Which football team ended Glasgow Celtic’s 10-month unbeaten league run?

The Joy of Six: football unbeaten runs | Scott Murray | Sport | The Guardian The Joy of Six The Joy of Six: football unbeaten runs From Perugia's stoicism in the late 1970s to England's surprising run under Bobby Robson, teams who just would not be beaten An illustration of Old Carthusians 1-2 Preston North End in the 1887 FA Cup. Photograph: Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty Images Friday 2 December 2011 03.43 EST First published on Friday 2 December 2011 03.43 EST Close 1) Perugia (Serie A, 37 games, May 1978 to October 1979) Arrigo Sacchi's Milan side are more iconic than the later Fabio Capello version but surely not as good. Sacchi's side won two European Cups but only one Serie A title; Capello led Milan to three titles in four years, plus one Champions League, the latter with the only performance in a final seriously to rival the one given by Real Madrid in 1960. Capello went his first season, and the best part of the following one, unbeaten. The run stretched for 58 matches, an Italian record. But in many ways it is not an Italian record. Having already won the 1991-92 title, Milan's last-day celebrations in Foggia were an eye-opener; they were 2-1 down at half-time, only to prevail 8-2. During their run they had put four past Roma, Ascoli, Cagliari and Verona, five past Napoli and Sampdoria. The following season they won 5-4 at Pescara, 5-1 at Napoli, 5-3 at home to Lazio and 7-3 at Fiorentina. No, it is not a very Italian record at all. Compare and contrast with the only other team to go unbeaten all season in Serie A during the modern era: Perugia. They remained undefeated during the 1978-79 season, which had begun with a fortune teller who lived a couple of streets away from the stadium declaring that Perugia would win the scudetto. Her reasoning was that they played in red and white, which happened to be the national colours of the fresh-from-the-box pope. Sadly this papal blessing proved to be a lot of bull. Though Perugia went through the entire campaign unsullied by defeat, they recorded only 11 wins out of 30, drawing the other 19 games. Nearly a quarter of their games – seven – ended in goalless draws – none more Latin. They were notorious for keeping possession well enough but doing little with the ball. They had the best defence in the league, built around the captain, Pierluigi Frosio, which conceded only 16 goals. But their main striker, Walter Speggiorin, scored only nine, a fairly poor return even for Serie A back in the day. The right-winger Salvatore Bagni managed eight. With six matches to play, Perugia trailed the leaders, Milan, by two points. They could manage only a draw against Milan in Perugia, the first of four in their last six. They ended the season in second, three points behind Nils Liedholm's side, for whom Gianni Rivera enjoyed a scudetto-winning swansong as another legend in the making, Franco Baresi, made his debut. Perugia's unbeaten stretch lasted seven games into the following season, until Torino turned them over at home 2-0. It would be the first of nine league defeats, as they ended mid-table, the aura resolutely gone. 2) Celtic (Scottish First Division, 62 games, November 1915 to April 1917) Only two clubs have gone through an entire Scottish top-flight season unbeaten. No prizes are on offer. But you will be pleased to hear the relentless sitcom-style one-upmanship of the Old Firm has been in evidence since the early days. In 1897 Celtic appointed the 29-year-old Willie Maley as manager. He won the title in his first season, the team unbeaten in all 18 games, winning 15 and drawing three, as they ran rings round opponents in their then green-and-white vertical stripes and black shorts. Sure enough, the next year Rangers had to go one better. They too had a young boss – the 33-year-old match secretary and future manager William Wilton, who had been running the team at Ibrox since the age of 26 – and now they had an unbeaten season to match. Unlike Celtic, they did not drop a point, winning all 18 games and scoring 78 goals in the process. The nearest either team has c


Active since 1977, Which unit is the only official US Army Counter-Terrorism force?

How Delta Force Works | HowStuffWorks How Delta Force Works A Delta Force operator prepares for a HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) Exercise. Photo Greg Matheison/Mai/ Time LifePictures/ Getty Images Consider a special operations force that's trained to the highest level in the United States military . The force is armed with cutting-edge weaponry, well-funded and answers only to one man. How can a group -- trained as professional assassins and approaching the status of mercenaries -- be reeled in if the U.S. government won't even confirm that the group exists? Does such a force make the United States safer or more vulnerable? It's questions like these that swirl around the United States' most elite tactical combat group, the Delta Force. Delta Force is often referred to as Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. It's also known as the Combat Applications Group (CAG). While it often draws its ranks from the Army Special Forces (the Army Green Berets ) and shares Fort Bragg, N.C. , headquarters with them, it isn't an Army Special Forces detachment. Delta Force is a unit unto itself, composed of members from all branches of the military. Up Next The U.S. Armed Forces Quiz They're not called soldiers, but operators and are said to shun the traditional philosophies of military life. They wear civilian clothes. They work for whomever needs them -- for the Army, the FBI and the CIA . Mark Bowden, author of the book "Blackhawk Down" -- for which he interviewed several Delta Force members -- famously said of the operators, "They are professional soldiers who hate the Army" [source: Military.com ]. It must be said that neither the United States government nor the military officially acknowledges the existence of Delta Force. To this end, almost all of the information contained in this article is unsupported by any official reports from the United States. It's only in recent years that vague references by the government to the group's existence have been allowed to go uncensored. These references have turned up in transcripts from Congressional hearings and biographies of high-ranking military leaders. But it's nearly impossible to keep a force so deadly and made up of the stuff of legends entirely under wraps. Since its inception in 1977, stories of the Delta Force's exploits and missions have leaked out, little by little, eventually forming a brief sketch of the unit. In 1993, Delta Force came under the microscope when its operators were among those who fought and died in a failed operation to remove a Somali warlord. And in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, reports of two missions by Delta Force -- one failed and one successful -- have become common knowledge [source: SOC ]. But the group has been criticized for undertaking missions that are on the fringe of regular laws governing the military. This causes some to worry that Delta Force has more power and less accountability than any military organization in a free democracy should. Delta Force is funded out of secret government accounts, away from the public eye, and is believed to answer only to the president. But others claim that its purpose -- maintaining the United States' role as a leading power and as the world's police force -- necessitates the lack of restrictions and accountability surrounding its activities. In the next section, we'll look at how the Delta Force is structured. 1


Which is the only New York borough on the US mainland?

Bronx, New York The Bronx   The Bronx is one of the five boroughs          of New York City. The city's northernmost borough, it is the          only one that is part of the mainland United States and not          situated on an island. The borough of the Bronx is coterminous with Bronx County,          with a population of 1.35 million. While the official borough          name is The Bronx, the official county name is simply Bronx          County without the definite article. Named for Jonas Bronck, a Swedish sea captain and 1641 resident          whose 500-acre (2 km²) farm between the Harlem River and          the Aquahung comprises part of the modern borough, the Bronx          is the fourth most populous of New York City's five boroughs.          Bronx county is the fifth most populous county in the New York          Metropolitan Area History The Bronx was called Rananchqua by the Siwanoy Native Americans,         and was divided by the Aquahung River, now known as the Bronx         River. The land was first settled by Europeans in 1639, when Jonas         Bronck, for whom the area was later named, established a farm         along the Harlem River in the area now known as the Mott Haven         section. The Dutch and English settlers referred to the area as "Bronck's Land". The territory now contained within Bronx County was originally          part of Westchester County, an original county of New York state.          The present Bronx County was contained in four towns: Westchester,          Yonkers, Eastchester, and Pelham. In 1846, a new town, West Farms, was created by secession from          Westchester; in turn, in 1855, the town of Morrisania seceded          from West Farms. In 1873, the town of Kingsbridge (roughly corresponding          to the modern Bronx neighborhoods of Kingsbridge, Riverdale,          and Woodlawn) seceded from Yonkers. In 1874 the western portion of the present Bronx County, consisting          of the towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania, was          transferred to New York County, and in 1895 the Town of Westchester          and portions of Eastchester and Pelham, were transferred to          New York County. City Island, known as New York City's only          nautical community, voted to secede from Westchester County          and join New York County in 1896. In 1898, New York City was          amalgamated with the Bronx as one of five boroughs (though still          within New York County). In 1914, those parts of the then New          York County which had been annexed from Westchester County were          constituted as the new Bronx County (while also keeping its          status as one of the five boroughs of the city). The Bronx underwent rapid growth after World War I. Extensions          of the New York City Subway contributed to the increase in population          as thousands of immigrants flooded the Bronx, resulting in a          major boom in residential construction. Among these groups,          many Irish settled here. Author Willa Cather, Pierre Lorillard          who made a fortune on tobacco sales, and inventor Jordan Mott          were famous for settling the land. In addition, French, German,          and Polish immigrants moved into the borough. The Jewish population          also increased notably during this time and many synagogues          still exist throughout the borough, although many of these have          been converted to other uses. In prohibition days, bootleggers and gangs ran rampant in the          Bronx. Mostly Polish and Italian immigrants smuggled in the          illegal whiskey. By 1


Central Park, the 6th Borough of New York City - Review of Central Park, New York City, NY - TripAdvisor “Central Park, the 6th Borough of New York City” Reviewed June 5, 2012 There are books written about Central Park, and books where Central Park is one of the main characters, and there are innumerable facts and thoughts this amazing place would inspire of those who have experienced it for the first time and those who make it a part of their daily life. The place has transformed over the years into one of the most brilliant gems the City has to offer. There are immense green open spaces, lots of old gnarled trees and woodsy areas, ponds and lakes, one large enough for casual boating, a skating rink, not too many but strategically placed roadways that are heaven for runners, in-line skaters, or strollers, especially on weekend days when there is no vehicular traffic allowed, a zoo, some amazing restaurants, and the almost surreal vista of Manhattan high rises that are circling the park on all sides like guardians. If you are a visitor of New York City, you muat set at least a few good hours aside to enter this fairy land in the middle of the metropolis and get a map to explore it. Visited May 2012


In Lancashire someone is ‘skrikin’ – what are they doing?

