While New Jersey is famously known as the Garden State based on its bountiful produce, numerous forces here and abroad indicate that the delicate balance between food growers and consumers is reaching a dangerous tipping point. Among key concerns, the world population is currently growing faster than the food supply, agriculture accounts for nearly 25% of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, and modern commercial farming practices have led to a rise in dangerous and costly food-borne and antibiotic-resistant illnesses. Closer to home, a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that between 1982 and 2007, New Jersey lost a greater share of its agricultural land to development than any other state in America, putting further strain on a local industry already under pressure.

Proving that necessity is the mother of invention, however, a new crop of innovators is tackling these challenges head-on.Based on the benefits of vertical farming a process by which crops are grown indoors in vertically stacked layers within highly controlled environments New Jerseys numerous vertical farms represent a bright spot on the Garden States agricultural horizon.

A Strategic Solution

Vertical farms lead back to the need to build a world in which the current food system must support the needs of an expanded population with a rapidly dwindling set of resources, said Irving Fain, founder and CEO of Bowery Farming, a 5-year-old, Kearny-based indoor farming company thats addressing the impending climate and food crisis by using the power of technology to grow fresh, high-quality produce closer to the point of consumption. With two commercial indoor farms located in Kearny and a third recently launched in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, Bowerys model and proprietary technology,BoweryOS, enable the growth of high-quality crops year-round, regardless of weather or seasonality, using zero pesticides and over 95% less water, Fain said.

Were re-appropriating industrial space to grow crops indoors at a rate thats 100 times more productive per square foot of land than that of traditional agriculture, noted Fain, who said that Bowerys data-rich systems and ability to control the entire growing process enable it to trace every individual crop back to its original seed and deliver superior produce to restaurants and stores (including Whole Foods and Stop & Shop locations) within days of harvest.

Five miles away in Newark,AeroFarmsconverted a 75-year-old, 70,000-square-foot steel mill into the worlds largest indoor vertical farm in 2015 (soon to become the worldssecond-largestwhenAeroFarms completes construction of its new 150,000-square-foot vertical farm in Danville, Va.).Growing a range of fruit, vegetables and greens (under the Dream Greens label) without sun or soil in a fully controlled, indoor environment using a patented aeroponic growing system for faster harvest cycles, predictable results, superior food safety and less environmental impact, the companys annual yields are reportedly 390-plus times higher per square foot than conventional farming. Harvesting up to two million pounds of highly nutritious, premium-quality produce per year, AeroFarmswas recently named one of Times Best Inventions of 2019.

Farming 8,000 square feet of grow space within a historic greenhouse in Newarks Branch Brook Park, Radicle Farm grows hydroponically using a nutrient film technique (NFT) and flooded tray system. Though not a vertical farm per se, vertical growing makes sense within densely populated urban areas, and field farming and ground-level greenhouse growing will also continue to play a major role for quite some time, said Radicle Farm Co-Founder Tony Gibbons.

Hackensack-based Greens Do Good is proving that vertical farms can not only be rooted in food delivery but in social responsibility as well. At the 3,600-square-foot facility, which opened in April 2019, all proceeds from the growth of its dozens of different microgreens, lettuce and herbs all grown without soil, pesticides or herbicides go to REED Next, a nonprofit organization that provides continued education, life experience and work opportunities to adults with autism.

We believe that growing healthy food with minimal impact to the environment is the future of farming, and Greens Do Good is transforming the way our local community sources healthy produce by providing the freshest ingredients in a sustainable and socially responsible way, said Jennifer Faust, REED Foundations director of Communications. In a state like New Jersey, where urban communities dont have the space, access or optimal year-round outdoor growing conditions to provide fresh produce, Greens Do Good is solving that problem by creating a sustainable social enterprise that not only helps individuals with autism, but provides our community with produce thats deliveredhyperlocallyon the same day its harvested, 365 days a year. At its core, Faust said, were a community partner providing sustainable produce to local businesses while supporting adults with autism, a greatly underserved population.

With a similar desire to support its community, Bowery works closely with Table To Table, a food rescue program that delivers perishable food to organizations that serve the hungry in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties and also has developed lesson plans to aid local teachers and students in discussions about the modern agricultural landscape and its challenges.

Building A Better Future

Often located in urban settings in order to bring agriculture back to city centers, vertical farms incorporate the utmost in sustainable products and practices. At Bowery, for example, energy-efficient LED lighting mimics the spectrum of the sun for crops, while rooftop solar panels, a clean gas backup generator and a battery energy storage system further reduce the companys energy use and carbon emissions in New Jersey. In addition, Bowery uses over 95% less water by recirculating it continuously and only replenishing the amount thats used by the plants or lost during daily operations, Fain said.

Part of a current network of 2,000 vertical farms in America within an industry thats estimated to grow to over $3 billion by 2024, New Jerseys vertical farms are proud of the contribution theyre making to meet the states food challenges while transforming agriculture around the world.

Bowery was founded on the fundamental belief that technology applied at scale can solve difficult and important global problems, with agriculture sitting at the nexus of many of these issues, and our mission is to grow food for a better future, said Fain, whose company was honored as one of Fast Companys 2019 Most Innovative Companies in AI. Based on its benefits and success, he said, we see indoor farming becoming an even more meaningful and integral part of the farming and agriculture industries in the next 5 to 10 years and look forward to continuing to experience the positive impact of vertical farming on the environment.

