#coastal ale

[auraeseer]

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

[floridaboiler]

[lovestsaint]

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

[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

[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…

[inboundremblog]

Foley, Alabama Homes for Sale: Discover the Villages at Arbor Walk

Credit: Image by ErikaWittlieb | Pixabay

Foley, Alabama Homes for Sale: A Thriving Small Town with Big Appeal

If you plan to purchase one of the exquisite Foley, Alabama homes for sale, you should visit the Villages at Arbor Walk. This is one of the region's most impressive newly built residential projects, providing a rich design of a comfortable modern dwelling.

68 Ventures, one of the most esteemed private residential construction firms on the Gulf Coast, jointly constructed the neighborhood, which was completed in 2021. People could not help but notice its existence.

Before discussing the details of the Villages at Arbor Walk, one should understand what makes Foley, Alabama, homes for sale such an attractive location for residents.

Foley is positioned 10 miles north of Gulf Shores and the impressively pretty beaches of the Alabama coast. At the same time, Foley has adopted the atmosphere of a rural town and all the opportunities of a big city.

The city is proud to have a great community, excellent schools, and a developing real estate industry. It also houses the claimed Tanger Outlets, OWA entertainment park, and other food joints, which are essential features for residents and guests.

Foley is situated proximal to the Gulf of Mexico, so it is a perfect place to gain access to beach communities without paying the price in insurance rates that come with living close to the water.

Still, it is not located on the coast, so it is not as vulnerable to hurricanes and the insurance costs that come with them. Whether you are a first-time homeowner with children, an empty nester, or a working professional, Foley has everything that can suit your needs.

The Villages at Arbor Walk: Where the Past and the Present Intersect

Built-in 2021, the Villages at Arbor Walk is a comprehensive residential development that finds harmony in the architectural context of the community but with all the contemporary comforts.

This neighborhood includes forty-four lots: large non-complex single-family homes are available for rent, and duplexes with individual layouts and characters are also available.

Architectural Design and Aesthetic

Arbor Walk Lifestyle The Villages at Arbor Walk are built with timeless Southern architectural design influenced by modern features.

Gated roofs, brick veneer, and front porches are standard in traditional Southern homes. These are some of the excellent archetypical features adjusted with ultramodern interior finishes.

On the exterior are well-maintained lawns, green trees, and plants with beautifully designed landscape designs for the outside of houses. The environment has charm if you are lazying around in front of the porch or walking through the community's compounds.

Spacious Living with Modern Comforts

It is no different inside the homes at Arbor Walk. Most have generous spaces with large living areas, which makes them suitable for large families and hosting cultures. The kitchens are fully fitted with lovely and elegant cabinets, well-equipped with modern appliances, and spacious with copious counters.

Bedrooms are spacious, and since families are composed of varied members, everyone can find privacy and comfort in this area of the house.

Standard features include elaborate master closets and bathrooms with elegant fixtures, walk-in showers, and bathtubs. These features are designed to provide the essential comfort and functionality desired by present-day homeowners.

The main thing that makes these houses different is the attention to the appearance of the finishes and fixtures. You should expect the best cuisine, shiny, clean surfaces, and classy windows. Apart from serving their visibility functions, they help reduce electricity bills.

Priced by square footage and offering affordable housing options for the community, the Villages at Arbor Walk are equipped with energy-efficient features to provide improved sustainability while maintaining a modern design.

A Sense of Community and Convenience

Another beautiful attribute of the Villages at Arbor Walk is that it seeks to embed a good spirit of togetherness.

Many community spaces are communal, including walkways and parks, which aid in togetherness, walking, and body exposure to nature. This is the Villages at Arbor Walk neighborhood, from a weekend barbeque to neighborhood gatherings or socializing with neighbors while walking.

Accessibility to Necessities

One thing is sure about real estate, especially now that people are sexy about location: The Villages at Arbor Walk excels in this area.

The neighborhood's location is ideal because it is near most of Foley's facilities and amenities, guaranteeing that the residents will always be within these needs. Grocery stores, retail facilities, restaurants, and medical facilities are all located within minutes of the hospital.

For all families, having quality schools nearby is always good; Goodleyey is home to several excellent schools. Foley's school system is one of the school districts of Baldwin County, and it uses high educational achievements and a close-knit community for its promotion.

Elementary, middle, and high schools will be nearby; parents will, therefore, feel safe and will not have to take their children to remote places to attend school.

