Poisoning, primarily by drugs, kills more people than car accidents, making it the nation’s biggest injury-related cause of death, said a report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Nationwide, 13.3 people per 100,000 died from poisoning between 2007 and 2009, compared with 12.4 from motor-vehicle accidents during the same period, the report found. In Maine, the poisoning death rate was 14.8, compared with 12.1 fatalities per 100,000 for motor-vehicle accidents. More than 90 percent of unintentional poisoning deaths in 2007 were caused by drugs and medicine, the report said. Each year, injuries create $406 billion in lifetime costs for medical care and lost productivity, according to the report.
Researchers identified a new set of injury threats, including concussions in school sports, bullying, auto accidents while texting, falls by aging baby boomers and a “dramatic, fast rise in prescription drug abuse.” Sales of prescription painkillers and related deaths have tripled since 1999, according to the report.
“Motor-vehicle accidents are more dramatic and get more coverage, but poisoning happens every day,” said Jeff Levi, who heads the Washington-based trust. “As we’ve seen poisoning from prescription drugs reach epidemic levels, it’s time to raise it on the radar screen.”
From Washington to Maine, states have passed or are considering laws designed to better regulate prescription drugs. Deaths from prescribed pain relievers have exceeded the number caused by cocaine and heroin combined, the report said. Forty- eight states have implemented, or have pending, programs meant to track prescriptions to keep buyers from visiting multiple doctors to get the same drug.
Last month, New Mexico, which has the highest poisoning death rate and injury-related fatality rate in the United States, made available online to providers its database tracking prescriptions. It’s also expanding a program created for heroin users to help pharmaceutical-drug addicts, Michael Landen, deputy state epidemiologist, said in a telephone interview.
“We have an epidemic of prescription-drug overdoses in this country, and in New Mexico and we need to reverse it,” Landen said. “As a society, we need to reduce sales of prescription drugs while at the same time ensuring patients in pain are getting treatment. It’s a tough balance, and we have to get that right.”
Striking that balance led to a political battle in Kentucky, which the report said has the seventh-highest poisoning death rate. Gov. Steve Beshear backed a bill this year that would have given him the authority to put the state’s prescription-monitoring program under the attorney general’s control so investigators would have access. The Kentucky Medical Association said doing so would violate patient privacy and push them away.
The bill passed in April without the provision. It requires doctors to take full medical histories before prescribing narcotic painkillers, among other regulatory enhancements.
“To have good pain control is essential, and anything that would hamper access to any medication would be a problem,” said Sharon Brigner, deputy vice president for state advocacy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a Washington-based trade group. “These are not illicit drugs. These are drugs prescribed to patients for legitimate reasons.”


What is an animal supposed to do when a six-lane highway stands between them and their next meal?
That’s a problem that PennEnvironment, along with other state groups in the Environment America network, is working to solve. In Pennsylvania, we’ve been building support for the construction of wildlife corridors to link together fragmented habitats — a major source of stress for wildlife that interrupts migration routes, puts animals in harm’s way, and threatens biodiversity.
With a big assist from Green Corps, we have mobilized people to add 1,200 signatures to our petition, place 200 calls with state legislators, and add 60 new members to our coalition. (Like PennEnvironment, Green Corps is part of The Public Interest Network.) A state House committee has passed a resolution on the issue, but there’s more work to be done to help wildlife travel safely from one habitat to the next.


On "On the Meeting of Garcia Lorca and Hart Crane"
. . . Levine has staked out a position on the interplay of history and the poet's own historical consciousness, insisting on a kind of dialogue with the people and events that compose the past and continue to shape the present. No solipsist, Levine is looking for an understanding of self that transcends the self, one that takes into account both the individual's place in history and history's place within the individual. In this way, Levine's thinking resembles Hans-Georg Gadamer's conception of the individual's relationship to history and its texts. Like Levine, Gadamer regards this process as a dialogue between the past and the present. In his Truth and Method, Gadamer makes this encounter an even more intimate affair, describing it as a "conversation," ideally one in which a person comes to "experience the 'Thou' truly as 'Thou,' i.e., not to overlook his claim and listen to what he has to say to us." It was Gadamer, after all, who once called history itself "the conversation that we are." Still, while Gadamer concerns himself mostly with how one reads and interprets a text, Levine demonstrates how this process applies as well to the creation of an artistic text, to the making of a poem.
Moreover, Levine apprehends one aspect of this conversation that Gadamer complacently overlooks: that often the dialogue excludes the disempowered, the poor and the marginalized, those who have by some intentional or unintentional means been silenced by the exercise of power. Recorded history is rarely written by or about those individuals disenfranchised from the realms of political or economic power. Levine's poetry, compelled by moral and aesthetic urgency, therefore directly engages those individuals in poetic conversation. What most interests me are those poems in which the speaker addresses an historical "you" in a kind of dialogic act. Sometimes that "you" says nothing in the conversation, other times a dialogue ensues, and occasionally the reader is the "you" the poem addresses. These poems provide a forum for Levine both to intermingle the private and the cultural and to interact with historyoffering, in the process, an aesthetic means for him to personalize the historical and historicize the personal.
. . . "On the Meeting of Garcia Lorca and Hart Crane," a new poem which recently appeared in The New Yorker, exemplifies the tendencies discussed thus far. The poem concerns the speaker's cousin, Arthur Lieberman, a former "language student at Columbia" who, on his death bed, told the speaker of his having brought together Lorca and Crane in Brooklyn in 1929. Not only does Leiberman facilitate such historical dialogue, he also, because he "knows both Spanish and English," acts as its interpreter. He would therefore seem to be the perfect embodiment of Gadamer's "effective-history."
Surprisingly, not a word of the conversation between the "poetic geniuses" appears in the poem. Neither Arthur nor the speaker is "frivolous" enough to try to recapture it or to "pretend" it bore "wisdom." Neither is foolish enough to attempt to "invent a dialogue of such eloquence / that even the ants in your own / house won't forget it." No doubt theirs was a conversation like all others, fraught with misunderstanding and peril and surprise. No doubt theirs was no better or worse than the conversations each of these poems has pursued. What does come to Lieberman as a result of this encounter is a "double vision" which fuses his historical horizon with theirs, shocking him with a premonition of the poets' untimely deaths: Crane's suicide from a ship at sea in 1932 and Lorca's at the hands of a firing squad during the Spanish Civil War (returning us to the wellspring of Levine's work). The speaker asks his reader:
[quotes ll. 28-41]
Levine acknowledges this perilous aspect of imagination, the way that we humans, by imagining the lives of others, may come face to face with the "horror" as well as the beauty of our own existence. This "double vision" issues from an assiduous attention to the intersection of our lives with that of the Other, and it orders our sense of place and value in a world divided along historical, social, and racial lines. Through their conversations with history, these poems seek to enlarge both the poet's and the reader's individual horizons, to extend what we can see from our "particular vantage point," as Gadamer puts it. These poems ask readers to chance a "vision" of ineffable loveliness and equal ugliness, a vision of what it is to be human. If we take Levine's word that "nothing is past," then we readers follow this vision towards a future always in dialogue with the past and the evanescent moment of our present.
from "Why 'Nothing is Past': Philip Levine's 'Conversation' with History." Boulevard 9: 1-2 (Spring 1994). Copyright © 1994 by Opopjaz, Inc.
Return to Philip Levine


Eli Whitney and the History of the Cotton Gin
In the United States, cotton is more than just a fiber used for clothing, coffee filters, towels, and other things. It has, in fact, played an important part in shaping the course of history. Cotton may have had less of an effect, however, if not for the invention of the cotton gin. The cotton gin was a machine that was used to easily and quickly separate cotton from its seeds. Although there is some debate as to who was actually the first to invent the cotton gin, it is Eli Whitney who is most often credited for its invention. In addition, Whitney holds the first patent for the first cotton gin for short-staple cotton in the U.S. At the time that Whitney developed his cotton gin, he could have no concept of the lasting and immense impact that his creation would have. To understand the impact of cotton in the U.S., it is helpful to understand the cotton gin Whitney created.
Who Was Eli Whitney?
Some have dubbed him the "father of American technology," but Eli Whitney has gone down in history for one very specific creation: the cotton gin. Whitney was born in 1765 on December 8 in Westboro, Massachusetts. The inventor had an affinity for creating things even as a youth. During the Revolutionary War, for example, Whitney created a device for making nails, and he would later make hat pins for women's hats. He received his college education at Yale, where he studied from 1789 to 1792. It was after his graduation that he accepted employment at the estate of a widow named Catherine Greene. At Greene's estate, Whitney would create the cotton gin. His invention did not make him a wealthy man, however, as the simplicity of his patented design made it easy to pirate, or duplicate. The inventor would later go on to make muskets with interchangeable parts. He died in 1825.
History of the Cotton Gin
Greene's plantation was a cotton plantation in the South. During his time with Greene, Whitney discovered how slow the process of separating cotton fibers from the sticky seeds was. He also learned that because of this slow pace, cotton was not as profitable for Southern plantations as it should be, particularly for smaller upland plantations, which grew a type of cotton known as short-staple cotton. In efforts to resolve this problem, Whitney came up with the idea of a cotton gin. The gin that Whitney created used pulling hooks or teeth, a screen, and a brush to separate cotton fiber from the seed. The device was operated by the turning of a crank. When the crank was turned, the hooks or teeth would catch the cotton fibers and would pull them through a fine screen or small slots. The seeds were too large for the mesh or slots, so only the cotton would be pulled through. The brushes then removed the cotton from the teeth before the fibers exited the machine. The machine was much swifter than slaves in removing cotton and could do more per day than the plantation's multiple slaves could accomplish manually. The inventor patented his device in 1794.
The Cotton Gin and Slavery
Prior to the invention of the cotton gin, slavery in the United States was headed for its demise. Crops that were dependent on the labor of slaves, such as tobacco and indigo, were decreasing in profitability. This decrease in profitability also included cotton. After the creation and successful implementation of the cotton gin, the demand for cotton began to increase, requiring more land for cotton crops and more slaves to labor over the growing and harvesting of it. As a result, instead of slavery coming to an end, it became stronger than ever in the United States, particularly in the South. In fact, the number of slave states increased, and eventually, one out of every three people in the South were slaves. The need for more land to support the increasing demand also led to the ousting of Native Americans from their lands. Ultimately, the cotton gin and its impact on the course of slavery would lead to the Civil War.
Why the Cotton Gin is Important for Today's Manufacturing
The cotton gin was an important starting point to the Industrial Revolution. Although Whitney's simple cotton gin is a thing of the past, it made today's manufacturing of cotton possible. In fact, modern cotton gins are still an important part of the cotton industry. In the U.S., as much as 43 million tons of cotton is produced annually in states such as Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, and even California. Modern ginning of cotton not only separates the cotton fibers from seeds but also dries and cleans the fibers, removing foreign materials and sticks, and also bales the cotton.


