[goldie0608]

Vacant Office Near D.C. Turns Into Indoor Farm–Using Empty Buildings to Grow Food



Arlington, Virginia is like a gateway to the city of Washington D.C. Part of the Metro line, but across the Potomac, it’s nevertheless a busy area and not the kind of place you’d expect to be able to get minutes-old, farm-fresh produce.

But Area 2 Farms is growing greens, herbs, and root vegetables in a vertical farm thanks to the dearth of traditional office tenants. With high-rise office space remaining vacant even after the end of the pandemic, landlords are open to ideas.

Jackie Potter and Tyler Baras pitched the idea of an indoor farm and it was obviously a good one because Area 2 is already well-established in the Arlington area such that they offer subscription delivery of fresh veggies to fellow urbanites starting at $40 per week.

Area 2 Farms uses a sophisticated conveyor belt system called Silo to cut down on the more laborious hours of indoor farming. It’s not a hydroponic system—there is soil inside Area 2 Farms which means they can grow root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and radishes.

When executed correctly, vertical farming can produce as much as traditional farming but with a lot less space, and no concern over weather or pests. Obviously as well it can be done in the center of a city, where land is at a premium.

Ciara O’Brien at Modern Farmer did some research in an article covering Area 2 Farms and found that 20% of office space in the US is unoccupied, and that by 2030, about 300 million square feet across the country’s cities will simply be obsolete because of companies that couldn’t make it out of the government-enforced or voluntary closures of their businesses during COVID, coupled with the fact that many people are more content working remotely.

“Cities are changing every day,” Potter tells Modern Farmer. “There’s a really great economic opportunity as well. Our farms create new green jobs, they beautify spaces and provide fresh food to local communities. That’s something that’s really precious.”

Don’t fall prey to fake ‘girl dinner’ trend outrage, food experts say



Please romaine calm.

#GirlDinner has enticed over 247 million views on TikTok, as young women share what they pulled together to consume while watching their favorite show on the couch.

Critics are sounding the alarm on the “disturbing new trend,” claiming that the videos showcase too-small portions of food, even though “girl dinners” are often an aesthetic arrangement of cheeses, cold cuts, crackers and fruits (i.e. “snack plates”) or a random assortment of leftovers from the depths of the fridge.

“Any time people are posting pictures of food, [it] has the potential to cause comparison among individuals,” Kelsey Rose, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Vermont, told The Post on Friday.

She went on to clarify that while “nutrition is individualized, and a balanced meal is super-important, having a one-off night — where you have a ‘girl dinner’ (as long as you’re full and satisfied) — isn’t a case where you’re having a disordered relationship with the food that you’re eating.”

Nevertheless, the trend follows criticism that TikTok promotes “toxic” diet culture and “glorifies” weight loss, and the alarming rise of adolescent eating disorders since the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, many of the videos that are causing concern may be jokes that might have missed the mark for some — like a TikTok from last week that shows a woman walking out of a kitchen with a glass of ice for “girl dinner.”

Others have cracked that Lunchables or Easy-Bake Oven treats are the original inspiration for the trend.

Easy Bake Oven "girl dinner" memeThe trend has been ridiculed online, as some joke that Lunchables or Easy-Bake Oven treats are the original “girl dinner.” @charhrobertson

“Girl dinners” are actually nothing new.

Like many other online movements, they are simply an age-old occurrence that Gen Z has rebranded into a hashtag.

Olivia Maher, the self-proclaimed creator of the “girl dinner” concept, explained in a TikTok posted in May that “in medieval times peasants had to eat nothing but bread and cheese,” arguing that the scraps are actually what she would consider her “ideal meal.”

Cultures across the world have long adopted grazing boards at mealtime.

Think tapas in Spain, charcuterie boards in France, bento boxes in Japan and noshes in Jewish households.

Even celebrity foodies, such as Alison Roman, have eschewed the phrase “girl dinner” while still promoting the concept.

“This video you’re about to watch is in no way inspired by girl dinners,” Roman noted in a recent YouTube video.

“This is not that; this is our version of apéro hour,” she said, referencing a French happy hour tradition that consists of “nearly anything you like,” like “a dip, a nut, an olive, a fish, a cheese and vegetables” — so, essentially a “girl dinner.”

As they tend to do, this viral trend has sparked several spoofs and spinoffs, including “husband meals” (what spouses scarf when wives are away) and “boy dinners.”

Aspiring musician Arkane Skye went viral starting the TikTok trend #BoyDinner — which has over 52 million views — with a catchy song and satirical video showing himself biting into a slice of leftover Domino’s pizza he found under the covers in his disturbingly messy room.

He told BuzzFeed that the videos are a funny “generalization of boys not only making unhealthy food choices but also being unclean and lazy.”

"Girl dinner" with bread, veggies and other snacksSome warn that the small servings may encourage eating disorders, but others insist these snacking dinners can be healthy if they are nonrestrictive. TikTok

As for “girl dinners,” Rose told The Post that the trend could be interpreted as “a form of self-care in the way that someone is feeding themselves in a way they enjoy with satisfying food — without having to make a full meal or care [for] someone else.”

