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My New Best Friends
I am going to Mexico in just 4 weeks.
And I cannot quite fit into my bikini.
So.
Medicine Ball and Stability Ball are my new best friends.
Medicine Ball and Stability Ball are my new best friends.
They come with a host of others like weights and a yoga mat.
Medicine Ball and Stability Ball are my new best friends.
(for the mp3 click below)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 29 June 2013: Soldiers receive a gesture of appreciation from a child while on patrol. Canadian Forces members, in collaboration with Brazilian troops, are participating in stability and security efforts in Haiti.
Port-au-Prince, Haïti - 29 juin 2013: Des soldats canadiens se font montrer qu'ils sont appréciés par un enfant lors d'une patrouille. En collaboration avec les militaires brésiliens, les membres des Forces armées canadiennes participent aux efforts visant à assurer la stabilité et la sécurité en Haïti.
Photo: Canadian Armed Forces
Jeong Joon Yu (SK Group), Olga Algayerova (UNECE), Mark Harper (Secretary of State for Transport, UK), Volker Wissing (Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Germany), Hee-ryong Won (Minster of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea), Kris Peeters (European Investment Bank, EIB) and Carlos Monje (Under Secretary for Transportation Policy, US explore the role of transport in promoting economic co-operation, peace and stability in the Open Plenary "Transport as an enabler of sustainable economies, peace and stability in time of crisis". The event takes place during the International Transport Forum's 2023 Summit on "Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies" in Leipzig, Germany on 24 May 2023.
www.news-medical.net/amp/news/20220404/Study-shows-SARS-C...
Study shows SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persist for one-year post-infection with protection from other variants | News-Medical
In a new study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers discussed the stability of spike antibody titers mounted against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and their ability to protect from infection with other antigenically similar SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Background
According to the World health organization (WHO) statistics, over 486 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the organism that caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to the development of adaptive immune responses, which in some patients remain active for a longer time, while in some fade quickly. These immune responses include either induction of SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding antibodies or neutralizing antibodies.
Usually, in any infection, the antibodies mounted are at a strong peak during the infection, followed by declining levels and then stabilization. This pattern of antibody level durability and protection in SARS-CoV-2 was investigated in the current study.
About the study
In the present research, two PARIS (Protection Associated with Rapid Immunity to SARS-CoV-2) cohort studies involving a total of 501 healthcare workers with and without prior infection of SARS-CoV-2, enrolled between April 2020 and August 2021, were performed. The studies involved frequent and longitudinal sampling from two to six months up to 400 days post-infection.
For the protection dataset, 400 participants, including 273 females, 126 males, and one unknown gender, without any co-morbidities were identified. These unvaccinated participants were either monitored for four weeks of follow-up, or two study visits were performed. During the enrolment, 150 were seropositive, while 250 were seronegative for SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies. A total of 2,106 study visits were carried out to determine the risk of infection and seroreversion in 400 participants.
For determining the antibody durability, 137 seropositive participants from 400 participants with known dates of COVID-19 positive tests or symptoms onset were selected, and a total of 813 distinct visits were conducted.
Eleven participants were detected with new SARS-CoV-2 infections, of which ten were naïve participants, and one was previously infected without detectable antibodies. Infection was confirmed for one individual by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) conducted by the study group, nine infections were confirmed outside the Mount Sinai Health System, while one infection was confirmed by seroconversion.
Antibody titers against the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins were measured by a two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Firstly, the sera were screened for IgG at 11:50 dilution, and antibodies were detected against a full-length spike protein.
Further, the durability of antibodies and changes in their titers with time were determined using an additive mixed model mgcv package (version 1.8-36) for R (version 4.1.1). Participants with low levels of detectable antibodies (less than 1:80) were removed from the analysis, whereas those with detectable antibodies of 1:80-1:6,400 were used. In this analysis, sex, age, and baseline titers were included as covariates.
The frequency of seroreversion was determined by calculating the probability of survival via the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Seroreversion was defined by patients who were seropositive initially, however, subsequently, the titers went undetectable or below the detection limit on two consecutive visits.
The researchers further studied whether the antibody titers were able to protect against re-infection with a genetically similar SARS-CoV-2 variant. Participants with detectable antibodies were compared to those with undetectable antibodies by a Fisher’s exact test.
Study findings
The results demonstrated that spike binding IgG antibody titers were highly variable amongst the COVID-19 survivors, with titers ranging between 1:80 and 1:6,400. Around 59.1% of participants displayed antibody titers above 1:800 at the baseline visit.
It was found that after the infection, the antibody titers decreased over the first three months, after which the levels of antibodies were stabilized for a year. Moreover, participants with higher antibodies showed a higher initial decline than those with lower antibody levels.
The researchers also investigated whether age or sex has any effect on antibody durability. Participants of age 40 or over showed 1.62-fold higher antibody levels. Sex-wise, female participants displayed 1.40-fold higher antibody titers than male participants.
