themindunleashed--2020-05-14--Space Force Starts Recruiting With First Ad: ‘Maybe Your Purpose Isn’t on This Planet’

( TMU ) – Less than two years from when President Trump announced the creation of the 6th major division of the United States Armed Forces , Space Force has launched its first commercial , a thirty-second ad uploaded to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Recruiting YouTube page .
The ad features a young man staring up at the stars while a narrator opines , “ Some people look to the stars and ask , ‘ What if ?
’ Our job is to have an answer.
” A montage flashes images of uniformed personnel , rocket launches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues : “ We would have to imagine what will be imagined , plan for what ’ s possible while there ’ s still impossible .
Maybe you weren ’ t put here just to ask the questions .
Maybe you were put here to be the answer.
” A pitch to possible recruits , its final humdinger ends : “ Maybe your purpose on this planet isn ’ t on this planet.
” Since it surged into the cultural zeitgeist in 2018 , the U.S. Space Force has been the subject of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But behind its public-facing presentation , there is a deadly intensity and momentum .
Scarcely over two months ago , the branch received its first offensive weapon , a Counter Communications System ( CCS ) that functions as a military satellite communications jammer .
GPS satellites gather intelligence , sniff out missile launches , and facilitate precise military hits .
The development of satellite communications jammers is part of the new space race taking place between the United States , Russia , and China .
Orbital and sub-orbital communication warfare between satellites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theater of military space offensives .
“ It ’ s not about putting military service members in space , it has nothing to do with NASA , it ’ s not about protecting Earth from asteroids or aliens , ” said Todd Harrison , Aerospace Security Project Director at the Center for Strategic & International Studies .
Upon signing the 2019 NDAA , which allocated $ 738 billion in defense spending , President Trump stated : “ Space is the world ’ s newest war-fighting domain.
” However , it ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could eventually include .
Right now the Pentagon is rerouting over 16,000 Air Force duty and civilian personnel to Space Force assignments .
They ’ re learning the ins and outs of successful space launches from SpaceX .
They ’ re still figuring out their official uniform , logo , and song .
The actual mechanics and long-term objectives of militarizing space is a murky topic in the already murky depths of the military-industrial complex .
In recent years , NASA considerably bulked up its commercial/PR image .
It seems Space Force is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same with its first commercial .
And though it ’ s unlikely that the new Netflix show Space Force ( starring Steve Carell ) will have any more connection to the reality of its subject matter than Reno 911 did to law enforcement , it will certainly keep the new cosmic military fleet in the pop culture limelight .
Forged in the meme-happy , Netflix-friendly crucible of a divided nation beset by tumultuous culture wars , a global pandemic , and a geopolitical space race , it ’ s hard to predict what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 50 , or 100 years .
But one can be fairly certain it will pack a mean marketing punch .

(TMU) – Less than two years from when President Trump announced the creation of the 6th major division of the United States Armed Forces, Space Force has launched its first commercial, a thirty-second ad uploaded to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Recruiting YouTube page.
The ad features a young man staring up at the stars while a narrator opines, “Some people look to the stars and ask, ‘What if?’ Our job is to have an answer.”
A montage flashes images of uniformed personnel, rocket launches, and satellites, while the narration continues:
“We would have to imagine what will be imagined, plan for what’s possible while there’s still impossible. Maybe you weren’t put here just to ask the questions. Maybe you were put here to be the answer.”
A pitch to possible recruits, its final humdinger ends: “Maybe your purpose on this planet isn’t on this planet.”
Since it surged into the cultural zeitgeist in 2018, the U.S. Space Force has been the subject of countless memes, cartoons, and jokes. But behind its public-facing presentation, there is a deadly intensity and momentum. Scarcely over two months ago, the branch received its first offensive weapon, a Counter Communications System (CCS) that functions as a military satellite communications jammer.
GPS satellites gather intelligence, sniff out missile launches, and facilitate precise military hits. The development of satellite communications jammers is part of the new space race taking place between the United States, Russia, and China. Orbital and sub-orbital communication warfare between satellites is widely considered to be first major theater of military space offensives.
“It’s not about putting military service members in space, it has nothing to do with NASA, it’s not about protecting Earth from asteroids or aliens,” said Todd Harrison, Aerospace Security Project Director at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
Upon signing the 2019 NDAA, which allocated $738 billion in defense spending, President Trump stated: “Space is the world’s newest war-fighting domain.”
However, it’s hard to say what future Space Force missions could eventually include. Right now the Pentagon is rerouting over 16,000 Air Force duty and civilian personnel to Space Force assignments. They’re learning the ins and outs of successful space launches from SpaceX. They’re still figuring out their official uniform, logo, and song.
The actual mechanics and long-term objectives of militarizing space is a murky topic in the already murky depths of the military-industrial complex.
In recent years, NASA considerably bulked up its commercial/PR image. It seems Space Force is coming out of the gate doing the same with its first commercial. And though it’s unlikely that the new Netflix show Space Force (starring Steve Carell) will have any more connection to the reality of its subject matter than Reno 911 did to law enforcement, it will certainly keep the new cosmic military fleet in the pop culture limelight.
Forged in the meme-happy, Netflix-friendly crucible of a divided nation beset by tumultuous culture wars, a global pandemic, and a geopolitical space race, it’s hard to predict what Space Force will look like in 10, 50, or 100 years. But one can be fairly certain it will pack a mean marketing punch.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-14--As World Enters Depression, Jeff Bezos Could Become First-Ever Trillionaire

( TMU Opinion ) – For most people across the world , the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown measures have been nothing short of ruinous .
Countless small and large businesses have faced bankruptcy while in the United States , local government budgets are in shambles while the unemployment rate is projected by Goldman Sachs to peak at 25 percent , rivaling or exceeding the worst moments of the Great Depression .
Amid the unfolding economic catastrophe , however , the wealth gap between average people and the ultra-rich has widened drastically .
For mega-billionaires like Amazon founder and CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planet whose net worth is estimated at $ 143 billion – the health crisis has only made them richer .
And now , the Amazon founder is slated to likely become the world ’ s very first trillionaire , according to business software comparison platform Comparisun .
The site ’ s projection shows that Bezos is likely to achieve trillionaire status by 2026 , when he will be 62 years old .
Comparison based their projection on the average percentage of yearly growth over the past five years , which was then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s figures , Bezos ’ net worth has grown by an average of 34 percent over the last five year .
In the last year alone , Bezos ’ worth has grown by over $ 28 billion .
Amazon has been thriving during the pandemic , with shoppers flocking to online shopping platforms due to the unavailability or inherent risks of in-person shopping at brick-and-mortar retail spaces , which had been struggling to compete with Amazon even before the novel coronavirus outbreak .
As a result , Amazon share prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has an 11.2 percent stake in the company .
Additionally , Bezos sold $ 3.4 billion in shares precisely before their value tanked in March due to fears over the spread of COVID-19 .
The discussion of Bezos ’ potential trillionaire status also comes as Amazon employees have launched protests and strikes over their safety as they continue working through the pandemic .
On May 1 , workers held a one-day strike demanding “ adequate protection in the workplace ” and an end to the harassment and firing of organizers in company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trillionaire in 2026 has riled up online communities on Twitter and other social media platforms , with users pointing to the expanding economic and financial suffering of people while Bezos rakes in billions .
“ Jeff Bezos is about to become the world ’ s first trillionaire while we ’ re about to enter a depression.
” While the popular account “ The Tweet Of God ” , which humorously pretends to be the official Twitter account of the Abrahamic deity , wrote : “ I have a plan to save the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Bezos.
” “ If Jeff Bezos makes $ 2500 per second and is traveling west at 35 MPH and Mark Zuckerberg makes $ 1500 per second and is traveling north at 50 MPH , how long will it take before you can pay off your student loans ?
” Amazon was conceived by Bezos in 1994 as an “ everything store ” where users could buy everything from books to music and DVDs .
The disruptive company quickly expanded its operations in the ensuing years , largely rendering traditional booksellers both large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant selling everything from furniture to groceries and its own lines of clothing , electronics and office equipment , among other basic consumer goods .
The company is also the world ’ s largest internet hosting firm through its cloud computing platform , Amazon Web Services ( AWS ) , which was launched in 2006 .
The private cloud platform has provided web hosting to clients ranging from Dropbox to the Central Intelligence Agency , as well as helping form the “ backbone ” for Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @

(TMU) – For most people across the world, the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown measures have been nothing short of ruinous. Countless small and large businesses have faced bankruptcy while in the United States, local government budgets are in shambles while the unemployment rate is projected by Goldman Sachs to peak at 25 percent, rivaling or exceeding the worst moments of the Great Depression.
Amid the unfolding economic catastrophe, however, the wealth gap between average people and the ultra-rich has widened drastically. For mega-billionaires like Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos – the richest man on the planet whose net worth is estimated at $143 billion – the health crisis has only made them richer.
And now, the Amazon founder is slated to likely become the world’s very first trillionaire, according to business software comparison platform Comparisun.
The site’s projection shows that Bezos is likely to achieve trillionaire status by 2026, when he will be 62 years old. Comparison based their projection on the average percentage of yearly growth over the past five years, which was then applied to future years.
According to the company’s figures, Bezos’ net worth has grown by an average of 34 percent over the last five year. In the last year alone, Bezos’ worth has grown by over $28 billion.
Amazon has been thriving during the pandemic, with shoppers flocking to online shopping platforms due to the unavailability or inherent risks of in-person shopping at brick-and-mortar retail spaces, which had been struggling to compete with Amazon even before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
As a result, Amazon share prices have increased – greatly benefiting Bezos, who has an 11.2 percent stake in the company. Additionally, Bezos sold $3.4 billion in shares precisely before their value tanked in March due to fears over the spread of COVID-19.
The discussion of Bezos’ potential trillionaire status also comes as Amazon employees have launched protests and strikes over their safety as they continue working through the pandemic. On May 1, workers held a one-day strike demanding “adequate protection in the workplace” and an end to the harassment and firing of organizers in company warehouses.
News about Bezos potentially becoming a trillionaire in 2026 has riled up online communities on Twitter and other social media platforms, with users pointing to the expanding economic and financial suffering of people while Bezos rakes in billions.
Twitter @Thomas_A_Moore wrote:
“Jeff Bezos is about to become the world’s first trillionaire while we’re about to enter a depression.”
Jeff Bezos is about to become the world’s first trillionaire while we’re about to enter a depression pic.twitter.com/901vsfmD5p — Thomas Moore (@Thomas_A_Moore) May 14, 2020
While the popular account “The Tweet Of God”, which humorously pretends to be the official Twitter account of the Abrahamic deity, wrote:
“I have a plan to save the world but it requires borrowing money from Jeff Bezos.”
https://twitter.com/TheTweetOfGod/status/1260973226458353665
Twitter user “The Volatile Mermaid” asked:
“If Jeff Bezos makes $2500 per second and is traveling west at 35 MPH and Mark Zuckerberg makes $1500 per second and is traveling north at 50 MPH, how long will it take before you can pay off your student loans?”
https://twitter.com/OhNoSheTwitnt/status/1260970671586381824
Amazon was conceived by Bezos in 1994 as an “everything store” where users could buy everything from books to music and DVDs. The disruptive company quickly expanded its operations in the ensuing years, largely rendering traditional booksellers both large and small obsolete and becoming an e-commerce giant selling everything from furniture to groceries and its own lines of clothing, electronics and office equipment, among other basic consumer goods.
The company is also the world’s largest internet hosting firm through its cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), which was launched in 2006. The private cloud platform has provided web hosting to clients ranging from Dropbox to the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as helping form the “backbone” for Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS-ICE) deportation operations.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-14--Scientists Discover Real-Life Kermit The Frog In Costa Rica

( TMU ) – Kermit the Frog , the much loved character on the TV show Sesame Street , started life as a lizard and evolved into the frog we know in 1955 .
Unique as he is , 60 years after his ‘ birth ’ , a live distant cousin was discovered in the Costa Rica rain forests .
This new species , Diane ’ s Bare-hearted Glassfrog ( Hyalinobatrachium dianae ) , with its amazing transparent , glass like underbelly showing its internal organs , blood pumping through its veins and food digesting in its stomach is fascinating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright lime green body and long lanky legs , and bulging forward looking white eyes that completes the Kermit doppelgänger if ever there was one !
The first glass-frog discovered was the “ giant ” Centrolene geckoideum , named by Marcos Jiménez de la Espada in 1872 , based on a specimen collected in north-eastern Ecuador .
Since then , more than 120 species in three genera ( Centrolene , Cochranella , and Hyalinobatrachium ) have been discovered by different herpetologists .
Apart from a few larger species of a maximum length of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tiny , just 0.8-1.2 inches ( 2-3cm ) ) in length , and are found in tropical lowland to mid-elevation mountain forests .
Kermit ’ s distant relatives are on the small side of the scale , at a length of only 0.98 inches ( 2.5cm ) and managed to evade the limelight until 2015 , mostly due to their remote natural habitat in the Costa Rica rain-forests as well as their deceptive mating call , mimicking an insect ’ s call described as “ a single tonal long metallic whistle-like note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanley Salazar and Robert Puschendorf who discovered H. dianae living between 400m and 800m high in the mountains .
Senior scientist , Kubicki , named the species after his mother , Janet Diane Kubicki .
Including H. dianae , Cost Rica is home to 14 of the known glass frog species .
Costa Rica is situated in Central America with a Caribbean and Pacific coastline known for its beaches , volcanoes , rugged terrain , rain forests and biodiversity .
Costa Rica ’ s protected jungle area spans approximately a quarter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife which include several species of amphibian , mammals and birds .
Other Mammals and Amphibians Native to the Region Almost as famous as Kermit , the colorful blue jeans poison arrow frogs ( Oophaga pumilio ) are one of the most studied and photographed amphibians in the world , partly because of its daylight habits , large population , reproductive biology and bright colors with an estimated 15 to 30 color morphs .
Native to the rain forests , they have a distinctive ‘ chirp , chirp , chirp ’ call and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving with small hops and erratic and exaggerated walking motions , navigating organic matter .
They are poisonous when orally ingested or when its skin oils get into an open wound .
There are three species of anteater that call Costa Rica home , the lesser , giant and silky .
The lesser anteater , Tamandua tetradactyla ) , aka the collared anteater , being the most common .
A distant relative of sloths , anteaters prefer the lowland and middle-elevation habitats of the country .
The lesser anteater is mostly nocturnal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trees , using its strong front claws to scale trees and navigating branches using its prehensile tail which is also handy for balancing in treetops and as an anchor when they take a defensive position .
They have a beautiful fur coat of gold or tan and black fur and can weight up to 18 pound ( 8.16kg ) .
An extra-long claw on the third toe used is used for digging and defense .
They consume up to 10,000 ants and termites per day which their grab with their specially designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and underground homes .
Their powerful sense of smell can detect termites and ants easily and their tongue , measuring up to 16 inches ( 40.6cm ) , makes mealtimes a breeze .

(TMU) – Kermit the Frog, the much loved character on the TV show Sesame Street, started life as a lizard and evolved into the frog we know in 1955. Unique as he is, 60 years after his ‘birth’, a live distant cousin was discovered in the Costa Rica rain forests. This new species, Diane’s Bare-hearted Glassfrog (Hyalinobatrachium dianae), with its amazing transparent, glass like underbelly showing its internal organs, blood pumping through its veins and food digesting in its stomach is fascinating by itself but it’s the bright lime green body and long lanky legs, and bulging forward looking white eyes that completes the Kermit doppelgänger if ever there was one!
The first glass-frog discovered was the “giant” Centrolene geckoideum, named by Marcos Jiménez de la Espada in 1872, based on a specimen collected in north-eastern Ecuador. Since then, more than 120 species in three genera (Centrolene, Cochranella, and Hyalinobatrachium) have been discovered by different herpetologists.
Diane's Bare Hearted Glass Frog (Kermit) Posted by Veganbook on Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Apart from a few larger species of a maximum length of 3 inches (7.62cm), most are tiny, just 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3cm)) in length, and are found in tropical lowland to mid-elevation mountain forests.
Kermit’s distant relatives are on the small side of the scale, at a length of only 0.98 inches (2.5cm) and managed to evade the limelight until 2015, mostly due to their remote natural habitat in the Costa Rica rain-forests as well as their deceptive mating call, mimicking an insect’s call described as “a single tonal long metallic whistle-like note,” by scientists Brian Kubicki, Stanley Salazar and Robert Puschendorf who discovered H. dianae living between 400m and 800m high in the mountains. Senior scientist, Kubicki, named the species after his mother, Janet Diane Kubicki.
Including H. dianae, Cost Rica is home to 14 of the known glass frog species.
Scientists Discover Real-Life Kermit The Frog In Costa Rica!Join our Page -► Amazing World ◄- For more amazing… Posted by Amazing World on Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Costa Rica is situated in Central America with a Caribbean and Pacific coastline known for its beaches, volcanoes, rugged terrain, rain forests and biodiversity. Costa Rica’s protected jungle area spans approximately a quarter of the country, teeming with rare and exotic wildlife which include several species of amphibian, mammals and birds.
Other Mammals and Amphibians Native to the Region
Almost as famous as Kermit, the colorful blue jeans poison arrow frogs (Oophaga pumilio) are one of the most studied and photographed amphibians in the world, partly because of its daylight habits, large population, reproductive biology and bright colors with an estimated 15 to 30 color morphs.
Native to the rain forests, they have a distinctive ‘chirp, chirp, chirp’ call and usually hunt on the forest floor, moving with small hops and erratic and exaggerated walking motions, navigating organic matter. They are poisonous when orally ingested or when its skin oils get into an open wound.
There are three species of anteater that call Costa Rica home, the lesser, giant and silky. The lesser anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla), aka the collared anteater, being the most common. A distant relative of sloths, anteaters prefer the lowland and middle-elevation habitats of the country. The lesser anteater is mostly nocturnal and spends around 40% of its time in trees, using its strong front claws to scale trees and navigating branches using its prehensile tail which is also handy for balancing in treetops and as an anchor when they take a defensive position. They have a beautiful fur coat of gold or tan and black fur and can weight up to 18 pound (8.16kg).
An extra-long claw on the third toe used is used for digging and defense. They consume up to 10,000 ants and termites per day which their grab with their specially designed, long sticky tongues from their nests and underground homes. Their powerful sense of smell can detect termites and ants easily and their tongue, measuring up to 16 inches (40.6cm), makes mealtimes a breeze.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-14--Beachgoers Left Behind 13,000 Pounds of Trash at Florida Beach This Past Weekend

