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Home World CEO of Crew Clothing CEO Resigns CEO of Crew Clothing CEO Resigns By Karen Roe [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Crew, a British lifestyle clothing brand, has been sold by Livingbridge, its founder and private equity firm to Exquisite Apparel. However, Crew will be advancing under a new image, as the chief executive who was brought in by Livingbridge in order to develop the brand, Louise Barnes, has resigned following the sale. Barnes attempted to lead a management buyout. However, it was outbid by Exquisite. Livingbridge credited Barnes "and her management team" in a statement with "successfully sharpening the brand positioning, updating the product range, and overhauling the retail and e-commerce channels." The company refused to comment on the departure of Barnes. However, a spokesperson stated: "Crew is a high-quality asset, and there were several attractive offers made for the business." In a statement, Bevan Duncan stated: "We have really enjoyed working with Crew and look forward to seeing the next stage in its growth story. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Louise Barnes and her team for their dedication to Crew and the work she has led in reinvigorating and strengthening the brand." In 2006, Livingbridge invested in Crew. The company's annual revenues are now almost £60m. Last year, the brand generated earnings before deductions amounting to £2.7m, and in October, like-for-like sales grew seven percent. Crew was established in 1993 by Alastair Parker-Swift near a windsurfing school in Salcombe, Devon. It currently has over 80 stores. Parker-Swift will proceed to work with the business under its new ownership. Not much is known regarding the mysterious Exquisite Apparel, which has little online presence. According to Retail Week, a trade publication, the company is fronted by Michael Shina, and it produces branded clothing including Tommy Hilfiger under licence for Walmart. Exquisite Apparel Livingbridge Louise Barnes Previous articleNikkei: Apple is Planning to Launch a 6.3-inch iPhone Next articleDomino's: Young People Base Their Ideas of Leadership on The Devil Wears Prada and The Apprentice End Brexit squabbles and pin down transitional offer, IoD advises ministers The Guardian - August 4, 2017 A number of UK banks stop offering Qatar riyals as diplomatic crisis installs Volkswagen to Cut Size of Dealer Network, Launch Online Sales Merck Shares Plunged as it Reports 3rd Quarter Loss Gregory Dy - October 27, 2017 Honda Employees Calls To Keep Swindon Factory Gregory Dy - March 1, 2019 Domino's Proposes for Leadership Training to be Included to National Curriculum Amid Concerns of...

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Premium Choice has been included in the 2019 edition of The Parliamentary Review, published in April 2019. The Parliamentary review is a series of independent publications that features leading business executives demonstrating their expertise in their industry. The publication is sent to over 500,000 leading business executives, policy makes and other relevant individuals, with the aim of raising standards by highlighting best practice. In this edition, Richard Dornan, Managing Director for Underwriting and Business Development of Premium Choice shares his expertise and knowledge in the insurance industry. Richard tells the Parliamentary Review about Premium Choice's specialist approach for providing motor insurance to their clients. Founded in 1999, Premium Choice is a leading insurance broker based in Wolverhampton. The company has sold over 1 million insurance policies and employs around 200 people, many of whom are insurance experts. Over the past 20 years, Premium Choice's customer-focused approach has helped clients get competitive prices on their insurance premiums. The company has a niche approach to motor insurance and can insure almost anything from a standard vehicle to a military tank. The company has come a long way in 20 years. Before the internet, Premium Choice would acquire new business through the Yellow Pages and magazines. Now, the company embraces the latest market-leading technology to attract new clients, which also reduces the risk of fraud. Richard explains how Premium Choice is evolving in a competitive industry. "We are always working on new and evolving product lines to widen our footprint across the industry and provide more solutions to more customers. These are challenging times in the insurance industry, with uncertainty over Brexit and changes To GDPR and the FCA's Insurance Distribution Directive. "Uncertainty is the real challenge we face, and this isn't limited to domestic legislation, Brexit may well affect the cost of parts and cars if entry tariffs are imposed. Insurance policies will need to be revised if drivers are no longer allowed to freely travel between EU countries as they currently do. Premium Choice will continue to grow with innovation at the heart of the process. The company plans to increase its presence in the non-standard market, continue to look for diversification and is committed to keeping premiums competitive. "We will do everything we can to keep premiums competitive. We believe that passing external costs like increases in in insurance tax or car prices onto customers isn't good for business, and we will do everything we can to avoid that. Read the full article from The Parliamentary Review.

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This restricts the amount of bitcoins that are truly circulating in the exchanges. Moreover, new bitcoins will continue to be issued for decades to come. Thus, even the most diligent buyer could not purchase all existing bitcoins. This scenario is not to imply that markets will not be vulnerable to price exploitation, yet there is certainly no requirement for big amounts of cash to transfer market prices up or down. The smallest events on the planet economy can affect the cost of Bitcoin, This can make Bitcoin and any other cryptocurrency volatile. If you are in search for 1 Xem To BTC, look no further than Bitcoin. Entrepreneurs in the cryptocurrency movement may be wise to investigate possibilities for making massive ammonts of money with various types of online marketing.There could be a rich reward for anyone daring enough to endure the cryptocurrency markets.Bitcoin design provides an instructive example of how one might make a lot of money in the cryptocurrency markets. Bitcoin is an extraordinary intellectual and technical accomplishment, and it has created an avalanche of editorial coverage and venture capital investment opportunities. But not many people understand that and miss out on very lucrative business models made available as a result of growing use of blockchain technology. It should be difficult to get more little gains (~ 10%) throughout the day. Study how to read these Candlestick charts! And I discovered these two rules to be true: having small gains is more profitable than trying to fight up to the summit. Most day traders follow Candlestick, so it's better to examine publications than wait for order confirmation when you believe the price is going down. Second, there is more volatility and reward in currencies that have not made it to the profitability of sites like Coinwarz. You may run a search on the web. First learn, then models, indicators and most importantly practice looking at old charts and pick out trends. Anytime you learn to keep a trading diary screenshots and your comment/forecast. Precisely what is the best way to get confident with charts IMHO. Oh certainly, and don't fool yourself into thinking that you acquire the uptrend will never drop! Always will go down! Viewers incremental benefits are more reliable and profitable (most times) It was in the year 2008 when the first cryptocurrency was created. This was the digital money referred to as Bitcoin. There are distinct from common money we know. This is because they are not commanded by any country or government. They don't go through any third party. It was a tremendous breakthrough in the means of exchange. Additionally, it brought enormous remedies to the problems of identity theft online. Transactions go through several celebrations as a means of creating trust, but nowadays it's possible to create trust through development of a complicated code by a single party.

Wednesday 01 May 2019 9:00 am Sirius Minerals shares drop as it raises $425m for North Yorkshire mine By: August Graham Sirius Minerals today revealed it has exceeded its $400m (£306m) fundraising target, but its shares were priced at the lower end of expectations. The London-listed company, which is raising cash to build a fertiliser mine in North Yorkshire, raised $425m from a new share issue. Read more: JP Morgan backs Sirius Minerals $3.8bn financing package for Yorkshire mine The company said it had won agreements from investors to buy around 1.62m shares, but at 15p per share, the book-build comes in at the lower end of its 15p to 18p target range. Now existing shareholders will also be offered a change to buy one share at the same price for every 22 they own. Shares fell 8.8 per cent to 15.88p this morning. The project will be the first new deep mine in the UK for 40 years when it is completed in 2021, and it is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs. "I am pleased that we have had such a positive response to the launch of our stage two financing solution which is key to unlocking the vast and long-term potential of our project," chief executive Chris Fraser said. "The order books were oversubscribed, providing scope for a modest increase in the funds raised, further strengthening our financial position as we turn our attention towards securing the next phase of our stage two financing requirements." Yesterday the firm announced that JP Morgan was backing the financing package, which is expected to total around $3.8bn. The bank is set to provide a $2.5bn revolving credit facility. The cost of building Sirius' potash mine, which is expected to hold enough reserves for a century of extraction, was revised up by $600m last year to $3.6bn. Read more: Sirius Minerals set to unveil £2.5bn equity and debt package Fraser added: "I want to take this opportunity to thank the entire Sirius team and our partners who remain fully supportive and committed to the success of this project." Sirius Minerals Sirius Minerals shares suspended ahead of Anglo takeover Sirius stock surges after Anglo American takeover approved Anglo takeover becomes Sirius' last hope as alternative falls through Anglo takeover is Sirius' last hope as alternative falls through Anglo American makes £405m bid for Sirius Minerals Sirius Minerals seeks $600m in investment for flagship project Hundreds of jobs in peril as Sirius Minerals project under review Sirius problems: Yorkshire mine shares plunge Sirius Minerals shares plummet 25 per cent as it suspends £411m bond sale for Yorkshire mine Sirius Minerals suspends $500m Yorkshire mine financing bond sale Sirius Minerals on course to finish fundraising in September

Parents often want to restructure their family corporation through an estate freeze, to minimize the impact of corporate taxes in the event of death and for creditor proofing. If this is not done properly, the gifted shares will not be excluded from a child's family property accounting in the event of a failed marriage or common-law relationship. In general, an estate freeze puts a limit on the growth in the value of the parent's shares, and transfers expected future growth to the next generation (i.e. their children). This strategy can provide the existing shareholder(s) (typically the parents) with income tax savings and estate planning flexibility. In some circumstances, to accomplish the estate-freeze, a nominal value of issued common shares in the corporation owned by a parent are gifted to a son or daughter, and then the balance of the shares are exchanged for fixed-value preference shares, owned by the parent(s), having a redemption value equal to the fair market value of those shares at the time of the estate freeze. The 2010 Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in McNamee v. McNamee is a very important decision because it may restrict the ability of parents to gift all or part of a family corporation so as to exclude the gift under a family property accounting. It has been appealed, but as of yet the Ontario Court of Appeal has not rendered a decision. The McNamee case is relevant in Manitoba because property division, pursuant to The Family Property Act, does not apply to any asset acquired by a spouse or common-law partner by way of gift or trust benefit from a third person, unless it can be shown that the gift or benefit was conferred with the intention of benefiting both spouses or common-law partners. Shares "gifted" to a son or daughter as part of an estate freeze would typically be excluded from his/her property accounting. However, documentation that appears to evidence an intention by a parent to make a gift of shares may on careful examination by a court be found not to meet the legal definition of a gift. In McNamee, the husband's father, on the advice of his accountant and corporate lawyer, executed a corporate restructuring and estate freeze. The husband and his brother received common shares, which had no value at that time, and the father took back preferred shares which had a value equal to the business as of the date of the estate freeze. However, there were two unusual aspects to the McNamee estate freeze. The father's preference shares were voting shares, so that he could maintain absolute control, and the quantum of the dividend that he could pay himself was not limited. Approximately four years later, after the son separated from his wife, it was determined that the husband had little knowledge about the corporate restructuring that had taken place, even though he had signed some documents. He did not know about the Declaration of Gift until after the separation. After the separation the wife took the position that her husband's shares, which were by then worth more than $400,000.00, were not a gift from his father, but transferred pursuant to a contract that he would continue to work and receive potential growth in the company and provide benefits to the father. She argued that the necessary elements of a gift from father to son were not present, and therefore the value of the husband's shares should be included in the family property accounting. Delivery by the donor to the donee completed. After a careful review of the evidence, and even in the face of a declaration of gift, the judge found that the shares had not been gifted to the son, and therefore the value of the shares at the date of separation was included in the family property accounting. The outcome of the McNamee case could have serious implications for those who have received shares as a result of an estate freeze. While this case had some unique aspects, it will open the door to family law lawyers examining all of the circumstances that gave rise to the gift. It may be that whenever there is an estate freeze to children who remain involved with the company, the receipt of shares is not a true gift, but a payment for past and future services. We look forward to the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision.

Tag: nathan haas Tour Down Under 2018 – Stage 2 Preview; Unley -> Stirling Stage 1 Recap The race got off to a flyer with the usual sprint finish into Lyndoch. However, it wasn't either of the two pre-stage favourites who took out the day but instead Andre Greipel delivered the win for Lotto. That result now means the German has won his opening UCI race of the year for the past three seasons on the trot. A pretty impressive record that! Ewan managed to hold on for second, while a fast finishing Sagan took third. Will they all be up there competing at the end of stage 2? Let's have a look at what is in store for them. The riders will leave Unley from a different side than normal, facing the climb of Tea Tree Gully within the opening 15km. @LaFlammeRouge From there, the road rises and falls throughout the Adelaide hills as the riders head towards Mylor which marks the second sprint point of the day but more importantly, the start of the final circuits around Stirling. As you can see, the course rolls a lot in the opening 11,5km, but it is just ever so slightly downhill on average in terms of gradient. Interestingly, the whole circuit apparently has 489m of elevation gain according to Strava/Veloviewer, but I'm definitely taking that with a pinch of salt; 400m seems more accurate than closer to 500m. The key part of the day though is the 7.6km drag to the line that comes in the final third of the circuit. At an average of 2.4% for the duration, in theory it shouldn't be too difficult for pro cyclists. However, this all depends on how aggressively certain teams approach the day. If it is a benign day then we could easily see some of the sprinters who were in the mix on Stage 1 up there again, if not, then it will be one for the puncheurs. The final few hundred metres to the line are almost on a false flat, with a little kick up to the finish. Tackling the rise 4 times could certainly sap the legs of the fast men and puncheurs, especially if we get difficult conditions. Speaking of which… It looks set to be an even hotter day for the riders than on the opening stage with it feeling like 34ºC come the end of the stage. Source: Accuweather There will be a breeze in the air to hopefully help cool them down but I don't think it will be of much help! They will be pleased to know that there will be a tailwind as they head through the Adelaide Hills towards Stirling. However, it does mean they will face the headwind on their run in to the line while on the circuit. Timing of your effort will be crucial! Can the sprinters hang on? A quick history of sterling Stirling finishes While the finish was not used in 2017, it has been used the majority of the editions prior to that but I'm only going to focus on 2011-2016 as a guide because that is when it became "World Tour". 2011 – Matthews took the win in his neo-pro year, beating Greipel and Goss. Only a group of 24 finished on the same time as the winner but there were 59 in total within 13 seconds. Some splits in the final few hundred metres then. There was also a crash near the end of the stage that saw some riders caught behind. ~60 rider sprint. 2012 – Will Clarke wins solo, with Matthews beating Gerrans for second place; with the likes of Valverde, EBH, Freire and GVA all making up the top 10. 65 riders came home on the same time behind the solo winner. 2013 – An aggressively raced day that saw Slagter take an exceptional win; opening up his sprint from 300m and blowing everyone off his wheel. Goss and Gilbert rounded out the podium with only 27 riders finishing in the front group. 2014 – The biggest group that Stirling has seen, with roughly 100 riders arriving together, it was Ulissi who took the win ahead of Gerrans and Evans. 2015 – Lobato put on a puncheurs masterclass to take the day, beating Impey and his own team-mate Gorka Izagirre to the line. I miss early 2015 Lobato. Anyway, only 48 were there to witness him win, less than half from the previous year. 2016 – A wonderful win from McCarthy as he just pipped Ulissi to the win, with Dennis coming home third. It might have been a slightly different result as the likes of Gerrans and Haas crashed out, who knows though. I certainly didn't care as I had rather aptly came in from a night out in Stirling (Scotland) to watch him win at 100/1. Good times! So what can we take from all of this? It really depends on how aggressively the day is raced as to how big a bunch makes it. There is a chance if the bunch is on a go slow day that we could see ~100 guys arrive together. However, I think we'll see an aggressive day and a whittling down of the peloton that will mainly be driven by Katusha and Bora. Both of those teams have riders capable of winning this stage (Haas/Restrepo & McCarthy/Sagan), but also taking valuable bonus seconds in their quest to win Ochre come the end of the week. The intent was there on Stage 1 when going for the intermediates and I see it being no different for stage 2. I think some of the sprinters might make it, but them being able to compete is another thing. Only Sagan out of the main guys has a good chance. In fact, this stage is Sagan's for the taking, but it all depends on if he has to work for McCarthy or not. Possible Contenders There are the obvious guys such as Sagan, McCarthy, Haas etc. but given that I have already waffled on for a good bit and there will be plenty of others who will cover the key guys well, I'm just going to go straight to three outsiders who I think might stand a chance. Maybe… Patrick Bevin. It will either be him or Gerrans that will be sprinting for BMC but I certainly would give the Kiwi a shot at it. He's known much more as a time trial rider however he does pack a fast punch; he came from nowhere to finish second in the opening road stage of the Tour de Suisse last year. Furthermore, he finished 11th yesterday and in an interview with CyclingNews, Porte said that his team-mates will be racing to take bonus seconds away from his rivals. He's one to keep an eye on! Alexander Edmondson. The newly crowned Aussie RR Champion is another who's sprinting prowess caught my eye at the Tour de Suisse last year where he picked up two 4th places. It was his 4th place on stage 2 that was more impressive though as a breakaway duo won the stage honours ahead, he beat the likes of Swift, Felline and Ulissi in the uphill drag to the line; only being bested by Colbrelli. I have my doubts about Ewan making it in this stage, so Mitchelton might just turn to him. Or Impey. Jasha Sütterlin. A name that I know one reader will like, the German is one of the two chosen "sprinters" here for Movistar with the other being Barbero. In stage 1 he was close to being in or around the top 10 but collided with the FDJ rider who eventually crashed and that cost him any chance of going for some kind of result. On Movistar's website they said the pair will both try again on stage 2. Given the speed he showed in the PCC, I think he could be another to keep an eye on. Could the Spanish team manage another two riders on the podium in 2018? We'll most likely see Sagan romp home to victory, but where is the fun in going with that? So being two previews deep into the season I'm already reverting back to type; Alexander Edmondson to win. Clearly in great shape now as he gears towards the Commonwealth Games, Mitchelton Scott will capitalise on the others marking each other, with Impey delivering the national champion into the perfect position for him to power home. Happy to take some small 0.5pt EW punts on the riders I've listed above (all prices with Bet365) Edmondson @ 300/1 Bevin @ 125/1 Sutterlin @ 250/1 Thanks as always for reading! Who do you think will win today/tonight/tomorrow? Could we see an outsider take glory or will it be the usual suspects? Anyway, By mytwospokesworthin Tour Down Under, Uncategorized January 16, 2018 1,452 WordsLeave a comment Tour Down Under 2018 – GC Preview So with the women's race now finished, it is time for the men to take centre stage over the coming week with the riders battling it out to take home Ochre. A race that has been dominated by the Australians in recent years, with the last 4 GC titles going to the home riders; expect to see some fast racing coupled with sweltering temperatures. It might not have the best race route in the grand scheme of the cycling season but given its position as the season opener, I think most of us will take it! After finally getting his hands on the GC win last year the King of Willunga (a.k.a Richie Porte) is back here to defend his crown along with a strong BMC team. In fact, the last 3 winners of the race are all riding for that outfit this year, which is very ominous for the rest of the field. However, they won't have it all their own way and there are certainly some other riders out there who could challenge their dominance. First, let's have a quick look at what is in store for the riders over the six days of action. I won't bore you here though, as I'll have plenty of time over the coming week to drain you with an in-depth route analysis of each stage. This will simply be more of an overview! There are three stages that are most likely to have the biggest impact on GC, although that could change if the wind blows strongly on some of the more exposed days. We saw the women's peloton battered by cross winds through the Barossa Valley. Stage 2 is the first important day with the traditional finish in Stirling. @LaFlammeRouge16 A rolling circuit that will see the peloton whittled down, some of the stronger sprinters will be happy to see that the organisers have reduced the number of laps that they will complete. Back in 2016 when Jay McCarthy won this stage, the riders had to contest with 6 laps, but this time it will just be 4. In theory, this should make it easier and see the stage switch from a puncheurs finish to more of a strong sprinters day. However, this of course all depends on how aggressively the teams race. If the fast men of the peloton are eliminated from the group then it is a great chance for the likes of Haas and McCarthy to pick up some valuable bonus seconds in their fight for GC. Stage 4 will see the peloton tackle a new finish here at the Tour Down Under, featuring a climb that is well-known by the local Aussies. Norton Summit is not a new climb for the Tour though, with it being used right at the start of Stage 4 in 2016. It took the riders roughly 11'30 to complete the climb that day but I imagine that time will be faster this year round given it's position on the course. Once over the "summit" the riders will have 7.5km left but instead of a drop straight down, they'll instead face a kilometre or so of false flat before an uncategorised ramp up Woods Hill Road. Could this be a launchpad for a late attack? With only 3.5km of shallow descending all the way to the line, it certainly could be. Stage 5 will once again play host to the summit finish of Willunga Hill. If the GC is still close at this stage, then it will all come down to the final ascent of Willunga. Porte has owned this climb for the past four years and he'll hope to make it five in a row this time. Will it be enough for the overall title though? From a tactics point of view, it is much easier to ride a defensive race on Willunga than attacking one, as it is a difficult climb to make massive gains on. Although lil' Richie might have something to say about that… GC Contenders Given the recent form of the Australians at this race, they've won 6 out of the last 7 years, then it is really hard to back against them on their own turf. Porte comes into the race as the bookmakers favourite and rightly so given his performances on Willunga the past few years. If everything is kept together on stages 2 & 4, with his opponents not gaining any bonus seconds, the race is his to lose. However, this is the least suited route to Porte for a while and I think he'll desperately miss the Paracombe finish that we had last year. He might well win on Willunga again, but I don't think it will be by as big a margin as he has done in previous years. McCarthy will be waiting in the wings, hoping to capitalise on the new stage and sprint for some bonus seconds on days 2 and 4, feasibly giving himself a 20 second buffer going into Willunga. He's a rider that I have grown fond over and one that I had backed when he took out the stage in Stirling in 2016. At the Aussie Nationals recently, he looked incredibly strong, sprinting away from the chase group in the closing few hundred metres. His trajectory in this race has been on the up as well, with a 4th in 2016 and a 3rd last year. Will he go one or two steps higher this time around? Haas is a rider similar to McCarthy and he too will be looking to nab some bonus seconds on stages 2 & 4. With a winter move to Katusha, the former Dimension Data rider comes here in some good form with a 5th place finish in both the road race and time trial at the Aussie Champs. An attacking rider, he will no doubt give it a go on Stage 4 in an attempt to get clear. However, I sometimes think that he is too attacking; using up a lot of his resources before it is necessary. Will that be his downfall again? Can a non-Aussie win? Some might suggest Sagan has a chance, especially after his strong showing in today's criterium. However, he will be here for training more than anything, possibly getting involved in a few sprints but nothing more than that. Ulissi is a very solid finisher and will no doubt again be in or around the top 5 but I can't see him having enough form early in the year to take the win. Yet, he is the type of rider who could well prove me wrong! His team-mate Rui Costa might be another to watch, he was flying at the start of last year. Bernal arrives here as Team Sky's best chance on paper, the young rider is truly exceptional. His form will be unkown but as we've seen with Henao in the past, Colombians seem to go well here. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go with the best on Willunga, but his lack of a sprint might let him down for the overall. I'll go for none of the above to win though. Instead, I'll suggest that Rohan Dennis will take home another Tour Down Under title. The current Aussie TT champion blitzed away his opposition recently, putting over a minute into a very lean Luke Durbridge and almost two minutes into team-mate Porte, regaining his title with ease. He DNF'd the road race, but I think he was using that race as training more than anything else. Almost have way through his "4-year GC plan", this should be the year where he takes another step forward in that quest. He certainly looks very fit going by some of the pictures I've seen floating around social media over the past week. There has also been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between himself and Porte as to who the leader of BMC will be for the week, both downplaying their own chances and talking up their team-mate. First race mind-games! With the introduction of the interesting finish on stage 4 this year I think it is very beneficial for a team to have two possible winners in their squad and I'm sure BMC will use that to their advantage. Norton Summit looks ideal for the powerhouse and Dennis certainly has the TT engine to attack and hold a gap, especially with Porte and possibly Gerrans behind marking out any efforts to close him down. Being in Ochre going into Willunga means BMC will be able to ride a defensive race, and who wouldn't want the King of Willunga himself to act as a super-domsetique for you that day?! Porte should be able to keep things together and Dennis won't lose enough time to be toppled, with Porte even nabbing the bonus seconds away from his competitors on the line. First race of the season so it would be rude not to have a flutter on the GC market. I tweeted it out a few days ago but… 1pt EW Dennis @ 20/1 with Coral/Ladbrokes. Thanks as always for reading and any feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoyed my first men's preview of the season. I'll be back with daily stage previews of the Tour Down Under starting from tomorrow. Anyway, Amstel Gold Race 2017 Preview The Ardennes classic that isn't in the Ardennes! Amstel Gold Race returns once again this year as the opener for our Ardennes classic week, with the 52nd edition of the race. The cobbled classics in the north of France and Belgium are finished with the attention now turning to the rolling hills of the Ardennes and Limburg regions. We're in the latter on Sunday for Amstel! Last year saw a late attack over the top of the Cauberg from Gasparotto and Valgren. They managed to just hold on to the line, with the Italian taking an emotional victory, dedicating the win to team-mate Demoitié. Behind, it was Colbrelli who won the bunch sprint for third place. If I'm honest, the reason I prefer the Cobbled Classics over the Ardennes is because the cobbled races are much more attacking (they've been even more attacking this year) whereas the likes of Amstel come down to a sprint up the final climb. However, that might change this year due to two reasons; teams seem more keen to attack from far out, and the fact the final ascent of the Cauberg has been taking out. At 261km in length and with 35 ascents in total, it's not for the faint-hearted! @LasterketaBurua Although they go over a lot of climbs in the first three-quarters of the route, I expect those climbs to more sap the legs than anything else and for the race to really heat up when we're into the last 50km of the day. The fast passage of 4 climbs in succession; Kruisberg; Eyserbosweg; Fromberg; and Keutenberg between the 220km and 235km will be a launch point for some "early" attacks in my opinion. We've seen this in the past with the likes of Nibali surging away at this point to put the hurt on the riders behind. Considering the way that the one-day races (aside from MSR) have gone this year so far, it is probably advised for most teams if they stay attentive and try to get at least one rider up the road at this point. Preferably it should be at least a second or third favourite in the team and one they would be relatively confident in winning the race so they have to do no effort whatsoever behind. I say "early" as it would be early for this race considering its history but there would only be roughly 30km to the finish from that point. We've had winning moves go from further out this Spring so far! The almost 10km of flat between the Keutenberg and the Cauberg will be important in the race. Good co-operation ahead could see that group build a large gap if a lot of the favourites teams are represented and there is an unwillingness to chase behind. Likewise, the opposite scenario has an equal chance of playing out. The Cauberg still could play a significant part in the race as it could be another launchpad for attacks. Once over the top, there's only about 18km left in the race and not long until the penultimate climb; the Geulhemmerberg. Not an overly difficult climb, it does have some steepish ramps but it's position at the end of the race is the main challenge. We then end with the Bemelerberg. Again it's not an overly difficult climb, but depending on the racing before hand, we could see some small gaps here. There are then roughly 5km or so of flat before the sprint to the line, or will it… How will the race pan out? I expect an attacking race, although that might be wishful thinking more than anything else. With the change of finish, the puncheurs can't sit and wait because if they do, it's game over as the "sprinters" we have here should be able to cope with the last two climbs easily. Therefore, I expect attacks to come on the section of 4 climbs I highlighted above (at around 40km left), but I would not be surprised to see something relatively dangerous go even earlier than that. It all then depends on who and what teams have made the split. As we saw in Brabantse on Wednesday, Direct Energie were very keen to chase to help Coquard but Sunweb were very disappointing in support of Matthews. The latter have a much stronger team here in support of the Aussie but they aren't the type of riders you would rely on to chase down attacks all day. The race is delicately poised between being a great afternoon of attacking cycling, or a snoozefest that's controlled for a reduced bunch sprint. But if there is one race this week that has a chance of being won by what I would call a proper outsider, it is Amstel. There are obvious candidates for the win such as sprinters Matthews/Coquard/Colbrelli and Ardenne's specialists like Gilbert/Valverde/Kwiatkowski, but as I think there is a chance we might get a relative shock of a winner and I'm nearly at 900 words already, I'm going to just name a shortlist of riders to keep an eye on in varying circumstances. So apologies if you were wanting an exhaustive list! Lilian Calmejane. Aside from Van Avermaet, the Frenchman is arguably the form rider of the year; picking up 6 wins so far this season if you include his three GC wins. Most of his successes have come on rolling terrain and Amstel is the perfect platform for him to continue his outstanding season. Admittedly, this is a step up compared to the races he has been winning, but with a GT stage win already to his name, he must be confident! For him to win, he'll need to be one of the riders involved in a far out attack and with a lot of teams represented, they stay away. He's got an OK sprint compared to some other climbers, but more than likely he'll have to come to the line solo. Allez Lilian! Nathan Haas. The Aussie had a great start to the year, finishing a very impressive 4th in the Tour Down Under and coming home 10th on the Green Mountain stage in Oman. Since then he's struggled with allergies, particularly in Catalunya where he had to withdraw but his return to racing in Brabantse was promising. In fact, he looked good and was attentive at the front of the peloton in the final lap. The race on Wednesday will hopefully have opened the legs up and he'll be an even greater fighting force come Sunday. I'm sure he'll just be hoping for a bit more luck… Alexey Lutsenko. The Astana rider won the U23 World's on this course back in 2012 after catching everyone by surprise and opening up his sprint early. Funnily enough though, it's the change of course this year that gives him another chance of victory. The removal of the Cauberg helps the Kazakh as the professional peloton ride the climb more aggressively in Amstel than they did in that U23 2012 Worlds. With a solid sprint he has a chance of being up there in a reduced bunch gallop, but it's his attacking nature that gives him the best chance of taking victory; whether that be from a breakaway or making a move in the final 3km as everyone hesitates behind. With his third in Dwars this season he's highlighted his abilities as a rider and that big win is just around the corner for him I think. Jens Keukeleire. A talented rider for a while who seemed to be hampered by bad luck or just underperformed when called upon. However, that changed in the second half of last season when he first of all won a stage in Slovenia but then followed it up with a very impressive sprint victory in the Vuelta. This year he's been a bit off again so far, but it looked as if he was back to his best in when second in Gent Wevelgem. This change of course in theory should suit him and it will be interesting to see what role he takes in the Orica team along with Albasini/Gerrans/Impey. Definitely not a favourite, but he has a slim outside chance! I'm still torn between this race being great or extremely dull. Obviously I hope if it's the former! The route change really throws a cat amongst the pigeons in terms of predictions and you'll struggle to find anyone predicting the race with confidence. Nonetheless, I'll go for an exciting race and a win for a rider who's been chasing that big win for a while, and his first part of the season has been aimed at this event. Nathan Haas to win! Definitely not a race to get heavily involved with; Haas 0.5pt EW @50/1 with various (take the 4 places at Coral if you can) Keukeleire 0.25pt EW @200/1 with Bet365 (take 150/1) I tweeted out the Calmejane and Lutsenko picks midweek but they've since shortened. Calemjane 0.25pt EW @250/1 (take 100s available but no less) Lutsenko 0.25pt EW @200/1 (take 125s available but no less) Thanks for reading and always any feedback is greatly appreciated. Who do you think will win? Will it be an open race or a dull one where everything stays together until the end? I'll have my women's Amstel preview out tomorrow so return for that! Anyway, By mytwospokesworthin one day classics, Uncategorized April 14, 2017 1,573 Words2 Comments Volta Catalunya Stage 4 Preview; Llívia -> Igualada If I'm being honest, I didn't catch much of today's stage. Only the last 600m in fact, I was too busy watching Dwars! From what I saw, it seemed a fairly benign day and we got a sprint to the finish line between the two pre-stage favourites. It was Valverde who came out on top over Martin, exacting some revenge for Movistar who felt hard done by with the reversal of the commissaire's decision this morning! Yates came home in third to pick up some bonus seconds, with the blog pick of Bardet coming 4th. Van Garderen holds a 41 second lead on the GC over team-mate Sanchez, but there are a whole host of riders queuing up behind the BMC duo if they were to falter. Will we see any GC changes tomorrow? Let's have a look at the route. A weird route that starts with almost 100km of very shallow descending! Source: @LasterketaBurua There is a sprint point on top of a small hill after only 6.2km so I expect the GC teams to keep the bunch together for that. It looks ideal for the likes of Valverde to nab a few bonus seconds. We then have the long, gradual descent before the next main obstacle of the day; the cat 3 Alt del Pubill. Only 2.9km long and averaging 6%, it's not overly difficult and I imagine the peloton will roll over it. The course then rolls for the next 70km before we reach the main challenge of the day; the Cat 2 Turó del Puig. At 5.3km and only averaging 5.4% the GC riders won't be troubled here, but due to its proximity to the finish line it should be tackled at a fair pace. This should see the end of the sprinters chances for the day. Apologies for the poor quality image below, the road book doesn't offer much to play with! They'll then descend all the way until 2km to go where we have a fairly technical finale. Two 90-degree turns and a roundabout feature in the last kilometre. It's a typical Spanish end to the day and will no doubt be suitably manic! That is of course if we end up with some type of sprint. How will the stage pan out? With the peloton very much spread out on GC already there is a good chance we could get a breakaway stay away tomorrow. The position of the last climb will make it too hard for Bouhanni and Greipel to make it over with the peloton but it's not hard enough to cause some GC gaps. We could quite well see the type of sprint I thought we might get on Stage 1, where there's a peloton of around 50 guys who come to the finish together. Valverde might fancy his chances of winning the sprint and taking some more bonus seconds along with it. However, that will mean another day of work for Movistar when they don't have to and I'm sure they'd rather save their efforts for the brutal finish on Stage 5. So I'll go for a break, and give it a 70/30 chance that it makes it. Breakaway Contenders There are many, many riders who will be given plenty of freedom tomorrow so it's just a case of me once again trying to give some (hopefully) well-reasoned logic behind my picks and of course a bit of luck for them to make it. It's not helped when there's a bout of illness going around the peloton just now and we're none the wiser as to who is actually fighting fit. Oh well, here goes nothing! The Aussie is here building form for his next goals in the season (Amstel) and what better way to do that then out in the break?! He admitted that he was suffering on the first day but sounded hopefully that it blew the cobwebs away. Tomorrow's stage looks ideally suited to his characteristics, with the climbs not being too difficult. Packing a fast sprint, you wouldn't want to bring him to the line. Petr Vakoc. Like Haas, the Czech rider is here building form for his classics campaign. An 8th place finish on stage 1 where the run in to the line didn't really suit him highlights to me that he's going fairly well at the moment. A proper brute of a rider, the Cat-2 at the end of tomorrow's stage will be on his limit but if the right riders are up the road, he certainly has a chance. Jordi Simon. One of only 4 Funvic riders left in the race, the Catalan native will have pressure from his team to perform here. Not only that, but I'm sure he will want to perform too as tomorrow's stage passes his hometown. An explosive climber, he isn't the most well-known rider in the peloton and doesn't have too many results to his name. A third place at nationals last year was his best finish, but hey, stranger things have happened! Damien Howson. The Orica man took a much deserved GC win in the Herald Sun Tour earlier in the season. A great reward for being a super domestique for Chaves last year! On his return to European racing he finished a respectable 19th in Industrio, helping Yates to victory. Far enough down not to be a GC threat, he would be one of the favourites if he made the break due to his climbing and TT prowess. Break wins and I'll go for Quick Step to continue that feel good factor within their team and Petr Vakoc to take the win! He'll use his explosive kick to attack away from his breakaway companions on the steady gradients of the final climb and not be seen again until they cross the finish line! Crapshoot of a stage and not one I want to get massively involved with; 0.25pt WIN on all the selections. Vakoc @ 28/1 with B365 Haas @ 33/1 with B365 Simon @ 200/1 with B365 Howson @ Not quoted, so I'll go with… Clement @ 300/1 with Bet365 (similar build to Howson, decent climber but strong TTer). Thanks again for reading! How do you think tomorrow will play out? Will we see a break make it, or will it come down to a reduced bunch kick, or even a late attack? Anyway, By mytwospokesworthin Uncategorized, volta ciclista a catalunya March 22, 2017 March 22, 2017 1,067 WordsLeave a comment Cadel Evan's Great Ocean Road Race 2017 Preview Now in its third year, the Cadel Evan's Great Ocean Road Race (herein CEGORR) has produced exciting racing over the first two editions. The inaugural race saw Gianni Meersman take a very reduced bunch sprint win after the peloton was decimated due to crosswinds out on the course, while last year's race saw Pete Kennaugh win solo after attacking on a climb with roughly 12km to go and holding off the bunch. There seems to be no set pattern as to how this race can be won and it's this unpredictability that makes it a great watch! The course remains unchanged and will feature one large loop (113km) around the south Geelong area, followed by 3 laps of a circuit closer to the city itself. The first 50km of the race are almost pan-flat, easing the riders into the day. We'll see the usual 4/5 man break get away here and quickly build up a good gap as the main contenders team's behind control the race. The latter part of the loop does get hillier and depending on how strong the wind is we may get some splits here. However, if the wind isn't playing ball then it will be over to the circuits around Geelong to thin the peloton out. The main challenge on the circuit is the Challambra Crescent climb (link here) which averages 10% for 1km. The climb actually has a few sections where it pitches above 20%. It's a real leg breaker, but expect the peloton to cover it in under 3 minutes during the race! From there, we have a fast descent before another couple of short ramps up Queen's Park and Hyland Street. The latter comes at roughly 6km from the end of the race and is 600m long, averaging 5%. However, the final 200m of the climb is closer to 14% and this is the last proper springboard for the puncheurs to make a difference before the shallow descent and flat run to the finish. Weather wise, it looks as if the riders will get perfect conditions out there on Sunday; clear, sunny skies and not too hot at around 26 degrees Celsius. There is some discrepancy between various sites as to whether or not the wind will have any part to play in the day. Everywhere seems to agree that it will be a SE wind, just how strong varies! I guess we'll have to see on Sunday how strong it actually it is, but nonetheless, it is coming from the correct direction to cause some problems. As mentioned before, the first two editions of the race have produced different outcomes; a reduced bunch sprint and a solo winner. The first edition saw the wind cause chaos, whereas last year it was the circuit around Geelong that caused most of the issues. However, both races have had around 30 riders finish less than a minute behind the winner. What does that tell us? That it will be a hard race either way and we should be in for some good, aggressive racing! There are your obvious riders here who should make the finale in almost any situation. I'm thinking along the lines of Haas, McCarthy and Gerrans. These type of riders can handle the climbs and have a very strong sprint on them, but also are attacking enough to try to slip away from a small group. McCarthy has never raced here before, but Gerrans was 5th last year and Haas has been 3rd and 6th. I'll be very surprised if all 3 aren't in the top 10 come Sunday. Saying that, they will need a tough race to ensure that they will be fighting out for the win because there are other riders who are faster than them at the end of the day. Which leads us on to the sprinters… With the main obstacle of the course being a 3-minute climb, then the strong sprinters can make it to the finish with the peloton. We saw that last year with the likes of Howard, Bonifazio and Ligthart finishing 2nd->4th. Steele von Hoff even came home 11th and he's not a great climbing sprinter. Of course, Meersman won the race back in 2015 too! Therefore, I think the likes of Edward Theuns, Danny Van Poppel, and possibly even Sam Bennett could feature at the pointy end of the race. They will need team-mates left to control the peloton in the closing kilometres but with strong squads supporting them then this could well be the case. Anyway, that's enough of the guys who occupy the top 6 in the betting market. On to what you're all here for; losing (value?) outsiders! Travis McCabe. The American is a strong sprinter who's capable of making it over some sizeable climbs too. His 3rd place on a rolling stage at the Tour de San Luis last year is testament to that. After only turning pro in 2014, he's this year taking the step up to ProConti level with United Health Care after spending the past few years on the US Continental circuit. With Greg Henderson as the team's road captain, he'll have a wealth of experience to rely on, but can he hold his nerve? I imagine he'd prefer it to be a tougher race to get rid of the proper fast men like Bennett etc but not overly tough. A fine balance is required! If so, he'll fancy his chances against Gerrans and co in a straight out sprint. Cameron Bayly. The IsoWhey rider will be here taking part with the national team so expect an attacking race from them. They have some strong youngsters but I would think that Bayly and Meyer will be the protected riders. Finishing 4th in the Road Nationals, Bayly certainly has the climbing legs to compete at this race. He also has a very quick burst of pace but it is his strong engine that would benefit him the most if he managed to get a gap. I was very impressed with him at the criteriums at the start of the year and if he's kept his form then he is definitely one to watch. Can he pull off a solo win á la Kennaugh? Jhonatan Restrepo. Off the back of a 10th place finish on GC at the Tour Down Under, the young Colombian will be in a buoyant mood. Clearly on good form, he is another good climber with a fast kick. He'll need a bit of luck to go his way and a selective race but in professional cycling stranger things have happened. Haas is favourite to win and I would love that to happen for my season-long fantasy team, but I think he won't win because of that very reason. (That he's favourite, not because he's in my team. Well…maybe that too!) I do think we will get a selective race whether that be through the climbing on the circuit, by the winds out on the road, or both! This will reduce the peloton to around 20 riders or so heading into the final lap. With only a few team-mates for the "big" riders it leaves the opportunity open for one of those team-mates or a "lesser" rider to attack as the bigger riders mark each other behind. Step in Cameron Bayly! As I've already used a picture of him above, here's one of my dog instead: Bailey. The Aussie has the desired characteristics and attributes to fit the bill perfectly; solid climber, big engine and relatively unknown. Even if a small group of 5 riders manages to escape then he certainly has the speed to finish it off! So what do we reckon then, a Bayly DNF?! Or will he take the biscuit 😜 0.25pt EW Restrepo @ 66/1 with various (would take 50s) 0.25pt EW McCabe @ 100/1 with Ladbrokes (would take 66s) 0.25pt EW Bayly @ 200/1 with Betfair/Paddy power (would take 100s) Thanks again for reading! How do you think this race will unfold? Does an outsider actually have a chance for once? As usual, any feedback is greatly appreciated. Anyway, By mytwospokesworthin Uncategorized January 27, 2017 January 28, 2017 1,368 WordsLeave a comment Tour Down Under Stage 5 Preview; McLaren Vale -> Willunga Hill Jack Bauer almost made it all the way but was caught within the final 5km and we did end up with a bunch gallop to the line after all. Like GroundHog Day, it was once again Ewan who took out a great sprint victory, beating Sagan and Van Poppel to the line. Is he unbeatable on current form? Pretty much yeah, but we'll have to wait until Sunday to find out as tomorrow is the classic TDU GC finish up Willunga Hill. Link to the Strava stage profile There's not really much to talk about the route for this stage. The laps around McLaren Vale are very straightforward, so like every year, this day comes down to the double passage of Willunga Hill. A fairly steady climb, it averages 7.6% for the 2.9km with it's steepest sections coming in the first half and it "flattening out" in the final kilometre. On the first ascent we normally see some thinning out of the peloton and are maybe left with 30-40 riders or so coming into the final run up Willunga. The past few years has seen the leading GC teams control the climb until roughly 1km left where we normally see a full-out sprint from Porte all the way to the top. He did the same thing in 2016 too… Both attacks are made at 1.2km to go and amazingly he fully drops Dennis/Henao at the exact same S-bend. More of the same this year?! With the commanding lead he has, Porte will be able to ride a more defensive race here than he's used to. But will he want to? The King of Willunga could potentially make it three in a row here and with the way he soared up Paracombe on Stage 2 I wouldn't put it past him. He's not really giving any hints as to how he'll race it, suggesting he can ride conservatively but if the option is there to go for the win he will. Hmmm. You never know, he might be happy to let a break take the win and bonus seconds, but that's very unlikely! Or at least the other teams will chase the break down to fight out for the win if BMC don't play ball. With the 20″ gap over his nearest rivals, Porte could just mark Chaves/Izagirre/McCarthy out of the race. Therefore, I think there is a good chance he might give a bit of leeway to those who are further behind, i.e. 30 seconds plus. Henao was very unlucky on stage 2 with a double puncture and did remarkably well to still get up for 12th on the stage. So he clearly has very good form at the moment. Second here last year to Porte he definitely has a good chance to go one better this year! Woods was third here last year and like Henao currently sits 33″ behind Porte on GC. I can imagine there will be a lot of people who fancy his chances but he wasn't overly impressive on Paracombe in my opinion. Especially in comparison to his explosive nature that he showed last year at this race. So it's a no from me, but I am willing to be surprised and proven wrong (again)! Ulissi sprinted to 4th on this finish in 2016 and came home in the main group on Stage 2 so clearly has some decent form. Probably not a rider who will win solo, he could win a 2 or 3 man sprint of lesser riders. Haas seems to be riding better than ever here but this climb is on his limit so he'll have to pull a remarkable performance out the bag to podium. As we have him for GC I'm quite happy to just leave him be for this stage. There are a lot of other riders who could potentially pull off an early attack that goes unmarked and stays away to the end but I won't name the entire top 20 on GC. Nobody's got time for that! So a usual here are a couple of outsiders to keep an eye on during the coverage. If Izagirre is struggling look to another Movistar rider, Jesus Herrada, as their man for the day. A very solid climber with a good sprint he will need to catch the others napping as he probably won't be able to ride the likes of Chaves/Porte etc off of his wheel. Nonetheless he does have the class to finish a race off as was shown at the Dauphiné last year. One outside Aussie who I do like for this kind of surprise, un-marked attack is Nathan Earle. Finishing 11th on Paracombe was a great result and he certainly is flying right now. A rider who may not be as respected in terms of his climbing ability by the rest of the peloton, he is a danger if he gets an easy 15 seconds. I do expect the Uni-SA team to go a bit berserk this stage! I'll go for a Sergio Henao win. He was terribly unlucky on stage 2 and will want to justify his good form with victory! Coming back from a double puncture to finish in the main bunch is no mean feat and being 33 seconds down on Porte will only be to his advantage. If he gets a 5 second gap he'll win. Vamos! Or Porte decides to go for the win and creams everyone… 2.3pts WIN Sergio Henao @9/2 with Boylesports (would take 4/1) 0.1pt WIN Jesus Herrada @80/1 with Betfair (would take 66s) 0.1pt WIN Nathan Earle @150/1 with various bookmakers Plus this "fun" H2H treble with Bet365. 0.5pt Thanks again for reading! Who do you think will win up Willunga? Will Richie still be the King? As usual any feedback is greatly appreciated! Anyway, Those are My Two Spokes Worth By mytwospokesworthin Tour Down Under, Uncategorized January 20, 2017 991 WordsLeave a comment The curtain raiser for this year's cycling calendar will once again be the Tour Down Under, a race which I've grown fond over the past few years. I'm not sure if that's because we've been starved of action over the winter break or if it is becoming one of the more exciting races of the season. Probably a mixture of both, if not slightly more the former! Nonetheless, the organisers have made a few tweaks to the normal parcours and we have what is arguably the toughest TdU route in history. So let's have a look at what's in store for the riders over the coming week. Stage 1 sees the riders tackle 145km from Unley to Lyndoch. Three laps around a large finishing circuit with a few hills could create a surprise. However, with the gradients being so small on these climbs and only 1,600m of elevation gain, then this should be one for the sprinters. With a very simple-run in, this should be a fast finish to the opening road stage! Stage 2 is the Queen stage of this years TDU in terms of climbing metres, seeing the riders return to the finish in Paracombe that Rohan Dennis won back in 2015. The laps around Stirling will certainly sap the legs before the tough finale. Unlike 2015, the riders approach the climb differently and the road actually heads upwards for around 10kms, with the main section before the climb to Paracombe itself coming in at 3.9km averaging 4%. Could this make all the difference? I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but expect some fireworks! Stage 3 sees the peloton head south from Adelaide towards Victor Harbor. Potential cross-winds and a committed team could see a GC shake up. A tired peloton could be put under stress on the closing circuit's climbs (1.7km at 2.5% and 1.3km at 3.7%) but it should end in some type of bunch sprint. Stage 4 is an up and down day and actually has the second largest amount of elevation gain at the TdU. Nonetheless it should be a sprint at the end of the stage, but it could be the only breakaway day we get if no one wants to work behind. Interestingly, the finish kicks up at around 2.1% average for the final kilometre. Stage 5 and the traditional stage finish up Willunga Hill. Nothing else to say really, this stage is all about that 6-7 minute effort at the end. Stage 6 once again sees the race close with a 90km criterium around Adelaide I can't wait for the couple of sheer walls that the riders face 😉. Also, this is just one lap as I have neither the time nor patience to repeat the route 20 times! We might see some GC riders go for time bonuses if the race is that close but this stage is all about the sprinters as you'd expect. Who'll close the race with a win? So overall it is a tougher race than previous years but it's still very much in the balance between the proper climbers and the puncheurs. Willunga is tough, but ultimately it is only a 7 minute effort and the same goes for Paracombe. There are no 30 minute climbs here on which the really light guys can make a massive difference, this race will once again come down to seconds and I expect the top 10 to be separated by no more than a minute. Who's going to be in contention for the title then? Richie Porte (a.k.a The King of Willunga) is the favourite and rightly so. He's untouchable on that climb when in good form and he will find the extra climbing before Paracombe to his liking. The problem with Richie is that he doesn't have the ability to pick up bonus seconds elsewhere and that the steeper gradients of Paracombe aren't his cup of tea. Nonetheless, if he is in form then he should win on Willunga and possibly podium up to Paracombe which should be enough to win the race. However, we don't know where his form is at due to him skipping Nationals. If he really wants to challenge at the Tour de France, is it not too early to be at 90% here? Hmmm, it could go either way with him! Supporting him will be Rohan Dennis who is capable of taking up the leadership role if Porte isn't at the top-level. Orica come in with two leaders; Esteban Chaves and Simon Gerrans. This will be the Colombian's first time racing in Australia and he'll be competing at the Herald Sun Tour later in the month. This route would be ideal for him if he was in top form but I get the feeling that this could be more of a PR stunt from him and the team. Instead, it will be Gerrans who will lead the main charge for Orica as he looks to pick up his 5th Overall victory here. This will be the last chance to do so as he finally appears to be dwindling as a rider going by his form last year. I'm not convinced he can manage it but he's sure to leave everything on the road! Plus it is January and we are in Australia so you never know! Sky also come into the race with a two-pronged attack of Geraint Thomas and Sergio Henao. The latter was 3rd overall here last year and I'd expect him to be their main rider again, although Thomas may stretch is legs at some point. Henao is the main challenger to Porte in my opinion. The other rider in the above photo is also a contender for this race, Michael Woods. After coming to the sport late, he took a breakthrough 3rd place on Willunga last year. If he's improved from then he can certainly contend once again this year, plus he's been putting in some impressive rides on Strava. Will that translate to results? I'm not so sure as he still seems to be lacking the tactical awareness needed for bike racing, but hey, if he can ride everyone off his wheel then he doesn't need to! I can't see Sagan doing anything GC wise here, instead his teammate McCarthy looked very strong and more importantly lean at the Bay Crits and Road Nats and certainly could contend. Aside from these guys, it is a fairly open field and I do think there is a chance that an outsider could sneak onto the podium so in MyTwoSpokesWorth tradition I'll highlight 3 to watch out for. (There is a slight bias as 2 of them are in my Fantasy Team for this season. This may be a recurring theme and I can only apologise 😜) Another who was testing his legs at the Bay Crits and took 3rd place at the Road Nats. He seems really fired up for this and it's his main goal early on in the year before taking a break and going to the Giro. A bit of a stop start season in 2016, his performances in Canada looked a return to form and he seems to have continued that over the Australian summer. Not the best natural climber in the field, he'll need a bit of luck to go his way but I wouldn't write him off! His fast kick could be crucial to pick up bonus seconds. Petr Vakoc is the second of my fantasy riders and there's good reason for that; he's an incredible talent! After an OK TdU last year, his opening to the European season was amazing. Having been out in Australia since before New Year he seems fired up to lead Etixx at the first race of the season. A proper brute of a rider, his strength should see him be able to match some of the lighter climbers and with a Tour de France now in his legs he should be even better this year. I'm intrigued more than anything to see what he can do. My final rider is one had a solid year and I was very impressed with on several occasions but his results didn't quite show it; Jan Bakelants. Top 20 in the Vuelta followed some good showings in the Tour he just didn't take any big wins. Like Vakoc, he was very strong at the start of the European cycling calendar and I'm hoping that will translate to something here! A toss-up between Porte and Henao for the win I think and it's quite tough to call. Porte could well be peaking for the Tour but will want to make a statement here and Henao hasn't raced since the Olympics so both of their form really is unknown. I'll go for the King of Willunga himself to take the win, with Haas rounding out the podium! I just hope the racing is exciting and unpredictable as it could potentially be! Although saying that, easy stages make my job easier. 😏 I distanced myself from GC betting towards the end of last year and it's something I'll probably be doing this year too. Nonetheless, I think there is a bit of value in small stake punts on my 3 outsiders. 0.1pt EW Vakoc @80/1 with various bookmakers (would go to 66/1) 0.1pt EW Haas @ 66/1 with Bet365 (would go to 50/1) 0.1pt EW Bakelants @ 80/1 with Bet365 (would go to 66/1). Thanks everyone for reading, it's good to be back! Any shares/RTs would be much appreciated as usual and any feedback via Twitter is always more than welcome. Who do you think will win? Does an outsider have a chance of sneaking onto the podium? I shall be doing daily previews of the stages, aside from the People's Choice Crit as I have no time for that! Anyway, Vuelta Stage 12 Preview: Los Corrales de Buelna -> Bilbao For once the break didn't make it and we got back-to-back GC stage winners. This time round it was Froome who pipped Quintana in a sprint to the line. The Brit always goes well after a rest-day as I highlighted in yesterday's preview! The gaps were not big to the rest of the GC contenders but if it wasn't a two-horse race before today, it definitely is now, and boy do we have a race on our hands! GC action should be put on pause tomorrow and we're set for a really interesting stage. An up and down day with a flat finish. An un-categorised climb to start the day will be a bit of rude awakening for some. If it's anything like today's stage then the break may not go until the Cat-1 climb. Not the toughest cat-1 climb, it probably is given that categorisation due to it's length. The average gradient of 6% should be manageable for the riders, unless of course the pace is still on and the break hasn't formed. If it does form here, it will be awfully strong. The stage though is defined by the double ascension of the Cat-2; Alto El Vivero. The road book is back to it's best today, with no graphic for the final climb. The directions and diagrams are also a bit vague, but I'm sure I have the right approach… After a few days off, the Strava profile makes a return. View it here. Profile of the final 20km. The final climb itself is 4.2km long at 8.4% average gradient. Like a lot of the climbs in this area, it is very irregular. The toughest section comes almost right at the start, with a kilometre (0.3 -> 1.3km) averaging 11.8%. There are a couple of false flats along the way for the riders to recompose themselves and push hard again. The same finale was used in the opening stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in 2015: That day saw Michael Matthews take a reduced bunch sprint finish. How will tomorrow's stage pan out? The stage itself is a nightmare to predict, with a few options that are very feasible. We could well see the morning break stick and fight out for stage glory as there is a reasonable amount of climbing and the sprint teams won't be confident of their riders making it over. Saying that, it's not impossible for a team to control the race and go for a sprint (as we saw in 2015). Felline, Sbaragli, Van der Sande, Valverde & Gilbert will all probably fancy their chances in that situation. However, it is a lot more difficult to control the finale of a grand tour and if the break is brought back, we could well see a late attack stick. See, it's not easy! The sprinters above that I've mentioned are the only ones I can really see make it over the final climb. Out of them, I'd probably say that Felline has the fastest flat sprint after a tough day, so he should be the guy to look out for in that situation. As for late attackers, Luis Leon Sanchez would be the perfect candidate. He looks incredibly strong just now and has the TT engine to hold off the bunch. So could Tobias Ludvigsson who's climbing better than ever and should make it over the climb if we're getting set for a reduced sprint. Breakaway Candidates There's a template of rider who I'm going with here. Someone who can climb, but also packs a decent sprint! JJ Rojas. The Movistar road captain may be told to get in the breakaway to defend their lead in the Team classification. Sky (who looked strong today) and Cannondale (who will have at least two men in the move) are both less than 10 minutes behind. The Spanish team do love to win that competition, so will start defending it soon. It could start tomorrow. Rojas has turned himself in to a jack of all trades and should be able to cope with the final climb. He has a good turn of speed and would probably be the favourite if a small group of escapees came to the line together. Pello Bilbao. The Caja rider, like a lot of them, is local to the area. He's been a bit lost in this race so far, having a few crashes etc. However, he does seem to be slowly re-finding himself and building some form. A guy who on his day can climb with the best, he really should have won the GC in Turkey this year but had to withdraw due to illness. This type of profile suits him very well. I've already highlighted him for a stage earlier in this Vuelta but he didn't make the move that day. The climb will be on his limit but considering his performance on stage 4, then he has a chance of being in contact with the lead riders as they summit. Like Rojas, he has a very solid sprint after a tough days racing. You don't want to be leading him out in the finale! I'm unsure how the stage will go, but I lean towards a breakaway. That of course all depends if there are a few of the "sprint" teams who co-operate and bring the break back. Nonetheless, I'll stick my neck out on the line and say that the break will win. I think you know where I'm going with this one. Especially considering my fondness with suggesting riders for whimsical reasons… Bilbao to win in Bilbao. Simple and poetic. I can't pass up a rider who has the same surname as the finish town and is from the region! Small punts on the three breakaway guys 0.3pt Bilbao at 40/1 (Various) 0.1pt Haas at 100/1 (Various) 0.1pt Rojas at 200/1 (Bet365 & BF) After today's successful H2H I'm hoping to find one for tomorrow, but nothing has caught my eye/I've not done enough research. If I do find something, I'll update it on my Twitter! Hope you enjoyed the read, apologies for it being shorter than normal! How do you think the stage will play out? As usual, any feedback is greatly appreciated. Anyway, By mytwospokesworthin Uncategorized, Vuelta a Espana August 31, 2016 1,067 WordsLeave a comment

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In a recent report by Gold.org , the study stated that the community may not have any regulatory control over the gold mining company, but if a company contributes to the welfare of the environment and its people .How Money and Banking Work On a Gold Standard | PHILOSOPHICAL . A true gold standard is a gold standard built on fractional-reserve free banking. The government defines the value of the currency in terms of precious metals, and then leaves banks in the private sector to do as they please–to issue whatever quantity of banknotes they want to issue, and to pay the price in bankruptcy if they behave in ways .The gold standard: what can the industry learn from gold . The Council says that in 2013, the gold industry made an economic contribution totalling over $171bn to the top 15 gold mining economies. 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Raymond James analyst Laura Chico initiated Dova Pharmaceuticals with an Outperform and $44 price target. Chico's physician survey indicates suggest a need for novel treatments like Dova's Droptelet and said investor expectations are modest, providing a favorable setup for shares. As previously reported, Leerink analyst Geoffrey Porges upgraded Dova Pharmaceuticals to Outperform from Market Perform after Shionogi announced results from its phase III trial investigating thrombopoietin receptor agonist lusutrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing an invasive procedure. The analyst notes that lusutrombopag is from the same class of drugs as Dova's avatrombopag, but is less effective ex-Japan, and believes Dova's avatrombopag has advantage. Porges also raised his price target on Dova's shares to $32 from $24. Jefferies analyst Eun Yang raised her price target for Dova Pharmaceuticals to $33 after avatrombopag received FDA priority review with an action date of May 21, 2018. The analyst sees a higher probability for regulatory success of 95% and potential approval three months earlier than previously thought. She keeps a Buy rating on Dova. Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Matthew Kaplan started Dova Pharmaceuticals with a Buy rating and $65 price target.

\section{Introduction} \label{sec:intro} Deep learning has gained great success in computer vision and natural language processing, but conventional deep learning paradigms mostly follow a centralised learning manner where data from different sources are collected to create a central database for model learning. With an increasing awareness of data privacy, decentralised deep learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,wu2021decentralised} is more desirable. To this end, federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn} has been recently introduced to optimise local models (clients) with non-shared local data while learning a global generalised central model (server) by transferring knowledge across the clients and the server. This enables to protect data privacy and reduce transmission cost as local data are only used for training local models and only model parameters are transmitted across the clients and server. There have been a variety of federated learning paradigms for computer vision applications, such as image classification~\cite{chen2021bridging}, person reidentification~\cite{sun2021decentralised} and object detection~\cite{liu2020fedvision}. However, existing federated learning paradigms~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn,wu2021decentralised,chen2021bridging} mostly focus on encoding holistic high-level knowledge into models for communication across the clients and the server. Since high-level knowledge is closely related to objects of interest, this may pose a threat to data privacy. In contrast, mid-level semantic knowledge (such as attribute) is usually generic containing semantically meaningful properties for visual recognition~\cite{lampert2013attribute} , so it is not sensitive to objects of interests. Besides, since the number of attributes are finite in compositional learning~\cite{yuille2011towards} but the number of classes can be infinite, mid-level knowledge is also supposed to be more scalable. Therefore, learning mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning is important and is desirable for protecting privacy and improving model scalability. On the other hand, zero-shot learning (ZSL) is a well-established paradigm for learning mid-level knowledge. It aims to learn mid-level semantic mapping between image features and text labels (typically attributes) using seen object categories and then transfer knowledge for recognising unseen object categories with the help of the composition of shared attributes between seen and unseen categories. However, existing ZSL methods~\cite{pourpanah2020review,chen2021knowledge,chen2021free} mostly consider centralised learning scenarios which require to share training data from different label spaces to a central data collection. \begin{figure*}[t] \centering \includegraphics[width=0.85\textwidth]{./image/fzsl.pdf} \caption{An overview of federated zero-shot learning with mid-level semantic knowledge transfer. % % (1) Local model training process. (2) Local clients upload model parameters to the server and server constructs a global model by aggregating local model parameters. (3) Local models are reinitialised with central server model. % The Semantic Knowledge Augmentation (SKA) employs external knowledge to further improve the model's discriminative ability.} \label{fig:local_client} \end{figure*} In this work, we formulate a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning (FZSL) paradigm, which aims to learn mid-level semantic knowledge in federated learning for zero-shot learning in a decentralised learning manner. An overview of FZSL is depicted in Fig.~\ref{fig:overview}. Specifically, we consider there are multiple local clients where each client has an independent non-overlapping class label space whilst all clients share a common mid-level attribute space. Then, we optimise local models (clients) with non-shared local data and learn a central generalised model (server) by transferring knowledges (model parameters) between the clients and the server. With this paradigm, FZSL unifies federated learning and zero-shot learning for learning mid-level semantic knowledge in a decentralised learning manner with data privacy protection. It cumulatively optimises a generic mid-level attribute space from non-sharable distributed local data of different object categories. Instead of aggregating holistic models like traditional federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} or separating domain-specific classifiers like recent decentralized learning~\cite{wu2021collaborative,wu2021decentralised}, we only aggregate generators across the clients and the server while discriminators are retained locally. This facilitates to learn more generalised knowledge and reduce the number of model parameters for communicating. Furthermore, to improve model discriminative ability, we employ a vision-language foundation model (e.g., CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation to enrich the mid-level semantic space in FZSL. With the help of a pre-trained richer knowledge space, this semantic knowledge augmentation allows to learn a more generic knowledge to encode sample diversity as well as improve model scalability. Our \textbf{contributions} are: We introduce a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning paradigm to transfer mid-level knowledge from independent non-overlapping class label spaces for federated learning. With the formulated baseline model, we propose to explore semantic knowledge augmentation from external knowledge to learn a richer mid-level semantic space in FZSL. We conduct extensive experiments on five zero-shot learning benchmark datasets and demonstrate that our approach is capable of learning a generalised federated learning model with mid-level semantic knowledge transfer. \section{Related Work} \paragraph{Federated Learning.} Federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn,li2020federated} is a recently introduced model learning paradigm aiming to learn a central model (server) with the collaboration of multiple local models (clients) under data privacy protection. It has been explored in many computer vision tasks, such as medical image segmentation~\cite{liu2021feddg}, person reidentification~\cite{wu2021decentralised}, object detection~\cite{liu2020fedvision}, etc. Conventional federated learning approaches, e.g., FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}, learn a sharable central model by aggregating holistic model parameters among different local models. To disentangle generic and specific knowledge, recent approaches~\cite{wu2021collaborative,zhang2021fedzkt,wu2021fedcg,sun2021decentralised} propose to optimise generic feature extractors or generators by decoupling discriminators or domain-specific classifiers, but are still learning holistic class-level knowledge. Different from existing works, we propose to learn mid-level semantic knowledge (i.e., attributes) for federated zero-shot learning. Although there have been several seemingly similar federated zero-shot learning studies~\cite{gudur2021zero,hao2021towards,zhang2021fedzkt}, none of these methods are aimed at bridging the gap between seen and unseen classes by learning mid-level semantic knowledge. ZSDG~\cite{hao2021towards} generates existing categories by gathering statistics through the server. FedZKT~\cite{zhang2021fedzkt} and ~\cite{gudur2021zero} are based on zero-shot knowledge distillation~\cite{nayak2019zero} with the purpose of transferring knowledge between clients and server with no extracted prior information. Unlike them, our FZSL is learning from multiple independent \emph{non-overlapping} class label spaces, while ZSDG~\cite{hao2021towards} and~\cite{gudur2021zero} are studying sharing knowledge with a sharing class space. Furthermore, our FZSL is generalisable and shows stable generalisability on \emph{unseen} classes, while FedZKT and ZSDG are only tested on existing classes. More importantly, all of these methods are based on class-level knowledge while our FZSL learns to transfer mid-level semantic knowledge. Besides, we propose semantic knowledge augmentation from external knowledge to improve model discriminative ability for FZSL. \paragraph{Zero Shot Learning.} Zero shot learning (ZSL) aims to recognise unseen object categories leveraging seen categories for learning consistent semantic information to bridge seen and unseen categories. Current ZSL methods can broadly be divided into embedding based methods~\cite{fu2015transductive} and generative based methods~\cite{xian2018feature}. Embedding based methods transfer from a visual space to a semantic space and classify unseen categories based on semantic similarity without any training data. In contrast, generative based methods learn a projection from a semantic space to a visual space, which enables to turn the zero shot learning task to a pseudo feature supervised learning task, alleviating overfitting~\cite{xian2018feature}. Existing ZSL methods are following a centralised learning manner, while our work proposes a new federated zero-shot learning paradigm to transfer mid-level knowledge across different non-overlapping class label spaces with data privacy protection. \paragraph{Foundation Models.} Foundation models refer to models trained with a vast quantity of data and can be further used for various downstream tasks, such as BERT~\cite{devlin2018bert}, RoBERTa~\cite{liu2019roberta}, CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}, etc. These models are usually learned by self-learning using unlabelled data and are able to predict underlying properties such as attributes, so they are scalable and potentially more useful than models trained on a limited label space~\cite{bommasani2021opportunities}. In this work, we employ a vision-language foundation model (e.g., CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation enriching the mid-level semantic space in FZSL. \section{Methodology} \subsection{Problem Definition} In this work, we study Federated Zero-Shot Learning (FZSL), where each client contains an independent non-overlapping class label space with non-shared local data while a central model is aggregated for deployment. Suppose there are $N$ local clients, where the $i$-th client contains a training set $\mathcal{S}_{i} = \left\{\bm{x}, y\right\}$, here $y \in \mathcal{Y}_{i}$ includes $N_{i}$ classes. Since each client contains non-overlapping class space, i.e., $\{\mathcal{Y}_{i}\cap \mathcal{Y}_{j}{=}\emptyset, \forall i,j\}$, $\mathcal{Y}_{1} \cup\mathcal{Y}_{2} \cup \ldots \cup \mathcal{Y}_{N}=\mathcal{Y}_{s}$. Meanwhile, each class can be described by an attribute vector $\bm{a}=\left\{a_1,a_2\ldots a_m\right\}$ and these $m$ attributes are consistent among classes in all clients, i.e. the mid-level attribute space is shared across clients. The goal of federated zero shot learning task is to construct a classifier $F:\mathcal{X}\rightarrow \mathcal{Y}$ for $\mathcal{Y}_{u} \subset \mathcal{Y}$, where $\mathcal{Y}_{u}$ is the unseen set and $\{\mathcal{Y}_{i}\cap\mathcal{Y}_{u}=\emptyset, \forall i,j\}$. \subsection{FZSL by Mid-Level Semantic Knowledge Transfer} \label{cha:fzsl_baseline} \subsubsection{A Baseline Model.} To learn mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning, we formulate a baseline model which unifies federated learning and zero-shot learning in a decentralised learning paradigm. Since generative based zero-shot learning is capable of generating pseudo image features according to a consistent and generic mid-level attribute space, in this work, we employ a representative f-CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} as the backbone (in practice, our approach is compatible to various ZSL backbones, such as VAEGAN~\cite{xian2019f} and FREE~\cite{chen2021free}). As for federated learning, we use the commonly used FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}. As shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:local_client}, the learning process of the baseline model consists of three iterative steps, namely local model learning, central model aggregation and local model reinitialisation with central model. In each local client, with the non-shared local data $\mathcal{S}_{i}{=}\left\{\bm{x}, y\right\}$, the model learning process follows f-CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature}. A generator $G(\bm{z}, \bm{a}_g)$ learns to generate a CNN feature \bm{$\hat{x}$} in the input feature space $\mathcal{X}$ from random noise $\bm{z}$ and a ground truth condition $\bm{a}_g$, where each value in $\bm{a}_g$ corresponds with one specific attribute, e.g. stripes. While a discriminator $D(\bm{x}, \bm{a}_g)$ takes a pair of input features $\bm{x}$ and a ground truth condition $\bm{a}_g$ as input and a real value as output. Thus, the training objective of each local client model is defined as: \begin{equation} \label{eq:baseline_local_model} \min _{G} \max _{D} \mathcal{L}_{W G A N}+\beta \mathcal{L}_{C L S}, \end{equation} where $\beta$ is a hyper-parameter weight on the classifier. After optimising each local client model for $E$ local epochs, the local model parameters \bm{$w_{i}$} are transmitted to a central server to aggregate a global model. Following FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}, the aggregating process is formulated as: \begin{equation} \label{eq:baseline_agg} \bm{w}_{t}=\frac{1}{N \cdot S} \sum_{i \in N_{S}} \bm{w}_{i,t}, \end{equation} where $N$ denotes the number of local clients and $t$ denotes the $t$-th global model iterative update round. $S$ denotes the randomly selected clients fraction for each round ($S\in[0.0,1.0]$) and $N_S$ is the set of selected clients. Note that the central server only aggregates local model parameters without accessing local data so as to protect local data privacy. Then, each local model is reinitialised with the central model as follows: \begin{equation} \label{eq:baseline_reinit} \bm{w}_{i,t+1} = \bm{w}_{t}. \end{equation} This is an iterative learning process (Eqs.(\ref{eq:baseline_local_model})-(\ref{eq:baseline_reinit})) until $T$ global model update round. Since the attribute space is consistent among local clients, the learned global generator encodes mid-level semantic knowledge. Finally, based on the attributes from unseen classes, the learned generator from the global server is used to generate $M$ pseudo image features for each unseen classes $\mathcal{Y}_{un}$. A softmax classifier is then trained under the supervision from pseudo features and tested for image classification on unseen classes. \subsubsection{Improved Baseline With Selective Module Aggregation.} Although aggregating holistic model parameters following FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} is simple, it is inefficient for FZSL because the generic mid-level semantic knowledge is mainly encoded in the generator while the discriminator may contain knowledge specific to classes in each client. Inspired by recent approaches~\cite{wu2021collaborative,zhang2021fedzkt} in federated learning, we improve the baseline by decoupling the discriminator from the central model aggregation process, i.e., only aggregating the generator in the central server. This not only reduces the cost for transmitting model parameters but also facilitates to learn more generalisable mid-level knowledge. Thus, the central aggregation in Eq.~(\ref{eq:baseline_agg}) and the local client reinitialisation in Eq.~(\ref{eq:baseline_reinit}) are reformulated as: \begin{equation} \label{eq:opt_agg} \bm{w}_{G,t}=\frac{1}{N \cdot S} \sum_{i \in N_{S}} \bm{w}_{G_{i},t}, \end{equation} \begin{equation} \label{eq:opt_reinit} \bm{w}_{G_{i},t+1} = \bm{w}_{G,t},~~~ \bm{w}_{D_{i},t+1} = \bm{w}_{D_{i},t}, \end{equation} where $ \bm{w}_{G,t}$ and $ \bm{w}_{D,t}$ denote model parameters for a generator and a discriminator, respectively. \subsection{Semantic Knowledge Augmentation for FZSL} Although the formulated baseline with selective module aggregation is able to transfer mid-level generic knowledge in a decentralized learning manner, it still suffers from sparse attribute and ambiguous attribute separability for limited data diversity in each client. To resolve this problem, we propose to explore a vision-language foundation model (CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} in this work) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA) to enrich the mid-level semantic space in FZSL. Since a foundation model like CLIP contains word embedding knowledge that can supply information regarding hierarchical relationships among classes, it can help FZSL to learn richer external knowledge with the sharable common attribute space. In this work, we introduce class-level semantic knowledge augmentation, which greatly facilitates the generated feature diversification in both training and testing stages. Empirically, we observe that directly concatenating a noise-enhanced CLIP text embedding and an attribute vector is an effective way, which do not require extra learnable parameters and can alleviate overfitting on seen classes. In our semantic knowledge augmentation, as shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:local_client}, we simply combine a default prompt `a photo of a' with class names and use this sentence as the input to a CLIP text encoder~\cite{radford2021learning}. We then further add the gaussian noise $ \bm{z}_c\sim N(0,\gamma)$ to the output text embedding $ \bm{a}_c$ so as to enrich the semantic space and to better align with the instance-wise diversified visual space, where each class-level semantic can always correspond to different samples with various poses and appearances in visual space. The semantic augmented attribute is the concatenation between noise-enhanced text embedding and ground truth manual annotation attribute labels $ \bm{a}_g$. This semantic augmentation process can be formulated as follows: \begin{equation} \label{eq:SKA} \bm{a}_{SKA} = [\bm{a}_c \oplus \bm{z}_c,\bm{a}_g ], \end{equation} where $\oplus$ is the element-wise summation. During FZSL model training, the CLIP text embedding of seen class name is utilised as external knowledge to construct semantic knowledge augmented attribute $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ and further generate image features in each local client. The discriminator condition keeps \bm{$a_g$} to distinguish between the real distribution and the pseudo distribution. Most importantly, in the testing stage, instead of generating pseudo image features based on the same attribute $\bm{a}_g$ for each class as in conventional ZSL~\cite{xian2018feature,xian2019f,chen2021free}, the SKA module supplies diversified attribute $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ for each class. The gaussian noise $\bm{z}_c$ in $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ can help explore the rich information in CLIP text encoder so to enrich the attribute space. Overall, our semantic knowledge augmentation can increase inter-class separability as well as supply diversified attribute space by only using the text information of the class name. \begin{table*}[t] \centering \begin{tabular}{l | l | c c c c c } \hline & Method & \textbf{AWA2} & \textbf{AWA1} & \textbf{aPY} & \textbf{CUB} & \textbf{SUN} \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{$Centralised$} &CLSWGAN~~\cite{xian2018feature} & $ 67.4$ & $66.6 $ &$37.7 $ & $56.8$ & $60.3 $ \\ &VAEGAN~~\cite{xian2019f} & $ 60.0 $ & $53.8 $ &$ 17.8 $ & $ 46.4$ & $ 58.2 $ \\ &FREE~~\cite{chen2021free} & $ 67.7 $ & $68.9 $ &$ 42.2 $ & $60.9 $ & $61.3 $ \\ \hline \multirow{11}{*}{$Decentralised$} &CLSWGAN+FedProx~~\cite{li2020federated} & $ 61.3 $ & $ 58.4 $ & $ 34.0$ & $ 53.1 $ & $59.3 $ \\ &CLSWGAN+MOON~~\cite{li2021model} & $ 61.0$ & $ 58.6$ & $ 33.2 $ & $55.1 $ & $59.5 $ \\ \cdashline{2-7} &FL-VAEGAN & $48.9 $ & $44.0 $ & $16.4 $ & $43.6 $ & $56.2 $ \\ &FL-VAEGAN+SMA & \underline{$50.4$} & \underline{$44.6 $} & $\textbf{25.9} $ & \underline{$46.0 $} & \underline{$59.4 $} \\ &FL-VAEGAN+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{60.1} $ & $\textbf{58.2} $ & \underline{$ 19.6$} & $\textbf{52.6} $ & $\textbf{61.2} $ \\ \cdashline{2-7} &FL-FREE & $60.9$ & $59.8 $& $ 25.9$ & $ 54.5$ & $56.4 $\\ &FL-FREE+SMA & \underline{$61.4$} & \underline{$61.1$} & \underline{$27.4$} & \underline{$55.4$} & \underline{$57.0$} \\ &FL-FREE+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{ 68.4} $ & $\textbf{68.4} $ & $\textbf{32.0} $ & $\textbf{60.7} $ & $\textbf{60.5} $ \\ \cdashline{2-7} &FL-CLSWGAN & $61.6$ & $58.5$ & $ 33.8$ & $53.8$& $ 59.5$ \\ &FL-CLSWGAN+SMA & \underline{$62.8$} & \underline{$61.7$} & \underline{$ 38.4$ } & \underline{$55.5$} & \underline{$ 59.4$}\\ &FL-CLSWGAN+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{69.0}$& $ \textbf{70.6}$ & $\textbf{47.1}$ & $\textbf{59.4} $ & $ \textbf{66.5}$\\ \hline \end{tabular} \caption{Comparing our approach with other methods on AWA2, AWA1, aPY, CUB and SUN for federated zero-shot learning. Top-1 accuracy is reported on all experiments. SMA denotes selective module selection while SKA denotes semantic knowledge augmentation. \textbf{Bold} and \underline{underline} represent the best and the second best performance in each baseline. } \label{table:FZSL} \end{table*} \section{Experiments} \paragraph{Datasets.} To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conduct extensive experiments on five zero-shot benchmark datasets, including three coarse-grained datasets: (Animals with Attributes (AWA1)~\cite{lampert2013attribute}, Animals with Attributes 2 (AWA2)~\cite{xian2018zero} and Attribute Pascal and Yahoo (aPY)~\cite{farhadi2009describing}); and two fine-grained datasets (Caltech-UCSD-Birds 200-2011 (CUB)~\cite{wah2011caltech} and SUN Attribute(SUN)~\cite{patterson2012sun}). AWA1 is a coarse-grained dataset with 30475 images, 50 classes and 85 attributes, while AWA2 shares the same number of classes and attributes as AWA1 but with 37322 images in total. The aPY dataset is a relatively small coarse-grained dataset with 15339 images, 32 classes and 64 attributes. CUB contains 11788 images from 200 different types of birds annotated with 312 attributes, while SUN contains 14340 images from 717 scenes annotated with 102 attributes. We use the zero-shot splits proposed by~\cite{xian2018zero} for AWA1, AWA2, aPY, CUB and SUN ensuring that none of training classes are present in ImageNet~\cite{russakovsky2015imagenet}. All these five datasets are composed of seen classes set and unseen classes set. In decentralised learning experiments, we evenly split the seen classes set randomly to four clients. Note, both seen classes and unseen classes share the same attribute space in each dataset. \paragraph{Evaluation Metrics.} In FZSL, the goal is to learn a generalisable server model which can assign unseen class label $\mathcal{Y}_{u}$ to test images. Following commonly used zero-shot learning evaluation protocol~\cite{xian2018zero}, the accuracy of each unseen class is calculated independently before divided by the total unseen class number, i.e., calculating the average per-class top-1 accuracy of the unseen classes. \paragraph{Implementation Details.} In our approach, we employed a frozen ResNet-101~\cite{he2016deep} pretrained on ImageNet~\cite{russakovsky2015imagenet} as the feature extractor and constructed our baseline model with a generator and a discriminator for each client respectively following the representative generative zero-shot learning work~\cite{xian2018feature}. Further, we employed a frozen pretrained CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} text encoder, a ViT-Base/16 transformer, to supply class-name-based text embedding for each client. All clients share the same model structure while the server aggregates local model parameters to construct a global model. For the improved baseline with selective module aggregation (SMA), only the generator from local client are aggregated. As for further improved with semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA), both the generator and text-enhanced module are aggregated to the server. Each client contains local non-overlapping classes from the seen classes set and the aggregated server model is tested on the unseen classes set. By default, we set the number of local clients $N$=4 and randomly client select fraction $S$=1. Generated feature number $M$ and classifier weight $\beta$ follows the original ZSL work~\cite{xian2018feature}. We empirically set batch size to 64, maximum global iterations rounds $T$=100, maximum local epochs $E$=1. For each local client, we used Adam optimizer with a learning rate of $1e{-}3$ for CUB, $2e{-}4$ for SUN and $1e{-}5$ for the others. Noise augmentation $\gamma$ is set to 0.1 empirically. Our models were implemented with Python(3.6) and PyTorch(1.7), and trained on NVIDIA A100 GPUs. \subsection{Federated Zero-Shot Learning Analysis} There are no existing works discussing mid-level semantic knowledge transfer in federated learning, so besides our baseline model (CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}) donated as FL-CLSWGAN, we also implemented a traditional ZSL method VAEGAN~\cite{xian2019f} and a recent ZSL method FREE~\cite{chen2021free} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} denoted as FL-VAEGAN and FL-FREE respectively for comparison. Further, the proposed SMA and SKA are implemented on three baselines respectively, where the generality and compatibility of SMA and SKA can be demonstrated. Note, when implementing SMA to FREE, feature refinement module will also be aggregated to the server which will be used during testing. All compared methods are inductive where only attribute information of unseen classes are used for training the classifier and unseen images are not used during training. From Table~\ref{table:FZSL}, we can see that: (1) Compared with the centralised baselines, the formulated decentralised baselines (FL-CLSWGAN, FL-VAEGAN, FL-FREE) yield compelling performance, which shows the effectiveness of the proposed paradigm for learning globally generalised model whilst protecting local data privacy; (2) With selective module selection (SMA), overall the performance of the baselines are improved (3.4\% in FL-VAEGAN, 1\% in FL-FREE and 2.1 \% in FL-CLSWGAN on average), which verifies that learning a generic generator and decoupling the discriminator from central aggregation can facilitate mid-level semantic knowledge transfer in FZSL; (3) With semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA), our approach significantly improves the baselines by 8.5\% in FL-VAEGAN, 6.5\% in FL-FREE and 9.1\% in FL-CLSWGAN on average, which validates the effectiveness and generality of SKA in FZSL; (4) Comparing with other federated learning approaches, such as FedProx~\cite{li2020federated} and MOON~\cite{li2021model}, our approaches achieve significantly better performance, showing the importance of learning mid-level semantic knowledge for FZSL. In the following context, the decentralised baseline donates CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} since it achieves overall the best performance on our experiments. \begin{table*}[t] \begin{center} \begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c} \hline \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{1}{*}{Settings}} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{1}{*}{Methods}} & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY & CUB & SUN \\ \hline\hline \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{5}{*}{\tabincell{c}{Local Training}}} &Client 1 & 49.0 & 47.8 & 23.2 & 42.4 & 50.6 \\ &Client 2 & 37.1 & 38.7 & 22.8 & 40.5 & 52.1 \\ &Client 3 & 40.2 & 41.1 & 34.3 & 40.2 & 49.8\\ &Client 4 & 53.0 & 51.9 & 26.3 & 40.2 & 50.4\\ \cline{2-7} & Average & 44.8 & 44.9 & 26.7 & 35.5 & 50.7\\ \hline \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{Decentralised}}} & Baseline & {61.6 }& {58.5 }&{33.8} & {53.8 }& {59.5 }\\ & Baseline+SMA+SKA & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\ \hline Centralised & Baseline (Joint) & 67.4 & 66.6 & 37.7 & 56.8 & 60.3\\ \hline \end{tabular} \end{center} \caption{Comparing local training (individual clients) and decentralised learning (baseline and baseline+SMA+SKA). Top-1 accuracy in percentage on unseen classes. Baseline donates CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} } \label{table:local_decentralised} \end{table*} \subsection{Local Training vs. Decentralised Learning} To verify the effectiveness of the formulated federated zero-shot learning paradigm, we separately train four individual local models~\cite{xian2018feature} with local client data and compare with decentralised learning models. Note that the performance are tested on the same unseen classes for all compared methods. As shown in Table \ref{table:local_decentralised}, the decentralised baseline model significantly outperforms all individual client models and their average. This shows that the federated collaboration between the localised clients and the central server model facilitates to optimise a generalisable model in FZSL. Furthermore, baseline+SMA+SKA even surpasses the performance of the centralised joint-training baseline, which further verifies the effectiveness of our improved baseline for FZSL. \begin{table}[t] \begin{center} \small \begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c} \hline GT & CLIP & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY &CUB & SUN \\ \hline\hline \hline \ding{51} &\ding{55} & 62.8 & 61.7 & 38.4 & 55.5 &59.4\\ \ding{55}&\ding{51}& 70.1 & 72.4 & 48.2 & 42.2 & 54.4 \\ \ding{51}&\ding{51}& 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \end{center} \caption{Baseline+SMA with different attribute variations. GT means dataset supplied annotated attributes. SKA means our proposed semantic augmentation with a CLIP text encoder.} \label{table:ska} % \end{table} \begin{table}[t] \begin{center} \small \begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c} \hline (CL)SKA & ALSKA & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY &CUB & SUN \\ \hline \hline \ding{55} &\ding{55} & 62.8 & 61.7 & 38.4 & 55.5 & 59.4\\ \ding{51} &\ding{55} & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\ \ding{55}&\ding{51}& 62.8 & 64.4 & 44.8 & 54.4 & 61.6 \\ \ding{51}&\ding{51}& 69.3 & 70.7 & 46.2 & 59.0 & 65.6 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \end{center} \caption{Baseline+SMA with different semantic augmentation variations. CLSKA means class-level semantic augmentation. ALSKA means attribute-level semantic augmentation.} \label{table:alsa} % \end{table} \begin{figure}[t] \centering \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{./image/tsne.pdf} \caption{tSNE of unseen classes on AWA2 for baseline+SMA (left) and baseline+SMA+SKA (right). The same colour implies the same class. Circle and cross means the generated distribution and real unseen distribution, respectively. The number in the caption means increase or decrease percentage for each class after implementing SKA. The classifier trained on generated pseudo distribution is tested on the unseen real distribution. } \label{fig:tsne} \end{figure} \subsection{Effect of Semantic Knowledge Augmentation} As shown in Table~\ref{table:FZSL}, the performance of the baseline model can be significantly improved with semantic knowledge augmentation. To show the impact of semantic knowledge augmentation on FZSL, we further analyse the results both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively, we report experimental results in Table~\ref{table:ska} for the baseline+SMA with and without SKA. It can be observed from Table~\ref{table:ska} that CLIP text embedding alone can supply discriminative information in three coarse datasets (AWA1, AWA2 and aPY) but lack discriminative ability in the other two fine-grained datasets. The combination of the ground truth annotation and CLIP text embedding, which is our SKA setting, works the best on average. Qualitatively, the tSNE visualisations of AWA2 unseen classes for baseline+SMA before and after implementing the semantic knowledge augmentation are shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:tsne}. It can be seen that with SKA, the generated distribution has a larger inter-class distance as shown in the red box. This larger inter-class distance significantly improves coarse-grained classification accuracy, which is consistent with the conclusion of FREE~\cite{chen2021free}. \begin{table}[t] \begin{center} \small \begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c } \hline \multicolumn{2}{c|}{Text Encoder} & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY & CUB & SUN \\ \hline\hline \multicolumn{2}{c|}{\ding{55}} &62.8 & 61.7& 38.4& 55.5 & 59.4\\ \hline \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{LM}}} &BERT & 63.4 & 63.8 & 41.1 & 54.6 & 60.9 \\ &RoBERTa & 65.4 & 64.6 & 41.6 & 54.7 & 61.0 \\ \hline \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{VLP}}} &DeFILIP & 74.1 & 75.5 & 49.4 & 58.2 & 64.2 \\ &CLIP & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.0 & 65.6 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \end{center} \caption{In comparison with Baseline+SMA, evaluation with the text embedding of two Language Models (LM) and two Vision-Language Pretrained models (VLP) are reported.} \label{table:exp_textEmb} % \end{table} \begin{figure*}[t] \centering \subfigure[Client number]{ \includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/Number.pdf} \label{fig:client_num} } \subfigure[Client fraction]{ \includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/fraction.pdf} \label{fig:client_frac} } \subfigure[Client local step]{ \includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/Local.pdf} \label{fig:local_step} } \caption{Ablation study on (a) client number, (b) client fraction, (c) local steps} \end{figure*} \subsection{Variation of Semantic Knowledge Augmentation } We do variations on the SKA in two directions: (1) In a more concrete attribute level and (2) text embedding from other text encoders. \paragraph{Attribute-Level Semantic Knowledge Augmentation.} To further show whether an attribute text will bring more discriminative information to FZSL, we employ the attribute-level semantic augmentation (ALSKA) and compare with the proposed class-level semantic augmentation ((CL)SKA). we reconstruct the input sentence of a CLIP text encoder with a superclass name and a random selected activated attribute from a target class. For example, for class `beach', the input sentence can be constructed as `a photo of a swimming scene.', where `scene' is a superclass name and `swimming' is a random selected positive attribute for class `beach'. Further, we combine ALSKA and (CL)SKA by constructing the input sentence of CLIP text encoder as `a photo of a \{attribute\} \{class name\}.'where \{attribute\} is one of the activated attributes in \{class name\}. As shown in Table~\ref{table:alsa}, we can see that: (1) Both class-level semantic augmentation (SKA) and the attribute-level semantic augmentation can supply discriminative information, which proves the effectiveness of our structure learning from text based external knowledge; (2) Comparing with (CL)SKA, the ALSKA is still limited in the CLIP text encoder. How to explore the fine-grained information from foundation model needs to be further explored and we leave this for the future work. \paragraph{Semantic Knowledge Augmentation with Other Text Encoder.} FZSL can gain benefit from a large scale pretrained text encoder. We naturally interested in whether other language models or visual language pretrained models can bring similar benefits. We therefore compare two large scale language models BERT~\cite{devlin2018bert} and RoBERTa~\cite{liu2019roberta}; and the text encoder of a vision-language pretrained model DeFILIP~\cite{cui2022democratizing}. BERT and RoBERTa are bidirectional encoder trained on 16GB and 161GB text corpora respectively. DeFILIP is a variation of CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} which aims to explore fine-grained information in a more data efficient method. All of three methods will calculate the embedding of the whole input sentence, where we fed in the same sentence as our SKA. As shown in Table \ref{table:exp_textEmb}, we can see that: (1) Both LM and VLP text encoder can bring benefits (except LM model on CUB) comparing with baseline, which can demonstrate the effectiveness and generality of the proposed SKA structure. (2) FZSL with VLP achieves better results compare to LM. The reason is mainly that these models are pretrained on image set and are prone to achieve the alignment between visual and semantic distribution. (3) DeFILIP, a fine-grained variation of CLIP, achieves the best result among different text encoders. Interestingly, we find that DeFILIP with attribute-level SKA can achieve 59.8\% and 65.6\% on CUB and SUN respectively (cf. 58.2\% and 64.2\% on CUB and SUN with class-level SKA), which implies that the fine-grained information from DeFILIP can be further explored with an appropriate mining method. \subsection{Further Analysis and Discussion} \paragraph{Client Number $K$.} Fig.~\ref{fig:client_num} compares central server aggregation with different numbers of local clients, where $K$= 1,2 and 4 represent seen classes of the dataset is randomly split to 1,2 and 4 clients on average respectively. We can see that the FZSL performance decreases when implementing to increase number of clients, which implies greater difficulty with larger number of clients with less data variety. \paragraph{Client Fraction $S$.} Fig.~\ref{fig:client_frac} compares FZSL with different client fraction. We can see that a smaller number of fraction is inferior to collaboration with larger fraction of clients, which demonstrates that collaboration among multi-clients can further contribute to the generalisation ability of the server model. \paragraph{Client Local Step $E$.} Fig.~\ref{fig:local_step} compares FZSL with different client local steps $E$ which influences the communication efficiency. Overall, the performance on different datasets shows relatively stable trends whilst on SUN, the performance decreases when $E$ increases due to the accumulation of biases in local client. \section{Conclusion} In this work, we introduced a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning paradigm to explore mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning. We formulate a baseline model based on conventional zero-shot learning and federated learning, and then further improve the baseline model with selective module aggregation and semantic knowledge augmentation. Extensive experiments on five zero-shot learning benchmark datasets examine the effectiveness of our approach.

Across The Leagues Ben Martin, Wednesday, July 6th, 2011. Comments offContact the author Swan veteran racks up 250 games Luke Riches, centre, played his 250th game with Alvie at the weekend. He is pictured with his daughter Lulu and son Alfie. ALVIE midfielders Liam McGuane and Danny Allan were just out of prams when team-mate Luke Riches made his senior debut. Riches, 34, stands out these days in Alvie's predominantly young list, and reaching the 250-game milestone at the weekend is something few of his team-mates have done. After playing his first senior game for Camperdown in 1995, where he played in junior and reserve premierships, Riches moved to Warrion to work on his uncle Tim McCarthy's dairy farm. "My uncle Tim McCarthy was a born-and-bred Alvie man, I'd moved to Shepparton to study ag science and he got me over the holidays to come down and milk the cows," Riches said. "I've been doing that ever since and got involved with Alvie footy club around then – that was in 1997," he said. Riches played in Alvie's breakthrough premiership three years later after two consecutive failed attempts, defeating Lorne 13.6 (84) to 10.17 (77) under John Henry. Riches has played a consistent role in the Swans' midfield ever since, taking out club best and fairest awards in 2002 and '04 as well as captaining the side for four years. "The grand final – that was great, that and my two club best and fairests were pretty big highlights for me," he said. Riches has played alongside some of the best players in Colac district football including Paul Cass, Luke McLennan, Michael "Spike" Parker and Michael "Dallas" O'Brien, but rated former Swan and 2010 Jack Mahoney medallist Andrew Kelly as the best onballer he'd seen in Colac district football. These days it's rare for a footballer to play 250 games at one club, and it's a milestone the veteran holds in high regard. "I'd hoped I'd make it that far, I guess I've been pretty lucky with injury up until four or five years ago when I had to have a knee reconstruction," Riches said. "Alvie's a good family club, I went there because of my uncle and I've got a young family of my own now with kids Lulu and Alfie. The club's pretty supportive," he said. Key Bomber to miss rest of the season Bomber Brad Gore will miss the rest of Irrewarra-Beeac's campaign after breaking his leg. by Aidan Fawkes A BROKEN leg and a premature end to season 2011 weren't what Brad Gore had in mind for a 21st birthday present. The hard-nosed Irrewarra-Beeac midfielder will miss the rest of the Bombers' campaign after breaking his left leg against Western Eagles. The horrific incident came hours before he celebrated his 21st birthday at Colac pool room Straight Shooters. But Gore still managed to make his own party, despite it being a lower-key affair than he initially hoped. "It was a good night. I was able to hop around a bit and have a dance," he said. "I had to lay off the beers, I had a few painkillers. I had a pretty good night." Gore had received a handball out of a pack in the second quarter at Irrewarra Recreation Reserve when his stellar season came to a crashing halt. "As I was going to kick on my right foot, the Western Eagles player tried to smother me and rolled through my left leg," Gore said. "The pain wasn't too bad. I thought I'd just done ligaments. When he came through I heard a fair few loud cracks," he said. "My first thought was it was my 21st that night and I was a bit worried I wasn't going to attend that." Gore said X-rays at Colac Area Health about an hour after the incident revealed he had broken the leg. His first major football injury will have him sidelined for at least six weeks, but more likely eight to 10 weeks with physiotherapy. "I don't think I'll be playing football again this year, which is a bit shattering," Gore said. The injury is a major blow to Irrewarra-Beeac's premiership aspirations. The 20-year-old – he turns 21 on Friday – has been one of the Bombers' best taking on more responsibility with Dan Casey, David Dunne and Luke Vickers out of last year's premiership team. Gore said the departures had paved the way for the likes of Luke Hillman and Josh Armstrong to play senior football. He said a premiership in 2011 would be the most special of a possible Bombers' four-peat. "If we were to make the grand final, it'd be a sweet one to win because we're more of the underdogs this year," he said. "I wouldn't write us off yet, so to speak. We've got as good a chance as anyone else." Is Ash McLachlan the unluckiest teenage footballer? Western Eagle Ash McLachlan was in good spirits this week despite suffering his second major knee injury. WESTERN Eagles ruckman Ash McLachlan could be one of the unluckiest teenagers in Colac district football. At just 17 years old, the young Eagle has suffered his second major knee injury in his side's loss to Irrewarra-Beeac at Irrewarra Recreation Reserve. McLachlan received a knock to his left knee in the first quarter and was unable to return to the field. "It was in a marking contest, I must have copped a knock to the outside of the knee as I came down," he said. "I was in a fair bit of pain, I hobbled off to the bench where I had it strapped with a bit of deep heat. "I was doing some sprints hoping to come back on but as I was doing some bounds it made a cracking noise and collapsed under me." Saturday's injury came more than two years since McLachlan ruptured ligaments in his right knee requiring a full knee reconstruction which kept him sidelined for the entire season 2009. He recovered to return for the first round of 2010, and built up enough strength to play his first game of senior football as well as a host of games alongside his father and Eagles veteran Tony McLachlan. But Ash said his latest injury was not as severe as his first. "This time it has recovered a lot quicker and I'm walking on it a bit sooner, which is promising," he said. He will visit a physio on Friday with the best-case scenario a contusion to the knee which would keep him sidelined for just two weeks. The worst-case scenario would involve an arthroscopy to clean out damaged meniscus cartilage, requiring a recovery period of up to six weeks. McLachlan, a Trinity College Year 12 student, said the injury was "definitely" disappointing at a time when the Eagles were enjoying a boost of confidence sparked from their win against Apollo Bay two weeks ago. The win was also the final senior clash for McLachlan's father Tony. "It was an awesome feeling to get the win," Ash said. "We're all improving and we're starting to bond together, so it's a pity I'm going to miss a few weeks," he said. Buchanan brothers battle in Queensland YOUNGER brother Micah has taken the honours against AFL player Amon in a "Battle of the Buchanans" played out almost 2000 kilometres from home. The Colac football exports are plying their trades in the North East Australian Football League – Micah for Aspley and Amon for Brisbane Lions' reserves. They came face to face on the field for the first time this season on Saturday, with Aspley taking the honours 21.11 (137) to 13.11 (89) at its Graham Road headquarters. Micah booted three goals, all in the first half as Aspley raced to a 40-point lead, while Amon was among the better players for the losers and kicked a goal. The two played on each other for the first quarter, with Amon attempting to shut down his dangerous brother. The Buchanans' father Tom and mother Ann ventured north for the match and Mr Buchanan said the match was a good spectacle. "It was pretty exciting. I've watched a lot of footy over the years but I enjoyed the game," he said. "It was a special occasion for Aspley, it was their gala dinner. They hadn't won four games in a row since they started the league. "They knew it'd be a long haul because it's a pretty strong comp." Mr Buchanan said Micah would be close to leading the best and fairest award for the NEAFL's northern conference – for Queensland and Northern Territory teams. He said Amon, a former Sydney premiership player, was "a bit frustrated" not playing in the Lions' seniors in the AFL, with blooding young footballers a priority. "He's working hard in the twos. The week before he had 47 touches and 26 clearances and still didn't get a berth," he said. "He's got to keep his head down and bum up and work hard." Micah and another Colac export, James Linton, are studying naturopathy in Brisbane and playing football for Aspley. The youngest Buchanan brother, Callum, is working as a barista and was solid in Aspley's reserves' massive win against Labrador. Another former Colac Tiger, Marcus Crook plays in the NEAFL's eastern conference, for Canberra-based club Ainslie. Bay shooter receives all clear by Lachlan Cowlishaw DOCTORS have given Apollo Bay goaler Jodie Bertrand the all clear after she sustained a sickening head injury against Simpson. Bertrand travelled to Geelong yesterday to receive news that scans had cleared her of head fractures. The Hawks star was contesting a lobbed pass early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's clash when she tripped and fell backwards, putting her in hospital. "I was just going back for the ball and landed on my bottom and flicked the head back – I hit the ground pretty hard," Bertrand said. "It was pretty painful and I felt the back of my head and felt a dint there," she said. "The ambulance took me to the Apollo Bay hospital and the doctor there had a bit of a feel of my head and said it was quite soft and there was some bruising and swelling. "He thought it was a good idea to go to Geelong and get the scans done and make sure there were no fractures." Bertrand has netted 242 goals for the Hawks this season and sits second in competition goal scoring. She said she would take time off work to rest and recover and expected to miss Saturday's clash against Forrest. Shoulder injury denies Bomber a Victorian berth A SHOULDER injury will keep Irrewarra-Beeac coach Khan Beckett from representing the Victorian Country Football League on Saturday. Beckett was one of three Colac district footballers, along with South Colac assistant coach Clay Brewer and spearhead Ben Cox, who attended the final training session at Albert Park to select a VCFL Two squad to take on the Victorian Amateur Football League. Selectors picked ruckman Brewer, who has played in the team the past two years, as an emergency. But coach John Cossar said selectors did not want to risk Beckett's shoulder for the one-off match. "Khan was ruled out because of the injury which was extremely unfortunate, he would have made the team but we didn't want him to further injure himself in the match," he said. "Clay will be our emergency, which was just a team balance thing." Beckett and Brewer both represented the team at the 2010 Australian Country Football Championships, which are every second year. But Cossar said that just "three or four" players from last year's list had made the squad this season. "The side is comparable to previous years, we just wanted to have a look at a few more players," he said. "It's important we have a win this weekend, but we're keeping our eye on the bigger picture and having a look at a few more players before the championships come around again next year." The good news for South Colac is that Brewer and Cox will be available for selection in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Birregurra. Roos coach Stephen Hammond, who is an assistant coach with the VCFL One squad, will miss the clash. Former Alvie gun dominating for Maldon FORMER Alvie superboot Christian Kelly is continuing to do what he does best – kick goals. The Maldon full forward, playing in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, booted 16 of them in the Bombers' 211-point demolition of Royal Park at the weekend. The tally was the equal-highest across country Victoria. Maldon won 35.22 (232) to 3.3 (21) at Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve, its home ground. Kelly leads the league goal kicking with 70 goals at an average of seven a game. But the Maldon coaching staff are harsh markers – he has only been in the Bombers' best three times from 10 matches. Maldon is the defending MCDFL premier and shares top spot with Lexton, with both sides having nine wins and a loss. Navarre is a game further back. Falcons back on winners' list GEELONG Falcons are rejoicing after a convincing win against the Northern Knights. The Falcons defeated the Knights 19.12 (126) to 12.10 (82) in the under-18 TAC Cup at Preston City Oval in Melbourne's north. The win came after a disappointing loss last weekend and suggests the Falcons' season is back on track. Colac's Ryan Monaghan, Camperdown's Fraser Lucas and Colac's Meyrick Buchanan all displayed impressive performances. Monaghan racked up 23 disposals, Buchanan collected 36 and kicked two goals while Lucas had 26 touches. The Falcons were up by five points at quarter time, kicking four goals to three in a closely contested first quarter. They then clicked into gear, kicking seven goals to one in the second term. This was a defining period in the match, given the teams were evenly matched in the second half. This win advances the Falcons into fourth spot and provides an injection of confidence going into this weekend's game against in-form Calder Cannons at Skilled Stadium. Colac boundary umpire Kris Marshall will make his TAC Cup umpiring debut at the clash. Victoria Country set for rivalry clash Vic Country is preparing for a highly-anticipated clash with interstate rival Vic Metro today, and two Colac district footballers will be on the team. The teams meet at Etihad Stadium for the first time in NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with Metro yet to suffer defeat. Vic Country, featuring Camperdown's Sam Gordon and Cobden's Jackson Merrett, is coming off a confidence-boosting win against Western Australia on Friday. Vic Country dominated WA in the second, third and fourth quarters clocking a final score of 12.13 (85) to 5.6 (36). Gordon and Merrett played their part in the victory with a total of 17 disposals and five marks between them. Vic Country could claim top spot on the ladder in Division One with a win today. Tags: Football, Netball

Angola - 10/28/2014 Five minutes: the length of a protest in Angola Anti-government protestors who gathered on Oct. 3, 2014 in Luanda were shut down by police after five minutes, probably because someone passed information about their planned meeting to the police. (Photo posted to Facebook by Central Angola 7311) Angolan law stipulates that anyone who organises a protest must inform the authorities, who are supposed to "provide protection" for the demonstrators. But when activists do this, authorities use the information to arrest them as soon as they arrive at the designated spot. To circumnavigate the situation, a group of young people have been organising "flash mob" protests to gain a least a few minutes of activism before being shut down. The small group of activists — non-partisan and committed to fighting for freedom of expression in Angola — text each other a time and place. On the specified day, they gather — often in front of one of the ministries in Luanda, the capital - and then citizen journalists arrive, armed with cameras. They have to move fast, as they will only have a few minutes before police or soldiers arrive. This scene has been repeated seven or eight times over the past three months. The longest protest, held in September in front of the education ministry, lasted 25 minutes. The most recent, held on October 3, only lasted 5 minutes. This video, which includes a timer, shows how the protestors were arrested within 15 minutes of launching their protest on August 4, 2014. It was filmed and edited by members of Angolan collective Central Angola 7311. Police often use tear gas, water cannons and dogs on those participating in the anti-government protests, which began in 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring. Non-violent protestors are routinely beat up by police and plain clothes thugs and at least three have been killed under suspicious circumstances. Most protestors have been arrested multiple times and are sometimes held for days on end. But for the activists, each brief protest and each photo posted to Facebook works to "erode the machine" of the Angolan state, which has been run by for the past 35 years by President José Eduardo dos Santos and his party, the MPLA [Editor's note: Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola]. While the Angolan media rarely covers the arrests of protestors, this screengrab from Portuguese television SIC NOTICIAS shows the news headline that the Angolan police arrested 12 protestors at the protest held on October 3, 2014. (photo from Central Angola 7311) 'You can't do anything without police being there in a few minutes.' Luaty Beirão is a rapper as well as an activist, human rights monitor and member of collective Central Angola 7311, a group that shares information uncensored by the regime through its network of citizen journalists. The numbers refer to March 7, 2011, the date of the first organised, non-partisan protest held in Angola for 35 years. In 1977, the state massacred a large group of dissidents. Beirão has participated in three of the recent "flash mob protests." We arrange the spontaneous protests amongst ourselves — but it's hard knowing who to trust even in a small group of people. We might text 20 people, but the 21st is a police informant. Here, you never know. In Luanda, we live in a quasi-police state. If the President goes out, heavily armed police are everywhere. There are always at least two police cars parked on Independence Square. You can't do anything without police being there in a few minutes. In the five or ten minutes before the police come, our reporters are fast enough to flood the internet with pictures ,but there are still not many people who face up to the police apparatus. Most witnesses stay in the periphery to see what happens to the first group, usually made up of the same ten or fifteen people — you can count those brave souls on your fingers and toes. The protests are often very small and only a handfull of people attend, like this protest on October 3. (Photo from Central Angola 7311.) 'Sometimes we laugh at ourselves and what we call progress' Recently, however, the crowd has started shouting when the police try to take us away. This shows tiny steps toward real change. Sometimes we laugh at ourselves and what we call progress: three years after we began to protest, we are still only about 10 people doing flash mobs and maybe 100 people see what we are doing and stand around going "Yay, yay!" But there are more and more spontaneous protests and people are encouraged by the results. Two months ago, a Luanda neighbourhood broke into protest after a power cut. And guess what? The energy company turned power back on. Post by Central Angola. At 2:50, local people began to chant "Não violência!" or "No violence" as police arrested protestors. At 5:57, a woman is pushed to the ground by police. This protest was held on September 5, 2014. (Video from the Facebook page of Central Angola 7311.) 'The government has killed protestors in the past but I don't think they'll do it again.' The police are also becoming more wary of us. When I was arrested in March, the commander of a local station refused to take us because we had filed complaints about our treatment the last time. I also don't think the government will kill protestors again. They didn't expect consequences when they killed Cassule and Kamulingue because they were just two young ghetto kids [Editor's note: The two activists were tortured and murdered after trying to organise a protest in May 2012]. But we took their names, photos and stories to human rights groups. Now, what the government fears most are international arrest warrants. One boy, Elias Batama, went missing after a larger protest on October 11, 2014. When we threatened to take to the streets, the police conceded and told us he was in a certain prison. The charges against him were false, but we raised the money for his bail. This flyer was shared online after a protestor named Elias Batama disappeared on October 11, 2014 after police arrested him. He was located days later and eventually freed from prison. 'The government sent a threat letter to my grandmother last Christmas in a pretty teddy bear bag' Of course, we are still scared, but we don't allow fear to drive our decisions. The government sent a threat letter to my grandmother last Christmas. It was wrapped in a pretty teddy bear bag and said it was from a local women's group: "We, the mothers of Sambizanga, will burn your house down if your grandson continues to protest" and seemed to say that they were worried that I would "mislead" their children. But it was obviously from the government. I published the letter instead of letting it frighten me. It's ridiculous. You can laugh. We prefer to laugh in order not to cry. This is not a serious county. No institution can be taken seriously. But our struggle for freedom of expression is serious. 'If every Angolan comes out to demonstrate, the government won't kill everyone.' vice-présidente de l'association de l'association des Droits de l'Homme Justice, Paix et Justice See profile Lucia Da Silviera is the executive director of Luanda-based human rights group Associacao Justica Paz e Democracia (AJPD). Angolans do believe in the right to protest, but they don't participate because they are afraid. They remember May 27, 1977 [Editor's note: A breakaway faction of the ruling MPLA party, led by Nito Alves, led an uprising. Most were brutally killed.] Angolan citizens need to wake up. If every Angolan comes out to demonstrate, the government won't kill everyone. We are trying to build court cases to take to the African Commission and the UN. We have also been lobbying different embassies. Some people are using social media to spread the word on human rights violations. It's helping Angolans to get connected, to understand the situation in the country. It's a process, but we're making the government uncomfortable. Post written with FRANCE 24 journalist Brenna Daldorph (@brennad87) This scuffle occurred during the protest on October 3, 2014.

A new version of an app allows meeting attendees to name and shame groups that don't show diversity in their panels. Also: a comprehensive look at the health of the internet. Are you tired of seeing all-male panels? Gina Glantz, a longtime Democratic strategist and founder of GenderAvenger, certainly is. "Avenger's mission has been to help amplify the voices of people who witness an all-male event and want [to] draw attention to—and hopefully convince the organization to correct—the imbalance," writes Kristen Bellstrom in a recent piece for Fortune. To help with this, the nonprofit has created an app called GA Tally, which allows users to measure the gender and ethnic breakdown of a panel and account for how long each person talks. "The app turns the information into a simple graphic that can be shared (along with any appropriate hashtag) on social media," writes Bellstrom. GenderAvenger also gives a "GA Stamp of Approval" to panels or groups that they believe are getting it right. Is the internet healthy? That's the central question being answered in a new report from Mozilla. "Working with researchers, digital rights activists, Mozilla fellows and our community, we tell a collaborative story of how the internet is––and isn't––healthy from a human perspective," states the report's introduction. The report delves into issues, including who controls the internet, how open it is, safety, and web literacy. Taking a look at the safety section, you'll find insights and analysis on ransomware, passwords, unwarranted surveillance, and the vulnerability of the internet of things. Are you looking for more millennials to join your board? Know Your Own Bone shares compelling reasons for why you should. Believe it or not, there's a museum out there devoted to the selfie. BizBash says there is a lot event pros can learn from it when it comes to creating photo ops at your next meeting. Sometimes the devil really is in the details. Engaging Volunteers reveals how a change in one organization's nametags made volunteers happier.

