Horror Film That Touches On The Controversial Subject Of Eugenics In The Works

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LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --King Flex Films just wrapped upfilming an independent horror film entitled The Eugenist, (www.theeugenist.com).

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, pleaseclick http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/horror-film-that-touches-on-the-controversial-subject-of-eugenics-in-the-works-150735035.html

The film touches on the century-old subject of eugenics,that was founded in the late 1800's. Eugenics is a controversial pseudoscience that promotes selective breeding in humans in order to improve or recede a certain part of the population. The eugenics movement gained most of itspopularity in the early part of the 20th century.

Some historians have theorized that many of the classic horror movies from the 1930's were reflective of the ideologies and fears of the eugenics movement. Many movies from this era were based on the concept of the "mad scientist" - a person going to diabolical depths in order to improve or modify human beings.

Frankenstein, Island of Lost Souls, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, are a few examples of horror films that played on this theme. Even the creation of comic book heroes, such as Superman,are based on the eugenics concept of a genetically superior human specimen.

References about eugenics still pop up periodically in modern times. This past February, presidential candidate Rick Santorum accused President Obama of promoting eugenics with the Obamacare program. There was also a recent case of a number of families in North Carolina getting a financial settlement for being victimized by a forced sterilization eugenics program.

In the film The Eugenist, the plot revolves around a group of college studentswho stumble upon an abandoned school. Unbeknownst to them, the school was targeted for a eugenics population control experiment. The students decide to explore the school just for kicks, but once inside, they find out that the school is not so abandoned.

The Eugenist is directed by New York Times best selling author Tariq Nasheed.

About King Flex Entertainment

King Flex Entertainment is a production company that specializes in films, books, and fashion accessories. King Flex Films has enjoyed recent success with the critically acclaimed history documentary Hidden Colors (www.hiddencolorsfilm.com). King Flex Entertainment has also published several best-selling books including The Art of Mackin' and The Elite Way (available on Amazon). King Flex Entertainment also producesthe Tariq Elite designerclothing and accessories brand. These accessories include the signature Tariq Elite sunglasses and cologne line (www.tariqelite.com).

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Horror Film That Touches On The Controversial Subject Of Eugenics In The Works

Concur Announces Several New Concur Connect Platform Partners At Fusion

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REDMOND, Wash., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Concur (Nasdaq: CNQR), the leading provider of integrated travel and expense management services, today announced that a wide array of Concur Connect partners are participating in Fusion, the company's premier client event, with new partners joining a growing list demonstrating the extended value now available to all members of the travel and expense eco-system. Through the power of Concur's T&E Cloud, over 15,000 Concur clients and 18 million Concur users have access to a wide variety of additional value-added innovation and content from partners that have leveraged the Concur Connect Platform.

Some of the enhanced value being delivered to clients by Concur Connect Partner Solutions include:

The Concur Connect Platform

The value delivered to the entire travel eco-system by Concur's T&E Cloud is made possible by Concur Connect, the platform that enables customers, suppliers, content aggregators, and solution providers to access, build upon, and extend applications, content and T&E data aggregated through Concur.

Partner Program

The Concur Connect Partner Program enables any solution provider or member of the travel eco-system to build integrated solutions that add value for Concur customers and increase the reach for their own solutions and services. Concur's core travel and expense management solutions are augmented by a wide variety of solution and content providers, increasing the value of Concur's services and enabling clients to access specialized functionality to help them better manage their businesses.

Any company, solution provider or content aggregator can become a Registered Concur Connect Partner. In order to develop applications that are accessible by multiple clients, those partners can move up to the Certified Tier. For partners interested in working with Concur on a deeper level which includes support for development and go-to-market activities Gold and Platinum Tiers are available.

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Concur Announces Several New Concur Connect Platform Partners At Fusion

Continental Adds Eco Plus Compounding to HSL2 Tire

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The HSL2 Eco Plus increased tread wear volume is a major longevity factor, with engineering specifically for balanced pressure distribution and vectored forces within the tire's footprint.