( TMU ) – With much of the world being plunged into lockdown conditions , nature has been given a much-needed breather in a manner unprecedented in the modern age .
And on coastlines all over the globe , the results have been nothing short of miraculous – with sea turtles , whales and other creatures enjoying the benefits of human-free beaches and shorelines .
However , as states across the U.S. start to relax quarantine measures , it appears that we humans are just as uninterested as ever in respecting the planet – and nowhere has this been more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left an estimated 13,000 pounds of trash strewn across one beach this past weekend , according to The Hill .
Cocoa Beach is a city known for its gorgeous maritime forests and its international surfing competition .
Florida ’ s beaches , which reopened on April 21 , have also been the center of the state ’ s efforts to revive the state ’ s floundering tourism industry .
However , the massive influx of visitors – said to be equivalent to the number of people who flood the beaches on holidays like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a huge spike in garbage being carelessly left behind This has forced authorities to launch a new crack down on litterbugs .
“ As restrictions are becoming more relaxed during this pandemic , the City of Cocoa Beach is beginning to see an influx of day-trippers to our beaches , along with piles of unlawfully discarded trash in their wake , ” Cocoa Beach Police Department wrote in a statement , adding : “ This will not be tolerated.
” The police also stated that they will start “ focusing on litter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to educate the public and mitigate this repulsive and disrespectful behavior.
” The massive amounts of litter found on the beach this past weekend come after roughly 6 tons of trash were collected in the prior weekend .
Two weekends prior , the same amount – 297 bags of trash weighing about 40 pounds each – were also collected .
According to Bryan Bobbitt , the executive director of local NGO Keep Brevard Beautiful , the actual amount of trash has been higher due to trash collectors not picking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tent poles .
To make matters worse , most of the discarded garbage has consisted of single-use plastics that have a devastating effect on marine life .
Bobbitt told CNN : “ People will come from out of town and leave an umbrella , a tent or chairs because it ’ s a onetime use .
Chip bags , plastic straw wrappers and anything can get blown into the dunes.
” Bobbitt ’ s group has struggled over the years to ensure that the local environment is safe not only for humans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ When we see something that can be a choking hazard to marine life , we make it a point to get that stuff as well .
If we don ’ t pick it up , it gets blown into the water .
We ’ ve all seen the photo of the straw stuck in a sea turtle ’ s nose or a 6-pack ring around a bird ’ s neck.
” In a statement , Cocoa Beach Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld said that the local community has exercised its responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stewards of environmental sustainability.
” “ If I need to relocate critical resources during our peak season to combat litterers , we are no longer asking our visitors to comply with our litter laws , we expect it , and there will be consequences for offenders.
” However , police only managed to issue a single littering citation during the past weekend .
According to Cocoa Beach Detective Sgt .
Thomas Cooper , it ’ s nearly impossible for police to ascertain who is leaving what trash behind .
Cooper told CNN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re the person who legally left that trash .
The officers are stuck .
”

(TMU) – With much of the world being plunged into lockdown conditions, nature has been given a much-needed breather in a manner unprecedented in the modern age. And on coastlines all over the globe, the results have been nothing short of miraculous – with sea turtles, whales and other creatures enjoying the benefits of human-free beaches and shorelines.
However, as states across the U.S. start to relax quarantine measures, it appears that we humans are just as uninterested as ever in respecting the planet – and nowhere has this been more clear than in Florida, where beachgoers left an estimated 13,000 pounds of trash strewn across one beach this past weekend, according to The Hill.
Cocoa Beach is a city known for its gorgeous maritime forests and its international surfing competition.
Florida’s beaches, which reopened on April 21, have also been the center of the state’s efforts to revive the state’s floundering tourism industry. However, the massive influx of visitors – said to be equivalent to the number of people who flood the beaches on holidays like the Fourth of July – has led to a huge spike in garbage being carelessly left behind
This has forced authorities to launch a new crack down on litterbugs.
“As restrictions are becoming more relaxed during this pandemic, the City of Cocoa Beach is beginning to see an influx of day-trippers to our beaches, along with piles of unlawfully discarded trash in their wake,” Cocoa Beach Police Department wrote in a statement, adding: “This will not be tolerated.”
The police also stated that they will start “focusing on litter violations in the days and weeks ahead in an effort to educate the public and mitigate this repulsive and disrespectful behavior.”
The massive amounts of litter found on the beach this past weekend come after roughly 6 tons of trash were collected in the prior weekend. Two weekends prior, the same amount – 297 bags of trash weighing about 40 pounds each – were also collected.
According to Bryan Bobbitt, the executive director of local NGO Keep Brevard Beautiful, the actual amount of trash has been higher due to trash collectors not picking up larger items like discarded beach chairs and tent poles.
To make matters worse, most of the discarded garbage has consisted of single-use plastics that have a devastating effect on marine life. Bobbitt told CNN:
“People will come from out of town and leave an umbrella, a tent or chairs because it’s a onetime use. Chip bags, plastic straw wrappers and anything can get blown into the dunes.”
Bobbitt’s group has struggled over the years to ensure that the local environment is safe not only for humans, but for animals as well. He added:
“When we see something that can be a choking hazard to marine life, we make it a point to get that stuff as well. If we don’t pick it up, it gets blown into the water. We’ve all seen the photo of the straw stuck in a sea turtle’s nose or a 6-pack ring around a bird’s neck.”
In a statement, Cocoa Beach Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld said that the local community has exercised its responsibility and worked “very hard to be stewards of environmental sustainability.”
The chief added:
“If I need to relocate critical resources during our peak season to combat litterers, we are no longer asking our visitors to comply with our litter laws, we expect it, and there will be consequences for offenders.”
However, police only managed to issue a single littering citation during the past weekend. According to Cocoa Beach Detective Sgt. Thomas Cooper, it’s nearly impossible for police to ascertain who is leaving what trash behind. Cooper told CNN:
“You have to say they’re the person who legally left that trash. The officers are stuck.”
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themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Gym Owner Gives All Equipment To Members So They Can Workout From Home

( TMU ) – As all too many of us are aware , it takes firm self-discipline to get in shape and stay that way .
Indeed , while many of us may try to make it out to the gym or stick to a diet plan , obstacles ranging from our jobs , school , family responsibilities , relationships and social life can derail our exercise routines altogether .
And now , with gyms across the country closing due to statewide lockdowns , many people are seeing their fitness regimes simply melt away .
But Drew Whitted , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomington , Illinois , knew that it would be better that his equipment is put to use rather than languish in a shuttered gym .
After all , why let the equipment simply collect dust , benefiting no one and certainly not his members who were working hard on their fitness goals before the public health crisis ?
In a spirit of generosity and trust to his gym ’ s members , Whitted decided to tell members that they were free to sign out over $ 40,000 worth of workout equipment that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of charge , throughout the duration of the state ’ s physical distancing and stay-at-home orders .
“ We don ’ t want anything left in here .
If our members can ’ t come in and train , we want you to take it home and keep training.
” After all , if there ’ s one thing that can help prevent the virus from spreading , it ’ s a healthy population that engages in routine exercises – and the last thing Whitted wanted to see was his members missing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had closed .
Roughly 80 members of Be Strong Gym accepted his offer , taking home barbells , weights , rowers , mats , and exercise bikes .
Whitted described this as “ awesome , ” telling CNN that his members “ cleared the gym out in under two hours ” while his staff helped them find exactly what they ’ d need for the long stay home .
“ I really encourage members to take things home that they loved , and they knew they were going to use every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gym is holding online training sessions every day , ensuring that the now-virtual gym can help members stay fit while at home .
Paulette Cocco – a member of the gym who borrowed a barbell , weights , and a heavy wall ball – was floored by Whitted ’ s generous act .
She said : “ He had recently put a lot of money into getting new equipment … I mean , his equipment is really beautiful , so it was a big sacrifice.
” The small business owner is also keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring that they remain employed and keep getting their paychecks even if the physical gym is closed to the public .
Whitted said : “ My staff will not miss a single dollar for their paycheck for as long as it takes.
” The online workouts they offer have also kept the community spirit alive for members like Cocco , who said : “ So you see people posting their pictures and their workouts and makes you feel … pressured , almost like ‘ I got ta get my workout in because , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , I need to too . '
” Whitted is also proud of the fact that he ’ s helping bring families together during the collective ordeal being experienced across the world .
He explained : “ Now I see a whole family , getting through this shelter in place , getting through this tough time doing these workouts together , bonding together , becoming healthier and happier together as a family unit.
” Whitted is also positive that every piece of equipment will make its way back to the gym once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because members will doubtlessly be excited to workout together as a community again .