[prokroustis]

PREHISTORIC SOCIETIES IN THE SPANISH LEVANTINE MASTERED CLIMBING AND USED EQUIPMENT



According to a study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, Spanish Levantine rock art provides distinctive visual evidence that indicates how societies in Eastern Spain had developed expertise in climbing and the use of specialised equipment to minimize risks associated with the activity.
A recently uncovered depiction at the Barranco Gómez site in Teruel reveals the most intricate use of ropes discovered thus far in Spanish Levantine art. This study delves into the representations found within this scene, particularly focusing on the use of a rope ladder to access a beehive. By examining these depictions, the research aims to gain deeper understanding of the various uses and technological advancements related to rope-based activities.

Thorough examination of the existing depictions found in Albacete, Castelló, Huesca, Teruel, and Valencia does not provide clear insights into the specific techniques employed for rope production, such as whether twisted or braided fibres were used.

However, the length of the ropes depicted indicate that the societies of Spanish Levantine were technologically proficient in crafting high-quality ropes. Moreover, their refined technique suggests that their expertise in producing long ropes was specifically tailored for climbing activities.

Among the studied depictions, collecting honey emerges as the sole clearly identifiable activity. The production of a rope measuring approximately 25 meters in length would have demanded significant time and effort, encompassing the gathering of raw materials and the actual crafting process. The considerable risk involved in climbing to such heights using rudimentary rope ladders underscores the paramount importance of honey and wax collection to these societal groups.

Bee-related products held significant importance in prehistoric times, serving various economic, technological, and cultural purposes such as sustenance due to their high calorific value and tool production. The depicted scenes portray an array of climbing systems, which researchers have categorised into two groups based on their size, shape, and flexibility: rigid ladders or masts, and flexible systems, likely associated with the usage of different raw materials.

Although Spanish Levantine rock art is dispersed across a wide geographical area, the depictions of climbing systems (ropes and ladders) are concentrated in two distinct regions: the Maestrazgo in the northern regions of Castelló and Teruel, and the Caroig Massif in the southern region of Alicante. This observation leads the research team to infer that these depictions may signify specific behaviors, territorial codes, or possess symbolic significance.

While many of the scenes examined in this study are familiar, the comprehensive investigation of ropes and their associated technology had not been previously undertaken. The materials used for rope production and the techniques employed to create them are largely imperceptible in archaeological records, making it challenging to trace their origins over time.

By analysing descriptions from other researchers and conducting on-site research, the team has gathered valuable evidence regarding the structure, usage, and manufacturing of these ropes. This study also highlights the rock art’s capacity to depict fleeting practices and the utilisation of perishable materials.

Spanish Levantine rock art stands as a remarkable artistic phenomenon unique to the eastern region of the Iberian Peninsula, emerging after the Paleolithic era. With over a thousand recorded sites, it has been designated as a World Heritage Site since 1998. This art form offers an extraordinary depiction of human life during a pivotal stage of its development. Characterised by its naturalistic style and rich narrative elements, it portrays dynamic scenarios encompassing hunting, warfare, social activities, gatherings, and more, providing an invaluable glimpse into the past.

[PennySerenade]

Lioness on the loose near Berlin, locals warned to stay indoors



German police are on the hunt for what they believe is an escaped lioness that was spotted on the outskirts of Berlin last night. Local residents have been warned to stay indoors as police patrols, helicopters, hunters and veterinarians search for the wild animal, according to a press release from Brandenburg police.

Police believe the animal may be an escaped pet, since no zoos, circuses, or animal centres have reported any missing lions.

Authorities first learned of the lioness on the loose when video footage emerged of what appeared to be a wild boar and lion chasing each other.

“Around midnight we received a notification that we couldn’t believe,” Brandenburg police spokesperson Daniel Keip told local broadcaster RBB.



“Two passersby spotted an animal chasing after another. One was a wild boar and the other appeared to be a big cat, a lion. The two men recorded a video on their phones and even experienced police officers had to confirm that we are probably dealing with a lion,” Kiep said.

No boar carcass has been found. The alleged video of the boar and lioness has not been released to the public.

Authorities believe the wild cat could currently be asleep in one of the many lakeland forests in Brandenburg, the state that surrounds Germany’s capital.

A video that surfaced on Twitter on Wednesday appeared to show a lioness in a forest in Kleinmachnow, a municipality southwest of Berlin where the animal was first spotted. Police have deemed the video credible, the BBC reported.



“We recommend that people shouldn’t leave the house to walk and especially not to go jogging in the forest,” said Michael Gruber, mayor of Kleinmachnow.

Brandenburg police advised people living in Kleinmachnow, Stahnsdorf and Teltow to be vigilant, stay indoors and refrain from walking in the woods until the animal can be found. Pets and farm animals should also be kept inside. These warnings were issued to residents via social media and loudspeaker announcements in the area.

Nurseries were allowed to open on Thursday but were urged to not let children play outside, the Guardian reported.

The operation to track down the lioness has so far involved two helicopters, drones and infrared cameras, as well as a force of a hundred police officers working with hunters and vets.