BBC - Lancashire - Spooky - Lancashire's haunted pubs You are in: Lancashire > Spooky > Haunted Houses > Lancashire's haunted pubs Lancashire's haunted pubs The story of ghosts and goings-on of an old pub in Clitheroe - the Swan and Royal Hotel, told by Simon Entwistle... The county of Lancashire has some very old public houses and hotels - in fact I find tourists get very upset if certain pubs don't have any ghost stories relating to them! One such hotel has a very interesting and ghostly past, The Swan and Royal Hotel in Clitheroe. This gorgeous building dates back to 1786, and stands proudly in the centre of Clitheroe. Way back in the year 1878 the cotton workers of Lancashire went on strike and in towns such as Burnley, Colne, Blackburn and Preston, riots took place. As a direct result of this, troops were sent to all these towns. Clitheroe town council always met in the Swan and Royal, and the Mayor addressed his fellow councillors... "Gentlemen if we have a riot in Clitheroe we cannot quell it as we have only 12 police officers." One bright councillor shouted "Sir let's contact the war department!" The war department sent them a section of troops from the 24th Regiment of Foot, under the command of 19 year old lieutenant, Darren Hutchinson, and his men were billeted in the Swan and Royal building. The same week a group of Manchester cotton workers came to the town to meet their fellow brothers through the trade union. The town alderman had all the pubs closed apart from the Swan and Royal, in the hope that the cotton workers would have no access to alcohol. But rioting started. Windows were smashed and then the Mayor stood on the steps of the Hotel and shouted the Riot Act. In five minutes they had regained full control of the town, though sadly some cotton workers lost their lives. The troops were never used again and spent the next month just patrolling the town. During this time two troopers became very friendly with two local young ladies and both couples agreed to a double wedding at St Mary's Parish Church. Letters were sent back to the barracks, relatives were informed and two days before the double wedding was going to take place, Hutchinson received a letter informing him that his regiment was going to be sent overseas. The double wedding was cancelled and the troops left town leaving two girls heart broken. The 24th Regiment were then sent to South Africa to invade Zulu land, a disastrous campaign. Their commander Lord Chelmsford was a novice in tactics and split his Infantry from the Cavalry and on the 21st January 1879, King Catcewayo defeated the 24th Regiment at the Battle of Isandlwana. Hutchinson and his men died 16 weeks after leaving Clitheroe. Word got back to Clitheroe that both girls had lost their future husbands, and one of them, 17 year old Anne Druce, found to her horror that she was carrying a child. Her parents disowned her and she tearfully made her way to the Swan and Royal Hotel, the last place she saw her husband-to-be and she committed suicide in the room her child was conceived. Anne's ghost has been seen on many occasions always on the top floor, duvets are pulled off the beds, windows slam shut, toilets flush by themselves, curtains close and according to the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, an American gentleman having his breakfast in this room suddenly became aware of the sound of running water. He looked at the bedroom sink and the taps were both running... he watched in amazement as the soap left the soap dish, rotated and was then placed back in the dish.  He then saw both taps turn of by themselves. Bedroom number five was the most upsetting room as guests couldn't sleep as they were constantly being woken by the sound of a baby crying. This went on year after year, with many complaints from guests. The problem was solved in 1957, when renovation took place in the Hotel's attic, and workmen came across a huge amount of Victorian newspapers, and a package wrapped up in newspaper. A thick crust of dust  from many years covered the package, sheet after sheet of newspaper was re


Norwich City Football Club - Carrow Road, Canary Way, Norwich, Norfolk, England, NR1 1JE :: FanZone Norwich City Football Club - Carrow Road Carrow Road, Canary Way, Norwich, Norfolk, England, NR1 1JE Tickets: Show All Our Impressions of Carrow Road Carrow road now holds around 27,000 fans following the addition of some 1700 seats for the start of the 2010/2011 campaign. Visiting supporters are usually allocated around 2,500 seats in the Jarrold stand (South stand), which is the newest stand. The facilities available to away fans are good, with unrestricted views, good food, snacks and refreshments, and a friendly atmosphere. The other three stands were all built during the late eighties & early nineties when Norwich were in the old division one and the inaugural premier league. The Barclay and the Snake Pit, seen to the far left on the picture, house the vocal home fans, and their close proximity to the away fans creates a good atmosphere. At the opposite end to the Barclay stand is the Norwich and Peterborough stand (river end). This stand is home fans only, and contains executive boxes, and conference facilities, and a disabled viewing gallery. At the corner of the River end, and main stand (bottom right of the photo) you will find the club shop, and a restaurant called 'Yellows' (see Pubs). Directions to Carrow Road By Road Official Route Travel around the Norwich South bypass (A47), to the A146 Trowse exit and ground is well signposted from here. Alternative Route If you arrive early, and fancy seeing some of the City, then travel to the east side of Norwich, the exit the A47 at the A1042, Norwich North /East Exit (Broadland Business Park). Following the signs for Norwich, go straight over the next two roundabouts, past The Griffin public house. At the next roundabout, take the first exit into Yarmouth Road, past the Thorpe Fish & Chip shop, and through two sets of traffic lights. At this point you will be travelling alongside the River Wensum, and past several pubs, but you are still a distance from the ground. Once you get to the Harvey Lane traffic lights, there is some none resident parking available, and there is also a large car park in the Breckland Council building. From here the ground is about a 20 minute walk. Continue straight on into the city, past the The Mustard Pot, and over the railway bridge. You will be able to see the ground now, and the away fans are located in the first corner of the ground you come to, behind the Holiday Inn Hotel. From the Train Station The ground is approximately a ten minute walk from the station. When you arrive at the train station, you are fortunate for two reasons... One you are not far from the ground, and two, the walk will take you through a recently redeveloped part of Norwich which contains bars, fast food etc...Enjoy! On exiting the train station, walk along 'Riverside Road' (this is hard to miss as it's by the river!). The ground is at the end of this road, You can't miss it (really!). Local Area around Carrow Road Car Parking There is a large car park at the ground, but this is for season ticket holders only. The closest pay & display is located in Rouen Road, and holds about 500 cars. The town centre is only about a 15 minute walk from the ground, and there are numerous well signposted car parks. If you follow the official directions (via the Trowse exit on the A47 Southern bypass) then you are probably best parking in the County Hall car park. This is well signposted, holds approx. 2000 cars, and will cost you £3. That said, it is a bit of a nightmare to get out of after the game. If you follow the directions on this site, then there is some non- restricted back street parking near the Mustard Pot, but be careful to avoid the 'residents only' signs! To park in these back streets, you really need to be parking about an hour and a half before kickoff. Pubs Near Carrow Road The Compleat Angler This is a popular choice with away fans, if you're travelling by train you can't miss it as it's directly in front of the train station (just over the river). This is a


In the expression ‘By Jove’ – who is Jove?

World Wide Words: By Jove Random page By Jove Q From Glenn Morton, London: Somebody here at work just remarked ‘By Joe’. I said ‘Don’t you mean By Jove?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied, ‘everybody I know says By Joe. What does By Jove mean anyway?’ ‘I haven’t a clue,’ says I, ‘but I know a man who might.’  A Your belief in my abilities is both gratifying and slightly alarming. In this case, though, your trust is not misplaced. Jove is the older name the Romans had for the god Jupiter (which derives from an alteration of Jovis pater, father Jove). Jupiter was the Roman god of the sky, the sovereign deity who had powers over both gods and men (he was later identified with the Greek Zeus). If you got on his wrong side, he started chucking thunderbolts at you. There was a temple to him on the Capitol in Rome. From medieval times, Jove has been used in English as a poetical way of referring to Jupiter. It has also been linked to Jehovah, a form of the Hebrew name of God used in some translations of the Bible. By Jove was a mild oath, an exclamation that indicated surprise or gave emphasis to some comment, which dates from the sixteenth century. It was originally a neat way of calling on a higher power without using the blasphemous by God. Shakespeare used it in Love’s Labours Lost in 1588: “By Jove, I always took three threes for nine”. It’s a very British expression (as indeed is your haven’t a clue and your reference to I know a man who can, a current advertising slogan from the Automobile Association). It’s usually associated with bluff and hearty males from the nineteenth and early twentieth century, which seems to have been its heyday. As in J M Barrie’s The Admirable Crichton: “By Jove! I say, John, what an observant beggar he is”. I really thought it had vanished from the world of words, though a quick look around shows quite a number of examples. However, these mostly seem to be used jokingly, or in reference to earlier times. By Joe is a wonderful variation, only possible in a period in which knowledge of classical matters is all but extinct. But then, as Ogden Nash said, anyone can make a mistake: Even Jupiter, ruler of gods and men; All the time he was going around with Io, he pronounced it Ten.


What is the every-day name for the condition Daltonism?