(TMU) – As all too many of us are aware, it takes firm self-discipline to get in shape and stay that way. Indeed, while many of us may try to make it out to the gym or stick to a diet plan, obstacles ranging from our jobs, school, family responsibilities, relationships and social life can derail our exercise routines altogether.
And now, with gyms across the country closing due to statewide lockdowns, many people are seeing their fitness regimes simply melt away.
But Drew Whitted, the owner of the Be Strong Gym in Bloomington, Illinois, knew that it would be better that his equipment is put to use rather than languish in a shuttered gym. After all, why let the equipment simply collect dust, benefiting no one and certainly not his members who were working hard on their fitness goals before the public health crisis?
In a spirit of generosity and trust to his gym’s members, Whitted decided to tell members that they were free to sign out over $40,000 worth of workout equipment that they could take home and use, free of charge, throughout the duration of the state’s physical distancing and stay-at-home orders.
Interview with Tish and Drew, Be Strong When Gyms were deemed uneesential businesses in Illinois, Drew Whitted knew he wanted to continue to support the community he built through his gym, Be Strong. He lent out OVER $40,000 worth of equiptment to his members Free of Charge so they could continue their health and fitness journeys even while sheltering in place. Drew also committed at the very beginning to continue to pay his employees until the Shelter in Place order is lifted. To join the Be Strong Community you can reach out on Facebook, Instagram, or at http://be-strong.squarespace.com. Be Strong offers four virtual workout options daily. Whether you have zero gym equiptment or a full gym set up there is an option for you.The story of the generousity of Be Strong has captured national attention from huge news outlets like CNN, Daily News, and People. You can hear more of the story here: https://www.wandtv.com/sports/local-gym-owner-finds-a-unique-way-to-keep-members-in-shape-at-their-own/article_d963b984-8810-11ea-9002-5bc3f3f2df83.html#weareallinthistogether #blono #bloomingtonil #normalil #rhendywithremax Posted by Rhendy Bradshaw,RE/MAX Rising on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Whitted told members:
“We don’t want anything left in here. If our members can’t come in and train, we want you to take it home and keep training.”
After all, if there’s one thing that can help prevent the virus from spreading, it’s a healthy population that engages in routine exercises – and the last thing Whitted wanted to see was his members missing out on their workouts just because the studio had closed.
Roughly 80 members of Be Strong Gym accepted his offer, taking home barbells, weights, rowers, mats, and exercise bikes. Whitted described this as “awesome,” telling CNN that his members “cleared the gym out in under two hours” while his staff helped them find exactly what they’d need for the long stay home.
“I really encourage members to take things home that they loved, and they knew they were going to use every day,” he said.
Now, the gym is holding online training sessions every day, ensuring that the now-virtual gym can help members stay fit while at home.
Paulette Cocco – a member of the gym who borrowed a barbell, weights, and a heavy wall ball – was floored by Whitted’s generous act. She said:
“He had recently put a lot of money into getting new equipment … I mean, his equipment is really beautiful, so it was a big sacrifice.”
The small business owner is also keeping all of his staff on deck, ensuring that they remain employed and keep getting their paychecks even if the physical gym is closed to the public. Whitted said:
“My staff will not miss a single dollar for their paycheck for as long as it takes.”
Stay Strong Be Strong Thank you for the support TV-10 News Posted by Drew Whitted on Thursday, May 7, 2020
The online workouts they offer have also kept the community spirit alive for members like Cocco, who said:
“So you see people posting their pictures and their workouts and makes you feel … pressured, almost like ‘I gotta get my workout in because, you know, Judy got her workout in, I need to too.'”
Whitted is also proud of the fact that he’s helping bring families together during the collective ordeal being experienced across the world. He explained:
“Now I see a whole family, getting through this shelter in place, getting through this tough time doing these workouts together, bonding together, becoming healthier and happier together as a family unit.”
Whitted is also positive that every piece of equipment will make its way back to the gym once quarantine measures ease up enough to reopen because members will doubtlessly be excited to workout together as a community again.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Rare Blue Bee That Scientists Thought Was Extinct Is Rediscovered in Florida’s Sand Dunes

( TMU ) – Insect scientists in Florida are abuzz after an incredibly rare blue bee , long believed to be extinct , was discovered to actually be thriving in the central part of the state .
The researchers say that the blue calamintha bee ( Osmia calaminthae ) , which was discovered in 2011 before being pronounced to have gone extinct a few years later , may possibly be saved as a species after it was discovered near Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida , a highly threatened ecosystem which is recognized around the world as a major hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bees tend to nest alone and feed on the endangered Ashe ’ s Calamint plant , a pale lavender-colored perennial deciduous shrub that is found only in Florida .
The bee was rediscovered after researcher Dr. Chase Kimmel returned to the forest on March 9 where the bees were originally discovered in hopes to see if it was still alive .
In a release from the Florida Museum of Natural History , where Kimmel is currently conducting his post-doctoral research , he said : “ I was open to the possibility that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting.
” Researchers from the museum have launched a two-year study to find out what the blue calamintha bee ’ s current population status and distribution is , as well as its nesting and feeding habits .
While they do know that the solitary blue bee nests alone , they haven ’ t yet actually stumbled across any of its nests .
They do know , however , that the pollinator bobs its head on the blooming Ashe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny hairs .
The bee is considered a hyper-local creature that evolved in the isolated sand dune patches lying along the 150-mile ridge running south to north in central Florida .
Experts consider the bee to be a “ species of greatest conservation need , ” but it hasn ’ t yet been listed as threatened or endangered .
While activists tried to include it in the endangered species list through a petition launched in 2015 , the bee did not qualify for the listing because so little information was known about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their research about the elusive insect can bear interesting results .
At present , basic biological facts about the bee are unknown , including whether the blue calamintha prefers sun or shade .
Kimmel said : “ We ’ re trying to fill in a lot of gaps that were not previously known .
There ’ s a lot of neat discoveries that can still occur.
” The researchers are hoping that they can continue monitoring the bee over the next year in spite of the challenging conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he first found the rare pollinator , he ’ s struggled to locate another blue calamintha bee specimen .
Kimmel said : “ I haven ’ t found the bee in a couple of weeks , ” Kimmel told Weather.com , adding “ I ’ m coming up a bit short right now.
” He believes that this may be due to the dry Spring season coming to an early end .
The two researchers are doing their best to work through the COVID-19 lockdowns so they can monitor the bee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kimmel believes that there are “ good signs the bee can recover , ” especially if their research is successful and paves the way for conservation efforts .
Kimmel said : “ Having this bee in more abundance than we expected is really encouraging for its survival — that it can survive in the long run .
”

(TMU) – Insect scientists in Florida are abuzz after an incredibly rare blue bee, long believed to be extinct, was discovered to actually be thriving in the central part of the state.
The researchers say that the blue calamintha bee (Osmia calaminthae), which was discovered in 2011 before being pronounced to have gone extinct a few years later, may possibly be saved as a species after it was discovered near Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida, a highly threatened ecosystem which is recognized around the world as a major hub of biodiversity.
The brilliant blue calamintha bees tend to nest alone and feed on the endangered Ashe’s Calamint plant, a pale lavender-colored perennial deciduous shrub that is found only in Florida.
The bee was rediscovered after researcher Dr. Chase Kimmel returned to the forest on March 9 where the bees were originally discovered in hopes to see if it was still alive.
In a release from the Florida Museum of Natural History, where Kimmel is currently conducting his post-doctoral research, he said:
“I was open to the possibility that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting.”
#Florida’s rare blue calamintha bee was feared extinct until researchers in @jcdaniels lab rediscovered the species this spring in Lake Wales Ridge. Look how BLUE! #DaBaDeeDaBaDie ???? #UFBugs
Story: https://t.co/PnSuDJoX4O pic.twitter.com/ju4iQrBloQ — Florida Museum (@FloridaMuseum) May 7, 2020
Researchers from the museum have launched a two-year study to find out what the blue calamintha bee’s current population status and distribution is, as well as its nesting and feeding habits.
While they do know that the solitary blue bee nests alone, they haven’t yet actually stumbled across any of its nests. They do know, however, that the pollinator bobs its head on the blooming Ashe’s calamint plant to collect pollen using its tiny hairs.
The bee is considered a hyper-local creature that evolved in the isolated sand dune patches lying along the 150-mile ridge running south to north in central Florida.
Kimmel’s adviser, Jaret Daniels, said:
“This is a highly specialized and localized bee.”
If you live near the Lake Wales Ridge in Florida, consider adding an Ashe's Calamint to your landscaping. https://t.co/YghLmnmK3T #SaveTheBees pic.twitter.com/ftC8CORom0 — Auriette (@Auriette) May 12, 2020
Experts consider the bee to be a “species of greatest conservation need,” but it hasn’t yet been listed as threatened or endangered. While activists tried to include it in the endangered species list through a petition launched in 2015, the bee did not qualify for the listing because so little information was known about the species.
Kimmel and Daniels hope that their research about the elusive insect can bear interesting results. At present, basic biological facts about the bee are unknown, including whether the blue calamintha prefers sun or shade. Kimmel said:
“We’re trying to fill in a lot of gaps that were not previously known. There’s a lot of neat discoveries that can still occur.”
The researchers are hoping that they can continue monitoring the bee over the next year in spite of the challenging conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the early spring season, when he first found the rare pollinator, he’s struggled to locate another blue calamintha bee specimen. Kimmel said:
“I haven’t found the bee in a couple of weeks,” Kimmel told Weather.com, adding “I’m coming up a bit short right now.” He believes that this may be due to the dry Spring season coming to an early end.
The two researchers are doing their best to work through the COVID-19 lockdowns so they can monitor the bee over the next year.
Either way, Kimmel believes that there are “good signs the bee can recover,” especially if their research is successful and paves the way for conservation efforts. Kimmel said:
“Having this bee in more abundance than we expected is really encouraging for its survival — that it can survive in the long run.”
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themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Thanks to AG Barr and Senator McConnell, Patriot Act Will Soon Be Much Stronger and More Invasive

