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Barry Tourist Railway

The Barry Tourist Railway (formerly the Barry Island Railway) is a railway developed to attract visitors to Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. It is a key element of the Barry Rail Centre which also includes engineering and training facilities.

An unusual aspect of the railway is that for several hundred yards across the Causeway from Barry to Barry Island, the trackbed used is directly alongside the Network Rail track which uses the original up line, with the Barry Tourist Railway using the down line. This continues from Barry to cross the Causeway and 149 yd Barry Island viaduct after which the two lines diverge into separate platforms at Barry Island. The Railway does not consider itself a line but more of a network as it has two different routes. This is demonstrated in the map below, with Network Rail shown in red.

In November 2008, the landowner the Vale of Glamorgan Council, undertook a commercial tender exercise, which terminated the lease of previous operator the Vale of Glamorgan Railway in favour of a private operator, Cambrian Transport, under a 20-year-long lease. Operations commenced in December 2009 and a full year's programme of services operated during 2010. Details are shown on the Council website. Services have been operated by IRIS II DMU (Class 101 twin-set), Class 26 No. 26 038, Class 73s 73 118 & 73 133 with a former Gatwick Express coaching stock set in push-pull mode, Class 20 20 228, Class 08 08 503, 0-6-0 Pannier Tank locomotive No. 9466, Great Western Steam Rail Motor No.93, Metropolitan Tank No.1, Hunslet 0-6-0T Jessie and an 8F tender loco.

History
In 1979, the Butetown Historic Railway Society was formed in Cardiff, running a service along a short section of line from Cardiff Bute Road railway station northwards towards Queen St Station. Evicted by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, the company was offered a lease by the Vale of Glamorgan Council on Barry Island railway station, with financial aid from the Welsh Development Agency.

Following the December 2007 decision by landlords, the Vale of Glamorgan Council not to renew the £65,000 per annum funding of the Barry Island Railway, the society maintained its services but subsequently the Council decided to put the railway site out to tender under a long-term lease. There were three sealed bids submitted with the successful bidder being the commercial company, Cambrian Transport, who had been the Council's railway adviser and contractor since the Barry Railway Project started.

The other bidder NEWCO was submitted by Graham Lee – owner of the LH Plant, Hunslet Engine Company, Statfold Barn Railway – and Mike Thomson – owner of 'Arrowvale' who make "black boxes" for the rail industry. NEWCO had spoken to the VGR in advance and agreed a method of working together.

Cambrian Transport have operated the railway at Barry since December 2009. It currently operates the line over 30 days per annum and runs many special events. The biggest annual event for the last 3 years has been the "Barry at War" Weekend, which attracts many thousands of visitors to the town. In August 2014, Cambrian Transport sponsored a display by the Red Arrows and a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight during this event, bringing more people to Barry Island than for many years.

Santa Special trains are also popular during the Christmas period.

In 2022 the area was taken over by Transport for Wales and much of the rolling stock was moved. The line no longer runs trains.

Route
The Barry Tourist Railway is centred at Barry Island railway station and platforms, which is shared with Transport for Wales (TfW) services. The station is maintained by Cambrian Transport and there is a shop, café and military museum as well as space for event displays and activities. At the west or 'Cardiff' end of the building, is the end of the Network Rail main platform 1 area. Access to the Barry Tourist Railway's used bay platform 4 and part of bay platform 3 (unused and having no track), is at the pier (east) end of the station. An unused section of Platform 1 and also having no track, runs to a point from the east end of the station building towards the Barry Island (or Pier) tunnel. The Barry Island Railway line exits the east end of the station and runs to Plymouth Road where a museum is to be developed. A short canopied platform at the museum building allows visitors to alight and see historic artefacts and exhibits when established whilst a DMU driver changes ends or steam-hauled trains have to run-around. In the past, certain trains ran through Barry Island station and a 280-yard tunnel to Barry Pier to connect with P&A Campbell's paddle steamer sailings in the Bristol Channel. At the moment the tunnel is blocked off and used as a shooting range. The former single track falling at 1 in 80 to the tunnel was lifted after 1976 and the inclined trackbed now serves as a metalled access road to the tunnel. The railway has long-term ambitions to reopen the tunnel and route to Barry Pier.

Heading west from Barry Island station, the Barry Tourist Railway's single line crosses the 149 yd Barry Island double-line viaduct shared with Network Rail, before making a tight right-hand curve and splitting into two branches, one dropping down to Hood Road, (the Waterfront) the first section to be opened on a totally new inclined formation, the other heading past the former Barry Railway Co's steam shed and on to Woodham Halt and thence to the new terminus at Gladstone Bridge adjacent to Morrison's supermarket and a retail centre. It is intended to extend the line a further half mile to a site alongside Arriva Trains Wales’ Barry Docks Station, where an interchange will be provided and where by 2013, a Park & Ride facility had been provided.

The running line runs near to the site of the former Woodham Brothers scrapyard which by April 2015 was under intense development as a new housing complex and by 13 April 2015, a new ASDA superstore had been built and opened, all on the site of what was known in railway terms as 'West Pond' before being completely backfilled. The Waterfront terminus is alongside the old Barry Railway Co's Hood Road goods shed and also conveniently situated near a new Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre establishment opened in 2014 at the south-western end of Barry No.1 dock. The Waterfront platform and terminus also lies opposite the old Barry Railway Co's Hydraulic pumphouse and electrical generating building, now a listed structure and as at August 2015, was undergoing extensive internal and external refurbishment and bore vertically lettered identities placed on two sides of its taper square chimney, one face stating PUMPHOUSE and the other TY PWMP, but the correct circumflex above the letter Y has been omitted. The former Barry Railway Co's Loco shed at Barry, opened in 1888 and at the GWR 1922 grouping, stabled 148 engines, all re-numbered by the GWR. As at September 1947 and nationalisation of the railways, Barry shed had a complement of 85 steam locomotives. It closed to steam engines in September 1964. Before being taken over by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in the 1990s, the shed and outbuildings had finally served as an EWS wagon repair centre but is now the main running shed and is also used to store and repair rolling stock. This site has recently been renamed Barry Main Depôt by Cambrian Transport.

Some parts of the line, particularly around the Plymouth Road/Barry Island and Barry Town area, were used for several scenes in the Doctor Who episodes "The Empty Child" and "The Doctor Dances" in January 2005 and more recently for the episode "Flatline" screened in October 2014. Other recent filming includes Being Human, Ar-y-Tracs and "Stella (UK TV series)" – the last two featuring Ruth Jones.

By July 2014, the Network Rail connection to the BTR infrastructure at Barry was completely remodelled, coincident with the commissioning of the new Network Rail re-signalling project and closure of Barry signal box, the latter being demolished on the weekend of 28–29 March 2015.

Rolling stock
Stock marked with an asterisk (*) is located at the Barry Main Depot. On most running days, guided shed tours are offered by the railway.

Steam locomotives

The last locomotives to leave Dai Woodham's scrapyard, were the remains of the vast number of locomotives left when the yard closed – and as there were ten of them, were a group often called the Barry Ten. Most of them have been removed for use in heritage railway projects and for restoration elsewhere. Two of the Barry Ten steam locomotives remained on the railway, though they were rejoined by a third member in 2014, and are publicly viewable on most operating days. They comprise an 0-6-2 Collett tank engine and a 2-10-0 tender locomotive, both partly disassembled.

 * Sentinel Waggon Works No. 9537 "Susan"* built in 1952. – (Operational, arrived from the South Devon Railway in August 2015).
 * BR Class 9F No. 92245* built in 1959. – (Stored and located by the main depot. Due to be displayed as an example of an unrestored ex-Barry scrapyard engine).

 * At the Barry New Works Building located adjacent to Woodham Halt are two locos undergoing restoration
 * GWR 4575 Class No. 5539 built in 1928. – (owned by Hugh Shipton)
 * GWR 5600 Class No. 6686 built in 1928. – (owned by Barry Tourist Railway Director, John Buxton).

Also on site are the following:

 * Diesel locomotives
 * BR Class 08 No. 08 503* – Operational.
 * BR Class 20 Class 20 No. 20 228* (CFD No. 2004) – Non-operational but under overhaul (2015). – Owned by Steve Madge).

 * Diesel Multiple Units
 * BR Class 101 unit (Iris II)* – Operational and owned by Cambrian Transport. Formed of RDS 977963+RDB 977964.
 * BR Class 101 DTCL 6300* – stored, owned by Cambrian Transport – some work carried out to restore this coach as an observation vehicle.

 * Electro-Diesel locomotives
 * BR Class 73 Class 73 No. 73 118* – Operational and operated by Transmart Trains

 * Electric Multiple Unit trailers
 * BR Class 488/2 unit 8206 (72505+72629)*
 * BR Class 488/3 unit 8311 (72620+72710+72621)
 * BR Class 489 unit 9110 (68509)*

Other rolling stock includes:-

 * DW139 Great Western Toplight Coach 2360 of 1911
 * CDA clay hopper wagon
 * HAA Hopper wagon
 * Bogie Bolster wagon
 * 2 Grampus Wagons
 * Covered air-braked wagon (Cov AB)
 * Ex LNER Permanent Way Brake Van (Privately owned, under restoration by private owners)

The plan is to acquire further wagons to make up two rakes of wagons – one vacuum-braked and one air-braked set.

title: Barry Tourist Railway


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Risqué (album)

Risqué is the third studio album by American disco band Chic, released on Atlantic Records on July 30, 1979. One of the records that defined the disco era, the album became highly influential not only within the movement, but also in other styles such as hip hop, art rock and new wave. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 414 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Release
Risqué includes three classic Chic hits; "Good Times" (#1 US Pop, #1 US R&B June 23, 1979, #5 UK), "My Forbidden Lover" (#33 US R&B, #43 US Pop October 13, 1979, #15 UK) and "My Feet Keep Dancing" (#42 US R&B, #101 US Pop December 8, 1979, #21 UK). Risqué reached #5 on the US albums chart and #2 on the US R&B chart. It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales over 1 million copies. It peaked at #29 in the UK and was certified Silver by the BPI.

