#coastal ale

[auraeseer]

It's what you pay to go the sea . . .

[mothmiso]

Tangier (2) (3) by Faïçal Taleb

Via Flickr:

(1) Cap Spartel     

[lovestsaint]

The Best Plays of 1986-1987, written by Gurnsey and Sweet. Illustrations by Al Hirschfeld.

[floridaboiler]

[thedaily-beer]

Lagunitas Beast of Both Worlds Bi-Coastal IPA (Picked up at Total Wine). A 3 of 4. I appreciate the idea and this is a tasty beer, but it feels like it doesn't fully live up to what it bills -- this is still quite hazy in the body and still has quite a lot of West Coast hop notes. It's nice to see both styles represented, though, and doesn't feel discordant at all -- just a solid lighter hazy IPA with big mix of tropical fruit and citrus in the nose and body.

[xtruss]

Alcatraz Island still draws tourists for its history as a federal penitentiary. But it also has a rich past as little-known military base, erected to guard against foreign invasion. Image Credit: Mbprojekt Maciej Bledowski, iStock

Ground-Penetrating Radar Reveals Military Structures Buried Beneath Alcatraz Penitentiary

Using non-invasive techniques, archaeologists have confirmed the presence of a coastal fortification beneath what was once the prison’s recreation yard.

— By Katherine J. Wu, Published March 4, 2019 | August 02, 2023

Alcatraz might be best known as a popular tourist destination, the site of the former high-security prison that once held Al Capone. But a team of archaeologists has now unveiled new evidence of this San Francisco Bay island’s often overlooked military history.

In the study, published last Thursday in the journal Near Surface Geophysics, researchers used non-invasive technologies to pull back the curtain on a stunningly well-preserved 19th century coastal fortification that lies beneath the ruins of this infamous federal penitentiary. The work confirms that while prison construction in the early 1900s destroyed much of the former military installation, several structures were buried more or less intact, enshrining a critical sliver of Alcatraz’s colorful past.

“This really changes the picture of things,” says study author Timothy de Smet, an archaeologist at Binghamton University. “These remains are so well preserved, and so close to the surface. They weren’t erased from the island—they’re right beneath your feet.”

Study author Timothy de Smet used non-invasive techniques to create a subsurface map of remains of Alcatraz Island's former military fortification. Image Credit: Timothy de Smet, Binghampton University

Prior to the mid-1800s, Alcatraz Island was a barren strip of land capable of supporting little more than a raucous population of seabirds. But in the wake of the California Gold Rush, the United States government looked to the rocky outcrop as a potential military base to protect the newly bustling city from foreign invasion. Over the next several decades, a stone- and brick-based fortification was erected, then rebuilt as earthen structures better equipped to handle erosion. But Alcatraz struggled to keep pace with the rapid changes in artillery during and after the Civil War era, and by the late 1800s, the island’s defenses were essentially obsolete. Military pursuits on Alcatraz were abandoned shortly thereafter.

When the island’s prison was erected around the turn of the 20th century, little physical evidence of its former architecture remained—or so many thought. The new study, led by de Smet, says otherwise. To look beneath the surface, the researchers deployed ground-penetrating radar, which pulses electromagnetic waves into the earth, returning signals that can visualize remains without excavation. The strategy uncovered a labyrinth of subterranean structures, including an earthwork traverse, a kind of defensive trench, running beneath the penitentiary’s former recreation yard.

“Below the Surface, Alcatraz is Still Full of Mysteries”

“This really reinforces what several historians and archaeologists had long suspected,” says study author and Alcatraz historian John Martini. “Up until this point, we had nothing to go on except for a few visible trace remains and maps—and a lot of suspicion.”

In a way, Martini says, the findings reflect just how limited real estate was on Alcatraz, which clocks in at less than 50 acres. “On a small island, there’s only so many places you can build,” he says. “And it’s unlikely they went to the trouble of demolishing all this stuff.”

A 15-inch Rodman cannon and its gun crew, 1869. These were the largest guns mounted on Alcatraz. Image Credit: National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Because they’re both sensitive and non-destructive, techniques like ground-penetrating radar are crucial for these kinds of investigations, and can complement historical records that survived the era, says Jolene Babyak, an Alcatraz historian who was not involved in the study.