Daltonism – Named after John Dalton | Colblindor Daltonism – Named after John Dalton People John Dalton was the first scientist to take academic interest in the subject of color blindness. He was born September 6, 1766 in Eaglesfield, England and died July 27, 1844 of paralysis. One of the first scientific papers John Dalton published was titled “Extraordinary facts relating to the vision of colours” and released in 1793. John Dalton Starting his career as a teacher he got interested in meteorology and mathematics. As Jonathan, his seven years older brother and John himself both were affected by red-green color blindness he also started some observations and researches about color vision. “That part of the image which others call red appears to me little more than a shade or defect of light. After that the orange, yellow and green seem one colour which descends pretty uniformly from an intense to a rare yellow, making what I should call different shades of yellow” He postulated that shortage in color perception was caused by discoloration of the liquid medium of the eyeball called aqueous humour. According to his research he believed that the aqueous humour was bluish and therefore filtered out all the colors. His observations and writings formed the expression Daltonism as a common wording for color blindness. Through his lifetime John Dalton became a well known and respectable chemist and physicist and was one of the early proponents of the Atomic Theory. One of his last wills was to get an autopsy of his eyes after death. Unfortunately there wasn’t any bluish liquid found. It was his final experiment and proved that the condition called Daltonism is not caused by the eye itself, but some deficient sensory power. Further readings:


Gertrude Ederle in August 1926 was the first woman to do what?

Gertrude Ederle Gertrude Ederle You are here: Home » Gertrude Ederle Go Gertrude Ederle completes the first successful crossing from England to France. A choppy, calculated Channel adventure in "The Great Swim" By Ginny Merdes Special to The Seattle Times "THE GREAT SWIM" Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to complete an English Channel swim, greased her body to stay warm. "The Great Swim" by Gavin Mortimer. Walker & Co., 336 pp., $24.95 Twenty-one miles of cold choppy water. The channel separating England and France has historically challenged the elite distance swimmer. Until 1926, no female swimmer had successfully crossed the English Channel, though some made brave attempts, including 18-year-old Gertrude Ederle, who made her first try in 1925. The following year, Ederle, three other American women, British citizen Mercedes Gleitze and others set their sights on being the first woman to cross the English Channel. In "The Great Swim," Gavin Mortimer re-creates the race and the times. What he does best is show how a handful of U.S. newspapers and their journalists created a public frenzy surrounding the event. The American press proved that photos of women in swimsuits did sell newspapers. Using archival press reports and interviews, Mortimer recalls the America of the 1920s and the place of American women of that era. Flappers who bobbed their hair and shortened their skirts were looked down on. Women were considered the weaker sex. Still, the lure of competition and the lust for the distinction of an American achieving a "first" captivated readers. Mortimer provides background for each U.S. competitor. A New Yorker whose father owned a butcher shop, Ederle brought to the channel her experience as a serious swimmer and the bravado of youth: "I want to be the first woman to swim from France to England." She was hired to write an exclusive column during her training for the Chicago Tribune-Daily News syndicate. Clarabelle Barrett, another New Yorker, was interested in money, not fame. She needed to pay for singing lessons to achieve her dream of becoming a professional singer. Barrett was part of a national movement to get American female swimmers into the Olympic Games. Lillian Cannon, of Baltimore, used an 11-hour swim in Chesapeake Bay to train for the channel crossing. She wrote a chatty column for the Baltimore Sun, helping newspapers fuel a rivalry between her and Ederle. Mille Gade grew up in Denmark, moved to New York and quickly became head swimming instructor at the Harlem YMCA. In the channel frenzy, Gade promoted herself as the swimming mother of two. All the channel swimmers had separate trainers, support staff and calculators of the best tide and weather conditions. Each picked a time to attempt a crossing based on advice from trainers. Cannon was the first American to attempt the crossing that summer of 1926. She failed, but turned out to cheer on Ederle when she made her attempt days later. The book's cover photograph of Ederle wearing a swim cap and a smile announces the winner to all readers. And although Mortimer's overuse of partial quotes and clips makes his story choppy, in his re-creation of Ederle's crossing you can't help but feel cold, wet and exhausted. Ederle overcame bad weather and an unexpected tide change to win, prompting her trainer William Burgess to exclaim, "No man or woman ever made such a swim. It is past human understanding." In fact, Ederle's time — 14 hours and 39 minutes — beat the male record by a full two hours. Her triumph was as an athlete, no asterisk for gender. Mortimer quotes writer Heywood Broun on Ederle's crossing: "When Gertrude Ederle struck out from France she left behind her a world which has believed for a great many centuries that woman is the weaker vessel ... And when her toes touched the sands of England, she stepped out of the water and into a brand-new world." Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company   Excerpts From Histories Written About Gertrude Ederly: Swimmer Gertrude Ederle/Determination Helped Her Make A Record-Breaking English Channel Swim -- By Su


What calls MPs in the House of Commons to vote?

Voting (Commons) Voting (Commons) Tweet Compared to other legislatures, voting in the Commons is perhaps the most archaic of its traditions. The chair puts a question to the House. If the chair cannot easily discern the opinion of the House ('on a general Aye'), then a vote is held. When a vote - or 'division' - is called MPs literally divide into two groups, those in favour (the Ayes) and those against (the Noes), by proceeding through one of two corridors (lobbies), where they are counted. When the chair calls a division (by saying 'clear the lobbies'), the division bells signalling a vote are sounded around the Palace of Westminster, in Whitehall and elsewhere. MPs have eight minutes to arrive in one of the two lobbies before the entrances are locked. They are counted as they exit. The quorum for a vote is 40. The outcome of the vote is then reported to the chair by one of the four MPs (two for each lobby) appointed to count the votes (teller). The chair then confirms the result to the House. The whole process takes between 12 and 15 minutes. Because of the length of time it takes to vote, calling for a division can occasionally be used effectively as a delaying tactic in the House. There is no formal way to abstain in a Commons division, as there is no way to record attendance in the chamber during a vote other than by voting with Ayes or the Noes. One way is to vote in both lobbies, but this is not always recognised as an abstention and requires swift movement from the MP in question.


Who went ‘Beyond Breaking Point’ in a Sport Relief challenge in March?

BBC - Davina - Beyond Breaking Point For Sport Relief - Media Centre 9.00pm-10.00pm BBC ONE Documenting one of the most punishing charity challenges in Sport Relief history, Davina – Beyond Breaking Point, looks back on the seven day challenge that TV presenter Davina McCall undertook for Sport Relief 2014. Providing the inside story and exclusive behind-the-scenes access, the programme follows Davina and her support team as the 46-year-old mother of three battles against some of the most severe weather Britain has seen in decades to run, swim and cycle over 450 miles from Edinburgh to London, in a truly extraordinary event. The programme takes in all the highs and lows of an outstanding challenge that saw Davina tackle a punishing 130 mile cycle through 50-mile-an-hour gusts and sleet on day one alone. She then traversed the colossal Scafell Pike on foot wading through snow, swam across Lake Windemere, ran across the Peak District, cycled from Birmingham to Windsor and finished the challenge running a full marathon into London. The programme tells the inside story of the dramatic third day when the challenge became news when Davina swam Lake Windermere and – having just succeeded - was carried ashore. The documentary follows the preparation and build-up for the day with Davina’s medical and training team and the care that put Davina back on her feet and cycling 60 miles just one hour later. The programme sees Davina fight against extreme fatigue and fearsome weather, culminating in an emotional and overwhelming reunion with her family and friends as she completes her epic challenge at the Millennium Bridge at Tate Modern in London.  She did it all to raise money for Sport Relief 2014 and her epic challenge was inspired by a recent trip to Kenya. The programme follows Davina to Kenya to meet Anne – a young girl who works on a quarry, breaking rocks for hardcore with her family. Davina went back to discover that even though she lives in adverse poverty, Anne dreams of one day becoming a doctor. Featuring interviews with her parents, her husband Matthew, and Sport Relief veteran trainer Professor Greg Whyte OBE, who was with Davina ever step of the way, as well as visits from fellow stars Claudia Winkleman, Mel Giedroyc and Jo Brand, the one-off special shows the lengths Davina went to, to make a difference to people around in the UK and across the world. Made by BBC Documentaries, the programme combines humour and hardship with sensitivity and drama, telling the story of a true British hero. Director, Pamela Gordon / Executive Producer, Robi Dutta SE


Mariachi bands originated in which country?

excerpts from --- Mexico, The Meeting of Two Cultures 1991 Higgins and Associates, New York, NY for The 7-Eleven Hispanic Arts Festival (Arts for Business) The Wedding of Musical Traditions Prior to the arrival of Cortes the music of Mexico, played with rattles, drums, reed and clay flutes, and conch-shell horns, was an integral part of religious celebrations. Quickly, however, as Christianity spread, in many areas these instruments gave way to instruments imported by the Spanish: violins, guitars and harps, brass horns, and woodwinds. The Indian and mestizo musicians not only learned to play European instruments, but also to build their own, sometimes giving them shapes and tunings of their own invention. Music and dance were important elements of Spanish theatrical productions, enormously popular throughout the Spanish speaking world during the colonial period. The typical Spanish theatrical orchestra of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries was comprised of violins (usually two), harp and guitars (or guitar variants). It was from this group that several of the most distinctive regional ensembles of Mexico developed, including the Mariachi. Mariachi - What Does It Mean? Musicologists and folklorists have argued for years over the origin of the word - Mariachi. The explanation that appears most frequently - especially on record jackets and in travel brochures - is that it is a variation of the French word mariage, meaning wedding or marriage, and comes from the time in the nineteenth century when Maximillian, a Frenchman, was Emperor of Mexico. According to this myth the Mariachi was named by the French after the celebration with which it was most commonly associated. But this explanation, always regarded as highly doubtful by linguists, was totally discredited recently when a use of the word was found that predated the time when the French arrived in Mexico. Currently, however, the best scholarly opinion is that the word mariachi has native roots. One theory is that it comes from the name of the wood used to make the platform on which the performers danced to the music of the village musicians. But whatever its true source - and the truth may never be discovered with absolute certainty - the word today has one meaning that is crystal clear: Mariachi means on of the most exciting and enchanting musical ensembles found anywhere in the world. The Unique Make-Up of the Mariachi Ensemble In the complete Mariachi group today there are as many as six to eight violins, two trumpets, and a guitar - all standard European instruments. Then there is a high-itched, round-backed guitar called the vihuela, which when strummed in the traditional manner gives the Mariachi its typical rhythmic vitality; a deep-voiced guitar called the guitarró n which serves as the bass of the ensemble; and a Mexican folk harp, which usually doubles the base line, but also ornaments the melody. While these three instruments have European origins, in their present form they are strictly Mexican. The sound that these instruments combine to make is unique. Like the sarape, which often used widely contrasting colors side by side - green and orange, yellow and blue - the Mariachi used sharply contrasting sounds: the sweet sounds of the violins against the brilliance of the trumpets, and the deep sound of the guitarró n against the crisp, high voice of the vihuela; and the frequent shifting between syncopation and on-beat rhythm. The resulting sound is the heart and soul of Mexico. The Beginning of the Mariachi We Know Today Although the origins of Mariachi music go back hundreds of years, in the form we know it the Mariachi began in the nineteenth century in the Mexican state of Jalisco - according to popular legend, in the town of Cocula. The Mariachi was the distinctive version of the Spanish theatrical orchestra of violins, harp and guitars which developed in and around Jalisco. In other areas such as Veracruz and the Huasteca region in the northeast, the ensemble evolved differently. By the end of the nineteenth century,


What were the V-1 rockets nicknamed by the man in the street during the Blitz?