Risqué was released on compact disc by Atlantic Records/Warner Music in 1991 (catalogue number 7567-80406-2). The album was digitally remastered and re-issued by Warner Music Japan in 2011.

Critical reception
Risqué received widespread critical acclaim for its lyrics and tone. The Bay State Banner wrote that "one hears lyrics that are sometimes almost indictments and other times reflective... The beat is more aggressive, the sound tougher and the vocals—while still repetitive and delivered flatly—are arranged and produced so that they demand attention and focus in quickly on a song's sentiments."

In a review for BBC, Daryl Easlea called the album "one of the greatest exhibits in the case for disco's defence," and saying that it was "Chic's most sustained artistic statement, a celebration of a 70s that was collapsing under its own excess and hedonism."

Legacy
"Good Times" has been extensively sampled in other artists' works, most notably in the first top 40 rap single, "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang, that same year. "Will You Cry" was sampled in "Just a Moment" by Nas from the 2004 album Street's Disciple.

Personnel

 * Alfa Anderson – lead vocals (1, 4, 6, 7)
 * Luci Martin – lead vocals (1, 3, 4, 5)
 * Fonzi Thornton – vocals
 * Michelle Cobbs – backing vocals
 * Ullanda McCullough – backing vocals
 * Raymond Jones – keyboards
 * Robert Sabino – keyboards
 * Andrew Barrett (Schwartz) – piano
 * Nile Rodgers – guitars, vocals
 * Bernard Edwards – bass guitar, lead vocals (3)
 * Tony Thompson – drums
 * Sammy Figueroa – percussion
 * Jean Fineberg – saxophones
 * Alex Foster – saxophones
 * Barry Rogers – trombone
 * Jon Faddis – trumpet
 * Ellen Seeling – trumpet
 * The Chic Strings:
 * Valerie Heywood – strings
 * Cheryl Hong – strings
 * Karen Karlsrud – strings
 * Karen Milne – strings
 * Gene Orloff – concertmaster

Tap Dancers on "My Feet Keep Dancing"
 * Eugene Jackson
 * Fayard Nicholas
 * Sammy Warren

Production

 * Bernard Edwards – producer for Chic Organization Ltd., arrangements and conductor
 * Nile Rodgers – producer for Chic Organization Ltd., arrangements and conductor
 * Bob Clearmountain – sound engineer
 * Jim Galante – assistant engineer
 * Jeff Hendrickson – assistant engineer
 * Peter Robbins – assistant engineer
 * Jackson Schwartz – assistant engineer
 * Raymond Willard – assistant engineer
 * Dennis King – mastering
 * Carin Goldberg – art direction
 * Ken Ambrose – photography
 * All songs recorded and mixed at The Power Station (New York, NY)
 * Additional recording at Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY) and Kendun Recorders (Burbank, CA)
 * Mastered at Atlantic Studios (New York, NY)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Risqué (album)


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Valley of Mexico

The Valley of Mexico (Valle de México; Anahuac ), sometimes also called Basin of Mexico, is a highlands plateau in central Mexico. Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, the Valley of Mexico was a centre for several pre-Columbian civilizations including Teotihuacan, the Toltec, and the Aztec Empire. The valley used to contain five interconnected lakes called Lake Zumpango, Lake Xaltocan (Xāltocān), Lake Xochimilco, Lake Chalco and the largest, Lake Texcoco, covering about 1500 km2 of the valley floor. When the Spaniards arrived in the Valley of Mexico, it had one of the highest population concentrations in the world with about one million people. After the conquest of the Aztec Empire, the Spaniards rebuilt the largest and most dominant city, Mēxihco Tenōchtitlan, renaming it Ciudad de México (Mexico City) and over time began to drain the lakes' waters to control flooding.

The Valley of Mexico is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The valley contains most of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, as well as parts of the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, and Puebla. The Basin of Mexico covers approximately 9600 sqkm in the NNE-SSW direction with length to width dimensions of approximately 125 km to 75 km The Valley of Mexico can be subdivided into four basins, but the largest and most-studied is the area that contains Mexico City. This section of the valley in particular is colloquially referred to as the "Valley of Mexico". The valley has a minimum elevation of 2200 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes that reach elevations of over 5000 m. It is an enclosed valley with no natural outlet for water to flow to the sea although there is a gap to the north where there is a high mesa but no high mountain peaks. Within this vulnerable watershed all the native fishes were extinct by the end of the 20th century. Hydrologically, the valley has three features. The first feature is the lakebeds of five now-extinct lakes, which are located in the southernmost and largest of the four sub-basins. The other two features are piedmont, and the mountainsides that collect the precipitation that eventually flows to the lake area. These last two are found in all four of the sub-basins of the valley. Today, the Valley drains through a series of artificial canals to the Tula River, and eventually the Páruco River and the Gulf of Mexico. Seismic activity is frequent here, and the valley is an earthquake-prone zone.

The valley has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years, attracting humans with its mild climate (average temperatures between 12 and 15 °C, or 54 and 59 °F), abundant game and ability to support large-scale agriculture. Civilizations that have arisen in this area include the Teotihuacan (800 BC to 800 AD) the Toltec Empire (10th to 13th century) and the Aztec Empire (1325 to 1521). Although violence and disease significantly lowered the population of the valley after the Conquest, by 1900 it was again over one million people. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen an explosion of population in the valley along with the growth of industry. Since 1900, the population has doubled every fifteen years. Today, around 21 million people live in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area which extends throughout almost all of the valley into the states of Mexico and Hidalgo.

The growth of a major urban industrial centre in an enclosed basin has created significant air and water quality issues for the valley. Wind patterns and thermal inversions trap contaminants in the valley. Over-extraction of groundwater has caused new flooding problems for the city as it sinks below the historic lake floor. This causes stress on the valley's drainage system, requiring new tunnels and canals to be built.

First human habitation
The Valley of Mexico attracted prehistoric humans because the region was rich in biodiversity and had the capacity of growing substantial crops. Generally speaking, humans in Mesoamerica, including central Mexico, began to leave a hunter-gatherer existence in favor of agriculture sometime between the end of the Pleistocene epoch and the beginning of the Holocene. The oldest known human settlement in the Valley of Mexico is located in Tlapacoya, located on what was the edge of Lake Chalco in the southeast corner of the valley in contemporary Mexico State. There is reliable archeological evidence to suggest that the site dates as far back as 12,000 BC. After 10,000 BC, the number of artifacts found increases significantly. There are also other early sites such as those in Tepexpan, Los Reyes Acozac, San Bartolo Atepehuacan, Chimalhuacán and Los Reyes La Paz but they remain undated. Human remains and artifacts such as obsidian blades have been found at the Tlapacoya site that has been dated as far back as 20,000 BC, when the valley was semi-arid and contained species like camels, bison and horses that could be hunted by man. However, the precise dating of these artifacts has been disputed. Giant Columbian mammoths once populated the area, and the valley contains the most extensive mammoth kill sites in Mexico. Most of the sites are located on what were the shores of Lake Texcoco in the north of the Federal District and the adjacent municipalities of Mexico State such as in Santa Isabel Ixtapan, Los Reyes Acozac, Tepexpan and Tlanepantla. Mammoth bones are still occasionally found in farmland here. They have been discovered in many parts of the Federal District itself, particularly during the construction of the city's Metro lines and in the neighborhoods of Del Valle in the center, Lindavista to the center-north and Coyoacán in the south of the city. The symbol for Line 4's Talisman station of the Mexico City Metro is a mammoth, due to the fact that so many bones were uncovered during its construction. However, the richest site for mammoth remains in the valley is at the Paleontological Museum in Tocuila, a 45 ha site located near the town of Texcoco in Mexico State. Although there is some evidence around the old lakeshores that the first populations here survived by hunting, gathering, and possibly by scavenging, evidence from this time period is scarce.

Pre-Teotihuacan
Tlatilco was a large pre-Columbian village and culture in the Valley of Mexico situated near the modern-day town of the same name in the Mexican Federal District. It was one of the first significant population centers to arise in the valley, flourishing on the western shore of Lake Texcoco during the Middle Pre-Classic period, between 1200 BC and 200 BC. It was originally classified as a necropolis when it was first excavated, but it was determined that the many burials there were under houses of which nothing remains. It was then classified as a major chiefdom center. The Tlatilcans were an agricultural people growing beans, amaranth, squash and chili peppers, reaching their peak from 1000 to 700 BC.

The next-oldest confirmed civilization is in the far south of the valley and is called Cuicuilco. This archaeological site is located where Avenida Insurgentes Sur crosses the Anillo Periférico in the Tlalpan borough of the city. The old settlement once extended far beyond the boundaries of the current site, but it is buried under lava from one of the volcanic eruptions that led to its demise, and much of the modern city is built over this lava. The settlement was located where an old river delta used to form in the valley with waters from Mount Zacatépetl located in what is now the Tlalpan Forest. Cuicuilco was believed to have reached city status by 1200 BC and began to decline around 100 BC - AD 150. However, even though the ceremonial pyramid was abandoned, the site remained a location to leave offerings up to AD 400, although lava from the nearby Xitle volcano completely covered it.

Teotihuacan and the Toltecs
Around 2,000 years ago, the Valley of Mexico became one of the world's most densely populated areas and has remained so since. After the decline of Cuicuilco, the population concentration shifted north, to the city of Teotihuacan and later to Tula, both outside the lake's region of the valley. Teotihuacan became an organized village around 800 BC but it was around 200 BC that it began to reach its height. When it did, the city had approximately 125,000 inhabitants and covered 20 km2 of territory. It was dedicated primarily to the obsidian trade and at its peak was an important religious center and pilgrimage for the valley. In the early 8th century, with the rise of the Toltec empire, Teotihuacan ceased to be a major urban centre and the population shifted to Tollan or Tula on the northern front of the Valley of Mexico.