Vertical And Indoor Farms In New Jersey

Following is a selection of several vertical and indoor farms located throughout the Garden State:

Read the original here:
Growing up in the Garden State: Vertical farms prove to be bright spot on N.J.'s agricultural horizon - Jersey's Best

Huaweis flagship smartphone lineup, the P series, has, since the start been associated with the Chinese device makers attempts at redefining mobile photography. For years, it has done exactly that.

It prompted the move from the messy 2-megapixel front-facing cameras that dominated the high-end smartphone market to todays diverse and very elaborate selfie shooters.

In recent years, since the P20 series dropped, its attempt at improving smartphone photography by doubling down on features like zoom and shooting at night have borne fruits with flagship device after flagship device in the series being rated highly by both ordinary users and reviewers alike.

That is for the upper end of the smartphone spectrum, though. On the budget front, what is Huawei doing?

That is where the Huawei Y7p, the newest budget Huawei device available in the Kenyan market, comes in, making a case for Huaweis budget Y series lineup that has, recently, given us gems like the Huawei Y9 Prime 2019.

Like other devices in the Huawei Y series, the Y7p is a good balance between price and features it costs just Kshs 18,499.

For that, one gets a triple camera setup at the back and a solo shooter on the front.

The triple cameras at the back of the device are as follows:

On the front is an 8-megapixel image sensor.

I have been taking the Huawei Y7p through its paces over the last one week and here are my quick observations:

Huawei Y7p zoom

Note: the sample images used in this article have been resized and their resolutions reduced. This may have some effect on the quality as presented in this article.

Follow this link:
Huawei Y7p: The p is for photography? - Android Kenya

CELEBRITIES from around the world came together for the One World: Together At Home concert, organised by Lady Gaga, this weekend.

Highlights of the concert are being shown tonight, on BBC1, but the full eight hour version saw stars including the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Elton John coming together to send a message of support to healthcare workers fighting the coronavirus.

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And as well as providing the planet with some much-needed musical healing, the online gig gave us a rare glimpse into the fabulous homes of A-list stars.

From Oprah Winfrey's simple chic lounge to Jimmy Fallon's log cabin look, the backdrops displayed on the online sets were just as weird and wonderful as we'd hoped.

Here are our favourites...

Singer Jessie J belted out some of her greatest hits, including Bang Bang, from her Los Angeles home.

But fans were distracted by her huge, living room and stark white decor, with inset ceiling lights - asking if she actually lived a hotel lobby.

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One viewer Tweeted: "Guys, is this Jessie J's house or a hotel reception? Look how much light."

A second said: "Damn Jessie J just went #PitchPerfect on everyone. Her house also looks like a Marriott lobby."

That house really IS about the Price Tag.

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The prize for the most bonkers home of the night went to Jimmy Fallon, whose enchanting New York pad looks like it was designed for a big kid.

The US chat show host's log cabin-inspired home was decked out entirely with wood and featured fantastical looking pillars and beams.

But viewers were bowled over by the indoor slide, running parallel to the staircase, that daughters Frances, five, and Winnie, six, must make good use of.

Twitter user Lady Nikki marvelled: "Ok @jimmyfallon has a slide in his house, thats legit goals. Rich people THATS how you spend your money properly."

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Jennifer Lopez is used to lighting up a room, but on Saturday she took her lights outdoors.

The Jenny From The Block singer, who sang Barbra Streisand's classic People, appeared to live in an enchanted forest as she sat at the base of a twisted tree wrapped in hundreds of lights.

The 50-year-old star added to the magical mood with a couple of chunky candles.

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John Legend has won an award or two - and he wants everyone to know it.

The All of Me star performed at the piano in front of a shelf full of gongs, including four Grammys and a Golden Globe, which he won in 2015 for the song Glory.

The ego-massaging display wasn't all we got to see of the spacious Los Angeles home he shares with wife Chrissy Teigen.

The pair were also filmed on their creamy white couch, backed by a shelf full of books including one titled Understanding The World.

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Chat show queen Oprah seemed proud of her living space - giving viewers the widest shot on camera - and so she should be.

The stunning white decor in her Chicago home gives it a light airy feeling and the deep mahogany desk perfectly matches the wooden trim of the chairs.

Even her books fit the ordered decor - colour-coded for their matching cream and white spines and organised in neat blocks that would make Mrs Hinch proud.

Tidy house, tidy mind must be Oprah's motto.

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Leigh-Anne's style lives up to Little Mix's name, as it appears to be inspired by a cocktail bar.

The 28-year-old star was joined by her bandmates for a long distance version of their hit Touch, and showed off a glittering backdrop of glass shelves and mirrors, dotted with fancy looking bottles, glasses and jars at her Surrey mansion.

Behind her, above a marble fireplace, were framed gold and platinum discs earned by the band.

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Matthew McConaughey is famously down-to-earth and laid back - so why would he bother tidying up before sending his message of peace and love to the world?

The Mad Mike star was broadcasting from the less than glamorous setting of his office, in his Texas mansion with a stuffed bookcase in the background.

A printer and stationary were visible on the side along with a little statue of a cherub.

No sign of those bongos that got him into trouble 20 years ago - when he was arrested for playing them naked.

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Taylor Swift didn't show of much of her stylish New York apartment during her performance of her moving ballad Soon You'll Get Better.

But the water lily wallpaper caught the eye of her fans.

Perhaps the 30-year-old singer was trying to bring a little bit of the countryside into her 17 million city pad.

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Rocketman legend Elton moved his grand piano to the garden of his luxury home in Beverly Hills, bought for 26.5 million in 2015, to knock out I'm Still Standing for his fans.