With these results in hand, de Smet and his colleagues plan to continue archaeological investigations under Alcatraz. Going forward, only time will tell what this rock will reveal, Martini says. “Below the surface, Alcatraz is still full of mysteries,” he says. “There’s still a whole lot to be learned.”

Soldiers posing in the island’s ordnance yard. A brick Citadel capped the summit of Alcatraz. 1869. Image Credit: National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

[inboundremblog]

Alabama Neighborhoods: A Spotlight on Foley's Charm

Credit: Image by Ron Greenberg | Pexels

Alabama Neighborhoods: Top Neighborhoods in Foley, AL

What comes to your mind when you hear 'Alabama'? You may imagine a beautiful rolling country and hills, friendly people, close-knit families, friendly people, and close-knit families.

Located in Baldwin County, Foley is depicted as embracing such ideologies of natural living by the regional ambiance and what can be described as the cozy feel of a growing small town for those living in the City of Foley.

Foley has a great list of neighborhoods; each Alabama neighborhood is different and provides different opportunities and service facilities. These are among the most beloved neighborhoods in Foley; let's look at why these places are among the most sought-after in Alabama.

Foley's biggest strength is its ability to transition from a quintessential American town feel to a contemporary city. Lying only thirty-two miles inland from the Gulf Coast, Foley has a lush background and the opportunity to enjoy it. It has received much attention due to its local flavor, excellent education facilities, and beach proximity.

Whether you are young and starting a family, middle-aged and moving into retirement, or interested in a Foley vacation home, Foley can provide that lifestyle.

1. Cottages on the Greene

Alabama neighborhoods, this gated community oozes rural charm and can only be described as being like a picture postcard. It encompasses cute houses in Craftsman architecture with large front verandas and beautiful yards.

There are trendy leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, clubhouse, comfortable parks, and secure, well-lit, serene, and safe neighborhoods for families. It is just as close to Foley's shops, restaurants, and entertainment for visitors looking for a relatively quiet place with all the mod cons.

2. Glenlakes

To the golf lover, Glenlakes is simply a golfers' paradise. This master-planned community has excellent views of the Glenlakes Golf Club, which has consistent greens and challenging fairways.

Glenlakes provides excellent single-family homes with a choice of models and beautiful Coast beaches and highway locations. This tourist destination offers a relaxed atmosphere and luxury, attracting retirees and families.

3. Greystone

Greystone is among the most popular aspects of Foley, delivering luxury living amidst fantastic serenity. Characterized by magnificent buildings and well-maintained estates, Greystone encompasses spacious tracts of spacious homes and perfectly maintained blocks with excellent relations among locals.

Sophisticated, graceful southern charm is blended with the convenience of new construction, updating with today's updated look.

4. Hidden Lakes

As the name suggests, this subdivision is characterized by seclusion and beautiful still-waters of artificial lakes. This neighborhood is for people who love the natural environment and wish to embrace communal living.

Many homes in Hidden Lakes are situated with fantastic water views; residents of Hidden Lakes get to enjoy such privileges as a swimming pool, clubhouse, as well as walking trails within the compound, and the locality of the community is strategically positioned within proximity to Foley's schools and shopping malls. Hidden Lakes is perfect for individuals who adore spending time outside and living a quiet life.

5. Cypress Gates

Cypress Gates is a relatively youthful neighborhood in Foley commonly characterized by new and beautiful families' homes. The neighborhood is under-equipped, comfortable within a successfully implemented style, and favored by young families.

Cypress Gates provides affordable homes with the latest architectural designs and a secured fence around the neighborhood, parks, schools, and downtown Foley. For those who are seeking a balance of contemporary and southern comfort, then it is perfect.

6. Bella Vista

It is a beautifully concealed community in Foley with relatively cheap and expensive houses. Once again, the area is relatively affordable and offers the best quality for consumers looking for desirable neighborhoods at reasonable prices.

It provides affordable homes with different designs and square footage, a convenient location for Foley's business centers and eateries, and a friendly atmosphere. Its literal and metaphoric location makes it possible for first-time homeowners and young families to consider it.

