Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2015 October 30

= October 30 =

UK : Northern facial features
The cultural makeup of the UK is very diverse, with a number of different migrations over the ages. More recently, the viking invasions interest me. In particular, it's sometimes apparent that northerners have different shaped eyes than people from other regions here. Many people I know, all from the north have these features. Mainly in the Yorkshire and Newcastle regions. As you go beyond this I see less of these characteristics.

I have heard that facial (and also accent differences) can be in part explained by Viking influence. But are there any documents or studies to back this up. Does wikipedia have a section on traits? Otherwise its all useless anecdotes. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.195.27.47 (talk) 14:12, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Not the best source, but here's some expert testimony from an anthropological archaeologist :...men’s and women’s faces were more similar in appearance in the Viking Age than they are today. “It’s actually more difficult to determine the gender of a skeleton from the Viking era,” says Harvig. “The men’s skulls were a little more feminine and the women’s skulls a little more masculine than what we’re seeing today. Of course, this doesn’t apply to all skeletons from the Viking period, but generally it’s quite difficult to determine the gender of a Viking Age skeleton.” She explains that Viking women often had pronounced jawbones and eyebrows, whereas in the men, these features were more feminine than what archaeologists are accustomed to when trying to determine the gender of ancient skeletons.
 * Other relevant info at Vikings and Haplogroup_I-M253. SemanticMantis (talk) 14:45, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Hence the expression, "The women were strong, and the men were good looking. (And all the children were above average.)" ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 00:13, 31 October 2015 (UTC)

Mount Saint Helena
When did it last erupt? 5,000 years ago? 10,000? 100,000? 1,000,000? I don't know so that's why I'm asking here. It sounds to me like its last eruption was 3 million years ago, which deems the volcano extinct rather than dormant? Although the lava remnants that I see as I am on the Calistoga Grade from Tubbs Lane in Calistoga all the way to Middletown appear to be from Mount Saint Helena, maybe no older than 10,000 years, therefore it means the volcano may actually be dormant after all? So how come lava surrounds Mount Saint Helena, but could possibly have come from Mount Konocti? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.91.28.66 (talk) 17:54, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Just to avoid any confusion, everyone should note that this is not the same as Mount Saint Helens. StuRat (talk) 19:03, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * this claims the last eruption being about 3 million years ago. It says, "Today the eruptive center is farther north, around Clear Lake." To call it "extinct" seems a safe bet. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 19:22, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * The same question was asked last August . The first answer linked to Petrified_Forest_(California), which gives the figure of 3.4 million years ago, with reference, though it does not specify if it was the most recent eruption, only that the eruption that made the petrified forest occurred then. SemanticMantis (talk) 20:00, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * And by the same IP address user. That explains why the question was like deja vu. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 20:04, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * This is the same user who was always asking about supercentenarians, as you can see from their contributions. It seems unlikely that they actually cared about the answer they were given the first time. μηδείς (talk) 21:05, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Same IP, anyway. Super colliders, too. This certainly wasn't in the holiday spirit. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:10, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * On the article itself, it seems that the mountain is a peak with five peaks. Hack (talk) 12:21, 3 November 2015 (UTC)

Running/ advertising a garage sale
Having to have a garage sale, and at rather short notice, can anyone give me, or link to advice on how to run one effectively, particularly advertising?

I tried 7 weeks ago (on a Sunday-the 13th!) and only made $40, though I only had posters up in the local area. I am in the Sutherland Shire Australia, so any local websites that might be suitable would be of interest. Someone suggested the Gumtree website to me. 220  of  Borg 18:36, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Maybe the Sydney portion of Craigslist? You can list your sale for free at their events section . SemanticMantis (talk) 18:54, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * It's not that sort of sale! Actually it looks like few use Craigslist for garage sales, [one!] I think I'll give Gumtree a go. I tried last time, but couldn't log on for some reason. 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * You might offer an incentive to attend, like free lemonade. StuRat (talk) 18:59, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Funnily enough, free bread ('day old') is a possibility. Though considering it's going to be quite warm on Sunday (79°F-26°C or so, cooler than before but stormy ), lemonade would be preferable! However I had a hard enough time with setting up and clean away that I think making (or buying more likely) lemonade would not be practical! 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * It could make all the difference on a hot day. A pitcher full of ice and lemonade with some plastic or paper cups is all you need.  (Be sure to put "*while it lasts" on the signs so people don't get mad when you run out, and put a trash can by it so the cups don't end up all over). StuRat (talk) 06:05, 31 October 2015 (UTC)