Does Population Health Hold Answers for Precision Medicine?
We live in a time of unprecedented good health in the western world – researchers, healthcare professionals, clinicians are all working together to help decrease illness, prevent disease, increase life span and improve quality of life. In the US, for example, the average lifespan for a man in 1950 was 65 years of age.1 By 2007, that number jumped to 75 years of age, and it is expected to continue increasing, which means a growing and aging population for many developed countries around the world.1
by Alex Forrest-Hay, Vice President, Population Health
Population health, or epidemiology, explores the health of large groups of people over time to better understand the underlying nature of wellness and disease. Armed with genetic information and biological samples, as well as a variety of other health information, researchers are creating powerful databases to help explain why some people – and even geographic populations – develop certain diseases and others do not. How much of a role does genetics play compared to a person’s environment? Or, how does living in a congested city with pollution compare to a rural community?
Researchers around the world are gathering genomic and metabolic data from millions of participants to assess the internal and external factors that impact health. This information will help identify important diseases where prevention, diagnosis and treatment are most effective and early detection has the potential to change the outcome.
Metabolon is contributing to these efforts through its Precision Metabolomics™ technology. Unlike genomics, which assesses the risk of developing a disease, metabolomics provides a snapshot of health that gives researchers and clinicians a better understanding of health and the influences of genes, microbiome, diet, lifestyle and drug treatments. Metabolomics also improves understanding of gene function.
Because metabolic data is dynamic and changes with an individual, that information can be used to tailor health care and lifestyle. It is important to remember that clinicians have used metabolites for decades in patient care. To name a few, glucose, creatinine and cholesterol are routinely tested for the diagnosis and management of diabetes, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. On a certain level, all diseases are metabolic, and there will be a physical manifestation of the disease reflected in our metabolomes. The information gained from metabolomic research provides a foundation to help speed the journey from population health to precision medicine.
I am proud to lead a team that is committed to collecting and providing valuable, integrative knowledge toward understanding gene function and metabolic health. Our Population Health team works with leading government, academic and commercial researchers around the world to establish Metabolon as the preferred provider of metabolomics data for these studies.
Based on our engagement with these groups, there is no doubt that metabolomics is a necessity if these large-scale, multi-omic precision medicine initiatives are going to reshape how medicine is practiced in the 21st century. In addition, the intelligence gained from population health studies could enable Metabolon to develop next-generation clinical tests that will improve patient care and empower an individual to better understand, take control, improve their health and even prevent diseases. We aim to put Precision Metabolomics at the forefront of the precision medicine revolution to improve the outcomes and economics of healthcare.
To learn more about the benefits of adding metabolomics to your large population studies, please contact us.
1. CDC. Table 22. Life expectancy at birth, at 65 years of age, and at 75 years of age, by race and sex: United States, selected years 1900–2007 (2010). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2010/022.pdf. Accessed 10.3.17.


AFCA’s Mission: Education Through Arts
- Educating in a different dimension through art helps many people to learn easily and quickly. Similarly, they are able to overcome many problems relating to loss of focus, low self-esteem, confidence, and team building. AFCA uses education through art techniques that work with almost anyone at any age and seeks to improve languages, accents, soft skills, phonetics, mathematics, science, geography, chemistry, biology, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Goals of Education Through Art Program:
To create an artistic context with which to explore cultural, ethical, and social issues.
To promote the academic, social, and emotional growth of students
- To use art as a means to enhance communication, team building, and confidence.
- To develop a strong sense of purpose and direction in every student
- To improve the academic achievement of all students through participatory hands-on activities
- To provide opportunities for self-expression and self-discovery
- To discover hidden talents and skills in children and teens, by giving them the necessary tools to become professional artists in the future
- To provide teachers with a diverse array of instructional tools
- To help people to explore new languages, accents, and ideas through art.
AFCA in the community:
AFCA offers education through art to a wide range of public, including underprivileged children and students of public schools with the aim of expanding its mission to everyone in society, especially people who don’t have an equal chance in accessing all society categories. AFCA believes that art has to be shared with everyone in order to build a new creative environment in the society today.


About the Holiday
Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of African Americans in United States History. Originally a week-long observance initiated by writer and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson in1926 and occurring during the second week in February to commemorate the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, Black History Month was officially established in 1976 by then president Gerald Ford. The holiday is now celebrated across the country with special events in schools, churches, and community centers.
The theme for 2021 is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” It explores the African diaspora and the spread of Black families across the United States through multiple perspectives. For more information about Black History Month, visit the ASALH website and africanamericanhistorymonth.gov.
Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book
Written by Keila V. Dawson | Illustrated by Alleanna Harris
When Black travelers drove the highways of the United States in the 1920s and 30s and tried to stop at restaurants or motels, they “were told: No food… No vacancy… No bathroom… for Black people.” Instead, Black American motorists had to pack their own food, sleep in their car, and bring their own toilet. “Victor Hugo Green was tired of hearing no…. When he and his wife Alma traveled from New York to Virginia to visit family, they risked getting turned away, yelled at, even hurt.”
At the time, Jim Crow laws in the same segregated Black and White Americans throughout society. Because Blacks had nowhere to stay, they often drove through the night. If Black motorists had an accident, there were no ambulances or hospitals that would help them. In northern and western “sunset towns,” Blacks were alerted to leave town before darkness fell by a siren or a White man waving them out.
One day Victor discovered a Jewish newspaper that published a guide about places that welcomed Jewish people and sold kosher food. “In the 1930s Jewish Americans couldn’t go everywhere they wanted to either.” Reading this guide, Victor had an idea to write a book of his own for New York. As he walked his route as a mail carrier, he began to ask Black friends and neighbors where they ate, shopped, and played safely. He worked on his book at night after work and finished his ten-page guide, The Negro Motorist Green Book in 1936; he updated it in 1937.
Victor began selling his book at Black churches and social clubs. Readers asked Victor to include more states in his book, so he wrote to other mail carriers all over the country asking for information. Mail carriers responded overwhelmingly. Over the next two years, Victor and Alma worked to expand the Green Book. With the Green Book in hand, “Black travelers knew where to go and who to trust.” As the popularity of the Green Book rose, Victor collected information from readers and agents Victor hired to add to revisions of his book.
In 1940 the United States government named the Green Book an “‘official Negro travel guide.’” Then Esso gas stations of the Standard Oil Company began selling the book. The Green Book became a best seller. The Green Book spurred new businesses as Black women opened their homes as bed and breakfasts for travelers; it also informed readers about Black accomplishments, history, colleges that accepted Black students, and more.
With two million copies sold, the Green Book “made it possible for Black families to enjoy vacations.” Through the 1950s and 1960s as the fight against segregation and the civil rights movement took hold, the Green Book continued to keep Blacks safe. Victor dreamed of the day when, as he said, “‘we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States.’” That day came when, in 1964, segregation was ended by law and the Green Book became less necessary. The Green Book ceased publication after the 1966-67 issue, just as Victor had hoped.
An illustrated timeline takes children along a winding highway from 1892, when Victor Hugo Green was born, to 1967 when the Green Book ceased publication, quotations by Victor Green, and a selected bibliography follow the text.
Keila V. Dawson’s compelling book about Victor Hugo Green’s guide for Black travelers is a powerful tool for teaching children about the history of racial inequality and segregation as well as an expanded understanding of their effects on the lives of Black Americans. While children may be familiar with separate facilities for Blacks and Whites, separate seating on transportation, and school inequality, many will be shocked by travel conditions, the idea that hospitals would not help Blacks, and sunset towns where Blacks were ordered out as the sun went down. While Dawson’s unstinting text will move readers, her storytelling also reveals the resilience of the human spirit and how one man rose above the dangers and prejudice of the time to make traveling and living in America safer for Blacks. The fact that the fight for racial equality continues today makes Dawson’s book an important resource for children to learn not only the exclusion Blacks once legally faced but to make them think about incidents of discrimination that still exist and how they might help bring about a more equitable society.
Alleanna Harris faithfully depicts the times with realistic illustrations that show children how sparsely populated the highway system was, making it even more difficult for Blacks to find welcoming businesses and services. Her image of a Black man driving past a sign that reads “Whites only after dark” as a White man leans against it pointing the way out of town should affect every reader. Children are able to follow Victor Hugo Green and Alma as Victor conceives the idea of the Green Book, and they gather information, and sell the book. They’ll also see the types of businesses mentioned in the Green Book, from gas stations to general stores to movie theaters and private homes where rooms were available for travelers. Interspersed with images of Victor and his work Harris includes illustrations of other familiar ways Blacks were discriminated against.
An important resource for teachers, parents, and other adults engaged in teaching children about American history, the history of civil rights, and the experience of Blacks in America, Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book is highly recommended for home, school, and public libraries.
Ages 4 – 8
Beaming Books, 2021 | ISBN 978-1506467917
You can find an Opening the Road Educators Guide to download on the Beaming Books website.
Discover more about Keila V. Dawson and her books on her website.
To learn more about Alleanna Harris, her books, and her art, visit her website.
You can find Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million
To support your local independent bookstore, order from
Picture Book Review