( TMU ) – The birth of the modern security state took place in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks .
Since then , there has been a slow but steady federal push for draconian surveillance powers .
It has come from all branches of government–congressional , executive , and judicial–and from both political parties .
Now that we ’ ve reached the second major inflection point of the 21st century–COVID-19–it would be easy to not see the newest push for a more expansive use of the Patriot Act .
But it ’ s there in two new provisions that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to intrude into our digital lives .
The first amendment to the Patriot Act introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will allow the FBI to warrantlessly collect records on the web browsing and search histories of American citizens .
The second amendment–a naked reaction to the Mueller investigation and FISA problems–permits AG Barr to perform an annual review of all FBI FISA submissions .
While the second amendment of the Patriot Act is ostensibly a balance check intended to control rogue FBI investigations , many civil liberty and digital privacy advocates view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rogue Attorney General , which happens to extend potentially lawless surveillance to all Americans and political enemies .
“ Under the McConnell amendment , Barr gets to look through the web browsing history of any American — including journalists , politicians , and political rivals — without a warrant , just by saying it is relevant to an investigation , ” Senator Ron Wyden told The Daily Beast .
“ These amendments would pretty much guarantee the ability of an incumbent administration to spy on its political opponents without consequence .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most personal information.
” First Amendment activists warn the new provisions will have a chilling effect on the media , preventing journalists and whistleblowers from exposing abuses of power .
“ These are two of the most cynical attempts to undermine surveillance reform I ’ ve ever seen , and they threaten to make a Patriot Act reauthorization even worse after a process that has so far successfully prevented any member of Congress from fixing the underlying bill .
“ McConnell is literally trying to take a privacy safeguard designed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it only to politicians and people suspected of being foreign agents.
” A bipartisan amendment demanding probable cause be shown prior to any digital surveillance was proposed by Wyden and Sen. Steve Daines ( R-Mont . )
but it was voted down .
While McConnell ’ s amendment ostensibly blocks the FBI from collecting the ‘ content ’ of web browsing , the interpretation of ‘ content ’ in the context of digital Internet searches has never been settled in court , meaning that AG Barr would be able to wield the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a web search .
“ These amendments would pretty much guarantee the ability of an incumbent administration to spy on its political opponents without consequence , ” wrote Charles Pierce at Esquire .

(TMU) – The birth of the modern security state took place in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. Since then, there has been a slow but steady federal push for draconian surveillance powers. It has come from all branches of government–congressional, executive, and judicial–and from both political parties.
Now that we’ve reached the second major inflection point of the 21st century–COVID-19–it would be easy to not see the newest push for a more expansive use of the Patriot Act. But it’s there in two new provisions that would dramatically strengthen the government’s ability to intrude into our digital lives.
The first amendment to the Patriot Act introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will allow the FBI to warrantlessly collect records on the web browsing and search histories of American citizens. The second amendment–a naked reaction to the Mueller investigation and FISA problems–permits AG Barr to perform an annual review of all FBI FISA submissions.
While the second amendment of the Patriot Act is ostensibly a balance check intended to control rogue FBI investigations, many civil liberty and digital privacy advocates view it as a voracious power grab by a rogue Attorney General, which happens to extend potentially lawless surveillance to all Americans and political enemies.
“Under the McConnell amendment, Barr gets to look through the web browsing history of any American — including journalists, politicians, and political rivals — without a warrant, just by saying it is relevant to an investigation,” Senator Ron Wyden told The Daily Beast.
“These amendments would pretty much guarantee the ability of an incumbent administration to spy on its political opponents without consequence.
“It is open season on anybody’s most personal information.”
First Amendment activists warn the new provisions will have a chilling effect on the media, preventing journalists and whistleblowers from exposing abuses of power.
Sean Vitka, senior policy council at Demand Progress, stated:
“These are two of the most cynical attempts to undermine surveillance reform I’ve ever seen, and they threaten to make a Patriot Act reauthorization even worse after a process that has so far successfully prevented any member of Congress from fixing the underlying bill.
“McConnell is literally trying to take a privacy safeguard designed for the press and religious groups and instead give it only to politicians and people suspected of being foreign agents.”
A bipartisan amendment demanding probable cause be shown prior to any digital surveillance was proposed by Wyden and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) but it was voted down.
The 10 Democrats who joined GOP in defeating amendment to stop FBI warrantless surveillance of web browser history: Carper, Casey, Feinstein, Hassan, Jones, Kaine, Manchin, Shaheen, Warner and Whitehorse. Joined 2 Republicans & a Democrat in not showing up to vote: Bernie Sanders — jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) May 13, 2020
While McConnell’s amendment ostensibly blocks the FBI from collecting the ‘content’ of web browsing, the interpretation of ‘content’ in the context of digital Internet searches has never been settled in court, meaning that AG Barr would be able to wield the power of his office to determine the meaning of a web search.
“These amendments would pretty much guarantee the ability of an incumbent administration to spy on its political opponents without consequence,” wrote Charles Pierce at Esquire.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-16--California’s Stunning Poppy Super Bloom Photographed from Space

( TMU ) – Every spring , Californians are treated to a fantastic spectacle of nature as the Antelope Valley bursts with vast and colorful blooming flowers of various types .
And while the main display consists of a range of different wildflowers , the state ’ s official flower – the California poppy – is the star attraction , bringing visitors from across the Golden State and neighboring states to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in northern Los Angeles County .
This year , the famous poppy fields have been off-limits to visitors due to the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , preventing snap-happy Instagramers and photographers from capturing the stunning array of velvet orange poppy fields .
Following a long dry spell , the state enjoyed major rainfall in March and April , relieving Southern California of drought conditions and bringing 10.5 inches of rain to the Lancaster area , nearly 4 inches more than the typical amount .
But while we can ’ t enjoy the poppies in person , photos from NASA are allowing us to view the massive blooms from space .
Images taken by the Operational Land Imager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite last month and released last Thursday show the breathtaking super bloom at its peak , sprawling across the valley which , fittingly , is located near NASA ’ s Armstrong Flight Research Center .
In a post to Facebook , the U.S. space agency wrote : “ The poppies open their petals during sunny periods , appearing like a large blanket over the landscape .
The flowers tend close during windy , cold periods .
While the orange poppies are easy to spot in satellite imagery , the fields also contain cream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and yellow goldfields ( a relative of the sunflower ) .
” California park officials have greeted the blooms as an “ unexpected ” surprise resulting from the late-season rains , which will help extend the poppies ’ lives .
Because of the state stay-at-home order , the poppy reserve created a special live webcam and YouTube channel to allow people to view videos of the bloom from the personal device of their choice .
The shelter-in-place mandate issued by state Gov .
Gavin Newsom on March 20 requires that Californians stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such essential needs as fetching groceries , going to the doctor , or going to those jobs deemed essential .
While outdoor exercise is encouraged , the state has urged residents to restrict their walks , runs , and hikes to their own neighborhoods and local parks .
And while crowds have generally respected the order to stay away from the park , images from the poppy fields have filtered out to social media showing folks stealing a quick pic while surrounded by the dazzling display .
“ We currently have a road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic into the area around the park , to reduce fence-jumping and shifting the impact of the closure onto our neighbors .
“ However , much of the western Antelope Valley is having a great poppy bloom this year , so many people are visiting the poppy fields on the private lands around the area of reserve and tagging themselves as at the park .
Only the county roads through them are public and trespassing on private lands is outside our jurisdiction .
There are a lot of people not obeying the stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only a fraction of what it would normally be at this time.
” However , the spectacle didn ’ t last far into May as hot weather quickly returned to the Southwest region .
Last Saturday , the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve announced on Facebook that the heat had “ rapidly diminished the bloom , ” with “ almost all of the poppies ” now gone to seed .
“ It looks like the April rains weren ’ t enough to get the bloom through to May , ” the park @ @

(TMU) – Every spring, Californians are treated to a fantastic spectacle of nature as the Antelope Valley bursts with vast and colorful blooming flowers of various types.
And while the main display consists of a range of different wildflowers, the state’s official flower – the California poppy – is the star attraction, bringing visitors from across the Golden State and neighboring states to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in northern Los Angeles County.
This year, the famous poppy fields have been off-limits to visitors due to the state’s shelter-in-place order in response to the coronavirus, preventing snap-happy Instagramers and photographers from capturing the stunning array of velvet orange poppy fields.
Following a long dry spell, the state enjoyed major rainfall in March and April, relieving Southern California of drought conditions and bringing 10.5 inches of rain to the Lancaster area, nearly 4 inches more than the typical amount.
But while we can’t enjoy the poppies in person, photos from NASA are allowing us to view the massive blooms from space.
Orange You Glad It's Spring?Happy Spring! Enjoy some flower gazing from space! Near the western tip of the Mojave… Posted by NASA Earth on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Images taken by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite last month and released last Thursday show the breathtaking super bloom at its peak, sprawling across the valley which, fittingly, is located near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.
In a post to Facebook, the U.S. space agency wrote:
“The poppies open their petals during sunny periods, appearing like a large blanket over the landscape. The flowers tend close during windy, cold periods. While the orange poppies are easy to spot in satellite imagery, the fields also contain cream cups, forget-me-nots, purple bush lupines, and yellow goldfields (a relative of the sunflower).”
California park officials have greeted the blooms as an “unexpected” surprise resulting from the late-season rains, which will help extend the poppies’ lives.
Because of the state stay-at-home order, the poppy reserve created a special live webcam and YouTube channel to allow people to view videos of the bloom from the personal device of their choice.
Feeling stressed out? The Antelope Valley Poppy Fields are closed but you can visit via livestream for a moment of zen ?https://t.co/uvETGT73rv pic.twitter.com/I0PlpyPuEU — Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) April 14, 2020
The shelter-in-place mandate issued by state Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 20 requires that Californians stay at home unless they are engaged in such essential needs as fetching groceries, going to the doctor, or going to those jobs deemed essential. While outdoor exercise is encouraged, the state has urged residents to restrict their walks, runs, and hikes to their own neighborhoods and local parks.
And while crowds have generally respected the order to stay away from the park, images from the poppy fields have filtered out to social media showing folks stealing a quick pic while surrounded by the dazzling display.
California State Parks Interpreter Jean Rhyne told SFGate:
“We currently have a road diversion set up to allow only local traffic into the area around the park, to reduce fence-jumping and shifting the impact of the closure onto our neighbors.
“However, much of the western Antelope Valley is having a great poppy bloom this year, so many people are visiting the poppy fields on the private lands around the area of reserve and tagging themselves as at the park. Only the county roads through them are public and trespassing on private lands is outside our jurisdiction. There are a lot of people not obeying the stay-at-home order, but visitation to the valley is only a fraction of what it would normally be at this time.”
However, the spectacle didn’t last far into May as hot weather quickly returned to the Southwest region.
Last Saturday, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve announced on Facebook that the heat had “rapidly diminished the bloom,” with “almost all of the poppies” now gone to seed.
“It looks like the April rains weren’t enough to get the bloom through to May,” the park said.
This week's heat has rapidly diminished the bloom, and almost all of the poppies have gone to seed. It looks like the… Posted by Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Saturday, May 2, 2020
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themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Brilliant Green Comet With 10 Million-Mile-Long Tail Will Be Visible Tonight as It Comes Close to Ea

