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Nancy Wilson of Great Falls shares a few remarks during the grassroots Veterans Day 2020 ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial. Executive officers of the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial, (far left) vice president Dr. John "Sandy" Pidgeon, retired Lt. Commander Navy SEAL; and president Andy Wilson, retired Army Ranger officer, listen. The Wilsons' grandchildren, Samuel Cassidy, 4, and Austin Wilson, 3, play at their grandparents' feet. Photo by Mercia Hobson.

A dozen or so hardy souls quietly gathered in the drenching rain at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to pay tribute to America's veterans in an unofficial ceremony. Even though the Great Falls Freedom Memorial website announced, "Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Veterans Day Ceremony will not be held," the printed words did not stop them. According to Andy Wilson, president of the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and a retired Army Ranger officer, he and his wife Nancy told a few friends they would meet informally regardless of the rain. "From there, it was word of mouth," he said.

So, it happened that one hundred and two years after hostilities on the Western Front of World War I ceased on Nov. 11, 1918, a small group, mostly adults from Great Falls and McLean, according to Wilson, returned to the memorial plaza despite the pandemic. The memorial's monument of local glacial rock and its granite curb, inscribed with words such as courage, patience and love, principles held by those who give of themselves for liberty and freedom, had been installed three years after 9-11.

It was a place of comfort and pride even though the citizens stood alone under umbrellas for a home-spun ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day 2020 and teach the young. There was no crowd of a hundred; no Langley High School Madrigals singing patriotic songs; no U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard Detachment presenting the color.

"We are meeting to honor veterans past and present for their service," said vice president of the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial, retired Lt. Commander Dr. John "Sandy" Pidgeon, who served as a Navy SEAL. "If everybody pushes their umbrellas together, we can have a canopy," he suggested.

ANDY WILSON, president of the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and retired Army Ranger, delivered the invocation. Wilson said he found it on the internet and thought it very interesting. "On the heels of a heated Presidential race, this is a day to unite, to remember and pray, to show our gratitude for so many who have fought for our country...Thank you for reminding us that there's incredible love and sacrifice displayed, when one is willing to stand strong, and fight for freedom."

Wilson said they typically hold three official events each year at the memorial, Memorial Day Observance, a 9-11 Remembrance and Veterans Day Ceremony. Covid-19 forced all canceled in 2020. Asking veterans to raise their hands to be recognized, Wilson thanked them for their service and said, "I'm very happy a lot of you are out here. Bless you."

Pidgeon asked if anyone had family members who served, in what branches, and when. Wilson added, "That's why this Memorial is here. To keep that memory alive...for this community." Janet Tysse of McLean said, "My brother served in Vietnam, Army, helicopter pilot." "My father served in World War II, Army," said Rosie Oakley of McLean. "My father was in World War II, Army Air Corps," said Bill Denk of Great Falls.

With no invited key-note speaker, Wilson took on the role. He shared the story of an American hero of World War I, Sgt. Alvin York, who almost single-handedly captured 132 German troops. He returned home a hero, and when World War II broke out, he helped convince America it must fight again. Quoting York, Wilson said, "Liberty and freedom and democracy are so very precious that you do not fight to win them once and then stop. Liberty and freedom and democracy are prizes awarded only to those people who fight to win them and then keep fighting eternally to hold them."

ENDING THE CEREMONY, Pidgeon prayed, "(God) you know every veteran by name, you know their deeds, you know their hard work, you know their privations in the field, and you know their perseverance in the face of fear...Please draw each one closer to you today as we listen and rejoice in their lives." To view the story of the memorial, visit https://youtu.be/8SmYgjrs45Y.

Excerpt from:

Veterans Day Observed with Caution in Great Falls - Virginia Connection Newspapers

Clementine cordial

This will keep for three weeks in the fridge, so its not one to leave under the tree in the run-up to Christmas.

Makes About 375ml

450ml freshly squeezed clementine juice50ml lime juice500ml water500g caster sugar

Put all the ingredients in a deep pan, bring to a boil, and simmer on a medium heat, stirring regularly. Once the liquid has reduced to a quarter of its original volume, turn off the heat and leave to cool, then pour the cordial into a sterilised bottle(s), which must have an airtight lid.

Instructions for gift tag Keep in the fridge and drink within a week of opening. Mix 25ml cordial with 25ml cranberry juice and top with either cava or sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of clementine or orange.

This needs to sit for at least two weeks before its consumed. Once jarred, itll keep for at least three months, and probably a lot longer, so long as the jars are properly sterilised.