Recreation and Leisure

Another great benefit of living in Foley is its access to green space and everything related to it, and the Villages at Arbor Walk is right in the middle of it. Many parks and pleasant nature trails are just a short drive from the neighborhood.

If you're an outdoor lover who loves hiking, cycling, and fishing, or even if you want to be in awe at the sight of nature, you will indeed have a packed to-do list.

Besides, the community is only a several-minute drive to Foley Sports Complex, which comprises baseball fields, soccer pitches, and other sporting amenities; thus, it can be quoted as the best place for families with sporting children. There is also a rich golf course with various courses to cater to those who want to go on a golfing spree.

Real Estate Market in Foley: Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy

Foley, in Alabama, is one of the latest areas to experience rapid growth in the real estate business. Over time, and with more residents moving to this city, the value of homes continues to rise—this makes it a great time to buy a house. Still, Foley is cheaper compared to other near-beach communities, having a better quality-to-price ratio.

Further, the reality market in that area gained a new level of interest with the construction of multifamily Villages at Arbor Walk in 2021. The variety of houses and affordable prices attract many people to the community, starting with first-time homeowners and ending with people planning to buy a home for retirement.

Being situated in Foley, with a growing economy and a family-oriented culture, makes this area tremendously popular among potential homeowners. Thus, it provides a perfect opportunity for investors, second-homers, or those seeking an ideal location to purchase a house in Foley's housing market.

Discover practical tips about https://inlandbayrealty.com/best-foley-neighborhoods/villages-at-arbor-walk/ by exploring our website.

Start your search of Foley, Alabama homes for sale and discover a peaceful and fast-growing area as your next home!

[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

[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.

[auraeseer]

Looking forward to the trans-coastal ipa . . .

[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

[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

[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.

[sayruq]

Surrounded by dozens of soldiers, tanks, armored cars, buzzing drones, and army dogs, Ahmad Safi found himself looking at a massive hole in the ground. “Of all the death scenarios I have imagined myself in since the beginning of the war, I never suspected I would see my own grave,” the 26-year-old Khan Younis resident told Mondoweiss. Ahmad and his male relatives had been detained by the Israeli army and forcibly conscripted to stand in front of a resistance military base as the Israeli soldiers took cover behind them. They were caught in the middle of an exchange of fire between the soldiers and the resistance. On the night of January 22, the Israeli army launched a sudden attack on western Khan Younis, where five shelters for displaced people were located. In the middle of the night, the Israeli troops advanced towards the Tiba buildings, where Ahmad and his family had taken refuge in the middle of the Israeli-designated “safe zone.” These buildings were surrounded by al-Aqsa University, the al-Khair Hospital, the Industrial College, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society Center, and the al-Mawasi coastal area, all housing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians. Early that night, Ahmad realized that Israeli quadcopter drones had fully occupied the sky. He knew what this meant based on his accumulated experience of Israeli war tactics — the army preferred to launch major operations under cover of night. Ahmad heard nonstop gunfire in the distance that night, but it was relatively far away, so he kept watching an anime show to distract himself. Moments later, the sound of gunfire intensified and got closer, and suddenly he heard screams from the opposite room. His cousin had been hit by a bullet. As the gunfire started intensifying further, Ahmad threw himself under his bed when the rest of his family rushed to his room carrying his injured cousin. That was when the Israeli soldiers stormed their apartment, bursting into the room in a blaze of flashlights. “It was the first time I had seen an Israeli soldier in real life,” Ahmad told Mondoweiss. The army separated the women from the men and forced the women to flee south to Rafah. The men were kept zip-tied and would remain in the army’s custody. An Israeli commander ordered Ahmad and the men of his family to move downstairs in single file. He then ordered them to kneel against the southern wall inside their apartment, which faces a resistance military base. Ahmad’s body was shaking uncontrollably. His lips were trembling and his breathing was heavy. “I tried to pull myself together,” Ahmad recounted. “But when I heard my mother say goodbye to us as she was dragged outside by the Israeli soldiers, I couldn’t hold back my tears.” The next morning on January 23, the Israeli soldiers ordered Ahmad, his father, his brother, and the rest of his cousins to move outdoors and instructed them to move horizontally in front of the armored military cars. “As they ordered us to stop and stand still, I found myself again a few meters away from the resistance military base,” Ahmad said. “ That was the moment I realized that we were being used as human shields.”