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Boomers Accept Assisted Living Communities? Not Likely

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:03:20 +0000

It seems that lately there’s another assisted living community being built on just about every empty lot in town. What does this mean to the future? For the immediate future, it’s great. We Boomers who have no time, no desire, no call to welcome our elder parents into our own homes have someplace to put Mom and/or Dad as they need more and more assistance. But in the back of our minds, aren’t we really thinking, “Gee, Mom and Dad are going to love it here. It has all the amenities they could ask for. But there’s no way in h&%# I’m ever going to live here!”

Now be honest. Isn’t that exactly what you’re thinking right now? Boomers absolutely do not accept the idea of assisted living, and from recent studies, it would appear that some form of communal living is making its way back to the forefront. Be it condo, townhouse, duplex, or even a single family home in an adults-only community, isn’t this where we’re headed?

Way back when (in the 50s and 60s), communes were where all the hippies headed. This type of housing didn’t die, it simply grew up to be co-housing – a new type of participatory community that is attracting Boomers as they enter their 60s. Cohousing units are individually owned (like condos). But residents of these eco-friendly communities share communal resources and facilities, all of which helps them be energy efficient.

In 2003, there were 60 such communities across the U.S. By 2008, there were at least 100, with 300 more in development (Columbia News Service, 5/11/08). These properties range from the Songia Co-housing Community’s 11 acre site outside Seattle to the two-block Eco-Village apartments in Los Angeles (source: Iconoculture, 8/12/08).

What’s ahead?

Assisted living communities, beware! The current senior housing model – from home to assisted living to nursing home – won’t cut it for many Boomers. They’ve had a sneak peek while helping their parents, and want no part of it. Co-housing lets them rewrite the future by coming full circle with their youthful ideals. And, isn’t that what all Boomers strive for – forever young?

Boomers are becoming as eco-friendly as Gen Y and the Millennials. No longer a luxury, building green is rapidly becoming necessary, and sustainable housing is the new wave.

But that isn’t the only reason Boomers are rejecting the current assisted living model. We are much too independent to ever accept a regimen of bingo on Monday, dry meatloaf every Wednesday night, and sing-alongs on Sunday afternoon. We never were a group of one mind and I doubt if we ever will be. We see ourselves as individuals, not as part of the herd. Therefore, living in a setting of regimented routine will never be our style.

The solution

My personal opinion is that those who are attempting to determine “what to do with all those Boomers,” need to step back and reassess their ideas. Boomers want options, Boomers want choices, Boomers want to make life-style decisions based not only on their financial health, but on their mental and physical health as well. When the time comes that we are no longer able to maintain our independent freedom, our assistance may come in many sizes, shapes and styles. They may be co-housing, a small adult community that sets aside one home to be paid for by community residents and “loaned” to a caregiver couple. It could be several single elder Boomers choosing to reside together under one roof – all with their own private space, but with communal areas to counteract isolation.

There are many methods of solving that driving question of, “What do we do with them?” Some currently exist, but leave it up to a Boomer to devise new methods of solving the problem – those methods being desirable and convenient for them.

Linda S. Thompson is founder and president of Life Path Solutions, who specializes in helping you understand, work, and live with those around you. She is the author of Every Generation Needs a New Revolution. Linda is available to speak on various topics about the generations and can be contacted through her website. For more information about Linda’s books, Workshops in a Box, and lecture topics, along with other free articles, please visit her website at http://LifePathSolutions.biz/

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Green Living in Adobe House – The Benefits of Living in a Green Adobe House

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:21:35 +0000

On a visit to Tucson in 2003, an old high school friend of mine, Daniel Snyder of Westwind Solar Electric, introduced me to the designer and builder Tom Wuelpern. As the award winning owner of Rammed Earth Development, Wuelpern has built many an adobe house in the Tucson area.

Wuelpern lives and works in the Barrio Santa Rosa district of central Tucson and the 800 block of Meyer Avenue has been a principle focus of his creativity. Here he’s built homes that complement the vintage adobes of that historic district. When he first arrived there wasn’t a single house left on that stretch of Meyer Avenue so Wuelpern had to live out of a trailer while building his first home. He says the neighborhood was “a little rough” and that occasionally he’d sit out in front of the trailer “with a gun over my knees.”

Things have changed since those early days when people said that Wuelpern was crazy to build in a “slum.” Now the original residents share the Barrio Santa Rosa with, artists, architects, symphony musicians, and many other creative types attracted by the rustic character of the adobe house.

Adobe construction was first brought to the southwest by the early Spanish settlers who were originally introduced to it by the Moors from North Africa.

One old adobe after another crowds the Barrio’s dusty avenues, many of them painted in vibrant colors which scintillate in the desert heat. The Barrio Santa Rosa really has the feel of a traditional Mexican town.

I, being a “creative type”, was enchanted by all of this and when Wuelpern offered me the opportunity to have some input on the adobe house that he was about to build, I had to say “yes.”

And it has been a treat to get to know the pleasures of a small Green adobe house.

The walls are 18 inches thick and the floor is poured concrete with a radiant heating system embedded in it. I chose recycled blue jeans insulation which is as effective as fiberglass for temperature but even better for sound, and more green and ecological so that it will never present any hazard to the environment or to anyone’s health.

I get a snug feeling just thinking about my adobe abode.

The paint on the interior walls is uniquely appropriate because it is a non-toxic clay paint composed of earth pigments sourced from the desert landscape itself. All other interior paints are Non-VOC, so they do not pollute the interior space of the house. I am always struck by the yucky smell of toxic chemicals emanating from the paint, carpeting, and other components of newly built or remodeled conventional buildings. It’s the first thing I notice and there is none of that in this Green Living, ecological, adobe house.

In addition to benefiting our health by not out gassing toxins the natural paint allows the thick adobe walls to breathe because it doesn’t form an impermeable skin between the interior air and the walls. These walls can then act as a temperature and humidity reservoir for the house which stabilizes the in door climate through out the day.