Husband David Furnish acted as sound producer and cameraman for the 73-year-old's performance.

But viewers were quick to notice a basketball hoop and two basketballs lying on the ground - suggesting the pair have been using lockdown to shoot a few hoops with sons Zachary, eight, and Elijah, six.

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Ellen recently compared lockdown to 'being in prison' but, if the backdrop here is anything to go by, her garden beats any exercise yard in the world.

Oh, and the 19.5m mansion is also right on the beach in Montecito, California.

The 62-year-old chat show host sat in a vast sitting room to give her message on the coronavirus to the nation, but the view out the full length windows was pretty impressive.

She even brought one of the trees inside, in a huge stone pot.

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At the other end of the scale, Charlie Puth had the most relatable lockdown surroundings - performing in a messy bedroom with an unmade bed.

The 28-year-old singer is living at his parents' LA home during the coronavirus crisis and contributed a moving rendition of See You Again from his bedroom.

PROUD AUNTIEHolly Willoughby says she 'hasn't stopped crying' as she introduces niece

Exclusive

BLAZING ROWGemma Collins and AJ Pritchard spark fury with bonfires despite lockdown plea

New startPhil Schofield 'moves out of family home & into London flat after coming out'

DOTING DADDeclan Donnelly grins as he and wife Ali play with daughter Isla in the park

Spoiler

LEFT FOR DEADCorrie's Yasmeen STABS abusive Geoff after he attacks her with a knife

posh CLASHPiers fumes at Susanna as she defends Victoria Beckham over staff furlough row

But fans were quick to notice his faux pas with one tweeting: "Shoutout to #CharliePuth for an extraordinary performance #TogetherAtHome (whispers) couldve made your bed though, just sayin."

Whatever the setting - from Oprah's million dollar mansion to Charlie's boy bedroom - the stars proved we are all in this together by pulling off the long distance concert and providing hours of entertainment.

Plus a great snoop inside some very impressive homes.

Link:
Inside the weird & wonderful celeb homes of One World gig, from Jessie Js hotel lobby to Jimmy Fallons ind - The Sun

I realize that the idea of joining is pretty far down the list of things that sound like a good idea right now. When I walk past someone on the way to store or when Im simply out to get a breath of fresh air I give them a wide berth, much wider than the six feet recommended by the CDC. The only person I want to touch right now is my wife (and only after shes washed her hands), and Im guessing that most of you probably feel the same way.

The following is an excerpt from my book, The Witchs Wheel of the Year: Rituals for Solitaries, Circles, and Covens, and while I thought I was done running excerpts from that particular work, it just feels right to do so currently considering the circumstances. Im guessing a lot of us are going to be doing solitary Beltane rites, and this rite has the extra added bonus of being a bit of a self affirmation. If you are like me right now you might very well need a magickal pick me up!

Stay safe my friends, and Ill see you on the other side of this! Blessed Be!

_____

In my covens version of the Great Rite, we often use the words the magick of joining. For many decades, joining in the context of Witchcraft (and especially Wiccan-Witchcraft) revolved around ideas limited to male-female energies. This sort of narrow thinking has never worked for me because nature and the greater universe have never embraced such absolutes.

The universe was created at the big bang when matter and force collided, resulting in gas and dust hurtling through space and forming galaxies, suns, and planets. Closer to home, wonders like the Grand Canyon arose due to the erosion of rock by water and wind. The life in my backyard garden came to be because I put seeds in the ground, where they were nourished with dirt and water and then eventually came up from the ground and embraced the life-giving power of the sun. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and we are all influenced and prodded along by the people and circumstances around us.

Even solitary practice is a bit of a misnomer, because if we are practicing the Craft properly, we arent alone while we do it. In the circle, we are surrounded by the forces of earth, air, fire, and water. For many of us, there are also goddesses and gods lending their power and their presence in our rites. Magick may not have a consciousness of its own, but its most certainly something we can feel during ritual and when performing spellwork.

When we practice magick, we are fusing energy with our intent to achieve a desired outcome. We are applying our wants and needs to a natural force that would otherwise not have an agenda. Magick by its very nature is an act of joining. Intent alone is not enough, and simply lighting a candle and walking away is not enough either.

At Beltane, I probably feel the magick of joining more acutely than at other times of the year. Some of this is because of the holidays associations with sex and dalliances, but a lot of it is because many things outside have all joined together quite recently. The green grass in my front yard is a reminder of how the earth and sky have come together to produce something truly wondrous, and signs of new life are everywhere in early May. There are bugs buzzing around in the air and bird songs on the breeze. Its all so magickal and all the result of different forces coming together to create something new.

This ritual utilizes the magick of joining in a twofold way. The working begins with a personal affirmation, followed by an invitation for deity to settle down right alongside of us. Many of us typically call our deities into ritual, but rarely do we ask them to be right up next to us. This ritual does that to remind us that we are never truly alone while performing a solitary rite. If you want to adapt this into a ritual for more than one person, the affirmation can be turned into a drawing down the moon experience, which takes the idea of joining to an entirely different level!

For this part of the rite, youll need some sort of essential oil. Because of the season, I suggest choosing something floral to help connect with the natural world. If youre using a pure essential oil, make sure to add a base oil (such as olive) so it doesnt burn or hurt your skin.

The second part of the working utilizes the chalice and athame and is a magickal version of the symbolic Great Rite. There are many Witches who see the athame and chalice in such situations as representative of a penis and a vagina, but an athame is not a penis nor is a cup a vagina. Both tools are simply representative of natural forces, and how we interpret them is really up to us. In this rite, the chalice is representative of the things we wish to bring into our lives, while the athame is representative of our will or intent. (And if cups and knives do bother you, replace them with whatever works for you!)