Makes 3-4 jars, depending on size

500g fresh chestnuts500g demerara sugar500ml brandy (nothing too fancy)

Score a cross on the bum of each chestnut, then roast in a high-sided pan or wok over a high heat until they split, which is a sign theyre cooked. Tip out of the pan, leave to cool, then peel.

Put the sugar and water in a large saucepan over a low heat. Warm gently until the sugar dissolves, then turn up the heat to medium and simmer until reduced by half. Turn the heat back down to the lowest possible setting and let the syrup cool a little, but not completely (otherwise it will set solid).

Add the peeled chestnuts and brandy to the just-warm syrup, stir thoroughly to combine, then decant into sterilised jars, as if making jam (Kilner jars would look especially pretty, if you have some). Leave for two weeks, turning the jars 180 degrees every day to rotate the contents and make sure everything combines nicely.

Instructions for gift tag Add the syrup to coffees, give a twist to an old fashioned or manhattan by adding a teaspoon, or substitute for brandy in a classic champagne cocktail. Spoon the macerated chestnuts and syrup over Christmas pudding, warm mince pies, vanilla or coffee ice-cream.

This will keep for three weeks in the fridge, so be sure to tell the recipient.

Makes 750ml bottle

1 cinnamon stick1 sprig fresh rosemary200ml dark rum300ml cranberry juice50ml apple juice100ml orange juice50ml pomegranate juice

Poke the cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig into a sterilised bottle a flip-top bottle with a rubber-sealed lid is best. Pour in the other ingredients, seal and shake gently to mix and infuse. Keep chilled.

Instructions for gift tag Keep in the fridge and drink within three days of opening. Pour over a glass of ice, stir well, top with soda water and garnish with festive fruit.

This one will keep for at least three months, assuming the recipient doesnt drink it all over Christmas.

Makes 500ml

1 tsp mixed spice1 small handful currants1 long strip orange zest1 long strip lemon peel3 cloves200g caster sugar500ml vodka (nothing too fancy)

Put all the dry ingredients in a sterilised bottle(s), then pour in the vodka. Seal with an airtight lid, shake well to combine, then leave in a cool, dark place for a week, so the flavours meld, turning the bottle on its head and back once every day.

Instructions for gift tag Keep in the freezer, so you can enjoy an ice-cold shot as a pick-me-up after dinner. Itll keep almost indefinitely.

Recipes by Claire Strickett and Bert Blaize, authors of Which Wine When: What to Drink with the Food you Love, published by Ebury at 9.99. To order a copy for 9.29, go to guardianbookshop.com

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The spirits of Christmas: drinkable homemade gifts recipes - The Guardian

The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) has given initial consideration to an innovative proposal from the global shipping industry to collectively provide USD 5 billion to accelerate R&D to support its decarbonization.

The worlds governments have agreed to give further consideration to the detail of the concept of an IMO-supervised, industry financed, USD 5 billion program, to be conducted by a new International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB), to accelerate the introduction of zero-emission technologies for maritime transport. Governments have also raised a number of legitimate issues which the IMO will need to carefully address.

Governments attending the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) contributed constructive input on the industrys proposal to establish the IMRB. This included important questions about governance and IMO oversight, the need to take account of the economic impact on states of the proposed mandatory R&D contribution of USD 2 per tonne of marine fuel, and the need to address the interests of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Industry is eager to work with governments to ensure that this initiative is implemented as soon as possible, aiming for the IMRB to be operational by 2023. Every advance in technological certainty increases investment certainty, reducing the future cost of the transition to zero-carbon fuels and technologies, and accelerating the pace at which that transition can occur. With USD 5 billion in core funding over a 10-year period, generated from industry contributions, the IMRB will create the technological and investment certainty to spur innovators, engineers, energy companies, shipyards, financial institutions, and engine manufacturers to accelerate the R&D effort required to decarbonise shipping.

The IMO 2050 climate targets can only be achieved with the immediate acceleration of zero-carbon fuels and technologies. The IMRB is a crucial vehicle for driving the progress needed to build a zero-carbon shipping industry, and the necessary funding can only be provided within the global regulatory framework of IMO.

The industry recognises the unprecedented nature of its proposal and the associated complexities, and will work to address this so that governments can take forward its offer of USD 5 billion of funding to accelerate R&D, to ensure the technological innovation necessary to make the required zero-carbon transition within the IMO 2050 time line.

Highlights of the International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB) proposal:

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Shipping industry welcomes IMO decision to give further consideration to USD 5 billion fund to accelerate decarbonization - American Journal of...