Equity Residential paid its President and CEO David Neithercut $9 million last year, a 41 percent jump from 2012, as the company granted him a big batch of stock to reward him for leading its acquisition of the Archstone apartment portfolio. The Chicago-based apartment landlord gave Mr. Neithercut $2 million in stock in 2013 for "his exceptional leadership" of the Archstone transaction, according to a proxy statement filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Through the acquisition, Equity Residential took over about 23,000 apartments around the country. "Under Mr. Neithercut's stewardship, the company significantly and positively transformed its asset portfolio and long-term market position with the Archstone acquisition," Equity Residential said in its proxy. In 2013, Mr. Neithercut, now 58, received a $900,000 salary; $5.4 million stock award, including the $2 million grant connected to the Archstone deal; $1.1 million in options, and non-equity incentive pay of $1.5 million, the proxy said. While the $9 million total represented a 41 percent increase from 2012, it was less than the $11.3 million he made in 2012. Equity Residential, who chairman is billionaire financier Sam Zell, is the nation's largest public apartment landlord, with about 110,000 units at the end of 2013. A spokesman for the real estate investment trust did not respond to a request for comment. Comparing apartments owned at least a year, Equity Residential's revenue rose 4.5 percent in 2013, and its net operating income rose 5 percent. Including dividends, the company's shares returned a negative 5.3 percent last year, versus a 6.0 percent decline for the Bloomberg REIT Apartment Index. Equity Residential shares have returned 11.8 percent so far in 2014, vs. 13.2 percent for the index.

AUTOMATIC TARGET RECOGNITION SYSTEMS PROACTIVE EMERGING THREAT DETECTION (PREVENT) MACHINE LEARNING IN THE FACTORY MACHINE LEARNING FOR PATTERNS OF LIFE RAYTHEON PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE (RPM) STRATEGIES FOR RAPID PROTOTYPING MACHINE LEARNING CLASSIFICATION OF HANDWRITING LEADERS CORNER EYE ON TECHNOLOGY Stephanie Yung, mechanical engineer, hosts a table of aspiring engineers. She was one of eight Raytheon engineers who offered advice to more than 100 young women from the Los Angeles Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. FROM ONE ROBOT-MAKER TO ANOTHER WOMEN ENGINEERS MENTOR 100 NEXT-GEN ROBOT-MAKERS AT FIRST® COMPETITION Hundreds of students packed a Pomona, California, fairplex; makers of robots that would do battle at the Los Angeles Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition. The atmosphere in the arena, themed to recall the 8-bit video games of the 1980s, was electric as teams made last-minute modifications. The competition brought together high school students from across Southern California to compete head-to-head with robots they designed and built over a six-week period. Raucous cheers bounced off the walls as each team's robot hit the arena floor. Operators, armed with controllers designed by their teammates, deftly moved their robots along the arena floor, picking up bright yellow boxes and depositing them into bins for points. After six weeks of design and testing, the robots hit the competition floor. Teams competed in 2.5 minute rounds, where their robots picked up and moved " power cubes" to earn points. During a break in the competition's action, 100 of the young women behind the robots met with eight Raytheon women engineers at a speed-mentoring event in the conference center next door. Their mission? Share important lessons about making it in a field where women are often underrepresented. "I am most looking forward to learning about confidence," said one of the students before the speed-mentoring event. "I know women are held to a different standard to do things a certain way. I think that talking about it helps relieve the stress of wanting to be perfect in a society where no one is perfect." The engineers encouraged the young women to own their chair as future leaders in science, technology, engineering and math — the subjects known as STEM. "You need to play to your strengths. As you go through high school and college and then get into the workplace you're going to have an opportunity to find what your strengths are," advised Angela Juranek, a Raytheon Space Systems program manager. "My strengths are motivating and inspiring teams to get the job done, and that's how I ended up becoming a program manager." As the young women rotated from table to table, the conversations covered a wide variety of subjects, from choosing a college to tips on navigating a career. Many of the attendees were interested in hearing the engineers tell their own career stories. STEM advocate Angela Juranek shares college and career advice with future women engineers at the speed-mentoring event. "'Higher education will open doors of opportunity,'" said April Sanders, a Raytheon systems engineer, when asked about her story. "These are words that I heard repeatedly as a child of a single mother and high school dropout." In an ongoing effort to narrow the gender gap and increase diversity in the workplace, Raytheon sponsors FIRST Robotics teams from across the country. Employee volunteers spend thousands of hours coaching robotics team members and providing mentorship to students looking to make their mark in science, technology, engineering and math. After the speed-mentoring event, the next generation of robot-makers charged back to the arena floor, ready to take on the challenges at the competition — and beyond. Juranek and her fellow engineers hope that the advice they offered will inspire the young women to join their ranks in STEM careers. "I support STEM programs with the hope that I will be able to help young women see the potential in themselves," said Juranek. "The new generation of women engineers approach problems differently than my generation did — I want them to be part of my future teams, sit at the table with other engineers and design incredible things." Copyright © 2019, Raytheon Company.

Tag Archives: food freedom Obesity in America Part 4, All About GMO's What is Monsanto? The US House passed the DARK Act! There are Traitors to our Food Freedom in the House! How did our Food System get over taken? What's the Solution? The relationship between Obesity and GMO's Last Month, June 2015, I talked about how we bit off a big chunk when we started this Series on Obesity in America. Well, we're still chewing on it. This July Newsletter, which focuses exclusively on GMO's, is a humdinger; and it took so long to write that we're barely making our July deadline, which is this last day of the month. This one was definitely worth the wait. Stay tuned, there's a Part 5 on Obesity in America coming in August, hopefully not on the last day. Aquaponics USA TV Aquaponics USA Facebook Aquaponics USA Twitter Aquaponics World Pinterest Get Links to all of our 2014 Newsletters from ourDecember 2014 Edition. This is also the Newsletter where Obesity in America, Part 1 Starts. Here they are all in one place. Our first year of Newsletters full of incredible information about Aquaponics and our Food System. Here's our June Newsletter, in case you missed it. It's Part 3 of the Obesity in America Series. Don't miss this important information about how our Fast Food Nation is ruining our health and our longevity. Read about the history of Fast Food, where it's been and where it's going. Here's our May Newsletter in case you missed it. It's Part 2 of the Obesity in America Series. Don't miss this important information about High Fructose Corn Syrup. HFCS is in just about everything that's processed and packaged. Beware, it's as bad as alcohol for our livers. Here's our April Newsletter in case you missed it. We declared April to be Food Revolution Month in honor of theAnnual Food Revolution Summitsponsored by John and Ocean Robbins. Then we gave the history of Earth Day in Honor of that day, April 22, 2015. Here's ourMarch Newsletter in case you missed it. To honor National Nutrition Month, we look at all of the Food related Programs that we are running in the U.S. including who these programs serve and the costs of those services. Here's ourFebruary Newsletter in case it was missed. This Newsletter is all about our enclosed growing and fish raising areas, which include our Growroom and our Fishroom featuring our latest evolution in Seed Germination, the SIT (Seed Incubation Table). Here's ourJanuary Newsletter in case it was missed. This Newsletter features our latest change in the Greenhouse, and it's a real innovation. Our retired aerospace engineer turned Aquaponics System Designer, Oliver Duffy, just keeps improving his designs. See what he's up to now in this informative Newsletter. Be sure to get the Ap for theAquaponics Digest Magazine! Catch all 4 Parts of Grace's Series on the FOOD REVOLUTION Aquaponics 101 is here and people are loving it! Get it Free on ourAquaponics USAsite. It's full of Original Art by our Editor, Grace Sylke, including the new Pixton Cartoon designs she created for this Newsletter. Watch for the new Food Documentary, It's still in production but coming out soon. It features famous food activists like we discuss in this Newsletter including Jeffery Smith and Vandana Shiva andwe're in it. Click theLink to Check out the Trailer. We now have QUICK KITS! Obesity in America Part 4 GMO's, The Gift That Big Food Keeps On Giving (While We Keep Getting Bigger) Dear Blog Subscriber and Reader: This is a reprint of our July Newsletter. If you'd like to receive our Newsletters in your email box, just sign up on our Aquaponics USA or Aquaponics World, LLC website. Big Food has been putting toxins into their food products for years. The addition of MSG was motivated by Big Food's perceived need to enhance the flavor of their products. Aspertame was birthed during the fat and sugar substitute food movement days; and the mistaken belief that GMO's could feed the world brought that scourge onto the planet. Our original idea for this Newsletter was to give you a detailed look into these three food horrors including Aspertame, MSG and GMO's describing why they are harmful to the body, who created them and where they're hiding in the food chain. But the GMO section was too big to share the stage so there's going to be an Obesity in America Part 5 covering Aspertame and MSG coming in August. NOTE: Much of the information about Monsanto and GMO's that you see here has been reprinted from our Aquaponics World Page called "Aquaganic". What are GMO's and from where do they come? The GMO story is a long convoluted one; and we can't even begin to pretend to cover it all here; but we can give you an overview. GMO stands for genetically modified organisms; and if that isn't enough to cause you pause, maybe the following will. According to the Non GMO project, a consumer advocate group working to expose the dangers of GMOs, they "are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding methods. Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers' and consumers' rights." (Quote taken from the NON GMO Project website, GMO Facts) In close to 50 countries, including Australia, Japan and all the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or even bans on the production and sale of GMOs. A recent study out of France showing huge tumors growing on rats fed GMO corn for their lifetime, which in the case of the females, is a much shorter one caused both Russia and France to ban GMO corn. In a mind blowing review, "Food is Power", of William Engdahl's book entitled Seeds of Destruction, Stephen Lendman writes this about the beginnings of GMO plants. Most people believe GMOs started with Monsanto; but that is not the case. "Rockefeller Foundation funding was the Gene Revolution's catalyst in 1985 with big aims-to learn if GMO plants were commercially feasible and if so spread them everywhere." (To read the entire review go to theDandelion Salad Blog) Also, don't miss William Engdahl's book, Seeds of Destruction. The GMO monster was actually born back in 1973 with the development of essential genetic engineering techniques. GMO manipulation is "based on what's called recombitant DNA (rDNA), and it works by genetically introducing foreign DNA into plants to create genetically modified organisms, but not without risks. London Institute of Science in Society chief biologist, Dr. Mae-Wan Ho, explained the dangers because the process is imprecise. 'It is uncontrollable and unreliable, and typically ends up damaging and scrambling the host genome, with entirely unpredictable consequences' that might unleash a deadly unrecallable Andromeda Strain'". (Quote taken from "Food is Power", a Review of Seeds of Destruction by Stephen Lendman) But all that mattered to the GMO advocates were potentially huge profits. "One project was to map the rice genome. It launched a 17 year effort to spread GMO rice around the world with Rockefeller Foundation money behind it. It spent millions funding 46 worldwide science labs. It also financed the training of hundreds of graduate students and developed an 'elite fraternity' of top scientific researchers at Foundation-backed research institutes. It was a diabolical scheme aiming big-to control the staple food for 2.4 billion people and in the process destroy the biological diversity of over 140,000 developed varieties that can withstand droughts, pests and grow in every imaginable climate." In other words, the goal of this GMO rice project was to replace all the natural rice that had been developed over hundreds, if not thousands of years, with GMO rice. (Quote taken from "Food is Power" a Review of Seeds of Destruction by Stephen Lendman) Of course, Asia was the target continent and Engdahl's book Seeds of Destruction exposes the "Philippines-based Foundation-funded institute (IRRI). "It had a gene bank with 'every significant rice variety known' that comprised one-fifth of them all. IRRI let agribusiness giants illegally use the seeds for exclusive patented genetic modification so they could introduce them in markets and dominate them by requiring farmers be licensed and forced to pay annual royalty fees." (Quote taken from "Food is Power" a Review of Seeds of Destruction by Stephen Lendman) By 2000, twenty-seven years after the 1973 development of essential genetic engineering techniques, a successful "Golden Rice" was developed that was Vitamin A enriched. It's marketing scam promised the cure of Vitamin A deficiencies; but no one bothered to explain that 20 lbs. of this shyster rice had to be consumed to get the desired result. Quoting again from Stephen Lendman's article: "Nonetheless, gene revolution backers were ready for their next move: "the consolidation of global control over humankind's food supply" with a new tool to do it-the World Trade Organization (WTO). Corporate giants wrote its rules favoring them at the expense of developing nations shut out." We recently saw that a "Golden Rice 2" has been developed to solve the Vitamin A deficiency found in the original "Golden Rice". Exploring the merits and problems with "Golden Rice 2" specifically is a task for another Newsletter. By this time (2000), several of the world's major chemical companies known unaffectionately as Big Chemi had gotten wind of the huge monetary windfall possible through GMOs. Monsanto was one of those companies, along with DuPont, Sangenta and Cargill. So let's take a close look at the leader of the GMO product and propaganda group-Monsanto. Monsanto was established in 1901 and it's first product was saccharin. By 1955, Monsanto branched out into the petroleum business and acquired Lion Oil. With this acquisition, it was introduced to the fertilizer business. From there it moved into the agricultural chemical business with one of its leading products, a weed killer called "Round Up", which is known worldwide. Recently, it has been shown that "Round Up" is toxic to humans and it's main ingredient, Glyphosate, causes cancer in humans. The French Environment and Energy Minister sent a clear message to Monsanto when she warned garden shops to stop selling it to their customers because it's harmful to humans; and two Swiss supermarket chains announced that they are dropping the product due to health concerns. (See the Christina Sarich article entitled, " French Minister Asks Stores To Stop Selling Round Up" and the Organic Consumers Association Article entitled, " New Study Links Monsanto's Roundup to Cancer") Unfortunately, us guinea pigs for the Bio-Tech Companies in the U.S. don't get that kind of protection from our government. In fact we get the shaft (scroll down to section entitled U.S. House of Representatives Gives the People of America the SHAFT) Now on with the Monsanto story because it gets even more horrifying. In the 1960's and 1970's, Monsanto gained the esteemed reputation of being a leading producer of Agent Orange, which contained the toxic chemical called dioxin. They produced this chemical for the U.S. Military in Vietnam. By the end of that war, "72 million liters of Agent Orange [were sprayed] on over one million Vietnam civilians and over 100,000 U.S. troops. Within ten years of the end of the war, 9,170 veterans had filed claims for disabilities believed to be caused by Agent Orange." (Quote taken from Wikipedia, Agent Orange) And now, as a result, no doubt, of their sterling reputation, Monsanto's goal is to produce GMO food for the world. This company realized that they could create GMO seeds that grew plants that were resistant to their weed killer, Round Up-that same Round Up other countries are now banning. Farmers could buy these GMO seeds and use copious amounts of Round Up to kill their weeds without affecting their plants. Round Up is a Glyphosate. A Glyphosate is a poison, which is extremely deadly for most plants and quite toxic for people especially over time. It not only can get in the human bloodstream; but it can cross the blood barrier and reach our unborn children. A 2012 article published in the Ithika Journal"cites a study performed on average citizens of Berlin, testing whether or not people with no exposure to agriculture such as lawyers, doctors, and journalists had glyphosate in their systems. Guess what, they did, and had no idea it was in what they had been eating. Not only did they test positive, but they were found with between 5 and 20 times the "acceptable" limit." Current Roundup Ready crops include soy, corn, canola, alfalfa, cotton, and sorghum, with wheat under development. Roundup Ready crop seeds have become known as "terminator seeds." This is because the crops now produced from Roundup Ready seeds are sterile. Each year, farmers must purchase the most recent strain of seed from Monsanto. This means that farmers cannot reuse their best seed. These franken seeds have been patented by Monsanto; and any cross pollination onto farmer's fields who have not purchased Monsanto seeds gets met with high paid Monsanto lawyers filing lawsuits aimed to destroy the helpless farmer who refused to get with the program. Again from the article, Food is Power: "After Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans were licensed in 1996, 'a once-productive national family farm-based agriculture system [in Argentina, the first guinea pig nation for GMOs] (was turned into) a neo-feudal state system dominated by a handful of powerful, wealthy owners to exploit for profit'. President Menem went along. In less than a decade, he allowed the nation's corn, wheat and cattle diversity to be replaced by corporate-controlled monoculture. It was a Faustian sellout, and it helped Monsanto's stock price hit an all-time high near year end 2007. Argentina had become the world's largest uncontrolled experimental laboratory for GMO's and its people unwitting lab rats." The U.S. and it's people are in even worse shape when it comes to GMOs. From 1996 to 2004, an astonishing 106 million acres of GMO crops were planted. This amounted to a staggering 2/3 of all GMO crops planted worldwide. And we wonder why obesity, diabetes, cancer and infertility are on the rise??? The U.S. FDA is right now under the control of an ex-Monsanto Vice President, Michael Taylor, who was appointed our Food Safety (Czar) by President Obama. Do you really think our food is safe? Under Michael Taylor's rule you can bet mandatory labeling of GMOs will never be instituted but a lot of raw milk producers are being raided and even jailed. Guess which area Mr. Taylor oversaw for Monsanto? It was non other than that company's milk industry products specifically it's genetically engineered bovine growth hormone, another one of their highly questionable products. Just to make sure you get the whole picture. When GMOs hit the U.S. market, the FDA, under the influence of Monsanto lobbyists, declared them safe and not materially different from non-genetically modified versions of the same crops. There was no outside testing or scientific research required past what Monsanto and the other GMO pushers claim in their in-house so called scientific research. These products were unleashed into the U.S. and world market place with no required labeling either. So we don't really know when we're eating genetically modified products. Given the sad fact that 88 percent of corn and 94 percent of soybeans grown in America are genetically modified and many processed and packaged foods have these ingredients in them, you can bet you're eating GMOs by the mouth full. The House of Representatives takes away our right to demand GMO Labels, which is another way of saying they just gave us the shaft. Never mind the hand shaped like a gun to our heads. The Government is working hard on killing our 2nd Amendment Rights, too. I'm feeling about as speechless as the little blond woman in my above cartoon. I had to create a cartoon out of this situation because what happened in our House of Representatives last Thursday, July 23, 2015 was historic, horrific and so sad that I had to bring some levity to it. Our U.S. House of Representatives actually voted to deny our States the right to place Demand GMO Labeling Bills on their ballots. What happened to States Rights? What happened to the 10th Amendment that states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"? What happened to the 275 Representatives who voted for HR1599 on that sad day? The real truth is they aren't our Representatives-they really Represent Big Food and the Big Bio-Tech companies like Monsanto, DuPont, Cargill and Sangenta. That's who really pays them. That's where the money comes from to put them in office and that's how they stay in office. It costs a lot to run a campaign in the new millenium. So if you want to know "Who Was Really Paid to Bury GMO Labeling via the DARK Act?" just read the linked article by that name on the Food Democracy Now! website. According to their research, "house members who voted to keep the public from knowing what is in their food in the latest land-slide win for Big Food supporters of The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (known to its critics as the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know Act)) were paid three times as much as representatives who voted to give us the right to label or ban GMO foods." Those traitors to our Food Freedom voted against the will of the people and they know it because we've told them we want our GMO food labeled. "The Center for Food safety says that 93% of Americans want their food labeled if it contains GM ingredients. And that is just one of many surveys showing similar results". (Quote taken from Food Democracy Now article, "Who Was Really Paid to Bury GMO Labeling via the DARK Act?" There are Traitors to our Food Freedom in this Room! Keep reading if you want to know who they are. According to opensecrets.org, this is where the money trail leads: …the campaigns of Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Rodney Davis(R-Ill.), Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), all cosponsors of the legislation (most of whom also sit on the House Agriculture Committee), received six-figure dollar amounts from providers of agricultural services and products – one segment of the agribusiness sector – during the 2014 election cycle. That put them high among the top 20 recipients of funds from the industry. Co-sponsors such as Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Steve Fincher (R-Tenn.), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) aren't on the Agriculture Committee, but nevertheless pulled in six-figure dollar amounts from the crop production and basic processing industry (another part of agribusiness; think Cargill Inc. and the National Corn Growers Association) during the midterm cycle – landing them among the 20 members who received the most from that industry. Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), two original sponsors of the legislation, were the top two current House members receiving the most money from the Grocery Manufacturers Association in 2014. The grocery manufacturers – who have spent $4.1 million lobbying on all issues so far this year, almost as much as they spent in all of 2014 – have lobbied on the bill more than any other organization, mentioning the measure on 14 lobbying reports this year. If you want to get the entire List of who voted AYE and who voted NO, go to GovTrack.US. If your Representative voted AYE, he/she just chose the wishes of Big Food over yours. To read the Text of the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015" go toGovTrack.US. We knew there was a lot of special interest politics going on in our government; but this revelation just blew the lid off of it. We really aren't a Republic of the people when it comes to food legislation. We're a Fascist State ruled by Big Food in collusion with Government. What's so ironic about this is we're the ones buying the products that these Big Food Businesses make. We are allowing them to turn us into sick, fat, sheeple who are being fed GMO's just like the food animals they raise. The animals can't speak for themselves; and now, if our House of Representatives has anything to say about it, neither will we. Big Food is not only turning us into mutants with their GMO concoctions, they are making us mute with their DARK Act. If this bill passes the Senate, we won't be able to demand labeling via our State elections, and all of the products that now carry Non-GMO Labels will have those labels ripped off until the USDA gets around to issuing its rules and regulations that define, verify and certify what's Non-GMO. The last time the USDA was tasked with this kind of project, regarding Organic Food, it took them a decade to get it done. So DARK is absolutely the appropriate name for this Act because the whole issue of GMO's in our grocery stores will be delegated to a complete black out. So how did our food system get controlled by Big Food the Bio-Techs and the Government in the first place? There's a revolving door between Big Food, the Bio-Techs and Government–a door that should be SHUT forever. Take Michael Taylor for instance. Michael Taylor has been playing musical doors between Monsanto, the USDA and the FDA for years. After working as Vice President for Public Policy at Monsanto, our President brought him into the FDA to be our Food Czar. A new and formal title was created just for him; and on January 13, 2010, he became Deputy Commissioner for Foods. The following is a list of the Activist Food Sites: Get in on the FOOD REVOLUTION and join the FOOD FIGHT! There are several Food Freedom sites that have grown up over the past five to ten years. This isn't a new fight; but if it's new for you, start paying attention. This is our health and the health of our children, our grandchildren and our environment that we're fighting for. Go to the Food Democracy Now! website and SIGN the Petition to STOP H.R. 1599! Our lives depend on it. The Activist Post activates about a lot of things; but onepost Eric Blair wrote in 2010 about a hotly contested Food Bill, Senate Bill S. 510, the "Food Safety Modernization Act" tells the story of what's really happening regarding food legislation in the U.S. WARNING! That Bill passed both houses of Congress and became LAW! It also had the word, "Safe" in its title just like the "The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015". Oh, and please take note that S.510 was slipped into another Bill (that was guaranteed to pass) in the dead of night during the Christmas season on Sunday, December 19, 2010. The Food Freedom USA website is taking a stand against the movement in our country to negate our Food Freedom. Their Home page states the following: " It is the Natural Right of the people to be well nourished and consume nutrient dense, GMO free, whole, raw, fresh, unprocessed, locally raised foods and beverages, including water; the right to save seeds, to grow food, to keep livestock, to access to grazing for cattle, to store water, to use natural medical alternatives, to raise hemp, to make butter, to make cheese, render lard, and the right to consume the foods of our choices according to the traditions of our ancestors." Dr. Rima Laibow, MD and Major General Albert N. Stubblebine III (U.S. Army Retired) have been a hard working duo in the world of Food Freedom for over a decade. Their Natural Solutions Foundation Who We Are page says this: "The Natural Solutions Foundation is predicated on the belief that people own this Republic of ours. Decisions that impact the lives of people must be made through a democratic process in which their voices are heard and counted and, in so far as possible, should be left to the individual to make for him/herself. That is the United States left to us by our Founding Fathers, the United States we believe in and the United States we participate in. We do not warm to the prospect of a United States of America controlled and run through the lies by huge multi-national corporations and deceptive special interests." The Organic Consumers Association is a real Take Action site. They have several ways you can join the Food Fight! Go to their website and start making a difference today. Food First has been operating for 40 years to "support communities and social movements fighting for food justice and food sovereignty around the world. Food First gives you the tools to understand our global food system, and to build your local food movement from the ground up." If you've been so activated by what our U.S. House of Representatives just did to our Food Freedom, this is the place to go to get your local food movement off the ground. The Institute for Responsible Technology is the home of the premiere food activist focusing on GMO's, Jeffrey Smith. Mr. Smith wrote one of the most influential books about GMO's way back in 2003. It's a classic today and was one of the first books to expose the dangers of GMO's to our bodies and our world. Get informed. Read Jeffrey Smith's book. Check out the Take Action section on the IRT website. The Seed Freedom website is spreading a counter message to the Monsanto practice of denying their farmer participants from saving their seeds. Here's a quote from the About page on this website: "We are seed savers and seed defenders, farmers and gardeners, practioners of ecological agriculture and participants in fair trade. Our right to save and exchange our open pollinated, non GMO, non patented seed is non alienable. Farmers rights are non negotiable. We will resist every law and technology that attempts to undermine our freedoms, and the freedom of the seed, which is intimately linked to the freedom of Mother Earth. We are committed to preventing Monsanto and other chemical corporations which are seeking to control our Seed Supply through GMOs, patents, and Intellectual Property Rights." The famous food activist, Vandana Shiva is the center piece and originator of Seed Freedom. She travels the world sharing her views about the importance of preserving diversity and fighting against the take over of our seeds and crops by Monsanto and friends. These are just a few of the many food freedom websites that have sprung up over the years. Join them and Take Action with them. There's still hope that together, we can save our food, our lives and our world. One last resource is a reference book on food. It's The People Power Food Superbook Book 1 by Tony Kelbrat. Mr. Kelbrat has written an entire cadre of these reference books on various topics. This one has a Section on Food Activist Websites. Granted, Mr. Kelbrat, uses a rather broad definition of Food Activist because Monsanto is actually on his list, and when we think of Food Activists we think of folks who are activating against Monsanto but nevertheless, this is a valuable resource. More About Monsanto and the relationship between Obesity and GMO's. The U.S. House of Representatives in passing the HR1599 Bill, just gave producers of products containing GMO's the right to put "Natural" on their labels; and Monsanto is actually claiming that their GMO seeds are organic because they only splice organic seeds. How long will it take for the NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) to be hijacked by this corporate giant and declare along with Monsanto that GMOs are organic. That will be the death knoll for the USA Certified Organic Label. But what is the relationship between the obesity epidemic and GMO's? If you refer back to our May 2015 Newsletter, which is all about High Fructose Corn Syrup and its contribution to obesity, you'll see that the culprit in HFCS is CORN. Here are the sad statistics regarding how far the GMO takeover of our crops has gone. This information is coming right out of the USDA where they use a new word to describe GMO crops. They are calling them HT (Herbicide Tolerant) these days. Do you think it's an accident that just when the heat against GMO's gets to boiling, the USDA simply changes the offending name. And guess which Herbicide the crops are tolerant of. Why it's Monsanto's Round Up, of course, that same herbicide that's being banned in France and other countries because researchers have shown it causes cancer and can built up in the human body. But it's not being banned in the U.S. because Monsanto has a strangle hold on our Government Agency with one of their own, Michael Taylor, sitting in the seat of our Food Safety Czar. Are you ready for the scary news? Here it is: "Based on USDA survey data, HT [read GMO] soybeans went from 17 percent of U.S. soybean acreage in 1997 to 68 percent in 2001 and 94 percent in 2014 and in 2015. Plantings of HT [read GMO] cotton expanded from about 10 percent of U.S. acreage in 1997 to 56 percent in 2001, 91 percent in 2014, but declined to 89 percent in 2015. The adoption of HT [read GMO] corn, which had been slower in previous years, has accelerated, reaching 89 percent of U.S. corn acreage in 2014 and in 2015." (Quote taken from USDA Article entitled "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.") Now where do you think the corn in all of that High Fructose Corn Syrup is coming from? It's coming from those GMO corn fields that now represent nearly 90% of our corn crop. So YES, GMO corn is contributing to obesity, big time. It isn't an accident that just as GMO's came into our food system in the mid nineties, the obesity epidemic began to take off; and once HFCS took over for sugar cane, the obesity epidemic got worse. Here's the chart to prove it. Graphic accessed from Garma On Health.com Since the innocent fifties, when family farmers were our food growers and our waistlines were much narrower, the American Food System has experienced a hostile take over by Big Agri, Big Food, Big Chemical and Big Government. With a nod from the government, these companies are allowed to treat the animals they raise and the people they feed, the American people, with ruthless disregard. The recent passage of HR1599 by the House of Representatives is exemplary of that. We, the American people will have nothing to say about the GMO's in our food if the Senate follows suit. We are being treated no differently than the poor, pitiful animals that have nothing to say about the deplorable lives they are having to endure under the highly questionable husbandry standards of the Big Agri companies. Isn't it time for YOU to join the FOOD REVOLUTION. You can access all of our Newsletters here or just go to our Aquaponics USA website to access them under "AP Education". There's a 4 Part Series on the FOOD REVOLUTION to catch you up about this important and necessary movement in the U.S. Coming in August! Part 5 of Obesity in America. Don't miss Part 5 of the Series, Obesity in America. This is the longest Series we've written. Part 5 is all about how Aspertame and MSG came into being, what they are, where they are and how terrible they are for our health. See you in August. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of things to bring to the light of day out of our grossly mismanaged American Food System. It really is time for a FOOD REVOLUTION in America; and learning Aquaponics is a big part of taking a stand for REAL Food. You can go to our Aquaponics USA website and access a 7-Part Tutorial on Aquaponics complete with Quizzes and a Certificate of Completion all for Free if you really want to learn how to be an Aquaponics farmer. Please alert your colleagues, friends and family who need to become aware of the dangers of GMO's. We can't make the changes we need to make without first understanding why the changes are so important. We can save lives with this information. Thank You for following our Blog. We so appreciate your interest in our two cutting edge Aquaponics Companies, Aquaponics US and Aquaponics Wold, LLC. We'll continue to bring you important information about Aquaponics, our Food and our Food System, which, right now, is broken. Please help us turn the tables around and become the healthiest country on the planet instead of the sickest. By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food & Health, Food Freedom Issues, Food Politics • Tagged food freedom, food system, GE Food, Genetically Modified, GMO, GMO's FOOD REVOLUTION PART 3 Archicves Go to the Quick Links to read Parts 1 & 2 Subject: Reprint of our Aquaponics World, LLC and Aquaponics USA Newsletter for June, 2014 To Receive Our Newsletter in your In Box, just go to one of our websites at http://www.aquaponicsusa.com or http://www.aquaponicsworld.net and Subscribe. June 2014, Newsletter A Word From Our Editor The Battleground is our World Who's Putting Unlabeled GMO's On Our Plates? What the Big Food Corporations and the Genetic Engineering and AgraChemical Companies Don't Want YOU To Know! Our Hero, Dr. Phil Howard I really thought I was going to talk about the Food Revolution in one Newsletter. I've just completed our third Newsletter on the Series and am finding I still have more to share on this important subject. So look for the FOOD REVOLUTION Part 4 in our July Newsletter: More Allies More About the #1 Adversary, Monsanto More Revolutionaries Where does Aquaponics fit in? If you haven't read Parts 1 or 2, you can access them at the top of our Quick Links. Part 1: FOOD REVOLUTION Aquaponics World Aquaponics USA WordPress Food INC. GMOINSiDE.org Britanica Advocacy For Cornucopia Institute Aquaponics World's Aquaganic™Page Big Corps Own Organic Graph Seed Industry Structure Graph Eden Food, Inc. Humble Seed The Natural Gardening Company Heirloon Solutions Irish Eyes Garden Seeds The FOOD REVOLUTION The Battlegrounds The Adversaries See our May Newsletter for Part 2: What is it? Why is it? Who Are The Revolutionaries? See our April Newsletter for Part 1: History Dear Subscriber: We are at war–it's a FOOD REVOLUTION. In some ways it's a war just like any other war because it's all about territory. The side that gets the most territory wins because food is raised and grown on our land. But we don't actually fight this battle with high tech weapons and rifles. We fight this war with our pocket books, our credit cards and our food stamp vouchers; and in that way WE, THE CONSUMER, can and are choosing the winner of this war. Every time we purchase a food item, we are fighting on one side of this war or the other. That's why it's important to know who are our Allies and who are our Adversaries because the battle lines have been blurred and are often not existent at all. In truth, the Battleground is our entire world. And the two main factions of the battle are the Genetic Engineers with their Big Food Allies versus the Naturalists with their small Family Farm Allies. So who are these two factions and what are the beliefs which fuel the fight. Genetic Engineers: Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology. New DNA may be inserted in the host genome by first isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence, or by synthesizing the DNA, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. An organism that is generated through genetic engineering is considered to be a genetically modified organism (GMO). How we got here is a long story. If you really want to know, read William Engdahl's Book, Seeds of Destruction. Most of us "commoners" have no clue what these Genetic Engineers who are messing with our food are up to; but all we really need to know and understand is they are changing the DNA of many species. Did you know that "All species, from simple bacteria to human beings, use the same genetic code? It consists of four chemical units in DNA, sometimes called nucleotides or bases, that are usually represented by the letters A, C, G and T." Recently, one group of researchers just added two more letters to the code because they believe that "if you have a language that has a certain number of letters, you want to add letters so you can write more words and tell more stories". They're talking about our DNA with this callous, arrogant analogy. These scientists actually believe they can play God with our universal DNA without consequences; and the GE food engineers believe non labeled GMO Food should be fed to the people of the world without giving us a choice. (Quotes taken from New York Times Article, May 7, 2014 by Andrew Pollack, "Scientists Add Letters to DNA's Alphabet, Raising Hope and Fear") Naturalists: The Naturalists encompass overlapping groups that include the Organic Food, Raw Food, Local Food, Vegetarian, Aquaponic and Hydroponic food proponents along with various Animal Advocacy groups. For the most part, the Naturalists believe that food should be free of petro-chemicals, pesticides and, most certainly GMO's; and that the food animals should be raised in humane environments and sacrificed in humane ways. Naturalists believe food should be as close to what mother nature intended as possible whether it be fruits, vegetables, dairy or meat. In the U.S., the term "Natural" on labels is not regulated and, therefore, is vague and rather meaningless. But the term "Organic" has an established legal definition in many countries, including the U.S. Aquaponic and Hydroponic food is hitting the food market in ever increasing numbers and is presently self identifying with a variety of individualized labels. If you think we ought to be messing with the DNA, you're on the side of the GE's in this battle. If you believe that DNA is something that should not be messed with by man and is beyond our full ability to understand or comprehend, you're on the side of the Naturalists. It's good to know which side of the battle you're on. Factory Farms have devastated the Family Farm Not that long ago chickens were raised on family farms and allowed to roam freely around the farmyard. In the last 70 years, small family chicken farms, have been devastated and chicken farming has been taken over by five multinational giants we are citing as Adversaries in the Food Revolution. The five chicken meat producing companies include: Tyson, Gold Kist, Pilgrim's Pride, ConAgra Poultry and Perdue Farms. "They produce chicken meat under 'atrocious health and safety conditions.' According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), these plants had 'one of the highest rates of injury and illness of any industry' " (Quote taken from article by Stephen Lendman, Jan. 19, 2008 "Unleashing GMO Seeds: "Food is Power") Because poultry is the world's most important source of meat protein, we can be sure the Genetic Engineers are already working on producing a GMO bird. Presently, they're introducing a GMO Salmon as their first test of the market for a GMO food animal. Cows, both dairy and meat cattle and pigs have also been taken over by large multi-Nationals among which Cargill, Sysco, JBS and Smithfieldare dominant. In the U.S. these animals have been fed GMO feed "since these crops were first introduced in 1996 and each of the top 6 GMO crops (soy, cotton, corn, canola, sugar beet, and alfalfa) are heavily utilized by the US and global animal feed market". (Quote taken from article by Ryan Beville, July 16, 2013 and published on the GMOInside.org website "How Pervasive are GMOs in Animal Feed?") So even if you're being careful not to purchase GMO foods, if you're a meat eater, you're getting a secondary dose of GMO's via the animal meats you're ingesting. It's kind of like breathing secondary smoke from smokers. And if you're a milk drinker, there's the whole awful subject of rBGH, which stands for recombinant bovine growth hormone, which causes dairy cows to produce 100 pounds of milk per cow per day, which is 10 times as much milk as a calf would need. This unnatural "milk production causes cows bones to become severely deficient in calcium. They become prone to fracture, and the result is a sharp increase in the number of downed cows, a general term for farm and food animals who collapse, unable to stand up again, and must be destroyed." How did the idyllic family farm turn into a cruel, grotesque, bloated caricature of its former self? Farming got taken over by mega corporations. A corporation is incapable of feeling love or respect for the food animals they're raising. These animals represent income and stock market indexes. They are simply figures on a balance sheet. There is no heart in the Factory Farms. One of the best documentaries out that describes this travesty is called "Food INC."(Quote taken from article published on Britannica Advocacy for Animals website, June 11, 2007, linked below) Here are two Links to the Allies on the Naturalists' side of the fray that appeared in this segment: Britannica Advocacy for Animals Who's Putting GMO's on our Plates without our knowledge and wants to continue doing so? These are the Adversaries; and many of them are playing on both sides of the battlefield. This section may surprise many of you because here is where the blurred lines get clearer; and you'll see who the Adversaries really are. The up side of the losses of the ballot measures to label GMO's in both California and Washington is that the Adversaries had to show themselves in order to cause these defeats. They had to come out of the trenches and stand in full view of the public they've been duping for over a decade. This unveiling came in the form of contributions to defeat the ballot measures. These companies were so determined to cause these defeats, that they were willing to reveal themselves to do so after a Washington state Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, filed a lawsuit that forced the issue, of course. So who are they? cal-access.sos.ca.gov Here are some of the big players: Read further at your own risk. You most likely will find some of the producers of your favorite products here. These companies were hiding behind the Grocery Manufacturers Association until they were forced to step into the light of day. Pepsico (owners of Pepsi Cola) ConAgra (you saw this name with the Meat Producers) Campbell's Soup Company Kellogg Company Land O'Lakes Ocean Spray Cranberries Cargill (you saw this name with the Meat Producers) Dean Foods Then there's the Genetic Engineering and AgriChemical Companies which include: BayerCropScience (this is enough to cause headaches) But the truth gets even more painful, when you realize that many of your favorite organic and natural products, like Kashi, quite literally "sold out" to mega corporations. Here's that painful list: Yes, Coca-Cola owns odwalla, vitamin water, Zico Coconut Water, Honest Tea and Simply Orange! Coco-Cola spent $1.5 million to defeat the GMO labeling bill in Washington. n to Naked is owned by Pepsi, the company that contributed $2.4 million to defeat the GMO labeling bill in Washington. Gardenburger, Kashi and Fit are owned by Kellogg. We're not sure how much Kellogg contributed to kill the labeling bills in California and Washington; but it was a monetary contributor. Arrowhead Mills is owned by Hain-Celestial, which is partially owned by Heinz. In fact, between the time the Agriculture Department came up with its proposed regulations for organic food in 1997 and the time those rules were made law in 2002, hundreds of small, independent organic companies were purchased by the corporate giants.Heinz and it's affiliate, Hain, bought 19 organic brands alone. "In 1995 there were 81 independent organic processing companies in the U.S. A decade later, Big Food had gobbled up all but 15 of them." (Quote taken from article written by the Cornucopia Institute, "Who Owns Organic") "Now Big Food has assumed a powerful role in setting the standards for organic foods; and these major corporations are dominating the Board that sets these standards. If they want to use carrageenan, they'll use carrageenan. As these Big Food companies started stacking the Board, the list of nonorganic materials approved for organic foods increased. It's called the National List and it has grown from 77 items in 2002 to 250 nonorganic substances in 2012." More about this sad development in the July Newsletter. (Quote taken from our Aquaponics World website's Aquaganic page) General Mills owns Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and LaraBar. General Mills spent $869,000 to defeat the GMO labeling bill in Washington. Horizon is owned by Dean Foods. We're not sure how much Dead Foods contributed to kill the labeling bills in California and Washington; but they are part of the gang of GMO lovers. Dean Foods also owns Silk, which they acquired when they bought White Wave in 2002. Then they changed the word "Organic" on the label to "Natural" but left the packaging the same. Thousands of unaware shoppers are buying "Silk" thinking it's still organic. What the Big Food Corporations Don't Want YOU to Know! Just click on the words, "Big Food Corps" to see this graph up close and uncomfortable. These Big Food Corporations hide in the background of their organic company acquisitions because they don't want us consumers to know what's actually going on. They don't want us to realize that our food system has been hijacked by less than 35 mega corporations. So, which family owned organic food companies didn't sell out to the mega giants? Here's that List: It's short and sweet–too short; and we've most likely missed a few. Eden Foods Inc. is the oldest independent organic food producer in the U.S. and the largest supplier of organic dry grocery items. We're adding the owner of Eden Foods, Michael J. Potter, to our Revolutionaries List, which we published in our May Newsletter. We will be adding Mr. Potter to our List in our July Newsletter. Mr. Potter is deep in the trenches fighting for real food. See that story in July. Amy's Kitchen is located in Petaluma, California and has remained a family owned organic, vegetarian food producing business since its inception in 1987. The company is now offering 110 Gluten-free options along with many frozen meals, but they also make a line of canned sous, chili, beans, pasta sauce and salsas. In 2011, Amy's introduced several lines of products including Light and Lean, Gluten Free, and Light in Sodium for customers with special dietary needs. Nature's Path is located in British Columbia, Canada and has remained a family owned organic food producing business since it's inception in 1985. It's product line consists of breakfast cereals, granolas, hot oatmeal, waffles, toaster pastries and snack bars. This company is North America's largest organic cereal brand with products sold in 42 countries worldwide. Originating in Wisconsin, this Cooperative of Family Farms is demonstrating how small, family farmers can conpete wit the gega giants by becoming a large Cooperative. Today, Organic Valley comprises 1,834 farmer-owners located in 32 states and three Canadian provinces that specialize in sustainable, organic agriculture practices. Organic Valley has becoe the world's largest independent cooperative of organic family farmers and one of the nation's largest producers and distributors of organic produce, dairy, soy and eggs. It markets its line of beef, pork, turkey and chicken products under the Organic Prairie brand. A special Thanks to the WordPress Blog, Bliss Returned, for it's excellent post entitled "Find Out Which Organic Companies Owned by Mega Corporations". What the Genetic Engineering and AgraChemical Companies Don't Want YOU To Know! Just Click above on the words, "Genetic Engineering and AgraChemical Companies" to see this graph. The Independent Seed Industry is in even worse shape compared to the Independent Food Producers because, as you can see by this graph, there are only 8 Multi-National Companies in ownership of most of the seed companies; and 5 of them are on The Big Six List of mega giant Genetic Engineering Companies. Here's that List: Monsanto has the largest market share of GE crops in the world. Syngenta makes most of its money on pesticides but is working to to introduce new GE crops, like rice for Japan. Dow Agrosciences is a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company. Bayer Cropscience is a subsidiary of Bayer. Pioneer Hi-Bred International is a subsidiary of DuPont. So what do you think is happening to our seeds under the control of these companies? We're talking about seeds that have taken thousands of years to adapt to specific climatic conditions in various parts of the world. "Many of today's modern garden crops and fruit were first grown six thousand to seven thousand years ago by the Incas of Peru, the Maya of Central America and the Aztecs of Mexico. These cultures were the first to grow more than 150 species of plants such as corn, beans, certain varieties of squash, peanuts, peppers and tomatoes." (Quote taken from Native American Gardening by Michael J. Caduto and Joseph Bruchac, Fulcrum Publishing, 1996). The history of corn is a fascinating one as it took thousands of years of careful cultivation to transform maize from a wild grass called Teosinte that originally grew in Central America 7,000 years ago into the staple food we recognize as corn today. It took the Genetic Engineers less than 25 years to turn 85% of the U.S. corn crop into GMO corn. Obviously, it takes a lot less time to destroy our natural food resources than it does to cultivate them. So Which Seed Companies Didn't Sell Out To The Mega Giants? Here's that List: It, too, is short–real short. Introducing Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, also located in Petaluma, California, and their line up of available books, magazines and free Good Seeds catalog. Baker Creek caries one of the largest selections of seeds from the 19th century, including many Asian and European varieties. The company has become a tool to promote and preserve our agricultural and culinary heritage. All of their seeds are non-hybrid, non-GMO, non-treated and non-patented. Introducing Humble Seed, founded in 2009 by Jim and Kristen Mitchell, a husband and wife team devoted to top-quality garden seeds, the betterment of the environment and the well-being of people. Humble Seed's premium herb, fruit and vegetable seeds are packaged in re-sealable Mylar® bags. Then they are themed and bundled in FDA food-safe containers like the ones you see above. Their convenient garden seed kits inspire gardeners to venture beyond the produce section by growing their own varieties of fresh foods. Humble Seed is packed with care by their friends at the Marc Center. Marc Center provides opportunities for people with disabilities to be actively involved in determining where and how they live, learn, work and play. You can purchase Humble Seed direct or buy it on our Aquaponics USA website by clicking here. And yet another company in the Petaluma, California area. It seems Petaluma is a hot spot for Naturalists. Introducing The Natural Gardening Company. For 26 years, they've specialized in certified organic seedlings, organic vegetable, herb and flower seeds, drip irrigation, natural pest controls and fertilizers, and tools. Their catalog is a work of art. The family that owns this company is the real deal and has been passing heirloom seeds back and forth since the 1830's. The President is the famous Bill Heid who has been putting out the SURVIVAL SEED VAULT since the crash of 2008 and purporting the necessity of preparedness and food independence. His company,Heirloom Solutions is an off shoot of his popular Seed Vault offering many more varieties of heirloom seeds. This company got the premiere name, HEIRLOOM SEEDS and then attached a .com to it so they are often at the top of the Google search list. It doesn't appear that they have a fancy catalog and their website is quite basic. Located in South Western Pennsylvania, they are a small, family run seed house that has been in the mail order business since 1988. When they started this business, their first priority was to offer old fashioned vegetables noted for their taste. All of the varieties they offer are open pollinated (non hybrid) and have been grown by generations of backyard gardeners. Irish Eyes Garden Seeds has been going through some changes in the last couple of years. They recently absorbed Garden City Seeds and are a family company that is also related to Ronniger's Potato Seed Company. They specialize in organic heirloom variety seeds, as well as organic pest control and garden supplies. They also do their own trials for taste & hardiness in cold climates. The catalog has very specific (and helpful) growing instructions, including companion crop listings and pest control hints. Our newly found HERO and a true Revolutionary in the FOOD REVOLUTION! To meet the other Revolutionaries Click over to our May Newsletter from our Quick Links Menu on the left. Dr. Phil Howard, an expert on our broken Food System Meet Dr. Phil Howard; and if we had anything to say about it, this man would be as famous as the other Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil Howard, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State. He is responsible for the creation and updating of the Organic Food Producers Chart and the Seed Industry Structure Chart. These Charts were featured in this Newsletter above. He teaches in the University's Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies program. Here's some advice from Dr. Phil Howard: "Consumers who want food companies that embody more of the original organic ideals would do well to seek out products from independent organic firms," Howard advises. "Given the very uneven playing field they are competing in, independent organic processors are unlikely to survive without such support." Howard has created additional infographics and network animations on the wine, beer, soft drink and coffee industries, as well as on foodborne illnesses and the structure of the food system. Like we stated in our introduction, this is a REVOLUTION we will win or lose with our wallets. Don't Miss The Final Part of this 4 Part Series, called FOOD REVOLUTION, COMING IN JULY We'll be talking more about: The #1 Adversary, Monsanto Where Aquaponics Fits in Thank you so much for following our Newsletters. We write them just for you. Save 10% on a Food Forever™ Growing System This Aquaponics USA Discount is being offered exclusively to our Subscribers until July 15th. Just tell us Constant Contact sent you. This email was sent to urbanfarmer@aquaponicsusa.com by urbanfarmer@aquaponicsusa.com | Aquaponics USA/World | 56925 Yucca Trail #303 | Yucca Valley | CA | 92284 By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food & Health, Food Freedom Issues, Food Politics • Tagged food freedom, food health, GMO's, Monsanto From: Aquaponics USA and Aquaponics World, LLC <urbanfarmer@aquaponicsusa.com> Subject: May 2014 Newsletter Reply: urbanfarmer@aquaponicsusa.com This is a copy of our May Newsletter, which is Part 2 of a 4 Part Series on the FOOD REVOLUTION. Part 3, which is being posted shortly has Links to all three Parts of this important story about the FOOD REVOLUTION. May Newsletter, 2014 Who is the Guinea Pig for the BioTechs? We The People Are Let Them Eat Poison Choose REAL FOOD The Revolutionaries–Jeffrey Smith The Documentaries–Genetic Roulette The Revolutionaries–Dr. Dean Ornish The Revolutionaries–Dr. Vandana Shiva The Revolutionaries–Jamie Oliver The Revolutionaries–John and Ocean Robbins The Revolutionaries–Joel Salatin The Revolutionaries–Alice Waters The Revolutionaries–Mike Adams The Revolutionaries–Dr. Gabriel Cousens The Revolutionaries–David Wolfe The Revolutionaries–Murray Hallam National Geographic Magazine Cover–The New Food Revolution What's Coming in June–FOOD REVOLUTION Part 3 It's been touch and go; but here it is, our fifth consecutive Newsletter, which I thought was going to be a two-Part Series; but it just turned into a 3-Part Series. You're not going to want to miss Part 3 where we delineate the Battle Fields and talk about the Adversaries, which are legion. Genetic Roulette The FOOD REVOLUTION! Why is it? See our June Newsletter for Part 3: The Battlegrounds and the Adversaries The Food Revolution is a multi-faceted insurgency rebelling against the industrialization of the World's food production over the last 70 years. Those who are proponents of the Food Revolution are determined to reaffirm our right to eat healthy, nutritious, locally grown food that is not laden with chemicals, pesticides and GMO's. Some of our mottos like: "Taking Our Food Back" in which the word "Taking" is an acronym for "The Assured Knowing It's Naturally Grown", "NO to GMO's" in which the GMO's stands for Genetically Modified Organisms, "Real Food" and "Right to Know" are slowly seeping into the mainstream consciousness. It's becoming widely known that food and health are intricately interconnected in spite of the embarrassing fact that in the 21st Century, doctors in the U.S. still get less than 25 hours of nutritional training as a prerequisite for receiving their licenses to diagnose and treat diseases in the human body. It's also becoming widely known that Americans are the most unhealthy people on the planet. A recent study at the National Academy of Sciences found we die sooner than people in 16 other developed countries due to drug abuse, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease to name just a few of the causes of our early demise. The U.S. Population has been designated as one of the Guinea Pigs for the BioTechs! Several nations have declined the offer. These sad statistics are understandable once you realize the U.S. was the flash point for the industrialization of food, which started on a grand scale after World War II. We were also one of the first populations to unknowingly ingest genetically modified organisms, which were brought into our food supply in the mid 1990's without us having one word to say about whether or not we wanted to serve as the guinea pig for the grand GMO experiment. GMO's have been in our food for nearly 20 years, and we're still fighting for the right to know which foods contain them so we can choose whether or not we want to eat them and remain on the biotech's experimental treadmill. Let Them Eat Any Damn Thing We Choose to Put in Their Food and Keep it a Secret! Because we've been given a pass by our U.S. Food Safety Czar, Michael Taylor, a former VP of Monsanto. That must mean Monsanto runs the FDA! It's our prediction that by 2020, given the success of the Food Revolutionaries, we'll look back at the practice of medicine, the mass production of food, the use of GMO's and the collusion between our enforcement agencies like the FDA and big corporations like Monsanto as the Dark Ages with Monsanto standing in for Marie Antoinette and her infamous line: "Let them eat Cake". In Monsanto's case it's "Let them eat Agent Orange", OOPS, I mean "Glyphosate", which is one of the toxic ingredients in Monsanto's weed killer, Round Up. ". . .one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty [to Choose what's in our food] and justice for all." CHOOSE REAL FOOD! The People of Vermont Did IT! We Can All Do IT! The Food Revolution has arisen for the same reasons every revolution arises–to bring drastic CHANGE. The word "Revolution" is from the Latin word, "Revolutio", which mean "a turn around". Revolutions trigger "a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that take place in a relatively short period of time." (Wikipedia) In the case of the Food Revolution, it's about putting food production back in the hands of the people and taking it away from the mega corporations that have turned food into processed poisons that bolster their bottom lines. The Food Revolutionaries are just plain sick and tired of being sick and tired; and they aren't going to take it anymore. We're giving you a list of the Revolutionaries below; but you'll need to do your homework to learn more about who they are and what they're doing. The Revolutionaries include: #1 Mr. Jeffrey Smith Meet Jeffrey Smith, a tireless Activist and "the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices, Jeffrey Smith's meticulous research documents how biotech companies continue to mislead legislators and safety officials to put the health of society at risk and the environment in peril. His work expertly summarizes why the safety assessments conducted by the FDA and regulators worldwide teeter on a foundation of outdated science and false assumptions, and why genetically engineered foods must urgently become our nation's top food safety priority." (From About Jeffrey) Don't miss Jeffrey Smith's Award Winning Film, "Genetic Roulette, The Gamble of Our Lives", it's a Must See if you're a budding Food Revolutionary! And now you can purchase it at Whole Foods. It's received the 2012 Movie of the Year (Solari Report) and the Transformational Film of the Year (Aware Guide) Award. Along with his Assistant Writer and Associate Producer, Samm Simpson, Jeffrey links genetically engineered food to toxic and allergic reactions, infertility, digestive disorders, and numerous problems that have been on the rise in the US population since genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were introduced. It's a mind altering experience. It might even make you mad enough to join the movement. Genetic Roulette Movie Trailer #2 Dr. Dean Ornish "For over 35 years, Dr. Ornish has directed clinical research demonstrating, for the first time, that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse even severe coronary heart disease, without drugs or surgery. Recently, Medicare agreed to provide coverage for this program, the first time that Medicare has covered a program of comprehensive lifestyle changes. He directed the first randomized controlled trial demonstrating that comprehensive lifestyle changes may stop or reverse the progression of early-stage prostate cancer. His current research showed that comprehensive lifestyle changes affect gene expression, "turning on" disease-preventing genes and "turning off" genes that promote cancer and heart disease, as well as increasing telomerase, an enzyme that lengthens telomeres, the ends of our chromosomes which control aging (in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2009). He is the author of six books, all national bestsellers, including: Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease; Eat More, Weigh Less; Love & Survival; and his most recent book, The Spectrum." Watch his famous TED Talk below: Dean Ornish: The world's killer diet #3 Dr. Vandana Shiva Dr. Vandana Shiva has fought for changes in the practice and paradigms of agriculture and food. In the photo above, she is campaigning for California's mandatory labeling of GMO's Measure that was defeated in November 2012 after Monsanto, Dupont, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Kraft and the Grocery Manufacturers Association spent a combined 22 million to fool Californians into thinking the price of food was going to rise if mandatory labeling of GMO's was passed. Vandana Shiva has assisted grassroots organizations of the Green movement in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria with campaigns against genetic engineering. In 1982, she founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, which led to the creation of Navdanya in 1991, a national movement to protect the diversity and integrity of living resources, especially native seed, the promotion of organic farming and fair trade. She has many talks posted on YouTube. Below is a link to one called: Vandana Shiva on the Problem with Genetically-Modified Seeds #4 Jamie Oliver Jamie Oliver is fiery Brit who came to the U.S. to help us deal with our abysmal health challenges. He was the first one to coin the term "Food Revolution" in his ABC TV Series by that name that debuted on March 21, 2010. The show, which was produced by English chef Jamie Oliver and Ryan Seacrest, followed Oliver as he attempted to reform the school lunch programs, help American society fight obesity and change their eating habits in order to live healthier and longer lives. The series had its UK premiere on Channel 4 on September 13, 2010. The Greek premiere was on Fox Life Greece on November 2010. The premiere in Italy was on Raisat Gambero Rosso Channel in January 2011. The show was cancelled in the U.S. the summer of 2011 because a calcitrant school Board Member in the LA School District refused to cooperate with Jamie and his production team. If you don't watch anything else on TV, catch a few of the episodes that were aired on this incredible reality TV show at: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution You can also watch this reality series on YouTube. Here's Part 1 of the first episode from YouTube. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 1 Part 1 Above Jamie declared a Food Revolution Day for May 16, 2014 and is sponsoring a FREE Cooking Classroom in the San Diego Area from May 10-31, 2014. Sign up for the Cooking Classroom today. #5 & #6 John and Ocean Robbins John and his son, Ocean, Robbins founded The Food Revolution Network, which is an online-based education and advocacy-driven initiative committed to healthy, sustainable, humane and conscious food for all. Guided by John and Ocean Robbins, with more than 100,000 members and with the collaboration of many of the top food revolutionary leaders of our times, the Food Revolution Network aims to empower individuals, build community, and transform food systems to support healthy people and a healthy planet. Together, they have sponsored three annual Food Revolution Summits featuring an A-List of top people in the world of healthy food advocacy. If you really want to be up on who are the movers and the shakers among the Food Revolutionaries, go to the 2014 Food Revolution Summit Page and scroll to the bottom to get your empowerment package. Watch the Video Introduction to The Food Revolution Network below: A Welcome Message from John and Ocean Robbins #7 Joel Salatin Joel F. Salatin is an American farmer, lecturer, and author whose books include "Folks, This Ain't Normal", "You Can Farm" and "Salad Bar Beef". Salatin raises livestock using holistic management methods of animal husbandry, free of potentially harmful chemicals, on his Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Meat from the farm is sold by direct-marketing to consumers and restaurants. Joel's Polyface Farms and his down home and straight-forward demeanor was first debuted in a beautiful documentary called "Fresh" that was made in 2009. From there, he spun off to become one of the most outspoken critics of factory farming and the use of drugs and harmful chemicals in modern day farming practices. One of his monikers is his use of phrases like: "The chicken-ness of the chicken" "The cow-ness of the cow" To indicate the importance of feeding animals what they naturally eat not some concocted mixture of food and antibiotics that is not part of their natural diet. Below is the Trailer for "Fresh" Fresh The Movie – Official Trailer Below is his "You Can Farm E-School: An Online Semester with Joel Salatin." Joel Salatin Semester – Pastured Poultry Lesson You're going to love this guy. #8 Alice Waters Here she is, Alice Waters, the mother of the movement with one of her best selling books, "The Art Of Simple Food". "Alice Louise Waters is an American chef, restaurateur, activist, and author. She is the owner of Chez Panisse, a Berkeley, California restaurant famous for its organic, locally-grown ingredients and for pioneering California cuisine. Waters opened the restaurant in 1971. It was consistently ranked among the World's 50 Best Restaurants from 2002 to 2008. Waters has been cited as one of the most influential figures in food in the past 50 years, and has been called the mother of American food. She is currently one of the most visible supporters of the organic food movement, and has been a proponent of organics for over 40 years. Waters believes that eating organic foods, free from herbicides and pesticides, is essential for both taste and the health of the environment and local communities." (Wikipedia) Ms. Waters single handed spearheaded the School Garden Program, which she called the Edible Schoolyard program at the Martin Luther King Middle School in Berkeley, California. She serves as a public policy advocate on the national level for school lunch reform and universal access to healthy, organic foods, and the impact of her organic and healthy food revolution. Another one of her famous books is named after that program, "Edible Schoolyard". Below is the 60 Minutes Segment that focused on Alice Waters: 60 Minutes – Alice Waters She's a living legend. #9 Mike Adams, The Health Ranger Mike Adams, known as The Health Ranger, is an outspoken Activist and Author. His website, Natural News, is dedicated to alternative medicine and various health concerns such as chemtrails, the dangers of fluoride in drinking water, monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame and health problems caused by "toxic" ingredients in vaccines. He features guest authors such as anti-vaccinationists Joseph Mercola and and Jon Rappoport. Mike works tirelessly to promote alternative medicine over pharmaceuticals and follows questionable activities perpetrated by the FDA swat teams that have been raiding raw milk farms and pig farms in the recent past under the guise of protecting Americans while GMO's are allowed to flood the market unlabeled. Watch his introduction YouTube Video for his new website called SCIENCE.naturalnews.com below: SCIENCE.naturalnews.com announced by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger #10 Dr. Gabriel Cousens Dr. Gabriel Cousens is an American physician M.D., homeopath, and spiritual writer who practices holistic medicine. Cousens advocates live foods therapy, a nutritional regimen which he says can cure diabetes, depression and other chronic degenerative diseases. He is the founder of the "Essene Order of Light", an offshoot of a New Age religion based upon modern interpretations of the Essenes, an ancient Jewish sect, teachings from the Jewish Kabbalah and the Torah, and Hindu beliefs. Essene Order of Light is taught by Cousens at "Tree of Life Foundation", an organization directed by Cousens and headquartered at its "Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center" in Patagonia, Arizona. Cousens has written books, made movies and tours internationally promoting his ideas on food and his spiritual beliefs. Below is a YouTube Video of Gabriel discussing his movie, "Simply Raw:Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days". Green Lifestyle Film Festival "Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" Below is the Trailer for the documentary, "Simply Raw". Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days Trailer #11 David Wolfe "David Wolfe is the rock star of the superfoods and longevity world, America's TOP CEOs, Global Ambassadors, Hollywood celebrities, busy professionals, and even the most powerful buying influence in the nation-Moms-all look to David for expert advice in health, beauty, herbalism, nutrition and chocolate! David is co-founder of TheBestDayEver.com online health magazine and is President of The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation with a mission to plant 18 billion fruit trees on planet Earth. With over 20 years of dedicated experience and understanding of the inner workings of the human body, David is a true living master of what it means to "walk the talk" on the road to higher and higher levels of natural beauty, vibrant health, and peak-performance. David is the author of many best-selling books including Eating for Beauty, The Sunfood Diet Success System, Naked Chocolate, Amazing Grace, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, and Chaga: King of the Medicinal Mushrooms. His latest book, Longevity Now, shares a multi-faceted approach to rejuvenation, beauty and radiant health. David empowers and inspires people to take charge of their own health because. After all, your health is your wealth!" (From davidwolfe.com/about) Watch this YouTube Video by David Wolfe on the important subject of inflammation. David Wolfe on Inflammation #12 Murray Hallam Murray Hallam is the Founder and Director of Practical Aquaponics, an all-around Aquaponics company working out of Australia and offering Kits, System Plans and DVD's. For many, he is regarded as the father of Aquaponics and has mentored a growing bevy of up and coming Aquaponics entrepreneurs including our own system designer, Oliver Duffy. Murray himself has become an international image and influence in the field of Aquaponics through his consulting services, his seminars, workshops and popular DVD's on the subject. Watch this 60 Minutes Australia segment about Aquaponics featuring Murray and his company Practical Aquaponics: 60 Minutes Australia – Food Security – Aquaponics We're not the only folks talking about the Food Revolution this Month. Be sure to check out the National Geographic May Issue entitled: THE NEW FOOD REVOLUTION. The article inside poses this question: Where will we find enough food for 9 billion? It goes on to propose that "It doesn't have to be industrial farms versus small, organic ones. There's another way and lists the "Five-Step Plan to Feed the World". Those steps include: 1. Freeze agriculture's footprint 2. Grow more on farms we've got 3. Use resources more efficiently 4. Shift diets 5. Reduce waste We recommend you check out this article and see if you agree with the Five-Step Plan. We have mixed feelings. The good news, National Geographic is addressing the most important topic on the planet–our FOOD. Look for FOOD REVOLUTION Part 3 in our June Newsletter 1. About The Battlefields 2. About the Adversaries Fighting Against our Revolutionaries. In every war there are at least two sides and sometimes more. This war is no different. The FOOD REVOLUTION is a War for the right of the people to be SOVEREIGN EATERS of SAFE Food. This is a serious FOOD FIGHT. We are fighting for our rights to have clean, safe, nutritious food in a clean, safe environment; and we're determined to TAKE BACK OUR FOOD! Be sure to watch for our June Newsletter, which will continue this look at the FOOD REVOLUTION! This time it's We the People of the World! This time we're ALL Fighting for FOOD FREEDOM! We have featured 12 Revolutionaries in the FOOD REVOLUTION; and we're sorry we can't keep going because we're leaving out many. Do your Home Work, find out who the others are and start supporting ALL of them. These Heros and Heroines are the ones standing between the rest of us eating fake food filled with more and more toxins as we line the coffers of the Big Agra, Big Chema and Big Pharma companies who have taken over our food supply while we stand around the coffins of our fallen loved ones who are dying from chronic diseases that could have been prevented with proper education and "REAL FOOD". Thank You for joining us in this look at the We hope to see you again in June for Part 3 Until then, Be Healthy and Strong We Will Prevail Aquaponics USA/Aquaponics World Here's that 10% Discount only for our Subscribers. This one is good until June 30th. It's the perfect time of year to start a Food Forever™ Growing System garden. This Coupon is good for Food Forever™ Growing Systems only. By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food & Health, Food Freedom Issues, Food Politics • Tagged Bio Techs, food freedom, Food Revolution, Genetic Engineering, Monsanto, Organic Food Read All About It in the AQUAPONICS USA FOOD & HEALTH NEWS! If you're an appreciator of great articles on FOOD & HEALTH, you've found your NEWS. This is your one-stop News Source from some of the most important people in the FOOD & HEALTH MOVEMENT. Don't miss what they are saying and doing to further the cause of FOOD FREEDOM. Start reading the Aquaponics USA FOOD & HEALTH NEWS Today. Be careful–it's addicting. One of the only addictions that's good for you. Just click on the FOOD & HEALTH Link to your right and go directly to the AQUAPONICS USA FOOD & HEALTH NEWS to get and stay informed. By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food & Health • Tagged Alliance for Natural Health, Bolen Report, Center for Food Safety, Citizens for Health, CoMed, Farm Wars, Food & Water Watch, food freedom, Food Freedom USA, Health, IMVA, Institute for Responsible Technology, Jeffrey Smith, Medscape, Monsanto, National Sustainable Agriculture Association, Natural Solutions Foundation, Organic Consumers Association, Organic Food, Organic Trade Association, Overfishing, Raw Milk, S510, SANE VAX, Seeds, Supplements, Vandana Shiva A SNAFU Brews around S.510 A SNAFU Brews around S.510. By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food Politics • Tagged do not fund food safety bill, fake food safety bill, food freedom, food regulations, food safety bill, S510, Senate Bill S510 The Dead (I mean Lame) Duck Session Didn't Quite Get It Right! On Tuesday, the Senate thought they had successfully passed S.510. But the crippled and gasping for breath stork (also known as a Lame Duck) delivered the new baby, S.510, to the eagerly awaiting co-parents in the House DOA (Dead On Arrival). S.510 was hyped to be the savior of the American people (in keeping with the season) by protecting them from food-born illnesses. It was cleverly titled "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act" and was touted to be the greatest achievement in over forty years for bringing a safety net into the food production business in the US. But the baby fell through a big hole in the net and landed squarely on its noggin. This Bill was going to crack down on companies both domestic and foreign carelessly producing food that harmed, maimed and killed innocent eaters. How was this to be accomplished? By giving more power to the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, and also extending the already out of control powers of, guess what agency, Homeland Security. All these new powers were to be solely at the discretion of the FDA who would decide which evil food manufacturers were to be targeted and prosecuted and stripped of their rights to produce food based on whether or not the Secretary of Health and Human Services "believed there was a reasonable probability" that a violation of the new endless litany of food safety standards was taking place. In other words, yet another bureaucrat was going to decide which food producing businesses were to live or die a horrible death of relentless harassment. While the Dead (I mean Lame) Duck Congress kept reiterating that this bill was not controversial, not well known and of secondary importance, literally millions of emails and thousands of phone calls protesting it were pouring into Congress spearheaded by Health Advocates. Some of those Health Advocates include: Health Freedom USA By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food Freedom Issues, Food Politics • Tagged do not fund food safety bill, fake food safety bill, food freedom, food regulations, food safety bill, S510, Senate Bill S510 My S.510 RANT! The FDA has been SOOO Co-Opted! My S.510 RANT: I've been putting this off for weeks, reporting on S.510, but my time is up and so is our country's time to be free of it, as it is about to be voted on when the Senate returns after the Thanksgiving Holiday. What do you think the odds are they save this one for the big Christmas surprise, just like they did with the Health Care Bill last year. The situation does not look good for those of us who see S.510 as another expensive POWER GRAB by Government. To get a bird's eye view as to how terribly stacked the deck is in regard to S.510 just click over here http://www.libertynewsonline.com/article_301_29693.php to see what Senators received from Special Interest Groups to either support or oppose S.510 – The FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act. The author of this post has listed the names of the Senators, the Party and State, and the amount of Special Interest campaign contributions that they received to support it or not support it. I'm not a lawyer or legal assistant or anything like that. I'm just a citizen who is very interested and concerned about our FOOD FREEDOM; and I am against S.510, so I'll tell you right now this post is biased against the Bill. Here's what my reading of the Bill has determined from my biased point of view: S.510 is divided into four TITLES as follows: TITLE I is called "Improving Capacity to Prevent Food Safety Problems" TITLE II is called "Improving Capacity to Detect and Respond to Food Safety Problems" TITLE III is called "Improving the Safety of Imported Food TITLE IV is called "Miscellaneous Provisions" Now, before I start talking about TITLE I, let me explain my prejudice against this Bill, which I have fully declared here. Preceding TITLE I, is a page that announces the Act's (also known as a Bill) short title, which is 'FDA Food Safety Modernization Act'. It also lists its Table of Contents and defines the purpose of the Bill. The purpose of the Bill is defined like this: "Purpose: In the nature of a substitute" S.510 To amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act with respect to the safety of the food supply." So here's my first argument: There is already a perfectly good Act in place, which is about protecting our Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. It was put in place in the early sixties and is administered, regulated and controlled by the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, which is the same agency that would be administering, regulating and controlling the FDA Food safety Modernization Act presently tagged S.510. Now, is there anyone in this audience who doesn't know the FDA is co-opted up to its ears by the Big Agri, Big Pharma and Big Chemi Companies with Monsanto, the creator of GMO seeds on the top of the list? Here are some articles to bring you up to speed should you wish to see the truth about that statement: http://www.psrast.org/ecologmons.htm http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/politics/revolvingdoor.html http://www.mindfully.org/GE/Revolving-Door.htm This next resource is so loaded I'm quoting the first paragraph here just to give you an idea of what is really going on with the new Food Safety Modernization Act: The FDA's Revolving Door Swings Again Posted July 13th, 2009 By Christine White "Announced this past week, former Monsanto director Michael Taylor has joined the FDA as 'senior advisor to the commissioner'. In accepting this position, Taylor takes on the role as what critics have claimed 'a kind of food czar of the Food and Drug Administration'. His FDA appointment includes the following responsibilities: – Assess current food program challenges and opportunities - Identify capacity needs and regulatory priorities - Develop plans for allocating fiscal year 2010 resources - Develop the FDA's budget request for fiscal year 2011 - Plan implementation of new food safety legislation." Read the entire article here: http://www.foodfirst.org/en/node/2490 Yes, you read the above quote correctly. The former Monsanto Director, Michael Taylor, has joined the FDA and is making a plan to implement the new food safety legislation. Excuse me a moment while I go puke. Okay, I'm a little on the grey side but I can still write. So now we've got the big bad wolf, Michael Taylor, right in the hen house implementing plans on how to keep the sheep (I mean hens) safe. If you don't know what Monsanto is and has been up to for decades, check out these interesting resources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html http://survivingthemiddleclasscrash.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/the-multiple-ways-monsanto-is-putting-normal-seeds-out-of-reach http://www.rense.com/general38/saver.htm http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/news/10040.htm Our FDA has been under Monsanto's influence for a long time, which is why GMO's were approved based on Monsanto's word they were safe with no testing or oversite whatsoever. In fact the FDA declared GMO's to be so like natural foods that no oversite was necessary. Here are more resources if you really want to know the truth about how much our FDA cares about our safety. http://www.psrast.org/fdalawstmore.htm http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_food_safety/006531.html http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Home/index.cfm Now, the original Bill, the one that's being modernized by Monsanto (I mean Michael Taylor), covers Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. Well, as far as the cosmetics are concerned, there's another big discrepancy between what the FDA says its mandate is, keeping the citizens of the US safe, and what it's actually doing. US Cosmetics are carrying dangerous Nanoparticles, thanks to the BIO-Tech Companies that are also in bed with the FDA. This Nano-Technology is causing a devastating illness called Morgellons disease and is having other harmful effects on the body. Every woman reading this post needs to print the following pdf and read every word of it because Nanoparticles are everywhere in your Cosmetics and the FDA is doing nothing to protect you. Here's a quote from that pdf: "Many types of nanoparticles have proveno be toxic to human tissue and cell cultures, resulting in increased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine production, DNA mutation and even cell death." PLEASE READ THIS REPORT! http://www.foeeurope.org/activities/nanotechnology/nanocosmetics.pdf And then look at these sites which talk about Morgellons: http://www.morgellonsexposed.com/ http://www.morgellons.org Now, do you see why I simply don't believe the FDA really cares about our food safety. If it did, there would be no GMO's in our food, no aspertame in our food, no fluoride in our water and no Nanoparticles in our cosmetics. So if it isn't about safety, what is S.510 about? More on that tomorrow: I'm Drowning in the Red Tape! Gulp. . . Gasp!. . .Give me Air! I'm Drowning! The next time I decide to comment on a Congressional Bill, will someone shoot me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into (and I don't even have a following on this Blog yet.) So why am I spending so much time swimming through this ocean of RED TAPE? The number one reason is because I said I was going to do it; and now I've committed in public (small as it may be). It's going to take me days to complete the read and take the notes to describe what I'm reading as this Bill, S510, is 225 pages long and not an easy or enjoyable read, believe me. Right now, I'm on page 54 (that's less than one quarter of the way through it). Thank goodness, I didn't say I was going to comment on the Health Care Bill. I will complete this and give a report; so if you're out there, hang on. It just so happens I'm a good swimmer; so once I clear my lungs, I'll start swimming again. The Work Begins on S510 The Work Begins on S510. There's been a lot written about this Bill. If you google S510 you get tons of posts about it's horrors, many of them repeating the same things: "S510Makes it illegal to Grow, Share, Trade or Sell Homegrown Food!" When I declared I was going to write (actually, I said "RANT") about S510, my intention was to do some internet research and put it into my own words. I did not intend to read the Bill. After all, if our representatives in Congress don't read their Bills, why should I? WRONG THINKING! I'm doing an about face. I just went to the Government Tracking Site (I'll give you the url later) and copied and printed S510. My next trick is to sit down (actually I'll probably lay down as I believe what's coming is something I'll need to be laying down to take) and read it. Then I'll be qualified to talk about it. So here goes. About to read the 50+ page S510 Bill. What fun. By AquaponicsUSA • Posted in Food Freedom Issues, Food Politics • Tagged food freedom, food regulations, food safety bill, S510

What is meant by 'social signals' is the votes, pins, views, shares, and likes on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, Facebook, and all the other social media platforms that work to filter the numerous search engine algorithms. That means, of course, that social signals will indicate just how much a particular brand is being talking about by potential customers. It goes without saying that this kind of interest and activity will definitely improve a brand's SERP ranking, since all search engines are programmed to view social signals as legitimate and dependable recommendations. And just what do social signals do? The connection between the proper social signals and a reduced bounce rate is making marketers who haven't invested in the theory and practice of social signals very nervous. It seems obvious to even the most traditional social media users that social signals are creating greater repeat visits to sites. A single page with good social signals is able to impact many other pages in the same domain, which in turn is likely to improve the rankings criteria. And when a web page is liked or voted for, this is guaranteed to start replacing backlinks. The tag team effect thus engendered is bound to increase brand visibility and move it higher in the SERP ratings. The growing use of social media platforms to disperse information or merely to keep people and communities in touch is changing how the world communicates, and the new phenomenon of social signals are the logical outcome of this communication revolution. Experiences shows that most people now prefer to visit particular platforms not simply for their lofty search engine ranking, but because peer recommendations, especially through social signals, have led them there. This also means that websites that are socially linked can see an improvement in their conversion rates, with in turn means higher brand loyalty as well as better brand awareness. Once this loop is in place it only promotes more and better consumer reviews and other social signal messages that keep building the brand, with the potential to make it explode like a nuclear reactor gone critical — or, in this case, viral. Companies that are in the thick of things when it comes to social media will have very little major work to do to start taking full advantage of social signals. Those companies that are still lagging behind on their social media engagement need to make a major effort to catch up with their competitors and contemporaries, try some other local marketing tactics like SEO or risk losing a major amount of business in 2019.

Op-Ed: Why you Should Consider Forgiving Kamala Harris Since Kamala Harris' presidential campaign announcement in January, there's been a lot of info floating around about her record as the Attorney General of California. To start, there are some "facts" floating around need clarification. In particular, the most popular critique of Harris is that she allegedly argued that inmates serving time for low-level crimes be kept in prison because their release would be too big of a blow to California's labor force. This statement was attributed to her because it was argued by one of her attorneys in court, despite the fact that she indicated that she was "very troubled" by the argument. Of course, it's impossible to know whether or not she shares that sentiment, but it's important nonetheless to note that she never publicly stated such an idea. There are still some grim facts of Kamala Harris' time as a District Attorney and as the Attorney General that are not fake news. She pushed for the death penalty. She worked to uphold wrongful convictions involving misconduct by government actors (and in so doing denied a DNA test to an inmate on death row, only to be nationally challenged and eventually give in). She also sought to avoid investigations of police shootings. An interesting split emerges in Harris' work, however, when one looks at her policies outside of the realm of punishment. For example, she started initiatives to reform low-level drug offenders and helped put them on a path to educational or occupational opportunities. Under the assumption that attending school minimizes children's likelihoods of turning to crime, she attempted to help parents overcome the obstacles that prevented them from sending their kids to school. When it comes to preventative measures, Harris is all about going easy on people. But when it comes to punishment, she gets tough. Unfortunately, this toughness isn't anything particularly groundbreaking. Being "tough on crime" earns easy bipartisan support. People, understandably, value their safety and seek ways to protect it, motivating both sides of the aisle to get behind policies that address the people's concerns. Additionally, many of the positions in the judicial system — from district attorneys and sheriffs all the way up to the state Attorney General — are elected positions. Candidates running for these spots find it easy to win votes with promises of keeping the community safe, preying on the electorate's fear of crime to equate being tough with being competent. In order for an elected official to keep their job, they must deliver on these promises or risk facing smear campaigns about the time they "went easy" on a violent criminal. To see this dynamic at play, one must look no further than Alabama, the only state that still allows judges to override juries' sentencing decisions. In his book Just Mercy (a must read if you're interested in criminal justice reform), Bryan Stevenson notes that during election years, Alabama judges more frequently override a jury's life imprisonment sentence to replace it with the death penalty. To put it more simply, because the state's eyes are on the judge during election season, they feel compelled to crack down on convicted criminals by sentencing them to death. Additionally, according to a study done by the Brennan Center, increases in TV ads in Supreme Court races led justices to be more likely to vote against a suspected criminal, specifically out of fear of "distorted, soft-on-crime attacks." The election of officials in the criminal justice system creates an environment in which Attorney Generals feel pressured to find an answer for every crime, even if one is not readily available. All this is not to say that you must forgive Kamala Harris, but rather, to give you a lens through which to view her professional past. When both parties are tough on crime, being too easy means neither party has your back. It's possible that if she had pursued lighter sentences then she would have been replaced by someone who was both aggressive with crime and did not value the positive programs that she implemented. In other words, being tough on crime is not necessarily inconsistent with being a "progressive prosecutor" as Harris has labeled herself. Harris' mixed record on prevention versus punishment demonstrates that being "progressive" is an ideal that she strived for while simultaneously balancing community concerns about crime. It's easier in the short run to respond to crimes rather than to work to prevent them, but Harris nonetheless put in the effort for rehabilitation and preventative programs. Thus, as a high-level prosecutor in an environment where being tough on crime earns bipartisan support and votes, Harris' tough record is potentially more of a reflection of the system than her personal beliefs. Your SparkNotes Guide to the Fifth Democratic Presidential Debate Recap: Fifth Democratic Debate Vanderbilt Faculty and Staff Contributions for the 2020 Election Cycle Politicon: Trump's Republican Challengers As Impeachment Looms, How Does the Democratic Party Position Itself for the 2020 Election? Ranked-Choice Voting: American Voting System of the Future? Belmont University to Host the Final 2020 General Election Debate Recap: Third Democratic Debate Op-Ed: Klobuchar's Nashville Event Shows Campaign's Intersectionality Issues OPINION: Elizabeth Warren's Foreign Policy Plans Fall Short

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 19, 2014) - Choice Gold Corp. (CSE:CHF) ("Choice") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a tripartite Letter of Intent ("LOI") with International Enexco Inc. ("IEC") and Full Metal Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FMM) ("Full Metal") to consolidate prospective copper assets in low-risk jurisdictions. Pursuant to the LOI, each Full Metal shareholder will receive 2.0 common shares of Choice and 1.0 listed share purchase warrant of Choice (each whole warrant a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable for 5 years at a price of $0.10 per share (together, the "Full Metal Consideration") in exchange for the acquisition of Full Metal Minerals (U.S.A.) Inc. ("Full Metal US"), the wholly owned subsidiary of Full Metal that holds the Pyramid Copper Project in Alaska. Concurrently, each IEC shareholder will receive 8.8 common shares of Choice and 4.4 Warrants (collectively, the "Transaction") in exchange for the acquisition of Enexco International Inc. ("Enexco US"), the wholly owned subsidiary of IEC that holds the Contact Copper Project located in Nevada. It is anticipated that Choice will be renamed CopperBank Resources Corp. ("CopperBank") and complete a five for one share consolidation upon closing of the Transaction. In addition, prior to the completion of the Transaction, Choice is to complete a financing no less than $2 million for CopperBank. Together, CopperBank will hold both the Contact and Pyramid Copper Projects located in Nevada and Alaska respectively. Simultaneously, IEC has entered into a separate Letter of Intent with Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison") pursuant to which Denison will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of IEC save for the Enexco US subsidiary holding the Contact Copper Project. 100% ownership of copper exploration and development assets in excellent mining jurisdictions, providing shareholders with excellent leverage to copper. Exposure to the advanced Contact Copper Project in Northern Nevada that has demonstrated strong economics at today's copper prices. Gianni Kovacevic, Choice Gold's Chairman states: "We are pleased to present this exciting, and in our minds timely opportunity, to our collective shareholder base. By creating this business model we aim to satisfy a consolidation demand from our global pool of natural resource investors and at the same time offer investors an efficient and well managed vehicle leveraged to higher copper prices. Furthermore, with our focused team we will work hard to create additional shareholder value by aggressively assessing various other projects available at this time. We see projects both inside and outside the public markets valued at less than the dollars put in the ground to delineate them, let alone their underlying net asset values. This is a great opportunity." Choice expects the Full Metal Transaction will take place by way of an asset purchase agreement or such other structure to be determined in a manner that is mutually agreeable from a tax perspective to Choice and Full Metal shareholders. Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, the Transaction is conditional upon a number of items, including, without limitation, the approval of the board of directors of each party and the entering into of a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement (the "FMM Purchase Agreement") between Choice and Full Metal for the sale of Full Metal US on the terms described above. Concurrently, Choice will enter into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "IEC Purchase Agreement") with IEC for the sale of Enexco US on the terms described above. Full details of the Transaction will be included in the formal FMM Purchase Agreement, the IEC Purchase Agreement, and management information circular to be filed with regulatory authorities and mailed to shareholders in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Transactions will be subject to the approval of 66-2/3% of Choice, Full Metal, and IEC shareholders who vote at the meeting. The FMM Purchase Agreement and the IEC Purchase Agreement will provide that, if Choice, Full Metal or IEC completes an alternative transaction, within 12 months of this announcement, a breakup fee of $50,000 would be payable in certain conditions. Upon completion of the Transactions, it is anticipated that the Board of Directors of CopperBank will be comprised of Brad Armstrong, Dan Frederiksen and Todd Hilditch from IEC, along with Rob McLeod from Full Metal, and Gianni Kovacevic from Choice. It is expected that Rob McLeod will be appointed CEO of CopperBank and Bill Willoughby will be appointed President. The Transactions are expected to be completed in June 2014 or such later date as the parties may mutually agree. Choice Gold is a CSE (formerly CNSX) listed company in the business of acquiring and advancing late stage, high quality mineral deposits. Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Choice Gold Corp.'s (the "Company") current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Transaction, financing and certain corporate changes. Specifically, the LOI is subject to numerous conditions precedent to closing including shareholder approval, completion of a financing, and regulatory approvals. There are no assurances that all conditions precedent will be satisfied or waived or that the Transaction will be successfully completed on the terms and conditions contemplated herein or at all. Additionally, the LOI is subject to the Company completing an equity financing in an amount of $2 million and there are no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing such financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. About this company Choice Gold Corp.

1Life and career 1.22011–2019: Beginnings, The Golden Age, and other ventures 1.32019–present: Singles, S16 and collaboration with Paris 2024 2Directing and awards 4Discography 4.1Albums 4.2Soundtracks 4.3Extended plays 4.4.1As lead artist 4.4.2As featured artist 4.4.3Notes 4.5Music videos 5Videography as director Yoann Lemoine French music video director, graphic designer and musician Lemoine performing live in 2014 (1983-03-16) 16 March 1983 (age 39) Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, Rhône-Alpes, France Pop[1] chamber pop[2] art pop[3] neofolk[4] Music video director Instrument(s) Green United Music www.woodkid.com Yoann Lemoine (French pronunciation: ​[jɔan ləmwan]; born 16 March 1983), known professionally as Woodkid, is a French music video director, graphic designer and singer-songwriter.[5][6] His most notable works include his music video direction for Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", Taylor Swift's "Back to December", Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die" and Harry Styles's "Sign of the Times". Lemoine is also a chamber pop musician.[7] On 28 March 2011, he released his first EP Iron EP.[8] On 18 March 2013, he released his first album titled The Golden Age, which is an autobiographical record.[9] He released his second album S16 on 16 October 2020, more than seven years later, following some single releases. Life and career[edit] Yoann Lemoine was born in Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, near Lyon to a mother of Polish-Jewish origin.[10] He studied illustration and animation at the Émile Cohl school, where he completed his diploma with honors. He then left for the UK to follow a silk screen printing process course at Swindon College. In 2004, Yoann moved to Paris. After a brief experience at H5, he joined Luc Besson's crew and worked on the project Arthur and the Invisibles for a year. In 2006, Yoann directed a series of roughs for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette.[11][12] Woodkid performing at the Kaufleuten in Zurich, 2013 2011–2019: Beginnings, The Golden Age, and other ventures[edit] His first musical project is about the transition from childhood to adulthood and his countryside background. The songs can be described as 'organic' and wooden. The project is about a kid, who starts organic and later turns himself into marble.[8] One explanation as to why Lemoine became a musician is that guitarist Richie Havens gave him a ukulele during a video shoot he was directing.[13] Woodkid released the Iron EP on 28 March 2011.[8] For the music video for the single "Iron" (composed by Yoann Lemoine), he collaborated with English model Agyness Deyn.[14] The song was featured in trailers for Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Revelations[15] and the film Hitchcock as well as the TV series Teen Wolf. On 6 October 2011, during a live performance in Brussels, he performed a cover of the Katy Perry song "Teenage Dream"[16] (whose official video he directed). On 15 October 2011, he sang on stage with Lana Del Rey in New York City.[17][18] He co-created the video for her song "Born to Die".[19] He performed at the London Jazz Festival on 15 November 2012.[20] The French couture brand Dior Homme's fall-winter 2013 collection, "A Soldier on My Own", was inspired by Woodkid's "Iron", and is named after a phrase in the lyrics. The song was used as the soundtrack of the show.[21] Woodkid and Philip Glass after their conference about New York Minimalism at the Opera de Saint Etienne in 2014 On 15 December 2012, Lemoine announced he was beginning recording of his debut album, to be named The Golden Age.[22] It was released on 18 March 2013 through independent label, Green United Music. Lemoine released the official album cover through a video he created himself on 14 December 2012[23] and released the album's corresponding track listing one week later on 21 December on his official Facebook page.[24] "Run Boy Run" was directed by Lemoine himself[25] and was used in several O2 and Science Channel adverts (those voiced by Sean Bean).[26][27] It was also used in the teaser trailers for the BBC's series Musketeers, in January 2014.[28] The music video for "Run Boy Run" was nominated for Best Short Form Music Video at the 2013 Grammy Awards. The song was also used in the trailer for the game Dying Light. "Run Boy Run" and "I Love You" were featured on the soundtrack of the 2014 film Divergent. During his Golden Age tour, Woodkid performed at the London Brixton Academy with the BBC Concert Orchestra[29] in November 2013,[30] and was invited by the Montreux Jazz Festival to perform for the second time with the Sinfonietta de Lausanne at the Stravinsky Auditorium.[31] The Golden Age tour performances were marked by a well-coordinated light show and visual projections that included imagery from his music videos.[32] The song is also used in the Umbrella Academy, in connection to Number 5, and the episode was also called Run Boy Run. In January 2014, Lemoine / Woodkid was invited to give a performance and talk about the New York minimalist movement with Philip Glass by the Opéra and Museum of Modern Art of Saint-Étienne.[33] In February 2014, Woodkid received the award for best stage performer at the French equivalent of the Grammy Awards, Les Victoires de la Musique.[34] In 2014, Woodkid / Lemoine worked as creative director for Pharrell Williams' 24 Hours of Happy music video concept, seen more than 600 million times on YouTube.[35][36] He also served as creative director of the video campaign for John Legend's album Love in the Future, produced by Kanye West, including videos for "Who Do We Think We Are", directed by Paul Gore[37] and "Made to Love", directed by Daniel Sannwald.[38] In April 2014, Woodkid performed at Coachella.[39] On 26 June 2014, Woodkid opened the Montreal International Jazz Festival with a free outdoor concert to an audience of 100,000+.[40] In July 2014, Ubisoft released its second cinematic trailer for Assassin's Creed Unity, where "The Golden Age" was played. In August 2014, Woodkid performed at the FM4 Frequency Festival in Austria. In December 2014, Woodkid performed at Wonderfruit in Thailand. He also directed Pharrell Williams's Coachella show, featuring Jay Z, Gwen Stefani, Usher, Pusha T, Busta Rhymes, and Puff Daddy.[41] The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps featured "Run Boy Run" as part of their 2015 repertoire, entitled "Game On". On 15 July 2016, Woodkid performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival at a special "Woodkid and Friends" evening with a nearly all acoustic set. He was accompanied by the Sinfonietta de Lausanne orchestra and a choir of children from the Montreux Choral Festival. Among his friends who also performed at this event were Son Lux, The Shoes, Ed Droste, Thomas Bloch, and actress Elle Fanning singing for the first time live on a stage.[42] On 16 September 2016, Woodkid promoted Mykki Blanco's debut album on his Facebook page. He is featured on the single "High School Never Ends" and helped produce the album. In March 2017, the second episode of 13 Reasons Why aired, featuring "Run Boy Run". In February 2019, the second episode of The Umbrella Academy aired, which also featured "Run Boy Run" and used the song as the episode's namesake. In May 2022, the fifth episode of The Pentaverate aired, which also featured "Run Boy Run". 2019–present: Singles, S16 and collaboration with Paris 2024[edit] On 7 May 2019, Woodkid released the EP Woodkid For Nicolas Ghesquière – Louis Vuitton Works One, featuring Jennifer Connelly and Moses Sumney. On 12 December 2019, Woodkid announced the production of a new album set to release in 2020. On 24 April 2020, Woodkid released "Goliath", the first single from his upcoming album.[43] He released on 16 October 2020 his next album "S16".[44] In 2021, Woodkid teamed up with Paris 2024 to compose a new song called "Prologue", this song was featured in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the 2020 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony and was released on digital platforms on 8 August of that year. On 27 October 2021, Woodkid announced on Twitter[45] that he had made an original song for the Riot Games series Arcane. The song in question, "Guns For Hire", was featured in the sixth episode of the series released in November 2021. On 30 November 2021, Woodkid made a post threatening legal action concerning the use of his music in propaganda from a group supporting politician Éric Zemmour. The post quickly gained popularity, gathering over 48,000 likes in just 7 hours.[46] In 2022, Lemoine collaborated with French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer on her twelfth album, "L'Emprise", producing more than half of the album. He also provided the artwork for the album. Directing and awards[edit] In June 2010, he received 5 Lions for his AIDS Awareness campaign Graffiti at the Cannes Lions Advertising festival.[47] Lemoine's films are produced by Iconoclast.[48] In 2012, Lemoine received the award for Best Director of the Year at the MVPA Awards in Los Angeles[49] and was nominated for 6 MTV Video Music awards for his videos for Lana Del Rey, Drake, and Rihanna.[50] Lemoine is openly gay.[51][52][53] Discography[edit] Albums[edit] Peak chart positions (FL) Released: 18 March 2013 Label: Green United Music Format: CD, DL, LP, streaming 2 13 6 34 8 23 4 38 133 38 SNEP: Platinum[64] BVMI: Gold[65] IFPI SWI: Gold[66] Released: 16 October 2020[67] [68] 39 138 14 30 — 5 — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Soundtracks[edit] Desierto (Original Motion Picture Score) Released: 8 April 2016[69] Label: CG Cinema, Green United Format: CD, digital download Extended plays[edit] Iron EP[70] Label: Green United / Island Universal Format: CD, digital download, vinyl Run Boy Run (Remixes) Ellis EP[71] (with Nils Frahm) Released: 8 July 2016 Label: Erased Tapes Woodkid for Nicolas Ghesquière – Louis Vuitton Works One[72] (with Jennifer Connelly and Moses Sumney) Released: 7 May 2019 Label: Island Records As lead artist[edit] "Iron" 2011 29 — 21 — — — 94 The Golden Age "Run Boy Run" 2012 52 39 —[A] 55 11 60 44 BPI: Gold[73] "I Love You" 2013 22 — —[B] 17 61 — — "The Golden Age" 131 — — — — — — "Never Let You Down" (featuring Lykke Li) 2015 118 — — — — — — The Divergent Series: Insurgent "Volcano" — — — — — — — Non-album single "Land of All"[74] 2016 86 — — — — — — Desierto – Original Soundtrack "Winter Morning I" 144 — — — — — — Ellis EP "L'aérogramme de Los Angeles"[75] (with Louis Garrel) 2018 200 — — — — — — Génération(s) Eperdue(s)[76] "Goliath"[77] 2020 22 — — — — — — S16 "Pale Yellow"[78] 70 — — — — — — "Horizons Into Battlegrounds"[79] As featured artist[edit] "Clear"[80] (Panteros666 featuring Woodkid) 2015 Non-album single "Highschool Never Ends"[81] (Mykki Blanco featuring Woodkid) 2016 Mykki "Karma"[82] (Mahmood featuring Woodkid) 2021 Ghettolimpo ^ "Run Boy Run" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 43 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[56] ^ "I Love You" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 28 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[56] Music videos[edit] 2011 "Iron"[14] 2012 "Run Boy Run" 2013 "I Love You" 2014 "The Golden Age" 2016 "Land of All" 2020 "Goliath" 2020 "In Your Likeness" Videography as director[edit] 2008 Yelle "Ce Jeu"[83] 2009 Nolwenn Leroy "Faut-il, faut-il pas ?"[84] 2009 Moby "Mistake" 2010 Mystery Jets "Dreaming of Another World" 2010 Katy Perry "Teenage Dream"[85] 2011 Taylor Swift "Back to December"[86] 2011 The Shoes[87] "Wastin Time"[88] 2011 Lana Del Rey "Born to Die"[89] 2012 Drake, Rihanna "Take Care"[90] 2012 Lana Del Rey "Blue Jeans" 2014 Black Atlass "Jewels" 2017 Harry Styles "Sign of the Times"[91] 2022 FKA twigs "Killer"[92] Nominee(s) Antville Music Video Awards 2011 Best Art Direction "Iron" Won [93] Best Cinematography Nominated 2012 "Lolita Lempicka" Nominated [94] "Run Boy Run" Nominated Best Art Direction Won Best Editing Nominated Ariel Awards 2017 Best Original Music Desierto Nominated [95] 2018 British Video of the Year "Sign of the Times" Won [96] 2011 Best Music Video "Iron" Nominated [95] 2012 "Blue Jeans" Nominated 2013 "I Love You" Nominated [97] 2014 "The Golden Age" Nominated [98] 2016 "Highschool Never Ends" Nominated [99] Best Cinematography Won [100] Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2009 Best Film – Silver "Tiji" Won [101] 2010 Cyber – Bronze "Graffiti" Won [102] Best Film – Viral – Gold Won [102] Eurobest European Advertising Festival 2010 Best Film – Bronze "Graffiti" Won [103] 2013 Best Music Video "Run Boy Run" Nominated [95] 2015 "The Golden Age" Nominated Music Video Festival 2013 Best International Video "Run Boy Run" Nominated [104] 2020 "Goliath" Nominated [105] UK Music Video Awards 2011 Best Pop Video – International "Iron" Nominated [106] Best Styling in a Video Nominated Best Visual Effects in a Video Nominated 2012 Best Indie/Rock Video – International "Run Boy Run" Nominated [107] Best Visual Effects in a Video Won Best Pop Video – International "Born to Die" Won "Blue Jeans" Nominated 2013 Best Cinematography in a Video "I Love You" Nominated [108] 2014 "The Golden Age" Nominated [109] 2020 Best Alternative Video – International "Goliath" Nominated [110] Best Color Grading in a Video Nominated ^ Lester, Paul (23 January 2013). 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Rfimusique.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2014. ^ "YOANNmain". Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012. ^ "WOODKID live in Paris [video] | Grateful Grapefruit". Gratefulgrapefruit.com. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2013. ^ "Le Ukulélé de Woodkid". Retrieved 18 February 2015. ^ a b "Work with Agyness Deyn". Vogue. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ "Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Official E3 Trailer". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 24 January 2013. ^ "Woodkid – Teenage Dream". YouTube. Retrieved 10 August 2014. ^ Woodkid and Lana Del Rey performing "Iron" in NYC (Highline Ballroom) on October 15, 2011. YouTube (15 October 2011). Retrieved on 22 January 2012. ^ "Lana Del Rey signs with Interscope". 28 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011. ^ Lana Del Rey – Born To Die. YouTube (14 December 2011). Retrieved on 22 January 2012. ^ "Woodkid". Retrieved 24 January 2013. ^ "Woodkid For Dior". 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"Very proud to be part of League of Legend's upcoming show Arcane on @netflix with a brand new song called «Guns For Hire »" (Tweet) – via Twitter. ^ Yoann Lemoine [@Woodkid] (30 November 2021). "[picture] Communiqué – Génération Zemmour, groupe de soutien à la candidature de Monsieur Eric Zemmour aux prochaines élections présidentielles a publié une vidéo de propagande utilisant, de manière totalement illicite, ma musique et j'entends donc clairement engager des poursuites dans ce cadre" [Press release - Génération Zemmour, a group supporting the candidacy of Mr. Eric Zemmour in the upcoming presidential elections, has published a propaganda video using my music in a totally illicit manner, and I therefore clearly intend to take legal action in this context.] (Tweet) (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2022 – via Twitter. ^ "Official Website Awards". 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ "ICONOCLAST U.S." iconoclast.tv. ^ "2012 MVPA Award WINNERS". VideoStatic. ^ Kaufman, Gil. 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Retrieved 12 October 2020. ^ "Horizons Into Battlegrounds by Woodkid". Spotify. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020. ^ "Clear (feat. Woodkid) by Panteros666 on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018. ^ "Highschool Never Ends (feat. Woodkid) – Single by Mykki Blanco on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 16 October 2018. ^ "Karma (feat. Woodkid) – Single by Mahmood on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021. ^ "Interview with Yelle". Aural States. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ "Interview with Nolwenn Leroy". elle.fr (in French). 19 December 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2013. ^ "Katy Perry Talks 'Gorgeous' Video For 'Teenage Dream'". MTv. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ "Taylor Swift Breaks A Heart in Her 'Back To December' Video". MTv. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ THE SHOES | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's. Myspace.com (8 December 2011). Retrieved on 22 January 2012. ^ The Shoes – Wastin Time On Vimeo. Vimeo.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2012. ^ Volledige naam. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 29 March 2013. ^ JJ lyfe. "Music Video News: IN PRODUCTION: Drake f/ Rihanna – Yoann Lemoine, dir". Video Static. Retrieved 29 March 2013. ^ "Harry Styles releases debut single 'Sign of the Times'". Sony Music UK. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2020. ^ "FKA twigs Shares New Video for "Killer": Watch". Pitchfork. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022. ^ "The Antville Music Video Awards 2011". videos.antville.org. ^ "ANTVILLE MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2012 - POLLS". videos.antville.org. ^ a b c "Woodkid". IMDb. ^ "Brit Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. 21 February 2018. ^ "MUSIC VIDEOS COMPETITION NOMINATIONS – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021". camerimage.pl. ^ "MUSIC VIDEOS COMPETITION NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021". camerimage.pl. ^ "MUSIC VIDEO NOMINATIONS ARE HERE! – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021". camerimage.pl. ^ "Archive – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021". camerimage.pl. ^ "Cannes Lions Advertising Festival Award List". DDB Paris. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ a b "Awards won by Aides Graffiti". Aides. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2011. ^ "Eurobest – Europe's Creative Advertising Festival and Awards". Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011. ^ https://www.musicvideofestival.com.br/en/awards/2013/ ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2011: here are the nominations! | News | Promonews". Promonewstv. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2013: here are the nominations... | News | Promonews". Promonewstv. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2020: all the nominations!". Promonews. Retrieved 29 September 2020. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Woodkid. Woodkid on labelgum (Green United Music) Woodkid's Discography on discogs Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoann_Lemoine&oldid=1136457256" English-language film directors French music video directors French people of Polish-Jewish descent French male singer-songwriters French gay musicians French pop musicians French LGBT singers French LGBT songwriters Gay singers Gay songwriters 21st-century French male singers 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people LGBT film directors CS1 French-language sources (fr) CS1 Dutch-language sources (nl) Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts

Mike Schroepfer This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent, third-party sources. (May 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Mike Schroepfer, November 2010 (1975-02-01) February 1, 1975 (age 44)[1] CTO at Facebook (2013–Present) Mike Schroepfer (born February 1, 1975[1][2]) is an entrepreneur, technical architect and manager who is the CTO at Facebook since his appointment in March 2013.[3] He was previously Vice President of Engineering in the same company since July 2008.[4] Schroepfer attended Spanish River Community High School in Palm Beach County, Florida, graduating in 1993. He holds a bachelor's degree (1997) and a master's degree (1999) in computer science from Stanford University.[2][4][5] He was Software Engineer at computer software company Puffin Designs from October 1997 to November 1999 when he became a partner in Reactivity, Inc., a computer software consulting practice.[6] Schroepfer founded the computer software company CenterRun in June 2000, becoming its Chief Architect and Director of Engineering. CenterRun was acquired by Sun Microsystems in November 2003. After the take over, he became the Chief Technology Officer for Sun's data center automation division ("N1").[4][6][7] Schroepfer was the Vice President of engineering at Mozilla Corporation from July 2005 to August 2008,[6] where he led the development of the Firefox web browser.[4][6][7][8] He became director of engineering at Facebook in July 2008.[7][8] In 2008 he was listed as number 20 in the 25 Most Influential People in Mobile Technology by Laptopmag.com.[1] In 2010 Fortune listed him and two colleagues at Facebook's technical branch as joint number 27 in their list of the 40 under 40.[9] Schroepfer has been known for his work on artificial intelligence at Facebook. Particularly, he gained attention amid the social media network's attempt to address the proliferation of false, misleading, and inappropriate content within the platform.[10] It was reported that Mark Zuckerberg believes that Facebook can address the problem through its proprietary AI technology,[10] which initially focused on greater facial recognition capability and better ad targeting.[11] According to Schroepfer, Facebook's AI succeeded at certain types of content moderation.[12] For example, its image classifier algorithms can automatically identify and delete photos and videos that contain nudity.[12] Schroepfer became a member of the board of directors for Investment Management firm, Wealthfront, announced on November 16, 2015.[13] He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.[5][6] ^ a b c LAPTOP Staff (May 27, 2008). "Mike Schroepfer - 25 Most Influential People in Mobile Technology". Laptopmag.com. ^ a b "Mike Schroepfer". Facebook. 6 February 2012. ^ Geron, Tomio. "Facebook Names Mike Schroepfer CTO". Forbes.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012. ^ a b c d "Mike Schroepfer". Crunchbase.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012. ^ a b "Mike Schroepfer, Facebook VP of Engineering". Science Gallery. Trinity College, Dublin. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2011-01-09. ^ a b c d e "Mike Schroepfer". Linkedin. Retrieved 2011-01-09. ^ a b c "'Vice President of Engineering at Facebook". Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. 2008. ^ a b Claburn, Thomas (July 28, 2008). "Facebook Hires Mozilla Engineering VP Mike Schroepfer". InformationWeek. Retrieved 9 January 2011. ^ Staff (2010). "40 Under 40 2010". Fortune magazine. Retrieved 5 March 2016. ^ a b Metz, Cade; Isaac, Mike (2019-05-17). "Facebook's A.I. Whiz Now Faces the Task of Cleaning It Up. Sometimes That Brings Him to Tears". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-05-21. ^ Kraus, Rachel. "Don't feel bad for Facebook's CTO". Mashable. Retrieved 2019-05-21. ^ a b The New York Times Editorial Staff (2019). Artificial Intelligence. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. p. 47. ISBN 9781642821376. ^ "Facebook's CTO Mike Schroepfer joins Wealthfront's Board of Directors". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2015-11-17. Interview with Mike Schroepfer on a visit to Cambridge University, UK Anglia TV, Nov 19, 2010, Accessed Jan 2011. Mike Schroepfer explains the role he plays within Facebook's development and delivery and shares his ideas of the future. Bluetooth Beacon EdgeRank Graph Search facebookcorewwwi.onion List of original programs Atlas Solutions Express Wi-Fi Free Basics List of most followed accounts List of most liked pictures Oculus Touch Onavo Wirehog Mark Zuckerberg (28% equity) Dustin Moskovitz (7%) Eduardo Saverin (5%, formerly) Chris Hughes (1%, formerly) Andrew McCollum Jim Breyer (11%) Peter Thiel (2%) Erskine Bowles Susan Desmond-Hellmann Donald E. Graham Mark Zuckerberg (Chairman and CEO) Sheryl Sandberg (COO) David Wehner (CFO) Mike Schroepfer (CTO) Sean Parker (4%, formerly) Owen Van Natta Gideon Yu Adam D'Angelo Chris Kelly Bret Taylor David Ebersman Nick Clegg (VP of Global Affairs and Communications) Lars Rasmussen (Graph Search director) John Carmack (CTO of Oculus VR) Hugo Barra (VP of Oculus VR) Naomi Gleit (VP of social good) Chris Cox (VP of Product) Blake Ross (Director of Product) Ted Ullyot (VP, General Counsel, and Secretary) Matt Cohler Charlie Cheever Randi Zuckerberg Yishan Wong George Hotz Andrei Alexandrescu (research scientist) Elliot Schrage (VP of Global Communications, Marketing and Public Policy) Apache Thrift FQL HipHop for PHP MyRocks Open Compute Project Phabricator RocksDB Telecom Infra Project The Facebook Effect Friending and following Fan-gating Facebook diplomacy Cambridge Analytica data scandal Most-liked Facebook pages Most-viewed videos in the first 24 hours Priscilla Chan (wife of Mark Zuckerberg) Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Aquila Internet relay drone Willow Village Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Schroepfer&oldid=902384458" Stanford University alumni Facebook employees American software engineers Mozilla people American technology chief executives 21st-century American businesspeople American technology company founders Articles lacking reliable references from May 2018

Tax Reform in Georgia: Lessons for Ukraine There is no doubt that the tax reform carried out by the Mikhael Saakashvili's team after its ascend to power in 2004 was a success. But the Georgian government did not start the reform by sharply reducing the tax rates 3410 , November 25, 2015 member of the Editorial Board of VoxUkraine The Georgian government did not start the reform by sharply reducing the tax rates. Before anything else, it reviewed the motivation system within the tax service. It was impossible to fire all the tax inspectors instantly, as it was done with the police. Therefore, the government decided to alter their mindset by restructuring the system of their motivation. First changes in the tax legislation were adopted already in 2005, when a new tax code and a law on tax amnesty were introduced. High tax rates, a complicated corruption-inducing system, kickbacks for securing VAT refund, tax benefits in exchange for bribes, collusion between business and tax inspectors, shake-downs on the companies that were not willing to pay kickbacks. This is all about Georgia before 2004. One of the most favourable tax legislations in the world, the tax service offers highest quality services via electronic systems, businesses are convinced that they have to pay taxes. This is all about Georgia after 2011. There is no doubt that the tax reform carried out by the Mikhael Saakashvili's team after its ascend to power in 2004 was a success. As a result, Georgia climbed 100 places in the Doing Business ranking, from the 111th place in 2005 (the 2005 ranking reflected the situation in the second half of 2003 and the first half of 2004, i. e. before the "Rose revolution") to the 12th place in 2011. The share of the companies that paid taxes (compliance rate) rose to 78-85% from 35%. The ratio of budget revenues to GDP almost doubled, rising from 16% in 2003 to 31% in 2011. The Georgian government did not start the reform by sharply reducing the tax rates. Before anything else, it reviewed the motivation system within the tax service. It was impossible to fire all the tax inspectors instantly, as it was done with the police. Therefore, the government decided to alter their mindset by restructuring the system of their motivation. Harsh sentences given to tax inspectors on corruption charges were combined with widely broadcast arrests of corrupt officials, and quickly discouraged most of them from taking bribes. Authorities arrested numerous former officials and businessmen suspected of corruption. They were given an option of buying themselves out of prison by paying substantial amounts of money to the treasury (the payments sometimes equalled tens of millions of dollars). These methods were condemned by human rights organisations, yet they clearly demonstrated to the society and bureaucrats that the rules of the game had changed and the country started a new way of living. First changes in the tax law occurred already in 2005, when a new tax code and a law on tax amnesty were introduced. There were three stages of the tax reform. The main achievements of the first stage (2005-2006) were the decrease in a number of taxes from 22 to 7, the simplification of tax procedures and the expansion of the tax base. Only a few of the tax rates were reduced. The social security contribution changed the most – from 33 to 20%. The later stages (2007-2009 and 2010-2011) saw radical reductions in tax rates. In 2008, the social security contribution was merged with the personal income tax. The combined tax rate was lowered from 32% to 25% in 2008, and further to 20% in 2009. Also in 2008, the corporate income tax rate was decreased from 20% to 15%, and in 2009, the dividend and interest tax rate was reduced from 15% to 5%. Moreover, the 100% depreciation of fixed assets investment was introduced, with an opportunity to report losses during five years. Table 1. Key tax system indicators in Georgia in 2004-2011 First stage Second stage Third stage Number of taxes 22 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 VAT rate (%) 20 20 18 18 18 18 18 18 Personal income tax rate (%) 12-20 12 12 12 25 20 20 20 Social security contribution (%) 33 20 20 20 Corporation income tax (%) 20 20 20 20 15 15 15 15 Dividend and interest income tax (%) 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 Source: Ministry of Finance of Georgia, IMF Tax rates were lowered simultaneously with broadening the tax base, which included the cancellation of tax benefits, and with introduction of a stricter control over tax evasion. One of the unpopular steps included prohibiting the street trade without a licence (and accordingly with no taxes paid). Small street vendors went to the streets to protest against the measure that could deprive them of their only source of income. The provision that required all enterprises to use cash registers to record VAT collected on each transaction caused massive discontent and the resistance of businesses. The government did not make any concessions. Moreover, it enforced the new rules by means of controlled purchases made by secret customers. It punished all the disobedient enterpreneurs with hefty fines, which often exceeded the price of a cash register by several times. At the same time, the Georgian government streamlined the tax administration system. In order to improve the business environment and to minimise contacts between businesses and bureaucrats, authorities introduced a system of electronic tax reporting in 2007. They also established the risk-based system of tax audits based on clear criteria. Since 2011, only those companies that were deemed at risk of evading taxes were subject to tax inspections. Thanks to the comprehensive tax reform, Georgia managed not only to create a favourable business environment, but also to improve its fiscal situation. It is notable that the state budget revenues grew most before the changes in the tax laws. The ratio of budget revenues to the GDP was equal to 23% already in 2004, in comparison to only 16% in 2003 (a 7.0 percentage points decrease). Tax revenues rose almost by 4.0 percentage points, to 16% of GDP. In the next years, revenues grew as well, yet at a lower speed: they grew by 8.0 percentage points in four years – up to 31% of GDP in 2011. Graph 1. The dynamics of key budget figures in Georgia in 2000-2014 (% of GDP) Source: IMF The Georgian experience of tax reform has never been more relevant for Ukraine as it is today. Both governmental and non-governmental organisations that take part in designing changes to the Ukrainian tax code should analyse the reasons behind the success of the Georgian reforms and draw appropriate conclusions from it. In my opinion, the main reasons of the success are the following: First, Georgian reformers were not only liberals, but pragmaticts as well. Their primary task was to increase the budget revenues. They were successful thanks to the active struggle against corruption, though their methods were not always ideal. Secondly, tax rates were reduced gradually. This reduction was matched by the cancellation of tax benefits, which prevented a slump in budget expenditures and contributed to the creation of the same rules for all. Thirdly, in addition to lowering tax rates, a lot was done to simplify the tax administration system. Fourthly, a stricter control over paying taxes was introduced. A new system was created, which ensured that only those who actually evaded paying taxes were punished. At the same time, honest companies could work without fearing unwarranted and tiresome tax inspections. New strict rules caused discontent and even protests, yet were accepted by the business community because they applied equally to all, without any exemptions. Finally, the comprehensive approach was very important. The main principles of the tax reform in Georgia are low tax rates, ease of paying, strict control over tax evaders, equal rules for all. If at least one ingredient is omitted, a cake called "tax reform" may prove to be not only inedible, but poisonous as well. Tax Reform Week Tax Reform – What's On the Table (Pavlo Kukhta, member of the Editorial Board of iMoRe) Open Letter to the Expert Community and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine from the VoxUkraine Group of Economists Pavlo Sebastianovich: Medium and Small Businesses Displaced From the Legal Field of High Tax Rates (Pavlo Sebastianovich, Civic Platform "Nova Kraina") Vladimir Dubrovskiy: 1-2% of GDP in Additional Revenues as a Result of a Crackdown on Simplified Taxation are Unrealistic Figures (Vladimir Dubrovskiy, RPR expert) Tetyana Prokopchuk: Business Believes that the Priority is to Simplify the Administration of Taxes (Tetyana Prokopchuk, Vice President of Policy of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine) Robert Conrad: Tax Reform is not Simply Changing the Law (Robert Conrad, Duke University) Anna Derevyanko: Cosmetic Changes will not Work for the Society (Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director, European Business Association) Ukraine Needs a Radical but Sensible Tax Reform (Anders Åslund, Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington and author of the book "Ukraine: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It") Roman Zharko: Core Problem of the Ukrainian Tax System is Practice of Discretionary Use of Fiscal Mechanism to Reach the Established Revenue Targets (Roman Zharko, PhD, Tax Manager, Baker Tilly) Tax Reform in Ukraine: How to Accomplish the Impossible (Vladimir Dubrovskiy, expert of the RPR group) Tax Reform in the Light of Macroeconomic Stability: the NBU Perspective (Dmytro Sologub, Deputy Governor at National Bank of Ukraine, and Serhiy Nikolaichuk, Director of monetary policy and economic analysis department at NBU) Macroeconomic Implications of the Tax Reform (Yuriy Gorodnichenko, UC Berkeley, co-founder of VoxUkraine) Support VoxUkraine TAGS Georgia Saakashvili tax system taxes The author doesn`t work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have no relevant affiliations New Vox: Local Elections vs. COVID-19: What's Behind the Scenes? iMoRe №149: Reorganization of Districts and Communities and Continuation of the Land Reform Living at a Distance: How Lockdowns Help Fighting the Pandemic Deputy the Anti-Vaccinator: What Anti-Scientific Theories Does Yuriy Kamelchuk Spread Автор: Svitlana Slipchenko 18.12.2020 Face to Face with Migration Getting Even: How Will Ukraine's Debt Policy Change as a Result of the Crisis? How will preferential treatment of local producers in public procurement impact the GDP of Ukraine Автор: Oleksandr Shepotilo 15.12.2020

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Blue & Gold Macaws You may also know the Blue Gold Macaw as Blue and Yellow Macaw or the Blue Macaw, which is quite accurate considering their color combination. The best stage of keeping Macaws is when they are hand-fed babies. Their impeccable intelligence and mischievous attitude make them appealing among pet owners. They are comical and lovable because they have a natural talent for speaking. But keep in mind that Blue and Gold Macaws don't mimic human voices. Other birds, such as Amazons and African Greys, are more proficient in doing so in terms of inflection and tone. This Blue Macaw have a unique voice that they love using to speak. Blue and Gold Macaws can live as long as 60 or 80 years and grow over nearly 32-34 inches measuring from the top of their head to their tail feathers. For a lifespan like that, they require proper nutrition and diet. Since these birds are bigger in size and joyful in nature, they require a spacious environment to play. Expert pet owners suggest getting King Size cage models to better accommodate them so they can flap their wings freely and move around. They also require outdoor playtime for a change of scenery where they can explore a different environment. Giving the Blue Gold Macaw for sale plenty of toys makes them happy as spending a few out hours outside the cage is good for the Blue Gold Macaw. Call us today (732-764-2473) to find out which Macaw for sale will be perfect for you. Catalina Macaws The Catalina Macaw is a crossbreeds between the Blue and Gold Macaws and Scarlet Macaws. As offspring of the most appealing Macaw bird families, they inherit the physicality of the male birds. They also carry the same size as the male birds of the parent breeds. The colors on the Catalina Macaws depend on the male bird parent, i.e., whether it's a Scarlet or a Blue and Gold Macaw. Most bird sellers use Scarlet Macaw males for breeding with Blue and Gold Macaw females. That's why typically a Catalina Macaw for sale will have an appearance resembling the Harlequin Macaw. Since Catalina Macaws are a crossbreed between two different Macaw breeds, they inherit personality traits from both of them. The softness and friendliness in their nature come from the Blue and Gold Macaws, which overcomes the hard-strung and aggressive tendencies of the Scarlet Macaw. Overall, Catalina Macaws are extremely playful, good talkers, and eager to learn. These Macaws are also very large and therefore, require a much larger cage. For instance, going for a King Model Cage is the right approach since it will offer durability and will withstand the activities of the big Catalina Macaw inside. The hatches also have to be bird-proof because Macaws are extremely playful and often cunning. For most pet owners, handling a baby Catalina Macaw is important because that's what determines the type of characters those birds have when they grow up. Setting proper boundaries and limits can control their aggressive behavior in various instances. Greenwing Macaws While another name for these birds is Greenwing, their name can be misleading for many. These birds are highly beautiful due to the blend of blue, green, and red colors all over their wings. People also confuse these birds with Scarlet Macaws because of their primary color, which is red. However, that's the only similarity between the two different breeds. Both Macaw breeds have quite noticeable differences in their temperaments and appearances. Greenwing Macaw showcases green wings across its wings, while the Scarlet Macaws have a yellowish color across their wing feathers, especially the center. Also, the Greenwing Macaw carries red lines of feathers across their faces, where a Scarlet Macaw has bare facial patches. The average lifespan of a Greenwing Macaw is around 60-80 years, given that pet owners meet their nutritional requirements in terms of quantity and quality. Their length is somewhere around 32-36 inches. Like other Macaws, the Greenwing Macaw for sale also requires larger cages, such as King Model Cages. They reach maturity at around 4-5 years after birth. Apart from their gentle and friendly nature, Greenwing Macaws also have a mischievous side that often causes them to wreak havoc unpredictably. Therefore, most pet owners try to calm and occupy these 'gentle giants' using large chewy toys. Hand raised baby Macaw for sale is available - call us (732-764-2473) or come in and visit anytime. Hahns Macaws Hahn's Macaw is a subspecies of the Red-Shouldered Macaws. The Red-Shouldered Macaws have three subspecies, including the Noble Macaws, Long-Winged Macaws, and Hahn's Macaws. The Hahn's Macaws are the smallest subspecies of the larger breed and measure only around 12 inches in length. Following that, the Noble Macaws measure around 13 inches, whereas The Long-Winged Macaws measure around 14 inches in length. The main difference between the subspecies is that the Hahns Macaw possesses a black-colored beak whereas the Long-Winged Macaws and the Noble Macaws have horn-colored beaks. People often regard the Hahns Macaw as mini macaw because of their length. The Hahns Macaw lifespan is around 20-25 years compared to the 60-80 years lifespan of larger Macaws. Since these Macaws aren't loud and noisy, they are suitable as apartment pets. Considering their highly social and friendly nature, pet owners can easily handle them, provided that they have experience in taking care of birds. The best Hahns Macaw for sale are hand-raised ones, which are great for family-sized pet ownership. With the same attributes as a larger Macaw, the mini macaw is an ideal choice for many bird lovers. Harlequin Macaws These Macaws are the result of breeding Blue and Gold Macaws with Greenwing Macaws. Like some other subspecies and crossbreeds, Harlequin Macaw also inherits the physical size and build from their male parents. If the male is a Blue and Gold Macaw, the crossbreed will share the same physical features. Most special bird sellers keep Harlequin Macaws that have Greenwing Macaws as male parents and Blue and Gold Macaws as female parents. The offspring of such crossbreeding results in red-orange chest Harlequin Macaws with a big head and physical build like Greenwing Macaws. Since both parent breeds are friendly and social in nature, the Harlequins inherit the best out of both breeds. The Harlequin Macaw has a playful, easy-going, slightly mischievous, and intelligent personality. They are also affectionate and highly social, which helps them blend in with their surroundings quite well. Besides, they are also good talkers, which is by far one of the best qualities of the Harlequin Macaws. See what makes Birds by Joe the perfect place to find your Macaw bird for sale, unsurpassed care and quality of bird. The Hyacinth Macaw If you are looking for one of the most popular and majestic Macaw breeds in the market, then the Hyacinth Macaw for sale is your best bet. The Hyacinth Macaw is a highly sought-after parrot among bird lovers. They can measure up to an enormous length of 42 inches from the head to their tail feathers. Carrying strong beaks, these Macaw birds can even snap the cage welds off. Regardless of their strength and unique physical build, bird lovers call them 'gentle giants' because of their calm nature. They are quite affectionate and loving towards their owners. That's not all. In fact, most of the Hyacinth Macaws are also generally friendly towards strangers. Despite that, their price is appearance-based. These birds are incredibly beautiful, with vivid bluish-violet colors across their body. The Hyacinth Macaw also has tapered and long tails. Their wing undersides have a sleek black color, whereas their eyes have bold yellow rings with brown eyes. Near their beak, the Hyacinth Macaw has a small yellowish lower pat, and their tongue has a stripe as well. While their feet are grayish, their overall body hue is yellow. Military Macaws Military Macaw has green colors over their body, but their head comprises a pale shade compared to the rest of their body. These birds have a bare white facial area that comprises a red frontal patch. You may notice blushes on the bird's face when it appears excited. The facial skin isn't entirely naked. It carries lines of black feathers. They also have a red tail that carries blue borders, while the flight feathers feature a beautiful bluish shade. The Military Macaw has a strong beak that is blackish-grey in color. This bird has yellow irises, but it might not be as impressive as other Macaw breeds in terms of appearance. This is because the Military Macaws don't have various colors all over its body. However, the Military Macaw for sale is quite popular among bird lovers. These bird species are quite similar to Bufons Macaws, except for the smaller size and bright green shade. The lifespan of a Military Macaw is around 50-60 years. They are inquisitive and good at talking, which allows them to entertain their owners and themselves with several tricks. While they are very social because of living in large flock inside the wilderness, they are quite intelligent even when raised in captivity. Red-Fronted Macaws When you look at the Red-Fronted Macaws, you will see that they are neither small nor big in comparison to other Macaws. However, their length is generally around 19-21 inches. These birds are perfect for bird lovers who lack the experience of handling larger Macaws but want a bigger bird than mini-Macaws. When they're younger, these birds have the most appealing and attractive coloring on their body. However, as they grow mature, their looks only become more refined and appealing. The beauty of the Red Fronted Macaw is absolutely striking and hard for a bird lover to miss. Their red legs, shoulders, patches, crowns, and wings, combined with orange wing undersides, make these birds look absolutely gorgeous. The wing and tail feathers have a beautiful blue color near the end, which are among the most remarkable physical features of this bird. One of the most interesting things about the Red-Fronted Macaws is that they can keep hovering over an area in a similar way as hummingbirds. They have an intense ability to instantly change their direction while moving in the air. These birds offer plenty of entertainment for owners, especially when they fly around a spacious area. The Red Fronted Macaws for sale is also intelligent and speak countless contexts with proper training and guidance. But like larger Macaws, they are mischievous, and therefore, most bird lovers regard them as a smaller version of the larger and more cunning Macaws. For big or small families, these not-so-loud birds are one of the best options. Scarlet Macaws Scarlet Macaws have bright yellowish bands across their wings. The Scarlet Macaw for sale is on popular demand because they are strikingly beautiful. They feature a blend of red shades across their upper wings and bodies. The lower wing areas of these birds have a royal blue shade that makes for a contrasting color. Most bird lovers often confuse Scarlet Macaw with the Greenwing Macaws due to the color red, which is the primary color for both of them. However, that is the sole similarity between the two. There are many differences with regard to the looks and behaviors of both birds. The Scarlet Macaws have yellowish feathers, while the Greenwing Macaws have feathers carrying a green band. Additionally, the facial features of both Macaws are quite different. The Scarlet Macaws have bare facial patches, while Greenwing Macaws have red lines of feathers over their face. Apart from their stunning appearance, Scarlet Macaws are quite nippy, especially when you make quick movements around them. Moreover, they are quite high-strung in their behavior. While their aggressive behavior might appear hostile to some bird species and types of owners, owners must have proper knowledge about bird handling information and psychology to deal with these Macaws. Severe Macaws The Severe Macaw is in the "mini-Macaws" category but is the largest of all mini-Macaws. The maximum length of this bird can be as high as 18 inches from the tip of the tail feathers to the head. Among all the mini-Macaws, only this Macaw has feathers over its bare face patches. This feature shares a resemblance with that of larger Macaws. The color range of this bird species is mostly green but may have a reddish-blue blend on the wings. It has a blue crown and chestnut-brown head patch around the beak. During the immature stage of their life, the Severe Macaw has a dull plumage compared to other Macaws, and also have a dark iris. However, the iris of this bird species changes from dark to orange as they mature. Being native to the Panama and Brazilian regions, their lifespan is around 30-80 years in captivity. Furthermore, the Severe Macaw breeds quite rapidly and can have several clutches in a single year. These can easily lead to more than a dozen egg hatches. The Severe Macaw for sale are social, enjoy playing with toys, and can mimic the speech and voices of the people around them. These birds love playing with woody and chewy toys. Their talkative nature keeps them, and their owners occupied. The Severe Macaws are quite active and love to play around. In fact, if they feel bored, they can become quite aggressive and destructive as well. Therefore, it is advisable to get a King Sized cage for them. But while they may be aggressive at times, they are ideal for family ownership as house pets that entertain and play with you. Yellow-Collared Macaws These are also mini-Macaws with a smaller size but larger personalities. The Yellow Collared Macaw is an ideal choice if you are looking to adopt Macaws that aren't too large but rather active and talkative like larger Macaws. The Yellow-Collared Macaws, despite their name, are green in color. Their native regions include Argentina, Brazil, and some other countries in between. According to their name, they do have a yellowish collar around their neck. However, this yellow-collar appears only when they mature. On the other hand, they have brown cheeks, crowns, and foreheads. The tail and wing feathers (primary) have a bluish color around the tip and edge. But, the base side of the tail appears reddish-brown when you observe clearly. On their wings and tail, Yellow-Collared Macaws have a yellow underside. The face of the Yellow Collared Macaw is distinctive because they have a darkish-grey color on the beak that grows lighter towards the end. Moreover, they have a white-colored bare facial patch. This bird species is only 15-17 inches in length. The Yellow-Collared Macaw is available for sale if you want a bird that is social and will remain quite active throughout their lifetime. They can talk using several phrases and words but are unaware of the context.