If you dont have an official working athame and chalice, any old cup will do, as will a kitchen knife, a wand, or even your finger! Witchcraft doesnt require a bunch of tools, despite what books like this one might suggest. This ritual can be done indoors or out, and at any time of day.

Materials Needed

Standard altar setup Essential oil Charcoal tablet for incense (If indoors, be sure to buy a type of charcoal designed for indoor use, which is easily picked up at any metaphysical/New Age store.) Chalice (containing wine or other liquid) Cakes (or whatever food you wish) Athame/knife Powdered or natural incense

The Ritual: The Magick of Joining

Start by taking a deep centering breath and look over your altar to make sure everything you need for the ritual is there. When you feel ready to start the ritual, begin by stating the rituals intent:

I come here this night (or day) to celebrate the festival of Beltane. Tonight I shall weave my will and walk in step with the natural world and the Goddess and God who dwell within it. I shall make magick and celebrate my connection with those deities I walk with. Blessed be!

Place a bowl of water on your altars pentacle and then place three measures of salt into it using your fingers or athame. Sprinkle or place the salt in the water, then mix the two elements together with your blade. Then say:

Earth and water have joined together so that I might purify myself and this place as I prepare for these my rites. By the power of the Lord and Lady, all negativity shall be banished so that I might celebrate the mysteries of May. So mote it be!

Sprinkle the water about your ritual space and yourself. Ill generally place a few drops on my head and my heart and, while doing so, picture the mundane concerns that get in the way of my magickal self melting away. If youre doing the ritual inside, be sure to sprinkle your water in any corners or entryways. Once the water has been sprinkled, take your charcoal tablet and light it. Once its lit, place it in a dish or holder where it can burn safely, then place that on your altars pentacle and sprinkle your incense over it while saying:

Fire and air have joined together so that I might charge myself and this space as I prepare for these my rites. By the power of the Lord and Lady, I assert that I and all within this working space are prepared for magick so that I might celebrate the mysteries of May! So mote it be!

Walk around your ritual area with the incense, feeling its energy and heat charge your space. When this is done, make sure to waft some of the incense smoke upon yourself. As you truly smell the smoke, imagine it charging you, awakening all the magick and energy inside of you. When this is done, prepare to cast the circle using your athame (or preferred tool).

Casting the Circle/Calling the Quarters

Begin casting the circle in the east, walking around your ritual space clockwise. Use your athame, sword, wand, or finger to cast the circle.

By my will and the power of the Lord and the Lady, I cast this circle! May all within it assist me in my magick, and may all negative energies and those that would wish me harm stay beyond its boundaries. This circle is a protection and a doorway between the worlds! By my will, it is done. The circle is cast. So mote it be!

Call the quarters starting in the east, moving clockwise from there. If youre using candles, you can light them at the conclusion of each quarter call.

Spirits of the east, spirits of air and wind, join me tonight in this place! May I feel your power and energy upon the breeze as I celebrate this Beltane night. Hail and welcome!

Spirits of the south, spirits of fire and sun, join me tonight in this place! May I feel your warmth and see your light as I celebrate this Beltane night. Hail and welcome!

Spirits of the west, spirits of water and sea, join me tonight in this place! May I feel the life-giving energy you bring to all things as I celebrate this Beltane night. Hail and welcome!

Spirits of the north, spirits of earth and mountain, join me tonight in this place. May I feel your powers with every step I take as I celebrate this Beltane night. Hail and welcome!

Now call to the Lord and Lady (or any specific deity you choose). If you have candles to light in their honor, do so after each invocation.

Lovely Lady, Great Goddess, Mistress of the Heavens, Earth Mother, join me tonight in my rites! Allow me to feel your presence and power in all that I do. Draw me closer to the wonder of this world and the magick and mystery of high spring. Let me feel your energies as I celebrate this Beltane rite. Hail and welcome!

Horned One, Great God, Lord of the Sun, Jack in the Green, join me tonight in my rites! Bless this Beltane ritual with your powers of growth and rejuvenation. May I feel your presence and power as I work my magick and will. Be with me both within and without the circle. Hail and welcome!

The Working

Take your anointing oil and hold it in your dominant hand for a few moments. As you hold it, think about yourself in a positive manner. Know that you are a worthy child and a devotee of the Lord and Lady and a powerful Witch. Take societys expectations for appearance, dress, and decorum and throw them out of your mind. You are a beautiful creature worthy of love and acceptance, and you have both of those things within the Craft. Infuse your oil with these ideas; let this true image of yourself move through your body, through your arm, into your hand, and then into your oil. When the oil is warm and charged in your hand, reach out to the deity you are closest to:

Great Lady, Goddess of the Witches, on this sacred night of joining, I ask that I truly feel your presence in this ritual space. May I feel your love for me fill up this circle. Draw me ever closer to your mysteries. So mote it be!

Now anoint yourself with the oil, starting at the feet.

Blessed be my feet, which have brought me to thee.

Using the finger of your dominant hand, lightly dab each foot with your oil before moving to your knees.

Blessed be my knees, which kneel upon your green earth.

Dab each knee before moving to your heart.

Blessed be my heart, which loves and feels love.

Dab the oil between your breasts before moving to your lips. For your lips, youll probably want to dab the oil on your upper lip (right below your nose) or on your chin.

