch 15. Die beiden höchsten, der Torre Grossa aus dem Jahr 1311 und der Torre della Rognosa, weisen eine Höhe von 54 bzw. 51 Metern auf. Die Zisterne auf der Piazza della Cisterna entstand 1287 und wurde 1346 durch den Podestà Guccio Malavolti erweitert.

 

Geografie

 

Die Stadt liegt ca. 40 km südwestlich der Regionalhauptstadt Florenz und ca. 28 km nordwestlich der Provinzhauptstadt Siena an der Via Francigena und im Elsatal. San Gimignano liegt in der klimatischen Einordnung italienischer Gemeinden in der Zone D, 2 085 GR/G.

 

Zu den Ortsteilen gehören Badia a Elmi (94 m, gehört teilweise zu Certaldo), Castel San Gimignano (377 m, gehört teilweise zu Colle di Val d’Elsa), Pancole (272 m), Santa Lucia (268 m) und Ulignano. Weitere wichtige Orte im Gemeindegebiet sind Montauto (277 m), Monteoliveto (275 m) Ranza und San Donato (357 m). Größter Ortsteil ist Ulignano mit ca. 690 Einwohnern.

 

Die wichtigsten Flüsse im Gemeindegebiet sind der Elsa (4 von 81 km im Gemeindegebiet) sowie die Torrenti Foci (4 von 15 km im Gemeindegebiet) und Riguardi (7 von 7 km im Gemeindegebiet).

 

Die Nachbargemeinden sind Barberino Tavarnelle (FI), Certaldo (FI), Colle di Val d’Elsa, Gambassi Terme (FI), Poggibonsi und Volterra (PI).

 

Geschichte

 

San Gimignano soll bereits um 300 bis 200 v. Chr. von den Etruskern besiedelt worden sein. Erstmals dokumentiert wurde der Ort 929. Den Namen erhielt die Stadt von dem heiligen Bischof von Modena, San Gimignano. Es heißt, er habe das Dorf vor den barbarischen Horden des Totila geschützt.

 

Diese Stadt verdankt ihre Existenz der Via Francigena (Frankenstraße). Auf diesem Hauptverkehrsweg des mittelalterlichen Italiens zogen Händler und Pilger vom Norden nach Rom. Der Ort bildete sich als Marktstätte zwischen dem frühmittelalterlichen Castello und der Pieve, dem Vorgängerbau der Collegiata. Ein erster Stadtmauerring wurde im 10. Jahrhundert angelegt. Dessen Verlauf markieren zwei noch erhaltene Stadttore, im Norden der Arco della Cancelleria und im Süden der Arco dei Becci.

 

Vom 11. Jahrhundert an dehnte sich das Stadtgebiet entlang der Frankenstraße in nördlicher und südlicher Richtung aus. An die Existenz des früheren Castello erinnern die Via di Castello, eine der ältesten Straßen, und die Kirche von San Lorenzo, die bei der Zugbrücke lag. Mindestens seit dem Jahr 929 gehörte das Kastell den Bischöfen von Volterra. Diese Bischöfe waren es auch, die die Herrschaft über die sich ausdehnende Stadt ausübten. Erst 1199 gelang es den von den Bürgern gewählten Konsuln, Verträge ohne die Zustimmung des Bischofs zu unterzeichnen. San Gimignano war nie Bischofssitz, sondern gehörte zum kirchlichen Verwaltungsbezirk (Diözese) Volterra und erlangte somit auch keine Stadtrechte. Trotzdem verlief die politische Entwicklung der Landkommune in ähnlichen Schritten wie die der großen Städte. Die Regierung der Konsuln wurde durch den Podestà (einem gewählten Administrator) abgelöst. Diesem standen ein kleiner und ein großer Rat zur Seite. Dem großen Rat gehörte eine bemerkenswert hohe Zahl von 1200 Mitgliedern an, obwohl San Gimignano nur 6000 Einwohner hatte.

 

Die freie Kommune stritt bis ins 14. Jahrhundert mit den Bischöfen von Volterra in langjährigen Kriegen um Besitzrechte. Sie musste gegen die Nachbarorte Castelfiorentino, gegen Colle und Poggibonsi zu Felde ziehen und nahm auf der Seite des guelfischen Florenz an den großen Machtkämpfen des 13. Jahrhunderts teil. Auch innerhalb der Stadtmauern setzten sich die Kämpfe zwischen Guelfen (Welfen) und Ghibellinen (Waiblinger) fort. Es kam zu blutigen Familienfehden zwischen den Familien der Salvucci (Ghibellinen) und der Ardinghelli (Guelfen).

 

Ab Mai 1300 hielt sich Dante Alighieri in diplomatischer Mission in San Gimignano auf. Vom 15. Juni bis 15. August 1300 amtierte er als eines von sechs Mitgliedern des Priorats, des höchsten Gremiums der Stadt. Im Jahre 1319 versuchte er in seiner Funktion als führender Florentiner Politiker vergeblich, die verfeindeten Parteien zu versöhnen. Eine Kommune wie San Gimignano konnte sich im 14. Jahrhundert nicht mehr neben den Großmächten behaupten. Im Jahre 1348 wurde die Stadt neben Kriegsverlusten und Familienfehden durch die Pest stark geschwächt. Vier Jahre später, im Jahre 1352, begab sich die Stadt unter den Schutz von Florenz.

 

Die Blütezeit der Stadt dauerte 160 Jahre an, ihr Wohlstand beruhte auf Handel und dem Anbau von Safran, mit dem man Seidenstoffe färbte. Die Frankenstraße verlor im Spätmittelalter allmählich an Bedeutung, weil der Handel die bequemeren Wege durch die weitgehend trockengelegten Sümpfe der Ebenen vorzog. Die Stadt, die einst Gesetze gegen übertriebenen Luxus erlassen hatte, verarmte.