Aztec Empire
After the end of the Toltec empire in the 13th century and the decline of the city of Tula, the population shifted once again, this time to the lakes region of the valley. With this migration came the concept of a city-state based on the Toltec model. By the end of the 13th century, some fifty small urban units, semi-autonomous and with their own religious centers, had sprung up around the lakeshores of the valley. These remained intact with a population of about 10,000 each under Aztec rule and survived into the colonial period. All of these city-states, including the largest and most powerful, Tenochtitlan, with more than 150,000 inhabitants, claimed descent from the Toltecs. None of these cities was completely autonomous or self-sufficient, resulting in a conflictive political situation, and a complex system of agriculture in the valley. These city-states had similar governmental structures based on the need to control flooding and store water for irrigating crops. Many of the institutions created by these hydraulic societies, such as the building and maintenance of chinampas, aqueducts and dikes, were later co-opted by the Spanish during the colonial period.

The largest and most dominant city at the time of the Spanish conquest was Tenochtitlan. It was founded by the Mexica (Aztecs) on a small island in the western part of Lake Texcoco in 1325, and was extended with the use of chinampas, human-made extensions of agricultural land into the southern lake system, to increase productive agricultural land, covering about 9000 ha. The inhabitants controlled the lake with a sophisticated system of dikes, canals and sluices. Much of the surrounding land in the valley was terraced and farmed as well, with a network of aqueducts channeling fresh water from springs in the mountainsides into the city itself. Despite being the dominant power, the need to rely on resources from other parts of the valley led to the Aztec Triple Alliance between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan at the beginning of the empire. However, by the time the Spanish arrived in 1519, Tenochtitlan had become the dominant power of the three, causing grievances that the Spaniards were able to exploit. However, despite Tenochtitlan's power outside the valley, it never completely controlled all of the valley itself, with the altepetl of Tlaxcala the most prominent example.

By 1520, the estimated population of the valley was over 1,000,000 people.

Spanish colonial rule and the Mexico City metropolitan area

After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire in 1521, the Spanish rebuilt and renamed Tenochtitlan as Mexico City. They started with essentially the same size and layout as the Aztec city but as the centuries progressed, the city grew as the lakes shrank. Just after the conquest, disease and violence had decreased the population in the valley, especially of the native peoples, but after that, the population grew all through the colonial period and in the century after independence.

By the early 20th century, the population of Mexico City alone had risen to over one million people. A population explosion began early in the 20th century, with the population of the city itself doubling approximately every 15 years since 1900, partly attributed to the fact that the federal government has favored development of the metropolitan area over other areas of the country. This has spurred investment in infrastructure for the city, such as electricity, other power sources, water supply and drainage. These have attracted businesses which in turn have attracted more population. Since the 1950s, urbanization has spread out from beyond the bounds of the Federal District to the surrounding jurisdictions, especially to the north into the State of Mexico making for the Mexico City Metropolitan area, which fills most of the valley. Today, this metropolitan area accounts for 45 per cent of the country's industrial activity, 38 percent of GNP, and 25 percent of the population. Much of its industry is concentrated in the northern part of the Federal District and the adjoining cities in the state of Mexico. While population growth has slowed and even declined in the city proper, the outer limits of the metropolitan area keep growing. Much of this growth has occurred on the mountainsides of the valley, in the form of illegal settlements in ecologically sensitive areas. Overall urban settlement in the valley has expanded from about 90 km2 in 1940 to 1160 km2 in 1990. The metropolitan area has about 21 million residents and about 6 million cars.

Air pollution
Mexico City is vulnerable to severe air pollution problems due to its altitude, its being surrounded by mountains and the winds patterns of the area. The altitude, with its low oxygen levels, makes for poor combustion of fossil fuels leading to unsafe levels of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. The valley is surrounded by mountain ranges with one small opening to the north. The surrounding mountains and climate patterns here make it difficult to clear out the smog produced. The valley has internal wind patterns which circulate around the valley without a prevailing wind to push contaminants in a single direction. The most significant climatic phenomena here is "thermal inversion," which is prevalent in the winter months when the cooler air of the valley is trapped by relatively warmer air above. Adding to this is that prevailing winds outside the valley move from north to south, in through the Valley's one opening, where incidentally most of the region's industry is located. These factors diminish in the summer and the situation is helped by the arrival of the rainy season, but the valley's southern latitude and the abundance of sunlight allows for dangerous levels of ozone and other dangerous compounds.

While still considered one of the most polluted places on the planet, the valley's air pollution problems are not as bad as they were several decades ago. One major problem that was brought under control was the lead contamination in the air with the introduction of unleaded gasoline. Two other contaminants that have been brought under control are carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The contamination problems that remain are primarily with ozone and fine particles (soot) (between 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers). Thirty to fifty percent of the time, Mexico City's levels of fine particles of ten micrometers, the most dangerous, exceed levels recommended by the World Health Organization. In the 1940s, before large-scale burning of fossil fuels in the area, the visibility of the valley was about 100 km, allowing for daily viewing of the mountain ranges that surround the valley, including the snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Since that time, the average visibility has come down to about 1.5 km. Mountain peaks are now rarely visible from the city itself. While reduced visibility in the valley was due to sulfur emissions in the past, it is now due to fine particles in the air.

The effects on humans living in an enclosed, contaminated environment have been documented, especially by Nobel Prize winner Dr Mario J. Molina. He claims fine particle pollution is the greatest concern because of lung damage. According to him, the city's residents lose about 2.5 million working days every year due to health problems associated with fine particles.

Hydrology
The Valley of Mexico is a closed or endorheic basin which geologically divides into three hydrologic zones, the low plain, which is essentially the bed of now-extinct lakes, the piedmont area and the surrounding mountains. The old lakebeds correspond to the lowest elevations of the valley in the south are mostly clay with a high water content and are almost entirely covered by urban development. In the piedmont area, these clays become mixed with silts and sands, and in some areas close to the mountains, the piedmont is largely composed of basalt from old lava flows. The valley is enclosed completely by mountain ranges, from which flow rain and melting snow into the valley's hydraulic system. This groundwater flow produces a number of springs in the foothills and upwellings in the valley floor. This underground flow is the source of the five aquifers that provide much of the drinking water to Mexico City located in Soltepec, Apan, Texcoco, Chalco-Amecameca and underneath Mexico City itself.

Old lake system
Before the 20th century, the Mexico City portion of the valley contained a series of lakes, with saline lakes to the north near the town of Texcoco and freshwater ones to the south. The five lakes, Zumpango, Xaltoca, Xochimilco, Chalco, and the largest, Texcoco used to cover about 1500 km2 of the basin floor. Small mountains such as the Sierra de Guadalupe and Mount Chiconaultla partially separated the lakes from each other. All the other lakes flowed toward the lower Lake Texcoco, which was saline due to evaporation. The lakes were fed by a number of rivers such as the San Joaquin, San Antonio Abad, Tacubaya, Becerra, Mixcoac and Magdalena Contreras, carrying runoff and snowmelt from the mountains.

Long before the arrival of the Spanish, the lake system had been shrinking due to climate change. Warmer temperatures had increased evaporation and reduced rainfall in the area so that the lakes’ waters were shallow at about 5 m deep as early as the Tlapacoya culture, around 10,000 BC. During the Aztec Empire, the northern lakes were inaccessible by canoe during the dry season from October to May.

History of water control in the valley
For 2000 years, humans have been interfering with and altering the hydraulic conditions of the valley, especially in the lakes region. The Aztecs built dikes for flood control and to separate the saline water of the northern lakes from the fresh water of the southern ones. After the destruction of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the Spaniards rebuilt the Aztec dikes but found they did not offer enough flood protection.

The arrival of the Spanish and subsequent efforts to drain the area for flood control was a major infrastructure project, called the desagüe, which was pursued throughout the entire colonial period.

The idea of opening drainage canals first came about after a flood of the colonial city in 1555. The first canal was begun in 1605 to drain the waters of Lake Zumpango north through Huehuetoca which would also divert waters from the Cuautitlán River away from the lakes and toward the Tula River. This project was undertaken by Enrico Martínez and he devoted 25 years of his life to it. He did succeed in building a canal in this area, calling it Nochistongo, leading waters to the Tula Valley, but the drainage was not sufficient to avoid the Great Flood of 1629 in the city. Another canal, which would be dubbed the "Grand Canal" was built parallel to the Nochistongo one ending in Tequixquiac. The Grand Canal consists of one main canal, which measures 6.5 m in diameter and 50 km long. The drainage project was continued after independence, with three secondary canals, built between 1856 and 1867. During the presidency of Porfirio Díaz (r. 1876–1911) drainage again became a priority. Díaz completed it officially in 1894, although work continued thereafter. Despite the Grand Canal's drainage capacity, it did not solve the problem of flooding in the city.

From the beginning of the 20th century, Mexico City began to sink rapidly and pumps needed to be installed in the Grand Canal, which before had drained the valley purely with gravity. Along with the pumps, the Grand Canal was expanded with a new tunnel through the low mountains called the Xalpa to take the canal past Tequisquiac. Even so, the city still suffered floods in 1950 and 1951. Despite its age, the Grand Canal can still carry 2400000 USgal/min out of the valley, but this is significantly less than what it could carry as late as 1975 because continued sinking of the city (as much as 7 m) weakens the system of water collectors and pumps.