It was also observed that eight participants out of 137 who were initially seropositive (below 1:800) for the antibodies tested negative during follow-up study, confirming seroreversion.
Interestingly, the antibodies mounted upon infection were detectable after re-infection, demonstrating significant protection from the antigenically similar variants.
Conclusions
Overall, this current study reported the pattern of SARS-CoV-2 antibody durability over time, with an initial decline and then stabilization after three months. Seroreversion was found to be lower, and participants with ages over 40, as well as females, showed higher antibody levels. Moreover, the antibodies mounted in the infection showed protection towards re-infection with other variants.
However, this study had a few limitations. The enrolment done in the first wave relied on clinical symptoms and not on molecular tests. Moreover, a smaller sample size due to increased numbers of vaccinated healthcare workers may have led to bias in the study.
*Important notice
medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
After years of political stability and economic progress, Turkey is sliding backwards in reforms and in abiding to democratic principles and the rule of law.
A serious clampdown on media and individual freedoms has started and is likely to continue beyond the general elections in June 2015.
Journalists have been arrested and the authorities are cutting back the freedom of expression and media in Turkey.
As a reaction, a recent resolution by the European Parliament reminded Turkey that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy.
Guy Verhofstadt, President of ALDE, and Rebecca Harms, President of Greens/EFA, have invited a number of key Turkish journalists from the major media corporations to address the issue of media freedom in Turkey and the role that the EU could play in that field.
Stained glass window by Lavers & Barraud 1879 in St John's chapel at the north east corner of Pershore Abbey. The chapel is suffering from a fissure that has opened through the east wall, window and vaulting, initially moving at a dramatic rate in 2005. After a period of stability, the fissure reopened in August 2011, moving apart yet further with worrying speed; currently the vaulted ceiling is threatened with collapse.
This window was removed during the initial danger period of 2005-6, to allow for repair of the effects caused by movement of the building and reinstalled when safe. It has now been removed yet again as of September 2011, following more extreme movement of the stonework. It will not be returned to the Abbey until the current serious danger of structural failure can be dealt with.
www.pershoreabbey.org.uk/whyscaffolding.html
Pershore Abbey is today a magnificent fragment, consisting of roughly half of the original medieval church. The monastery itself has long gone, the only traces being the scars on the wall of the south transept that show where the east range of buildings, perhaps including the monks' dormitory and refectory, were once attached to the church.
The Abbey dates back to Saxon times, having been founded by King Edgar in the 10th century, but the eatliest visible remains today are 12th century Norman, principally the south transept. What little evidence remains of the nave shows that this too was Romanesque, contemporary with the transept. The bulk of the building as it stands today dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, as witnessed by the splendid gothic choir (complete with rich vaulted ceiling and bosses, also added to the transept) with it's aisles and chapels. The imposing tower is the latest addition from the 1340s, and in it's topmost storey following a remarkably similar design to that of Salisbury Cathedral, suggesting involvement of the same architect/master mason.
The church today has a strangely L-shaped footprint owing to it's reduction in size as a result of the Dissolution of 1539, when the townspeople bought the eastern half of the church for parish use (instead of the smaller St Andrew's church immediately to the east). The nave was quarried away for it's stone, as were the monastic buildings (the cloister stood to the south of the nave) and have almost entirely vanished. The Lady chapel at the east end was also demolished at this time, the present apsidal chapel dates from the Victorian restoration. There were further reductions still to come, with the collapse of the north transept in 1686, of which only a tiny portion was rebuilt, giving the western part the curiously lopsided appearance it has to this day, with two of the former arches of the crossing now blocked up with recycled masonry.
The interior is impressive, both for it's Gothic and norman work. The higher ceilings have some excellent carved bosses, mainly foliage with the occasional face, rather difficult to make out from ground level. The original furnishings have not survived with the exception of the Norman font, carved with figures surrounded by strapwork, somewhat worn as a result of being exiled to a garden in the 18th century and later recovered.
There are a few monuments of note, mainly gathered in the south transept where two medieval effigies lie, one a fine 13th century cross legged knight (reputedly a crusader), not in situ and apparently brought in from the churchyard (presumably he lay in the now lost nave). A 14th century priest, somewhat worn, lies nearby along with a large, coloured late Elizabethan monument to the Haselwood family.
The Abbey was restored in the 1850s by George Gilbert Scott, during which time stained glass was reintroduced into the building (all trace of the medieval glass has gone), mostly by Clayton & Bell and Hardmans, the former of which also added some wall painting at the west end, that is now so deteriorated some must mistake it for medieval work. But the most notable feature of the Victorian period is the unique (and somewhat terrifying) bell-ringers platform suspended high in the centre of the tower by a cross of huge oak beams, in order to open up a view of it's interior. The bell ringers of Pershore must seriously need to conquer any fear of heights!