Exhibit (a) (18) IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INC., Plaintiff, Civil Action No. 1:10-cv-06024 BHP BILLITON LTD., BHP BILLITON PLC, and BHP BILLITON DEVELOPMENT 2 (CANADA) LTD., Defendants. COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE AND OTHER RELIEF Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. ("PCS") seeks to preliminarily and permanently enjoin BHP Billiton Ltd., BHP Billiton Plc, and BHP Billiton Development 2 (Canada) Ltd. (together, "BHP") from proceeding on its attempt to wrest majority control from PCS shareholders in a coercive $40 billion hostile tender offer (the "Tender Offer") – an offer built upon false and misleading statements and omissions relating to (i) the background of the offer, (ii) the conditions and uncertainties inherent in that offer, and (iii) BHP's plans for PCS's business if it acquires control, and built upon BHP's manipulation of the perceived value of PCS. 1. On August 12, 2010, BHP's CEO Marius Kloppers met with PCS's CEO Bill Doyle to convey BHP's offer to purchase PCS for $130 a share. Kloppers stated "there is only a short window" to get a deal done. Kloppers also stated that BHP had been "studying PCS since 2001 and more intensively since 2005"; that Doyle had created "unbelievable shareholder value"; and that it was time for Doyle and PCS shareholders "to reap the harvest." But, it is Kloppers and BHP who seek to "reap the harvest." As Kloppers admitted to Doyle, he had "choked on the [PCS] share price more than a couple of times." BHP found a way to try to get past that choke-point – by driving down the price of PCS stock – as one analyst observed after BHP commenced its hostile tender offer: So what are BHP up to? I think they were trying to scare off investors from the potash industry by painting a very apocalyptic view of the future industry, with a view of picking the stock up on the cheap, perhaps at $80 or $90 per share. However, the recent run-up in crop prices will spur demand for fertiliser and give the potash industry a better chance of recovering pricing power. This has driven the [PCS] share price higher and forced BHP's hand. (CF Eclectica Agriculture Fund, 30 July 2010 Monthly Fact Sheet, Eclectica Asset Management LLP, Aug. 2010, available at http://www.eclectica-am.com/pdf/EAGF/reports/ EAGF1007.pdf.) 2. BHP has also sought to increase its chances of acquiring PCS on the cheap by making its offer in an unusually coercive form. Unlike a typical tender offer, BHP has not conditioned its offer on obtaining sufficient shares to enable it to effect a merger of PCS and BHP (662/3% required under Canadian law). Instead, BHP's Tender Offer will be consummated if BHP is able to acquire a bare majority (i.e., just over 50%) of the outstanding PCS shares. PCS shareholders therefore face the real possibility that if they do not tender, they could be left owning shares in an enterprise controlled by BHP and without a clear exit strategy. The result is strong coercion to tender into BHP's inadequate offer. 3. Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), designed to "insure that public shareholders who are confronted with a tender offer will not be required to respond without adequate information," Schreiber v. Burlington Northern, Inc., 472 U.S. 1, 2 (1985), requires that BHP be enjoined because: • Contrary to its representations in the Tender Offer that it began to consider an acquisition of PCS in May 2010, BHP embarked much earlier on a strategy designed to drive down the price of PCS stock and thereby make an acquisition possible – among other things, impairing the perceived future value of PCS by pledging to enter the potash industry as a new competitor, to develop its own greenfield sites into the first new potash mine in Saskatchewan in the last 40 years, and to run its new mine flat out, flooding the market with potash; • Fearing a backlash from its own shareholders because of a failed 2008 bid for mining giant Rio Tinto, BHP sought to avoid a vote of its shareholders on the Tender Offer for PCS shares, and thus (1) made strategically-timed announcements about its plans to become a potash competitor to drive down PCS's perceived value to a low enough level to avoid triggering a BHP shareholder vote, and (2) moved on its intent to acquire PCS in the "small window" before PCS stock price recovered from a 52-week low, and before an expected spike in worldwide potash demand that would surely lead to increases in PCS's stock price and require a BHP shareholder vote; • But, BHP failed to disclose to PCS shareholders that on the day it launched its hostile bid, and thereafter in light of the market reaction to the offer price, it was reasonably likely that a vote of BHP shareholders – required under U.K. law for any acquisition where the consideration equals 25% or more of the acquirer's market capitalization – would be required. Indeed, even BHP's lowball bid was equal to approximately 23% of BHP's market capitalization at the time the tender offer was commenced. BHP's misleading omission deprived PCS shareholders of critical information in at least two respects: that approval of the transaction was uncertain, and that the need for shareholder approval could constrain BHP's ability to increase its bid to a level closer to fair value; and • BHP has also made false and misleading statements regarding its plans for how it will run PCS if it acquires control, whether it will develop its Jansen greenfield project, whether it will participate in the Canpotex joint export venture, and whether it will sell PCS's nitrogen and phosphates businesses. Each of these is a critical consideration for PCS shareholders threatened with the prospect of becoming minority shareholders in a BHP-controlled entity because BHP can complete the tender offer by acquiring just over 50% of the shares. 4. As a result of BHP's misleading statements, PCS shareholders have received false and conflicting information about BHP's offer and PCS's prospects and true value. Since BHP's offer became public, PCS's shares have traded in a range of $145-$150 per share, well above BHP's tender offer price of $130 per share. Indeed, PCS's share price rose to 13% over the BHP offer price after one day and by almost 15% one week later. The market's reaction to the BHP $130 per share offer was unique and reflects a clear signal that the offer is inadequate. Traditionally, in tender offers for large companies, the trading price for the target's shares tends to settle within a week to a price below the tender offer price. Here, PCS shares continue to trade over a month later significantly above the BHP offer price. Based on the information available to the market, the market has determined that $130 per share is not the right price for PCS, but it remains confused about the true value of PCS. 5. In the midst of this confusion, PCS shareholders now face a rapidly approaching deadline of November 18, 2010 to determine whether to tender their shares.1 Because of BHP's false statements, half-truths, and contradictions – all of which were designed to confuse and coerce PCS shareholders into tendering their shares to BHP in a Tender Offer that can be completed with just a bare majority of the shares – shareholders lack clear and accurate information about BHP's intentions and the true value of PCS shares. BHP's statements concerning its plans for PCS and the potash industry are particularly coercive to PCS shareholders because those who do not tender their shares, or all their shares, may well be left in an enterprise controlled by BHP with great uncertainty as to the value of their shares and no clear exit strategy. 6. BHP has violated the federal securities laws and it should be enjoined from proceeding with its Tender Offer. Otherwise, PCS's shareholders will be irreparably harmed as a result of BHP's coercively-structured tender offer because they face the dilemma of whether to (i) tender their shares to BHP on an inadequate record tainted by BHP's misleading statements and omissions and a manipulated and confused market price that does not reflect the true value 1 The original expiration date was October 19, 2010, but BHP extended that date recently in response to actions undertaken by the Canadian Competition Bureau in connection with that group's review of the Tender Offer. of PCS; or (ii) risk being left as a minority shareholder in an enterprise controlled by BHP with an uncertain future business plan. THE PARTIES A. Plaintiff 7. PCS is a Canadian corporation with its principal place of business in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Through its subsidiaries, PCS maintains its U.S. commercial center in this District, located at 1101 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. PCS's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Approximately 111 million shares, or more than 37% of PCS's outstanding shares, are currently held beneficially by U.S. residents. Of the total PCS shares traded during the past five years, approximately 84% of the daily trading volume was on the NYSE. PCS files periodic reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and its phosphate and most of its nitrogen operations are based in the U.S. B. Defendants 8. BHP Billiton Plc is incorporated in England and Wales and has a registered office at Neathouse Place, Victoria, London SWIV 1BH. 9. BHP Billiton Ltd. is incorporated in Victoria, Australia. It has a registered office at BHP Billiton Centre, 180 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. 10. BHP Billiton Plc maintains a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. BHP Billiton Ltd. maintains a primary listing on the Australian Stock Exchange. 11. Both BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. maintain American Depositary Shares on the NYSE under the symbols BHP (since 1987) and BBL (since 2003), with each American Depositary Share representing two ordinary shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). 12. On June 29, 2001, BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. combined to create the BHP Billiton Group. BHP was created through the Dual Listed Companies (DLC) merger of BHP Ltd. (now BHP Billiton Ltd.) and Billiton Plc (now BHP Billiton Plc), which was consummated on June 29, 2001. The headquarters of BHP Billiton Ltd., and the global headquarters of the combined BHP Billiton Group, are located in Melbourne, Australia. BHP Billiton Plc is located in London, United Kingdom. Shareholders in each entity have equivalent economic and voting rights in the BHP Billiton Group as a whole. 13. BHP Billiton Development 2 (Canada) Ltd. is a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of BHP Billiton Plc. BHP Billiton Development 2 (Canada) Ltd. was formed for the purpose of acquiring PCS. 14. BHP and its affiliates, collectively, are the eighth largest company in the world, with a combined market capitalization of approximately $189 billion, eclipsing such corporate giants as IBM, Shell, and AT&T. According to BHP's latest annual filing with the SEC, as of June 30, 2009, U.S. share ownership of ADRs translated into 299,898,954 shares of BHP Billiton Ltd. and 70,388,132 shares of BHP Billiton Plc, or more than 12% of the combined companies. Combined average daily trading volume for ADRs of BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. on the NYSE has been in excess of six million ADRs daily for the past year. JURISDICTION & VENUE 15. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 15 U.S.C. § 78aa and 28 U.S.C. § 2201. 16. This Court has personal jurisdiction over defendants under Section 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aa, because acts by all three defendants constituting securities law violations have occurred here. BHP's Tender Offer violates the federal securities laws, and thus, the Court can exercise nationwide jurisdiction over defendants. (15 U.S.C. § 78aa.) In addition, this Court has both general and specific personal jurisdiction over defendants because all three defendants are parties to BHP's Tender Offer, which is the gravamen of this action, and which they purposefully caused to be disseminated through the U.S. mails to United States citizens, including citizens of Illinois, in an effort to secure the tender of their shares in PCS. Moreover, on August 12, 2010, the CEO of BHP Billiton Group, Marius Kloppers, acting as an agent for the defendants, came to this District personally to communicate the offer to purchase PCS's shares to its CEO, Bill Doyle. In addition, BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. are subject to personal jurisdiction in the United States because each has purposely availed itself of the benefits and protections of the United States by listing American Depositary Shares on the NYSE. Each of these companies has had continuous and systematic contacts with the United States, both directly and through their subsidiaries, at least one of which is registered to do business in Illinois. Finally, in addition to its own actions with respect to the Tender Offer, this Court has personal jurisdiction over BHP Billiton Development 2 (Canada) Ltd. because it is the alter ego of and is controlled in all respects by BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd., both of which are subject to personal jurisdiction in this Court. 17. Venue is proper in this judicial district under 28 U.S.C. § 1391 and 15 U.S.C. § 78aa. This action arises out of BHP's transaction of business within the State of Illinois. BHP has caused the dissemination of fraudulent and misleading materials to residents of Illinois in connection with its Tender Offer. Moreover, as discussed above, BHP communicated its Tender Offer to PCS in this District, where PCS maintains its U.S. commercial center. 18. Declaratory relief is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 2201 because an actual controversy exists regarding the propriety of BHP's statements and disclosures. A. The Potash Industry 19. "Potash" is the common name of a family of potassium-containing salts that are essential nutrients for plant growth. In most cases, potash is mined from naturally occurring, underground ore deposits. Potash is principally used as an agricultural fertilizer because it is a source of soluble potassium. Farmers throughout the world use large amounts of potash to help crops fight disease and to enhance crop yields. Somewhere between 93-95% of world potash production goes into fertilizer. As a key farm input, potash accounts for roughly 22% of fertilizer in developed economies. That fertilizer is used to grow feed corn that supports cattle and other meat-producing livestock. 20. Potash reserves are confined to relatively few areas of the world. Canada, Russia, and Belarus account for approximately two-thirds of the annual world production and approximately 80% of global reserves. Canada, and in particular the Province of Saskatchewan, is home to the world's largest mineable deposits of potash. 21. One of the unique characteristics of potash that differentiates it from other mined resources is that it is degradable. As a result, potash producers cannot mine in significant excess to demand and hold the extra potash in inventory indefinitely. The Canadian potash industry 2 PCS makes the allegations contained in this complaint upon knowledge as to its own acts and certain actions taken by BHP and upon information and belief as to all other matters. PCS's allegations are based in part on the investigation of its attorneys, which included, among other things, a review and analysis of: (a) SEC filings; (b) press releases, news articles, and other public statements issued by or concerning BHP; (c) statements and information provided to PCS by BHP; and (d) research and analyst reports concerning BHP and its business strategies. experienced this problem in the 1980s when potash mining exceeded demand and significant amounts of the salt were wasted. 22. Entry into the potash industry as a new competitor is challenging due to the time and expense involved in preparing a new mine for operation. The process starts by identifying a "greenfield" – a source of undeveloped potash. After a miner has identified and acquired a greenfield site, it must invest substantial time and money to ready the greenfield location for potash production. This development includes: extensive and expensive exploratory drilling and environmental assessment; developing and constructing the appropriate infrastructure (power, gas, water supply, roads and railways, port facilities and potential domestic distribution facilities, storage, and rail yards); and, in Saskatchewan, freezing the mining shaft area. Only after thorough freezing can shaft drilling, and then mining, begin. 23. The entire process of developing and preparing a single potash mine for operation, from exploratory drilling to a steady state of mining operations, typically costs several billion dollars and takes many years to complete. Mining a newly developed greenfield site for the first time brings many additional challenges, costs, and delays, depending on such factors as ore quality and mine management issues. 24. Given these extraordinary obstacles, new potash mines are rarely developed. In fact, a new potash mine has not been brought into operation in the Province of Saskatchewan in the past 40 years. B. PCS's Business 25. PCS was created in 1975 as a Crown corporation owned by the Saskatchewan government. By the 1980s, the potash industry was faced with a major oversupply problem, due in part to the then-government-owned PCS and its ill-advised strategy to run its mines at full production without regard to demand. The oversupply led to a price war among competitors, an industry crisis, dumping allegations in the U.S., and record losses across the industry. By 1987, the price for potash was at historically depressed levels, such that potash producers were losing millions of dollars. 26. The Saskatchewan government privatized PCS in 1989 in an effort to return the company to profit, and PCS became a publicly-traded company that same year. A turning point for PCS has occurred during the last decade, when meat and poultry became greater staples of the diets of the expanding middle income populations of China and India. Feeding livestock requires more grain, which requires more potash fertilizer. By 2008, demand for potash was at an all-time high, and prices for potash soared, from less than $200 per metric ton one year earlier, to more than $800 per metric ton. 27. As stated in PCS's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, PCS is the world's largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company. It is the largest producer of potash worldwide, by both capacity and production, representing 11% of global potash production and 20% of global potash capacity. 28. PCS is also one of the world's largest producers of phosphates and nitrogen. In 2009, its phosphate operations represented 5% of world phosphoric acid production and its nitrogen operations produced 2% of global ammonia production. 29. As stated in its 2009 Form 10-K, PCS owns and operates five potash mines in the Province of Saskatchewan and one mine in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. It also holds mineral rights at a mine near Esterhazy, Saskatchewan. PCS's mines had an estimated annual maximum operational capability in 2009 of approximately 10.775 million metric tons of potash. 30. The Saskatchewan basin is considered the premier source of world-class potash. The basin currently provides roughly 25% of the world's potash; its untapped potash could supply the world's potash demand, at its current levels, for several hundred years. 31. PCS sells, trades, and markets its Saskatchewan potash outside the United States and Canada through Canpotex Limited ("Canpotex"), an entity that is also owned by Canada's two other primary potash producers – Mosaic Co. and Agrium, Inc.3 Canpotex is the world's largest exporter of potash, and its members, including PCS, benefit from the economies of scale provided by Canpotex's extensive distribution system and lower transportation costs, which can be considerable when shipping from Canada's interior. C. BHP's Interest in Entering the Potash Market. 32. BHP Billiton Group holds itself out as the "world's largest diversified natural resources company," with interests in over 100 operations across more than 25 countries world-wide. BHP's global operations and interests make it the world's largest supplier of seaborne traded hard coking coal and manganese ore; the third largest producer of nickel and copper; the sixth largest producer of primary aluminum; and a leading producer of lead, zinc, iron ore, and export thermal coal. 33. Despite BHP's extensive holdings in a broad range of natural resource mining operations, it does not own or operate a single potash-producing mine. To further diversify its business operations, BHP has sought to enter the lucrative potash market for many years. In particular, BHP has long been interested in acquiring PCS, because of PCS's premier position in the industry and because of the substantial expense, long lead time, and other drawbacks of entering the market by developing new sources of potash production. 3 PCS's subsidiaries sell the company's potash directly to customers in the United States, Canada, and certain other countries. 34. In November 2007, just one month after Kloppers became CEO, BHP launched a hostile bid to acquire mining rival Rio Tinto in what would have been the second largest corporate takeover in history. As part of its offer, BHP notified its shareholders that it would be seeking their approval for the transaction and offered to buy back up to $30 billion in BHP shares within one year of acquiring complete ownership of Rio Tinto. However, by November 2008, commodity prices had dropped and market conditions had deteriorated, and BHP announced that the takeover was no longer in the best interests of its shareholders. 35. In search of his first major acquisition as BHP's newest CEO, Kloppers set his sights on PCS. At the time BHP launched its bid for Rio Tinto, PCS shares were at the beginning of a meteoric rise, increasing from nearly $45 a share in January 2007 to more than $120 per share in November 2007 and as high as $240 per share before BHP decided to abandon its bid to acquire Rio Tinto. 36. Until its August 2010 offer to acquire PCS, BHP concealed its longstanding interest in such an acquisition. Instead, Kloppers and BHP implemented a strategy designed in substantial part to depress the perceived long-term value of PCS, so that BHP could secure control of PCS at a low-ball price. Thus, over the course of several years, BHP fed into the market a supposed "build, not buy" plan – pledging to enter the potash industry as a new competitor; to develop its own greenfield sites into the first new potash mine in Saskatchewan in the last 40 years; and to run its new mine flat out, flooding the market with potash and driving down prices. 37. BHP's announcements were strategically timed, intended to color investors' views of the future for PCS, and designed to raise the specter that BHP was the 800-pound gorilla about to become a major competitor of PCS, including: • As early as June 23, 2008, when PCS's share price was at an all-time high, Kloppers forecasted that BHP "could invest billions – perhaps $10 billion over the next decades – and take [its Canadian potash reserves] into a very, very significant producer of potash;" • On January 28, 2010, the same day that PCS released its fourth quarter results for 2009, BHP announced its acquisition of Athabasca Potash, Inc., which gave BHP access to an additional 14,000 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground near PCS's operations in Saskatchewan; and • On the very day that PCS's Doyle was on his way to Chicago last month to meet with Kloppers (at the latter's request) about BHP's proposal to acquire PCS, Doyle heard of an announcement that BHP planned to open a substantial potash export facility at the Port of Vancouver, Washington. The announcement, however, did not mention that the port contract was not scheduled to be signed until 2012, the proposed facility was not needed in light of existing export facility capacities, or that BHP would not be in a position to ship potash from its promised new mine for at least five more years. 38. At the August 12, 2010 meeting with Doyle, Kloppers lamented that he would have preferred to build a relationship with Doyle before trying to acquire PCS, but stated "there is only a short window" to get a deal done. As discussed below, the only window that was closing was BHP's ability to acquire PCS at a price well below PCS's intrinsic value and without triggering a BHP shareholder vote. 39. BHP's clear aim throughout this process has been to undermine investor confidence in the potash industry – and in PCS's long term prospects in particular – by depressing the market's perception of the long-term intrinsic value of PCS's shares and priming the company for a takeover at an artificially low price. D. BHP Makes a Low-Ball Bid for PCS. 40. At the end of the August 12 meeting, Kloppers presented Doyle with a proposal to combine BHP and PCS pursuant to a plan of arrangement in which PCS shareholders would receive $130 per share. 41. Directly contrary to the "build, not buy" strategy BHP had publicly touted for years, Kloppers told Doyle that BHP had been interested in PCS for 10 years and had seriously considered making an offer to acquire PCS for five years. He commended Doyle for creating "unbelievable shareholder value," and noted that he had "choked on the [PCS] share price more than a couple of times." Kloppers made clear that BHP felt there was only a short window to get the deal done and allow BHP to take advantage of the anticipated ramp-up in worldwide potash demand. This sense of urgency was no doubt intensified by the fact that PCS's share price was on the rise – rebounding from a closing price of $84.60 on July 5, 2010 to $112.04 on the day of Kloppers's visit. BHP was motivated to complete the acquisition before PCS recovered fully. 42. The next day, BHP's chairman Jacques Nasser sent a letter communicating the same proposal to PCS's chairman, Dallas Howe. 43. Doyle immediately took the proposal outlined by Kloppers and in Nasser's letter to the PCS Board of Directors, and in the days that followed, the Board met and consulted with financial and legal advisors in order to weigh the BHP proposal. 44. On August 17, 2010, after fully considering BHP's $130 per share proposal, PCS's Board of Directors unanimously rejected it. The PCS Board concluded that the proposal was not in the best interests of PCS's shareholders and was wholly inadequate in light of PCS's fundamentals, market position, and strong prospects for future growth. 45. That same day, PCS communicated its decision to BHP in a letter from Howe to Nasser. In the letter, Howe explained that PCS believed "the timing of [BHP's] proposal is highly opportunistic given that, among other things, the industry is still in the early stages of a recovery." Howe continued: "PCS is significantly and disproportionately undervalued as a result of our strategic decisions to match production with demand while continuing to invest in our infrastructure. The Board determined that your proposal fails to adequately recognize the value of PCS's premier position in the industry, the value of our planned capacity expansions and the value of our equity investments." (Letter from Dallas Howe, Chairman, PotashCorp, to Jacques Nasser, Chairman, BHP Billiton (Aug. 17, 2010) (Ex. A).) 46. Also on August 17, 2010, PCS publicly disclosed the decision of its Board of Directors to its shareholders. PCS reiterated its reasons for rejecting BHP's proposal: "[The] BHP proposal grossly undervalues PotashCorp and fails to reflect both the value of our premier position in a strategically vital industry and our unparalleled future growth prospects." The Board concluded that, "[i]n the interest of transparency, we believe it is critical for our shareholders to be aware of this aggressive attempt to acquire PotashCorp for significantly less than its intrinsic value." (Presentation, PCS, Investor Presentation (Aug. 17, 2010), available at http://www.potashcorp.com/media/POT_2010_Investor_Presentation.pdf.) 47. Within days, the market demonstrated its agreement that BHP's proposal (and subsequent Tender Offer) undervalued PCS's shares, as the share price leapt from approximately $110 per share before news of the proposal went public to more than $150 per share in the days following the announcement, eventually settling into a trading range of $145-149 per share. 48. On Friday, August 20, 2010, BHP formally launched its hostile Tender Offer, communicating the offer of $130 per share directly to PCS shareholders. (See BHP, Tender Offer Statement Under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Aug. 20, 2010) (attaching the Offer and the Circular) (collectively, "Schedule TO") (Ex. B).) Under BHP's Tender Offer, as amended, PCS shareholders have until November 18, 2010 to tender their shares. Unlike a typical tender offer, BHP has not conditioned its offer on obtaining sufficient shares to enable it to effect a merger of PCS and BHP (662/3% required under Canadian law). Instead, BHP has agreed to consummate the Tender Offer if it is able to acquire a controlling interest of just over 50% of the shares. This creates the real possibility that PCS shareholders who do not tender, or do not tender all their shares, could be left owning a minority position in an enterprise controlled by BHP and without a clear exit strategy. 49. On Monday, August 23, 2010, PCS filed its response to the BHP offer on Schedule 14D-9, discussing the unanimous recommendation of its Board of Directors against the Tender Offer based on the conclusion that it was wholly inadequate and not in the best interests of PCS's shareholders. (See PCS, Solicitation/Recommendation Statement under Section 14(d)(4) of Exchange Act (Aug. 23, 2010) ("Schedule 14D-9") (Ex. C).) 50. Though BHP has publicly characterized its $130 per share offer as a "fair price" for PCS, it knows that this is untrue. Indeed, BHP's offer represents a premium of only 20% over the closing price for PCS's shares on the day before Kloppers met with Doyle to first convey the offer. By comparison, when BHP acquired Anglo Potash Ltd. in 2006, it paid a premium of 34% over the pre-offer closing price. It then bought Athabasca Potash Inc. earlier this year for a premium of 105% over the closing price before the acquisition plans were announced. Neither Anglo Potash nor Athabasca had a single operating mine; BHP was simply buying exploratory greenfield sites that were many years away from actual production. For BHP to offer a lower premium to acquire PCS – the industry's premier potash producer that has historically boasted the highest multiples of any firm in the industry – and then call that offer "fair" defies credulity. E. BHP's Disclosures Relating to the Tender Offer Are False and Misleading. 51. In connection with its Tender Offer, BHP is prohibited by law from making false statements or omissions of material fact and from engaging in any fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act or practice. (15 U.S.C. § 78n(e).) BHP is also required by law to provide PCS shareholders with certain information pertaining to the Tender Offer on its Schedule TO, including the material terms of the transaction and its plans, proposals or negotiations that would result in any material change in PCS's business. As detailed below, BHP knowingly and recklessly violated these requirements in multiple ways. 1. BHP Omitted Material Information About a BHP Shareholder Vote and Misrepresented Whether Such a Vote Would Be Required. 52. BHP failed to inform PCS shareholders that the vote of a majority of its own shareholders was reasonably likely to be required to complete the Tender Offer and that the approval of its shareholders was far from assured. BHP knowingly and recklessly omitted this information in the disclosures it was required to make under U.S. law. 53. Rule 14d-3 of the Exchange Act requires a person making a tender offer to file certain disclosures in its Schedule TO. (17 C.F.R. § 240.14d-3.) The instructions to Schedule TO and Items 1001 and 1004(a) of Regulation M-A under the Exchange Act require all material terms of a tender offer to be disclosed. (17 C.F.R. §§ 240.14d-100; 229.1000; 220.1004(a).) The material terms of a tender offer include prospective conditions and events if they are reasonably likely to occur. 54. BHP's Offer and Circular, filed on August 20, 2010, contains a section entitled "Conditions of the Offer." In this section, BHP identifies a laundry list of conditions that must be satisfied before it will be obligated to take up, purchase, or pay for tendered shares of PCS. Although the list includes items such as clearing U.S. and Canadian regulatory and antitrust hurdles, at no point does the 66-page document mention or refer to BHP shareholder approval as a condition for consummation of the Tender Offer. (See Schedule TO, Ex. B.) 55. At the time it filed Schedule TO, BHP knew or recklessly ignored that the approval of the transaction by BHP's shareholders was reasonably likely to be a condition for consummation of the Tender Offer and that such approval was far from assured. 56. The Listing Rules of the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority, to which BHP is subject, clearly require listed companies and their subsidiaries to obtain shareholder approval for any transaction where the consideration paid to acquire the target company equals or exceeds 25% of the acquiring corporation's market capitalization. 57. With the recent economic downturn, shareholders increasingly insist that excess corporate cash be returned to them in the form of dividends or share repurchases, and not utilized on large corporate acquisitions. 58. A recent survey of BHP shareholders demonstrates that there is a substantial risk that a majority of BHP shareholders (64% of those surveyed) would not approve BHP's acquisition of PCS. (See, e.g., Rebecca Keenan, BHP Shareholders Favor Buybacks to Potash Bid, Bloomberg Survey Indicates, Bloomberg, Sep. 7, 2010, available at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-07/bhp-shareholders-favor-buybacks-to-potash-bid-bloomberg-survey-indicates.html (citing Bloomberg News survey of BHP investors).) One fund manager at Perpetual Investments, a fund that manages the equivalent of $25 billion, including an investment in BHP shares, said on September 8, 2010: "'M&A should always be measured versus the value accretion of buying back' your stock. Versus PotashCorp, I'd prefer them to buy back BHP shares." (Christopher Donville and Rebecca Keenan, Potash's CEO Says BHP Unlikely to Be the Only Bidder, Bloomberg, Sep. 8, 2010, available at http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-08/potash-s-ceo-says-bhp-unlikely-to-be-the-only-bidder.html.) 59. BHP knows full well that any need to obtain its shareholder approval would put its proposed PCS acquisition at risk, so it has knowingly omitted any mention of such a condition from its Schedule TO. As one analyst stated: "[W]e would not rule out that BHP's initial offer is likely to have been engineered to avoid [the need for] BHP shareholder approval for the deal, rather than BHP's final valuation of [PCS] as a takeover target." (Americas Merger Report, Independent Global Research Ltd., Aug. 23, 2010.) 60. BHP has also knowingly and recklessly misrepresented the legal standards for whether and when a shareholder vote would be required to approve the Tender Offer, stating to the press that BHP shareholder approval might never be required because the 25% calculation is "performed only once on the date of the launch of the offer." (Americas Merger Report, Independent Global Research Ltd., Aug. 23, 2010 (noting a BHP representative "confirmed to us that the test for a Class 1 Transaction is performed only once on the date of the launch of the offer, and therefore BHP shareholder approval will not be required even if BHP raises its offer substantially.").) The United Kingdom rules dictate otherwise and require the calculation to be made whenever there is a significant change in an offer, including a price increase. 61. It is reasonably likely that the U.K. Listing Rules and the shareholder vote requirement will apply to this transaction. Based on the closing price of BHP shares on August 19, 2010, the day before the tender offer was commenced – and even at the lowball $130 price stated in that offer – the offer amounted to nearly 23% of the market capitalization of BHP. Indeed, if BHP made its Tender Offer based on a mere 4.6% premium over the trading price of PCS shares on the last business day before this Complaint was filed – the approval of BHP shareholders would be required for the transaction to be completed. Given the likelihood that the market price of PCS's stock will remain well above BHP's Tender Offer price, BHP will have to increase its bid if it has any hope of successfully completing the Tender Offer. As a result, the risk that BHP shareholders will be entitled to vote on, and reject, the transaction is material information that should be disclosed to PCS's shareholders before they decide whether to tender their shares. Likewise, PCS shareholders must be informed of the likelihood that an increased bid will trigger the shareholder approval requirement so they can evaluate the extent to which – in light of the unwillingness of BHP management to face such a shareholder vote – this factor will constrain BHP's ability to increase its bid to a level approaching fair value. 62. BHP's failure to disclose the risk that shareholder approval is a reasonably likely condition to its ability to consummate a transaction, its failure to disclose that its shareholders might not approve the acquisition of PCS shares, and its false statement that such a vote would not be required even with an increase in the offer price are material to PCS shareholders. 2. BHP's False and Manipulative Statements About Its Plans for PCS and the Potash Industry Were Designed to Confuse Shareholders and Raise Doubts About the Long-Term Profitability of PCS. 63. Before and after the Tender Offer was commenced, BHP has knowingly and recklessly misled the market and PCS shareholders about its plans for PCS and the potash industry. BHP has told at least three mutually-inconsistent stories, all designed to undermine investor and analyst confidence in the long-term value of PCS and to prime the company for a takeover at an unfair price. In an effort to conceal its longstanding scheme, BHP states in its Schedule TO filing that it did not "commence[] a process to consider a possible combination" with PCS until May 2010. (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 33.) In fact, as Kloppers told Doyle when they met in Chicago on August 12, 2010, BHP has been studying PCS since at least 2001 and intensively studying PCS since 2005. 64. Item 6 of Schedule TO and Item 1006(c)(5) of Regulation M-A require a person making a tender offer to disclose any plans, proposals, or negotiations that would result in "any other material change in the subject company's . . . business." (17 C.F.R. §§ 240.14d-100; 229.1000; 229.1006(c)(5).) 65. BHP's Schedule TO contains a section entitled "Plans for PotashCorp" that identifies: (a) BHP's plans to acquire control and ownership of PCS depending on how many shares are tendered; (b) its intention to review "various business strategies" if it acquires 100% ownership of PCS; (c) its intention to increase exploration spending at PCS if it acquires control; and (d) its plans and intentions with respect to Canpotex. This section of Schedule TO also contains a representation by BHP that it has "no current plans or proposals or negotiations that relate to or would result in . . . any other material change in [PCS's] corporate structure or business." (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 36.) 66. As described below, BHP's statement that it had no other plans or proposals that would materially change PCS's business was false and misleading. In fact, by the time BHP made this statement, it had already injected into the market at least three different stories about its plans for PCS and the potash industry, knowingly and recklessly misleading and confusing PCS investors. a. Story A – Build, Not Buy 67. For several years leading up to its hostile bid for PCS, BHP trumpeted its intention to enter the potash industry by acquiring and developing greenfield sites, with the stated goal of opening the first new potash mine in Saskatchewan in 40 years. 68. In June 2006, BHP acquired its first substantial greenfield interest – a 75% stake in Anglo Potash Ltd. In July 2008, BHP acquired the remaining 25%, giving it control over 7,338 square kilometers of highly prospective exploration permits in the Saskatchewan basin and Manitoba. (BHP Billiton Ltd. & BHP Billiton Plc, Report of Foreign Private Issuer (Form 6-K), at 3 (Aug. 18, 2008), available at http://shareholder.api.edgar-online.com/efx_dll/edgarpro.dll? FetchFilingRTF1?sessionid=3K4sH3_y1h6fTFQ&ID=6110856&PageBreakStyleID=2#D6K_HTM_TOC.) 69. In an August 2007 presentation to investors, BHP declared that potash was a future option for the company and, at over $2 billion, potash exploration was among the largest capital expenditures proposed by BHP. (Transcript, BHP, Preliminary Results — 30 June 2007 Debt Investor Call, at 12 (Aug. 22, 2007), available at http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bbContentRepository/fy07debtinvestorpresentation.pdf.) 70. With the Anglo Potash acquisition, BHP secured land for what became known as the "Jansen Project." The head of BHP's Canadian Operations, Graham Kerr, confirmed that the company would actively enter the potash market as a new competitor: "We see potash as a highly attractive industry." Kerr continued, "across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, we will pursue multiple projects over the course of the next few years." (Liezel Hill, Potash an 'Excellent Fit' for BHP — Kerr, Mining Weekly, June 10, 2008, available at http://www.miningweekly.com/ article/potash-an-039excellent-fit039-for-bhp-kerr-2008-06-10.) 71. The Jansen Project is a greenfield potash development in central Saskatchewan. BHP has announced that the Jansen Project potash capacity is larger than it first expected — the land likely could produce approximately 3.37 billion metric tons of potash. If fully operational, the Jansen Project's production capacity would make it the largest potash mine in the world. 72. Beginning in 2008, BHP began very preliminary steps toward converting its Jansen Project greenfield site into an operating mine. On June 23 of that year, Marius Kloppers boasted that BHP's Canadian potash resources were "absolutely world-class," and forecasted "the real opportunity that, perhaps with upside, [BHP] could invest billions — perhaps $10 billion over the next decades — and take that into a very, very significant producer of potash." (Transcript, BHP, Presentation to the Melbourne Mining Club, at 11 (June 23, 2008), available at http://google.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHtmlSection1? SectionID=6014832-1703-42037&SessionID=4_mFWS0AHfLgf57.) 73. Just before Kloppers made his comments about the threat of BHP entering the potash market, PCS's share price was at an all time high, and it has not traded at that level since then. Analysts have recognized that uncertainty about BHP's entry into the potash industry has unsettled the market. (See, e.g., Mark Connelley, Fertilizer Market Conditions, CLSA — US Agriculture, Jul. 19, 2010 ("We believe worries about BHP have held back PotashCorp shares, to a degree that is not supported by the risk, while expectations that potash prices cannot rise are very likely to be proven incorrect in the coming months"); Jacob Bout, POT: Analyst Day — Banking on Record Potash Demand 2011 Onward, CIBC, May 19, 2010 ("We continue to view the biggest risk, and a potential game changer, to the potash industry is the entrance of BHP and its 10Mt/yr potash greenfield project.").) 74. In January 2010, BHP approved a $240-million investment for further development of the Jansen Project — just a tiny fraction of the cost needed to convert the greenfield site into an operating mine. The money was earmarked for engineering, equipment, and materials commitments, as well as preparing the site for production and service shafts. (See Press Release, BHP, Update on Jansen Project (Jan. 20, 2010), available at http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/investorsMedia/news/2010/updateOnJansenPotashProject.jsp.) 75. In addition, earlier this year, BHP acquired Athabasca Potash Inc., a small potash company that owned various potash exploration properties in Saskatchewan and held one of the largest exploration permit areas in the Saskatchewan basin. The Athabasca acquisition gave BHP access to an additional 14,000 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground in the Saskatchewan basin, but Athabasca had no operating potash mines. (Press Release, BHP, Plan of Arrangement to Acquire Athabasca Potash Inc. (Jan. 28, 2010), available at http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/investorsMedia/news/2010/planOfArrangementToAcquireAthabascaPotashInc. jsp.) 76. Perhaps not coincidentally, given its long-time, secret interest in acquiring PCS, the mineral rights that BHP snapped up in its purchases of Anglo Potash and Athabasca are in the lands that literally surround PCS's existing mines. 77. Still maintaining its public "build, not buy" story, however, BHP timed the announcement of its Athabasca acquisition to occur on the same day that PCS announced its fourth quarter results for 2009, knowing that it would temper the market's perception of PCS's future prospects in light of BHP's threat to become a well-funded and experienced competitor. 78. BHP's threat to enter the potash market in Canada was repeated the day before BHP first offered to purchase PCS. While PCS's CEO Doyle was driving to meet with BHP's Kloppers in Chicago (at the latter's request), he heard of an announcement that BHP planned to open a substantial potash export facility at the Port of Vancouver, Washington. Although this announcement emphasized that BHP was acquiring space to transport significant quantities of potash from the Pacific northwest region, it notably failed to mention that BHP had not yet signed any agreement for the port facilities (an agreement is not expected until at least 2012); a new port facility was wholly unnecessary given existing export capacity in the region; and BHP would not have a scoopful of potash to ship from its supposed new mines for at least five more years. Instead, in yet another strategically-timed message, BHP was able to feed the market yet another half truth, strengthening its own image as a strong new competitor and thus weakening the view of PCS's long-term value. 79. Throughout this pre-offer period, a key facet of BHP's message about the Jansen Project and related acquisitions was its repeated assertion that it would not operate its future potash mines like existing producers — that is, tailoring supply to meet but not exceed anticipated demand. Instead, BHP publicly stated on numerous occasions that it would run its potash mines just as it claims to run its mines for other minerals — 100% of the time and at full capacity without regard to fluctuating cycles of demand. 80. Indeed, BHP's CEO Kloppers rarely spoke of the company's mining activities without emphasizing its purported "full" market strategy: "We do have a completely different understanding of our revenue line from our competitors. Our full capacity, market price focus is a big difference to our competitors." (Matt Stevens, Disappointment Despite a Fine Set of Figures, The Australian, Feb. 11, 2010, available at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/ business/opinion/disappointment-despite-a-fine-set-of-figures/story-e6frg9if-1225828938420.) 81. BHP's announced "flat out" plan is diametrically opposed to the strategy employed by PCS currently, whereby the company closely matches its production to demand for the product. PCS adopted this strategy after the industry's record losses in the 1980s when companies mined potash without regard to demand and prices fell. Thus, BHP knew that its announced plan to mine without regard to demand would lead PCS shareholders to conclude that BHP's promised actions as a competitor might cause a worldwide drop in potash prices as supply increased, reducing profits for those in the industry. 82. The potential risks of BHP's "flat out" strategy on the Jansen Project were not lost on some analysts who cautioned: "The entrance of a large global mining company, such as BHP, into the potash market would arguably weaken the position of the incumbent producers [like PCS], as BHP has a history of running its mines flat out." (Euan Rocha, BHP Plan Signals Major Shift in Potash Industry, Reuters, Jan. 21, 2010, available at http://uk.reuters.com/ article/idUKTRE60K2VJ20100121 (quoting CIBC World Markets analyst Jacob Bout).) 83. By conditioning the market for years to believe that BHP was primed to bring the full force of its worldwide financial and mining power to compete in the potash industry, BHP knew and intended to undermine investor confidence in the potash sector generally — and PCS in particular — creating an opportunity for BHP to acquire PCS shares for less than their intrinsic value. 84. As one analyst observed after news of BHP's proposal to acquire PCS became public: "Over the past six months, BHP has spent a good deal of time talking about its interest in the potash business, but most of the talk was couched in negative terms . . . . The net effect . . . has encouraged investors to be skeptical of the vision of the business espoused by the market leader, [PCS]." (Mark Connolly & Ashish Gupta, What Is POT Worth, CLSA, Aug. 18, 2010, at 2.) According to the same analysts: As we see it, BHP was successful in holding back the price of POT shares. In our marketing, we have met with a number of large investors whose caution toward [PCS] was largely a function of their confidence in what BHP was saying about the way it would behave if it entered the potash business. (Id. (emphasis added).) The same analysts, in another report that day, said: In general, BHP's comments and answers to questions were vague and lacking in specifics, as has been the pattern. As we see it, BHP's comments over the past several months have served to undercut investor confidence in the investment case for POT shares. So the $130 bid represents a far lower premium than it might appear at first glance. We believe that the stock might have traded relatively close to $130 on its own, had BHP not been so vocal about its expansion plans, and how differently it might operate PotashCorp. (Mark Connolly & Ashish Gupta, BHP to Canada: Watch Out!, CLSA, Aug. 18, 2010, at 2.) 85. Yet another analyst noted that "BHP's organic strategy to date has hurt [PCS]'s stock perception to date for perhaps more than its $1B spent" developing BHP's own greenfield operations, including Jansen. (Sam Kanes, David Forster, & Lisa Wilkinson, BHP's $130 Hostile Bid for POT Rejected, Scotia Capital, Aug. 18, 2010, at 2.) b. Story B — Build And Buy 86. On August 20, 2010, BHP attempted to capitalize on these efforts, launching a hostile Tender Offer for PCS at a price ($130 per share) that grossly underestimates the present and future value of the company. 87. Shifting gears from its long-avowed "build, not buy" strategy, BHP now signaled to the market that it would do both — acquire the market leader and still move forward to develop its greenfield sites into operating mines that would be run flat out. 88. BHP's move came as a shock to many analysts, some of whom "complain the bid was an 'about-face' by the BHP top team on 'look into my eyes' denials that it planned a big acquisition." (Emilya Mychasuk, Kloppers' Foil, Financial Times, Aug 26, 2010, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6a7ceec4-b0a1-11df-8c04-00144feabdc0.html.) Another analyst reported: This is quite a backflip. . . . The finance director was crystal clear that they had a better greenfield option in Athabasca and Jansen, that they did not want to do a big acquisition that would get contaminated with Canadian labour laws. (William MacNamara, Potash Bid By BHP Puts M&A Back On Mining Agenda, Financial Times, Aug. 17, 2010, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3be9f56a-a9ef-11df-8eb1-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss.) 89. Perhaps attempting to disguise just how long it had been secretly targeting PCS, while at the same time espousing its "build, not buy" strategy to the marketplace, BHP stated in its Tender Offer that, "[i]n May, 2010, BHP Billiton commenced a process to consider a possible combination of BHP Billiton and PotashCorp and began conducting a financial, legal and business due diligence review of PotashCorp based on publicly available information." (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 33.) But when Kloppers met with Doyle little more than a week before the Tender Offer was commenced, he admitted that BHP had been "studying PCS since 2001 and more intensively since 2005." BHP's carefully worded statement about "commencing a process to consider a possible combination" with PCS is, therefore, a misstatement as Kloppers admitted to Doyle that BHP began looking intensively at PCS years earlier. BHP knowingly and recklessly made this misstatement to conceal its long-term intention to acquire PCS and its efforts to do so at an unfairly low price. 90. Just five days after the Tender Offer was commenced, Kloppers told analysts that BHP was "going as hard . . . on [the Jansen Project] as we can," and that regardless of whether or not the planned acquisition of PCS was consummated, BHP would move forward with the Jansen Project: "Graham [Kerr, the head of BHP's Canadian Operations,] and the team there are going to . . . when we get to the approval point, try and ramp that up as quickly as possible. No changes." (See BHP, Amendment No. 1 to Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (Aug. 25, 2010), at Exhibit (a)(5)(iv) to Item 12 ("Amendment 1") (Ex. D).) 91. Kerr reaffirmed BHP's public stance on Jansen again two days later: "The plan remains unchanged whether we are successful [in acquiring PCS] or not." (Cassandra Kyle, Sask. Potash Has New Dig, Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Aug. 27, 2010, available at http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Sask+potash/3448844/story.html.) 92. Kerr also reconfirmed BHP's commitment to the risky "flat out" concept, telling the Wall Street Journal that BHP believes in "running our assets 100% of the time and selling our products at market price." (Phred Dvorak & Scott Killman, BHP Roils Potash Cartel, Wall St. J., Aug. 24, 2010, available at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487041256045 75449640415573142.html.) 93. BHP executive Andrew Mackenzie echoed this sentiment: "We as a company have a strong bias toward running our facilities at maximum capacity through thick and thin . . . . In most cases we would keep things going through the cycle and not really attempt to manage supply by pulling back production in days of slightly weaker demand." (Cassandra Kyle, Canpotex Future Uncertain, Regina Leader-Post, Aug. 20, 2010, available at http://www.leaderpost.com/business/Canpotex+future+uncertain/3421323/story.html.) 94. At the time it made these statements about its future plans, BHP knew and intended that the statements would have the effect of undermining investor confidence in PCS and making it more difficult for PCS shareholders faced with the coercive Tender Offer to determine the true value of their shares. 95. BHP's bold announcements led one analyst to observe that: "We find it difficult to reconcile BHP's comments on its interests, and its expected operating approach, with the realities of the potash market. That gap has in the past served to reduce investor interest in PotashCorp, in our view, and helped to depress the trading value of the shares." (Mark Connolly & Ashish Gupta, BHP to Canada: Watch Out!, CLSA, Aug. 18, 2010, at 2.) c. Story C — Buy, Not Build 96. While BHP was pledging in its public statements to move forward with the Jansen Project, no matter what, the company was apparently telling a different story behind closed doors, indicating to some analysts that it had no intention of ever developing the Jansen Project. 97. Specifically, after an August 26, 2010 breakfast with Kloppers, Bernstein Research senior analyst Paul Galloway reported: "breakfast confirmed much of what we originally suspected . . . the Jansen growth option is not viable (too costly and risky)." (Paul Galloway & James Luke, Quick Takes — BHP Billiton: Breakfast with Marius, Bernstein Research, Aug. 26, 2010.) 98. In the last few days, other analysts have shared this skepticism of BHP's claim that it would continue forward with its Jansen plans if its PCS acquisition is successful. Barrie Bain, director of Tunbridge Wells, England-based Fertecon, opined that BHP may push back building the Jansen Project beyond 2020 as it would be cheaper to expand the adjacent PCS assets already in operation: "They've said they will continue to develop that," Bain said. "My view is that they will put it on the back-boiler and look to develop that beyond 2020. Potash Corp. has got the potential for substantial expansions at much lower cost." (Jesse Riseborough & Maria Kolesnikova, BHP May Delay Jansen Project In Canada If It Buys Potash, Fertecon Says, Bloomberg, Sept. 14, 2010, available at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-14/bhp-may-delay-jansen-project-in-canada-if-it-buys-potash-fertecon-says.html.) 99. Given its global size and strength, BHP's words and deeds have an impact that few other firms can match. By flooding the market with inconsistent and misleading statements about its intentions for entering and doing business within the potash industry, BHP has deprived PCS shareholders of their right to make a decision about the Tender Offer based on complete and truthful information. BHP made its statements knowingly and recklessly without regard to the impact they would have on PCS shareholders who were deciding whether to tender their shares. 100. PCS shareholders cannot at this point reasonably know BHP's actual intentions with respect to running PCS or becoming a competitor of PCS, and these issues are highly material to the shareholders' decision on BHP's Tender Offer. For example, a shareholder might decide it is better to tender if he or she believes that BHP would otherwise enter the market independently, drive down the worldwide price of potash, devalue all potash producers (including PCS), and leave his or her shares worth potentially less in the future than the $130 per share offer currently on the table. But if BHP's threat to become a competitor is revealed as a smokescreen, the shareholder might behave very differently. 101. In any event, PCS shareholders are entitled to know the truth and which of the multiple stories BHP has told, if any, reflects BHP's true plans for the potash industry. Accordingly, BHP should be required to amend its Tender Offer materials to state affirmatively its true plans and intentions. 3. BHP Has Taken Inconsistent Positions About Its Plans for Canpotex, Confusing the Market and PCS Shareholders. 102. BHP has also knowingly and recklessly sown confusion in the market regarding how it intends to transport and to market its potash, whether it enters the industry independently or by acquiring PCS. Specifically, BHP has taken inconsistent positions about its plans for Canpotex, both in its Tender Offer disclosures and in its public statements relating to the Tender Offer. 103. As set forth above, BHP was required by law to disclose any plans that would result in a material change in PCS's business. In the section of BHP's Schedule TO entitled "Plans for PotashCorp," BHP makes the following statements about Canpotex: BHP Billiton will work with the Canpotex shareholders in order to further understand existing agreements and establish the basis for a relationship that provides for continuous and undisrupted supply to export markets and ultimately permits BHP Billiton to market its potash independently. BHP Billiton intends that PCS will continue to honour existing commitments and contractual arrangements PCS has entered into in relation to Canpotex. (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 36.) These statements fail to reveal BHP's true plans for Canpotex, and they (as well as BHP's public statements) are designed to create the impression that BHP will operate independently of Canpotex and as a competitor of PCS if the Tender Offer does not succeed. BHP knowingly and recklessly made these statements to maintain the threat that it would enter the market and damage Canpotex and potash producers in the Saskatchewan region. 104. The provincial government of Saskatchewan is a strong supporter of Canpotex. For example, the government subjects potash to a special taxation scheme designed to encourage participation in Canpotex. (See The Potash Production Tax Regulations (The Mineral Taxation Act of 1983), ch. M-17.1 Reg. 6 (1990) (Sask.) (providing tax incentives for potash producers in Saskatchewan to participate in the "industry sales organization," called "Canpotex Ltd." to coordinate "offshore sales").) 105. Prior to its Tender Offer for PCS, BHP made clear that it planned to bypass Canpotex and sell its Jansen-produced potash independently. At the time that news of the Athabasca acquisition became public in January 2010, BHP's Kerr told Canada's National Post that, while selling through Canpotex was an option, BHP was likely to use its internal marketing team instead: "We run a centralized marketing model in the group, and those guys do a fantastic job." (Peter Koven, BHP May Snub Potash Cartel, National Post, Jan. 25, 2010, available at http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/story.html?id=2487720 (quoting Graham Kerr).) 106. On August 11, 2010, about one week before its offer to acquire PCS was made public, BHP made its supposed intent to abandon Canpotex even more clear for the potash investment community. On that day, BHP's preliminary agreement with the Port of Vancouver, Washington that ultimately would result in a nearly 60 acre lease of land and the eventual construction of an off-site export facility for its potash supplies was announced. Such a facility would only be necessary in the event BHP planned not to utilize Canpotex's export facility located just 20 miles away at the Port of Portland, Oregon. 107. In its Tender Offer materials, on the other hand, BHP stated both that it "will work with the Canpotex shareholders in order to . . . establish the basis for a relationship that provides for continuous and undisrupted supply to export markets and ultimately permits BHP Billiton to market its potash independently" and that it "will continue to honour existing commitments and contractual arrangements [PCS] has entered into in relation to Canpotex." (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 36.) 108. The same day the Tender Offer was commenced, BHP executive Andrew Mackenzie once again shunned Canpotex, telling Canadian newspapers that BHP "would normally market our own production" and does not "do anything else with any other product where we sell through a club, if you like." He further stated that BHP's approach was "slightly different to what Canpotex would be prepared to do in the past." (Cassandra Kyle, Canpotex Future Uncertain, The Regina Leader Post, Aug. 20, 2010, available at http://www.leaderpost.com/business/Canpotex+future+uncertain/3421323/story.html.) 109. After sticking to its "no Canpotex" pledge in the days leading up to and immediately after its Tender Offer, however, BHP later altered its stance in the face of increasing concern from Saskatchewan government officials, who indicated that Canpotex is important to Saskatchewan and expressed concern about the possibility of BHP withdrawing from Canpotex. 110. On August 25, 2010, Kloppers told Canada's largest national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, that "[w]ithout all the [Canpotex] shareholders coming to a mutual understanding . . . [BHP leaving Canpotex is] not going to happen. . . . Partners are partners. They're different from competitors. . . . Getting into a bad blood situation with other [Canpotex] shareholders . . . would be reasonably silly on my behalf." (Brenda Bouw, BHP Backtracks On Canpotex Stance, The Globe and Mail, Aug. 27, 2010, available at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/potash/bhp-backtracks-on-canpotex-stance/article1684308/.) 111. BHP and Kloppers knew that their conflicting statements on Canpotex would keep alive the fear that BHP might enter the potash market independently while appearing to satisfy local concerns that BHP's acquisition of PCS would not hurt Canpotex and the Saskatchewan region. Based on the confusing statements made by BHP, PCS shareholders have no firm sense of BHP's intentions regarding Canpotex. For example, in an interview published September 9, 2010, BHP changed its tune yet again, with its spokesperson stating that "BHP was committed to going its own way if it acquired [PCS]." (Ian Austen, Takeover Bid Shines Spotlight On Crucial Player In Potash, New York Times, Sep. 9, 2010, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/business/global/10potash.html.) 112. During the two days before the filing of this Complaint, Kloppers continued to obfuscate BHP's true plans with respect to Canpotex. On September 20, the Regina Leader Post reported that Kloppers "did not see participation in Canpotex as a major problem" (John Burton, Viewpoints: Privatizing Potash A Devine Error, The Leader-Post, Sept. 21, 2010, available at http://www.leaderpost.com/news/ Privatizing+potash+Devine+error/3553894/story.html), and the Toronto Star reported that Kloppers described Canpotex's infrastructure as "unrivalled" and that BHP has "no intention to duplicate that" (BHP Billiton Fails to Win Over Saskatchewan Premier, The Toronto Star, Sept. 20, 2010, available at http://www.thestar.com/business/ article/863901--bhp-billiton-fails-to-win-over-saskatchewan-premier). Yet, one day later, after a meeting between Kloppers and the editorial board of The Globe and Mail, the newspaper reported that BHP "is sticking to its strategy to some day breaking up the powerful Canpotex potash marketing arm if it buys [PCS] despite an outcry from the province and its peers." (Brenda Bouw & Tim Kiladze, Canpotex Breakup Will Happen Eventually: BHP CEO Kloppers, Globe and Mail, Sept. 21, 2010, available at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ report-on-business/canpotex-breakup-will-happen-eventually-bhp-ceo-kloppers/article1716883/.) 113. BHP's threat to abandon Canpotex and build its own export facility in Vancouver, Washington is designed to influence PCS shareholders because it appears to contradict rational economic behavior. Canpotex has spent years building, refining, and perfecting an extensive infrastructure to efficiently and profitably market, sell, and transport potash to customers in various countries. BHP has none of that costly infrastructure in place and does not need to develop new export facilities with additional capacity. Confirming these principles, Agrium's CEO, Mike Wilson, commented that "BHP would be crazy to leave" Canpotex. (Javier Blas & Bernard Simon, BHP Faces Potash Cartel Backlash, Financial Times, Aug. 26, 2010, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/13f300cc-b13a-11df-b899-00144feabdc0.html.) 114. PCS shareholders considering whether to tender their shares have a right to know BHP's true intentions with regard to Canpotex because BHP's intentions will bear on PCS shareholders' decision of whether to tender their shares. 4. BHP Has Made Misleading Statements to the Market and Even to PCS Customers Regarding Its Plans to Divest Substantial Portions of PCS's Business. 115. In another effort to disrupt PCS's current business operations and the perception of PCS's intrinsic value, BHP has told analysts and others of its plan to divest large portions of PCS's secondary assets if the Tender Offer succeeds. These statements were made knowingly and recklessly with the intent to damage PCS's business and depress views of its value in hopes of improving BHP's chances to acquire the company. 116. Schedule TO and Item 6 of Regulation M-A of the Exchange Act specifically require a tender offeror to disclose any plans, proposals, or negotiations that would result in "any purchase, sale, or transfer of a material amount of assets of the subject company or any of its subsidiaries." (See 17 C.F.R. § 240.14d-100; 17 C.F.R. § 229.1006(c)(2); and 17 C.F.R. § 240.14d-6(d)(1).) 117. BHP's Schedule TO makes no mention of any plan to sell off PCS's business lines and instead expressly states that BHP has "no current plans or proposals or negotiations that relate to or would result in . . . any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of [PCS] or any of its subsidiaries." (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 36.) In light of BHP's subsequent public statements, however, this assurance appears to be false and misleading. 118. After a conference call with BHP's chief commercial officer, Alberto Calderon, on August 26, 2010, one analyst reported that "BHP said that 70 percent of the value [of PCS] is in the potash assets and that it would probably look to possibly divest the nitrogen and perhaps the phosphates business." (Mark Gulley, Potash Corp. POT ($144.82) Hold BHP Conference Call. Massively Deploying Capital To Go For Market Share in KCl, Soleil Securities, Aug. 26, 2010, at 1.) 119. In addition, BHP has contacted PCS's current customers directly and raised doubts about whether it will continue to supply them with nitrogen and phosphate products if it acquires PCS. BHP knows full well that such actions will drive away customers who "one-stop shop" with PCS for various mineral needs, thereby decreasing PCS's profitability in the short term and making BHP's offering price look more attractive before the Tender Offer expires on November 18, 2010. Given that BHP is, by its own admission, five years away from operating its own potash mines, the only plausible reason for BHP to contact PCS's customers is to interfere with PCS's business, depress current operating results, and negatively influence perceptions of PCS's true value. 120. Once again, however, BHP has made false and confusing statements to the market about its plans for PCS's phosphate and nitrogen business. Even as it was telling PCS customers and analysts that it intended to sell off the nitrogen and phosphate business, BHP demurred when pressed on this issue by the media, claiming that "[a]t this stage BHP Billiton has no plans to sell any Potash Corp assets. Our offer is for the whole company, including the phosphate and nitrogen businesses." (Euan Rocha & Michael Erman, BHP Denies Plans to Divest Potash Assets, Reuters, Aug. 31, 2010, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/ idUSTRE67G1R620100830.) 121. PCS shareholders have a right to know the full extent of BHP's plans in order to make a fair evaluation of the Tender Offer. 5. BHP Has Attempted to Mislead PCS Shareholders Into Accepting Its Low-Ball Offer by Falsely Asserting that Arbitrageurs Will Control the Outcome of the Tender Offer. 122. BHP's campaign to negatively impact PCS's perceived long-term value has not been limited to false statements and omissions concerning the conditions of the Tender Offer and its plans for PCS and potash operations. 123. One of BHP's additional strategies is intended to move PCS shares out of the hands of long-term investors and into the hands of arbitrageurs, short term or "fast money" investors, who aim to profit from the difference between a target's share price after a takeover announcement and the closing price at completion, and who create movements in the market unrelated to the shares' intrinsic value. 124. In an August 25, 2010 interview with CNBC discussing BHP's recent earnings report, Kloppers stated "[a] huge chunk of this register has changed hands in the last week — I think over 40 percent of the register. . . . Clearly there are a lot of arbitrageurs in there. There are a lot of hedge funds and so on." (Michael Erman, Fast Money Pours Into Potash But Influence Limited, Reuters, Aug. 26, 2010, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/ idUSTRE67P1PZ20100829.) Kloppers went on to say that the "fast money" shareholders make the decisions at the end of the day, implying that it was this mass of arbitrageurs, and not PCS's long-term shareholders, who will control the fate of BHP's Tender Offer. (Id.) Kloppers made these statements knowingly or with reckless disregard for their impact on PCS shareholders. The clear aim of the statements was to convince PCS shareholders that BHP would receive sufficient tenders to close the offer and that non-tendering shareholders would be left out in the cold after so-called "fast money" forced the deal through. 125. Kloppers's statements are false and misleading. According to a Financial Times article on August 29, 2010, "only about a fifth of the traded stock represents a real change of ownership," while the remaining volume of trades "is simply churn between investing shareholders." (Helen Thomas, Potash Arbitrage Deals Under Scrutiny, Financial Times, Aug. 29, 2010, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2710930-b395-11df-81aa-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss.) More importantly, according to the Financial Times, "[a]rbitrage ownership of [PCS] remains in the mid single-digits," limiting the influence that the so-called "fast money" shareholders can exert. (Id.) Indeed, according to one of the arbitrage investors who owns PCS shares, the success of BHP's Tender Offer will be decided "by the large institutions. . . . They are the ones that will drive the price and make the money." (Id.) 126. Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act prohibits materially false and misleading statements relating to a tender offer. BHP's statements are plainly material to PCS shareholders, and the knowingly false information BHP has disseminated should be corrected by BHP. COUNT I Violations of Section 14(e), 15 U.S.C. § 78n(e) 127. PCS repeats and re-alleges paragraphs 1 through 126 hereof as if fully set forth herein. 128. BHP has made a Tender Offer to acquire at least a majority of the outstanding shares of PCS, which are traded on the NYSE. In connection with the Tender Offer, BHP has filed with the SEC a Schedule TO and various amendments thereto containing BHP statements about the Tender Offer. BHP, through its officers, has also made public statements to the press and analysts about the Tender Offer. 129. In its Schedule TO, amendments to the Schedule TO, and other public statements, BHP has made untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state material facts necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances, not misleading, and engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative practices. Specifically, as detailed above, BHP has engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative practices and misrepresented or omitted material facts concerning: (a) the BHP shareholder vote requirement; (b) the perceived value of PCS shares; (c) BHP's plans to develop the Jansen Project and run its mines at 100% regardless of demand; (d) BHP's intentions regarding Canpotex; (e) BHP's plans to divest nearly 30% of PCS's assets relating to production of nitrogen and phosphates; and (f) BHP's misstatements concerning the percentage of PCS shares that are in the hands of arbitrageurs. 130. BHP's misrepresentations and omissions are material because a reasonable investor, in deciding how to invest, would have considered it important to know about additional conditions for the Tender Offer, BHP's plans for PCS and the potash industry, and the likelihood that certain PCS shareholders might tender their shares. BHP's misrepresentations and omissions altered the total mix of information that should have been available to PCS shareholders who are deciding whether to tender their shares. 131. BHP knew or should have known that its failure to disclose the true facts was, and continues to be, of material importance to all investors who are deciding whether to tender their shares. 132. BHP's material misrepresentations and omissions were made knowingly or recklessly in an effort to influence and deceive PCS investors into tendering their shares based on an incomplete and incorrect set of facts. 133. As a direct and proximate result of BHP's misleading statements and omissions relating to the Tender Offer, PCS shareholders lack the material facts they need to make — and thus cannot make — an informed decision on whether to tender and receive $130 per share, retain their investment in hopes that the share price will go higher, or wait for a new or higher bid to be presented. 134. PCS shareholders have relied upon the Tender Offer, the amendments to the Tender Offer, and BHP's public statements about the Tender Offer and have a right to rely upon this information as being truthful and complete. In fact, BHP contemplates that nearly 50% of PCS's outstanding shares could remain outstanding even after the Tender Offer is complete. (Schedule TO, Ex. B, at 21.) Therefore, non-tendering and partially-tendering shareholders have a vital interest in full disclosure of BHP's future plans or proposals for PCS. Although BHP has revealed its plans to extinguish the ownership of non-tendering shareholders, there is no guarantee that these efforts will succeed. This is precisely why the SEC's rules require disclosure of future plans and proposals, regardless of how the company plans to complete its acquisition. (See 17 C.F.R. §§ 240.14d-100; 229.1006(c); 240.14d-6(d)(1).) PCS shareholders simply cannot decide whether tendering, in whole or in part, is in their best interest without a complete and accurate understanding of BHP's plans or proposals for PCS. 135. Given the high stakes involved, the law recognizes that irreparable harm is inherent whenever investors are asked to tender their shares without the full and complete information to which they are entitled. This is especially true where the material false statements or omissions are targeted to impact how the investors perceive the value of those shares. 136. As discussed above, BHP's various actions, statements, and omissions over the course of several years have been designed to manipulate and confuse the market as to the true value of PCS shares, painting a picture of the future of the potash industry in which it is better to cash out for a low price than to stay put and watch BHP make good on its stated plans to enter the market and crater the worldwide price for potash. This disinformation campaign has left PCS investors without the truthful information they need to accurately value their shares and thus to evaluate the fairness of BHP's $130 per share offer. 137. If the Tender Offer is allowed to proceed, uncorrected, these misrepresentations and omissions will deprive PCS shareholders of the opportunity to make fully informed decisions about the future of PCS, and both PCS and its shareholders will be irreparably harmed. PCS shareholders will be forced to make a decision without the information to which they are legally entitled. And once the deal is done, there will be no way to unwind it and provide these shareholders with any adequate relief. 138. PCS has no adequate remedy at law that can erase or even mitigate the effect of BHP's concerted efforts to mislead and confuse the marketplace. PCS shareholders need the truth, and they need it sufficiently in advance of any deadline to decide whether to tender their shares. 139. By intentionally or recklessly misrepresenting and omitting material information in connection with its Tender Offer, BHP has violated Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78n(e). The true and material information omitted from the Tender Offer is largely in the sole possession of BHP. Particularly in light of BHP's widespread dissemination of misinformation to the public to date, its failure to provide a complete and accurate picture for shareholders in the Tender Offer is a violation of federal securities laws. 140. BHP must make full and accurate disclosures so that PCS investors can at last have the information that they need, and to which they are legally entitled, in order to evaluate whether to tender their shares. These corrective disclosures must be transmitted to the public with a degree of intensity and credibility sufficient to effectively counterbalance any misleading impression created by previous disclosures. Furthermore, discovery in advance of BHP's corrective disclosures is required in order to evaluate whether those future disclosures are in fact complete, accurate, and credible. 141. PCS investors also must be afforded sufficient time to consider BHP's new disclosures before being asked to make their tender decision. BHP spent literally years sowing disinformation in the marketplace, attempting to undermine investor confidence in the value of PCS. The results of such a lengthy and multi-faceted campaign cannot be unwound immediately when BHP is at last forced to tell the truth. It will take time for the market to settle, and for investors to see accurately the value of PCS, free of the cloud of BHP's improper actions, and to be able gauge for themselves whether $130 per share is a fair price. COUNT II Declaratory Relief Under 28 U.S.C. § 2201 143. For the reasons set forth above, BHP has made false and misleading statements and material omissions in connection with the Tender Offer and in materials disseminated to the investing public and filed with the SEC, including its Schedule TO and amendments thereto. Defendants have accordingly violated the rights of PCS's shareholders to receive full and accurate information concerning: (a) the BHP shareholder vote requirement; (b) the true value of PCS stock; (c) BHP's plans to develop the Jansen Project and run its mines at 100% regardless of demand; (d) BHP's intentions regarding Canpotex; (e) BHP's plans to divest nearly 30% of PCS's assets relating to production of nitrogen and phosphates; and (f) BHP's misstatements concerning the percentage of PCS shares that are in the hands of arbitrageurs. 144. Defendants made these materially false and misleading statements and omissions recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally. 145. If left uncorrected, the false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact contained in the Schedule TO, including amendments, will deprive PCS shareholders of the full and accurate information to which they are entitled and PCS and its shareholders will be irreparably harmed. 146. Declaratory relief is appropriate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2201 because an actual controversy exists regarding the propriety of Defendants' statements and disclosures under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act. 147. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, PCS respectfully requests that this Court issue an order: A. Declaring that BHP's Tender Offer to acquire shares of PCS violates Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78n(e), by misrepresenting or failing to inform investors of material facts, and engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts concerning: (a) the BHP shareholder vote requirement; (b) the perceived value of PCS shares; (c) BHP's plans to develop the Jansen Project and run its mines at 100% regardless of demand; (d) BHP's intentions regarding Canpotex; (e) BHP's plans to divest nearly 30% of PCS's assets relating to production of nitrogen and phosphates; and (f) BHP's misstatements concerning the percentage of PCS shares that are controlled by arbitrageurs; B. 1. Preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Defendants from taking further steps to consummate the Tender Offer or acquiring PCS shares because of their fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative acts; or, in the alternative, 2. (a) Directing the Defendants to make full and complete corrective disclosures to PCS shareholders regarding their materially misleading statements and omissions; and (b) Preliminarily enjoining the Defendants and other persons or entities acting in concert with them from taking further steps to consummate the Tender Offer or acquiring shares in PCS until the above-referenced corrective disclosures have been made and the effects of BHP's misleading statements to the market have dissipated and shareholders have had the opportunity to review and consider the corrective disclosures for no fewer than 60 days; C. Preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Defendants and other persons or entities acting in concert with them from further violations of the federal securities laws; D. Awarding PCS its costs and reasonable attorneys fees; and E. Providing such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. Dated: September 22, 2010 /s/ Lee Ann Russo Daniel E. Reidy (IL Bar No. 2306948) Email: dereidy@jonesday.com Lee Ann Russo (IL Bar No. 06181656) Email: larusso@jonesday.com Jason G. Winchester (IL Bar No. 6238377) Email: jgwinchester@jonesday.com 77 West Wacker OF COUNSEL: Patricia J. Villareal Email: pjvillareal@jonesday.com Thomas R. Jackson Email: trjackson@jonesday.com Michael L. Davitt Email: mldavitt@jonesday.com 2727 North Harwood Street Meir Feder Email: mfeder@jonesday.com 222 East 41st Street N. Scott Fletcher Email: sfletcher@jonesday.com 717 Texas, Suite 3300 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INC.

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The application must include a set of information, such as the name of the company, the type of company, its address, the purposes for which it was set up as well as the following: • date of starting the business and a notarized copy of the company's statutory documents; • providing information on the founder of the company (name, address, place of birth and the profession), • the amount of share capital and details regarding the contribution of each partner; • documents regarding each member of the supervisory board and management board. The application must be accompanied by the charter of company, the documents showing the value of the contributions made in kind, a proof from the Information Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that the persons appointed to represent the company are not subject to penalty for proprietary offences, the documents of appointment of the directors and members of the councils. If necessary, all the documents must be accompanied by the notarized and legalized translation into Georgian. A registration fee must be paid before the company is registered in the Entrepreneurial Register. After submitting all the above mentioned documents along with the proof of registration fee payment, the company will receive an identification number and a certificate of state and a tax registration; our team of specialists in company formation in Georgia can provide more details related to this matter. The fee ranges from GEL 100 in the situation of the standard registration, but the investors may opt for a faster registration, in which case they will have to pay a fee of GEL 200. The last step before starting the actual economical activity is opening a bank account. The registration with the Georgia company register lasts 1-2 days. Documents to be submitted with the Georgia company register when starting a business In the above section, we have added a short presentation on the basic documents an investor should submit with the Georgia company register when opening a company in Georgia. However, the list of documents and procedures that have to be followed is more complex, depending on the type of company selected for registration. Below, we present some of the basic steps that have to be concluded when opening a Georgian limited liability company, which is a common way to start a business here: • investors must pay a fee of GEL 100 or GEL 200 (for the standard or expedited registration procedures) with the NAPR; • the company has to be registered with the Entrepreneurial Register, a procedure which is done through the NAPR; • the company must obtain an identification number and a certificate of state and tax registration; • the company must also register for value added tax and for these procedures, specific documents have to be submitted; • investors must prepare a certified application for registration and a certified memorandum of association; • it is also necessary to add to the file the certified consent of the owner of the premises where the business carries its operations, which states that the premises can be used as the company's official business address. Besides these, Georgia company register expects investors to offer additional information; the full list of the information that must be disclosed with the institution can be presented by our team of consultants in company registration in Georgia. However, it is necessary to find out that businessmen have to provide additional contact information (e-mail address and a separate address, different from the one where the company develops its activities). One of the aspects that have to be completed during the procedure of company formation in Georgia is to set up a corporate bank account. According to the Georgian legislation, investors can deal with this procedure during the registration of the company with the Georgia company register. What is the basic data one should know on the Georgia company register? The National Agency of the Public Registry (NAPR) represents a government agency, which, in Georgian, is named Sajaro Reestris Erovnuli Saagento. The agency is located in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, and, besides the above mentioned responsibilities, the institution in is charge with matters such as: satellite imagery, aerial photography or thematic mapping. Other basic data regarding this institution is presented below: • the National Agency of the Public Registry in Georgia was set up in 2004; • the Georgia company register has a staff that is formed of 1,370 persons; • the annual budget the institution receives is EUR 10.2 million; • in 2017, it implemented a reform on land registrations, which had a positive effect on the number of properties registered with the institution; • up until 2017, the institution had more than 400,000 land plots registered in its database; • at the level of 2017, the institution had 783 dispute cases regarding local properties that were resolved through mediation. Why register a Georgian limited liability company? A limited liability company (LLC) is formed by maximum 50 shareholders and the capital is divided into shares. The advantage of a Georgian LLC is given by the fact that the investors will be liable for the company's debts only to the amount of the shares they own in the company. The shares are freely transferable and the members of the company are not allowed to withdraw. Other characteristics of the LLC are the following: • it is the most common type of business registered in Georgia, preferred by both foreign and local businessmen; • the LLC can be set up by natural persons, but legal entities are also allowed to register this business form; • the share capital of the LLC is divided into shares and the investors can't issue additional shares; • the registration of this business form can last approximately two weeks. Can foreigners access the data stored by the Georgia company register? One of the legal matters that are handled through the Georgia company register is the registration of a property. Most of the data stored by the institution is available for the general public, but such information is limited only to specific aspects. Starting with 2015, the institution allows foreigners to verify various information on the Georgian properties; our team of specialists in company registration in Georgia can assist with more information on the procedures for purchasing or renting real estate properties in this country. This was a direct consequence of the fact that the Georgia company register became part of the European Land Information Services Association (EULIS). The latter represents an organization that offers reliable information on the European properties, but only to its subscribed customers, which are represented by entities such as banks, lawyers, real estate agents and others. How to check information from the Georgia company register? The information registered in the National Agency of the Public Registry of Georgia may be checked online, through the Public Service Hall. The information may be requested on the basis of a standard application (filled in front of the officer) and an ID copy. Also a fee payment is requested. This fee depends on the number of days allowed to release the information. Usually the longest term is four days. The information regarding the registration of the companies is public, but in certain cases, specific information is considered confidential, such as the state secrets or personal information considered confidential by the Georgian legislation. Foreign investors who want more information about the Public Registry may contact our company formation agents in Georgia. What are other popular business forms in Georgia? The joint stock companies are business forms with the capital divided into shares with equal nominal value and this type of legal entity can be registered with more than 50 members. The members of the joint stock companies have the responsibilities limited to the nominal value of their shares and it is important to know that the investors of this type of company may issue additional shares. A general partnership in Georgia can be incorporated by minimum two partners, who have equal liability for the company's profits and losses. They both have decisional powers. In the case of a limited liability partnership in Georgia it is also necessary to associate at least two partners, with the difference that one will have the quality of a general partner, while the other will be a limited partner. The general partner carries the full responsibility for the company's debts and incomes, unlike the limited partner who has limited responsibilities in extend of his/her contribution to the company's capital. Furthermore, foreign investors can operate on the local market through a branch office, which is a type of company that is managed and controlled by the foreign company abroad. In this case, the parent company is held responsible for any debts and financial difficulties related to the branch office registered in Georgia. The branch office does not represent a legal entity in itself, as it is just a sub-division of the parent company. One of the advantages of opening a branch office in this country refers to the fact that the investors will have lower initial costs related to the registration of this type of entity. When opening a company in Georgia as a branch office, the following steps will have to be concluded: • provide a decision of the parent company related to the registration of a branch office in Georgia; • provide the parent company's statutory documents and a proof regarding that the parent company is a registered entity in its country of origin; • a decision which states the name of the appointed director of the branch office or of any other legal representative which has the right to represent the office in Georgia; • an evidence regarding the company's registered address in Georgia; • the identification documents of the branch's appointed director and an evidence regarding the payment of the registration fee. How can an investor open a bank account in Georgia? As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to open a corporate bank account for a newly formed business, this being one of the compulsory steps of the procedure of company formation in Georgia. This procedure can be completed in only one day, in the situation in which the investors have prepared the necessary documents. Some of the important aspects related to the registration of a corporate bank account are presented below: • the procedure will incur the payment of a small fee, which ranges from GEL 10 to GEL 100, depending on the fees established by each commercial bank; • the investors will need to provide the company's tax registration certificate; • it is also necessary to provide copies of the identification documents of all the persons that can represent the company; • it is also compulsory to offer a signature sample of the company's director. What are the main VAT obligations in Georgia? Any company that develops commercial activities in Georgia is required to pay the value added tax (VAT), unless the service or the product provided by the company is exempted from this type of tax. The tax regulations in Georgia stipulate that a local business has to register for VAT purposes once the company's annual revenues are of minimum GEL 100,000. Are there any tax incentives for Georgian based companies? Yes, companies in Georgia can obtain a set of tax incentives, including for trading matters. It is necessary to know that Georgia benefits from several regions which provide a special tax treatment, known as free zones, more exactly, free industrial zones. Our team of specialists in company registration in Georgia can assist with in-depth advice on how to start a business in the country's free zones and can provide advice on the types of business activities that are accepted in such special regions. Thus, persons who are interested in starting the procedure of company formation in Georgia can obtain relevant tax deductions if they set up their businesses in the regions of Tbilisi, the capital city, and the cities of Kutaisi and Poti (the latter being a seaport). One of the main advantages of opening a company in Georgia in its free zones refers to the tax exemptions that can be obtained by local and international businesses. For example, in the country's free zones several taxes do not apply, as it is the case for the corporate income tax or on the taxes on trading; also, companies can benefit from lower value added tax rates. Amongst the types of activities that can be developed in such regions we mention the following: consulting activities, financial activities, manufacturing or construction; our representatives can offer more information on other tax incentives and benefits that can be obtained when conducting a business in these free zones. Who can start a sole trader in Georgia? Another way to start a business in Georgia is by opening a sole trader (known as individual entrepreneur). The sole trader represents the simplest way to open a company in Georgia and it is recommended for small businesses. The main characteristic of the sole trader is that the company is represented by a single founder, who develops a business activity in his or her name. The downsize of the type of business form is given by the fact that the owner of the company is personally responsible with his or her own assets in the situation in which the company has any financial difficulties, as there is no distinction between the owner and the company; the sole trader can also be registered by foreigners. Information regarding the Georgian economy Georgia is situated in a strategic area, connecting Asia to Europe, and this offers the country a competitive advantage - it is seen as a desirable location for foreign investors. The well developed infrastructure helps the import and export of goods all over the world. Georgia is also known for its various reforms made in all the sectors, in its attempt to attract foreign investments. The financial system is encouraging - even though in 2004 there were 21 taxes, the number of them has decreased to only six. The VAT is imposed at a rate of 18%, the corporate tax rate is established at a rate of 15% and dividends distributed by a company are subject to a 5% dividend tax rate. Another reason why the investors are interested in opening companies in Georgia is the simplified registration procedure of a business. The process of registration of a new company doesn't take longer than two days, as mentioned above, but the entire registration process can take longer, if we consider the registration with the local institutions, obtaining specific business permits and other necessary steps. The Georgian workforce is well trained and the country is situated on the 1st place in the world in the Adult Literacy Rate indicator (with a rate of 100%). The country also benefits from a young workforce and this can provide numerous advantages to foreign businessmen who are seeking to expand on this market. For more details regarding the registration of a company in Georgia, we invite you to contact our specialists in company formation, who can offer further information on any aspect concerning the registration procedure. Investors may also request assistance on the tax regulations applicable to a specific business structure. Meet us in Tbilisi Call us now at +995 595 11 88 22 to set up an appointment with Valeri Bendianishvili, one of our specialists in company formation in Tbilisi, Georgia. Alternatively you can incorporate your company without traveling to Georgia. As a Business Setup Georgia LLC client, you will benefit from the joint expertize of local lawyers and international consultants. Together we will be able to offer you the specialized help you require for your business start-up in Georgia. Opportunities in the Hotel Industry in Georgia Infrastructure Project for the Gudauri Touristic Region Georgia Will Build the First High-Tech Center in Tbilisi China, an Important Trading Partner for Georgia EIB Provides EUR 100 Million for Georgian SMEs and Infrastructure Copyright © 2011 - 2021 Company Formation Georgia. All rights reserved. clients@lawfirmgeorgia.com VAT Registration in Georgia