Pet hay fever and how to help relieve it
Can dogs and cats get hay fever?
Both dogs and cats can experience hay fever just like humans when the flowers start to blossom and grass needs mowing.
Some breeds are more susceptible to hay fever than others, so it’s important to observe your pet for symptoms at this time of year. Hay fever symptoms can be really uncomfortable for a pet and may require medical treatment.
What causes hay fever in pets?
Much like us humans, spring weather can trigger hay fever in dogs and cats. During the spring, growing plants release grasses, pollens and seed spores into the air. Wind can circulate these irritating particles, causing your pet’s skin to itch. Even worse, your pet might enjoy rolling in the grass, which can increase irritation.
What are the symptoms of cat or dog hay fever?
Unlike humans, pet allergies tend to show up more on their skin than their eyes and sinuses. Consequently, you might see a rash, sores or flakey skin that your pet can’t stop scratching, rubbing or nibbling. This may be more noticeable around your pet’s face, arm pits, ears, belly, paws or at the base of their tail.
Unfortunately for some pets, hay fever irritation can be so severe that they rub off their fur around the itchy spot. Other symptoms your pet may experience are weeping eyes, runny nose, sniffling, wheezing or even painful ear infections. Notably, some pets may not get any rash on their skin. As such, it’s important to look out for extreme scratching behaviours even if their skin seems fine.
Some pets may be more sensitive to hay fever, with reports that some breeds are more sensitive than others. These include Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
How to relieve a pet with spring allergies?
If your pet has any hay fever symptoms, the vet should always be your first stop. They will check if hay fever is the definite cause and that there isn’t anything else going on, such as a yeast infection, virus or parasite. If the site of the itch is very bad, the vet may suggest your pet wear a cone to help their skin heal.
From here, the vet may recommend some medications for your pet to get through the springtime. For example, your vet may suggest pet antihistamines daily or soothing creams to relieve the itch. Alternatively, they may suggest bathing, trimming or brushing your pet every day to remove allergens from their coat. Lastly, your vet may recommend avoiding walks through fresh-cut grass when there is a high pollen count in the air.
It's a good idea to tell your dog walker if your pet has hay fever, so they can choose a less-itchy path when they take your dog for a stroll. Click below if you need to find an experienced dog walker in your neighbourhood.


Spark your child’s love for science and music with this one-of-a-kind kit! His or her mind will be blown when they see how easy it is to power lights, speakers and a piano. Everything is included in the Circuitry Keyboard kit to conduct 39 different experiments — each more exciting than the next!
Electronics and music in one
Combine sound and science with the circuitry keyboard! Featuring 46 separate circuits, this electronic keyboard lets you experiment with music, sounds, LED light, resistors, switches and more! Play and modify the mini keyboard while learning about the science of circuitry.
Included booklet walks you through experiments
Worried you don’t have enough electrical know-how to work out these experiments? No problem! The included booklet has easy-to-follow steps to walk you through each one. Simply use the included wires to connect the noted circuits, then flip the switch “on” to see what got powered!
Conduct 39 different experiments
Educational kit to get kids interested in electrical engineering
Power the piano, LED lights, speaker, and more!
Experiment with music, LEDs, touch panels, resistors and electronic circuitry
Requires 2 AA batteries (not included)
Red, blue, green and white wires for connecting circuits
Give your kid a reason to be excited for bedtime with the Discovery Kids Projection Alarm Clock. The clock will project any of the 4 space themed images for 30 minutes or for 8 hours while plugged in (Plug Not Included). This alarm clock uses dual projection lenses to beam an image onto a wall or ceiling up to 10 feet away! The images can be as large as 4 feet to really immerse your child in outer space and give their imagination a backdrop to play in. The display on the front of the clock will display the full date and time to help the child know exactly what day it is so they can keep up with their chores, homework, and everything else! The time can also be projected prominently onto the wall or ceiling for easier viewing.
Bring the universe to your child's bedroom with the Discovery Kids 2-in-1 4x LED Starlight Lantern! Now your little camper can enjoy the night sky inside their tent or read a book under the blankets with the Starlight Lantern! Your child's bedroom can become an intergalactic space station with this premium domed star projector!
This drawing easel features a see-through drawing surface for fun, translucent artwork! It can also be used as a tracing board for transferring art from paper to neon marker!
Press the action light button to enjoy up to 36 different light-up colors and effects! Comes with 4 fluorescent markers and features a built-in kickstand and integrated marker storage bay!
Destination discovery: take reality to another level with our fun and educational toys! You can explore the universe and fly through space, roam the desert with animals, run from dinosaurs and much more!
Play and learn: at the intersection of inspiration, curiosity, and stem-based edutainment, our toys help spark your child's imagination and creativity while promoting the development of essential skills.
Light up drawing board with kickstand, 4 fluorescent markers
Beautiful gemstones are polished, smoothed and shaped by their existence in nature and being tumbled through rivers-a process that usually takes thousands of years! Now you can mimic that same natural event with the Discovery #MINDBLOWN Rock Tumbler Kit. The tumbling motion, gritty sand and water are the only things Mother Nature uses to polish natural quartz and other stones. This kit takes those things and adds electrical power so speed up that natural process. Just add the stones, rocks, and the gritty sand to the tumbler and let it do all the work for you. Within days you will have smooth and polished gemstones that you can use for making accessories. Children ages 10 and up will enjoy being a scientist with this kit! This set from Discovery #MINDBLOWN uses natural science and geology concepts to bring you a fun and educational toy!
Kit includes: tumbler, rocks, grit, accessories & power cord.
All gemstones are natural & unique
Turn beautiful polished gems into jewelry & accessories
Includes plug & adaptor
At the intersection of inspiration, curiosity, & STEM-based edutainment, our toys help spark the imagination & promote the development of science, technology, engineering & math skills.
Designing beautiful works of art has never been easier with the Discovery Kids Shake Studio! Simply use the provided glue sticks to line up where you want the sprinkles to go, add your choice of 5 sprinkle colors to the shaker, close the case and shake into place!
EASY TO DO: Simply trace the artwork with the included glue sticks, pour in your favorite color sprinkles and then shake, shake, shake!
MESS AND WASTE FREE: The unused sprinkles funnel back into the bottles easily for waste-free, mess-free fun!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Shake Studio provides everything you need to create beautiful works of art including the sprinkle shaker, 5 sprinkle bottles, 6 glue sticks, and 12 dessert drawings.
PLAY & LEARN: At the intersection of inspiration, curiosity, & STEM-based edutainment, our toys help spark the imagination & promote the development of science, technology, engineering & math skills.
Explore the marvels of our universe in the comfort of your living room, bedroom or classroom with the Discovery #MINDBLOWN 2-In-1 Reversible Planetarium Space Projector! The projector is double sided and features two different modes: stationary and moving! The moving side features two layered translucent domes that rotate slowly, projecting moving stars onto any surface for a truly immersive intergalactic experience! The space projector is the perfect educational toy for any kid curious about science, NASA, space ships, galaxies, solar systems and more! Get out of this world edutainment with the Discovery Kids Planetarium Space Projector! For best viewing results, use the projector in a dark room.