From V-2s to M-75s, Israel's Blitz survivors dodge rockets again | The Times of Israel ‘Nationalistic motive’ probed in US student’s disappearance Some 4,000 rockets from Gaza have been launched into Israel over the past 50 days. For many Israelis, especially those living along the Gaza border, the fighting with Hamas has changed the way they feel about their own security. In Israel’s major cities, residents are listening for sirens, running for shelter, and figuring out how to help their children cope. Tens of thousands of Israelis have evacuated border communities and headed north, away from the mortars and Kassam rockets. For those living through it, especially the children, it’s an experience they won’t soon forget. But there are some Israelis for whom this summer’s fighting is a bookend on a life whose formative years were also spent finding shelter from bombs and rockets, albeit on an entirely different scale. Those immigrants who grew up in London during World War II witnessing German dive bombers and V-2s again find themselves scanning the heavens for rockets, taking shelter, and observing how a nation deals with bombardment. Not surprisingly, they have strong opinions on their experiences in both conflicts. Four immigrants who survived World War II in England shared their thoughts with The Times of Israel, notably on leadership, stoicism, and the Iron Dome. ‘A life adventure’ Much like the children living on the Gaza border, around a million of London’s children were evacuated by train with the outbreak of war. “They were all within a day or two from their families,” Naftali Wertheim, a member of Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi who came to England from Germany on the Kindertransport , remembered, “two to three children to a private home. It was highly organized and very well executed. ‘At the beginning of the Blitz, we went into the coal cellar. Later, we were allotted beds on a Tube station platform’ “My sister Margot and myself and another girl went to Mrs. Noble in St. Ives, Huntingtonshire, and suffered,” recalled Wertheim, who was 10 years old when the war broke out, “Everything was strange, primitive and mainly chazzer treif [nonkosher foods like pork]. We begged our parents to take us home, which they did after two months.” Wertheim’s schoolmate Asher Cailingold, 84, a former head of the Jewish Agency Aliyah Division who lives in Jerusalem today, was evacuated to Luton. He too remembered there being a “great danger of losing our Jewish identity.” Those who stayed in London, or returned from their host families in the country, spent a lot of time in bomb shelters. There were bombings almost every night during the Blitz. “At the beginning of the Blitz,” said Wertheim, “we went into the coal cellar. Later, we were allotted beds on a Tube station platform.” Well-to-do families often had shelters in their homes or backyards. “We began sleeping in the shelter, which was basically a reinforced room in the house,” Aron Vecht, who escaped to England from Belgium, explained. “After six or seven weeks we got fed up with that, and went to sleep in our bedrooms…The poorer families went to the Underground.” “We would wake up, look up, and see the sky red with fire in the morning in the East End.” Jews study while taking shelter in an East End wine cellar, London, 1940 (IWM Ministry of Information Second World War Official Collection/ Bill Brandt) Cailingold returned to his family in London for good just before Passover in 1940. The local government built his family a shelter in the basement. “The most effective ones were in the cellar, where they reinforced the roofs,” he explained. “You get used to it. It becomes second nature.” Initially, it wasn’t rockets that Londoners faced, but German bombers. For eight months from September 1940, Luftwaffe planes struck London 71 times, killing over 40,000 people while losing 3,300 pilots. They would drop incendiary bombs in an attempt to burn entire neighborhoods. As frightening as that sounds, the men didn’t seem especially scarred by the experience. “If the firebombs were treated early en


Who produced the V12 powered Miura – the fastest production car around in the 1970s?

1971 - 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV | car review @ Top Speed 1971 - 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV review by Ciprian Florea +   The Lamborghini Miura SV, also known as the P400SV, was introduced in 1971. Essentially an updated Miura S, the SV was the last and most famous Miura. Produced in significantly smaller numbers than the previous versions, the SV is also the rarest Miura as well. Although visual updates were mostly subtle, the Miura SV featured extensive drivetrain and chassis upgrades that enhanced both the output and the handling of the car. The oil crisis and the lack of demand prompted Lamborghini to halt Miura production in 1973, the same year it launched the Urraco, its first of only two sports cars powered by V-8 engines. The Miura was replaced by the Countach in 1974, a vehicle the company had been working on since 1970. Shortly before the Miura was discontinued, Ferruccio sold off his controlling shares of the Lamborghini company. Word has it he retired because he achieved everything he had set out to do with the Miura. Updated 08/24/2016: A very cool Lamborghini Miura P400 SV by Bertone was brought by RM Sotheby’s at the 2016 Monterey Car Week, where unfortunately it failed to sell. The car was estimated to go down for $1,900,000 - $2,200,000. Check the "Pictures" tab for some images taken at the event. Continue reading to learn more about the Lamborghini Miura SV. continue reading Exterior The most important things Lamborghini changed on the Miura SV on the outside were the rear fenders, which were significantly wider than the Miura S’. Bertone ’s Marcello Gandini had to redesign the rear bodywork to accommodate the new rear suspension with longer wishbones, which added 1.5 inches of length. The SV was also recognizable for the lack of "eyelashes" around the headlamps. The modification also allowed Lamborghini to add wider tires at the rear. The wheels were also new; magnesium rims wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato rubber. Wider fenders and new wheels aside, the SV’s rear fascia also received a pair of taillights sourced from the Fiat Dino Spyder, which had three distinct clusters, including reverse lights, all separated by chrome surrounds. The previous lamps were smaller and split horizontally. The front end received better integrated fog lamps and turn signals and a slightly reshaped bumper grille. The SV was also recognizable for the lack of "eyelashes" around the headlamps. Exterior Dimensions 1100 MM (43.3 Inches) Interior The interior of the Miura S, with its locking glovebox lid, single release handles for front and rear body sections and power windows, carried over unchanged into the Miura SV. The lowered seating position also gave the Miura's cockpit a race-like feeling. There were two important updates, however: real leather for the seats (replacing the leather-looking vinyl in the previous models) and a Borletti air conditioning system, an option for European cars and standard for vehicles sold in the United States. Only 30 vehicles — 15 percent of total SV production — received this feature. Despite the lack of updates, the SV’s interior was among the sportier and more luxurious of the early 1970s. Although not as spartan and motorsport-based as Ferrari cabins of the era, the Miura’s did come with various racy bits, such as the big center stack with six gauges, the "floating" rev counter and speedo, the bucket seats, and the drilled spokes of the steering wheel. The lowered seating position also gave the Miura’s cockpit a race-like feeling. On the other hand, the soft carpet covering the floor and the center console, as well as the leather adorning the door panels, set the Miura SV apart from other sports cars of the era. Drivetrain The Miura SV made use of the same 4.0-liter V-12 engine introduced in 1966, but the unit now featured different cam timing and new carburetors. Later on, Miura SV engines included a limited-slip differential, which required a split sump. Its 0-to-60 mph sprint of 5.7 seconds and quarter-mile time of around 14.3 ticks were among the quickest of the era. The five-speed manual


Villa Park in 1999 was the scene of the very last ….what?

Villa Park Stadium Guide | England Rugby Travel Villa Park Stadium Villa Park Stadium Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham is one of the oldest and most famous stadiums in Europe. Opened in 1897, it has hosted World Cup, European Championship and other international football matches as well as more FA Cup semi-finals than any other venue. Athletics, cycling, boxing and rugby league have all taken place here over the years, and two rugby union touring sides have also run out onto its famous pitch. The stadium was also the venue for the last ever European Cup Winners Cup final between Lazio and Real Mallorca in 1999. This famous venue has hosted international matches over three different centuries, the first senior international taking place in 1899. Villa Park hosted 3 matches during the 1966 World Cup and four matches during Euro '96. The stadium has hosted several rock concerts, including Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Villa Park  hosted matches for Rugby World Cup in 2015. Local Pubs The Black Eagle on Factory Road is a popular place to head to for pre- and post-match drinks. They offer an excellent range of ever-changing guest ales as well as beers from two local family breweries, Bathams and Holdens. Best Bitter and Golden Glow are firm favourites with the locals. This award-winning traditional pub has been run by the same landlord for over 23 years which, along with the warm and friendly service, and excellent food and drink, is the reason behind its huge popularity. The Bartons Arms on the High Street in Newton is a truly unique experience: coupling authentic Thai cuisine with hand-pulled Real Ales by the acclaimed Oakham Ales. The pub will transport you to a bygone era with its original Victorian interiors, beautiful architecture, magnificent tiled walls and stained glass windows. Local Attractions With its industrial legacy and chaotic road network, you may be forgiven in thinking that Birmingham isn’t a tourist hot-spot. But after years of gentrification and some serious money being pumped into the city, Birmingham has become a thriving and exciting city. The Bullring is the glamorous heart of the city and boasts over 160 magnificent shops, including iconic department stores such as Selfridges and Debenhams. There is also an array of elegant arcades and covered markets which are always fun to explore. The food scene in Birmingham is second to none, and at the last count, there were over 30 different cuisines on offer throughout the city. From award-winning city centre restaurants to authentic, family-run establishments in the Balti Triangle, no visit to Birmingham is complete without sampling the diverse flavours on offer. If you are after a family day out, why not visit chocolate heaven, also known as Cadbury World. You’ll discover the origins of the cocoa bean amidst trees and waterfalls in the Aztec jungle, before jumping onboard the magical Cadabra ride and meeting the infamous Cadbury drumming gorilla! Full of heritage, fun and with complimentary chocolate to enjoy along the way, Cadbury World is a great addition to your Rugby World Cup visit to Birmingham with something for everyone. Did You Know? On 5th November 1887, America’s most famous cowboy Buffalo Bill visited Villa Park and presented his Wild West Show at Aston Lower Grounds. His show included a wealth of entertainment and animals including over two hundred horses, mules, buffalos, prairie elk, cowboys and Indians, and the famous Deadwood Stage.