One circus director, however, is skeptical that the wild animal is a lion, and believes it could be a misidentified Caucasian shepherd dog — a large breed that can weigh up to 70 kilograms.

“If it’s a lion I’ll eat a broom,” Michel Rogall told Tagesspiegel, a German newspaper.

But police remain confident they’re looking for a lioness.

“In the summer you often hear reports of crocodiles in swimming lakes and then it turns out all it was, was a big duck. In this case, it’s obviously totally real. We’re dealing with a lioness that’s roaming freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow,” said police spokesperson Keip.

Animal rights groups criticized successive governments for failing to ban the practice of keeping wild animals as pets.

“Over the past two decades there have been repeated cases of big (animals) escaping from homes and circuses,” said Peter Hoeffken of rights group PETA. “Despite countless warnings, politicians have failed to ban the keeping of exotic wildlife.”

[Misstee]

Gorilla mistakenly believed to be male gives birth at Columbus Zoo
By Adam Schrader



July 22 (UPI) -- A gorilla who zookeepers had thought to be male was only discovered to be female when she was found holding her new baby girl.

Zookeepers at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio said in a statement that the 8-year-old Sully, a western lowland gorilla, has lived at the facility with her mother and fellow troop members since 2019. For five years, the zoo believed she was a male.

"It's hard to tell the sex of younger gorillas. Until about age 8, males and females are about the same size, and they don't have prominent sex organs," the zoo said in its statement after Thursday's birth

"As gorillas age, they become sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look very different. However, males don't develop their characteristic large size, silver backs and large head bumps -- called sagittal crests -- until age 12 or later."

Zookeepers described Sully as a "young and healthy animal" who did not need any procedures or medical care that would have led to the discovery sooner. The gestation period for a gorilla is about 8 1/2 months, meaning she became pregnant late in the fall.

Gorillas rarely show outward signs of pregnancy because the newborns are smaller than human babies and gorillas naturally have large abdomens.

"The troop is supportive of Sully and the infant, and they will remain as a social group," zookeepers said. "The infant appears to be healthy, and first-time mom Sully is taking good care of her."

Zookeepers have not yet approached the infant, also a girl, to allow time to bond with her mom. Eventually, veterinarians will approach to conduct a wellness exam. The zoo will also conduct a DNA test to determine the baby's father.

Sully and the infant live in a troop that has three males led by 39-year-old silverback Mac.

Missing for decades, a stolen 15th-century letter from Christopher Columbus heads home to Italy

By Christy Choi, CNN


An original edition of a stolen 15th century Christopher Columbus letter has been returned to Italy.

The United States has returned a stolen 15th-century letter by Christopher Columbus to Italy, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday.

Written in Latin, it is one of some 30 surviving first editions of the explorer’s letter announcing his discoveries on the American continent to Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1493. The monarchs funded Columbus’ New World voyage.

The item is believed to be a version stolen from the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy, in the 1980s. It was found in the possession of a private collector in the United States.

Announcing the discovery in 2020, ICE and the US Attorney’s Office of Delaware said that the collector had unsuspectingly acquired the letter from a rare book dealer in 2003. Authorities have not released further details on how the letter was stolen or came to be in the dealer’s possessions.

Copies of the letter are extremely rare and highly valued by collectors and historians.

The version returned to Italy this week is known as a Plannck I edition. It is named after Stephan Plannck, a prominent printer who published two editions of the letter more than 500 years ago.


The letter went missing from the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy, in the 1980s.

When the document was first recovered in 2020 the US attorney’s office said it was valued at more than $1.3 million.

“This is the fourth original edition of this letter stolen over the past decades and we could not be happier to return it,” said Patrick J. Lechleitner Deputy Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a statement.

Other stolen copies include one that US authorities sent back to a library in Vatican City in 2018, and another returned to the Library of Catalonia in Spain.

In 2016, the US returned an eight-page copy that had been taken from a library in Florence, Italy, and donated to the US Library of Congress.

The return of the letter to Italy is part of broader efforts by the United States to repatriate stolen objects.

ICE says it has returned more than 20,000 objects to more than 40 countries and institutions since 2007. They include art looted by Nazis, Egyptian sarcophagi, French paintings, Italian sculptures, Mongolian and Chinese dinosaur fossils, and even human remains.

[HogwartsExpress]

Alligator waits for a ride at Florida bus stop



A Florida bus driver got out their camera instead of opening the door when they arrived at a bus stop occupied by an unusual commuter -- an alligator.

GoPasco County Public Transportation tweeted the photo snapped by the bus driver Sunday in New Port Richey when they spotted an alligator waiting patiently next to the GoPasco bus stop sign on Little Road.

"Why did the alligator cross the road? To get to the bus stop on time," the tweet said.