Brilliant Green Comet With 10 Million-Mile-Long Tail Will Be Visible Tonight as It Comes Close to Earth

( TMU ) – A brilliant bright-green comet with an incredible 11-million-mile long tail will be visible from Earth tonight as it makes its once-in-11,597 years trip through the inner solar system .
The massive comet , named Comet Swan or C/2020 F8 , is comprised of space dust , ice , and gas and will be flying past our own planet before getting close to the sun and making its way back through the solar system .
But what makes this one more special than most is the fact that the super bright green comet can be seen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ faintly visible ” way , according to the European Space Agency ( ESA ) .
However , stargazers who hope to see the magnificent display will be able to get a much better glimpse using only binoculars .
While those in the southern hemisphere will get the best view , those of us in the northern hemisphere will still be able to get a good , if faint , view of it low on the horizon just before dawn .
Comet Swan was discovered in April by Michael Mattiazo , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bright green tinge comes from the water vapor released into by its icy core as it ’ s heated by the Sun , forming a hydrogen cloud that surrounds it and gives off its bright light .
As the European Space Agency said : “ The comet ’ s vigor could be significant for observers on Earth .
The more material ejected from the comet , the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes .
Currently moving from the southern to the northern skies , it is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but current estimates suggest that , by the end of May , it could be significantly brighter – if it survives that long.
” Swan is currently about 53 million miles away from our own planet at the moment , and the snowball is predicted to come closest to Earth on May 27 .
However , comets are such fragile bodies that they tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun – a phenomenon common in our solar system , which also occurred last month and foiled expectations that Comet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Current estimates suggest that it could start becoming much brighter if it manages to survive until the end of May , making its way from southern to northern skies .
This is because the comet will be ejecting material as it warms up en route toward the Sun , reflecting sunlight and increasing in its visibility .
However , amateur astronomer David Blanchflower said that the comet won ’ t be as easy to see as simply gazing up into the night sky .
He told the Express : “ From the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horizon before sunrise .
Won ’ t be easy to spot .
Binoculars rather than naked eye would give someone the best chance of seeing it .
“ Into next month it will have a better elevation but not predicted to be very bright so again binoculars or a small telescope would be needed.
” The more material ejected from the comet as it warms up on its way towards the sun , the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes .
Actually seeing the comet in the twilight skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the fact that the sky is currently lit-up by a bright moon .
Comet Swan will also be difficult to see for those living in the mid-latitudes of the north , with the best views being seen low in the northeastern sky .
Rick Fienberg , a spokesman for the American Astronomical Society , told New York Times : “ By ‘ low ’ they mean ‘ really low ’ unless you ’ re far south like Hawaii or southern Florida .
The comet gets higher as dawn breaks , which means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark sky for mid-northern observers .
Boo hoo !
” With the comet last appearing near the Earth perhaps around the same time when woolly mammoths were rendered extinct , nearly 12 millenia ago , this will be “ almost certainly the only time the comet will be visible in our lifetimes , ” according to the ESA .
It bears repeating that while comets have long been subject to misperceptions borne of superstitious beliefs , these distant snowballs pose absolutely zero danger to terrestrial life .

(TMU) – A brilliant bright-green comet with an incredible 11-million-mile long tail will be visible from Earth all week as it makes its once-in-11,597 years trip through the inner solar system.
The massive comet, named Comet Swan or C/2020 F8, is comprised of space dust, ice, and gas and will be flying past our own planet before getting close to the sun and making its way back through the solar system.
But what makes this one more special than most is the fact that the super bright green comet can be seen by the naked eye, albeit only in a “faintly visible” way, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). However, stargazers who hope to see the magnificent display will be able to get a much better glimpse using only binoculars.
https://twitter.com/coreyspowell/status/1258926765390602240
While those in the southern hemisphere will get the best view, those of us in the northern hemisphere will still be able to get a good, if faint, view of it low on the horizon just before dawn.
Comet Swan was discovered in April by Michael Mattiazo, an astronomer from Australia.
The space rock’s bright green tinge comes from the water vapor released into by its icy core as it’s heated by the Sun, forming a hydrogen cloud that surrounds it and gives off its bright light.
As the European Space Agency said:
“The comet’s vigor could be significant for observers on Earth. The more material ejected from the comet, the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes. Currently moving from the southern to the northern skies, it is just faintly visible to the naked eye, but current estimates suggest that, by the end of May, it could be significantly brighter – if it survives that long.”
Swan is currently about 53 million miles away from our own planet at the moment, and the snowball is predicted to come closest to Earth on May 27. However, comets are such fragile bodies that they tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun – a phenomenon common in our solar system, which also occurred last month and foiled expectations that Comet ATLAS would also become very bright.
Current estimates suggest that it could start becoming much brighter if it manages to survive until the end of May, making its way from southern to northern skies. This is because the comet will be ejecting material as it warms up en route toward the Sun, reflecting sunlight and increasing in its visibility.
Comet SWAN has gotten a bit higher for my location in southwest Alabama. So here it is through trees!
SWAN revealed some of the tail. Image Richard Pickard. pic.twitter.com/hUHcDWoPqF — Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) May 13, 2020
However, amateur astronomer David Blanchflower said that the comet won’t be as easy to see as simply gazing up into the night sky. He told the Express:
“From the UK it will be low on the eastern horizon before sunrise. Won’t be easy to spot. Binoculars rather than naked eye would give someone the best chance of seeing it.
“Into next month it will have a better elevation but not predicted to be very bright so again binoculars or a small telescope would be needed.”
The more material ejected from the comet as it warms up on its way towards the sun, the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes.
Actually seeing the comet in the twilight skies before dawn will also be made difficult by the fact that the sky is currently lit-up by a bright moon.
Comet Swan will also be difficult to see for those living in the mid-latitudes of the north, with the best views being seen low in the northeastern sky.
Rick Fienberg, a spokesman for the American Astronomical Society, told New York Times:
“By ‘low’ they mean ‘really low’ unless you’re far south like Hawaii or southern Florida. The comet gets higher as dawn breaks, which means it’ll never appear in a dark sky for mid-northern observers. Boo hoo!”
With the comet last appearing near the Earth perhaps around the same time when woolly mammoths were rendered extinct, nearly 12 millenia ago, this will be “almost certainly the only time the comet will be visible in our lifetimes,” according to the ESA.
It bears repeating that while comets have long been subject to misperceptions borne of superstitious beliefs, these distant snowballs pose absolutely zero danger to terrestrial life.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Mermaid Tail Succulents Bring The Ocean Vibes Right Into Your Home

( TMU ) – While most people love plants and flowers and enjoy gardening , many more live in small apartments with no outside gardening space or don ’ t think they ’ ll be able to grow anything in their apartments .
Plants , inside and outside our homes , can bring much pleasure and many plants are suitable for indoor growing are great at purifying air by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen and increase humidity .
Taking care of them is a great way to de-stress and relax .
Succulents come in all shapes , colors and varieties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground-covers .
Succulents are intriguing climbers with lush trailing leaves perfect for hanging baskets and come in a multitude of exotic shapes suitable for planting in pots and straight into a garden .
The Mermaid Tail Succulent ( Crested Senecio Vitalis ) is one of the more popular succulents named after the shape it resembles , in this case the tail of a mermaid or whale sticking out of the water .
This subtle green/blue color of the plant will look stunning in any room of a home .
The mermaid ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet ) than its height ( up to 2 feet ) .
Succulents come in unique and interesting varieties and succeed provided they are potted in a porous , preferably coarse , sandy potting soil to allow for good drainage and live in a sunny spot or an area with good light .
A good weekly soak will be enough and even a bit longer if you are someone who forgets .
Succulents can be quite forgiving but will shrivel up if left without water for too long , but even so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they do in nature after a drought .
The leaves , stems and roots a retain water which allow them survive much longer than most other plants would in a similar circumstance .
Succulents need less watering in colder weather and need regular deep soaking watering during hot and dry weather .
Spider mites love succulents and will destroy your plant if left unchecked .
These mites are tiny and you should examine your plants regularly , especially the underside of the leaves where they prefer to feed , sucking the liquid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll likely notice their web threads before you notice the mites .
Although their lifespan is only about a month long , the population can grow very fast since the female reaches sexual maturity in just five days and she can lay up to 20 eggs a day .
Neem oil is a great option for treating mites and as a preventative treatment .
Use in combination with high pressure water washing the bottom of the leaves which will destroy the web and get rid of most of the mites , do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and soil with a plastic bag to avoid the soil from falling out .
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that won ’ t kill bees .