Blessed be my lips, which have allowed me to call thee.

Finally, dab some oil on your forehead, representative of your spirit.

Blessed be my spirit that seeks thee.

Then say:

I am a Witch and worthy of the love of my Goddess! It is she who walks with me upon the path of the wise. Dear One, be with me in my circle, for I am your child and my love for thee is pure and true!

Let all go still for a second and reach out with your senses for a sign from her (or him). Deities do not always communicate like we humans do. Be alert for an odd breeze or a patch of warm energy next to you. I often feel the Lord and Lady as if they are standing right behind me, with one of their hands upon my left shoulder. As you wait for a sign, concentrate on them, think of them, and reach out to whoever it is you wish to be in your circle. They will come. Once youve felt them, thank them for reaching out to you before moving on with the rest of the ritual.

With your dominant hand, pick up the chalice of wine on your altar and look into it. Let your eyes unfocus and sink into the wine in the chalice. The chalice is representative of the earth and all of the potential it holds. As you look into the cup, imagine all of the possibilities in your life and see them within the wine. When one of those possibilities that youre especially attracted to swirls in front of your eyes (or in your imagination), hold onto it for a second and try to visualize it more clearly.

It could be something like you having a new (happier) job, or you engaging in a hobby or pasttime youve been putting off for a while. Whatever it is, focus on it. If its something you truly want, hold the image. If its not, let it go and repeat the steps above to see what else comes up.

When you finally come across a possibility that appeals to you and is one you truly and absolutely want, pick up your athame. Let all of the want and need for this possibility go racing through your body and direct it toward the hand holding your athame. This is your true will, and the athame was designed to wield such energies. Slowly insert the athame into the cup, joining the possibilities, energies, and potential of the earth with your own will as wielded by the athame. As the athame enters the wine, say:

By my will, this thing shall be! Possibilities and potential reached this Beltane night!

When the athame enters the wine, your will shall fuse the idea youre trying to manifest with the energy in the cup, creating a magickal elixir. If youve put enough energy into the wine, it might even feel a bit electric to the touch or when you drink it. Take the cup to your lips, drink, and say:

In Beltanes cauldron, all is possible! May it be so!

Drink deeply from the cup, remembering to set aside a little bit for the gods. (Alternatively, you can pour some upon the ground now if youre outdoors.) Let the energized wine flow through you, and open yourself up to its energies. Let that energy fill every cell of your body, and know that you will be using that energy over the next few months to achieve your goal.

Set the cup down and pick up a cake (or whatever food you wish) with your non-dominant hand. Place your athame back into the chalice, then touch the tip of your blade to the cake, saying:

By the powers of the Lord and Lady, I bless this cake. I thank them for their gifts. Blessed be!

Eat the cake, saving some for the gods as an offering. Enjoy the energy of your Beltane rite for just a few moments more, then move on to thanking the gods and dismissing the energies you have gathered.

Farewells to the Lord and Lady

Great Goddess, you have stood beside me tonight in my ritual, and for your presence I am truly grateful! Remind me in the days ahead of my worthiness as a Witch and that I am loved by you. I thank you for being a part of my rite and my life.

Great God, thank you too for lending your energy and exuberance to my rite. Thank you for all of your gifts and standing beside me. I am a Witch. I am a child of the gods. Blessed be!

Dismissing the Quarters/Taking Down the Circle

Starting in the north, dismiss the quarters, moving widdershins and extinguishing any candles for the quarters (if lit).

Spirits of the north, spirits of earth and mountain, I thank you for joining me in this space and watching over my rite. May I feel your power in the summer days ahead! Hail and farewell!

Spirits of the west, spirits of water and sea, I thank you for joining me in this space and watching over my rite. May I observe and delight in your gift of life in the summer days ahead! Hail and farewell!

Spirits of the south, spirits of fire and sun, I thank you for joining me in this space and watching over my rite. May I feel your warmth upon my face as we journey toward the summer! Hail and farewell!

Spirits of the east, spirits of air and wine, I thank you for joining me in this space and watching over my rite. May your warm breezes bring us the gift of rain this summer season. Hail and farewell!

Using your athame, wand, or finger, release the circle, starting in the east and moving widdershins.

By my will and the power of the Lord and Lady, I did cast this circle. I now release it and all of the energies I have raised within. May my magick leave this space and hold true, bringing to me that which I desire. The doorway between the worlds is now closed, but what was done here I shall carry with me, and the love of the Lady and Lord will be forever with me. The circle is open. So mote it be!

Before leaving, thank the Lord and Lady for your Beltane rite and take any libations outside in honor of the deities who stood with you this night. Hail the May!

_________

SOLITARY RITES FOR EVERY SABBAT: THE WITCHS WHEEL OF THE YEAR: RITUALS FOR CIRCLES, SOLITARIES, & COVENS!! Available online, most bookstores with a lick of sense, and your local Witch shop!

The Witchs Wheel of the Year: Rituals for Circles, Solitaries, & Covens should be available just about everywhere.

See more here:
A Solitary Beltane Rite: The Magick of Joining - Patheos

This program is about trying to bless those essential workers and first responders who are real heroes in a difficult time. Jack Borba, owner of Straightline Construction

Local heroes, essential workers, first responders and those in need amid the COVID-19 crisis have a chance to score free home improvements.

Straight Line Construction is partnering with other local, small businesses to help people in need or to give back to those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. $125,000 in home upgrades will be given away as part of its Heroes Home Improvement Giveaway that will run through May 26.