Adobe is not a very efficient insulating material so an adobe house is not the best choice for regions with harsh winters but it is an excellent choice for the desert where it gets very hot during the day and can be very cold at night. This is because adobe has a good “thermal mass,” which means that as the suns heat is absorbed by the exterior walls it gradually penetrates through the wall to warm the interior during the night. By the next morning the cold night air has cooled the wall contributing, in turn, to cooler interior temperatures during the day. This allows me to cut back on the air conditioning and the heating.

Since adobe is essentially an inert material, the “toxic” content of the structure is hugely reduced. This makes adobe construction, when feasible, a very attractive Green Living alternative. Adobe construction is a reasonable way to achieve sustainable living spaces appropriate for us and the environment.

This is a very comfortable Green Living and ecological adobe house. It is a beautiful residence which places no demand or burden upon its occupants; it feels neutral and enriches the spirit with its light and benevolent character.

Julian Lange blogs at and can be found at http://www.MeridianHolistic.com

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Eco Friendly Furniture With a Flair

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:02:10 +0000

Everybody wants to be environment – friendly these days even furniture makers are creating pieces to go with the trend. Now, eco-friendly products are widely available and have never been easier to get. It used to be difficult finding these products but now, furniture manufacturers have grown more responsive to what consumers are looking for. Stores dedicated to selling “green” furnishings have been opened, as well as websites that encourage people to be more conscious of their environment when choosing their home decor.

Anybody will appreciate how things have changed when it comes to green furniture. These days, you can go eco-friendly without necessarily having to compromise your sense of style. Green bedroom furniture, for example, used to be viewed as a symbol of underground movements and did not register well with the mainstream population. Now, you can have it and still be trendy. Obviously, furniture manufacturers have been putting in a very good job making sure that these once unpopular furniture genre be made exciting and even fashionable. By providing an array of hip and stylish options, anybody looking to create a more environment-conscious home interior will need not have a problem attaining the kind of look they want, whether it’s traditional or modern furniture they’re rooting for. That’s because now, these furniture have just become widely available in great designs it won’t be an issue making them go with any direction that anyone may decide to take for his home decor.

Green furniture could actually be anything made of purely or partially reprocessed or reused materials. Going green may also mean avoiding the use of stains, paints, or finishes that emit environmentally hazardous gases from your dining, living room and bedroom sets. When you talk of eco-friendly furniture, the solid wood varieties top the list. Of course, you can also get some furniture which may appear like wood but are actually made of recycled but strong and durable materials.

When you have many eco-friendly alternatives waiting to be picked out, you’ll definitely find something to fully satisfy that craving for a well-crafted yet environment-friendly design for your home. These days, you won’t even feel bad about being extravagant in your furniture because you know there’s a way to do it while doing something for your environment.

If you’ve vowed to have eco friendly furniture from now on, no worries as you’ll readily find many great green choices among dining room, living room and bedroom furniture collections available online and off.

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Living Within Our Environmental Means

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:40:44 +0000

So how can we make best use of our resources without going all “alternative” and being uncomfortable in our lives or harming our business? This is going to vary for all of us because we all have different circumstances. I like to be warm, well fed and comfortable. I am quite happy to watch my 17 year old TV until I really need to replace it. Many others in the building I live in are not and I see several plasma boxes in the recycle bins in the basement every week.

I am not prepared to compromise on communication equipment because I need this to run my business effectively. We all have different priorities.

I changed from having a physical office with staff and infrastructure and now run a more environmentally friendly “virtual” office working from home. My colleagues and assistants also work from home and commute by phone, VOIP phone and email. They are based around Australia, in Canada and Romania. We reduce travel and all the associated carbon emissions. A lot of my clients are online which also reduces emissions. In fact I made the change to online training as a response to client requests to save time and travel costs.

This is the way many businesses are moving all around the world. One of my daughters is a project manager in a multinational merchant bank. She is based in Adelaide and project manages virtual teams in Sydney and India.. Some days she works from the Adelaide office, some she works from home which gives her flexibility to cope with sick kids. It makes sense from a financial, human resource management and environmental view. This obviously does not work for many businesses. The Mayor of New York, suggested reducing the rush hour gridlock by staggering business start and stop times – some longer days and some work from home days.

I have been reviewing what I do in-house as well and was thrilled to get my last power bill (green power) and discover that it has reduced by around ¼ simply by turning off the big laser fax/printer except when it is actually being used. I generally turn it on 5 days for around 7 hours. The faxes are delivered as pdf files to my computer by email so I can still receive them around the clock. My main internet servers run on 100% wind power.

I bought an apartment in a recycled hospital and it is very well insulated. I have a 7 x 8m 2nd floor terrace outside with trees, fruit trees, and some vegetables in pots. I face north so I get the winter sun in to warm the place through the large windows and I don’t need to use the heater more than an hour at night and half hour in the morning. I built a veranda to shade the windows in summer so again I seldom use the air conditioner.

The other advantage of the apartment is that it is very close to centre of the city and has a bus stop at the door so I do not have to use the car much. I also walk and ride my bike locally which is good for my health. Some aspects of apartment living drive me nuts and my dream is to find an old cottage similarly close to the city, retrofit the good bits and rebuild the rest to provide a really eco friendly house collecting rain water, reusing greywater and using solar power.

In contrast I watched a TV show called Carbon Cops visiting a family who released a huge 95 tons of CO2 annually. After 4 weeks of the Carbon Cops visits, they were down to a rate of 48 tons. The residents made no changes to their house, just changed to shorter showers, less electronic toys and then all turned off when not in use, plus they changed their driving habits. They felt good about themselves as a result.

Think about what you can do in your home and realise that you can make an even bigger difference in your business plus save money at the same time. You can get a free report on going beyond the hype and finding out why global warming really matters and how you can reduce your carbon footsteps by visiting http://www.carbonsteps.com

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Do you live in an eco-city?