There have been ongoing structural problems with the foundations (presumably groundwater) on the north side of the building, first manifested in the collapse of the north transept, and more recently in the alarming fissures that have rapidly opened up in the north east chapel during the last six years. Currently the situation is growing ever more acute, and fate of this small corner of the building hangs in the balance.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Maj. Marcus Copeland, a civil affairs officer assigned to the 12th Iraqi Army Division Stability Transition Team, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, teaches a group of Iraqi civil affairs soldiers about their role as force multipliers and ambassadors to the civilian population during a civil affairs training class at 12th IA Div. Headquarters in Kirkuk province, Iraq, May 23, 2011.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)
The 140th Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, deploys approximately 250 Airmen and six F-16 Falcons to Kadena Air base, Okinawa, Japan, in support of the routine theatre security package (TSP), helping to maintain security and stability in the Pacific region May-Aug., 2017. (U.S. Air Force Colorado National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Reynolds)
Ward underscores America’s commitment to advance security, stability and peace in Africa
By Army Sgt. Wayne Woolley
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, on Wednesday told a gathering of senior military leaders from 32 nations across the African continent that America is committed to forming and maintaining partnerships that advance security, stability and peace in Africa.
“We want to listen, we want to learn from your perspectives and we want to be a partner in collaborating to address the challenges you face,” Ward said. “You are our partners and I respect all of you.”
The senior African military leaders gathered for the inaugural African Land Forces Summit for five days of discussions about ways they can form stronger relationships among themselves and with the United States to protect borders, fight extremist groups and collaborate on humanitarian assistance and peace keeping missions.
The summit is sponsored by U.S. Army Africa, which was created last year as a service component command under USAFRICOM.
“We intend for this first African Land Forces Summit to be just the beginning of many more to come where we can gather on a regular basis to share ideas,” Ward said. “We want to ensure the programs and activities we conduct on the continent of Africa are helpful in building your military capacity in ways that support your regional and national interest.”
The best way for the United States military to do that, Ward said, is to listen and respond to the concerns of African military leaders.
“You have seen over the past few years how we do business. Not dictating to you. Not directing you,” Ward said. “But listening to you and then doing our best to do those things you have asked us to do. What you say matters. I hope this summit is proving that to you.”
U.S. Army photo by Barbara Romano
CAPTION: Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, arrives at African Land Forces Summit venue and greets U.S. Army Africa staff prior to speaking with summit delegates.
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Function stability credibility, service convenience;
Low operating cost results in optional economy;
Gets the job done wherever you are;
Ease of installation, operation and maintenance.
Prime Power:
This rating is for the supply of continuous electrical power (at variable load). There is no limit on the annual hours of operation and 10% overload power can be supplied for 1 hour in 12.
Standby power:
This rating is for the supply of continuous electrical power (at variable load) in the event of a utility power failure. No overload is permitted.
Premier Danielle Smith has named her new cabinet, a team dedicated to building on a solid foundation of stability, informed decision-making and good governance.
The 25 members of cabinet, a decrease from the previous 27, includes a mix of experienced and new ministers who represent Alberta’s diversity. As a team, they will govern for all Albertans and work to ensure Alberta realizes its full potential.
Alberta’s cabinet will be made up of the following ministers:
Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations – Danielle Smith
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services – Mike Ellis
Minister of Advanced Education – Rajan Sawhney
Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice-chair of Treasury Board – Nathan Neudorf
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – RJ Sigurdson
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women – Tanya Fir
Minister of Children and Family Services – Searle Turton
Minister of Education – Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Energy and Minerals – Brian Jean
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – Rebecca Schulz
Ministry of Forestry and Parks – Todd Loewen
Minister of Health – Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism – Muhammad Yaseen
Minister of Indigenous Relations – Rick Wilson
Minister of Infrastructure – Pete Guthrie
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade – Matt Jones
Minister of Justice – Mickey Amery
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction – Dan Williams
Minister of Municipal Affairs – Ric McIver
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services – Jason Nixon
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction – Dale Nally
Minister of Technology and Innovation – Nate Glubish
Minister of Tourism and Sport – Joseph Schow
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors – Devin Dreeshen
President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance – Nate Horner
Cabinet members will work collaboratively to accomplish the work that Albertans voted for, including continuing to grow and diversify the economy, keeping life affordable, reforming the health care system, tackling crime, providing help for those struggling and defending Alberta’s interests.
Staff officers with the 2nd Iraqi Federal Police Division work together during a staff planning course as they develop a course of action for a practical exercise during a five-day course which was designed to increase the attendees’ abilities to better conduct future operational planning Aug. 29, 2011 at Joint Security Station Justice, Iraq. The course was instructed by the “Tomahawk” Stability Transition Team attached to 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center. (U.S. Army photo by Bailos Albazi, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C)
International Monetary Fund's Financial Counsellor and Director Jose Vinals (2nd R), Assistant Director Peter Dattels (R), Deputy Director Robert Sheehy (2nd R), and External Relation's Chief William Murray (R) attend the Global Financial Stability Report Press Conference April 13, 2011 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. IMF Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
International Monetary Fund's Financial Counsellor and Monetary and Capital Markets Department Director Jose Vinals attends the Global Financial Stability Report Press Conference September 21, 2011 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. IMF Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
After years of political stability and economic progress, Turkey is sliding backwards in reforms and in abiding to democratic principles and the rule of law.