This program is about trying to bless those essential workers and first responders who are real heroes in a difficult time, said Straight Line Construction owner Jack Borba.

Community members in El Dorado County can nominate a local hero, someone in need or even themselves to win one of many home improvements. The program gives winners an opportunity at a new roof, gutters, solar, HVAC system, deck, siding, paint job or a garage door.

Borba said he first came up with the idea for the program driving through south Cameron Park at the beginning of April and saw all the businesses closed down.

For awhile we in construction were not sure if we would be classified as essential or not and eventually we were and are very blessed, Borba said. I decided to add people in need to the program because I realized how many people are hurting from their businesses closing up as a result of this health crisis.

The giveaway is divided up into categories with assigned value limits that include a complete deck replacement (one available up to $30,000 in value); complete siding replacement (one available up to $26,500 in value); complete roof replacement (one available up to $20,000 in value); solar system (one available up to $15,000 in value); heating/air conditioning system (one available up to $15,000 in value); roof repair or gutter replacement (five available up to $2,000 each in value); painting services (one available up to $5,000 in value); skylight replacement (one available up to $1,500 in value); deck sealing (one available up to $1,000 in value); and a garage door (one available up to $1,000 in value).

Winners will be determined by weekly drawings.

Founded in 1999 by Borba, Straight Line Construction began as a roofing company and now offers residential services for roof replacement and repairs, gutters, decks, siding and window replacement.

Straight line has since been improving homes in this community and giving back to those in need, with past fundraising efforts helping to support the Food Bank of El Dorado County.

Borba said participants in the Heroes Home Improvement Giveaway can enter once each day and even complete bonus entry options/forms to increase the opportunity for nominees to win.

For more information on how to nominate someone visitstraightlineconstruction.com or call (530)-672-9995.

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Local construction company giving back to heroes of the pandemic - Mountain Democrat

An Eastern country with a Western outlook,Azerbaijanis an exceptional combination of antiquity and novelty with several sites of interest. From Bakus modern Flame Towers to the depths of the medieval UNESCO World Heritage site, theres something for everyone inAzerbaijan.Azerbaijans artforms as well are a glorious mixture of styles, reflecting the cultural shifts and changing trends of hundreds of years.Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia,Azerbaijanhas nine of the worlds eleven climate zones, offering travellers a European experience at affordable prices all year round.

Azerbaijans artforms are a glorious mixture of styles, reflecting the cultural shifts and changing trends of hundreds of years. The nation has become a hub of inspiration for young artists across the globe. While local artists have been showcasing their art across the world,Azerbaijanhas also become a must-visit destination for artists hungry to soak-up contemporary art nuanced by symbols from its rich history.

Here is a look atAzerbaijans historic art forms, thebest galleries to visit, and notableAzerbaijaniartiststo watch out for:

TRADITIONAL ART FORMS

Carpet weaving

Carpet weaving inAzerbaijanappeared a long time ago: it is the oldest type of applied art in the region, a fact that has been proven by numerous archaeological findings from around the country. Carpet making inAzerbaijanis a family tradition transferred from one generation to the next, and a skill that is acquired through practice.

As a preeminent and intrinsic part ofAzerbaijaniculture, there is even a Carpet Museum. Modelled after a rolled carpet, it stands as the first museum specializing in the study and protection ofAzerbaijans ancient carpets. Work to collect exhibits and items began in 1967, and in 1972 the first visitors could see the rare exhibits collected in the museum.

Coppersmithing

Traditional methods of copperware production still survive inAzerbaijanand production has reached a high level of development. The craft is rooted in the ancient village of Lahij which has long been famous as a handicraft centre, especially known for the preparation of highly artistic copperwares. In 2015, the copper craftsmanship of Lahij was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Shebeke

Shebeke is an ancient craft that appeared inAzerbaijaniarchitecture during the 9th-12thcenturies. Thesophisticated jigsaw puzzlesof coloured glassbring life to buildings and are unique in that theintricate wooden framesare made without glue or nails.Little pieces of coloured glass are inserted into a wooden lattice usually made from walnut or oak wood. The Khans Palace located in the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Sheki is considered the most striking example of shebeke art.

SOUL-STIRRING GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

Heydar Aliyev Centre

The Heydar Aliyev Centre is considered the crown jewel of Bakus architecture. Designed by the illustrious architect, Zaha Hadid, it is notably one of the capitals most iconic modern landmarks. Besides the buildings magnificent architecture, it houses some of the best art curations in the city. There are four massive floors dedicated to art and culture in conjunction with a full-fledged museum to add to the mix.

From traditional antiquities and rock paintings of Gobustan to the rich tapestries of the Silk-Road era, the museum hosts age-old wonders that are diverse and beguiling. As you go higher in the building you find yourself walking through the history and transition of the nation. This post-modern monument truly takes you through the evolution of masterpieces through time.

Museum of Modern Art

Conceptualised by the first lady ofAzerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, the Museum of Modern Art opened in Baku in 2009 with the mission to break the shackles of rigid frameworks and bring in freedom of speech through art. The avant-garde museum contains over 800 exhibits comprising romantic figurative structures from artists like Omar Eldarov and Nadir Kasumov coupled with contemporary paintings from artists like Eldar Mamedov and Ashraf Murad.

There are several unforgettable pieces fromAzerbaijanimasters from the 1960s and 1970s, together with classics in modern imagery from the likes of Picasso and Dali. One must-see exposition is the dedicated unknown art exhibit, which appeared in the country during the Soviet era. If it were not for the work of the museum, the names presented here might have been forgotten.