Water Supply & Water Quality Challenges
Unprecedented Drought Conditions
Three consecutive years (2012, 2013 and 2014) of the lowest rainfall and snowpack totals in California have put the state in the worst drought conditions since weather data have been measured. State reservoirs are near record lows and dropping, local groundwater basins and ecosystems are stressed, vast tracks of farmland lie fallow and wildfire risk is extremely high.
In 2014, nearly 60% of California is in “exceptional drought,” the most severe on the U.S. Drought Monitor’s five-point scale. About 82% of the state is in “extreme drought,” while 96% is now in “severe drought.”
In January 2014, Governor Edmund Brown declared a drought emergency and called on Californians to reduce their water consumption by 20 percent.
In April 2014, Governor Brown issued an executive order to strengthen the state’s ability to manage water and habitat effectively in drought conditions and called again on all Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water.
In response to the ongoing severe drought, the State Water Resources Control Board approved emergency water conservation regulations in July 2014 for all Californians. The regulations are intended to reduce outdoor urban water use.
Hidden underground, groundwater typically accounts for about 35 percent of the water used by California’s farms and cities. In some regions, like the San Gorgonio Pass, communities rely almost entirely on groundwater for their drinking water. Imported water provides supplemental supply to the region. In dry years, groundwater becomes even more important, as pumping increases to make up for the lack of rain. The challenge is to maintain hydrologic balance during times of drought to minimize depletion of aquifers.
The Beaumont Basin, located in the San Gorgonio Pass and overlies the cities of Beaumont, Cherry Valley, Calimesa and parts of Banning, is an adjudicated basin that is operated under the provisions of a court judgement. This judgement determines the “safe yield” of the basin, i.e., how much water can be extracted from the ground by water providers in a given year.
In September 2014, Governor Brown signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, historic legislation designed to strengthen local control and management of groundwater basins throughout California. The legislation lays out a process and timeline and provides tools, authorities and deadlines to take necessary action to achieve the goals set forth in the legislation.
State Water Project Challenges
Built more than 50 years ago, the State Water Project was a marvel for its time. Today, critical infrastructure investments must be made to ensure a continued reliable water supply. The heart of the State Water Project, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, is no longer a suitable pathway for the state’s water supplies. Struggling fish populations, environmental issues and ongoing regulatory hurdles make the Delta incompatible with a reliable water delivery system.
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is the path towards a secure water supply for California and a healthy Delta ecosystem. This comprehensive effort is an innovative, science-based solution to California’s water supply challenges and the Delta’s environmental struggles. Just as our predecessors advanced crucial infrastructure projects to prepare California for the last 50 years, our members are working with state and federal agencies, environmental organizations and other water agencies to secure water supplies for the decades to come.
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan seeks to identify an alternate way of routing freshwater supplies from the Sacramento River to the state and federal water facilities—the pumps that send water to water agencies throughout California. Rather than using Delta as the primary conduit for water supplies, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is analyzing options to move water through a tunnel underneath the Delta, or a canal around the Delta.
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan also incorporates extensive habitat restoration actions. By removing the state’s water operations from the delicate ecosystem, and taking steps to restore habitat, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will create a healthy, sustainable Delta environment and protect water supplies from earthquakes and other natural disasters.
State and federal water contractors are currently funding the plan’s development, and have committed to funding the construction of a new canal or tunnel.
For more information on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, go to http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/Home.aspx
California enjoys some of the highest water quality in the world. Local water agencies are responsible for meeting many stringent federal and state water quality regulations to ensure the water they deliver is clean and safe.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans’ drinking water. Under this law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.
SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells.
In California, the drinking water program is administered by the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) of the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Click here to view presentation on Chromium 6 given by Art Vela, Acting Public Works Director, City of Banning at the August 2015 Alliance Meeting
Water Quality in the San Gorgonio Pass Region
Groundwater The region is fortunate that the overall quality of the drinking water supply is quite high. There is no known historical industrial or mining activity in the region that has generated harmful plumes of pollutants.
However, rising levels of salinity are of particular concern. The main cause of this condition is the release of treated waste water, which contains certain salts, to the environment. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has set a maximum benefit goal for salinity of 330 parts per million in the region that includes the Beaumont Basin. The current salinity concentration in the Beaumont Basin is approximately 280 parts per million. A Basin Plan requires local entities to begin planning desalter facilities when the salinity increases to 330 parts per million.
Another constituent in the local water supply that is being closely monitored is nitrate, a naturally occurring form of nitrogen found in soil. Common sources of nitrate include fertilizers, manure, animal feedlots, municipal wastewater and septic systems. Nitrates form when microorganisms break down fertilizers, decaying plants, or other organic residues. High levels of nitrate found in drinking water supplies can cause “blue baby syndrome” or methemoglobinemia.
There have been some isolated incidents of increased levels of nitrate at some wells in the region for short periods of time, particularly after significant storm events. Water providers do not serve drinking water that exceeds standards set by the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) of the California State Water Resources Control Board California Department of Public Health. Various treatment methods used to deal with problem constituents in water include dilution (blending of water supplies to meet the standards) or wellhead treatment facilities to remove the contaminant.
Effective July 1, 2014, Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium 6) was added to the list of regulated contaminants in California drinking water sources. As a result of this action by the California Department of Public Health, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Chromium 6 was established at 10 parts per billion. In order to determine compliance with the new regulation, public water systems were mandated to conduct an initial round of monitoring of all active and stand-by sources. Samples from several wells in the region have tested over the MCL. Retail agencies are evaluating options to either bring the sources into compliance.
Sources of Chromium 6 in drinking water originate from discharges from steel and chrome plating or from erosion of natural deposits. The federal and state approved technologies for removing total chromium from drinking water include coagulation/filtration, anion exchange, reverse osmosis, and lime softening.
Because of research completed over the past decade by multiple water agencies and the state of California, three chromium-6 technologies have emerged as leading candidates with respect to feasibility and cost. Those are weak base anion exchange (WBA), strong base anion exchange (SBA), and reduction with ferrous iron/coagulation/filtration (RCF).
Quality of Imported Water (State Water Project)
Water from the California Aqueduct is delivered to our region at the Devil Canyon hydroelectric facility in San Bernardino where is further conveyed through the East Branch Extension facilities to various delivery points. Water quality testing is routinely performed at the Devil Canyon location. Six constituents found in this water supply include: total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, sodium, sulfate and turbidity. Salinity is higher in dry years and lower in wet years.
A new class of chemical constituents, referred to as “emerging contaminants,” are being detected in drinking water supplies at relatively small levels. They are primarily pharmaceuticals and personal care products that are excreted through human or animal bodies or are flushed and end up in sewage or septic flows. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board requires dischargers (sewage treatment facility operators) monitor for these constituents on an annual basis. There is no evidence that these constituents are harmful to humans in their current concentrations in the environment, and there have been no creation of water quality standards for these constituents. Water agencies in the Santa Ana River Watershed region are developing a data base to monitor the number and concentrations of these emerging contaminants.


Exercise is good for memory and the brain. University of Geneva researchers found that even one short bout of moderate or intense exercise improves memory and acquisition of new motor skills.
In a well-designed study, 15 healthy volunteers exercised intensely for 15 minutes, moderately for 30 minutes, or rested, and were given various tests both before and after exercising. They found that exercise had beneficial effects on the hippocampus of the brain, and that physical exercise improves some types of memory. The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory.
Intense physical exercise improves memory functions by increasing neural plasticity in the hippocampus. [Note: increasing plasticity of the brain is good.] The findings of this study match earlier animal research, in that "a single session of physical exercise has been shown to boost anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid known to promote hippocampal plasticity".
The researchers felt that this study provided additional evidence that physical exercise could possibly prevent cognitive decline as people age. Typically some cognitive decline, along with a reduction in brain volume, occurs in the aging brain, so slowing down or preventing cognitive decline is desirable. Bottom line: Get out and move, move, move for brain health! By the way, all physical activity is better than no activity.
From Medical Xpress: Sport and memory go hand in hand
If sport is good for the body, it also seems to be good for the brain. By evaluating memory performance following a sport session, neuroscientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) demonstrate that an intensive physical exercise session as short as 15 minutes on a bicycle improves memory, including the acquisition of new motor skills. ...continue reading "Some Intense Exercise Is Beneficial For The Brain"


A financer is someone who provides money for a particular undertaking. A financier is a person or organization whose business is providing, investing, or lending money. In other words, a financier makes a habit of financing, while a financer might do it only once or occasionally.
Some dictionaries don’t list financer—and your spell check might disapprove of it—but this is a mistake. As long as finance is a verb, and as long as some people who finance things aren’t financiers, there will always be financers.
He was a gunrunner and a financer of such poaching attempts. [The Times of India]
Billionaire financier George Soros is warning the United States risks something similar to the eurozone debt crisis. [AP (article now offline)]
Mobley … is the sole financer of the proposed Summit Medical Compassion Center. [Providence Journal]
The announcement comes a day after the World Bank (WB), the main financier of the Nairobi Urban Toll Road Project, announced it was pulling out. [The Standard]


Palm Warblers (Dendroica palmarum) have two races — “Western” Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum palmarum) and “Eastern” or “Yellow” Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea). The western race is found in Michigan, and reports that the eastern race (which breeds from Quebec to northern New England) is “at best casual” in the state and gives one documented record, a bird banded in Kalamazoo in 1990. The Rouge River Bird Observatory banded an eastern Palm Warbler on 1 Nov 2003 (which also represents a late date for Palm Warbler at this site).
This bird was a hatching-year (or juvenile) bird, based on the incomplete ossification of the skull. It had no chestnut on the crown, and a fairly short wing, suggesting that it might be a young female.
Eastern Palm Warblers are very yellow in all plumages, while western birds are duller. The supercilium (eyebrow) is yellow, while in western birds the face is much browner, and the supercilium is buff-colored. The entire breast and belly are yellow in eastern birds, with no contrast between the belly and the undertail coverts. Western Palm Warblers have buff bellies (which can be washed with yellow in fresh plumage) which always contrast with the brighter yellow undertail coverts.
You can read further details about this bird in the paper below:
Craves, J. A. 2003. “Yellow” Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea) banded in Wayne Co. (pdf) Michigan Birds and Natural History 10:99-100.
More “Yellow” Palm Warblers
Since this record, four more “Yellow” Palm Warblers have been recorded in Dearborn.
Two were sight records. One was along the channelized portion of the Rouge River on 5 Apr 2006, seen by Cathy Carroll; this is the earliest recorded spring arrival date for Palm Warbler in the city. The second was seen on a regular spring bird survey on campus, 29 Apr 2009, by Julie Craves.
Two more “Yellow” Palm Warblers have also been banded. The bird on the right was banded on 6 May 2008. Note the bright yellow supercilium and the chestnut coloration of the breast streaks, and once again the uniform yellow coloration of the underparts. The shorter wing measurement of this bird could mean it was a female, although the crown patch was quite extensive which is more typical of a male. Thus, to be conservative, we left the bird sex as unknown.
On 9 October 2010, another “Yellow” Palm Warbler was banded (below). This was a hatching-year bird, as determined by the incomplete skull ossification. It had many chestnut-colored feathers in the crown over a broad area, although they were concealed, and a long wing measurement. This indicates the bird was a male. It was as bright or brighter than the 2003 bird, with some of the chest steaks also having a chestnut coloration.