The alligator was not allowed to board the bus, but was instead escorted to some nearby woods by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel, county officials said.

src. https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/07/21 ... 689959191/

[johngriffen]

I sometimes get REALLY DEPRESSED reviewing the news these days.
It's always about a global pandemic threatening life as we know it,
protests around the world, stupid politicians, natural disasters,
or some other really bad story.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Welcome to The mobi weekly news magazine
IN OTHER NEWS
SUNDAY JULY 23
What is it?
Here is your chance to become an "ACE REPORTER" for our weekly news magazine.
It is your job to fine weird, funny or "good feel" stories from around the world and share them with our readers in our weekly magazine

How do you play?
Just post a story that you have come across that made you smile, laugh, feel good...
BUT NOTHING DEPRESSING

EXAMPLE POST

​Naked sunbather chases wild boar through park after it steals his laptop bag

A naked sunbather was seen chasing wild boar through a park after it stole his laptop bag.
Amusing photographs from Germany show the man running after the animal to try and claim the plastic bag back.
But the cheeky boar and its two piglets appear to be too quick for the sunbather, who can't keep up with their speedy little trotters.
As the incident unfolds, groups of friends and family sat on the grass watch on and laugh.
Heads are seen turning in surprise and amusement in the hilarious photographs.
The incident happened at Teufelssee Lake - a bathing spot in the Grunwell Forest in Berlin, Germany.

[/quote]
Rules:
Each Edition of IN OTHER NEWS will be open for 7 days...
You can post as many stories as you like, but you will only get paid for One Story in any 24 hour period
So in other words, you can only earn WRZ$ once a day.
Each news day will start when I post announcing it
OR at:
9:00 AM CHICAGO TIME (UTC -6)
3:00 PM GMT (UTC -0)
on those days I space out and forget to post or can't due to Real Life
Stories may be accompanied with images - but No big images, please! 800x800 pixels wide maximum
Videos are allowed, but please keep them short, and post a short summary for those that don't like to click on videos
No Duplicate stories - Where a post has been edited resulting in duplicates, then the last one in time gets disallowed.
And please limit this to reasonably family friendly stories

Reward:
Each news story posted that I feel is acceptable (must be a real story, too few words or simply a headline are not considered acceptable) will earn you 50 WRZ$
If you post multiple stories on any given day, you will only earn 50 WRZ$ for the first story of the Day
All payments will be made at THE END of the weekly news cycle.
Special Bonus - Each week I will award "The Pulitzer Prize" for the best story of the week
The weekly winner of the "The Pulitzer Prize" will receive a 100 WRZ$ bonus
It's just my personal opinion, so my judgement is final

So help bring GOOD news to the members of mobi, and join our reporting team...

IN OTHER NEWS

[ozswede]

Queensland woman rides horse through McDonald's drive-thru at Yarrabilba - leaving staff shocked

A woman has left staff at a McDonald's shocked after she rode her horse confidently through the drive-thru of the fast-food restaurant.

The odd encounter at McDonald's in Yarrabilba, south of Brisbane, showed the woman ordering a small chai latte while riding a gold-coated Palomino horse to the initial shock then glee of staff.

Social media users were shocked by the video as the woman rode confidently towards the first window to order and pay and was not turned away.


A woman has shocked social media users after successfully ordering and riding
a golden coat, Palomino, horse through the McDonald's drive-thru in Yarrabilba

A McDonald's spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that riding horseback through drive-thru was strictly prohibited due to the safety of the rider and staff. (Party poopers! )

The woman posted the video to the TikTok channel, sme_centre, where it has been viewed over 100,000 times. (Click link to view video - I've no idea how to embed TikTok videos)

The video shows the woman approaching the drive-thru behind two cars before she cheekily says, 'It says "no pedestrians" but it doesn't say no horses so we're good'.

Being much higher than the microphone's height, the woman and horse then slowly trot towards the first window to order a small, soy chai latte.

The cashier is left shocked as the horse twisted its head to look through the window into the kitchen, gaining the attention of other staff.

After the shock wore off, the staff member then reaches through the window to pet the horse as it stood patiently waiting for its rider to pay.

The pair then made their way to the pick-up window where other staff were waiting cheerfully.

'Oh my god, hello,' one staff member can be heard saying as they arrive at the window to receive their small coffee order.

'I have to take a video,' the same staff member said as other staff members packed into the tiny room to have a look at the horse.


Staff were initially shocked to see the horse trot past the order and pick-up windows
but were quickly ecstatic to pet and take videos of the animal

The video garnered hundreds of comments from users who were shocked she wasn't refused service by the drive-thru staff.

'They served you? Neat .... So many Maccas refuse,' one user wrote.

'I used to do this all the time, they usually refuse to serve you these days though so you did well,' a second wrote.

'Tried this in the 90s and was told no and wasn't served! Glad to see its changed,' a third wrote.

While some were excited about the potential of riding horses or other animals through a drive-thru, a McDonald's spokesperson said it was prohibited.

'Ensuring the safety of our people and customers is our top priority at McDonald's,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'We have strict safety policies in place and do not allow customers on horseback through the drive-thru, for the safety of the rider, our employees, fellow customers and the animal.'

[lush]

School Professor Who Missed Work for 20 Years Out of 20-Year Career Finally Fired
062823*

An Italian professor who was recently fired for around 20 years of absence out of 24 years of service at schools near Venice has vowed to contest her recent firing by the Ministry of Education.