A serious clampdown on media and individual freedoms has started and is likely to continue beyond the general elections in June 2015.
Journalists have been arrested and the authorities are cutting back the freedom of expression and media in Turkey.
As a reaction, a recent resolution by the European Parliament reminded Turkey that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy.
Guy Verhofstadt, President of ALDE, and Rebecca Harms, President of Greens/EFA, have invited a number of key Turkish journalists from the major media corporations to address the issue of media freedom in Turkey and the role that the EU could play in that field.
Philippine Marine Staff Sgt. Arnaldo O. Manguiat, left, a squad leader assigned to 511th Marine Company, 11th Marine Battalion, Philippine Marine Sgt. Henry V. Lalap, right, a mortarman with the company, and U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Logan A. Giger, center, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, work together during their bilateral live fire training event May 7, 2014 at Crow Valley, Philippines, during Balikatan 2014. The Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines trained together to increase mission readiness. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military in their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./Released)
After years of political stability and economic progress, Turkey is sliding backwards in reforms and in abiding to democratic principles and the rule of law.
A serious clampdown on media and individual freedoms has started and is likely to continue beyond the general elections in June 2015.
Journalists have been arrested and the authorities are cutting back the freedom of expression and media in Turkey.
As a reaction, a recent resolution by the European Parliament reminded Turkey that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy.
Guy Verhofstadt, President of ALDE, and Rebecca Harms, President of Greens/EFA, have invited a number of key Turkish journalists from the major media corporations to address the issue of media freedom in Turkey and the role that the EU could play in that field.
Well this is a cool spot to say the least, didn't know that there was a grill deck at this train overpass and must admit I was weary at first walking on the grill. I just had to try and capture that feeling with cars speeding by under you. Also had to get the tripod in the shot since it's the unsung hero of these shots!
Sb800 full power manually triggered lighting up the side of the overpass and grill.
Idealized phase diagrams illustrating where methane hydrate is stable in marine and permafrost settings. Hydrate can exist at depths where the temperature (blue curve) is less than the maximum stability temperature for gas hydrate (orange curve). Pressure and temperature both increase with depth in the Earth. Although hydrates can exist at warmer temperatures when the pressure is high (orange curve), the temperature at depth (blue curve) gets too hot for hydrate to be stable, limiting hydrate stability to the upper ~1km or less of sediment. The presence of salt, a gas hydrate inhibitor, shifts the gas hydrate stability curve (orange) to lower temperatures, decreasing the depth range of the gas hydrate stability zone. For seawater, this decrease is approximately 1.1°C (Dickens and Quinby-Hunt, 1994).
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This photo has been graciously provided to be used in the GRID-Arendal resources library by: GRID-Arendal
Premier Danielle Smith has named her new cabinet, a team dedicated to building on a solid foundation of stability, informed decision-making and good governance.
The 25 members of cabinet, a decrease from the previous 27, includes a mix of experienced and new ministers who represent Alberta’s diversity. As a team, they will govern for all Albertans and work to ensure Alberta realizes its full potential.
Alberta’s cabinet will be made up of the following ministers:
Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations – Danielle Smith
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services – Mike Ellis
Minister of Advanced Education – Rajan Sawhney
Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice-chair of Treasury Board – Nathan Neudorf
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – RJ Sigurdson
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women – Tanya Fir
Minister of Children and Family Services – Searle Turton
Minister of Education – Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Energy and Minerals – Brian Jean
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – Rebecca Schulz
Ministry of Forestry and Parks – Todd Loewen
Minister of Health – Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism – Muhammad Yaseen
Minister of Indigenous Relations – Rick Wilson
Minister of Infrastructure – Pete Guthrie
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade – Matt Jones
Minister of Justice – Mickey Amery
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction – Dan Williams
Minister of Municipal Affairs – Ric McIver
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services – Jason Nixon
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction – Dale Nally
Minister of Technology and Innovation – Nate Glubish
Minister of Tourism and Sport – Joseph Schow
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors – Devin Dreeshen
President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance – Nate Horner
Cabinet members will work collaboratively to accomplish the work that Albertans voted for, including continuing to grow and diversify the economy, keeping life affordable, reforming the health care system, tackling crime, providing help for those struggling and defending Alberta’s interests.