 

Hochrenaissance (ca. 1500 bis 1530) und Barock (1575 bis 1770) hinterließen in San Gimignano so gut wie keine Spuren. Die Stadt war niemals ein eigenständiges Kunstzentrum. Künstler aus Siena und Florenz malten die Fresken und Altartafeln. Die Paläste und Kirchen zeigen pisanische, sienesische, lucchesische und florentinische Stilmerkmale. In San Gimignano ist die Zeit scheinbar im Jahr 1563 stehengeblieben. Der erste der toskanischen Großherzöge, Cosimo I. de’ Medici, entschied, es dürfen „auch keine geringen Summen“ mehr in diese Stadt investiert werden. Das musste akzeptiert werden, und so ist San Gimignano geblieben, wie es damals war.

 

(Wikipedia)

Look how she relates to my Isabella-girl, a true dog lover, she was a regular at our dog park easily recognizable by feeding kibble to at least 3 dogs, sometimes more, by throwing a ball for them to catch and rewarding them when they were returning the ball. So she combined food and exercise and liberally also shared with other dogs. Her dogs were always happy and excited, active dogs. She had trouble saying no to my girl's begging, but they did have an understanding, they really liked each other, I think it shows in this image form 3.3.09. Not many at the dog park may know that Ruth Anne was an enthusiastic Marimba player who practiced and performed with her own group. I learned only today, this morning, that Ruth Ellen passed on this July 26, 2013. The word is due to cancer. She was only 60 years old, kind and always ready with a smile. I am deeply saddened at this news, but I like to believe that true to her beautiful spirit she would have passed on peacefully. There will be a memorial at the dog park for her on August 17th 9 am.

Track and Field archives

 

The National Athletics Archive is held at the Cadbury Research Library, University of Birmingham, and comprises an extensive volume of archival materials. These papers primarily relate to the history and development of athletics in the United Kingdom throughout the 1800s and 1900s. In addition to organisational collections, such as the papers of the Amateur Athletics Association, the National Athletics Archive includes various discrete collections of individual athletes. These include papers relating to Sydney Wooderson MBE, 1914-2006. Wooderson was an English athlete who was dubbed ‘The Mighty Atom’. His athletics career peaked in the 1930s and 1940s and he set the world mile record of 04:06:40 at London’s Motspur Park on 28 August 1937. This record stood for nearly five years.

 

The collection also includes ephemeral and grey literature relating to various athletics clubs, meetings and events. Papers relating to major athletics championships include material generated during the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff. These Games introduced the ‘Queen’s Baton Relay’ which has been conducted as a prelude to every British Empire and Commonwealth Games since.

 

Programmes and manuscript results compiled by the athlete and coach, Dennis Cullum, 1913-1985.

 

Reference: ATH/DC/2/1

“Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk — real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious.” ~Jack Kerouac

 

What do you think of that?!? A Jack Kerouac AND a Star Wars reference all in one post!?! (insert big toothy grin)

 

I once read On the Road, for a boy nonetheless. I blogged about it too. Not what I would call a pleasant experience, but still I can say I read it. This was one quote I wrote in my book of notes/quotes while I read it. As I was thinking about the fifth and final installment for my 'Dateable Relatable' series, and talking to Anna about it, I knew I wanted a conversation quote. Aha! My memory drug this up and it felt right.

 

No I'm not crazy, at least not in the sense that I want Woolson (my Woolly Mammoth) to talk to me. My point here is I want to TALK. I'm perturbed by the idea of staring and letting emotions take root before I get to know a guy's soul. Hell I'm not even a talker and I know I want to talk. I want to get tired of my own voice and never tire of fella's (from now on future boyfriend of Maddie...hahaha FBOM...will be called fella) voice. Words mean so much to me as a poet and writer and there will be time to make "googoogaga" eyes at each other later. I don't know maybe I'm clueless about these things, but silence is a mite unnerving.

Credit: LoGIC Project/UNDP Bangladesh

 

Relates to the UNDP-supported project 'Local Government Initiative on Climate change (LoGIC)': www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/projects/local...

Light Boxes Relating to “Black Panther” (2018)

 

Left Light Box: Keyframes from “Black Panther” (2018)

 

First Row:

 

Tribal Council Room. Visual Development by Henrik Tamm, 2016.

 

Second Row:

 

T’Challa versus Killmonger. Visual Development by Adi Granov 2016.

 

T’Challa, Nakia, and Okoye in Wakanda. Visual development by Ryan Meinerding, 2016.

 

Third Row:

 

Astral Dream and Panther Tree. Visual development by Vance Kovacs, 2016.

  

Right Light Box: Film Stills from “Black Panther” (2018)

 

First Row:

 

Shuri. Costume by Ruth E. Carter, 2017.

 

T’Challa. Black Panther suit by Ryan Meinerding and Ruth E. Carter, 2017.

 

Second Row:

 

Okoye. Costume by Ruth E. Carter, 2017.

 

Queen Ramonda and Shuri. Costumes, headdress, and shoulder mantle by Ruth E. Carter, Julia Körner, and Gareth Pugh, 2017.

 

Third Row:

 

T’Challa and T’Chaka. Costumes by Ruth E. Carter, 2017.

 

Nakia. Costume by Ruth E. Carter, 2017.

 

Ruth E. Carter

 

Costume Designer for “Black Panther”

 

Tribal traditions across East Africa inspired Ruth E. Carter’s Afrofuturist designs for Ryan Coogler’s 2018 movie “Black Panther.” While the memorable outfit of the Black Panther was originally the vision of Ryan Meinerding, Carter innovated the triangle motif. Angela Bassett’s incredible tribal headdress, worn in your role as Queen Ramonda, was created with the assistance of Julia Körner and produced with a 3D-printer. Nakia, played by Lupita Nyong'o, wears natural accessories such as leaves, shells, and beads, inspired by the Ethiopian Suri. Danal Guira’s character, general Okoye, and her warriors, the Dora Milaje, are styled in a way that reflects Turkana and Maasai culture, with vibrant shades of red and gold, and similar beading.