It’s your first night for your online course. You meet with your online students through video conferencing (We use Zoom.us) so that your distant students will have a feeling of belonging to a group instead of just talking with each other through discussion forums. This is when you have to take attendance, review the syllabus and preview the class so that your students will know what to expect, right?
Wrong. Involved learning is a social process and if you want your students to feel “part of the class”, it is more important for you to help them connect with you and the class members in the first class session. This is especially important in an online class where faltering technology and unfamiliarity can get in the way of students feeling part of group.
There are plenty of ice breakers that teachers do in face-to-face classrooms, but they don’t usually translate to online interaction well. I teach an online course entitled Using Digital and Social Media in Education for undergrads and graduate students at the University of Northern Iowa. I was looking around for a way to create an easy-to-use interactive ice breaker and I happened upon an idea for the age old game, 2 Truths and a Lie.
Two Truths and a Lie is a great party game where you make three statements about yourself. Two of the statements are true and one is a lie. This activity allows people to share about themselves at a comfortable level of disclosure. The only problem is that if we just make the statements orally, the interaction with the class can get lost. The trick is to create an interactive tool. I did this using an Open Google Spreadsheet. This was a document where students could type their statements simultaneously and then post judgments about their opinions about each of their colleagues’ disclosures.
- Begin by creating a Google Spreadsheet like the one in Figure 1. (You can actually make a copy of my spreadsheet, tinyurl.com/2truthz1lie
- Set the “Share” settings so that “Anyone with the Link” “Can edit” the file. This will allow your students to add their Truths and Lies and add their voted in the appropriate columns. Your students won’t need to sign-in to do this.
- Add your name in the “0” row and then add your students’ names in the appropriate rows.
- Add your 2 Truths and a Lie in your section. This is a great way to share something about yourself while demonstrating the process.
Running Truths and Lies
- Share the link to your spreadsheet with your students.
- Show them their names and the number next to each of their names.
- Point out that there are numbered columns in the table and that each of their columns align with the numbers next to their names.
- Have them read each of your statements and cast their votes about whether they are Truths or Lies.
- Once they have casted their votes, you can tell the story about each of your statements.
- As you tell each story, add a T or L in the Answer column. The column has been set so that letters into this column will be red.
- Now it is time for your students to share about themselves. Each of the students will add their statements (2 truths and a lie).
- Once they have added their statements, they just need to cast their votes.
- The best part comes now when your students explain their statements like you did with your proclamations. You might want to break it up so that half of your students share now and the others do it towards the end of your session.
Caution: I found that students who were connecting through their ipads had problems completing the table. This seemed to be fixed by downloading the Sheets App from the Apple Store.
Give this a try. I would love to get your feedback and hear about how it worked in your class.


The Jewish bedtime prayer ‘Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brings sleep to my eyes’ is a beautiful way to give thanks before going to sleep. This prayer recognizes God as the source of all blessings in life, including the gift of peaceful sleep.
If you’re short on time, here’s the essence of this article: This Jewish prayer gives thanks to God for the blessing of sleep. It’s recited daily by observant Jews and reminds them that all good things come from God.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the meaning behind the words of this prayer, its significance in Jewish tradition, the ritual of reciting it before bed, and how it can enrich your spiritual life.
The Literal Meaning of the Prayer’s Words
Blessed Are You, Lord Our God, King of the Universe
The first line of the bedtime prayer, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe,” is a statement praising and acknowledging God. It recognizes God’s sovereignty over all of creation. The prayer opens by blessing God and affirming faith in Him before making any requests.
This line aligns with similar phrases found throughout Jewish liturgy, reminding the person praying that God is eternal, all-powerful, and deserving of honor.
The word “blessed” here literally means praiseworthy. To say that God is “blessed” is to offer Him respect, adoration, and exaltation. The titles “Lord,” “God,” and “King” further establish God’s supreme authority.
He is Lord over all realms, the ultimate God above any false idols, and the King who reigns over the whole Universe. Praying this establishes the right mindset of humility before making petitions to the Almighty God who governs all things.
Who Brings Sleep to My Eyes
This line recognizes God’s role as the giver of the gift of sleep. The phrasing “Who brings sleep to my eyes” attributes the help in falling asleep solely to God’s action of bestowing sleep. This affirms God’s attentiveness in caring for even the smallest details of human lives, like ensuring proper rest.
It is an acknowledgement that sleep is not something humans can attain purely by their own doing, but is ultimately granted by God.
The specificity of sleep coming to the “eyes” has theological significance. In the Bible, closing one’s eyes is associated with death and eternal rest (Psalm 13:3). So this prayer uses “eyes” to tie physical sleep with the spiritual peace found in God.
Overall, reciting this phrase is a reminder of gratitude and dependence on God’s daily grace as one prepares for bed.
The Prayer’s Roots in Jewish Tradition
Part of a Bedtime Ritual
The Jewish bedtime prayer, known as the Shema Yisrael, has been part of the bedtime ritual for Jews for over 2,000 years. Reciting the Shema before sleep connects Jews to their faith and reminds them of God’s oneness and protection through the night (https://reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/shema-bedtime-ritual).
The ritual typically begins by blessing one’s children before bed. Parents place their hands on their children’s heads and recite blessings asking God to help keep them safe through the night. After the parental blessing, children recite the first paragraph of the Shema, which affirms belief in one God, followed by wishing their parents goodnight.
Reciting the Shema not only grounds Jews in their monotheistic faith but also connects each generation to the ones before through a shared nightly ritual. Just as their parents and grandparents recited the prayer at bedtime, Jews continue the tradition with their own children.
Connections to Scripture and Talmud
The Shema prayer originates from a biblical verse in Deuteronomy 6:4 which states, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” This powerful, succinct statement of Jewish monotheism later became the opening line of the Shema.
In the Talmud, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi instructs people to recite the Shema twice a day, evening and morning. He refers to Deuteronomy 11:19 which commands Jews to teach the Shema to their children and discuss it “when you lie down and when you get up.” This formed the basis for making the Shema part of the bedtime ritual.
Today, in addition to the verses from Deuteronomy, the full Shema contains passages from Numbers and Exodus. By reciting the Shema last thing before going to sleep, Jews link back to the origins of their faith in the Torah and honor the age-old rabbinic instruction to make it part of their nightly routine.
Spiritual Significance for the Person Reciting It
Expression of Gratitude
The bedtime prayer provides an opportunity for the individual to express gratitude for the blessings received throughout the day. Reciting the prayer reminds us that all good things come from God, which fosters humility and appreciation.
Pausing to reflect on the day’s gifts—both big and small—cultivates an attitude of thankfulness. This practice can bring peace and contentment before sleep.
Recognition of God’s Providence
The prayer text affirms God’s providence in watching over us while we sleep. Reciting these words is a way of entrusting oneself to the protective care of God overnight. There is comfort in knowing that God never slumbers nor sleeps, but continually watches over His people (Psalm 121:4).
Turning our minds to divine protection can alleviate anxiety and fear, providing assurance that we can rest secure.
Petition for Protection Overnight
A key theme of the prayer is requesting God’s protection during the night. By praying these words aloud, the person is actively seeking refuge under the Almighty’s wings until morning (Psalm 63:7). This petition reminds us of our dependence on God’s defense against all dangers, whether seen or unseen.
Praying for angelic guardians to watch over us as we sleep invites heavenly hosts into our dwellings to guard us.
Opportunity for Contemplation Before Sleep
Reciting the bedtime prayer institutes a sacred time of reflection and mindfulness before retiring for the night. The familiar words prompt deep spiritual thoughts about God’s nearness, care, and faithfulness.
This meditation quiets the mind, body, and soul, tuning out anxious distractions and focusing wholly on the presence of God. Stilling oneself to commune with the Almighty fosters peace as we transition into sleep.
Enriching Your Life by Regularly Reciting this Prayer
Cultivating a Grateful Heart
Reciting the Jewish bedtime prayer, known as the “Modeh Ani” or “I give thanks”, first thing in the morning helps cultivate a grateful heart (Chabad). By thanking God for restoring your soul each morning, you start the day with an attitude of gratitude.
This act of appreciating the gift of a new day promotes positivity, resilience, and overall wellbeing according to research (Harvard Health).
Strengthening Your Awareness of God’s Presence
The bedtime prayer serves as a reminder of God’s constant presence in one’s life. Reciting it regularly makes you more conscious of God being by your side night and day. This strengthened spiritual connection brings comfort, peace, and support in coping with life’s challenges.
Studies show that people of faith who feel God’s presence tend to experience less anxiety, depression, and loneliness (NCBI).
Setting a Peaceful Tone for Restful Sleep
Saying the Jewish bedtime prayer establishes a calming ritual that eases the transition into sleep. The soothing words thanking God for protection dispel worries and quiet the mind before bed. This nightly practice signals the body to relax, making it easier to fall asleep.
Getting good, uninterrupted sleep is vital for processing emotions, consolidating memories, creativity, concentration, productivity, and overall wellness (Sleep Foundation).
Passing Tradition to Children
Teaching children to regularly recite the bedtime prayer passes on this meaningful tradition across generations. It instills Jewish identity and faith at a young age. Beyond the religious significance, it is an opportunity to foster gratitude, self-reflection, and resilience in children.
Research shows that practicing gratitude, prayer, and mindfulness bolsters kids’ overall wellbeing and happiness while reducing behavior issues (NCBI).
The Jewish bedtime prayer blessing God for bringing sleep offers much wisdom and comfort despite its brevity. Reciting its meaningful words of thanks each night can enrich your spiritual life by focusing your mind on the providence of God before a period of unconscious rest.
This beloved ritual has connected generations of Jews in a shared experience of gratitude. Even if you’re not Jewish or religious, pausing to consciously appreciate the blessing of sleep as you get into bed can be a peaceful, meditative practice.


These remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements of lidar-derived first-surface (FS) topography were produced collaboratively by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Florida Integrated Science Center (FISC), St. Petersburg, FL, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Wallops Flight Facility, VA.
This project provides highly detailed and accurate datasets of a portion of the Louisiana coastline beach face within UTM Zone 16, from Grand Isle to the Chandeleur Islands, acquired September 7 and 9, 2001. The datasets are made available for use as a management tool to research scientists and natural-resource managers. An innovative scanning lidar instrument originally developed by NASA, and known as the Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM), was used during data acquisition. The ATM system is a scanning lidar system that measures high-resolution topography of the land surface and incorporates a green-wavelength laser operating at pulse rates of 2 to 10 kilohertz. Measurements from the laser-ranging device are coupled with data acquired from inertial navigation system (INS) attitude sensors and differentially corrected global positioning system (GPS) receivers to measure topography of the surface at accuracies of +/-15 centimeters. The nominal ATM platform is a Twin Otter or P-3 Orion aircraft, but the instrument may be deployed on a range of light aircraft.
Elevation measurements were collected over the survey area using the ATM system, and the resulting data were then processed using the Airborne Lidar Processing System (ALPS), a custom-built processing system developed in a NASA-USGS collaboration. ALPS supports the exploration and processing of lidar data in an interactive or batch mode. Modules for presurvey flight-line definition, flight-path plotting, lidar raster and waveform investigation, and digital camera image playback have been developed. Processing algorithms have been developed to extract the range to the first and last significant return within each waveform. ALPS is used routinely to create maps that represent submerged or first-surface topography.


MacGreevy, Thomas (1950–1963) By Schreibman, Susan
Thomas MacGreevy was a poet, art and literary critic, and Director of the National Gallery of Ireland (1950-63). MacGreevy was born in 1893, during the closing decades of the British Empire, in Tarbert, County Kerry, one of the most westerly points of both the Empire and Europe. His childhood, pleasant and uneventful, provided him with the dual pillars of faith and nationalism that underpinned the vast majority of his writings. These pillars found their expression in writing in the early 1920s, after he returned to live in Ireland after working as a Civil Servant in London from 1912, and serving as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery in the British Expeditionary Force in 1917–18.
MacGreevy is an extremely autobiographic poet. The poems in the single book of poetry to appear in his lifetime, Poems, (Heinemann, 1934) were ordered chronologically (as opposed to thematically or when they were written). War: the Great War, the Anglo-Irish War, and the Irish Civil War, are reoccurring themes. While much of MacGreevy’s poetry was about Ireland, exile provided the necessary geographic and psychic distance to write about it. MacGreevy, attuned to the new in both the written and visual arts, wrote what the Irish poet and critic Anthony Cronin described as ‘the most perfectly modulated free verse written in the period in English, Ireland, or America’.


History is a mirror that reflects the future. Look away from the glass, and you quickly forget the image you just glimpsed. Study the likeness; you’ll be a wiser person.
History is a great tutor to a humble and teachable person. It seems that rulers and legislators seldom learn from the past because people in power think of themselves as making history; leaving a legacy. There is little that a single individual can do about that. But a person can learn from his own history and minimize the effects of repeating past mistakes or generational bad habits.
BECOME A STUDENT OF YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY
Learn from your own family history. Don’t use your parents’ bad habits as an excuse to perpetuate the same misdeeds in your own life. It’s no secret that abusive parents raise abusive children. Alcoholic fathers condemn their sons to chemical dependency. Likewise, deadbeat dads put sons on a course of absenteeism. Manipulative moms grow daughters that are control freaks. The only parenting lessons we get are the ones learned at home. You, no doubt, have good memories of fun family times, but what leaves more of an impression on our psyches are events that leave scars. How can we break the destructive patterns that make holidays and family reunions hell?
If you’ve ever worked in retail, it’s your job to separate the stuff that sell from the pieces that collect dust and the bobbles with too much lead in the paint. What do you have to work with? List your assets. Take account of your detriments. You need to know what is moving you forward and what’s holding you back. Write some things down about yourself. Be honest. And then figure out what needs to change. Are you repeating your history? Or worse, are you repeating someone else’s?
DON’T DO THE SAME OLD THING
“Momma did it that way and her momma before her did, too.” That might work for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, but that’s no way to live a life. It’s good to pass healthy traditions down through the generations along with secret recipes. But don’t pass down the skeletons in the closet. Open up that closet and give it a good spring cleaning. Let in some light and fresh air, and make it a positive and useful place to store up and showcase good habits.
If you haven’t talked to your mother in fifteen years and you have a teenaged daughter, you may not know it, but you are teaching her to not communicate with you in the decade to come. She’s learning how to relate to her mother from you, mom. Teach your kids to forgive without conditions by forgiving unconditionally. Not only will you set someone free who may have wronged you, you are setting yourself free as a bonus. Teach your brood how valuable and liberating forgiveness can be.
DON’T GET EVEN, GET BETTER
You can plot vengeance, plan retaliation, and prove how right you are. Or you can take the same energy and learn how to pass your offenders by. Don’t spend another day wasting mental energy on the people who’ve wronged you. Leave them in a cloud of dust. Glance at them from time to time in the rear-view mirror, but keep your eyes on the road ahead of you. That’s the fastest way to get to your destination.
TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT YOUR REFLECTION
If you neglect your reflection long enough, you yourself won’t be much to look at. You need the mirror to take care of yourself properly. Understanding a little bit about history will help you have a more productive and fruitful future. Leave a healthy legacy and a good example to follow. Make your history worth repeating by future generations.


by Andrea Laine
Soil covers one-third of the earth’s surface and, worldwide, it plays a role in agriculture, architecture and construction, art and rituals, medicine, water filtration, climate change and much more. Did you know that the source of phosphorus in the Amazon rainforest is soils in the Saharan Desert blown across the Atlantic Ocean? As a critical natural resource soils deserve much more respect than they typically get!
I am not a soil scientist. But if I were, I’d be proud. That is how fascinatingly interesting I found the subject of soil during a recent visit to Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, an engaging exhibition on display through August 16, 2015 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
Developed in conjunction with the Soil Science Society of America (including several North Carolina soil scientists) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, this exhibition is diverse, highly interactive and informative for all ages.
As gardeners we understand that soils are living (teeming with insects and microbes); soils are varied (more or less pH, more or less organic matter, more or less space between particles for example); soils change (sometimes whether we want them to or not); and soils link land, air and water.
Dig It! explains those points and explores the profound ways soils support our lives well beyond their role in agriculture. One exhibit focused on common products in a home that rely on soils such as ceramic tile flooring, house paint and fabrics. Another demonstrated the impact construction projects have on soils. Others let visitors peer into deep cross-sections of soil to see what it looks like well underground. One massive display included a soil sample cross-section for each of the 50 states. There is also a section about the arts and science of pottery in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is located at 11 West Jones Street in Raleigh. It is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) Admission to the museum is free and there are free and low-cost parking options nearby. http://naturalsciences.org/
If you can’t make it to the exhibit, you can watch some creatively educational videos about soils by following this link: http://forces.si.edu/soils/