As a result, another tunnel, called the Emisor Central, was built to carry wastewater. Although it is considered the most important pipe in the country, it has been damaged by overuse and wall corrosion of the 20 ft diameter pipe. Because of lack of maintenance and gradual decrease in this tunnel's ability to carry water, there is concern that this tunnel will soon fail. It is continuously filled with water, making it impossible to inspect it for problems. If it fails, it would most likely be during the rainy season when it carries the most water, which would cause extensive flooding in the historic center, the airport and the boroughs on the east side.

Because of this, another new drainage project is planned that will cost US$1.3 billion. The project includes new pumping stations, a new 30 mi drainage tunnel and repairs to the current 7400 mi system of pipes and tunnels to clear blockages and patch leaks.

Over-pumping of groundwater in the 20th century has hastened the disappearance of the lakes. The old lake beds are almost all paved except for some canals preserved in Xochimilco, mostly for the benefit of visitors who tour them on brightly painted trajineras, boats similar to gondolas.

Desiccation has had a major environmental impact on the Valley of Mexico.

Drinking water and sinking lands

Historically, Mexico City's potable water supply came via aqueduct from the mountain springs on the valley sides like that in Chapultepec as most of the water in Lake Texcoco was saline. These were originally built by the Aztecs and were rebuilt by the Spaniards. In the mid-1850s, potable groundwater was found underneath the city itself, which motivated the large-scale drilling of wells. Today, 70% of Mexico City's water still comes from five principal aquifers in the valley. These aquifers are fed by water from natural springs and runoff from precipitation.

It was only when the population reached about six million that Mexico City started to need to appropriate water from outside the valley. Today, Mexico City faces a serious water deficit. Because of increased demand from a growing population, increasing industry, and ecosystem degradation in the form of deforestation of the surrounding mountains, more water is leaving the system than is entering. It is estimated that 63 m3/s of water is needed to support the potable and agricultural irrigation needs of Mexico City's population. The main aquifer is being pumped at a rate of 55.5 m3/s, but is only being replaced at 28 m3/s, or about half of the extraction rate, leaving a shortfall of 27.5 m3/s. This over-extraction of groundwater from the old clay lake bed has been causing the land upon which the city rests to collapse and sink. This problem began in the early 20th century as a consequence of the drainage of the valley for flood control. Since the beginning of the 20th century, some areas of Mexico City have sunk 9 m. In 1900, the bottom of the lake was 3 m lower than the median level of the city center. By 1974, the lake bottom was 2 m higher than the city. The first signs of dropping ground water levels was the drying up of natural springs in the 1930s, which coincides with the beginning of intensive exploitation of the aquifer system through wells between 100 and 200 m deep. Today, Mexico City is sinking between five and forty centimeters (0.2 and 1.3 ft) per year, and its effects are visible. El Ángel de la Independencia ("The Angel of Independence") statue, located on Paseo de la Reforma was built in 1910, anchored by a foundation deep beneath what was the surface of the street at that time. However, because the street has sunk around it, steps have been added to allow access to the statue's base.

Subsidence of the valley floor beneath has caused flooding problems as now much of the city has sunk below the natural lake floor. Currently, pumps need to work 24 hours a day all year round to keep control of runoff and wastewater. Despite this, flooding is still common, especially in the summer rainy season, in lower-lying neighborhoods such as Iztapalapa, forcing residents to build miniature dikes in front of their houses to prevent heavily polluted rainwater from entering their homes. Subsidence also causes damage to water and sewer lines, leaving the water distribution system vulnerable to contamination which carries risks to public health. Measures other than drainage have been implemented to contain flooding in the city. In 1950, dikes were built to confine storm runoff. Rivers that run through the city were encapsulated in 1950 and 1951. Rivers such as the Consulado River, Churubusco River and the Remedio River are encased in concrete tunnels which take their waters directly to the drainage system to leave the Valley. Two other rivers, the San Javier and the Tlalnepantla, which used to feed the old lake system, are diverted before they reach the city and their waters now flow directly into the Grand Canal. No water from these rivers is allowed to sink into the ground to recharge the aquifer. While the rivers and streams that flow down from the mountain peaks still begin the way they always have, their passage through the shantytowns lacking city sanitation schemes that surround Mexico City turns them into open combined sewers. Therefore, their final stages are frequently culverted or added to the existing major culverted rivers to keep this water from contaminating the aquifer.

title: Valley of Mexico


text:
Plainsong (disambiguation)

Plainsong may refer to:

Music

 * Plainsong, the body of traditional songs used in the liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church
 * Plainsong (band), a musical group fronted by Iain Matthews
 * "Plainsong", track 1 of Disintegration, a 1989 album by the Cure
 * "Plainsong", track 5 of Quique, a 1993 album by Seefeel

Novels

 * Plainsong, a 1990 novel by Deborah Grabien
 * Plainsong, a 1999 novel by Kent Haruf
 * The Fast Red Road, a 2000 novel by Stephen Graham Jones subtitled A Plainsong

Movie

 * Plainsong, a 2004 TV movie starring Aidan Quinn

Games

 * Plainsong, home of the Utaru in Horizon Forbidden West (2022)

title: Plainsong (disambiguation)


text:
USS Pecos (AO-65)

USS Pecos (AO–65) was laid down 20 April 1942 by the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. as a type T3-SE-A1 tanker, Chester, Pennsylvania, as Corsicana (MC hull 325); launched 17 August acquired by the Navy 29 August 1942; and commissioned 5 October 1942.

Bora Bora
After operations along the Atlantic coast, the oiler transited the Panama Canal and sailed 18 February 1943 for Fanui Bay, Bora Bora, mothering a brood of 11 subchasers, five yard minesweepers, numerous LCI(L)'s, and one net tender. Four motor torpedo boats nested in cradles in the forward and after well decks. Pecos fueled each small craft every four days. Throughout the voyage, groups of boats came alongside the tanker for fuel; then, replenished, gave place to others. Pecos next supported the landings at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, refueling the bombardment and transport groups. She returned to the West Coast late in 1943 and departed San Pedro, Calif., on New Year's Eve after undergoing repairs and loading with oil and supplies.

Escort
Pecos departed Majuro Atoll 2 February 1944 to escort Washington into the anchorage after the latter's bow had been shorn off in collision with Indiana. For over three hours the officers and men of Pecos worked at the delicate task of getting the huge battleship alongside, then maneuvering her into the atoll. She performed the whole operation in the dark, and acted as anchor for Washington overnight. Less than two weeks after Kwajalein Atoll fell to the Americans, the tanker steamed into the lagoon and refueled warships in the Marshall Islands until returning to Pearl Harbor early in March for oil and supplies. She then headed for the southwest Pacific to support strikes against the Palaus in late March and early April.

The Pacific
For ten hours on 10 July, shells from marine "Long-Tom" cannons flew over Pecos as she lay at anchor off Saipan, refueling cruisers, destroyers, and an LST full of high explosives. The oiler next began fueling operations running between Eniwetok in the Marshalls and Manus in the Admiralty Islands. In September, she participated in the Palau invasion, fueling the bombardment and transport groups.

On 2 January 1945, Japanese aircraft attacked the tanker as she steamed from Leyte Gulf toward Mindoro. The following day seven general quarters alarms announced Japanese planes. A bomb exploded so close astern that the oil feed pump fuses blew temporarily stopping the main engine. On the evening of 4 January, three enemy planes attacked the anchorage in Mangarin Bay, Mindoro. One bomb, a dud, skipped from the water and smashed into the after port cargo boom of Pecos, bending it almost double. A plane crashed into an ammunition ship lying less than a mile away, causing it to explode in a single, blinding flash. Pecos' guns splashed one attacker. Pecos shot down two more Japanese planes during a raid in the Sulu Sea off Negros Island.

A single engine Japanese plane dove out of the sun on the ship's starboard quarter 7 January 1945, releasing a bomb that struck the water 100 feet off her port bow before a tanker ahead of Pecos shot this plane down. During the next weeks, Pecos fueled the huge task force steaming up the South China Sea for the Lingayen landings. General Quarters became as routine an affair as fueling, as enemy planes continued to operate in the Mindoro area.

The veteran oiler next steamed to Mangarin Bay to supply aviation gasoline for an Army Air Force unit based there 18 February. Previously, fuel for the squadron's P–38 fighters had been flown in by transport aircraft, but the planes now were virtually grounded for lack of gasoline. At the month's end, Pecos departed the Philippine area for Ulithi Atoll in the Western Caroline Islands to prepare for the war's final major landing operation at Okinawa, She spent April and May at sea in the fueling area off Okinawa transferring oil and gasoline to 3rd Fleet ships.

Pecos spent two hectic days outside of Hagushi Anchorage, adjoining the war-torn city of Naha, fueling destroyers on the perilous picket lines. On the evening of 20 May, in a major Japanese air raid, kamikaze pilots hit five of the picket ships. but the tanker was untouched. Pecos sailed for the United States on 28 May, after seventeen consecutive months overseas. With overhaul completed, Pecos departed San Francisco 14 August 1945—as word was received of the end of hostilities. By 26 September she was anchored in Sasebo Ko, Kyushu Island, Japan, which had just been occupied by American naval forces, fueling the vessels in the harbor.

Decommissioned
Pecos decommissioned 14 March 1946. She was transferred to the Maritime Commission 1 April 1947 and struck from the Navy List 23 April 1947. By directive dated January 1948, Pecos was reacquired by the Navy. She was reinstated on the Navy List 20 March 1950. She was then taken over by the Military Sea Transportation Service 18 July 1950 to be operated by a merchant crew. USNS Pecos was operated by Mathiasen's Tanker Industry Inc under contract to the U.S. Government until 1975. Commodore Larry Wade was CO from March 13, 1972, until October 19, 1972, during which time she traded in the Caribbean and made trips to the Arctic assigned to the 1st Naval District. In October 1957, while on a voyage to the Middle East, she received an SOS from the USS Merrimack (AO-37) after the oiler had lost all propulsion power. The USNS Mission Soledad (T-AO-136) rendered assistance until Pecos arrived and towed the stricken ship into Bombay, India.