House Bill 980, relating to “Highway Safety” (aka Distracted Driving Bill) – This measure is effective July 1, 2013. While all counties have some form of a distracted driving ordinance in place, this measure establishes a state law that creates consistent requirements across all counties for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving and will simplify enforcement. Crash data from the DOT shows that during 2007, 32 percent (2,871 of the 8,770 collisions) were attributed to inattention to driving.

 

Senate Bill 4, relating to “Motor Vehicles” (aka Universal Seatbelt Bill) – This measure requires all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, effective immediately. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times. Unrestrained back seat passengers were more than three times as likely to have injuries that were fatal or required hospitalization compared to restrained back seat passengers, based on DOH’s analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records. Additionally, among back seat passengers who were treated for injuries by EMS, average medical charges were nearly tripled among those who did not use seat belts ($11,043), compared to restrained passengers ($3,817).

 

The bill signings were done in conjunction with the DOT’s launch of the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, held in partnership between the state and counties with federal funding. During the national Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and throughout the year, police statewide will be continuing strict enforcement of the state seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.

(Numbers on this photo relate to numbered notes in the text below)

  

A friend has a long thin garden behind his terraced home. The garden is 16 feet by 50 feet. He wants an area for an 8 feet by 6 feet shed and he would prefer this to be screened from view.

 

I've come up with this basic design and given him lots of options for how the design can be modified to either give a grass less garden / make it feel more/less informal and ways to reduce the cost of achieving it.

 

Many of the terraces in my area have gardens twice as long as this one. For those with children who like to play football etc half the garden could be attractive and well planted and the other half basically plain grass where the children can play.

  

There are numbers on the photo which correspond to the numbers below:_I hope you find the information useful

 

1. This area is for a shed and general storage. It is screened from the rest of the garden by a fence(no 4) which can be screened by climbing plants

 

2 Entrance area to the hidden shed/storage area

 

3 A mirror is positioned on the rear border of the garden. It reflects the garden and makes it appear as though the garden continues much further. The mirror if large enough could be surrounded by an arch structure.

 

4. This is a screen of some sort to hide the shed/storage area. It could be a brick,stone,concrete wall or a wooden fence. Climbers growing against it will soften the lines.

 

5.The S shaped path breaks up the lines of the long thin garden. The surface can be grass,gravel,bark,paving.brick-weave depending on your desires/budget The path allows wide and thin borders to each side which can be left as simple borders or circles can be added as in the photo above. Bigger borders give much more room for interesting layered planting

 

6 and 7 these circular areas are optional. They offer a wide range of possibilities. They could be grass with a brick border around them or one could be a pond . the other could be a sitting area the surface being slabbed,gravelled,decking or brick-weave paving

 

8. In the photo the path leads to a patio but it could lead straight to a house door.

 

I wanted to attach links to other relevant photos/information about gardening in this section but Flickr have stopped that facility too so I've put them in the first comment below this section.

   

This relates to my blog post

www.heatheronhertravels.com/how-to-eat-well-in-sardinia/

 

This photo is licenced under Creative commons for use including commercial on condition that you link back to or credit http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/.

 

See my profile for more detail.

  

As most people collect, they end up meeting interesting people that they can relate to. I've certainly met my share of them, and have managed to obtain a few pieces with some assistance from them. As a result, hailing all the4 way from Singapore, we have the Hot Toys Exclusive (whatever that means) Avengers 2: Age of Ultron - Maria Hill figure.

 

I know they weren't super expensive back in the day (MSRP I mean), but by the time Sideshow got their hands on it, this figure cost $215 USD, which definitely cost more than your run of the mill figure back in the day, all the while being less equipped than they were. I managed to snag one that was opened and resealed in a box for $170 USD shippped.

 

You get the figure, 3 pairs of hands, walkie talkie, Bluetooth earpiece, and a pistol. Oh, and the usual base/stand.

 

Now, I learned about Pleather deterioration, but completely forgot about how tropical weather like in Singapore would affect a figure. It's not the worst I've seen, as some of my Widows have similar damage, but they've lived in Canada all their lives.

 

But it is unfortunate seeing how I didn't exactly score this figure for Garage Sale prices. I'm hoping my coats of leather paint prevents things from getting worse.

 

What I wasn't expecting was the effect of humidity on paint in contact with plastic. Hot Toys gave the sculpt some lovely blush to accentuate her cheeks. Well, that all turned from pink to yellow, so it looks kinda weird.

 

Unfortunate, but I treat it as a learning lesson on things to look out for when I finally make my way back to Asia to unleash holy hell on the secondary toy market.

 

So with the downers out of the way, the rest of the figure is pretty standard. I believe Maria uses a slightly taller version of the Widow body, which is a bit tall and narrow in the torso, but overall is a closer match to Colbie Smulders than Scarlett Johansson.

 

Maria was made when they still made softer fabric uniforms. I'd describe the feel of what she's wearing as being whatever Jeggings are made from. The upper body generally has full use of its faculties - unfortunately the body doesn't have Butterfly style shoulders, which is unfortunate as Maria could have really used them, especially for her pistol and arm crossed poses. Legs are restricted despite the softer fabric, though isn't as bad as with Winter Soldier Black Widow.

 

The head sculpt I'm actually quite impressed with. It's not perfect - they never are and if anyone says so, they're probably just not looking hard at the thing... or in some instances, not looking at all. The eyes are off, and the sculpted hair throws things off. But ultimately, it comes down to the jaw being too square, even for Colbie Smulders. On the whole, however, its probably 70 - 80% there, which is a lot more than I can say about any Black Widow up to that point, and Hot Toys accomplished that with one try as well.