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:39:48 +0000

Do you live in an eco-city?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-city

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What Do you know About Sri Lanka(Cylon)?

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:27:39 +0000

What Do you know About Sri Lanka(Cylon)?

ri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Sinhalese: , Tamil: இலங்கை; known as Ceylon before 1972) is an island nation in South Asia, located about 31 kilometers (18½ mi) off the southern coast of India. Originally known as Heladiva, it is home to more than twenty million people.

Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia and has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. Today, Sri Lanka is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, with a fifth of the population following faiths other than Buddhism – notably Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population (around 74%), with Tamils, who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslim Moors and Malays as well as Burghers.

Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, rubber and coconuts, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and modern industrial economy. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage make it a world famous tourist destination.

After over two thousand years of rule by local kingdoms, parts of Sri Lanka were colonized by Portugal and the Netherlands beginning in the 16th century, before the control of the entire country was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. During World War II Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight against the Japanese Empire. A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century, with the aim of obtaining political independence, which was eventually granted by the British after peaceful negotiations in 1948. Since then Sri Lanka has enjoyed a stable democracy and continuous economic progress, despite the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and a separatist militant group known as the LTTE in the northeastern parts of the country.

Name

Main article: Names of Sri Lanka

In ancient times, Sri Lanka was known by a variety of names: ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane and Arabs referred to it as Serendib. Ceilão was the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese when they arrived on the island in 1505, which was transliterated into English as Ceylon. In 1972, the official name of the country was changed to “Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka” ( śrī laṅkā in Sinhala; whereas the island itself is referred to as ලංකාව lankāva, இலங்கை ilaṅkai in Tamil). In 1978 it was changed to “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”.

The current name is derived from Sanskrit śrī, “resplendent”, and laṅkā which is the name of the island as described in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

[edit] History

Main article: History of Sri Lanka

Paleolithic human settlements have been discovered at excavations in several cave sites in the Western Plains region and the South-western face of the Central Hills region. Anthropologists believe that some discovered burial rites and certain decorative artifacts exhibit similarities between the first inhabitants of the island and the early inhabitants of southern India. Recent bioanthropological studies have however dismissed these links, and have placed the origin of the people to the northern parts of India. One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian epic Ramayana, which described the emperor Ravana as monarch of the powerful kingdom of Lanka. The main written accounts of the country's history are the Buddhist chronicles of Mahavansa and Dipavamsa.
Landing of King Vijaya depicted in an Ajanta fresco
Landing of King Vijaya depicted in an Ajanta fresco

The earliest-known inhabitants of the island now known as Sri Lanka were probably the ancestors of the Wanniyala-Aetto people, also known as Veddahs and numbering roughly 3,000. Linguistic analysis has found a correlation of the Sinhalese language with the languages of the Sindh and Gujarat, although most historians believe that the Sinhala community emerged well after the assimilation of various ethnic groups. Dravidian people may have begun migrating to the island from the pre-historic period. From the ancient period date some remarkable archaeological sites including the ruins of Sigiriya, the so-called “Fortress in the Sky”, and huge public works. Among the latter are large “tanks” or reservoirs, important for conserving water in a climate that alternates rainy seasons with dry times, and elaborate aqueducts, some with a slope as finely calibrated as one inch to the mile. Ancient Sri Lanka was also the first in the world to have established a dedicated hospital in Mihintale in the 4th century BCE. Ancient Sri Lanka was also the world's leading exporter of cinnamon, which was exported to Egypt as early as 1400 BCE. Sri Lanka was also the first Asian nation to have a female ruler in Queen Anula (47–42 BC)
History of Sri Lanka
series
Prehistory of Sri Lanka
Early Sri Lankan History
Kings of Sri Lanka
European Occupation of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Independence Struggle
Independence of Sri Lanka
Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka

Since ancient times Sri Lanka was ruled by monarchs, most notably of the Sinha royal dynasty that lasted over 2000 years. The island was also infrequently invaded by South Indian kingdoms and parts of the island were ruled intermittently by the Chola dynasty, the Pandya dynasty, the Chera dynasty and the Pallava dynasty. The island was also invaded by the kingdoms of Kalinga (modern Orissa) and those from the Malay Peninsula. Buddhism arrived from India in the 3rd century BCE, brought by Bhikkhu Mahinda, who is believed to have been the son of Mauryan emperor Ashoka. Mahinda's mission won over the Sinhalese monarch Devanampiyatissa of Mihintale, who embraced the faith and propagated it throughout the Sinhalese population. The Buddhist kingdoms of Sri Lanka would maintain a large number of Buddhist schools and monasteries, and support the propagation of Buddhism into Southeast Asia.

Sri Lanka had always been an important port and trading post in the ancient world, and was increasingly frequented by merchant ships from the Middle East, Persia, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. The islands were known to the first European explorers of South Asia and settled by many groups of Arab and Malay merchants. A Portuguese colonial mission arrived on the island in 1505 headed by the Lourenço de Almeida the son of Francisco de Almeida. At that point the island consisted of three kingdoms, namely Kandy in the central hills, Kotte at the Western coast, and Yarlpanam (Anglicised Jaffna) in the north, . The Dutch arrived in the 17th century. Although much of the island came under the domain of European powers, the interior, hilly region of the island remained independent, with its capital in Kandy. The British East India Company established control of the island in 1796, declaring it a crown colony in 1802, although the island would not be officially connected with British India. The fall of the kingdom of Kandy in 1815 unified the island under British rule.
Ancient Capitals of Sri Lanka
Tambapanni
Vijitapura
Anuradhapura
Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya
Ruhuna
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Dedigama
Gampola
Rayigama
Kotte
Kelaniya
Sitawaka
Kandy

European colonists established a series of tea, cinnamon, rubber, sugar, coffee and indigo plantations. The British also brought a large number of indentured workers from Tamil Nadu to work in the plantation economy. The city of Colombo was established as the administrative centre, and the British established modern schools, colleges, roads and churches that brought Western-style education and culture to the native people. Increasing grievances over the denial of civil rights, mistreatment and abuse of natives by colonial authorities gave rise to a struggle for independence in the 1930s, when the Youth Leagues opposed the “Ministers' Memorandum,” which asked the colonial authority to increase the powers of the board of ministers without granting popular representation or civil freedoms. During World War II, the island served as an important Allied military base. A large segment of the British and American fleet were deployed on the island, as were tens of thousands of soldiers committed to the war against Japan in Southeast Asia.