She was scrapped in July 1975.

Pecos received seven Battle Stars for World War II service.

title: USS Pecos (AO-65)


text:
User talk:69.129.14.98

January 2021
Hello, I'm Rdp060707. An edit you recently made to Deprogramming seemed to be a test and has been removed. If you want more practice editing, the sandbox is the best place to do so. If you think I made a mistake, or if you have any questions, you can leave me a message on my talk page. Thank you. Rdp060707 (Your questions?/My fight against the devil) 04:25, 23 January 2021 (UTC)

title: User talk:69.129.14.98


text:
User:SaintJerome

My interests include Music, History, Politics and Human Rights.

Oh and did I forget to mention, Christianity, its evolution and development from pagan roots.

title: User:SaintJerome


text: Category:History of South Yorkshire

title: Category:History of South Yorkshire


text:
Talk:Los Angeles (X album)

sputnikmusic Rating/Review
Emeritus reviews on sputnikmusic are supposedly "non-professional", but since "emeritus" is given to ex-staff writers, who's reviews were considered professional by definition, why would that change? Also, it's unclear whether reviews made when they were staff were marked as "Emeritus" when their status changed. In any case, caching here until I can resolve that question.

 * rev4 = sputnikmusic
 * rev4Score = (5.0/5.0)

-- J. Wong (talk) 20:02, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

 * Resolved. Emeritus reviews are to be considered professional.  This looks to have been vandalism on the sputnikmusic article, which I have reverted. -- J. Wong (talk) 20:02, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

"Adult Books" listed at Redirects for discussion
A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Adult Books. The discussion will occur at Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 August 4 until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Qwirkle (talk) 03:38, 4 August 2021 (UTC)

title: Talk:Los Angeles (X album)


text:
Nick Hodgson

Nicholas James David Hodgson (born 20 October 1977) is an English drummer, backing vocalist, and songwriter, formerly of the indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs.

Early life
He attended St. Mary's Menston with Nick Baines and Simon Rix. He then went on to Trinity & All Saints University College in Horsforth, Leeds, where he studied Media. He later met Ricky Wilson and Andrew "Whitey" White at a mod night called Move on Up at The Underground in Leeds. Together they formed Runston Parva, later to be called Parva and now Kaiser Chiefs.

Together with bandmate Ricky Wilson, Hodgson started the Leeds club night Pigs "to give us something to look forward to". After giving the rest of the band a mix CD with songs he had been playing at Pigs, they formed Kaiser Chiefs, scrapping all their old songs and changing "the way we play, the way we dress, basically everything we could change without changing ... our faces".

Kaiser Chiefs
Hodgson is a founding member of Leeds indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs, and their drummer and main backing vocalist between 2003 and 2012. He takes lead vocals on tracks "Boxing Champ" and "Man On Mars". On 4 December 2012, Hodgson announced via his Twitter account that he had left Kaiser Chiefs to concentrate on other projects.

Solo work
Since his departure from Kaiser Chiefs, Hodgson has refocused his attentions on the studio. In an interview with NME, he spoke of his decision to split from the band, stating: "It was obvious really, because they know I love the studio and I love writing and I'm not mad about touring. I loved touring at some point, but I didn't love it all the time and I didn't love it as much as everyone else."

On 26 March 2017, Hodgson teased via his Twitter account that he was making a solo record by tweeting "If I tweet that I'm making solo material then I have to do it. Right?!" On 1 June 2017 he confirmed the album also via Twitter saying the album was going "nice".

On 4 December 2017, Hodgson performed new material, at Black's Club, London, for "The Society of the Golden Slippers". This was stated as his debut performance as a solo artist.

On 26 January 2018, Hodgson released his solo album, Tell Your Friends, on Prediction Records. Much of the album is 1970s pop inspired in its sound, owing to the fact that Hodgson records on mostly 1970s instruments. As announced on his Twitter in late February 2018, Hodgson is already working on his second solo album. However, Hodgson confirmed in March 2020, that there is no plan to release new solo material in the near future, and he is instead continuing to focus on songwriting.

Songwriting
After being the main songwriter in Kaiser Chiefs, Hodgson continues to write for other people. He co-wrote "Bang Bang Bang" with Mark Ronson, MNDR and Q-Tip, which was released as the lead single from Ronson's third studio album, Record Collection, and went to No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart. Hodgson has worked with The Vamps, Kodaline, Olly Murs, Nina Nesbitt, Lower Than Atlantis, Dua Lipa, John Newman, Hurts, Dagny and James Arthur. He worked with Duran Duran and producer Mark Ronson on the Duran Duran album All You Need Is Now, co-writing the track "Too Bad You're So Beautiful". He has also written for Shirley Bassey. He co-wrote the lead song, "Feels Like Summer" for the Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta-nominated film, Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015). Hodgson co-wrote and co-produced the 2017 single "Laidback" by Rat Boy.

Personal life
Hodgson is married, and has one child.

Discography

 * Studio albums
 * Tell Your Friends (2018)

title: Nick Hodgson


text:
User talk:Tomkeene

Lakes
Please do not add Canadian lakes to "Lakes of Canada" category, this category has got already a subcategories. Subcategorization is common policy on Wikipedia. -- Darwinek 11:00, 27 April 2006 (UTC)
 * No. They should be added to apropriate categories. New Brunswick, Nunavut etc. should be created. It's not true that categorization is Wikipedia standard. Subcategorization is Wikipedia rule! Look at category "Explorers", you won't find a single article there. All are in subcategories. Subcategorization is more logical, imagine all rivers in the USA in one category, total chaos. Deal with the Wikipedia's rules or the community will eat you alive. This is what I have learned here for being here almost two years. -- Darwinek 16:33, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

French commune stubs
I've noticed you've made some quick stubs for a number of French communes. Note that most regions of France have their own stub category (see the subcategories at Category:France geography stubs). Also, it is more helpful if you can find some information and put in the infobox French commune. If the information is not on the corresponding French page, it is often on the Italian, Dutch, or Polish pages for the commune. Finally, I noticed some of them are missing a period (.) at the end of the sentence, a simple grammatical mistake, perhaps from copying text. Please be careful to make them full sentences. You may also want to look at WikiProject French communes for more help and sympathy. Thanks for your dedication! Rigadoun (talk) 18:12, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Marrakech Enquiry
In repsonse to your question on Marrakech:

Here is Wikipedia's stance on issues such as this: Manual_of_Style: Disputes_over_style_issues

...ourist or ...orist?
Fowler says that words ending ...our retain the 'u' when 'ist' is added, but it's not important enough to argue about. And styles have probably changed since Fowler wrote. I give in. CanOfWorms 10:56, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

Fair use image use
Recently, you've added a number of copyrighted, fair use images to templates. For example,. Please be aware that per Non-free content criteria item #9, the use of such images on templates is not permitted. Myself and others have gone through and removed these and other additions by you. Please do not put these images or any other fair use images back on the templates. If you have questions about this, I'd be happy to answer. Thanks, --Durin 14:36, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

[[Image:Flag of France.svg|45px]] WikiProject Newsletter n°1
Bonjour and welcome to the first WikiProject France newsletter!! It should become a monthly special of our project, but until the next issue, here are some points to consider for the month:
 * In an effort to determine the active members from the inactive, all members are asked to simply sign on my special userpage.
 * I have slightly rearranged and updated the Project page, putting all the featured lists in collapsible tables. This unclutteres the page and you only have to see them if you want to. Give your feelings at the talk page.
 * I have made a Wikipedia advert for our project, Image:Qxz-ad108.gif, what do you think? Personally I feel the words need improving ...
 * There are still map problems at Template:French commune - any help at resolving them would be greatly appreciated.
 * What about starting a monthly drive? We currently have no Featured Portals (except for the Basque Portal which really isn't French any way), so how about improving Portal:France??? I don't know what's exactly wrong but the criteria can be seen at Featured portal criteria.

It doesn't seem like a lot, so I hope we will still have enough problems for nexts months issue. Salut till the next issue, Chris DHDR (17:21, 10 November 2007 (UTC)).

[[Image:Flag of France.svg|45px]] WikiProject Newsletter n°2
It's been one high aiming month! The French WikiProject and related pages have been aiming high for Christmas - and have received an equal number of presents in return! Well, that's this issue. Au revoir et à bientôt till the next time,  Chris DHDR (18:44, 9 December 2007 (UTC)).
 * The French Portal is now a Featured Portal!!! It passed its Candidacy with 100%. Special thanks go to NYArtsnWords and all those that have made this Portal work.
 * The Newsletter has made it to a second issue. You can find its page at WikiProject France/Outreach/Newsletter and its archives at WikiProject France/Outreach/Newsletter/Archives.
 * A new page has been setup (WikiProject France/Links) to provide an index of the Projects/Portals pages (as well as helping newbees). When creating any pages in the Project/Portal namespace, please add them to the index page. This page also give WP:FRANCE members a handy watchlist.
 * As like last time, members are asked to renew their memberships at WikiProject France/Members.
 * I will be on holiday when the next issue is meant to come out so could some generous person(s) please do the next issue at WikiProject France/Outreach/Newsletter.