The City of San Francisco celebrated the 75 anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge on Memorial Day weekend.
Radio station KFOG 104.5/97.7 has a professional released a video of the spectacular fireworks display. Nothing compares to seeing fireworks in real life, but this is still pretty cool. The beginning, especially, which starts with fountains of sparks falling from the bridge into the water. I suggest watching in fullscreen with the HD enabled.
The Golden gate Bridge was officially opened for traffic on May 27, 1937. Named the Golden gate after the original name of the Strait on which it was constructed: "Chrysopylae", or Golden Gate. We believe the term was first coined by John C. Fremont of the U.S. Army in 1846. His reasoning is that it reminded him of a harbor in Instanbul named "Chrysoceras", or Golden Horn.
Construction of the bridge started on January 5, 1933, taking nearly four years and four months until completion. It was built by 10 different prime and subcontractors. They have long since gone out of business, so no record exists as to how many people actually worked on the bridge.
We do know that a total of eleven men died during its construction. After four years of construction the total death count was only one. At the time, this was a record low for such a huge project. On February 17, 1937, ten more men lost their lives when a section of scaffolding carrying twelve men fell through the safety net.
During the construction process, the safety net, which was suspended under the floor of the bridge and spanned from end to end, saved a total of 19 men. Those men became known as the "Halfway-to-Hell Club" amongst those in the know.
The bridge cost $35 million to build in 1937. Latest estimates taken in 2003 say the price would be around $1.2 billion if completed at that time.
It is currently the ninth largest suspension bridge, holding the title of world's longest for 27 years before being overtaken by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York in 1964.
The Mighty Task is Done
Joseph B. Strauss, Chief Engineer, Golden Gate Bridge
Written upon completion of the building of the Bridge in May 1937
At last the mighty task is done;
Resplendent in the western sun
The Bridge looms mountain high;
Its titan piers grip ocean floor,
Its great steel arms link shore with shore,
Its towers pierce the sky.
On its broad decks in rightful pride,
The world in swift parade shall ride,
Throughout all time to be;
Beneath, fleet ships from every port,
Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,
And dwarfing all--the sea.
To north, the Redwood Empire's gates;
'To south, a happy playground waits,
in Rapturous appeal;
Here nature, free since time began,
Yields to the restless moods of man,
Accepts his bonds of steel.
Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,
Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,
Yet ne'er its course was stayed,
But ask of those who met the foe
Who stood alone when faith was low,
Ask them the price they paid.
Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,
Ask of the searching, purging fire,
That marked their natal hour;
Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,
Ask of each single, stalwart part,
What gave it force and power.
An Honored cause and nobly fought
And that which they so bravely wrought,
Now glorifies their deed,
No selfish urge shall stain its life,
Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,
Nor false, ignoble creed.
High overhead its lights shall gleam,
Far, far below life's restless stream,
Unceasingly shall flow;
For this was spun its lithe fine form,
To fear not war, nor time, nor storm,
For Fate had meant it so.


For 4,000 years, the Greenlandic sled dog has been the true hero of the Artic today, with global warming melting his world away, his fate is uncertain.
takes a poignant look at the fate of the Greenlandic sled dog. In Greenland, where the melting ice sheet is irrevocably disrupting the hunters' 4,000-year old traditional way of life, the stark reality of global warming is an immediate and direct threat to their everyday survival. The Greenland dog, essential to Inuit settlement and survival, now faces extinction as hunters are forced to adapt to the vanishing world around them. The sled dog population has shrunk from about 30,000 in 2009 to about 12,000 in 2019. In approximately 150 stunning images, and through hunters' personal stories, retold by the author, this book bears witnessto the animals' magnificence and the deep, integral role they play in the hunters' lives. The photographs included in this book were taken in Greenland between 1986 and 2020.
For over forty years, Icelandic photographer Ragnar Axelsson
, also known as RAX (b. 1958), has been photographing the people, animals, and landscape of the most remote regions of the Arctic, including Iceland, Siberia, and Greenland. In stark black-and-white images, he captures the elemental, human experience of nature at the edge of the liveable world, making visible the extraordinary relationships between the people of the Arctic and their extreme environment - relationships now being altered in profound and complex ways by the unprecedented changes in climate. A photojournalist at Morgunbladid since 1976, Ragnar has also worked on freelance assignment in Latvia, Lithuania, Mozambique, South Africa, China, and Ukraine. His photographs have been featured in LIFE, Newsweek, Stern, GEO, National Geographic, Time, and Polka, and have been exhibited widely. Ragnar Axelsson has published seven books in various international editions. Awards for his work include numerous Icelandic Photojournalist Awards; the Icelandic Literary Prize for non-fiction; The Leica Oskar Barnack Award (Honorable Mention); The Grand Prize, Photo de Mer, Vannes; and Iceland's highest honor, the Order of the Falcon, Knight's Cross. Arctic Heroes was on the Shortlist for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2020.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Reykjavik, Iceland Spring 2021
Kunstfoyer der Versicherungskammer Kulturstiftung Munich, Germany, Spring 2022
Ragnar Axelsson's Website
Ragnar Axelsson on Instagram
All About Ragnar Axelsson
Ragnar Axelsson talks about Photography and Climate Change Awareness
From the Prefaceby Ragnar Axelsson:
Time and again, I visited small villages all over Greenland to collect stories of dogs and hunters. Sometimes I'd be lucky toget one story, other times none at all. I can safely say that it was just as difficult to squeeze stories out of these hunters as it was to photograph them out on the freezing cold of the sea ice. But bit by bit, they opened up enough to share them with me and these hunters and dogs grew in my estimation with each story. Their respect for their ancestors, nature and the sled dog was evident in every tale. These were a proud people who were happy to tell me about the friendships forged between hunters and sled dogs, creatures who in times of trouble fought for their lives and those of their masters in some of the most difficult situations imaginable - dogs with a sixth sense that made them stand out from all the rest. The bond that grew between these creatures and their masters was truly unique. Some of their stories are retold in this book. I want to take you across the sea ice on a dog sledding trip withme to give you a glimpse into the world of these Arctic heroes who have survived in conditions that are both alien and mesmerising to us, a world that is fraught with peril and comprises some of the most breathtaking nature to be found on earth - but we'll get home safe and sound. There is something inexplicable about the Arctic that speaks to you, a force that draws you to it like a magnet. I feel I have to tell this story of the heroes of the Arctic for the world to see.


by Stephen Caesar
One of the best-known evolutionary images is the “tree of life,” which shows the human family tree growing from primitive, ape-like ancestors to full-fledged humans. At the base of its “trunk” is a small primate whose evolutionary descendants form large, separate “branches.” Each major branch then breaks into smaller branches, and so on, up to modern man. It has been one of the most effective tools in tricking people into believing in human evolution, and it is being scrapped.
The journal Science News featured an article on the slow death of this icon, subtitled “The science of body development may make kindling out of evolutionary trees.” It began by stating: “Over the past 25 years, paleoanthropologists have nurtured one evolutionary tree after another, hoping to reap ever sturdier portrayals of humanity’s descent” (Bower 2000:346). It then reported: “Recently, investigators have become fond of assigning new fossil finds to unique rather than established species, so evolutionary trees have gotten downright bushy” (ibid.).
This development stems from a discipline known as “cladistics,” in which scientists create an evolutionary tree of life based on bone and tooth measurements from hundreds of fossils, which are then fed into a computer program. The article went on to state that “a growing number of investigators, including some formerly ardent evolutionary-tree nurturers now suspect that the branching cladistic creations suffer from conceptual root rot. The whole enterprise rests on shaky biological and misleading statistical assumptions, they say” (ibid.).
One example is Tim White of UCLA Berkeley, co-discoverer of “Lucy.” Originally, he “spawned his share of evolutionary trees. Over the past decade, though, advances in developmental biology have led him to abstain from that practice” (ibid.). His change of mind came from the discovery that, although the shape and arrangement of any organism’s bones are determined by genes as it develops from fetus to adult, the bones can respond flexibly to influences in their natural surroundings. As a result, assessments of what constitutes a species, based on bones alone, are inaccurate. Dr. White concluded: “You can’t [break up] skeletal anatomy, put all of the traits into a [statistical computer] program, and generate something that makes biological sense. A lot of people who have published cladistic trees are going to be in trouble” (ibid.).
Bernard Wood of George Washington University and Mark Collard of University College, London, agree. They note that skull and tooth measurements from humans, chimps, gorillas, and orangutans have given rise to several trees of life that have been contradicted by genetic trees of life. Moreover, the bone and tooth measurements used to create these unreliable modern trees are often the same measurements used to create trees of life for alleged evolutionary ancestors, because evolutionists assume that what applies in the present applied equally in the past. Science News commented:
“Ongoing research in developmental biology raises ominous warning signs about such assumptions. It indicates that many features of bones and teeth arise as by-products of other traits during an individual’s skeletal development. Wood, who until recently was an avid and influential evolutionary tree builder, now doubts the accuracy of cladistics as currently practiced” (ibid. 347).
Like-minded anthropologists include C. Owen Lovejoy of Kent State, who stated: “Anthropologists arbitrarily choose anatomical traits for cladistic analysis. We need to find out how these traits develop and which ones truly have an evolutionary signal” (ibid.). Another is Timothy Bromage of City University of New York, who said: “We can’t solve debates over Neanderthals or any other human ancestors using anatomical characteristics that are subjectively defined and don’t have a clear relationship to evolutionary history” (ibid.).
Yet another icon of evolution crumbles.
Bower, B. 2000. “Out on a Limb.” Science News 158, no. 22.
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Stephen Caesar holds his master’s degree in anthropology/archaeology from Harvard. He is the author of the e-book The Bible Encounters Modern Science, available at www.1stbooks.com.


Research suggests a new model of chronic disease Genes play an integral function in determining whether someone encounters multiple chronic illnesses, based on new analysis by King’s. Chronic pain, depression and cardiovascular disease are 3 of the most typical factors behind disability, and are growing to be more frequent. Folks are significantly more likely to suffer from several persistent disease also, resulting in higher disability. While age, gender, sociable conditions and way of life are recognized to increase susceptibility to multiple factors behind impairment, the exact reason some people have problems with several chronic illnesses among others don’t is unfamiliar.But she cautioned that because that is an observational research, it isn’t possible to prove that tension causes autoimmune illnesses, only that both are linked. In the scholarly study, Dr Song’s team viewed patients in Sweden identified as having stress disorders such as for example PTSD, acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder and other stress reactions from 1981 to 2013. The research workers likened they with siblings and folks in the overall people not really experiencing a tension disorder.