Following the war, popular pressure for independence intensified. On February 4, 1948 the country won its independence as the Commonwealth of Ceylon. Don Stephen Senanayake became the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. In 1972, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth, and the name was changed to Sri Lanka. On July 21, 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike took office as prime minister, and became the first female head of government in post-colonial Asia and the first female prime minister in the world. The island enjoyed good relations with the United Kingdom and had the British Royal Navy stationed at Trincomalee.

[edit] Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Sri Lanka

Main cities in Sri Lanka.
Main cities in Sri Lanka.

The island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. According to Hindu mythology, a land bridge to the Indian mainland, known as Rama's Bridge, was constructed during the time of Rama by the vanara architect Nala. Often referred to as Adam's Bridge, it now amounts to only a chain of limestone shoals remaining above sea level. According to temple records, this natural causeway was formerly complete, but was breached by a violent storm (probably a cyclone) in 1480. The width of the Palk Strait is small enough for the coast of Sri Lanka to be visible from the furthest point near the Indian town of Rameswaram. The pear-shaped island consists mostly of flat-to-rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. Amongst these are Sri Pada and the highest point Pidurutalagala (also known as Mt Pedro), at 2,524 meters (8,281 ft). The Mahaweli ganga (Mahaweli river) and other major rivers provide fresh water.
Topographical map of Sri Lanka.
Topographical map of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's climate can be described as tropical, and quite hot. Its position between 5 and 10 north latitude endows the country with a warm climate, moderated by ocean winds and considerable moisture. The mean temperature ranges from a low of 16°C in Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands (where frost may occur for several days in the winter) to a high of 32° C in Trincomalee on the northeast coast (where temperatures may reach 38 °C). The average yearly temperature for the country as a whole ranges from 28 to 30 °C. Day and night temperatures may vary by 4 to 7. In January, the coolest month, many people wear coats and sweaters in the highlands and elsewhere. May, the hottest period, precedes the summer monsoon rains. The rainfall pattern is influenced by the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, which encounter the slopes of the Central Highlands, they unload heavy rains on the mountain slopes and the southwestern sector of the island. Some of the windward slopes receive up to 2500 mm of rain per month, but the leeward slopes in the east and northeast receive little rain. Periodic squalls occur and sometimes tropical cyclones bring overcast skies and rains to the southwest, northeast, and eastern parts of the island. Between December to March, monsoon winds come from the northeast, bringing moisture from the Bay of Bengal. Humidity is typically higher in the southwest and mountainous areas and depends on the seasonal patterns of rainfall. At Colombo, for example, daytime humidity stays above 70% all year, rising to almost 90 percent during the monsoon season in June. Anuradhapura experiences a daytime low of 60% during the monsoon month of March, but a high of 79% during the November and December rains. In the highlands, Kandy's daytime humidity usually ranges between 70 and 79%.

[edit] Flora and fauna

Main article: Ecology of Sri Lanka

Mountain forests in Sri Lanka.
Mountain forests in Sri Lanka.

The mountains and the southwestern part of the country, known as the “wet zone,” receive ample rainfall (an annual average of 2500 miliimeters). Most of the southeast, east, and northern parts of the country comprise the “dry zone,” which receives between 1200 and 1900 mm of rain annually. Much of the rain in these areas falls from October to January; during the rest of the year there is very little precipitation, and all living creatures must conserve precious moisture. The arid northwest and southeast coasts receive the least amount of rain — 600 to 1200 mm per year — However, though many say that there are no really dry areas in Sri Lanka, there are many pockets of very dry and abandoned areas where there is little to no rainwater. Concentrated within the short period of the winter monsoon. Varieties of flowering acacias are well adapted to the arid conditions and flourish on the Jaffna Peninsula. Among the trees of the dry-land forests are some valuable species, such as satinwood, ebony, ironwood, and mahogany. In the wet zone, the dominant vegetation of the lowlands is a tropical evergreen forest, with tall trees, broad foliage, and a dense undergrowth of vines and creepers. Subtropical evergreen forests resembling those of temperate climates flourish in the higher altitudes. Forests at one time covered nearly the entire island, but by the late 20th century lands classified as forests and forest reserves covered only one-fifth of the land. Ruhunu National Park in the southeast protects herds of elephant, deer, and peacocks, and Wilpattu National Park in the northwest preserves the habitats of many water birds, such as storks, pelicans, ibis, and spoonbills. During the Mahaweli Ganga Program of the 1970s and 1980s in northern Sri Lanka, the government set aside four areas of land totalling 1,900 km² as national parks. The island has three biosphere reserves, Hurulu, Sinharaja, and the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya.

[edit] Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Sri Lanka

* President
o Mahinda Rajapaksa
* Prime Minister
o Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
* Parliament
* List of Ministers in SriLanka
* Political parties
o Sri Lanka leftist parties
* Elections
* Provinces
* Districts
* Civil war
* Foreign relations

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The Constitution of Sri Lanka establishes a democratic, socialist republic in Sri Lanka, which is also a unitary state. The government is a mixture of the presidential system and the parliamentary system. The President of Sri Lanka is the head of state, the commander in chief of the armed forces, as well as head of government, and is popularly elected for a six-year term. In the exercise of duties, the President is responsible to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, which is a unicameral 225-member legislature. The President appoints and heads a cabinet of ministers composing of elected members of parliament. The President's deputy is the Prime Minister, who leads the ruling party in parliament and shares many executive responsibilities, mainly in domestic affairs.