Matti Rantanen
Another editor has added the  template to the article Matti Rantanen, suggesting that it be deleted according to the proposed deletion process. All contributions are appreciated, but the editor doesn't believe it satisfies Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion, and has explained why in the article (see also What Wikipedia is not and Notability). Please either work to improve the article if the topic is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia or discuss the relevant issues at its talk page. If you remove the  template, the article will not be deleted, but note that it may still be sent to Articles for deletion, where it may be deleted if consensus to delete is reached. BJBot (talk) 14:00, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Contemporary music
Hi Tomkeene, I wonder if you would be interested in joining the new WikiProject Contemporary music that I helped organize recently? Our goal is to help improve Wikipedia’s coverage of the subject. Best, --S.dedalus (talk) 22:34, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Christian Urhan
Dear Tomkeene, If you can bear to cast your mind back 9 months, do you remember what your original source was for this violinist's vital details etc and what you wrote about him? (as you originated the article). I have just added the Wirth references, and am looking for more (someone tagged it in September for non-ref), and it would be great if you could point the way to where your first stuff came from. If not, never mind, no problemo! best wishes Eebahgum (talk) 12:41, 13 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I am very grateful to know that. I should have checked before asking but have mind like sieve. Thankyou! best wishes Eebahgum (talk) 13:50, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

NowCommons: Image:Antti Niemi.jpg
Image:Antti Niemi.jpg is now available on Wikimedia Commons as Commons:Image:Melbourne recruiting WWI.jpg. Commons is a repository of free media that can be used on all MediaWiki wiki's. The image(s) will be deleted from Wikipedia, but this doesn't mean it can't be used anymore. You can embed an image uploaded to Commons like you would an image uploaded to Wikipedia, in this case:. Note that this is an automated message. --Erwin85Bot (talk) 15:48, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Joe Wheeler
Hello. This articel has been nominated for deletion. Please see the article and WP:PROD to decide if you wish to contest this. Thanks, Boleyn2 (talk) 12:07, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Speedy deletion nomination of Albert Aguayo
A tag has been placed on Albert Aguayo requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under section G12 of the criteria for speedy deletion, because the article appears to be a blatant copyright infringement. For legal reasons, we cannot accept copyrighted text or images borrowed from other web sites or printed material, and as a consequence, your addition will most likely be deleted. You may use external websites as a source of information, but not as a source of sentences. This part is crucial: say it in your own words.

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Unreferenced BLPs
Hello Tomkeene! Thank you for your contributions. I am a bot alerting you that 11 of the articles that you created  are tagged as Unreferenced Biographies of Living Persons. The biographies of living persons policy requires that all personal or potentially controversial information be sourced. In addition, to ensure verifiability, all biographies should be based on reliable sources. if you were to bring these articles up to standards, it would greatly help us with the current Category:All_unreferenced_BLPs article backlog. Once the articles are adequately referenced, please remove the unreferencedBLP tag. Here is the list:

 * 1) Øivind Farmen -
 * 2) Pierre-André Wiltzer -
 * 3) Ernesto Terra -
 * 4) Nabil Seidah -
 * 5) Albert Aguayo -
 * 6) André Parent -
 * 7) Paul Jolicoeur -
 * 8) Jules Hardy -
 * 9) Jean-Pierre Poccioni -
 * 10) Andrea Paolucci -

11. Trygve Seim

Thanks!--DASHBot (talk) 23:58, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Articles for deletion nomination of Claude Ballif
I have nominated Claude Ballif, an article that you created, for deletion. I do not think that this article satisfies Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion, and have explained why at Articles for deletion/Claude Ballif. Your opinions on the matter are welcome at that same discussion page; also, you are welcome to edit the article to address these concerns. Thank you for your time.Please contact me if you're unsure why you received this message. Jubilee♫ clipman 04:26, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Copyright problems with George Shirley
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ArbCom elections are now open!
MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:03, 23 November 2015 (UTC)

Nomination of Lev Lebedinsky for deletion
A discussion is taking place as to whether the article Lev Lebedinsky is suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia according to Wikipedia's policies and guidelines or whether it should be deleted.

The article will be discussed at Articles for deletion/Lev Lebedinsky until a consensus is reached, and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion. The nomination will explain the policies and guidelines which are of concern. The discussion focuses on high-quality evidence and our policies and guidelines.

Users may edit the article during the discussion, including to improve the article to address concerns raised in the discussion. However, do not remove the article-for-deletion notice from the top of the article. Boleyn (talk) 09:52, 18 January 2016 (UTC)

Europe 10,000 Challenge invite
Hi. The WikiProject Europe/The 10,000 Challenge has recently started, based on the UK/Ireland The 10,000 Challenge. The idea is not to record every minor edit, but to create a momentum to motivate editors to produce good content improvements and creations and inspire people to work on more countries than they might otherwise work on. There's also the possibility of establishing smaller country or regional challenges for places like Germany, Italy, the Benelux countries, Iberian Peninsula, Romania, Slovenia etc, much like The 1000 Challenge (Nordic). For this to really work we need diversity and exciting content and editors from a broad range of countries regularly contributing. If you would like to see masses of articles being improved for Europe and your specialist country like WikiProject Africa/The Africa Destubathon, sign up today and once the challenge starts a contest can be organized. This is a way we can target every country of Europe, and steadily vastly improve the encyclopedia. We need numbers to make this work so consider signing up as a participant and also sign under any country sub challenge on the page that you might contribute to! Thank you. --MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:09, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

Armand Raimbault
Welcome, and thank you for contributing the page Armand Raimbault to Wikipedia. While you have added the page to the English version of Wikipedia, the article is not in English. We invite you to translate it into English. It has been listed at Pages Needing Translation, but if it is not translated within two weeks, the article will be listed for deletion. Thank you.  Curt  内蒙  19:13, 20 April 2020 (UTC)

Proposed deletion of Daniel Leech-Wilkinson

The article Daniel Leech-Wilkinson has been proposed for deletion because of the following concern: "No evidence he meets WP:PROF"

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title: User talk:Tomkeene


text:
Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir

Date palms are cultivated in Sudan from the Egyptian border in the north all the way along the Nile south of Khartoum until Sennar. In addition to the banks of the Nile, isolated occurrences of cultivated date trees occur in the Red Sea Hills in the vicinity of Port Sudan, in Kassala, along the Atbara River, in the deserts around Dongola and far Southwest in Darfur, for example in Wadi Kutum, Wadi Mellit and Barra. In all these locations, the palm trees depend on accessible ground water or on irrigation. The water for irrigation is either taken from wells or from the river Nile, where it is nowadays provided by diesel pumps.

Sudan is among the countries that produce good quality dates. Bilad al-Mahas, Sukut, Dongola, Dar al-Shaiqiyah, Dar al-Manasir, Dar al-Rubatab and the areas around Bauqah and Berber along the Nile boast extensive date groves. In each date growing region a particular composition of palm tree varieties, including endemic species, are grown. During the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium (1899—1955), Dar al-Manasir had been described as the southernmost limit of date cultivation in the Sudan

Land classification
When approaching Dar al-Manasir from the surrounding deserts, the most striking feature of the landscape is the sudden green narrow band of palm trees lining the shores of the Nile. This strip of land is called Ashu (أشو), and is generally not more than 20 meters wide. It is situated between the seasonally inundated land of the river bank called Gerif (جرف) and the traditional "waterwheel land" called Saqiah (ساقية). Date palm trees and Doum palms (Hyphaene thebaica) are perfectly adapted to the regional climate of Dar al-Manasir. They are drought resistant and can withstand the exceptionally hot dry and rainless summers and cold dry winters. The proximity of Ashu land to the river Nile makes the water table accessible to the deeply penetrating roots of fully grown palm trees throughout the year, making it the most valuable class of land. Since dates constitute the most relevant cash crop in Dar al-Manasir their cultivation is not limited to Ashu land only, but expands along the irrigation channels of the Saqiah land. During recent years date trees even substitute seasonally irrigated crops such as wheat, beans and okra on the traditional Saqiah land.

Propagation
In order to multiply the number of fruit-bearing trees traditional offshoot propagation is practised all along the Nile in Sudan. Lower offshoots called Shatla (شتلا) develop from axillary buds at the lower trunk of a parent palm and are cut off during early spring season. A well chosen offshoot will not only guarantee a female fruit bearing palm tree but also inherit the same qualities of its mother plant. The date trees in the region of the Fourth Cataract attain an age of up to 150 years and consist most often of multiple shoots from a single clump called Bu'rah or Hufrah (بؤرة or حفرة). Satisfactory date production ceases with an age of 90 to 100 years. With increasing age and height the palm tree becomes more difficult to climb in order to be pollinated and harvested.

Pollination

Pollination of the female fruits is conducted in late February and beginning of March which is, according to the Coptic calendar still used for agricultural purposes by the Manasir, the end of the month Amshir. During this season the stout male spathes split and their inflorescences reach maturity. Fresh strands of flowers are carefully picked out of the male clusters and packaged to strands of two called Rabetah Qaru'ah (ربطة قرعة). The Manasir consider the variety of a potent male seedling irrelevant and pollinate all their female inflorescences from the same male tree. The process of pollination is called Qaffes (قفّز) and can be carried out by any person physically able to climb the palm tree. In each spathe of female inflorescence about 8-15 packages are tucked between the fruit bearing spikelets. An adult female palm produces around 15 to 25 spathes, each spathe containing 150 to 200 date bearing spikelets.

Stages of growth
Dates have to pass five stages of growth before developing into ripe fruits (Tamr, تمر) that are harvested in August and September:
 * 1) Tamim (تميم): During the first 15 days up to one month the emerging fruits are of no use.
 * 2) Dafiq (دفيق): The subsequent green stage lasts for about 2$1/2$ months and the growing fruits are still bitter. Depending on the variety a certain ratio of the fruits falls off prematurely. These green dates are fed to the livestock.
 * 3) 'Aifanunah (عيفنونة): This interval lasts between 10 and 15 days during which the fruits acquire their sweetness. Children will start eating fruits that are about to fall off.
 * 4) Safuri (صفوري): During the following month the maturing fruits don't fall off easily anymore. Some date varieties can already be harvested.
 * 5) Umm Ra's (أم رأس): This final stage of ripening is also called Rutab (رطب). The fruits are turning brown from their end towards the perianth. The Manasir never cut the whole fruit bunch called Shakhlub (شخلوب) but only single spikelets, with the result of thinning out the clusters and letting the remaining fruits gain in size.