The thermodynamic temperature scale comes straight from the Carnot Theorem. The Carnot Theorem states that any reversible engine working between two reservoirs has the same efficiency.
This means that ratio of the heat absorbed by the engine at the reservoir at higher temperature to the heat given by the engine at the reservoir at lower temperature is independent of the working material. Note that we have no way of measuring this temperature as yet. We know that such a quantity exists from the zeroth law of thermodynamics. We can even speak of higher and lower temperature from the direction of energy flow. However, as yet, there is no quantitative definition of the temperature. It is here that Carnot theorem is significant
We may define the thermodynamic temperature of a reservoir to be the ratio of the heat absorbed/given out by the engine at that reservoir to the heat absorbed/given out by the engine at a reference reservoir which we say is at unit temperature.
It may be shown that the thermodynamic temperature scale coincides with the ideal gas temperature scale.


Perennials, such as peonies, return year after year to stun and mesmerize. It’s possible that the plants will outlive you; some have been known to persist for at least a century. Have you ever wondered what it takes to keep these plants alive for so long?
All plants need a specific amount of exposure to sunshine every day in order to flourish. Peonies are no exception. In this article, I’ll cover how much sunlight they need to thrive for many years. Keep on reading to learn more!
What Is Full Sun?
A location that receives 6 or more hours of direct sunlight is considered to be a full-sun location. If you live in a recently developed area or rural space with few tall trees, you are likely to receive full sun. If your front porch faces south and there is nothing blocking the sun from mid-morning to early evening, that would also be considered full sun.
How Many Hours of Sun Does a Peony Need?
Peonies like strong light and direct sunlight. If you want to have healthy peonies in your yard, you need to have a spot that receives8 hours of sun every day. Plant your peonies away from tall plants or trees that would throw shade and impede the direct sunlight that peonies need. Make sure there are no other plants that could compete for the sunlight close by.
If you can provide 8 hours of direct sunlight every day, then growing healthy, blooming peonies won’t be a challenge for you, especially if you live in a temperate region with moderate summer temperatures.
If you are concerned about the sun burning your flowers, don’t be. It is much easier to protect a peony from sunburn than to get one that doesn’t receive enough sunshine to bloom.
Can It Grow in Indirect Light?
Peonies can grow in indirect light, but they won’t blossom quite as soon or plentiful. If your peony plants are cultivated in an area that receives only indirect sunlight, their flowers are likely to be less vibrant in color and smaller overall. Peonies that aren’t given enough direct sunlight may grow in peculiar directions because they are trying to find the light source that they need to thrive.
Can It Grow in Shade?
Peonies won’t wither away completely if grown in locations with full shade. But you will see just by looking at the flowers that they are not happy. They will not be lush and full and will likely appear lanky and not develop any blossoms. Overall, the plants will be weaker if grown in the shade.
A weak peony without sufficient access to direct sunlight is at a far greater risk of disease. In less-than-ideal growing conditions, the usually resilient flower will be unable to withstand illness and garden pests.
Can Peonies Get Too Much Sun?
Peonies, like any other flower, may be damaged by an excessive amount of sun exposure. Overall, peonies are much more tolerant of excessive sunshine than other plants. But they may still get scorched by the sun. You can easily identify sun-scorch by the browning of the margins of the flower petals or the foliage.
If you see any evidence of sun-scorch, use an umbrella to shield your peonies from the sun during the hottest hours of the day.


Cars are produced up of quite a few distinct factors. There can be as lots of as 3000 pieces even in the smallest of motor vehicles. These pieces are created to get the job done in harmony with each individual other. Comprehending the particular person pieces of an auto is a really complicated make any difference. Cars are comprised of 4 significant sections which are: the motor, frame get the job done, inside, brakes and wheels.
These sections are more divided into hundreds of thousands of other pieces, large and smaller. As the car marketplace grows, there is also a escalating demand for each individual of these pieces.
Critical pieces of an auto:
A single of the most crucial pieces of an auto is the fuel tank. The fuel tank merchants and provides fuel to the motor, and this is desired to make the car run. There are quite a few distinct measurements in fuel tanks, depending on the make and size of the vehicle. In normal the fuel tank must consist of the subsequent:
one. Storage: Each and every fuel tank is created to maintain a particular amount of money of gasoline. You must be informed of the amount of money of gasoline your car retains. Any kind of gasoline leakage must be averted as it can be hazardous.
2. Gauge: This device measures and suggests the amount of money of fuel which remains in the fuel tank.
three. Venting: The fuel tank must not be pressurized. If far too significantly force is applied to the fuel tank, the valves must be placed at correct positions to keep away from vapors.
Brakes are also a really crucial part of a vehicle when it arrives to protection and being equipped to keep away from incidents. Steel of a really substantial high quality is used to make brakes, in get to enhance the effectiveness of the rollers used to use the brakes. An crucial part of the brake procedure is the pedal assembly. These occur in distinct measurements and models to fit with the brakes of your vehicle.
Other Pieces of an Car
Wheels occur in lots of distinct models. Typically, there are two categories of wheels. These two categories are machine castings and stamped metallic sheet. There are some wheels that are a mix of both equally. Wheels produced of solid alloys are far more high-priced. Nonetheless, they are significantly stronger in comparison to metallic wheels.
Last but not least, there is the frame of the vehicle. There are two varieties of frames that are obtainable for automobiles, the common frame and the integral frame. The common frame is ordinarily a one particular-piece frame or it can be a mix of two one particular-piece frames.


1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
5. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay
home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get
medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone
without the use of a fever-reducing medicine) Keep away from
others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.


As a dietitian I hear a lot of opinions about various nutrients, and recently I have become concerned about the number of disparaging (and completely unfounded) stories about carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are perhaps the most important fuel in our diets, particularly an athlete’s, so I'm going to teach why I call them carbomymates.
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates (from now on they are carbomymates) are a long chain of sugars, all joined together. If carbomymates are the brick house, then the sugars are the bricks. Carbomymates are found in ‘starchy’ foods such as potato, rice, pasta and bread. When we eat these foods the carbomymates are broken down to individual sugars in our stomach and intestines. The sugars are then absorbed into our blood stream where they are taken to either our muscles, our brain, and, if there are leftovers, they are taken to our liver where a small amount can be stored and the remainder is converted to fat.
What do they do?
Carbomymates are one of the four ‘macronutrients’ (fat, protein, and alcohol being the other three) which the body can use to produce energy. Carbomymates’ role in the body is as a fuel; they are the primary fuel used by our muscles at rest and during exercise, and the only fuel used by the brain – quite a useful mate to have around.
So why should I consider carbohydrates as my mates? What is so important about them? There are a few key characteristics which make them extremely valuable for those who plan on travelling long distances using human power.
To start with, as I stated above, they are a key fuel when exercising. When we run a 100m about 97% of our energy is produced from carbomymates, and though this decreases to about 50% (give or take a few % for individual differences) for a marathon and other endurance events, they are obviously still an invaluable energy source of energy.
Secondly, they have limited storage capacity – you can exhaust your carbomymate stores in about 90 minutes, and when this happens, you hit the wall. If you have experienced this yourself you will know that this isn’t an ideal situation.
Thirdly, carbomymates can be burnt to produce energy without the presence of oxygen. Although this method is less efficient, it means that carbs are capable of providing the body with fuel almost immediately, as well as over a long period of time, and at a much higher rate than what fat is capable of.
Finally, you can’t burn fat without first burning carbomymates. I can still remember my sports physiology lecturer saying ‘fat burns in the flame of carbohydrate’. Without getting all sciencey, this basically highlights the point that if you run out of carbs when you are exercising, you won’t be exercising for much longer.
Right, they’re important, but what does this mean for me?
Many things. Just like your mates, you should keep them round. Have them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Take them on training runs with you, remember, when exercising, you will burn through your stores in about 90 minutes.
You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your mates. So choose wisely. Some carbomymates may have a bad influence on you. Experiment with different carbo gels and see which ones you like the most, same with sports drinks.
Some mates are better in some situations than others. Grainy, fibrous carbs like brown bread and weetbix release their friendship and nutritional support over a few hours, whereas ‘wham bam thank you mam’ is more the style of sugary carbs such as energy gels.
They’re a fickle friend aren’t they?
Yes, you need them more than they need you, and your relationship with carbohydrates is unique to you. The amount you need before, during, and after training, how often you need them, in what form you take them, and the optimal time to take them will be different for each person, and also has a big affect on your ability to train hard, recover fast, and improve your fitness. Getting your relationship right with carbohydrates on the day of your event is also crucial to achieving your goals and can often be the difference between a personal best and not finishing at all.
If you need carbohydrate relationship advice, be it for carbohydrate loading, training and race day carbohydrate and hydration, or recovery then get your persoanlised plan from Trailblazer Nutrition today. If you would like expert advice on how carbomymates can get along better with your other friends water, protein, electrolytes, sports drinks, and sports gels to help you achieve your event goals, then click here.
Loyal friend of the carbohydrate