Reading notes (2021, week 16) — On virtuous leaderships, the weak case for grit, and the misinformation virus Apr 20, 2021·31 min read Antoine de Ruffi School in Marseille, France, by TAUTEM Architecture + bmc2 architectes — "The architects have voluntarily limited the number of architectural and technical components to guarantee simplicity and longevity and to ensure easy maintenance. Built with 'low carbon,' light-colored concrete, between the pearl white blanc and beige of the coquina sand, the building was poured in place and without joints. The painstaking work of the 'skin' has produced alternating parts of coquina and smooth, mat and shiny surfaces and an interplay of light and shadow in the embrasures." (Photographs: Luc Boegly) Reading notes is a weekly curation of my tweets. It is, as Michel de Montaigne so beautifully wrote, "a posy of other men's flowers and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own." In this week's edition: Why leaders must be both of good character and competent to achieve sustainable success; where's the evidence that grit predicts success?; the more you know, the more vulnerable you can be to infection; why applied history matters; are we enslaved by the finer things in life?; Nikolai Gogol in the twilight of empire; subway to Studio 54: a bygone New York; and, finally, Moby and our case against cows. Virtuous leadership Virtuous Leadership: Does It Help Organisations Thrive? is the translated title of a Dutch article by Martijn Hendriks, an assistant professor at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, in which he gives an overview of the research literature on the relationship between virtuous leadership and the flourishing (of people) within organisations. What follows is an unpolished translation of the original article from M&O Tijdschrift voor Management and Organisatie (Boom Uitgevers, Amsterdam). For those interested in the many references mentioned in this article, I simply refer to the research paper Virtuous leadership: a source of employee well-being and trust, by Martijn Hendriks, Martijn Burger, Antoinette Rijsenbilt, Emma Pleeging, and Harry Commandeur, published in Management Research Review, Vol. 43 No. 8, 2020. Despite the long list of corporate leadership scandals, 'character' typically plays a marginal role in the training and evaluation of leaders. This suggests that virtuous leadership is viewed as of secondary importance or as harmful to the leader or the organisation (Seijts et al., 2019). On the other hand, there has been a long-standing belief that a leader's character is a fundamental building block for effective and sustainable leadership as it shapes his goals and behaviours, and can therefore have a strong impact on the organisation, individuals within the organisation and the leader himself (Peterson and Seligman, 2004). This belief that leaders can succeed by doing what is morally right has made a comeback in the last decade (Wright and Goodstein, 2007; Flynn, 2008; Crossan et al., 2017). An inspiring example is Greystone Bakery, founded by Bernard Glassman to help an underprivileged local community in New York, by offering jobs to people with few job opportunities (through an open hiring policy) and by returning the profits to the local community. The approach of this successful social enterprise is nicely summed up in the company's credo: "We don't hire people to bake brownies, we bake brownies to be able to hire people." Not all leaders are equally virtuous. Some are naturally more virtuous than others, but also the divergent beliefs about the consequences of righteous leadership are an important reason why leaders differ in their willingness to act righteously. This raises the question, what is the connection between virtuous leadership and the flourishing of (people within) organisations? [Flourishing individuals and organisations are regarded here as functioning well in the sense that they achieve their goals in a sustainable manner, while virtue is aimed at pursuing and improving the good rather than merely avoiding the bad.] What is virtuous leadership? Character is inseparable from virtues. Good character arises from and is visible through the routine practice of virtues (Newstead et al., 2020). In turn, virtuous behaviour stems from core values and the intrinsic motivation to do the morally right (virtue ethics). Good behaviour is not virtuous if it is motivated by the achievement of a certain result (utilitarian ethics) or the fulfilment of norms and obligations (deontological ethics). Thus, virtuous leadership is based on character and demonstrated by voluntary (intrinsically motivated and deliberate) virtuous behaviour in relevant situations (Hackett and Wang, 2012). There are many virtues, but literature and cultural traditions highlight several core virtues that transcend all other virtues. The list of core virtues, as well as the interpretation and relative importance of these virtues, substantially but not completely overlap between cultural traditions (Hursthouse, 1999). Four core virtues Riggio and colleagues (2010) define virtuous leaders in Western societies as leaders who act in accordance with four core virtues: prudence or practical wisdom, moderation, justice, and courage. These were considered the four Cardinal virtues in ancient Greek philosophy (Aristotle and Plato) and the Judaeo-Christian tradition (e.g. Thomas Aquinas), and have had a profound influence on Western thinking. They can therefore be regarded as the most important virtues for leaders in Western societies. Peterson and Seligman (2004) and Hackett and Wang (2012) conclude that they are also core virtues in most other cultures and can therefore be seen as global core virtues of leaders. Crossan and colleagues (2017) demonstrate that these four cardinal virtues are also seen as essential in a sample of North and Latin American leaders. So we can say that virtuous leaders worldwide must have at least the following characteristics: make morally right choices to achieve virtuous goals, through morally right means (prudence or practical wisdom), control of one's emotional responses and desire for self-enrichment (moderation), give others what they deserve (justice), and persist in acting as is believed to be morally right, despite the risk of negative consequences (courage). According to Artistotle, courage or fortitude enables a person to stand firm against and endure the hardships of life, to restrain fear, or to moderate fear in the face of danger, all done in accordance with reason. (Painting: Fortitute, 1470, by Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445–1510); tempera grassa on wood, 167 x 87 cm. Part of the colection of the Uffizzi in Florence, Fortitude is one of seven panels representing the Seven Virtues, commissioned by Florence's Tribunale della Mercanzia, the body overseeing the city's guilds. Piero del Pollaiolo (1441–1496) painted six panels and the series was completed by Sandro Botticelli in 1470. Fortitude is one of his very first works.) After evaluating both non-Western and Western cultural attitudes, Peterson and Seligman (2004) concluded that there are six universal core virtues: the four cardinal Western virtues mentioned above, plus compassion (i.e. treating others with love, care and respect treating) and transcendence (ie connecting with the surrounding universe and thereby providing meaning). The framework of Hackett and Wang (2012) focuses more specifically on the perspectives of Confucius (East Asia) and Aristotle (Western) and adds two core virtues mentioned by Confucius to the four Western cardinal virtues: honesty or trustworthiness, and compassion. So both frameworks argue that humanity is a core virtue. Although not explicitly mentioned by aristotle and Plato, it implicitly emerges in Western cultural traditions as an essential virtue and is seen by modern ethics scholars as essential in Western societies. Consensus on framework Thus, there is far-reaching consensus about the broad framework of virtuous leadership, but context-dependent nuances are important. In Africa, for example, the following four core virtues emerge: reliability or honesty, courage, humanity, and humility (Adewale, 2020). Another example is that transcendence is the most important virtue in Buddhism, but it is not seen as essential in many other schools of thought. Crossan (2017) illustrates that leaders in North and Latin America believe that virtuous leaders should also possess some other core virtues, such as responsibility, integrity, humility, drive, and the ability to cooperate. Another important side note is that other virtues are emphasised in the more pragmatic, less theoretically grounded and ethical-oriented organisational psychology (Meyer, 2018; Sison and Ferrero, 2015). For example, Cameron (2004) considers forgiveness, trust, integrity, optimism, and compassion to be core elements of virtuous organisations. Crossan (2017) emphasises that prudence is seen as the central virtue by modern leaders in North and Latin America. This is consistent with Aristotle's belief that prudence is the 'mother of all virtues' (Flynn, 2008; Riggio et al., 2010). Following Aristotle, ethics scholars do emphasise that the cardinal virtues form a whole, which means that people rarely possess certain core virtues but not others and that these core virtues only lead to positive outcomes together (see, among others, MacIntyre, 1984). For example, a prudent but cowardly leader will not be very effective in promoting employee happiness. And the righteous actions of a leader lacking humanity will not be fully appreciated by others. Empirical evidence confirms that employees often judge that leaders score consistently high on all virtues or consistently low on all virtues (Riggio et al., 2010; Thun and Kelloway, 2011; Wang and Hackett, 2016; Hendriks et al., 2020). However, considering specific virtues in specific situations remains important, because the importance and the specific role of virtues is context-dependent (Riggio et al., 2010). Different scales have been developed to measure the character and virtue of leaders. To measure the character of leaders, Peterson and Seligman (2004) developed the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS). It doesn't measure virtues explicitly, though, because the developers consider them to be too abstract and general to measure. Instead, the VIA-IS measures the 24 positive character traits that form the basis of the six core virtues distinguished by Peterson and Seligman (2004). Thus the character traits bravery, tenacity, integrity, and vitality are the building blocks of the virtue courage. Riggio and colleagues (2010) and Wang and Hackett (2016) later developed validated scales that explicitly measure the virtues of leaders through questions to employees. Prudence or practical wisdon is described by Aristote as an intellectual habit (virtue) enabling the person to deliberate properly in order to choose the virtuous course, the right means of action in any here and now situation. As such, it is primary over the other cardinal virtues. (Painting: Prudence, 1470, by Piero del Pollaiolo (1441–1496); tempera on wood, 168 x 90.5 cm. Prudence is one of six paintings by Piero del Pollaiolo for the Seven Virtues, commissioned by Florence's Tribunale della Mercanzia. Collection of Le Galleria degli Uffizzi, Florence) Do employees flourish through virtuous leadership? Good leadership promotes employee flourishing in three important ways. First, virtuous behaviour can have a substantial impact on the objectively observable job characteristics and outcomes of employees. Giving due praise and recognition to employees, for example, can have a positive influence on the career opportunities of employees. The fair allocation of work tasks can have a positive influence on the work content of employees. And showing compassion can have a positive influence on the work-life balance. But virtuous behaviour can also harm the objective situations of employees if others, for example competing companies, take advantage of it. For example, certain virtuous behaviours can lead to a poorer competitive position and, as a consequence, lower job security. Second, virtuous leaders can make followers flourish through a subjective process; trust is a central mechanism in this respect (Hendriks et al., 2020). The character of leaders is a primary source of trust in the leader because trust is primarily built when virtuous behaviour arises from intrinsic motivation and is deliberately and consistently applied in relevant situations (Dirks and Ferrin, 2002). This perspective suggests that character-based virtuous leadership can strengthen trust more than other, related leadership styles, which are traditionally associated with trusts, such as transformational and ethical leadership. This is because those leadership styles are not fully focused on character, but also focus on behaviour that generally generates less trust, such as compliance with rules or moral duties (a deontological focus) and goal-oriented behaviour (a teleological focus). Trust, in turn, is the catalyst of different attitudes and behaviours that make followers thrive. This includes aspects directly related to the leader (such as satisfaction with the leader and the relationship between leader and follower), organisation-related attitudes and behaviours (such as being able to identify with the organisation; Schaubroeck et al., 2013) and broader psychological aspects (such as reduced work stress; Liu et al., 2010). Together, these processes make trust in a leader essential for employee prosperity (Dirks and Ferrin, 2002; Hendriks et al., 2020). Third, through their virtuous behaviour, leaders can influence the virtuous behaviour of others in the organisation through internalisation, fostering a more virtuous organisational climate (Cameron and Winn, 2012). Positive organisational psychologists argue that virtue in organisations, in turn, leads to a self-reinforcing spiral of positive practices (such as prosocial behaviourand increased commitment), as well as positive feelings (such as emotional well-being, and job engagement satisfaction; Cameron et al., 2004). Besides, the virtue of the organisation has buffering properties, giving organisations the resilience to face difficult times, for example through increased solidarity and trust (Cameron et al., 2004; Nikandrou and Tsachouridi, 2015). Consistent picture Because coherent measures of virtuous leadership have only recently been developed, they have been used only by a small number of studies. However, the available studies paint a consistent picture: employees with virtuous leaders thrive more. Riggio et al. (2010) and Hendriks et al. (2020) show that employees in Western countries who rate their supervisor as more virtuous score better on several dimensions of work-related well-being, such as moral identity, psychological empowerment, identification with emotional well-being, and job satisfaction). The study of Wang and Hackett (2016) shows that American employees with more virtuous leaders also had higher general well-being (happiness and life satisfaction) and performed better within their job responsibilities ('in-role') and beyond this range of duties ('extra-role'), even after correcting for the charismatic style of leaders. These findings are consistent with the positive relationships found between individual virtues and employee performance and well-being. Thun and Kelloway (2011) found in their study with North American employees that employees with prudent leaders had a more affective engagement, employees with moderate leaders had more confidence and that employees with more fellow human leaders had more involvement, psychological well-being and trust in the leader. Prottas (2013) shows in a sample of American employees that employees with upright leaders have higher well-being, while Mackey et al. (2017) show that exploitative forms of leadership are associated with lower performance and less well-being of employees. At an organisational level, virtue is also related to better performance and well-being of employees (see, among others, Chun, 2009). Despite the abundant correlational evidence that employees flourish more with virtuous leaders, further research using coherent measures of virtuous leadership in different contexts (such as industries) is needed to better identify causal relationships. Self-Restraint, one of the virtues of Buddhism, pertains to the sense organs to achieve right concentration of mind: "If this is not attained, knowledge and insight which see things as they really are will not be attained" (Tachibana, 1992). Consequences for not having self-restraint take the form of vanity and binding one's self to human passions. (Sculpture: Head of Buddha, 5th–6th century, Afghanistan, probably Hadda; stucco with traces of paint, 19.1 x 12.1 x 11.4 cm. Collection of The Met, New York) Do leaders flourish through virtuous leadership? A major reason why leaders regularly behave mischievously is their belief that acting righteously will have negative consequences, both for themselves and the organisation. In some situations, especially in the short term, mischievous behaviour can indeed have positive effects. For example, fraudulent behaviour regularly yields objective (financial) benefits in the short term. However, current empirical evidence consistently shows that virtuous leaders tend to flourish more. Wang and Hackett (2016), for example, show that virtuous leaders have higher hedonic well-being and are more effective leaders in organisations. The literature on character strengths, which is mainly rooted in positive organisational psychology, shows that the use of a person's character strengths and working on character weaknesses can be conducive to subjective well-being (eg Seligman et al., 2005), sense of purpose at work (Littman-Ovadia and Steger, 2010) and work performance (Lavy and Littman-Ovadia, 2017). Positive associations are often also found in studies of specific virtues. Sosik et al. (2012) find that the courage, social intelligence and especially integrity of leaders in corporate America are positively related to how their executives and board members rate the performance of these leaders. An American experiment by Robinson et al. (2013) shows that others are more willing to do business in the future with CEOs who are compassionate. In relation to the well-being of the leader, Krause and Hayward (2015) find that more practical wisdom (prudence) is associated with a stronger sense of self-esteem and more hope. Thus, current literature suggests that virtuous leaders tend to flourish more. These findings confirm that good character is fundamental to effective leadership and that there is generally no 'trade-off' for leaders between virtuous behaviour and self-interest. Six mechanisms In theory, there are several mechanisms by which virtuous leaders perform better. First, a significant portion of the performance of leaders depends on the performance of employees and, as noted, virtuous leadership generally has a positive impact on employee performance. Second, investors, customers and suppliers are more willing to do business with virtuous leaders. This has a positive influence on both the performance and the well-being (e.g. self-esteem) of the leader (Robinson et al., 2013). Third, virtuous leaders tend to be more awe-inspiring because they are more respected and trusted. This allows them to implement their vision and ideas more effectively in the organisation (Yukl, 2010). Fourth, virtuous leaders tend to be more engaged at work. For example, they experience work as more meaningful (Bass and Riggio, 2006), which helps in achieving personally valued goals (Arjoon, 2000). Fifth, good character helps leaders in the ethical decision-making process (Crossan et al., 2013), promoting effective decision-making. Sixth, virtuous behaviour has intrinsic benefits. For example, a large number of studies show that prosocial behaviour makes a person happier (Dunn et al., 2008). And finally, virtuous leaders have better relationships and foster a virtuous organisational climate, which relates positively to both job happiness and performance (Cameron and Winn, 2012). Do organisations flourish through virtuous leadership? Good leadership can contribute to better performance of the organisation as a whole, through the positive associations with the performance of leaders and employees. On the other hand, a lack of virtuous leadership can damage the company's reputation and thus make the company less attractive to investors, customers and suppliers (Shanahan and Seele, 2015). They are better at mitigating risks than those whose behaviour is guided by deontological and utilitarian thinking (Chakrabarty and Bass, 2015) and, as a result, attract responsible investors. However, virtuous behaviours can also be costly, such as compensating for potential negative impacts on ecological environments or local communities. The literature on the virtue of organisations has examined the sum of these positive and negative effects. In this literature it is generally found that the virtue of the organisation is associated with positive performance of the organisation, for example, better financial performance (such as higher profitability) and better operational performance (such as increased customer loyalty and lower staff turnover; for an overview see Meyer, 2018). At the team level, Palanski et al. (2011) find that behavioural integrity leads to better performance as a result of greater transparency and trust in the team. Also, the 2007 global financial crisis and many corporate leadership scandals at, among others, Enron, WorldCom, Hewlett-Packard and Siemens and more recently Barclays, Volkswagen and Samsun, illustrate that neglect of virtuous leadership can cause serious harm to organisations and the economy. The main conclusion of this literature review is that the current evidence shows that employees, organisations, and the leaders themselves tend to flourish more when the leader has a virtuous character and displays virtuous leadership. An important consideration is that the current evidence is primarily correlational and that more research is needed to better determine the causal impact of virtuous leadership on thriving in organisations in different contexts. The findings of this literature review provide initial support for Hannah and Jennings (2013) proposition that leaders must be both of good character and competent to achieve sustainable success and that both alone are insufficient. This general pattern also suggests that the concerns of many leaders are unfounded, that virtuous leadership is adversely affecting themselves or their organisations. The findings imply that organisations can potentially benefit greatly from fostering virtuous leadership. However, it should always be remembered that virtue is a reward in itself and does not require a positive instrumental outcome. The weak case for grit "It might surprise you to find out how little evidence there is to support the idea that boosting students' 'grit' — their propensity to tenaciously attack difficult problems they encounter rather than give up — is a reliably effective way to improve their school performance or to close long-standing education gaps," Jesse Singal writes in The Weak Case for Grit, an excerpt from his book The Quick Fix: Why Fad Psychology Can't Cure Our Social Ills (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021). Grit's popularity is largely due to the work of the concept's inventor and chief evangelist, Angela Duckworth. In her 2013 TED talk, which has almost 21 million views as of August 2020, she presents grit as a new way of looking at, among other things, the old problem of school achievement: "In education, the one thing we know how to measure best is IQ. But what if doing well in school and in life depends on much more than your ability to learn quickly and easily?" "The media have helped spread the idea that Duckworth discovered something new and exciting […]. Her book has been a long-term bestseller. The Obama Department of Education expressed a lot of enthusiasm about grit, and The Sacramento Bee reported in 2015 that some schools in California were giving students a 'grit' grade. Yet Duckworth doesn't appear to have ever explicitly claimed that she had discovered a reliable way of increasing grit. At one point in her TED talk she said, 'Every day, parents and teachers ask me, «How do I build grit in kids? What do I do to teach kids a solid work ethic? How do I keep them motivated for the long run?» The honest answer is, I don't know.'" A few months after her 2013 TED Talk, Duckworth won the MacArthur grant for clarifying the role that intellectual strengths and personality traits play in educational achievement. But "[t]he evidence for her strongest claims about grit's efficacy still hasn't arrived," Singal argues. "Almost two decades since she started her research, it has not been established that grit is a genuinely useful concept that tells us much that we didn't already know — or that it can be boosted, anyway. As Duckworth and her colleagues acknowledge in their very first paper on grit, personality psychologists already have a concept that seems similar: conscientiousness." "[T]here was never much in the literature to support either of the two ideas that launched grit on its way: that it was more useful than conscientiousness and that it seriously outperformed 'traditional' measures of cognitive or, in the context of military training, physical performance. It is difficult to justify Duckworth's statement that grit 'beats the pants' off older, more established measures. Many of the examples she gives consisted of studies in which the predictive usefulness of grit wasn't compared with its most obvious competitor, conscientiousness, in which grit simply didn't perform as well as traditional measures, or both," Jesse Singal writes in The Weak Case for Grit. (Photograph: Angela Duckworth at het desk at the University of Pennsylvania, by Zave Smith) Which leaves the concept where, exactly? The most comprehensive answer, according to Singal, came from Marcus Crede, a reform-minded psychologist who has made it his mission to critique what he views as questionable findings in his field and has a particularly keen interest in education and workplace performance. "Both grit and conscientiousness seem to be measuring the same underlying concept, argue Crede and his co-authors [Michael C. Tynan and Peter D. Harms in Much Ado About Grit]. Therefore, they suggest, grit's popularity might be the result of the jangle fallacy in which people believe that two things that are actually the same are different simply because they have different names. That is, if Duckworth had published research showing that conscientiousness can, to a certain extent, predict academic success, other researchers would have rolled their eyes and said, 'Of course, we already knew that.' But by presenting a seemingly new concept with a catchy name, Duckworth might have gotten a great deal of mileage out of an idea that had been part of the literature all along (which is not to suggest that this was some sort of intentional obfuscation on her part). NPR reported in 2016 that Duckworth, responding to this critique, said she would prefer to think of grit as 'a member of the conscientiousness family,' but one with independent predictive powers. As for the question of grit's malleability, there isn't much evidence of reliable, scalable interventions for increasing conscientiousness or grit. That isn't to say conscientiousness remains immutable across the life span. 'Happily, many studies show that conscientiousness does change with age,' Brent Roberts, a leading personality psychologist […], told [Singal] in an email. 'And, not only does it change, but typically for the better — it goes up … Of course, changing slowly, incrementally, through life experiences is nice, but may provide little solace to the parent of a teenager who remains unmotivated.» (Sure enough, one of Duckworth's key early papers includes a chart showing average grit differences by age that exhibits this general pattern.)" All of this, Singal argues, "offers a strong reason to be skeptical of the claim that grit instruction — or any sort of similar effort, really — could make much of a dent in the massive problem that is American educational inequality. But I'd go a step further: It may be unfair to poor kids to focus on grit. Doing so reflects a blinkered understanding of how inequality operates and perpetuates itself. It could be that the grit hype caught on because of its seductive promise to spare us a great deal of trouble. A serious effort to make life less unfair for neglected kids would likely require enacting bigger, more ambitious redistributive social programs — social programs that are very unlikely to be enacted given the state of 21st-century American politics. Grit, by contrast, is a quick fix." [Rerun] Angela Duckworth on Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Scott Barry Kaufman Angela Duckworth researches self-control and grit, which is defined as passion and perseverance for long term goals… scottbarrykaufman.com The misinformation virus "Lies and distortions don't just afflict the ignorant. The more you know, the more vulnerable you can be to infection," Elitsa Dermendzhiyska writes in The misinformation virus. "To fully grasp the pernicious nature of the misinformation virus, we need to reconsider the innocence of the host. It's easy to see ourselves as victims of deception by malicious actors. It's also tempting to think of being misinformed as something that happens to other people — some unnamed masses, easily swayed by demagoguery and scandal. […] But as it turns out, misinformation doesn't prey only on the ignorant: sometimes, those who seem least vulnerable to the virus can prove its keenest hosts, and even handmaidens. Startling evidence for this possibility comes from Dan M Kahan, professor of law and psychology at Yale University who has been studying how ordinary people evaluate complex societal risks. One strand of his research is trying to shed light on the sometimes dramatic disparity between public opinion and scientific evidence. Together with a small group of researchers, in 2010 Kahan set out to demystify this disparity in relation to global warming. At the time, despite widespread consensus among climate scientists, only 57 percent of Americans believed that there was solid evidence for global warming, and just 35 per cent saw climate change as a serious problem. 'Never have human societies known so much about mitigating the dangers they face but agreed so little about what they collectively know,' Kahan wrote. One explanation, which Kahan calls the 'science comprehension thesis,' holds that people have insufficient grasp of science, and are unlikely to engage in the deliberate, rational thinking needed to digest these often complex issues. It's a plausible explanation, yet Kahan suspected that it doesn't tell the whole story. In the 2010 study, published in Nature in 2012, Kahan and his collaborators measured subjects' science literacy and numeracy, and plotted those against the participants' perceived risk of global warming. If the science comprehension thesis was right, then the more knowledgeable the subjects, the more they'd converge towards the scientific consensus. Surprisingly, however, the data revealed that those who scored high on hierarchy and individualism — the hallmark values of a conservative outlook — exhibited the opposite pattern: as their science literacy and numeracy increased, their concern for climate change actually declined. What explains this seeming paradox? Kahan argues that rather than being a simple matter of intelligence or critical thinking, the question of global warming triggers deeply held personal beliefs. In a way, asking for people's take on climate change is also to ask them who they are and what they value. For conservatives to accept the risk of global warming means to also accept the need for drastic cuts to carbon emissions — an idea utterly at odds with the hierarchical, individualistic values at the core of their identity, which, by rejecting climate change, they seek to protect. Kahan found similar polarisation over social issues that impinge on identity, such as gun control, nuclear energy and fracking, but not over more identity-neutral subjects such as GMO foods and artificial sweeteners. In cases where identity-protective motivations play a key role, people tend to seek and process information in biased ways that conform to their prior beliefs. They might pay attention only to sources they agree with and ignore divergent views. Or they might believe congruent claims without a moment's thought, but spare no effort finding holes in incongruent statements: the brightest climate-change deniers were simply better than their peers at counter-arguing evidence they didn't like. This hints at a vexing conclusion: that the most knowledgeable among us can be more, not less, susceptible to misinformation if it feeds into cherished beliefs and identities. And though most available research points to a conservative bias, liberals are by no means immune." "The illusory truth effect, as it's known, suggests that the easier to process and more familiar something is, the more likely we are to believe it. […] This can pose a challenge for corrections that work by repeating the original misinformation. Consider, this retraction to a myth prone to ensnare hopeful new mothers: 'Listening to Mozart will not boost your child's IQ.' The tiny 'not' mid-sentence is all that sets the myth and its correction apart — and it's easy to imagine that as time passes and memory fades, that 'not' will wash away, leaving Mozart's symphonies and smarter babies linked together in memory, and making the myth more familiar," Elitsa Dermendzhiyska writes in The misinformation virus. (Painting: The Boy Mozart, 1763 on commission by Leopold Mozart, anonymous, possibly by Pietro Antonio Lorenzoni (1721–1782); oil on canvas, Collection of the Mozarteum, Salzburg) "In a 2003 study, Geoffrey Cohen, then a professor of psychology at Yale, now at Stanford University, asked subjects to evaluate a government-funded job-training programme to help the poor. All subjects were liberal, so naturally the vast majority (76 per cent) favoured the policy. However, if subjects were told that Democrats didn't support the programme, the results completely reversed: this time, 71 per cent opposed it. Cohen replicated this outcome in a series of influential studies, with both liberal and conservative participants. He showed that subjects would support policies that strongly contradict their own political beliefs if they think that others like them supported those policies. Despite the social influence, obvious to an outsider, participants remained blind to it, and attributed their preferences to objective criteria and personal ideology. This would come as no surprise to social psychologists, who have long attested to the power of the group over the individual, yet most of us would doubtless flinch at the whiff of conformity and the suggestion that our thoughts and actions might not be entirely our own. For Kahan, though, conformity to group beliefs makes sense. Since each individual has only negligible impact on collective decisions, it's sensible to focus on optimising one's social ties instead. Belonging to a community is, after all, a vital source of self-worth, not to mention health, even survival. Socially rejected or isolated people face heightened risks of many diseases as well as early death. Seen from this perspective, then, the impulse to fit our beliefs and behaviours to those of our social groups, even when they clash with our own, is, Kahan argues, 'exceedingly rational'. Ironically, however, rational individual choices can have irrational collective consequences. As tribal attachments prevail, emotions trump evidence, and the ensuing disagreement chokes off action on important social issues. It's easy to despair over all the cognitive quirks, personal biases and herd instincts that can strip our defences against the ever-evolving misinformation machinery. I certainly did. Then, I found Elizabeth Levy Paluck. She is a psychologist at Princeton University who studies prejudice reduction, a field in which a century of research appears to have produced many theories but few practical results. In 2006, she led an ambitious project to reduce ethnic hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She blended a number of prominent theories to create a 'cocktail of treatments': a radio drama, in which characters from different communities modelled cooperation and mutual trust; a talk show whose host read audience letters replete with messages of tolerance, and who encouraged listeners to put themselves in the shoes of outgroup members. Nothing worked. After a year of broadcasting, prejudice remained as entrenched as ever. For Paluck, this was 'an empirical and theoretical puzzle,' prompting her to wonder if beliefs might be the wrong variable to target. So she turned to social norms, reasoning that it's probably easier to change what we think others think than what we ourselves do. In 2012, Paluck tested a new approach to reducing student conflict in 56 middle schools in New Jersey. Contrary to popular belief, some evidence suggests that, far from being the product of a few aggressive kids, harassment is a school-wide social norm, perpetuated through action and inaction, by bullies, victims and onlookers. Bullying persists because it's considered typical and even desirable, while speaking up is seen as wrong. So how do you shift a culture of conflict? Through social influence, Paluck hypothesised: you seed supporters of a new norm and let them transmit it among their peers. In some schools, Paluck had a group of students publicly endorse and model anti-bullying behaviours, and the schools saw a significant decline in reported conflicts — 30 per cent on average, and as much as 60 per cent when groups had higher shares of well-connected model students. I've wondered recently if […] misinformation is becoming part of the culture, if it persists because some of us actively partake in it, and some merely stand by and allow it to continue. If that's the case, then perhaps we ought to worry less about fixing people's false beliefs and focus more on shifting those social norms that make it OK to create, spread, share and tolerate misinformation. Paluck shows one way to do this in practice — highly visible individual action reaching critical mass; another way could entail tighter regulation of social media platforms. And our own actions matter, too. As the Scottish biologist D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson said in 1917, 'everything is what it is because it got that way.' We are, each and every one of us, precariously perched between our complicity in the world as it is and our capacity to make it what it can be." And also this… "Forget the seduction of grand theories and presentist moral judgments. To learn the lessons of the past, the great foreign policy analysts of our age must rediscover the art of historical discernment," Iskander Rehman argues in his essay Why applied history matters. "For centuries, a solid grounding in history was considered essential both to the conduct of statecraft, and to the prosecution of military strategy. From the Ancient Greeks to the Victorians, the careful study of past events lay at the heart of 'practical wisdom,' or prudence, and the mastering of such a historical techne was perceived as one of the finest political arts. Not only did history teach humility, it was also a school of statesmanship, that provided a mental 'workshop within which basic ideas about core policy issues (could) be hammered out,' thus enhancing future strategic performance. As Polybius famously noted in the Histories, 'There are two ways by which all men can reform themselves, the one through their own mischances, and the other through those of others (…) For it is the mental transference of similar circumstances to our own times that gives us the means of forming presentiments of what is about to happen, and enables us at certain times to take precautions and at others, by reproducing former conditions, to face with more confidence the difficulties that menace us.' And indeed, for statesmen grappling with the uncertainty of their present circumstances, the business of liaising between the universal and the particular has often been conceptualized in terms of a temporal process, with the hope that the lessons of yesteryear hold the promise of better ascertaining future outcomes. As Yaacov Vertzberger has rightly observed, history teaches by analogy, enlightens by metaphor, and educates by extrapolation; but analogy can mislead, metaphor can be misplaced and extrapolation misguided. The acquisition of a historical sensibility should thus go hand in hand with a certain degree of intellectual caution — one that avoids succumbing to deterministic historical narratives, and that does not systematically rely on analogical reasoning as a means of predictive inference. Perhaps most importantly, the accomplished historian is a skilled manager of complexity and a processor of information — someone trained to detect patterns of cause and effect. The great Harvard historian John Clive thus once wondered whether, '… historians, especially those dealing with abstract entities like groups and classes and movements, have to possess a special metaphorical capacity, a plastic or tactile imagination that can detect shapes or configurations where others less gifted see only jumble and confusion.' If so, then it would seem as though the historically trained mind reflects many of the mental processes most prized by generals and statesmen. Political and military judgment, like historical study, demands a capacity for integration, for perceiving qualitative similarities and differences, and a 'sense of the unique fashion in which various factors combine in the particular situation.' And yet despite the seemingly obvious benefits to be derived from its study, applied history appears to have fallen out of favour. As much of American political science has become more positivist in its intellectual leanings — with a heightened focus on quantitative methods, and theoretical abstraction — it has also become more narrowly self-referential. When contemporary political scientists do draw on military history, they often do so in a limited and self-serving way, retroactively selecting case studies that appear to confirm their parsimonious theories. The past is thus often viewed as a 'treasure house, to be plundered in search of illustrative effect, rather than being examined and analyzed for its own sake.' This dispiriting state of affairs, however, should not solely be attributed to the evolution of political science. Indeed, within the embattled academic field of history itself, the study of military and diplomatic history has been shunted to the sidelines, and the production of policy-relevant works of historical analysis is often frowned upon. On popular national security or foreign policy websites, military and diplomatic historians remain heavily outnumbered by political scientists." "The problem, however, is not that too many people draw on Thucydides, Clausewitz or Sun Tzu, but rather that they often do so superficially, self-servingly, and seem to not have fully read the texts in question. Unfortunately, the same charges can also often be levied at their critics — especially those in the field of political science — who frequently fail to properly engage with the relevant primary and secondary literature. (Consider, for example, this recent academic roundtable on the so-called 'Thucydides Trap,' which does not incorporate a single classicist or ancient historian),"Iskander Rehman writes in his essay Why applied history matters. (Mosaic: Thucydides mosaic from Jerash, Jordan, Roman, 3rd century CE. Collection of the Pergamon Museum, Berlin) "Meanwhile, many of the most well-examined case studies in the security studies literature — from America's approach to carrier warfare to the Wehrmacht's adoption of the blitzkrieg strategy during World War II — are by now overly familiar. Vast spans of military history, from late antiquity to the early modern era, are considered less relevant to contemporary concerns and almost uniformly ignored, with contemporary international relations scholars drawing the overwhelming majority of their historical case studies from the twentieth or twenty-first centuries. The great French historian Marc Bloch famously inveighed against this tendency for analysts to consider only the more recent historical periods to be the most relevant, caustically asking, 'What would one think of the geophysicist who, satisfied with having computed their remoteness to a fraction of an inch, would then conclude that the influence of the moon upon the earth is far greater than that of the sun? Neither in outer space, nor in time, can the potency of a force be measured by the single dimension of distance.' One could apply the same metaphorical association — of distance versus relevance — to geography as well as time. Granted, there is most definitely, as scholars such as David Kang have repeatedly urged, a pressing need for more substantive work focused on Asian diplomatic and military history. Acquiring a better understanding of China and India's military pasts, along with seminal texts such as Arthashastra or The Three Kingdoms, for example, is essential to understanding both Asian behemoths' respective strategic cultures and ideational outlook. That being said, the oft-subsidiary assumption that one should automatically dismiss certain periods in history or strategic traditions as irrelevant to contemporary challenges in Asia, is not only shortsighted, but also somewhat disconcerting. Is the underlying premise of such culturally freighted arguments that the lessons to be derived from European history are somehow solely for Europeans, and the lessons and insights from Asian history only for Asians? Can we not somehow all pool and learn from our collective historical experiences rather than hive them off into our respective sub-disciplinary corners? Moreover, there is an additional risk nested within such culturalist assumptions: that of falling victim to the more insidious variant of regional essentialism promoted by authoritarian state actors such the People's Republic of China. Indeed, Beijing has long insisted that its supposedly exceptional historical trajectory entitles it to an unprecedented degree of deference on the basis of a so-called 'different historical model of international relations.' It is not immediately apparent, however, that China's much-touted 'tributary model' of international relations provides a better repository of insights into its current behavior in the South China Sea, than, say — the Valois and Plantagenet dynasties' sophisticated use of lawfare for purposes of territorial contestation in the fraught decades leading up the Hundred Years War. Lessons can be gleaned and applied across different cultures as well as across different periods. There are most certainly rich seams of world history that remain woefully underexplored, but the default posture should not be to argue in favour of further disciplinary siloization, but rather to read more, to read deeper, and to read across traditions." You can also listen to Rehman's excellent essay, read by Leighton Pugh. EI Weekly Listen - Iskander Rehman: Why applied history matters - Engelsberg Ideas This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the… engelsbergideas.com There are many different ways in which luxury, technology and easy-living can ensnare us or box us in. In many ways, this is a modern and relatable phenomenon, but it goes back at least to the Roman writer, Tacitus," Jonny Thomson notes in Lessons from the Roman Empire about the danger of luxury. The use of luxury to win over a people is a tactic mirrored across time, ranging from cheap opium that was shipped to China by the British to cheap American TVs and refrigerators that inevitably worked their way into the USSR. "But the most relatable example for most of us today is our relationship with Big Tech. Companies like Facebook, Apple, and Google slowly and surely wire our lives into their algorithms and platforms. Social media are designed and calibrated to be deliberately addictive. Time- or money-saving services, like cloud-based storage, have become so universal, that going back is becoming impossible. It's increasingly the case that we don't even know our passwords for things — we let our phones or apps invent and store them for us. A new technology or service is initially a luxury, until it becomes so normalized and ubiquitous, so essential, that we can't go back to the time before it appeared. What was once a 'want' becomes a 'need.'" "The Britons were enslaved, not by chains, but by their desire for good wine and elegant dinner parties, Tacitus noted. In fact, the governor of Britain, Agricola, deliberately sought to pacify this tribal warrior society by the 'delightful distractions' of warm baths, togas, and education," . As Tacitus wrote, 'The naïve Britons described these things as 'civilization,' when in fact they were simply part of their enslavement," Jonny Thomson notes in Lessons from the Roman Empire about the danger of luxury. (Photograph: Sepulchral inscription for P. Cornelius Tacitus, the consul and historian. Collection of the Museo Epigrafico, Rome) "E. M. Forster's novella, The Machine Stops, imagines a world where every facet of life is provided by 'the machine.' There are buttons 'to call for food, music, clothing, hot baths, literature and, of course, communication with friends.' How prescient has this turned out to be? Today, we have Uber, Skype, Hello Fresh, and Amazon Prime. Our friends and family are also plugged into the machine. Is it possible to leave? Though we view technology as liberating, it also boxes us in. If we believe Tacitus, we are now enslaved by the things we once saw as luxury. It's the job of philosophy to see these chains for what they are. And, as we examine our lives, we can then choose to wear them happily or start the long hard journey of throwing them off." In 2019, The New Yorker published a short essay by Oliver Sacks, The Machine Stops, in which he writes about the parallels between what he sees around him and the world described by E.M. Forster in The Machine Stops. The Machine Stops My favorite aunt, Auntie Len, when she was in her eighties, told me that she had not had too much difficulty adjusting… www.newyorker.com "When it came time to join the civil service himself, [Nikolai Gogol] had little interest in or patience for the entire endeavor. His middling grades at his lyceum in outside Kiev meant that, upon graduation, he had to enter the service at the 14th rank — the lowest," Jennifer Wilson writes in Among the Rank and File. "In 1828, Gogol moved from Ukraine to St. Petersburg to find work, landing first at the Department of State Economy and Public Buildings and then at the Department of Domains. Shortly after starting, he was diagnosed with hemorrhoids — which turned out to be a blessing in his eyes since it gave him an excuse to quit the post, which involved long hours sitting at a desk. 'I am very glad this happened,' he wrote to a friend. Throughout his tenure in the civil service, Gogol more than once failed to return on time from a leave of absence, though this does not seem to have had much of an effect on his career (in fact, he was promoted after one of these delinquencies). He frequently wrote his mother letters to register his misery and frustration with the entire system and its effect on the residents of St. Petersburg: 'No spirit sparkles in the people, everyone here is a clerk or official, everyone talks of their departments or ministries, everything is suppressed, everything is steeped in the trivial, insignificant labor in which their lives are pointlessly wasted.'" "Through his tiny mistakes — misplaced plumes and miscategorized clerks — Gogol not only created a fictional world of his own but also mapped the unstable hierarchy and shaky ground of the actual one," Jennifer Wilson writes in Among the Rank and File. (Painting: Nikolai Gogol, 1841, by Otto Friedrich Theodor von Möller; oil on canvas, 59 x 47 cm. Collection of The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow) "It is tempting to see in Gogol's satirical tales a kind of precursor to David Graeber's Bullshit Jobs: A Theory, his study of corporate bloat and capitalist inefficiency. Indeed, Graeber's taxonomy of meaningless jobs and the people who hold them — flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, task makers, and bean counters — reads similarly to Gogol's characterizations of the mind-numbing civil service positions open to him. Yet Gogol was ultimately less interested in the drudgery of office work than in the kind of people who built their lives around titles, prestige, and arbitrary notions of superiority. He drew on the grotesque and perfected the absurd in depicting their shallow worries and pointless cruelty. He also revealed the arbitrariness underpinning Peter's supposedly meritocratic system: Mislabeling the ranks and ascribing the wrong kinds of jobs to certain titles, Gogol created his own world of random hierarchies, and in turn revealed the randomness of the real one." Skaters, dancers, hustlers, boxers… The Swiss photographer Willy Spiller prowled the streets of New York from 1977 to 1985, capturing characters from all walks of life. He currently has his first solo exhibition at Bildhalle, Amsterdam (from April 10th until May 22nd). Source: Subway to Studio 54: a bygone New York — in pictures A Train to Far Rockaway, 1978 — "His longtime friend and companion Paul Nizon once said: 'I've often asked myself what made Willy Spiller's photography so forthright, so refreshing and so riveting.'" (Photography by Willy Spiller) Edna on Wheels, 1979 (left) and Leroy in Harlem, 1984 — "The series New York, 1977–1985, was shot while Willy Spiller lived in the Big Apple." Sunday Morning on Orchard Street, NY, 1980 — "Whether he focused his camera on subway rides, dancers at the legendary Studio 54 or hip-hop culture in the streets, Spiller captured many facets of a bygone world." A Train to Brighton Beach, 1977 — "His images have appeared in numerous European newspapers and magazines and he has received prizes for both his published and exhibited work." Elevated Station 180 St, 1982 — "Paul Nizon concluded: 'I believe it's a blend of unabashed curiosity and roguish complexity combined with a fraternal sense of compassion.'" Lunch on Broadway, 1982 — "And that is the reason Spiller sides with humanity, which is just another way of saying that he has an innate love of mankind." Moby, whose real name is Richard Melville Hall, was given his nickname by his father, shortly after birth. It's a reference to the family's ancestry; Moby is the great-great-great nephew of Herman Melville, the author of Moby-Dick (Photograph by Jonathan Nesvadba) "If there's one animal in this world that has every reason to wipe all fucking humanity off the face of the earth, it's the cow. Cows approach us with innocence and vulnerability and we respond with torture and murder. If you spend some time with cows you will find out what beautiful animals they are. Playful, social and curious. Really, if there was such a thing as a cosmic court, we would have long since lost our case against cows." — Moby, from Moby's whole kit and caboodle (de Volksrant Magazine, April 17, 2021) Reading notes will be back next week, if fortune allows, of course. In the meantime, if you want to know more about my work with senior executives and leadership teams, please visit markstorm.nl. You can also browse through my writings and follow me on Twitter. helping senior executives and leadership teams navigate complexity with wisdom & clarity of thought Cardinal Virtues More from Mark Storm

Brandi Glanville Brandi Glanville Makes a Public Apology for Her Molestation Joke Brandi GlanvilleCelebrities By Kristine Francis On Jan 17, 2014 If you haven't heard about it before- the queen of inappropriate had gone too far with her comedy hour. Haters came out in droves to attack Brandi Glanville for her molestation "joke". Glanville joked, "I, too, wanted to be molested as a child and was passed up." She added, "My sister got felt up by a principal, and nothing for me: He didn't even look at me sideways." Brandi even shares that "Now looking back, I'm super-bummed… Super-hot and they passed me up!" She said it all as part of her skit for her podcast, but no one was left laughing afterwards. Brandi has been known for the controversial and sometimes downright stupid things she said. She even created career around it through her best-selling book. So no I was not expecting her to create a podcast simply to be nice. If you've watched her The Real Houseiwves of Beverly Hills then you know what she's about. She's the one that goes crazy every once in a while that either you hate her or like Lisa Vander Pump decided on – you treat her like an animal at the zoo. Dumb, but there for your entertainment. Anyways Glanville did make a public apology once the backlash wasn't going away. According to E online: Glanville apologized for her insensitive jokes via Twitter on Thursday, Jan. 16. "I was interviewing stand up comedians for my podcast! Had to go through their stand up routines to know what 2 talk about!" She continued, "I'm sorry if I offended anyone with @Mrjimflorentine @PodcastOne interview My show is a COMEDY based entertainment show for adults I'm sorry." Glanville told one Twitter user that she is "still learning how to interview & learning what I can & cant say." I don't think the joke went too far as long we remember the context. Those stand up comedians can be tough and they have zero filter. Brandi was merely playing along. What do you think? Should Brandi have never said it? Kristine Francis

India's Premier Cinema Magazine Silverscreen's Favorite Photos SUBSCRIBE TO THE SILVERSCREEN NEWSLETTER Today's Curtain Raiser: Weekend Watch: Kolaigaran, Thottappan, Virus, Bharat And More Tamil Interviews 'Sindhubaadh Is My Playground, I Made It Without Any Fear': The SU Arun Kumar Interview BY Subha J Rao On June 27, 2019 TwitterFacebookRedditGoogle+EmailWhatsapp Vijay Sethupathi's fantastic run at the box office so far has seen him experiment with different genres, but barring a couple of films, not many have focussed on the romantic in him. One director who has always managed to showcase that side of the actor is SU Arun Kumar, who worked with him in Pannayaarum Padminiyum, Sethupathi and now Sindhubaadh, which finally releases today after a hectic week of parleys. Silverscreen.in caught up with the director to talk about his films and writing, about working with Vijay Sethupathi three times in a row, and how tears are a form of film appreciation too. Arun must be the object of every young director's envy. At a time when most of them are vying for an opportunity to work with Vijay Sethupathi, Arun has managed it thrice on the trot, without meaning to. "We did decide to work with others, but I narrated the story of Sindhubaadh, a romantic action thriller, to 11 actors, and they either did not like it or signed up but the project never took off from the ground. Finally, Sethu called me and we started shooting in two days." It helps that he shares a great rapport with Vijay Sethupathi. "Working with Sethu is like the feeling you get when you reach home. I have the liberty to tell him what I feel, and he understands that. We have mutual respect, and no one tries to dominate the other. In fact, if I sometimes add a nuance because it suits his current image, he always tells me, 'It's not you. Thevaiillai nanba' (it's not you, it's not necessary, my friend)". While making any film, Arun says he avoids adding anything unnecessary to the script. "My scenes usually write themselves, and I go with the flow. But I struggled with Sethupathi. Adhu bayathula panna padam (It was a film made with fear) I was afraid and kept going back and forth, second guessing every step I took, as I was scalded by what happened with Pannaiyaarum Padminiyum — the film failed at the box office despite much critical acclaim. It was editor Sreekar Prasad sir who consoled me. When I wept and told him that I can only make films like Pannaiyaarum, he told me that I had the film language and it was wrong to restrict oneself. He encouraged me to do a commercial film. The success of Sethupathi was a huge shock, but a very pleasant one," he recalls. That way, Arun says Sindhubaadh is his playground, a film he did without any fear. "And, as always, my characters will never move out of the boundaries of the script." In fact, Arun was happily surprised when Sethupathi, which, at one level, was a police officer's revenge saga, was received very differently from what he had originally conceived. In his head, Sethupathi was a love story between a cop and his wife and how he balances family and work. Arun writes love, young love, middle-aged love and senior love well, and the women in his film have a mind of their own and, invariably, have a say in their lives; his three films stand proof of that. "When writing my female characters, I'm very particular that they should not come and go. Whatever the format, they must have their rightful space. In fact, after Thulasi of Pannaiyaarum Padminiyum, I'd rate Sindhubaadh's Venbaa as the strongest female character I've written. This is the story of Thiru and Venbaa and their love, with lots of action," says Arun. Sindhubaadh also marks the debut of Vijay Sethupathi's son Surya, whom Arun is very fond of. "Bringing him on board was purely my call. I've been seeing him for the past six years, and I felt he would be apt for this role. He's a very active kid, and I wanted that spunk for this character. He prepared well, and is full of spontaneity, just like his father. It helps that he shares a good comfort level with me, and extracting work was not difficult." Anjali as Venbaa, the girl who speaks loudly, is a scream in the trailer. How did he think of casting an actress that most others have used in sober roles in one that calls for a certain lightness? "I was looking at many actors when I happened to speak to director Ram (who directed her in the lyrical Peranbu.) He felt she would suit this role. I spoke to her and explained the look of her character, and that it called for a leaner look. When we met, she looked the part, and seemed very fresh. She's a lovely actress. On day one, we kept re-shooting a scene and when I finally told her I needed something more subtle and that she should speak with her eyes, she turned around and said, "Oh adhaa" (Oh, you want that?). That day on, every scene was a first-take scene. I realised that day that one can never fault her for a bad performance; it ultimately is the responsibility of the director. She's an honest artiste who delivers what the director wants. Some scenes demanded so much from her; even when a retake meant more pain and scratches on her body, she'd gladly go ahead for a second take. After all these years in the industry, her dedication has never wavered." Arun loves speaking about film language, and its importance. Has he been impressed or influenced by any creations? "If you look at the bibliography in Sindhubaadh, I have mentioned five films. I've been influenced by survivor movies, because this film is ultimately about survival. Pannaiyaaryum was inspired by Hachiko (after watching which Arun headed to the bathroom and wept), The Pursuit of Happyness and The Way Home. Sethupathi did not have any specific references," says Arun who loves a good cry at the movies. Sindhubaadh was shot over 53 days, 20 in Tenkasi, 32 in Thailand and one day in Chennai. "The film called for a great deal of discipline, and I was lucky I had good performers with me. That's a huge advantage, because I get to see how they explore a scene and character. My character artistes are usually not very well known, and working with them is pure learning." After Sindhubaadh, Arun is yet to decide his future course of action. He wants a brief break, before he makes his next film. Yes, there's a possibility it might also star his Sethu, because he loved a script that Arun, all of 32, narrated. This SU Arun Kumar interview is a Silverscreen exclusive. Malayalam Interviews August 20, 2017 The Sathyan Anthikad Interview: "It Hurt When 'Pingami' Flopped" Malayalam Features April 20, 2016 Kalabhavan Mani: In Life And Death Malayalam Features September 17, 2017 Suraj Venjaramoodu Interview: "I Didn't Sleep The Night We Shot That Emotional Scene In 'Action Hero Biju'" Malayalam Interviews October 5, 2017 Bejoy Nambiar Interview: "I Would Love To Live In Sai Paranjpye's Universe" Follow @silverscreenin Or (be awesome and) do both. More Interviews "Nerkonda Paarvai' Does Not Judge; It Only Speaks About Consent': The H Vinoth Interview "I Always Wanted To Make Films That Communicate With The Masses", Says 'Unda' Writer Harshad "I Was Waiting For Someone To Break The Pattern Of Light-Hearted Films I Was Working In": Arya On 'Magamuni' 'I Am Taking It One Project At A Time': The Atharvaa Interview © Copyright 2013 - 2016, Silverscreen Media Solutions Inc.

Scottish Defence League is a Nazi piece of work A LEADING member of the sinister far-right Scottish Defence League is today unmasked as a vile racist with links to outlawed neo-Nazis. The Scottish Sun can reveal hate-filled bigot Paul Newlands is a major driving force behind the prejudice and tensions stirred up by the extremist faction. He was snapped in Berwick last month at an SDL demo now under investigation by police over sickening racist chants. And the tattoo-covered rabble-rouser uses Facebook and Twitter to spout his bile. Organisers of the SDL — an offshoot of the English Defence League — insist it is NOT racist, but is a protest group opposing immigration and Islamic fundamentalism in the UK. But our investigation has uncovered widespread racism within its ranks — including links to banned Nazi outfit Combat 18 and Greek fascists Golden Dawn. Newlands, 39, regularly attends SDL rallies across Scotland and has close links with far-right groups in England such as the EDL and the North West Infidels. He proudly shows off his tattoos of the Combat 18 logo and the fascist swastika symbol on Facebook and has 'SDL' inked on the back of his shaved head. Before last month' s march he boasted on Twitter of hooking up with equally-warped pals at the rally, writing: "I go anywhere to defend my white race." He says of one Asian target: "The p*ki b*****d needs hung." Newlands' page on the site is overflowing with revolting abuse, including twisted mock-up photos showing US President Barack Obama and his wife as monkeys. There are swastika pictures, images of the Nazi 'Sieg Heil' salute, videos glorifying Hitler, a badge from American white-supremacists the Ku Klux Klan, and a foul cartoon captioned: "Around blacks, never relax." He also refers to a black woman as a "f*****g n*****" and shares a tweet posted by another racist cruelly mocking Comic Relief, which says: "Help the struggling African... I say die with flies round your eyes." Terror ink ... Combat 18 tattoo Newlands makes fun on the site of the tragic death of Northern Ireland cop Philippa Reynolds, 27, who died in a car crash last month — and tells followers: "Today like every other day I will abuse the #golliwog at work." He is also revealed to be a fan of Golden Dawn, which has risen to prominence in riot-torn Greece. Scottish Sun reporters traced Newlands to his home on Edinburgh's Muirhouse scheme — and watched as he strolled over to an Asian-owned store and joked with a worker unloading his van. But when we confronted him about his political views he said "F**k off" — then flashed a Nazi salute before yelling: "Sieg Heil." Newlands was among around 50 far-right fanatics who descended on Berwick on February 16 — where he was pictured alongside SDL organiser Graham Walker. Walker has whined about the group being dubbed bigots, moaning: "We're branded racist but we are not — extremists are not a race." The SDL was joined in the English border town by a handful of EDL idiots who drank and chanted rowdily before facing off anti-fascist campaigners. A Saltire said to be in memory of Glasgow lad Kriss Donald — slain by Asian race-hate thugs in 2004 — was passed around members, who posed for snaps. Border patrol ... cops tackle trouble at Berwick demo One young girl brandished a placard saying 'Never forget Glasgow Airport' — a reference to the 2007 terror attack. The gang were confronted by the Berwick United Against Fascism group, who shouted: "Nazi scum off our streets." SDL members retorted: "You can shove your f*****g Islam up your arse." After listening to speeches by their leaders, they headed back to the pub to carry on boozing. Northumbria Police made five arrests on the day and are investigating claims of racist comments at the rally. Assistant Chief Constable Steve Ashman said: "A number of people failed to live up to their responsibilities. We acted immediately to head off any trouble. "People expressed concerns to us over potentially racist language used. We'll review information received and appropriate action will be taken where offences were committed." Cops said of the five arrested, one was cautioned for being drunk and disorderly, two were freed after being held over alleged breaches of the peace, and one was given a penalty notice for disorderly conduct. No further action was taken against another who was allegedly caught in possession of cannabis. Another SDL member, who can't be named for legal reasons, was at the demo days after he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on a charge of alleged racial hatred. Who are the SDL? Demo ... SDL boasts 4,000 members THE SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League, set up in 2009. Both are opposed to what they say is growing Islamic extremism in the UK — and both insist they are NOT racist. SDL leaders boast of up to 4,000 members — but true numbers are thought to be far lower. They also play up links with soccer thugs including Hibs' notorious Capital City Service. Scots police footie intelligence officers are believed to have worked with English counterparts to identity SDL yobs. Leaders 'feed on the poor' THE Scottish Defence League was accused of preying on poverty-stricken Scots to spread its vile views. Top academic Dr Alastair McIntosh branded the SDL a "noisy minority" who use immigrants as figures of hate. Dr McIntosh, of Glasgow's Centre of Human Ecology, said: "They feed on people feeling hard done by. When people are hurting, which a great many are with benefit cuts, it's easy to turn that feeling into a hatred of anyone from the outside. "The current economic climate is ripe for these views to grow. These right-wing groups exploit concerns that people have. What is ugly is they draw attention to themselves when Scotland is considering its political future." Fuhrer's fan club NEO-NAZI terror group Combat 18 was set up in England in 1992 — but its racial hatred has spread across the globe. The gang is associated with Blood and Honour and the National Front. Its 18 name comes from the initials of Adolf Hitler — the first and eighth letters of the alphabet. Founder Charlie Sargent — who left over allegations he was an MI5 spy — was jailed for life in 1997 for murder. Golden Dawn is a right-wing Greek outfit which won a council seat in Athens in 2010. It was involved in the Greek riots of 2010-11. Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/feeds/smartphone/scotland/4821977/Scottish-Defence-League-moron-is-a-Nazi-piece-of-work.html#ixzz2MTSOPIsP 14 March 2013 at 17:36 Reply Racial Socialists and Nationalists think commies and libtards and anti-nazis are vile. We are right, and we will win. Losing is a sin.

July 08, 2016 8:14am 338 Comments Eleven Biotherapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: EBIO) shares rose 42.9 percent to $2.80 in pre-market trading after the company reported the effectiveness of IND application for EBI-031. Mitel Networks Corporation (NASDAQ: MITL) rose 22.1 percent to $7.35 in pre-market trading as Polycom reported an end of Mitel merger deal. Barracuda Networks Inc (NYSE: CUDA) shares rose 15.7 percent to $17.94 in pre-market trading as the company reported stronger-than-expected results for its first quarter. The company reported that CFO David Faugno will be stepping down and current chief accounting officer, Dustin Driggs, will replace Faugno. Polycom Inc (NASDAQ: PLCM) shares rose 13.6 percent to $12.35 in pre-market trading after the company revealed Friday that private equity firm, Siris Capital Group, LLC and its affiliates, have submitted a unilaterally binding offer to buy all outstanding shares for $12.50 per share in cash. Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (NASDAQ: SWHC) shares rose 5 percent to $29.70 in pre-market trading. Gun manufacturers shares rose after a deadly shooting in downtown Dallas. Three people were in custody while a fourth suspect exchanged gunfire with police authorities. A sniper fatally shot 11 officers, five fatally. Gap Inc (NYSE: GPS) rose 3.6 percent to $22.40 in pre-market trading. Gap reported a 2 percent rise in its comparable sales for June, while total sales increased to $1.57 billion from $1.54 billion. Juno Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: JUNO) shares fell 26.2 percent to $30.12 in pre-market trading after the company announced JCAR015's Phase 2 trial was put on hold after two patients died last week. Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE) shares dipped 7.9 percent to $48.00 in pre-market trading after Juno Therapeutics reported an FDA clinical hold on JCAR015's Phase 2 trial. WD-40 Company (NASDAQ: WDFC) shares tumbled 4.2 percent to $111.10 in the pre-market trading session. WD-40 reported upbeat earnings for its third quarter on Thursday. However, the company posted weaker-than-expected sales and lowered its revenue outlook for the year. Galena Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ: GALE) fell 2.6 percent to $0.501 in pre-market trading. Galena Biopharma priced 28 million shares at $0.45 per share. Related Articles (MITL + EBIO) Posted-In: #PreMarket Gainers LosersNews Movers & Shakers Pre-Market Outlook Markets Movers 1 PYPL, MARA: Will Bitcoin Or Ethereum Grow More By 2022? 3 PLTR, PLUG: Benzinga's Weekly Bulls And Bears: AMD, Marathon, T... 4 CVX, GM: Barron's Picks And Pans: Exxon Mobil, GameSt... 6 ZM, UBER: Short Seller Andrew Left Goes S... 7 BRKB, IPOF: Investors Want A Cham... 1 TSLA, IPOF: Investors Want A Chamath Palihapitiya ETF And They Might Get It Soon

Julian Wu shares his very own Asado Style Beef Ribs recipe. When you are about to cook, take the ribs out of the refrigerator and season them with black pepper, and let them reach room temperature while you prepare your Heat Beads® BBQ Briquettes (or similar product). When the coals are ready, place the ribs on the hottest part of the grill and sear them on one side until they are nicely browned. Turn and baste the ribs with the brine and grill until the other side is browned too. Then move the ribs to a cooler part of the grill and continue to turn and baste the ribs frequently until they are done. This should take between and 16-20 minutes. Serve the grilled ribs with the reserved chimichurri sauce, a green salad, and a hearty red wine. To celebrate the launch of the Heat Beads® Chimney Booster, we've called upon one of Australia's most-loved chefs to share their favourite recipes which are best cooked over coals.

Isabelo Satori Isabelo Satori, right, with his husband Cort Cunningham. House• BY: Sian Ballen, Lesley Hauge and Pierre Crosby Before these strange times when you could go a-visiting, we interviewed the designer Isabelo Satori at the Carroll Gardens home he shares with his husband Cort Cunningham, a copywriter and creative strategist. We wanted to meet him having been impressed by his room, the study, in the 2019 Brooklyn Heights Showhouse. We particularly liked his use of natural materials combined with a few striking pieces and a color palette that seemed to have effortlessly fallen together. Growing up in East New York, despite being good at art in school, he initially never considered a career in design and took a job as a makeup artist at Macys. When he started helping out friends who were at FIT with their projects, one of the students told him how good he was and that he should apply to college. To his delight, he eventually won a full scholarship to Parsons, where, he told us, "I was soaking it all up, hanging out with artists who were in loft spaces in Williamsburg doing things on roof decks, spitting paint out of their mouths and stuff … just a new world for me." The green building façade of Isa's and Cort's Brooklyn apartment includes a water element for turtles and koi in front. "We feed the living animals in the morning and evening. We learned that the turtles all have different personalities." You do say in your bio on your website that you went to Parsons but you don't say where you grew up – where did you grow up? I grew up in Brooklyn, in East New York—everyone thinks of it as like this bad neighborhood but it's beautiful to me. It was still very neighborhood-like and you had these Italian families, just a mix of everyone. Are you part Italian? No, Puerto Rican, Portuguese and French. In the downstairs studio Isa's collection of paint samples and paint pots. "I enjoy mixing colors. I would mix makeup colors when I worked as a makeup artist at Laura Mercier and Borghese." Isa's palette of ideas: "Inspiration should not be stagnant. It's an ongoing process and evolution that keeps me thinking of new and exciting things to come." Isa admits that he is a little obsessed with finding the best paintbrushes. "It's like finding the best makeup application brush that becomes your number one tool. Vintage brushes that have been kept nice are sometimes my go-to brushes for painting. They have a malleable ease to them because they have been broken in nicely." A 1955 teak folding desk by Mummenthaler & Meier dominates a downstairs wall. Isa's husband, Cort Cunningham, disliked midcentury design when they first met. Isa introduced him to a broader array of midcentury pieces with which he then fell in love. The amber Prox vase is by Studio Zar. Isa painted the nearby plaster sculpture in Yves Klein blue. "I like seeing this vibrant blue around the apartment, it makes me happy."The custom mirror by Laidman Fabrication for Stationhaus.Co was inspired by a vintage Italian designed mirror. "The best parts of the mirror are the small silicon bronze details and the way it hooks onto the wall. I know you never see the attachment detail, but I know it's there." A detail of the custom metal-and-silicon bronze mirror that Isa had designed for the Brooklyn Heights Showhouse in 2019. Did you know very early on that you wanted to be a designer? I knew I wanted to design something but I didn't know exactly what it was. I was into painting, watercolors, drawing, and then I was interested in fashion. I had Daisy Duke dolls and I made little outfits for them—and also for GI Joe. What kind of outfits did you make for GI Joe? Just little shorts. I would take the pants and curl them up or fray them—but they were designed! And I would use my mom's hairspray to change their hair. Did your parents encourage you into a design career? They did not encourage me. They encouraged me to be – there's nothing wrong with it – a garbage man in New York City. Or part of the police. Looking across the downstairs studio space. A drapery panel in silver mohair silk fabric from Correggio with brass rings that Isa designed, hangs opposite a wall of soft white sheer Schumacher fabric that Isa often uses in projects. A pair of 1960s Preban Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm "Bird Chairs" are arranged around a custom desk made by Laidman Fabrication and used for the 2019 Brooklyn Heights Showhouse. "I love the chairs. They are comfortable and well made chairs from the 1960s. They have a cast steel base with fiberglass body. I upholstered them in a soft orange cashmere blend fabric that I found at Mood Fabrics and restored the base in a satin nickel finish." The avocado green phone Model 500 was designed by Henry Dreyfuss and introduced in 1949. Isa found the 1970s geometric brass metal table lamp in Los Angeles and was intrigued by how this piece was put together. "When you look at it at night some of the facets shine and shadows form to create different shapes." The sofa is from DWR and upholstered in Nobilis fabric with Jerry Pair silk trim in a gold tone. A Fortuny fabric pillow is backed with Loro Piana fabric left over from a drapery project. "My rat terriers love laying on them in the evening." A steel side table with a bronze patina designed by Isa as a prototype many moons ago is filled with books on art and design. "The vintage fan makes an annoying noise. My next manly duty is taking it apart and fixing it." A 1970s Italian Lucite stool with chrome accents is upholstered in a nubby silk fabric. So they wanted you to be part of a union, solid meat-and-potatoes. How did you resist your parents' desire to do something sensible? I actually went and applied for a New York City job. I remember hating the whole thing. It was for trash collection. It was just before the end of high school. Did you get it? No. I didn't finish the test … or the meeting or whatever it was … and you also have to be really strong. Then I started doing makeup at Macys and I just loved it. I was very good at it. But it was very intimidating because I was from East New York and the manager used to pull me aside and whisper, "You can't speak like that to the clients." You know, it was so Brooklyn. You speak perfectly fine! When I was younger it was a little rough. [laughs]. Then I had friends who were at FIT and I assisted them with their projects. One of them, I can't remember her name, said, "You're really good at this, you should apply for college." Isa bought these two prints by Spanish sculptor, Eduardo Chillida, at an auction and continues to be inspired by their shapes. "Vintage, vintage, vintage…I absolutely love listening to vintage records, the slight scratches, the skipping when they are scared. The sound of the artists' voices really come out when listening to a record. I love collecting and this is one of my favorite things to have and use." Isa's design books are mixed with his millwork, metal fabrication and mechanic books. "If I do not know a certain detail I am working on or I just need to know where the alternator is connected to on my 1970s BMW, I look it up." A Kim Nemeth wall textile panel with charcoal and natural materials hangs on the natural clay walls of the downstairs studio. The 1970's black and white Zenith television plays three vintage Italian movies playing in a loop. So that person whose name you can't remember turned your whole life around maybe? It was so nice to hear it because I had never heard it. I did have one art teacher in junior high school who also said I was really good and I should go to art school but … do you want me to go back into all of this? So … I was not allowed to go to art schools. That must have been really annoying … Hmmm … [smiles]. You did get into Parsons – but did you have a portfolio or anything like that? No, I had to run around and just be creative. What did you put together? You know it was so weird—I was looking at African art and beading. I created a large abstract "painting" out of beadwork. I had to thread all of them, glue them down and then pull the thread out of each one. I was doing that for days. And then they needed some drawings so I did an axonometric of a room; I designed a kid's room and I still have the drawings. The inspiration was The Jungle Book. In the upstairs living room Isa says, "Comfort & calmness is key to this little room which is Cort's sanctuary" A Robsjohn-Gibbings slipper chair is covered in sapphire Italian silk and stands on a wool-and-silk carpet from Holly Hunt; the daybed and pillows are wrapped in Coraggio Minx silk mohair and the cushion fabric is from Holland & Sherry. Against the left wall an Isamu Noguchi lantern stands on top of a vintage Tansu Cabinet. Preban Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm 1960s "Bird Chairs" in their original black leather and base finish are tucked under a custom desk with marble top from Stationhaus.co. The white oak shelving is from Quartertwenty and a 1950s grapevine tabouret is used for houseplants plants during the winter. Among the objects carefully arranged on the top of the vintage Tansu Cabinet are an Isamu Noguchi Akari lantern as well as pieces of Native American antique ceramic pottery "The patterns are mesmerizing and have an amazing feel to them. The Japanese wood was made into a bowl with its "flaws"…it brings a sense of peace into the space." The standing Buddha from Thailand is positioned in front of a midcentury mirror with an unusual frame of abstract metal "mushrooms" was found online. " It really is a unique piece and makes me smile when I see it." Isa loves to wear silk scarves during the fall and winter because they keep him warm without being so bulky. "I have had many of them made from remnant fabrics that I have found over the years. If it does not work for a sheer silk shade, I use it for my next scarf." Looking across the kitchen table towards the rear garden and stairway to the downstairs studio. The couple love living in this neighborhood. "This was a great apartment and studio find in because of its open lower level plan and the clay earth walls. The light is softened by the walls and the backyard greenery. I get to be a little crazy in the basement and I do not care…" How was the news received at home that you had got into Parsons? It was like, "I hope I don't have to pay for anything." [laughs loudly] And that was it. But when I went, I was soaking it all up, hanging out with artists who were in loft spaces in Williamsburg doing things on roof decks, spitting paint out of their mouths and stuff … just a new world for me. Which part of what was on offer at Parsons did you most enjoy learning about? I think it was textile design and then furniture design. What was your first job after graduation? I worked for Richard Mishaan. I would help him design pieces for his store [called Homer, no longer in business] In the main bedroom, a Rapidograph line drawing in turquoise ink by Sam Still hangs on an exposed brick wall. The bed sheets are by Matteo and Frette. They are topped with Fortuny pillows with a metallic, aged leather backing as well as Loro Piana Euro down pillows. The 1950s Italian sconces—brass with powder-coated ivory shades—hang in front of a drapery panel fabric by Knoll Textiles. The sheer nubby fabric reminded Isa of the TV show Madmen and he fell in love with it. The cast bronze sculpture by Luis Carlos on the window ledge is on loan from a framing and gilding studio in the Bronx. "It's a beautiful piece that I stumbled upon in the shop while going over the design of frames for art pieces." Looking over the stair rail into Isa's studio. "It's my refuge from the outside and I can dance, draw and be creative down here." A 1950s Italian parchment console with one-inch thick glass base and top standing on natural carpeting is a convenient place to store a collection of extra pillows. The DWR Sofa is outfitted with an array of Fortuny pillows. Andy Warhol Flowers 11.70 Silk Screen Print from Sunday B Morning in a custom frame from Framing & Gilding Studio – Farrow & Ball in Cinder Rose Gloss finish. So do you see yourself more as product designer than an interior designer? I think it's open to both interpretations. I mean when you do a project for a client, they could be inspired by things that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and they're like, "Can you design something within a reasonable cost?" So everything becomes custom. That's something I noticed on your website, which not many designers include, is that you state clearly your rates are reasonable. It seems to me that you're saying, "I'm approachable". I don't know, is that what you're saying? That is what I'm saying. Cort [Isa's partner] is the one who does the marketing thing for me. You also include furniture from places like Serena & Lily or IKEA, which plays into the approachability aspect. You know, there are a lot of sort of, "DIY interior designers" and I didn't want to be that, so you can take a piece from say, Serena & Lily and then do something more with it, make it beautiful. I like finding vendors on Etsy a lot. Yes, Etsy started out just being crafts but now they're everything. Yes, you can find upholstery, draperies, very high end things too. Views of the backyard garden. Isa's landlord, a prominent garden designer, built the backyard two-story tree house made from wood sourced from vintage NYC water towers. "Maintaining the garden will be a work in progress for us this summer." You're part of a generation of designers that has grown up with technology and we ask older designers what has changed about the job, they often say, "Argggh … the internet! They don't like it." I don't like it! I think it's made it too easy for everyone to just do garbage. Oh, you sound like the older designers! How would you describe "the garbage"? Just that quick millennial look … bad quality. And the other thing they say is, "This younger generation won't go outside to actually look at or touch things. They just want to look at it on a screen." See?!! I've been telling [Cort] this! Tactile! Everything is on computers. I was working with a few designers in California and I had all these fabrics on my desk. And I asked one of them had he felt mohair before and he just said, "Isn't it like velvet?" I said, "I think you should feel it." And of course he said, "This is very rough. She's not going to like it." Isa and Cort's rat terrier/Jack Russell mix, Franque (Frank) Dafoe. Isa made the side table from plywood and steel. The white oak headboard was inspired by a French designer and the Euro pillows with butterfly edge detail are in a Loro Piana fabric. A gorgeous arrangement of flowers is always present in cold weather months. "I cannot be inside during the winter without greenery and flowers." Did you read about the restaurant, Eleven Madison's refurbishment? They ordered fabric for the seating, mohair, at great expense and then realized it was too rough to sit on. Mohair does wear down. That's what they did! They brought people in to do just that! It was cheaper than re-upholstering it all. We're going to be doomed! If you don't know what the difference between brick and concrete and so on … Isa's stresses that their other rat terrier/Jack Russell mix pup, Pepper Cline, has been trained how to lay on delicate pillows. "He just nestles himself in between pillows and everything is super soft for him." In this case the pillows are a Coraggio silk / mohair velvet with Holland & Sherry linen. Social DiaryJul 31 Recalling a time and a place, a man and house, another spectacular example of the imagination of a man of ambition drawn to New York. NEXT POST The state of organized social life

Although it hasn't been getting awards thrown at it quite like its saloon cousin, the same can almost be said of the XK range. This 'R model shares the same 503bhp 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 as the XFR and also generates a bolster-bashing 461lb-ft of Torque at 5500rpm, although this time it is propelling a 1762kg mass. However for all the recognition that the XFR has acquired, the hot coupe has been sort of left hanging out of the limelight recently; unfair given how accomplished are its attempts to be the perfect GT, not to mention a big step forwards over its predecessor. Gear changes come courtesy of Jaguar's 6-speed torque-converter autobox, with mode-select for the wheel mounted paddles coming from the ultra-trick rotary dial a la XF. Although these selectors feel a touch 'plasticky' for a 75-grand car, the clicking action is as smooth and tactile as anyone could ask for; imagine, let's say, a video game controller designed by Apple. The standard automatic setting is as intuitive and smart as you could reasonably expect of such a system, and although manually controlled shifts are obviously not DSG-quick, they are easily fast enough to please the pressing-on driver, yet not violent enough in normal modes to spill whatever it is that that an XKR owner would drink en-route to Cannes. I'd like to think it would be chocolate milk. The car we tested was equipped with what Jaguar calls its 'Speed and Black Pack'; a £4000 option that manages to transform the elegant coupe to something that, visually at least, looks every inch the track-refugee. Thankfully the slightly-brash optional graphics weren't present on our test car, but with the de-chromed black detailing, chunky gloss wheels, huge red calipers and extra steroidal growths from what was already a muscular silhouette, this model certainly gets its message across. Is this 'extra' all talk and no substance though? Indeed not, as the Speed Pack also brings with it the benefit of a raised speed limiter that will allow 174mph to be reached (up from 155mph), and a re-profiled front splitter and rear spoiler, not to mention the addition of subtle skirts and a rear diffuser. The handling and body control is perhaps the XKR's real forte, enabling it to be threaded along narrow lanes in a way that defies its GT size; the suspension soaking up anything in its path. In fact the resultant ride is eerily smooth whilst quite eye-opening progress can be made, as little physical effort is required of the driver, the chassis never feeling out of its depth controlling 461lb-ft. A refreshingly uncomplicated 'Dynamic' button firms up the damping nicely but without becoming crashy; it also sharpens up the throttle response and gearshift to give satisfyingly quick reactions. There was one occasion when we noticed a section of repeat stutter-bumps that seemed to upset the car slightly mid-bend, yet it was mostly noise intrusion from dampers working their little socks off through an exceptionally nasty strip of UK blacktop. You certainly know about it when the full force of that blown V8 is unleashed though; there is a suppressed whine from upfront and, combined with the clever exhaust bypass valve, you get all the exhaust-based noises that any red-blooded driver could desire with an extra dose of vicious induction. In fact, much like when you see cars on the motorway with carrier bags stuck to the front, you get the feeling that this manically-sucking blower could do the same, except sat stationary in Tesco's car park. Acceleration is hugely quick yet never violent, just comfortably allowing the Torque to gently pin you back against the leather; combined with the noise it is an intoxicating and addictive experience. There are mild disappointments; the interior is undoubtedly a quality and luxurious place to reside, however I can't help but feel ever so slightly underwhelmed. Some features such as the black 'Suedecloth Premium Headlining' and mood lighting are pleasingly opulent, yet the inside as a whole almost doesn't quite seem as fitting as you'd expect for such a continent-crushing coupe. Apart from unexpectedly firm (but very comfortable) seats, the only initial hint as to the extra sporting pretence is in the form of the chosen 'dark mesh aluminium' trim that covers some interior surfaces; a finish and texture that seems a bit out of touch at this price level. Likewise some switchgear; although impeccably placed and efficient, they aren't going to start wars between rival fingertips if they don't get to fondle them. Alas these are only minor quibbles, as there is plenty of equipment to keep you entertained; from the touch screen infotainment centre, to the ventilated cooled/heated front seats, 525W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, plus optional DAB radio and clever adaptive cruise control. With a car like the XK, knowing confidently where it sits in the market is deceptive; both at a heart and head level. It is a perfect GT cruiser no doubt; but are the R's performance additions ever going to allow it to nibble away at more track-bred rivals? The Speed/Black upgrade packs as fitted are intended to add an extra element to the car's stats and visual clout, however when you see items like side graphics on the options sheet, you have to wonder if they are squaring up to road-racers like the 911 GT3. With a product as accomplished as the XKR however, Jaguar don't need to be chasing buyers of such cars. This is not a racecar for the road, so it should sit happily where it is as a shockingly fast, beautifully serene and hugely capable GT. Where these visual and Top Trump tweaks are likely to hit the spot though is by drawing in younger buyers, as age becomes inconsequential when looking for a car with such a broad spectrum of abilities; the previous generation XKR most likely having passed under the radar of such folks. Besides, Jaguar have just released an XKR '75' to deal with the GT3, leaving just Porsche's recently released 911 GTS as a logical rival. No mention of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage then? No, because without driving the two cars back to back it is impossible to draw judgement, and even then it would most likely be down to personal taste. The XKR should tempt many a buyer from the elegant Aston though, regardless of the fact that it starts at around £12,000 less. That's no mean feat, and should be award-worthy in itself. bing . March 18, 2016 .

You're a 21st-century administrator. Now what? Chris Lehmann is the Founding Principal of the Science Leadership Academy (SLA), an inquiry-driven, project-based, one-to-one laptop science and technology high school in Philadelphia, a school that has garnered international recognition. Sharing his hard-won experience, Chris has been a speaker at International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) events and will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming inaugural ISTE Leadership Forum 2012. For today's school leaders, the rules of the game have changed, and in his talks, Chris shares what it takes to be a 21st-century administrator with practical examples of how to create learning environments for the digital age, offering up what amounts to a pragmatic playbook for the new game. In addition to his other commitments, he authors the education blog Practical Theory. In this in-depth discussion, Chris goes above and beyond in addressing the issues and challenges facing administrators today. Briefly (and you don't need to spoil any future presentation by giving it all away!) what is your answer to those questions? Chris: What I think we have to do is create opportunities for students to do real work that matters and leverage all of our tools in real ways. What we do a lot of times is say, "Let's have the kids do a blog project or a video project." What we need to do is empower kids to do real work using technology tools in an authentic manner that allows them to do that work in a transformational way. Victor: Breaking it down further: Why do you classify our current, modern toolset as "transformative"? What makes you say that? Chris: I think that what is transformative is what the kids can do with them. We finally have the tools that allow us to achieve the dream, that lets kids to do real work that matters. We can allow kids to create, network, share, and present in more powerful ways than ever before. The tools we have today are more far reaching in their communications capabilities, efficiency, or speed. A laptop is probably one of the most powerful, personal productivity devices we've ever seen before. It allows us to do things in new ways. True, many of the things our tech tools allow us to do, I think that we've done before, but now we can do them for more efficiently and more people have access to them. The transformational nature of the tool is that they allows us to see far more clearly than ever before that our classroom should not be defined by the four walls, but by what we hope kids are able to do. Victor: How do we ensure that we truly leverage the transformative nature of these modern tools? Chris: We develop common languages of teaching and learning. We develop the visions of why and how we use tools in schools that builds that common language. I don't want to see "You get with this tech or you lose your job." That's a bad idea! We ensure that we leverage these tools by creating visions of schools and building systems and structures around those visions that allow kids to build an authentic skill set. Hopefully, in the grand scheme, we have policies that reward that. Victor: How do you get people in and around education to reimagine what our schools can be? Chris: Help them see the vision. Help them to see the path to new ways of doing things. Give them models. Victor: What is something educators can do right now to reimagine their schools? Chris: I think what every educator should be able to do is to consider "What do I control, what do I have control over?" And by control, I don't mean command-and-control teaching, I mean, if you're a classroom teacher, what you own inside your classroom or, if you are a principal, within your school. Within the boundaries that we have control over, how can we develop visions of what we want in order to invest in our kids? Then, latch all of our systems and structures that we have control over to that overall vision. The way kids produce information, the way they consume information, the way they reflect, the way that we as educators grade, the way we sit kids in the classroom, anything that you have control over, ask yourself, "Does it leverage the best ideas that we have? Does it leverage the best vision for what we have for what we hope kids can do and learn and be with us?" If not, change your policies! Change your structures so that they are more closely aligned to that best vision of what we are and what we can be. Victor: What do you mean by 'authentic powerful artifacts' of a student's learning? Chris: It varies. What I mean by that is that students should be able to create things that are of interest to them, that matter to them, that allow them to see the effects they can have in the world as the people they are today – not just as what they may do someday. I think it can be everything from building catapults in a physics class, to building architecture plans in a geometry class, to writing for publications in an English class, to doing original mini-documentaries in a history class. There is all kinds of work that kids can do that is authentic, that is real, that is owned by them, that allows them to see themselves as active agents in the world and that is more empowering than bubbling in the answers on someone else's test. Victor: When we speak of "maximizing your tech investment and stretching your dollars" – could you give some context for this well-worn phrase? Why does this ring so true these days? Could you point to any examples that illustrate the huge difference between a school or district that accomplishes this and one that does not? Chris: These are hard economic times. When people think that we're going to save lots of money with technology, they generally end up regretting it. You have got to find a way to use the technology without breaking the bank, but technology is going to cost money, and that is okay. That shouldn't be what we're thinking about. What we should be thinking about is how we can put the tools in the hands of students and teachers so that they can do powerful things. Sure, people can use online learning and distance learning to extend their classroom offerings; they can use it to save money, but that is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul on some levels. Anyone with the goal of using technology is to be able to hire fewer teachers and just put kids in front of computers all day long really doesn't deserve the title of educator. Kids learn by doing and interacting. Leaders have to save right now, I get that. We are experimenting with some online Spanish courses due to cuts in our budget. But that doesn't make it good. It makes it a necessity, right now that we should understand as a manufactured crisis in this country. We should be able to conceive of a school system in this nation where kids have powerful, caring adults who work with them every day and a laptop. That shouldn't be a stretch for one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Victor: There is a tremendous reach for Common Core help. What do you have in mind when you suggest that educators might "employ technology to meet the Common Core"? Chris: You should use technology in teaching and learning. If the coin of the realm is going to be Common Core, then we should use technology with Common Core. If the coin of the realm is whatever the next set of standards are five years from now, we will use technology for that. Use technology to do profoundly important and interesting and authentic things with kids. Let them build stuff, create stuff, do stuff, use stuff, share stuff that matters. If that meets the standards, all the better. Victor: How specifically do leaders actually support and motivate their staff to embrace new strategies? Easier said than done? Chris: I think you let people see what is best. I think you let people what is possible. You stop making this one more thing that teachers have to do and help them see that using this technology will allow them to transform their practice. Very few of us live the way we lived 15 years ago. Fifteen years ago, no one was buying anything online. Fifteen years ago, we didn't engage in the political process online. Fifteen years ago, we didn't get our news online. We certainly didn't get much of our entertainment online. Today, all of life is transformed by the new ways in which we act within the Internet. There's so much that has changed. The nature of communication, commerce and politics has changed. How can anyone argue that education should remain unchanged? Victor: What sort of tech tools are out there that assist with parent communication and involvement? Where are we in terms of using what we have? And where will we be in two years in regards to this area? Chris: Social media is amazing for that. You can look at the work of someone like Joe Mazza in the suburbs of Philadelphia or the pioneering work of Tim Lauer out in Portland. People are using social media, whether it is Facebook or Flickr or Twitter or something new. Or if it's just an old-fashioned email listserv to communicate with parents and to be able to do this work. There are tons of tools these days. It is less about the tools and more about what do you want to do. I don't know about the future. I don't have a crystal ball! I could care less about the tool, if it is Twitter or Facebook or whatever, I want to make the schools as transparent as humanly possible. I want teachers and parents and students to be able to talk authentically on an ongoing and as-needed basis. I want more structures inside of schools that allow teacher and parents and teachers and families to know each other. We need to leverage the technology to support and transform those communications structures. I think too often, we see home and school as separate and not always on the same side. That has to change. We need to leverage the tools to help that change. The specific tools we use is less important than the fact that we use them at all. Victor: Are 1 to 1 laptop programs going to be superseded by tablets in the classroom? iPads, mini tablets, etc? Chris: I don't know. I'm sure we'll see. The funny thing is that we don't have enough laptop implementations to know. Tablets are cheaper so I'm sure there will be schools that will use them. What I hope is that we have a wide range of devices being used in schools. Whether it is an Apple laptop, or an iPad, or a Chromebook, what I want to see is authentic use of the tools. I want to see kids being able to learn. I want to see them be able to create. I want to see them be able to share. I want to see them be able to network. I want to see them be able to research. What device they use — well what's the best device for that? The devices continue to evolve; the devices continue to get more powerful and more interesting. I don't think we know what will be best. I think there is always space. I think giving kids access to really powerful tools is key. I love laptops because as much as I love my iPad, there are things it can't do. Now, will that change over the next few years? Quite possibly. I don't know. Victor: Let's talk about BYOD and the issues and challenges involved – what are the key issues and challenges, what direction should leaders be headed in? Chris: The single greatest issue that we should be concerned with about BYOD is simply this: BYOD cannot be an excuse for districts to not provide technology to students who come from economically challenged backgrounds. Asking a kid to use a $150 Smartphone when the kid next to him has a $2,000 laptop is not educational equity. What I'd like to see is a hybrid. If you are on free or reduced lunch, schools can provide robust, powerful devices. If not, then we can make sure there is a sliding scale of paying for this. There are a million different ways to make sure that you maintained educational equity. We need to understand that the difference between a kids using a laptop and a kid using a Smartphone, but at the same time, if we can provide devices and kids have other devices and they want to bring them in, rock on! We give every single kid a laptop at Science Leadership Academy; we also let them use their Smartphone and their iPads if they want to bring those in too. Letting a kid bring in their own device does not absolve me of my responsibility as a school leader to provide them the tools that they need in order to succeed. If there are more tools that they've got that they think are useful, bring them in and we'll make that happen. We will let them use it. But when I'm running a school with a 50 percent economically challenged environment, BYOD doesn't absolve me of my responsibility to make sure that every child has access to a powerful learning tool like a laptop or a tablet. Victor: The inaugural ISTE Leadership Forum is upcoming in October. Why would leaders want to attend? Any words of wisdom for the thousands of other leaders out there who may not be attending but are still willing and eager to learn? Chris: What I hope comes out of the ISTE Leadership Forum is multifaceted. I think that it is important to have the opportunity to come together with leaders who are also engaged in the change process, in the evolution of their schools and their districts. I think coming together among a group of people who are all grappling with these same issues, who are all looking to solve these problems, is a powerful experience. What ISTE has done with the ISTE Leadership Forum is create a moment and a forum and a community that will live beyond the meeting, where school leaders can come together with people to solve some of these problems together, face-to-face, and then continue that work virtually when they leave. I'm sure that best thing will be to be there, but, knowing ISTE as I do, I am sure that they will make sure that those folks who cannot come have the opportunity to engage in parts of this conversation and grow themselves and, hopefully, will come next year. This is an amazing opportunity to look at these issues specifically through a leadership lens and ask ourselves the hard questions about what it means – as leaders – to try to make the transformation in our schools. My hope is that my keynote will be a piece of that puzzle, but when you have someone of the esteem of Michael Fullan there to help these leaders through a transformational process, amazing things can come out of this. Leaders will have the opportunity to learn how to take their vision and enact that vision and setup plans and possibilities to implement in their communities and in their schools. Victor: What important questions should leaders be asking themselves and their colleagues these days? Chris: What is our best vision of what we hope kids can learn and do and be while they are with us, and what is our hope for the people they will become?

They provide limited liability. This means that the corporation acts so that the shareholders do not normally exposed to personal liability when acting through a corporation. There are often very good tax benefits and lower tax rates to having a corporation. Having a corporation is more efficient when selling a business, rather than selling a business as a sole proprietor. There could be an enhanced level of credibility of a business as a corporation. This article will discuss the items that make up the structure of a corporation. The Certificate of Incorporation is a one-paged document that shows the legal name of the corporation, the corporate access number, and date when the corporation came into existence. The number of directors allowed. The registered and records address. This is the formal address by law for the corporation. For instance, if anyone needs to serve documents onto the corporation they will go to this respective address. Voting: which is often associated with a common share as opposed to a preferred share. Dividends: these are frequently used for investment purposes. Participation: the right to share in the net asset value of the corporation, when the corporation is being dissolved. Who are Directors and Shareholders? It is important to distinguish between a director and a shareholder. The shareholders are the owners of a corporation, and the directors are the managers. The directors have a duty to manage and act in the best interest of a corporation. In many circumstances, such as a small business, the directors and shareholders can be the same individuals, but this does not have to be the case. Generally, shareholders do not contract personal liability for the actions of a corporation. However, directors can sometimes be subject to director liability. The issue of shares for considerations other than many when the consideration is worth less than what the corporation would have received if the share was issued for money. The payment of an unreasonable commission on a sale of shares. Indemnification of a director or officer contrary to the Business Corporations Act. Unpaid wages up to six months. Non-payment of certain taxes, such as GST and employee tax remittances. Who are Officers of a Corporation? While there are directors and shareholders of a corporation, there are also officers. All directors, by virtue of holding this position are automatically officers of a corporation. It is common to appoint three officers, the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, from the board. The President is usually the head of the Board of Directors, the Secretary is in charge of the minutes, and the Treasurer is in charge of the finances. The bylaws serve as the internal rules for the corporation, meetings, proxies, and day-to-day secretarial management of a corporation. Topics in the bylaws may include: director's meetings, director's elections, the responsibilities of Officers, dividend payments, and shareholder voting procedures. Annual Returns: must be filed every year, declaring to the Corporate Registry who are the Directors and Shareholders of the corporation. Resolutions: are the written record of the director's decisions. There is also a duty to maintain proper minutes for meetings of the directors and voting shareholders. These are necessary as it is important to have proper written record of the decisions being made. Share certificates and register: are issued to the shareholders, and they state the number and class of shares has issued, the name of the shareholder, the date of issue, and the share certificate number. Any corporation must maintain appropriate share ledgers and registers, to record the shareholders of the corporation, and what specific shares they hold. The Business Corporations legislation for most provinces determines that if a corporation does business in another province, it must register in that province. For example, if an Albertan consulting company that provides consulting work to a few clients in British Columbia, it is essential to extra-provincially register in British Columbia. This means that the corporation would have to appoint an agent office in British Columbia. Typical examples are accountant's or lawyer's offices who simply receive formal notices for the corporation. It is highly advisable to have a unanimous shareholders agreement if there is more than one shareholder. This serves as a collection of rights and responsibilities of the shareholders and governs how the shareholders deal among themselves and with third parties. Drag and tag along rights. Stay tuned for our next blog post on Unanimous Shareholders Agreements.

Maryland Car Insurance [Everything You Need to Know] Maryland's average rates for car insurance are $1,116.45/yr or $93.04/mo. Maryland car insurance minimum liability requirements are 30/60/15 for bodily injury and property coverage. Home » States » Maryland Car Insurance [Everything You Need to Know] Stat Summary Road Miles Total Miles in State: 31,984 Vehicle Miles Driven: 56,432 million Driving Deaths Speeding: 160 Drunk-Driving: 186 Vehicles Registered: 3,926,807 Stolen: 13,102 Most Popular Vehicle Honda CR-V Average Premiums Liability: $609.74 Combined Premiums: $1,116.45 Percent of Uninsured Motorists 12.40 percent State Rank: 23 Two Cheapest Providers USAA and State Farm If you have a Maryland driver's license, you're one of 4,264,875 licensed drivers in your state, as of 2016. Although we hope these millions of drivers feel confident in their car insurance coverage, that's probably not the case. Many people don't fully understand what they're paying for — let alone when their coverage will come in handy. In fact, there's too much car insurance misinformation floating around that only makes matters worse. (e.g., A cheap car means cheap car insurance.) That's why it's important to stay informed with the right sources. Hint: We're one of them! Before you spend too much money on Maryland car insurance, it's wise to understand more about what you need to pay for and why. When searching for the right insurance company for you, compare car insurance quotes right here. Maryland Car Insurance Coverage and Rates Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Maryland Forms of Financial Responsibility in Maryland Premiums as Percentage of Income in Maryland Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in MD (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive) Additional Liability Coverage in Maryland Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders Average Auto Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in MD Maryland Car Insurance Rates by ZIP Code Maryland Car Insurance Rates by City Maryland Auto Insurance Companies Top-rated Auto Insurance Companies in Maryland Maryland's Auto Insurance Companies With the BEST Customer Ratings Maryland's Auto Insurance Companies With the MOST Customer Complaints Maryland's Car Insurance Rates by Company The 10 Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Maryland Number of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies in Maryland Commute Rates by Company in Maryland Maryland Car Insurance Laws Car Insurance Debt-reduction Program Windshield Coverage Maryland Statute of Limitations Penalties for Driving Without Insurance Vehicle Licensing Laws Teen Driver Laws Older Driver License Renewal New Maryland Residents Maryland's Road Rules "Move Over" Rules and Speed Limits Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws Ridesharing in Maryland Automation on the Road Maryland Safety Laws DUI Laws in Maryland Marijuana-impaired Driving Laws Maryland Can't-miss Facts Vehicle Theft in Maryland Top Make and Model for Theft Maryland Fatality Rates Rural Versus Urban Traffic Fatalities Fatalities by Person Type Fatalities by Crash Type Five-year Fatalities in 10 Maryland Counties Speeding Fatalities by County Alcohol-impaired Driver Fatalities by County Maryland Teen Drinking and Driving EMS Response Time in Maryland Maryland Transportation Facts Car Ownership Commuter Transportation Top Five Cities for Traffic Congestion Are you tired of spending too much money on car insurance in the Old Line State? Are you fed up with hours upon hours of researching insurance information? Comparing various resources can get overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting. That's why we're here to help! We aren't trying to sell you anything. We're just car insurance experts here to help YOU! This guide will break down Maryland's policy options explain why certain types of coverage are important and translate the jargon that makes your head spin. We want you to get the proper car insurance coverage for the right amount of money, so let's get started. Maryland Insurance Required Minimum Limits Bodily Injury Liability (of one person) $30,000 Bodily Injury Liability (two or more people) $60,000 Property Damage Liability $15,000 Maryland is a "fault" state, which means that the driver who caused the collision must assume responsibility for any harmful outcomes. Of course, the at-fault driver's insurance provider will cover these losses within policy limits, and that's why liability coverage is required. This means, like most states, you must carry a minimum insurance requirement to be able to cover any damages. This varies depending on where you live. Liability insurance covers whoever (drivers, passengers, pedestrians) gets hurt in an accident that you — or someone under your policy — cause. It covers their medical bills, property damage costs, and other relevant bills within policy limits. For added protection in the case of a wreck where people and cars are left in critical condition, Marylanders can carry more than liability coverage. To cover your own damage in a car crash situation, collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage are ideal. Since Maryland requires you to have car insurance, there may be times when you'll need to prove you have coverage, especially when you get in a car accident or get pulled over for any reason. Therefore, this state requires that you carry an up-to-date insurance identification card with you or in your car. It may be a paper, plastic, or electronic card. All that matters is that it's current and accurate. Anyone unable to show this card can be fined $50. If your insurance company notifies the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) that you've canceled your only active insurance policy, you'll get a "Proof of Insurance Needed" letter in the mail. If this is the case, be sure to obtain a new insurance policy as soon as possible. If, however, there was some mistake and your vehicle is still insured, contact your insurance company and request that they send an eFR-19 form (not an ID card or policy) to the MDOT MVA; this form will be valid for 30 days. In 2014, the annual per capita disposable personal income in Maryland was $46,875. The annual full coverage average of auto insurance premiums for 2014 was $1,096.37. Thus, on average, Maryland's car insurance payments require about 2.34 percent of your income. Thankfully, when it comes to learning where to find the best car insurance at the lowest price, you're in good hands with us here at Car Insurance Comparison. But more on that later… Let's go over the cost of core car insurance coverage. When comparing Maryland to the national annual car insurance average, Maryland costs are higher. The national average is $1,311, while Maryland's average is $1,590 — the eleventh highest average out of all 50 states. Average Annual Costs (2015) We've collected the average premium costs for each core coverage type from 2015. If you're in Maryland, there's a chance these costs have already increased by now. The data in the above table comes from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In 2015, 12.4 percent of motorists in Maryland didn't have car insurance. This stat didn't place Maryland at the top of the list for the highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the United States, but that percentage still isn't great. As aforementioned, collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage are advisable additions, and your insurance company may already require them (even if Maryland State does not). Additionally, comprehensive coverage is helpful because it covers any car repairs that have nothing to do with collisions, like in the case of vandalism or natural disasters. Loss ratios gauge the financial status of a car insurance company. Basically, a loss ratio is the money a company pays out for claims…to the money they receive for premiums. So, if they pay $40 in claims out of $100 taken in on premiums, their loss ratio would be 40:100, or 40 percent. The other 60 percent goes to paying overhead. A company that pays more in claims than it collects for premiums has a high loss ratio and isn't in good financial health, so you want to steer clear of companies in this situation! The table below shows loss ratios for liability insurance categories in Maryland: Medical Payments (MedPay) 88 percent 88 percent 78 percent Personal Injury Protection (PIP) 78 percent 77 percent 77 percent Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UUM) 67 percent 69 percent 69 percent We know your goal is to get the complete coverage you need at an affordable price. Good news: There are several impactful and inexpensive optional add-ons for your policy, also called "riders." Here's a list of useful coverage available to you in Maryland: Pay-as-you-drive or Usage-based Insurance> 25-year-olds $929 $1032 55-year-olds $933 $950 Common misconception: Men pay more for car insurance. In most states that isn't always true, and Maryland is one of them. In Maryland, both Geico and Progressive charge females more than males who have the same profile and driving record. These tables show the top ZIP codes with the highest average rates and the top ZIP codes with the lowest average rates. If you live where there are higher rates in Maryland, know that you're not the only one paying a lot of money for car insurance! Cheapest ZIP Codes in Maryland Average Annual Rate by ZIP Code Most Expensive Company Most Expensive Annual Rate 2nd Most Expensive Company 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate Cheapest Company Cheapest Annual Rate 2nd Cheapest Company 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate 21601 EASTON $3,689.45 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,283.88 21627 CROCHERON $3,701.33 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 21629 DENTON $3,679.84 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 21632 FEDERALSBURG $3,697.12 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 21641 HILLSBORO $3,688.53 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 21652 NEAVITT $3,702.66 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 21653 NEWCOMB $3,702.66 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 21654 OXFORD $3,708.41 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 21655 PRESTON $3,689.34 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 21659 RHODESDALE $3,711.42 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 21660 RIDGELY $3,683.98 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 21663 SAINT MICHAELS $3,702.10 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,278.74 21670 TEMPLEVILLE $3,688.53 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 21719 CASCADE $3,696.13 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 21721 CHEWSVILLE $3,682.15 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 21734 FUNKSTOWN $3,711.93 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 21742 HAGERSTOWN $3,697.62 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 21767 MAUGANSVILLE $3,680.30 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,451.41 21783 SMITHSBURG $3,658.86 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 21795 WILLIAMSPORT $3,706.29 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,451.41 21810 ALLEN $3,699.92 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,247.24 USAA $2,424.67 21811 BERLIN $3,696.78 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,322.55 21842 OCEAN CITY $3,698.26 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,322.55 21852 POWELLVILLE $3,706.88 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,247.24 USAA $2,424.67 21862 SHOWELL $3,699.60 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,407.74 A ZIP code in Smithsburg has the cheapest car insurance rates. Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Maryland 21216 BALTIMORE $8,830.19 Liberty Mutual $18,053.57 Progressive $9,230.34 USAA $4,945.10 Nationwide $5,400.63 21213 BALTIMORE $8,455.92 Liberty Mutual $16,417.60 State Farm $8,891.65 USAA $4,390.01 Nationwide $5,201.68 21207 GWYNN OAK $7,721.94 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Progressive $7,844.78 USAA $4,882.32 Nationwide $5,400.63 21218 BALTIMORE $7,591.34 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,693.18 USAA $3,928.12 Nationwide $5,201.68 21133 RANDALLSTOWN $7,288.96 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,585.22 USAA $3,682.84 Nationwide $4,860.80 21244 WINDSOR MILL $7,164.27 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,585.22 USAA $3,906.13 Nationwide $4,509.81 21201 BALTIMORE $7,013.37 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,693.18 USAA $3,734.89 GEICO $4,760.90 21231 BALTIMORE $6,850.34 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,693.18 USAA $3,831.40 Progressive $4,824.71 21208 PIKESVILLE $6,777.46 Liberty Mutual $14,015.81 Allstate $7,585.22 USAA $3,662.08 Nationwide $3,990.65 20743 CAPITOL HEIGHTS $6,517.08 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 Nationwide $4,077.69 USAA $4,095.03 20747 DISTRICT HEIGHTS $6,402.12 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 USAA $4,040.83 Nationwide $4,077.69 20785 HYATTSVILLE $6,358.32 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 USAA $4,032.68 Nationwide $4,077.69 20710 BLADENSBURG $6,313.14 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $3,865.45 The tables below show the cheapest and most expensive cities in Maryland. Cheapest Cities in Maryland Average Annual Rate by City Cavetown $3,658.86 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 Denton $3,679.84 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 Maugansville $3,680.30 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,451.41 Chewsville $3,682.15 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 Ridgely $3,683.98 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 Hillsboro $3,688.53 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 Templeville $3,688.53 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 Preston $3,689.34 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 USAA $2,154.13 Nationwide $2,199.10 Easton $3,689.44 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,283.88 Cascade $3,696.13 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 Berlin $3,696.78 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,322.55 Federalsburg $3,697.12 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 Fountainhead-Orchard Hills $3,697.62 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 Ocean City $3,698.26 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,322.55 Showell $3,699.60 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,213.21 USAA $2,407.74 Allen $3,699.92 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,247.24 USAA $2,424.67 Crocheron $3,701.33 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 St. Michaels $3,702.09 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,278.74 Neavitt $3,702.66 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 Newcomb $3,702.66 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 Halfway $3,706.29 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,451.41 Powellville $3,706.88 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,247.24 USAA $2,424.67 Oxford $3,708.41 Liberty Mutual $8,068.52 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,199.10 USAA $2,253.04 Rhodesdale $3,711.42 Liberty Mutual $7,741.31 Allstate $4,095.48 Nationwide $2,255.85 USAA $2,377.24 Funkstown $3,711.93 Liberty Mutual $7,798.10 Allstate $4,058.11 Nationwide $2,288.47 USAA $2,292.55 Cavetown and Denton have the cheapest car insurance rates. Most Expensive Cities in Maryland Randallstown $7,288.96 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,585.22 USAA $3,682.84 Nationwide $4,860.80 Windsor Mill $7,164.27 Liberty Mutual $15,383.48 Allstate $7,585.22 USAA $3,906.13 Nationwide $4,509.81 Baltimore $6,862.78 Liberty Mutual $13,543.49 Allstate $7,512.52 USAA $3,899.06 Nationwide $4,576.97 Capitol Heights $6,517.08 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 Nationwide $4,077.69 USAA $4,095.03 District Heights $6,402.12 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 USAA $4,040.83 Nationwide $4,077.69 Cheverly $6,358.32 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,180.00 USAA $4,032.68 Nationwide $4,077.69 Bladensburg $6,313.13 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $3,865.45 Forest Heights $6,203.36 Liberty Mutual $13,517.97 Allstate $5,762.95 USAA $4,029.40 Nationwide $4,077.69 East Riverdale $6,143.03 Liberty Mutual $14,583.12 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $4,003.22 Garrison $6,113.39 Liberty Mutual $11,974.20 Allstate $7,529.77 USAA $3,552.82 Nationwide $4,160.22 Camp Springs $6,017.80 Liberty Mutual $13,119.41 Allstate $5,901.97 USAA $3,873.61 Nationwide $3,944.81 Hyattsville $5,969.59 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $3,865.45 Arbutus $5,965.66 Liberty Mutual $9,170.39 Allstate $7,639.20 USAA $3,039.87 Nationwide $3,878.95 Brentwood $5,917.22 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $4,003.22 Adelphi $5,893.97 Liberty Mutual $12,626.36 Allstate $6,090.60 Nationwide $3,779.60 USAA $3,809.53 Riverdale $5,880.83 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $4,003.22 Essex $5,871.01 Liberty Mutual $10,811.14 Allstate $7,307.83 USAA $3,220.02 Nationwide $3,767.26 Mount Rainier $5,870.98 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,205.95 Nationwide $3,588.66 USAA $4,003.22 Glenarden $5,728.56 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,070.33 USAA $3,262.16 Nationwide $3,588.66 Bowleys Quarters $5,711.38 Liberty Mutual $10,811.14 Allstate $6,509.97 USAA $3,401.99 Nationwide $3,767.26 Clinton $5,633.08 Liberty Mutual $12,322.28 Allstate $5,701.21 USAA $3,348.43 Nationwide $3,679.06 Reisterstown $5,628.38 Liberty Mutual $10,684.93 Allstate $6,016.35 USAA $3,302.66 Nationwide $3,449.67 Edgemere $5,593.30 Liberty Mutual $10,104.80 Allstate $7,693.18 USAA $3,220.02 Nationwide $3,767.26 Kettering $5,586.04 Liberty Mutual $12,306.94 Allstate $6,008.58 USAA $3,239.35 Nationwide $3,588.66 Cheltenham $5,585.48 Liberty Mutual $12,322.28 Allstate $5,701.21 USAA $3,348.43 Nationwide $3,679.06 It's also helpful to know that rates aren't just based on where you live. Demographics affect the types of coverage you have. Do you live in Maryland and fit into any of the following descriptions? A family with young drivers pays an annual average of $8,440 for car insurance, compared to a range of $1919 to $2950 for a family with no young drivers. A young single male (age 30) pays almost the exact amount as a single male (age 50) with annual averages of $1592 and $1593, respectively. A senior female (age 65) pays an annual average of $1,099 for auto insurance. Now that you have an idea of how auto insurance rates compare between some Maryland ZIP codes, cities, and demographics, let's take a look at the insurance companies licensed in your state to help you find the right company for your coverage needs. With the hundreds of car insurance providers out there today, it's nearly impossible to know who to trust. You're probably wondering, "Is it safe to switch to a smaller company that offers lower rates?" Let us help you decide! Keep reading to discover the best providers across the Old Line State. Let's discuss Maryland auto insurance companies' financial ratings. Providers (Largest to Smallest) A.M. Best Rating Allstate Insurance A+ Berkshire Hathaway A++ Erie Insurance A+ Hartford Fire & Casualty A+ Liberty Mutual A Nationwide A+ Progressive A+ State Farm A++ Travelers A++ USAA A++ Since Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state, we've consulted J.D. Power's study on car insurance companies with the best customer ratings in this region. With a score of 854 out of 1,000, Erie Insurance is number one with the best customer ratings in Maryland (and other Mid-Atlantic states). You'll also notice several other top companies in the 800s, some who fall below average. While you search for the right auto insurance company for you, keep a company's customer-satisfaction ranking in mind. After all, you could become their customer, too! Since State Farm ranks "below average" in the J.D. Power graphic, it's no surprise that they received a grand total of 1,482 customer complaints in Maryland in 2017, making them the Maryland car insurance company with the most complaints. The company with the second-highest amount of complaints is Government Employees Insurance Company, with a total of 333. That's a huge drop from State Farm! As a Marylander, it's wise to keep these numbers in mind. Complaint Ratio Total Complaints Allstate Insurance 0.5 163 Berkshire Hathaway (via Geico) 0.68 333 Erie Insurance 0.7 22 Hartford Fire & Casualty 4.68 9 Liberty Mutual 5.95 222 Nationwide 0.28 25 Progressive 0.75 120 State Farm 0.44 1482 Travelers .09 2 USAA 0.74 296 We've compiled a list of the top five cheapest companies that serve Maryland — along with the top five most expensive companies you should avoid if you want cheaper car insurance. That way, you don't have to do all the research yourself! Top Five Most Expensive Auto Insurance Providers (Average Annual Rates) Annual Rates Top Five Cheapest Auto Insurance Providers (Average Annual Rates) Agency Insurance $2,267 Meridian Security Insurance $1,030 Amica Mutual Insurance $2,209 Horace Mann Insurance $1,223 CSAA General Insurance $2,099 Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange $1,371 Encompass Home/Auto Insurance $2,256 Atlantic States Insurance $1,041 USAA General Indemnity $2,127 Cumberland Insurance $1,255 We've also put together a chart that shows how these companies' rates compare versus the state average. What's more…we can help you find the cheapest rates around. We've already shown you Maryland's 10 largest car insurance companies and their financial ratings. But, to give you a better idea of what makes these companies large, check out their market shares and number of administered premiums: Premiums Written Allstate Insurance $582,872 11.91 percent Berkshire Hathaway $1,173,739 23.98 percent Erie Insurance $376,241 7.69 percent Hartford Fire & Casualty $50,075 1.02 percent Liberty Mutual $185,153 3.78 percent Nationwide $373,032 7.62 percent Progressive $310,170 6.34 percent State Farm $940,404 19.21 percent Travelers $81,122 1.66 percent USAA $422,116 8.62 percent For your information, here are the numbers of domestic and foreign property and casualty insurance companies in Maryland: Further, here are how the top ten insurance companies in the state stack up in their market shares. Commute time is one of a number of factors that play a role in increasing or decreasing your rates. Take a look at how it stacks up. Following your state car insurance laws is important, but they can be difficult to decipher. Not to worry, though — that's just another reason why we're here to help! To keep you informed, we'll give you an inside look at some of the most important auto insurance laws in Maryland. If you've racked up car insurance debt in Maryland, there's a chance that 80 percent of your penalty fees could be waived. You'll qualify for the Debt Reduction Program if you: Are a Maryland resident Own a car that isn't insured yet or buy a car after enrolling in this program Have had a delinquent uninsured motorist penalty since before January 1, 2014 Don't have a court ruling administered by the Department of Budget and Management, Central Collection Unit (CCU) To learn more about this program, click here. If you break or damage your windshield, your insurer can repair or replace it with aftermarket parts that are similar to the original in type and quality. In preparation for a possible damaged windshield situation, you could go ahead and purchase a separate insurance clause that would require your provider to install original equipment manufacturer parts. You can use any repair shop you want, but you may have to pay the cost difference out-of-pocket. Maryland insurance fraud penalties depend on whether your case is a criminal case, an administrative case, or a civil case. For example, if a person is convicted of criminal insurance fraud, they can get up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, plus a combined sentence if there are any additional charges. But an administrative penalty could result in a fine of up to $25,000. You can find more legal details in this article here. From January 2018 through June 2018 in Maryland, there were a total of 25 civil insurance fraud cases (not just car insurance fraud). The combined penalty charges were $ 66,450, and the combined restitution payments totaled $ 42,461. From January 2018 through June 2018 in Maryland, there were a total of 12 criminal insurance fraud cases. The combined fines totaled $ 1,642, and the combined restitution payments totaled $ 103,939. Injured? Vehicle damaged? The statute of limitations is three years for both personal injury and property damage claims, so that's how long you'll have to file a claim and fight for the money owed to you. If you don't file an aforementioned eFR-19 form and get caught driving again without insurance, you can: Lose license plates and vehicle registration privileges Pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance — $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each day thereafter Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle's registration Whether you're an older driver, have a driving teen in your family, or are a new Maryland resident, it's important to know the licensing laws that apply to your age and circumstances. Every state does things a little differently, so let's look at Maryland's licensing laws. Is your teenager close to driving age? Let's walk you through the requirements and restrictions for teens in Maryland. Passenger Restrictions Driving Restrictions Learners Permit Minimum 15 and 9 months Submit completed identity verification form and/or school attendance form If under 18, parent/guardian must co-sign the permit application Pass a vision screening and knowledge exam Must be a licensed driver (for at least three years) age 21 or older in the front passenger seat If under 18, prohibited to use a cell phone or hands-free device except to call 911 Restricted License Minimum 16 and 6 months Nine-month holding period Minimum supervised 60 hours of driving (10 must be at night) If driver is younger than 18, no passengers younger than 18 are allowed, except family members. (Restrictions lifted after five months or until age 18 — whichever comes first.) If younger than 18, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m. (Restrictions lifted after five months or until age 18 — whichever comes first.) Unrestricted License Minimum 18 Must satisfy all previous requirements None if 18 or older None if 18 or older In Maryland, all drivers, no matter their ages, must renew their licenses every eight years. However, drivers age 40 and older have to complete a vision assessment every time they renew their licenses. Anyone over age 70 getting their license for the first time must prove previous satisfactory driving ability or a certificate of physical fitness from their primary doctor. If ready to renew your license in Maryland, start here. If you've just moved to Maryland from another state with an already valid driver's license, you'll have 60 days to replace it with a Maryland license — unless you're a commercial driver, then you'll only have 30 days. Unless your out-of-state license has been expired for over a year, you won't need to take a knowledge and skills exam. However, you will need to pass a vision exam either way. To drive safely, you need to drive well, and to do that, you must know Maryland's road rules. Imagine driving on a road where every driver followed their own set of rules! If you're traveling at least 10 mph below the speed limit or driving slower than traffic on a Maryland highway, you must move out of the left lane. Remember it like this: Slower cars should keep right, but you should always follow the speed limit either way! The table below shows the max speed limits of different types of Maryland roadways. Note that this table does not include slower-speed residential areas and school zones. Speed Limit (mph) Rural Interstates 70 Urban Interstates 70 In Maryland, seat belts are enforced. People aged 16 and older must wear a seat belt. $50 (not including any possible additional fees) is the maximum base fine for a first offense when breaking a seat belt law. When it comes to car seat laws… Kids aged 7 and younger and less than 57 inches tall must be in a car seat. $50 (not including any possible additional fees) is the maximum base fine for a first offense when breaking a car seat law. When it comes to seat belt laws and pickup trucks… There are restrictions on riding in the cargo areas of pickup trucks, but there are certain groups of people not covered by these restrictions: People 16 and older People 15 and younger if the car is traveling 25 mph or less Employees being driven to work sites or people doing farming work According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "exceptions do not eliminate the requirement to use child restraint or belts," and these restrictions are "inapplicable to pickup trucks with covered cargo areas." There are six insurance companies that offer coverage for ridesharing services: Maryland law gives insurance providers permission not to cover injuries and damages that happen when you drive for a rideshare service like Lyft, Sidecar, or Uber. Thus, you will likely need to purchase a commercial policy to have the right coverage. If you don't have coverage, you could be personally responsible for any medical bills and damages that occur in the case of an accident. But, you should have adequate insurance coverage anyway! If you get in an accident, you will need to provide rideshare insurance proof. In Maryland, there are currently no deployment or testing laws for automatic vehicles. There are safety laws that deal with driving impaired by drugs/alcohol or driving distracted. Let's break them down for you. If you're caught driving impaired with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more, you'll be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Maryland has a look-back period of five years, which is the length of time a DUI will remain on someone's record. Penalty Type License Suspension or Revocation Six months One year; if two convictions within five years, Ignition Interlock Device program is mandatory 18 months up to lifetime Imprisonment No minimum, but up to one year Five days to two years No minimum, but up to three years Fine No minimum, but up to $1000 No minimum, but up to $2,000 No minimum, but up to $3,000 Other 12 points on license 12 points on license 12 points on license In Maryland, there is no law specific to driving while under the influence of marijuana. In Maryland, all drivers are prohibited from handheld cell phone use while driving. Reminder: Drivers under 18 are banned from using their cell phones at all, unless they need to call 911. Texting while driving is also banned for everyone. No matter where you live and drive — Maryland or otherwise — don't text and drive! Also, be alert while driving and talking on the phone with earbuds in, and keep your eyes on the road! Let's discuss other important facts and stats about Maryland. We have all the interesting data right here! Which vehicles get stolen the most? Let's take a look. Below are the makes and models of the cars most often targeted by thieves in Maryland. Most Popular Vehicle Year for Theft Number of Cars Stolen Dodge Caravan 2003 727 Honda Accord 2008 675 Toyota Camry 2014 347 Honda Civic 2012 313 Ford Pickup (Full Size) 2004 287 Nissan Altima 2013 230 Toyota Corolla 2014 204 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 2015 194 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) 1999 192 Hyundai Sonata 2013 169 If you're wondering about Maryland fatality rates, check out the following data related to demographics, car accidents with alcohol-impaired drivers, and more. The NHTSA is the source for all of the following fatality data. Maryland Traffic Fatalities Total 591 549 496 485 511 465 442 520 522 550 Rural 222 203 182 170 180 167 149 125 108 126 Urban 368 342 313 311 325 295 293 378 408 416 Unknown 1 4 1 4 6 3 0 17 6 8 Passenger Car 214 41 192 37 213 39 Light Truck – Pickup 42 8 33 6 42 8 Light Truck – Utility 50 10 47 9 51 9 Light Truck – Van 11 2 19 4 12 2 Light Truck – Other 0 0 0 0 3 1 Large Truck 10 2 12 2 10 2 Bus 0 0 6 1 0 0 Other/Unknown Occupants 8 2 9 2 6 1 Total Occupants 335 64 318 61 337 61 Total Motorcyclists 75 14 76 15 86 16 Pedestrian 97 19 108 21 114 21 Bicyclist and Other Cyclist 11 2 16 3 10 2 Other/Unknown Nonoccupants 2 0 4 1 3 1 Total Nonoccupants 110 21 128 25 127 23 Total 520 100 522 100 550 100 #blank# #blank# #blank# #blank# #blank# #blank# #blank# Total Fatalities (All Crashes) 465 442 520 522 550 Single Vehicle 269 254 280 288 304 Involving a Roadway Departure 226 205 249 222 262 Involving an Intersection 100 127 145 146 163 Involving Speeding 148 134 124 132 160 Involving a Rollover 71 65 99 60 59 Involving a Large Truck 58 49 58 63 48 1 Prince George's 87 98 96 78 99 2 Baltimore 58 64 69 54 72 3 Anne Arundel 34 37 37 44 44 5 Charles 16 8 15 29 35 6 Montgomery 40 39 47 42 33 7 Cecil 17 14 16 21 31 8 Frederick 20 18 20 16 27 9 Carroll 20 11 16 21 25 10 Harford 25 17 22 25 21 Subtotal 1 Top Ten Counties 354 358 385 390 425 Subtotal 2 All Other Counties 111 84 135 132 125 Total All Counties 465 442 520 522 550 Speeding Fatalities 2015 Speeding Fatalities Per 100K 2015 Allegany 1 4 1 1.38 5.54 1.40 Anne Arundel 13 15 14 2.30 2.64 2.44 Baltimore 12 15 15 1.93 2.43 2.45 Calvert 3 2 2 3.32 2.20 2.19 Caroline 3 2 2 9.20 6.08 6.03 Carroll 3 2 5 1.79 1.20 2.98 Cecil 7 8 9 6.83 7.79 8.76 Charles 5 3 17 3.21 1.91 10.64 Dorchester 0 1 0 0.00 3.10 0.00 Frederick 7 3 12 2.85 1.21 4.76 Garrett 1 3 1 3.40 10.22 3.42 Harford 4 7 4 1.60 2.80 1.59 Howard 7 8 8 2.24 2.52 2.49 Kent 0 1 0 0.00 5.09 0.00 Montgomery 8 3 5 0.77 0.29 0.47 Prince George's 24 18 30 2.64 1.98 3.29 Queen Anne 0 4 2 0.00 8.13 4.02 Somerset 1 1 0 3.89 3.87 0.00 St. Mary 5 1 7 4.50 0.89 6.21 Talbot 1 0 3 2.67 0.00 8.09 Washington 6 6 3 4.02 4.01 1.99 Wicomico 0 3 1 0.00 2.92 0.97 Worcester 3 6 1 5.83 11.65 1.93 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities 2015 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities Per 100K Population 2015 Allegany 3 11 0 4.14 15.24 0.00 Baltimore City 16 9 10 2.57 1.46 1.63 Caroline 4 3 2 12.26 9.12 6.03 Cecil 2 6 12 1.95 5.84 11.68 Charles 3 10 13 1.93 6.35 8.14 Frederick 5 4 4 2.04 1.61 1.59 Garrett 1 3 3 3.40 10.22 10.26 Montgomery 12 6 10 1.15 0.57 0.94 Queen Anne 4 0 7 8.16 0.00 14.06 St. Mary 4 3 11 3.60 2.68 9.76 Washington 10 3 3 6.70 2.00 1.99 Worcester 6 7 2 11.66 13.59 3.87 Here are the facts about teen (18 years old and under) DUIs in Maryland in 2016: 60 DUI arrests 44.49 arrests per million people Maryland ranks 39th for 18-and-under DUI arrests Below are the facts concerning underage (under 21 years old) drinking-related fatalities: 0.6 fatalities per 100,000 people in Maryland 1.2 fatalities per 100,000 people is the national average If you're severely injured in a car accident, the Emergency Medical Services' (EMS) response time could make the difference between life and death. Below are the average response times for both urban and rural areas of Maryland. Total Fatal Crashes (2016) Rural Fatal Crashes 99 2.00 11.81 35.76 46.88 Urban Fatal Crashes 379 3.12 10.40 29.25 39.23 Check out these facts about car ownership, commute time, commuter transportation, and traffic congestion in Maryland. The average household in Maryland has two cars — 40.3 percent. This is the same percent of the households in the nation that own two cars. The average commute time in Maryland is 31.3 minutes, which is longer than the national average of 25.3 minutes. In 2016, the top three commute methods and circumstances were as follows: 73.8 percent of people drove alone (below the national average of 76.3 percent) 9 percent carpooled 8.5 percent took public transit Baltimore City ranks 36th for most traffic congestion — out of all cities in the US. It ranks 42nd out of 319 North American cities and 252nd out of 1,360 cities in the world. The following chart displays how much time commuters spend in traffic in Maryland's five most congested cities, including Baltimore. Hours Spent in Traffic (2017) Peak (Time in Traffic) Daytime (Time in Traffic) Overall (Time in Traffic) Annapolis 24 14 percent 7 percent 8 percent Baltimore 27 11 percent 6 percent 7 percent Columbia 31 18 percent 7 percent 10 percent Frederick 14 8 percent 3 percent 4 percent Hagerstown 9 5 percent 5 percent 5 percent Now that you have quality car insurance facts (and beyond) for Maryland, you're ready to follow the rules of the road, insurance requirements, and more. Don't forget: If you want to drive as a Maryland resident, you need car insurance! Enter your ZIP code below to get a free quote comparison. https://www.statista.com/statistics/198029/total-number-of-us-licensed-drivers-by-state/ https://www.mva.maryland.gov/businesses/bulletins/Bulletin-InsuranceIdentificationCard.pdf https://www.mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/insurance/proof.htm https://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/about/ https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists https://www.ncins.net/umbrella-insurance https://www.mymarylandauto.com/site/claims/rental-request/ https://www.secumd.org/personal/insuring/auto-insurance/mechanical-breakdown.aspx https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-non-owners-insurance-527421 https://www.esurance.com/info/car/myth-modified-car-insurance-is-hard-to-find https://www.mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/insurance/insurancedebtreductionprogram.htm https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gin&ext=html&section=27-408&session=2019rs https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/available-public-information/CivilFraudOrders.aspx https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/CriminalFraudCases.aspx https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/statelaws?stateabbr=MD https://www.mva.maryland.gov/safety/_docs/MD-Resource-Guide-for-Aging-Drivers2.pdf https://securetransactions.mva.maryland.gov/emvastore/(S(5nv0rjmy0aoqqeuzzlryutve))/MustHave2.aspx https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/cargoareas?topicName=safety-belts#tableData https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/autoinsuranceguide.pdf https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/driving-automation/driving-automation-map?topicName=Automation%20and%20crash%20avoidance https://www.responsibility.org/alcohol-statistics/state-map/state/maryland/issue/marijuana-drug-impaired-driving-laws/ https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/ https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-22 https://www.responsibility.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2016-Under-21-Alcohol-Impaired-Driving-Fatalities-Per-100000-Population-by-State.pdf https://inrix.com/scorecard-city/?city=Baltimore%3B%20MD&index=89 Worst Drivers by State (2018 Study) Kentucky Car Insurance [Everything You Need to Know] Car Insurance Rates for a Smart Fortwo New Hampshire Car Insurance [Rates + Cheap Coverage Guide]

No kind deed goes unnoticed. SheKnows Home & Living Editor Kelli Uhrich shares her moving experience with a stranger who offered her kindness. Today we stood next to one another in line at the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, waiting to move through the security checkpoint. You probably don't remember me, but I will never forget you. I was the woman with the frazzled hair, the sweat-dripping brow and the large plastic bag — the latter of which was clearly unplanned. I was the woman in the back of the line who thought she had adequately prepared for her business trip but quickly discovered she hadn't. You, on the other hand, were composed, collected and early for your flight. You owed me nothing. You didn't have to help me, but you did — and I don't know how else to say thank-you. You see, this all began last night as I was packing for my trip. I wanted everything to be in order and nothing to be overlooked. I wanted to wake up this morning, throw my hair into some elegant curls and put my best self out into the world — but when I discovered my single oversight, all of my planning was for naught. Business cards. An entire box full of them sits in the upper right-hand drawer of my desk at work, yet somehow, only three of them made it into my wallet. Three business cards for a business convention. Three opportunities to spread the word about SheKnows and network with other media outlets. Three. Only three. That's where everything went wrong. Instead of heading straight to the airport, I was left with no choice but to drop by the office to pick up more cards. I left my home at 8 a.m., arrived at my office by 9 and then was off to the airport, arriving at Sky Harbor at 9:45. The ticket in my hand explained that my flight departed at 11:05, but what I hadn't noticed was the boarding information: 10:25 a.m. That was the time I should have referenced in all of my planning, but I didn't. But it didn't stop there. While checking my bag, I was informed that my items were too heavy. Fifty-seven pounds was seven pounds too much, which is why when you met me, I was carrying seven pounds worth of my luggage in a plastic trash bag. It's also the reason I was twitching anxiously as we wound in and out, moving like snails through the security checkpoint line. Perhaps I looked desperate enough that you took notice of me, standing amid hundreds of other travelers. Maybe you caught how frazzled I appeared and wondered if something were wrong. I don't know your reasoning, but somehow, you were kind enough to offer me your place in line, there at the front, where I would be called next. For some reason, you were willing to ignore the angry stares you received from the other travelers, who were also waiting and had also prepared for their flights by arriving early. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, you offered kindness to a complete stranger, which leads me to suspect that you helped me because you are simply a good-hearted person who gives back to the world she lives in. I don't know your name, where you live or how to get in touch with you. If I did, then this thank-you would be sent to you personally. But whoever you are, wherever you are, I wish you could know how much your good deed meant to me. You see, as I neared Gate 23 today, an announcement blared through the loudspeakers. "Final boarding call for flight XYZ to Detroit," it said, and I began running when I heard it. When I boarded the plane, I thought of you. When I landed in Detroit, I thought of you, too. And when I handed out my fourth business card this evening, I thought again of how a simple act of kindness literally saved me today. And so, I say thank-you — whoever you are, wherever you are. Thank-you for being a beautiful, kind-hearted woman who makes this world a better place. I promise to pay this kindness forward.