Which river has the world’s largest delta?

TOP TEN OF THE WORLD: Top 10 largest deltas in the world Top 10 largest deltas in the world The top 10 largest deltas in the world Ganges-Brahmaputra delta


In which North American river are the Thousand Islands?

Thousand Islands | islands, North America | Britannica.com Thousand Islands Florida Keys Thousand Islands, group of more than 1,500 small isles in the St. Lawrence River in North America , extending for a distance of 80 miles (128 km) from the Prince Edward Peninsula to Brockville , Ontario , Canada . Those on the west side, including Amherst, Wolfe (49 square miles [127 square km], the largest), Howe, Simcoe, and Grenadier, are mostly Canadian, while those on the east, including Grindstone, Wells, and Carleton, are in New York , U.S. They form a traditional recreational area. Some are privately owned. Thousand Islands National Park embraces several of the Canadian islands and part of the Ontario shoreline. Surveyed in 1818, many were given names associated with the War of 1812 . Thousand Islands International Bridge (1938) spans the river between Collins Landing, New York, and Ivy Lea, Ontario, east of Gananoque . Several of the Thousand Islands in the Saint Lawrence River, viewed from New York state. Matthew Trump Saint Lawrence River and Seaway hydrographic system of east-central North America. It connects the North River (source of the St. Louis River, in the U.S. state of Minnesota, which flows into Lake Superior) with Cabot Strait, leading into the Atlantic Ocean in the extreme east of Canada, crossing the interior of the North... Brockville city, seat (1792) of the united counties of Leeds and Grenville, southeastern Ontario, Canada. It lies along the St. Lawrence River, opposite Morristown, New York. Founded about 1790, the settlement was variously known as Elizabethtown, Williamstown, and Charlestown until after the War of 1812,... New York (state, United States) constituent state of the United States of America, one of the 13 original colonies and states. New York is bounded to the west and north by Lake Erie, the Canadian province of Ontario, Lake Ontario, and the Canadian province of Quebec; to the east by the New England states of Vermont,... Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: June 04, 2014 URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Thousand-Islands Access Date: January 20, 2017 Share


At which city do the Blue and White Niles meet?

Two Niles Meet : Image of the Day acquired April 26, 2013 download large image (4 MB, JPEG, 2929x4000) acquired April 26, 2013 download GeoTIFF file (22 MB, TIFF) Though it moves just a tiny fraction of the water carried by the Amazon, Congo, or Niger rivers, the Nile is the world’s longest river. Its main tributaries—the White Nile and the Blue Nile—meet in Khartoum, Sudan, a rain-poor city of nearly 2 million residents that relies on the Nile for irrigation. Well-watered crops line the river banks, and patchworks of croplands (including center-pivot irrigated fields) dot the city’s outskirts. The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite acquired this natural-color image on April 26, 2013, near the end of the region’s dry season. Compared to the White Nile, the Blue Nile is skinny and its highly variable flow is near its lowest point at this time of year. Harsh dry seasons and droughts can periodically dry out the Blue Nile completely. The White Nile and Blue Nile derive their colors from the sediments they carry. Originating in the Equatorial Lakes region, the White Nile is rich in light gray sediments. As this long river meanders over flat terrain, it loses over half of its water to evaporation. Shorter than the White Nile, the Blue Nile starts in the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea, picking up black sediment en route to Khartoum. The Blue Nile is fed by monsoon rains, and when rains are abundant, the Blue Nile can actually flow backward near its confluence with the White Nile. Upstream from both rivers, residents rely largely on precipitation for farming. Most of the water extraction along the Nile occurs in Sudan and Egypt, where rainfall is too sparse to support crops. More than 120 millio people rely upon Nile waters for irrigation and other uses. References UNESCO (2008, January) Sediment in the Nile River System. Accessed May 9, 2013. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using EO-1 ALI data from the NASA EO-1 team. Caption by Michon Scott. Instrument(s):


Which recent ITV three-part drama was based on real-life wife killer Malcolm Webster?

Reece Shearsmith and Sheridan Smith in ITV drama The Widower | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV | Daily Express 00:01, Sat, Mar 15, 2014 The Widower, Monday, 9PM, ITV [ITV] On September 3, 1993, a blissfully happy Claire Morris celebrated her wedding day in Aberdeen in the presence of her family and friends. Eight months later, she was dead at the age of 32, and the person responsible for her death was her beloved husband, Malcolm Webster. With his spending habits spiralling out of control and debts mounting, Webster, who worked as a nurse, drugged his wife and staged a car crash, setting the car alight with a comatose Claire still inside. The crash was deemed a tragic accident and Webster claimed from his late wife’s life insurance.  He was not jailed for Claire’s murder until 2011, when he was told he would serve at least 30 years in jail. He was also convicted of attempting to murder his second wife, Felicity Drumm, in a similar plot in New Zealand. Now, Webster’s chilling crimes are being dramatised in The Widower, a three-part series starring Reece Shearsmith, as the killer, and Sheridan Smith, as Claire.  “It’s a jaw-dropping story,” says Reece, 44. “Throughout Malcolm’s deceit, he’s so plausible. You might read about his case and think, ‘how on earth did he get away with it for so long?’ But this shows how he managed it. That’s the scary and important thing to remember. This actually happened and you see how he escaped the net for so long. “All through his life Malcolm Webster was living beyond his means and felt he had the right to nice things, regardless of his ability to pay for them. It got out of control. I think he thought he was far superior and cleverer than most people. Even now, he maintains his innocence.” Reece, who found fame as co-writer and one of the stars of the BBC2 comedy The League Of Gentlemen admits taking on the role of Malcolm came with difficulties. Reece Shearsmith as Malcolm Webster and Sheridan Smith as his first wife and victim, Claire Morris [ITV] There was a great weight of responsibility when I took on this part. You really want to get it right for the people who are involved in this tragedy Reece Shearsmith “There was a great weight of responsibility when I took on this part. You really want to get it right for the people who are involved in this tragedy,” he says. “We shot the scenes where Malcolm kills Claire, over a few nights – and it was horrible. Seeing it acted out, with a car in flames and knowing that somebody had been inside, really hit home. It added to our determination to get this story out there and do it justice. “As the story progressed Malcolm had lots of different women on the go and was deceiving them all. It became effortless for him to switch between all these different lies,” he continues. “He even pretended to have cancer, and shaved his head and eyebrows, claiming he was going through chemotherapy, to elicit sympathy. Can you imagine that? Pretending to have treatment in hospital, pretending to be weak and suffering afterwards and then keeping up that pretence for years? There are many layers of utter horror to him under the façade of a very mundane gentleman.”  Reece may be better known for his dark, comedic roles in shows such as Psychoville and Inside No. 9, but said he was honoured to have the opportunity to star in a serious drama based on real events. “I didn’t think, ‘people might not take me seriously’ because I’m usually doing comedy. I just thought, ‘this is a really good part and I want to do it to the best of my abilities’,” he says.  The Widower was written with the victims of Webster’s crimes in mind. His second wife, Felicity, was consulted about the scripts, as was Peter Morris, Claire’s brother, and Simone Banerjee, with whom Webster also had a relationship. “I spoke to Simone. She was great and had a fantastic attitude about the whole thing. She was happy to talk about him and help in any way she could,” Reece says. “Peter Morris is also happy that this drama is being made and that the story is being presented to the world. He’s relieved that it


The BBC satire W1A starring Hugh Bonneville is a follow-up to which show?