Other Noteworthy Areas in Foley

While such integrated neighborhoods can be identified, Foley's appeal is not limited to city areas. The southeast city has adequate infrastructure and considered the layout of the zones that contribute to proper urban design and hospitality.

Whether you build your home in the heart of urban development or on the city's outskirts, you'll not lack opportunities to embrace Foley's natural aspects, the camaraderie of the local people, and the simplicity of rural life. In this way, the range of residents can surprise every connoisseur of comfort and classic beauty, as Foley offers it to everyone.

1. Downtown Foley

Foley's focal point is its central business district, anchored by 1920s architecture but has the flair of a modern city. Take a leisurely walk down tree-shadowed blocks containing some of the finest turn-of-the-century buildings, which house fine individual shops, unique specialty stores, and many family-owned enterprises.

Experience authentic southern food by visiting some of the local restaurants people in the area love, or catch one of the many cultural and social events that enliven the region, like art walks, live music sessions, or the farmer's markets. Foley's downtown is a vibrant but not hectic setting that surrounds its residents with culture, convenience, and community.

2. Rural Foley

The countryside of Foley: For those who want to find a quiet place without any intrusion of neighbors and noisy entourage, there can not be a better place than the countryside. These picturesque areas have large plots of land, picturesque old farms, and a tranquil atmosphere about getting as far away from the noise of city life as possible.

This is a perfect place for riding lovers to build stables or for those people who dream of the country homestead life and self-sufficiency. Families can roam wildly and rejuvenate themselves within the vicinity of the natural environment while residing in the houses.

However, they can still quickly compensate for the relative isolation by reaching out for services in town. You may like open land spaces, that rural and relaxed lifestyle, or even seek an opportunity to build your dream home or farm in Foley.

What Makes Foley Unique?

Cohesion also makes Foley unique to other restaurants because it aims to accommodate every lifestyle. Foley is thick with the life and liveliness of a community area or as silent and calm as a rural countryside.

Arising attractions in the city of OWA are The Park at OWA, a perfect park for a family and fun, Graham Creek Nature Preserve for the lovers of the outside world, and the Tanger Outlets for every shopper's dream.

Foley's Real Estate Market

Fortunately for Foley, the real estate market is almost as diverse as the neighborhoods.

For the first-time home buyer, there are good-sized single-family homes ideal for children, small, moderately priced homes up to large estates for the affluent, townhouses, condominiums for older people or those who do not want to maintain a large property, and vacation homes to make Foley an ideal second-home or investment-home market.

Whether you love the cozy cottages of Cottages on the Greene, the quiet elegance of Hidden Lakes, or the rustic country feel of the outskirts of Foley; this city has a neighborhood to suit each. Do not hesitate to consult when you are prepared to look for homes for sale in Foley, AL.

Get a feel for the neighborhood at https://inlandbayrealty.com/best-foley-neighborhoods/.

Explore Alabama neighborhoods, ranging from scenic beachside communities to vibrant downtown districts.

[farmerstrend]

How Hydroponic Farming is Transforming Lives at Al-Walidayn Rescue Center in Kwale

“Discover how Al-Walidayn Rescue Center in Kwale, Kenya, empowers vulnerable children through innovative hydroponic farming, vocational training, and a holistic approach to building brighter futures.” “Learn how Al-Walidayn Rescue Center transforms lives by teaching sustainable farming and life skills to rescued children, fostering independence and resilience in Kwale County.” “Explore the…

[kaustubh-wankhede]

Embark on a blissful escape at Al Mamzar Beach Park in Dubai, where the sun-kissed shores meet tranquillity. Indulge in a rejuvenating day out amidst the golden sands, as the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf dance along the coastline. With lush greenery and pristine amenities, this hidden gem offers a perfect blend of nature and recreation. Whether you seek a family picnic, water sports adventure, or a peaceful sunbathing, Al Mamzar invites you to create lasting memories in a picturesque haven.

[shakir2]

Immigrants’ Psychological Recalibration. 