Members of parliament are elected by universal (adult) suffrage based on a modified proportional representation system by district to a six-year term. The primary modification is that, the party that receives the largest number of valid votes in each constituency gains a unique “bonus seat.” The president may summon, suspend, or end a legislative session and dissolve Parliament any time after it has served for one year. The parliament reserves the power to make all laws. On July 1, 1960 the people of Sri Lanka elected the first-ever female head of government in Prime Minister Srimavo Bandaranaike. Her daughter Chandrika Kumaratunga has served multiple terms as prime minister and as president from 1999 to 2005. The current president is Mahinda Rajapaksa who took office on November 21, 2005. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake took office as the current prime minister on November 21, 2005.
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in Colombo
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in Colombo

Politics in Sri Lanka are controlled by rival coalitions led by the left-wing Sri Lanka Freedom Party, headed by President Rajapaksa, and the comparatively right-wing United National Party led by former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. There are also many smaller Buddhist, socialist and Tamil nationalist political parties that oppose the separatism of the LTTE but demand regional autonomy and increased civil rights. Since 1948, Sri Lanka has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. It is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Colombo Plan, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Through the Cold War-era, Sri Lanka followed a foreign policy of non-alignment but has remained closer to the United States and Western Europe. The military of Sri Lanka comprises the Sri Lankan Army, the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sri Lankan Air Force. These are administered by the Ministry of Defence. Since the 1980s, the army has led the government response against the Marxist militants of the JVP and now the LTTE militant forces. Sri Lanka receives considerable military assistance from Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom.

See also: Foreign relations of Sri Lanka, Military of Sri Lanka, and Provinces of Sri Lanka

[edit] Provinces and districts

Main articles: Provinces of Sri Lanka and Districts of Sri Lanka

Provinces of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is divided into 9 provinces and subdivided into 25 districts. Each province is administered by a directly-elected provincial council. The provinces are (capitals in parentheses):

1. Central (Kandy)
2. North Central (Anuradhapura)
3. North (Jaffna)
4. Eastern (Batticaloa)
5. North Western (Kurunegala)
6. Southern (Galle)
7. Uva (Badulla)
8. Sabaragamuwa (Ratnapura)
9. Western (Colombo)

[edit] Economy

Main article: Economy of Sri Lanka

The World Trade Centre in Colombo.
The World Trade Centre in Colombo.
Ceylon Tea – the most famous Sri Lankan export.
Ceylon Tea – the most famous Sri Lankan export.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Sri Lanka became a plantation economy, famous for its production and export of cinnamon, rubber and Ceylon tea, which remains a trademark national export. The development of modern ports under British rule raised the strategic importance of the island as a centre of trade. During World War II, the island hosted important military installations and Allied forces. However, the plantation economy aggravated poverty and economic inequality. From 1948 to 1977 socialism strongly influenced the government's economic policies. Colonial plantations were dismantled, industries were nationalised and a welfare state established. While the standard of living and literacy improved significantly, the nation's economy suffered from inefficiency, slow growth and lack of foreign investment.

From 1977 the UNP government began incorporating privatisation, deregulation and promotion of private enterprise. While the production and export of tea, rubber, coffee, sugar and other agricultural commodities remains important, the nation has moved steadily towards an industrialised economy with the development of food processing, textiles, telecommunications and finance. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of export, and further declined to 16.8% in 2005 (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments have reached 63%. The GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% during the early 1990s, until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000, with average growth of 5.3%. The year of 2001 saw the first economic contraction in the country's history, as a result of power shortages, budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Signs of recovery appeared after the 2002 ceasefire. The Colombo Stock Exchange reported the highest growth in the world for 2003, and today Sri Lanka has the highest per capita income in South Asia.

In April 2004, there was a sharp reversal in economic policy after the government headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party was defeated by a coalition made up of Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the leftist-nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna called the United People's Freedom Alliance. The new government stopped the privatization of state enterprises and reforms of state utilities such as power and petroleum, and embarked on a subsidy program called the Rata Perata economic program. Its main theme to support the rural and suburban SMEs and protect the domestic economy from external influences, such as oil prices, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. But this policy of subsidizing imported commodities like fuel, fertiliser and wheat soon unravelled the fiscal sector. In 2004 alone Sri Lanka spent approximately US$ 180 million on a fuel subsidy, as fixing fuel prices had been an election promise. To finance the expanded budget deficit arising from a range of subsidies and a public sector recruitment drive, the government eventually had to print Rs 65 billion (US$ 650 million) or around 3% of GDP. The expansionary fiscal policy, coupled with loose monetary policy eventually drove inflation up to 18% by January 2005, as measured by the Sri Lanka Consumer Price Index.

See also: Tea Industry of Sri Lanka

[edit] Transport
Colombo-Galle Face Green
Colombo-Galle Face Green

Most Sri Lankan cities and towns are connected by the Sri Lanka Railways, the state-run national railway operator. The first railway line was inaugurated on April 26, 1867, linking Colombo with Kandy. The total length of Sri Lankan roads exceeds 11,000 kilometres, with a vast majority of them being paved. The government has launched several highway projects to bolster the economy and national transport system, including the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, the Colombo-Kandy (Kadugannawa) Expressway, the Colombo-Padeniya Expressway and the Outer Circular Highway to ease Colombo's traffic congestion. There are also plans to build a major bridge connecting Jaffna to the Indian city of Chennai.