Harvest
Once a date tree is successfully planted it constitutes an economic plant returning good yearly yields for little labour. A mature date tree supplied with sufficient water and natural fertilizer (Sibalah, زبالة) will produce in-between two and three sacks (Shawal, شوال) each about 75 kilos (1 Shawal = 15 Ruba' = 123.75 litres. The exact amount depends strongly on the date variety, the specific growing conditions and age of the palm tree. A survey of the region in 1995 reported an average ownership of 26 date trees per household, producing approximately 900 kg annually.

Traditionally the harvest is stored in old water jars (Sir, زيرor Gerr, جرّ) that are preparatorily lined with ash. A further layer of ash on top seals it and protects the fruits from maggots (Sus, سوس), (cf. Material Culture of the Manasir).

Cultural relevance and traditions
Each farming household in Dar al-Manasir owns or at least shares a number of date trees. They are a viable source of income and nutrition. Date and Doum palms are not only important because of their edible fruits. The by-products of these trees make up the essential raw material for locally produced tools and handicrafts (cf. Material Culture of the Manasir).

In addition, date seeds (Nawa, نوى) and the Dafiq-fruits are used as fodder. They are recommended to improve the taste of both meat and milk of the livestock. The seeds are crushed on lower grinding stones (Tāhūnah, طاحونة - originally used for grinding flour). Surplus is sold at the weekly local market Suq Salamat and is the most expensive kind of fodder.

Date trees also constitute a constant source of pride and belonging. The special relationship between the Manasir and their palm trees is reflected in local traditions and sayings:

Whenever a new date shoot is planted the process is accompanied by a traditional invocation; the Bismallah is followed by the sentence "The intention (نية) is white and the soil (طين) is black. The fruits of this tree are freely offered (صدقة) to the beggar, freely offered to the thief". That is to say that the tree should provide alms in the name of Allah to whoever is in need of it, and therefore should be under His protection.

Salih recorded a similar saying in Birti: "It has been planted for hungry people, passing by guests, wayfarers, thieves, good will seekers, enemies and friends". The author is further bringing a custom to attention that permits everybody in Dar al-Manasir to collect date fruits for immediate consumption. This custom, usually applied only to dates fallen to the ground and for women and children, differs from the national Islamic and statuary law on that matter.

Monetary value and compensation
The mentioned economic, cultural and social factors result in a practical inconceivability of selling palm trees as real assets among the Manasir. The situation in the twenties of last century, as described by Leach (1919) with the following words is still very much true of today; "… a man being in need of money, but disliking the thought of parting from the whole of his property, might sell half a tree. This however was a very rare occurrence, and was only resorted to occasionally in cases of real distress and only in […] the poorest part of the province. […] In ordinary circumstances it was a disgrace to sell either land or date trees".

To quote the Mansuri 'Abdallah Ahmad al-Hassan Abu Qurun (عبدالله أحمد الحسن أبو قرون) in 2005: "I have almost seen all of Dar al-Manasir and I know of whole gardens being sold in the [neighbouring] Shaiqiyah Country and Rubatab Country. But I know of no more than two instances when a Mansuri ever sold his palm trees. And in both cases they only sold one, two or three trees reacting in an emergency situation. Usually, in such situations of financial difficulties the people will ask the person to be patient until they collectively manage to come up with the necessary money. This is why you cannot put a price on a palm tree; you would not be able to sell it. Date trees do not have a price! Your palm trees and your offspring are regarded as one (التمر دي و جناك واحيد)".

This attitude of the Manasir is reflected in the practice of local merchants issuing loans to peasants in exchange for prospected harvests of particular trees.

For most Manasir it is therefore inconceivable to receive monetary compensation in exchange for their palm trees which are going to be flooded together with their villages and other agricultural land as a result of the erection of the Hamdab High Dam (Marawi Multi-Purpose Hydro Project). According to al-Hakem (1993:6) about 675,000 productive date trees will be lost in the course of flooding the reservoir lake. The information brochure of the Manasir Committee speaks of 250,000 productive and 300,000 male or not yet fruit-bearing date trees in the year 2003 (تقدير النخيل المثمر فى عام 2003 م=250.000 نخلة تقريبا و تقدير النخيل الغير مثمر فى عام 2003 م=300.000 نخلة تقريبا).

In spring 2005 there still has not been any reliable information and therefore much confusion among the local population on the matter of which palm trees (depending on the status of land, age of trees and amount of taxes previously paid) are eventually going to be compensated and for how much. Apart from the monetary compensation, each 120 date trees on private property are supposedly to be compensated with one Feddan (4,200 m2) of land in the new relocation areas.

Since the local peasants are still kept unclear about the actual level of the reservoir lake and its consequences for the Nile water regime and the banks of the artificial lake, many nourish hopes to be able to continue living and cultivating their homeland. As a consequence only months ahead of forced resettlement new shoots of date trees are transplanted to higher areas and irrigated with much effort.

Even in the unlikely case of a reasonable monetary compensation, the loss of their date trees would pose a hardship especially for the older Manasir, who laboriously cultivated these trees to be able to live from their harvest in their old age when they can't work in the agriculture anymore.

Date cultivars
The Manasir are renowned all throughout the Sudan for cultivating a wide range of date palm cultivars. Any small farming household tends to grow a variety of dates in order to be less vulnerable both to annually changing market prices and diseases affecting only specific types.

The people are very proud of the taste, sweetness and nourishing merits of their dates and believe that these originate from their rocky land containing special minerals. The dates from Dar al-Manasir compare well with dates of other regions in Sudan, although earlier reports qualify them as being of inferior quality not fetching the market price of fruits from (Old) Halfa and Dongola

Date varieties and the average wholesale price during the harvest season 2004

(Dinars per sack Shawal, شوال – at about 75 kg; 1 Shawal = 15 Rub' (ربع) = 123.75 litres):

(prices reported by Al-Tayib Babikir Ahmad Muhammad from Mideimir (الطيّب بابكر أحمد محمّد من مديمر), local resident who studied agriculture for 4½ years in Halfah al-Gadidah.)

Mishriq (مشرق)
Mishriq dates are the most common and cherished variety in Dar al-Manasir. Two types are differentiated; Wad Laqai and the more common Wad Khatib, formerly also called Umm Laqai and Umm Khatib. Both types are non-Nubian and originate in the area. Mishriq trees require more watering than other palm trees.

Wad Laqai (ود لقاي)
The Wad Laqai type is mostly found in the upstream end of Dar al-Manasir and in the neighbouring Rubatab Country around Abu Hammed. According to Yusif (1995:274) its full name is al-Mashriq Walid Laqai (المشرق ولد لقاي) which would literally translate "to the East of the son of Laqai". The author further states that this variety has been introduced by the son of a person called Laqai, who imported it from Higaz in Saudi Arabia where the dates are called Sukari (السكري). Wad Laqai has been apparently introduced to Sudan in the vicinity of the Island of Muqrat.

Wad Laqai is considered to be one of the finest date fruits in the Sudan with an unrivalled softness and fresh taste. Some older Manasir still prefer to drink their tea along with a handful of Wad Laqai dates as the traditional sugar substitute. The dates should be left to dry on the tree, because of difficulties to remove the ripe fruits without causing adjacent dates from the same bunch (Shakhlub, شخلوب) to fall off prematurely. Another peculiarity of the Wad Laqai type is that its fruits should not be pollinated before reaching the green stage (Dafiq, دفيق). They are also considered most sensitive and therefore difficult to harvest. If fresh dates are picked others on the bunch easily turn into Karmush

The fruits are soft in consistency and can be pressed to form a cake called 'Agwah (عجوة). The sample fruits, taken from Al-Atamanin on Shiri Island (العطمانين في شري), are short (about 3 centimeters), compact (width about 1.5 centimeters) and reddish in color. According to Yusif (1995:274) Wad Laqai fruits can also become rather oblong reaching the span of an index finger.

The leaves of Wad Laqai palms are wide and sweeping. The shape of the tree is similar to the Qundeil variety.

Wad Khatib (ود ختيب)
Wad Khatib is the type of Mishriq palm trees best adapted to the stony and often shallow soil of the Fourth Cataract region. Yusif (1995:274) recalls that Wad Khatib had been introduced from Saudi Arabia by a man from Higaz called Bashir bin Khatib (بشير بن خطيب), apparently a descendant of Imam al-Shafi'i (رجل من الشوفعة). Wad Khatib is the most common variety of date trees in Dar al-Manasir and the neighbouring Rubatab Country.

The quality of Wad Khatib dates is generally inferior to Wad Laqai dates. Wad Khatib trees are recommended to be pollinated ahead of the Wad Laqai type. Part of their harvest is traditionally used for local alcohol production.

The sample fruits, from Sulhah on Sherari Island (صلحة في شرري), are even shorter and appear less reddish in colour than those of Wad Laqai. The perianth of their fruits is attached stronger to the spikelets of the fruit bunch.

The appearance of the Wad Khatib palm tree differs from the other Mishriq type mainly by having slightly broader leaves.

Barakawi (بركاوي)
Barakawi dates are nowadays considered by many Manasir to be the most profitable date cultivar.

Barakawi trees are increasingly planted on the Saqiah land, traditionally reserved for seasonally irrigated crops. Barakawi are highly demanded on the national market and according to Yusif (1995:274) are even exported to Egypt where they are also referred to as Ibrimi (ابريمي) and Sakuti (سكوتي). Barakawi are not among the most common palm trees in Dar al-Manasir, but their number increases considerably towards the downstream end and in the neighbouring Shaiqiyah Country with a centre of cultivation in the area of Karima. YUSIF (1995:274) states further that Barakawi dates have been introduced from Mahas and the Shaiqiyah Country through Dar al-Manasir to the Rubatab Country in the beginning of the 20th century.