 

Paint, I'm not really in a position to comment on. But, it appears if you can see past the discoloration, you'll see that the usual high quality is there. Build Quality is the usual high level, with nothing falling apart aside from the Pleather.

 

Overall, despite being a simpler figure I have to say I certainly like this better than I liked AoU Widow, which was just.. weird from a MCU perspective as well as from a Hot Toy perspective. I'll probably have to hunt down a WS Nick Fury to pair with her, but this time I'll be sure to make sure everything is is one piece.

Art 'Student magazine' for AS media studies

Emory relates the history of the party.

 

A Babylon Falling Studio Visit Preview

 

large

 

The Black Panther Party on Wikipedia

 

Emory Douglas @ MOCA

I’ll relate to y’all, my beautiful readers, a simple tale of an ordinary average Central Texas Trumpet Case Bear. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) out of doors. Little Texas Aggie Trumpet Case Bear was about to go into heat exhaustion (symptom before heat stroke).

 

Alamo Basement Fightin’ Texas Aggie Ring whispered to me, “We need to get frozen Margaritas into the little bear immediately before he goes into a coma and dies. Have you looked at the price of black market bears lately?” I pulled out the large container for the Ninja and fired it up.

 

After about quatro or cinco Margaritas necesitas, Little Texas Aggie Osa (bear) was starting to feel much, much better. At this point, there was a spilt Margarita. It’s not important who spilt the Margarita, but it did totally soak Little Texas Aggie Bear.

 

I for one, am not about to allow a trumpet case bear who smells of tequila and is all sticky, near my 1947 Rudy Mück jazz trumpet. I had two options — Take him out to the woods and shoot him or — give him a bath in the kitchen sink.

 

Bears know how to swim. In fact, they love water. In some states, they will come into your backyard and take the waters in your swimming pool or jacuzzi. There are videos on YouTube.

 

I sanitized the sink and prepared a nice, warm bubble bath for Little Texas Aggie Bear. He hesitantly lowered himself into the sink. He let out a “bear sigh” of pleasure. When I took out the camera, Little Texas Aggie Bear started to cry. “What’s wrong?” asked Alamo Basement Aggie Ring.

 

“It’s the bubble bath.” sobbed the little bear. “If anyone in the Trumpet Case Bear Union sees those photos, I’ll loose my certification and be forced to become the worst sort of bear ever — a tuba/Sousaphone case bear.”

 

I assured the little bear that no one would ever see any of these photos and think that he’s some sort of “Barbie Dream House” bear. This seemed to put him at ease and please him.

 

After I rinsed him a couple of times, Aggie Ring and I realized we had a very, very wet bear to deal with. “If you don’t get him dry soon. He’ll start to smell like wet dog!” said Aggie Ring.

 

My first thought was, “Well… the ceiling fan will get him dry! I’ll just hang him up by the neck to it.” Sadly, when I turned on the fan, Aggie Bear went flying across the room and onto the hard floor like a child who wasn’t strapped in properly in a Disney World wild ride.

 

[More to follow]

立法會鐵路事宜小組委員會視察港鐵金鐘站

立法会铁路事宜小组委员会视察港铁金钟站

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits the MTR Admiralty Station (2015.05.19)

I’ll relate to y’all, my beautiful readers, a simple tale of an ordinary average Central Texas Trumpet Case Bear. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) out of doors. Little Texas Aggie Trumpet Case Bear was about to go into heat exhaustion (symptom before heat stroke).

 

Alamo Basement Fightin’ Texas Aggie Ring whispered to me, “We need to get frozen Margaritas into the little bear immediately before he goes into a coma and dies. Have you looked at the price of black market bears lately?” I pulled out the large container for the Ninja and fired it up.

 

After about quatro or cinco Margaritas necesitas, Little Texas Aggie Osa (bear) was starting to feel much, much better. At this point, there was a spilt Margarita. It’s not important who spilt the Margarita, but it did totally soak Little Texas Aggie Bear.

 

I for one, am not about to allow a trumpet case bear who smells of tequila and is all sticky, near my 1947 Rudy Mück jazz trumpet. I had two options — Take him out to the woods and shoot him or — give him a bath in the kitchen sink.

 

Bears know how to swim. In fact, they love water. In some states, they will come into your backyard and take the waters in your swimming pool or jacuzzi. There are videos on YouTube.

 

I sanitized the sink and prepared a nice, warm bubble bath for Little Texas Aggie Bear. He hesitantly lowered himself into the sink. He let out a “bear sigh” of pleasure. When I took out the camera, Little Texas Aggie Bear started to cry. “What’s wrong?” asked Alamo Basement Aggie Ring.

 

“It’s the bubble bath.” sobbed the little bear. “If anyone in the Trumpet Case Bear Union sees those photos, I’ll loose my certification and be forced to become the worst sort of bear ever — a tuba/Sousaphone case bear.”

 

I assured the little bear that no one would ever see any of these photos and think that he’s some sort of “Barbie Dream House” bear. This seemed to put him at ease and please him.

 

After I rinsed him a couple of times, Aggie Ring and I realized we had a very, very wet bear to deal with. “If you don’t get him dry soon. He’ll start to smell like wet dog!” said Aggie Ring.

 

My first thought was, “Well… the ceiling fan will get him dry! I’ll just hang him up by the neck to it.” Sadly, when I turned on the fan, Aggie Bear went flying across the room and onto the hard floor like a child who wasn’t strapped in properly in a Disney World wild ride.

 

[More to follow]

The entire panel of professionals in international business were Kogod Alumni answering students' questions from both a professional and Kogod viewpoint.

The description and specifications relate to the Pitts Special as this is an identical aircraft to the S1 and S2S.

 

The Pitts Special is a light aerobatic biplane designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The Pitts Special dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remains a potent competition aircraft and is a favourite for many an aerobatic pilot.