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Why does castor oil sound like something you might dab under the hood of your car to quiet a squeaky timing belt, or something a badass witch might give you to ward off evil spirits trying to come for you when you haven't called for them? I do not know. Castor oil is a yellowish oil pressed from the castor bean whichtwistis not a bean at all but is actually a seed. (Also: If you ever encounter castor "beans" do not eat them, they are poison, thank you. And yes, they are non-toxic when cold-pressed, which is the only way you will likely encounter them, thanks again.) But what castor oil definitely can do is quench dry strands and potentially stimulate healthy hair growth (although not more hair growth). We tapped the experts to get more intel.

If you look at the molecular structure of castor oiland why would you (lol)you'd see that it was a glycerol with a long-chain fatty acid. Why does that matter to you? Fatty acids are very good at nourishing the hair follicles, explains Atlanta-based dermatologist Tiffany L. Clay. The outer layer of the hair shaft is covered in tessellating scale-like structures called cuticles, and when the hair is damaged, those are flayed and flared, which results in both frizz and dullness. "Castor oil can seal and allow the cuticle to lie flatter," continues Clay. Like coconut oil and many other botanical oil, castor oil is very good at this job.

If you'd like to explore this application, Clay recommends warming a a very small amount between your palms and smoothing it along your ends, weekly. Because, buyer beware: Castor oil isn't exactly a lightweight oil. Castor oil is thicc and using too much can leave the hair slick or greasy; some reports even suggest the compound can lead to felting or matting. Another less intense option is finding a hair product that contains castor oil, like a shampoo, conditioner, mask, or serum, and working it into your regular hair care routine.

Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

$26.00

The Essentials Castor Oil

100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil

$9.99

Organic Lavender Castor Oil

$11.99

Look, the internet will tell you anything you want to hear, and we want to believe it, too. We want it to be true that a relatively inexpensive little oil could make your hair grow Princess Jasmine thick. Unfortunately, we asked science, and science said nah.

"There is some proposed benefit of castor oil with improving penetration of topicals and even hair growth," says Dhaval G. Bhanusali, a New York City-based dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. "That being said, I don't think the scientific evidence is there to make any sizable claims, particularly for stimulating new hairs."

If you think of your scalp like a garden, you'll agree that keeping a garden well-watered and fertilized will yield cuter tomatoes than one that's dusty and untended. So yes, castor oil will keep your scalp hydrated and nourished, and the resulting hairs will be stronger, shinier, and healthier. But there will not be more of them, and that's an important distinction.

That said, the inefficacy of castor oil in stimulating novel hair growth shouldn't leave you discouraged. "When it comes to hair loss, I can't stress enough how important it is to go see a board-certified dermatologist," says Bhanusali. "We now have so many new options and it's much easier to create a comprehensive plan for early hair loss than later in the game."

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Butter

$12.08

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Masque

$13.49

Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo

Haitian Black Castor Oil Scalp Care Conditioner

$22.00

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Castor Oil for Hair: The Pros and Cons, According to Experts - MarieClaire.com

Kathleen Roberts| Guest columnist

Data shows that 128 people die each day from the opioid crisis and now, drug deaths are 13% higher than in the first half of 2019, on average.

COVID-19 has brought challenges to every industry, community and person. The impact on our friends and neighbors dealing with substance misuse is no different. Since the start of the pandemic, and especially with orders to stay at home, we've seen an increase in behavioral health issues across our state as well as at the national level.

Similar to COVID-19, substance misuse is an issue we can address by working together. Traditionally in October, our statewide network of community coalitions partners with law enforcement as part of the DEAs National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event provides communities the opportunity to dispose of prescription medications in a safe, convenient and responsible means, while providing us the opportunity to educate the general public about substance misuse.

In October 2019, Florida hosted 219 collection sites, collecting 404,980 pounds of prescription drugs. Across the nation, Americans united to safely dispose of 12,699,456 pounds of medications.

This years Take Back Day looked very different in many communities, but it is still important that we properly dispose of expired medications or those we no longer use or want to ensure they dont end up in the wrong hands. The good news is there are easy ways to do this from the comfort of home.

When youre finished using a prescription medication as directed by your doctor, you should safely dispose of it rather than keep it in your medicine cabinet for future use. One way to do so is to mix household materials like cat litter or old coffee grounds with your unused medications, seal them in an airtight container and dispose of it in your trash can.

You can also visit your local drug take-back center these are often a drop box located at your local law enforcement office but you can find the closest one to you using the Drug Enforcement Agencys Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations search tool.

Finally, one of our favorite ways: at-home disposal kits. These at-home disposal kits allow us to put unused or unwanted medications in the provided pouch, add water, seal and dispose of the now neutralized medications in the trash.