5/10/2012 Continental Adds Eco Plus Compounding to HSL2 Tire

"Even wear is crucial, if a fleet is looking for optimal steer tire performance," says Heger. "With the latest generation of low rolling resistance compounding, the new HSL2 Eco Plus offers not only SmartWay verified fuel saving performance, but also advanced wear characteristics."

The HSL2 Eco Plus's increased tread wear volume is a major longevity factor, says the company, with engineering specifically for balanced pressure distribution and vectored forces within the tire's footprint.

Continental's VAI, a graduated system of sipes that provide a visual indication of proper alignment, is also included from the previous generation product. However, the Eco Plus tread compounding, specially formulated for low rolling resistance, and footprint modifications are what Conti engineers have incorporated in this new tire to guard against irregular wear.

"Components of the Eco Plus compound were specifically selected to reduce two major concerns with steer tires: decoupler groove cracking and micro-cracking in the sipes," Heger says. "Both of these contribute to irregular wear and premature removal of the tire. In addition, we've modified the footprint of this tire for maximum performance. More even pressure distribution in the footprint versus the previous generation HSL2 reduces slippage and tread 'snap,' which also delivers more even wear.

"By utilizing our expertise in fuel efficient compounding, as well as delivering better wear through an advanced layout, we can now offer both the lowered rolling resistance and long mileage that fleets demand," he says.

Other features that ensure longer mileage and retreadability for the HSL2 Eco Plus are a premium four-ply belt package and advanced bead chafer construction for extended product life through the retreading phases, Heger said.

The HSL2 Eco Plus is available now in NAFTA markets, in sizes 11R22.5, 275/80R22.5, 11R24.5, and 285/75R24.5. These sizes offer 19/32nds tread depth and load ranges G and H. For product specifications, go to http://www.continental-truck.com

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Continental Adds Eco Plus Compounding to HSL2 Tire

After Pilot Period, Top Ten Ranked Automotive Service Department Endorses ECO ULTRA® Motor Oil

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WICHITA, Kan., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Universal Lubricants -- a provider of premier motor oils that takes used oil as feedstock to produce re-refined base oil --announced today that its ECO ULTRA sales are up 40 percent at the Nation's sixth largest Subaru service department, Flatirons of Boulder, CO. Flatirons Subaru, along with a second family-owned operation, Flatirons Hyundai, has begun offering -- and encouraging -- the use of motor oils which are re-refined to offer outstanding quality.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110314/NY64482LOGO )

ECO ULTRA is a performance-driven and American Petroleum Institute (API) licensed line of motor oils and coolants that takes used oil as feedstock to produce re-refined base oil. It meets all Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) specifications and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) requirements. And now, ECO ULTRA is the motor oil of choice for Flatirons technicians. It's also the preferred product for an increasing number of Flatirons customers, too.

"We perform approximately 18,000 motor oil changes in a given year between our dealerships," said Michael Boudrieau, Flatirons Managing Partner. "We need to be both efficient and effective in our services to meet such demand, and entirely confident in the products we recommend to our customers. Our staff and our clients can't say enough good things about ECO ULTRA. It takes care of automotive engines as well as, or even better than, anything else on the market. We brought ECO ULTRA to a second dealership for that reason, and when customers ask for a trusted recommendation, we tell them the story of motor oils using re-refined base oil. We tell them that bottom-line, we pick ECO ULTRA for our own cars and trucks."

The U.S. produces approximately 1.1 billion gallons of used motor oil every year, of which approximately 880 million gallons is collected for re-use. However, less than 20 percent of what is collected is re-refined. Rather, most is burned as an industrial fuel, reducing supplies of limited petroleum reserves and perpetuating the need to import foreign oil. What's more, an estimated 220 million gallons of used motor oil is not collected, but instead, disposed of improperly, damaging the environment. Universal Lubricants is dedicated to reversing this trend with its Closed Loop Process by completely controlling every aspect of the proprietary system. The Company collects, re-refines, blends, packages and redistributes its own oil, the ECO ULTRA linewithout ever losing guardianship within the chainin an infinitely repeatable, sustainable cycle.