51-year-old Cinzia Paolina De Lio, a secondary school teacher who specializes in history and philosophy, became famous in her home country of Italy for managing to skip work for a total of 20 years out of the last 24 years of service at a number of schools around Venice. De Lio was originally sacked in 2017, after an inspection found her to be “unprepared” and “inattentive” in class, but she appealed the decision, and a judge reinstated her the following year. She continued to provide all sorts of excuses to miss work until Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation decided that her original termination had been justified, especially since she had been absent from the classroom for most of her two-and-a-half decades as a school professor.


Photo: Ivan Aleksic/Unsplash

The Italian Ministry of Education argued that Cinzia Paolina De Lio was completely absent from her workplace during her first decade as a professor, and justified her continued absence in the next 14 years with a variety of documents, from maternity and breastfeeding leaves to permissions to assist disabled family members. In total, she filed over 100 requests for justified absence.

Italian newspaper La Republica claims that during the last 24 years, De Lio filed 67 certificates of sick leave, 16 requests for time off for personal reasons, 7 periods of paid parental leave, 24 requests to assist family members with various disabilities, 5 requests for participation in various training courses, two leaves of absence for work-related accidents, as well as maternity, breastfeeding leaves and several requests for leave to attend to the health of her children.

In 2015, during one of the few periods that the history and philosophy professor did attend classes in Chioggia, near Venice, students complained of her lack of preparedness, as well as of her “random and improvised” way of scoring. Some of the parents also complained that she was inattentive, preferring to spend time on her phone, and some of the students stopped attending her classes.

An inspection confirmed all of the above, deeming her disorganized and describing her teaching methods as ‘lacking a logical thread’. The Ministry of Education dismissed De Lio, but she appealed the decision and managed to get herself reinstated. However, in light of the overwhelming evidence against her, the Supreme Court recently upheld the decision to terminate her contract, arguing that it was the teacher’s responsibility to guarantee students’ right to study.

Contacted by La Republica for comment, Cinzia Paolina De Lio vowed to prove her innocence, but at another time, as “right now I’m at the beach.” However, she claimed to be in possession of documents that confirm she was not absent for two decades, a statement contested by one of her old students.

“She never had continuity: she came for a few days and then took long periods of sick leave,” Francesca B., now a 22-year-old university student, told La Republica. “We changed several substitute teachers or, sometimes, they made us leave school early.”

[HogwartsExpress]

Globetrotting teddy bear rescued from Scottish mountain near Glencoe after being left behind

Alastair Tyson feared Mini Tyson would be lost forever after leaving the bear behind on the summit of Buachaille Etive Beag on 9 July. The teddy has been on a number of adventures, including on Mr Tyson's honeymoon.


A globetrotting teddy that was accidentally left behind on a mountain in Scotland will soon be reunited with his delighted owner after being rescued by a hiker.

Alastair Tyson feared Mini Tyson would be lost forever after leaving the bear behind on the summit of Buachaille Etive Beag near Glencoe.

Camera-shy Mr Tyson usually uses the tiny mascot as his stand-in for fun pictures.

The pair have climbed 50 Munros together, with the teddy even joining Mr Tyson on his honeymoon.

Mr Tyson told Sky News: "He's been on my honeymoon, so he's been to Italy.

"He's been to Rome, Florence and Venice. He's been to France and all around England. He was supposed to go to New York, but I actually forgot to take him on that trip."

The 33-year-old, who is originally from Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway but now lives in County Durham, won Mini Tyson at a school fete about 10 years ago when he was a teacher.

src; https://news.sky.com/story/globe-trotti ... d-12922789

[Fatima99]

Miss England Inspires Girls to Be Rocket Scientists After Graduating With Aerospace Engineering Degree



Crowned Miss England, Jessica Gagen is on a mission to become an astronaut, and has just graduated from university with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.

The 27-year-old became the first ever redhead winner of the prestigious beauty pageant last year in October and, after juggling competitions on the catwalk alongside her studies at the University of Liverpool, was delighted when she graduated alongside her classmates this week.

She now wants to use her degree and beauty queen title to inspire the next generation of female engineers and get more women into STEM subjects.

Her university journey was fraught with obstacles as she suffered insomnia and chest pains while combining her studies with being Miss England.

“I think it’s important that today’s youth know that sometimes things don’t go entirely to plan, and that’s perfectly okay,” said Jessica, who’s from Lancashire, near Liverpool.

“But I’m incredibly proud with what I have achieved. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.

“Aerospace engineering was very challenging, covering topics like aerodynamics, structural mechanics, programming, and advanced materials. It equips candidates with a range of skills sought after by different industries, making them highly employable in the fields of science, technology and finance.

“I absolutely loved it. It certainly opens up a lot of opportunities for me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

She says she went out to celebrate “with the lads” after graduation because there weren’t many girls in her department.

When she started her college career she had no intention of entering Miss England, but after noticing the lack of females at school—only about 10 percent of her classmates were women—she made it her mission to advertise the subject to the next generation through social media, which subsequently lead her to be scouted for Miss England.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into becoming Miss England, and I really wanted to win because I knew I could use the platform to get more girls into engineering.”