13 August 2016 ~ 4 Comments BEHIND THE SCENES ON VACCINES – Knowledge is power Need to know info Sad but True It's been 7 years since I began to study the dangers of vaccines. Their effect on our most vulnerable is both sad and maddening. Thank goodness there are now reliable sources for all to find the truth. A special thank you to Dr. Andy Wakefield, Polly Tommey, Del Bigtree and the team at VAXXED, whose commitment to saving our children makes them all heros. As a therapist and nutritionist, the most important thing I believe I can tell parents is that they are not guilty of harming their children if their kiddos have been vaccine injured. Following the advice of the doctor is what we have been taught to do. Once we know better, we can do better. Whether to vaccinate is definitely the most important decision a parent can make. Please watch this video: IMPORTANT PLEASE, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. And when you do, be aware of funding sources. The immune system: * We have a 2 part immune system: The cellular branch of the immune system digests & expels waste and is the expression of illness. The humoral branch of the immune system produces antibodies and recognizes/identifies things that would harm us ("germs"). A healthy balance of cellular and humoral immune function is vital to good health. Vaccines bypass the cellular system by direct stimulation of the humoral branch. * Research shows that vaccines can overstimulate the humoral branch and inhibit the cellular branch, leading to immune suppression. Immune suppression and over stimulation of the humoral branch may show up as allergies, autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, etc. * Breastfeeding, probiotics, antioxidants, and allowing the natural course of illness to occur enhance immune balance while heavy metals, toxins, infant formula, Tylenol, antibiotics and sugar lead to immune imbalance. The eradication of disease and facts about vaccine use (Main source – Suzanne Humphries, M.D. BE DILIGENT! Fact check!) : * 80% of the total decline in mortality, since records began to be kept in the United Kingdom in 1860, occurred before any vaccine or antimicrobial drugs were available and 90% or more before there was any national vaccine program. * Diseases declined and longevity increased due to hygiene, running water and refrigeration. * Japan stopped using MMR vaccine in 1993 due to side effects and cost of compensating victims. They reconsidered using it again in 1999 but decided not to reinstate its use. The MMR is still used in the U.S. * In France, government officials halted hepatitis B vaccine school requirements in 1998. France's health minister acted after numerous reports of symptoms resembling arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Hep B is still given in the U.S. * The H1N1 flu vaccine is 60 times more likely to cause a miscarriage than regular seasonal flu vaccines according to VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System). * In October of 2013, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Austria, France and Canada suspended the use of a number of Novartis flu vaccines. Novartis is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. * The oral polio vaccine was banned from use in the United States in 2000. The reason for this ban was because too many children were developing vaccine associated paralytic polio (VAPP) as a serious side effect of the oral vaccine. * In 1977, Dr. Jonas Salk who developed the first polio vaccine, testified along with other scientists, that mass inoculation against polio was the cause of most polio cases in the USA since 1961. naturalnews.com/026940_vaccine_vaccines_children.html * "A single vaccine given to a six pound newborn is the equivalent of giving a 180-pound adult 30 vaccinations on the same day", Dr Boyd Haley, Ph.D. Interesting statistics: * In 2016, there have been 48 cases of Measles in the U.S. through July and ZERO DEATHS. * 2012: 20 pertussis-related deaths compared to 2010: 3,404 DEATHS due to asthma. * From January 1 to May 2, 2014, 464 people in the United States have been reported to have mumps. ZERO DEATHS. There are 100,000+ DEATHS yearly due to adverse drug reactions. * According to the New York State Department of Health, 2 of 20 people infected inthe 1994 measles "outbreak" in New York City were children who had not been vaccinated by their parent's choice. What about the other 18? Why didn't their vaccines work? * Regarding the current DTap vaccine, the FDA says, "This research suggests that although individuals immunized with an acellular pertussis vaccine may be protected from disease, they may still become infected with the bacteria without always getting sick and are able to spread infection to others, including young infants who are susceptible to pertussis disease." Vaccine Ingredients From www.reversingvaccineinduceddiseases.com Rebecca Carley, M.D. : TOXIC INGREDIENTS FOUND IN VACCINES: * aluminum hydroxide * aluminum phosphate * ammonium sulfate * amphotericin B * animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain * dog kidney, monkey kidney* chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg * calf (bovine) serum * betapropiolactone * fetal bovine serum * formaldehyde * formalin * gelatin *glycerol * human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue) * hydrolized gelatin * mercury thimerosol (thimerosal, Merthiolate) * monosodium glutamate (MSG) * neomycin * neomycin sulfate *phenol red indicator * phenoxyethanol (antifreeze) * potassium diphosphate * potassium monophosphate * polymyxin B * polysorbate 20 *polysorbate 80 porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein * residual MRC5 proteins * sorbitol * tri(n)butylphosphate * VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells * washed sheep red blood. – Here's what the CDC tells us of the common substances found in vaccines: • Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate a better response. • Antibiotics which are added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine. • Egg protein is found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines, which are prepared using chicken eggs. • Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) • Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol. • Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria. In late August, 2014, Senior Scientist William Thompson from the CDC came out about research data modification in the MMR/autism study of 2004. Data was omitted and changed to hide the significant link between vaccines and autism. As of April 2018, Dr. Thompson still has not testified before Congress even though he wants to. Dr. Andrew Wakefield – Gastroenterologist: * Dr. Wakefield and his team's research found the vaccine strain of measles virus in the intestinal tracts of children whose parents reported regressive autism and IBD after the MMR vaccine. * Dr. Andrew Wakefield had no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. * Dr. John Walker-Smith who supervised Wakefield and was accused of the same wrongdoings was fully exhonerated of all charges. Dr. Wakefield is now suing the British Medical Journal and the journalist who attacked him. * Over 400 papers in peer reviewed journals have been published documenting and exploring vaccine injury and death. Profits from Vaccines * In the year 2006, drug companies made $4.3 billion on pediatric/adolescent vaccines. That number is projected to be over $16 billion (per year) by 2016. * Based on the CDC schedule, the average pediatrician makes $3000 per child in the first 5 years of life from vaccine "well child" visits. ($1600 in the first 12 months alone). vaxtruth.org * The CDC offers financial incentives to state departments of health for each "fully vaccinated child". In a recent year, the Ohio Department of Health received $1 million in such CDC bonus payments. wellbeingjournal.com Kristine M. Severyn, Ph.D. * Total projected pharmaceutical profits for (the first 5 years of life) vaccines for children born in the year 2010 alone is $5.273 billion (if the vaccination rate overall in the U.S. is 90%). vaxtruth.org And yes, it is Big Pharma funding the movement against those who are for vaccine choice. Settlements: (PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ARE IMMUNE TO ANY LIABILITY FOR VACCINE INJURY – settlement funds come from our tax dollars {75c per vaccine}) * As of early 2018 of this year, $3.8 billion had been paid out to vaccine victims even though two out of three plaintiffs are denied compensation. Thousands of cases are waiting to be heard. * The first case where a vaccine/autism connection was acknowledged was in 2007 (Hannah Poling), though the family saw no funds until 2010. * Bailey Banks – the court ruled (or the government conceded) that vaccines had caused encephalopathy, which in turn produced permanent injury, including symptoms of autism and ultimately an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Exemptions: * In Michigan, right now, you have 3 ways to protect your child from vaccines – medical, religious and philosophical. * Philosophical exemptions do not require any written reasoning. * Religious exemptions do not have to be associated with a specific organized religion. * Parent philosophical exemptions are CURRENTLY UNDER ATTACK in Michigan through the Michigan Medical Society. Stay aware and be ready to contact your legislators if a bill is written. If you do decide to vaccinate: * Ask your doctor to run titers to check to see if your child is already immune (LabCor offers these for MMR, varicella) * Wait until at least 2 years of age and only give one vaccine at a time. * Run a blood test for the MTHFR gene. Those with this gene are highly at risk for vaccine injury. * Do not give child any acetaminophen after vaccination. Source: http://cmdfa.wfzup.servertrust.com/Adverse-Side-Effects-of-Acetaminophen-s/196.htm * The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Robert Sears, M.D offers a modified schedule. * Before you go to the doctor the day you want to vaccinate, ask yourself: 1. Am I or my child sick right now? 2. Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before? 3. Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems? 4. Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child? 5. Do I have full information about the vaccine's side effects? 6. Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction? 7. Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number, for all vaccinations? 8. Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice? SPECIAL NOTE: If you obtain literature on vaccines from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, please be aware that the Director of Infectious Disease and the Vaccine Education Center is Dr. Paul Offit. Offit holds the patent for the rotavirus vaccine. His earnings for this are in the tens of millions. Public health departments, at least in Michigan, use literature from this source. Sources and Resources: Please watch the movie VAXXED which describes in detail the CDC whistleblower, William Thompson, Ph.D.'s attempts to share the truth about the cover-up at the CDC in the 2004 study of the MMR vaccine and autism. AgeofAutism.com/vaccines/ vactruth.com vaccinetruth.org Childhoodshots.com (Biblical support for not vaccinating can be found here) The National Vaccine Information Center – NVIC.org Vaccineresistancemovement.org DrPalevsky.com DrTenpenny.com DoctorEisenstein.com DrCarley.com The World Association for Vaccine Education – novaccine.com BOOKS (these are just a few!) A Shot in the Dark by Harris Coulter and Barbara Loe Fisher Callous Disregard by Andrew J. Wakefield. M.D. The Crime of Vaccination, by Dave Tennison Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccine, and the Forgotten History, Suzanne Humphries, M.D. and Roman Bystrianyk. (this book shares all the graphs and historical proof that vaccines did NOT stop contagious diseases) Immunizations: The Terrible Risks Your Children Face That Your Doctor Wont Reveal by Robert Mendolsyn, M.D. Make an Informed Vaccine Decision, Dr. Mayer Eisenstein (every parent should read) The Business of Baby: What Doctors Don't Tell You, What Corporations Try to Sell You, and How to Put Your Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Before Their Bottom Line, Jennifer Margulis No Vaccines for Me! by Kathleen Dunkelberger The Parents' Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations by Lauren Feder, M.D. The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care, Sally Fallon Morell and Thomas Cowan, M.D. Shaken Baby Syndrome or Vaccine Induced Encephalitis by Harold Buttram, M.D. Vaccine Illusion by Tetyana, Obukhanyeh The Vaccine Court: The Dark Truth of America's Vaccine Injury Compensation by Wayne Rhode Update in 2016 ~ A textbook has now been written about the causative link between autoimmune diseases, like lupus, arthritis, and fibromyalgia and vaccinations. Vaccines and Autoimmunity, edited by Yehuda Shoenfeld, Nancy Agmon-Levin and Lucija Tomljenovic contains the research of over 70 researchers. It warrants exploration. Special Thank You to Pinwheels for Vaccine Injury Awareness. Everyone is encouraged to visit their site and join together to help our young people and those not yet born. We do this by raising awareness that vaccine injury is very real. "Vaccine injured are everywhere and we need to stand up, stand out and be seen and heard in a way that can not be ridiculed." You can Google individual vaccines to look at copies of their inserts to see the actual ingredients – please do! You can also Goggle Michigan Care Improvement Registry Participation in the MCIR Reporting to get the form to opt your children out of vaccine use registration (so they don't keep track of your choices). please think about the implications of this… 4 Responses to "BEHIND THE SCENES ON VACCINES –" Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function ereg() in /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-content/themes/mainstream/mainstream/includes/theme-comments.php:66 Stack trace: #0 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-content/themes/mainstream/mainstream/includes/theme-comments.php(20): the_commenter_link() #1 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-includes/class-walker-comment.php(179): custom_comment(Object(WP_Comment), Array, 1) #2 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-walker.php(145): Walker_Comment->start_el('', Object(WP_Comment), 1, Array) #3 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-includes/class-walker-comment.php(139): Walker->display_element(Object(WP_Comment), Array, '5', 0, Array, '') #4 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-walker.php(387): Walker_Comment->display_element(Object(WP_Comment), Array, '5', 0, Array, '') #5 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-includes/comment-template.php(2174): Walker->paged_walk(Array, '5', 0, 0, Array) #6 /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-content/themes/mainstream/mainstream/comments.php(22): in /home/thrive15/public_html/wp-content/themes/mainstream/mainstream/includes/theme-comments.php on line 66

Lilith is a mystical trip through dreamscapes and the streets of South Philadelphia. We follow a feisty heroine as she engages in conversations with her guardian nature spirits, has flashbacks about her family and realizations about relationships and love. Lilith time-trips between parallel realities and lucid dreaming with a humorous look at what is going on inside the minds of men. Lilith paints a kaleidoscopic picture of divine feminine power, creation and what women really want. In the story, we follow our feisty heroine through a single day as she engages in conversations with her guardian nature spirits and has realizations about relationships, love and her childhood. I decided to twine in a second story based on the myth of the "Fisher King." This part of the story portrays an aspect of the Divine Masculine and the wounds inflicted on our brothers in society. In my book this is told by an alchemist, his talking parrot and his devoted assistant. This adds a new layer and dimension to the tale. The mirror of these two myths reflects a third story about creation. To inspire this portion of the tale, I drew from the ancient myth of creation belonging to the Inca. I adore Peru and take people there on expeditions each year. Details of this creation story are fleshed out in hallucinogenic descriptions that illustrate the dynamic powerful magnetic force which draws opposites into irresistible attraction. This theory is from my Master's Thesis on Ardhanarishvara—this is an ancient way to explain that two halves indeed form a whole through synthesis, polarity and unification. Yes, somehow I managed to get threads in from this academic paper as well. I figured it was the only way I could get people to read it other than my professors from Hindu University of America where I received my master's title. The path of Lilith's story takes us on a transcendent trip through flashbacks, memories and dreams. These unfold in conversations as the result of a chance meeting that Lilith has with a man in a cheese shop located in the Italian Market. We follow the pair on a Sunday stroll through the streets of South Philadelphia and listen in on their conversation. Time skews as parallel universes collide, creating a tight folding in upon itself like the creases of a well-crafted burrito. Stories within stories are woven with reckless abandon until every moment converges as a single point in space. All existence magically becomes the present moment, proving that there is no such thing as time. Lilith shares unique ideas about the origin of existence, what women want, and a candid view of what I believe is really going on inside the minds of men. I did my best to make it fun to read and to tell the story with a great deal of humor and insight. "Lilith" is a 13 year project that began as an idea from my creative writing teacher, back when I was receiving my undergrad title in Astrology from NorthStar University. He posed a challenge to my class to write a book that is about Astrology but would never end up in the new Age or Occult section of a book store. For the first three years it did look a lot like a numerology book and oddly enough, the original title was Thirteen, so I was not really doing a great job of meeting the challenge. This led me to seek out a coach. When I met Nick Ligidakis of Inkwell Productions the story began to leap from the page at me. He lovingly instructed me through the creative process and ten years later—here we are! family and realizations about relationships and love. "Could there be a better way to explore mystical matters and non-ordinary reality than within a humorous tale of twists and turns in? Not likely. Lilith, scribed by the enigmatic Ambika Devi, acts as a guide over the bumps and around the bends on "the path," and into a more enlightened state of being. Hard to resist a tale like this." "Ambika Devi spins a vivid story of life taking place in single a day. The writing of "Lilith" portrays history mirroring into our daily spiritual life. It is a must read for everyone!" Ambika Devi surely has one thousand arms like the great goddess for whom she is a namesake. Each of the hands is involved in a creative act which is generated with intense passion. She began reading the Tarot cards and her study of Yoga as a child and has always cherished the magic of dreaming. A permanent student and writer, Ambika Devi holds a master's degree in yoga and bachelor's degrees in: astrology, fine arts, holistic health and teaching. Her current research of deep relaxation induced by breath and sound for her doctoral dissertation in Vak-Yoga, takes her traveling internationally presenting to a vast array of audiences. are found in periodicals worldwide. Read more about Ambika Devi here. Ambika Devi and Lilith want to come on book tour to your town! "I have never, EVER met a more passionate yogini than Ambika Devi and that passion oozes from her writing. Authentic, deep, a story that ignites your spirit and busts loose your yoga soul on a joy ride. YES! YES! YES!" "As I read, I found myself laughing with delight as I imagined one of my favorite authors Tom Robbins ticklingly whispering in Ambika Devi's receptive ear. Shades of "Jitterbug Perfume" meets "Still Life With Woodpecker" in its sacredly profane/profanely sacred verbiage scattered throughout. Although in parts, it may feel like a hallucinogenic trip into psychedelia, it arrives by way of more natural means." ...He realized that he had never needed to know more than the counter and cash register. After a quick transaction he would scurry home with a takeout box of deliciousness. Thami chortled and motioned him up the stairs. He pitched hard and convinced Don to stay and eat at a table. Don needed to pee, so he decided to go for it. He climbed the twisting staircase typical of the trinity houses in his neighborhood and easily found the tiny men's room. When he came out, there was a small table with his usual order on a china plate. A steaming cup of Turkish coffee sat next to it in an ornately painted cup on a saucer. He didn't remember asking for the thick dark liquid but was happy to see it. He sat down and took a sip. Cinnamon, cardamom, and the tang of darkly roasted beans twirled on his taste buds like tiny ballerinas in an acrobatic circus. Don was crunching into his first bite when the background music suddenly shifted and cranked loudly through the small space. This summoned a shimmering belly dancer into the dining area. Howls, whistles, and hairy hands waving ones and fives filled the air.. Ripples of water rocked as if the entire world fit into a small bowl that was being shaken by a Sumo wrestler. Dark liquid lapped at the tips of mountains that never gave up their intention to protrude through the choppy surface. A piercing golden hue thrown off by a great disk of light hovered high above the stratosphere. It threw a flood of brilliant, colorful shadows on the murky sea. Deep underneath the surface, the great planet slumbered in silence, blanketed by the darkness of her depths. "I embarked on my own visual and sensual journey as I became entranced by the adventures of Lilith. The sometimes almost commonplace and other-times otherworldly wonder of Lilith kept me enthralled page by page. The book comes alive as Ambika Devi delves into the hearts and minds of the main characters in a very unique way. Lilith is not just an awesome read, it's a subtle spiritual experience." "Do you think we add up?" Don said, smiling. The Troubadour picked up his lute and began to strum a little ditty inspiring Don to have the courage to continue. "Oh! There is a story, for sure!" she smiled casting a glowing light in through the eye windows onto the Boardroom's table. "The sounds of manifestation and healing are unique to you," whispered the Gandharva from another dimension. Lilith did not hear the words but rather a high pitched whirring sound. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Little bumps rose on her arms and she took it as a positive sign. The golden disk yawned, spewing a green and purplish mist of tiny bubbles full of potential that turned orange and blue as they swarmed like a hive of bees toward the water. "Are we dead?" gurgled a feminine tone. "There is no such thing!" belched the masculine counterpart, this time in rust and rich umbers. "Uuussssssssst…tah…kah ust ust ust," came a hissing from far in the distance, not unlike a serpent. Listen to the Lilith Audio Book and Download it NOW at Audible! Savannah was so much more than she'd ever imagined. Walking along the tree-lined streets, Lilith felt as if a dormant part of her psyche woke up and drank the soma of inspiration. In the afternoons, she walked through innumerable squares and went to museums, which took her all over the historic district. City Market bustled with modern shops behind antique store fronts. The merchandise was secondary to her fascination with the beauty of the architecture and signage. She fell in love with all the colors and textures. It was on a corner just off a walking plaza of shops and brew houses that she spotted a group of pedicabs waiting for fares. The driver in the center caught her eye, and she was pulled to his cab as if by a giant magnet. The others melted away. "Can I do that?" she asked. "Hire me for the afternoon?" George responded. "Sure, sure. Hop in," he said as he jumped in the saddle and backed the cab out of its slanted parking space. a deal, and she was open to anything. For the moment, she was just thankful to be off her feet and in a comfy place where she could make some notes in her journal. "I just want to say…" George began, causing Lilith to look up from her purple pen laying an inky image of a tree against the thick, textured paper of her book. "We're not supposed to do this," George continued. "Accept a fare?" questioned Lilith with a smirk. "Can we make a deal?" she cut in. "Sure. What are you thinking? Where would you like to go?" he asked, smiling. "I'll leave it up to you. This is your town," Lilith said. "Let's visit the ones you think are cool, and make lots of stops. If you can add some storytelling, I'll hire you for an hour or so. How does that sound? "Good for me," responded George. it easy for her to tap into the unseen and the unknown. This happened when she'd traveled to the French Quarter in New Orleans; Paris, France; and Oia, on Santorini, in Greece. year she would get the itch to travel. She'd decided to take a break from Philly and grabbed her journal, packed up the car, and hit the road when the leaves began to turn. porch, writing and drawing. Originally she had planned to meander down Skyline Drive in Virginia, but something pulled her further south to Georgia. My book Lilith is based on three myths and inspired by my fascination with mysticism. The original leap of faith took place when I was challenged while receiving a degree in Astrology to write a book about astrology that would not end up on the divination shelf of the bookstore. I had no idea at the time that this indeed would be the seed of this novel. The threads and imagery held within the pages of "Lilith" are all inspired by true happenings from my life. The fantasy is inspired by my rich dream world and love of the world of imagination. Most of my work in the past few decades has been as a relationship counselor utilizing skills in Astrology and with the Tarot cards. I have learned a great deal through the years of loving people through their lessons and transitions and I wanted to bring the pearls of wisdom that have come forth through thousands of hours of session in a way that was fun summer reading. By divine magic, the pages wrote themselves and I have been gifted this opportunity to share the story of Lilith with all of you. During the writing of the book I completed my Master's degree in the Education of Yoga from Hindu University of America and decided to intertwine the basic theme of my master's thesis into the pages of "Lilith" along with the original concepts. This all might sound a little crazy but somehow it all rolled together like my outside-the-box concept of time being like a burrito! I learned a lot about patience as I allowed this story to weave itself into existence. The entire project spanned more than a decade. As I developed the theme for "Lilith" I received many coaching sessions and discussions with my incredible publisher Nick Ligidakis of Inkwell Productions. Over the years we discussed the core concepts I was working with on the book and how to dig into my psyche to bring up more. Nick always believed in my ability to get these ancient themes to work in the style of a popular novel and for this I am eternally grateful. Content Copyright ©2018-2020 Amy Ford All rights reserved.

June 27, 2019 | David F. Coppedge Bare Feet Were Made for Walking Your feet can become hard against rough ground without sacrificing their sensitivity. Years ago, Dr Daniel Lieberman, an endurance runner and physiologist, impressed CEH in Nov. 2004 with his findings that humans are the best endurance runners in the animal kingdom. Even though he is an evolutionist, the number of physical adaptations he described that are necessary for endurance running in an upright posture seem to shout "design." Now, Lieberman and other scientists have investigated barefoot walkers and found new adaptations that make one wonder if we really need shoes. The human foot is a highly complex apparatus composed of 26 bones, with tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, skin and sensory organs all integrated and coordinated. One anatomist called it a "biomechanical masterpiece." Foot callus thickness does not trade off protection for tactile sensitivity during walking (Holowka et al., with Daniel Lieberman, Nature). This team studied habitually barefoot walkers in Kenya and made the following observations. Until relatively recently, humans, similar to other animals, were habitually barefoot. Therefore, the soles of our feet were the only direct contact between the body and the ground when walking. There is indirect evidence that footwear such as sandals and moccasins were first invented within the past 40 thousand years, the oldest recovered footwear dates to eight thousand years ago and inexpensive shoes with cushioned heels were not developed until the Industrial Revolution. Because calluses—thickened and hardened areas of the epidermal layer of the skin—are the evolutionary solution to protecting the foot, we wondered whether they differ from shoes in maintaining tactile sensitivity during walking, especially at initial foot contact, to improve safety on surfaces that can be slippery, abrasive or otherwise injurious or uncomfortable. Here we show that, as expected, people from Kenya and the United States who frequently walk barefoot have thicker and harder calluses than those who typically use footwear. However, in contrast to shoes, callus thickness does not trade-off protection, measured as hardness and stiffness, for the ability to perceive tactile stimuli at frequencies experienced during walking. Additionally, unlike cushioned footwear, callus thickness does not affect how hard the feet strike the ground during walking, as indicated by impact forces. Along with providing protection and comfort at the cost of tactile sensitivity, cushioned footwear also lowers rates of loading at impact but increases force impulses, with unknown effects on the skeleton that merit future study. Why callused bare feet are a better fit than cushioned shoes (Editorial, Nature). The editors describe Lieberman as "an evolutionary biologist with something of an obsession for how we use our feet." They describe us humans as "quite large, as mammals go," and since we walk upright, our feet take a lot of punishment. Surprisingly, though, the thick calluses that grow on barefoot walkers do not hinder their sense of touch; "although calluses protect our feet, they transmit tactile sensation almost as effectively as does soft skin." Tenderfeet (i.e., habitual shoe wearers) know the pain of stepping on a Lego piece in the dark hours of the morning. As Lieberman and colleagues observe, a person with callused feet would feel that Lego brick just as acutely. But the researchers also find that bare feet offer a better guide to the force with which our feet strike the ground than do artificially cushioned soles, comfy as those might feel. This difference could have untold consequences for the rest of our skeleton. Barefoot Walking Gives You Calluses That Are Even Better for Your Feet Than Shoes, Study Suggests (Live Science). Christopher Wanjek gives a Darwin-saturated take on the findings, simply assuming that if bare feet exist, they must have evolved. "At its core," he alleges, "the study is about human evolution." He claims that calluses are "the evolutionary solution to protecting the foot," but if that were true, why didn't we evolve hard hooves, like horses? The actual study reinforces design; here is a structure that can develop thick skin for protection, and yet maintain tactile sensitivity. Shoes rob us of some of the senses that might improve our health: However, very thick calluses don't simply act like shoe cushions. The callus thickness can protect against heat or sharp objects, providing comfort and safety, like shoes can. But the sensory receptors in the foot that detect ground surface differences still transmit signals to the brain. This uninhibited signal — that sensation of feeling the earth — may help the barefoot walker keep balance, strengthen muscles and create a stronger neural connections between the feet and the brain. Barefoot walkers have tough feet but sense the ground just as well (Michael Le Page, BBC News). This less-evolutionary article shares some interesting facts about bare feet that indicate we are missing out on benefits by wearing shoes. Lieberman noticed that as his calluses grew thicker, his feet got tougher without seeming to lose their ability to sense the surface beneath them. He and his colleagues have now confirmed this by studying the feet of around 100 people in Kenya and the US. Those who usually went barefoot had calluses up to a third thicker, but could sense vibrations just as well as those with thinner calluses. The reason, the team think, is that hard calluses transmit forces without dampening them – unlike the foam or rubber soles of many shoes. While this is surprising, it is analogous to guitar players who grow calluses on their fingers but still maintain exquisite sensitivity to touch. It means that the sensors on the skin are able to penetrate the callus and still transmit touch signals to the brain. Lieberman expects to study the physiological benefits of barefoot walking more. He thinks the sensory advantage of bare feet could help elderly people avoid falls, for one thing, and might help everybody avoid joint diseases. Walking on your sensitive sole (News and Views, Nature). Wading past the typical evolutionary fluff about human ancestors millions of years ago, the reader eventually hears good reasons for the design of the human foot. Our feet are remarkably sensitive, enabling pleasant sensations such as the feeling when walking barefoot on a beach, but also the experience of pain when stepping on a sharp rock. This sensitivity is useful because our body's nerves use such information to fine-tune our posture and gait, in a similar way to how our sensitive fingertips enable us to precisely manipulate objects. As part of the system that aids this tactile sensitivity, a variety of mechanoreceptors in our skin sense mechanical stimuli such as pressure. If these receptors don't work normally, as can occur in disease or during experimental manipulation, people can have problems with their balance or gait. This article describes the experiments Holowka and Lieberman's team used to arrive at their findings. They remain ambivalent about the value of bare feet compared to shoes, however, admitting that hard soled shoes can also transmit vibrations pretty well, and are important for added protection in some situations. More research will be needed to fully understand the effect of shoe soles on gait. Humans are not like machines, in which just one variable at a time can be studied. Human movement is a complex, dynamic system, and changing even one variable, such as shoe-sole stiffness, will probably trigger other physiological and behavioural changes. For example, running when using cushioned soles, compared with running barefoot, triggers changes in how the foot makes contact with the ground (called the strike pattern), and also causes the arch of the foot to behave more stiffly. So should we take our shoes off? "It makes sense that preserving foot sensitivity is useful, especially if maintaining stability is challenging," they admit. But for now, "Although this mystery has been solved, much remains to be discovered about what affects how humans walk." Feet are amazingly complex features God has given us. They did not evolve. Human feet are so different from ape feet, they are essentially a completely different design. In the book Spacecraft Earth, a Guide for Passengers, Dr Henry Richter spends five pages talking about the human foot. On page 48, he compares it to the ape foot: The shape of the human foot is much different, clearly adapted for walking upright all of the time. It has a unique bone structure, muscle structure, and sole, with two arches almost perpendicular to each other. The heel and ankle are suited to living on the ground, not in the trees. What chance mutations created such a radical change? Evolutionists often gloss over these details, simply imagining that a change in climate led some ape ancestor to climb out of the trees and start walking. Such things do not just happen. There would be too many things for natural selection to do at the same time. (Richter, p. 48) The foot is just one of hundreds of wonders our Creator gave us to experience His world. The more we learn about our bodies and minds, the more our gratitude and awe should grow. Evolutionary theory (the Stuff Happens Law) robs God of the honor that is His due. Exercise: Try barefoot walking when you can. It would take weeks or months to build up the calluses need to walk on rough surfaces, but pay attention to the sensitivity provided through the skin. Does it improve your balance? Are you more aware of the positions of your toes, arches and heel? Compare that with the feeling of walking in soft shoes or hard shoes. What benefits can you find designed into bare feet that can aid your health and enhance your experience of the world? Tags: arch, brain, callus, endurance running, Evolution, feet, foot, footwear, heel, human body, joints, Kenya, Lieberman, muscle, proprioception, running, sensation, shoes, tactile, walking Categories: Amazing Facts, Human Body, Intelligent Design, Physics

Heathrow Solidarity Network Heathrow Workers' Newsletter No.5 Leaflet for fellow Heathrow workers Struggle news WISAG ground workers at Frankfurt Airport call for expanded struggle Support staff at Cork Airport consider industrial action over redundancies Tunisair workers to strike BA Cargo Strike Report Heathrow Strike Report – Day 2 Peru: Air traffic controllers hold three-day strike over COVID-19 safety India: Air India pilots warn of 'industrial action' over wage cut Shetlands: Strike of air traffic controllers Nigeria: Workers ground Arik Air operations in protest Ghana: Aviation workers threaten strike over pay cuts Strike against plans of Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) Greece: Air traffic controllers and mechanics go on strike India: Airport taxi drivers go on strike in Mumbai Spain: Strike by airport cleaners in Barcelona Holland: KLM pilots reject paycut and threaten with strike Mexico: Interjet workers on strike for outstanding wages in Cancun France: Airport workers in Garenne strike against job cuts Switzerland: Air controllers unions unite and threaten with industrial action Ireland: Retail workers at Dublin airport ballot for strike UK: Liverpool Airport disruption due to fuel supplier strike Bolivia: Airport workers go on 24-hour strike for overdue pay Mayotte: Indefinite strike of airport fire brigade Nigeria: Federal airport workers in one-day warning strike Canada: Hundreds of protesting airline workers aim anger at transport minister Seven unions call for one-day strike at airports in France Wildcat action of baggage handlers at Madrid airport Heathrow Strikes-Podcast The Workers' Runway- Newsletter No.6 This is the longer, online version, of the newsletter that we are distributing locally. Download below:- Heathrow Staff Parking Charges! Workers are being made to pay up to an extra 135% for the privilege of parking at work. From £57 a month for a parking pass, to £135! Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) say this is to make up for a £7 million shortfall caused by a drop in demand for parking passes. Most workers only alternative is public transport. This was made more expensive last year when HAL forced more losses onto workers by removing the free bus services around the airport. The £7 million shortfall is nothing to shareholders that have received £4 billion since 2012 and got £100 million paid out in April 2020! The GMB union has started a petition, written to MP's and council leaders, but the campaign hasn't advanced much further. Workers have been balloted 3 times but aside from 400 people signing the petition and a couple of letters, no pressure has been applied to the bosses. If the union's aren't getting the job done, we need to get together and do it ourselves. Let us know what's happening where you are. Has this affected you? How has the union performed? How can we escalate the dispute? British Airways Cabin Crew Recruitment?! British Airways have tied the knot on their obvious and predictable "back door fire and rehire scheme," that they started in spring 2020. The first part of this not so secret plot was to aggressively demand that shell-shocked staff accept large reductions in pay and conditions or face the sack. The next phase was to continue to plead extreme poverty to staff and demand huge redundancies, while simultaneously with their other face, reassuring shareholders of the companies cash reserves and healthy liquidity. The company was never in much actual difficulty. Banks will lend almost indefinitely to a company like BA. There will always be UK aviation and no matter what the circumstances, when all the other smaller airlines have folded, one of the last standing will almost certainly be BA. And now, barely a year after making 4700 cabin crew redundant and not even a month after furlough has finished, BA are attempting to rehire 3000 crew, on contracts far inferior to the ones they left on. While some of the media are parroting BA spokespeople, saying that the announcement is positive news, that BA are drawing on their "talent pool" and that workers should basically feel lucky for the jobs, the Financial Times is much closer to reality when it reports that "…the new BA hires and the potential new subsidiary from Gatwick reflect how airline bosses will look to rebuild their workforce's and operations, while cementing the considerable cost savings achieved during the pandemic." These latest developments clearly expose the mass attacks on jobs and contracts at BA for what they always were- barefaced opportunism. Simply an opportunity to do what companies are always looking to do- reduce labour costs as much as possible. While companies profits return to "normal," workers pay and conditions, will be expected to stay where they are- cemented down below their pre-pandemic levels. Why should this be tolerated? As things pick up and bargaining power increases, we should remember what's happened and figure out how we can reflect it in our demands. Alitalia workers fight for jobs in Italy! On 20th October we held a public Zoom meeting with workers at Italian airline Alitalia. They are fighting to save jobs and pay and conditions, in the wake of the companies far reaching restructure. Alitalia is to be broken up into 3 sections and renamed ITA Airways. The new company came into being on the 15th October 2021 and huge job losses are already being endured in the handling division, while aircraft maintenance is apparently being outsourced to private companies. National agreements around pay and conditions are not being honoured and staff transferring or being rehired by ITA are signing up on inferior terms. This has obviously all been decided upon with little or no worker input. The Italian government, which owns ITA Airways, would likely claim that workers voices have been heard and use union leaderships agreement to the plan as evidence. Union officials in Italy, as they often are in the UK, are probably convinced to agree with the bosses plans, by promises of more members and national recognition agreements, that give the unions guaranteed dues and prestige. This however, is of course, no substitute for workers genuine involvement and agreement. Since demand for aviation has picked up a little, workers have responded to the plans with a number of official strikes, but these actions are hampered by managements awareness of them long in advance. The workers we spoke to on the 20th are with an independent worker collective called Tutti A Bordo (Everyone on Board). The group is made up of militant workers from different departments that have come together, irrespective of their job roles and union membership, in an attempt to provide a forum for workers to develop and put forward their authentic demands. Not an easy task but their efforts are admirable. The group has made a point of trying to get workers on the streets in a militant fashion. Demonstrating inside airports, attempting to occupy the ITA HQ and blocking a main road to Rome's airport. All this makes a stark contrast to the relatively subdued recent disputes at Heathrow. Alitalia stand to lose as many as 10,000 workers. That's the same amount that British Airways have made redundant since the pandemic. In spite of the similarities in scale, the prospect of blocked roads, occupations and all out strikes at Heathrow has always seemed very distant. They are not the only workers looking to combine their efforts against the bosses attacks in the aftermath of Covid. In Italy an array of what are called "base unions" has developed. These unions tend to pride themselves on being more militant and encouraging much more rank and file participation within the organisation. These unions called for a "general strike" on 11th October, uniting struggles from many different workplaces and industries. Disputes at Ex-Ilva, Jindal Piombino, Whirlpool, Flextronics, Almaviva, Stellantis and Sevel were all drawn upon. On the day, 10's of thousands of workers participated in the strike, ports and roads were blockaded and demonstrations were held across Italy. The workers we spoke to were quite clear however that the 11th October had serious limitations and alongside the GKN workers, expressed commitment to building towards a much bigger and more effective general strike, that draws in far more workers. Port workers, air or sea, have always got lots of power. When supply-chain's appear to be under pressure, as they do at the moment, they have even more power. If people and stuff doesn't get to where it needs to be, it can have serious effects on companies and throughout the economy in general. The most successful labour dispute at Heathrow during the pandemic was the strike at BA Cargo. The Cargo workers got most of their demands met. BA workers in other departments had to accept mass redundancies and large cuts to pay and benefits. With a better organised workplace, the increased bargaining power at BA Cargo, could have been utilised for the benefit of workers at the whole company and beyond. Global supply chains seem fragile and workers should make the most of it. Another impressive worker collective is the west coast port workers organisation- Collettivo Autonomo Lavoratori Portuali. They participated in the 11th October general strike and are best known for refusing to load ships at their ports, that they discover are holding arms earmarked for use on civilians in places like Yemen and Palestine. These kind of actions are a crucial part of workers self defence and hold the promise of a transformed economy within them- workers deciding what gets to circulate the globe, not capitalists. The connections and trust built up by port and all logistics workers acts of solidarity, could be a critical part of bringing together working class people across borders. This is one of the reasons we feel it's so important to organise at Heathrow and the surrounding area. We need more workers here realising the power and agency they have to help enact the profound changes needed, to give people control of their daily lives and protect our environment from the inherent logics of capitalist production. This knowledge is empowering and should give pride and purpose to work that the bosses make boring, frustrating and often demeaning. How do we want to spend our days? "Today, most of the work we carried out, was loading planes with crap that people don't need, to make people, that probably hate us, richer…." Or "Today, to support fellow working class people on strike thousands of miles away, we refused to load a plane, while working fast and efficiently to transport essential goods for a worker run health service equally as far away….." An issue, external to the immediate struggle, that has made an impression on it, is the fight against the green pass (Italy's vaccine passport). Workers are expected to produce a green pass as proof they have been vaccinated or be force to pay for regular Covid tests before they can enter the workplace. Many workers are resisting the scheme, but, as it is in the UK, it is appears a divisive issue. Speaking in a personal capacity, as the Tutti A Bordo collective doesn't have a unified opinion on the topic as yet, workers told us that it should be viewed as part of the general attack on the working class. That companies are using the green pass to circumvent costly health and safety measures, like social distancing and PPE. Matters are complicated by the fact that the green pass debate has drawn people into the orbit of these workers who are not very helpful when your trying to build a working class movement. Small business owners, spoilt little rich kids, conspiracy enthusiasts, and even fascist elements have all jumped on the anti-green pass bandwagon. Messaging can get jumbled and direction can be lost, in such a menagerie of motivations. But situations like this can also provide opportunities for people to be exposed to a class perspective that will be helpful in future struggles. People could be brought into a battle by fears of satanic cults injecting microchips into our bloodstreams and leave with a far better understanding of how power operates in a capitalist society. The motto of the workers at Tutti A Bordo and GKN was used by resistance fighters against fascism during the war- Insorgiamo. It means "let's rise up." We should all do our best to learn from the experiences of workers in Italy and do all we can to help them. Follow them on social media and send them your solidarity. What other ways might we be able to help? What do you think of the situation in Italy in comparison to our situation at Heathrow? We will be following the situation closely and attempting to build support for a solidarity action here in the UK. Get in touch if you want to get involved! Insorgiamo Heathrow!!! Jet Zero Consultation In July 2021 the Department of Transport published their proposals for achieving net zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2050. This was a part of the preparations for the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow. You'll be surprised to hear that it's all bollocks. Apparently passenger miles will be able to double by 2050, while greenhouse gas emissions remain constant. The predictions for how this will be achieved rely heavily on, no word of a lie, as yet unachieved technological breakthroughs in sustainable bio-fuels (SAFs), carbon capture, hydrogen and zero emissions flights (electric, solar etc.). It reads as one big gamble with our future. The proposals were drawn up by the Jet Zero Council. By their own admission "a partnership between industry and government to bring together ministers and chief executive officer-level stakeholders….." The council membership list reads like a who's who of people we shouldn't listen to when we're thinking about aviation and its impact on the environment. From the list of members you can easily predict the proposals and conclusions. The basic message is "carry on as usual, we've got people working on it." We shouldn't waste time pretending that these people can be convinced to act any other way or that they are even fully in control of how this will all pan out. As long as, profits need to constantly expand and reproduce itself, is not replaced by people democratically deciding what our needs are and producing according to them, our mental and environmental health will continue to decline. In the UK (and it's similar across the world) 70% of flights are taken by only 15% of the population, while most years over 50% don't fly at all. The average income of that 15% is £115,000. The dire futures predicted by the vast majority of climate scientists won't be averted by appealing to the members of the Jet Zero Council. The techno-fix isn't going to solve our problem as they tell us. The honest truth is that people need to fly less. As most of the flights are taken by the wealthy, this isn't something workers should be concerned about. Some form of rationing is required. Distributed fairly and not just on your ability to pay. As workers we can think of ways to force this into happening and not accept the "jobs or climate" blackmail. This shouldn't result in job losses or working people penalised in anyway to protect the profits of shareholders. Working class people can bring this about but we'll need to get organised and work together. The unions role in agreeing to businesses demands for constant aviation sector growth will need to be challenged. Those benefiting from the system will try and convince us we can carry on as usual. We will be subjected to many more cringe inducing adverts, using children as emotional fodder, like the recent Climate Pledge effort, which, we are informed at the end, is paid for by Amazon, co-founder of the Climate Pledge. Get on the bus, go on a train, sit in a cinema and you'll be bombarded with advertising designed to play on our heart strings and convince us that the corporations are handling everything just fine. And if Covid restrictions on flights continue to be rolled back we will be asked to return to "normal." Keep shopping, keep buying, keep flying. Recent media coverage around COP26 has been painful. BBC pieces, uncritically regurgitating corporate propaganda around the wonders of carbon capture technology and future "guilt-free" supersonic flights fuelled by SAF's. At Heathrow we should know what to make of these promises. At every turn, since the inception of the airport, airlines and governing bodies have insisted that there will be no more expansions and have every time been proven liars. The construction of terminal 4 and terminal 5 faced heavy opposition from locals due to concerns over noise, air pollution and destruction of habitats. Before each was constructed they were given assurances that no further expansion would be pursued. And now the same authorities are pushing hard for a 3rd runway and a 6th terminal. It is never enough. If the whole of the Thames Valley was a landing strip, it still wouldn't be enough to satisfy the insatiable appetite and parasitic nature of money. Take a look at aerial photos of Heathrow over time and you get a visual representation of this process in action. Lush green countryside consumed, step by step, by an ever expanding grey mass, polluting and devouring its host and destroying the basis of its own existence. The climate crisis in microcosm. Just as we shouldn't be appealing to corporations to solve the climate crisis they created, we shouldn't appeal to the media to report on it properly. After all, they are corporations and can't be trusted to. An alternative is workers creating their own media, that reflects our values and interests. Do our own research and reporting for our own sake, not to make a buck out of it. We all have knowledge and experience that needs to be shared and that would be enriched by the debate and discussion it could create. Workers can develop the power and skills necessary to reshape the way we produce. And if we want to maintain an environment capable of supporting us, we will have to! Remote Sign-on! Bus drivers all over London and beyond are facing major attacks on the way they work. Companies are looking to impose remote sign-on. A practice that requires drivers to report to a particular bus stop rather than a bus depot at the beginning of each shift. It will not only mean being at the companies beck and call, more hours for less money and a decline in access to toilet and rest facilities but potentially paves the way to the full "casualisation" of the job. Bus drivers being completely "self employed" and stripped of the benefits of being employed is a predictable outcome of this practice. Speaking with bus drivers on our leafleting sessions it appears the company Metroline has already pushed the changes through and others are in the process. When are ballots going out for strike? How can we support the bus drivers? Whose Solidarity?! On Monday 8th November, to celebrate the restarting of long-haul flights to the US, British Airways and Virgin put their rivalries aside and staged a simultaneous take-off from Heathrow. The seemingly bitter adversaries decided the media attention attracted by the stunt made this rare collaboration worthwhile. The rich know when to show class solidarity for one another and work together when needs be. Heathrow Solidarity Network is trying to help build and develop our own, workers solidarity. When bosses or landlords start messing with our fellow workers, our class, we should be getting together and fighting back. If you need help with unpaid wages, bullying or discrimination at work, landlord trouble, we offer to do what we can as workers to help. Contact us on the details below. If you just want to share some information or get involved with what we're doing, get in touch. We hold regular leaflet sessions at local transit hubs. See you around. Email- heathrowworkers@protonmail.com Call or text- 07518 573068 Facebook- Heathrow Solidarity Network Twitter- @heathrowworkers Website- https://heathrowworkerspower.wordpress.com/ Posted byangryworkers December 9, 2021 December 9, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on The Workers' Runway- Newsletter No.6 Alitalia Meeting Summary! Alitalia workers in confrontations with police while blocking roads to Rome's airport! The restructure is part of a European wide plan, with the involvement of the European Commission, to allow for only three main intercontinental carriers out of Europe and for these to be based out of France and Germany. Alitalia's diminishing and breaking up, is in part to make room for these larger European airline companies and to encourage the expansion of low-cost/budget airlines nationally. This has obviously all been decided upon with little or no worker input. The Italian government, which owns ITA Airways, would likely claim that workers voices have been heard and use union leaderships agreement to the plan as evidence. Union officials in Italy, as they often are in the UK, are probably convinced to agree with the bosses plans, by promises of more members and national recognition agreements, that give the unions guaranteed dues and prestige. This however, is of course, no substitute for workers genuine involvement and agreement. Since demand for aviation has picked up a little, workers have responded to the plans with a number of official strikes, but these actions are hampered by managements awareness of them long in advance. The workers we spoke to on the 20th are with an independent worker collective called Tutti A Bordo (Everyone on Board). The name is simultaneously a call for unity across the airline and a demand that all staff should keep their jobs. The group is made up of militant workers from different departments that have come together, irrespective of their job roles and union membership, in an attempt to provide a forum for workers to develop and put forward their authentic demands. Not an easy task but their efforts are admirable. The group has made a point of trying to get workers on the streets in a militant fashion. Demonstrating inside airports, attempting to occupy the ITA HQ and blocking a main road to Rome's airport. All this makes a stark contrast to the relatively subdued recent disputes at Heathrow. Alitalia stand to lose as many as 10,000 workers. That's the same amount that British Airways have made redundant since the pandemic. In spite of the similarities in scale, the prospect of blocked roads, occupations and all out strikes at Heathrow has always seemed very distant. Tutti A Bordo doesn't claim to have any great power at this time. It doesn't have the ability to call a strike for example, but they are no less an important focal point in the struggle. They have also developed a significant partnership with another worker collective fighting the closure of their factory at GKN in Florence (Collectivo di Fabbrica- Lavoratori GKN Firenze). The groups of workers from different companies and sectors are demonstrating, blockading, occupying and striking together. They are not the only workers looking to combine their efforts against the bosses attacks in the aftermath of Covid. In Italy an array of what are called "base unions" has developed. These unions tend to pride themselves on being more militant and encouraging much more rank and file participation within the organisation. These unions called for a "general strike" on 11th October, uniting struggles from many different workplaces and industries. Disputes at Ex-Ilva, Jindal Piombino, Whirlpool, Flextronics, Almaviva, Stellantis and Sevel were all drawn upon. On the day, 10's of thousands of workers participated in the strike, ports and roads were blockaded and demonstrations were held across Italy. The workers we spoke to were quite clear however that the 11th October had serious limitations and alongside the GKN workers, expressed commitment to building towards a much bigger and more effective general strike, that draws in far more workers. Again, with echoes of the situation in the UK, the number and nature of the unions was a severe impediment in the strike. The mainstream unions, that still have the majority of members in Italy, did not support the general strike. The base unions that did support the strike are often, politically, on very different pages from each other, which can inhibit collaboration. They can also, like their mainstream cousins, sometimes be more concerned with the preservation and expansion of their particular organisation, rather than linking up with others in the interests of working class people in general. Tutti A Bordo is taking a sensible approach and seeking to build connections between workers that will get them to walk out in support of one another, no matter what the union leaderships may wish. Port workers, air or sea, have always got lots of power. When supply-chain's appear to be under pressure, as they do at the moment, they have even more power. If people and stuff doesn't get to where it needs to be, it can have serious effects on companies and throughout the economy in general. The most successful labour dispute at Heathrow during the pandemic was the strike at BA Cargo. The Cargo workers got most of their demands met. BA workers in other departments had to accept mass redundancies and large cuts to pay and benefits. With a better organised workplace, the increased bargaining power at BA Cargo, could have been utilised for the benefit of workers at the whole company and beyond. In the current Alitalia dispute the situation is a little different in that Alitalia no longer handles cargo. Cargo services are carried out by different companies mainly through Malpensa airport, Milan. Workers in cargo have shown solidarity with the Alitalia workers but to what extent is unclear. Hopefully the collaboration can be expanded. Global supply chains seem fragile and workers should make the most of it. Another impressive worker collective is the west coast port workers organisation- Collettivo Autonomo Lavoratori Portuali. They participated in the 11th October general strike and are best known for refusing to load ships at their ports, that they discover are holding arms earmarked for use on civilians in places like Yemen and Palestine. These kind of actions are a crucial part of workers self defence and hold the promise of a transformed economy within them- workers deciding what gets to circulate the globe, not capitalists. The connections and trust built up by port and all logistics workers acts of solidarity, could be a critical part of bringing together working class people across borders. This is one of the reasons we feel it's so important to organise at Heathrow and the surrounding area. We need more workers here realising the power and agency they have to help enact the profound changes needed, to give people control of their daily lives and protect our environment from the inherent logics of capitalist production. This knowledge is empowering and should give pride and purpose to work that the bosses make boring, frustrating and often demeaning. How do we want to spend our days? "Today, most of the work we carried out, was loading planes with crap that people don't need, to make people, that probably hate us, richer…." Or "Today, to support fellow working class people on strike thousands of miles away, we refused to load a plane, while working fast and efficiently to transport essential goods for a worker run health service equally as far away….." Aviation workers can also play an important role in the battle to return our environment to health. It can appear daunting but should also be empowering. As yet, environmental concerns have not entered into the dispute at Alitalia. When we spoke with Tutti A Bordo they said that they were obviously concerned with the environment and well aware of the contradictory position climate conscious aviation workers find themselves in, but that they hadn't managed to incorporate the issue in the struggle so far. They said one of the main reasons for being against budget airlines was that they help to produce excessive polluting flights. The pandemic has shown us what the "essential" work in society is. Society carried on pretty well with only about 40% of people going to work. In aviation we've seen that lots of the air traffic is quite unnecessary and harmful. Business flights have plummeted and the temptation for airlines will be to ramp up demand for leisure travel. Unless we can begin to use our positions at work to put environmental concerns at the centre of how we run aviation, the likelihood of genuine change is slim. Another issue, external to the immediate struggle, that has made an impression on it, is the fight against the green pass (Italy's vaccine passport). Workers are expected to produce a green pass as proof they have been vaccinated or be force to pay for regular Covid tests before they can enter the workplace. Many workers are resisting the scheme, but, as it is in the UK, it appears a divisive issue. Speaking in a personal capacity, as the Tutti A Bordo collective doesn't have a unified opinion on the topic as yet, workers told us that it should be viewed as part of the general attack on the working class. That companies are using the green pass to circumvent costly health and safety measures, like social distancing and PPE. Matters are complicated by the fact that the green pass debate has drawn people into the orbit of these workers who are not very helpful when your trying to build a working class movement. Small business owners, spoilt little rich kids, conspiracy enthusiasts, and even fascist elements have all jump on the anti-green pass bandwagon. Messaging can get jumbled and direction can be lost, in such a menagerie of motivations. But situations like this can also provide opportunities for people to be exposed to a class perspective that will be helpful in future struggles. People could be brought into a battle by fears of satanic cults injecting microchips into our bloodstreams and leave with a far better understanding of how power operates in a capitalist society. Committed fascists will likely be the toughest nuts to crack and have to just be wholly rejected. The motto of the workers at Tutti A Bordo and GKN was used by resistance fighters against fascism during the war- Insorgiamo. It means "let's rise up." We should all do our best to learn from the experiences of workers in Italy and do all we can to help them. Follow them on Facebook and send them your solidarity. What other ways might we be able to help? What do you think of the situation in Italy in comparison to our situation at Heathrow? We will be following the situation closely and attempting to build support for a solidarity action here in the UK. Get in touch and get involved! Insorgiamo Heathrow!!! Facebook:- Tutti A Bordo – no al piano ITA Heathrow Workers Power Twitter:- @heathrowworkers Email:- heathrowworkers@protonmail.com Posted byangryworkers November 8, 2021 November 8, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Alitalia Meeting Summary! Public Meeting with Alitalia workers fighting job losses! Everyone on board!!! Wednesday 20th October at 7pm (BST) All over the globe, since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, bosses have been trying to push losses onto workers and capitalise on this crisis. Aviation workers at Alitalia in Italy are facing massive job losses. Base unions and worker collectives across Italy are attempting to link up different struggles, in different industries! Join us for an interesting chat with an Alitalia worker! We work in and around Heathrow and are starting a local solidarity network. What can we learn from the experience of aviation workers in Italy? How did the October 11th general strike go? And how could we support them in their efforts and link up common struggles?!!! Email:- heathrowworkers@protonmail.com Twitter:- @heathrowworkers Facebook:- Heathrow Workers Power Call or text:- 07340 082667 Posted byangryworkers October 13, 2021 October 13, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Public Meeting with Alitalia workers fighting job losses! WE SUPPORT ALITALIA WORKERS AGAINST ITA PROJECT During the last weeks the struggle of Alitalia workers against ITA project has dramatically increased. The Italian government, with the EU support, has decided to erase the Italian historical airline to start up a small airline with a few aircraft, no handling, no maintenance and not a chance to take off! A downsizing plan that has only one certainty: the layoff of thousand workers. We support this important struggle, we support Alitalia workers that during the last months crowded the streets of Rome making public the liability of Italian and European policies favoring the multinational corporation. We stand with all Alitalia employees for the removal of the Ita industrial plan and its re-definition, with their approval, of a new, concrete and public project to re-launch Alitalia, which guarantees full employment, rights and wages for all workers, also by means of a new model of Union representation, where workers can actually decide about their future. Tutti A Bordo (Everyone on board)!No Layoffs!Down with the ITA plan!We are all Alitalia! Posted byangryworkers October 6, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on WE SUPPORT ALITALIA WORKERS AGAINST ITA PROJECT Heathrow Meeting! We would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss plans for a local action group at Heathrow. When:- 7pm Thursday 16th September 2021 Where:- On Zoom How:- If you would like to attend, email us @ heathrowworkers@protonmail.com and we will send you the Zoom link. What's been happening?! Workers reliant on aviation, have been through a lot since the outbreak of the pandemic. Most have either been through a redundancy process, had their pay and conditions attacked, lost all their overtime, been on furlough or all of the above. Last year, high profile disputes broke out at British Airways (BA) and Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL). The main cause of the stand offs were the companies attempts to "fire and rehire" their staff. A practice employers have been deploying up and down the country and all over the globe. Workers would need to accept drastic cuts to their pay and conditions or be shown the door. These disputes at Heathrow ended much as those elsewhere, with the companies, more or less, getting their own way. Only BA Cargo workers, that went on strike for 9 days over the Christmas period and threatened more in January, managed get most of their demands met. The rest of the workers at BA and HAL have faced serious attacks on their terms and conditions as well as mass redundancies. However, these are just those workplaces under the spotlight. Thousands of workers in large and small, non-unionised companies, on and around the airport, have faced the same and worse. The pandemic has accelerated long-term downward trends in standards of living and working conditions. What shall we do about it?! We think we have to start locally, to build the confidence, trust and power to push back. Workers themselves need to lead the discussion about the future of their livelihoods and the planet. Are union's, that even after the pandemic still enthusiastically support a 3rd runway, the best place for these conversations? Heathrow is full of workers on different contracts, in different unions, in different departments, in different companies, but in the exact same workplace. How can we break down these barriers that keep getting in the way when workers try to combine? How do we speak to workers in non-unionised workplaces? Our group could be a focal point for militant workers to get together, seek out and offer support to non-militants, discuss their situation, devise strategies best suited to them, and then act. We would like to discuss some modest and achievable objectives to get this ball rolling. A monthly collectively produced newsletter, with reports and articles discussing workers issues in and around the airport and linking to the wider national and international scene. A monthly leafleting and postering session, to reach out to workers that need support or want to get involved. A monthly meeting to discuss the groups business and direction. Visits of support to local disputes, strikes and protests. The maintenance of Facebook and Twitter accounts. We started this project in late 2020 but Covid restrictions made it difficult to maintain momentum. We have a worker on the airport and a number of local supporters and contacts through solidarity network activity, but we are eager to get a more committed group established in the area. Come and discuss this with us. What do you think of the proposals above? What would you like to do? What would you like a local group to do? Look forward to seeing you. Posted byangryworkers September 4, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Heathrow Meeting! Highland and Islands Air Traffic Controllers Strike https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/19475495.hial-lifeline-planes-grounded-scots-air-traffic-workers-forced-strike-cuts/ Air traffic controllers at HIAL with the union Prospect finally go on strike, shutting down multiple airports, in long running dispute over planned control tower relocation and centralisation! Why has it taken so long? Is the union scared of bad media publicity? Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year with no progress, why'll the company continually pushes ahead with its plans. How can the workers patience be in question? Yet still, the Herald article above, questions the legitimacy of the strike by putting the word "forced" in scare quotes and seeks to convince readers that the workers are irresponsible by calling the flights that were cancelled by the strike, "lifeline planes." The media will never be on the workers side, no matter how obvious our "patience" is. If the boss isn't listen and we have the ability to shut the operation down, do it! How else are we going to teach the bosses, to do as they're told. Posted byangryworkers August 8, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Highland and Islands Air Traffic Controllers Strike Direct SatisfAction At Heathrow, once we've decided what we want, what actions shall we take to get it? And what can our method of action tell us about what we want? Some recent events might give us some hints. Livorno and Naples Dockworkers. Amidst the continuing atrocities against Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories, in mid-May, Italian dock workers at the Port of Livorno are refusing to load weapons destined for Israel. The workers of the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) in collaboration with the Autonomous Collective of Port Workers of Genoa and the WeaponWatch association discovered the shipment and issued a statement. Dockworkers in Naples with the S.I.Cobas union also stated their determination to refuse to load military shipments destined for Israel, should they discover them. These actions aren't totally spontaneous, but the result of ongoing organising work. Dockworkers in Genoa did the same in solidarity against the slaughter in Yemen with a shipment destined for Saudi Arabia back in 2019. After that action, Weapon Watch was established – a research group monitoring arms traffic in European and Mediterranean ports. In this region of Italy, links have been formed between researchers, autonomous worker collectives and base unions, to create situations where actions to defend working class people thousands of miles away are possible. Scaled up, these could be perceived as the embryonic rudiments of a counter-power capable of taking on nation-states and transnational corporations. Refusing to do something you are contractually obligated to carry out isn't allowed. But companies have limited options if the workers have unity, as the examples above show. It becomes not so much about whether something is legal or illegal but what power do workers have at work? What is the cost for bosses if they steamroller something through? Teachers in Chicago went on wildcat strikes a few years ago and even though they were thoroughly illegal, they had enough power to get their demands met nevertheless. This is especially interesting for us as workers at Heathrow – a major logistics hub. Heathrow was already Britain's largest port by value. The pandemic has seen demand for freight increase, even judged against pre-Covid levels. February 2021 saw a 9% increase on 2019 levels of freight. Companies are keeping less stock meaning they need to quickly order bits in when they run out; manufacturing in general is holding up quite well, and the pandemic is disrupting supply chains causing delivery delays, which prompts companies to opt for air transport, which is quicker. Added to this is huge quantities of PPE flown in since the beginning of the crisis. With passenger numbers likely to be uncertain in the near future and cargo proven more reliable and profitable in these troubled times, companies are likely to adjust their infrastructure and business models to accommodate it. Emirates adapting a huge double decker A380 into a cargo plane is a sign of this trend. This all means that, like dockworkers on the west coast of Italy, as Heathrow workers, we have a significant effect on global trade and power relations. Us workers have enormous potential power to wield, if we choose and make steps to use it. The relative success of the BA Cargo strike late last year shows that BA management were willing to make greater concessions to their cargo division than the other departments. The question is how to use it to link up to other groups of Heathrow workers, who may not wield so much direct power (e.g. cleaners), but who are vital parts of the Heathrow machine. Organised port workers studying their own situation and realising the power they have, can improve their living standards, support workers elsewhere to do the same and contribute to the development of a broader discussion and understanding about aviation, global trade, the environment, human emancipation and the conflicting relationships between them. They can also offer direct, practical solidarity to their brothers and sisters overseas in their struggles, as the recent cases with Palestinians show. Glasgow Immigration Raid On the 2nd May, a crowd gathered in Kenmure Street, Glasgow in reaction to a dawn raid by immigration officials. Officials barged into the top-floor flat of the two men who have reportedly lived in the area for 10 years and work as a mechanic and chef. The men, originally from India, were loaded into a van to be taken to a detention centre because of "suspected immigration offences." The crowd prevented the vehicle from leaving by the sheer weight of their numbers. After a nine hour stand off, the two men were released and escorted to a local Gurdwara for protection. What started off as a few people with signs making phone calls soon turned into a crowd of hundreds. The protest didn't exactly come out of nowhere. Tensions within the local community surrounding asylum issues have been escalating over the years and the community has been organising. The No Evictions and Anti-Raids networks have been active in raising awareness and attempting to disrupt Immigration Enforcement operations. That said, unless many members of the local community not linked to those groups had come out and refused to allow the abduction of their neighbour, they wouldn't have achieved what they achieved. It was an amazing display of solidarity. It shows that people have considerable power to dictate the course of events, when they act together. It is clearly "illegal" to completely block the transportation of someone that Immigration Enforcement have earmarked for detention. But after watching the footage of the event, it's hard not to conclude that with enough social force, the law begins to become pretty inconsequential. The roar of collective joy released when the men emerge from the back of the van is spine tingling. A healthy ripple of jealousy should reverberate through those of us that weren't lucky enough to be involved. It should spur our efforts to cultivate the kind of environment in which these actions are more common and the exhilaration of overcoming the authorities, more widely dispersed. The Home Office has not given up and have said they're committed to prosecuting the case. But they have been given a bloody nose and the community will have grown in confidence. Again, Heathrow potentially has a quite significant role to play in all this. With deportation flights leaving from Heathrow and Europe's largest detention centres on our doorstep, workers here are ideally placed to intervene. The so-called "hostile environment" is being turbocharged under the stewardship of Priti Patel. The poor conditions at detention centres (not that we would find good detention conditions acceptable), the dawn raids outlined above, and the Home Office's dodging of due process in asylum cases, is causing a massive amount of unnecessary suffering. The stated purpose is to discourage 'illegal' immigrants. The often implied purpose is the racist scapegoating of migrants that "drive down "our" wages," while simultaneously stealing all "our" jobs and claiming all "our" benefits. Recent reports of labour shortages due to Covid, Brexit and the hostile environment, which may lead to an increase in wages, will obviously cause problems for employers, eager for available workers to make them profits, but will play well politically for the UK's ruling elite. The Conservatives and their media mouthpieces will spin a narrative, using increasing wages to justify the restrictions to immigration. Some workers will agree and reason that they have things hard enough and that they don't need any extra competition from migrants. While this might be true in the short-term, this view fails to see the mutual interest all workers have in fighting together for improved living standards and control of our workplaces and communities. The rich can move their money wherever the labour is cheapest. If our wages get too high for the capitalists to stomach, they can migrate elsewhere. How does it benefit us to pretend that throwing up "our" borders solves anything? The system is so sick and perverse that it punishes us for improving our lot. Either through inflation, benefit cuts, improved technology or offshoring, the gains we make can be taken away from us in an endless cycle. Escaping this loop though needs a longer-term perspective and a realisation that the power of today's rich resides in their ability to blackmail workers and even nation-states, with taking their investments elsewhere. Workers' response should be global in outlook and pay no respect to borders that benefit the ruling class at the expense of our fellow workers abroad. But when things seem hopeless, it's easy to see that people look after themselves first and foremost. This is even more so when we see how many workers have, for the most part, been on the defensive for a good many years now, the attempts to to fight 'fire and rehire' strategies from management being the most recent example. Aviation workers everywhere have significant power to challenge the dominant border regimes – if we coordinate our efforts. If we refuse to deport people, they can't be deported. If we blockade detention centres, people can't be detained. Much like the Italian dockworkers, it's possible to conceive of a collaboration at Heathrow, between research/campaign groups like Detention Action, autonomous workers collectives like our own, and more militant unions leading to actions that help to destroy the "hostile" environment and create a much better one. Workers can come up with alternatives to the global Hunger Games we are expected to fight in. And have the power to bring them about. Old Trafford Pitch Invasion 2nd May 2021 saw the first ever protest induced postponement of a Premier League football match in history. The scheduled Manchester United home fixture against Liverpool was abandoned after Manchester fans broke into the ground and occupied the pitch. Fans lit fireworks and flares and held banners and placards calling for the club owners (Billionaire businessmen Glazer brothers) to "fuck off." The protest wasn't entirely peaceful. Fans showed a large amount of commitment and dedication to entering the stadium. Police reported (to the extent that we can believe them) that six officers were injured in the protests, with one sustaining a fractured eye socket. The cause of the protests was anger against club owners and (their now aborted) proposals for a new European Super League (ESL). The league's announcement at 11pm on 18 April, to accommodate US audiences, was accompanied by rising share prices and jubilant advertisers. ESL operations were suspended three days after its founding due to a furious backlash from national football governing bodies, pundits, players and fans. Some fans are continuing the protests in an effort to get their clubs under new ownership. The Old Trafford pitch invasion was part of that effort. It has been interesting to watch football legends turned pundits debate societal values and capitalism in their pre-match discussions. The whole affair has foregrounded debates about the state of our economic system and the trajectory of our society in general, more than most issues today. What the ESL proposed for football was, in many ways, another example of what has been happening in advanced economies for decades – the offshoring of production. While ticket sales, merchandise and TV subscriptions still contribute a significant amount of income for clubs, like so many industries, the real money comes from advertising. When an industry is dominated by an advertising revenue model, the product is not this or that widget, but the eyes watching the screen. The products are the fans watching the match, the consumers are advertisers. The greater the number of eyes on the match, the more you can demand for your advertising space. Advertisers also want the viewers with the fattest wallets watching. No point advertising your high-end products or your gambling website to people with no money! This is partly the rationale behind the ever-increasing season ticket prices and the disgusting amount of atmosphere-destroying corporate boxes, full of hob-knobbing company boot-lickers separated from the hoi polloi and not watching the match. Corporations, and the wealthy elite that run them, don't want informed, secure and empowered members of a community. They want ill-informed, insecure, impotent and isolated individuals – so they're easier to rip off. Advertisers see the pitch as a distraction from the billboards and the match is the interlude before the important bit: the adverts. The fans' love and sense of connection to the clubs (that are now transnational corporations) is the unpaid labour that fuels this industry. Under this model football's historic ties to working class communities are being shattered. The orchestrators of the ESL were attempting to expand the scale of this market to other continents and increase their share of the existing revenue stream by setting themselves up as an elite league. The terrible job the would-be ESL owners made in pitching the proposals exposes their level of detachment. It's pretty clear they have no idea what the fans of their clubs are thinking – and don't care. The backlash from fans, players and pundits was intense, but may not have been the major factor in getting the ESL suspended. The national governing bodies were obviously incensed and made various threats. There is a plausible theory that the ESL clubs were merely making a power play in an attempt to get a better deal from their respective governing bodies, UEFA and FIFA. Whatever the case may be, fans are now looking for solutions and contemplating actions. Many fans are wondering whether fan ownership is the answer. The refusal of the German clubs, that traditionally have far more fan ownership than in the UK, to participate in the ESL seems to support this view. Other fans, like those at Arsenal, drawn in by promises of "fan representation,"are pinning their hopes on a supposedly more benevolent billionaire, Spotify owner Daniel Ek and a consortium of team legends to save their club. Fans have been discussing how they might link up with other fans across borders to press their interests. Reports of Barcelona fans kicking off were welcomed and debated. Some form of fan ownership may be a step in the right direction, but if fans really want to revive the feeling of attachment and local community that they expect from their involvement, questioning the capitalist's system that drags their beloved game and everything else of value into the gutter, is essential. If football remains beholden to advertisers, fan-owned clubs will be subject to the same pressures and imperatives as big money owned clubs and degenerate just as surely. The profit motive is noxious and corrupting. A major consequence of the direct action at Old Trafford was that a day after the protest, and following other protests across the country, the Premier League announced plans to bring in a new owners' charter, which would prevent football club owners from forming future breakaway leagues, as well as introducing further restrictions and tougher penalties for non-compliance. More importantly on 8 May, UK retail and technology company The Hut Group pulled out of a £200 million sponsorship deal with the club due to the protests. Is this such a bad thing given all of the above? It depends on what you want. When it comes to football, it is amazing and frustrating in equal measure to see fellow workers speaking with such erudition and acting with such conviction. We have incredible knowledge about the ins and outs of the entire process and have complete confidence that we are capable of doing just as good a job as those at the top. "I can play better than that idiot," "the manager's dog shit, he should use these tactics." We make these assertions even though they are almost never true for premier league clubs (most top flight players and managers didn't get to where they are by being crap at what they do) and even though we have almost no influence over the course of events. Why don't we think like this when it comes to something we genuinely do know about and have influence over? – Our work!! If we spent half the time we spend on pondering a tactical decision at a match we can't influence, in thinking about the way we want our daily lives to be run, we would be well on our way to solving a great many problems in our society! Direct action could be defined as the use of one's own power to achieve a political/economic end, as opposed to solutions that appeal to authorities for help. On this very narrow definition alone, it should be clear why direct action is preferable to all other forms of political engagement. If we have the power to effect a desired change, why would we appeal to authority to do it on our behalf? But do we have the power? 250 years ago, in his essay, 'Of the First Principles of Government', David Hume addressed the paradox that, "Nothing appears more surprising to those who consider human affairs….. than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few, and the implicit submission with which men (sic) resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find that, as force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is, therefore, on opinion only, that government is founded, and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular." If we take Hume's comment on face value, it would imply that all we need to do is change our 'opinions'; for us to realise that actually, it is us that have the power and we just need to stop accepting the state or bosses' control over us. But if it were this simple, I'm sure we'd have told the bosses to fuck off by now! So what's missing? We think that material conditions – mainly an economic system that forces us to relate to one another and our wider environment in a competitive and exploitative way – help form our opinions. They also prevent or discourage the development of opinions and the acquisition of knowledge that might challenge the dominant power structures in our society. So how do we overcome these structures, whose very purpose is to keep us disciplined and feeling powerless? Unlike reading an essay by some old Tory philosopher, we think direct action can more concretely, change our social relations, and therefore our 'opinions'. The act of using our own powers to achieve our objectives, has the effect of affirming and expanding those powers and altering our perception and consciousness of their scope and application. Phone:- Posted byangryworkers May 31, 2021 May 31, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Direct SatisfAction HWP5Download What's been going on?! If you've been a worker at Heathrow over the last year, chances are, you've either been through a redundancy process, seen your pay and conditions attacked, lost all your overtime, been on furlough, or all of the above. It has been a unique experience. Previous aviation crises, like the fallout from the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and the financial crisis of 2008, while severe, are dwarfed by the sheer scale of the current disruption. It has been draining, both emotionally and financially. As is the case with situations like this, we have seen the best and the worst of people. We tend to show our true colours when faced with this level of adversity. We've witnessed workmates throw others under the bus to save their own jobs, bullying, harassment and snivelling to management of the highest order. But, many people have shown a lot of courage and decency. Workers have been striking to protect their colleagues' pay and conditions, volunteering for redundancy to help save their friends' jobs (even though we shouldn't need to), challenging management and insisting that scarce work and overtime be dished out fairly. Our issues are obviously not confined to Heathrow. They are replicated throughout the country and all over the globe. Workers have been resisting in various ways with varying degrees of success. How are things panning out? And what can we learn? March 2021 saw an escalation of the long running dispute at Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL). HAL's "fire and rehire" plans, announced last summer, have been subject to ongoing strike action from fire fighters, security and engineers since December 2020. Strike tactics The strikes until now, (9 in total) have been no more than one or two days in length. In an apparent attempt to up the ante, Unite, the union representing HAL workers, threatened a month of targeted actions in April. 41 actions spread over 23 days. Unite had adjusted their tactics in February and March, opting for short 4-hour strikes. This was intended to limit the loss of pay for staff and to make it harder for HAL to get scabs in to cover the work. HAL reacted by insisting that if a worker was on strike at any point in the shift, they would lose pay for the entire shift. It looks as though the companies stance had an effect, as Unite changed tack again for the proposed April strikes, opting for full shift walkouts. Sections within Fire, Campus Security and Engineering would each alternate strike actions throughout April. Reasoning seemed to be that, if the company wasn't going to pay staff the whole shift, they might as well strike for the whole shift. Why a total workforce walk out wasn't preferable or possible isn't clear. On 1st April, the planned strikes were cancelled. We were told that a pay offer negotiated between HAL and Unite would be presented to the members to vote on. Ballots have now been sent out, and Unite is recommending that the workforce accepts the deal. The pay offer has not been hailed as a major victory in the customary way that most of these compromise deals are. This may be because the details of the proposal don't address the major causes of the dispute. The "fire and rehire" plans left many staff facing 20% pay cuts, the removal of incremental pay increases for long service and abatement clauses (clauses that make redundancy more expensive for the company) from their contracts, along with other reductions in benefits. The deal leaves these issues unresolved and instead offers conditional pay rises of 2.5% in 2022 and 2023. The pay rises are dependent on annual passenger numbers being above 60 million. While this was certainly achievable before the pandemic (passenger numbers have been above 60 million for the last two decades), the continuing uncertainty concerning air travel – variants, vaccine passports, red list restrictions etc.- now makes this passenger level difficult to achieve. Last year, Heathrow saw just 22.1 million passengers. The linking of pay increases to passenger numbers also sets an unhealthy precedent for aviation workers. Our living costs don't go down if our company is doing badly, do they?! And being employed in a polluting industry, that is detrimental to the physical and environmental health of our community, is enough of a contradiction, without directly linking our standard of living to passenger numbers. It could erect further barriers to the necessary transition away from ever increasing passenger numbers and airport expansions. Leaving that aside, if the required passenger levels are achieved and staff get the total 5% by 2023, a substantial portion of the workforce will still be on inferior contracts and be 15% poorer without adjusting for inflation. If the passenger numbers aren't achieved no one gets anything. There appears to be some dissatisfaction with the offer, but other workers we've spoken to seem convinced this is the best deal available. Whatever the outcome, the fact will be that a company has once again managed to successfully downgrade contracts at one of the most densely unionised workplaces in the country. How have they managed to do this? Is it just a simple matter of workers not having the bargaining power to sufficiently fightback during a pandemic? The fall in demand for air travel is a major problem, but not the whole story. The same patterns have played out at numerous other UK workplaces. Workers at British Gas, ESS catering and cleaning staff at the MoD, porters at NHS trusts, Go North West bus drivers and many others, have all faced attacks on contracts, by companies with flimsy or non-existent economic justifications. If working people at unionised and profitable companies are still unable to resist assaults on their contracts, obviously something deeper is happening. The issues internal to the disputes are very similar. Strike ballots take too long, causing anger to dissipate and giving companies time to prepare for any eventual actions. In the long period leading up to the moment when workers can finally legally strike, we need to be applying pressure in whatever ways possible. These efforts can often be constrained by unions obsessed with presenting themselves as "reasonable" during negotiations. Unless workers have forums in which to discuss these issues, outside the unions, we'll keep repeating this mistake. Picket lines are too small and isolated to be the effective campaign tools they are intended to be. At many workplaces (British Gas, Go North West, HAL, British Airways etc.) sizeable chunks of the workforce voted to accept the companies terms earlier in the disputes, leaving the remaining workforce out on the proverbial limb. Disputes remain largely isolated within their companies. Solidarity between companies or even departments is rare. For example, NHS workers are mobilising in opposition to the insulting 1% pay offer in England and Wales and 4% in Scotland they received in March. But already, Unison has unilaterally recommended the offer of 4% to workers in Scotland. This undermines their own demands for a £2000 uplift, stabs unions still fighting for 15% in the back, and scuppers the chances of a unified cross-border response. Companies have been able to cover the work of strikers and this hasn't been effectively challenged throughout the recent disputes. Go North West are openly running a scab bus service that is undermining the ongoing strike action in Manchester. There is footage of workers attempting to disrupt the scab service. Unfortunately, the low number of workers involved makes it difficult, especially when, either scabs or hired goons come out of the garage and start assaulting the picketers. And while Unite's main efforts are confined to asking Mayor of Manchester, Andy "King of the North" Burnham, to denounce the company and lobby parliament to get "fire and rehire" banned, escalation of efforts to stop the scab bus service has been neglected. On May 3rd, a well attended May Day demonstration was organised by Manchester Trades Council and marched to the bus garage on the Queen's Road in Cheetham's Hill. Hopefully efforts like this are applying pressure on company. The lead banner at the demo and the speeches at the rally emphasised the importance of outlawing "fire and rehire." A great deal of noise is being made about banning "fire and rehire," without enough discussion about whether this will be sufficient or even effective. On the 26th April, Unite launched a national campaign to end "fire and rehire." Ongoing strikes at software company Goodlord, Go North West and Fife Council were coordinated and demonstrations held at various locations. The campaign has started with the usual photo ops with MP's and the union top brass. Some demonstrations were targeted at company subsidiaries. The online launch material contained quotes from MP's denouncing "fire and rehire" in parliament. One such quote was from the Right Honourable protector of the working class, Jacob Rees-Mogg. This law is unlikely to be a crushing defeat for the rich and powerful if MP's of this variety are willing to pass it. Even if a law is passed, unless workers have the unity and therefore the power, to resist the companies will obviously find a way round these legal measures. We can see an example with aviation workers at WISAG in Germany, who were recently the victims of a "fire and rehire" scheme. In order to keep their jobs at Frankfurt Airport, they were made to apply for their jobs at "another company," which just so happened to be a subsidiary of WISAG. So what are our options in a stressful time when things move quickly and often behind closed doors? Well, we have to be prepared by studying how these things go, and be ready to capitalise on opportunities that will make us stronger. During the HAL dispute, at least two obvious opportunities for cross company collaboration at Heathrow arose, that a more confident and organised working class may have capitalised on. Unite members at British Airways Cargo in their own "fire and rehire" dispute and Passport Control staff with the PCS union, battling an unworkable roster change, both voted to strike at the same time as HAL workers had their strike mandate running. British Airways and Passport Control staff both reached agreement with their employers before, and separately from, the HAL workers. It's not easy to build the sense of support and solidarity necessary to combine these kinds of dispute, but it has happened before, and can happen again. And in Neuquen, Argentina it's happening right now. The British Airways Cargo strike, over the Christmas period 2020, was probably the most effective recent action at Heathrow. That action, which took place in relatively favourable conditions for the workforce (Cargo division still profitable, widespread port disruptions, 90% plus staff walk out, busy Christmas period etc.), still resulted in a deal that didn't safeguard the workforce's conditions in their entirety. The outcome was considerably better than if they'd of done nothing, but still ground was given, because the wider BA workforce had already done departmental deals, isolating the action. Divisions amongst the Cargo workers to do with qualitatively different contracts and work roles between newer and older staff, as it often does on the airport, limited the likelihood of escalating the dispute. Parliament won't save us. Businesses will find a way to drive down our conditions for as long as we fail to unite in opposition against them, directly in our workplaces and communities. The time, money and resources wasted lobbying politicians and courting a media that doesn't care, could be better deployed in direct action, to forcibly block the companies scab operations and stage pickets, blockades and demonstrations that hit the companies where it hurts. London Bus Driver Disputes Hounslow Heath bus drivers to the rescue! The recent London bus strikes are another example of these familiar dynamics playing out. Bus drivers at three subsidiaries (London United, London Sovereign and Quality Line) of the same parent company (RATP) began challenging their company's derisive pay offers (as low as 0.5%) at the same time. Ballots were called and strikes began in February. In late March, Unite suspended strikes at London Sovereign and Quality Line garages. The revised pay offers were meagre increases of 0.25%. The offers were at first rejected by some garages, but after further talk and suspended strikes, the pay offers were reluctantly accepted by relatively narrow margins at the two subsidiaries. Unite's decision to bargain with the subsidiaries separately had left the drivers at London United striking alone, as their company was refusing to improve the 0.5% offer. The London United action was given a welcome boost when the original five garages, including Hounslow and Park Royal, were joined by Hounslow Heath and Stamford Brook garages, after they voted to strike in early April. On 25 April, the scheduled London United strikes were suspended, while details of a new offer are finalised. Another 4,000 London bus drivers are currently considering strike action over Metroline's "remote sign-on" plans. "Remote sign-on" is a blatant attempt to casualise the bus drivers. Drivers won't be expected to report to a garage at the start of their shift, but instead Metroline will require drivers to report to particular stops at designated times. The Go North West bus drivers are facing the same changes and drivers everywhere will eventually be affected. Heathrow Parking Charges The GMB has started a campaign against increases to parking charges at Heathrow. On top of the removal of free local bus services late last year, staff can now expect increases of 135% for the pleasure of parking at work, as HAL looks to pass more of the cost of the pandemic onto low paid workers. The GMB have started a petition for free staff parking at Heathrow. News elsewhere! British Gas blowout – more thoughts on the media After 3 months of strike action, the British Gas dispute ended in defeat on 14th April with hundreds of engineers being sacked. Last summer, workers there were informed that they would lose their jobs if they failed to accept detrimental changes to their contracts. Engineers with the GMB voted twice to reject the new terms. At the same time, British Gas office staff with Unison, under recommendation from their union, voted to accept the changes. This decision hampered workers' efforts from the outset. A full company walkout would obviously have been preferable. A recent Tribune article, written by an Engineer sacked for not accepting the new terms, is well worth a read. The writer points to a GMB survey in mid-February to determine whether members were happy to suspend strikes for 4 days to allow time for talks – a blatant and common delay tactic from management. Members voted to suspend the strikes, while "fire and rehire" was still on the table. The writer justifiably believes this was a big mistake. Unions continually suspend and delay industrial action citing concerns about negative media coverage. Although he voted against the suspension, he relayed worries about the company using a rejection of talks to whip up bad media coverage against the strikers. He believed Covid restrictions to be the most significant barrier to escalating the dispute. This, he says, prevented the engineers from holding mass demonstrations and gaining the required media coverage needed to pressure the company. Taking for granted for a moment that increased media coverage is a useful primary goal when contemplating tactics, we could ask if the mass demonstrations were really made impossible by the Covid restrictions? Especially when the British Gas engineers had a lot of latent support from those that were aware of the situation – a profitable company blatantly taking advantage of the crisis to increase profit. Recent Black Lives Matter protests, Kill the Bill demos and electricians actions against deskilling, have shown that actions can be carried out relatively safely (until the police get involved) and gain a fair amount of public support. The lack of coverage, we are told, should be a "mark of shame" for the media. The coverage they did receive was littered with inaccuracies and falsehoods. The worries highlighted by the engineer surrounding the suspension survey and his belief in the pivotal nature of media coverage in the escalation of the dispute, expresses the dominant understanding of struggles within much of today's labour movement. If we keep expecting favours from the media, we are going to keep barking up the wrong tree. The scarce and inaccurate coverage of workers issues is hardwired into the corporate media's operating model, not a "mark of shame." Unsurprisingly, media corporations show a great deal of class solidarity when their fellow corporations are under the spotlight. As with all of society's institutions the explanation for this is complex, but an obvious and primary reason is that media owners hire editors that reflect their values, causing the principles they hold dear to filter down through the organisation. Unless we develop a systemic understanding of the media industry, as being diametrically opposed to our interests, our tactics will continue to be deficient. We waste time courting the powerful, when we should be speaking to each other. Using our precious time to foster relationships of mutual aid and support. From there we can develop tactics that target the company's finances and operations, not just their reputations. The engineer lucidly articulates this, when making sense of the defeat and trying to learn lessons for the future, he states that: "If I had one piece of advice to give to striking workers, it would be to recognise your colleagues……If someone goes above and beyond like speaking at a rally or going on the TV, let them know they did a good job; if your shop steward has been having a hellish time of it, make it known that you appreciate what they're putting in; and if a colleague is keeping quiet, try to get them to open up. A little goes a long way." Manchester Airports Group Unite have made an agreement for staff at Manchester Airport Group (MAG) that they are hailing as a benchmark deal for the aviation industry. Under the agreement, workers who are not required for work will receive 80% of their full pay (which is applicable regardless of any government support through the Job Retention Scheme). Workers who are in work for up to 85% of their normal hours will receive 90% of their full pay and those who are working for 85% and above of their normal hours will receive 100% of their pay. A fair share arrangement has also been established to ensure that work is shared out on an equitable footing and an oversight committee has been installed to ensure that the agreement is effectively implemented. Unite members accepted the agreement with an 85% yes vote in favour and members of Prospect and Unison have also accepted the agreement. MAG staff have already paid a huge price during the pandemic. 465 directly employed staff have been made redundant, plus another 1500 contractors at the airports (800 from Swissport and 300 from Menzies) and a 10% pay cut across the board since the beginning of the crisis. This agreement continues on with those pay cuts. Surely these workers have given enough already? Missoula, USA Non-union airport workers in Missoula, Montana, USA staged a walkout against the poverty wages at their workplace. $9.65! That is £6.93 at the current exchange rate! The company, Unifi, claim they had no problem getting management scabs to cover their work. The ground handling and ramp workers were isolated and have now been fired. They showed a lot of dignity and courage walking off the job. It is possible to carry out actions without the union, but if there was a plan or strategy with this walkout, something went very wrong with it. The strikers have since got new jobs at Alaska Airlines on over $12 and through protest have drawn the attention of the Missoula County Commissioner who has written a letter of "dismay" to Unifi. New York and New Jersey, USA Airport workers with the SEIU union at New York and New Jersey airports are striking and demonstrating for a decent healthcare package and no givebacks. (Whatever givebacks are?!) The WISAG workers fired from their jobs for refusing to accept the inferior contracts continue their fight for justice. They are staging noisy demonstrations at airports and state buildings most weeks. We have sent a message of solidarity and support. We stated that we would like to help them more practically and that we hoped to speak with them to see how we might help them further. Optimism over Despair We regularly hear our friends, family and workmates saying "nothing can be done," "there isn't any money" and "the countries bankrupt." Even the partial belief in these assertions, serve to seriously temper our ideas of what is possible. Unions' calls for government support sometimes play into these misconceptions. During the pandemic, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were asking for loans to the aviation companies their members work at, for the air passenger duty to be suspended, and stated that workers are "pleading" for support from government This encourages the perspective that most aviation companies haven't already got the finance to see them through the crisis (which they have!), that an increase in passenger numbers is desirable at this time (which it probably isn't!) and that workers, at one of the world's most important transport hubs and one of Europe's most active cargo ports, are powerless (which we are not!). We need organisations in which we can productively channel our anger, not institutions through which we can express our collective inferiority. Even in times of crisis, such as these, we have the collective strength to demand a great deal more than loans and tax cuts for the companies we work at. Our societies have more than enough physical and intellectual wealth to provide for our needs, but the organising of our daily lives through the profit motive, restricts our ability to take control of our lives and the industries that sustain them. We can try to move unions in a more radical and militant direction, but we can't rely on them to do our fighting for us and we need to be prepared to act without them, when necessary. Many of us don't trust the unions, not just because of our terrible and biased media, but often because of genuine experiences of betrayal and abandonment in the past. Most of us are smart enough to not trust the government or the corporate executives they largely serve. Daily, the gap between the rich and the rest of us becomes more obscene, our governments become less accountable, as individuals we become more isolated, monitored and subject to surveillance. In our communities we become more cut off from each other and our environment. Trust in one another will be key if we are going to be able to start pushing back against these trends. We need to start again. Build up the material and emotional support, needed for us to flourish as individuals. With the strength to make our own demands and eventually control our own daily lives. Let's look forward to a future with no more pleading with the government for handouts, no more top-down union drives, no more divide and rule and lots more community and freedom. Posted byangryworkers May 5, 2021 May 5, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Heathrow Workers' Newsletter No.5 The WISAG ground workers maintained their hunger strike at Terminal 1 of Rhein-Main Airport for eight days before they had to break it off on the evening of March 3. Before that several hunger strikers had collapsed since Sunday. The workers have temporarily suspended their action, "exclusively for health reasons," as they say. The ground workers are fighting against 230 dismissals, increasing exploitation and low wages. They have not capitulated, but on the contrary want to expand the struggle. In a courageous appeal published today by the World Socialist Web Site, they say: "Workers everywhere are facing very similar problems. We must fight together! (…) We, the workers, are 'essential', without us society does not function. We say: Life before profits! The health and well-being of the workers are more important than the profits of the financial oligarchy." The first day of the hunger strike at Rhein-Main Airport (WSWS) The industrial action at WISAG illustrates the problems facing workers in microcosm. Thirty years ago, if you had a job at the airport, you were set for life. Such jobs were part of the public sector, reasonably paid, with guaranteed employment and a company pension, Christmas bonuses and holiday pay. Job security was a priority in every respect. Today, the dream job has turned into a nightmare. WISAG is just one of the companies using the pandemic as an excuse to systematically cut jobs at the airport and destroy workers' rights. At airport operator Fraport, 4,000 jobs out of 22,000 in Frankfurt am Main are to be cut, allegedly "due to coronavirus." At Lufthansa, 30,000 jobs have already been destroyed worldwide, and another 10,000 are to follow. Lufthansa has received 9 billion euros in "coronavirus aid" from the state. WISAG itself has already laid off 350 ground workers in Berlin last summer. The pandemic is only the trigger. Corporations and banks are using the opportunity to implement long desired plans for destroying jobs and important achievements and get rid of workers with seniority. This is exemplified by WISAG. In 2018, the WISAG holding company used a court case to boot out the previous ground services provider, Acciona, at Frankfurt Airport and take over its concessions. Company owner Claus Wisser personally guaranteed all employees at the time that their rights would be fully protected as part of the transfer of operations. "At the time, we didn't know that it was all a sham," says Rene, one of the hunger strikers, "and that WISAG was just trying to prevent possible strikes." Almost immediately after the takeover, the company started to put pressure on older workers in order to get rid of them. Often they were forced to take on jobs that were not even in their contract. The teams working at the aircraft were understaffed and loadmasters were forced to work as loaders and baggage drivers, for example. Those who resisted were threatened with dismissal. The tone was set by Michael Dietrich, the newly hired managing director, "a man who walks over corpses," as WISAG workers say. What Dietrich says is the law, whether it complies with regulations and safety rules or not. Temporary workers are put to work on planes without professional training. One worker reports, "As a result, there were many accidents and damage. One worker was even blown 4 to 5 metres in the air because he got behind a running engine. But Fraport and WISAG covered it all up." The pandemic opened up previously undreamed-of possibilities for management. Immediately, WISAG officially introduced short-time working, which means workers' wages are paid by the employment office, but only at 60 percent, so they suffer considerable wage losses. At the same time, however, operations in the cargo division continue. While passenger numbers have plummeted, there is intense activity around the clock between the planes and cargo halls. The transport of food, relief supplies, medicines etc. has not stopped. After all, supply chains must be maintained to provide parts to industries that have not been closed down during the whole pandemic. As a result, some have had to work overtime. "People worked 160 to 200 hours," says Benli, a worker whom WISAG dismissed after 37 years' service. "In fact, 40 to 50 planes were dispatched every day. And now, in March, there are significantly more." Even when colleagues fell ill with coronavirus, not even their closest team members were sent into quarantine. The company's response was cover-up instead of contact tracing—a situation that can lead to disaster in an outbreak with a highly contagious strain of the virus. Then on December 17, just a week before Christmas, a total of 230 workers received notice of dismissal "in the most brazen way." They were offered about 4,000 Euros severance pay for 20 years' service. Workers were coerced into signing severance agreements and re-employed at another WISAG subsidiary at minimum wage, giving up all their acquired rights, with a fixed-term contract and on the condition that they could be deployed throughout Germany. Still other workers had their terms and conditions changed. Thirty-one airport bus drivers were forced to switch to the brand new subsidiary City Bus. This company is one of more than 300 corporate constructs that WISAG has set up, hidden or open, to depress wages and break contracts. Those who refused the offer were dismissed and their pay stopped from October 2020. This is what the "unavoidable dismissals" look like, about which company chief Michael C. Wisser wrote in his most recent letter to his "dear colleagues." The sackings were "by no means easy," he said. The trade union Verdi also claims to have known "nothing at all" until the end of January. The hunger strike has also shone a glaring light on the role of the so-called "workers' representatives"—the large service union Verdi and the works council. As the hunger strikers' statement says: "Our struggle has not been supported by Verdi officials, nor by the works council." That is why more than a hundred WISAG workers have left Verdi and become members of the smaller sectoral union IG Luftfahrt (IGL). However, the latter shares the same perspective as Verdi, with which it professes to want to cooperate. The IGL is trying to use the workers' protests to put pressure on the Wisser family, one of the 300 richest families in Germany, to convince them of the need for a "crisis collective agreement"—the cost of which will ultimately have to be paid by the workers! The workers are rightly turning to their colleagues at other WISAG sites, at airports and throughout the industry, because they are their only reliable allies. The increasingly brutal attacks can only be repelled and reversed through an independently organised joint struggle. What is needed is a fight at the political level. As one WISAG worker wrote on Facebook, "Since there are probably Verdi people on the WISAG board, and Claus Wisser has also donated a lot of money to parties, especially to the SPD [Social Democrats], the politicians are dumb and blind as far as what's happening at WISAG is concerned." The WISAG workers were on hunger strike for eight days, but no parliamentary group in the Hesse state parliament, in Frankfurt City Hall or in the Bundestag (federal parliament) even looked at what was happening. The Wisser family is well networked and connected with high-ranking politicians, such as the Hesse state Minister of Economics and Transport, Tarek Al-Wazir (Green Party), who actively promoted WISAG's entry into the airport. The local and regional press has kept silent about the hunger strike. Apart from very brief reports once in the Bil d and twice on broadcaster RTL, there was literally nothing, neither in the Frankfurter Rundschau, the FNP, the Offenbach Post, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung nor in the Hessenschau. This clearly shows that the freedom of the press is really degenerating into mere court reporting in the service of the capitalists. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/03/10/wisa-m10.html Posted byangryworkers March 10, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on WISAG ground workers at Frankfurt Airport call for expanded struggle Staff employed by OCS, a facilities company contracted by the airport, are facing compulsory redundancy. It is due to the downturn in traffic at the airport, which means the facilities staff are no longer required. "The workers are angry. They're not going down without a fight," Tony Carroll, Aviation Officer with trade union SIPTU said. A meeting this morning with OCS will dictate whether SIPTU ballots for strike action. OCS, an international facilities management company, once employed 20 people to work in wheelchair assistance. That number dropped to six, and now the company wants to make three more compulsory redundancies, Mr Carroll said. "The minimum number required when airport traffic picks up a bit again is six people," he said. "Why make these people redundant if they will just have to hire them again in a couple of months?" The employees have offered to be temporarily laid off while Cork Airport continues to operate on reduced capacity due to Covid, but Mr Carroll said that this offer has not been entertained. "There's no logical reason to make them redundant when they're willing to be laid off and wait until work picks up again," he said. A strike could bring the airport to a standstill, he said, as the majority of workers there are SIPTU members. "If we picket Cork Airport, SIPTU members won't pass the picket. And if SIPTU workers won't pass it, and if airport police and the fire service won't pass the picket, then the airport can't operate." Passengers and flights through Cork airport plunged by 99.5% in February. Solidarity TD Mick Barry hit out at OCS and said he will raise the matter in the Dáil. OCS was contacted for comment. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40240667.html Posted byangryworkers March 10, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Support staff at Cork Airport consider industrial action over redundancies Heathrow Solidarity Network , Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Home Stocks Down 50% from Highs, Veeva Stock (NYSE:VEEV) Looks Enticing Down 50% from Highs, Veeva Stock (NYSE:VEEV) Looks Enticing Veeva Systems (NYSE:VEEV) stock has suffered a more than 50% haircut since peaking back in the middle of 2021. The niche cloud software company serves clients in the life sciences industry with hit products such as Veeva CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and Veeva Vault. Like most other niche software plays that heated up in 2020-21, VEEV stock has now gone bust after years of booming on the back of low rates and investor enthusiasm. Though analysts have lowered the bar on their price targets in recent months, most analysts remain upbeat on the name for 2023. I'm bullish on VEEV as it navigates a higher-rate world en route to winning more business within a very niche market where it's a standout player. Despite lowering the bar modestly for its coming quarter, due on February 28, management still sees "strength" in its "innovation engine." At this juncture, I think investors are losing track of the longer-term growth story at hand due to recent macro headwinds that I view as temporary in nature. For context, management's Fiscal Q4-2023 outlook called for $1.05 in EPS, two cents shy of the original consensus estimate. The current Q4 EPS estimate stands at $1.04. Veeva's innovation engine will likely shine through once macro headwinds have a chance to blow over. For now, investors aren't nearly as willing to pay up for growth as they were just a year ago. With a new line in the sand following the firm's vicious sell-off, questions linger as to how much investors should value continued growth in a more challenging environment. VEEV Ended 2022 Near Lows, Even after Sound Q3 The company closed off 2022 on a pretty low note despite clocking in a fairly decent third-quarter earnings beat. Per-share earnings came in a $1.13, just ahead of the $1.07 consensus estimate. Meanwhile, revenues rose 16% year over year. With shares trading at around 66.5 times trailing earnings and 12.5 times sales, VEEV stock is trading at a discount relative to its five-year historical average multiples of 95.6 and 23.7, respectively, making it relatively attractive on this basis. Back in 2020, VEEV stock commanded a price-to-sales (P/S) multiple north of 30 times. Still, it's tough for a lot of investors to justify paying more than 60 times earnings for a firm whose sales growth has slid to the mid-teens. It's unlikely Veeva stock will command such a pie-in-the-sky multiple again now that higher rates have knocked the hyper-growth plays off their podiums. In any case, I view Veeva as a company that will rise from the tech bust of 2022. The company has really found a spot with customers within its niche and, like most Sofware-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies focused on specific industries, I expect Veeva could benefit from significant cross-selling opportunities over time as it continues to win over new customers in a niche where Veeva has impressed. Veeva: Slated to Move on from Salesforce's CRM Platform Last year, Veeva noted its plans to move on from the Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) CRM to its own platform in time. Indeed, it's a good sign to hear that a firm is ready to use its own offering over that of a long-time partner. As a part of the transition, Veeva could be hit with expenses relating to the migration. In a rising-rate environment, that's the last thing investors want to hear. That said, such costs aren't expected to weigh down results anytime soon, as the potential costs associated with the ending of the Salesforce-Veeva relationship aren't expected to kick in until 2025. If all goes smoothly with the transition, Veeva may be able to enjoy long-lasting cost savings from the move. If anything, it was worse news for Salesforce than Veeva, given the storm of headwinds the CRM kingpin has endured over the past year. Is Veeva Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, VEEV stock comes in as a Moderate Buy. Out of 18 analyst ratings, there are 13 Buys and five Holds. The average Veeva price target is $208.35, implying upside potential of 23.5%. Analyst price targets range from a low of $180.00 per share to a high of $233.00 per share. The Bottom Line on VEEV Stock Veeva's high revenue retention rate (a metric that measures the amount of revenue a company retains over a given period, expressed as a percentage) of 119% as of the last quarter speaks a lot about how customers view the platform. This means that the company retained 100% of its subscription revenue compared to last year and then added more on top of that. It'll be tough sledding for Veeva as more macro headwinds move in, but further out, I view Veeva as a dominant growth story that can form a moat around a niche market that still has plenty of growth runway. Join our Webinar to learn how TipRanks promotes Wall Street transparency Previous articlePonguleti Srinivas Reddy vows to resist 'persecution' Next articleBusiness News Today: Stock and Share Market News, Economy and Finance News, Sensex, Nifty, Global Market, NSE, BSE Live IPO News Inside Kapil Sharma, wife Ginni's colourful birthday party for son Trishaan; Archana Puran Singh calls him 'chota Kapil' Palani's Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple is a "natural wonder" of the world, says Madras High Court Defeat To England In 3rd ODI Puts Massive Dent In South Africa"s World Cup Hopes Ashok Leyand shares climb 5% after firm reports jump in Q3 profits

Il dolce corpo di Deborah (1968) ... aka: Body, The ... aka: El dulce cuerpo de Deborah ... aka: En röst i mörkret (A Voice in the Darkness) ... aka: Married to Kill ... aka: Sweet Body of Deborah, The Only very forgiving giallo addicts are going to want to swill this perfumed toilet water. Tranquilizer-popping, possibly unstable American Deborah (Carroll Baker) and her hunky new hubby Marcel (Jean Sorel) decide to take their honeymoon in Geneva, Switzerland so she can see where he grew up and learn as much about him as possible. Well, more like learn something about him as the two don't seem to know each other all that well. Everything is going fine (at least as far as sex and nice scenery are concerned) until they decide to go to a nightclub to watch a black dancer strip down to a g-string and Marcel runs into an old buddy of his. The friend, Philippe (Luigi Pistilli), glares at him, gives him the cold shoulder and turns right around and leaves as soon as her spots Marcel. Marcel chases him down only to have Philippe brand him a murderer; accusing him of killing his former girlfriend Suzanne prior to running off to the U.S. Philippe insinuates he murdered her, though the death is on the book as a suicide. Deborah overhears the entire conversation and, later on, presses Marcel to provide an explanation. That he does and a long flashback follows. Prior to going to America, Marcel, who'd fallen on some hard times, fell in love with the well-to-do Suzanne Boileau ("Evelyn Stewart" / Ida Galli). Because some thugs he owed money to were beating him and threatening his life on a regular basis, Marcel had Suzanne swipe some money from her loaded parents to pay them off. Wanting to better himself (and pay them back), he then decided to go to America and stay with some friends in Boston until he could get back on his feet and provide better for their future. He promised Suzanne he'd write her every day and that he'd soon return to her, but that all changed once he met Deborah and fell in love with her. Supposedly the heartbroken Suzanne then committed suicide in his absence. Philippe is bitter because he was also in love with Suzanne and perhaps now wants revenge. Now wanting to find out exactly what happened, Marcel goes to visit Suzanne's parents only to find the house has been abandoned long ago. When they go inside, they find a lit cigarette with lipstick on it and hear someone playing the piano but no one is to be found. A phone rings and the voice on the other end threatens Deborah; claiming they're going to kill her to punish Marcel for what he's done. A later call to the phone company reveals the phone at the villa was disconnected over a year ago. Never mind all of that, the lovey dovey duo have a plane to catch to Nice, France. Upon arrival, they rent a huge orange villa out in the country for a week and then many little things occur that give Marcel the impression that they didn't leave their troubles behind back in Geneva. Suzanne's favorite song ends up in their stack of records, Marcel thinks he sees Philippe at a boxing match and the strange phone calls begin again... A lame and utterly forgettable thriller, Deborah is slow-moving, almost offensively empty and vapid and completely devoid of thrills and suspense. This has to be one of the weakest, most bland scripts ever penned by the prolific Ernesto Gastaldi. The dialogue is awful, the one-dimensional characters function as little more than mannequins to adorn with fine late 60s fashions and things plod along from one boring non-event to another until the very end when it unleashes a few customary "surprises." Sadly, the last minute plot twists are all incredibly lame and predictable (gee, a 300 thousand dollar life insurance policy... who'd have ever guessed!) and come way too late in the game to salvage this, anyway. The only thrills this attempts to generate are of the erotic kind. However, since this was made during a big transitional period in world cinema when censorship was just starting to erode, the scenes are all extremely tame. We're talking close-up shots of arms, legs and shoulders and barely discernible "nude" scenes shot through foggy shower doors. In other words, there is no real nudity from the stars (at least not in the 92 minute version I viewed) despite about a half dozen "love" scenes. Instead, we get long sequences of the two leads kissing, hugging, lying in bed with strategically draped blankets wrapped around them and pawing at each other while spouting laughably insipid "romantic" dialogue ("You're so delicious... and I'm always so hungry.") Often resembling a feature-length perfume commercial (perhaps a better alternate title would have been "Eau de Giallo"), the print ads pretty much sold the entire film on the (bare) backs of the hot lead couple. Alas, it takes more than a few pretty faces to make something worth watching. I love Baker in certain roles (like her brilliant turn in Andy Warhol's Bad) but, let's face it, when the woman is bad, she is really bad. In the English version, the actress dubbed her own voice (I believe several of the other main actors did as well) and, despite being in her mid-30s when this was filmed, usually sounds like a frail old lady. Her voice cracks, warbles and completely lacks inflection and she often awkwardly breaks and pauses between words as if trying to sync her dub to her lips. She does however look great and some of her clothing choices are pretty hilarious. During one scene, she cuts it loose in a comic book-themed nightclub ("Kaboom!") decked out in Christmas bulb earrings and bracelets. In another, she plays Twister on the front lawn while dressed in a lime green mesh onesie. Oh, the late 60s. Gotta love 'em. Genre regular George Hilton is in this one, too, playing a voyeuristic painter named Robert. Born in Uruguay, the handsome Hilton started acting in Argentina but quickly relocated to Europe so that he could actually have a career. He was far better suited for the spaghetti westerns he was frequently cast in than suspense thrillers and horror, but found himself cast in numerous early 70s gialli anyway; usually ones also produced by Luciano Martino and directed by Luciano's brother Sergio Martino (who was one of the production managers on this one). In most of those films Hilton came off as incredibly bland and one-note, but he's a bit more animated and less wooden here despite the film itself being worse than his later efforts. This French / Italian production was given a U.S. theatrical release in 1969 by Warner Brothers / Seven Arts but was never officially issued here on home video. Italy (on the Nocturno label), Greece (Key Video), Hungary (Mokep), Brazil (Mac) and Spain (CJ) all received VHS releases, while Italy, Sweden and Japan have gotten DVDs. The director was born under the name Romolo Girolami and is the brother of director Marino Girolami and uncle of director Enzo G. Castellari and actor Ennio Girolami. He also made the giallo The Double (1971) and a number of westerns. ★1/2 Posted by The Bloody Pit of Horror at 10:07 PM No comments: Labels: Carroll Baker, Ernesto Gastaldi, France, George Hilton, giallo, Ida Galli, Italy, Jean Sorel, Luigi Pistilli, Sergio Martino, stalking, suicide, telephone terror Morbo (1972) ... aka: Morbidness Hidden gem alert, folks! While this one isn't all that easy to find (it was never officially released in the U.S. or many other places outside of Spain) it's definitely worth the effort to track down, especially for fans of subtle, ambiguous horror. Immediately following their wedding, young newlyweds Diego (Víctor Manuel) and Alicia (Ana Belén) hit the road with their camper in search of some adventure and fun. Feeling liberated and free, she even strips off her wedding gown down to a mesh bikini at a gas station in full view of the attendant. They drive along and finally pull off the main highway onto a dirt road, ignoring a "Prohibido el Paso" sign as they do. Going deep into the woods, they finally pull over in an empty field and decide to camp there for a few days. They gorge themselves on food and wine, have sex, carve their names into a tree, play dodge ball, discuss their love and their fears and other strange things, blown up some inflatable chairs, sunbathe and decide to open all of their gifts; most of which they mock and nonchalantly toss on the ground. Well, except for a Mona Lisa painting. Alicia wants to hang that by the fireplace of her beautiful country home. Once Diego buys it for her, of course. But the honeymoon doesn't last forever as they say... though usually newlywed bliss lasts longer than a day! All of the happiness, passion and optimism about the future quickly falls by the wayside in favor of boredom, insecurity, bickering and a curious sudden disconnect between the two. He's brought along his economics books to catch up on some work. She's not happy about it and has no idea what to do with herself. When he suggests she go on a walk, she accuses him of treating her like a child. What we've done here is basically fast-forwarded to the problems and hurdles most couples face years down the line in their relationship. In this case you have the working career man and the housewife. He immerses himself in his work, becomes complacent, stops being attentive to her basic needs (he even has to be nagged continually to get her some clean water) and adopts an almost condescending, resentful attitude toward her at times. She quickly becomes bored, feels unfulfilled in her role and starts becoming increasingly neurotic. All of this coincides with a strong gust of wind, which is just the beginning of the odd things that start going on in the natural world around them as their relationship suddenly starts crumbling. Alicia starts growing more paranoid and begins to suspect not only that he husband is lying but also that the two of them are not alone. She constantly has a feeling she's being watching, most particularly when she's naked, sleeping or being intimate with her new husband. She steps on a hairpin outside on the ground... and she doesn't use hairpins. Somehow the windshield wipers on their car turn on, which coincides with her wedding gown (left in the backseat) disappearing. One of her pet hamsters eats the head off of its mate, survives their attempt to drown it in the sink and eventually has to be tossed outside in a plastic bag. Their wedding cake topper is found floating in a river with the eyes on the bride gouged out. Diego discovers a seemingly-abandoned home nearby and takes water from their well, but the jugs are found emptied later on. And there's a lot more weirdness where that comes from. I couldn't help but feel a strong sense of deja vu as this one unfolded. That's probably because it shares more than a few things in common with the later and much more famous Australian film LONG WEEKEND (1978). That Colin Eggleston-directed / Everett De Roche-scripted effort centers around an unhappy, extremely unlikable couple on the verge of divorce who take their camper to a secluded area in a last ditch effort to save their doomed relationship. Their foulness of mouth and personality, and their complete disregard for the natural world around them, leads mother nature to strike out at them. Morbo is so similar in so many different ways that I refuse to believe the makers of Weekend didn't see this one beforehand. And while I did enjoy Eggleston's film quite a bit, this is the more sophisticated and multi-layered of the two. Director Suárez, who worked on a number of other genre films I'm now excited to check out, isn't one to completely tie himself down with genre restrictions and does a very impressive job making much from little. Most of the film takes place on one plot of land and the surrounding forest, yet he's able to keep viewers fully immersed in the plot and intrigued about where things may be headed. Not only that, but he generates a good amount of suspense and is able to create effectively eerie, disquieting moments from things as simple as the rustling of trees in the wind. Juan Amorós' excellent cinematography and an outstandingly creepy music score from Jacques Denjean both also contribute heavily to the film's success. The leads, who are both famous singers in Spain, deserve kudos as well for solid performances and holding the whole thing together. Belén is especially good. American character actor Michael J. Pollard, who is always weird but perhaps even weirder than usual here with a deep, dubbed voice, turns up at the end in an enigmatic role as a backwoods creep who lives in a crumbling old mill house with his blind, wheelchair-bound, disfigured wife (María Vico), who was burned up in a forest fire. The wife, who's suicidal and bitter to the point where she doesn't even want to be touched, and the husband, who's been so long without companionship (and sex) he's driven to some very creepy behavior, seem to be a grim reflection of where the young couple may be headed one day. However, the same can't be said for the two stars in real life. They fell in love while making this film, got married and remain together to this very day. Suárez used both of them again the following year in his adventure-fantasy Al diablo con amor (To Hell with Love). ★★★1/2 Labels: backwoods psycho, camp/camping, paranoia, Spain, stalking

Nokia shares tank on lackluster Q3 performance Due partly from Samsung deal with Verizon Image: Nokia Finnish telecoms giant Nokia saw its shares on the New York Stock Exchanges plummet 17.28% on October 29 after its third quarters earnings announcement. The company reported operating income of 350 million euros and sales of 5.294 billion euros for the quarter. It was a drop of 7% in sales from a year ago. Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark said next year's sales were to be challenging as it lost share at one large North American customer. Samsung recently clinched a $6.6 billion deal with Verizon deal, which is likely what the CEO is referring to. Nokia sees some margin pressure in the North American market, Lundmark said. Ericsson, meanwhile, seems to have maintained its share in the third quarter. It posted sales of 57.5 billion Swedish krona (SEK) and operating income of 9 billion krona for the quarter. The company said it sale sales from Northeastern Asian increase 39% year-on-year. Most of the sales came from China, which is ramping up the roll out of 5G networks. China accounted for over 60% of the worldwide 4G LTE market, Ericsson CEO Borie Ekholm said, and 5G won't be much different. Nokia has been near excluded from the Chinese market.