ECO ULTRA reduces the need to extract or import two barrels of crude oil with every four-quart motor oil change. The process of re-refining used oil requires up to 89 percent less energy and reduces the release of harmful greenhouse gases by a margin of up to 65 percent.

"Flatirons receives a fair amount of attention because it's one of the top ten largest auto service centers in America," said John Wesley, chief executive officer of Universal Lubricants. "But let's not forget they're also a family owned and operated business, and have been for 25 years. The secret to their success? Applying tried and true values like a commitment to quality, to putting the customer's interests first, to being conscientious stewards to the auto industry. Flatirons' endorsement of ECO ULTRA speaks volumes about the quality and reliability of the product line. "

For more information about Universal Lubricants' ECO ULTRA products, visit http://www.ecoultraoil.com.

About Universal Lubricants

Universal Lubricants, since its founding in 1929, has balanced tradition with innovation to emerge over the past four decades as a driving force in used oil collection, base oil refining and distribution. The Company collects, re-refines, blends and re-distributes its own motor oilnever losing guardianship within the chainto ensure that every quart, every gallon is of the highest quality for optimal performance. Universal Lubricants, with its Closed Loop Process, boasts a national presence supplying ECO ULTRA throughout the country by operating 36 facilities in 16 states. This includes one of the world's most technologically advanced re-refineries in Wichita, Kansas. The Company employs 465 workers and is a Pegasus Capital Advisors portfolio company.

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After Pilot Period, Top Ten Ranked Automotive Service Department Endorses ECO ULTRA® Motor Oil

Monroe Courier printing plant to install eco-friendly system

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Tuesday, 08 May 2012 20:33

The Monroe Courier newspaper will be getting a makeover soon, with better graphics and a more efficient and eco-friendly printing system.

Trumbull Printing on Spring Hill Road, where the Courier and other Hersam Acorn Newspapers are printed weekly, will be installing new plate processing equipment that is chemical-free and will provide crisper, cleaner imaging and will further enhance print quality.

The new arrangement is estimated to significantly reduce water consumption required to process plates from 30,000 gallons per month to 300 gallons per month. The Trumbull installation and conversion began at the end of April.

Trumbull Printing, which is owned by Hersam Acorn, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Along with Hersam Acorns many community weekly newspapers and supplements, it prints publications from throughout the Northeast as well as some international publications.

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Monroe Courier printing plant to install eco-friendly system

Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada to Supply New Domestic Solar Photovoltaic Panels Manufactured in Ontario by Celestica

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MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada Inc., a new affiliate of Panasonic Corporation of North America, has been established to deliver end-to-end energy solutions for the design, implementation and financing of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Canada. The new Mississauga-based company is able to provide enterprise customers with a newly developed solar photovoltaic (PV) module product line, the SCI Series, designed to meet domestic content requirements under the Ontario Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) incentives program.

Launching this new company brings us a leap forward in accomplishing Panasonics 100-year anniversary vision of becoming the Number 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by 2018, said Walter Buzzelli, Managing Director, Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada Inc.. End-to-end energy solutions are the way of the future, and being able to provide products that save, generate and store energy, allow Panasonic the unique position to propose practical solutions for today while working to further develop innovative solutions for tomorrow.

The SCI Series features four different models including 60-cell and 72-cell polycrystalline modules, and 60-cell and 72-cell monocrystalline modules, with a rated output of up to 255-watts for 60-cell monocrystalline modules and up to 305-watts for 72-cell monocrystalline modules. The new modules are backed by an extensive Panasonic performance and workmanship warranty. Following a tradition of unsurpassed quality, reliability and performance, the series has integrated critical design points, including a 3 bus bar cell, dual side patterned glass, clear EVA, a highly reflective backsheet, a robust 50mm box frame and a Tyco SolarLok junction box. The SCI Series PV modules have been IEC & UL certified, conforming to UL Standard ULC/ORD STD C1703-01 and UL Standard UL STD 1703.