Through a partnership with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Florida, our network of community coalitions across the state will distribute an additional 65,000 at-home drug disposal kits in the coming weeks and months. This is in addition to the 50,000 at-home disposal kits we announced and distributed earlier this year through our partnership with RALI Florida.

While we all need to prioritize our safe disposal efforts, its also important to evaluate how we are storing medications we still need. As we spend more time at home, go through your medicine cabinets to make sure your prescription medications are in a locked or secure place and always out of the reach of children.

Together, we will get through this global health crisis, and at the same time, we can continue to work together to help create safe, drug-free communities for our children.

Kathleen Roberts is executive director of Community Coalition Alliance, a collaborative of community coalitions around the state of Florida.

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At-home medication disposal to address rise in overdoses - Gainesville Sun

A joint venture between Old Mutual Property and retail mavens Paul Simon (founder of Young Designers Emporium) and Arie Fabian (who built up the Fabiani brand) will see the introduction of a new multi-brand omnichannel retail concept in South Africa, called Egg.

Credit: Egg

Within 3 years, there will be three more Egg precincts at The Zone @ Rosebank and Bedford Centre in Johannesburg, as well as Gateway Mall in Durban.

Its approach is described as 'digital first, celebrated in the physical', and promises to combine a world-class in-store shopping experience with an innovative e-commerce platform and an interactive consumer app.

Of the 250 brands forming part of Egg's offering, many such as Swiitch Beauty, Tshepo Jeans, Selfi, Honest Chocolate and Unframed Ice Cream are small businesses led by talented local creators.

The new concept will provide SMMEs access to a full omnichannel platform including e-commerce that is managed by Egg on behalf of each vendor partner.

Below is a glimpse of some of the brands that will be showcasing their work with Egg:

Accessories Pina Jewels, Missibaba, Sealand, Rowdy, Pichulik, Black Betty, Dr Pachanga, FamkeBeauty Swiitch, Skoon, Glow TheoryFood Potluck Club, Sheckter's Raw, Unframed Ice CreamFashion Orphan Street Clothing, AKJP, Maison Mara, Skhanda World, Artclub and Friends, Ogun, Float, Shelflife, Stiebeuel, Iconic Black, New Balance, Puma, Converse, Lily Label, Selfi, Unknown UnionLiving Haus by Hertex, The Chairman Home, The Tshirt Bed Co Wellness Wazoogles, Honest Chocolate, KURO-B, Nanuki

The first Egg store in Cape Town will occupy the space previously held by Edgars on the first and mezzanine levels of Cavendish Square.

Link:

Innovative retail concept Egg to launch in SA this November - Bizcommunity.com

The Airfields project occupies part of the former RAF Sealand base

12 Nov 2020, 14:30

Structural and civil engineering firm JPG Group has been appointed to deliver phase two enabling works at the mixed-use Airfields project in Deeside.

JPG has been involved with the wider Northern Gateway project for six years, advising on infrastructure and masterplanning during phase one. The Northern Gateway, which sits within the Deeside Enterprise Zone, comprises three elements: the former RAF Sealand South Camp, RAF Sealand East Camp, and the former Corus steelworks. .

The Airfields, which is being advanced by Praxis, is within the South Camp plot, and is billed as having 140 acres available for immediate development. B8RE is instructed as sole agent on commercial space at the site.

Initially, JPG advised on 1,500m of flood defences from the River Dee with the creation of new watercourses through the site, and provision for first part of the Welsh Government-funded spinal road to unlock the Airfields site for development including a residential area and roadside retail.

Countryside Properties in now on site delivering 283 homes as a first residential phase, billed as Dutton Fields of these, 99 homes are built in partnership with Sigma as private rented, and 28 homes are classed as affordable. .

Chris Harding, managing director at JPG Group said: The site is the former RAF Sealand South Camp which when we first became involved had immediate flood threats and very minimal access to existing key infrastructure such as power and drainage.

As the projects lead consultant our role has been critical in advising the client on viability and economic development potential. We are serving the project with experts from our teams in Strategic Land, Infrastructure and Geo-Environmental Engineering. We are both designing the infrastructure and simultaneously identifying best development potential for interested parties.

The wider Northern Gateway site benefits from outline planning consent for up to 4m sq ft of industrial and commercial accommodation, including 290,000 sq ft of roadside, retail, leisure, hotel, business and supporting uses plus 1,325 new homes.

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JPG on board as Airfields progresses - Place North West

Please be aware that short notice changes may be made to the dates below.

For updated information on firing taking place on Sealand Ranges phone:Operations Room: 01874 635599 (24 hours)Helpdesk: 0800 0223334 (24 hours)Sealand Range: 01244 280106 or 07766 991807Main Office: 01743 741607

Normal firing times are Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 4pm unless specified.