The Ceylon Transport Board is the state-run agency responsible for operating public bus services across the island. Sri Lanka also maintains 430 kilometres of inland waterways. It has three deep-water ports at Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle. There is also a smaller, shallower harbour at Kankesanturai, north of Jaffna. There are 12 paved airports and 2 unpaved airstrips in the country. SriLankan Airlines is the official national carrier, partly owned and operated by Emirates. It was voted the best airline in South Asia by Skytrax. SriLankan Air Taxi is the smaller, domestic arm of the national carrier, while Expo Aviation and Lankair are private airline companies. The Bandaranaike International Airport is the country's only international airport, located in Katunayaka, 22 kilometres north of Colombo.

[edit] Military

Main article: Military of Sri Lanka

Passing out parade of the Special Task Force
Passing out parade of the Special Task Force

Sri Lankan soldiers have taken part in many wars throughout its history, including the Boer War and both World Wars (under the command of the British at the time). In the course of the civil war, the military has been transformed from a ceremonial force to a modern army. Since 2004, Sri Lankan troops have been a part of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti, which is the country's first major overseas mission.

The military of Sri Lanka is organized into three branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since independence, its primary mission has been the targeting of armed groups within the country, most notably engaging in a 25 year long war with the LTTE.

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sri Lanka

Population growth in Sri Lanka
Population growth in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the 53rd most populated nation in the world, with an annual population growth rate of 0.79%. Sri Lanka has a birth rate of 15.63 births per 1,000 people and a death rate of 6.49 deaths per 1,000 people. Population density is the greatest in western Sri Lanka, especially in and around Colombo. There is a small population on the island of the Wanniyala-Aetto people, also known as Veddahs. These are believed to be the oldest and indigenous ethnic group to inhabit the island. The Sinhalese people form the largest ethnic group in the nation, composing approximately 74% of the total population. Tamil people form 18% of the population. Tamils are concentrated in the North, East, Central and Western provinces of the country. Tamils who were brought as indentured labourers from India by British colonists to work on estate plantations, are called “Indian Origin” Tamils. They are distinguished from the native Tamil population that has resided in Sri Lanka since ancient times. There is a significant population of Moors, who trace their lineage to Arab traders and immigrants from the Middle East. Their presence is concentrated in the cities and the central and eastern provinces. There are also small ethnic groups such as the Burghers (of mixed European descent) and Malays.
The Buddha statue at Mihintale
The Buddha statue at Mihintale

Sinhalese and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka. English is spoken by approximately 10% of the population, and is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the Burgher community speak variant forms of Portuguese Creole and Dutch with varying proficiency. Sri Lanka also enjoys significant religious diversity. Approximately 68% of Sri Lankan peoples are adherents of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is the predominant school, with distinctive sects such as Ramanna Nikaya, Amarapura Nikaya and Siam Nikaya being widely followed. Buddhism in Sri Lanka has been deeply influenced by indigenous faiths and traditions, as well as the influences of prevailing Buddhist schools in South East Asia. The ancient and famous Sri Dalada Maligawa or “Temple of the Tooth” is the principal Buddhist Temple in Sri Lanka, and by tradition houses the Tooth of Buddha. It is visited every year by millions of pilgrims. There are many other famous religious institutions in Sri Lanka that attract many visitors daily. Hinduism is practiced by 18% of the population, mainly from the Tamil community. Christianity is practiced by 7-8% of the population, especially by the Portuguese and Dutch Burgher people. While most Sri Lankan Christians are Catholics, there are also significant numbers who adhere to Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican Communion. Islam in Sri Lanka is practiced by 8% of the population and is almost entirely comprised of Moors and Malays.

See also: Religion in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Buddhism, Hinduism in Sri Lanka, and Islam in Sri Lanka

[edit] Culture

Main article: Culture of Sri Lanka

Hoppers, a delicacy in Sri Lanka
Hoppers, a delicacy in Sri Lanka

The island is the home of two main traditional cultures: the Sinhalese (centered in the ancient cities of Kandy and Anuradhapura) and the Tamil (centered in the city of Jaffna, where the public library that was destroyed in 1983 was the world centre of Tamil archives and scholarship). In more recent times a British colonial culture was added, and lately Sri Lanka, particularly in the urban areas, has experienced a dramatic makeover in the western mold. Until recently, for example, most Sri Lankans, certainly those in the villages, have eaten traditional food, engaged in traditional crafts and expressed themselves through traditional arts. But economic growth and intense economic competition in developed countries has spilled over to most of Sri Lanka, producing changes that might variously be identified as progress, westernisation or a loss of identity and assimilation.

Sri Lankans have added western influences to the customary diet such as rice and curry, pittu (mixture of fresh rice meal, very lightly roasted and mixed with fresh grated coconut, then steamed in a bamboo mould). Kiribath (cooked in thick coconut cream for this unsweetened rice-pudding which is accompanied by a sharp chili relish called “lunumiris”), wattalapam (rich pudding of Malay origin made of coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, eggs, and various spices including cinnamon cloves and nutmeg), kottu, and hoppers (“appa”), batter cooked rapidly in a hot curved pan, accompanied by eggs, milk or savouries. Sri Lankan food also has Dutch and Portuguese influences, with the island's Burgher community preserving this culture through traditional favourites such as Lamprais (rice cooked in stock and baked in a banana leaf), Breudher (Dutch Christmas cake) and Bolo Fiado (Portuguese-style layer cake).
Elephants at the Esala Perahera
Elephants at the Esala Perahera

Being one of the largest producers of tea in the world (the Royal Family of the United Kingdom has been known to drink Ceylon tea), Sri Lankans drink a lot of tea.

Religion plays an important part in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The Buddhist majority observe Poya Days, once per month according to the Lunar calendar. The Hindus and Muslims also observe their own holidays. There are many Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka and many mosques, Hindu temples and churches all across the island. The North and the East of the island have many mosques and Hindu temples because a large Tamil and Muslim population resides in those areas. Many churches can be found along the southern coast line because of a concentration of Christians, particularly Roman Catholics, in that region. The interior of the island is mostly Buddhist, and indeed there are many Buddhists in nearly all parts of the island.