 

General characteristics

 

•Crew: Two

•Length: 18 ft 9 in (5.71 m)

•Wingspan: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)

•Height: 6 ft 7⅓ in (2.02 m)

•Wing area: 125 ft² (11.6 m²)

•Empty weight: 1,150 lb (521 kg)

•Max takeoff weight: 1,625 lb (737 kg)

•Powerplant: 1× Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 flat-six air cooled piston engine, 260 hp (194 kW)

 

Performance

 

•Never exceed speed: 182 knots (210 mph, 338 km/h)

•Cruise speed: 152 knots (175 mph, 282 km/h) (max cruise)

•Stall speed: 52 knots (60 mph, 97 km/h)

•Range: 277 NM (319 mi, 513 km)

•Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)

•Rate of climb: 2,700 ft/min (13.7 m/s)

•Wing loading: 13.0 lb/ft² (63.6 kg/m²)

•Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)

 

Text and specifications based on Wikipedia article under the Creative Commons License for non-profit use.

from my tumblr blog

Title: Roll call votes relating to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson on Articles II, III, and XI., 05/26/1868

 

Production Date: May 26, 1868

 

Creator(s): U.S. Senate. (03/04/1789 - )

Roll call votes relating to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson on Articles II, III, and XI., 05/26/1868 ; Senate Papers Pertaining to the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, ca. 1867 - ca. 1869; Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2005; Record Group 46; National Archives.

 

The first Senate vote in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson was taken on May 16, 1868. Article XI was called the “omnibus article” because it combined all of the charges against the President. As a result of 19 voting “Not Guilty” and 35 voting “Guilty” the Senate fell 1 vote short of the two-thirds majority required for removal. After a 10-day recess, the Senate reconvened and voted on Articles II and III. In each case, the result was identical: Johnson was not guilty by a single vote. The Senate then voted to end the trial.

 

Persistent URL: arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=306275

 

Access Restrictions: Unrestricted

Use Restrictions: Unrestricted

 

Relates to UNDP-supported GCF-funded project 'Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Farmers in the Dry Zone to Climate Variability and Extreme Events' (known locally as CRIWMP)

 

Resident Representative's field visit, Feb 2023. Credit: UNDP Sri Lanka

立法會《廣深港高鐵(一地兩檢)條例草案》委員會及鐵路事宜小組委員會視察廣深港高鐵香港段西九龍站

立法会《广深港高铁(一地两检)条例草案》委员会及铁路事宜小组委员会视察广深港高铁香港段西九龙站

LegCo Bills Committee on Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Co-location) Bill and Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visit West Kowloon Station of HK Section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HK Express Rail Link (2018.02.27)

Documents from the early 1990s relating to blood plasma transfusion by Henan provincial government and military blood plasma collection stations that led to the spread of HIV to many people who sold blood. The blood collection stations were closed in the mid 1990s though some continued this very profitable business underground.

 

HIV Blood Transfusion Disaster Documents For more information see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_Economy The Wound by He Aifang on the history of blood disaster museums.cnd.org/CND-Global/CND-Global.01-01-25.html

Links to US Embassy website mentioned at the end of the report above are archived on the Internet Archive web.archive.org/web/20010809150226fw_/http://www.usembass...

 

See also article Dr. Gao Yaojie Human Rights China at www.hrichina.org/content/4754

Kinetic: Relating to, caused by, or producing motion.

 

These are called “Kinetic” photographs because there is motion, energy, and movement involved, specifically my and the camera’s movements.

 

Most of these are shot outdoors where I have the room to literally spin and throw my little camera several feet up into the air, with some throws going as high as 15 feet or more!

 

None of these are Photoshopped, layered, or a composite photo...what you see occurs in one shot, one take.

 

Aren’t I afraid that I will drop and break my camera? For regular followers of my photostream and this series you will know that I have already done so. This little camera has been dropped many times, and broken once when dropped on concrete outside. It still functions...not so well for regular photographs, but superbly for more kinetic work.

 

Albeit supremely risky this is one of my favorite ways to produce abstract photographs.

 

If you'd like to see more please check out my set, "Vertigo:"

 

www.flickr.com/photos/motorpsiclist/sets/72157630591282642/

 

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To read more about Kinetic Photography click the Wikipedia link below:

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_photography

 

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My photographs and videos and any derivative works are my private property and are copyright © by me, John Russell (aka “Zoom Lens”) and ALL my rights, including my exclusive rights, are reserved. ANY use without my permission in writing is forbidden by law.

 

House Bill 980, relating to “Highway Safety” (aka Distracted Driving Bill) – This measure is effective July 1, 2013. While all counties have some form of a distracted driving ordinance in place, this measure establishes a state law that creates consistent requirements across all counties for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving and will simplify enforcement. Crash data from the DOT shows that during 2007, 32 percent (2,871 of the 8,770 collisions) were attributed to inattention to driving.

 

Senate Bill 4, relating to “Motor Vehicles” (aka Universal Seatbelt Bill) – This measure requires all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, effective immediately. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child restraints at all times. Unrestrained back seat passengers were more than three times as likely to have injuries that were fatal or required hospitalization compared to restrained back seat passengers, based on DOH’s analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) records. Additionally, among back seat passengers who were treated for injuries by EMS, average medical charges were nearly tripled among those who did not use seat belts ($11,043), compared to restrained passengers ($3,817).

 

The bill signings were done in conjunction with the DOT’s launch of the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, held in partnership between the state and counties with federal funding. During the national Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and throughout the year, police statewide will be continuing strict enforcement of the state seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.

立法會鐵路事宜小組委員會視察港鐵金鐘站

立法会铁路事宜小组委员会视察港铁金钟站

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits the MTR Admiralty Station (2015.05.19)

This relates to my stereo shot of Casey in the creek. She came out of the water to greet me - and although I'm not afraid of dogs, I don't know this one...and had to brace for an impact. So I couldn't frame the shot properly. But I got her eyes and ears, and that's what I like about this image.