The new SCI Series of PV modules are manufactured by Celestica, a global leader in the delivery of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions, at their operations in Toronto, Ontario. Celestica has a strong track record for manufacturing high-quality, reliable products and managing global supply chains.

To ensure Panasonic quality and reliability, Celesticas world-class inline manufacturing processes with integrated redundancies include:

Panasonic SCI series panels are available now through key solar PV system integrators, developers, and industry partners.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC - News), and the hub of Panasonics North American branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking (http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2011-Report/BestGlobalGreenBrandsTable-2011.aspx). As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America will relocate its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013. Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas/. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at http://www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is also available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice. Panasonic is a registered trademark of Panasonic Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada to Supply New Domestic Solar Photovoltaic Panels Manufactured in Ontario by Celestica

Cryptic Metal Gear Rising trailer lets you not understand the story right now

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Just a quick warning: you won't see any cyborg ninja guys slicing robots in twain in this Metal Gear Rising video. This is the other part of Metal Gear - the part in which shadowy "authority" types deliver long speeches you won't understand. It looks like Konami is setting up some kind of political intrigue backstory for Revengeance , with political machinations going on behind all the fighting ...

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Cryptic Metal Gear Rising trailer lets you not understand the story right now

RI to open 3 state beaches for the summer

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PROVIDENCE, R.I.Rhode Island is opening three popular state beaches for weekend use.

The state's Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday that Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut state beaches will open Saturday.

The beaches will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only until Memorial Day, when all state beaches will open for daily use.

Beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park will also open Saturday for daily use.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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RI to open 3 state beaches for the summer

Select state beaches opening Saturday

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PROVIDENCE, R.I (WPRI) - The Department of Environmental Management announced that three state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, and Misquamicut state beaches will open Saturday.

The beaches will stay open on weekends until Memorial Day for early beach-goers, with aims to advance season pass sales.

Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park beach will open daily and on weekends, respectively, also beginning Saturday, May 12.

All other Rhode Island state beaches will open Memorial Day for daily service through Labor Day.

The daily beach parking fees are:

RI residents:

Non-residents:

Season pass prices are $60 for residents, and $120 for non-residents (senior citizen pricing is $30 and $60, respectively).

Season passes will be sold weekends only beginning Saturday, May 12 at Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, and Misquamicut state beaches.

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Select state beaches opening Saturday

RI opens 3 state beaches early

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By: Wire Report | The Associated Press Published: May 10, 2012 Updated: May 10, 2012 - 5:54 AM

Rhode Island is opening three popular state beaches for weekend use.

The state's Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday that Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut state beaches will open Saturday.

The beaches will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only until Memorial Day, when all state beaches will open for daily use.

Beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park will also open Saturday for daily use.

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RI opens 3 state beaches early

Erosion of Hawaiian beaches assessed

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The shoreline along Makapuu Point, Oahu, Hawaii, was included in the study Credit: Brad Romine, University of Hawaii Sea Grant/ Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU, May 8 (UPI) -- A study of coastal change in the Hawaiian Islands found 70 percent of beaches on Kauai, Oahu and Maui are eroding away, scientists say.

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii assessing erosion along 150 miles of island coastline found an average loss of 0.4 feet per year from the early 1900s to 2000s, a university release said Monday.

The most extreme erosion -- nearly 6 feet per year -- was at Kualoa Point on East Oahu, they said.

The researchers used historical data sources such as maps and aerial photographs to measure shoreline change at more than 12,000 locations.

Erosion is the ultimate fate of all the Hawaiian Islands, researchers said.

"The inevitable fate of the Hawaiian Islands millions of years into the future is seen to the northwest in the spires of French Frigate Shoals and the remnants of other once-mighty islands, ancestors of today's Hawaii, but now sunken beneath the sea through the forces of waves, rivers, and the slow subsidence of the seafloor," USGS Director Marcia McNutt said.