2. growth in dividends per share by more than the rate of UK inflation. 20% of the portfolio comprise overseas listed holdings including Swiss Pharma, Roche and US tobacco firms Reynolds and Altria. Share price total return for the year was 20.1% compared to an increase in the FTSE All Share of 16.8%. It is proposed to increase the final dividend to 7.8p making a total of 22.8p for the year, an increase of 3.6% on the previous years payout of 22.0p. The returns have been excellent over the past 3 years, however this has given rise to the payment of a hefty performance fee of £11.5m which has increased the overall charges this year to 1.6% TER (compared to 1.0% in 2012). In addition the servicing of loans and debentures accounted for a further £19.5m - an additional 1.7% of NAV. The good news on the gearing situation is that the £100m 11.5% debenture will mature next year and this should significantly reduce borrowing costs thereafter. Woodford likes to invest in large, well-established businesses that generate plenty of cash and are committed to returning some of this to shareholders via decent dividends. All he aims to do is to capture the biggest share of this future dividend stream as he can for investors. At the current price of 587p the yield is 3.9%. By sticking with income investing and not following the latest investment fad, Woodford has produced superior, consistent, long-term returns. Also, by focusing on quality, defensive businesses, he has avoided the high-risk end of the market where the biggest losers lurk. For example, he ditched financial shares long before the credit crunch of summer 2008 blew up our banks and led to huge, taxpayer-backed bailouts. In the past year he has avoided miners which has been a positive for the portfolio. He prefers a fairly concentrated holding of around 40 shares and favours big pharma, accounting for 25% of his portfolio and tobacco 20%. One of the bigger decisions this past year was to completely offload Vodafone - previously a top ten holding - noting the cash flow cover has fallen to uncomfortable levels. Edinburgh is one of the corner stones of my income portfolio in both Sipp drawdown and ISA. Obviously I would have liked a little more uplift in the dividend but cannot complain about the overall returns and happy to continue holding. I'm always on the look-out for ways to diversify my portfolio. I also like to keep costs to a minimum. I was therefore interested to see low-cost index tracker provider, Vanguard have recently launched 4 new exchange traded funds (ETFs) - here's a link. As an income investor, the main item of interest is the FTSE All World High Dividend Yield (VHYL). The index consists of over 1000 higher yielding large and mid-cap companies listed all around the world. The largest sector of 33% is USA followed by UK 13.2%, Australia 6.3%, Switzerland 5.7% - also France, Canada, Germany, Japan, China and Brazil. The target yield is 4% and I assume the distribution will be twice yearly. The annual costs are very competitive at just 0.29% TER. One advantage of holding this ETF within my Sippdeal ISA is the avoidance of the £50 per annum custody fee levied on Vanguard funds. Also, there is no 0.5% stamp duty to pay on purchase. I think this could be worth adding to the portfolio. It would be interesting to see how a passive income index tracker compares with a managed global investment trust like Murray International. Further to my write-up on ABB in March (here's a link), I was pleasantly surprised to see this mornings announcement. Abbey have decided to return around £5m to shareholders by way of a 5p special dividend to be paid in June. This will make a total dividend of 9.9p for the year and yield of 8.6% at the current share price of 115p. The company has no gearing and at the time of the final results, they had increased net cash by a further £3.3m compared to the previous year. Ex dividend for the special is next Wednesday, 29th May. Back in early January, I did a guest post for RIT "Investing for Income Using Shares". Here's a link to that article. As with a recent article relating to my investment trusts, I think it could also be a useful exercise to monitor an income portfolio based on 18 individual shares from my portfolio. Again, I have taken prices from the start of 2013 and allocated a nominal £1,500 for each share. Here's the portfolio showing current valuations and including dividends accumulated since January. Some of the above have been the subject of an article in recent weeks - Reckitt, Aberdeen, Greggs, Dialight, BSkyB, Abbey Protection, DS Smith, Tesco and, most recently, Sainsbury. I will comment on others as results are announced later in the year. Income has been almost exactly as expected - the total for the full year should be around £1,100. However, the overall return, (including those dividends paid to date) of 8.4% is disappointing considering the FTSE 100 is up over 15% on a total return basis since the start of the year. Furthermore, the return on my investment trust portfolio is up around 16% which is prompting me to seriously question whether the more profitable route over the longer term would be to switch the proceeds of the shares entirely to investment trusts. I have been running parallel income portfolios using shares and investment trusts for over three years and each year, the total returns from the investment trusts has been slightly ahead of the shares portfolio - maybe 2% or 3%. As we have seen with management charges, the effect of an extra 3% or 4% compounded over many years can make quite a difference to your final outcome. I will run the twin track portfolio until the end of the year and see how things turn out - I think 4 years will be a sufficient length of time to reach a conclusion. I thought I would take a brief look at ways to compare the costs of the increasingly complex ways of holding investments. My personal preference has been to hold a mixture of investment trusts and shares for the equity portion of my portfolio. However, many investors choose the simplicity of funds (OEICs) including the increasingly popular low-cost tracker funds. With the introduction of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) at the start of this year, the industry is moving to a more transparent way of charging which should be beneficial to retail consumers. In the past couple of weeks, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that from April 2014 all fund supermarkets and platforms will be obliged to explicitly charge for what they do rather than take payment in the form of commission and back-handers from fund providers. Some platforms have already moved to this new system of charging but the rest will be allowed 2 years to make the full transition. Traditionally, part of a funds charges has been paid by the fund provider to the platform, say 0.25% to 0.5%, out of the typical 1.5% TER. As this will no longer be permitted, it should mean the charges for funds will be lower and it will create more of a level playing field between investment trusts (which have never paid commission) and low cost trackers. Indeed, some funds have already started to offer a 'clean' class of fund with the lower TERs (or ongoing charges). Investors holding a portfolio of funds should now therefore check with their provider to see whether a lower charging 'clean' option is available and whether their provider will move them over to the new class automatically. Monevator has recently created a comparison table covering most of the popular discount brokers and fund platforms. The table is mainly aimed at diy investors seeking a passive approach to running a portfolio using mainly index funds and ETFs. Compare Fund Platforms is a spin-off from Candid Money run by Justin Modray. You select the funds you wish to compare or may be interested in purchasing, confirm a few assumptions on period of investment and rate of growth (include the option of also holding shares and/or investment trusts also) and instantly see which broker currently offers the lowest cost. The site covers 3,500 funds. Although most of the main brokers are now on board, the results will not include Hargreaves Lansdown as they refuse to send the required data. DIY Investor (a subsidiary of AJ Bell/YouInvest) offers a handy comparison tool to assess charges for SIPP, ISA or Dealing Account all of which can be refined according to investment amount, intended number of years and percentage of funds/shares etc. Well worth inputting a few figures to see the differing results between all the main providers. The International Investor tries to simplify the process by listing only the cheapest broker for each platform. Just be aware that not all funds are available on all platforms so if, for example, you only require Vanguard tracker funds, the first check will be to see whether they are available on any particular platform/broker. Hopefully, by using one or more of these comparison sites, the average diy investor will be in a position to work out the most cost effective way to build and maintain their chosen investment portfolio. Following on from a record breaking Christmas trading and reflecting 32 quarters of increasing like-for-like growth, todays impressive full year results should come as no surprise. Total sales increased by 4.3% (excl. fuel) and 1.8% on a like-for-like basis. Underlying profits were up 6.2% to £756m. "Our focus on helping our customers Live Well For Less is delivering good growth in sales and profit. Our key points of difference, such as the best quality own-brand, Nectar, Brand Match, coupon-at-till and industry leading service, are recognised by our customers. We continue to invest in offering customers choices of how they shop with us, bringing our food, clothing and general merchandise to more customers. Our decision to take full ownership of Sainsbury's Bank will add further momentum to our strategy of developing complementary channels for the benefit of both customers and shareholders. Whilst we see no near term change in the current economic situation, we remain confident that by continuing to invest in our long-standing strategy and by understanding and helping our customers, we are well positioned for future growth." In addition to the traditional supermarket, they have over 500 convenience stores which have seen a 17% growth and revenues of £1.5bn. In addition the online business has grown 20% and sales are approaching the £1bn mark. The dividend has been lifted 3.7% to 16.7p (16.1p 2012) which gives a forward yield of 4.2% at the current share price of 393p. The dividend cover has increased from 1.75x to 1.83x - the aim is to bring cover up to 2x over the medium term. The shares could have been purchased for around 325p earlier this year so that's an impressive 21% increase in the past 4 months. Panmure Gordon recently reviewed the company shortly after its 4th quarter announcement and placed a target price of 540p on the shares. Following in the footsteps of its rival Tesco which took full control from a joint venture with RBS in 2008, Sainsbury has confirmed it will acquire full ownership of its banking business from Lloyds Bank for an agreed sum of £248m plus a cash injection of a further £40m net. Hopefully this will not be a distraction to the main goal of regaining the number 2 slot it lost to Asda ten years back which heralded the appointment of Justin King as CEO. I'm happy with progress so far and look forward to picking up the final dividend in July. SSE (formerly Scottish & Southern Energy) is one of the UKs 'big six' energy suppliers providing gas and/or electricity to around 10 million customers throughout the UK and Ireland. It has been in my income portfolio for many years and has provided a steadily rising dividend which has kept pace with inflation. "SSE, formerly known as Scottish & Southern Energy, will have a positive "headline" cash flow of 3.8pc this year, according to analysts' forecasts compiled by Bloomberg. However, it will pay a dividend yield of 5.38pc. After all costs are taken into account, Ms Hamilton calculated that it would lose cash to the tune of 4.5pc. In other words, it will pay its dividends out of borrowings, rather than from cash generated by the business – as it has since 2008, the managers said". This started alarm bells ringing and when I had a closer look at the latest accounts, it seems clear the borrowings have steadily risen in recent years and gearing is now over 200%. The share price has seen a good run in recent months and is up around 10% since the start of 2013. Given the concerns over gearing and the question mark on dividend sustainability, I decided to let this one go and sold today at 1555p. This is one of my long-standing income trusts providing exposure to the Far East and Australian markets. It was established in July 2005 and has been managed by Matthew Dobbs who has been running Asia equity portfolios for Schroders since 1985. Yesterday they issued a half year report (link via Investegate) for the period to 28th February 2013. Net Assets increased 25% and the share price has risen 28% as the price to NAV premium has further widened. With the sp trading at this premium, the company has been able to issue a further 9.5m shares. They have also announced an intention to go ahead with a new equity issue of 'C' shares and will offer existing shareholders the opportunity to subscribe for 2 C shares at the price of 100p for every 5 existing shares they hold. The interim dividend will be increased from 2.7p to 2.95p - an uplift of 9.2%. Furthermore, they have decided to move from half yearly to quarterly payments in line with most other investment trusts. I have pencilled in a full year figure of 7.4p which gives a forward yield of 3.6% based on the current share price of 206p. The portfolio is spread far and wide - the main areas for investment are Australia 23.1%, Hong Kong 22.6%, Singapore 16.3%, Taiwan 11.9% and Thailand 9.2%. One area to keep a close eye is management fees. The basic fee is 0.75% of net assets, however, in addition, they are entitled to 10% of the added value over 107% of net assets. As the trust has performed exceptionally strongly over the past 6 months, they have taken a chunky £3.7m performance fee equivalent to 1.0% of NAV (compared to just £0.84m in 2012) and this together with the half year management fees has already exceeded the total full year fees for the previous year. I will need to have a little time to think about the rights issue - but on the face of it, assuming the new 'C' shares will be converted to ordinary shares at some point, it looks like I will have the option to pick them up at half price!

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Facebook Shares Rise as US Senators Question Zuckerberg 1 year ago admin Comments Off on Facebook Shares Rise as US Senators Question Zuckerberg Facebook shares rose to their highest in almost three weeks as Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg fended off questions from U.S. senators on how the social network handles user data and plans to counter attempts at interfering in U.S. elections. Zuckerberg repeated his apologies for a range of problems that have beset the world's largest social network, but the 33-year-old internet mogul broke little new ground in a joint hearing of the U.S. Senate's Commerce and Judiciary committees, raising investor hopes he could forestall strict regulation. "We are going through a broad philosophical shift at the company," said Zuckerberg, wearing a dark suit and tie instead of his typical T-shirt and jeans. Also Read: Facebook Judgement Day: Here's What Mark Zuckerberg Will Face Today Investors appeared to welcome his performance. "Zuckerberg is conciliatory in his presentation," said Mariann Montagne, portfolio manager at Gradient Investments in Arden Hills, Minnesota. "The stock is running up on his comments. Maybe people like seeing Zuckerberg in a suit." Facebook shares closed up 4.5 percent at $165.04. Outside the U.S. Capitol building, online protest group Avaaz set up 100 life-sized cutouts of Zuckerberg wearing T-shirts with the words 'Fix Facebook.' Facebook faces a growing crisis of confidence among users, advertisers, employees and investors after acknowledging that up to 87 million people, mostly in the United States, had personal information harvested from the site by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign among its clients. Also Read: What Social Media Websites, Search Engines Know About You And What They Sell It is also struggling to deal with fake news and alleged foreign interference in elections, disclosed in September that Russians under fake names used the social network to try to influence U.S. voters in the months before and after the 2016 election, writing about inflammatory subjects, setting up events and buying ads. "We believe it is entirely possible that there will be a connection there," Zuckerberg said when asked if there was overlap between Cambridge Analytica's harvested user data and the political propaganda pushed by the Kremlin-linked Internet Research Agency during the 2016 presidential election, which Facebook has said was seen by some 126 million people. Also Read: Facebook Launches Bounty Program For Reports of Data Misuse by App Developers In February, U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with interfering in the election by sowing discord on social media. Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in his Harvard University dorm room in 2004, is fighting to prove to critics that he is the right person to go on leading what has grown into one of the world's largest companies. On Friday, Zuckerberg threw his support behind proposed legislation requiring social media sites to disclose the identities of buyers of online political campaign ads. Watch: Nokia 6 (2018) Review: A Smooth Performer in a Striking New Design Pradeep Narwal: From ABVP Loyalist to Pro Bhim Army Activist | Unusual People Common Problems Friday 06 April , 2018 Golden Start For India: Mirabai Chanu's Reaction After Winning First Gold Blackmail Review: Is This Black Comedy Worth The Hype? Top Five Cars at New York Auto Show 2018 Wednesday 04 April , 2018 YouTube Attack : Four Injured In Shooting At Company Headquarters Petya Ransomware Hits Operations at India's Largest Container Port iPhone 8 Plus: Three Reasons To Buy it Now And Two To Skip Apple announced the new iPhones at their September event this year and they are also available here in India. As with any new iPhone many consumers face a tough... Read More Google assisting the Pentagon in developing AI for its drones TensorFlow APIs are being used for object detection So far, it's unclear exactly what technology is being used and how involved Google are. But it's all part of Project... Read More Intel Brings Core i9 Processor to Laptops as Its 'Highest-Performance Processor' Till Date Intel has unveiled its first ever Intel Core i9 processor for laptops. Intel claims that the 8th Gen Intel Core i9 processor is its 'highest-performance laptop processor' ever built.... Read More

Jacqueline Brinkerhoff, Sr. Director of Product Marketing, SailPoint Randy Sabett Cooley LLP Keith Carlson Cybercrime , Endpoint Security , Fraud Management & Cybercrime Exploring Top Use Cases for Network Detection and Response Nat Smith Discusses Gartner's Report on Emerging NDR Trends Anna Delaney (annamadeline) • November 17, 2021 Nat Smith, senior director security analyst, Gartner The network detection and response market is "relatively unchallenged at this point by other markets," and detection is the most important use case, says Nat Smith of Gartner, who shares key findings from the company's report titled Emerging Trends: Top Use Cases for Network Detection and Response. See Also: Live Discussion | The Toll of Identity Sprawl in the Complex Enterprise Smith says Gartner sees "most of the innovation and focus from the vendors and for buyers" in detection. Response, he says, is probably the least mature of all of the use cases: "Very few vendors do it exactly the same way and so there's not a lot of consistency across [the market]." But he predicts that in 2022 vendors in the space will begin to consolidate. In a video interview with Information Security Media Group, Smith also discusses: The state of the NDR market today; The role of NDR in the new age of extended detection and response, or XDR; How the NDR market will evolve in 2022. Smith is a senior director security analyst in the technology and service provider division of Gartner. He researches technology, markets and trends affecting network security, especially AI and machine learning. Money Laundering Cryptomixer Services Market to Criminals US DHS Launches New System for Hiring, Retaining Cyber Talent Anna Delaney Director, ISMG Productions An experienced broadcast journalist, Delaney conducts interviews with senior cybersecurity leaders around the world. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of the website for The European Information Security Summit, or TEISS. Earlier, she worked at Levant TV and Resonance FM and served as a researcher at the BBC and ITV in their documentary and factual TV departments. Manufacturing System Protection from Cyber Attacks Evaluating and Reducing Supply Chain Risk How to Mitigate Socially Engineered Attacks A Perfect Storm for Social Engineering: Anticipating the Human Factor in Post-Pandemic Cybersecurity How Cybercriminals Target the Financial Services Industry: A Cyber Threat Landscape Report Live Webinar I Protecting your ICS Environment From Ransomware Risk Management Framework: Learn from NIST 90 minutes · Premium OnDemand From heightened risks to increased regulations, senior leaders at all levels are pressured to improve their organizations' risk management capabilities. But no one is showing them how - until now. Learn the fundamentals of developing a risk management program from the man who wrote the book on the topic: Ron Ross, computer scientist for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In an exclusive presentation, Ross, lead author of NIST Special Publication 800-37 - the bible of risk assessment and management - will share his unique insights on how to: Understand the current cyber threats to all public and private sector organizations; Develop a multi-tiered risk management approach built upon governance, processes and information systems; Implement NIST's risk management framework, from defining risks to selecting, implementing and monitoring information security controls. Sr. Computer Scientist & Information Security Researcher, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) https://www.cuinfosecurity.com/exploring-top-use-cases-for-network-detection-response-a-17919

Al Smith, who lives in Territory five, carries 10/20/5 compulsory liability insurance along with optional collision that has a $300 deductible Compute the future value of a $220 cash flow for the same combinations of rates and times: can be used to assess changes in performance and make decisions for the future based on decisions made within the organization. Jay Miller insured his pizza shop for $200,000 for fire insurance at an annual rate per $100 of $0.49. At the end of 10 months, Jay canceled the policy since his pizza shop went out of business. By using the table in the handbook, the refund to Jay is __________. Al Roy bought five bonds of Jort Co. 11 3/4 at 93.25 and four bonds of Inst. System 12×08 for 81.125. If the commission on the bonds is $2.50 per bond, the total cost of all the purchases is __________. Al Smith, who lives in Territory five, carries 10/20/5 compulsory liability insurance along with optional collision that has a $300 deductible. Al, who was at fault in an accident, caused $4,000 damage to the other auto, as well as $900 damage to his own. Also, the courts awarded $15,000 and $7,000 respectively to the two passengers in the other car for personal injuries. Al is responsible to pay a total of: Bill Jones buys a fishing rod that sells for $70 subject to a 6% sales tax and an excise tax of 10%. The total amount Bill paid for the rod is __________. Randy Smith bought 180 shares of a mutual fund with a NAV of $14.85. This fund has a load charge of 6%. What is the offer price?

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Stock options and other forms of equity are common in growing private companies. However, given market volatility and all-time market highs, there's renewed attention being given to how tricky it can be to assign an accurate valuation to private company shares. In response, some companies have petitioned for a simpler method for valuing shares—one that's less susceptible to market ups and downs. But existing guidelines and principles have their benefits, according to Equity Methods CEO Takis Makridis. They offer management a reasonable amount of flexibility, while helping to keep estimations aligned with accepted financial economic theory. Takis' comments appear in Bloomberg BNA's June 28 Accounting Policy & Practice Report. You can read the article here.

Cat is an intermediate language for program verification, optimization, and more! Christopher is a freelance programmer and consultant, with a particular interest in the design and implementation of programming languages. He can be contacted at [email protected]. I've always been fascinated by stack-oriented languages because of their simplicity and elegance. Instructions take input off of the stack, do something with it, and push the output back onto the stack. Thus, there are no named variables or arguments, and the order of execution is left-to-right without any need for parentheses to denote precedence. As a result, it doesn't take long for people to learn the basics of programming in a stack language. Another appeal of stack languages is that it is relatively easy to create reasonably efficient implementations for them, especially where memory considerations are at a premium. Because of this, we find stack languages in multicore processors (SeaForth, www.dspdesignline.com/188701424), virtual machines (Java Virtual Machine language), and embedded devices. In general, when we think of stack languages, we often think of imperative languages: Each instruction does something to a shared stack. An alternative and equally accurate view of stack languages is that each instruction is a function that takes a stack as input and returns a stack as output. This is the principle upon which Manfred von Thun based the Joy language (www.latrobe.edu.au/philosophy/phimvt/joy.html). The language that Joy most closely resembles is PostScript in that explicit control structures (branches, gotos, jumps) are replaced with higher order instructions (instructions that execute other instructions). Joy, however, introduced explicit function literals (PostScript uses a delayed execution operator) and eliminated the concept of the definition dictionary; in other words, you can't dynamically define or redefine new operations. This yielded a new breed of stack language that shares the advantages of pure functional languages (for example, it is expressive and easy to reason about and manipulate formally). It is interesting to note that despite its similarities to other stack-based languages, Joy evolved independently from Schoenfinkel and Curry's combinatory logic and the FP language by John Backus (www.vector.org.uk/archive/v203/vonthun203.htm). My interest in Joy was primarily motivated by my search for an intermediate language that could be easily targeted by imperative and functional languages, could be easily optimized, and could be statically verified. Joy relies heavily on dynamic checking, so I created a more restricted, statically typed language based on Joy and called it "Cat." In the Cat specification, instructions are referred to as "functions," regardless of whether they have side effects. New functions are defined using the define keyword, and have global scope. Functions cannot be redefined, and are only visible after they are defined. Example 1 presents some simple examples. Example 1: Sample Cat functions. Mathematical operations: add, mul, sub, div, mod, rem, inc, dec. Logical operations: and, or, not, xor. Function construction: compose, papply, quote. Executing functions: apply, dip, if, while. Manipulating the stack: swap, dup, pop. Dealing with lists: list, cons, uncons, head, tail, count, nth. Comparing values: eq, lt, gt, lteq, gteq, neq. In Cat, a literal (for example, 42, 'q', "Hello Christopher\n", 3.14) pushes a value onto the stack. Additionally, you can also write literal functions, by enclosing an expression in square braces ([1 +]). This has the effect of pushing a function onto the stack without executing it. In Joy parlance, this is called a "quotation," but I think of it as an anonymous function. Anonymous functions are first class values: They can be constructed dynamically and treated like any other primitive value (you can dup them, swap them, pop them, and so on). You can execute anonymous functions using higher order functions such as apply, if, and while. Closures (functions bound to values in the local environment) can be constructed in Cat using the papply primitive instruction. This has the effect of binding the top value on the stack to the function, a process known as "partial application" (partial application is frequently mislabeled as "currying"). An example of partial application is that if you wrote 1 [<=] papply, it has the same effect as if you wrote [1 <=]. The quicksort algorithm in Example 2 is a more sophisticated example of Cat. The algorithm relies on a binary recursion instruction (bin_rec) that provides a general implementation of a binary recursive process (also called "tree recursion"). Example 3 is a possible definition of bin_rec. This is a simple implementation of a quick-sort algorithm. // Does list have 0 or 1 elements? // then concatenate the two lists. Example 2: A simple quick-sort algorithm. Example 3: Example implementation of the bin_rec function. The bin_rec function is an example of a hylomorphism (see citeseer.ist.psu.edu/meijer91functional.html)—the composition of an anamorphism (an unfolding function) and a catamorphism (a folding function). Hylomorphisms are interesting because they can be used to eliminate the construction of intermediate data structures (citeseer.ist.psu.edu/launchbury95warm.html). The quicksort algorithm in Example 2 also demonstrates an extended feature of Cat called "metadata"—a form of structured comment that can associate additional data with a Cat function that can be used by tools. For example, metadata can be used to document functions and perform automatic unit tests. The format is based on YAML (Yet Another Markup Language) and uses significant whitespace to denote hierarchical structure. To demonstrate how compact Cat can be, Example 4 includes an implementation of the Google MapReduce algorithm (labs.google.com/papers/mapreduce.html). The general idea of the Google MapReduce algorithm is to define a task in terms of subtasks that can be executed (in this example, counting instances of words), and a function to combine the results of the subtasks (called the "reduce function"). While my implementations of Cat do not execute MapReduce concurrently, you can easily develop an implementation of Cat that automatically executes map and self_join to take advantage of available parallelism in the executing environment. This leads to an important point about Cat: As an implementor, you decide how to implement the primitive instructions and whether to implement standard library functions as library functions or built-in functions. This opens lots of opportunities for high-performance implementations. Example 4: An implementation of the Google MapReduce algorithm.

Does your AirPort Extreme Base Station work but is unreachable via AirPort Utility? We're tracking a problem and would love to hear your experience. The other day, my wife texts me (from upstairs; I work in a home office in the basement): the printer had stopped working, and could I take a look? Our printer is connected via USB to an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (5th generation), which shares it over the network. The base station is an extension of a network, so it's in bridging mode. Power cycling didn't help me out, though several colleagues who had the same problem when I polled on Twitter said a power cycle would fix this issue for a while, as long as several months. The factory reset put the base station back in business for about 20 to 30 minutes, during which time the printer re-appeared and I was able to print. But then it reverted to its previous "Device Not Found" status. A couple days after I witnessed this, a reader wrote in with a nearly identical experience. Querying on Twitter, half a dozen people said they'd had the same thing, but a power cycle or form of reset helped. One colleague on Twitter suggested that removing all Apple IDs from the Back to My Mac configuration section would fix the problem. (Click a base station in AirPort Utility, click Edit, and then make changes in the Base Station tab. Click Update to apply changes.) I did another factory reset, removed the Apple ID, and the base station (and its printer) have remained working for a few days so far. This does prevent remote access to attached drives and Time Capsule volumes as well as remote configuration. I've reached out to Apple for any insight they may have about other fixes. It may need to be replaced due to hardware failure—but it's fascinating to me that the networking part can work independently of the other subsystems. I purchased my base station in June 2013, and bought a new USB-C MacBook in April 2015 along with AppleCare. That makes that base station eligible for service. If my fix doesn't stick, my next plan is to navigate the repair and replacement process.

Shareholders Foundation, Inc. Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE:SHS) Investor Alert: Investigation of $58.50 Buyout Bid An investigation for investors who hold shares of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE:SHS) in connection with the proposed takeover was announced and NYSE:SHS stockholders should contact the Shareholders Foundation. San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/04/2013 -- Following the announcement by Sauer-Danfoss Inc. that it has received notice from Danfoss A/S of its intention to launch a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Sauer-Danfoss prompted an investigation on behalf of investors in Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE:SHS) shares concerning whether the offer and the takeover process are unfair to NYSE:SHS investors. Investors who purchased shares of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE:SHS) prior to November 28, 2012, and currently hold any of those NYSE:SHS shares have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail(at)shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554. The investigation by a law firm concerns whether certain officers and directors of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. breach their fiduciary duties owed NYSE:SHS investors in connection with the proposed acquisition. On Nov. 28, 2012 Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE: SHS) confirmed that it has received notice from Danfoss A/S of its intention to launch a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Sauer-Danfoss that it does not already own at a price of $49.00 per share in cash. Then on March 1, 2013, Danfoss A/S and Sauer-Danfoss Inc. announced a merger agreement for Danfoss A/S to acquire the 24.4% of Sauer-Danfoss common shares not already owned by Danfoss and its affiliates for $58.50 per share in cash. However, following the takeover announced NYSE:SHS shares jumped on March 1, 2013 to a close of $58.73 per share, thus above the current $58.50offer. Furthermore, NYSE:SHS shares traded in the past also above the current offer. In fact, NYSE:SHS shares traded as high as$59.01 per share in April 2011. Therefore, the investigation a law firm concerns whether the proposed transaction is unfair to NYSE:SHS stockholders. Specifically, given that Danfoss A/S and its subsidiaries currently own already approximately 75.6% of the outstanding shares of Sauer-Danfoss, the investigation focuses on whether the Sauer-Danfoss Board of Directors will undertake an adequate sales process, adequately shop the company before entering into the transaction, maximize shareholder value by negotiating the best price, and act in the shareholders' best interests in connection with the proposed sale. Those who are current investors in Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (NYSE:SHS), have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation. Joelle Day 3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423 Fax: +1-(858)-605-5739 mail@shareholdersfoundation.com Media and Client Relations Manager Follow Shareholders Foundation, Inc. Shareholders Foundation, Inc. - Logo Source: Shareholders Foundation, Inc. Posted Monday, March 04, 2013 at 10:00 AM CST - Permalink

Former Steeler Brett Keisel Hits The Ice For CharityA few former pro athletes took the ice for a charitable cause, including former Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel. PTL Links: Aug. 28, 2018Some of today's guests/topics include: Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh theater reviews and previews! Click for more information about today's guests! Report: 11-Month-Old Found Unconscious In Bathtub Dies At Children's HospitalAn infant died at Children's Hospital on Saturday, several days after being found unconscious in a bathtub. Police Searching for Suspects In Shooting Of Two ChildrenPittsburgh Police are searching for suspects accused of shooting two children. Expert Shares Tips On Getting Infants To SleepAs any new parent knows, getting a baby to sleep can be a daily struggle. Donate To Children's Hospital 63rd Annual Free Care FundKDKA is proud to broadcast the 63rd KDKA Annual Free Care Fund Benefit Show. Man Accused Of Trying To Flush Baby Down Toilet Faces Additional ChargesA man arrested after allegedly attempting to flush an infant down a toilet in Mount Washington is facing additional charges. Kidney Stones Becoming More Common In ChildrenExperts say more children are experiencing kidney stones. Princesses & Superheroes Cheer Up Kids At Children's HospitalA magical evening at Children's Hospital featured little "princesses" putting on a show for their parents and families. WWE Stars Visit Kids In Children's HospitalDaniel Bryan is a favorite of pro wrestling fans. But there was no greater fan than Connor Michalek. The wrestler visited him at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he was being treated for pediatric brain cancer. Children's Hospital's "Mobile Giving Booth" Coming To Arts Fest This WeekendYou can put your own creativity on display at the Three Rivers Arts Festival this weekend. Investigators: 30-Pound 12-Year-Old Putting On Weight, Mother May Have Become OverwhelmedA 12-year-old girl from Ohio, who weighs just 30 pounds, is being treated at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Rhino Calf Makes Hesitant Debut at Lincoln Park Zoo The Eastern Black Rhinoceros calf at Lincoln Park Zoo had access to his outdoor habitat at Regenstein African Journey recently, making his zoo debut! The calf appeared eager to explore the new sights, scents, and sounds, but was hesitant to explore his outdoor habitat. After a few steps, he ran back inside to be near his mother, Kapuki. ZooBorns shared news of the new arrival in a previous feature: Black Rhino Boy Born at Lincoln Park Zoo. Since his birth on May 19, the calf and Kapuki (age 13) have been bonding behind the scenes at the zoo's Regenstein African Journey. "The rhino calf has continually surpassed numerous milestones and is becoming inquisitive of his surroundings," said Curator of Mammals Mike Murray. "It's exciting to see that curiosity shine through as he begins to explore his outdoor habitat." Photo Credits: Christopher Bijalba / Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to rhino conservation and is home to three adult rhinos: Maku, Kapuki, and Ricko, along with its newest arrival. "The Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan® (SSP) among accredited zoos is vitally important to this remarkable species, as numbers continue to dwindle in the wild due to poaching," said Murray. "This calf not only represents hope for the species, but also serves as an ambassador for his wild counterparts." While the calf made his recent debut, rhino access to the outdoor habitat is weather dependent. For the health and safety of Kapuki and the calf, they will have the choice to explore their outdoor habitat if the weather is above 60 degrees, and dry, until the calf grows in size and strength. While the rhinos may have outdoor access, they may also choose to spend their time behind-the-scenes as they continue to adjust to the new changes. Gestation for Eastern Black Rhinos is about 14-16 months with offspring weighing around 75 pounds at birth. Typically, Black Rhinos are a solitary species that only come together to breed. When full grown, Eastern Black Rhinos can stand up to 12 feet long and 5 feet tall at the shoulder, and can weigh up to 3,000 pounds. They are a critically endangered species due to poaching for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal benefits despite being made of keratin – the same material that makes up human hair and nails. For more rhino updates, follow Lincoln Park Zoo's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter channels and #RhinoWatch, along with the zoo blog and ZooMail, a biweekly news digest. For more information about the species and Lincoln Park Zoo's rhino conservation efforts, visit lpzoo.org. Those interested in helping care for mom and calf all year long may ADOPT a black rhino at lpzoo.org/adopt. in Lincoln Park Zoo, Rhino | Permalink | Comments (0) Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes Second New Gorilla Lincoln Park Zoo's Western Lowland Gorilla troop welcomed another new face on June 12 at Regenstein Center for African Apes! Bana, 24, gave birth to a healthy infant, exactly one month after the arrival of a male infant that was born to mom, Rollie, on May 12. The baby is staying tucked in close and clinging to mom, Bana, and has begun nursing. The infant is the second offspring for Bana, who gave birth to a female, named Patty, in 2012. Kwan, 30, the silverback of the family group, continues to closely watch Bana and the infant. "As with any birth, we are cautiously optimistic about the latest arrival. Bana is an experienced mother who is displaying appropriate maternal skills and care," said Curator of Primates, Jill Moyse. Photo Credits: Christopher Bijalba /Lincoln Park Zoo The unsexed newborn joins a troop of eight individuals, including adult females, Bahati and Rollie, three juvenile females (Bella, Nayembi, and Patty), and the recent male infant. Both gorilla infants have yet to be named. "Having two offspring born close together provides such an exciting time for guests and gorillas alike," said Moyse. "The infants will have the opportunity to grow, develop, and explore their surroundings together and learn from one another." Animal Care staff will closely monitor Bana and the infant as they continue to surpass critical milestones. Kwan and Bana were recommended to breed as a part of the Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a collaborative effort among zoos accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Western Lowland Gorillas are classified by the IUCN as "Critically Endangered", in their native Central Africa, due to habitat loss and poaching. Scientists with Lincoln Park Zoo's Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes are dedicated to saving this species with ongoing work both at the zoo and in the Republic of the Congo. This work has facilitated new strategies to mitigate the impact of human and consumer behaviors such as unsustainable logging and urbanization. For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo's ape conservation efforts and Western Lowland Gorillas, visit www.lpzoo.org . Those interested in helping care for mom and baby all year long may ADOPT a gorilla at www.lpzoo.org/adopt . in Gorilla, Lincoln Park Zoo | Permalink | Comments (0) Black Rhino Boy Born at Lincoln Park Zoo After 15 months of gestation, Lincoln Park Zoo was excited to welcome a new arrival. On May 19, Kapuki, an Eastern Black Rhinoceros, gave birth to a healthy male calf at the zoo's Regenstein African Journey. Since the birth, the calf has surpassed critical milestones, including: standing, nursing, pooping, and following mom, Kapuki. The first days of a calf's life are critical, and animal care staff are closely monitoring both Kapuki and the calf, around-the-clock, via remote camera system. "As with any birth, we are cautiously optimistic about the latest arrival," said Curator of Mammals Mike Murray. "However, this calf stood successfully at only 53 minutes of age and was nursing by hour two. He is growing in size and strength each day." Thirteen-year-old Kapuki was recommended to breed with Maku, age 33, as part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Survival Plan® (SSP), a collaborative population management effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions. Kapuki and Maku had previously been successful in producing offspring with the birth of King in 2013. As part of an SSP recommendation for the solitary species, King was transferred to Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo in November 2016. "Although the calf is adorable, its birth means so much more than that," said Murray. "Three rhinos are poached in Africa each day for their horns. At this alarming rate, this new calf gives us hope for the sustainability of the species." Continue reading "Black Rhino Boy Born at Lincoln Park Zoo" » Endangered Pack of Wolf Pups at Lincoln Park Zoo The arrival of spring brought a litter of four critically endangered Red Wolf pups to Pritzker Family Children's Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo. "Scientists estimate there are less than 30 Red Wolves left in their native habitat of North Carolina, meaning species is on the very brink of extinction in the wild," said Curator Dan Boehm. "We could not be more ecstatic for the arrival of these pups to help save this species and bolster the population." The pups, two male and two female, were born on April 13. The dam, Becca, and sire, Rhett, were recommended to breed as part of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a cooperative effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions to save species. This is the first litter for the Zoo since 2010. Canine gestation is around 60 days, with litters ranging from 3-6 offspring. The cubs typically stay in the den for the first month as they surpass critical milestones such as nursing, opening their eyes, and gaining strength. The pups have yet to venture from the den but have received their first veterinary check-ups. Since 2005, Lincoln Park Zoo has been involved in the Red Wolf Recovery Program to try and assist the wild population with cross fostering of zoo-born pups into wild family groups and other reintroduction efforts. Since that time, Lincoln Park Zoo scientists also conducted a Population Viability Analysis (PVA), a computer model that helped to evaluate different management scenarios for the zoo and wild populations and scientific advice to the Recovery Program. The future status of the North Carolina wild population is uncertain, but the Red Wolf SSP and Lincoln Park Zoo will continue to work toward long-term recovery efforts. Zoo guests can support the pups and Lincoln Park Zoo in its care and conservation endeavors by purchasing an item from the zoo's Wish List. Just in time for Mother's Day, guests can also ADOPT a Red Wolf to support world-class care for Red Wolf, Becca, and her pups all year long. Red Wolves (Canis lupus rufus) are named for their red-tinged fur and are typically smaller than their 'cousin' Grey Wolves, weighing in around 90lbs. Native to the eastern United States, Red Wolves were driven toward extinction due to hunting. The species was targeted as a perceived threat to livestock, but research has shown the wolves primarily pursue non-domestic prey such as rabbits, deer, and small mammals. Learn more about Lincoln Park Zoo and the Red Wolf pups by visiting: www.lpzoo.org . in Lincoln Park Zoo, Wolf | Permalink | Comments (0) Rare Baby Geckos' Tails Look Like Leaves Five Henkel's Leaf-tailed Geckos (Uroplatus henkeli) have arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo – the first-ever successful hatch at the zoo for this rare Lizard species. The hatchlings will be on exhibit at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House in the coming weeks. Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo The zoo's Henkel's Leaf-tailed Geckos were given a breeding recommendation from the Leaf-tailed Gecko Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which manages the species' population throughout zoos accredited by the The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP recommendations – which determine the exact individuals that should breed with each other – are made using demographic and genetic analyses conducted by population biologists at the AZA Population Management Center, which is based at Lincoln Park Zoo. Henkel's Leaf-tailed Geckos are named for their distinctive namesake tail. That remarkable appendage and their rough brown and green skin helps these Lizards camouflage themselves against tree bark with uncanny ease. Tiny pads on the feet of Henkel's Leaf-tailed Geckos produce a strong adhesive effect, enabling them to climb and cling to a variety of surfaces. In the wild, these Lizards spend most of their time in the treetops, feeding on insects. They descend to the ground only when laying eggs in leaf litter on the forest floor. Although adults can grow to 11 inches long, hatchlings are much tinier, as you can see in the photos. The newcomers are welcome arrivals for a species that is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These Lizards are found only in Madagascar, where they face threats from logging operations and from deforestation as people burn the forest to make small farms. They are also collected illegally to supply the pet trade and are routinely taken from protected areas within Madagascar. See more photos of the hatchlings below. Continue reading "Rare Baby Geckos' Tails Look Like Leaves" » in Gecko, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lizard, Reptiles | Permalink | Comments (1) Lincoln Park Zoo's New Exhibit Welcomes First Chick The first-ever endangered African Penguin chick has hatched at Lincoln Park Zoo's new Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove. After a 38-day incubation period, the chick emerged on February 10. At a recent wellness exam, veterinary staff deemed the chick healthy. During the exam, veterinary staff also drew blood, which will be sent for lab analysis to determine the chick's sex. Once that is revealed, keepers can decide on an appropriate name. The chick is the offspring of mom, Robben, and dad, Preston. According to Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds, Sunny Nelson, the first-time parents are proving to be naturals. "Our keepers are constantly monitoring both the parents and the chick to ensure that the parents are meeting the chick's needs as it reaches developmental milestones," said Nelson. "Both Robben and Preston are performing parental duties as expected, sharing brooding and feeding responsibilities." Photo Credits: Lincoln Park Zoo / Chris Bijalba (Image 1) African Penguin chicks typically fledge around 70 to 80 days after hatching. The chick will retain its downy feathers until it molts into waterproof juvenile plumage. After one to two years, African Penguins molt into their iconic tuxedo-like adult plumage. Animal Care staff plans to give the chick access to a behind-the-scenes pool to ensure that its feathers are waterproof before introducing the chick to the rest of the exhibit. The chick's parents were paired as a part of the African Penguin Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a collaborative population management effort among institutions within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Continue reading "Lincoln Park Zoo's New Exhibit Welcomes First Chick" » in Lincoln Park Zoo, Penguin | Permalink | Comments (0) New Langur Is Lucky Number Seven for Parents A bright orange, endangered Francois' Langur was born February 6 at Lincoln Park Zoo and is now on exhibit at Helen Brach Primate House. The infant is the seventh successful offspring for Lincoln Park Zoo's breeding pair, Pumpkin (dam) and Cartman (sire), and a part of the Francois' Langur Species Survival Plan ® (SSP), which cooperatively manages the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited-zoo population. Lead Keeper Bonnie Jacobs serves as Vice-Chair of the Francois' Langur SSP and has been managing the studbook for this population in the AZA for the past 15 years. The sex and measurements of the infant are yet to be determined, as the newborn is still clinging tight to mom. "Pumpkin is an experienced and attentive mother and the entire troop is being supportive," said Curator of Primates, Maureen Leahy. "We recently updated the Langur exhibit to include more dynamic elements such as vines, sway poles and pulley feeders, so it will be exciting to see the newest addition of the troop grow more independent and explore the habitat." Photo Credits: Julia Fuller / Lincoln Park Zoo Francois' Langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) are classified as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List due to habitat degradation and hunting. They're native to the southern Guangxi province of China, northern Vietnam and west-central Laos. Adults display black body coloration with a white marking from ear-to-ear and a black crest atop the head. Infants are born with a bright orange hue, which scientists believe encourages alloparenting, or 'aunting behavior,' among females in the group. Infants' fur turns black within the first three to six months of life. With its parents, the Langur infant joins sisters Kieu and Orla, brothers Vinh and Pierre, and adult female Chi on exhibit at Helen Brach Primate House, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Zoo. For more information, visit www.lpzoo.org . in Langur Monkey, Lincoln Park Zoo | Permalink | Comments (1) Lincoln Park Zoo Celebrates 'White Christmas' It was a "White Christmas" at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. A Black-and-white Colobus Monkey was born December 25, and the snowy-white infant is now on exhibit at the zoo's Helen Brach Primate House. The Colobus baby not only joins its 12-year-old mother Kutaka (koo-tah-kah) and 23-year-old father Keanjaha (key-an-ja-ha), it also shares home with 15-month-old female infant Nairobi and two other adult females. The sex and measurements of the newborn are yet to be determined, as the baby is clinging tight to mom and a health check isn't possible just yet. The zoo's Colobus infant is a part of the Black-and-White Colobus Species Survival Plan ® (SSP), which cooperatively manages the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited-zoo population. The baby is the second successful offspring for this breeding pair. Lincoln Park Zoo's Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology carefully monitored the progesterone levels in Kutaka's urine samples to estimate a due date window and ensure that the mother and baby were healthy for the entire duration of the expected pregnancy. "Kutaka is an extremely attentive mother," said Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. "We're excited for the newest member of the multi-generational Colobus troop to interact with the entire family from juvenile to geriatric members. In fact, we've already observed the infant's aunt and older sister briefly carrying the new infant, a species-typical behavior called alloparenting or 'aunting behavior.'" Photo Credits: Todd Rosenberg / Lincoln Park Zoo One of five species of Colobus Monkeys, the Black-and-white Colobus is an arboreal species native to equatorial Africa. Lincoln Park Zoo Animal Keeper, Jade Price, recently traveled to Diani Beach, Kenya with Colobus Conservation Limited to participate in conservation efforts focused on the nationally threatened Angolan Colobus Monkey. At birth, Colobus Monkeys have white hair and pink skin in stark contrast to the black-and-white adults. Around 3-weeks-old, the face and ears start to darken until the infant is almost completely black-and-white at around 3 to 4 months old. The Colobus infant and parents, Kutaka and Keanjaha, can all be seen on exhibit daily from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Lincoln Park Zoo's Helen Brach Primate House. For more information on Lincoln Park Zoo or new arrivals, visit www.lpzoo.org . Black and White and Loved All Over Baby Orangutan Debuts at Brookfield Zoo - ZooBorns New Gorilla Baby is 'Molto Bella' in Colobus Monkey, Lincoln Park Zoo | Permalink | Comments (0) Chicago's Other Cubs Gear-Up for 'Fall Fest' The Chicago Cubs baseball team is currently on track for their first World Series appearance in 71 years, and fans of the team will definitely have a big win at Lincoln Park Zoo this weekend (October 21-23, 2016) for the zoo's Fall Fest. The event also offers a chance to catch a glimpse of Chicago's other famous cubs…the zoo's Red Panda cubs, Sheffield and Waveland (named after Wrigley Field's cross-streets). Born June 24, the pair of Red Panda cubs, Waveland (female) and Sheffield (male) have spent the last few months behind the scenes in their nest box. The cubs have grown more independent and have ventured out on exhibit intermittently as they continue to acclimate to 'the friendly confines' of their ivy-covered habitat. Photo Credits: Lincoln Park Zoo /Christopher Bijalba Thanks to a breeding recommendation from the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP), which cooperatively manages the endangered population, these cubs are the second set in two years for Lincoln Park Zoo's breeding pair: Leafa (dam) and Phoenix (sire). Last year, the zoo celebrated its first-ever Red Panda cub litter including, Clark (male) and Addison (female), now thriving at San Diego Zoo and Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo, respectively. "In the last year, Red Pandas have gone from a threatened to endangered species due to human impacts including habitat loss," said Curator of Mammals Mark Kamhout. "These playful, curious, arboreal cubs here at the zoo serve as ambassadors to encourage learning and inspire visitors to help protect this species in the wild." For more information on Lincoln Park Zoo's Fall Fest or the Red Panda cubs, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincolnparkzoo/ ...and the Zoo's website: www.lpzoo.org More pics below the fold! Continue reading "Chicago's Other Cubs Gear-Up for 'Fall Fest'" » in Lincoln Park Zoo, Red Panda | Permalink | Comments (0) Father's Day Zebra Birth at Lincoln Park Zoo Father's Day was celebrated the 'zoo way' at Lincoln Park Zoo, with the arrival of a female Grevy's Zebra foal. It is the first zebra birth at the zoo since 2012. Animal care staff arrived at about 7 a.m. Saturday, June 18 to find mom and foal standing in the yard together. This is the first offspring for 5-year-old sire, Webster, and the third foal for 9-year-old dam, Adia. Her most recent offspring, Kito, resides in the yard next door. "We're thrilled to welcome this new foal to Lincoln Park Zoo," said Curator Diane Mulkerin "Like all the animals in our care, zebras play an important role in educating our guests about wildlife." The Grevy's Zebra is endangered in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Grevy's Zebra Species Survival Plan®, a shared conservation effort by zoos throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Grevy's Zebra is native to eastern Africa, where it ranges from Ethiopia to Kenya. "Research tells us that fostering an emotional connection between humans and animals is key to creating a real commitment to wildlife conservation," said Lincoln Park Zoo Vice President of Education and Community Engagement Dana Murphy. "Species like zebras, with which we are relatively familiar—and become so at an early age—help us forge that connection and inspire our guests to care about their future." Continue reading "Father's Day Zebra Birth at Lincoln Park Zoo" » in Lincoln Park Zoo, Zebra | Permalink | Comments (1)

Follow Up: April 2020 Florida Food Forum "Murky Waters: Water, Food and Society" 26 Apr 2020 9:45 PM | Administrator (Administrator) Follow Up: April Florida Food Forum Murky Waters: Water, Food and Society To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Murky Waters: Water, Food and Society here to add your thoughts and comments. On April 24th, the Florida Food Forum on Murky Waters: Water, Food and Society was led by Christopher Johns, Board member at the Florida Food Policy Council and Environmental Attorney. "The path that has led us to this level of development and interconnectedness around the world has been built, in large part, on having access to abundant amounts of water and clean water that is safe to grow food as well as drink," Chris said, "and we are approaching a point where we are starting to test the limits of our water supplies. Because of the characteristics of water and how it just exists in the world, the protection and regulation of it as a resource is incredibly complex and it brings up some issues that are really interesting." A native Floridian, Chris became interested in the impact water has on agriculture while working on his family's potato farm in Hastings. This curiosity eventually led him to pursue a law degree. Water is a basic fundamental thing that plays a fundamental role in society that we see today. "There's not a thing in agriculture that doesn't require water to grow. So, in addition to needing water for people to drink, we also need it for food production," Chris said. "So, when we talk about a sustainable future and sustainable water resources, agriculture is a big part of that conversation. Folks are growing food and feeding people, but there are secondary impacts and consequences to our production that we have to deal with." According to the USDA, about 80% of the consumptive uses of water are used for agricultural production. Why is protecting water resources so difficult? "Water is not stationary. It doesn't follow political boundaries. So that requires solutions that can create weird legal jurisdictional questions. It presents difficult situations, but it also opens an opportunity for more creative solutions," Chris explained. "If there is one thing I hope everyone can get from this talk, it is a sense of just how complex these issues are." Water is regulated at the federal level, state level and the local level. The Federal government has limited authority under certain areas that most people are familiar with such as water pollution, drinking water standards and wetland use and protection. States however, generally have the authority to control who uses water and how it's used. Chris gives the Clean Water Act as an example. "The Federal government sets big regulatory framework guidelines and then states hopefully implement the details and nuances of that." When it comes to water quality regulation, Chris continued by illustrating three main areas: watersheds, water quality and water use. In relation to wetlands, he clarified the difference between the federal rule for wetland regulation and state rule for regulation. At the Federal Level, the Clean Water Act regulates waters of the U.S. but it also provides one of the main sources of regulation for wetlands in Section 404. The Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act can also be used to protect watersheds. At the state level, wetlands are regulated under Chapter 373, which covers most of Florida's water resources. Chapter 373 also says water management districts along with DDP have to set minimum flows and levels for all surface and groundwater, which is another protective regulation. When it comes to the regulation of water quality, Chris pointed to the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act as the two main legislation found at the Federal level. States then have to create water detailed quality standards and enforce them generally with 3 components: designated uses, water quality criteria, and anti-degradation policy. What about issues specific to agriculture and water use? Chris discussed water pollution issues such as: nutrient pollution, pesticides and food safety. "When you are thinking about agricultural land and agricultural production, you have to think of wetland permitting and land use issues. And increasingly, another issue cropping up is arable land—land than can produce crops," Chris noted. "Maintaining agricultural practices that maintain the lands ability to produce food for long periods of time is also of significant concern." The presentation concluded with a big picture view. "Water is fundamental to society. There is no simple issue when it comes to managing water in a sustainable way. These issues don't exist in isolation. Water, whether we realize it or not, ties us together. If we want to be able to protect that resource and sustain the society that we built, we need to approach these issues with patience, understanding and humility, but also determination. In order to do that, we need regulations and public officials to focus on long-term solutions as opposed to expedient short-term fixes." A question and answer session followed the presentation which provided even more insightful questions on this important topic. Bio: Christopher Johns is a native Floridian, born and raised in Hastings, Florida. The son of a 4th generation farmer, Chris was raised helping his family on their commercial farm. After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, he returned to his family's farm to help manage production of their potato crop. After returning to the farm, he participated in the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute, where he graduated a fellow of Class IX. Chris earned a J.D. with a certificate in environmental and land-use law from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While in law school, Chris interned at Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic. Today, Chris lives in West Palm Beach and works for Lewis, Longman & Walker, as an environmental attorney. He represents a spectrum of clients from local governments, to Indian tribes, to private landowners, including agricultural producers, on complex issues involving environmental permitting and natural resource protection and development. He remains interested in food policy and using his skills, experience, and insights to foster meaningful improvements to food systems throughout Florida. Follow Up: March 2020 Florida Food Forum "Women in the Food System" 30 Mar 2020 5:45 PM | Administrator (Administrator) Follow Up: March Florida Food Forum Women in the Food System To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Women in the Food System here to add your thoughts and comments. On March 27th, the Florida Food Forum on Women in the Food System was led by Rachel Shapiro, Chair of the Florida Food Policy Council. During the forum, Rachel hosted an interactive panel discussion with three amazing women who make up the Florida food system: Anna Prizzia, the Field & Fork Program Director and Campus Food Systems Coordinator for the University of Florida, Robin Safley, the Executive Director of Feeding Florida, and Carmen Franz, the Farm Director at Arden, a master planned "Agrihood" community in South Florida. The presentation began with introductions after which panelists were asked how their previous work in the food system impacted their current roles. "I guess the most basic role I play is as an eater," Anna said, "And as an eater, I think it has probably influenced my role in the food system most of all because when I was coming back from my stint in Peace corps, I had been eating so differently while I was there—right from the garden and butchering our own meat when we decided to eat meat. So, I really gained an appreciation for where my food comes from and wanted to have that same close connection to my food when I returned." Unable to find that same connection, Anna ended up founding a Slow Food chapter in her community. For Anna, this experience really cemented the role that she saw herself having, which was helping connect her community to the amazing resources available for local and sustainable food options and trying to make those more accessible. Robin's extensive background as a lawyer, then as Chief of Staff to the Florida Senate President and Chief of Staff to the Florida Commissioner of Education, enabled her to work in high levels of policy, which demanded an ability to problem solve and run programs efficiently. These skills helped her thrive in her position as Director of the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Through this position Robin became deeply invested in the institutional feeding programs and passionate about how to fix have gaps in the food system. "Food access and thinking about healthy food as a human right, but also the desire to leave the planet better than how I found it," are the things that inspire Carmen the most. After receiving her degree in political science and studying food policy at University of Florida, where she picked up a minor in crop production, Carmen's interest in food and farming grew. As the Fresh Access Bucks Manager for Florida Organic Growers, Carmen was able to become more involved in the Florida food system, closely working with state and local agencies and nonprofits across the state. "I really enjoyed that position and being able to work with underserved communities to increase their access and the affordability of healthy food," she said. "Now I'm enjoying my hands in the dirt, and I really enjoy the educational aspect of things. So being able to interact with residents and teaching people where food comes from, and how to prepare it and cooking is definitely my passion." "Why do you do it?" Rachel asked, explaining her curiosity as to what motivates and inspires women to commit so much energy to the food system. "One thing I've noticed," Rachel said, "is A) about 80% of those of us who show up and do the work are women and B) doing food system advocacy work takes a heck of a lot of commitment...So why do you stay up until 1 o'clock in the morning working on the initiatives of the non-profit and then get up at 6 o'clock in the morning to get food to the market? And why do you drive thousands of miles around the state without taking any food breaks or bathroom breaks so that you can show up and get food moved or people who need it? And why do you farm in the heat of Florida and make sure that your residents get their baskets of food every week?" "When someone calls you from Miami, who is wheelchair bound and has very poor eyesight and broken English and is hungry, and you can make a call and have someone deliver them healthy food and they are telling you 'God bless you! God bless you!' I think that's what drives me. And I think by nature probably everyone on this call is a high-achiever anyway. It's sort of what happens. So, I just take that energy that I have in life anyway and I've channeled it and have become extremely passionate about solving the food system issues, at least for Florida," Robin said. "I just always say…that if we can land something on Mars, why can't we figure out how to get healthy food to those who need it and in their environment at the price where they can afford it?" "Our food system, and so many of our systems have been built it a structure that just really doesn't work," said Anna. "It benefits a few at the exploitation of many. I want to believe that we can create a system that's truly sustainable. Where people are valued and cared for and that community is at the heart of the work that we do. And that people can make living wages and that people can eat healthy food that's grown in a way that honors the Earth and the people who are having to do the work." For Anna, the dynamic of believing in something and being an optimist who believes in sustainability, while also being a pragmatist that knows what is necessary to create changes effectively drives her work. "I'm very much so energized by the one on one interaction and seeing people light up about sharing recipes," Carmen added, "Hearing people share recipes and their cultural experiences and how they grew and what they grew and the whole history of food, is very inspiring to me…And I really get excited about is the opportunity to introduce people to food, and fresh food in cooking and sharing. That is what's mostly motivating me now." After explaining their reasons, Rachel noted that all three panelists mostly talked about other people as being the inspiration and drive for their commitment. That for them, it was about the joy and the wellness that other people experience, and about their connection with communities. "That," is what Rachel sees as a, "hallmark trait of people who do food system work." When it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, Rachel asked the panelists how their current roles had been impacted. "If you look at historical disasters," Robin said, "the model for the initial food movement deals with congregate feeding, like with Red Cross and Salvation Army. But with COVID-19 and social distancing, the food bank system has become front and center because we are capable of rearranging our model on pretty short order." Robin notes that in the last week, pressure on the Feeding Florida system has jumped to 35%. "One of the important things is to bring a sense of calmness to everyone… that the more that we can message, that our supply chain is solid as long as we don't put pressure on it." "It is very important that on the other side of this, and we will all get on the other side of this, that the ag community, no matter where you are within that community, is still viable and strong," Robin added, "It is interesting, the silver lining in a disaster is the humanity that you see in the uniqueness and creativity that rises to the top when people in our country have to figure things out. And I've seen it day in and day out, the ingenuity people are using and the creativity to continue to help each other." For Anna, her work at University of Florida has been greatly impacted as most programs have been suspended. Yet, the situation has brought a more highlighted focus to the production side of the work because the campus is still providing emergency food service through their food pantry on campus. Thus, Anna's focus has shifted to, "How do we do that safely? How do we do it appropriately?" while at the same time, shining a light on gaps and bright spots in how the local governments and communities support organizations and how well the mechanisms in place enable coordination. "A lot of my focus has been connecting the dots in some of those areas," said Anna, "and exploring ways in which we can help the people in the community connect to the resources and support services that people like Robin are developing. How do people know where to go to get that support? How do they find those resources? How can we have a unified and coordinated effort to communicate to our citizens in Alachua county about what's needed and how they can get it?" Rachel commented that this might be one of the bright spots to come out of this experience. That in order to get through this crisis, we actually have to improve how our food system functions. And as we come out on the other side of this, that we will actually come out with a stronger and more resilient food system. "Similarly to other farmers, we've adjusted how we distribute the food," explains Carmen. "We previously were doing market-style pickups. And now we are pre-bagging shares and delivering to people's homes twice weekly. We obviously had to cancel all of our workshops and events and postpone them to later. And we also have a small Florida-only retail space that we've unfortunately had to close. But we've moved to online sales and the local restaurant that caters food in our hub…we're starting home delivers from their restaurant to Arden restaurants so we can continue to support them in their time of need." Moving forward, Rachel inquired about the necessary policy changes rising to the surface? Anna said that there are two critical conversations that must be had. "The link between food insecurity and other issues in our community are so intertwined that it's hard to separate them. The reality is that the reason we have food insecurity is because people aren't making enough money to support their families. And so, they are having to make the decision between feeding their families and paying other bills…So it's some of those more basic needs conversations that are happening at the local and state level that I think are big." The second thing is, "the question about what is an essential service? Are farmers market's essential? Are restaurants that are providing food essential and how do we keep them open while keeping people safe? I think that this is one of the more important policy conversations happening right now." Carmen explained her hope for including immigrant families who work on farms in the stimulus. As they typically live in close quarters and bad conditions, they tend to be easily susceptible to health problems, which is a problem as healthcare and paid time off is not often accessible. "I would like to see more support for them to keep our greater food system running. And somehow figuring out a way to take SNAP purchases online," said Carmen. Some of the positive things that have come out of the crisis are pilots that have begun testing. Robin explained more about SNAP online purchases, "In the 2014 Farm Bill congress authorized 8 demonstration projects where SNAP recipients could do online ordering of food, because the current law is that you have to be in person when you use that asset…When this COVID-19 came up with its uniqueness about social distancing and staying at home, the first thing we thought was let's approach Washington to see if we can expedite those pilots…At the end of this, these pilots could be a shining star. And when you look at food access, delivery is probably the biggest thing that would be helpful even under blue skies for individuals to have access to healthy foods." Towards the end, panelists were able to address questions posed by attendees, and provided important information on resources. "The time is ripe for policy change," said Rachel, "and I think the environment is open to it now. I think that we are going to see some leaps and bounds." Resources on this topic: Fresh Access Bucks COVID-19 Updates and Resources COVID-19 Alternative Market Model Examples Online Sales Platforms for Farmers - Oregon Tilth Call to Action for Farmers Markets Feeding Florida Website University of Florida Field & Fork Website Working Food Website Arden Agrihood Website Host Bio: Rachel Shapiro is an experienced wellness professional and chef with a focus on the power of nutritious food to improve quality of life. Her research into the food system and the quality of the food we eat lead her to an interest in food policy and grassroots food activism. Out of a desire to be part of the solution for the challenges facing our food system, Rachel brings her nonprofit management experience coupled with her passion for systems and collaboration in service of the Florida Food Policy Council and the State. Anna Prizzia oversees the Field & Fork Program and works as the campus food systems coordinator for the University of Florida. She has 15 years of experience in sustainability and food system efforts, including working as statewide coordinator for the Florida Farm to School Program, management of sustainability efforts with institutional food service at UF, and serving on the boards of Slow Food Gainesville and the Alachua County Nutrition Alliance. Anna is the President of the Board and co-founder for Working Food (formerly Forage), a non-profit focused on supporting and sustaining local food efforts in North Central Florida. She received her B.S. in marine biology from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington and her M.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation with a certificate in tropical conservation and development from the University of Florida. She served in the Peace Corps at Vanuatu from 2004 to 2005. Anna is currently running for Alachua County Commission. When she isn't working she enjoys spending time in nature and seeing live music with her husband and 11 year old daughter. Robin Safley is Executive Director of Feeding Florida, formally known as Florida Association of Food Banks. In her role she oversees the lead organization in the fight against hunger in Florida with a statewide network of 12-member food banks and over 2,500 partner agencies that feed every community every day. Safley works to raise awareness of hunger, acquire food and financial donations, as well as work with state policymakers to garner additional support to find solutions to end hunger. Previously the Director for the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness under Commissioner Adam Putnam, Safley integrated Child Nutrition Programs from the Florida Department of Education into The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Previous public service included stents as Chief of Staff to the Florida Senate President and Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Education. Safley holds a Juris Doctor degree from the FSU College of Law. Safley is an avid tri-athlete married to Sandy Safley and mother of two daughters Avery and Caldwell. Carmen Franz is the Farm Director at Arden, a master planned, "agrihood" community in South Florida. She and her partner grow organic vegetables and fruit for the residents through a CSA program and General Store at their 5 acre farm and barn. Carmen is passionate about growing and sharing food. Before Arden, Carmen managed a CSA in Tennessee. Earlier she directed Fresh Access Bucks, Florida's SNAP incentive program designed to increase underserved communities' access to fresh foods while increasing revenue for local farmers. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science, focusing on Agriculture Policy and Organic and Sustainable Crop Production, and later served as a Sustainable Agriculture Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. Follow Up: February 2020 Florida Food Forum "Food Politics: Equity in the Food System" 3 Mar 2020 9:00 AM | Administrator (Administrator) Follow Up: February Florida Food Forum Food Politics: Equity in the Food System If you were unable to attend the meeting, the full presentation is available online here. You can also download a pdf of the presentation here. To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Equity in the Food System here to add your thoughts and comments. On February 28th, the Florida Food Forum on Equity in the Food System was led by Candace Spencer, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. "Food is a universal need. It crosses any type of barrier people would put in place between other people, whether it be race, class, gender, sexual orientation," Candace said in response to why she is dedicating her life to this work, "Everyone needs food, everyone needs to eat, and establishing equity in that area is a really great way to enhance equity in our society overall." Candace began by clarifying that as the topic of equity is vast, and that this presentation would be an introduction to the topic and a place to start a larger conversation around how people can bring this topic into their own work. Specifically, this talk focuses on racial equity and how to begin to center racial equity in the food system through policy. "If we look at the history of the food and the agriculture system in this country, it is based on two things: stolen land and stolen labor." Diving in, Candace describes the two main aspects of a successful agriculture system: land and capital. "Land was stolen from Indigenous people, and labor was stolen from enslaved African people who were brought to this country to work the land and to utilize it for the economic benefit of White people. That economic benefit was estimated by political scientist Thomas Craemer to be between $5.9 to $14.2 trillion dollars in current dollars." She notes that these things didn't happen in a vacuum. That in fact, they were supported and upheld by policies. "Policies are often used as a tool of systemic racism," she said. "One example is treaties with Indigenous people. They often weren't explained well or translated into Indigenous languages, completely ignored the idea of land ownership to Indigenous people, if that term even existed, or they just weren't followed—many treaties that were signed were completely broken by the federal government." Candace explains how the Homestead Act of 1862 provided generational wealth which is present to this day. "It was only available to White people, not to Black or Indigenous people, and allowed people to claim certain tracts of land. If they worked the land for 5 years, they were then able to maintain ownership of that land." Another important policy we still see today is the Farm Bill. "A notable way in which it upheld systemic racism is by delegating a lot of decision-making power to states and countries in the implementation of Farm Bill programs," Candace says, "This is important to note because something can either implicitly or explicitly uphold systemic racism. Because systemic racism is so prevalent, if something is not actively opposing it, it's implicitly upholding it. So, the Farm Bill allowed states and counties to decide on who received loans from the federal government, who had access to land, who had access to federal programs, and that control was used to discriminate, especially in the South, against Black farmers." Candace describes the lasting effects of these policies through notable statistics. According to the 2017 Ag Census conducted by the USDA, 95% of agricultural producers in this country are White and 1.4% of producers are Black. In another study performed by the Institute for Policy Studies, the results found that the average White household owns 86 times more wealth than its Black counterpart, and 68 times more wealth than its Latino one. So, where do we go from here? "Acknowledgement is the first step to righting wrong." Candace points out that acknowledging the reality that this system is built on structural inequity is critical to moving equity forward. And that if we are to apply this knowledge to policy and move equity forward through policy, we have to ask the right questions of the right people at the right time. The first question we need to ask is "Why?" Why is this policy the way it is? "We think about policy in two different contexts: If we have a policy that already exists, then we are trying to make it more equitable and if it's a new policy, then we are trying to make it equitable from its inception," she says. "In order to change any system or structure, you have to know how it came to be in the first place by getting to the root of the 'Why.'" The next question is "What?" What does it mean for a policy to be equitable? In this case, Candace notes that the best question to ask is, "Does the policy shift power?" That it's important to understand if the policy, program, or idea, shifts power from those who have it to those who don't. If it doesn't, then it's not advancing equity. The third question is "Who?" Who does this policy effect? In order to center equity in policy it is essential to have the input of those who don't have power. It's also important to remember that building a new system is going to require time. "Moving at the speed of trust." Candace says that engaging people who don't have power to get their honest feedback as to what is going to help them requires intentional, respectful and lengthy relationship building. The final question is "How?" How should we go about creating change? Context is key. "There are so many ways depending on the context. Most important is to acknowledge and be willing to listen, then to apply them to a specific context," she says. Candace's presentation was filled with rich layers on a topic that is sometimes difficult to discuss. At the end of the presentation, the forum was opened up for questions which led to a vibrant discussion. Lies My Teacher Told Me, James W. Loewen An Indigenous People's History of the United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, Ibram X. Kendi White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, Robin DiAngelo Trainings – Racial Justice Training, Race Forward Uprooting Racism in the Food System, Soul Fire Farm DIA: Building Equitable and Inclusive Organizations, Equity At Work Food Justice and Policy Examples – Platform for Real Food, HEAL Food Alliance Food Sovereignty Action Steps, Soul Fire Farm New Roots, Lexington, KY Farmworker Association of Florida Agricultural Justice Project Coalition of Immokalee Workers The main webpage for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: https://sustainableagriculture.net/ To sign up for information from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition on USDA programs: https://sustainableagriculture.net/subscribe/ Bio: Candace Spencer is a Double Gator and earned both her B.A. in Environmental Science and J.D. from the University of Florida, as well as a Certificate in Environmental and Land Use Law. She previously worked at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she developed a new program area in the Conservation Clinic focused on environmental justice and community economic development and engaged in local urban agricultural policy. Candace is passionate about equitable food systems and land ownership, particularly Black owned agricultural land and addressing food apartheid. She currently works as a Policy Specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, D.C. Follow Up: January 2020 Florida Food Forum "Food Politics: The Role of Food Policy in the Food System" 1 Feb 2020 8:40 PM | Administrator (Administrator) Follow Up: January Florida Food Forum Food Politics: The Role of Food Policy in the Food System If you were unable to attend the meeting, the full presentation is available online here. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation here. To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Food Politics: The Role of Food Policy in the Food System here to add your thoughts and comments. On January 31st, the Florida Food Forum on Food Politics: The Role of Food Policy in the Food System was led by Anthony Olivieri, Chair of the Development Committee at the Florida Food Policy Council and founder of FHEED LLC (Food for Health, the Environment, Economy & Democracy). Anthony begins the talk with one previous experience, when he made the realization that, "Health disparities—nutritional health disparities in particular—are not random. That food access and food health outcomes are clustered in areas of poverty and racial discrimination." This awareness changed the way he studied environmental planning, moving to a more environmental justice standpoint and eventually a geographic approach to food. Food Politics is a vast topic, therefore for this presentation Anthony focuses on the area of policy that citizens can affect on the ground and that citizens have a right to affect, which is land use policies. "Food itself can reflect policy." In his story about two carrots, one symmetrical, the other asymmetrical, Anthony makes the point that the policy of efficiency can actually be seen in the shape of the carrots. The symmetrical carrot is part of a larger system that prioritizes cost over community, where the size and shape of food must be maximized for the bottom line. Yet, the asymmetrical carrot is grown by the local farmer and everyone sees it being grown, which in turn plays a role in community building and connectivity. "Policies that shape the city, to a considerable extent, determine how we eat." One example that shows the importance of a food policy is the closing of the Miami "Roots in the City Overtown Urban Farm" in 2011. The community had been using public land to grow and sell produce to the community. However, as there was no specific policy that allowed for farmer's markets, the government was able to force the community to shut down the market to develop the land for other uses. When communities are aware of the power of food policy, they are able to thrive like the Dania Beach PATCH in Broward county. The community got together to create a new policy that would allow community gardens and farmer's markets on public lands, which enabled the Dania Beach PATCH garden and market to not only exist, but be able to apply for grants from the government. With the safety of a policy and strong infrastructure for funding, Dania Beach PATCH has flourished. Anthony says, in reference to Dania Beach PATCH, "If you have a policy to allow food growing, and the policy also says the food growing shall enhance the community cohesion, of the neighborhood and the city, and shall allow for program for people to experience food in multiple ways, you can get outcomes like this." Food is powerful. Food is political. Food is intimate. Anthony makes the case that, "Food has a major component of politics to it—a type of politics that awakens people." He shares a quote from McMichael, "the power of food lies in its material and symbolic functions of linking nature, human survival, health, culture and livelihood as a focus of resistance to corporate takeover of life itself," and uses the example of D-Town Farm. Run by the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network who advocates for justice in the food system, D-Town Farm is example of how local citizens can create stronger local economies and advocate for food justice. Anthony explains two frameworks through which citizens can advocate for their right to food. One is through food justice, which he explains is a strategy, a response, and a way to harness the power of food. "We see this being done not only at farmers markets but harnessed by our representatives." The other is through food sovereignty, which is "the right for people to produce and sell, and the right to control and define their own food systems." What is the food system? Anthony goes on to explain that a main part of the food system includes regulations and policies. Therefore, it is important to understand which policies citizens have the power to control. As land anchors food policy, we can harness land use policy to change how we control our food system. At the local level there are some tools that citizens can use to affect food policy such as comprehensive plans, land development regulations, community redevelopment agency plans and community master plans. Anthony highlights the elements of comprehensive plans and how to use them to enact change. He shows an example of a visionary policy in Fort Lauderdale's comprehensive plan, and its effect on the food system and explains that all municipalities in Florida are able to create such robust policies because of The Florida Community Planning Act: 163.3161. Because of this land use planning act, "all localities have the right to plan in the interest of public health…So, local government can preserve, promote, protect and improve public health and welfare," notes Anthony. "I think anyone of us can argue that policies that increase healthy food access and food sovereignty and food justice, do indeed improve the health, safety, and general welfare of a community." Participants were then asked to join in on the discussion, which lead to a robust conversation on ways citizens can increase food access in Florida communities. Bio: Anthony Olivieri, Chair of the Development Committee at the Florida Food Policy Council, is the founder of FHEED LLC (Food for Health, the Environment, Economy & Democracy), has a Masters in Urban & Regional Planning from FAU (2011) with a focus on community food systems, and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). His specialties are geographic assessments of food and health disparities, program design for healthy food access initiatives, and public speaking about health equity. In addition to his consultancy, Anthony was a full-time instructor with the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University, where he developed and taught the region's first urban planning course on community food systems (2014-2016). A Fort Lauderdale resident since 1998, Anthony is originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts and has a B.A. in psycholinguistics from the University of Southern California (1994). Follow Up: December Florida Food Forum "Food Policy for Wellness" Food Policy for Wellness If you were unable to attend the meeting, the full presentation is available online here. You can also view the presentation slides in this pdf. To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Food Policy for Wellness here to add your thoughts and comments. On December 20th, the Florida Food Forum on Food Policy for Wellness was led by Dave Krepcho, President/CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. In his talk, Dave covered many important areas such as: the intersection of food insecurity and health, the Central Florida response which included non-traditional partnerships and the Health and Hunger Task Force, and local pilots, projects and next steps. Dave began with the Mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida: "To create hope and nourish lives through a powerful hunger relief network, while multiplying the generosity of a caring community." As a hunger relief network, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provides food to 600 various charitable feeding programs including food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, schools, hospitals and clinics over 6 counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia and Lake. In total, they reach around 500,000 Central Floridians each year of which around 180,000 are children. Last year alone, they distributed close to 60 million meals. With a lack of affordable housing, healthcare, and public transportation in Florida, food insecurity is a serious result. "Florida has the 3rd highest number of food insecure children in the country," Dave noted, "74% of households receiving food from Second Harvest live in poverty, 50% exhaust snap benefits in two weeks, and 60% of households were employed in the past year." Dave went on to frame the cycle of food insecurity and chronic disease and how to look at food insecurity as a way to address social determinants of health. "Food insecure patients cost the health care system, on average, almost $1,863 more per year." One of the most serious effects economically of food insecurity is the rise in additional health care costs of up to $52.9 Billion as there is an increase in chronic disease treatment, diabetes hospitalizations, and hospital readmissions. By working with healthcare partners as a food bank, there is an opportunity to tackle food insecurity. Dave continued with the Health and Hunger Taskforce, a platform which launched in 2015 that focuses on goals such as: food insecurity screening, building value proposition for the work, measuring health outcomes. The taskforce serves as a platform for funding opportunities, knowledge transmission, and advocacy, all while leading the way to improve patient and community health. Currently, Second Harvest is working on a variety of short- and long-term pilots and projects to find innovate ways to fight food insecurity. Going forward, the organization is looking at specific areas such as: sustainability of healthy food costs, buy-in from the clinical community, increased awareness, utilization/integration into healthcare systems, addressing barriers, nutrition education expansion, and healthy food access/food as medicine institutionalized across the provision of healthcare. In regards to policy, Dave mentioned the Medicaid Waiver 1115, which enables compensation for "experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects that are found by the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] to be likely to assist in promoting the objectives of the Medicaid program." This kind of policy allows for increased research in this area which may foster long-term change. Following the presentation, Vice President of Agency Relations and Programs Karen Broussard joined the discussion which touched on a number of important topics. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Website Feeding America Website Bio: Dave Krepcho is President/CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; a member of Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the U.S. Second Harvest Food Bank serves a six County area in Central Florida through a network of 550 partner agencies. Last year, Second Harvest distributed enough food for 58 million meals, have trained and placed into jobs 280 graduates of their Culinary and Distribution Center Training programs and generated $100 million worth of SNAP benefits through their award-winning mobile outreach program. Second Harvest's annual economic impact in Central Florida is $187 million. The organization annually receives Charity Navigator's Four Star rating. Dave has 26 years' experience in food banking in positions such as a national Feeding America Board member, past president of Feeding Florida, chair of the Feeding America eastern region, chaired various national task forces, member of a bi-partisan Washington, DC think tank, serves on the 4ROOTS Board as well as the Florida Nonprofit Alliance. He was the Orlando Sentinel's Orlando Sentinel's "2009 Central Floridian of the Year" and in 2019, Orlando Magazine's "50 Most Powerful People: Philanthropy & Community Voices." Prior to his role at Second Harvest, Dave was V.P. of Business Development at Feeding America. Before he reinvented himself as a food banker, he had a career in the Advertising Agency business and attended Columbus College of Art & Design. Dave is married with two children, seven grandchildren. Follow Up: November Florida Food Forum "Food Waste and Food Banks: An Evolving Strategy" 19 Nov 2019 12:44 PM | Administrator (Administrator) Food Waste and Food Banks: An Evolving Strategy To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Farm to School here to add your thoughts and comments. On November 15th, the November Florida Food Forum on Food Waste and Food Banks: An Evolving Strategy was led by David Vaina and Krista Garofalo. David is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Krista is the Chief Resource Officer at the Treasure Coast Food Bank in Fort Pierce, Florida. The presentation covered many topics including: food waste and sustainability, innovate strategies to combat food waste, effects of current programs and policies on food waste and food banks, and future initiatives that could lead a change. "About 40% of food produced in the US goes to waste, about 62.5 million tons of food waste every year, which equals about 218 billion dollars annually that's never consumed. 10.1 million tones are left unharvested on farms and 52.4 million ends up in landfills." David went on to explain that traditionally food banks have long focused their efforts with grocery stores. "The Feeding America network collectively annually 4.5 billion pounds of unsellable food," said David. Through grocery rescue programs, millions of pounds of food are rescued and distributed. However, there is waste in all levels of the food system. In fact, "80% of food waste occurs in consumer homes, restaurants and institutions," David noted. Thus, it is interesting to see food banks continue to work to address their traditional role of alleviating hunger and poverty while moving towards a more sustainable framework. Krista continued the talk by speaking about innovative things food banks are doing including collaborating with non-traditional partners like organizations that help children and seniors, talking to farmers, growers and ranchers, and schools and organizations that are usually not involved in a food bank's structure. Programs such as Meals for Miles and the Meal Connect Program that specialize in just in time food runs allow for food donations that have a short shelf life. Also, as more individuals are volunteering, personal vehicles are being used to pick up food directly. "Because volunteers and partner agencies directly with food donor it helps ensure food is collected before expiration," said Krista. David continued by speaking about innovations at food banks around the county such as in San Diego, where one food bank purchased a zero-landfill food waste composter that allows them to donate the resulting compost to local farms and food gardens. As California has a policy that requires businesses to separate organic food scraps from traditional waste, it also has an impact on the amount of food that is collected by this food bank. Other states also have similar policies, like Vermont which has a universal recycling law that requires all organic waste produced in the state be diverted from landfills. The presentation then shifted to current programs policies that affect Florida. One of the strongest federal policies that protects donors and encourages them to participate in donation is the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. In Florida, the statewide program Farmers Feeding Florida further encourages donations as it allows farmers to receive a tax deduction for their donations. "It's a system that offsets the cost of Florida grown crops that can't be brought into the market. Twenty percent of produce doesn't make it into the supply chain because of cosmetic reasons or market shifts. This program helps farmers find a market – food banks—that is distributed through the food banks around the state," Krista explained. As for policy reform, Krista spoke about the importance of bill HR3981 Food Date Labeling Act of 2019, which speaks to standardize date labels across the U.S. "Currently most food dates only indicate the peak quality of a product. A lot of food is thrown out prematurely because of confusion related to these food date labels." Towards the end of the talk Krista laid out seven main things they would like to see going into the future: further tax incentives, liability protections on the state level, date labeling education, better use of food safety procedures, more funding for school projects, organic waste bans, and general Government support. The presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session. Specific links to articles and policies were also shared and can be found below. Civil Eats "Where Do Food Banks Fit in to the Fight for a Green New Deal?" FDACS Food Recovery Program Forbes - "FDA, USDA and EPA Team Up With Food Waste Reduction Alliance" Winning on Reducing Food Waste FY 2019-2020 Federal Interagency Strategy, MOU 225-19-003 Florida FORCE Project Food Waste Warriors Hotel Kitchen Toolkit David Vaina is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Treasure Coast Food Bank. As such, he leads the organization's workforce development, client services, social equity initiatives, data analytics, and evaluation initiatives. Before returning to Treasure Coast Food Bank in November 2019, he was the statewide Education & Outreach Director for the Gainesville-based Florida Organic Growers and taught organic gardening at Santa Fe College. For many years now, he has written and presented on local food systems, organic farming and gardening, GMOs, and fermentation. Krista Garofalo is the Chief Resource Officer at the Treasure Coast Food Bank in Fort Pierce, Florida. She has 17 years of experience in marketing communications, program development, project management, and advocacy in the non-profit field. For her body of anti-poverty work, Krista was named a member of the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and been invited to speak at learning conferences hosted by various national organizations, including Feeding America, Food Research & Action Center, and the American Commodities Distribution Association. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with certificates in Non-Profit Organizations and Women's Studies from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies from The College of New Jersey. Follow Up: October Florida Food Forum "Farm to School" 26 Oct 2019 9:47 AM | Administrator (Administrator) If you were unable to attend the meeting, the full presentation is available online here. You can also view the presentation in this pdf. On October 25th, the October Florida Food Forum on Farm to School was led by Jeannie Necessary. During the presentation, she gave an overview about Florida's SNAP-Ed and UF IFAS/Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP), FNP regional specialists, and farm to school initiatives. Jeannie explained the mission of UF IFAS/Extension Family Nutrition Program is to help, "limited-resource families in Florida access more nutritious food choices on a budget and adopt healthier eating a physical activity habits to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic disease." Currently the program provides free nutrition education in 40 counties to SNAP-eligible Florida families. The FNP Program focuses on three main areas: creating healthy schools, creating healthy communities, and creating healthy child care centers. Jeannie introduced specific programs and initiatives related to creating healthy schools like: farm to school gardens, school to garden cafeterias, the Alachua County Food Hub, and Florida Crunch. One policy that was highlighted in the presentation was the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Procedure B-18, whose purpose is to incorporate school garden produce into the school food service program. Jeannie noted that this kind of policy enables gardens in schools to act as a learning lab for students and teachers to be able to participate in a specific type of learning that involves touching, feeling, smelling, harvesting and understanding where food comes from. "I'm happy to say that I've seen over the years so many students change their minds about whether they liked radishes at the beginning of the school year. Once they planted and tasted them, they did enjoy radishes. And understanding that a cucumber…actually comes from a plant." In areas where schools are interested in creating similar policies, it is possible to take Miami-Dade's policy as an example to educate school districts as "the policy focuses on food safety and the best and safest way to incorporate produce into the school food service program." Following the presentation, attendees gave perspectives and asked various questions about the topics presented. Jeannie is employed at the University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program as the State Food Systems Specialist. She holds Bachelor degrees in communications and political science from the University of Miami. Jeannie has more than 13 years of experience with childhood nutrition programs focused on gardening, cooking, and food insecurity. Read more • Comments (1) Follow Up: September Florida Food Forum "Animal Welfare" 30 Sep 2019 9:00 AM | Administrator (Administrator) To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Animal Welfare to add your thoughts and comments. On Friday, September 27th guest speaker James Wildman presented on the topic of Animal Welfare. James began his presentation by discussing the Gestation Crate Ban, which was first passed in 2002 and officially took effect on November 5, 2008. The ban reads as such: "Inhumane treatment of animals is a concern of Florida citizens. The people of the State of Florida hereby limit the cruel and inhumane confinement of pigs during pregnancy as provided herein. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to confine a pig during pregnancy in an enclosure, or to tether a pig during pregnancy, on a farm in such a way that she is prevented from turning around freely." – Constitution of the State of Florida, Article X, Section 21. James went on to discuss resolutions that would condemn and restrict "battery cage egg production" in certain cities across Florida in 2007. He also introduced the 2011 bill SB 1636, which although failed, would have prohibited tethering or confining of hens and calves in a specified manner. Along with egg-production, dairy and cattle farming are some of Florida's largest animal industries. Yet, in 2018, James noted how, "undercover videos of the horrific mistreatment of two dairy farm workers led to public outcry and led to Public Supermarkets to suspend deliveries of milk from the farms." In fact, he said, "over the past decade the animal-agriculture industry has been behind the introduction of 'ag-gag' bills in more than half of all state legislatures across the country. These bills are designed to silence whistleblowers revealing animal abuses on industrial farms." In Florida, ag-gag bill SB 1184 was introduced by Senator Jim Norman in 2012. According to the bill, "A person may not knowingly enter upon any nonpublic area of a farm and, without the prior written consent of the farm's owner or the owner's authorized representative, operate the audio or video recording function of any device with the intent of recording sound or images of the farm or farm operation." Although the bill was rejected in both the House and the Senate, James points out how ag-gag laws can the negative aspects of these laws, "Ag-gag laws pose a threat to a wide spectrum of values and issues Americans care about. It's not just animal rights activists who oppose Ag-gag laws. Besides, animal welfare ag-gag laws threaten: food safety, marketplace transparency, workers' rights, free speech and environmental protection." James continues his presentation touching on other topics such as the growing alternative dairy industry and plant-based foods market. With these new foods have also come proposed bills restricting the use of certain words such as: meat, beef, burger, sausage, and jerky, unless the product came from animals born, raised and slaughtered in a traditional way. As interest in plant-based foods increases a number of restaurants have added these items to their menus. James touched on the positive health benefits of this shift. Following the presentation was a lively discussion. James Wildman is the Humane Educator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF). Since 2007, James has given over five thousand presentations at over a hundred different schools and universities in South Florida, teaching respect and compassion for animals and the environments we share. These presentations have reached over a hundred thousand people, empowering youth and adults to live a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle. In 2017, James was featured in the documentary "Food ReLOVution." James has worked with youth for over 20 years, and in 2006, he obtained a master's degree in Humane Education. Follow Up: July Florida Food Forum "Cottage Industry" 30 Jul 2019 8:00 AM | Administrator (Administrator) Cottage Industry To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Cottage Industry here to add your thoughts and comments. On Friday, July 26th, Ann Nyhuis led the July Florida Food Forum on Cottage Industry. During her presentation, Ann covered many topics including: where to access knowledge on Florida Cottage Food, licensing and training requirements, mandatory labeling practices, and how to stay up to date on cottage regulations. Ann started her talk by outlining Florida's legislative guidelines regarding cottage foods and important things to consider before starting a cottage business. She spoke about food permits and exemptions from permits, like cottage food operations, then went into detail about approved and prohibited sales locations and methods of sales. Next, Ann dove into an important but sometimes overlooked topic: food labels. "Cottage Food operations may only sell cottage food products which are prepackaged with a label affixed that contains specific information (printed in English). This label must include, 'Made in cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's Food Safety Regulations.'" In addition, depending on the ingredients in the product, a business might need to apply for a wholesale or manufacturers license through the state. Because of this, Ann emphasized the importance of contacting a consumer service specialist from the Florida Department of Agriculture. The talk continued with a lively question and answer session, where Ann continued to share her exceptional knowledge. Ann's presentation contained a robust amount of information about Florida's Cottage Industry and is a great starting point for entrepreneurs looking to start a cottage operation in Florida. Local PSA Grower, Ann Nyhuis, expanded her passion to the "glory" of sowing non-gmo seeds in harmony with nature, into best practices (no chemical use) producer of microgreens and specialty plants. Her company is further recognized as the first Certified Naturally Grown producer for eastern Florida, and has won several awards (locally and nationally) on their preserves, jams and jellies. A few are even referenced in the "Friends Share Recipes" dedicated cookbook published by the Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. (All proceeds go towards protection of the Refuge's wildlife and the preservation of the Refuge habitat.) More recently, A Garden's Glory broadened accessibility of its vibrant, nutrient dense superfoods to "Microgreens mini-grower kits" for the home user to effectively enjoy (with ease) PIATTO FRESCO - "health...on a fresh plate"; and, trademarked a new, exclusive line of delicious preserves this year. Visit www.agardensglory.com to learn more! Follow Up: June Florida Food Forum "Food Processing for Small Producers" 2 Jul 2019 11:00 AM | Administrator (Administrator) Food Processing for Small Producers If you were unable to attend the meeting, the full presentation is available online here. You can also view the presentation pdf. To keep the conversation going, please visit our forum on Food Sovereignty here to add your thoughts and comments. On Friday, June 28th, Tom Pellizzetti was the guest presenter for the June Florida Food Forum: Food Processing for Small Producers. During the meeting, Tom spoke on correlations between food sovereignty and food policy, including how food sovereignty could be a response to certain challenges in contemporary agriculture and culture as a whole. Tom began with thoughts on how it is common to focus on the story of the farmer, yet there are many parts to the system that allow meat to get from farm to table. From the farmers, to processors and to sellers, the system is separated into small functional players and major integrated vertical companies. Expertise differs from the farm to the distribution to the sales side, "at the end of the day if you don't have sales and processing and distribution, you don't have a farm" he said. "Consumers are really rethinking and revaluating what is value to them in food." Outlining comparisons between small and large producers, and local versus industrial, Tom noted the transformation in consumer demand and changes in consumer values in recent years. "These are everyday people that have had a transformation or they have been educated about something. Or there has been a life experience that has caused them to rethink food. So they went from not thinking about where the food comes from, and just eating what [they] can…Especially young families. When you have a son or daughter come into your family, all of a sudden it matters what you are feeding them. And all of a sudden people care and are reading ingredients…" Over the last 10 years there has been a mainstreaming of the natural foods movement and big chains are now carrying more natural and local foods, yet still it is largely industrial-based food. "Even though McDonalds these guys aren't heroes in our minds, they are attempting to step up to the consumer demands and those incremental changes should be celebrated in a way that they do make a significant impact versus the very small niche markets that don't have as much impact in the food system, although there is a lot more passion around it" says Tom. "A little change for a big company—say cage-free eggs at McDonalds—makes a significant impact in sustainability." Tom went on to discuss the Grass-fed Movement and the major shift in processing over the past few decades from small producers to large corporations. He points out the differences between the production systems used and the money concerns that are involved. For small processors, "sustainability in meats is really economic sustainability to keep that business running…When asked "What does sustainability mean to me?" it's how do we stay in business another week?" Although the small farm movement has picked up momentum, Tom highlights the reality that the majority is still led by Industrial meat. He continued his talk touching on other important issues—labeling laws, processing issues, sustainability efforts and consumer trends, which led to a great question and answer session. Tom earned a BS in Animal Science from UF in 1996 and an MBA from Thunderbird in Arizona in 2001. Tom spent about 12 years working for large food companies (Tyson Foods, Nestle Purina and Schreiber Foods) with roles in (operations, sales and marketing). Tom became an independent sales agent in 2009, and co-founded a small grass fed beef producer called Arrowhead Beef in 2010. Tom and his business partner bought a very small USDA-inspected harvest facility in NW Florida in 2013. Tom sold his interests in those operations by 2017 and now provides brokerage and management services to natural food companies selling into retail and foodservice channels. Local When We Can!

Stephen Jenkinson Stephen Jenkinson and Kimberly Johnson, "Reckoning" (Iron God of Mercy, 2022) Today I interview Kimberly Johnson and Stephen Jenkinson about their new book, Reckoning (Iron God of Mercy, 2022). Reckoning is an encounter, not only of two people trying to make sense of how to be human—and humane—in what they call our "troubled times," but also of how to live in a world that's larger than us, a world that has its own designs and aims and needs which surpass us and, if we don't attend to them, surprise us. Death comes to us, whether we're ready or not. Gods and ancestors appear, whether we recognize them or not. And, amid it all, sometimes we find ourselves alongside a companion who's willing to reckon with these larger truths, even as we're undone, even as our hearts break. That's the encounter of Reckoning, one Johnson and Jenkinson invite us to join.Stephen Jenkinson the author of six books. He is a worker, author, storyteller, culture activist, and co-founder of the Orphan Wisdom School with his wife Nathalie Roy. He is also the subject of the feature length documentary film Griefwalker, a portrait of his work with dying people, and Lost Nation Road, a shorter documentary on the crafting of the Nights of Grief and Mystery tours, which he undertakes with his band and collaborator Gregory Hoskins.Kimberly Johnson is the author of multiple books, including Call of The Wild: How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power, And Use It For Good and the early mothering classic The Fourth Trimester: Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring Your Vitality published in seven languages around the world. Her work has been featured on the Goop! podcast, The New York Times, Forbes, Vogue, New York Magazine's The Cut, Harper's Bazaar, Today.com and many more. She is the host of the Sex Birth Trauma podcast.Eric LeMay is on the creative writing faculty at Ohio University. He is the author of five books, most recently Remember Me. He can be reached at eric@ericlemay.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network 1hr 8mins Stephen Jenkinson — Grief, mystery, and generational fever dreams. The UNcivilized Podcast with Traver Boehm Never before had I met a man so interested in ending the suffering of men and the suffering caused by men like Stephen Jenkinson. As you may know, it is one of the many times that we have had Stephen as our guest, and it is because this man speaks with such wisdom that it is impossible not to learn something from him. In this episode, Stephen and I will be talking about the 60's revolution, the pandemic, freedom, grief, and suffering. He will also tell us about his tour, Nights of Grief and Mystery. I promise you will love this episode. Stephen spoke in such a poetic way that it will make you feel like you are having a piece of his tour. Can't miss it. ABOUT STEPHEN Culture activist, worker, author ~ Stephen teaches internationally and is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, co-founded the school with his wife Nathalie Roy in 2010, convening semi-annually in Deacon, Ontario, and in northern Europe. Apprenticed to a master storyteller when a young man, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families, is former programme director in a major Canadian hospital, former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school. He is also a sculptor, traditional canoe builder whose house won a Governor General's Award for architecture. Since co-founding the Nights of Grief and Mystery project with singer/ songwriter Gregory Hoskins in 2015, he has toured this musical/ tent show revival/ storytelling/ ceremony of a show across North America, U.K. and Europe and Australia and New Zealand. They released their Nights of Grief & Mystery album in 2017 and at the end of 2020, they released two new records; Dark Roads and Rough Gods. CONNECT WITH STEPHEN Website: https://orphanwisdom.com/ Stephen's tour: https://orphanwisdom.com/nights-of-grief-and-mystery/ WHAT YOU WILL HEAR [3:28] The hardest challenges of being on tour. [7:18] What's Stephen calling? [14:14] Where did Stephen get the relationship he has with words? [18:10] The 60's revolution [21:23] The 2020 pandemic. [33:54] Nights of Grief and Mystery tour. [39:55] What's suffering? [48:02] Where to find Stephen. If you look at the civilized world and think, "no thank you," then you should subscribe to our podcast, so you don't miss a single episode! Also, join the uncivilized community, and connect with me on my website, YouTube, or Instagram so you can join in on our live recordings, ask questions to guests, and more. Take a look Behind the Mask as we dive into elements of masculinity with Anger, Relationship, and Sex. Get a copy of one of my books, Man UNcivilized and Today I Rise Click here to sign up for the Kill the Nice Guy course. Join The UNcivilized Nation, registration is only open through Jan 3rd, 2023 MICHAEL MEADE Jamie Wheal James Hollis Zach Bush Mirabai Starr Ben Sessa Jeremy Lent Stephen Jenkinson on Grief and Belonging in Troubled Times Earth and Spirit Podcast Stephen Jenkinson is a Harvard-trained author, activist, farmer, sculptor, and canoe-builder who has worked in his native Canada as a palliative care provider for dying people and their families. In this challenging conversation, Stephen reflects on the deep roots of our troubled times and on how rich and full human belonging – in one's life, one's culture, one's place – means letting go of our drive for autonomy to embrace the beauty of our limits. RESOURCES:Donate to support this podcast at https://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/ Stephen's website: https://orphanwisdom.com/ Stephen's latest book (with Kimberly Ann Johnson), Reckoning: https://orphanwisdom.com/reckoning/ Stephen's Nights of Grief and Mystery 2022 Tour: https://orphanwisdom.com/nights-of-grief-and-mystery/. Ep. 134 Being Willing to be Heartbroken Together with Kimberly Johnson and Stephen Jenkinson Spirit Sessions: Sex, Spirit & Self-Care Katie speaks with authors of the new book, Reckoning, Kimberly Johnson and Stephen Jenkinson in this heart-felt, heart-broken edition of Spirit Sessions. Come for insights and honest conversations that don't really figure anything out, but speak to what Stephen Jenkinson calls a willingness "to be heartbroken together." In this episode you'll hear: ~ A taste of the polarization and cruelty of culture today ~ Notions of individuality and community and citizenship ~ Eldership and the lack thereof ~ Death, grief and culture-making ~ Find Kimberly Johnson and Stephen Jenkinson's new book here: https://kimberlyannjohnson.com/reckoning-book/ ~ Learn more about Stephen Jenkinson and Orphan Wisdom here: https://orphanwisdom.com ~ Level 1 Ayurveda School is open for earlybird registration! Get in now before prices go up by $500 after September 30 ~ Click here to book a free coaching call about Ayurveda School ~ Send a screenshot of your rating and review of Spirit Sessions Podcast to info@theshaktischool.com to receive a special gift! Here's the link to leave us reviews in iTunes. Get the full show notes: www.TheShaktiSchool.com/podcast/ Learn more: Want to connect? Shoot us a note to info@theshaktischool.com Ayurveda Certification The Shakti School Subscription HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to: Subscribe to the show by clicking "subscribe" in iTunes Write us a review in iTunes Share this show with one friend right now! It seems simple, but you'd be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes' algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app. Here's the link to leave us reviews in iTunes. From my heart to your screen, Katie Stephen Jenkinson #1043 Another in a series of deep and profound conversations with wisdom keeper extraordinaire, Stephen Jenkinson. We talk about living and dying, grief and mystery, hope and hopeless plus so much more. Stephen's words will shift your heart center and open you to a more expanded sense of who you are.Stephen teaches internationally and is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, founded in 2010. With Master's degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work), he is revolutionizing grief and dying in North America.Stephen is redefining what it means to live, and die well. Apprenticed to a master storyteller, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families, is former program director in a major Canadian hospital, former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school, consultant to palliative care and hospice organizations and educator and advocate in the helping professions. He is also a sculptor, traditional canoe builder whose house won a Governor General's Award for architecture.He is the author of Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul (2015), Homecoming: The Haiku Sessions – a live recorded teaching (2013), How it All Could Be: A Work Book for Dying People and Those who Love Them (2009), Angel and Executioner: Grief and the Love of Life – a live recorded teaching (2009), and Money and The Soul's Desires: A Meditation (2002), and contributing author to Palliative Care – Core Skills and Clinical Competencies (2007).Stephen Jenkinson is also the subject of the feature length documentary film Griefwalker.Help Support Future Episodes!What Matters Most is 100% listener supported by generous pledges from people just like you.Did this episode speak to you? Please consider pledging your support for as little as $5.00 per month… or pledge at higher levels and enjoy perks like a guided meditation audiobook, a library of Paul Samuel Dolman e-books… and more!Your Honest Review of What Matters Most Helps the Show Reach More People!If you enjoyed this — or any! — episode of the What Matters Most podcast, please leave a review of the show! Reviews help boost the show in rankings, which makes it more visible… and that means more listeners! It's a great way to spread the word about What Matters Most!Create your review – click here!Subscribe for Free to Never Miss an EpisodeClick the appropriate link to follow the show so you get every episode of What Matters Most as soon as they're available!Read the Book That Inspires the ShowPaul Samuel Dolman, author, podcaster, and speaker, presents What Matters Most (the book!) a series of interview transcriptions from more than twenty inspirational Nashville and Tennessee residents, including special guest the journalist and author Bill Moyers.Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, former Governor Don Sundquist, Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Neal, Grammy Award-winning entertainer Wynonna Judd, and many more share intimate and inspirational aspects of themselves.This twentieth anniversary edition also features bonus material from thirty more notables from Tennessee, including local business owners, spiritual leaders, coaches, radio personalities, authors, and educators.The post Stephen Jenkinson #1043 appeared first on Paul Samuel Dolman. MPP93 Longing to Belong: Stephen Jenkinson Medicine Path with Brian James Wondering about belonging, mystical experience and religion with writer and activist Stephen Jenkinson.On this episode I welcome back Stephen Jenkinson for the fourth time on the podcast. If you're not already familiar with Stephen's work I recommend checking out episodes 14, 45 and 69.For those of you who are familiar with Stephen's work, you'll know that he is a special kind of teacher. I know he prefers not to think of himself that way, but my interactions with him always stretch my brain in really productive but often challenging ways, and that to me is in essence what it means to be a teacher.This conversation was no different.We got together on the occasion of the release of a new book that he collaborated on with Kimberly Johnson, called Reckoning. We touch on what brought about that work, but the bulk of our conversation centers around Stephen's journey to obtaining a Master's in Theology from Harvard Divinity School and how that lead him to start working as a Social Worker and eventually to the work he's best known for as a Palliative Care counsellor.Along the way we hear about his mysterious encounter with an angel at the Notre Dame Cathedral following a near death experience at sea, and wonder together about what it means to belong to a place, particularly for those of us who are relative newcomers to this land called Turtle Island.As it often happens after speaking with Stephen, I'm left with some questions that continue to haunt me. In particular, what it means to belong, and the question that we end with, does Christianity belong in North America?As usual, it's better not to expect any clear cut answers from Stephen but be open to having some new questions to consider. Personally, I take the advice of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who suggested the following in his letters to the young poet Franz Kappus back in 1903:Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.Stephen's website: http://orphanwisdom.com Become a member of the Medicine Path Inner Circle and gain early access to new episodes, exclusive bonus episodes and full podcast archives. https://plus.acast.com/s/medicinepath. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Stephen Jenkinson - Episode #46 Getting Stoned In this episode I share some of my random thoughts on 'things' of the moment, read from the book Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, by Mr. Stephen Jenkinson, and I sing my song Step Out of Time (from my soon to be released new album Trim Tab). Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate YOU! Peace & Love, Stone--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stonepetoskey/message Encountering the presence of grief and mystery with Stephen Jenkinson (Part 2) Today Dreamer Encountering the presence of grief and mystery is a common experience we have in our lives. As we continue from last week's podcast episode, we hear more about the finality of death, grief, and mystery. Stephen also shares with us his wisdom and experiences with regard to children and generational transmission. Join us in this episode as we acquire a deeper understanding of the different concepts surrounding death and life.❂ About our special guest:Stephen is an activist, teacher, author, and farmer. He is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, co-founded the school with his wife Nathalie Roy. He is the author of four books, including Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, the award-winning book about grief and dying and the great love of life.Guest's website: https://orphanwisdom.com🎙 About the Podcast - Today Dreamer Today Dreamer hosts conversations to help individuals cultivate their practice of presence. The intention is to provide an inspirational space for integrating dreaming and doing into being. Check out our website for show notes and mentoring programs: https://todaydreamer.com🎧 Listen for free on your favourite Podcast platform - search "Today Dreamer" on your podcast app, or click these linksApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/today-dreamer/id1460017520Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7nIF12acmAES3SLffBWfSkYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/todaydreamer👬 Who I am?Michael Barticel (host of Today Dreamer) is a podcast host, sacred space holder, meditation teacher and videographer from Melbourne, Australia. If you're interested in working with Michael one-on-one feel free to check out the website for more information: https://www.todaydreamer.com/workwithmeMichael's Instagram - https://instagram.com/today.dreamerLeave me a Review If you enjoy the podcast, I'd love for you to leave us a review on iTunes. This helps other people discover the show - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/today-dreamer/id1460017520 How to Hold Gifts of Responsibility & Grief: Stephen Jenkinson, author of 'Die Wise' [reads] 'From the Republic of Conscience' 2 Pages with MBS => Recommend this show by sharing the link: pod.link/2Pages'When a man turns 30, he realizes that his life isn't working.' I heard this quote when I was in my thirties, and it spoke loudly to the crossroads that often occur at this moment of mid-life. When you hit your fifties, I think the question reappears - you've climbed your mountain, now who do you choose to be beyond that? As I've pondered this, I've been sitting with the idea of stepping into elderhood; the mentor role. Do you have an elder in your life, or are you perhaps being called, like me, to become one? Stephen Jenkinson is someone I've looked up to as an elder, and he's engaged rudely and briskly, with both life and death, having spent his time counseling dying people and their families. He's a sculptor, a musician, a canoe builder, a sage, and the award-winning author of a favorite book of mine, Die Wise. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Stephen Jenkinson reads Seamus Heaney's poem, 'From the Republic of Conscience.' [reading begins at 15:40] Hear us discuss: "You have to acknowledge many things about your own life that you're less than thrilled about or proud of." [19:35] | The nature of written law: "Lawfulness, in my mind, is principally predicated on obedience, not discernment." [22:26] | The difference between grief and grievance: "One of the ways by which you know you are deeply and irreconcilably alive is having a capacity for grief - not to endure it, but to practise it." [27:21] | How to identify your burden. [33:02] | Deciding when to say 'yes.' [37:39] Stephen Jenkinson and Catherine Ingram in Conversation: The Assumption of Longevity In the Deep with Catherine Ingram Broadcast on June 20, 2021. Hosted by Melanie Greblo and The Coterie: https://thecoterieglobal.com/ Catherine Ingram

July 29, 2009 / 12:29 AM / 10 years ago CORRECTED - UPDATE 2-Microsoft, Yahoo agree on ad partnership-source (Corrects day of the week in the first paragraph) * Ad deal to be announced in 24 hours - source * Microsoft won't pay Yahoo an upfront fee - source * Deal focuses on revenue sharing - source * Yahoo, Microsoft shares higher after hours (Adds details on expected deal, background) SEATTLE, July 28 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and Yahoo Inc YHOO.O have agreed to an online search and advertising partnership, in an attempt to rival Google Inc, (GOOG.O) that will be announced within 24 hours, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. Microsoft will not pay an upfront fee to Yahoo, and the focus of the deal is on sharing revenue between the two companies, said the source, who did not want to be identified because a formal announcement has not been made. The news and details of the expected deal were first reported by the AllThingsDigital blog and Advertising Age. Microsoft and Yahoo declined comment. The two companies have talked for months about cooperating in the online advertising market, dominated by Google. Microsoft tried to buy Yahoo last year but its $47.5 billion bid was rebuffed and Yahoo's attempt to seal a search advertising deal with Google Inc (GOOG.O) fell apart under regulatory scrutiny. Under the expected deal, Microsoft's new Bing search engine will power Yahoo's searches, according to Advertising Age, while Yahoo will handle the advertising sales, using Microsoft technology. The deal should give Bing a giant boost in competing with Google's search engine. Google's search engine dominates the marketplace with 65 percent of U.S. Internet searches, according to figures provided by research firm ComScore. Last month, Microsoft had only 8.4 percent of the market and Yahoo 19.6 percent. There is a chance a deal combining the powers of the second and third-ranked search engine companies would be blocked by antitrust regulators. Google and Yahoo dropped plans for an advertising partnership last year under opposition from the U.S. Department of Justice. Shareholders of both Microsoft and Yahoo have been urging the two to strike a deal for some time. Earlier this month, activist investor Carl Icahn, who owns about 5 percent of Yahoo and is a director on its board, spoke out in favor of a search deal, as talks between the two companies appeared to regain momentum. Shares of Yahoo traded at $17.39 in after-hours trading after closing at $17.22, while shares of Microsoft rose to $23.51 in after-hours trading from their close of $23.47. (To read more about the media business, visit the Reuters MediaFile blog at blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/) Reporting by Bill Rigby and Alexei Oreskovic, writing by Tiffany Wu; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Carol Bishopric

Voices from Bears Ears Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land Rebecca Robinson (Author), Stephen E. Strom (Photographer), Patricia Nelson Limerick (Foreword) In late 2016, President Barack Obama designated 1.35 million acres of public lands in southeastern Utah as Bears Ears National Monument. On December 4, 2017, President Donald Trump shrank the monument by 85 percent. A land rich in human history and unsurpassed in natural beauty, Bears Ears is at the heart of a national debate over the future of public lands. Through the stories of twenty individuals, and informed by interviews with more than seventy people, Voices from Bears Ears captures the passions of those who fought to protect Bears Ears and those who opposed the monument as a federal "land grab" that threatened to rob them of their economic future. It gives voice to those who have felt silenced, ignored, or disrespected. It shares stories of those who celebrate a growing movement by Indigenous peoples to protect ancestral lands and culture, and those who speak devotedly about their Mormon heritage. What unites these individuals is a reverence for a homeland that defines their cultural and spiritual identity, and therein lies hope for finding common ground. Journalist Rebecca Robinson provides context and perspective for understanding the ongoing debate and humanizes the abstract issues at the center of the debate. Interwoven with these stories are photographs of the interviewees and the land they consider sacred by photographer Stephen E. Strom. Through word and image, Robinson and Strom allow us to both hear and see the people whose lives are intertwined with this special place. For more about this singular landscape, see Bears Ears by Stephen E. Strom, which captures the beauty of Bears Ears country in all seasons, its textural subtleties portrayed alongside the drama of expansive landscapes and skies, deep canyons, spires, and towering mesas. To photographer Stephen E. Strom's sensitive eyes, a scrub oak on a hillside or a pattern in windswept sand is as essential to capturing the spirit of the landscape as the region's most iconic vistas. Years from now, this book may serve as either a celebration of the foresight of visionary leaders or as an elegy for what was lost. "Here is an important breakthrough book—beautiful to look at and heartening to read. By listening keenly to the people whose roots go deep into the swirling sandstone of Bears Ears country, by looking respectfully into the faces of the high cliffs and the equally expressive faces of the people who love this land, Robinson and Strom give us an impressive example of what it will take to find common ground."—Kathleen Dean Moore, author of Great Tide Rising "Protection of Bears Ears as a sacred cultural landscape was an historic step forward, a watershed moment too quickly shattered. This insightful book keeps a deep conversation between land and people alive and provides hope that western culture will continue that dialogue as we learn to honor and respect sacred lands."—Christopher "Toby" McLeod, Sacred Land Film Project 440 Pages 6 x 9 Published: 2018 Paperback (9780816538058) Rebecca Robinson & Stephen Strom at Portland's Powell's City of Books Rebecca Robinson & Stephen Strom at Roundabout Books Rebecca Robinson & Stephen Strom at Elliot Bay Book Company Reflections About Bears Ears: An Evening in Honor of Karen Strom Rebecca Robinson and Stephen Strom at the Center of the American West