Various papers relating to Mr.Thomas Wheeler my late Grandfather.Sadly he died when I was just eleven years of age.I do however recall it was he that took me on my very first fishing trip using the first fishing rod and reel that he bought me.The images here are from WWII papers when he was an active serviceman and I only recently found these in an old album of my late father`s.These are the first twenty images in nigh on eighty images of both his army papers and my Great Grandparents (to come later) images.Some images are somewhat the same but have different focus points and apertures,mainly to suit prospective customers on Alamy.com stock images.I sincerely hope you enjoy the images and hope you see,as I did,what I think is one of many of the Identity Card issued during WWII.As you can see my Grandfather first signed up in September 1940 and seved right up until the end of the war 1945.He was then signed up for the reserves.Do Not Use Without Express Permisison From Peter Wheeler.

I’ll relate to y’all, my beautiful readers, a simple tale of an ordinary average Central Texas Trumpet Case Bear. It was 95 degrees F (35 C) out of doors. Little Texas Aggie Trumpet Case Bear was about to go into heat exhaustion (symptom before heat stroke).

 

Alamo Basement Fightin’ Texas Aggie Ring whispered to me, “We need to get frozen Margaritas into the little bear immediately before he goes into a coma and dies. Have you looked at the price of black market bears lately?” I pulled out the large container for the Ninja and fired it up.

 

After about quatro or cinco Margaritas necesitas, Little Texas Aggie Osa (bear) was starting to feel much, much better. At this point, there was a spilt Margarita. It’s not important who spilt the Margarita, but it did totally soak Little Texas Aggie Bear.

 

I for one, am not about to allow a trumpet case bear who smells of tequila and is all sticky, near my 1947 Rudy Mück jazz trumpet. I had two options — Take him out to the woods and shoot him or — give him a bath in the kitchen sink.

 

Bears know how to swim. In fact, they love water. In some states, they will come into your backyard and take the waters in your swimming pool or jacuzzi. There are videos on YouTube.

 

I sanitized the sink and prepared a nice, warm bubble bath for Little Texas Aggie Bear. He hesitantly lowered himself into the sink. He let out a “bear sigh” of pleasure. When I took out the camera, Little Texas Aggie Bear started to cry. “What’s wrong?” asked Alamo Basement Aggie Ring.

 

“It’s the bubble bath.” sobbed the little bear. “If anyone in the Trumpet Case Bear Union sees those photos, I’ll loose my certification and be forced to become the worst sort of bear ever — a tuba/Sousaphone case bear.”

 

I assured the little bear that no one would ever see any of these photos and think that he’s some sort of “Barbie Dream House” bear. This seemed to put him at ease and please him.

 

After I rinsed him a couple of times, Aggie Ring and I realized we had a very, very wet bear to deal with. “If you don’t get him dry soon. He’ll start to smell like wet dog!” said Aggie Ring.

 

My first thought was, “Well… the ceiling fan will get him dry! I’ll just hang him up by the neck to it.” Sadly, when I turned on the fan, Aggie Bear went flying across the room and onto the hard floor like a child who wasn’t strapped in properly in a Disney World wild ride.

 

[More to follow]

"Je mange mieux maintenant que je vole à l'épicerie" ("I eat better now that I steal from the grocery store")

The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution - African slavery as it exists amongst us - the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization.

 

This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution.

 

Jefferson in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the "rock upon which the old Union would split." He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that rock stood and stands, may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by him and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the old constitution, were that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with, but the general opinion of the men of that day was that, somehow or other in the order of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass away. This idea, though not incorporated in the constitution, was the prevailing idea at that time.

 

. . . Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the government built upon it fell when the "storm came and the wind blew."

 

. . . Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition.

 

from Cornerstone Speech, Alexander H. Stephens

 

Alexander Hamilton Stephens (February 11, 1812 – March 4, 1883) was an American politician from Georgia. He was Vice President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He also served as a U.S. Representative from Georgia (both before the Civil War and after Reconstruction) and as the 50th Governor of Georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883.

 

He grew up poor and in difficult circumstances. His mother died when he was an infant and his father and stepmother, Matilda Stephens, died days apart when he was 14, causing him and several siblings to be scattered among relatives. Frail but precocious, the young Stephens acquired his continued education through the generosity of several benefactors. One of them was the Presbyterian minister Alexander Hamilton Webster. Out of respect for his mentor, Stephens adopted Webster's middle name, Hamilton, as his own.

 

After several unhappy years teaching school, he took up legal studies, passed the bar in 1834, and began a successful career as a lawyer in Crawfordville.

 

Stephens was extremely sickly throughout his life. He often weighed less than 100 pounds, sometimes considerably less, and was frequently bedridden and near death. Descriptions of his unhealthy appearance were common in newspaper stories. While his voice was described as shrill and unpleasant, at the beginning of the Civil War a Northern newspaper described him as "the Strongest Man in the South" because of his intelligence, judgment, and eloquence.

 

As his wealth increased, Stephens began acquiring land and slaves. By the time of the Civil War, Stephens owned 34 slaves and several thousand acres. Stephens entered politics in 1836, when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. In 1843, Stephens was elected U.S. Representative as a Whig, in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mark A. Cooper. He served from October 2, 1843 to March 3, 1859, from the 28th Congress through the 35th Congress.

 

As a national lawmaker during the crucial decades before the Civil War, Stephens was involved in all of the major sectional battles. He began as a moderate defender of slavery but later accepted the prevailing Southern rationale used to defend the institution.