Upon winning the contest, Jessica recalls, “I was ecstatic and life went crazy.

“I had to protect my health and my grade – I was set to be traveling around the world with the Miss England team from February, a once in a lifetime opportunity. But was thrilled to be able to attend the graduation ceremony.

“The lads in class felt like little brothers, we had the best relationship and I missed them incredibly, so it was lovely still being able to graduate with them.



Jessica now spends a lot of time visiting schools up and down the country giving free talks about STEM subjects, aimed to advertise them to the next generation.

She plans to go back to school and get her Masters degree but will continue the pageant circuit by competing in the 71st annual Miss World Contest in December.

With an eye toward space her ambitions include becoming an astronaut—the first beauty queen in outer space.

How suborbital flights might soon get us anywhere in under two hours



The SpaceX suborbital air-ship, just one of many next-generation ultra high-speed aircraft that might soon revolutionize travel.

This fall marks the 20th anniversary since the final flight of Concorde, the world’s first supersonic commercial airliner.

Traveling at twice the speed of sound — around 1,350 mph — Concorde could take passengers from New York to London in under three hours.

But the enormous costs of maintaining the plane — along with a high-profile crash in 2000 — eventually ended Concorde’s run.

Two decades on, ultrafast air travel looks set to enter an entirely new phase.

Last week, NASA announced that its experimental supersonic aircraft, the X-59 — nicknamed Son of Concorde — may soon be ready for its first test flights.

Smaller and slower than its illustrious predecessor, X-59 will still be capable of speeds of 925 mph, cutting the journey time from New York to London to roughly three and a half hours.

But that’s nothing compared to what some aviation experts are planning.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, FL earlier this month, one of many ultra-fast aviation programs that could radically cut travel times across the globe.

Recent research published by Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggested that by the year 2033, a flight from London to Sydney — which currently takes 22 hours — could be reduced to just two hours.

What will get them there: Suborbital “Earth to Earth” flights.

Put simply, suborbital flights would use rockets, similar to those deployed by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic jet programs, to propel passengers up to 125 miles into space at speeds of more than 3,500 mph.

The craft then makes a rapid descent toward its final destination back on Earth, thereby dramatically reducing the journey time.

How quick would it be? A conventional 15-hour flight from New York to Shanghai could take just 39 minutes, while a New York to London jaunt would also run under an hour.

Indeed, it’s estimated that suborbital flights can reach anywhere on earth within two hours.
A Virgin Galactic jet, which has already made major progress in the suborbital field under the leadership of billionaire Richard Branson.

That’s why entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and his SpaceX project are moving beyond mere space tourism and into the suborbital market.

In 2020, SpaceX revealed plans for its Starship rocket that would be able to transport 100 passengers from one continent to another in less than an hour.

More recently, Chinese company Space Transportation announced testing plans for its reusable “rocket with wings,” with a first flight penciled in for 2024 and a crewed flight in the following year.

Launched in 2018, they estimate that their Tianxing I suborbital spacecraft will be able to complete a 4,300-mile trip in about an hour.

Another company, Rocket Lab, in Long Beach, Calif., is also exploring the feasibility of suborbital point-to-point cargo journeys.

But as Jim Heidmann, acting director of NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles Program, explains, suborbital flights still have a long way to go before they achieve liftoff.

“Hypersonic flights of this nature are really intriguing, but there remain many technical challenges to overcome to make such a mission truly feasible.”

The suborbital market could be worth hundreds of billons of dollars annually and fills the high-speed gap left by the demise of Concorde in 2003 (here shown with the former Queen Mother).

He’s right, of course.

From contending with environmental issues to managing sonic booms to building entirely new liftoff and landing facilities, the path toward subsonic travel is still in its early stages.

But the fact that the likes of Musk are investing so heavily suggests one thing; There’s plenty of money to be made in ultra high-speed aviation.

According to UBS, there are more than 150 million passengers taking flights lasting 10 hours or more each year.

If just 5% of those trips were made via point-to-point suborbital space travel, the market could be worth in excess of $20 billion per year, UBS says.

The total value of the entire subsonic market, adds UBS, could reach $805 billion by 2030.
NASA's X-59 jet, which the space agency debuted to the world in July.

Dr. Scott Pace is director of the Space Policy Institute at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

He says that while point-to-point suborbital travel might be technically possible in the next 10 years, the deeper question is how to make it economically viable.

“I suspect we’ll see a mixed portfolio of revenues, from unmanned cargo delivery to human passengers, from government shipments for military and public safety reasons,” he tells The Post.

Safety, of course, will be key to taking subsonic travel mainstream, particularly as the fuels used —liquified natural gas for Blue Origin, liquid oxygen and liquid methane for the Starship — are more prone to exploding than typical aviation fuel. (The spacecraft also consumes far more of those fuels to become airborne, adding to the dangers).

In April, for instance, Elon Musk’s Starship exploded just 90 seconds after liftoff from a spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas, when its booster failed to separate from the main rocket.