However, researchers said, there are more immediate concerns over erosion rates.

"These data have allowed state and county agencies in Hawaii to account for shoreline change as early as possible in the planning and development process so that coastal communities and public infrastructure can be sited safely away from erosion hazards areas," William J. Aila Jr. of the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources said.

"This will vastly improve upon public safety and will ensure that Hawaii's beautiful beaches will be protected from inappropriate shoreline development."

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Erosion of Hawaiian beaches assessed

70 Percent Of Beaches Eroding On Some Hawaiian Islands

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May 8, 2012

Image Credit: Photos.com

An assessment of coastal change over the past century has found 70 percent of beaches on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are undergoing long-term erosion, according to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and University of Hawaii (UH) report released today.

Scientists from the USGS and the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at UH studied more than 150 miles of island coastline (essentially every beach) and found the average rate of coastal change taking into account beaches that are both eroding and accreting was 0.4 feet of erosion per year from the early 1900s to 2000s. Of those beaches eroding, the most extreme case was nearly 6 feet per year near Kualoa Point, East Oahu.

The inevitable fate of the Hawaiian Islands millions of years into the future is seen to the northwest in the spires of French Frigate Shoals and the remnants of other once mighty islands, ancestors of todays Hawaii, but now sunken beneath the sea through the forces of waves, rivers, and the slow subsidence of the seafloor, explained USGS Director Marcia McNutt.

These data have allowed State and County agencies in Hawaii to account for shoreline change as early as possible in the planning and development process so that coastal communities and public infrastructure can be sited safely away from erosion hazards areas, said William J. Aila Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii. This will vastly improve upon public safety and will ensure that Hawaiis beautiful beaches will be protected from inappropriate shoreline development.

Of the three islands, Maui beaches experienced the highest rates and greatest extent of beach erosion with 85% of beaches eroding. Erosion is the dominant trend of coastal change on all three islands with 71% of beaches eroding on Kauai and 60% of beaches eroding on Oahu.

The researchers found that, although Hawaii beaches are dominated by erosion as a whole, coastal change is highly variable along the shore with cells of erosion and accretion typically separated by 100s of feet on continuous beaches or by rocky headlands that divide the coast into many small embayments. Most Hawaii beaches are composed of a mix of sediment derived from adjacent reefs and from the volcanic rock of the islands. Sediment availability and transport are important factors in shoreline change, and human interference in natural processes appears to have impacted the measured rates of change. For example, more than 13 miles of beaches in the study were completely lost to erosion nearly all previously in front of seawalls.

Over a century of building along the Hawaiian shoreline, without this sort of detailed knowledge about shoreline change, has led to some development that is located too close to the ocean, said Dr. Charles Fletcher, UH Geology and Geophysics Professor and lead author. A better understanding of historical shoreline change and human responses to erosion may improve our ability to avoid erosion hazards in the future.

The researchers used historical data sources such as maps and aerial photographs to measure shoreline change at more than 12,000 locations. Shoreline changes are measured in specialized Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

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70 Percent Of Beaches Eroding On Some Hawaiian Islands

Beaches and Harbors names new deputy director

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Marina Del Rey

Beaches and Harbors names new deputy director

John Kelly has been appointed deputy director in charge of capital infrastructure projects and facilities maintenance at the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.

A former civil engineer at the county Department of Public Works, Kelly will oversee the Beaches and Harbors departments many capital improvement projects on beaches, as well as infrastructure development efforts in the harbor and other parts of Marina del Rey, said Beaches and Harbors Director Santos Kreimann. Kelly will also manage premises and facilities maintenance, as well as traffic and harbor engineering efforts.