 

Along with his fellow Whigs, he vehemently opposed the Mexican-American War. He was an equally vigorous opponent of the Wilmot Proviso, which would have barred the extension of slavery into territories acquired by the United States during the war with Mexico. This would later nearly kill Stephens when he argued with Judge Francis H. Cone, who stabbed him repeatedly in a fit of anger. Stephens was physically outmatched by his larger assailant, but he remained defiant during the attack, refusing to recant his positions even at the cost of his life. Only the intervention of others saved him. Stephens' wounds were serious, and he returned home to Crawfordville to recover. He and Cone reconciled before Cone's death in 1859.

 

The sectional issue surged to the forefront again in 1854, when Senator Stephen A. Douglas, from Illinois, moved to organize the Nebraska Territory, all of which lay north of the Missouri Compromise line, in the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This legislation aroused fury in the North because it applied the popular sovereignty principle to the Territory, in violation of the Missouri Compromise. Had it not been for Stephens, the bill would have probably never passed in the House. He employed an obscure House rule to bring the bill to a vote. He later called this "the greatest glory of my life."

 

In 1861, Stephens was elected as a delegate to the Georgia special convention to decide on secession from the United States. During the convention, as well as during the 1860 presidential campaign, Stephens called for the South to remain loyal to the Union, likening it to a leaking but fixable boat. During the convention he reminded his fellow delegates that Republicans were a minority in Congress (especially in the Senate) and, even with a Republican President, they would be forced to compromise just as the two sections had for decades. Because the Supreme Court had voted 7–2 in the Dred Scott case, it would take decades of Senate-approved appointments to reverse it. He voted against secession in the convention but asserted the right to secede if the federal government continued allowing northern states to nullify the Fugitive Slave Law with "personal liberty laws." He was elected to the Confederate Congress and was chosen by the Congress as Vice President of the provisional government. He was then elected Vice President of the Confederacy. He took the oath of office on February 11, 1861 and served until his arrest on May 11, 1865.

 

Stephens was arrested at his home in Crawfordville, on May 11, 1865. He was imprisoned in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, for five months until October 1865. In 1866, he was elected to the United States Senate by the first legislature convened under the new Georgia State Constitution but did not present his credentials, as the state had not been readmitted to the union. In 1873, he was elected US Representative as a Democrat from the 8th District to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Ambrose R. Wright, and was re-elected in 1874, 1876, 1878, and 1880. He served in the 43rd through 47th Congresses, from December 1, 1873 until his resignation on November 4, 1882. On that date, he was elected and took office as Governor of Georgia. His tenure as governor proved brief; Stephens died on March 4, 1883, four months after taking office. According to a former slave, a gate fell on Stephens "and he was crippled and lamed up from dat time on 'til he died."

 

Dundalk overwhelm Bangor in All Ireland Final

by Roger Corbett

Bangor’s amazing run in the All Ireland Junior Cup came to an abrupt end when they were comprehensively beaten by Dundalk, eventually losing by 55-5.

Where do you start when trying to relate and absorb the events of Saturday’s final at Chambers Park? Firstly, congratulations to worthy winners Dundalk who nullified the Bangor attack, then went on to produce some stunning plays which racked up no less than 8 tries, each by a different player. For Bangor’s part, they were unable to respond to the intensity of Dundalk’s game, and lacked the cutting edge which their opponents used to great effect.

The day started full of promise, as the strong support from North Down made their way to Chambers Park in Portadown, knowing Bangor would be fielding their best team. Once again, the pundits had Bangor as the underdogs – just as they had done so in the previous three rounds! In confounding the experts earlier, Bangor produced some awesome performances against top quality opposition to get to the final. Dundalk had produced some convincing wins in the early rounds of the competition, but had struggled to get past CIYMS in the semi-final, just managing to squeeze ahead at the second time of asking. However, with a number of key players returning to the side in time for this game, they were now back at full strength and would be a formidable force to contend with.

Having won the toss, captain Jamie Clegg elected to play into the stiff wind in the first half. For the first 5 minutes, Bangor doggedly retained possession and tried to play their way into Dundalk’s half through a series of determined forward moves. However, little ground was made and, when possession was finally lost, the Dundalk back line produced a burst that simply cut through the Bangor defence resulting in an easy touch down under Bangor’s posts for a 7-0 lead.

Bangor stuck to their plan and slowly, but patiently, got their attack moving forward, eventually winning a penalty to the left of Dundalk’s posts, but Mark Widdowson’s kick into the wind drifted just wide of the mark.

The contrast in play between the two teams was becoming clear, with Bangor trying to keep the ball close while Dundalk were throwing it wide. The latter strategy was proving to be the more effective as, with 20 minutes gone, a quick back line move with players looping around resulted in an overlap on the right wing which gave a clear run in to again, score under the posts. A further 9 minutes later, they did it again and, although the Bangor defence had sensed the danger and moved across to cover it, their tackling let them down allowing Dundalk to get over in the right hand corner, taking their lead to 19-0.

By now, Bangor were trying to hang on until half time when they could regroup and come out with the wind at their backs. Dundalk, on the other hand were anxious to press home their advantage and give them a more comfortable lead. To Bangor’s credit, although camped on their own line for lengthy spells, they dug in and managed to hold on until the referee’s half time whistle.

As the teams reappeared from the dressing rooms, it was obvious Bangor were ringing the changes, particularly in the backs. With the wind advantage having lessened considerably, Bangor got the second half underway. It was now Dundalk’s turn to adopt the slow, steady approach, just as Bangor had done earlier. However, their more confident off-loading and support play was, once again, taking play deep into Bangor’s territory. Frustration at not being able to gain possession and take play out of their danger area eventually resulted in a yellow card for Clegg after a succession of penalties. Dundalk kicked the penalty to touch, won their lineout and drove for the line. Although initially held up by the Bangor defence, Dundalk’s repeated drives were eventually rewarded with another converted score, extending their lead to 26-0.