Public Meeting on the EU Stablity Treaty in Scoil Áine Naofe, Lucan, Co. Dublin - © David Novak Photography
Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Pierre Krahenbuhl, appearing in Asateer Room A: “Changemaker for Stability”, at the Global Education & Skills Forum 2019
The Labour Party in Ireland is a social-democratic political party. The Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish political parties, Labour does not trace its origins to the original Sinn Féin. In the 2011 general election it gained 37 of the 166 seats in Dáil Éireann, almost double its total of 20 in the 2007 election, making it the second largest political party in the 31st Dáil. The Labour Party has served in government for a total of nineteen years, six times in coalition either with Fine Gael alone or with Fine Gael and other smaller parties, and once with Fianna Fáil, giving it the second-longest time in government of Irish parties, next to Fianna Fáil. As of 9 March 2011 it is the junior partner in a coalition with Fine Gael for the period of the 31st Dáil.
The current party leader is Eamon Gilmore, elected in October 2007 alongside Joan Burton as deputy leader. Gilmore is the current Tánaiste (deputy prime minister).
The Labour Party is a member of the Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists, whilst the party's MEPs sit in the European Parliament group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Through these bodies Labour is linked with the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland.
Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Designed in two sections by different architects, the Metropolitan Baptist Church (originally the New York Presbyterian Church) is a fine example of the many new churches built in Harlem during the late 19th century at a time when the local church represented wealth and stability to the community. The building is distinguished by a somewhat unusual blend of the Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles, both favored in part for their imposing character, and reflects the importance of its original congregation.
The earlier section of rough-faced limestone church, fronting on West 128th Street, was planned by John Rochester Thomas in 1884. It housed a small lecture room/ chapel and was erected with the intention of adding a principal auditorium structure at a later date. The addition, comprising the Seventh Avenue facade and the northern section of the church, was completed in 1890 and designed by Richard R. Davis. Davis' extension, with its dominating gable and towers, complemented the Thomas design incorporating many details from the earlier structure.
Although the immediate neighborhood was not fully developed when the building was commissioned by the New York Presbyterian Church, greater Harlem was blossoming as New York's most fashionable suburb. Harlem derived its name from the village of Nieuw Harlem established in the region by Peter Stuyvesant in 1658, and embraced the area of Manhattan above Morningside Heights between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. The region remained rural until the turn of the century. Country estates in the western half of the district took advantage of magnificent views from Harlem Heights, while the eastern section, between present-day 110th and 125th Streets, was cultivated as farmlands. It was not until the 1830s, when the New York & Harlem Railroad ran trains to 129th Street, that Harlem's potential as a residential suburb was recognized.
The transformation from rural village to fashionable upper-and upper-middle-class neighborhood, however, did not occur until after the 1870s. Harlem suffered a decline in the 1830s when its lush farmlands were depleted, and many great estates were sold at public auction during this period. The striking vistas and beautiful unspoiled country nevertheless attracted fashionable downtowners on picnics and day trips, particularly after the 1860s. In the 1870s the rapid growth of New York City began to notably affect the status of nearby Harlem. The area was annexed to the City in 1873, and from 1878 - 1881, three lines of the elevated railroad were extended as far north as 129th Street, precipitating the development of new residential neighborhoods.
The building boom lasted until 1905. Exclusive homes, such as Strivers Row in the St. Nicholas Historic District on 138th and 139th Streets, designed in part by Standford White in 1891, were erected for affluent, established New Yorkers, people of wealth and taste, as Harlem came to epitomize the ultimate in fashion and elegance. An 1893 article in the Harlem Monthly Magazine foresaw correctly that "It is evident to the most superficial observer that the centre of fashion, wealth, culture, and intelligence, must, in the near future, be found in the ancient and honorable village of Harlem.." By 1900 luxurious apartment houses lined Lenox Avenue in the 130's and 140's blocks and Seventh Avenue, then one of the finest residential streets in New York. Harlem also boasted elegant rows of brownstones, the fashionable Polo Grounds, and the distinguished Harlem Opera House, which opened on West 125th Street in 1889.
As exclusive neighborhoods shifted northward, most churches were compelled to follow their congregations to Harlem. Many expensive and imposing church edifices were erected for prestigious congregations whose membership often numbered in the thousands.
When the leaders of the New York Presbyterian Church purchased the comer lots on Seventh Avenue and 128th Street in 1884 they were criticized for planning such a costly project, but the church had anticipated the growth of the immediate neighborhood and the healthy expansion of membership. At the time, the New York Presbyterian Church was well established in the city. The roots of the Presbyterian faith, which is based on a modified form of Calvinism and a specific ecclesiastical hierarchy, date to 1754 when the Associate Presbytery was formed by members of the religious secession in Scotland.
In 1782, the Associate Reformed Church was formed when the Associate Presbytery joined with the Reformed Church of America. Three churches of this order were established in New York, but left a dissatisfied remnant group when they united as one in 1822. The small Scotch-Irish remnant, led by a representative of the Associate Reformed Synod, was established as the Associate Reformed Church of the City of New York in 1831, accepted into the New York Presbytery in 1867, and subsequently renamed the New York Presbyterian Church.
