Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders’ victory in the New Hampshire primary and how it shapes the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, President Trump’s strategy for reelection and the political conflict surrounding the Justice Department.
Daily Archives: February 14, 2020
Top New Camper Vans: “2020 Unity Island Bed” – Amazing Layout And Walk Around Bed (Video)
Take a tour through the 2020 Unity Island Bed; a non-slide floor plan with seating for up to 4 people, pass-through exterior storage, a 3-piece dry-bath, and a full-time walk-around 58″ x 74″ bed.
Classic Cars: “2020 Amelia Island” Auction Digital Catalog (RM Sotheby’s)
RM Sotheby’s is proud to present the digital auction catalogue for our 22nd annual Amelia Island auction. This year’s offering features more than 150 motor cars, ranging from Edwardian and Brass Era through modern supercars with nearly every facet of collecting in between.
Unique Homes: “Silo House” In Phoenix, AZ (Architectural Digest)
On this episode of Unique Spaces, Architectural Digest brings you inside an unconventionally beautiful home in Phoenix, Arizona built out of a repurposed grain silo. Designer Christoph Kaiser takes us on a tour of the property he called home for 18 months, highlighting the array of bespoke elements that went into making the circular enclave.
Energy Trends: Beaming Solar Power, Brine, Wind & Living Solar Cells (WSJ)
From a Wall Street Journal online article (Feb 13, 2020):
To meet the surge in demand projected by 2050, innovative engineers, utility operators and grid architects are planning for a future that blurs the distinctions between energy consumers and producers. Homeowners, businesses and other traditional utility customers are beginning to take on a new role as energy producers, through small-scale solar arrays, wind turbines and other new affordable technologies.
To coordinate so many different power sources and demands, the future power grid will depend on artificial intelligence, automated two-way communications and computer control systems to continuously collect and synthesize data from millions of smart sensors.
- Beaming Solar Power – Scientists and engineers are working on spacecraft to capture sunlight and transform it into electricity that is wirelessly beamed to Earth. A prototype from the California Institute of Technology transmits power in a steerable beam. Japan’s space agency JAXA demonstrated a unit that converted 1.8 kilowatts of electricity into microwaves and then beamed it about 100 yards. China is planning an orbital solar power station.
- Living Solar Cells – Researchers are exploring how to exploit the ability of many microorganisms to generate electric current through photosynthesis. Solar cells using microbes would be cleaner and cheaper than those based on conventional semiconductors. So far, the current is only about enough to drive a small fan. By using two kinds of microbes instead of one, scientists in China recently found a way to boost the electrical energy.
- The Power of Brine – Scientists in Norway, the Netherlands, Japan and the U.S. are generating electricity by harnessing the difference in salt concentration between seawater and freshwater. In one experiment, a semipermeable membrane allows seawater ions to pass into the fresh water. The movement of the ions generates an electric current.
Art: “What Is A Japanese Living National Treasure?” (British Museum Video)
The British Museum has been collecting artworks made by Japanese Living National Treasures since 2007, but what is a Living National treasure and why are they so important to Japanese Cultural Heritage? In this film Nicole Rousmaniere, research director of SISJAC and Hayashida Hiyaki of the Japan Kōgei Association talk all about the Living National treasures programme and highlight some of the most beautiful pieces of Japanese craftsmanship collected by the Museum.
Health Infographics: “Hidden Sugars” In What We Eat & Drink Add Up Fast
Healthcare: “2018 Health Care Cost Report” Shows Spending Grew 18% Per-Person From 2014 – 2018
HCCI Releases 2018 Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
Per-Person Health Care Spending Grew 18% from 2014 to 2018, Driven Mostly by Prices
The report examines four groups of health care services and dozens of sub-categories. Of the four major categories, outpatient visits and procedures saw the highest 2018 spending increase (5.5%). Other notable trends include:
- Inpatient services.
- Per-person spending on inpatient admissions rose 11.4% between 2014 and 2018
- Within each sub-category of inpatient admissions, average prices grew steadily between 2014 and 2018 while utilization trends varied. However, the 2.0% price increase in 2018 was lower than the near 4% annual increases from 2014 to 2017.
- Outpatient services.
- Increases in prices and use led to a 16% increase in spending from 2014 to 2018.
- ver that period, ER visit spending increased 32% and spending on observation stays went up 29%.
- Professional services.
- Spending increased 16% and growth accelerated over the 5-year period, driven by office visits and administered drugs.
- Psychiatry also saw strikingly high spending growth of 43% from 2014 to 2018, which was driven mostly by increased use.
- Prescription Drugs.
- Generic drugs accounted for 88% of all prescriptions. .
- Out-of-pocket payments for prescriptions for generic drugs was less than one-fifth of out-of-pocket payments on brand drugs.
Travel Videos: “Myrtle Beach, South Carolina”
Myrtle Beach – This jewel in the string of seaside towns that make up the Grand Strand offers its own spin on South Carolina’s coastal charm. Follow along as we explore the area.
Myrtle Beach has long enticed visitors to laze on its shores, take a swing on its fairways and let loose in its entertainment precincts. Named after the wax myrtle trees along its coastline, Myrtle Beach thrives as a beach vacation destination. Check out the state parks that will showcase the best of Myrtle Beach’s natural beauty. The area is also a dream for golfers and minigolfers, with dozens of courses to choose from. As a family-friendly vacation destination, Myrtle Beach has no shortage of fantastic attractions for the kids to enjoy.
American Cars: “1953 Buick Skylark Convertible”
The Buick Skylark is a passenger car produced by Buick. The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which the car’s design varied dramatically due to changing technology, tastes and new standards implemented over the years.
Created to mark Buick’s 50th anniversary, the Roadmaster Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as top-of-the-line, limited-production specialty convertibles introduced in 1953 by General Motors to promote its design leadership. Of the three, the Skylark’s run of 1,690 units proved the most successful, and an amazing sales feat considering the car’s 1953 list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 was over 50% more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based. Nevertheless, many languished in dealer showrooms and were eventually sold at discount.
Production ran for two years. Based on the model 76R two-door Roadmaster convertible, the 1953 Skylark (designated model 76X) had identical dimensions (except height), almost identical appearance, shared its drive train, and had all its standard equipment, plus its few remaining options, including power windows, power brakes, full carpeting, and a “Selectronic” AM radio. Only A/C was not offered, unnecessary in either convertible.
From Wikipedia
Boomers Daily 