From the touchline, the Bangor faithful had felt that if their players had managed to score first in the second half, they may have been able to mount a fight-back and close the gap to their opponents. As it was, this Dundalk score simply bolstered their confidence and pushed Bangor deeper into trouble. With Bangor still a man down, Dundalk added to the score with a penalty and then another score in the corner. Everything was now working for the Leinster men, as even the difficult touchline conversion into the biting wind successfully split the posts, bringing the score to 36-0.

As the game entered the final quarter, and with Dundalk all but holding the cup, Bangor were now on the ropes. By contrast, the Dundalk players were in almost total control, and were not going to slow down now. In a 10 minute spell, they ran in a further 3 tries, making the scoreline 55-0. By now, any sense of dejection the Bangor supporters may have been feeling was now moved to feelings of sympathy for their players. However, pride was at stake and once again Bangor rallied as the game entered its final minutes. At last, the forwards got within striking distance of the Dundalk line and, although their repeated attacks were repelled, they finally managed to do what their opponents had done so effectively, and quickly passed the ball wide to Davy Charles. Even though they were 55 points ahead, the Dundalk defence made Charles work hard to drive through the tackles and score Bangor’s consolation try, bringing the final score to 55-5.

From Bangor’s point of view, the final score doesn’t tell the whole story of this competition. While the final may have resulted in a sad anti-climax for Bangor, the remarkable journey to get there will be remembered for some time. On the day, Dundalk were by far the better side, and Bangor would have to concede that their game was not up to the usual standard. However, there is no doubt the experience of competing at this level is something to relish and the goal now will be to secure a top four place in the league and try again next year.

Everybody at the club has nothing but the highest respect and praise for what has been achieved this year by not just the 1sts, but all the senior teams, and one poor result isn’t going to change that – the welcome at Upritchard Park for the returning players is testament to that. With that in mind, the players now need to put this disappointment behind them and provide the best possible response against a struggling Portadown side at home in the league next Saturday.

Bangor side: J Leary, A Jackson, P Whyte, F Black, G Irvine, R Latimer, J Clegg, C Stewart, R Armstrong, K Rosson, D Charles, M Aspley, M Weir, M Widdowson, C Morgan

Subs: S Irvine, O McIlmurray, D Kelly, M Rodgers, C Harper, D Fusco, M Thompson

Bangor scores: D Charles (1T)

Dundalk Storm To Title Dundalk 55 v Bangor 5 from KnockOn.ie

Dundalk Scorers: Christopher Scully, Owen McNally, Jonathan Williams, John Smyth, Ultan Murphy, Tiernan Gonnelly, James McConnon and Stephen Murphy 1 try each. Ultan Murphy 6 cons, 1 pen.

Bangor Scorers: David Charles 1 try.

In front of a big crowd at Chambers Park on Saturday afternoon Dundalk delivered a stunning and ruthless display to see off the challenge of Bangor and capture the All Ireland Junior Cup title for the very first time.

Three first half tries had them firmly in control at 19-0 ahead having played with the elements at the Portadown venue during the first half and while the wind dropped somewhat after half time the Dundalk intensity most certainly didn’t as they cut loose scoring five more tries.

Dundalk returned to a heroes welcome at their Mill Road clubhouse on Saturday night after a display of pure brilliance throughout the afternoon.

Precision, pace and skill from the Louth men from start to finish left Bangor playing second fiddle for long periods.

立法會跟進免遣返聲請統一審核機制有關事宜小組委員會

參觀青山灣入境事務中心

立法会跟进免遣返声请统一审核机制有关事宜小组委员会

参观青山湾入境事务中心

LegCo Subcommittee to Follow Up Issues Relating to the Unified Screening Mechanism for Non-refoulement Claims visits Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre (2018.07.19)

 

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms." ~Joe Fox

 

Another for the 'Dateable Relatable' series,..

 

Writers and Readers and You've Got Mail fans oh my! The smell of new pencils is magic. I am especially a fan of the green metal à la pink eraser Dixon pencils.

One story relates how, while Nicholas was visiting a remote part of his diocese, several citizens from Myra arrived with the news that, in his absence, the ruler of the city, Eustathius, had condemned three innocent men to death. Nicholas set out immediately for home. Reaching the outskirts of the city, he asked those he met on the road if they knew what had happened to the prisoners. Informed that their execution was to be carried out that morning, he hurried to the executioner's field, where he found a large crowd of people and the three men kneeling with their arms bound behind them, awaiting the blow of the sword. Nicholas passed through the crowd, took the sword from the executioner's hands and threw it to the ground, ordering that the condemned men be freed from their bonds. Later the ruler sought the saint’s forgiveness. Only after a period of public repentance did Nicholas absolve him.

 

Ilya Repin's painting of the same scene: www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/995851770/

立法會過渡性房屋及劏房事宜小組委員會視察劏房及過渡性房屋項目

立法会过渡性房屋及劏房事宜小组委员会视察劏房及过渡性房屋项目

LegCo Subcommittee on Issues Relating to Transitional Housing and Subdivided Units visits subdivided units and transitional housing projects (2021.05.20)

El Relator Rodrigo Escobar Gil atiende solicitudes de entrevistas con miembros de la prensa hondureña e internacional tras la presentación del Informe sobre la Situación de las Personas Privadas de Libertad en Honduras. 2 de agosto de 2013, entrada principal de la Casa Presidencial, Tegucigalpa.

Girls are always more attached to their Dads, That is not a mystery. We are always in sync with our dads no matter where we are staying and what we are doing. It is a bond that is not easy to understand and is very special. We have a bittersweet connection with our dearest Papa.

It won’t...

 

blog.cogxio.com/10-things-you-will-relate-to-if-you-are-y...

My photo entry relates to your context theme of "Women: The Power of India". My photograph portrays the power of mobile 'phones in the hands of rural women. This photograph has been taken in the desert of Barmer in western Rajasthan where women are largely illiterate and have a low status in society. Earlier mobile 'phones were only a prerogative of men in the society but now women are not left behind. Mobile phones are slowly leading to social change.