See also: Ceylon tea (black), Religion in Sri Lanka, Cuisine of Sri Lanka, and Fashion Industry of Sri Lanka

[edit] Media

Main articles: Media in Sri Lanka and List of newspapers in Sri Lanka

The national radio station, Radio Ceylon is the oldest-running radio station in Asia It was established in 1923 by Edward Harper just three years after broadcasting was launched in Europe. It remains one of the most popular stations in Asia, with its programming reaching neighbouring Asian nations. The station is managed by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and broadcasts services in Sinhalese, Tamil, English and Hindi. Since the 1980s, a large number of private radio stations such as Raja FM(ceased to exist in 2006),Sirasa FM,Y FM, E FM, Neth FM, Sha FM, Gold FM, SUN FM, Shree FM, Yes FM and TNL Radio have gained commercial popularity and success. Popular private television networks include Derana[1], ETV, ARTv, Sirasa TV, TNL TV, MAX TV and Shakthi TV. Global television networks from India, Southeast Asia, Europe and America are also widely popular, and cable and satellite television is gaining popularity with Sri Lanka's middle-class. Popular publications include the English language Daily Mirror and The Sunday Observer and The Sunday Times, Divayina, Lankadeepa and Lakbima in Sinhalese and the Tamil publications Dinakaran and Uthayan.

[edit] Education

Main article: Education in Sri Lanka

With a literacy rate of 96%, 66% of the total population have had Secondary Education, Sri Lanka enjoys the most literate population in South Asia, and one that is more literate than seen in most of the developing nations. The 9 years of Compulsory Schooling is achieved by 90% of the students entering the first grade. A free education system initiated by Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, a former minister of education, in 1938, has greatly contributed to this. Mr. Kannangara led the establishment of the Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (Great Central Schools) in different parts of the country in order to provide education to Sri Lanka's rural population. In 1942 a special education committee proposed extensive reforms to establish an efficient and quality education system for the people. In recent decades, a large number of private and international schools have been established across the nation. The International Baccalaureate and General Certificate of Secondary Education are popular education programmes.

Most secondary schools in Sri Lanka provide education from grades 1 to 13 in the same institution. Students sit for the GCE Ordinary Level Examination (O/Levels) in grade 11 and the GCE Advanced Level Examination (A/levels) in grade 13. These schools are modelled on British colleges and universities. A majority of them are public, but a number of elite private schools do exist. While most reputed schools centered around large cities are usually single-sex institutions, rural schools tend to be coeducational.

Sri Lanka has a number of large public universities. They include The University of Colombo, The University of Kelaniya, The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, The University of Moratuwa, The University of Peradeniya, The University of Jaffna, The University of Ruhuna,The Eastern University of Sri Lanka, the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, The Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and The Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. However the lack of space in these institutions and the unwillingness to establish private universities has led to a large number of students been denied entry into formal universities. As a result, a number of private institutions have emerged, which provide specialised education in a variety of fields, from computer science to business administration to the arts.

See also: Universities and colleges in Sri Lanka

[edit] Sports
SCC ground, Colombo March 2001 (Test match between Sri Lanka and England)
SCC ground, Colombo March 2001 (Test match between Sri Lanka and England)

While the national sport in Sri Lanka is Volleyball[2], by far the most popular sport in the country is cricket while aquatic sports, athletics, football, tennis and rugby also enjoy extensive popularity. There are a large number of public and private sports, athletics and aquatic clubs in Colombo. Sri Lanka's schools and colleges regularly organise sports and athletics teams, competing on provincial and national levels. Aquatic sports such as boating, surfing, swimming and scuba diving on the coast, the beaches and backwaters attract a large number of Sri Lankans and foreign tourists. Sri Lanka has a large number of sports stadiums, including the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, the R. Premadasa Stadium and the Rangiri Dumbulla Stadium in Colombo as well as the Galle International Stadium in Galle.

Although cricket and football matches are sometimes disrupted by heavy rains or security concerns owing to the LTTE militancy, Sri Lanka has hosted the Asia Cup tournament on numerous occasions. It co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Pakistan, and will co-host the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The Sri Lankan cricket team has achieved considerable success in the 1990s, rising from underdog status to winning the 1996 World Cup and the Asia Cup in 1996 and 2004. Sri Lanka's cricket team have been described by many as “world class”. The entry of new talented young players will only further help Sri Lankan cricket's world standing.

[edit] Miscellaneous facts

* Sirimavo Bandaranaike became Sri Lanka's and the world's first female Prime Minister in 1960.
* Sri Lanka has enjoyed the longest period of continuous multi party democracy with universal suffrage in a non western country (since 1931)
* Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to start radio broadcasting when Radio Ceylon was launched on December 16, 1925
* Sri Lanka is the world's leading exporter of tea, and Ceylon tea is considered of the finest quality in the world
* Sri Lanka is the world's leading exporter of cinnamon and it was exported to Egypt as early as 1400 BC
* Sri Lanka was the first country to establish a wildlife sanctuary[1]
* Sri Lanka was the winner of the 1996 Cricket World Cup
* The ancient Buddhist scriptures were first committed to writing in Aluvihare in Sri Lanka
* Sri Lanka, which existed as a united country as far back as the 4th century BC, is the oldest country within its present borders
* The chronology of early India depends upon that of the Mahawamsa, the historical chronicle of Sri Lanka
* The national flower of Sri Lanka is Nil Manel (Nympheae Stelleta), the national tree is Na (Mesua ferrea) and the national bird is the Junglefowl. Volleyball is the National Sport.
* The world's oldest documented tree and a first generation of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment – the Sri Maha Bodhi – still grows in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
* Seven properties of Sri Lanka have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage, namely, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (1982), the ancient city of Sigiriya (1982), the golden Temple of Dambulla (1991), the old town of Galle and its fortifications (1988), the sacred city of Anuradhapura (1982), the sacred city of Kandy (1988) and the Sinharaja forest reserve (1988)
* Adams Peak, a conical mountain found in Sri Lanka is said to have been the first place on earth where Adam the first Ancestor set foot as he was exiled from the Garden of Eden, where a large 'foot shaped' deformation can be found at the peak. As the sun rises the conical shadow of the mountain is cast perfectly on the western side of the mountain, in the local languages it is known as Svargarohanam, “The Climb to Heaven”.
* According to English historian James Emerson Tennent, Galle a southern city in Sri Lanka was the ancient seaport of Tarshish from which King Solomon drew ivory, peacocks and other valuables.
* The English word “Serendipity”, taken from the ancient Persian name for Sri Lanka, was coined by Horace Walpole to describe a faculty possessed by the heroes of a Persian fairy tale called “The Three Princes of Serendip”.