BBC Two - W1A, Series 1, Trail: W1A BBC Two Interviews Trail: W1A From the makers of Twenty Twelve, a brand new comedy starring Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes. W1A - only on BBC Two. Release date:


Who Are the People That Study Reptiles & Amphibians? | eHow Who Are the People That Study Reptiles & Amphibians? Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Every type of animal from birds to insects is studied by scientists under a particular branch of biology called zoology -- the study of animals. The scientists that study reptiles and amphibians are called herpetologists. These scientists dedicate large portions of their lives to the understanding of these creatures. What Is Herpetology? Herpetology is branch of zoology specializing in the study of reptiles and amphibians. The work of a herpetologist is mostly concentrated on research and experimentation. Herpetologists study how reptiles and amphibians behave, how their biological systems work, how they interact with other species and other animals, how they evolved and how their physical traits help them survive in their various habitats. Education To become trained as a herpetologist, you must obtain a bachelor of science in biology or preferably Zoology at the undergraduate level and master's of science in zoology with a concentration in herpetology at the graduate level. At the doctoral level, a biologist who is dedicated to herpetology focuses all of his doctoral research on the subject. However, there are few herpetology programs in the United States, so entry into these programs is competitive. Some of the institutions that have good programs in herpetology include Harvard University, University of Florida and Cornell University. Career The range of careers for a herpetologist is somewhat limited to research and education-related fields. Herpetologists often work for universities as professors or research assistants, teaching and continuing much of the research they began while pursuing their degrees. Other herpetologists may work for zoos or museums using their skills to care for the reptiles and amphibian species there. Still others may work for private businesses doing field research for the purpose of preserving reptile and amphibian species and studying the animals to uncover any benefit they may provide to mankind. Other Details You do not have to be formally trained to be a herpetologist. Many people pursue the study of reptiles and amphibians as a hobby or a secondary career. These people are often referred to as field herpetologists. Herpetologists also often work with ichthyologists, who are scientists who study fish, because the two fields often overlap with these two groups of animals living in the same habitats and often interacting.


USAF Boeing VC-25 is also known as what when Barack Obama is on board?

VC-25 - Air Force One > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display PRINT  |  E-MAIL Mission The mission of the VC-25 aircraft -- Air Force One -- is to provide air transport for the president of the United States. Features The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One." Principal differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747, other than the number of passengers carried, are the electronic and communications equipment, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for in-flight refueling. Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom (with dressing room, lavatory and shower) and the president's office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his family and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel and the news media. Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories, including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25 also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.  Background Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a VC-54, nicknamed the "Sacred Cow," was put into service for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt’s successor, President Harry S. Truman, used the aircraft extensively during the first 27 months of his administration. On July 26, 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 on board the Sacred Cow. This act established the US Air Force as an independent service, making the Sacred Cow the “birthplace” of the US Air Force. Then came a VC-118, nicknamed the "Independence,” which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. It was nicknamed “Independence” after President Truman’s hometown, Independence, Missouri. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard a VC-121A and VC-121E, both nicknamed "Columbine II" and "Columbine III", from 1953 to 1961. These two aircraft were named after the official state flower of Colorado in honor of Mrs. Eisenhower’s home state. While the call sign "Air Force One" was first used in the 50s, President Kennedy's VC-137 was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One."  In 1962, a VC-137C specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and returned the body to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. In 1972 President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's Republic of China and to the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.  The first VC-25A -- tail number 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida and back to Washington, D.C. A second VC-25A, tail number 29000 transported Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Tail number 29000 also carved its name in history on September 11, 2001, when President George W. Bush was interrupted as he attended an event at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, after the attack on the World Trade Center South Tower in New York City. The aircrew safely returned the President and staff members back


What region did Khrushchev gift to Ukraine in 1954?

Joshua Keating Joshua Keating is a staff writer at Slate focusing on international affairs.  Crimea is the only region of Ukraine with a majority ethnic Russian population , and there’s been deep hostility to the pro-EU protesters in the capital. Russia also maintains a naval base in Sevastopol, where Yanukovych may now have taken refuge. Advertisement The Russian flag has been raised over city hall in the city. The Russian government has also discussed new legislation to make it easier for Russians in the region to obtain Russian passports, and has begun warning of the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russians amid Ukraine’s chaos—a similar strategy to the one it deployed in the breakaway region of Abkhazia prior to the 2008 war with Georgia. In light of this situation, it’s worth considering how Crimea became part of Ukraine in the first place. Moscow transferred the peninsula—which is connected to the Ukrainian mainland by a narrow isthmus —to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954. It’s often said that Premier Nikita Khrushchev gave Crimea as a “gift” to his adopted country. Khruschev’s relationship with Ukraine is a complex one: He was an ethnic Russian from a town that is now part of Russia, but he rose through the ranks of the Ukrainian communist party and led the region as head of the the party during the worst years of Stalin’s purges. The initial reasons for the transfer of Crimea may have had less to do with generosity than demographics . Before World War II, Crimea had been home to at least 300,000 Tatars. Because a number of members of the group collaborated with the occupying Nazis during the war, Stalin had the entire community deported in 1944. Advertisement As William Taubman writes in his biography of Khrushchev , that same year, Khrushchev—who had always had an eye on expanding Ukrainian territory—began discussing a plan to replace the deported Tatars with peasants from devastated Ukraine. A decade later, after he had succeeded Stalin in Moscow, he was able to finally accomplish the goal. The transfer of Crimea was framed as a goodwill gesture to mark the 300th anniversary of Ukraine's merger with tsarist Russia. The announcement of the merger in Pravda noted "the economic commonalities, territorial closeness, and communication and cultural links," though as Michigan State historian Lewis Siegelbaum notes, Crimea’s cultural links had always been closer to Russia. At the time, there were about 268,000 Ukrainians and 858,000 ethnic Russians living in the area.  But Khrushchev had evidently had his eye on Crimea for a while, and given what Ukraine had recently been through under Stalin, a propaganda gesture certainly must have seemed advisable. Both Ukrainians and Russians moved to the area in large numbers in the years since, and the distinction between the two countries wasn’t particularly meaningful until the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1992. Russian President Boris Yeltsin was widely expected to push for Crimea to remain with Russia after independence, but to the dismay of the region’s Russians, he didn’t press the issue during negotiations. Top Comment "Crimea is the only region of Russia with a majority ethnic Russian population"  I believe you meant to say:  Crimea is the only region of Ukraine with a majority ethnic Russian population.   More... -candide


Alchemical Symbols - Acids Alchemical Symbols - Acids Back to alchemical symbols page . Aqua Fortis Geber made this 'strong water', Nitric acid, by distilling green vitriol, with saltpetre and alum. When pure it is a colourless liquid, but it is often tinged brown by dissolved nitrogen oxides, which also give it a peculiar smell. It reacts vigorously with most metals, but Gold will withstand its action. It is also a powerful oxidising agent, and will react with most substances. Aqua Regia A mixture of one part nitric acid (aqua fortis) and three or four parts hydrochloric acid (spirit of salt). It was called the 'King's water' because it was able to corrode and dissolve the king of metals, gold. Spirit of Salt. Made by distilling common salt and Green Vitriol. This is the strong acid now known as Hydrochloric acid, and is very reactive with most substances. Oil of Vitriol. Made by distilling Green Vitriol (Iron Sulphate). This is now known as Sulphuric acid and is one of the strongest of mineral acids. Vinegar.. Made by distilling wine that has been allowed to go sour. A medium strong acid which reacts with most organic substances, and forms salts with some metals, for example Lead acetate, or 'sweet lead'. Distilled vinegar


Halophytes are plants adapted to growing in which conditions?

Greening the desert: Growing halophytes on unproductive land with saltwater irrigation | Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Greening the desert: Growing halophytes on unproductive land with saltwater irrigation By A.L. Smith January 26, 2015 It sounds almost too good to be true – converting wasteland to productive fields and using ocean water, not fresh, to do it. Maybe, but then again, these plants have been used for centuries as sources for food in coastal communities [1] and scientific research into their potential dates back at least to the 1950’s [2]. Current experiments are being conducted by Edward Glenn of the University of Arizona and Dennis Bushnell at NASA’s Langley Research Center [3] and what they are finding holds promise for sustainably cultivating these plants to not only produce oil seeds, animal feed, medicines, cosmetics, and leafy vegetables for human consumption; but to use them to sequester carbon, remediate saline soils and even extract heavy metals from contaminated sites. But what are these miracle plants? Halophytes are plants that have evolved to survive and reproduce in the high saline conditions found in coasts, wetlands, and inland deserts. These plants have developed complex mechanisms on many levels to cope with their environment. Not only are they salt-tolerant, many species can survive in waterlogged soil or even completely submerged in saltwater.  Because their adaptations occur at the plant, cellular, and molecular levels, there is not simply a single gene that can be spliced into conventional crops to confer these benefits – attempts to do so have not been successful [1, 2]. But there are many types of these plants, at least 2,600 [3] and upwards of 4,000 [4], and different varieties can be cultivated for a range of products and to thrive in a variety of soil conditions and climate zones. Researchers from our own University of Delaware, John Gallagher and Denise Seliskar, have done work with the seashore mallow, a plant that can grow in salty and desert soils and accept seawater for irrigation. This no-invasive plant can produce seeds that are around 20% oil, making it comparable with soybeans as a base for biofuels. Other parts of the plant can be used for animal feed, cloth production, and for mulch or animal bedding [3]. Halophytes can also be used to restore damaged soil, because they can absorb salt and heavy metals, and thereby helping to reclaim the 40% of irrigated land that has been lost to salt intrusion and the 10 million hectares we lose every year [5], not to mention the potential for brownfield rehabilitation.  Halophyte agriculture could also play a synergistic role in the world’s fastest growing form of food production – aquaculture [6]. As we continue to deplete the world’s wild fisheries, a new market for farm raised fish has developed and continued to grow since the early 1980’s to meet our expanding appetite. Though these fisheries help to provide the world with protein and relieve some of the stress on our natural fisheries, the effluent they produce can be toxic to marine life if it is just dumped back into the ocean. Enter halophytes. For these plants, the salty and waste laden effluent could actually represent a source of the nutrients they need, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous [7]. By combining these two forms of food production we could be on our way to developing a sustainable form of food production that could be easily adopted anywhere in the world where there is desert land near a large body of saltwater. Possibilities for Africa and the Middle East spring immediately to mind. As I write this I wonder why we do not have halophyte fields everywhere where conditions warrant their use. The only answer I can think of, or at least one of the most probable, is that it is immense and complex undertaking to develop a productive agriculture system for a whole new ecological group of plants. Knowing which plants are right for which soils and for what final products will require agro-scientists to work closely with local farmers who are knowledgeable about


Who is the current Secretary of State for Transport?

Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP - UK Parliament Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP Constituency House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Tel:         020 7219 3511 Cabinet Office, 9 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AG Tel:         020 7276 1234 Contested for Wolverhampton South East Jun 1983 Parliamentary career* Current Government Post Post * Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Jul 2016 - Secretary of State for Transport Sep 2012 - Jul 2016 Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip May 2010 - Sep 2012 Opposition Deputy Chief Whip (Commons) Jul 1998 - Dec 2005 Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip) Jul 1996 - May 1997 Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Trade and Industry) May 1993 - Jul 1994 Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Employment) Apr 1992 - May 1993 Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) (Roads and Motoring) Jul 1989 - Apr 1992


Which English king is buried in Worcester Cathedral?

worcestercathedral.co.uk Exhibition closes Monday 28 November 2016 King John was born on Christmas Eve in 1166. He began his reign in 1199 in control of a vast empire which stretched from Gascony in the south of France all the way up through large regions of France to England, areas in Wales and some parts of Ireland. King John is most famous for agreeing to the Magna Carta, which was a charter of demands made by John's rebellious barons. When he died in October 1216, he had lost most of his French lands, and was in the midst of a civil war against many of his own barons.ï¿½ Read Prof Stephen Church's (of the University of East Anglia)ï¿½articleï¿½for The English Historical Review, on King John's Testament and the Last Days of his Reign.......... Exhibition closes Monday 28 November 2016 King John and Worcestershire Some of King John's favourite hunting grounds were here at Kinver and Feckenham, and he had a special affection for Saint Wulfstan, one of the two great Anglo-Saxon saints whose shrines and tombs were at Worcester. Both Saint Wulfstan and Saint Oswald can be seen in miniature beside the head of John on his effigy. When John came to Worcester he would have stayed in the cathedral priory or castle. There are two or three probable locations for his place of lodging. The first possible place was in the rooms of the prior, who was the monk in charge of the monastery. The second was in the guesthouse of the priory, whichï¿½was located originally inside from the gatehouse and just to the north of it, on the site of the present Guesten. This was later to be replaced by the huge Guestenhall in the later middle ages of which only the ruins survive. An alternative theory is that the early guesthouse was located just south of the Chapter House. John first visited Worcester in October 1189, when meeting the Welsh nobility on behalf of his brother King Richard I. All paid homage to John, except for one, whom John therefore attacked in Carmarthen castle and brought to submission. On Easter Day in the year 1200 King John visited the Cathedral. In 1202 he had ordered the rebuilding of the priory's great Gatehouse (now called Edgar Tower) after a terrible fire, which had damaged the whole city of Worcester. He again visited Worcester in 1205 as part of a national tour to raise forces to recapture his lost French territories. In 1207 John was at Worcester for Christmas, and he gave 100 marks to help with the repairs after the great fire of 1202 and prayed at Saint Wulfstan's golden shrine. However in the quarrel between the Pope and King John, the Bishop of Worcester, Mauger sided with the Papacy. Mauger had been Richard the Lionheart's physician. He was one of the few Bishop's to publish the Pope's interdict in England in 1208, and was consequently forced to flee England. John returned in 1209 to negotiate with the Welsh. Worcester Priory was ordered to give the King in the year 1210 the sum of 200 marks, and instructed to provide him with a cart and four horses. John appeared here once again in 1211 when he was trying to raise troops to invade France, and once more in 1213 when he ordered the monks to elect the Chancellor of the Exchequer Walter de Gray as the new Bishop of Worcester. In 1214 John visited briefly to spend his Christmas at the Cathedral priory, but left on Boxing Day for London. During the civil war at the end of John's reign, the city of Worcester had declared for the rebellious barons. A loyalist army under the Earl of Chester was unable to capture the city. However on 17th July 1216, one of John's loyal lieutenants, Fawkes de Breautï¿½ broke through the defences at Worcester castle and then captured the town. The gold on St. Wulfstan's shrine was melted and used to pay a 300 mark fine. John's last visit to Worcester was on 16 August 1216, ordering the citizens to make a payment to Walter de Beauchamp so that alms might be given to the poor. The Will John had contracted dysentery at Lynn in 1216. Just before his death, John managed to dictate a brief will. The will still survives and is usually on display in


St Mungo’s Cathedral is situated in which British city?

The Impressive Glasgow Cathedral You are here: Home / Attractions / The Impressive Glasgow Cathedral The Impressive Glasgow Cathedral 3 June, 2013 By John One of the few churches in Scotland to survive the Protestant Reformation without being destroyed, is the impressive Glasgow Cathedral. In Scotland, round about AD550, St Mungo, the first Bishop of the British Kingdom of Strathclyde, founded a religious community around a small church, in an area that was to become known as the city of Glasgow. The present stone building was built in the 13th century, on the site where He is believed to have been buried in AD612. St Mungo’s tomb is located in the present building and there are also fragments of an old 13th century shrine to the Saint. Today it is Scotland’s most important thirteenth-century building and one of the most impressive structures. As recent as the 20th century the area surrounding it was improved with the construction of a new visitor centre. Located about a mile to the east of George Square, the Cathedral has one of the finest post-war collections of stained-glass windows in Britain. Anyone visiting Glasgow Cathedral will be impressed with the stunning architecture and history. Just behind the Cathedral is the city’s graveyard, known as the Necropolis, and to the west side is the oldest house in Glasgow, “Provand’s Lordship”. The title deeds of the house dates from 1562 when Mary Queen of Scots granted the lands of Provand to William Baillie, a canon of the Cathedral. It’s referred to as a Cathedral, but there’s no bishop, in keeping with the presbyterian constitution of the Church of Scotland. It has a regular, active congregation, and if you are in Glasgow, you should not leave without visiting this magnificent building. It received a huge compliment in 1451, when the Pope declared that a pilgrimage to Glasgow Cathedral would carry the same standing as a pilgrimage to Rome. The Cathedral is perhaps not as well known as it should be, and that’s a great pity. Maybe it fades into the background somewhat, in the shadows of some of Glasgow’s many other great attractions, but it’s certainly worth visiting if you’re in the city. Check Opening Times – Admission is free at the time of writing, but Historic Scotland are considering introducing an admission charge. See the Scotland Travel Information page for all the info you need for travelling to and within Scotland. Advice on passports and visas, currency, weather, holiday extras, useful travel links and much more. More Scottish Attractions :


Ninevah was the capital of which ancient empire?

Ancient Nineveh - Background Bible Study (Bible History Online) Ancient Nineveh Ancient Manners and Customs, Daily Life,   Cultures, Bible Lands NINEVEH was the famous   capital of ancient Assyria. Previous cities like Asshur and Calah   were ancient capitals of Assyria, but NINEVEH became most famous in   the seventh century BC. When King Sennacherib (705-681 BC) made   NINEVEH his capital, the empire expanded and became prosperous. Nineveh and the Assyrian   Empire The Assyrian empire became extremely   great and powerful with NINEVEH as its center, all the way until its   final destruction by the Chaldeans and the Medes. Nineveh was   located in a very desirable place, east of the Tigris River in a   very fertile plain. Today the ancient ruins are located just   opposite of the present day city of Mosul. NINEVEH was also famous   in the ancient world because it was a center for the worship of   Ishtar (Astarte) the fertility goddess. The size of NINEVEH is   revealed in the Bible, in Jonah 3:3 and 4:11 (A 3 days journey in   breadth with over 120,000 people). The classical writers describe   NINEVEH as being over 60 miles wide. The city of Nineveh is   described in Genesis 10:11 as having been founded by Nimrod, the   hunter who built the tower of Babel and led the world into a   rebellion against God. The Old Testament also mentions NINEVEH in   relation to the prophet Jonah who preached judgment against NINEVEH,   and afterward the city repented. The prophet Nahum predicted   NINEVEH\'s destruction which came in 612 BC, and the famous city was   never rebuilt. In the New Testament Jesus commended the inhabitants   of NINEVEH for repenting at the preaching of Jonah, while condemning   the Jewish leaders for resisting His own message. Map of the Ancient Near East Nineveh in Smith's Bible Dictionary (abode of Ninus), the capital of the ancient kingdom and empire of   Assyria. The name appears to be compounded from that of an Assyrian   deity "Nin," corresponding, it is conjectured, with the Greek   Hercules, and occurring in the names of several Assyrian kings, as   in "Ninus," the mythic founder, according to Greek tradition of the   city. Nineveh is situated on the eastern bank of the river Tigris,   50 miles from its mouth and 250 miles north of Babylon. It is first   mentioned in the Old Testament in connection with the primitive   dispersement and migrations of the human race. Asshur, or according   to the marginal reading, which is generally preferred, Nimrod is   there described, Ge 10:11 as extending his kingdom from the land of   Shinar or Babylonia, in the south, to Assyria in the north and   founding four cities, of which the most famous was Nineveh. Hence   Assyria was subsequently known to the Jews as "the land of Nimrod," cf. Mic 5:6 and was believed to have been first peopled by a colony   from Babylon. The kingdom of Assyria and of the Assyrians is   referred to in the Old Testament as connected with the Jews at a   very early period, as in Nu 24:22,24 and Psal 83:8 but after the   notice of the foundation of Nineveh in Genesis no further mention is   made of the city until the time of the book of Jonah, or the eighth   century B.C. In this book no mention is made of Assyria or the   Assyrians, the king to whom the prophet was sent being termed the "king of Nineveh," and his subjects "the people of Nineveh." Assyria   is first called a kingdom in the time of Menahem, about B.C. 770.   Nahum (? B.C. 645) directs his prophecies against Nineveh; only once   against the king of Assyria. ch. Na 3:18 In 2Ki 19:36 and Isai 37:37  Read Full   Article Nineveh in the ISBE Bible   Encyclopedia Nineveh, during the centuries of her existence, must have seen many   stirring historical events; but the most noteworthy were probably   Sennacherib's triumphal entries, including that following the   capture of Lachish, the murder of that great conqueror by his sons   (the recent theory that he was killed at Babylon


Who defeated the Spartans and their allies at Thermopylae in 480 BC?

First Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) Last Stand - The First Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) Fast and Easy Rules By Lifestar Historical Background: In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I of Persia (Xerxes the Great) could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war. The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe. The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential, and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. Even more, both ancient and modern writers used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the superior power of a well trained army defending native soil. There is also a large political significance of the Battle of Thermopylae, in that it was the first defining moment in which the disunified Greek city states came together to form a significant alliance. It also possibly signified the beginning of the end for the Persian empire - drawing strength from the Battle, the Greeks began forming assaults against the Persian Empire, as a national body rather than small city states. Battle 1: Not yet tested. Rules The Armies: The battle can be played with plastic 1/72 scale figures. There are many sets of Greek and Persian figures available. Check out the Plastic Soldier Review to see all the possibilities. Figures should be mounted two per base, bases are .75" x 1.5". All units with six bases in size were 3 bases in the front rank, 3 in the rear rank. All units with three bases were deployed in a single rank. Here are some paper soldiers you can print and use. Greek Commander: King Leonidas (Overall Commander) 2 units Spartan Hoplites (6 bases each) Thespians 4 units Hoplites (6 bases each) 2 units Javelin Skirmishers (3 bases each) Other Greek Allies 4 units Hoplites (6 bases each) 2 units Archer Skirmishers (3 bases each) 3 units Javelin Skirmishers (3 bases each) Persians Overall Commander: Xerxes (not present in battle) Medes and Cissians (Persian Vanguard) Commander: Artapanus 4 units Regular Infantry (6 bases each) 4 units Javelin Skirmishers (3 bases each) 4 units Sling Skirmishers (3 bases each) Persian Immortals (Elite) 4 units Immortals (6 bases each) Persian Main Army 10 units Regular Infantry (6 bases each) 4 units Heavy Infantry (6 bases each) 4 units Archer Skirmishers (3 bases each) 4 units Sling Skirmishers (3 bases each) The Board: The terrain narrows to the side of the Greek player between the Gulf of Malia and the Kallindromos Mountains. At the narrowest location the open terrain should be no further than 10". At this point stands an ancient Phoican wall renewed for the fight against the Persians. A 7.5' X 5' foot table should provide enough space for the setting. Deployment: The armies deploy as shown on the


Steve Martin and Martin Short were two of The Three Amigos – who was the other?

The Lost Roles of Three Amigos - Splitsider Splitsider By Bradford Evans December 15, 2011 This week marks the 25th anniversary of Three Amigos, one of the best-regarded comedies of the 1980’s and one that brought together a half-dozen of the greatest comedic minds going at the time. Three Amigos starred Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, was written by Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, and Randy Newman (who also composed the music and did the voice of the Singing Bush), and was directed by John Landis, who even hired a pre-SNL Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz for supporting roles. Few comedies can boast a team that is so remarkable and that made such a significant mark on comedy, both separately and together. The film’s cultural impact still shows today, with more recent comedies like Galaxy Quest and Tropic Thunder, two funny movies in their own right, using similar premises. It took over six years to get Three Amigos into production, with Steve Martin first mentioning the project, then named The Three Caballeros, in a 1980 Playboy interview. Over the course of Three Amigos‘s long road to release in 1986, the film changed titles, had numerous actors drop in and out (along with a certain big-name director), and was trimmed down by the studio for the initial version’s excessive length, which resulted in a few well-known performers being cut out of the movie completely. Let’s take a look at the various actors, actresses, and filmmakers who were either involved with Three Amigos at some point or or came close to it. The Three Caballeros with Steve Martin, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd (1980) When Steve Martin first mentioned the project in an interview in 1980, it was called The Three Caballeros, and he was planning on starring with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, who were looking to make another film together (which would have been their third). Belushi and Aykroyd ended up starring alongside each other in the poorly-received comedy Neighbors instead. It’s not clear whether Aykroyd and Belushi dropped out of Three Caballeros prior to Belushi’s death or if they were still attached at the time of his passing. In the era just prior to Belushi’s death, the two were talking up starring in Spies Like Us as a team when interviewed together , as well as Ghostbusters, which Aykroyd was busy writing as a vehicle for Belushi and himself. Tacking Steve Martin in his The Jerk-era prime onto the already-established Aykroyd-Belushi one-two punch was a smart idea, and it’s a shame it never came to be. These three did some great work together on SNL prior to achieving feature film stardom, but Three Amigos could have been a great movie vehicle for the trio – even if it turned out pretty good with Chevy Chase and Martin Short subbing in for Aykroyd and Belushi years later. Steven Spielberg’s Three Amigos with Bill Murray, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams (1981) Steven Spielberg, who once fancied himself a comedy director (see:1941 – actually, don’t see it), was circling Three Amigos in in the early 80’s, considering making it his next directing project after Raiders of the Lost Ark. Spielberg’s top casting choices for the Amigos were Bill Murray for Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase’s character), Robin Williams for Ned Nederlander (Martin Short’s character), and Steve Martin for Lucky Day (the same role he played in the actual movie). Despite having strongly considered directing the movie, Spielberg chose to make E.T. instead, a decision I doubt is amongst his biggest regrets. Bill Murray and Steve Martin are two of my favorite comedic actors ever, and it’s a real shame they never got to do a buddy movie with one another. They were funny together on SNL, in Murray’s short appearance in Little Shop of Horrors, and on Steve Martin’s TV specials, but Three Amigos starring the two of them would have been their most substantial collaboration yet. Robin Williams is the odd man out here, not belonging to the SNL/Second City/National Lampoon clique that everyone who was involved in Three Amigos – and most of the people on this list who came close


A Shot In The Dark was the follow-up to which successful 1963 comedy?

Blake Edwards obituary | Film | The Guardian Blake Edwards obituary Film director best known for the Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany's and 10 Blake Edwards with Julie Andrews in 2000. His maverick spirit and ego made him an uneasy partner with Hollywood studios. Photograph: Uppa Thursday 16 December 2010 14.36 EST First published on Thursday 16 December 2010 14.36 EST Share on Messenger Close The film-maker Blake Edwards , who has died aged 88, will be best remembered as the creator of the Pink Panther films, and as the husband of the entertainer Julie Andrews. But Edwards was a third-generation show-business figure whose complex and controversial career spanned more than 50 years, initially as an actor and writer and subsequently as one of America's most prolific producer-directors, primarily concerned with the popular genres of comedy and musicals and with creating television series. Despite working in mainstream cinema, his maverick spirit and ego made him an uneasy partner with Hollywood studios. He famously savaged the hand that had fed him so well with S.O.B. (1981), a raucous, vitriolic attack on Tinseltown. His sophisticated work drew strongly on his love of early cinema (his stepgrandfather had directed silent films), and on his own life and psychological problems (he wrote two movies with his psychoanalyst, Milton Wexler). He also reworked his own films and remade those of other directors. Edwards was born William Blake Crump in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents divorced when he was young and he moved to Los Angeles with his mother. He began work as an extra, partly thanks to his stepfather, Jack McEdward, a film production manager. During his early 20s he appeared in some decent movies, including A Guy Named Joe (1943), which gave him income and time to write. He created a radio series, Richard Diamond: Private Detective, for Dick Powell in 1948, and that year also wrote and starred in a modest western, Panhandle. He followed this with the screenplay for another western, Stampede (1949), and then concentrated on screenplays for the actor-turned-director Richard Quine, including All Ashore (1953) and the racing drama Drive a Crooked Road (1954), which starred Mickey Rooney. Edwards then devised a sitcom for Rooney, called Hey, Mulligan (1955). Also in 1955, he cleverly updated My Sister Eileen for Quine, who had starred in the 1942 version. This bright musical introduced him to Jack Lemmon, one of many actors to feature regularly in Edwards's later films. Edwards then wrote and directed two films for the popular singer Frankie Laine, Bring Your Smile Along (1955) and He Laughed Last (1956). By the age of 35, Edwards had served a successful Hollywood apprenticeship. In 1957 he joined forces with Tony Curtis on their first movie together, Mister Cory, starring Curtis as a guy who uses the path of a crooked gambler to escape the Chicago slums. Edwards enjoyed his first real commercial hit with the second world war comedy Operation Petticoat (1959), cleverly uniting Curtis with the actor's hero Cary Grant. This and two successful TV series, Peter Gunn (1958-61) and Mr Lucky (1959-60), led him into the most successful decade of his career. The 1960 Bing Crosby vehicle High Time (in which Crosby dresses as a woman – an early example of one of Edwards's fixations) was followed by the sparkling Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), an adaptation of Truman Capote's novel, starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard and Rooney. It compounded his longterm relationship with Henry Mancini, whose score and theme song, Moon River, both won Oscars. They collaborated from High Time onwards, not least in the Panther movies, on a total of more than 20 movies. Until 1962, Edwards had mainly worked on comedies and musicals, so he seemed an unlikely choice to direct Days of Wine and Roses, in which Lee Remick and Lemmon played a married couple whose descent into alcoholism is depicted in harrowing detail. Often recalled as his best feature, it contains performances of great intensity and probes darker corners than any of his other films. He hit