As the craft tumbled back towards earth, SpaceX blew it up in the air, rather than risk it crash landing and the fuel igniting on the ground.

United has already committed to ordering the Overture jet, which uses super-sonic technology and is slated to begin passenger service by the end of the decade.

The record of the now abandoned Space Shuttle program is also worth examining.

Over the course of its 30-year service, the US space shuttles suffered two fatal accidents out of a total of 135 flights.

While that failure rate of just under 1.5% may appear small, it’s far greater than the 0.00041% enjoyed by commercial aviation, according to the UK’s Civil Aviation Safety Review.

Then there’s the environmental impact of using rocket-propelled craft, especially as there is little regulation governing their emissions.

George Washington University's Scott Pace says suborbital travel will rely on a mix of cargo and passengers to make it economically viable.

Last year, the Georgetown Environmental Law Review examined the potential hazards associated with sub-orbital travel, suggesting that some of the rockets currently being used emit as much 10,000 times more black carbon particles into the atmosphere than typical airline engines.

But, says Scott Pace, the technology, as it develops, is likely to mitigate these emissions.

The New Shepard rocket on Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin space flights, for example, uses a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to generate thrust, meaning a significant amount of the emissions are water rather than CO2.

“Total carbon emissions may be less than for a longer jet flight,” Pace says.

As for sonic booms — which hobbled Concorde’s ability to soar over land — rockets, says NASA, only cause sonic booms during landing.

And those booms typically occur at far higher altitudes, lowering their impact.

NASA’s X-59, meanwhile, also features ‘Quiet Supersonic Technology’ which is intended to turn the sonic boom caused by breaking the sound barrier into more of a ‘sonic thump.

Aviation expert Ryan Anderton says the biggest concern around sub-orbital travel is the impact of G-Forces on the human body.
Just as worrisome as sonic boom are the effects of subsonic travel on the human body.

Dr Ryan Anderton is the medical lead of the CAA’s space team. He says that the principal concern of suborbital flights is G-forces, or the measure of acceleration we feel due to the force of gravity.

“The main challenge faced will be the exposure to G-forces on launch and reentry,” he tells The Post. “We know this can affect the flow of blood around the body and to the head and it can sometimes generate abnormal heart rhythms.”

For those with medical conditions affecting the heart or the lungs, there is also what’s known as “hypoxia,” or the impact of the spacecraft’s reduced oxygen levels.

When combined with G-forces, the results could include breathing problems and even temporary loss of vision. “But for the majority of passengers,” says Anderton, “these temporary physiological changes are likely to be benign.”

As any subsonic journey will be short, passengers will not need to undergo astronaut-like training.

They can expect, however, a ‘centrifuge familiarization’ briefing making them aware of the effects of sub-orbital travel, such as changes in heart rate and blood pressure and momentary weightlessness.

Twice the Space Shuttle program suffered fatal explosive catastrophes, raising serious safety concerns for the next generation of ultra-faster air transport.

And if you think superfast suborbital travel will render jet lag a thing of the past, then think again.

As jet-lag occurs because of the mismatch between your body’s natural circadian rhythms and the time at your new destination, it doesn’t matter how quickly you get there — the time difference between the two places remains the same.

Despite the size of the market — and the might of the players at stake — suborbital operators could soon have competition.

Right now, a new generation of supersonic aircraft is currently in development which could soon serve as modern-day Concordes.

American company Boom Supersonic, for example, is already taking orders for its Overture jets from American and United Airlines.

The plane, which could travel between New York and London in three and a half hours, will undergo test flights in 2026 with services looking set to start in 2029 or 2030.

Lockheed Martin and Exosonic, which have already developed supersonic drones — are also eyeing the supersonic aircraft arena.

With supersonic craft mere years from arrival, will suborbital travel actually arrive any time soon?

Most likely not before its supersonic competitors, especially with the heavy costs of going into space. “While Concorde ultimately proved to be unviable there is clearly a market for premium, high-speed passenger travel — especially over long routes,” adds Scott Pace.

For now, then, it’s best to keep your eyes on the skies rather than the stars.

UP, UP & AWAY

Take flight with your own personal flying machine . . .

Flying Cars

If you have $789,000 to spare you can put your order in for an Aska A5 flying car.

At the recent CES tech convention in Las Vegas, Aska co-founder Guy Kaplinsky explained that approval from the Federal Aviation Administration could happen soon and, if approved, an A5 ride-sharing service could launch in 2026.

Jet Packs

The Martin Jetpack out of New Zealand promises to revolutionize personal aviation transport. The Martin Jetpack out of New Zealand promises to revolutionize personal aviation transport.

Older readers may remember the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympics Games in Los Angeles when Bill Suitor flew across the Coliseum using only a jet pack for propulsion.

Now, though, you have your own.

There are several companies in the jet pack market, but the Martin Jetpack, made by New Zealand’s Martin Aircraft Company, can reach speeds of nearly 50 mph and heights of around 3,000 feet.

The price? Just $250,000.

Passenger Drones

While Volkswagen is developing a fully autonomous electric drone capable of carrying four people and their luggage, the single-person Jetson One, from Italy, is already available.