(TMU) – While most people love plants and flowers and enjoy gardening, many more live in small apartments with no outside gardening space or don’t think they’ll be able to grow anything in their apartments. Plants, inside and outside our homes, can bring much pleasure and many plants are suitable for indoor growing are great at purifying air by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen and increase humidity. Taking care of them is a great way to de-stress and relax.
Succulents come in all shapes, colors and varieties and are found in delicate to tough ground-covers. Succulents are intriguing climbers with lush trailing leaves perfect for hanging baskets and come in a multitude of exotic shapes suitable for planting in pots and straight into a garden.
The Mermaid Tail Succulent (Crested Senecio Vitalis) is one of the more popular succulents named after the shape it resembles, in this case the tail of a mermaid or whale sticking out of the water. This subtle green/blue color of the plant will look stunning in any room of a home. The mermaid’s tail grows wider (up to 3-5 feet) than its height (up to 2 feet).
Succulents come in unique and interesting varieties and succeed provided they are potted in a porous, preferably coarse, sandy potting soil to allow for good drainage and live in a sunny spot or an area with good light.
A good weekly soak will be enough and even a bit longer if you are someone who forgets. Succulents can be quite forgiving but will shrivel up if left without water for too long, but even so, they can come back to life, as they do in nature after a drought.
The leaves, stems and roots a retain water which allow them survive much longer than most other plants would in a similar circumstance. Succulents need less watering in colder weather and need regular deep soaking watering during hot and dry weather.
Spider mites love succulents and will destroy your plant if left unchecked.
These mites are tiny and you should examine your plants regularly, especially the underside of the leaves where they prefer to feed, sucking the liquid out of the leaves. You’ll likely notice their web threads before you notice the mites.
Although their lifespan is only about a month long, the population can grow very fast since the female reaches sexual maturity in just five days and she can lay up to 20 eggs a day.
Neem oil is a great option for treating mites and as a preventative treatment. Use in combination with high pressure water washing the bottom of the leaves which will destroy the web and get rid of most of the mites, do this over a bucket and cover the pot and soil with a plastic bag to avoid the soil from falling out. Neem oil is a natural pesticide that won’t kill bees.
Enjoy!
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themindunleashed--2020-05-16--US Military Says UFO In Navy Video Was “Size of A Suitcase” and Traveling 19,000 MPH

( TMU ) Opinion – UFOlogy has had a huge resurgence in recent years , buoyed primarily by three new Navy UFO videos released first by The Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences , a company co-founded by former Blink-182 musician Tom DeLonge , and ushered into the mainstream by a New York Times investigation that started in 2017 .
This year , the Pentagon confirmed the existence of the videos , which show the so-called “ tic-tac ” UFOs .
To be clear , the government has not said the videos necessarily show alien craft but rather that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ unidentified aerial phenomena.
” To many , this was an extraordinary admission by a governing body that has historically been maniacally secretive and tight-lipped on the issue of UFOs .
The newest military “ hazard reports ” disclose new details about the size and shape of the anomalous objects : “ The unknown aircraft appeared to be small in size , approximately the size of a suitcase , and silver in color , ” reads one 2014 report .
A 2013 report describes a craft that “ had an approximately 5-foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other distinguishable features .
Due to the small size , the aircraft was determined to be a [ unidentified aerial system ] .
” The disclosures have effectively created an entirely new atmosphere of intellectual open-mindedness around an issue that for decades has been mired in condescending stigmatization .
An idea that has traditionally been regarded as a ‘ career killer ’ in most academic circles is suddenly receiving renewed scientific interest .
Are we receiving visits from a sentient alien intelligence with technological advances that would appear magical to us ?
Critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be top-secret drones ( perhaps even AI-powered drones ) .
However , many technology and aviation analysts maintain that the speeds and aerodynamic maneuvers demonstrated by these crafts vastly exceed what is currently possible for man-made aerial machines .
One fighter pilot reported observing a craft that dropped from 80,000-ft to around 28,000-ft in only seconds and reached speeds of 19,000 miles per hour .
Upon seeing the tic-tac UFOs , the original pilots reported by the New York Times exclaimed , “ Wow , what is that , man ?
Look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be out there all day , ” said Lt. Ryan Graves , a 10-year Navy pilot who later reported his sightings to the Pentagon and Congress .
“ Keeping an aircraft in the air requires a significant amount of energy .
With the speeds we observed , 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than we ’ d expect.
” Other reports of the unidentified aerial phenomena describe them shooting into the sky and instantly making 90-degree turns at incredible speeds without any apparent mode of propulsion .
One Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] of the object , but was unable to positively determine the identity of the aircraft.
” In other words , either it ’ s aliens or human governments have access to technology exponentially superior to anything in the private sector .
With a craft the size of a suitcase , the first thing that comes to mind is a drone–but given the speeds and aviation technology reported , who ’ s to say this isn ’ t an alien drone , an extraterrestrial-made AI probe from light-years away , or other dimensions @

(TMU) Opinion – UFOlogy has had a huge resurgence in recent years, buoyed primarily by three new Navy UFO videos released first by The Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences, a company co-founded by former Blink-182 musician Tom DeLonge, and ushered into the mainstream by a New York Times investigation that started in 2017.
This year, the Pentagon confirmed the existence of the videos, which show the so-called “tic-tac” UFOs. To be clear, the government has not said the videos necessarily show alien craft but rather that the videos are authentic records of some kind of “unidentified aerial phenomena.”
To many, this was an extraordinary admission by a governing body that has historically been maniacally secretive and tight-lipped on the issue of UFOs.
The newest military “hazard reports” disclose new details about the size and shape of the anomalous objects:
“The unknown aircraft appeared to be small in size, approximately the size of a suitcase, and silver in color,” reads one 2014 report.
A 2013 report describes a craft that “had an approximately 5-foot wingspan and was colored white with no other distinguishable features. Due to the small size, the aircraft was determined to be a [unidentified aerial system].”
The disclosures have effectively created an entirely new atmosphere of intellectual open-mindedness around an issue that for decades has been mired in condescending stigmatization. An idea that has traditionally been regarded as a ‘career killer’ in most academic circles is suddenly receiving renewed scientific interest.
Are we receiving visits from a sentient alien intelligence with technological advances that would appear magical to us?
Critics maintain the objects in the videos could be top-secret drones (perhaps even AI-powered drones). However, many technology and aviation analysts maintain that the speeds and aerodynamic maneuvers demonstrated by these crafts vastly exceed what is currently possible for man-made aerial machines. One fighter pilot reported observing a craft that dropped from 80,000-ft to around 28,000-ft in only seconds and reached speeds of 19,000 miles per hour.
Upon seeing the tic-tac UFOs, the original pilots reported by the New York Times exclaimed, “Wow, what is that, man? Look at it fly!”
“These things would be out there all day,” said Lt. Ryan Graves, a 10-year Navy pilot who later reported his sightings to the Pentagon and Congress. “Keeping an aircraft in the air requires a significant amount of energy. With the speeds we observed, 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than we’d expect.”
Other reports of the unidentified aerial phenomena describe them shooting into the sky and instantly making 90-degree turns at incredible speeds without any apparent mode of propulsion. One Navy aircraft “passed within 1000 [feet] of the object, but was unable to positively determine the identity of the aircraft.”
In other words, either it’s aliens or human governments have access to technology exponentially superior to anything in the private sector.
With a craft the size of a suitcase, the first thing that comes to mind is a drone–but given the speeds and aviation technology reported, who’s to say this isn’t an alien drone, an extraterrestrial-made AI probe from light-years away, or other dimensions?
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themindunleashed--2020-05-16--Bees Are Thriving As Pollution Plummets and Environmental Conditions Improve