Yarat! Contemporary Art Space

Yarat means 'create', an evident motivation in the thought-provoking installations that don't shy away from socio-political commentary.The Art Space is housed in a repurposed Soviet-era naval building and since its opening in 2011 has hosted art exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, and other cultural events.

Dedicated to creating a hub for contemporary art, the space delivers a power-packed punch of local talent who are promoted across the region. Showcasing works of several eclectic artists combined with a regular selection of exhibitions and one-day shows, the studio has become an epicentre for emerging artists.

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Be it in fluid architecture or ancient techniques, Azerbaijan's creativity is an art in itself - Indulgexpress

From House Beautiful

Last week, the Property Brothers' new show Celebrity IOU premiered with Brad Pitt joining Drew and Jonathan Scott to surprise his makeup artist with a stunning new guest house. In the latest episode, the brothers head to Chicago, where they meet actress Melissa McCarthy and help her with a special renovation project for her heroes.

"They're like two of the kindest people and they just don't put themselves first," McCarthy says of her aunt and uncle, Connie and Jim Perusich, both career police officers. McCarthyalong with her cousin Jenna Perusich (Connie and Jim's daughter)wanted to give the couple a more up-to-date space. Not only that, but a space that's safe for Jim, who was paralyzed from the waist down on the job, but has since regained his ability to walk. To get them out of the house, the cousins convinced Jim and Connie to go away on a three week vacation to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

For this project, McCarthy wanted to focus on the first floor of the home. The old-school grass green carpet, outdated furniture, and closed-off kitchen were no longer ideal for a couple who loves to entertain. The first floor barely offered any natural light and Connie loved to cook, but her small, detached kitchen always separated her from her guests. Not only that, but Jim had a den where he'd watch his sports game from his favorite recliner chaira chair he often slept in due to his injury. The chair was worn out from use and didn't serve him as best as it could. The brothers were tasked with replacing the chair and creating the ultimate "man cave."

During the episode, McCarthy shows off her impressive sledgehammer skills. "I compulsively knock down houses," she says, proving that she's no stranger to demolition. Nor was JennaDrew even jokingly pegs them as the "construction cousins." After saying goodbye to the kitchen wall and opening up the space, the brothers take the lead on the project. They install all new windows and doors, including a sliding glass door in order to bring more light into the home. They also add hardwood floors to help Jim navigate more effortlessly. Finally, the brothers test out several recliner chairs until they find one equally as stylish as comfortable for the "man cave."

When Connie and Jim see their new digs, they're immediately emotional. "Are you kidding?" Connie says, almost tearing up sight of her new space. "Are we in the wrong house?" Jim asks. The couple marvels at their refurbished home, growing even more ecstatic when the brothers walk in. The show ends in Jim's new "man cave" as Jonathan puts a doo-wop tune on the new turn table station which he created for Jim and Jim asks his wife to dance. In the background, pictures from when the couple first met hang the wallleave it to the Property Brothers to always add a personal touch.

Catch Celebrity IOU on HGTV on Mondays at 9 pm. Other celebrities to be featured this season include Viola Davis, Rebel Wilson, and Michael Bubl.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

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Melissa McCarthy Surprises Her Aunt and Uncle With Home Renovation on "Celebrity IOU" - Yahoo News Canada

From the time of kings and emperors to modern day presidents, the Elyse Palace has stood as a symbol of male dominance in society and politics. Behind the wrought iron gates its gilded salons have witnessed conquests of many kinds including, frequently, the sexual.

Now a prominent historian has argued that, just as French society is changing with the #MeToo movement and greater scrutiny of predatory behaviour, so too must the countrys presidents.

In the past, it was almost a mark of prestige that a man of power like the president had a mistress, almost as a kind of gauge that he was a true leader, even if these dominant males were almost a kind of predator, said Jean Garrigues, author of a new book on the Elyses scandalous past. The behaviour of French presidents was like that of a monarch. Today, this type of behaviour that treats women as objects and trophies is no longer accepted in society.

We have the #MeToo movement. We dont tolerate the subjugating of women or that they are some kind of hunting trophy. The erotic story of the Elyse shows us the evolution of our society.

His interpretation tallies with a new report published earlier this year which painted a far more sober picture of the palace under Emmanuel Macron.

Its the first time weve seen advisers working this hard, an unnamed butler, who was described as having worked at the presidential palace for 40 years, told Le Figaro magazine. Were bored stiff at the Elyse. No one bonks any more. Before you had to knock two or three times at doors to be certain not to interrupt someone in a compromising position. Another anonymous witness told the magazine: With this administration, all the libido of power is going into drawing up technical notes.

In Une histoire rotique de lElyse, Garrigues details how the palace has been at the centre of some of the countrys most notorious sex scandals for three hundred years. There has always been a sort of erotic perfume in the atmosphere of the palace that comes from it being a place of strength and power, Garrigues said.

It is complicated to say whether its the power of the place that makes its occupants great seducers or whether it is those men who have shown a strong desire to conquer women and power, who become occupants.

The Elyse was commissioned as a grand htel particulier [private mansion] by the Count of vreux, who used the dowry of his 12-year-old wife, Marie-Anne Crozat, daughter of Pariss richest man. No sooner was it completed than vreux bundled Marie-Anne into a carriage during the inauguration ball, ordered the driver to take her to their country home and installed his mistress in the property.

Shortly afterwards, Louis XV acquired the property for his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, who held lavish parties where she would pick young women to have sex with the king, according to Garrigues. Later, banker Nicolas Beaujon lived in the palace with his six mistresses.