With more than 30 years of experience at all levels of the Public Works Department, John brings the wealth of experience and expertise necessary to manage capital projects worth more than $70 million on beaches and in the Marina, as well as to maintain our existing facilities, Kreimann said. John will play a critical role in the departments efforts to redevelop the Marina for the next generation and in maintaining our commitment to provide top-notch amenities at our beaches, from Nicholas Canyon to White Point.

Beaches and Harbors frequently partners with the county Public Works, the largest public works agency in the U.S., on a variety of projects, several of which Kelly has helped manage during his 17-year tenure as a Public Works senior manager.

Most recently, Kelly worked with Beaches and Harbors in connection with the Paseo del Mar landslide in San Pedro, oversaw DPWs work on capital improvement efforts at Venice and Will Rogers beaches and supervised the project management team responsible for the waterline, roadway and Oxford Basin infrastructure improvements currently planned or underway in Marina del Rey.

Visitors to our beaches, Marina del Rey and L.A. County residents in general seek a variety of recreational and other facilities along our coast and will benefit from Johns diverse experience as an engineer and manager in the nations most multi-faceted public works agency, Kreimann said. Were happy to have him on board.

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Beaches and Harbors names new deputy director

Study: 70 percent of beaches on Oahu, Maui and Kauai undergoing long-term erosion

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A University of Hawaii and U.S. Geological Survey study published Monday shows that 70 percent of beaches on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Kauai are undergoing long-term beach erosion.

Scientists from the USGS and the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH studied more than 150 miles of island coastline, which is essentially every beach, and found the average rate of coastal change taking into account beaches that are both eroding and accreting was 0.4 feet of erosion per year from the early 1900s to 2000s.

Of those beaches eroding, the most extreme case was nearly 6 feet per year near Kualoa Point on East Oahu.

"The inevitable fate of the Hawaiian Islands millions of years into the future is seen to the northwest in the spires of French Frigate Shoals and the remnants of other once mighty islands, ancestors of today's Hawaii, but now sunken beneath the sea through the forces of waves, rivers, and the slow subsidence of the seafloor," explained USGS Director Marcia McNutt.

"These data have allowed State and County agencies in Hawaii to account for shoreline change as early as possible in the planning and development process so that coastal communities and public infrastructure can be sited safely away from erosion hazards areas," said William J. Aila Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii. "This will vastly improve upon public safety and will ensure that Hawaii's beautiful beaches will be protected from inappropriate shoreline development."

Of the three islands, Maui beaches experienced the highest rates and greatest extent of beach erosion with 85 percent of beaches eroding.

Erosion is the dominant trend of coastal change on all three islands with 71 percent of beaches eroding on Kauai and 60 percent of beaches eroding on Oahu.

The researchers found that, although Hawaii beaches are dominated by erosion as a whole, coastal change is highly variable along the shore with "cells" of erosion and accretion typically separated by 100s of feet on continuous beaches or by rocky headlands that divide the coast into many small embayments.

Most Hawaii beaches are composed of a mix of sediment derived from adjacent reefs and from the volcanic rock of the islands. Sediment availability and transport are important factors in shoreline change, and human interference in natural processes appears to have impacted the measured rates of change.

For example, more than 13 miles of beaches in the study were completely lost to erosion nearly all previously in front of seawalls.

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Study: 70 percent of beaches on Oahu, Maui and Kauai undergoing long-term erosion

Beaches on most visited Hawaii islands eroding

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HONOLULU (AP) -- Federal officials say most beaches on Hawaii's most visited islands are disappearing.

The U.S. Geological Survey said in a study released Monday that 70 percent of beaches on Maui, Kauai and Oahu are going through long-term erosion.

The study says 85 percent of beaches are eroding on Maui, while more than 70 percent are eroding on Kauai. The study says 60 percent of Oahu's beaches are eroding.

The study's lead author says he hopes the study will help guide developers and local officials as they consider development along the shoreline.

Chip Fletcher of the University of Hawaii says the study looked at more than 12,000 locations.

Beaches are the top attraction for more than 7 million Hawaii visitors each year. Tourists spent $12.6 billion in the state last year.