After occupying several downtown locations the church decided to establish a permanent headquarters in Harlem and commissioned John Rochester Thomas (1848-1901) to design the new building. Born and trained in Rochester, New York, Thomas was reputed to have designed more public and semi-public buildings than any other architect in the country. Among his works were the Eighth Regiment Armory, the Seventy-first Regiment Armory, the Squadron A Armory, a designated New York City Landmark, an extension to the old New York Stock Exchange, buildings for the New York State Reformatory at Elmira, the New Jersey State Reformatory at Rahway, and the Eastern New York Reformatory.
Among the educational institutions from which he received commissions were the University of Rochester, Rochester Theological Seminary, Cornell University, and the University of Virginia. Thomas designed more than 150 churches, one of which was the Second Reformed Church at Lenox Avenue and 123rd Street, now the Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Mount Morris Park Historic District. Thomas is perhaps best known, however, for his 1889 design of the Hall of Records or Surrogates Court, a designated New York City Landmark. Richard R. Davis, who designed the auditorium addition, was a Harlem architect who maintained an office, 247 West 125th Street. He was responsible for many fine apartments and row houses in the area.
The cornerstone of the Thomas-designed church building was laid in October 18, 1884, and the first service held in September, 1885. The north side of the church was finished with a temporary frame bay in anticipation of the future addition. Ground was broken for the main auditorium structure on Thanksgiving Day, 1889. Davis' addition completed the church, incorporating the original design of both the exterior and interior. The new, wide, fan-shaped auditorium, which opened in October 1890, was partitioned from the original lecture room. When necessary, the two rooms were opened up as one during large Sunday services.
While the reason for the two-part construction was probably financial, it remains unclear why Thomas did not complete the project he had commenced six years earlier. Davis, in fact, appears to have plagiarized his composition for the Seventh Avenue addition from the western section of the nearby Reformed Low Dutch Church of Harlem on Lenox Avenue and West 123rd Street, designed by Thomas in 1885. The similarity is too close to be coincidental. Evidently quite proud of the completed New York Presbyterian Church, Davis claimed the entire design as his own in an 1893 business advertisement.
Only a few years after the New York Presbyterian Church was completed the character of Harlem began to undergo yet another transformation. Proposed subway routes to West Harlem sparked a wave of real estate speculation that continued until the bottom fell out of the market in 1904-1905. In 1904, a black businessman named Philip Payton founded the Afro-American Realty Company, which, during its short life, played a major role in the development of Harlem as a black community. In the aftermath of the real estate collapse, which produced a surplus of housing, Payton acquired five-year leases on white-owned properties and rented them at higher rates to black families.
Blacks who could afford high rents had begun moving to Harlem at the turn of the century. A dramatic increase in Harlem's black population came, however, as hundreds of black families were uprooted when their homes in the Tenderloin area near 34th Street were destroyed during the 1906 -1910 construction of Pennsylvania Station. For the first time good housing in large quantities was available to New York's blacks. People talked of "moving up to Harlem". Just as Harlem had been an exclusive white community, it became an exclusive black community, with more than 50,000 blacks living there by 1914.
After the 1908 collapse of the Afro-American Realty Company, local churches played the most influential roles in the development of black Harlem. Traditionally, the church was the most stable institution in the black community. Church wealth and influence expanded concurrently with the growth of Harlem's black population and membership enjoyed a healthy increase as churches began to purchase property and move to Harlem.
During the early 20th century many white denominations sold their church buildings to black congregations as "on to Harlem" movements brought black churches to the area. Selling their downtown properties at high rates, the black churches often invested their profits in local Harlem real estate.
By the 1920s almost every well-established black church had relocated uptown. Many had congregations so large that it was necessary to hold several services on a single Sunday.
Unlike the established black churches that moved to Harlem from downtown locations, the Metropolitan Baptist Church was a new congregation. Organized as the Mercy Street Baptist Church by seven blacks in 1912, the congregation merged with the Zion Baptist Church and worshipped in the basement of a house at 45-47 West 134th Street, paying $1.00 per year in rent. When the Reverend W.W. Brown arrived from Pittsburgh to lead the church in 1914, membership numbered 380.
The congregation grew rapidly under Brown's direction and services were moved to the Public Casino. In 1916, the Metropolitan Baptist Church purchased three lots on West 138th Street between Lenox Avenue and constructed a temporary building that seated 1,500 persons. After this proved inadequate, the Church purchased the New York Presbyterian Building on West 128th Street in 1918 at a cost of $85,000. In 1929 the Church acquired the three adjoining row houses on West 128th Street with the intention of erecting a youth center. These were later torn down but the center was never built.
Description
The exterior of the Metropolitan Baptist Church is little changed from its original appearance. The limestone structure shows a handsome blend of detail from the Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles which were the rule for ecclesiastical architecture of the period. Introduced in the 1840s, the Gothic Revival style never lost its popularity in church design throughout the remainder of the century, even after the Romanesque Revival style became fashionable in the 1880s. While the two styles were considered equally acceptable, elements from both were not commonly combined in one building design as they are in the Metropolitan Baptist Church.