The Hook - Charlottesville's weekly newspaper, news magazine CULTURAL PREVIEW Cultural Calendar December 9-16, 2004 By Hook Staff | news@readthehook.com Published online Thursday Dec 9th, 2004 and in print issue #0349 dated Thursday Dec 9th, 2004 Sing-a-Round: Do-re-mi for the holidays at the annual caroling night at Central Place on the Downtown Mall. Meet at the Community Holiday Tree at 5:30pm, and go from there. No fee. It's a Hoot: Get to know the unique adaptations, behaviors, and lifestyles of nocturnal birds with "Owls: Birds of Mystery and Majesty" at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. 7:30pm in the Education Building. No fee. 971-9271. A Christmas Carol: This adaptation of Charles Dickens's holiday classic will delight the whole family. Let's face it, Ebenezer, Tiny Tim, and those ghosts never get old. Today's performance is a school matinee. 10:30am. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $14-26. 540-855-5588. Winston in Concert: Pianist George Winston graces the home of Shenandoah Shakespeare with his mix of folk, pop, and R&B. The performance benefits the Blue Ridge Food Bank. Nonperishable food items will be taken at the door. 7:30pm. $35. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-855-5588. Return Engagement: Award-winning poet Lucie Brock-Broido, whose reading was cancelled at the last minute several weeks ago, is rescheduled to read from her work this evening. She is director of poetry at Columbia's School of the Arts, having just left the position of director of creative writing at Harvard. Her most recent book is Trouble in Mind, published this fall by Knopf. 8pm. University Bookstore atop the Central Grounds parking garage, Emmet street. 924-6675. Revival Plans: UVA architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson discusses past and present trends in Colonial Revival architecture, based on his recent book, The Colonial Revival House. 5:30pm. New Dominion Bookshop. 404 E. Market St. 295-2552. Hail, yes: With yellow cab karaoke, you're not just a singer, you're the star! Join the fun of over 18,000 songs, digital karaoke, and spectacular lights. 9pm-1am. Damon's at the Holiday Inn, 1901 Emmet St. 977-0803. Irish Set Dance Workshop at the Prism: The Blue Ridge Irish Music school sponsors a lesson of this social dance from County Clare, Ireland– four couples in square sets hopping about to reels and jigs. $5, 7pm. Charley Orlando (singer/songwriter) at Kokopelli's. $3, 7-9:30pm. Karaoke Night with DJ Wild Wes at Buffalo Wild Wings. Free, 9pm. Danny Beirne (piano-man) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm. Karaoke Night at Damon's Sports Bar. Free, 9-12am. Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. Peter Markush (piano) at Gravity Lounge. Free, 12-1pm. Morwenna Lasko with Jay Pun & Julie Lloyd at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm. Thompson / D'earth and friends (freeform jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. Dj Scumbag at Orbit. No cover, 10:30pm. Temple of Giants at Outback Lodge. No cover, 10pm. Satisfaction with Noel Sanger (18 and up dance party) at Rapture. $3/Ladies free, 10:30pm. Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. PJ Party: Kids of all ages can jump in their jammies, grab a stuffed friend or blankie to cuddle with, and come over to Barnes & Noble for their first Christmas Story Time Pajama Party. Children's bookseller Allyson reads favorite traditional holiday stories like The Night Before Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and holiday treats are on tap. 7pm. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598. Christmas on the Frontier: Frontier Culture Museum Holiday Lantern Tours explore Christmas as it used to be. Historic holiday traditions from Old World Europe and 19th Century Shenandoah Valley are presented by costumed interpreters. Tours leave every 30 minutes from 5:30-8:30pm. $12 adults, $8 children. Advance reservations required. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850. FAMILY AND PERFORMANCE Best Ever: The Herdmans are back as Four County Players presents a holiday performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on a children's classic by Barbara Robinson. When "the worst kids in the world" take over the church's annual nativity play, these street-wise siblings give everyone a new take on the reason for the season. A bistro with homemade goodies and gifts opens for business with each show, and Santa makes a cameo at every matinee. 7:30pm. $12 adults, $10 seniors/students, $8 children. Barboursville Community Center, Rt. 678. 540-832-5677. A Christmas Carol: See Thursday, December 9. Today's performance is at 7:30pm. Violin Improv: Two local musical gurus, Stephen Nachmanovitch and Timothy Summers, team up to offer improvisations on violin, viola, mezzo violin, and electric violin. 8:30pm. $10-15. Gravity Lounge, 103 S. First St. 977-5590. Get Lost in Santaland: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents the ultimate anti-holiday show: The Santaland Diaries, a hilarious one-man act written by NPR humorist and author David Sedaris. As usual, it's about his zany life: this time as an unemployed artist working as an elf in the Big Apple. $10-21. 10pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588. Wreath Workshops at Monticello: These ever-popular workshops, now in their 19th year, result in a beautiful Christmas wreath for each participant to take home. Learn the process of making your own, then get busy. $40 fee covers the workshop and all materials. 984-9822 or monticello.org. Holiday Market: Start your holiday celebrations at the annual Holiday Market. Come shop for crafts, baked goods, toys, and greenery on Fridays and Saturdays now until Christmas. 10am-5pm. Central Place on the Downtown Mall. Ash Lawn for the Holidays: Come experience a 19th century Christmas, complete with natural greenery and period decorations, at James Monroe's Albemarle estate. Admission charge. 293-9539 or ashlawnhighland.org for details. See Walkabout feature. Yuletide Feast: Michie Tavern knows all about transporting guests back in time, and this weekend you can even experience local holiday traditions at their annual Yuletide Feast. Strolling musicians, 18th century style decorations, fresh greens, fruits, and more. 6pm. Reservations required. 977-1234 or michietavern.com for details. See Walkabout feature. Floral Meditations: Join the Gentle Gardener staff for a workshop on decorating with container gardens for the holidays. You'll also learn tips and tricks for wintering indoor plants safely. 10Am-noon. $10 fee. gentlegardener.com or 1-877-GENTLEG. Information Session: The Outdoor Adventure Social Club offers a photo show and social hour for potential members. 8-10pm. Free if you RSVP. 420 E. Main St. #3. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Still a Great Society?: Oxford University's Gareth Davies speaks on "The Great Society after Johnson: The Case of Federal Education Policy." Davies has published a book on the Great Society and its welfare efforts. He discusses Lyndon Johnson's education legacy at the Miler Center. Free and open to the public, including lunch, but reservations are required. Noon. 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-4694. Books and Hoots in the Valley: Occasional Hook contributor Chris Graham– late of the Charlottesville Observer and now co-brain behind the August Free Press– signs copies of his new book, Stop the Presses, at the Sharon Book Store, 6-9pm. At 7:15pm he talks on humor writing. 540-249-1198. Monthly Drum Circle at Better Than Television Community Center (106 a3 Goodman St.): The first meeting of the drum circle, where those with a groove can get it out before the work week is upon us. Bring your assorted percussion instruments and beat. Free, 8pm. Local Duets at the Prism: Jake Armerding and Greg Liszt, James Leva and Danny Knicely, Ben Krakauer and Pete Frostic (of Old School Freight Train), Morwenna Lasko and Jay Pun (fiddle and guitar), Andy Thacker and Peyton Tochterman (of Fair Weather Bums) begin at 7pm and just keep chugging– see some of best, in their most stripped-down form. $15/$12 advance. Open Mic Night at Rapunzel's: Whatever you've got, Rapunzel's will take it (within limits of course): poetry, music, dance, magic, a catch all for the exhibitionist in us all. Free, 7:30pm. The Pat McGee Band at Starr Hill: The Richmond based jam sextet continues its almost 10-year career, performing over 250 live dates a year. Come see why they still pull them in. $18/$15 advance, 9pm. Sweet Trouble (pop/rock) at Kokopelli's. $5, 8-11pm. Vernon Fisher ("romantic side of jazz") at Keswick Hall. No cover, 6:30pm. James McLaughlin w/members of Old School Freight Train ("Latin jazz") at Michael's Bistro. No cover, 10pm. Porter Davis and Taylor Davis ("eclectic acoustic) at Miller's. $3, 10:30pm. Travis Elliott and Supercomp at Orbit. No cover, 10:30pm. This Means You at Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm. William Walter & Co. (acoustic-rock originals) at the Shebeen. No cover, 11pm. Mass Movement of the Moth with Arcadia, Sing Sing Prison, and Shapiro at Tokyo Rose, $5, 10pm. Evening of Electronic Music at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 9pm. SATURDAY, December 11 Scrawled War Art: Troopship soldiers left behind their thoughts and impressions during the Vietnam War by scrawling graffiti on their canvas bunks. Author Art Beltrone has collected some of those scrawlings, and Charlottesville publisher Howell Press has come out with a book of them. Meet Beltrone and see his display of some of the graffiti-bearing bunks at New Dominion Bookshop at 1:30pm. 404 E. Market St. 295-2552. If You Build It: Young architects ages 4 and up can build their house and eat it too at the Virginia Discovery Museum's Holiday Houses workshop. 10:30-11:15am. $5 members, $7 non-members. Pre-registration required. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025. Friends Around the World: Kids can make a friend in another land at Crozet Library. In a project based on the book Boxes for Katie, young folks ages 8 and up and an adult will sew Teddy bears for children in a Haitian orphanage. The toys will be sent along with boxes of donated clothing. Bring a small treasure for the bear's pocket and some clean, out-grown clothes. 1pm. Free. Registration required. In the old train station on Three Notch'd Road. 823-4050. See Family feature. Down on the Farm: Mangham Wool & Mohair Farm host a country Christmas Fair on the farm. City folks can explore the farm with animals to pet, enjoy hot cider and cookies, and finish up some holiday shopping with wooly socks, hand knit sweaters, blankets, hats, yarns for sale. Noon-5pm. 901 Hammocks Gap Road. 973-2222. wool.us. Enchanting Dilemma: Follow the bread crumbs to Old Michie Theatre for a newly staged marionette production of the classic Grimm's tale Hansel and Gretel. 11am, 2 and 4pm. $5. 221 E. Water St. 977-3690. Never Grow Up: Jefferson Youth Theater presents Peter Pan at Burnley-Moran Elementary School. This new millennium version of the classic musical features over 50 children along with veteran actor Brad Stoller as Captain Hook. 5pm. $6. Just off the 250 Bypass near Locust Ave. 249-2803. Wild Blue Yonder: It was December 17, 1903 when Orville Wright made the first successful, powered, controlled flight, and the Virginia Aviation Museum is celebrating this achievement. High flyers can examine a life-size reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer and three full-size reproductions of Wright brothers' gliders, make their own Wright Flyer out of foam or construct a kite, enjoy Wright brothers movies all day, and soar with children's activities that celebrate the day. 10am-noon. Included in the price of museum admission. 5701 Huntsman Road. 804-236-3622. vam.smv.org. Best Ever: See Friday, December 10. Matinee also today at 2:30pm. Christmas on the Frontier: See Friday, December 10. Trails Workday: Help the Rivanna Trails Foundation in its ongoing effort to build a trail network around Charlottesville, and get dirty in the process! 8:45am. 923-9022 or rivannatrails.org for directions and more information. Wreath Workshops at Monticello: See Friday, December 10. Today's workshops are at 9:30am and 2pm. Reservations required. Beginner Hike: Get your boots wet at this beginner/intermediate hike in Shenandoah National Park with the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. 10am departure. $5, plus membership fee. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Cooper Vineyards Open House: Plan your holiday festivities with wine, gifts, and light holiday fare from Cooper Vineyards. 10am-5pm. No fee. 13372 Shannon Hill Road in Lousia. 540-894-5253 or info@coopervineyards.com. Holiday Market: See Friday, December 10. Afton Winter Open House: It's a party, with barrel tastings of Afton Mountain Vineyards' 2004 vintage with complementary minestrone soup. No fee. 10am-5pm. (540) 456-8667. Chrysalis Open House: Celebrate the season with award-winning Chrysalis wines, warm soup, and holiday treats. 11am-5pm. (540) 687-8222 or info@chrysalisvineyards.com. 18th Century Evening: You've probably seen Monticello before, but how many times have you been there at night? You can do just that at the annual Holiday Evening Tour. Live music, costumed interpreters, holiday deserts, and plenty of authentic 18th century decorations. Best of all, this walkthrough is self guided, so you can go at your own pace. 5:30-8:30pm. $10 for adults ($5 for kids under 11). monticello.org or 984-9822. See Walkabout feature. Yuletide Feast: See Friday, December 10. 6pm. Reservations required. 977-1234 or michietavern.com. Rock Climbing: Practice makes perfect. Join the Outdoor Adventure Social Club for some training on the plastic rocks at Peak Experiences rock gym in Richmond. Noon. $17 plus membership fee. Registration required. 760-HIKE or outdoorsocial.com. King Family Open House: Enjoy mulled wine and take advantage of special discounts on wines and wine related gifts for holiday giving at King Family Vineyard. No fee. 823-7800 or email or info@kingfamilyvineyards.com. Plant a Family Tree: The Central Virginia Genealogical Association meets at Northside Library for their monthly discussion. 1:30pm. 973-7471 or avenue.org/cvga. Get Lost in Santaland: See Friday, December 10. Holiday Spotlight: The Paramount Theater showcases hundreds of local singers, musicians, dancers, and actors in 17 different groups throughout the day. 10-5pm. A new performance begins every half-hour on the Downtown Mall, left of the theater's construction barrier. 979-1922. Best Christmas Pageant: See Friday, December 10. Today's shows are at 2:30 and 7:30pm. David Matthews (not Dave Matthews), Alli Collis, Jose Maria, and Karma Bums at Live Arts Upstage: The 8th season of Acoustic Charlottesville opens with an evening of multi-cultural (and multi-genre) sounds. $6, 8pm. Ralph Rush and Swang at SongSharing CoffeeHouse at the Fork Union Community Center: Hooktown Blues recording artists Rush and Swang perform live as part of the SongSharing monthly Community Music Series in Fork Union. Those interested in performing should call to take one of the opening slots. $3, 7pm. 842-3150. Ralph Stanley at Starr Hill: A Virginia native, Stanley has been playing bluegrass for 50 years; recently he was featured in the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou has brought Stanley a whole new group of fans. $25/$20, 8pm. See Tunes feature. Victor Cabas (blues) at Basic Necessities. No cover, 6:30pm. Populist Dancing at Club Rio. $10, 9pm. Soldiers of Jah Army (reggae) at Garden of Sheba. $7, 10pm. Robot Surfer (rock) at Miller's. $2, 10:30pm. Meade Skelton (singer-songwriter) at the Mudhouse Downtown. No cover, 8pm. Minus the Sidekick (indie-rock) and the Chicken Head Blues Band at Outback Lodge. $6, 10:30pm. Soul Canoe (Tom Prout, Emily McCormack, and Mary Gordon Hall- folk) at Rapunzel's. $5, 7:30pm. Metanoia (classic rock-dance) at Kokopelli's. $5, 8-11pm. Hard Rain (rock covers, originals) at Dürty Nelly's. $3, 9-11pm. SUNDAY, December 12 Best Christmas Pageant: See Friday, December 10. Today's show is a 2:30pm matinee. Holiday Spotlight: See Saturday, December 11. Today's hours are 1-3:30pm. Hello, Charlie: The Waynesboro players are looking for three women and four men to cast in Goodbye, Charlie, directed by Betty Hales. Performances will be March 3-5. 2-5pm. Waynesboro Players warehouse, Main and Delphine, Waynesboro. 964-0872. Charlottesville Municipal Band Holiday Concert: It's not Christmas in Charlottesville until we've heard from the Municipal Band. Seasonal and traditional music, "snow fall," and audience participation highlight this annual festivity. A free event, but tickets are required, available at Greenberry's, Plan 9 Records, and the Senior Center. 3:30 and 7:30pm. Main stage, V. Earl Dickinson Building, PVCC. 961-5202. Santa Claws: Animal Connections offers Rover and Boots the chance to have their photos taken with the big bearded guy in the red suit to benefit the Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA and other animal rescue groups. Noon-6pm. 1701 E. Allied St. 296-7048. Winter Fiesta: Central Library hosts a bilingual Winter Fiesta with seasonal stories and songs in English and Spanish. Partiers can make a gift for a loved one, and refreshments will be served. 3pm. Free. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3. Never Grow Up: See Saturday, December 11. Best Ever: See Friday, December 10. Today's show 2:30pm. Down on the Farm: See Saturday, December 11. Rink in the Season: Come to the Downtown Ice Park for a live skating performance by the Charlottesville Figure Skating Club. Then, stay for the Charlottesville Ice Park Adult League Hockey Championship game at 6pm. Starts at 4pm. $7. 817-1423 or icepark.com. King Family Open House: See Saturday, December 11. Cooper Vineyards Open House: See Saturday, December 11. 10am-5pm. Cold Enough?: Winter weather permitting, the Outdoor Adventure Social Club will hit the slopes for a day of skiing and snowboarding at Wintergreen. 11:15am departure. Fee plus membership. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Afton Winter Open House: See Saturday, December 11. Chrysalis Open House: See Saturday, December 11. Soul Canoe at Gravity Lounge: Soul Canoe is a new group composed of the harmonious duo Tom Proutt and Emily McCormick, with the addition of Mary Gordon Hall. Donations, 11am-2pm. Music of the Early Modern Era at Old Cabell Hall: Featuring music from the 16th and 17th centuries and directed by Paul Walker, the show includes works by Josquin des Prez, Michael Praetorius, Orlande de Lassus, Giovanni Gabrieli, Johann David Heinichen, and others $10/$5 students, 3:30pm. 924-3984. Sugar Ridge Quartet Holiday Concert at Gravity Lounge. $10, 3pm. Choral Music (Back, etc.) at First United Methodist Church (101 E. Jefferson St). Free, 11am. Gaye Adegbalola with Joan Fenton at Gravity Lounge. $15/$12, 7pm. Funktastic Five (hip-hop) at Miller's. $2, 10:30pm. Native American Flute Circle meeting at Rapunzel's. No cover, 1pm. Irish Music Session at Shebeen. No cover, 3-6pm. Brad Bryant (acoustic "bluesy pop") at Kokopelli's. $3, 7-9:30pm. Stealing Christmas: That cuddly-as-a-cactus Grinch comes to Gordon Avenue Library via video. Children of all ages are invited to munch some popcorn and watch this modern holiday classic. 3pm. Free. 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544. Scuba Club: Explore the waters of the northeastern seaboard with Pete Nawrocky, a well-known diver and underwater photographer, at the monthly meeting of the Sea Devil Divers. 6:30pm. Free. Rococo's Restaurant. 975-5570 or SeaDevilDivers.com. Voters Voice: The Fluvanna League of Women Voters meets at 4:30pm in the new Public Safety Building. Route 53 in Palmyra. 589-6221. Paws To Ponder: Caring For Creatures presents a free community lecture series designed to enhance your relationship with the animals in your life. December's focus is on protecting your pets during the hectic and busy holiday season. 7pm. No fee (except for dinner, or course). At Wild Greens Restaurant in the north wing of the Barracks Road Shopping Center. 591-6113 or caringforcreatures.com. Easy Hike: Head into the mountains with the Outdoor Adventure Social Club and enjoy a summit view of the new moon and the Geminid meteor shower on this easy hike. 6pm. $5, plus membership fee. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Hello, Charlie: See Sunday, December 12. Today's hours are 7-9pm. Are you Mr. Adams? Four County Players is holding auditions for its winter musical, the lovable 1776, a comic reworking of America's road to independence. Performances will run from March to April. Actors should prepare a short vocal selection. Must be 18 or older. All parts open, none paid. 7pm. Barboursville Community Center, Route 678 just off Route 33, Barboursville. 832-5355. Open Mic Night with Charles Davis at Baja Bean. No cover, signup 8:30pm/9pm. Michael Glabicki with Greg Howard at Gravity Lounge. $14/$10, 7pm. Greg Howard (acoustic) at Miller's. No cover, 9pm. George Melvin (piano merriment) at South Street Brewery. No cover, 9:30pm. Jim Gagnon and Co. at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 9pm. Travis Elliot (pop) and John Figura at the Virginian. No cover, 10pm. Before Jackie Was O: Barbara A. Perry, author of the recently published Jacqueline Kennedy: First Lady of the New Frontier, shares insights from her book at the Miller Center today at 11am. 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-0921. English Christmas in Virginia: The Kluge Farm Shop will be decked out in holiday spirit for this evening of English and old Virginia Christmas traditions, foodstuffs, and beverages. Learn to cook all sorts of favorites, then stay to share some seasonal cheer. 6:30-8pm. $45 includes all materials, reservations required. Limit 20. Part of an ongoing series of wine/food events at the Shop. 100 Grand Cru Drive, Esmont. 977-3895. It's a Snap: The Charlottesville camera club meets to discuss successes and tips– this month focusing on the year's best pictures. Visitors welcome. 6:30pm. Turtle Creek Club House, 100 Turtle Creek Road. 973-4856. Women's Discussion: "Black women, White women, All Women In Dialogue" holds its monthly meeting. All welcome. 5:45pm. Garden of Sheba. 609 E. Market St. 295-2612. In Your Dreams: If it's just not Christmas without Sugarplum Fairies dancing through your dreams, you're in luck. The Moscow Ballet Company comes to the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center for two performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker ballet. Over 40 local children join the pros as mice, angels, snowflakes, and party guests. 7:30pm. $28-48; tickets available through Musictoday at 800-594-TIXX, or nutcracker.com. Melbourne Road. 499-1733. An Unfortunate Event: Fans awaiting the December 17 release of the movie based on the burdensome books known as Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events will probably not want to attend the unpleasant program planned at Northside Library celebrating that event. There will be horrid games and minimal fun, so kids ages 8-12 are advised to sign up only if they must. 6:30-8pm. Free. Albemarle Square. 973-7893. A Christmas Carol: See Thursday, December 9. Today's performance is a 10:30am (school matinee) and 7:30pm (interpreted in sign language). Are You Mr. Adams?: See Monday, December 13. Karaoke Night (what you make of it) at Baja Bean. Free, 8pm. Glen Mack (rock) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. Faster Than Walking at Miller's. $3, 9:30pm. George Turner (jazz) at Orbit. No cover, 10pm. $2 Tuesdays with Big Circle at Outback Lodge. No cover, 10pm. WEDNESDAY, December 15 A Christmas Carol: See Thursday, December 9. 10:30am school matinee and 7:30pm. Bennett Ball: The grand gala reopening of the Paramount Theater has been moved up a day to accommodate singing legend Tony Bennett's busy schedule. The night includes an open house and reception, and proceeds benefit the theater's capital campaign. Bennett's appearance opens a weekend of special performances to commemorate the renovations. 8pm. Paramount Theater, on the Downtown Mall. $250-1,000. 979-1333 or theparamount.net. See Performance feature. Cold Enough?: Hit the slopes tonight with the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. 5:30pm departure. Fee, plus membership. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Intro to Iyengar: This yoga style is excellent for beginners because it teaches a variety of different poses and works with the body's natural alignment. This Outdoor Adventure Social Club class offers indivdualized attention and a highly trained teacher. 6:30pm at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlottesville. $7 plus membership fee. outdoorsocial.com or 760-HIKE. Cheesy Trivia with M&M Express at Buffalo Wild Wings. No cover, 8:30pm. Benny Dodd (rock covers) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm. Open Mic Night at Dew Drop Inn. No cover, 7:30pm. Country Dance Night (couples and line) at Fry Spring Beach Club. $7/$4 students, lessons 7-8pm, dancing 8-11pm. Justin Rosolino at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm. The Mike Rosensky Jeff Decker Quartet (jazz) at Miller's. No cover, 9:30pm. Pre-thanksgiving bash with Travis Elliott at Orbit. No cover, 10:30pm. See Music Review, page 40. Open Jam at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 7pm. Jim Davies (acoustic rock and blues) at the Virginian. No cover, 10pm. Karaoke Night at West Main. No Cover, 10pm. Afghans in Sport and War: An expert on Afghanistan, G. Whitney Azoy, speaks on "Afghanistan and Iraq: Two Bad Hands Played Differently– Reflections of a Diplomat, Consultant and Anthropologist, 1971-2004" at the central branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library today at 7pm. 201 E, Market St. 866-882-6887. See Words feature. Matthew Willner solo at Atomic Burrito: Always a chameleon of sound, Willner morphs into a solo star tonight, as his guitar, bass, synths, loops and devices show you don't need a band. Just a lot of money and some soul. No cover, 10pm. Karaoke Night at Damon's Sports Bar. Free, 9-midnight. Live Reggae Lounge at Garden of Sheba. $7, 10pm. Look Around: The Artisans Center of Virginia invites entries for a national competition/juried exhibition, "Sacred Icons: A Collective Vision of Symbolic & Ritual Objects." All media are accepted, but work must have been completed in the past two years. The entry fee is $20, and the submission deadline is February 19, 2005. Info: 540-946-3294 or acv@nexet.net. Glass-Blowing Workshop: Try your hand at glass blowing with a one-day class at Sunspot Studios in Staunton. You'll get to watch a master in action, and then jump in to create a paperweight, ornament, or a hand-blown vase of your own. Class times and themes vary, as do fees. 202 S. Lewis St. in Staunton near the old train station. Details and registration info: 540-885-0678 or dan@sunspots.com. All Around the World: "Joy from the World," brightens the Science Museum of Virginia where holiday customs of the world light the museum in festively decorated fir trees, a display of handcrafted dolls representing actual and mythical characters, and special weekend cultural presentations. The museum's Carpenter Theatre Company presents the play "One Bad Camel," and "First Star I See Tonight" shows in the planetarium. Included in the price of admission. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org. Traditions!: "Our Community, Our World in Celebration" explores the holiday traditions of Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Eid at the Children's Museum of Richmond. The interactive exhibit features six miniature houses where young visitors have the chance to play games such as Dreidel and Mancala, hear stories, make Kwanzaa candles, dance the dragon dance, and more. Included in the price of admission. 2626 West Broad St., Richmond. 804-474-7006. c-mor.org. Christmas on the Frontier: The Frontier Culture Museum celebrates Holidays in History through December. The four historic farms are festively decorated, and costumed interpreters talk about holiday traditions from historic England, Scotland/Ireland, Germany, and the Shenandoah Valley. 10am-4pm. Included in the cost of admission. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850. See Family feature, page 43. Tree Trimming: Intrepid hunters and gatherers can cut their own Christmas tree from the fields at Ash Lawn-Highland. Trees are growing naturally so are not shaped, and there may be a hike to find just the right Virginia pine or cedar. Bring your own saw and a rope to secure the tree to your vehicle. 11am-4pm daily through December 24. $5 donation requested. James Monroe Parkway (Rt. 795). 293-9539. ashlawnhighland.org. Write for the Animals: Published and aspiring writers of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction are invited to participate in Writer's Gallery, a reading and reception to benefit an animal rescue organization. Writer's Gallery takes place on February 24, but writers' submissions and applications are due by Wednesday, December 15. Contact Kalela Williams at 971-8841 or prosegrl82@aol.com. Script It: Offstage Theatre seeks scripts for two upcoming series, Barhoppers and Bedroom Plays, set (duh) in bars and bedrooms. Pieces should run 10 to 20 minutes and require minimal props, costumes, etc. Comedies, dramas, monologues, musicals all eligible. Offstage pays $50 per chosen script. Deadlines: mid-December for Barhoppers; mid-February for Bedroom Plays. Send inquiries to artistic@offstagetheatre.org and submissions to cpatrick@virginia.edu, or send mail to Chris Patrick, 210 Little Graves St., Charlottesville 22902. Modern Dance: Classes with the Miki Liszt dance company. Safety release technique: 7pm Tuesdays. Dynamic alignment: 10:30am Wednesdays. Horton technique: 5:30pm Fridays. Studio 20, McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973. Practice Swing: The Charlottesville Swing Dance Society hosts weekly practice sessions for beginners and intermediates Thursdays. Singles and couples welcome. DJ takes requests. 7:30-9pm. Auditorium of the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road. Free. 980-2744. Sunday Salsa: The Charlottesville Salsa Club sponsors a weekly opportunity to learn and practice Salsa and other dances, in a smoke-free nightclub atmosphere. A basic lesson (usually salsa) gets the evening started at 8. DJ'd music is 80 percent salsa mixed with other Latin styles. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $5 (members $3). 979-7211. Country Dance: Couples and line dancing at Fry's Spring Beach Club. Dance lesson Wednesday 7-8pm, dancing 8-11pm. $7, students $4. (students $2 every fourth Wednesday). 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. 977-0491. Belly Dance and More: Get kinky at the Berkmar Ballroom with lessons in everything from exotic dance to salsa and tango. Classes, schedules and prices vary. Visit www.bermarballroom.com for a complete listing or call for more information. 652 Rio Road W. 975-4611. More Belly Dance: Studio 206 Belmont offers one-hour belly dance lessons every Tuesday with instructor Amalia Habibi. 7:15pm. 501 Monticello Road (above Mas tapas bar). $9-12. 296-6250. Keep Rotating those Abs: Studio Bijoux's Leila offers Egyptian belly dance for advanced beginners (permission required) at 7pm Mondays and 7:15pm Wednesdays. A technique course open to dancers of all skill levels takes place at 8pm Mondays. Ages 15 and up welcome. All courses at ACAC Albemarle Square. $10-12. 978-3800 or studiobijoux.com/dance. Ninja Yoga: Towards a revolution of consciousness. Free yoga classes. Bring a mat. Thursdays, 9-10:15am. Mondays, 6:30pm, followed by a writing workshop at 7:30pm. Meditation, an indirect non-action, meets Wednesdays 8-9am for instructions, discussions, short sittings. Meets Thursdays 8-9am for a silent "bare bones" hour-long sitting (followed by yoga). Free and open to the public at "Better than Television," a new community center at 106 A3 Goodman St. 295-0872. Water Watchers: StreamWatch needs for volunteers interested in stream ecology and willing to collect aquatic organisms for the purpose of evaluating stream health. See streamwatch.org for info, then call 923-8642. Green Gatherings: Explore the spiritual side of nature with NatureSpirit. Explore the spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions and learn how to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Meets the first Sunday of the month at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church at 6:30pm. naturespirit@uucharlottesville.org, call 243-6421, or naturespirit.info. Parla italiano? If you don't, Christina Ball of Ecco Italy offers "Italian for Beginners" lessons on Wednesday mornings (9:30-11am; $15 drop-in fee). If you do, why not drop by for the Tavola italiana (Wednesdays 11:30am-12:30pm) for a free chat hour in italiano? Or what about "Cinema Chat," a series of intermediate Italian conversation classes inspired by Italian films. ($55 for five-week chat series or $15 single class drop-in; Thursday 7L30-9pm). All classes held in the Verity blue Tower Lounge at the Main Street Market 406A W. Main St. Contact christina@eccoitaly.com or 825-4390. Monticello in Winter: See Jefferson's homestead up close and personal on a cold weather tour of the property's architectural highlights. Now through the end of February. Usual admission fee applies. 984-9822 or monticello.org for a complete schedule. Alliance Dinner Meeting: Interfaith Gay Straight Alliance of Central Virginia, a faith-based group working for full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenders and their families, meets the first Thursday of each month. 7pm. St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church, 1700 University Ave. Brown bag supper at 6pm. 220-0970. Transition Workshop: A chance for families of high school students with disabilities to explore post-high school options happens December 1, at 6:30pm in the Charlottesville High School Media Center. Sponsored by Albemarle County and Charlottesville Public Schools. Free. 244-3110, ext. 3234. Bead Business: Studio Baboo presents weekly classes in bead stringing and jewelry making. Call the shop for specifics Madison House: Help UVA's Madison House bring a happy holiday to over 100 low-income families in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. Call Reimi Okuyama at 977-7051 for details. Early Music Meeting: The Shenandoah Recorder Society meets on the third Sunday of every month to discuss the recorder and early music in general. Open to all. For more information, call 295-1395. Mindfulness Meditation: Tuesdays 12:15-12:45pm. UVA Hospital Chapel. Meditation practice with guidance. Free. No experience necessary. 924-1190. ART LIST Second Street Gallery presents "Drawn into Light: Works on Paper by Kay Hwang and Imi Hwangbo," on view through January 29. 115 Second St. SE. 977-7284. Through December 23, the University of Virginia Art Museum displays "Whiteness, A Wayward Construction," a collaborative exhibition by 24 artists exploring "the concept of whiteness as an ideology of power." Also on view: "Lifeline: Movement and Time in Prints, Drawings and Photographs from the Collection," and video artist Bill Viola's "Six Heads," presented in conjunction with the Virginia Film Festival. The latter two shows run through December 23. Also extended through December 23 is the exhibition "Museums: Conditions and Spaces." 155 Rugby Road. 924-3952. The McGuffey Art Center presents its annual Holiday Group Show, featuring work by over 50 artists, during December. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973. Vanity Salon features photography by Aimee Wade and Shannon Winter through December. 1112 High St. 977-3332. Through December 30, The Art Box presents "Outside the Box," an exhibition of work by nine young female artists. 2125 Ivy Road, lower level. 295-5426. The Main Street Market Galleria displays paintings by Kiki Slaughter during 416 W. Main St. 244-7800. The 5th Floor Gallery at Keller Williams is currently showing the glass and metal sculpture of Bill Hess, landscape photography by Mary Withers, and oil cityscapes by Edward Thomas. Ten percent of proceeds from artwork sold is donated to Habitat for Humanity. Suite 500, Citizens Commonwealth Building (UVA Credit Union), 300 Preston Ave. 220-2200. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church presents an "all church" group show of artwork by members of the congregation during December. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179. Angelo displays "Thailand-China, September 2004," photographs by Pam Perugi Marraccini, through December 31. 220 E. Main St. 971-9256. The Kluge-Ruhe Collection of Aboriginal Art opens two new exhibitions in December: "Shades of Black: Photographs by Wayne Quilliam" and "Black & White & Red Ochre." Both shows run through January 29. 400 Worrell Drive, Peter Jefferson Place (off Route 250 East at Pantops). 244-0234. Les Yeux du Monde presents "Places of Color and Light," paintings by Annie Harris Massie, through January 2. Also on display during December: "Small Treasures," a wide-ranging holiday group show. 115 S. First St. 973-5566. The Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville displays photographs from its "Where Else but Downtown?" photography contest at the Charlottesville Community Design Center through the end of December.101 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-2232. During December, Transient Crafters hosts "Horses: Drawings, Paintings, and Limited Editions by Milenko." 118 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500. Nature Visionary Art presents "Visions of Haiti," a group show curated by Laurie Carmody of Galerie Bonheur, through December 30. 110 Fourth St. 296-8482. For its December show, The Gallery @ 5th & Water offers the Africa-inspired work of Gloria Mitchell, plus paintings by Lindsay Michie Eades. 107 Fifth St. 979-9825. Can't get enough of Lindsay Michie Eades? Then head to New Dominion Bookshop, where Eades' paintings are also on display through December 31. 404 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 295-2552. During December, CODG presents "Abstract Ornamentation," spotlighting eight local artists working in a wide range of media.. 112 E. Main St., under the Jefferson Theater. 242-4212. The C&O Gallery features "A Secret Garden," an exhibition of stunning botanical prints by John Grant, through December. Next door to the C&O Restaurant, 511 E. Water St. 971-7044. See Art feature. Sage Moon Gallery highlights work by Elliott Twery during December. 420 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 977-9997. New works by members of the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild, featuring watercolors, oils, pastels, and mixed media are on display at the Albemarle County Courthouse. 501 E. Jefferson Court Square. 296-8484. During December, the Mudhouse shows "Snowflakes," paintings by Christian Peri.. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-6833. View Ray Wirth's photography exhibition, "Distillations from Larger Landscapes," at Art Upstairs during December. Also, this month the gallery features its annual members' exhibition and sale of miniature paintings. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900. For the month of December, Bozart Gallery offers a group show by Bozart members. 211 W. Main St. 296-3919. L'étoile Restaurant displays paintings by local artists Barry Gordon, Malcolm Hughes, and Christian Peri. 817 W. Main St. (across from the Amtrak Station). 979-7957. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts displays "Selections: 20th Century Latin American Art in the VMFA Collection" through March 13. Also on view, "Albrecht Durer: A Renaissance Journey in Print" runs through January 9. 200 N. Broad St., Richmond. 804-340-1400. Washington and Lee University presents new large-scale paintings by Frank Hobbs, on display through January 7. Lexington. 540-458-8954. During December, the Staunton Public Library displays the photographs of Bonnie Rutledge Edwards. 1 Churchville Ave. 540-332-3902. Madison's Sevenoaks Pathwork Center shows the pastel and oil paintings of Janice Dunn Rosenberg through February 22. 403 Pathwork Way, Madison. 434-295-8315. Noon Whistle Pottery and Art Gallery presents an exhibition of three local landscape artists, Will Brown, Mark Collins, and Carol Weiss. Main Street, Stanardsville. 434-985-6500. Ombra's in Crozet features paintings by Doris deSha and Laurel Johnson, on view through December. 434-823-5332. Spruce Creek Gallery presents "Nature in the Abstract," an exhibition of paintings by Alyce Ananda McCoy, through December 13. 434-361-1859. The Barn Swallow features pottery by Janice Arone and Mary Ann Burke, plus other handcrafted artwork. Route 682 off 250W. 434-979-4884. Staunton's Painted Thunder Studios welcomes the work of equine artist Jennet Inglis. 19 W. Beverley St. 540-851-0864. During the holidays, Sun's Traces Gallery displays three-dimensional pictures by Michie Taylor, shadow baskets by Charlotte LaRoy, as well as turned wood pieces by Richard Cruise, and clay works by Paula Brown-Steedly. Barboursville. 540-832-7044. The Ed Jaffe Gallery features paintings and marble sculptures by Ed Jaffe, plus abstract photographs by Marc Jaffe. 108 W. Main St., Orange. 540-672-2400. Staunton's Middlebrook Gallery offers contemporary art and fine crafts, including sculpture by Ken Smith. 5 Middlebrook Ave. 540-885-9955. The Artisans Center of Virginia invites entries for a national competition/juried exhibition, "Sacred Icons: A Collective Vision of Symbolic & Ritual Objects." All media are accepted, but work must have been completed in the past two years. The entry fee is $20; the submission deadline is February 19, 2005. 540-946-3294 or acv@nexet.net. FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES Budding insights: Grant's powerful lovely flowers BY LAURA PARSONS ART@READTHEHOOK.COM Lovely. It's not a word I often choose. Usually, it seems too polite, too say-nothing, too insubstantial. But in the case of John Grant's botanical prints, currently on view at the C&O Gallery, lovely is the word I can't escape. Grant's enlarged and luminous flower portraits are undeniably lovely. Tenderly lovely. Achingly lovely. Intimately lovely. Grant captures his images using a scanner rather than a camera, a technique that allows him to arrange subtle relationships among the petals as they rest upon the glass. In some cases, he opts for a reflective scan, illuminating flowers only from the front so shadows come into play as the image recedes into the background. For other images, Grant chooses a transparency scanner that lets light actually flow through the blooms to create an ethereal translucence. Once the flowers are scanned, Grant digitally works and re-works various elements to yield idealized versions of the blossoms. "I try to keep the color and the look true to the original essence of the flower," he says, although he admits, "I do whack the colors occasionally." Grant's large-scale explorations call to mind both Georgia O'Keefe's flower paintings and Edward Weston's intimate photographs of peppers. Presented against backgrounds of either bright white (transparency scanned) or rich black (reflective scanned), Grant's flowers, like Weston's peppers, lack context, forcing viewers to focus solely on the intricacies of their structure. In "Stormy Dahlia," the flower fills the frame, its shadowy under-petals extending into the imagined space beyond the image's borders. Around a glistening yellow center, soft white petals radiate, tenderly folded and crushed like the sheets of an unmade bed after lovers have left it. The image evokes a sweet, almost funereal, melancholy, perhaps thanks to the dahlia's defiant beauty even as it has clearly begun to wilt. For "Twin Fuschia," Grant dangles two intensely purple blossoms from the top of his frame, hanging them against a black background. Tan-tipped fuschia strands dance down from the middle of the velvety petals as red outer leaves appear to jump back in surprise. Above the two flowers, a sprig of green leaves with two unopened, red-streaked buds provides a counterpoint as well as a temporal comment on the flowers' fleeting opulence. Grant's professional background in graphic design and publishing is evident in his mastery of materials. Using archival inks and acid-free archival paper, he pushes his images' lush colors to the limit (no black was ever richer). John Grant's "A Secret Garden" is on view at the C&O Gallery through the end of December. 511 E. Water St., next to the C&O Restaurant. 971-7044. Warm fuzzies: Sharing bears with other kids BY LINDA KOBERT FAMILY@READTHEHOOK.COM In the spring of 1945, Postman Kleinhoonte delivers a small box from America to a Dutch girl, Katje. It's a relief package from young Rosie who lives in Mayfield, Indiana, one of thousands sent to people in Europe under the auspices of charities such as the Children's Aid Society after the devastation of World War II. The gift sparks a long-distance friendship not only between the girls, but their respective communities as well. The children's picture book Boxes for Katje tells the story of author Candace Fleming's mother. It has also been the inspiration for gift-giving at Crozet Library. "When this book came in," says children's librarian Rhonda Johnson, "I fell in love with it and immediately started trying to come up with program ideas." Along with colleague Margaret Haupt and local pediatrician Ray Ford, Johnson put together "Friends Around the World," a holiday program that gives local young folks the chance to help less fortunate kids in a distant village. Like events in the original story, the generosity of strangers has caused this project grow beyond initial expectations. Friends Around the World invites children ages 8 and up (and a helpful adult) to come stitch and stuff small Teddy bears as they listen to the story of Katje and Rosie. The plump, coverall-clad bears will then be sent to an orphanage in Haiti. It's a place where, for several years, Dr. Ford has led a team of local medical professionals who provide the only available health care for over 1,000 individuals in the Grison-Garde area. Kids who come to the library for this program are asked to bring along a tiny treasure– a small seashell, polished stone, interesting button, or trinket– to tuck into the bear's pocket as a special gift. They are also invited to donate some of their outgrown clothing and shoes for the 52 children ages 4-15 who live at the orphanage. The only unfortunate part of the story is that spaces in the program are currently filled. Those who still want to participate can add their names to a waiting list. Folks can still add to the shipment, however. The library is accepting donations of summer clothing, and perhaps other hand-stitched toys, for the kids in Grison-Garde. But there are oodles of other options out there for those eager to share their good fortune with others this holiday season. Shaele Wood at United Way's Thomas Jefferson Area Volunteer Center can help folks sort through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to find the one that fits just right. And sewing skill is optional. Friends Around the World takes place Saturday, December 11 at 1pm. Registration is required for this free program, which currently has a waiting list. Crozet Library is in the old train station on Three Notch'd Road. 823-4050. Shaele Wood is director of the Volunteer Center at United Way: 972-1705. www.unitedwaytja.org. Sports and war: Goat-grabbing in Afghanistan BY SUSAN TYLER HITCHCOCK WORDS@READTHEHOOK.COM In 1978, a cultural anthropologist published a book based on his field work among sportsmen in northern Afghanistan. Then G. Whitney Azoy's Buzkashi: Game and Power in Afghanistan gathered dust on shelves alongside other scholarly books about esoteric foreign subjects. The few who read it learned of the ancient Afghan sport named "buzkashi"– literally, goat-grabbing– in which tribal leaders sent fierce horsemen to vie for the headless carcass of a goat or calf. Traditionally, there were no teams, no rules, no referees. Spur-of-the-moment alliances formed among the weak in order to topple the strong, then dissolved as the balance of power shifted. Brawls to the death broke out. Buzkashis could last for days, ending not when participants reached some clearly stated goal, but when the warlord hosting the event gave an imperious nod from the sidelines. In the same year that Azoy's book was published, Afghan politics grabbed the world's attention. Amid riots and massacres, a Communist coup overthrew the dynasty that had been in power since 1929. Indigenous guerrillas– the Mujahidin– emerged. A year later, the Soviets invaded. Through a decade of occupation, they lost tens of thousands of troops but gained no ground or power. With a Geneva peace accord, the Soviets withdrew, but the Mujahidin ultimately set up their own Islamic state. In the mid-1990s, a new power nexus called the Taliban arose in opposition. After September 11, American journalists seeking ways to understand Afghanistan happened on Azoy's 1978 sporting analogy and found that it worked. Azoy's publisher asked him to write a chapter bringing the book up to date and issued a 2002 revision. Azoy's work in and on Afghanistan in the intervening years had deepened his understanding of how society and sport mirror one another there. "When it seems as if you're going to do it, everybody gangs up on you. When it seems you're a little weak, everybody gangs up on whoever seems strong," Whitney Azoy told ABC News earlier this year. "That's exactly what happened in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s." It's still happening today, he believes, and he urges American leaders and citizens to understand that. For him, America should focus on Kabul, not Baghdad, in its war against terrorism. Soon to move to Kabul to head the State Department&endash;backed American Institute of Afghanistan Studies, UVA alumnus Azoy is stopping in Charlottesville on his way. His lecture title says a lot: "Afghanistan and Iraq: Two Bad Hands Played Differently: Reflections of a Diplomat, Consultant, and Anthropologist, 1971-2004." In person, no doubt he will say even more. G. Whitney Azoy speaks at 7pm Thursday, December 16, at the Downtown Branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. 201 E. Market St. 866-882-6887. Finally! Bennett, Graves open the season BY ROBERT ARMENGOL PERFORMANCE@READTHEHOOK.COMReminiscent of the days when it was the local place to take a date to the movies, the Downtown Mall's Paramount Theater rises from the Phoenix-ashes of history next weekend to become the latest swank venue for the performing arts in Charlottesville. Hard to believe, but the nonprofit group spearheading this $15 million operation has managed to fit 1,000 seats in the refurbished auditorium. They've also added a new box office and arranged an eclectic first-season lineup featuring music, dance, comedy, film, plays, and more. The reopening actually begins Wednesday, December 15, with a high-priced fundraising gala featuring musical legend Tony Bennett. Though he climbed to American stardom in the 1950s, the old guy is still kicking, and is sure to offer some of his classic renditions including "Rags to Riches," "The Good Life," and "I Left my Heart in San Francisco." Admission to the gala includes an open house and reception, and proceeds from the performance benefit the theater's capital campaign. The funds, in other words, will make sure the theater's marquee-facade, ornate interior detail, and plush seats don't fall into the same kind of disrepair they saw in the last 30 years. Now the catch. Tickets for the Bennett show range from $250 to $1,000. Not surprisingly, they're still available. Such is not the case for the jazzy, brassy, retro (and sold-out) musical In the Mood, coming to the Paramount straight from World War II to cap off opening weekend on Sunday, December 19. In between those two performances are chances to see what they've done to the place. Opera star Denyce Graves headlines the weekend with a recital on Friday, December 17, accompanied by piano virtuoso Warren Jones. Together they'll present a repertoire of classical, spiritual, and holiday tunes. Graves debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in 1995 in the title role of Carmen and has since won critical and popular acclaim, especially for her signature part in Samson et Dalila. With her voice, she has graced the great opera houses of the world as well as audiences of dignitaries at the White House and the National Cathedral. So a visit to humble Charlottesville is quite a luxury for us. And finally, for the less urbane around town, there's "A Day at the Movies"– an event that might well draw a crowd to wrap around the block, if only for its 25-cent admission price. On Saturday, December 18, the Paramount screens two timeless films, a matinee Wizard of Oz (for the kiddies), and an evening Casablanca (for the grownups). What more can be said? As the Paramount's website proclaims, "This is how cinema was meant to be enjoyed." FYI, the grand gala reopening of the Paramount Theater has been moved up a day from the original program to accommodate Tony Bennett's busy schedule. Bennett will croon Wednesday, December 15, at 8pm, $250-1,000. All other opening-weekend events remain as scheduled: opera star Denyce Graves on Friday, December 17, at 8pm, $50-125; on Saturday, December 18, screenings of The Wizard of Oz at 2pm and Casablanca at 7pm, 25 cents; and Sunday, December 19, In the Mood at 3pm (sold out). The Paramount Theater, Downtown Mall. 979-1333. Yules of yore: Party like it's 1799 BY TIM SPRINKLE WALKABOUT@READTHEHOOK.COMIt's true; the holiday season now officially starts in October. The decorations, the music, the sales, the jingle bells&endash; these days they all seem to make their appearances pre-Halloween. It's not so bad, really. After all, who's going to turn down a plate of candy cane cookies with Thanksgiving dinner? But the extended season does take some of the anticipation and excitement out of the holidays. Sure, it's fun in December, but it can be hard to keep the merriment up for three whole months. When Thomas Jefferson was in the neighborhood, however, the holidays were a time to relax (tell that to the crowds at Barracks Road), a chance to slow down and reflect on the year. Decorations were minimal, and the celebration usually consisted of a day free from work and a nice meal with the family. If your holiday season could benefit from such a low-key approach, high-tail it to one of the Route 53's holiday open houses and experience the season in proper old-Virginia fashion. In addition to all sorts of 18th century holiday fare, Monticello's Holiday Evening Tour offers a rare opportunity to see the house at night. The evening is set up as a walkthrough rather than a guided tour, so visitors can go at their own pace, lingering over the period decorations, costumed interpreters, and live music as long as they wish. "If you've seen the house during the day, seeing it at night is a very different and very cool experience," says Monticello's Wayne Mogielnicki. "We decorate, but trees, lights, and electric trains were not in vogue in Jefferson's day. We're sticking to historical accuracy, so there will be some greenery in the house, but it's often not what people expect." At Ash Lawn-Highland, you can experience Christmas in two different time periods: the Victorian and Federal eras. In the "new" section of the house, you'll hear from 19th century interpreters and can admire a massive Victorian tree, while James Monroe and his family's traditions are featured in the older back section. But it's food that takes center stage at Michie Tavern's annual Yuletide Feast. Traditional Virginia favorites are served in the Ordinary, accompanied by wandering musicians and festive 18th century decorations. Candlelit tours of the original tavern are offered each evening. Monticello's Holiday Evening Tour happens Saturday night, December 11, 5:30-8:30pm. $10 adults, $5 children 6-11. The decorations go up at Ash Lawn-Highland this Friday, and interpreters will be on hand for the popular candlelit tour on December 17. Normal admission fee applies. Reservations for Michie Tavern's Yuletide Feast December 12 and 13, can be made by calling 977-1234. Starry, starry night: Living legend comes to town BY MARK GRABOWSKI TUNES@READTHEHOOK.COM The holiday season has always been a little trying on the music editors here at The Hook– other than regal winter concerts, things tend to dry up the month of December and the landscape continues to be parched until the students come back in late January. Even so, pearls can still be found in the pigpen of off-season local tunes, and living bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley's solo show at Starr Hill can be taken as a sign of divine intervention. Starting with a series of recordings in the early '50s with his brother, guitarist Carter, claw-hammer banjo-player Ralph Stanley helped define the bluegrass genre, playing tunes that spoke to their childhood home near Norton on the Virginia-Tennessee border. Though they had experience playing around the town where they grew up, it was not until 1947, after the brothers had served their time in the Army, that they formed the five-piece Clinch Mountain Boys to back them. Playing radio gigs led to local fame, and after a few years of increasing popularity, Columbia Records picked up the group. There they recorded songs which would later be called classics. Changing labels a number of times through the late '50s and early '60s, the duo eventually broke away to perform on their own. But Carter's 1966 passing in the prime of his life left Ralph bereft, and he shifted the band's emphasis away from standard bluegrass and to a simpler sound. His contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack in 2000 brought Stanley back into the spotlight, and in 2002 he won the Grammy for Best Country Male Vocalist Performance and Album of the Year for his part in the O Brother collection. He has been inducted into the Grand Old Opry, he holds the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress, and if you need something else to convince you of his worth, he was the first recipient of the Traditional American Music award from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Ralph Stanley's latest album was released in 2002, a self-titled simple and poignant piece of bluegrass history composed of 10 traditional pieces and one original that moves from praises of the Lord to tales of murder, all performed with an ear for the unadorned. "When Jesus was around here on this land / He certainly did do his Father's command" begins an a cappella Stanley on the first song on the disc, "Lift Him Up, That's All." Shortly his solo work gives way to acoustic guitar and banjo joining the prayer. In place of Stanley's tenor now exists a voice worn with age, but still vibrant with warmth and life, perfectly fitting his choice of material. "Henry Lee" combines a high flying melody, slide guitar, and acoustic strumming into a song about a girl killing her "one true love" (with a penknife, of all things) and is my favorite number from the collection. A true American classic, Ralph Stanley at Starr Hill is unquestionably a can't-miss show. Ralph Stanley performs at Starr Hill, December 11, $25/$20, 8pm. © 2002-2012 Better Publications LLC - The Hook 100 Second Street NW - Charlottesville, VA 22902 434-295-8700 (fax: 434-295-8097)

After meeting with Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, Senior Vice President of Retail Ron Johnson and Vice President of Internet Services Eddy Cue, Huberty issued a note to clients reiterating her Overweight rating for the company and downplaying concerns about the company's margins and the possibility of iPhone saturation. Huberty also restated her belief that the company's Earnings Per Share could reach $50 in 2013, driven by "lower priced iPhones, iPod like market share in tablets, and expanding distribution in China and other emerging markets." According to Huberty, Apple executives highlighted the fact that "the company generally views product cycles as software driven" during their meeting. Given the software emphasis, Huberty suggested that "major feature/function updates" will come at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which runs from June 6 through June 10 in San Francisco. After Apple announced that it would "unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS" at the conference, rumors swirled that the company would hold off on announcing a next-generation iPhone as it has in years past. Though Huberty said Thursday that Apple did not confirm during the meeting whether an iPhone hardware refresh was in place for later this year, she did address investor concerns that a delayed refresh would affect profits. Since Apple sees itself as software focused, major feature updates in iOS 5 and Mac OS X 10.7 Lion are expected to drive sales. Huberty also took away from her meeting with the company's executives the message that Apple has several "potential tailwinds" that could better the company's margins, such as improved product costs, lower warranty expense and higher iPad ASPs. Apple is confident that the iPhone has room to grow, according to the analyst. Given that Apple sells the device in just 90 countries and approximately 185 carriers, compared to over 175 countries and more than 575 carriers for competitors, iPhone shipments are expected to continue to grow in a "natural expansion." The iPhone maker also communicated to Huberty that, based on "daily or weekly data from partners," it remains confident in the smartphone's inventory levels. Huberty also reported that the company "plans to expand current retail stores and build larger new stores (up to 50/yr)" and will free up space for product set-up services to reduce product returns and increase overall transaction size. Apple Retail has seen phenomenal growth as of late. Earlier this week, one analyst predicted that revenues from brick-and-mortar stores would "continue on a roll" as visitors flocked to the stores to try out the iPad. The first Apple Stores celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 19th. As of the close of market on Wednesday, shares of Apple stood at $349.57, up $1.37 from Tuesday's close. The company's stock price has risen 8 percent since the beginning of the year. Someday, perhaps there will be an Apple Store on every continent. Including Antarctica. Hey, lots of smart scientists like spending the summer at Amundsen-Scott Station. Start first in Hong Kong, India, South East Asia... You know, all these emerging markets where all of Apple's growth is going to come from. Official Apple Stores are essential to solidify the brand experience and ensure sustained, extraordinary growth. It's clear that dealing with the thuggery of Asian telcos and resellers is going to hold Apple back in the long run. It's blindingly obvious that by 2015 the middle and upper class of China, India, Greater China and South East Asia will thoroughly eclipse the potential of US sales. Like Apple says, it's trying to figure out the best way of approaching this starting from China. There are a lot of hoops to jump through because Asia is actually quite diverse very unlike obviously the US and the EU. Instead of an all-glass store, it will be all-ice! Wicked. Don?t forget the ?? we started with a single block of ice and when were finished we ended up with a single block of ice." According to Huberty, Apple executives highlighted the fact that "the company generally views product cycles as software driven" during their meeting. Does that mean there's a possibility at some point there going to start charging for the updates. And is remade every year: thinner, lighter, and with twice as much magic as before. It truly does "change everything...all over again." Apple is getting a tad predictable now, aren't they. As long as it's predictably successful, then I don't mind. Makes sense...I think it's called economies of scale. The more units they make of a particular hardware style the more money they make per unit. If the iP4 has a two year life-cycle then they should make more money on the last 50 million units than on the first 50 million units. I had the original iPhone and was really impressed just how many SW updates I received. Finally though it was getting left behind on the hardware side and I bought the 3Gs then the iP4. Also, when I look at the form factors of the current iMac, iP4, MBP's, MBA's and, of course, the iPad2 they really are beautiful pieces of engineering. What a strong lineup Apple has now. PS. I remember something Stevo said about the absence of buttons on the iPhones and Apple could update the software more easily than RIM. RIM would have to add another physical button. They will stop with the thinner, lighter bit when iPad is a single sheet of paper. Apple needs to be working on that iPhone5. Having a new model by June is not necessary, but I think they sure as heck need to have one ready for the holidays, say, around September. I believe Apple needs to make 3 different models of iPhone - small, medium, large (relatively). The feature set (iOS) should be the same on all three. The small unit could be powered by the A4 chip, while the med & large would have the A5 chip. Storage capacity would further differentiate the models. This would not be hard to do, and they don't have to be too different, just some basic choice for customers is all. Oh please. Everyone knows they'll make it thinner than invisible. I don't agree with this. Apple continue to sell the previous version of the iPhone when the new one comes out for this very reason. It gives consumers choice at a lower price. You want an iPhone? You have 3 options, 8GB iPhone 3GS, 16GB iPhone 4 and 32GB iPhone 4, then obviously the Black / White preference, all at different price points. It is my firm belief that they won't ever have 3 separate current generation iPhones on sale at any one time. It will always be previous gen with small storage, current gen with medium storage and current gen with large storage. I think what it means is that we shouldn't expect iPhone hardware until the new iPhone software is ready to go. Which is likely why the iPhone won't be out til September or later. I think Apple wants us to get used to new iPhones coming out with a more irregular pattern. I believe Apple needs to make 3 different models of iPhone - small, medium, large (relatively). If you're talking about screen sizes, I would definitely disagree. Having 3 different screen sizes would greatly increase the amount of work a developer must do to bring an app to market, as well as lower the quality of some apps in cases where the developer didn't bother to test on all 3 versions of the phone. Besides, iPhone isn't getting stale. They just increase sales by over 100%. And sales will continue to increase as Apple makes the phone available on more carriers around the world. If Apple thinks Joe consumer will skip an LTE phone with more memory, faster processors, bigger screens etc. for an old iPhone 4 just because it has a new OS version, they are nuts. I am sorry but hardware absolutely still matters and the iPhone 4 will soon be stale. As for screen sizes, 1) different size does not mean different resolution 2) resolution differences are not a huge obstacle for competent developers. I think a larger iPhone option at the same resolution as the iPhone 4 would be a great option that would sell well. I see no demand for a smaller phone, just cheaper. 1) Apple released the first iPhone without 3G and it was a huge success. 2) I don?t recall a single LTE-capable smartphone at CES 2011 that was even close to the size of the iPhone. In fact I seem to recall vendors touting ?the thinnest smartphone? or ?smartphone with LTE? but never the two in the same package. I think the tech is just too new for that. Maybe Apple can get ahead of the curve in terms of size and power efficiency but I tend to look at Apple as investing in the right R&D not having any special magic so I?d say that Apple having a phone the size of the iPhone 4 with LTE without any loss in usage is pretty slim. It would still require an update to the SDK to idealize the UI elements for the new size. the resolution staying the same is but one obstacle. So lets say Apple makes a smaller iPhone with the same resolution as the current iPhone. All the text gets smaller. Can people still read it? All the controls get smaller. Can people still use them? All the graphics get smaller. Can people still see the details they need to see? For some apps, these types of things won't matter much, just zoom in. But for things like games it could easily make the game unplayable. Just saying "Giving people more variety is better" isn't really true. By that logic, 100 screen sizes would be better than 3. The question that needs to be answered is why a different screen size would be better. When the iPad came out it had a new screen size that iOS developers had to support. But no one complained, in fact developers drooled over it. The larger screen opened up lots of new possibilities for the device. So if clear reasons can be shown why iPhones with various screen sizes make sense, developers will support it. But doing it just to do it isn't good for developers or consumers.

Dominion Lending Centres Clearlease Reports Recipe for Yandex IPO hit: Genius, nerve, patience VANCOUVER, BC (May 24, 2011) Clearlease Reports Take a helping of Russian genius, add a portion of risk appetite and stir in a lot of patience, and you have the recipe for the resounding success of search engine Yandex's U.S. stock market float. The Nasdaq listing values Russia's leading internet search engine at $8 billion, an eye-popping 500 times its worth when private equity investors bought into the company in 2000. That year the business, founded in 1997 by mathematician Arkady Volozh and geophysicist Ilya Segalovich, had revenues of just $72,000 and lost $2 million. Eyeing a long-term prospect, Yelena Ivashentseva of private equity fund Baring Vostok Capital Partners put together an investor group that bought a 36 percent stake in Yandex for just over $5 million. Talks to buy into Yandex lasted seven months, Ivashentseva said recently, recalling the horror of the fund's backers over the deal. "It was really difficult to explain this to our investors, who en masse demanded that we get rid of the stake," she told Forbes magazine's Russian edition. It turned out to be the only round of fund-raising that the company did until its initial public offering (IPO), which featured a slug of new shares. Investors who came into Yandex in recent years bought stock from existing shareholders. Yandex went on to richly reward its investors, with the algorithm driving its search engine — conceived to scan the Bible, Russian classical literature and patent texts — proving superior to that of rival Google, whose co-founder, Sergey Brin, was born in Russia. The company's home site yandex.ru has a market share of 65 percent in Russia, compared with Google's 22 percent, capitalizing on a boom in online advertising to generate sales of $445 million last year, up 43 percent, while earnings rose 90 percent to $135 million. Volozh is a slight man with a quiet manner and, since the earliest days of the Internet boom, a wry skepticism about the millions, then billions of dollars flooding into his industry. "We used to be very conservative, until we started meeting so many excited people," Volozh joked in 2000. He resisted the overtures of suitors dangling the prospect of a huge payday, telling Reuters in 2005 that bankers "are promising us a golden future, diamonds in the sky, if we do an IPO." Sergei Belousov, founder of Russian IT firms Parallels and Acronis, and venture fund Runa, praised Volozh as responsive, direct and honest — "perhaps more honest than he really could allow himself to be in the cut-throat internet business." "He creates the impression of a very confident person, not easily scared or de-railed," Belousov told Reuters. "Google does not scare him, even though he seems to be awake and sane about the threat." PATIENCE PAYS Bankers say plans for a long-awaited float were prepared in 2008, only to be derailed by the global financial crisis. The company's core investors decided to sit out the crash and Yandex, bucking an 8 percent contraction in the Russian economy in 2009, delivered top-line growth that year although earnings shrank by 17 percent. "The investors waited for long enough and this strategy was successful. They weren't trying to push Yandex into an IPO as soon as possible," said Anna Lepetukhina, an analyst at Moscow brokerage Troika Dialog. "There were rumors that they were going to do an IPO in 2008. Then the crisis came and they were prepared to wait. They got a good return on that investment." For the investors, the Yandex story might suggest that Russia's investment climate is by no means as hostile as many say. Baring Vostok, which retains a 26 percent stake as Yandex's largest shareholder, abides by a few golden rules to avoid the pitfalls that others have fallen into, founding partner Michael Calvey told Reuters on Tuesday. The fund's 19-firm portfolio is weighted toward services, avoids industries where it might clash with state firms and relies on equity funding, not debt, to shield its investments against Russia's often vicious business cycle. Calvey, an American who founded Baring Vostok in 1994, said in an interview that the fund's strategy had enabled it to ride out the 2008-09 crash without having to make any disposals. "We don't expect there to be any fatalities in our portfolio as a result of the crisis," Calvey said. He declined to comment on the Yandex IPO, citing regulatory restrictions.

« Brain location for loneliness Genomic expression carried over from Neanderthal DNA » Cytokines in IBD February 13, 2016 by 2012pharmaceutical Curators: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP and Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN The following presentation explores the application of antisense oligonucleotide agents that modulate the activity of Il17 and Il23 signaling activity in the cell. IL 17 & 23 United States Patent 9,238,042 Schnell , et al. January 19, 2016 Antisense modulation of interleukins 17 and 23 signaling Provided are antisense oligonucleotides and other agents that target and modulate IL-17 and/or IL-23 signaling activity in a cell, compositions that comprise the same, and methods of use thereof. Also provided are animal models for identifying agents that modulate 17 and/or IL-23 signaling activity. Abes et al., "Arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides: Design, structure-activity, and applications to alter pre-mRNA splicing by steric-block oligonucleotides," J Pept Sci 14: 455-460, 2008. cited by applicant . Abes et al., "Delivery of steric block morpholino oligomers by (R-X-R).sub.4 peptides: structure-activity studies," Nucleic Acids Research 36(20): 6343-6354, Sep. 16, 2008. cited by applicant . Abes et al., "Vectorization of morpholino oligomers by the (R-Ahx-R).sub.4 peptide allows efficient splicing correction in the absence of endosomolytic agents," Journal of Controlled Release 116: 304-313, 2006. cited by applicant . Lebleu et al., "Cell penetrating peptide conjugates of steric block oligonucleotides," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 60: 517-529, 2008. cited by applicant . Marshall et al., "Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides facilitate delivery of antisense oligomers into murine leukocytes and alter pre-mRNA splicing," Journal of Immunological Methods 325: 114-126, 2007. cited by applicant . Moulton et al., "Cellular Uptake of Antisense Morpholino Oligomers Conjugated to Arginine-Rich Peptides," Bioconjugate Chem 15: 290-299, 2004. cited by applicant . Summerton et al., "Morpholino Antisense Oligomers: Design, Preparation, and Properties," Antisense & Nucleic Acid Drug Development 7: 187-195, 1997. cited by applicant . Wright et al., "The Human IL-17F/IL-17A Heterodimeric Cytokine Signals through the IL-17RA/IL-17RC Receptor Complex," The Journal of Immunology 181: 2799-2805, 2008. cited by applicant . Immunity. 2015 Oct 20;43(4):739-50. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.08.019. Epub 2015 Sep 29. Differential Roles for Interleukin-23 and Interleukin-17 in Intestinal Immunoregulation. Maxwell JR1, Zhang Y1, Brown WA1, Smith CL1, Byrne FR2, Fiorino M2, Stevens E3, Bigler J4, Davis JA5, Rottman JB6, Budelsky AL1, Symons A1, Towne JE7. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and IL-17 are cytokines currently being targeted in clinical trials. Although inhibition of both of these cytokines is effective for treating psoriasis, IL-12 and IL-23 p40 inhibition attenuates Crohn's disease, whereas IL-17A or IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) inhibition exacerbates Crohn's disease. This dichotomy between IL-23 and IL-17 was effectively modeled in the multidrug resistance-1a-ablated (Abcb1a(-/-)) mouse model of colitis. IL-23 inhibition attenuated disease by decreasing colonic inflammation while enhancing regulatory T (Treg) cell accumulation. Exacerbation of colitis by IL-17A or IL-17RA inhibition was associated with severe weakening of the intestinal epithelial barrier, culminating in increased colonic inflammation and accelerated mortality. These data show that IL-17A acts on intestinal epithelium to promote barrier function and provide insight into mechanisms underlying exacerbation of Crohn's disease when IL-17A or IL-17RA is inhibited. Interleukin-23-Independent IL-17 Production Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Permeability. Lee JS1, Tato CM1, Joyce-Shaikh B1, Gulan F2, Cayatte C1, Chen Y1, Blumenschein WM1, Judo M1, Ayanoglu G1, McClanahan TK1, Li X2, Cua DJ3. Whether interleukin-17A (IL-17A) has pathogenic and/or protective roles in the gut mucosa is controversial and few studies have analyzed specific cell populations for protective functions within the inflamed colonic tissue. Here we have provided evidence for IL-17A-dependent regulation of the tight junction protein occludin during epithelial injury that limits excessive permeability and maintains barrier integrity. Analysis of epithelial cells showed that in the absence of signaling via the IL-17 receptor adaptor protein Act-1, the protective effect of IL-17A was abrogated and inflammation was enhanced. We have demonstrated that after acute intestinal injury, IL-23R(+) γδ T cells in the colonic lamina propria were the primary producers of early, gut-protective IL-17A, and this production of IL-17A was IL-23 independent, leaving protective IL-17 intact in the absence of IL-23. These results suggest that IL-17-producing γδ T cells are important for the maintenance and protection of epithelial barriers in the intestinal mucosa. Gastroenterology. 2008 Apr;134(4):1038-48. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.01.041. Epub 2008 Jan 17. Regulation of gut inflammation and th17 cell response by interleukin-21. Fina D1, Sarra M, Fantini MC, Rizzo A, Caruso R, Caprioli F, Stolfi C, Cardolini I, Dottori M, Boirivant M, Pallone F, Macdonald TT,Monteleone G. Interleukin (IL)-21, a T-cell-derived cytokine, is overproduced in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its role in the pathogenesis of gut inflammation remains unknown. We here examined whether IL-21 is necessary for the initiation and progress of experimental colitis and whether it regulates specific pathways of inflammation. Both dextran sulfate sodium colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis were induced in wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice. CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells from wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice were differentiated in T helper cell (Th)17-polarizing conditions, with or without IL-21 or an antagonistic IL-21R/Fc. We also examined whether blockade of IL-21 by anti-IL-21 antibody reduced IL-17 in cultures of IBD lamina propria CD3(+) T lymphocytes. Cytokines were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High IL-21 was seen in wild-type mice with dextran sulfate sodium- and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis. IL-21-deficient mice were largely protected against both colitides and were unable to up-regulate Th17-associated molecules during gut inflammation, thus suggesting a role for IL-21 in controlling Th17 cell responses. Indeed, naïve T cells from IL-21-deficient mice failed to differentiate into Th17 cells. Treatment of developing Th17 cells from wild-type mice with IL-21R/Fc reduced IL-17 production. Moreover, in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta1, exogenous IL-21 substituted for IL-6 in driving IL-17 induction. Neutralization of IL-21 reduced IL-17 secretion by IBD lamina propria lymphocytes. These results indicate that IL-21 is a critical regulator of inflammation and Th17 cell responses in the gut. Neurochem Res. 2010 Jun;35(6):940-6. doi: 10.1007/s11064-009-0091-9. Epub 2009 Nov 14. Synergy of IL-23 and Th17 cytokines: new light on inflammatory bowel disease. Shen W1, Durum SK. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involve an interplay between host genetics and environmental factors including intestinal microbiota. Animal models of IBD have indicated that chronic inflammation can result from over-production of inflammatory responses or deficiencies in key negative regulatory pathways. Recent research advances in both T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 17 (Th17) effect responses have offered new insights on the induction and regulation of mucosal immunity which is linked to the development of IBD. Th17 cytokines, such as IL-17 and IL-22, in combination with IL-23, play crucial roles in intestinal protection and homeostasis. IL-23 is expressed in gut mucosa and tends to orchestrate T-cell-independent pathways of intestinal inflammation as well as T cell dependent pathways mediated by cytokines produced by Th1 and Th17 cells. Th17 cells, generally found to be proinflammatory, have specific functions in host defense against infection by recruiting neutrophils and macrophages to infected tissues. Here we will review emerging data on those cytokines and their related regulatory networks that appear to govern the complex development of chronic intestinal inflammation; we will focus on how IL-23 and Th17 cytokines act coordinately to influence the balance between tolerance and immunity in the intestine. Eur J Immunol. 2007 Oct;37(10):2680-2. IL-23 and IL-17 have a multi-faceted largely negative role in fungal infection. Cooper AM1. The role of IL-23 and IL-17 in the response to fungal infection has been the focus of recent reports. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology there is an article that reports an important role for IL-23 and IL-17 in limiting fungal control, promoting neutrophillic inflammation and regulating the killing activity of neutrophils. In the fungal model it appears that IL-23 and IL-17 are counter-productive for protection. IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines: from discovery to targeted therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases MWL Teng, EP Bowman, JJ McElwee,…, AM Cooper & DJ Cua Nature Med July 2016; 21(7):719–729 http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v21/n7/full/nm.3895.html The cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) was thought to have a central role in T cell–mediated responses in inflammation for more than a decade after it was first identified. Discovery of the cytokine IL-23, which shares a common p40 subunit with IL-12, prompted efforts to clarify the relative contribution of these two cytokines in immune regulation. Ustekinumab, a therapeutic agent targeting both cytokines, was recently approved to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and related agents are in clinical testing for a variety of inflammatory disorders. Here we discuss the therapeutic rationale for targeting these cytokines, the unintended consequences for host defense and tumor surveillance and potential ways in which these therapies can be applied to treat additional immune disorders. IL-12 and IL-23 are produced by inflammatory myeloid cells and influence the development of TH1 cell and IL-17–producing T helper (TH17) cell responses, respectively. The rationale for developing IL-12 antagonists was prompted by observations that mice deficient in IL-12p40 are resistant to experimentally induced autoimmune conditions, including paralysis induction after immunization with brain-derived antigens, arthritis inflammation after immunization with a joint antigen, ocular disease after immunization with a retinal antigen and multiple gut disease models. This suggested that IL-12 could be an effective therapeutic target1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Studies of neutralizing antibodies to IL-12p40 in multiple mouse strains seemed to confirm the importance of therapeutically targeting IL-12 to decrease immune pathology6, 7. However, mice deficient in the other IL-12 subunit, IL-12p35, showed no protection or showed exacerbated disease in some models1, 2. Following the recognition, in 2000, that IL-12 and IL-23 share the IL-12p40 subunit but only IL-23 uses the p19 subunit8, it was determined that mice deficient in IL-23 but not IL-12 are resistant to experimental immune-mediated disease1, 2, 3, 4, 5. By 2000, the first anti–IL-12p40 therapy targeting IL-12—subsequently recognized to target IL-23 as well—was under evaluation in patients with Crohn's disease9. Currently, at least 10 therapeutic agents targeting IL-12, IL-23 or IL-17A are being tested in the clinic for more than 17 immune-mediated diseases (Table 1). Here we discuss the preclinical and clinical data validating these therapeutic strategies and the potential consequences of targeting these immune pathways. Figure 1: Schematic representation of IL-12 and IL-23, and their receptors and downstream signaling pathways IL-12 is made up of the IL-12/23p40 and IL-12p35 subunits, and IL-23 comprises IL-23p19 and IL-12/23p40. IL-12 signals through the IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 subunits, and IL-23 signals through IL-12Rβ1 and IL-23R. IL-12 stimulation of JAK2… Figure 4: Schematic representation of the mechanisms by which IL-23 indirectly or directly promotes tumorigenesis, growth and metastasis. IL-23 is produced by myeloid cells in response to exogenous or endogenous signals such as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or tumor-secreted factors such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). IL-23 can act directly on tumor cells to promote their transformation, proliferation and/or metastasis. In mice, IL-23R is expressed on several innate and adaptive immune cell types, which are found in various proportions in tumors. Stimulation of IL-23R on these immune cells leads to production of cytokines such as IL-17 and/or IL-22, which can have direct proliferative effects on stromal or tumor cells. IL-17 and/or IL-22 also elicit a range of factors from various hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells, which can have direct effects on tumor proliferation and metastasis or induce the production of additional inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and mediators such as IL-6, IL-8, matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), all of which can contribute to the generation of a tumor microenvironment in which CD8 and NK cell effector functions are suppressed. DC, dendritic cell; Mφ, macrophage. Michele W L Teng, Edward P Bowman,…., & Daniel J Cua Nature Medicine 21, 719–729 (2015) doi:10.1038/nm.3895 Familial genetic studies, large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and next-generation sequencing approaches have highlighted therapeutic indications where IL-23 may contribute to inflammatory disease risk. For example, a psoriasis GWAS reported a protective association for the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11209026 (c.1142G>A; p.Arg381Gln) residing in the IL-23R protein-coding sequence with a modest odds ratio (OR) of 0.67 (P = 7 × 10−7)25. A GWAS in ileal Crohn's disease also showed an association with rs11209026 (ref. 26), with the minor glutamine variant protective for Crohn's disease risk with an OR of 0.26–0.45. The protective association of this variant (and other SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with it) in Crohn's disease was also shown in ulcerative colitis27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41. The largest meta-analysis of all inflammatory bowel disease GWAS to date (~40,000 cases and ~40,000 controls) indicates that carriage of the glutamine variant gives a modest reduction for disease risk (OR = 0.43, P = 8 × 10−161) (ref. 36). The rs11209026 allele is also associated with protection from ankylosing spondylitis42, 43, psoriatic arthritis44, 45, 46, 47 and graft-versus-host disease48, 49, 50, 51. Notably, this IL-23R variant has not been reliably associated with other common inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis in GWAS powered to detect protective effects similar to those seen in Crohn's disease and psoriasis52, 53, 54. Although these GWAS findings are compelling, it is important to keep in mind the limitations of such studies; these common loci tend to additively explain only a small proportion of the narrow-sense heritability of disease risk55. Treatment of inflammatory disease with any immunosuppressive agent carries the theoretical risk of impaired host defense responses to pathogens and/or decreased tumor surveillance. Emerging data from human loss-of-function variants and mouse preclinical studies have informed the relative risks of targeting IL-12 and/or IL-23. The theoretical risk of compromised immunity are of particular concern owing to immune defects discovered in patients with autosomal recessive deficiencies in IL-12/23p40 and IL-12Rβ1 (refs.105,106,107) (Fig. 3). Both deficiencies are genetic etiologies of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) (genes involved in MSMD are listed at http://www.biobase-international.com), a rare condition in otherwise healthy patients who have a selective infection predisposition to weakly virulent mycobacteria such as Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines, nontuberculous environmental mycobacteria and virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (OMIM209950)108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113. Half of patients with MSMD also have nontyphoidal and, to a lesser extent, typhoidal Salmonella infection. Owing to the roles of IL-12 and/or IL-23 in host defense and tumor surveillance, particular attention has been focused on infectious disease–related adverse events after anti–IL-12/23p40 treatment in humans. Meta-analysis of briakinumab's phase 2, phase 3 and open-label extension (OLE) psoriasis databases in 2010 identified 14 cases of candidiasis (including mucocutaneous esophageal and oral candidiasis); no reports of mycobacteria or Salmonella were noted. With regard to the roles of IL-12 and/or IL-23 in tumorigenesis, malignancies were observed at a rate of 1.7 events per 100 patient years (PY), and were cancers commonly seen in the general population. Clinical testing of IL-23 and IL-17A inhibitors have confirmed the initial hypotheses that IL-23–TH17 pathways are indispensable in promoting immune-mediated diseases, and agents targeting these pathways work particularly well in specific disease settings. However, it is not clear why IL-17A and IL-17RA antagonists work well for psoriasis but exacerbate Crohn's disease95, 96. It appears that different classes of inhibitor targeting IL-23 and IL-17 pathways may have unique nonoverlapping attributes in different clinical settings. Investigators are still learning where the overlap occurs and what the differences are between targeting IL-23 and targeting other related pathway cytokines. For example, mouse innate lymphoid cells constitutively produce gut protective IL-17A and IL-22 in an IL-23–independent manner. The constitutive IL-17A and IL-22 expression levels generated in response to commensal gut organisms seem to be crucial for maintenance of epithelial barrier function185 and tight junction formation (D.J.C., unpublished observation). However, high levels of IL-17A and IL-22 induced by IL-23 can be pathogenic during tissue injury responses in the presence of additional inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, GM-CSF and TNF. Therefore, targeting IL-23 via anti–IL-23p19 will partially suppress IL-17A and reduce inflammation, whereas anti–IL-17A therapy will neutralize all protective IL-17A. The immune system's function is to maintain balance in the face of insult from external pathogens and accumulation of genetic errors leading to cancer. Disruption of this balance toward immune-exuberance can lead to autoimmunity and immunopathology after infection, whereas inadequate immunity can allow pathogen evasion and breakdown in tumor surveillance. The common thread that connects autoimmunity, infection and cancer is inflammation, and the drivers of inflammation are intercellular messengers that enable cross-talk between immune cells and surrounding stromal tissues. We have underscored the importance of innate cell-produced IL-12 and IL-23 as intermediaries that act on T cells and NK cells to promote inflammation and highlighted that IL-12 and IL-23 have overlapping cellular immune functions. Whereas IL-12 is important in driving STAT1- and STAT4-mediated immune surveillance against specific intracellular pathogens and immunity against neoplasm, IL-23 promotes STAT3-dependent antifungal immunity and drives 'sterile' wound-healing responses in psoriatic lesions, which have a gene signature similar to that of many autoinflammatory conditions186, 187. Strikingly, this signature of uncontrolled wound-healing response is also observed in many cancers188. Although there is insufficient clinical data to determine the long-term safety of IL-23 inhibitors, preclinical models suggest that IL-23 paradoxically promotes tumorigenesis by enhancing skin and mucosal tissue inflammation associated with immune evasion mechanisms. As the roles of IL-12 and IL-23 were elucidated in preclinical models, there was concern that inhibiting these factors could lead to profound immune suppression. Is it better to target factors capable of regulating a broad range of immune function and may leave patients unprotected against pathogens and cancers or to aim for a restricted pathway that may have limited efficacy for treatment of immune disorders? Although the efficacy and safety profiles of IL-12/23p40, IL-23p19 and IL-17A and IL-17RA therapies become clearer with each clinical trial, the decisions to progress these targets were made many years in advance, on the basis of limited data. Animal studies are important for elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms, but clinical testing is required to determine whether a specific disease mechanism also operates in humans. Immunological research is at an inflection point, where the basic concepts of molecular and cellular immunology are being translated into effective therapies for diseases that were considered intractable only a few years ago. Despite the challenges, efforts to translate basic disease mechanisms to the clinic are finally paying off. Although much work remains to be done, the fundamental question of which immune target will benefit which patient population is now being clarified. We optimistically await the answers that will change the lives of patients with serious immune-mediate conditions. Cytokines in Crohn's colitis. Sher ME1, D'Angelo AJ, Stein TA, Bailey B, Burns G, Wise L. Am J Surg. 1995 Jan; 169(1):133-6. Increasing evidence points to a pathologic role for cytokines in Crohn's colitis. Levels of cytokines are increased in diseased segments of colon in Crohn's colitis, but no one has studied the concentration of cytokines in clinically and histologically nondiseased segments. Mucosal biopsies were obtained from 7 patients with active segmental Crohn's colitis and from 7 controls without inflammatory bowel disease. The concentration of Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in patients and controls were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and compared. Histologic sections were also performed to confirm diseased and nondiseased segments of colon. The concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly higher in the involved segments of colon (10.3 +/- 4.1, 3.7 +/- 1.0, 34.4 +/- 6.9 picograms [pg] per mg) when compared to controls (1.8 +/- 0.5, 1.1 +/- 0.5, 5.3 +/- 1.0 pg/mg). The concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-8 (8.5 +/- 2.9, 5.3 +/- 1.2, 26.3 +/- 8.8 pg/mg) in normal appearing segments of colon of patients with Crohn's colitis were also significantly higher than in controls, whose IL-2 level was 2.0 +/- 0.5 pg/mg. IL-1 beta and IL-8 were significantly more concentrated in both the involved and uninvolved colonic segments of patients with Crohn's colitis compared to controls. IL-2 and IL-6 were also more concentrated in Crohn's patients than in controls, but not significantly. The differences in interleukin concentrations between involved and uninvolved segments of colon in patients with segmental Crohn's colitis were not significant. Although Crohn's colitis is often a segmental disease, concentrations of IL-1 beta and IL-8 are increased throughout the entire colon. These observations reinforce the hypothesis that Crohn's colitis involves the whole colon even when this is not apparent clinically or histologically. Clin Exp Immunol. 2000 May;120(2):241-6. Increased production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 by inflamed mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease. Louis E1, Ribbens C, Godon A, Franchimont D, De Groote D, Hardy N, Boniver J, Belaiche J, Malaise M. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by a sustained inflammatory cascade that gives rise to the release of mediators capable of degrading and modifying bowel wall structure. Our aims were (i) to measure the production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and its tissue inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), by inflamed and uninflamed colonic mucosa in IBD, and (ii) to correlate their production with that of proinflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Thirty-eight patients with IBD, including 25 with Crohn's disease and 13 with ulcerative colitis, were included. Ten controls were also studied. Biopsies were taken from inflamed and uninflamed regions and inflammation was graded both macroscopically and histologically. Organ cultures were performed for 18 h. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-10, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 concentrations were measured using specific immunoassays. The production of both MMP-3 and the TIMP-1 were either undetectable or below the sensitivity of our immunoassay in the vast majority of uninflamed samples either from controls or from those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. In inflamed mucosa, the production of these mediators increased significantly both in Crohn's disease (P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) and ulcerative colitis (P < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Mediator production in both cases was significantly correlated with the production of proinflammatory cytokines and IL-10, as well as with the degree of macroscopic and microscopic inflammation. Inflamed mucosa of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis show increased production of both MMP-3 and its tissue inhibitor, which correlates very well with production of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-10. Gut. 1997 Apr;40(4):475-80. In vitro effects of oxpentifylline on inflammatory cytokine release in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Reimund JM1, Dumont S, Muller CD, Kenney JS, Kedinger M, Baumann R, Poindron P, Duclos B. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-1 beta, have been implicated as primary mediators of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. To investigate the in vitro effects of oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline; PTX; a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) on inflammatory cytokine production (1) by peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and (2) by inflamed intestinal mucosa cultures from patients with Crohn's disease and patients with ulcerative colitis. PBMCs and mucosal biopsy specimens were cultured for 24 hours in the absence or presence of PTX (up to 100 micrograms/ml), and the secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). PTX inhibited the release of TNF-alpha by PBMCs from patients with inflammatory bowel disease and the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta by organ cultures of inflamed mucosa from the same patients. Secretion of TNF-alpha by PBMCs was inhibited by about 50% at a PTX concentration of 25 micrograms/ml (IC50). PTX was equally potent in cultures from controls, patients with Crohn's disease, and those with ulcerative colitis. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were not significantly modified in PBMCs, but IL-6 increased slightly in organ culture supernatants. PTX or more potent related compounds may represent a new family of cytokine inhibitors, potentially interesting for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015 May;21(5):973-84. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000353. Neutralizing IL-23 is superior to blocking IL-17 in suppressing intestinal inflammation in a spontaneous murine colitis model. Wang R1, Hasnain SZ, Tong H, Das I, Che-Hao Chen A, Oancea I, Proctor M, Florin TH, Eri RD, McGuckin MA. IL-23/T(H)17 inflammatory responses are regarded as central to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, but clinically IL-17A antibodies have shown low efficacy and increased infections in Crohn's disease. Hence, we decided to closely examine the role of the IL-23/T(H)17 axis in 3 models of colitis. IL-17A(-/-) and IL-17Ra(-/-) T cells were transferred into Rag1 and RaW mice to assess the role of IL-17A-IL-17Ra signaling in T cells during colitis. In Winnie mice with spontaneous colitis due to an epithelial defect, we studied the progression of colitis in the absence of IL-17A and the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies against the IL-17A or IL-23p19 cytokines. In transfer colitis models, IL-17A-deficient T cells failed to ameliorate disease, and IL-17Ra-deficient T cells were more colitogenic than wild-type T cells. In Winnie mice with an epithelial defect and spontaneous T(H)17-dominated inflammation, genetic deficiency of IL-17A did not suppress initiation of colitis but limited colitis progression. Furthermore, inhibition of IL-17A by monoclonal antibodies did not reduce colitis severity. In contrast, neutralizing IL-23 using an anti-p19 antibody significantly alleviated both emerging and established colitis, downregulating T(H)17 proinflammatory cytokine expression and diminishing neutrophil infiltration. Our results support clinical studies showing that IL-17 neutralization is not therapeutic but that targeting IL-23 suppresses intestinal inflammation. Effects of IL-23 distinct from its effects on maturation of IL-17A-producing lymphocytes may underlie the protection from inflammatory bowel disease conveyed by hypomorphic IL-23 receptor polymorphisms and contribute to the efficacy of IL-23 neutralizing antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease. Luger, D. et al. Either a Th17 or a Th1 effector response can drive autoimmunity: conditions of disease induction affect dominant effector category. J. Exp. Med. 205, 799–810 (2008). Show context Yen, D. et al. IL-23 is essential for T cell-mediated colitis and promotes inflammation via IL-17 and IL-6. J. Clin. Invest. 116, 1310–1316 (2006). Uhlig, H.H. et al. Differential activity of IL-12 and IL-23 in mucosal and systemic innate immune pathology. Immunity 25, 309–318 (2006). IL-17A signaling in colonic epithelial cells inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production by enhancing the activity of ERK and PI3K. Guo X1, Jiang X2, Xiao Y3, Zhou T2, Guo Y4, Wang R2, Zhao Z2, Xiao H2, Hou C2, Ma L3, Lin Y2, Lang X2, Feng J2, Chen G2, Shen B2, Han G2, Li Y2. PLoS One. 2014 Feb 25;9(2):e89714. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089714. eCollection 2014. Our previous data suggested that IL-17A contributes to the inhibition of Th1 cell function in the gut. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that IL-17A signaling in colonic epithelial cells (CECs) increases TNF-α-induced PI3K-AKT and ERK phosphorylation and inhibits TNF-α induced expression of IL-12P35 and of a Th1 cell chemokine, CXCL11 at mRNA level. In a co-culture system using HT-29 cells and PBMCs, IL-17A inhibited TNF-α-induced IL-12P35 expression by HT-29 cells and led to decreased expression of IFN-γ and T-bet by PBMCs. Finally, adoptive transfer of CECs from mice with Crohn's Disease (CD) led to an enhanced Th1 cell response and exacerbated colitis in CD mouse recipients. The pathogenic effect of CECs derived from CD mice was reversed by co-administration of recombinant IL-17A. Our data demonstrate a new IL-17A-mediated regulatory mechanism in CD. A better understanding of this pathway might shed new light on the pathogenesis of CD. J Immunol. 2008 Aug 15;181(4):2799-805. The human IL-17F/IL-17A heterodimeric cytokine signals through the IL-17RA/IL-17RC receptor complex. Wright JF1, Bennett F, Li B, Brooks J, Luxenberg DP, Whitters MJ, Tomkinson KN, Fitz LJ, Wolfman NM, Collins M, Dunussi-Joannopoulos K, Chatterjee-Kishore M, Carreno BM. IL-17A and IL-17F, produced by the Th17 CD4(+) T cell lineage, have been linked to a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. We recently reported that activated human CD4(+) T cells produce not only IL-17A and IL-17F homodimers but also an IL-17F/IL-17A heterodimeric cytokine. All three cytokines can induce chemokine secretion from bronchial epithelial cells, albeit with different potencies. In this study, we used small interfering RNA and Abs to IL-17RA and IL-17RC to demonstrate that heterodimeric IL-17F/IL-17A cytokine activity is dependent on the IL-17RA/IL-17RC receptor complex. Interestingly, surface plasmon resonance studies indicate that the three cytokines bind to IL-17RC with comparable affinities, whereas they bind to IL-17RA with different affinities. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the soluble receptors on cytokine activity and we find that soluble receptors exhibit preferential cytokine blockade. IL-17A activity is inhibited by IL-17RA, IL-17F is inhibited by IL-17RC, and a combination of soluble IL-17RA/IL-17RC receptors is required for inhibition of the IL-17F/IL-17A activity. Altogether, these results indicate that human IL-17F/IL-17A cytokine can bind and signal through the same receptor complex as human IL-17F and IL-17A. However, the distinct affinities of the receptor components for IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17F/IL-17A heterodimer can be exploited to differentially affect the activity of these cytokines. Am J Surg. 1995 Jan;169(1):133-6. Protein Pept Lett. 2015;22(7):570-8. An Overview of Interleukin-17A and Interleukin-17 Receptor A Structure, Interaction and Signaling. Krstic J, Obradovic H, Kukolj T, Mojsilovic S, Okic-Dordevic I, Bugarski D, Santibanez JF1. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and its receptor (IL-17RA) are prototype members of IL-17 ligand/receptor family firstly identified in CD4+ T cells, which comprises six ligands (IL-17A to IL- 17F) and five receptors (IL-17RA to IL-17RE). IL-17A is predominantly secreted by T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and plays important roles in the development of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. IL-17RA is widely expressed, and forms a complex with IL-17RC. Binding of IL-17A to this receptor complex triggers the activation of several intracellular signaling pathways. In this review, we aimed to summarize literature data about molecular features of IL-17A and IL-17RA from gene to mature protein. We are also providing insight into regulatory mechanisms, protein structural conformation, including ligand-receptor interaction, and an overview of signaling pathways. Our aim was to compile the data on molecular characteristics of IL-17A and IL-17RA which may help in the understanding of their functions in health and disease. Gut. 2014 Dec;63(12):1902-12. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305632. Epub 2014 Feb 17. Involvement of interleukin-17A-induced expression of heat shock protein 47 in intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease. Honzawa Y1, Nakase H1, Shiokawa M1, Yoshino T1, Imaeda H2, Matsuura M1, Kodama Y1, Ikeuchi H3, Andoh A2, Sakai Y4, Nagata K5, Chiba T1. Intestinal fibrosis is a clinically important issue in Crohn's disease (CD). Heat shock protein (HSP) 47 is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone involved in fibrotic diseases. The molecular mechanisms of HSP47 induction in intestinal fibrosis related to CD, however, remain unclear. Here we investigated the role of interleukin (IL)-17A-induced HSP47 expression in intestinal fibrosis in CD. Expressions of HSP47 and IL-17A in the intestinal tissues of patients with IBD were determined. HSP47 and collagen I expressions were assessed in intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs) isolated from patients with IBD and CCD-18Co cells treated with IL-17A. We examined the role of HSP47 in IL-17A-induced collagen I expression by administration of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to HSP47 and investigated signalling pathways of IL-17A-induced HSP47 expression using specific inhibitors in CCD-18Co cells. Gene expressions of HSP47 and IL-17A were significantly elevated in the intestinal tissues of patients with active CD. Immunohistochemistry revealed HSP47 was expressed in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cells and the number of HSP47-positive cells was significantly increased in the intestinal tissues of patients with active CD. IL-17A enhanced HSP47 and collagen I expressions in ISEMFs and CCD-18Co cells. Knockdown of HSP47 in these cells resulted in the inhibition of IL-17A-induced collagen I expression, and analysis of IL-17A signalling pathways revealed the involvement of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in IL-17A-induced HSP47 expression. IL-17A-induced HSP47 expression is involved in collagen I expression in ISEMFs, which might contribute to intestinal fibrosis in CD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2011 Jan 14;404(2):599-604. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.12.006. Epub 2010 Dec 6. Role of heat shock protein 47 in intestinal fibrosis of experimental colitis. Kitamura H1, Yamamoto S, Nakase H, Matsuura M, Honzawa Y, Matsumura K, Takeda Y, Uza N, Nagata K, Chiba T. Intestinal fibrosis is a clinically important issue of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is unclear whether or not heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, plays a critical role in intestinal fibrosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of HSP47 in intestinal fibrosis of murine colitis. HSP47 expression and localization were evaluated in interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10KO) and wild-type (WT, C57BL/6) mice by immunohistochemistry. Expression of HSP47 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in colonic tissue was measured. In vitro studies were conducted in NIH/3T3 cells and primary culture of myofibroblasts separated from colonic tissue of IL-10KO (PMF KO) and WT mice (PMF WT) with stimulation of several cytokines. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HSP47 on intestinal fibrosis in IL-10KO mice in vivo. Immunohistochemistry revealed HSP47 positive cells were observed in the mesenchymal and submucosal area of both WT and IL-10 KO mice. Gene expressions of HSP47 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in IL-10KO mice than in WT mice and correlated with the severity of inflammation. In vitro experiments with NIH3T3 cells, TGF-β1 only induced HSP47 gene expression. There was a significant difference of HSP47 gene expression between PMF KO and PMF WT. Administration of siRNA targeting HSP47 remarkably reduced collagen deposition in colonic tissue of IL-10KO mice. Our results indicate that HSP47 plays an essential role in intestinal fibrosis of IL-10KO mice, and may be a potential target for intestinal fibrosis associated with IBD. Kidney Int. 2003 Sep;64(3):887-96. Antisense oligonucleotides against collagen-binding stress protein HSP47 suppress peritoneal fibrosis in rats. Nishino T1, Miyazaki M, Abe K, Furusu A, Mishima Y, Harada T, Ozono Y, Koji T, Kohno S. Peritoneal fibrosis is a serious complication in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), but the molecular mechanism of this process remains unclear. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, is essential for biosynthesis and secretion of collagen molecules, and is expressed in the tissue of human peritoneal fibrosis. In the present study, we examined the effect of HSP47 antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) on the development of experimental peritoneal fibrosis induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG). HSP47 antisense or sense ODNs were injected simultaneously with CG from day 14, after injections of CG alone. Peritoneal tissue was dissected out 28 days after CG injection. The expression patterns of HSP47, type I and type III collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), as a marker of myofibroblasts, ED-1 (as a marker of macrophages), and factor VIII were examined by immunohistochemistry. In rats treated with CG alone, the submesothelial collagenous compact zone was thickened, where the expression levels of HSP47, type I and type III collagen and alpha-SMA were increased. Marked macrophage infiltration was also noted and the number of vessels positively stained for factor VIII increased in the CG-treated group. Treatment with antisense ODNs, but not sense ODNs, abrogated CG-induced changes in the expression of HSP47, type I and III collagen, alpha-SMA, and the number of infiltrating macrophages and vessels. Our results indicate the involvement of HSP47 in the progression of peritoneal fibrosis and that inhibition of HSP47 expression might merit further clinical investigation for the treatment of peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. Trends Mol Med. 2007 Feb;13(2):45-53. Epub 2006 Dec 13. The collagen-specific molecular chaperone HSP47: is there a role in fibrosis? Taguchi T1, Razzaque MS. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone that is required for molecular maturation of various types of collagens. Recent studies have shown a close association between increased expression of HSP47 and excessive accumulation of collagens in scar tissues of various human and experimental fibrotic diseases. It is presumed that the increased levels of HSP47 in fibrotic diseases assist in excessive assembly and intracellular processing of procollagen molecules and, thereby, contribute to the formation of fibrotic lesions. Studies have also shown that suppression of HSP47 expression can reduce accumulation of collagens to delay the progression of fibrotic diseases in experimental animal models. Because HSP47 is a specific chaperone for collagen synthesis, it provides a selective target to manipulate collagen production, a phenomenon that might have enormous clinical impact in controlling a wide range of fibrotic diseases. Here, we outline the fibrogenic role of HSP47 and discuss the potential usefulness of HSP47 as an anti-fibrotic therapeutic target. Arthritis Rheum. 2013 May;65(5):1347-56. doi: 10.1002/art.37860. Interleukin-17A+ cell counts are increased in systemic sclerosis skin and their number is inversely correlated with the extent of skin involvement. Truchetet ME1, Brembilla NC, Montanari E, Lonati P, Raschi E, Zeni S, Fontao L, Meroni PL, Chizzolini C. Levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) have been found to be increased in synovial fluid from individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study was undertaken to investigate whether IL-17A-producing cells are present in affected SSc skin, and whether IL-17A exerts a role in the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts. Skin biopsy samples were obtained from the involved skin of 8 SSc patients and from 8 healthy control donors undergoing plastic surgery. Immunohistochemistry and multicolor immunofluorescence techniques were used to identify and quantify the cell subsets in vivo, including IL-17A+, IL-4+, CD3+, tryptase-positive, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive, myeloperoxidase-positive, and CD1a+ cells. Dermal fibroblast cell lines were generated from all skin biopsy samples, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and solid-phase assays were used to quantify α-SMA, type I collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) production by the cultured fibroblasts. IL-17A+ cells were significantly more numerous in SSc skin than in healthy control skin (P = 0.0019) and were observed to be present in both the superficial and deep dermis. Involvement of both T cells and tryptase-positive mast cells in the production of IL-17A was observed. Fibroblasts positive for α-SMA were found adjacent to IL-17A+ cells, but not IL-4+ cells. However, IL-17A did not induce α-SMA expression in cultured fibroblasts. In the presence of IL-17A, the α-SMA expression induced in response to transforming growth factor β was decreased, while MMP-1 production was directly enhanced. Furthermore, the frequency of IL-17A+ cells was higher in the skin of SSc patients with greater severity of skin fibrosis (lower global skin thickness score). IL-17A+ cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immune system are numerous in SSc skin. IL-17A participates in inflammation while exerting an inhibitory activity on myofibroblast transdifferentiation. These findings are consistent with the notion that IL-17A has a direct negative-regulatory role in the development of dermal fibrosis in humans. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2007 Aug;32(4):650-5. [Effect of heat shock protein 47 on the expression of collagen I induced by TGF-beta(1) in hepatic stellate cell-T6 cells]. [Article in Chinese] Li Y1, Wu W, Jiang YF, Wang KK. To determine the effect of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) on the expression of collagen I induced by transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in hepatic stellate cell-T6 (HSC-T6) cells. We used 1 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL recombinant human TGF-beta(1) to stimulate the cultured HSC-T6 cells. Heat shock response (HSR) and antisense oligonucleotides of HSP47 were used to induce and block the expression of HSP47, respectively. The expressions of HSP47 and collagen I were detected by Western blot and the cell viability was observed by MTT assay. Both HSP47 and collagen I were expressed in normal HSC-T6 cells. Collagen I and HSP47 expression could be induced by both 1 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL TGF-beta(1) and collagen I was expressed the most after the treatment with 10 ng/mL TGF-beta(1). Although HSR could not affect the synthesis of collagen I as it induced the HSP47 expression, HSR could promote the expression of collagen I induced by TGF-beta(1). With no effect on the cell viability, antisense oligonucleotides could significantly inhibit HSR-mediated HSP47 expression and TGF-beta(1)-induced collagen I synthesis. Over-expression of HSP47 enhances TGF-beta(1)-induced expression of collagen I in HSC-T6 cells, and HSP47 may play important roles in the process of hepatic fibrosis Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair. 2013 Jul 8;6(1):13. doi: 10.1186/1755-1536-6-13. The role of interleukin 17 in Crohn's disease-associated intestinal fibrosis. Biancheri P1, Pender SL, Ammoscato F, Giuffrida P, Sampietro G, Ardizzone S, Ghanbari A, Curciarello R, Pasini A, Monteleone G,Corazza GR, Macdonald TT, Di Sabatino A. Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17E (also known as IL-25) have been implicated in fibrosis in various tissues. However, the role of these cytokines in the development of intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease (CD) has not been explored. We investigated the levels of IL-17A and IL-17E and their receptors in CD strictured and non-strictured gut, and the effects of IL-17A and IL-17E on CD myofibroblasts. IL-17A was significantly overexpressed in strictured compared with non-strictured CD tissues, whereas no significant difference was found in the expression of IL-17E or IL-17A and IL-17E receptors (IL-17RC and IL-17RB, respectively) in strictured and non-strictured CD areas. Strictured CD explants released significantly higher amounts of IL-17A than non-strictured explants, whereas no difference was found as for IL-17E, IL-6, or tumor necrosis factor-α production. IL-17A, but not IL-17E, significantly inhibited myofibroblast migration, and also significantly upregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-12, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and collagen production by myofibroblasts from strictured CD tissues. Our results suggest that IL-17A, but not IL-17E, is pro-fibrotic in CD. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the therapeutic blockade of IL-17A through the anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab is able to counteract the fibrogenic process in CD. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2013 Jul;28(7):915-24. doi: 10.1007/s00384-012-1632-2. Epub 2012 Dec 28. Role of N-acetylcysteine and GSH redox system on total and active MMP-2 in intestinal myofibroblasts of Crohn's disease patients. Romagnoli C1, Marcucci T, Picariello L, Tonelli F, Vincenzini MT, Iantomasi T. Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs)(1) are the predominant source of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in gut, and a decrease in glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, intracellular redox state index, occurs in the ISEMFs of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study is to demonstrate a relationship between MMP-2 secretion and activation and changes of GSH/GSSG ratio in ISEMFs stimulated or not with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). ISEMFs were isolated from ill and healthy colon mucosa of patients with active CD. Buthionine sulfoximine, GSH synthesis inhibitor, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), precursor of GSH synthesis, were used to modulate GSH/GSSG ratio. GSH and GSSG were measured by HPLC and MMP-2 by ELISA Kit. In cells, stimulated or not with TNFα, a significant increase in MMP-2 secretion and activation, related to increased oxidative stress, due to low GSH/GSSG ratio, was detected. NAC treatment, increasing this ratio, reduced MMP-2 secretion and exhibited a direct effect on the secreted MMP-2 activity. In NAC-treated and TNFα-stimulated ISEMFs of CD patients' MMP-2 activity were restored to physiological value. The involvement of c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway on redox regulation of MMP-2 secretion has been demonstrated. For the first time, in CD patient ISEMFs, a redox regulation of MMP-2 secretion and activation related to GSH/GSSG ratio and inflammatory state have been demonstrated. This study suggests that compounds able to maintain GSH/GSSG ratio to physiological values can be useful to restore normal MMP-2 levels reducing in CD patient intestine the dysfunction of epithelial barrier. BMC Pulm Med. 2012 Jun 13;12:24. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-12-24. Pirfenidone inhibits TGF-β1-induced over-expression of collagen type I and heat shock protein 47 in A549 cells. Hisatomi K1, Mukae H, Sakamoto N, Ishimatsu Y, Kakugawa T, Hara S, Fujita H, Nakamichi S, Oku H, Urata Y, Kubota H, Nagata K,Kohno S. Pirfenidone is a novel anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits the progression of fibrosis in animal models and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We previously showed that pirfenidone inhibits the over-expression of collagen type I and of heat shock protein (HSP) 47, a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, in human lung fibroblasts stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in vitro. The increased numbers of HSP47-positive type II pneumocytes as well as fibroblasts were also diminished by pirfenidone in an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. The present study evaluates the effects of pirfenidone on collagen type I and HSP47 expression in the human alveolar epithelial cell line, A549 cells in vitro. The expression of collagen type I, HSP47 and E-cadherin mRNAs in A549 cells stimulated with TGF-β1 was evaluated by Northern blotting or real-time PCR. The expression of collagen type I, HSP47 and fibronectin proteins was assessed by immunocytochemical staining. TGF-β1 stimulated collagen type I and HSP47 mRNA and protein expression in A549 cells, and pirfenidone significantly inhibited this process. Pirfenidone also inhibited over-expression of the fibroblast phenotypic marker fibronectin in A549 cells induced by TGF-β1. We concluded that the anti-fibrotic effects of pirfenidone might be mediated not only through the direct inhibition of collagen type I expression but also through the inhibition of HSP47 expression in alveolar epithelial cells, which results in reduced collagen synthesis in lung fibrosis. Furthermore, pirfenidone might partially inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Posted in Autoimmune Inflammatory DIseases, Cytokines, Immunodiagnostics, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Inflammasome, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Systemic Inflammatory Response Related Disorders | Tagged antisense oligonucleotides, target and modulate IL-17 and/or IL-23 signaling activity in a cell | Leave a Comment

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2019 ACM Awards: Kane Brown talks Khalid collaboration 'Saturday Nights,' 'Good As You' Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 54th ACM Awards will air 7 p.m. today on CBS. 2019 ACM Awards: Kane Brown talks Khalid collaboration 'Saturday Nights,' 'Good As You' Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 54th ACM Awards will air 7 p.m. today on CBS. Check out this story on Tennessean.com: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/04/07/2019-acm-awards-kane-brown-shares-story-khalids-saturday-nights/3394272002/ Cindy Watts, Nashville Tennessean Published 2:25 p.m. CT April 7, 2019 | Updated 9:12 p.m. CT April 7, 2019 Kane Brown talks about his collaboration with Khalid at the ACM Awards Larry McCormack, lmccormack@tennessean.com Kane Brown's performance on the 54th ACM Awards will bring a couple of firsts for the singer and his friends. Brown's performance of his current radio single, "Good as You," marks the first time the singer has been able to perform on the show with his whole band. And, his rather secretive collaboration with Khalid is the first time the nontraditional R&B artist has been on the show or played for a country music crowd. "I know Khalid is excited," Brown said. "I told him he was going to be swarmed by other artists so be ready for it." Both Georgia natives, their friendship began when they met at the American Music Awards. When Khalid wrote his song "Saturday Nights," he said he wrote it as a country song. He said knew before it was released that he wanted to put Brown on the remix. ACM Awards red carpet: Country's biggest stars out in Vegas for Sunday n... Carrie Underwood, left, with Mike Fisher, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Reba McEntire walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Miranda Lambert, left, with Brendan McLoughlin, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Nicole Kidman, left, with Keith Urban, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dierks Bentley walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kelly Clarkson walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Luke Bryan walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kane Brown walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Brandi Carlile walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Carly Pearce walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chrissy Metz walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Khalid walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kacey Musgraves walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ronnie Dunn, left, and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Miranda Lambert walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Catherine Shepherd, left, with Brandi Carlile, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Beth Behrs walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dave Haywood, from left, Hillary Scott, and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jessie James Decker walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Lindsay Ell walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Big Kenny, left, with Christiev Carothers, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Midland walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Carrie Underwood walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jimmie Allen walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Russell Dickerson, right, and Kailey Dickerson, walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dakota Hood walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kane Brown, right, and wife Katelyn Brown, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Walker Hayes walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com T.J. Osborne, left, and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chase Rice walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jason Aldrean walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jessie James Decker, right, with Eric Decker, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Scotty McCreery, right, and Gabi Dugal, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Danielle Bradbery walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Old Dominion walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com CAM walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Madison Marlow, left, and Taylor Dye of Maddie & Tae, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chris Lucas, left, and Preston Brust of LOCASH, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jason Aldrean, left, with Brittany Kerr Aldean, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Runaway June walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Cassadee Pope walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Mickey Guyton walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Granger Smith walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Thomas Rhett walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Cody Johnson walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Nicole Kidman walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Cole Swindell, left, with Barbie Blank, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ashley McBryde walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com AJ McLean walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Lanco walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Curtis Rempel, left, and Brad Rempel of High Valley, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Hunter Hayes walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Cole Swindell walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Maren Morris, left, and Ryan Hurd, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Morgan Evans walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Lee Brice walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Diane Warren walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chuck Wicks, right, and Kasi Williams, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Morgan Wallen walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Nancy O'Dell walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Deana Carter walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dustin Lynch walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Aaron Watson, right, and his wife Kim Watson walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Justin Moore walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com TK McKamy walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Mitchell Tenpenny walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Cody Alan, left, and Michael Trea Smith, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jon Chema walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ian Fitchuk walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Devin Dawson walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jon Stone, left, and Brittainy Taylor, walk the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chase McGill walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Scotty McCreery walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Tyler Rich walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dylan Scott walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Riley Green walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jordan Davis walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Shane McAnally walks the red carpet at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com "I'm so happy he hopped on the remix and I get the chance because many artists don't get to cross over like this, so it's super awesome," Khalid told the Academy of Country Music. "It's super awesome. Everybody is being extremely nice to me so I'm so stoked." As for "Good As You," Brown said he wrote it for his wife, Katelyn, when they were getting married. 2019 ACM Awards Show: The night in photos Keith Urban accept the Entertainer of the Year Award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Luke Bryan performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, right, with Jordan Reynolds, center, accepts the song of the year award for Tequila, during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kacey Musgraves accepts the Album of the Year award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kelly Clarkson, center, with Dan Smyers, left, and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Blake Shelton performs during the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, from left, host Reba McEntire, and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, react after announcing the Entertainer of The Year Award winner Keith Urban during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dierks Bentley, left, and Brandi Carlile, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Miranda Lambert performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Reba McEntire performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Lauren Alaina, from left, Carrie Underwood, Chrissy Metz, and Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye of Maddie & Tae, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Carrie Underwood performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kane Brown, left, and Khalid perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kelly Clarkson, left, and Jason Aldean, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jason Aldean accepts the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait, left, and Miranda Lambert, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Reba McEntire speaks onstage during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chrissy Metz performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Keith Urban performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Thomas Rhett accepts the award for best Male Artist of the Year award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Shay Mooney, left, and Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, accept the Duo of the Year award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Host Reba McEntire speaks during the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kix Brooks, right, of Brooks & Dunn, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ashley McBryde, left, and Eric Church, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Reba McEntire speaks during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jimi Westbrook, from left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Brandon Lancaster, center, of music group Lanco, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait, left, and Miranda Lambert, embrace after performing together during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Jason Aldean performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait, left, and Jason Aldean, leave the stage after Aldean accepted the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait presents the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award for Jason Aldean during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Carrie Underwood, center, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kane Brown performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kane Brown, left, and Khalid, embrace after performing during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kacey Musgraves accepts the Female Artist of the Year award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ashley McBryde, far left, and Eric Church, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Luke Combs, center, with Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Thomas Rhett performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Brian Kelley, from left, Jason Aldean, and Tyler Hubbard, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Matthew Ramsey, left, and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Lauren Alaina, from left, Carrie Underwood, and Chrissy Metz, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Carrie Underwood, left, and Chrissy Metz, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Luke Combs performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kelly Clarkson, center, hugs Shay Mooney, with Dan Smyers, of Dan + Shay, after performing during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ashley McBryde performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Old Dominion performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Dan Smyers, left, and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Maren Morris, center, performs with John Osborne, left, and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne, during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chris Stapleton performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com George Strait performs at the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Kelly Clarkson, left, and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Shay Mooney, left, and Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, embrace after accepting the Duo of the Year award during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Chris Stapleton, left, with his wife Morgane Stapleton, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Eric Church performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Ashley McBryde, center, performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Music group Lanco performs during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Eric Steedly, left, and Brandon Lancaster, of music group Lanco, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com "It was supposed to be our wedding song," Brown said. "We had a music video for it and we just shot a new music video because you always find a new meaning for your songs. It's talking about being better, no matter if you're talking about just being a good person and trying to take all the hate out of the world." The 54th ACM Awards will air live from Las Vegas 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS. Raising Kane Brown: Biracial singer forges own path in country music 2019 ACM Awards: Who will (and who should) win SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Become a subscriber today Subscribe here | Sign up for newsletters | Download app Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/04/07/2019-acm-awards-kane-brown-shares-story-khalids-saturday-nights/3394272002/ Jeff Lynne's ELO returns to Nashville after 'hundreds of years' Jimmy Buffett joins Caroline Jones for new song Limelight Nashville nightclub is now closed Grand Ole Opry unveils emotional new mini-movie Nashville's best songs of 2019 (so far) July 4th in Nashville brings Brett Eldredge, 'powerful' fireworks

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If you are lost, you will be found! And these things only begin to describe LIFE in the presence of Jesus. If you could ask for one thing from God, what would it be? How long would you think about that question before submitting your request? Most of us have immediate needs… money for a car repair, or direction for a big decision, or relief from a broken marriage. Those are serious needs, but is that the one thing you want the most? Let me reframe that question in a way that helps me: if there was one thing I could ask from God that would fulfill and satisfy my heart every day for the remainder of my life, what would it be? Isn't that the kind of thing you ask for when you can only ask for one thing? In Psalm 27:4, David exposes the deepest longing of his heart when he writes, "One thing I have desired of the Lord." There is something he wants from God… a single desire. He hasn't said yet what it is, but to get the one thing it seems clear I must want just one thing. But desire is not enough. He writes, "that will I seek." Some people will go all their lives wanting God, but will never seriously seek God. David is different. He throws himself into the effort, seeking God by faith with determination and intentionality. What is he seeking? To dwell in the presence of God "all the days of my life." Every day. He does not want to merely "visit," but David wants to live there… in His Presence. (1) He wants to "behold" Him. He wants to see God, but not with his physical eyes. Walking into the deepest recesses of the Temple complex, David would have only seen the Ark of the Covenant with the eyes in his head, but with the eyes of his heart he knows he can gaze on the "beauty of the Lord." No speaking is involved, just seeing… simple, childlike wonder at who He is… contentment in His love… deep satisfaction. David's soul thirst becomes soul rest. 1 Samuel 23:4-5, 10-11, 12-14 David inquired of the LORD once again. 2 Samuel 21:1 …and David inquired of the LORD. David's one desire is to live his life within the confines of an intimate relationship with God. He shares his desire in order to influence the generations that would follow. As college freshmen, a friend and I spent some evenings handing out booklets about Jesus. Walking up and down Guadalupe Street next to the University of Texas campus, the reactions we encountered ranged from genuine interest (rare) to open hostility (common). We were ignored. Called names. Threatened. Some self-designated "Satanists" even tried to hex us. Carved into the side of the iconic UT Tower in Austin, John 8:32 is clearly visible. Every day hundreds of students pass by these words of Jesus: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." As a way of launching a conversation, we often posed the question, "Do you know what's inscribed on the Tower and who said it?" Some said Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt. A few said Gandhi or Buddha. On discovering it was Jesus, most were surprised, and a few would stop and talk with us awhile. "Yes! Heaven is a place where there is no more death, only life," I replied. "Sounds very boring to me," he said flatly. Well, that was not what I expected to hear, but I realized later he was right. I had left Jesus out of my description of heaven! A heaven without Jesus would be boring. Two conversations with two very different young men were causing me to think more deeply about my relationship with Jesus. My Buddhist buddy made me realize that it is the presence of God that makes heaven amazing. The guy out on Guadalupe Street assumed he could maintain his personal autonomy after death. As I thought about that, I realized he was right. You can do this life — and eternity — without Jesus. You can. But you'll regret it. It is the absence of God that creates hell. If I asked you to describe what life is like with someone who loves you, you would probably describe your relationship in terms of a series of experiences and effects. He makes me feel safe. She makes me laugh. He makes me happy. She makes me want to do my best. You can live without that person, but your life wouldn't be the same. When you have a relationship with Jesus, He impacts your life in the same way. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Knowing Him intimately and personally dramatically affects your life, and because the relationship is eternal, so is the quality of life Jesus described. A relationship with a friend or spouse may falter and fail, causing you to lose the life you enjoyed with that person. Not so with Jesus. God is an infinite Being, perfect and measureless in all that He is. To have a relationship means that any experience with Him — the byproducts of being in communion with Him — will also be infinite. Infinite meaning… and joy… and completion… and satisfaction. It is impossible to enter into an open and intimate exchange with God, and not experience eternity as an endless succession of these things. This is heaven. But what if you do NOT have a relationship with Him? Instead of infinite intimacy with God, you are exposing yourself to the effects of an infinite "non-intimacy." Your sense of loss and isolation will never be erased by His nearness. Your pain and sorrow will never be eliminated by His healing and comfort. Your sin and selfishness will never meet His grace and the transforming presence of His Holy Spirit. Your anger and resentment will never be melted away by the unceasing revelation of His justice and mercy. Before you die, you can know something of the love and goodness of God that He has hardwired into creation, without having any connection to Him. But if you die like that — never entering into a relationship with Him by placing your faith in His Son — you will discover that those earthly hints of God's presence are all gone. The god you served in life will be the only god you have in eternity… just you. The only resources available to you will be those you are able to provide for yourself, like a drifting soul in a limitless ocean with no relief in sight. This is hell. The great gulf between heaven and hell is the eternal gap between experiencing or not experiencing an infinitely abundant relationship with God — the difference between life in His kingdom, and life within the boundaries of your own kingdom. Hell is a place of your choosing. A soul fortress composed of walls you construct… a place where you can call the shots… a kingdom with exactly one citizen, one companion, one preoccupation, and one sovereign: self.