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Tuscan Style Window Treatments – 5 Options Explored

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:52:41 +0000

When a Tuscan styled home needs a no frills attached facelift, you can only depend on Tuscan style window treatments. They are simple in their application, but the results obliterate all traces of quotidian drabness. With their intrinsic style and matchless sophistication, the myriad treatments blind all other decorative accents rather easily. And the best part is that their delightful appearance can be altered to suit your whims and fancies.

Sure To Be Swept Off Your Feet

Such kinds of modifications are often met with a mix of ignorance and trepidation, particularly when you are not that creatively inclined. In such situations, keeping the window completely bare is the best option. Rest assured the absence of curtains and drapes will not leave the place looking lost and wistful. Arrange a motley group of vases and urns in different shapes and sizes on the window sill, and the mood of the room gets altered instantly.

Uncover Six Sizzling New Ideas

Here are six novel ways that challenge your boring, myopic vision and come into your life like a breath of fresh air:

Roll shades in an assortment of warm, soothing earthy tones is ideal to recreate that old-world Tuscan charm.
Terracotta is another very redoubtable option when you are trying to be decidedly decorative. Stick a few pieces on the window sill and watch your normally reticent guests become animated in their praise. You can soak in the panoramic view within the cozy confines of your room.
Nifty homeowners know that it’s not only custom-made toile Tuscan window treatments that promise more bangs for your bucks. Window art panels carry much greater heft as they can add a whole new dimension to any room with their rustic essence.
Coordinated window coverings enable you to feast your eyes on the sun-kissed rolling countryside without moving an inch.
Faux windows in bathrooms or living rooms open a whole new window of opportunity, unknown to many.
Bamboo shades woven to perfection wrap the place in a cloak of mystery and intrigue.

Artistic scrolls, shades and panels bring the eternal magic of Tuscany sweeping back in to your personal space. After all, it’s never curtains for this timeless style.

20d0

7 Other Secrets of Beautiful Tuscan Kitchens, decor ideas for Tuscan kitchens and more stuff at http://www.SpicyKitchens.com

Article Source:

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What is your input on grant money going into GW research?

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:02:42 +0000

What is your input on grant money going into GW research?

Do you feel it may be taking away from other areas?
Is enough being done on Imperiled Ecosystems or the Antarctic food chain?

http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/prod…

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Where can I find eco-friendly office/school supplies?

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:05:08 +0000

Where can I find eco-friendly office/school supplies?

I'm looking for environmentally friendly products, or “green” products in other words..Being green is so in right now, but making it happen is a different story. This is all for Mother Earth! I prefer the large-chain office supply companies (e.g. Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, Target maybe, etc.) since their stores can be found almost anywhere. Anything will do, just as long as they carry eco-friendly products. I'm looking for pens & pencils mostly, but anything green in general.

Thanks ! Just trying to do my part in helping our environment. For those who are doing the same, more power to you !

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Dogs with heart murmer?

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:54:03 +0000

Dogs with heart murmer?

I am thinking of adopting a rott who has a heart murmer. The vet (mine) has already diagnosed this and has told the present owner that it's possible the dog will outgrow the condition. {?}
This dog has been abused his entire life. He has been stuck in a crate too small for him to lay comfortably in the entire day while the owner was away and when he returned let out long enough to potty before going right back in the crate.He's extremely underweight due to the lack of food. No one has taken the time to talk to him let alone play with him in his short life until a few months ago. He's a little over 2 years old presently.
The owner has moved in with another owner of a pup from the same litter and they play. The dog is now getting the proper nutrition and lots of love from everyone who comes in contact with it and the crate has been thrown out. He has a big kennel to run in and a big back yard to play with his sisiter under supervision. He does well around cats and is as sweet tempered an animal as you'd ever want to have around but he wheezes horribly when he runs after the other dog for just a few minutes.
I have not spoken with my vet yet but will be doing so later this month when I take my other dog in but I'd like to hear from other owners with dogs with the same heart problem before I do to help me ask all the right questions when I get there so here goes. What medications have your dogs been on and for how long? Did they help or cause worse medical problems and has anyone had a dog that outgrew the problem? If so did those dogs develop other problems later on? What were you told about exercise and nutrition and did you provide supplements? Did they help? And over-all what have you paid out in vet bills over the coarse of a year to help your dogs condition?
This person is planning to move again and wants to keep the dog but I am not going to allow it. The vet wanted to do bloodwork and he refused saying he couldn't afford it and he's in my opinion moving because everyone is telling him what a bad dog owner he is almost daily.
Without that bloodwork being done and only 1 check-up thus far I can't say this dog won't have other health concerns but I'm wondering if being crated so long on a daily basis hasn't caused this dogs lungs to not develop properly and if steroids would help.
I have told the owner if he can't find a place where dogs are allowed I'll take him happily and he's refused but if he tries to move with this dog it's my plan to go take him and have the guy arrested for abuse. One look at the poor dog will ensure this evan after 5 months of getting enough food to fill him up and some exercise.

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Dogs with heart murmer?