Featuring a range of around 20 miles and speeds of 60 mph, it can be yours for $92,000, although you’ll have to weigh under 185 pounds for it to get off the ground.

https://nypost.com/2023/07/22/new-fligh ... two-hours/

[PennySerenade]

Daughters Sue After Funeral Home Buried a Stranger Instead of Their Dad



Two sisters are suing a pair of funeral homes for $60 million after a stranger was buried instead of their late father.
Stacy Holzman and Megan Zaner have accused Fletcher Funeral and Cremation Service in Fountain Inn, S.C., of mistaking another person’s remains for their father Clifford Zaner and placing the wrong body in Clifford’s burial clothes, according to the lawsuit filed in New York.

The women claim Fletcher then sent the remains to the Star of David Memorial Chapels in West Babylon, N.Y., which later insisted that they belonged to Clifford, who died on Feb. 25 at age 72.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Star of David said the family “confirmed the identification of the deceased at the cemetery” before the burial.

But Stacy and Megan claim they told Star of David that the person in the casket did not look like their father, and that the funeral home maintained that the body belonged to their father “throughout the viewing, funeral services and burial,” which included a Jewish religious ceremony.

Instead, the women say Fletcher left Clifford “abandoned” inside its morgue “without dignity or respect.” The mix up also meant Clifford was not buried in accordance with Jewish tradition, the lawsuit states.
"I just feel so wronged," Megan said, per FOX affiliate WNYW. "You trust these people. You don't know what you're doing, this doesn't happen every day. We lose our dad once in our life."

Star of David said it “took swift and decisive action to contact the family and offer whatever services needed to lessen their grief” after the South Carolina funeral home informed them of the mistake.

“We deeply regret any sorrow experienced by the family for the mistake made by the funeral home in South Carolina,” the funeral home said. It also stated that “families are under a great deal of stress when they identify their deceased."



Fletcher Funeral and Cremation Service did not immediately responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Stacy said she realized something was amiss when she noticed her father’s mustache was seemingly missing, according to CBS affiliate WCBS. “Where is his facial hair?” she recalled asking the funeral director, who informed her that shaving “everybody” was standard practice.

But Stacy still wasn’t convinced, especially after spotting an autopsy scar on the man’s head, per the report. (An autopsy was not conducted on her father, according to the lawsuit.)

“I'm like, 'No, this isn't right, I don't recognize him,'" Stacy recalled. But again, her concerns were dismissed by the funeral home.

It wasn’t until three weeks later that Fletcher informed Clifford’s family that there had indeed been a mix-up, the lawsuit states. A second funeral with the correct remains was held in Jacksonville, Fla., on March 24.
Megan and Stacy said Fletcher has apologized for the mistake, according to WNYW. However, they claim to have not received a refund for the first funeral with Star of David that involved the wrong remains.

Stacy paid $12,000 for the Star of David’s services, according to The Washington Post.
"I want them to take responsibility for this horrible mistake,” Megan said, per WNYW. “And I do want things put in place in the future, which I think should have been there, from happening to anybody else.”

Star of David said they are reviewing all of its protocols “and will make any recommended changes to ensure the correct identification of family members” moving forward.

“We are committed to continuing to provide the highest level of compassion and care to families who have entrusted us with their loved ones,” the funeral home said in their statement.

Tiny Baby That Fit Inside Mom’s Hand is Home Laughing After 181 Days in Hospital Not Expected to Survive



Courtesy of Krysten Risbon via SWNS

A first-time Pennsylvania mom who was told her baby “wouldn’t make it” because he was born so small, now says he is “thriving” at home following 181 days in hospital.

Zaylan was born when Krysten Risbon went into labor 16 weeks early.

He had a hole in his heart and needed constant oxygen, but he made it—and Krysten is now studying to become a NICU nurse, inspired by the care they received.

When I first held him he could fit in my bra,” said the 22-year-old from Altoona. “Now only his foot fits in.”

“He’s a little fighter.”

The expecting mom and the young father Janerio Reed were over the moon when they found out they were expecting their first baby in August 2022, but she started bleeding at 23 weeks/six days and suddenly was in intense pain. Turns out, she was 4cm dilated.

“They said, ‘You’re going to have this baby today… He’s probably not going to make it’,” recalled Krysten.

She was taken to a specialized neonatal intensive care unit at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital by helicopter.

“It was scary because nobody could come with me.. I just kept thinking everything was going to be ok.”

They gave her steroids to help the baby’s lungs, and doctors were able to halt the birth for another two days, until December 23rd when he was born weighing 1-lb 6oz.

“He was so tiny he fit in the palm of my hand.”

He had surgery after being born with ROP—an eye disease which can occur when babies are born prematurely—to improve his eyesight.

Finally, Zaylan was able to come home June 21, 2023.

“It was unreal having him home, and pretty insane,” she said. “I can’t believe how small he was.


Zaylan and Krsyten – SWNS

“He’s pretty funny now. He gives me the side eye. He smiles and laughs all the time.”

“He’s a miracle.”

Krysten will start her studies to be a nurse at Mount Aloysius College this Fall.