The low and heavy massing of the church, the rough-cut stone, the conical roof form, and the use of dwarf columns with foliate capitals are typically Romanesque, while the pointed arches, richly decorated fenestration, tracery, and flying buttress are characteristic of the Gothic Revival. Although planned separately, the designs of architects Thomas and Davis work well as one, forming a unified whole with a variety of geometric volumes that intersect at different levels, and the principal facades gain a special character from a skilled combination of projecting and receding planes.
The Thomas-designed section on West 128th Street demonstrates the architect's skill in ecclesiastical design. Small in scale, the two and one-half story facade is dominated by a tremendous slate roof, shaped as a partial cone. A central peak-roofed gable end projects slightly from a bow-shaped wall that follows the curve of the roof, while a smaller peaked gable marks the southeast corner of the building.
Located at the southwest corner, the principal entrance (originally designed to be crowned by a belltower) reveals a fine design. Engaged dwarf columns of polished granite mounted on limestone bases and crowned by foliate capitals flank heavy wooden doors finished with medieval hardware. A recessed Gothic-arched stained glass transom with decorative stone tracery appears above. The transom is framed by three stone moldings that spring from the capitals and an outer molding terminating in carved bosses. A similar door appears on the east end of the facade, adjacent to a three-sided angular bay.
The entire facade is articulated by groups of stained glass, Gothic-arched lancet windows that appear at various levels. The principal gable is lit by a handsome stained-glass rose window with stone voussoirs and arched molding that appears over five lancet windows. Three small trefoil-arched lancets pierce the attic story. Decorative facade elements include terminal blocks with ornamental trefoils at the roofline, and slender engaged granite dwarf columns with foliate capitals that flank the rose window.
The west facade of the church, designed by Richard R. Davis, is dominated by a large-scale, steeply-pitched peaked roof gable end of rough cut stone traversed at intervals by plain bandcourses. The gable is flanked by engaged round towers pierced by a circle of trefoil-arched stained glass lancets crowned by layered conical roofs. A stained glass rose window is centered on the facade, set within a Gothic-arched enframement that springs from pairs of engaged columns and pilasters. Five Gothic-arched lancets unified by a continuous molding pierce the wall at ground level.
These are crowned by four circular plaques carved with trefoils. A bandcourse of the same motifs runs above, echoed by a similar bandcourse that marks the gable at attic level. A double lancet crowned by a Gothic-arched molding appears under the roof peak, which, like the towers, is crowned by a stone finial. A Gothic-arched entry flanked by engaged granite columns appears on either side of the gable end. Polished granite columns with foliate capitals flank the wooden doors, which are crowned by Gothic tracery, recalling the door compositions used by Thomas on the southern facade. A single flying buttress, another Gothic Revival element, marks the church's southwest corner at second story level.
The Metropolitan Baptist Church is remarkable for its fine stonework and stained glass, handsome composition, striking asymmetrical massing, and skilled combination of Gothic and Romanesque Revival forms. Positioned on a corner site, the church dominates the street-scape, while intersecting gables and a varied roof line give the building a special character. The original design is remarkably intact, including a particularly fine cast-iron fence at street level. The building is an excellent example of Harlem's ecclesiastical architecture, and an important symbol of the wealth and prestige enjoyed by Harlem churches.
- From the 1981 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report
Prudent Fitness client, fashion designer Julian Asion, does weighted ab crunches on a stability ball.
This benefits the abdominal wall, intercostals, lats, hips, glutes, lower back, hip stabilizers and proprioceptors.
A youthful 60, Julian embodies the ideal of a sound mind in a sound body.
Julian trains at Prudent Fitness Studio in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
To learn more, visit Prudent Fitness.
SEA OF JAPAN (Aug. 13, 2020) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Alex Sagastume, from Pearson, Ga., directs the landing of a UH-1Y Venom helicopter from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serves as a ready response force to defend security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelby Sanders)
Premier Danielle Smith has named her new cabinet, a team dedicated to building on a solid foundation of stability, informed decision-making and good governance.
The 25 members of cabinet, a decrease from the previous 27, includes a mix of experienced and new ministers who represent Alberta’s diversity. As a team, they will govern for all Albertans and work to ensure Alberta realizes its full potential.