 * And keep in mind that the purpose of a garage sale is not necessarily to make money, but to get rid of stuff you don't want. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 20:07, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * I think that's called a bonfire. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:11, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Yes Bugs, hopefully both. A$ fingers crossed!
 * A bonfire isn't allowed here (air pollution laws). I do have a local council clean-up collection set for Wednesday morning, though, so at least I have this time been able to sort my 'crap' out a bit, much more than my earlier sale attempt. It also means I have to do the sale now! 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * You could use fire sale psychology. Capital letters to stress you're crazier than Crazy Eddie for practically giving away such cool stuff at such insanely low prices. LIMITED TIME ONLY! InedibleHulk (talk) 21:15, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * I have found to have a garage sale run effectively is to price items the day before, a lot of people that I know will not price anything and either take offers or answer questions as customers come with interest. However if a customer is looking at a item if the price is not clear a lot of time they will not ask for various reasons. When it comes to advertising I would post signs in local areas as you did during your last garage sale. Also I would place flyers on any advertising board that surrounding stores may offer, craigslist, and even Facebook. A lot of areas whether cities or smaller towns will have a "yard sale" page for that specific area on Facebook where you can post your items or get information out about your sale. Also in order to make more money since you stated you only made 40 dollars during your last sale, try grouping objects and sale in a bundle. For example if you have quite a few books your selling instead of pricing separate for lets say 2 dollars a book group similar topics and sell 6 books for 3 or 4 dollars. Even though you would technically make more money selling them separate most yard sell buyers are looking for a deal and are more likely to buy more if they believe they are receiving a deal, and it will help you get rid of more clutter.

user:kendra_ann 2 November 2015


 * Should probably give Madman Muntz a shoutout. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:18, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * LIMITED TIME ONLY! would at least be true! 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Or maybe Dick Smith. I do have some 'electronics' to go. CRT TV with built in DVD and remote anyone? 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Wow, I haven't seen a built-in remote since the Seventies! —Tamfang (talk) 01:07, 2 November 2015 (UTC)

Any thoughts on Saturday vs Sunday? I might have to continue next week, or have an EXTENDED FOR ONE DAY ONLY!!!! 220  of  Borg 23:41, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Chalking advertisements may be a fun and fast alternative to posters, and may attract a different eye/crowd. Spray chalk and stencils could be used, or free hand posts with arrows and times. Saturday vs. Sunday seems location specific to me. Do you have a local flea market? If so, do it on the same day, or perhaps consider buying a seller's berth for one day. (ETA - ok a misdirected redirect and a redlink- I meant to just write or spray chalk advertisements like so, with products like these , ) SemanticMantis (talk) 01:26, 31 October 2015 (UTC)


 * thanks for your suggestions. I have gone for an on-line ad on Gumtree, where I note others have also advertised sales for Sundays. I uploaded pictures of some there items too, (though I had some problems and had to do it twice!) Chalking may be frowned on by the local council, and my artistic skills hover around zero. Having no vehicle, and some bulky items, selling anywhere other than on-site isn't practical for me. 220  of  Borg 17:16, 31 October 2015 (UTC)

What is "A.L." in dates?
What does the "A.L." mean in this photo (a cornerstone of an old courhouse)? Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 23:17, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Anno Lucis. InedibleHulk (talk) 23:25, 30 October 2015 (UTC)


 * Thank you for the rapid response! Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 23:31, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
 * No problem. Thanks for making me learn that. InedibleHulk (talk) 23:36, 30 October 2015 (UTC)