The sample fruits, from Sulhah on Sherari Island (صلحة في شرري), are elongated, their proportions with about 5 centimeters length and 1.5 centimeters width being slightly longer than and not as thin as the average 'Abid Rahim variety. Their deep reddish-brown colour changes from the centre of the fruits towards the perianth into a light yellow discolouration.

Barakawi palms are among the taller varieties of palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

'Abid Rahim (عبد رحيم)
The ʿAbid Rahim cultivar is favoured in Eastern Sudan. These dates are said to cause flatulence when consumed in large quantities.

The sample fruits, from Sulhah on Sherari Island (صلحة في شرري), are distinguishable from the otherwise similar Barakawi type by being longer (about 6 centimeters), thinner (1-1.5 centimeters) and lighter in weight. Their colour varies from a light yellow to a reddish brown.

ʿAbid Rahim trees are tall and potentially produce the highest quantity of harvest compared to other varieties in Dar al-Manasir. The shape of the palm is somewhat confined, with their leaves more upright.

Bur (بور)
The Bur cultivar exists only in the region of the Fourth Cataract. Bur palm trees, along with the Bireir and Qundeil varieties are only producing a limited quantity of harvest because a good share of their fruits is falling off the trees prematurely during the early stages of growth. Due to this unfavourable characteristic the number of cultivated Bur trees remains limited.

Bur dates are easily distinguishable from other date types by their nearly black colour. The sample fruits, from Sulhah on Sherari Island (صلحة في شرري), appear well proportioned, about 4 cm long and fleshy. Bur dates can be eaten both fresh and dry, but should be consumed only in small amounts.

Bur palms are among the taller palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

Bireir (برير)
Bireir trees, alike the Mishriq and Bur varieties are of non-Nubian origin. Their fruits are praised for their quality, the flesh closing firmly upon the seed thereby staying soft and juicy for a long time. Their taste is attributed to be "hot" that is to say very sweet and tasty. Yusif (1995:277) quotes a local saying from the neighbouring Rubatab Country, by which a bird feeding too much on dates from the Bireir variety would suffer from a dry stomach, eventually causing it to drop dead from the sky. Bireir dates like Wad Laqai dates can be sold as a compressed cake called 'Agwah (عجوة). Bireir dates are also traditionally used for the production of local wine (Khumur, خمور).

Yusif (1995:279) differentiates four cultivars of the Bireir type in the neighbouring Rubatab Country;

 * Madini (المديني), similar to Mishriq and mother to the Bar Tamud type (بر تمود)
 * Barni (برني), allegedly introduced from Medina (Saudi Arabia) by Sheikh Muhammad bin al-Gazuli (شيخ محمّد بن الجزولي)
 * Kullimah (الكلّمة), similar to the Qundeil variety but more circular and bigger in size,
 * Dahul (دهول), closely resembling the Bur variety.

Bireir palms are among the taller palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

Qundeil (قنديل)
The Qundeil variety has been introduced to Dar al-Manasir from the regions of Mahas and Sukut north of Dongola during the past decades. Like the Bur and Bireir varieties their produce in the region of the Fourth Cataract is limited by the fact that a good share of their fruits fall off prematurely.

The fruit is substantial, its taste not very sweet.

Bit Tamudhah (بت تموضة)
The Bit Tamudhah variety is rarely to be found in Dar al-Manasir and has been introduced from the area of Mahas north of Dongola.

Tamarat Muhummed (تمرات محمّد)
Tamarat Muhummed is alternatively called Diqis (دقس) and 'Akish (عكيش) and among the uncommon varieties in Dar al-Manasir. Its trees are known to produce high quantities of fruits.

Gau (جاو)
Gau dates can originate from self-sown trees or date varieties that have reverted to kind either through uncongenial surroundings, improper cultures, insufficient water or other reasons. Gau dates are fed to the livestock and sold on the market for a low price.

The sample fruits are very small (about 1.5 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide) and light. Their colour varies from light yellow to yellowish red. Gau trees often consist of a clump of shoots from the same root which is called Bu'rah (بؤرة) or Hufrah (حفرة).

Karmush (كرموش)
Any tasteless date variety that has become dry while still being attached to the fruit bunch is called Karmush. Similar to Gau fruits Karmush dates are used as fodder.

Meals and beverages
The date fruit is nutritious, sweet and can easily be stored all year long. The Manasir believe that human beings can survive for years if they just have enough dates and water. The Bedouin Manasir alternatively call dates al-Zad al-negidh (الزاد النجيض) with the meaning of "the 'real' food for travelling".

Dry dates are washed, moistened in water and offered in-between and following the two daily meals. Date fruits constitute the traditional substitute for sugar and are consumed with tea.

The Manasir kitchen also uses dates for the following dishes:
 * Madidah Balah (مديدة بلح) is a date pudding. The dates are boiled until they thicken and subsequently are let to cool. Butter can be added on top.
 * Kurasah al-Balah (كراسة البلح) is a simple dish that consists of the traditional fresh bread called Kurasah topped with small pieces of dates. It can be kept for a few days and is used by the Bedouin Manasir as a sweat bread for travel.
 * 'Barbur' (بربور) is the traditional diet for women during the first three days after having given birth. No other meals are allowed in order to "let the blood out". Pieces of dried dates are boiled in water until they develop a consistency between pudding and soup.

During festivals alcoholic beverages made from dates have been consumed traditionally:
 * Sharbut (شربوت) is a common date wine. The dates are soaked in water and are fermented in a closed up Sir (cf. Material Culture of the Manasir) for three to fifteen days.
 * Nabid (نبيد): The Nabid is a stronger variety of Sharbut. A handful of sorghum grains that have just reached the stage of sprouting are dried in the sun and added to the young Sharbut as a substitute for yeast.
 * Baqaniah (بقنية) is a date beer. Small dried sprouting seeds of sorghum are mixed with dates and are laid out on a watered Birsh (cf. Material Culture of the Manasir). After a couple of days the Birsh is strained and the resulting liquid is cooled in a Sir. The drink is considered halaal (حلال) and given to ailing old people.

title: Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir


text:
User talk:SaintJerome

Welcome to Wikipedia!

I noticed you just changed the Cyprus dispute page. I would recommend checking out the pageRequests for arbitration/Argyrosargyrou/Evidence to see the kind of hostility that is occuring around this article and the user in question. I would also recommend not changing anything until you talk it over with the article's regular contributors on the talk page! --Scimitar 23:03, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

 * I have read the article and I tend to agree with Ank99 and partly agree Phlogistomania in that some people here seem to be joining forces in order to prevent anyone else from challenging their point of view on certain issues. Most of the material Argyrosargyrou has contributed in that section is also available on www.cyprus-conflict.net so I do not understand why people don't want it to be mentioned other than to influence other peoples perception of the events.

 * Argyrosargyrou has contributed a lot to The Bible and History since the 1st May and I do not see anything wrong with his contributions there.

 * I think you should learn more about the issues before coming to conclusions based on a campaign by certain individuals to prevent another user, who they don't agree with, from contributing to a particular section that he knows something about.--SaintJerome 23:46, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

 * I actually don't have any problem with Argyrosargyrou's viewpoint, but his actions have included calling anyone who disagrees with him a "holocaust denier", and he's made no attempt to talk it out with those people (including me). I know that the Turks committed many atrocities (see the list on one of the genocide pages) and I'm learning about this issue in particular. The more I learn though, the more it seems that Argyrosargyrou is just trying to push through his ideas on events that are still unresolved and unproven.  Since we're an encyclopedia, we need to present facts alone, and strive not to take sides. Argyrosargyrou clearly takes sides, and I think if he talked about it with users everything would be fine.  Instead he wrecks people's user pages, and doesn't moderate his comments at all. Right now he's banned from Wikipedia for 24 hours for deleting comments by other users.  So you would probably be well advised to talk changes over with other article contributors before restoring his somewhat controversial changes. Best wishes. --Scimitar 23:54, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

 * I just popped back to check out the Cyprus dispute page and found the page was reverted yet again. When I checked out the talk page of the person who reverted it I found this.

Found it more productive to re-edit a bit. - Snchduer 16:12, 30 May 2005 (UTC) " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Snchduer#Turkish_Cypriot_Genocide
 * "I've rune out of reverts, but another one is badly needed. Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 15:03, 30 May 2005 (UTC)

 * Ank99 is correct in what he says and I don't blame Argyrosargyrou if he was banned for reverting the pages now that I've read this. It looks like Argyrosargyrou is the victim of an organised campaign to justify Turkeys invasion of Cyprus. I am now wondering if you have also had similar discussions with any of these people ? --SaintJerome 00:06, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

 * Well I've just had a look and according to you talk page you were contacted by ChrisO concerning Argyrosargyrou about a week ago. I do not think I can accept you as being impartial.--SaintJerome 00:16, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

If you continue to instert your POV edits, you will be blocked just like your previous incarnation was. RickK 01:38, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

 * I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.--SaintJerome 01:41, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Blocked
I warned you that you would be blocked if you persisted. If you continue the POV-warring when either this ID or your main ID comes back, you will be blocked again. RickK 01:52, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

poll
Poll There is a poll in the talk page of Macedonian Slavs article here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Macedonian_Slavs#The_poll

Some people are lobbying for changing the article's name to Macedonian without any qualifier. As it seems, a number of these people come from the Macedonian/Macedonian Slav wikipedia project. It seemed only fair to attract the attention of people possibly from the other side of the story. I hope that this message is of interest to you, if not please accept my apologies. Newcomer 11:18, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

title: User talk:SaintJerome


text: User talk:203.145.128.6

title: User talk:203.145.128.6