Human Psychology is the most complex, but interesting thing to observe and study. We, human beings, live in societies, tribes, and groups such as extended families, etc. Human behavior and herd psychology are primarily shaped and molded due to his gregariousness, turn of events, and the surroundings he is in. Also honed by his level of skill, education, and economic-situation, etcetera: (often)…

[orangeblossombitch]

'Unfortunately it was paradise'

-Mahmoud Darwish

I modified a traditional Palestinian ceramics pattern from al-Khalil (Hebron) to instead show orange blossoms and oranges, to represent the coastal city of Yafa.

Available on my INPRNT

[auraeseer]

Looking forward to the trans-coastal ipa . . .

[todropscience]

NEW HAMMERHEAD SHARK JUST DROPPED

Not every day does a new shark get discovered! Meet the Shovelbill Shark (Sphyrna alleni), a newly described species of hammerhead shark named after Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul Allen. This new species is found in the coastal waters of the Caribbean and southwest Atlantic.

Hammerhead sharks are easily recognized by their laterally expanded and dorsoventrally compressed heads. Genetic studies have revealed that what was once thought to be a single bonnethead species (Sphyrna tiburo) is actually a complex, with Sphyrna alleni now recognized as a separate species. A longtime advocate for wildlife conservation, Paul Allen and his Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supported Global FinPrint, an international survey of the world’s reef sharks and rays. It was during this project that scientists conducted much of the fieldwork necessary to describe this newly recognized species. The Shovelbill Shark is smaller than the bonnethead, with distinct genetic and morphological characteristics, including a different number of vertebrae, which suggest it is separate from other hammerhead species. This new species is distributed from Belize to Southern Brazil, inhabiting estuaries, coral reefs, sandy and muddy bottom beds, seagrasses, and mangroves.

The Shovelbill Shark is a common component of artisanal fisheries in many Latin American countries and currently lacks proper management or protection. Previous reports indicate that this new species is undergoing overexploitation, making it imperative to safeguard their populations and establish fisheries regulations.

Photographs: Above is a male shovelhead shark (Sphyrna alleni), described from the Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic. Below is Cindy Gonzalez, the lead researcher of the study, tagging the new species Sphyrna alleni (photo courtesy of the Mays Family Foundation).

Reference: Gonzales et al., 2024. Sphyrna alleni sp. nov., a new hammerhead shark (Carcharhiniformes, Sphyrnidae) from the Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa.

[alphynix]

Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki was a dolphin-like toothed whale related to the ancestors of both modern oceanic dolphins and beaked whales, living in coastal waters covering what is now Austria during the early Miocene about 22 million years ago.

Although only known from a single fossil skull, this cetacean was probably around 3m long (~9'10"). It had a long snout lined with over 100 small pointed uniformly-shaped teeth, and the bony walls of its inner ears were well-preserved enough to show that it was able to hear narrow-band high frequency sounds – a specific form of echolocation that has convergently evolved multiple times in various modern and extinct toothed whale lineages.

Based on the presence of ancient river-mouth deposits in the area where Romaleodelphis was found, it may potentially have been capable of traversing between marine, brackish, and freshwater environments similar to the modern franciscana.

———

NixIllustration.com | Tumblr | Patreon

References:

Bavarian State Collections of Natural History. "'Astonishing Results' – Scientists Reveal Secrets of Mysterious 22-Million-Year-Old Dolphin Skull." SciTechDaily, 15 Nov. 2024, https://scitechdaily.com/astonishing-results-scientists-reveal-secrets-of-mysterious-22-million-year-old-dolphin-skull/

Sanchez-Posada, Catalina, et al. "Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki, gen. et sp. nov., an archaic dolphin from the Central Paratethys (Early Miocene, Austria)." Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024): e2401503. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2401503

Wikipedia contributors. “Romaleodelphis” Wikipedia, 06 Nov. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romaleodelphis

[herpsandbirds]

Rotenberg's Pumpkin Toadlet (Brachycephalus rotenbergae), family Brachcephalidae, Atlantic coastal Brazil

Poisonous.

Recently described (2021)

This is a tiny toad with a max. length (SVL) of up to 1.8 cm.

photograph via: Nunes, et al. / PLOS ONE

[thedaily-beer]

Pure Project Coastal Ties Hazy IPA (Picked up at Windmill Farms). A 3 of 4. Tons of tropical fruit notes in the nose including a lot of stone fruit. Soft on the palate though you can tell the body is lighter with a firm dryness in the finish.