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Beaches on most visited Hawaii islands eroding

The darkness and the light | Bad Astronomy

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The sky is not as it seems.

Certainly, gazing upon it on a clear night you see so much: stars, planets, the glow of hot gas here and there but theres also darkness. Look at the Milky Way, its stream split down the middle by a rift of black. Gape at a gaudy nebula, and youll see it pocked here and there by pools of black.

But what is inky pitch to our eyes glows with a cold light to those attuned to it.

Tell me, what do you see here?

The bright star is obvious enough, but you can also, dimly, see a feathered stripe of black splashed across the vista, blocking, absorbing the light from stars behind it. Details are muted, structure difficult to ascertain, and you strain to see features that your brain cannot interpret.

But thats with your eyes. Try again, look at it, but this time, widen your view. See it now?

Well done! Where before you saw material absorbing light, now it emits! Of course, unbeknownst to you, you had some help: the ESO APEX telescope in Chile. It sees into the far, far infrared, where light is so stretched out it is entirely invisible to humans. In fact, the wavelength of light is so wide there that if it were a vibrating string, you could physically see the crests and troughs, since each would be separated by the next by nearly a millimeter. The light your eye can see has a wavelength only a thousandth that wide.

When APEX looked at this ribbon of dark, frigidly cold dust, it sees the material glowing. What we see as dark, it sees as bright. You can even compare the two directly, using a slider over the two versions of this picture, unveiling precisely what your now-expanded vision can take in.

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The darkness and the light | Bad Astronomy

Solar Cinco de Mayo | Bad Astronomy

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Alan Friedman is a photographer who takes amazing pictures of the Sun. While others were out celebrating Cinco de Mayo this past weekend, he was outside taking another jaw-dropping image of the nearest star in the Universe:

Yegads! Click to ensolarnate, and he has a greyscale version, too.

I love the detail and texture of his images. He has an excellent telescopic setup which yields the superb resolution, and he employs an old trick to get the texture: he inverts the image of the Suns disk, making black stuff look white and vice-versa. This is a technique thats been used by astronomers for decades to enhance images; our eyes see details better that way. When Alan does it, I swear it makes the Sun look like a 1.4 million-kilometer-wide shag rug.

All the way on the left, just on the Suns edge, you can see a group of sunspots just rotating into view. Thats Active Region 1476, and Alan provided me with a clear picture of them (no tom-foolery) which Ive put here. That monster group is about 100,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) across, so when I saw them I immediately suspected trouble.

and sure enough, they had a medium-sized eruption just this morning. At 13:00 UTC they blasted off an M1.4 class flare; big enough to potentially cause some radio disruption and maybe some aurorae. NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory got a dramatic view of the eruption:

Flares this size are relatively common; there was one in late March for example. Bigger ones happen less frequently, though again we did see one 50 times this powerful in March as well! Well have to see if todays eruption will cause any aurorae, and either way, we should keep our eyes on AR1476.

Image credit: Alan Friedman, used by permission. Tip o the Sun visor to Camilla Corona SDO on Google+ for the video.

Related Posts:

- NASAs guide to solar flares - The Sun unleashes an X5.4 class flare - The Suns Angry Red Spot - The boiling, erupting Sun (to this day my favorite photo by Alan!)

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Solar Cinco de Mayo | Bad Astronomy

Unstoppable | Bad Astronomy

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My willingness to fight has seen some major impediments in the past few weeks. The increase in antireality nonsense seems like a growing tsunami. Antivax health threats. Global warming denial on a major (and heavily funded) scale. The ugliness yesterday in North Carolina.

And even though weve had some great victories, its still an endless road, always uphill, always against the wind. Despair seems inevitable.

But then, but then, this:

Made for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, that may be the single greatest ad ever made. I suddenly find myself able to stand, dust myself off, and get back on the road.

Unstoppable. As we must be.

Tip o the starting gun to Laughing Squid.

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Unstoppable | Bad Astronomy