For your own safety do not touch any military debris, it may be dangerous.

Learn more about accessing MOD training areas safely.

You can receive firing times by emailing bams907waleswest@landmarc.mod.uk with your name, address and contact number.

If the range is used on a non-firing date, we will inform you by telephone or email giving no less than 24 hours notice.

On a firing date if it looks like nobody has arrived on the range, and you wish to enter the firing area, please phone us first to check.

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Sealand firing times 26 October to 13 November 2020 (Updated 26 October 2020) - GOV.UK

By Staff Reporter 6h ago

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The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) has generated over R120 million in financial benefits through additional revenue, cost savings and private investments since it was set up in 2013.

This was announced by the City of Cape Towns Strategic Business Partners, GreenCape, which manages the programme.

The WISP offers green technical expertise to businesses to connect them with unused or residual resources including energy, water, assets and logistics.

The achievements of the WISP are very impressive and I am proud of the work done to contribute to a sustainable economy here in Cape Town. This impressive programme contributes to the economy and the efficacy of businesses by assisting in improving business processes as well as adding new revenue streams, which ultimately contribute to the success of businesses and job creation through recycling, said the Citys Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos.

Apart from the creation of 69 permanent jobs, and 25 temporary jobs in member companies, the programme has ensured that more than 100 000 tons of waste was diverted from landfills, and 300 000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions saved.

The city funds GreenCape to unlock the manufacturing and employment potential in the green economy, and focuses on attracting investment opportunities, as well as removing barriers to entry and expansion in the green economy.

The green economy is seen as a key sector with the potential to add to an already thriving business system that creates jobs.

Just one example is the Sealand Gear company which is a WISP participant and specialises in manufacturing bags and apparel from recycled and upcycled materials, provided by GreenCape.

Sealand now employs 28 people and as a young start-up, the WISP helped Sealand set up supplier relationships, which would have proved difficult without this assistance. said Alderman Vos

The City said it was committed to speeding up progress towards sustainable development and poverty reduction through the sustainable use of natural resources and would continue to partner with stakeholders to enable a greener future.

Originally posted here:

Going green grows jobs and cuts pollution - IOL

During his installation ceremony on Sunday, Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz will be presented with a symbol of Carolina leadership past and present.

The chancellors medallion features the Universitys seal and motto, Lux, Libertas, meaning Light and Liberty. It was a 1993 gift honoring the Universitys bicentennial, donated by John Sanders, who at the time was professor emeritus and director of the Institute of Government, now called the UNC School of Government. While the medallion originally hung by a hand-woven white ribbon, 20 years of wear necessitated a replacement. In 2013, a sterling silver chain was commissioned to suspend the medallion for former Chancellor Carol Folts installation ceremony.

The chain of office includes silver rectangles engraved with all the names and dates of service of former chancellors of the University. Some of the links connecting the rectangles are shaped like the Old Well and leaves from the Davie Poplar, popular symbols of the University and historical locations of note on campus. There are several blank silver rectangles on the chain, a nod to Carolinas future.

A silversmith adds Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewiczs name and beginning date of service to the medallion.

To add Guskiewiczs name to the chain for the ceremony, the University commissioned Wentworth and Sloan Jewelers, the Chapel Hill business that designed the original chain. Established in 1945, the shop historically sells Carolina jewelry and gifts, which made it well-suited to the task of creating a piece that represents the University.

Although his name is the 12th listed on the chain, Guskiewicz is only the seventh chancellor to be presented with the medallion and the second to wear it hanging from the chain of office. The medallion was first presented to Paul Hardin III in 1993 when it was donated to the University. After that, it went to Michael Hooker, who served as chancellor from 1995-1999, William McCoy (1999-2000), James Moeser (2000-2008), Holden Thorp (2008-2013) and Carol Folt (2013-2019). Folt is the only previous chancellor to wear the chain of office.

The presentation of the medallion this year will differ from the six previous ceremonies. Typically, the medallion is placed around the incoming chancellors neck by the president of the University of North Carolina system during the ceremony, and the chancellor then wears the medallion for formal ceremonies such as convocation. That tradition will be modified this year due to community standards of social distancing. Instead, Guskiewiczs wife, Amy, will present her husband with the medallion and place it around his neck.

After the installation ceremony concludes, the medallion will return to its permanent home in the North Carolina Collection Gallery of Louis Round Wilson Library, until the medallion is once again called into use to mark another chapter in Carolinas history.

Read more stories on faculty and staff at TheWell.unc.edu

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Another link in the chain - UNC Chapell Hill