Since 1848, the Elyse has been the official home of French presidents, and while at least two, Charles de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou, were faithful, others were decidedly not. This arguably reached a peak during the 1981-1995 rule of Franois Mitterrand, who was most notorious for keeping a secret second family installed in an annexe of the Elyse, with the knowledge of his long-suffering wife Danielle.

But Mitterrand had many other affairs, and according to the journalist Catherine Nay, quoted in Garriguess book: During Mitterrands time in the Elyse it was incredibly libertine. Everyone was jumping on everyone else. The presidents behaviour, said Garrigues, bordered on harassment.

His book ends with the Elyses current occupants: Macron and his wife, Brigitte, about whom he has nothing scandalous to reveal. Not only have mores and mentalities changed, we have seen with recent scandals that the increased media scrutiny and the paparazzi makes it difficult for politicians to pass under the radar as they once could, Garrigues said. Macrons predecessor, Franois Hollande, dumped his long-term girlfriend Valrie Trierweiler after being caught by photographers visiting actress Julie Gayet on his scooter.

There was a tradition of keeping quiet in France that protected presidents private lives, which is how Mitterrand was able to lead a double life, but that is not possible today. This type of behaviour by presidents is no longer admired, said Garrigues.

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What the butler saw: sex secrets of French presidents' palace revealed - The Guardian

Every year, same-level slips and falls send five million people to the emergency room with sprains, strains, bruises and breaks. Thats almost one a minute every single day. With numbers like these, its no wonder that most facilities view payouts from slip and fall claims as an inevitable cost of doing business.

And its a major expense. Consider these figures from insurance provider Zurich North America:

For every $1 in direct costs, the company estimates $3 of indirect, uninsured costs that can add another $54,000 to a workers comp claim and $31,000 to a general liability claim.

But there is an upside. Combining the right products with best practices can put an end to slips and falls. The key is finding and mitigating your facilitys Risk Zones.

A Risk Zone is any area where slips and falls occur because of the following factors:

In 2017, a New Pig Corporation safety survey found that 70% of facility managers outsourced responsibility for safe walking surfaces to their rental mat or cleaning service. The problem with this approach is that vendors dont bear the risk or pay the claims. Thats why its up to you to take control of your Risk Zones.

These five steps will help you get started:

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5 Steps To Eliminating Slips And Falls - Facility Executive Magazine

EDMONDS Nicer weather has led to more people parking on Sunset Avenue north of the ferry terminal and walking along the street for the waterfront views. That foot traffic pushes walkers who want to keep six feet from others off the sidewalk onto the one-way road, and into harms way.

Mirroring similar closures in Seattle and Everett, the city of Edmonds on Friday indefinitely restricted access for non-residential traffic and parking on Sunset Avenue North. Fewer cars on the road will give pedestrians more room to see the waterfront and maintain social distancing, city spokeswoman Jamie Holter said. With some walkers on cellphones and not paying attention to oncoming cars, it was only a matter of a time before there was an accident, she said.

There was just a lot of conflict between the people who were walking around the (parked) cars and the people who were on the road, Holter said. This is sort of the direction that some places are going because we know people need to get out and get around. This gives them another space to go. Its hard to find space to walk, especially for the older folks.

The Sunset Avenue closure comes while the city of Seattle plans on closing up to 15 miles of streets to non-local traffic to provide more space for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Seattle program is starting with 2.5 miles of roads in the Central District and West Seattle, and then expanding throughout the city.

We hope the effort keeps people moving and enjoying the spring weather during this tough time, said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Sam Zimbabwe.

While parking lots, bathrooms and other facilities at parks across the state are closed, trails and walkways remain open. With nowhere to park, visitors are leaving their cars along nearby roads.

In Everett, the city closed a road near Howarth Park.

The stretch of Olympic Boulevard between Havens Road and Ridgemont Drive is now restricted because of parking and garbage issues, city spokeswoman Kimberly Cline said in an email.

Our parks director noted that nice weather has drawn a few crowds, but overall people seem to be enjoying the parks as requested during this time, she said. We want people to be able to get fresh air and exercise in city parks but to also follow the states stay-home, stay-healthy guidelines.

That includes not blocking park gates with your vehicle and packing out your garbage.

In Mukilteo, Mayor Jennifer Gregerson looked into road closures around areas like Lighthouse Park to prevent congestion but hasnt taken any steps to do so, she said.

People have been good about not crowding when they walk to the waterfront, she said in an email. When people see concerns, they have also quickly been notifying our police so we can do education on the physical distancing rules.

In Edmonds, the police department wont be enforcing the Sunset Avenue closure, Holter said. Rather, officers will ask drivers not to park along the road and educate them on social distancing.

We hope the people of Edmonds will see what were doing and maybe do a little bit of self policing, she said.

Public feedback has mostly been positive, Holter said.

Some opposition comes from physically disabled people and the elderly, who arent comfortable parking and walking from nearby streets such as Edmonds Way and Bell Street, she said.

The decision is also intended to discourage people from driving down to the waterfront to see the views.

It goes back to, If you have to take the car, its too far, she said.

Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.

Gallery

The city of Edmonds closed Sunset Avenue North to non-residential traffic, starting last Friday, because congestion was creating a hazardous situation for pedestrians. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The city of Edmonds closed Sunset Avenue North to non-residential traffic, starting last Friday, because congestion was creating a hazardous situation for pedestrians. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

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Edmonds waterfront road closed to make room for walkers - The Daily Herald