( TMU ) – With nearly every facet of humanity facing disruption and economic activities screeching to a halt , the world has witnessed nature being given a break that has perhaps no precedent in the modern era .
As a result , marine life .
And with the lockdown leading to less pollution , less traffic and a marked improvement in the environmental conditions across the globe , bees are thriving in a way they haven ’ t in years , reports Metro .
The “ new normal ” of people shopping locally , traveling less , and cluttering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healing effect on bee colonies , according to the U.K. ’ s largest bee farm , Denrosa Apiaries .
Because of the marked improvements to the environment , 43-year-old beekeeper Helen McGregor believes that her community has become keenly aware of the need to preserve nature .
“ Less traffic , less pollution is bound to make a difference to the environment which of course has a positive knock-on effect for bees .
“ I think people are more aware of what ’ s going on around them and in the countryside just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see these changes lasting.
” The beekeeping operation has been in business since the 1940s in Perth and Kinross , Scotland .
With 4,000 hives each filled with 50,000 bees , the massive commercial beekeeping operation founded by McGregor ’ s grandfather Kenneth has even produced honey for the British royal family .
And with environmental conditions improving , Helen is noticing a cultural shift among locals .
She explained : “ They are more aware of nature , maybe seeing hives when they are out and about and thinking more about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from .
“ It ’ s taking people back to their roots , making them look at what ’ s necessary in life and what ’ s not , it ’ s back to a basic outlook on life.
” The overall health of the bees at the farm isn ’ t just a factor that impacts Denrosa Apiaries – it also has a strong impact on the agrarian economy of the rural Scottish region .
Bees are perhaps one of the most important managed pollinators in agriculture .
Spreading the male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterparts in a natural process that is highly crucial to plant reproduction .
“ We have hundreds of sites from down in England , all the way up to Aberdeenshire , with billions of bees .
“ A lot of farmers are looking for bees to help with crop pollination .
We have mini hives which we use to build up bee levels and we breed our own queen bees.
” The beekeeping operation now has hundreds of sites scattered across the U.K. with four or five teams checking about six sites daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very early in our season to say what production is going to be like but the bees are busy bringing back nectar and pollen .
“ We are at the mercy of the weather and could do with some rain as the ground is very dry.
” According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization , pollinators are worth anywhere from $ 235 and $ 577 billion worldwide owing to their pivotal role in the production of global crops .
In the U.S. , for example , bees are estimated to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion of domestic crop production .
However , the health of bee colonies has been threatened by warming climate conditions , diseases and parasites , and the food industry ’ s over reliance on pesticides and other agro-industrial chemicals .
Without bees we would likely have to kiss almonds , blueberries , watermelon , chili peppers , tomatoes , and other crops goodbye .
So this news from the U.K. is most definitely a much-needed bit of news we can certainly “ bee ” grateful for !

(TMU) – With nearly every facet of humanity facing disruption and economic activities screeching to a halt, the world has witnessed nature being given a break that has perhaps no precedent in the modern era. As a result, marine life.
And with the lockdown leading to less pollution, less traffic and a marked improvement in the environmental conditions across the globe, bees are thriving in a way they haven’t in years, reports Metro.
The “new normal” of people shopping locally, traveling less, and not cluttering roads with cars is having a healing effect on bee colonies, according to the U.K.’s largest bee farm, Denrosa Apiaries.
Because of the marked improvements to the environment, 43-year-old beekeeper Helen McGregor believes that her community has become keenly aware of the need to preserve nature.
McGregor said:
“Less traffic, less pollution is bound to make a difference to the environment which of course has a positive knock-on effect for bees.
“I think people are more aware of what’s going on around them and in the countryside just now because of lockdown. Hopefully we see these changes lasting.”
https://twitter.com/gracehannah317/status/1260654613243420672
The beekeeping operation has been in business since the 1940s in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. With 4,000 hives each filled with 50,000 bees, the massive commercial beekeeping operation founded by McGregor’s grandfather Kenneth has even produced honey for the British royal family.
And with environmental conditions improving, Helen is noticing a cultural shift among locals. She explained:
“They are more aware of nature, maybe seeing hives when they are out and about and thinking more about the food they are eating and where it comes from.
“It’s taking people back to their roots, making them look at what’s necessary in life and what’s not, it’s back to a basic outlook on life.”
https://twitter.com/TerrestriaTEB/status/1261741280918454274
The overall health of the bees at the farm isn’t just a factor that impacts Denrosa Apiaries – it also has a strong impact on the agrarian economy of the rural Scottish region.
Bees are perhaps one of the most important managed pollinators in agriculture. Spreading the male sex cells of flowers to their female counterparts in a natural process that is highly crucial to plant reproduction.
Helen noted:
“We have hundreds of sites from down in England, all the way up to Aberdeenshire, with billions of bees.
“A lot of farmers are looking for bees to help with crop pollination. We have mini hives which we use to build up bee levels and we breed our own queen bees.”
Great news! We are now hosting 100,000 bees on our farm to pollinate our honeyberry crop, oil seed rape & more thanks to our new collaboration with @calluna4u of Denrosa Apiaries ? ? #naturalfarming #sustainablefarming #bees #workingwithnature @nffnuk pic.twitter.com/AhR8Yimxks — Lunan Bay Farm (@LunanBayFarm) April 18, 2020
The beekeeping operation now has hundreds of sites scattered across the U.K. with four or five teams checking about six sites daily. Helen added:
“It’s very early in our season to say what production is going to be like but the bees are busy bringing back nectar and pollen.
“We are at the mercy of the weather and could do with some rain as the ground is very dry.”
According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, pollinators are worth anywhere from $235 and $577 billion worldwide owing to their pivotal role in the production of global crops. In the U.S., for example, bees are estimated to be responsible for no less than $20 billion of domestic crop production. However, the health of bee colonies has been threatened by warming climate conditions, diseases and parasites, and the food industry’s over reliance on pesticides and other agro-industrial chemicals.
Without bees we would likely have to kiss almonds, blueberries, watermelon, chili peppers, tomatoes, and other crops goodbye.
So this news from the U.K. is most definitely a much-needed bit of news we can certainly “bee” grateful for!
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themindunleashed--2020-05-17--Man Spends 3 Months At Sea And Returns To A Changed World

( TMU ) – The world has changed a lot in the past few months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , but most of us have had a bit of time to familiarize ourselves with the changes .
However , there are a small number of people around the world who were coincidentally off the grid when the pandemic began , and for these people , it would be very strange and jarring to suddenly return to the world as it is today .
That ’ s what happened to 67-year Bill Norrie , a Canadian sailor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after spending the past three months alone at sea .
Norrie said that he got bits and pieces of information from his wife through a satellite connection , but he couldn ’ t imagine what was in store for him when he reached the shore .
“ My wife said , ‘ The jargon is rounding of the curve , ’ so now we ’ re six feet away [ due to social distancing ] .
So it ’ s still sorta strange to me , ” Norrie told New Zealand broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the water since September , sailing around South America , Africa and Australia .
When he finally arrived in Christchurch , he was surprised to have officials ask him to self-isolate .
“ Initially they said , ‘ You can ’ t come here , ’ so I was like , ‘ Where am I gon na go , right .
I was the most isolated person on the planet , they didn ’ t want to let me in .
It was too funny !
” Norrie told reporters .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already self-isolating for a number of months , they ended up letting him go without the typical quarantine process .
Jim Dilley , the local harbormaster , told TVNZ that Norrie was deemed safe to re-enter society .
“ He ’ s been at sea for three months , by himself , socially distancing , washing his hands , doing all the right things .
We do have such a good network and a very good health system here , so we can afford that , in an individual case , ” Dilley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be staying in New Zealand long .
After a few days of resting and re-supplying , Norrie will leave to finish his journey and head back home to Canada .
New Zealand has seen a drastic decrease in their mortality rate in recent weeks , and authorities have recently decided to lift most of the restrictions in the region .
The country has done relatively well in comparison to many of its neighbors .
Officials believe that the virus has taken the lives of at least 21 people in the country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 .
The country ’ s new stage is ‘ Alert Level 2 , ’ which means that “ all businesses can open to customers if they can do it safely.
” Schools are allowed to reopen and short-distance travel is now approved , but all events over 10 people are still banned .
According to reports this week published in NewsWeek , China attempted to talk New Zealand officials out of their lockdown strategy .
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters said that Chinese officials called the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ overreaction .
”

(TMU) – The world has changed a lot in the past few months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but most of us have had a bit of time to familiarize ourselves with the changes. However, there are a small number of people around the world who were coincidentally off the grid when the pandemic began, and for these people, it would be very strange and jarring to suddenly return to the world as it is today.
That’s what happened to 67-year Bill Norrie, a Canadian sailor who recently arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, after spending the past three months alone at sea. Norrie said that he got bits and pieces of information from his wife through a satellite connection, but he couldn’t imagine what was in store for him when he reached the shore.
“My wife said, ‘The jargon is rounding of the curve,’ so now we’re six feet away [due to social distancing]. So it’s still sorta strange to me,” Norrie told New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ.
Norrie has been out on the water since September, sailing around South America, Africa and Australia.
When he finally arrived in Christchurch, he was surprised to have officials ask him to self-isolate.
“Initially they said, ‘You can’t come here,’ so I was like, ‘Where am I gonna go, right. I was the most isolated person on the planet, they didn’t want to let me in. It was too funny!” Norrie told reporters.
However, because of the fact that he was already self-isolating for a number of months, they ended up letting him go without the typical quarantine process.
Jim Dilley, the local harbormaster, told TVNZ that Norrie was deemed safe to re-enter society.
“He’s been at sea for three months, by himself, socially distancing, washing his hands, doing all the right things. We do have such a good network and a very good health system here, so we can afford that, in an individual case,” Dilley said.
Norrie doesn’t plan to be staying in New Zealand long. After a few days of resting and re-supplying, Norrie will leave to finish his journey and head back home to Canada.
New Zealand has seen a drastic decrease in their mortality rate in recent weeks, and authorities have recently decided to lift most of the restrictions in the region. The country has done relatively well in comparison to many of its neighbors. Officials believe that the virus has taken the lives of at least 21 people in the country and it is believed to have infected about 1,500.
The country’s new stage is ‘Alert Level 2,’ which means that “all businesses can open to customers if they can do it safely.”
Schools are allowed to reopen and short-distance travel is now approved, but all events over 10 people are still banned.
According to reports this week published in NewsWeek, China attempted to talk New Zealand officials out of their lockdown strategy. New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters said that Chinese officials called the country’s plan to battle the coronavirus pandemic an “overreaction.”
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