Alberta’s cabinet will be made up of the following ministers:
Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations – Danielle Smith
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services – Mike Ellis
Minister of Advanced Education – Rajan Sawhney
Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice-chair of Treasury Board – Nathan Neudorf
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – RJ Sigurdson
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women – Tanya Fir
Minister of Children and Family Services – Searle Turton
Minister of Education – Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Energy and Minerals – Brian Jean
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – Rebecca Schulz
Ministry of Forestry and Parks – Todd Loewen
Minister of Health – Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism – Muhammad Yaseen
Minister of Indigenous Relations – Rick Wilson
Minister of Infrastructure – Pete Guthrie
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade – Matt Jones
Minister of Justice – Mickey Amery
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction – Dan Williams
Minister of Municipal Affairs – Ric McIver
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services – Jason Nixon
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction – Dale Nally
Minister of Technology and Innovation – Nate Glubish
Minister of Tourism and Sport – Joseph Schow
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors – Devin Dreeshen
President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance – Nate Horner
Cabinet members will work collaboratively to accomplish the work that Albertans voted for, including continuing to grow and diversify the economy, keeping life affordable, reforming the health care system, tackling crime, providing help for those struggling and defending Alberta’s interests.
President Van Rompuy assured President Saakashvili of EU's ''continuing full support for the security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia''. To watch the press statement, access tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/story/index/story_id/15266... To read President Van Rompuy's speech www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en...
This is my niece Oona! She is adorable and such a troublemaker! haha..
We will miss her greatly when they leave on Wednesday though :(
Check out her mommies Flickr!
The 140th Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, deploys approximately 250 Airmen and six F-16 Falcons to Kadena Air base, Okinawa, Japan, in support of the routine theatre security package (TSP), helping to maintain security and stability in the Pacific region May-Aug., 2017. (U.S. Air Force Colorado National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Reynolds)
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A serious clampdown on media and individual freedoms has started and is likely to continue beyond the general elections in June 2015.
Journalists have been arrested and the authorities are cutting back the freedom of expression and media in Turkey.
As a reaction, a recent resolution by the European Parliament reminded Turkey that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy.
Guy Verhofstadt, President of ALDE, and Rebecca Harms, President of Greens/EFA, have invited a number of key Turkish journalists from the major media corporations to address the issue of media freedom in Turkey and the role that the EU could play in that field.
International Monetary Fund's Financial Counsellor and Monetary and Capital Markets Department (MCM) Director Jose Vinals (Left) and MCM Deputy Director Jan Brockmeijer (Right) attend the Global Financial Stability Report Press Conference September 21, 2011 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. IMF Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
Public Meeting on the EU Stablity Treaty in Scoil Áine Naofe, Lucan, Co. Dublin - © David Novak Photography
kids stability routine and structure Conscious #Parenting Mindful Living Course for Parents (Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training #5) by Natasa Pantovic Nuit #quotes about kids development mental development www.artof4elements.com/entry/97/why-conscious-parents
From right to left: Brigadier General Jeffrey Curmi (Chief of Defence - Malta) and Colonel Neville Galea Roberts (Military Representative - Malta)
Featured Image from Rwanda Photobook.
www.Chancenkosigomez.com/photobooks
Rwandan people are of Hutu and Tutsi Tribes. They are quite peaceful and keen to foreigners.
Fuji X-T4 / Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8
ARTIST STATEMENT
I traveled to Africa to capture images that would speak for themselves. This container of photographs might say, “This is Rwanda” or something totally indifferent. Motoring through Kigali I was presented with city, farmland and quiet villages. I can tell you that by the time my trip was over I was convinced that this country is a happening place. Today I’m thrilled to share my experience and visual narrative with you. (May, 2019)
Nkosi.artiste@gmail.com
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Chance Nkosi Gomez known initiated by H.H Swami Jyotirmayanda as Sri Govinda walks an integral yogic path in which photography is the primary creative field of expression. The medium was introduced during sophomore year of high school by educator Dr. Devin Marsh of Robert Morgan Educational Center. Coming into alignment with light, its nature and articulating the camera was the focus during that time. Thereafter while completing a Photographic Technology Degree, the realization of what made an image “striking” came to the foreground of the inner dialogue. These college years brought forth major absorption and reflection as an apprentice to photographer and educator Tony A. Chirinos of Miami Dade College. The process of working towards a singular idea of interest and thus building a series became the heading from here on while the camera aided in cultivating an adherence to the present moment. The viewfinder resembles a doorway to the unified field of consciousness in which line, shape, form, color, value, texture all dissolve. It is here that the yogi is reminded of sat-chit-ananda (the supreme reality as all-pervading; pure consciousness). As of May 2024 Govinda has completed his 300hr yoga teacher training program at Sattva Yoga Academy studying from Master Yogi Anand Mehrotra in Rishikesh, India, Himalayas. This has strengthened his personal Sadhana and allows one to carry and share ancient Vedic Technology leading others in ultimately directing their intellect to bloom into intuition. As awareness and self-realization grows so does the imagery that is all at once divine in the mastery of capturing and controlling light. Over the last seven years he has self-published six photographic books, Follow me i’ll be right behind you (2017), Sonata - Minimal Study (2018), Birds Singing Lies (2018), Rwanda (2019), Where does the body begin? (2019) & Swayam Jyotis (2023). Currently, Govinda is employed at the Leica Store Miami as a camera specialist and starting his journey as a practitioner of yoga ॐ