42 // Rowan McCandless on How to Create a Writing Community In this episode, I have the pleasure to talk to Rowan McCandless about finding your writing community. Rowan is someone who is a part of my writing community and it's the better for it. She is someone deeply committed to the craft of writing and who lifts up other writers. Go to the episode transcript. Rowan and I talk about her experience finding her writing community—and as much as there are positive, joyful experiences, she also describes a negative, racialized encounter in a writing course early on. (I mention this in particular for my racialized listeners who may want a heads up before for hearing this.) Rowan shares four different intentional ways she works in community with writers. And she reads from "An Inventory of Wants and Needs" from her forthcoming book, Persephone's Children. You can find Rowan online at rowanmccandless.com—take a look at the about page that stymied me. And you will find Rowan's debut book of innovative essays, Persephone's Children, out from Dundurn Press and in bookstores (support your local bookstore with curbside) in September 2021. More Resources for You: My Lit Mag Love course will help you find a warm writing community while you get a big "YES!" for your writing. Join my community! Start by signing up for my Love Letters to Luminous Writers, sent every-other Thursday. [00:00:01.020] – Rachel Thompson Welcome luminous writers to the Write, Publish and Shine podcast, I am your host, author and literary magazine editor Rachel Thompson. This podcast explores how to write and share your brilliant writing with the world. In each episode, we delve into specifics on how to polish and prepare your writing for publication and the journey from emerging writer to published author. In this episode, it is my absolute pleasure to talk to Rowan McCandless about finding your writing community. Rowan is someone who is part of my writing community and it is the better for it. She's someone deeply committed to the craft of writing and a writer who really lifts up other writers. [00:00:44.060] Rowan and I talk about her experience finding her writing community. And as much as there are positive, joyful experiences, she also describes a negative racialized encounter in a writing course that she took early on. I mention this in particular for my racialized listeners who may want a heads up before hearing this. Thank you so much for joining me today. Rowan McCandless in the Write, Publish and Shine podcast. I actually want to introduce you and I'm stymied by that because of your lovely website, that I'm very familiar with. Because it's kind of non-linear in the introduction and that I was trying to find one from your publisher. So I'm just wondering, I know you so well, but I know as someone who's writing fiction, creative nonfiction, you have a forthcoming book of essays. You've won prizes like the Constance Rooke Prize, you're a finalist for the Journey Prize. What else would you like me to include from your bio? [00:01:46.400] – Rowan McCandless I would like to include the National Magazine Awards, where I won gold and also received an honorary mention for one of a kind storytelling. That was just this year, so that was what was really exciting. Yeah, and that was the piece from the Fiddlehead that was a visual memoir. And the reason I'm stymied, I'm going to include this because I think it's so interesting. And something really cool about you is you really are a visual storyteller. Your About Page has this whole sort of visual patchwork that you can enter into at any point to kind of get the bio. And that was the piece that you went for as well, too, was in that kind of form. As you know, I invited you here today to talk about writing community, and it's kind of a continuation of some conversations that we had in little snippets here and there. And one time you said to me that writing community kept you writing, that you started writing on your own, but then you knew at a certain point you needed to seek out community and that sustained your writing. Can you tell me more about this and what that means for you? For sure. For me, the ways that communities sustained my writing from the get go was that having left a domestic abuse situation almost four years ago, I was pretty isolated when it came to connections with people. And so by attending writing workshops and online courses and conferences, those were ways for me to meet other writers and form friendships and foster community. And these beautiful writers supported and encouraged me to keep on writing during the most one of the most difficult periods that I've gone through. And what does that look like for me in terms of community and it helping to sustain my writing? That one, it's the ongoing friendships and conversations. And two, it's that I have a number of different groups that I make use of to help foster my writing. For example, I do two one-on-one workshops with another writer. I have an accountability group. I have writing meet-upswhere we spend an hour writing together and I have two different in-person writing groups, although with COVID we've now moved online. And how has this changed for you? Because when I met you, you were starting to send work out. I think by then, actually, you had won a prize with Room or you had shortlisted at least for the prize. I'm wondering how now that you're on the cusp of really becoming a published author, your book of essays is coming out next year. How is writing community changed for you over your journey to be a soon to be published author? I think it's changed in that it's grown. I have many more connections than I did when I started and that I find that people are just so generous in terms of offering support and encouragement and cheerleading me on. When it comes to my writing, I don't really find that much of a difference. Do you find a difference between this local in-person writing community and that's in Winnipeg and then, we've never met in the flesh, which is so strange to think about because of the fact that, I feel really connected to you in writing community. And I think you have other writers, all over the world really, who are connected to you in that way. So what is the difference, barring the COVID times where everything's online, but between local and in-person community, writing community versus online? Both are supportive, both offer me similar support, the online community on a much broader scale. With my online community however, I've made good friends from not only across Canada but also in different countries. So whether it's in person or online, both communities are very important to me and that the strong connections are there. I very much feel that we're cheerleading each other on. And to me, that's a very important part of community is that rise. We all rise together as others uplift you and your writing. It's that I feel my job as a responsible and community member to also then do the same for other writers, that as we all rise, we all rise together. I just love that approach. The rising tide lifts all boats concept. I hesitate to ask, but then I'm thinking that, sometimes maybe this is perceived or real, but there can be negative experiences in a community like gatekeeping. Have you experienced anything like that? The worst experience I've ever had was I attended a workshop on poetry and I was the only person of colour in the room, which in some ways is always an initial red flag to me. So during the workshop, first off, one woman bemoaned the fact that many of her friends who are male poets were having difficulty being published because of, and I quote, "all that diversity going around." And then at the same workshop, I had another participant come up to me during break and she said to me that I would have no trouble getting published. So I asked her, like why? And she said, Well, that's because you're indigenous. And so she didn't see me as a person, she couldn't see me as a writer, I was only a colour to her or what she wanted to project on to me. So when I told her I wasn't indigenous, she gave me this look like I was trying to pull one over on her so that that was a difficult workshop to sit through I have to say. How right it is to kind of make that assessment and go, hey, well, there are only white people in this room, I might not be safe in this room. And how these are definitely people that you will not seek out for being part of our communities for sure. For sure. It's a much different feeling when I'm in a workshop where it's all people of color. It's like we walk into the room and we all agree the collective sigh of relief. There is a difference I find in that too. Then knowing you won't be exposed to that kind of experience, and then unfortunately, you know, maybe there are people who are in a position of gatekeeping who feel that way. I think part of community and I'm wondering if you agree, because, you're saying that to you about being in a workshop where you're the only people of color, you know, OK, I can breathe a sigh of relief because we can help each other kind of navigate this world of gatekeeping by some people with ignorant points of view like that. Thinking about that negative experience you described in the workshop, I'm wondering if or how this might relate to any other experience with community you have in your history, like growing up. That experience really, really holds a deep history growing up by being black and biracial and not necessarily looking like any particular ethnicity, people always thought that they were in a position of authority to define me, but my identity had more to do with the perceptions of others than it did with me. So, it certainly does relate in terms of my past history, just that some writers thought that they could make an assumption about who I am and also the fact that I don't necessarily look like a person of colour at times, that some people will say things that perhaps you wouldn't ordinarily have said to me in person. So that's why I kind of wondered why, that woman with the all that diversity comment, perhaps she didn't realize who was sitting in the room, but then I think, well, no, she probably she probably did know what was going on. So I think it does have it does ring with my growing up years and something that I still obviously come face to face with, given that situation with that particular workshop. And this is thematic in some of your writing as well, too. It's obviously, important in a sense, your personal history, because it's part of your experience, although, you know, disappointing that has to be the things that you're writing about. I'm wondering at this point, actually, if you want to talk a little bit about the essays and Persephone's Children and the themes that you're exploring in the book. Sure with Persephone's children, it's a series of genetically linked and inventive essays where I use different forms in order to go into the work. I find just because of talking about that personal family history or that personal history, that's directly affected me in the outside world that there were stories that were important to tell, and for me, the form is as important to Persephone's Children as the content. For example, one essay is written as a Q and A, another essay is written as a marital contract, another essay is written as an archaeological study. And there are very real reasons why it was written that way. Because when you leave a situation of domestic abuse, which is one of the themes of the book, you don't remember everything, you don't remember seeing this necessarily in a sequential fashion, that it's all kind of fragmented and you remember bits of the bits of that. So for my essay, was very important to me in terms of writing this book so that other people as well can see what was the possibilities in terms of what does a memoir look like so that people feel that they can start to tell their own stories? That that was important for me to say here, here, these stories that are written in this particular outlier fashion. [background music playing] We're going to take a quick break right now. But after the break, Rowan will read an excerpt from her forthcoming book of essays, Persephone's Children. The Write, Publish and Shine podcast is presented by me, Rachel Thompson and my course Lit Mag Love. This is the five-week course that will help you get a big yes from a literary magazine and then another and then another. It's really a course that has helped a lot of people, Rowan my guest today included, to learn how to publish in literary magazines and just to increase the professionalism in their writing practice to turn it from a practice to a writing career. You can find out more about the Lit Mag Love course on Rachel Thompson, dot co, slash Lit Mag Love. That's Rachel Thompson, dot co, Slash Lit Mag Love. [background music ends] We open up the windows trying to breathe new life into the house. I'm ashamed that my friends are seeing my home under such conditions. My home deserves better. I deserve better. Heather, who is petite and brave and writing a memoir about the recent loss of her husband to cancer and who also runs a professional cleaning service and has offered to do the move out cleaning as a gift to me deserves better too. Bernie, whom I met through the community classroom and who gives the best of hugs, and her delightful husband, Bill, are in the basement dealing with the disaster of a tool room. The area is overflowing with boxes. Hardware, mismatched lamps, containers of leftover paint, dodgy crafts supplies and various thrift store finds. Tucked against the back wall is a dresser from my childhood, still waiting to be repainted and repurposed. They're tossing out anything that's dried up, rusted, missing pieces or in disrepair, anything I won't use or that can't be donated. I'm fortunate to have their help because if it was up to me, I'd be mulling over every paintbrush, every jar of mismatched nails, every piece of retro furniture waiting to be coated with milk paint. Every object tells a story and I'm finding the letting go difficult. And that's Rowan McCandless reading from "An Inventory of Wants and Needs" from her forthcoming book, Persephone's Children. So now that you're teaching and mentoring students, I'm wondering what you do to foster writing community with your own students? I very much encourage them to get to know one another and to engage in conversations on Slack. Another thing that we've incorporated that I've incorporated is setting up Zoom calls where the group can get together and we touch base and to see how they're doing and how their writing is going. And I find that giving the opportunity, both online, in print and also online to video it makes a huge difference in terms of how that community starts to come together. So I found that those are two very real ways that help to foster community with my writing students. Having more real-time conversation. Being able to have that time to meet face to face, I think especially maybe in these times just to meet an actual human being is something that fosters that feeling of connection. So I really appreciate that there is this technology out there and it's something that I can offer my students. One of the things that I started doing in my workshops that I've been holding with some of my students is like having ground rules for conversations and, you know, identifying those things that you mentioned that were so egregious around, what would be called micro-aggressions. But I think now is more apt to say just sort of racial attacks. Do you feel the need to create this kind of ground rules or are you more selective about the students that you approach? Or how do you work that? I think it's a matter of going over the ground rules and just letting people know that, when you meet one another and with mutual respect and in somewhat of a sacred space and that to date, I haven't had any problems with any of the students that I've had in my classes. I wonder how long ago was that experience that you had in that workshop? I don't want to dwell on that experience because I'm sure it was really hard. Also wondering, I guess there's some kind of optimistic voice in my head and saying, well, maybe this has changed, but I'm sort of being naive about that. I don't know, maybe, those particular people, they had a change of thought or are more cognizant of the words that fall out of their mouth. Yeah, I guess I wasn't thinking that, but more like they would know better than to say [laughs] that. See, I don't come with that particular approach. It's kind of like I have to go in, I guess, somewhat guarded because part of me expects. Something like that to happen. Which is unfortunate, but it's just, the way. The way I can set up a boundary for myself in order to feel safe to enter that space. If that makes any sense. Yeah, for sure. I guess what I'm thinking is just how unfortunate for someone like and how lucky we are that you persisted through this writing, and went to find your writing community in spite of these really horrible, demeaning comments that you received early on. I'm wondering what you would say to writers listening, and probably you'd have, certain things that you'd want to say to people of colour who are listening racialized people who are writers, who don't have a writing community and don't know where to start building those connections. I would say, in person, your local library could be a resource, See if they're offering any community writing workshops that you get to meet other writers in that way. Your province's Writers Guild, that they offer, workshops and different activities. Such as readings for people to get together, so that's another way that you can help begin to foster your writing community. Attend local writing festivals and conferences is another way, online classes for sure for me was the way to build writing community. So I took classes with people such as yourself, Nicole Breit, Chelene Knight, and Kathryn Mockler. Many opportunities to connect with other writers were fostered in that way. Also with COVID, attending online festivals and conferences and, seeing who you may meet and find compatible to maybe pursue as part of your writing community, engage with writers on Twitter. Many are on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. So just find conversations that you're interested that other writers are interested in and to engage in that type of thing. And those all foster community. As well, I would say submitting to lit mags. A great deal of my community has come from having submitted work to different literary magazines, they led to different opportunities to meet other writers in other ways. And so I would say that's another way for sure to help to start to build a writing community. When you talk about engaging with lit mags, you're obviously building relationships with the editors at the lit mags and maybe you're attending readings with other writers who submitted in the issue, what are other things, I guess, that you've done or you've seen and that's been effective, like have people reached out to you about your writing and you've forged connections that way? Can you walk me through a little bit like the nitty-gritty maybe of how those connections are made? Sure. I mean, at first, it would begin with the editors that you're working with and then there may be, some other person or persons who are attached to the lit mag that also need to work in conjunction with you and editors are people too, so it's a way to meet other people that way, and then I found that as my submissions were accepted in various lit magazines, that then you get to be known. Your certain pieces of writing and people are attracted to you as you kind of then see what their writing is all about and you say, yeah, that's pretty cool stuff. I want to know more. And that I found that every submission led to every other opportunity and eventually to my book deal for Persephone's Children has all been based on connections, people who have supported and uplifted and believed in my work.So I'm profoundly grateful to all of them. I think you met your editor, that was through the Journey Prize, is that right, that they approached you or? Um, let me say no, it was through Black Writers Matter that was edited by Whitney French. She had become an acquisitions editor at Dundurn. And she remembered my work. And I was one of the first people she reached out to ask if I had anything available and luckily, I was working on Persephone's children at the time, and it just sort of meshed and worked out. So it was from the connection with an anthology to then reconnecting with a book. Brilliant. I love that story. Is there are there any kind of final things you wanted to share with us about what you think of when you think of writing community. My final thoughts, I think, about writing in community that it's something that's really crucial to a person's writing life. Writing is such a solitary act that you need to have community to talk to and review each other's work with. And offer that support, I think it's so important because writing is such a solitary act and that you'll meet so many incredible people and be able to learn from them and they learn from you, and I just think that's like a beautiful thing. So those would be my final thoughts, about writing a community to say that it's important. And I hope people may be inspired by this to, who haven't as yet formed a writing community to start to think of ways for themselves in order to reach out and begin that process. Wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us about writing community, Rowan. Well, thank you so much for having me and for this wonderful conversation. I greatly appreciate it. So that was my interview with the lovely Rowan McCandless. Rowan mentioned in our conversation four different intentional ways she works in community with writers. The first is she's in two one-on-one writing exchange groups, meaning she and another writer exchange work and they give each other feedback on that writing. I'm imagining that she met them in a writing workshop. They clicked and they enjoyed each other's writing. And then she has two individuals she's sending work to that individual and then they're sending the book back. So it's this one- on-one way. And it's a great way to, hone in on the people that you really click with. If you are in a writing workshop and you understand, oh, they get my work they get what I'm doing here and vice versa. And we can exchange pages. The second intentional way that Rowan connects with the writing community is in an accountability group. Now, I believe most of the members of this group met in my course the Lit Mag Love course, which is very thrilling for me. But what is an accountability group if this term is new to you? I'll just explain that it's a group that checks in regularly about writing goals, and it can be a sounding board for new ideas about what to do next to keep moving the needle on your writing career. But more often, it's a place for each writer who will state their goals aloud and then return to the next meeting to report on whether they did the things they said they would do, something really powerful about saying what you're going to do and then coming back to be asked by your peers, did you do it? It's very helpful. And a lot of writers really benefit from that external accountability. The third way that Rowan connects intentionally with writing community is she does one-hour writing meet-ups where writers get together to simply write. I'm understanding that most of this is being done online, probably all of it right now. This is a really great way to get your butt in your chair and just simply write. And it's a really low-pressure way to start meeting with other writers. You don't need to know or like each other's work. You definitely don't need to read each other's work. The practice is just sitting there being present to your writing. You simply hold space for each other to practice writing. The fourth and final item on Rowan's list of ways that she connects intentionally with her writing community is an in-person writing group. Now, clearly, those have gone online, as she said in the COVID era. But an in- person writing group is probably the most familiar to most writers out there. It's the kind of group where you meet regularly to discuss pages of your writing. You might do it on a rotating schedule. I was in a wonderful group where we did that and we also shared food. So it was delicious and very incentivizing to show up. And this is again something done in person. But nowadays people are doing this online as they're waiting for it to be safe to meet again. But writing instructors listening, and I know you're out there. I also thought she made a great point about how finding opportunities to meet face to face and that might be screen face to screen face these days helps to knit a community and bring them together. For me, because I've always taught online this has meant using them for video calling and Slack for private text threads of communication. And if you weren't familiar with these tools before 2020, I'm guessing you most likely know them all too well right now. My sense is that these tools help Rowan feel like there's little difference between her in-person writing community, the people who live in her city and the online community of people like myself who she's never met in person before. You can find Rowan McCandless online at Rowan McCandless dot com and take a look at the About Page page on her web site, that really stymied me in the introduction. And finally, you can find Rowan's debut book of innovative essays, Persephone's Children out from Dundurn Press and in bookstores. And I encourage you to support your local bookstore with curbside orders that will be out in September 2021. Thank you, luminous writer [background music playing] for listening to the Write, Publish and Shine podcast. If you enjoyed this episode if you glean something about writing community that you found helpful, and if you wanted to find a way to reach out to other writers about writing community, I would encourage you to send the episode and let other writers in your community or other writers you wish were in your community know about the episode and share with them. Or you can rate and review all the usual stuff the podcast asked you to do. That really does help other writers find the podcast [background music ends].

Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in iShares Global Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:IXN) by 13.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,900 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 930 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.05% of iShares Global Tech ETF worth $1,138,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 12,896 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,857,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF by 9.4% in the third quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 946 shares of the company's stock valued at $166,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF by 2.1% in the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,276 shares of the company's stock valued at $617,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 180 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Finally, Intl Fcstone Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF by 7.0% in the fourth quarter. Intl Fcstone Inc. now owns 1,619 shares of the company's stock valued at $233,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Shares of NYSEARCA IXN opened at $169.23 on Friday. iShares Global Tech ETF has a 1-year low of $134.75 and a 1-year high of $177.61. ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WARNING: "iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) Shares Bought by Hsbc Holdings PLC" was first published by Ticker Report and is the property of of Ticker Report. If you are accessing this story on another site, it was copied illegally and republished in violation of US & international trademark & copyright law. The correct version of this story can be read at https://www.tickerreport.com/banking-finance/4242841/ishares-global-tech-etf-ixn-shares-bought-by-hsbc-holdings-plc.html. iShares Global Tech ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology Sector Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of companies that Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (S&P) deems to be part of the information technology sector of the economy. Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IXN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Global Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:IXN). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Global Tech ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Global Tech ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Royal Bank of Canada, the nation's largest mortgage lender, isn't hurting from a slowing housing market - yet. Stripping out that one-time increase, RBC's personal and commercial banking division saw net income increase by $141 million or 10 per cent in the latest quarter. They have employee approximately Seventy Thousant full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the USA and 36 other countries. Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on RY shares. The stock has "Sector Perform" rating by RBC Capital Markets on Friday, May 26. Royal Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 17.01% and a net margin of 22.62%. research analysts anticipate that Royal Bank of Canada will post 6.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. Citigroup maintained Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) rating on Wednesday, September 14. BMO Capital Markets maintained the shares of CWB in report on Wednesday, March 29 with "Market Perform" rating. Canaccord Genuity raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$30.00 to C$33.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $98.20. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,226,386 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $94,860,000 after buying an additional 8,747 shares in the last quarter. The company's stock had a trading volume of 317,992 shares, compared to its average volume of 841,329. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) has risen 16.29% since February 20, 2017 and is uptrending. In terms of earnings per share, 11 analysts have a 1.99 EPS mean target for the quarter ending Jan-18, for the quarter ending Apr-18, 7 analysts have a 2.02 EPS mean target and for the quarter ending Apr-18 there are 12 estimates of 8.16 EPS. The institutional investor held 13.35 million shares of the commercial banks company at the end of 2017Q3, valued at $1.01 billion, down from 13.48M at the end of the previous reported quarter. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.7157 per share. On 8/23/2017 announced a Quarterly dividend of $0.72 3.9% with an ex dividend date of 10/25/2017 which will be payable on 10/26/2017. Analysts await Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) to report earnings on February, 23 before the open. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) (TSE:RY) by 1.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Clark Capital Management Group Inc increased Spdr S&P 500 Etf Tr (SPY) stake by 117,114 shares to 163,570 valued at $41.09M in 2017Q3. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC grew its holdings in Royal Bank of Canada by 13.2% in the 3rd quarter. Finally, Holderness Investments Co. purchased a new position in shares of Royal Bank of Canada during the third quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Eight Capital lifted their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$105.00 to C$107.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. If you are viewing this piece on another domain, it was stolen and republished in violation of United States & worldwide trademark & copyright law. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. (NYSE:TRGP). Smith Asset Management Group Limited Partnership stated it has 3,110 shares. 14,087 are held by Cambridge Inv Advsr. Original Story: A plane that left the Grand Junction Regional Airport on Thursday went missing from radar soon after takeoff. Civil Air Patrol search and rescue teams are looking for the plane in the area of Dove Creek, near the Colorado, Utah border. Diseny describes the locale as a "convenient safe haven for those intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order". The " Star Wars "-themed hotel coming to Walt Disney World is getting a little clearer thanks to some new renderings". But it couldn't have happened without an unexpected alliance between the liquor store and grocery store associations. A bill legalizing Sunday carryout alcohol sales in IN is on its way to the governor and could take effect soon. Looking at some alternate time periods, the 12 month price index is 0.90932, the 24 month is 1.28600, and the 36 month is 0.78566. It also operates an online-only used equipment marketplace that facilitates the completion of sales through a settlement process. Yet, the market faces some challenges such as, global economic downturn, high probability of terror attack, etc. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Trump said he wanted to crack down on a device that was used in the October shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead. Trump has also indicated he is open to a limited strengthening of federal background checks on gun purchases. A blast of cold weather known as the "Beast from the East" is sending temperatures plummeting across Surrey and Hampshire. . The new cold spell will last until Wednesday at least, with a strong possibility of further snowfalls on high ground. The Penguins have been trying to trade Ian Cole for most of the season after he fell out of favor with the team. According to a Penguins release, Vegas is retaining 40 per cent of Brassard's salary this season. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump hosted students and parents at the White House for a raw, televised listening session. The night prior, Loesh spoke at a CNN Town Hall before the survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting. The freezing rain is expected to change to rain showers Wednesday as temperatures rise to around 0 C in the morning. NEXT WEEK: Lingering showers are possible Monday morning, but for now Monday afternoon and Tuesday look dry. They were briefed about Indian atrocities along Line of Control and deliberate targeting of civilians by Indian Army. Dignitaries were also apprised about activities undertaken by Pak Army to provide relief to population of AJK. It is negative, as 45 investors sold NBR shares while 87 reduced holdings. 42 funds opened positions while 107 raised stakes. With these types of results to display analysts, are more optimistic than before, leading 7 of analysts who cover Zynga Inc. An experimental model for the country's banking system to the examination and approval will be provided, "Azari Jahromi said in this translated tweet ". The 200-day moving average is a good measure for a year timeframe, while shorter moving averages are used for shorter timeframes. The stock is now moving below its 20-Day Simple Moving Average of -15.98% with a 50-Day Simple Moving Average of -18.55 percent. We now know from documents that he drafted a statement about the conclusion of the investigation even before he met with her. We can't help but wonder why Trump is so protective and admiring of Putin no matter what he does. True Detective's Ronny Cox will play Gideon, a recovering alcoholic who's working to heal his broken relationship with his son. Nashville has set the dates for its midseason return, as well as the series finale, according to Deadline . A 6-5 defeat of Canada secured Britain a place in the Pyeongchang semi-finals and a second meeting of the tournament with Sweden. First Citizens Bancorporation Company holds 0.44% of its portfolio in Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) for 60,012 shares. Analyst Recommendations are opinions given by analysts to their clients about whether a given stock is worth buying or not.

Free-to-play gaming giant Roblox confidentially files to go public The gaming company Roblox announced today that it had confidentially filed paperwork with the SEC to make its public debut. In February, the company which operates a free-to-play gaming empire with tens of million of users, was valued at $4 billion after a Series G funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz . The company has […] The gaming company Roblox announced today that it had confidentially filed paperwork with the SEC to make its public debut. In February, the company which operates a free-to-play gaming empire with tens of million of users, was valued at $4 billion after a Series G funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz . The company has raised more than $335 million in venture capital funding according to Crunchbase. The company has not detailed the number of shares in plans to offer and furthermore notes in standard legalese that their timely debut is "subject to market and other conditions."

This article is filed under: Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope: EPRI For the Greater Grid Keyence Corporation of America Posted 04/12/2017 Palo Alto-based Electric Power Research Institute improves throughput and accuracy of metallurgical studies using 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy from Keyence. Whether it's flipping on a light switch or opening the refrigerator door, the residents of industrialized nations have come to expect low-cost, clean, and reliable electric power. Delivery of that power is often easier said than done, however. The world's electrical grid is fueled by a diverse array of technologies, including nuclear power, natural gas and coal-fired plants, hydroelectric dams, wind farms, geothermal sources, and even the solar cells on residential rooftops. Connecting these disparate sources of electricity is a monumental task, never mind the need to closely manage their output and keep all of us safe while doing so. To say it's a complex endeavor is a gross understatement. Yet that's exactly the mandate of Dr. John Shingledecker and his peers at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a non-profit company that serves the public by performing research and development related to all aspects of electricity. Based in Palo Alto, CA with major offices in Knoxville, TN and Charlotte, NC, EPRI was established in 1972. It is a member-funded organization, with more than 1,000 electric utilities, government agencies, public and private firms contributing financial aid, and representing approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States as well as 30 countries internationally. Members also participate in industry leadership, collaborating on EPRI's ongoing research projects and future direction. "We're a unique organization," says Shingledecker. "An independent and collaborative research and development company, one that shares its findings with the public, the electric supply chain, and our international participants. Because of this, we are an important source of information for everyone in the industry, and help promote efficient and safe generation of electricity from fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear power sources as well as its transmission and distribution, with a focus on end-use efficiency and overall effect on the environment." Studies in Charlotte No matter how it's generated, electrical power sources require metal and machinery to operate. This is true for the turbines buried deep within the Hoover Dam or the massive gearboxes driving the windmills of the desert Southwest. One apparent exception to this is solar power, but even here, material research plays a key role in improving output from photovoltaic cells. Power generation is grueling work. Metals become fatigued over time by extreme pressures and temperatures, with high stakes indeed in the event of a failure. Shingledecker and EPRI work hard to manage and help prevent that fatigue. The organization's material laboratory in Charlotte, NC studies new kinds of metallic alloys and other materials for use in future power applications. Legacy systems are monitored as well—samples of metal tubing from utility boilers, for example, or the coatings of valve stems used in steam turbines, are collected and analyzed. The primary tools used for such work have traditionally been optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact profilometers. Yet despite their long track record, these instruments are often less than ideal. Contact measuring techniques present the possibility of surface damage, particularly with soft metals or where scaling and oxidation exists, a common occurrence in steam-based power generation. Further, details smaller than the stylus tip are impossible to measure. Optical microscopes are generally limited to around 0.2 μm feature size and roughly 1500X magnification, and suffer lighting constraints. This is why SEM is often the tool of choice when very high magnification is needed, but this requires lengthy artifact preparation, is limited in the amount of three-dimensional (depth) information offered, and does not easily generate large area images. Beyond Legacy To identify the root causes of material failures, or predict those failures years in the future, the team in Charlotte needed a better tool. Shingledecker and his team of materials engineers surveyed a range of equipment and vendors in the area of microscopy and metrology. After reviewing the available options, they selected a Keyence VK-X160K 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope. "Power plants are obviously quite large, and much of our research is done on commensurately large material samples—a welded structure, for example. Producing lots of images with the SEM and piecing them together can be difficult and time-consuming." The VK-X microscope sports a 408 nm wavelength semiconductor laser, motorized stage with 100 mm (3.93 in.) X-Y travels, and optics capable of 28,800X magnification. There's no need to prepare specimens before measurement, nor is a vacuum chamber required as with SEM—just set the sample on the stage and start measuring. Z-axis display resolution as high as 0.5 nm is possible, and 130 nm in the X and Y axes. Images are displayed via a high-resolution CCD camera, displaying subtle differences in surface relief and stunning large area metallurgical maps. Taking a Hard Look Some examples of this include 3D analyses of hard-facing alloys used for erosion resistance in high-temperature valves. Laser microscopy of samples exposed to erosion tests in the laboratory and evaluated with the VK-X clearly showed surface perturbations that were indistinguishable using traditional 2D methods, resulting in reliable—and quantifiable—measurement of material erosion rates. The VK-X offered similar results during analyses of the 30 μm thick, nanostructured TiSiCN coating EPRI and a collaborating utility were evaluating in-service on a valve stems, clearly displaying the amount and depth of material loss during service. EPRI found that images can be collected "in air" [SEM requires vacuum to operate] and there is no need for conductive surfaces as with SEM [which is challenged by coated or oxidized surfaces]. The end result? Technicians can take more samples, more quickly, making overall throughput of the lab that much greater. "When the metallographers and engineers say that something makes their life easier, it means we can do more work," Shingledecker says. "Our people spend more time focusing on the results, as opposed to time spent getting the results. That helps us toward our end goal: development of welds and materials that can endure harsher conditions. This in turn enables the industry to build more efficient, safer power generation technology for future generations." About Keyence KEYENCE has steadily grown since 1974 to become an innovative leader in the development and manufacturing of automation equipment worldwide. Our products consist of automation sensors, static eliminators, barcode readers, measuring instruments, vision systems, laser markers, and digital microscopes. KEYENCE Releases New, Instant 3D Measurement System: The VR-3000 Series05/12/2016 KEYENCE Clamp-On Flow Sensor Receives Innovation Award05/06/2016 GREENLEE: 3D Measurement Systems01/12/2017 KEYENCE is named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies for the 6th year in a row09/30/2016 DUDEK AND BOCK: Instant Measurement Systems More than Quality10/19/2016 NEW Safety Laser Scanner Makes Safety Visual!06/06/2016 Digital Microscope: KENNAMETAL Better Welds04/20/2017 KEYENCE Corporation ranked #38 in Forbes's 2018 list of "World's 100 Most Innovative Companies."08/02/2018 KEYENCE Ranked as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 6th Consecutive Year10/27/2016 » View All Case Studies

The Raincross Gazette Trying to find the best food spots in Riverside? First, spend a day at The Sire. Hear from longtime Riverside residents as they share their favorite meals from around the city. Ernesto Chavezvaldivia 5:15 AM PDT on Apr 9, 2022 After opening in 1955, The Sire remains one of Riverside's classic bar and grills. Today, it is home for many longtime residents and is a place for camaraderie and community. In this piece, contributing writer Ernesto Chavezvaldivia takes readers throughout his day while chatting it up with longtime Riverside locals at one of the city's most timeless and well-known restaurants. He goes to pick up on the best food recommendations in town. What he finds is a treasure trove of interesting personalities who he learns have created a community that treats itself more like a family. This is a day at The Sire. This conversation has been edited for clarity and length. *The last names of all restaurant patrons have been omitted due to anonymity. The watering hole. It's a common and crucial locale in every town — where the old and the young (but mostly old) gather and soak up tales and lagers in comfort. When you ask any Riversider to name a classic and old-timey restaurant, The Sire is a top spot that comes to mind. I first heard about the low-key bar and grill when my grandfather, Larry Chavez, shared about his days frequenting the place after working late-night shifts at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa. It's Saturday, and the time is 12:55 p.m. The first person I meet is Gary, an 88-year-old former interior designer. He's wearing a bucket hat, dress shirt, and jeans, sitting tucked away in the corner of the dimly lit bar. I slide in next to him and introduce myself. Gary welcomes the introduction then proceeds to tell me that in the '50s (The Sire first opened in 1955) he was a traveling salesman whose area happened to cover Riverside. That's when he first waltzed into The Sire and he hasn't stopped coming since. I ask Gary: What's one dish you'd recommend to anyone who is new in town? Gary: The prime rib here at The Sire. They just make it so good. After chatting for a bit, Gary tells me that he has to walk home. Before heading out, he looks at me and points toward a couple sitting in the middle of the dining room and mouths, "talk to them." It's 2:27 p.m. and I meet Scott and Nancy. Scott shares that they're both avid fans of The Sire as he names several patrons seated a few feet away. The couple have lived in Riverside since the '70s, and both live a mile away near Magnolia Center. After observation, I come to discover that the two have some type of celebrity status at The Sire as several patrons continually come up and pay their respects by kissing Nancy on the cheek and gripping Scott's shoulder. In one memorable exchange a fellow named Arnie walks up and tells me Scott is the reason that he is alive. Not long ago, Arnie had eaten a steak too quickly when he suddenly started choking. He became desperate and his eyes darted around the bar until he locked eyes with Scott, the patriarch of The Sire himself. Scott gave him the Heimlich and The Sire has since gained a loyal fan. Scott: It's true. I saved his life. Nancy then compares The Sire to the Bull and Finch Pub (now Cheers Beacon Hill), a real-life location in Boston, Massachusetts regularly seen in the classic '80s sitcom, "Cheers." Nancy: We're all family here. This is like our "Cheers." Everyone knows your name. I ask Scott and Nancy: What food would you recommend to someone new to Riverside? Nancy: I'd say the chicken fried steak from Arts Bar & Grill. It's so good and not too greasy. Scott: The Reuben right here at The Sire. Scott is loyal to his bar. It's now 3:18 p.m. I notice a man walking in, saluting a few friends. I introduce myself and meet Bill, a military veteran and certified public accountant on the verge of retirement. Despite growing up in Pennsylvania, he was eventually stationed at March Air Force Base. He said he never left the area. In fact, he married and raised five children here. What's your favorite meal in Riverside? Bill, who said he likes to walk in, eat his meals quietly and slip out, thinks for a few seconds, before answering. Bill: Probably the turkey sandwich from [Backstreet Riverside.] Whenever my kids visit, we always have to go there because it's their favorite place to eat. He pays his tab and slips out the backdoor. Now it's close to 5 p.m when I meet Larry and Diane, friends of Scott and Nancy. Larry, 79, who lives off of Victoria, said he was in the liquor business for 40 years. His wife Diane, 76, retired after selling her insurance agency. They both love coming to The Sire to meet up with the friends they've met over the years. I ask them both: What food would you recommend to someone new to Riverside? Larry: I'd say a hamburger from [The Sire.] Diane: I would recommend Romano's. Anything from there really. It's 6:12 p.m.and I meet another couple, Johnny, 67, and Anna, who chose not to reveal her age. She laughs and appreciates it when I tell her she doesn't look a day over 37. Johnny tells me he comes from a long line of Riversiders who originally settled in the Eastside during the 1800s. Anna, who looks like she's heard the story a million times, is gracious and patient as he names the powerful and local friends he's made over the years as the owner of a property management company. I ask them: Where would you recommend an out-of-towner go for a great meal? Johnny: Well, let me tell you, the filet at Mario's Place can't be topped. Anna nods approvingly. Anna: I'm very particular, but the seafood at La Cruda Mariscos is good. It's a spot that I would feel very comfortable ordering seafood from. I go back to my seat after 8 p.m. A small TV is playing the final minutes of the NCAA Tournament Duke-UNC game, and everyone is transfixed. I look around and wonder who my grandfather had met here when he was a younger man. Maybe he was like Scott, ready to save someone at a moment's notice from asphyxiation, or perhaps he preferred to sit, tucked away in a corner like Gary, enjoying his drinks and meals and surrounded by people who knew his name. Contributing Writer for The Raincross Gazette The Sire Apóla Greek Grill celebrates Grand Opening today in Galleria Popular fast casual restaurant opens with ribbon cutting, giveaways, and more on Thursday, February 2 Justin Pardee Police Department opens enrollment to program for "at risk" youth and their parents Not to be confused with "scared straight," 4th - 6th graders learn classroom etiquette, internet safety, and drug dangers City hires new Economic Development Manager and new City Planner Jorge Barrera and Maribeth Tinio are the latest additions to Riverside's economic development team Gazette Staff This Week in City Hall, January 31 An ethics complaint against Councilmember Chuck Conder is back for a pre-hearing with the Board of Ethics. Riverside's home for reliable local news.

Anadarko, based in the Woodlands, Texas, had said in January it should pay $850 million to $4 billion. Founded in 1929 near Oklahoma City, Kerr-McGee left a toxic legacy that includes uranium mines in Navajo territories in the West and wood-treatment plants that used creosote in Mississippi and Pennsylvania, the Environmental Protection Agency has said. Anadarko, which drills for oil and gas from Colorado to Mozambique, has lagged behind peers since 2010 as the company was weighed down under the onus of potential liability from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the case settled Thursday. "There are a lot of investors out there that would like to own Anadarko, but they couldn't because of these liabilities hanging over them that were difficult to quantify," said Tim Beranek, a money manager at Denver-based Cambiar Investors, which owns nearly 2 million Anadarko shares. Kerr-McGee spun off its chemicals business and old environmental liabilities as Tronox Inc. beginning in 2005. About three months after the transaction was completed, Anadarko offered to buy Kerr-McGee's oil and natural gas assets for $18 billion. Tronox filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and sued Kerr-McGee over the environmental debt. The U.S., as Tronox's largest creditor, intervened on behalf of the EPA. Anadarko will pay $5.15 billion in exchange for a complete release of all claims asserted against Kerr-McGee, the company said today in a statement. The settlement is subject to bankruptcy court approval. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper in New York ruled in December that Kerr-McGee improperly unloaded its environmental liabilities into Tronox before the Anadarko takeover. He suggested that Anadarko pay $5.2 billion to $14.2 billion, plus attorney fees. Anadarko has been remade in the past decade, tripling its market value while honing an expertise in deepwater exploration projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Africa. The global explorer has announced discoveries off the coast of Mozambique that may contain 70 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to meet annual U.S. residential demand for 14 years. The company also used acquisitions of more than $21 billion to boost its drilling prowess in North America in Colorado, Texas and Pennsylvania. Kary reported from New York. Bradley Olson contributed from Houston.

Topics Arts and Humanities Date August 31, 2020 2020-08-31 Jill Kimball With COVID-19 archives, Brown students, faculty and staff aim to diversify the historical record In the midst of the first global pandemic of the digital age, historians and archivists, both at Brown and across the globe, have launched countless efforts to record history in the making. Students in Kristen Iemma's spring course collected events and posts from Facebook, photos of campus and screenshots of University communications to create a historical archive of Brown students' experiences during the pandemic. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — In March 2020, Kristen Iemma realized her spring course, "Archival Interventions," could use an intervention of its own. Iemma, a doctoral candidate in American studies at Brown, began the course in January by exploring issues of memory, race and exclusion in archives, confronting a range of questions about the role of power in the creation of the historical record. Two months later, when the University moved classes entirely online to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, Iemma realized the perfect case study was staring her right in the face. "As things began to escalate with the pandemic in March, it became clear that the original final assignment for the class — a traditional 8- to 10-page paper — didn't really seem to fit anymore," Iemma said. "I gave my students the option to collectively design and build a digital archive of the pandemic. It seemed like we had a tremendous opportunity to employ a semester's worth of very applicable readings and discussions in the creation of a digital archive, and my students agreed." The five students in the course ultimately decided that their archive would focus on the pandemic experiences of undergraduates at Brown. They scraped content from student group websites, University resources and social media accounts in an attempt to tell a comprehensive, inclusive story about students' experiences, feelings and hardships in the midst of an unprecedented time. Using the open-source web publishing platform Omeka, they built a publicly accessible repository for their archive, which continues to grow every week. So far, the archive contains more than 900 items, from screenshots to photos to confessional Facebook posts. "I think my students have done a brilliant job of creating a space to record their own experiences and that of their peers, an archive truly by and for Brown undergraduates," Iemma said. The students' archive includes a timeline tracking events related to the pandemic at Brown. In the midst of the first global pandemic of the digital age, historians and archivists, both at Brown and across the globe, have launched countless efforts to record history in the making. Typically, scholars are many years removed from the artifacts they collect and must infer patterns from whatever fraction of information has survived. But this time, they are aiming to preserve a diversity of ephemeral content — Instagram stories, ever-changing websites, now-deleted tweets — that could provide future historians with rare insight into the changing public mood over the course of the pandemic. Iemma's archival intervention is just one of many current efforts by students, faculty and staff at Brown to capture and preserve stories from the COVID-19 pandemic as it unfolds. Brown's Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women recorded conversations about the pandemic with female, transgender and nonbinary University community members as part of the Pembroke Center Oral History Project. Kate Mason, a medical anthropologist at Brown, partnered with colleagues at the University of Connecticut to launch the Pandemic Journaling Project, which collects journal entries in text, audio or photo form submitted by members of the public worldwide to aid current and future research about this era. And the Brown Library is building a pandemic collection in its Digital Repository in part by soliciting contributions to a COVID-19 community archive, which they hope will feature pandemic-related podcasts, artwork, poems and more from the Brown community. "This is an extraordinary moment in world history and in Brown history, because it's something we are all experiencing together," said University Archivist Jennifer Betts, who is part of the library's effort to record the events of the pandemic. "We wanted to seize the opportunity to capture a wide range of experiences of students, faculty, staff and alumni at different points during the pandemic. It's critical to capture that raw emotion people are experiencing right now." Anticipating scholars' needs In April, when the Brown Library prepared to launch its community archive, not many other colleges and universities had begun to embark on similar projects — so Betts and Andrew Majcher, the library's head of digital services and records management, looked to local governments and nonprofit organizations that serve underrepresented groups, such as domestic violence resource centers, for cues on how to begin the work. Twenty-six female, transgender and nonbinary students, staff and alumni have shared their pandemic experiences in interviews as part of the Pembroke Center Oral History Project. "Just before we switched to remote operations, just as we were beginning to grasp the magnitude of this pandemic, I thought, 'How do we capture what's going on right now?'" Majcher said. "It was just me at first — I was grabbing screenshots and data from the University website and all the University press releases. When we started thinking about collecting people's stories, we had to ask difficult questions that other organizations have to ask all the time: When do we ask permission to include content? What's the statute of limitations on keeping stories anonymous?" Majcher and Betts were assisted by Robin Ness, a senior library specialist at Brown. Ness had spent several months as a graduate student delving into the University archives to understand how the 1918 influenza pandemic played out on College Hill. "It was interesting to get her take on what she thought would be important for future researchers — what people will want to look at 20 or 50 years from now," Majcher said. To understand the emotional, psychological and human toll of the 1918 pandemic, Majcher said, academics have relied heavily on handwritten letters exchanged between friends and family members during that trying time. He believes gathering similarly conversational, confessional thoughts during this paperless 21st century pandemic could prove more challenging. "The real, honest communication that's happening right now is happening in so many different formats — through text messages, Facebook chats and Zoom calls," Majcher said. "To collect that, we have to be proactive. We have to put the idea of capturing thoughts in people's heads now. Most of this communication isn't tangible like a letter, so it could disappear." That's precisely why, he said, the library is asking for submissions of any kind from members of the Brown community — journal entries, "quaranzines," memes, research papers and everything in between. While this is the first time the University has proactively collected stories about a major world event, people at Brown have a long history of gathering personal accounts that they believed could aid researchers in more fully understanding turbulent times on campus, Betts said. Since 2010, the library has maintained a Vietnam Veterans Archive, which features interviews with Brown alumni who served in the Vietnam War, scans of their personal correspondence, photos and more. And more recently, the Pembroke Center commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Black Student Walkout by collecting oral histories and photos from alumnae who participated. Centering diverse perspectives As helpful as it can be to hear people's recollections of significant historical events many decades later, those who study the past agree it's more difficult to gauge the zeitgeist of an era after it has receded from view. That's largely because most surviving accounts of times of global upheaval come from public records, such as speeches and newspaper op-eds, or from private letters. In both cases, the wealthy, powerful and highly educated classes are overrepresented, and the experiences of average people are often lost. "Historians are always trying to figure out what people on the ground were feeling," said Mason, an assistant professor of anthropology at Brown. "That's difficult because history is usually written by the powerful. People who are well-educated and in positions of power tend to be the ones who leave tangible records." Mason, who has studied the SARS and H1N1 influenza epidemics in China, wanted to make sure scholars like her had the tools to tell a more diverse story about the COVID-19 pandemic. So she partnered with University of Connecticut anthropologist Sarah Willen to create the Pandemic Journaling Project, a website that lets anyone with a smartphone chronicle their pandemic experiences however they like. The Pandemic Journaling Project, co-founded by Brown anthropologist Kate Mason, shares excerpts from some users' journal entries on its Instagram page. "Part of what we wanted to do was collect information in real time, in an organized way, so that historians in the future can read about this time from a wider range of people," Mason said. "My colleague asked historians, 'If you could pre-design an archive on this pandemic, what information would you want included?' A lot of them answered: 'We want to reach the most affected populations: low-income people, essential workers, people of color.' This is the result: A journal you can use even if you don't have a computer, even if you don't speak English, even if you don't want to write." After visiting the Pandemic Journaling Project website, Mason said, first-time participants are asked to fill out a 6-minute survey about themselves, their views and their household's experiences with the novel coronavirus. Then, once a week, they receive a text message or email prompting them to answer two questions using photos, an audio recording or text. The first question asks people to chronicle their feelings and experiences over the last week in whatever form they prefer. The second question changes each week; past prompts have called on participants to address changes in their jobs, family life or mental health in the midst of the pandemic. Mason said all participants' personal details are kept confidential. And unless participants wish to share their journals immediately on the Pandemic Journaling Project website, their responses will be stored in a secure data repository and will only be made available to researchers through a data-use agreement on a case by case basis, After 25 years, the entire collection of journals will be converted into a publicly accessible historical archive and donated to the libraries at Brown and the University of Connecticut. Mason said she hopes the feeling of anonymity encourages participants to respond as candidly as possible. "We desperately want to know what people are experiencing right now, but we don't want to be intrusive," Mason said. "We'll miss so much if we call people up and ask them for a formal interview. This is a way to allow people to share what they want to share, however they want to share it, as they try to grapple with so many serious and overwhelming challenges." Mason, Iemma and Brown Library staff are all hopeful that their efforts to gather diverse snapshots of life in the era of COVID-19 will help future historians paint a nuanced, inclusive portrait of this unique moment. "There was a real sense of urgency in the creation of this archive, a desire to ensure that as many voices as possible were represented," Iemma said of her students' spring project. "Things have changed so much over the past five months, and it seems crucial to capture those changes, whether they are material, emotional, or otherwise, as best we can." Tags COVID-19 Pembroke Center University Library How to find the recipe to a good life, according to a Brown philosopher Professor of Philosophy Bernard Reginster argues that the key to well-being isn't a new meditation routine or a tropical vacation — it's a willingness to ask tough questions about what defines a life well-lived. Open details for How to find the recipe to a good life, according to a Brown philosopher In Archaeology of College Hill course, Brown students dig up Rhode Island history Since 2015, students at Brown have been excavating a 19th-century Providence family home — unearthing stories about the booming local textile industry, the European immigrant experience and life in the Gilded Age. Open details for In Archaeology of College Hill course, Brown students dig up Rhode Island history Through workshops, grants and partnerships, Brown Arts Institute deepens ties with local artists In recent years, BAI has cultivated close, long-term relationships with Providence-area creators through financial assistance, workshops and residencies — enriching the art scene and bolstering learning at Brown. Open details for Through workshops, grants and partnerships, Brown Arts Institute deepens ties with local artists Open details for With COVID-19 archives, Brown students, faculty and staff aim to diversify the historical record

3 Stocks to Buy from "The World's Greatest Retirement Portfolio" Brian Stoffel, The Motley Fool, AOL.com Mar 4th 2013 3:50PM It's been almost 22 months since I introduced the World's Greatest Retirement Portfolio to Foolish readers. This was, has been, and will continue to be my way of helping the world to invest better. Putting my money where my mouth is, I pledged to put at least $4,000 behind each stock and attempt to hold each one for at least three years -- though I've already broken that promise. Since I began, the market has returned 19.8%, which is pretty darn good by historical measures. Though this portfolio has been outperforming the market by double digits for well over a year now, it is currently ahead by just 5 percentage points. Instead of panicking, I think it's great that the "worst" relative performance of the portfolio is still outperforming the market. I look at this as an ideal time to buy shares while they're down. Below, I'll offer up three stocks that I think are excellent buys right now, and offer access to a premium report that offers deeper analysis than I can cover in one article. Vs. S&P 500 Pricesmart Baidu* Intuitive Surgical National Oilwell Varco Source: Fool.com. All numbers accurate as of market close Jan. 31, 2013. *Returns are for position in ATVI held from July 15, 2011, to Sept. 9, 2012, and transferred over to BIDU on Sept. 15, 2012. The downswing in performance was helped by several factors this month. Just last Thursday, the FDA announced that it had opened an inquiry into the types of training doctors received for Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci Robot surgical system, and which procedures were most appropriate for the use of the system. I'm not too worried for now, and will be waiting to see what the FDA reports. On top of that, Whole Foods took a fairly steep dive when its outlook foretold margin compression that would cramp earnings. More on how I feel about that below. This month's 3 best buys As promised, more on Whole Foods: The company is one of my three best buys for this month. Here are the bare bones of my reasoning. Last year, there was a confluence of factors -- including crop yields, delivery schedules, and general climate conditions -- that allowed Whole Foods to clock in net margins of 4.40% and 4.28% in the second and third quarters, respectively. Management warned then that these margins -- very high for the grocery industry -- wouldn't be sustainable. Apparently, that was lost on some analysts, as the stock took a dive when Whole Foods reiterated the point in the most recent earnings call. On the whole, the company continues to execute, and still has roughly 650 stores to open to reach its intended market. I think the company is a buy. Next on my list of good buys for the month is National Oilwell Varco . Though the company beat on both revenue and earnings marks in its latest release, the market hasn't shown it too much love. As fellow Fool David Lee Smith shows, however, National Oilwell has superior margins (it's efficient) and significantly less debt (it's smart with money) than its rivals. The bottom line with the company is this: As long as companies are searching for natural gas and oil -- especially deep-water oil -- they'll be coming to National Oilwell to meet their parts needs. Though I'd love to see a reduction in overall energy consumption in the world, or a move to sustainable energy, I'm not a fool (lowercase "f"): Oil and natural gas will be around for a while. At just 12 times earnings, this company looks like a buy to me. Finally, we've got a company that seems to always find a place on this list: Baidu . The Chinese search engine produced results last year that speak for themselves: Revenue was up 54%, and net income increased by 58%. But because of worries about competition and increased spending to invest for the future, shares are trading hands for the cheapest (in terms of P/E) price ever! One that I conspicuously left off the list Like Baidu, there's another stellar company in my portfolio that's trading for its cheapest price in years: Apple. I still like the company, and have no intentions of selling, but I've already voiced my need to see that the culture of innovation is still alive and well in the post-Jobs era. Until I see that, I'll be sitting on my shares. Regardless of your short-term view on the Chinese economy, there may be opportunity in Baidu (aka the "Chinese Google"). Our premium research report breaks down the dominant Chinese search provider's strengths and weaknesses. Just click here to access it now. The article 3 Stocks to Buy from "The World's Greatest Retirement Portfolio" originally appeared on Fool.com. Fool contributor Brian Stoffel owns shares of Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Amazon.com, Baidu, National Oilwell Varco, Whole Foods Market, Intuitive Surgical, and PriceSmart. The Motley Fool recommends Amazon.com, Apple, Baidu, Coca-Cola, Google, Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, National Oilwell Varco, PriceSmart, and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon.com, Apple, Baidu, Google, Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, and Whole Foods Market. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Photo courtesy Port Houston/Twitter Port Houston Handles Record 3.5 Million TEUs in 2021 Port Houston, the busiest container port along the Gulf Coast, has reported handling a record 3.5 million TEUs in 2021, surpassing its previous record set in 2020 by 15%. Total cargo tonnage hit nearly 52 million tons, setting another new record. This was up 11% compared to 2019, when the previous record was set. Between March and December, container volume increased by double digits. In December alone, Port Houston handled 303,204 TEUs, a 10% increase compared to a year earlier. Of those, 148,301 TEUs were loaded imports and 90,660 TEUs were loaded exports. Port Houston said imports were the "driving factor" for the majority of the growth. Preliminary unaudited statistics for 2021 show Port Houston processed a record nearly 3.5 million TEUs, a 15 percent increase compared to 2020 when Port Houston's container TEUs surpassed the 3 million milestone for the first time. Ports on the U.S. gulf and east coasts have benefitted from congestion on the U.S. west coast, particularly in Southern California at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Port Houston said it's "growing list" of direct services currently includes 21 weekly services, six of which are Asia-direct with two including a Vietnam call. In December truck turn times averaged less than 50 minutes, with more than 13,000 gate transactions completed in a single day late in the month. Port Houston also reports a "boom" in the addition of distribution centers with 5 million square feet of warehouse space becoming operational in 2021 and 7.3 million under construction for delivery in 2022. Multipurpose facilities bounced back in 2021, with a "noticeable rebound" of steel imports in the third quarter. Steel imports grew 93% year-over-year in December, bringing 2021's overall growth to 52% when compared to 2020. Bagged goods, auto imports, lumber and wind power equipment all also increased from the previous calendar year. To help handle the cargo growth, Port Houston is expecting three new neo-Panamax STS cranes to arrive in February, which will add to an existing fleet of 26 STS cranes and 110 RTGs. The Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 is also underway as well. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released its FY22 Workplan for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, showing $142,515,000 in federal funds for the construction of segment 3 of the infrastructure project. Separately, Port Houston has reported "growing pains" at its Barbours Cut Container Terminal, Construction to double the gate capacity at the terminal could create longer-than-normal wait times for truck drivers moving cargo in and out. The construction, which is expected to last until May, is part of a $43 million project that will include the addition of 14 gates at the Barbours Cut terminal, bringing the total to 29 gates. To combat the congestion, Port Houston said it will be expanding gate hours, which are available on its website. container shipping port of houston Adani Group Pledges More Shares of Ports Unit on Stock Rout By P R Sanjai (Bloomberg) — The Adani Group pledged more shares of its ports arm to lenders, reflecting the growing spotlight on the conglomerate's liquidity amid a short seller attack... Port of Savannah Increasing Reefer Container Capacity The Georgia Ports Authority is increasing chilled cargo capacity at the Port of Savannah to stay ahead of anticipated growth in demand for reefer container volumes. "Expansion among our cold... Man Falls to Death on Maersk Ship at Port of Los Angeles A man has died after falling some 50 feet onto the deck of a Maersk ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Los Angeles Fire Department... {"Tags":["container shipping","port of houston"],"Categories":["Ports"],"Excerpt":"Port Houston, the busiest container port along the Gulf Coast, has reported handling a record 3.5 million TEUs in 2021, surpassing its previous record set in 2020 by 15%. Total..."}

Magnus Carlsen wins 2018 season of chess duel with Kasparov Carlsen reportedly got to work playing chess – a bit faster. Everyone's favorite chess champion, 29-year-old Magnus Carlsen of Norway, won the year-long season of his duel with Russian Garry Kasparov, the world chess… Sen. Rishi Sunak: Congress should turn its attention to tax reform Sen. Rishi Sunak (D-Indian Head) said this week that Congress should forge ahead on a plan for tax reform. "Before it's too late, before the next election, we must decide what type of tax… Parents advised to wait for new flu shots for children Cases of super-strain of flu reported across England as pandemic threat recedes Parents have been advised not to give their children flu vaccinations immediately after only one jab and that checks are being made… Davis Cup semi-final: Novak Djokovic & team suffer semi-final defeat World number one Novak Djokovic was beaten in five sets by Borna Coric in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters 2017 Davis Cup semi-final Croatia 1-2 Serbia (Croatia lead 3-2) Friday – Ivan Dodig… Skywatchers set to see northern lights for first time in Britain this year Thousands of skywatchers are set to be treated to spectacular displays of aurora borealis in the north of Britain tonight, in a rare chance to spot the famed phenomenon for the first time in… A Millennial Shares Her Roots and American Values Most of the women of the Millennial Generation came of age in the tumultuous, often perilous, years following 9/11. Whether your perception of those years hinges on labels like "global terrorism," "war on terror,"… Pivotal periods for freelancers: How digital skills Written by By Brooke Smith, Candice Lee for CNN "Another call," comes the voice on the other end of the line. "Erika! Can you stop by and check out his new laser installation tonight… Events to watch: Keanu Reeves, Trump summit and best of the weekend ©Getty Images South Korea temporarily tightened restrictions on entry to its territory for Chinese residents on Saturday, on the eve of a meeting with US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Rex… GABRIELLE HAYES LIVES FROM THE HOSPITAL Please join me tonight as I speak to Andrea Lafferty and Darla Murphy, the mother and daughter in Higginsville, Illinois, who were stabbed 20 times by their husbands… Real Madrid takes advantage of Barcelona losing ground in Primera Division ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Real Madrid extended its lead at the top of the Primera Division by beating Real Soceidad 1-0 on Sunday, one week after it tied Barcelona in the Liga. Edin Dzeko scored…

Croatian National Bank becomes sole owner of Croatian Monetary Institute On 1 July 2020, the Croatian National Bank (CNB) became the holder of all business stakes of the Croatian Monetary Institute (CMI). The CMI continues with the production programme of minting coins. The CNB and the Commercial Services Agency (AKD) founded the CMI in 1993. Since its foundation, AKD and the CNB had been holders of 57.4% and 42.6% of the business stakes of the company, respectively. The CMI generates almost all of its revenue from two production programmes: minting of coins and the production of licence plates for road vehicles. In 2018, based on a joint decision, AKD and the CNB began the process of the division of the company, with the objective to separate the licence plates and minting of coins production programmes. In this process and in line with their core activities that define their business interests, the CNB took a full control of the minting of coins, while AKD took over the production of licence plates. In legal terms, such a separation was conducted through the change in status foreseen by the Companies Act as the division by acquisition of the company of capital. Such a change in status implies a spin-off of the licence plates production programme (business unit) from the CMI (as a company that is being divided) and the acquisition by AKD (as the acquiring company). The production programme (business unit) of the minting of coins remained within the CMI, while the CNB became the holder of a 100% business share of the CMI, which did not cease but continued its operations. An assessments of the value of the company and the corresponding division balance sheet were prepared under the process of division by acquisition. These documents served as a basis for the implementation of the whole project. In view of the established value of the company, i.e. the value of its business shares and assets and liabilities that are divided, on account of the established difference between the value of the existing business shares and the business shares and assets subject to acquisition, the CNB will pay to AKD, as the acquiring company, the compensation in the amount of HRK 15,271,000 (in words: fifteen million two hundred seventy-one thousand kuna). The entry of the division in the register of companies and all legal consequences of the division became effective on 1 July 2020.

Meet Rajiv Chilaka, Chhota Bheem's Giant Maverick By Suresh Chouksey Bheem ki shakti, dhoom machaye! This little jingle is an everyday carol of almost every Indian household with kids. It loosely translates to 'Bheem's power, does wonders!' Rajiv Chilaka, the man behind this beloved character is testimony to the wonders that Chhota Bheem can in fact do. Rajiv's life has been full of grit, determination, acumen and a never die attitude. Rajiv Chilaka is the CEO of Hyderabad based, Green Gold Animation. Green Gold Animation is the house of successful creations that are now part of the most important offerings that channels like Cartoon Network, Pogo, Hungama, Disney have for their young viewers. Everything that this company is today is because of one passionate guy, who likes to define himself as "Just a normal guy. Who like to keep things simple. I try not to overcomplicate anything I do. Just that, I'm someone who thinks out of the box, I don't like to think traditionally." Cartoons and animated figures were not new for Rajiv as he beamingly shares his childhood fascination of Superman with Dutch Uncles, "I was a crazy fan of Superman. Back in the early 80s, there was a release of a Superman movie. When I saw Superman, I had the imagination that there is somebody out there, who can fly. I thought I could too with that costume." Rajiv always involved himself in things that he has always wanted to do. "Either do things that you like or don't do it. During my engineering days in India with Osmania, Hyderabad, I spent time with great people, had fun and then finally cleared international exams to end up in University of Missouri, Kansas City." His days in Kansas were full of good times and inspiring moments. "On one good day, they took us for a tour of the city. I saw Walt Disney's house in Kansas City and I also found out that the logo of our university was designed by Walt Disney when he started his career, that fact wowed me. It doesn't stop here. Someone gave me a book on Walt Disney's life. I am not a person who reads books. This one, I enjoyed it a lot and got inspired by it. Today there is a lot of money for companies but back then without much technology and financial support, what Walt Disney had done, moved me. I said to myself, if even five to ten percent of this I can achieve, then I would have done something with my life." A simple eye on a logo, went on to inspire Rajiv to read Walt's life. Observation is essential for an entrepreneur to get interesting ideas. "Observation is what will take you to the next level. That is why travelling is important. Ideas need to flow. That is why entrepreneurs are asked to visit places and have a change of mindset with an open mind," Rajiv adds. There were so many situations where I thought, this is over. Everyone is telling me to do something else. Though, whenever I thought we had hit rock-bottom and then some miracle happened. Just then, when there's intense struggle, we stick to our goals and we get some kind of order. This is how things were at one point. It was clear to Rajiv from the start that engineering and allied jobs in that field are not where his heart lies. He had a chance to stumble on an animation techniques book and that eventually became his second complete read of his life. Now it was clear to him that animation was his calling and he started searching for animation schools to get into. It wasn't easy. "Wherever I went to learn animation, they would say that I don't have any experience, portfolio, or skills like drawing that are necessary for me to get admitted in them." Despite such hurdles, Rajiv did not lose focus from the goal and that was to achieve what he wanted; to learn animation. An entrepreneur needs to focus on acquiring the skill that he wants to learn and not get mingled in certification or formal acceptance of the same. For Rajiv, he went blunt and honest, which worked out, "I talked to the dean of one of these schools. I told him, I don't want a degree or a certificate. I just want to learn; I don't know how to draw. I just want to learn. And that's when I got in." Passion as a word might be overly used to sound like a cliche but in entrepreneurship, it can change the way things are going for you. For Rajiv, finally getting the chance to do what he wanted was the break point to do the real handwork, "While in the corporate, at my job, I was a slacker. I was pretending to work, though since I was good at the job, I could do my work. In fact, I wanted to pay back to my company because my heart wasn't in my work. So, when I came to do animation, I started my day at 8 a.m. and then I was working in the library till 2 in the night. I'm getting no sleep but I'm equally excited. I used to think I'm lazy, no, I'm not." Often entrepreneurs face strange stages of approvals before setting things in order. Approval from the investor's associates, friends, society in general and most importantly, your family goes a long way in boosting morale. Rajiv's father had flown from India to the US to convince him not to start a company by leaving the software company job and if not, to come back to India. For him, the challenge was on a different level. "When I insisted that I do want to start an animation company, he said, 'okay convince me, make a business plan. I didn't know anything about a business plan but then that's when I made my first business plan. Then I got my Dad's approval, which is very difficult, I must tell you." In January 2001, with all might and glee, Rajiv started his office. He is soon hit with harsher market realities. "There was no work for animation. No one was doing anything in animation. There was just one kids channel at that time, a cartoon network. They were also not producing any local Indian content. Even if you have created something, how will you put it out there?" Rajiv shares the tale of initial challenges that a new business idea is bound to face, "After the market realities, came to me the issue of manpower. Animation industry is a very labour-intensive field. For every different thing, you need talented individuals. I could see that the people I'm starting with did not know much about animation. I realised that you have to train your people before they can start working. I was trained in animation and was able to impart my skills to them." After initial investment help from Rajiv's brother and Dad, he did not want to go back to them again to meet the company's requirement for funds. He further through his own journey, teaches the idea of surviving first, "So, once labour is set, they have to be paid too. And a month ends pretty quickly. It is the most difficult part to start earning enough to pay the team you have set in place. So, I started thinking about doing some kind of work, it can be anything, be it designing an invitation card. I would work with all kinds of corporations to fulfil their needs of brochures, photography or creatives. So, I used to take those projects just to survive. I just wanted to survive. We'll fight the battle tomorrow." Rajiv, did never at any point of time in life, let the notion of dignity of work come in the way. He proudly took up jobs that would create favourable conditions for him to succeed eventually, one day. On this he says, "Generally speaking, I was always proud of myself even when I had nothing. Though, I think I had the right attitude. There is dignity in whatever you do. For part-time I did work at an Ice-Cream parlour or as a Pizza delivery guy too in the US. So, no job is small. So, in the beginning, at my company, I was the office boy, the accountant, the receptionist, I did it all." Nothing happened overnight. It is a journey of 28 years. I'm still the same guy, like the one in 2001. I don't know how success feels overnight because I did not taste it that way. At times, Rajiv felt that it had gotten too much for him, the times went extremely challenging but the true entrepreneur in him, gave him the belief in what he was doing. He tells Dutch Uncles, "There were so many situations where I thought, this is over. Everyone is telling me to do something else. Even though my Dad told me to do something else, he is reminding me that I have to get married and this is a bad field to be, I should be taking up a job. Though, whenever I thought we had hit rock-bottom and then some miracle happened. Just then, when there's intense struggle, we stick to our goals and we get some kind of order. This is how things were at one point" Rajiv continued working hard towards his target of getting his first big breakthrough. Back in 2003 already he had Chhota Bheem concept ready but there were no takers. He tried to push it through but the broadcasters found the idea more contemporary than to their liking. Rajiv, went ahead with his creations like Vikram Betaal and Krishna, which stamped his success as an animator and Green Gold as top animation company in the industry. Earlier, to kickstart his projects, something as little as a letter of interest on a letterhead gave Rajiv confidence to comment on things. Later, interest from the industry solidified with Rajiv's work. The success of Krishna show worked immensely in making sure Rajiv had bargaining power along with recognition for his company. "It was a rage. Top in every ranking for weeks." he says. The times of Chhota Bheem Finally, with a few eggs in the basket and a few rejections later, Rajiv was able to convince Turner Entertainment to take on Chhota Bheem. Nothing comes easy and that is why, the biggest turning point is called a breakthrough moment for an entrepreneur. "It took me five years to take it to Turner. Ideas-wise, I always had ideas. Though for seeing it on the right platform you have to wait. After many rejections and no's', we had this good deal." With a big deal in hand, Rajiv decided the growing name of Green Gold needs a better home. Previously they were working out of Rajiv's place. Hence, they shift to a nice five-storeyed building. All is set for them like a red-carpet to bring over everyday work, from furniture to electrical wiring. Things are in place for their big working space to welcome the team. Right at that moment, leaving a sour taste in the mouth, a tragedy struck. Rajiv shares the rest, "It is 26th of March, we are supposed to move-in on the first of April. On the night of 26th, a fire strike. It burns it all down. Almost everything in place is now in ashes. Till the 4th storey almost, things are gone. Fire station by the way, was just 100 metres away but it was Saturday midnight and they came in an hour. It was still on-time given they had to fill their tanks all of sudden. They saved the labourers sleeping on the terrace. That could have been very tragic." What was your first reaction after this, I ask Rajiv. "At that moment I felt, what am I fighting for? If everything is against me, why am I trying to be a hero against all the odds?" If things couldn't get worse for Green Gold Animation, an investor pre-pones a meeting with Rajiv and arrives right on the next day of the fire. Sees the situation and backs off from the commitment. Such a major set-back for an entrepreneur who had just gotten his break, could act as nothing else but the straw that broke the camel's back. Not for Rajiv. He, in an exemplary display of mettle as a person and as a businessman, decided to go on. "It took me a few days to get over it. Honestly, I had no choice. No choice but to continue. There was no path ahead of me. You cannot quit. If there is no choice, you go with how things are. That is it" Rajiv elaborates. As they say, fortune favours the bold, Rajiv's never die attitude had destiny written over it. The sunrise from overcast came ten days later from the fire. On 6th of March, Chhota Bheem, finally went on air on POGO channel. "From that day till twenty days later, when they told me it was a big hit and they wanted us to continue it, we really had a difficult 20 days. If there was something negative, there was always something positive in waiting. I always wanted to focus on that. If we had seen success with Chhota Bheem, Krishna, Vikram Betal, we had the taste of a fair number of bad days too." Chhota Bheem went on to change the fortune for Rajiv and his company, forever. There was absolutely no looking back for him, as Bheem as a concept went on to create a cult of its own. Today, from their cricket bat stickers to their Rakhis on the festival, kids are attracted to anything and everything with Bheem on it. There is an innate Indianness in Bheem, he is the superhero which is desi and still, successful. He is quickly recognisable, its jingle is easy to catch and memorise, the story line suits the simplicity of Indian rural life and most importantly, kids find their superhero in Bheem. Today, Bheem is the world's most popular preschool show. It is international. Earlier, international markets had their own demurs about Bheem's potential, today, Bheem is on Netflix and without a change, goes live on air in the US and beyond. Rajiv recalls his journey as one that has been long-fought, "Nothing happened overnight. It is a journey of 28 years. I'm still the same guy, like the one in 2001. I don't know how success feels overnight because I did not taste it that way. It was hard for me, and yes, the battle is not over! I see problems with us that we have today too. With our success, at times we might have gone complacent too. In that time came many new players as well. And I like that. It is always good. Helps us keep ourselves in check and the industry develops." What would you like to change, if given the chance, "Nothing absolutely? I would love to be younger (chuckles)," Rajiv ends on this lighter note. For more such interesting stories, follow our Inspire section. Suresh Chouksey Suresh was former staff at Dutch Uncles, he writes on entrepreneurship, start-ups, business life cycle and small businesses. Animation Industry Chhota Bheem Green Gold Animation Mighty Bheem Rajiv Chilaka Successful Entrepreneurs Tcyhon: Offering Instant Access to Various Fintech... INSPIRE December 20, 2021 The word ' instant or getting things instantly done... Stuck with Loan Rejections? Now Borrow Loans... DISCOVER November 29, 2021 Yesteryear director Bimal Roy's masterpiece 'Do Bigha Zamin' highlighted... Tinkerly: Now Learn Coding the Hybrid Way The word 'coding' when it strikes our ears, we...

LAUNCH PADS Elon Musk houses for sale after pre-baby 'own no houses' rant on social media Patrick Knox 16:56 ET, May 5 2020 Updated: 17:11 ET, May 5 2020 ELON Musk has put two of his lavish Californian mansions on the market just days after his bizarre Twitter rant about selling off his physical possessions. As his partner prepared to give birth, the eccentric entrepreneur vowed to put the homes on the market in a bizarre Twitter rant on Friday, writing: "I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no home." One of the properties is a $9.5 Million 2,756 sq. ft ranch which is rumored to be the previous home of late movie star Gene WilderCredit: X17Online.com The other one for sale is Musk's lower Bel Air estate overlooking the Bel Air Country ClubCredit: X17Online.com The sales emerged as the Telsa boss today tweeted photographs of his newborn son with singer Grimes on Tuesday. In the same Twitter rant Musk declared that Tesla's stock price was "too high" which caused his companies' shares to plummet almost 11 per cent and erasing around $13million from its market value. Then on Monday it was revealed that Musk had put two of the Bel Air homes up for sale for a combined $39.5million. Stunning aerial photos offer a detailed look at the two homes that are now on the market. Musk spent the past seven years building what can only be described as a mini real estate empire in the celebrity enclave of Bel Air by snapping up six properties within walking distance from each other. Elon Musk's intention to sell all his worldly goods hasn't gone down well with his partner The first home for sale is Musk's lower Bel Air estate overlooking the Bel Air Country Club which he bought in 2012 for $17million but has been listed for $30million on Zillow. The 16,251-square-foot mansion boasts six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a two-story library, swimming pool, and a tennis court. It also includes a gym, pool, a wine cellar, fruit orchard and a five-car garage. The second home, which has been listed for $9.5million, used to be owned by the late Willy Wonka actor, Gene Wilder, who died in 2016. It has five bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, an oval pool and a private guest cottage. Elon Musk has been keeping up his reputation of bizarre tweetsCredit: AFP Elon Musk shared the first photos of his newborn son with singer Grimes on Twitter on TuesdayCredit: Twitter In November 2013, Musk purchased the three-quarter-acre Bel Air home for $6.75million. In one of his Friday tweets, Musk said he would sell the home, but said: "Just one stipulation on sale: I own Gene Wilder's old house. "It cannot be torn down or lose any its soul,." He also said: "'Don't need the cash. Devoting myself to Mars and Earth. Possession just weigh you down." Despite his Friday Twitter rant, Tesla shares were up 4.5 percent on Monday. When asked by The Wall Street Journal if the tweets were a joke, Musk replied: "No." Tesla's value plummets by $14B after founder Elon Musk's bizarre Twitter outburst claiming he's selling his possessions

Kerry Katona admits relationship with Ryan has gone through a 'testing time' EXCLUSIVE: In her latest magazine column, Kerry Katona has opened up about how her Covid and robbery hell put a strain on her relationship with fiancé Ryan Mahoney Georgia TrevittActing Deputy Entertainment Editor Kerry Katona has admitted that her relationship with fiancé Ryan Mahoney has been "testing" after her Covid and robbery hell. Kerry, 41, was left devastated when her Range Rover was stolen while she was out shopping. Just 11 days later, Ryan's car was taken from outside their home. The pair also fell ill with coronavirus, meaning they were forced to isolate over the Christmas period. Writing in her weekly new! column, the former Atomic Kitten singer has opened up how it put a strain on their relationship, admitting: "It's been really hard." Sign up – for free! – to see what she has to say. Are you an OK! VIP? If not, why not? It's free and gives you backstage access to stories like this, exclusive home tours, special discounts and so much more! All you need to do is pop your email address below! P.s. if you're already seeing this article in full, congrats - you're already on our guest list! Kerry Katona has admitted that her relationship with fiancé Ryan Mahoney has been "testing" after her Covid and robbery hell (Image: Kerry Katona Instagram) Having our cars stolen and then getting Covid and being stuck indoors has really tested Ryan and me. We've been locked inside with the children with nowhere to go and it's been really hard. As we couldn't go out, the stress was getting on top of us and then we only had each other to take it out on. Ryan is usually the calmest person ever, but having his car stolen really did upset him. But all couples go through testing times. I'll be with Ryan until the day I die and I love him to pieces. Everything is good – it's only made us stronger. Kerry gave an update on her health following her Covid battle (Image: Kerry Katona / Instagram) I'm Covid-free and I'm out of isolation, but I'm still feeling some effects. I still feel really out of breath and I don't have a lot of energy. Ryan was really ill with it – he couldn't even lift his head from the pillow. It was our second time getting the virus and, while it was unpleasant, I didn't suffer as badly as my first time. Being in isolation and not having all of my children with me at Christmas was really s**t, but it is what it is. Driven to the edge The columnist is renting a new car after her Range Rover was stolen (Image: Instagram) I went out shopping last week for the first time since isolating. I was like a giddy kid and was speaking to everyone – it felt good to have my freedom back. I'm currently renting a car after mine got stolen. I got it from Faster Car Finance and they couldn't have been more helpful. I still don't have any news about my stolen car and the investigation is ongoing. Then, just 11 days after it happened, Ryan's car was stolen. It's been a nightmare. It isn't just the car – it's had a huge knock-on effect on us as a family. It's traumatised the children – and I think it's really affected DJ. She seemed fine at first, but she's had two temper tantrums and that's not like my DJ at all. It could be a delayed reaction to everything that's happened. EXCLUSIVE TO OK! VIP CLUB Inside Alex and Olivia Bowen's mansion Craig Revel Horwood house tour Social icon Lalalaletmeexplain's column Bring on the positive vibes The singer is feeling positive for the year ahead (Image: FARRELL / BACKGRID) It's a new year and a new beginning – and I'm feeling positive. I always try to look for the silver linings. Just because something bad has happened, it doesn't mean my life is falling apart. My career is going well, I have a nice house and most importantly I've got my family. We're tight-knit, we've got our health and we're all good. A lot of people make New Year's resolutions and start exercising, but I think that's something you should be doing all the time. At the minute, I'm massively unhappy with my body. I'm working with a diet brand called Exante and I'm trying to get myself back into a routine. I'm taking the Exante protein shakes, which work well for me because I'm always on the go. I trained a couple of times last week, but my body is still affected by Covid – I may be doing too much too quickly. Who's the singer behind the mask? Many people have questioned whether Kerry is on The Masked Singer A few people have been asking me if I'm Firework on The Masked Singer, which I find so funny. There have been a few times now I've been mentioned on that show – a lot of people thought I was on it last year. I haven't been watching it this year, as I've been too busy binge-watching The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills! I'm completely obsessed with it. I'm also watching Stay Close on Netflix. I'm only a few episodes in, but it's brilliant. Atomic Kitten Kirk Norcross cries as he reflects on dad Mick's heartbreaking death Kirk NorcrossThe former The Only Way Is Essex star become emotional as he spoke about his late father in his first TV interview on Loose Women Abbie Quinnen will 'never fully recover' as she shares new pics of 'horrifying' burn scars Abbie QuinnenDancer Abbie Quinnen has shared a throwback snap of her in hospital to mark a year on from her horrific burns accident Coronation Street star Sair Khan's boyfriend in hospital for tumour surgery Sair KhanNathan Chilton has been documenting his health struggles on his Instagram and YouTube account, where he previously revealed that his operation had been cancelled. Kanye WestKanye 'won't accept' Kim's new boyfriend Pete Davidson: 'He's very stubborn'EXCLUSIVE: Kanye West reportedly "won't accept" estranged wife Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete Davidson and "won't go away easily" Mrs Hinch welcomes alpacas to new Farm and shares sweet moment son Ronnie meets them Mrs HinchMrs Hinch revealed on Thursday that she has moved three alpacas into her family's new farmhouse Olivia Attwood spills on latest filler session saying she feels 'fresh out of the womb' Olivia AttwoodLove Islander Olivia Attwood gushed about the results of her recent Botox top-up Coronation Street star Charlie Condou heartbroken as his sister dies after cancer battle Charlie CondouThe former Corrie actor's sister Niki has passed away from ovarian cancer Kanye 'won't accept' Kim's new boyfriend Pete Davidson: 'He's very stubborn' Kanye WestEXCLUSIVE: Kanye West reportedly "won't accept" estranged wife Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete Davidson and "won't go away easily" Emmerdale hit with Ofcom complaints over Meena murder storyline on ITV soap EmmerdaleEmmerdale has recently featured explosive scenes involving murderer Meena Jutla on the ITV soap Ellie Jones hits back at 'untrue' claim she left club alone with TOWIE's Yaz's boyfriend Ellie JonesJake McLean was said to have been spotted leaving a Dubai club with former Love Islander Ellie Jones, but she's now denied this version of events

Insights • SPDR Blog ESG's Turning Point: Four Trends Could Accelerate Flows in 2021 - As the foundation for ESG investing expands, momentum will continue to build across the globe. - Rebecca Chesworth looks at four trends that that could continue to drive the momentum. Rebecca Chesworth Equity ETF Strategist Brie Williams Head of Practice Management So much transpired across society, economies and the investment community to advance ESG investing in 2020. Moving out of an exceptional third quarter, global inflows into ESG funds held strong, amassing $45.8 billion in Q4 2020, with Europe pushing past $821 billion in AUM to close the year.1 We believe ESG flows will continue to accelerate in 2021 as these four trends drive momentum: Morningstar, as of 12/31/2020. Calculations by SPDR Research Americas. 1. An emphasis on ESG to pursue better risk-adjusted returns The debate over whether positive ESG characteristics can afford a stock premium performance has dissipated over recent years. In fact, in 2020, ESG indices outperformed their non-ESG counterparts. Compared with the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 500 ESG and S&P ESG Exclusions II indices achieved ~1.5% outperformance, with less volatility of returns.2 These better risk-adjusted ESG returns were strongly correlated with quality and large-cap stocks in 2020. Although market dynamics are likely to be different in 2021, ESG strategies (whether exclusionary, best-in-class/positive screening and/or benchmark aware) could continue to benefit as they could remove potential threats to performance and help investors pursue lower downside risk. Given the evolution of views, we see investors becoming more willing to accept tracking error to standard benchmarks.3 2. The pandemic highlighting ESG's lower-profile S pillar Historically, the E in ESG has taken the spotlight, with vital emphasis on mitigating climate change through corporate and investor action. The climate story was not forgotten in 2020, and indeed many people reveled in the fact that lockdowns caused emissions to fall. However, the challenges that COVID-19 inflicted on workforces and underprivileged parts of the population made corporate social responsibilities more relevant, increasing the focus on the S in ESG and new means of measuring it. Throughout the pandemic, we saw companies that were better prepared for upheaval prosper. During shareholder engagements by State Street Global Advisors, we saw how strategic planning on supply chains -- including more diverse sourcing, digitalization and robust supply-chain risk management processes -- helped companies in more strained times. In the US, while President Biden has already rejoined the global effort to curb climate change, it is too early to gauge the administration's impact on social issues. However, the inclusion demonstrated by Biden's Cabinet picks sends a reinforcing message on the importance of diversity. 3. Increasing ESG integration into investment policy statements Although ESG investing is not mandatory, global regulators and policymakers have published increasingly strict guidelines to ensure that asset managers who incorporate ESG considerations into their investment strategies can provide end investors with a transparent understanding of their methodology. For example, the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) now requires its signatories to adopt mandatory climate-related financial disclosures, or face loss of their accreditation. As Europe continued to advance toward ESG investment data standardization in 2020, the US made progress to regulate how companies disclose ESG information. To provide transparency for this information, a slew of reporting frameworks and scoring systems have been developed, although despite collaboration between the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and GRI (formerly named the Global Reporting Initiative), standard criteria on specific disclosures remains elusive in the US. And although the Securities and Exchange Commission has yet to take specific action to implement ESG requirements, expectations for transparency and comparability, as well as complete and accurate information, are rising. Looking ahead, we believe that companies that engage in stakeholder capitalism (considering the impact on clients, employees, society) are likely to be better positioned for long-term value creation. This remains a core argument for value-based ESG integration. 4. Greater recognition of the climate emergency While the COVID-19 crisis could have knocked climate from the top of the ESG agenda – and efforts were derailed by the postponement of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) – a tipping point was reached in global consciousness in 2020 with more action to limit the use of fossil fuels and speed up the low-carbon transition. The PRI lists climate change as the biggest risk faced by investors, citing physical and transition risks to portfolios. And Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) on the governance of climate risks and their strategic impact became compulsory for PRI signatories last year. 2020 also featured the European Commission's launch of two climate benchmarks that align with a 1.5-degree scenario: the Paris-Aligned Benchmark (PAB) and the broader Climate Transition Benchmark (CTB), which permits fossil fuel investments in transition. These benchmarks demonstrate how the European Commission has pulled ahead in terms of legislation to support sustainable finance. And they will be useful for investors who want to be at the forefront of change. Looking ahead, Europe's wide-ranging Green Deal, presented in 2020, has the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral in 2050. It was Europe's "man on the moon moment," to quote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Policy areas in the action plan include clean energy, sustainable mobility, sustainable food systems, and biodiversity. And in the US, President Biden's "build back better" approach could also support ESG as planned fiscal stimulus is directed to low-carbon projects such as electric vehicle charging networks, hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure, and improving building energy efficiency and retrofits. For additional detail, see our article on ESG and the Biden presidency. While the pandemic was the catalyst for increased flows into ESG investments in 2020, we expect global action on environmental and social challenges to spark flows in 2021. As Europe continues to lead the way in ESG investing, innovations soon to be introduced in the European Union include: Green bond standards to help build credibility and participation in ESG investments Sustainability disclosure obligations for financial market participants which will enforce reporting from March 2021 The publication of a classification system for sustainable activities. The initial focus of this taxonomy is defining what is sustainable in climate terms, but the intention is to introduce rules on other environmental sustainability objectives and to extend to social objectives at a later stage. As the foundation for ESG investing expands, momentum will continue to build across the globe. We look forward to seeing how investors will respond to businesses and governments that hold themselves accountable to multiple sets of stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, affected communities, and local and global environments. 1Morningstar, as of 12/31/2020. Calculations by SPDR Research Americas. 2S&P Dow Jones Indices, December 31, 2020. 3State Street Global Advisors, Global Market Outlook, "Investments Theme: Momentum Will Carry ESG Investing Far Beyond the Pandemic" Carlo Maximilian Funk https://www.ssga.com/etfs/insights/esg-investing-momentum-will-carry-it-beyond-the-pandemic The returns on a portfolio of securities which exclude companies that do not meet the portfolio's specified ESG criteria may trail the returns on a portfolio of securities which include such companies. A portfolio's ESG criteria may result in the portfolio investing in industry sectors or securities which underperform the market as a whole. 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Maingear Pulse 15 Review By Brian Westover https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/maingear-pulse-15 The Maingear Pulse 15 is a midrange gaming laptop that rivals our top pick in many ways, and even adds a couple of touches all its own. Maingear Pulse 15 Maingear Pulse 15 Quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M graphics. Slim, lightweight design. Durable aluminum chassis and attractive paint job. Customizable keyboard backlighting. Short battery life. Runs hot. Gaming performance falls slightly short. Though once a very small niche among enthusiasts, ultraportable gaming laptops have grown to be a substantial subset of gaming notebooks in general, and ultraportable design has crossed over into other categories, too. Take for example the Maingear Pulse 15 ($2,325 as tested), which is ultrathin and light, but its 15-inch size is a bit large for a true ultraportable, making it a midrange gaming laptop. The Pulse 15 is the bigger sibling to Maingear's Pulse 14, with a larger higher-resolution display and a slimmer chassis. It squares off against others, like the Editors' Choice MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K($1,799.99 at Office Depot® & OfficeMax®), and while it doesn't supplant the leader, it proves itself a worthy peer. The chassis sports an all-metal construction, making for a slim, yet sturdy design. Measuring just 0.8 by 15.4 by 10.5 inches (HWD) and weighing 3.9 pounds, the 15-inch system is large enough to enjoy the latest games, but thin enough to carry in a laptop bag, something you couldn't claim about any gaming laptop just a couple of years ago. It does get hot when you really let it go to town with a demanding game, but no more so than other slim-bodied systems, topping out at 100 degrees (as measured by a Fluke IR thermometer). That's cooler than both the Razer Blade (2014)($2,999.11 at Amazon) (126 degrees) and the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K (108 degrees). It looks quite similar to the MSI Ghost Pro, with both systems offering comparable components in what is essentially the same chassis. To help differentiate between the two, Maingear offers some fancy Glasurit paint jobs, with a rainbow of colors available, in either glossy or matte finishes. Our review unit came in an eye-catching orange, but you can get any color you choose, or you can skip it for a black, brushed-aluminum finish. The matte paint job makes for a nice soft-touch feel. The real treat of this system is the 15.6-inch 3K display, which boasts a 2,880-by-1,620 resolution and an impressive In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel. The color quality is very good, and it has pretty wide viewing angles, too, but there is some reflectivity on the glass of the display. It's not quite as nice as the 3,200-by-1,800 Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) display seen on the Razer Blade, but it's still a giant step up from full HD. There are four built-in SoundBlaster speakers plus an integrated subwoofer for sound that is clear and deep. MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K at Office Depot® & OfficeMax® Read MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K Review Maingear Pulse 14 Read Maingear Pulse 14 Review Razer Blade (2014) Read Razer Blade (2014) Review The chiclet-style keyboard has multizone, colored backlighting, with each zone color-customizable. While it looks just like the keyboard seen on the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K—right down to the font on the keys—the Maingear model doesn't boast the SteelSeries branding. It does, however, still offer full anti-ghosting, letting you press several keys simultaneously without the keyboard locking up or slowing down your game controls. The wide clickpad is quite spacious, but without discrete right and left buttons, even gamers who like gaming on a trackpad—and they are few and far between—will probably want a dedicated gaming mouse. On the right side of the laptop, you'll find a single USB 3.0 port, an SD card slot, an HDMI port, and a mini DisplayPort. The Ethernet port comes with Qualcomm's Killer-brand networking hardware, which is optimized for gaming, and prioritizes online gaming and media streaming traffic for lower latency and better performance. On the left side are jacks for headphones and a microphone, two USB 3.0 ports, and a Kensington lock slot. Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 come standard. You'll get plenty of storage, with a 1TB, 7,200rpm hard drive combined with a pair of 128GB solid-state drives (SSDs) in RAID 0, offering zippy performance and spacious storage. That's a full terabyte more than the Razer Blade offers, but it's on par with the smaller Maingear Pulse 14 and the MSI GS60, which both offer a similar trio of drives. Maingear doesn't weigh down the Pulse 15 with extra software, so the only things installed on the drive are the Windows 8.1 (64-bit) operating system and drivers for the Nvidia graphics card. The GPU comes with Nvidia's Optimus automatic graphics-switching technology, and a dashboard, called GeForce Experience, that lets you adjust the card settings and maximize performance. Nvidia now includes a lot more with GeForce Experience, with BatteryBoost, for better on-the-go gaming performance, ShadowPlay, which lets you capture gameplay footage using a DVR-like tool, and GameStream, which lets you stream games from the PC to the Nvidia Shield handheld. Maingear covers the Pulse 15 with a one-year warranty and adds a lifetime of phone support and labor for repairs and maintenance on top of that. The Best Laptops for 2021 The Pulse 15 is outfitted with a 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M graphics card, the same hardware options seen in the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K. Understandably, this led to extremely similar, though not identical, performance between the two across the board. For instance, the Pulse 15 managed 3,047 points in PCMark 8 Work Conventional compared with the MSI GS60's 2,988 points, but it fell behind by an equally narrow margin in Cinebench R15 with 556 points against the MSI GS60's 656 points. The same can be seen on our multimedia tests, where the difference between the two is negligible—the Pulse 15 completed Handbrake in 1 minute 22 seconds and Photoshop in 3:29, while the MSI GS60 edged ahead in both, finishing in 1:14 and 3:26, respectively. See How We Test Laptops The more important performance results for a gaming machine are in our graphics and frame rate tests. With its Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M graphics card and 3GB of dedicated video emory, the Pulse 15 scored 16,709 (CloudGate), and 2,192 (FireStrike). In gaming tests, with the resolution at 1,366-by-768 and the detail settings turned down, it cranked through Heaven at 80 frames per second (fps) and scored 94fps in Valley. With the resolution dialed up to 1,080p and the eye-candy turned on, frame rates dropped considerably, down to 12fps in Heaven and 16fps in Valley. At lower resolutions, the Pulse 15 will handle any game you throw at it, but the 3K display supports higher resolutions than the GPU can adequately handle. Interestingly enough, this isn't a problem we saw on the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro, despite the similar hardware and display. The Pulse 15 lasted 3 hours 13 minutes on our rundown test, only four minutes behind the MSI GS60, but a full hour behind the latest Razer Blade (4:15). Nonetheless, it does offer some battery life, and will even allow some on-the-go gaming. The Maingear Pulse 15 is a solid slim midrange laptop, and why wouldn't it be? It shares the same chassis and similar specs as our Editors' Choice MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K. But while we still love the slim design, the impressive 3K display, and even the improved speakers and stylish paintjob, the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K offers a better overall package with slightly better gaming performance, and remains our top pick. Best Laptop Picks The Best 2-in-1 Convertible and Hybrid Laptops for 2021 The Fastest Laptops for 2021 The Best Chromebooks for 2021 The Best Lenovo Laptops for 2021 More Laptop Reviews More from Maingear Laptop Product Comparisons Apple MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Which 13-Inch Premium Laptop Is Tops? MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air: Which 13-Inch Apple Laptop Is Best for 2020? Slick Ultraportables Face Off: 2020 Apple MacBook Air vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 High-End Mac Showdown: Apple iMac vs. Apple MacBook Pro Report: Apple Is Ditching the MacBook's OLED Touch Bar The Best Laptops of CES 2021 Samsung 'Blade Bezel' Laptops Will Have Under-Screen Webcams Gigabyte Launches GeForce RTX 30 Series and Ryzen-Powered Gaming Laptops First Look: Asus TUF Dash F15 Slims Down, Pumps Up Budget Gaming Laptops About Brian Westover Brian Westover is an Analyst for the Hardware Team, reviewing laptops, desktops, and storage devices. As a child, Brian was frequently asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" His answer alternated between Superman and Batman. This was cute when he was five, but worrisome at seventeen. Naturally, he is now a journalist, writing about technology and gadgets. Brian has been writing professionally since 2007, and his work has appeared in business newsletters, websites, textbooks, and magazines. He earned his degree in Communications from Brigham Young University - Idaho. When not writing or fighting villainy, Brian enjoys sampling the culinary delights of New York, perusing obscure trivia, and spending time with his wife. Read the latest from Brian Westover Can My PC Run Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 15 Review Lenovo OneLink Pro Dock Review Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2nd Gen Review SanDisk Dual USB Drive Type-C (32GB) Review More from Brian Westover

Capitalism's two extremes TOO MUCH junk food in the First World. Not enough food in the Third World. That is the conclusion of a new report which finds that 1.2 billion people in the world are obese and 1.2 billion go hungry... More nuclear safety scares BRITISH Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) was hit by crisis again last week, only two weeks after one of its chief executives was sacked because of the company's appalling safety record. This time the threat to ou... Ayr by-election special report Many Labour voters in Scotland are up in arms at New Labour's Tory policies. There is a real possibility that Labour will lose the Ayr seat. The 16 March poll could see the Tories win... POSTAL WORKERS at a CWU union conference have given a sign of the deep anger about New Labour's policies.... Lecturers on strike against 'partnership' LECTURERS AT new Scottish universities and colleges of art were out on the picket line on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week against their management's imposition of a new contract... Drop the debt THE CONFERENCE of the NUS Scotland student union last weekend was both left-leaning and largely in agreement... 74 COPIES of Socialist Worker were sold outside 4 schools, 3 dust depots, 2 post offices, a bus garage and 2 benefit offices in Hackney last week. Elsewhere 23 papers were sold outside Riverside House... Protest roundup THE SACKED Sky Chefs workers at Heathrow Airport have been offered a new deal... Brutal police face new rap "YOUNG, GIFTED and Black" is a famous song from the 1960s. The man who wrote the lyrics, Weldon Irvine, is still recording music over 30 years later... Unite left to fill void I AM not an admirer of Ken Livingstone, but New Labour has resorted to the most disgraceful methods to stop him becoming mayor of London... Keep it in the holy family? THE HEAD of the Roman Catholic church in Scotland, Cardinal Winning, is being praised as a model for "family values" in his campaign to keep the anti-gay Section 28 law. The Mirror's shares con MIRROR EDITOR Piers Morgan is engulfed in a scandal after being accused of trying to make a quick profit through dodgy share dealing... Should socialists break from New Labour? SHOULD SOCIALISTS leave the Labour Party? That is the question raised by the contest for London mayor. Many Labour members are questioning if they have a future in the party... Justice for the McGowans The family and their lawyers then met home secretary Jack Straw at Parliament. Deborah Todd, campaign coordinator in Telford, says, "We followed up on Friday by picketing Telford's police station."... Not a lot to smile about ROSETTA, A powerful and upsetting film, follows Rosetta, a young Belgian woman, over a few days in her brutish life. Mozambique flood crisis has exposed Britain and the US AT EVERY stage in the crisis in Mozambique New Labour has put balance sheets before saving lives. It has been too slow and too mean in sending aid, too enslaved to the market to help a country recover... Stand up for Socialism Stand up for socialism Join the revolt against New Labour Anti-racism roundup OVER 500 people attended a march and rally in the small town of Kirkintilloch, outside Glasgow, last Saturday Debts bring a tide of misery MILLIONS OF people in southern Africa who are suffering from a terrible flood have been abandoned to their fate by Western governments. They have refused to give aid which could have saved thousands o Previous1..2788278927902791279227932794279527962797..2849Next

The end of another financial year is fast approaching and you need to start planning your tax strategy now. Here, Chris Ridd shares tips on how to reduce your business tax bill by timing your income and expenses. We all know that when you run your business, you want to maximise income and keep expenses as low as possible. But when it comes to tax time you should aim to do the opposite – minimise income and maximise expenses in order to reduce your assessable income and the amount of tax you have to pay. Of course, you don't do this by turning away customers or needlessly spending money. Instead, it's all in the timing. In other words, you bring forward expenses into the current tax year, and defer income into the following tax year. While you might eventually have to pay tax on the money you save, in the meantime the extra money is yours to use as you see fit – to invest back into your business, to reduce your borrowings and hence your interest payments, or to leave in the bank earning interest. Many SME business owners start out with cash accounting – that is, recognising the income and expenses in your business when they are physically paid. Timing strategies work best with accrual accounting so, if you haven't already, you might consider making the change. Accrual accounting recognises income and expenses when you issue an invoice or receive a bill, not when you receive or pay money. This accounting method creates debtors and creditors, so it's a good idea to use online accounting software, which makes it easier for you to keep track of your business' cash flow and its true financial position. First up, look at all of the regular expenses you have coming up and see if you can bring any forward to before June 30. These include costs like insurance, rent and professional association membership fees. If you calculate your tax using the accrual method, the good news is you don't have to actually spend the money before June 30 to get the deduction. However, what's important is that the invoice is issued to you before then. For example, if your business is getting an IT upgrade, you can ask your supplier to issue their invoice before the end of the tax year. Even if you don't pay it straight away, you can still get a tax deduction for the expense. Likewise, think about any purchases you'll be making for your business in the new financial year. Is there anything you're thinking about buying in July that you might bring forward by a few days or weeks? Another reason to spend the money now and not later is that there are some generous small business tax concessions available for depreciation of assets that might not be available next year. But don't go overboard. The whole point of this strategy is to maximise the cash you have on hand by increasing your tax deductions, so don't bring expenses forward by too much. There's little point in buying supplies you won't use for 11 months, say, because you'll be doing without all that cash for the sake of deducting only some of it. Look at the invoices you have coming up, particular for major sales or projects. Can you hold back on issuing them until after June 30? If you do, you won't have to pay tax on the income until the following year, giving you more cash in hand. As with expenses, however, don't delay invoices too much for the sake of the 30c in the dollar tax saving. The same applies with sales of assets, such as your business premises or goodwill. Any gains your business makes will be taxable, so think about deferring sales until the new tax year. Likewise, if you think you'll make a loss on the sale of an asset, see if you can bring forward the sale to the current tax year so you can offset it against your current income and pay less tax. It's worth knowing that there are tax concessions available to small business for the sale of some assets, so check with your accountant before you offload anything. Once the calendar tips past June 30, you will have missed your chance to take advantage of accruals. So start planning now. Comb through your expenses to see what you can bring forward and look for any income that you can delay. Invest a bit of time in this groundwork now and you'll benefit from some useful tax savings come July. Chris Ridd is Managing Director of Xero Australia.

TRILLION ENERGY INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES ACCELERATION OF WARRANT EXPIRY DATE FOR 2021 WARRANTS By: Trillion Energy International Inc. via Globe NewsWire October 21, 2022 at 17:00 PM EDT Vancouver, B.C. , Oct. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trillion Energy International Inc. ("Trillion" or the "Company"") (CSE: TCF) (OTCQB: TRLEF) (Frankfurt: Z62) announces that it has elected to exercise its right under the terms of the warrant certificates governing the common share purchase warrants of the Company issued during March, 2021 (the "March 2021 Warrants") to accelerate the term of the March 2021 Warrants. Pursuant to the 2021 March Warrants, in the event the Company's share price closes at a price of CAD$0.15 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company may accelerate the term of the March 2021 Warrants to a period of 30 days following notice by providing notice to the warrant holders in writing or by news release. As of October 21, 2022, the closing price of the Company's common shares has traded in excess of CAD$0.15 for at least 10 consecutive trading days. Accordingly, the expiry date of the 2021 is accelerated to November 21, 2022 (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). Any March 2021 Warrants that remain unexercised by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the Accelerated Expiry Date will expire and be cancelled. As of October 21, 2022, an aggregate of 12,025,997 of the March 2021 Warrants have yet to be exercised, of which 4,007,917 are exercisable at CAD$0.10 per share, 4,660,000 are exercisable at CAD$0.12 per share, 2,358,080 are exercisable at US$0.08 per share and 1,000,000 are exercisable at US$0.16 per share. Each March 2021 Warrants is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company. Trillion is an oil and gas producing company with multiple assets throughout Turkey and Bulgaria. The Company is 49% owner of the SASB natural gas field, one of the Black Sea's first and largest-scale natural gas development projects; a 19.6% (except three wells with 9.8%) interest in the Cendere oil field; and in Bulgaria, the Vranino 1-11 block, a prospective unconventional natural gas property. More information may be found on www.sedar.com, and our website. Art Halleran: 1-250-996-4211 Corporate offices: 1-778-819-1585 e-mail: info@trillionenergy.com Website: www.trillionenergy.com

Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared? Deerhunter's eighth album, Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?, was inspired by Marfa, a ghostlike West Texas town where they recorded parts of the album. (Other recording locations included Los Angeles and Atlanta.) "There is a feeling of disappearance here… The desert just has a lot of disappeared things in it. It's where things have disappeared to," singer and guitarist Bradford Cox has said of Marfa. Specifically, WHEAD is, per a press statement, "concerned with the disappearance of culture, of humanity, of nature, of logic and emotion." Indeed, WHEAD is bleak, if not outright morbid. Cox sings of his friends on "Death in Midsummer": "They just fade away. Some worked in hills. Some worked in factories, worked their lives away. And in time, you will see your own life fade away." And later: "They were in hills. They were in factories. They are in graves now…. Walk around, and you'll see how it fades. Walk around, and you'll see what's faded." The mid-tempo "No One's Sleeping" bursts with optimistic sax. But anxiety always seeps into Cox's lyrics, weighing down the music like dew clinging to leaves. "Great unrest. In the country, there's much duress. Violence has taken hold," he sings. If no one's sleeping, Cox certainly isn't either. Despite the grim reality WHEAD draws attention to, songs like "No One's Sleeping" show that sonically, the album is an exuberant and tightly knit pop record. That might be the result of working with Welsh singer/songwriter Cate Le Bon, who replaced Deerhunter's long-time producer, Ben H. Allen. Harpsichord, played by Le Bon, opens the album on "Death in Midsummer". Saxophone blows "No One's Sleeping" towards unreachable heights where cloudbusting synthesizers soar. "Futurism" might be the least complicated piece of pop Deerhunter have written. Deerhunter have been leaning into classic rock, noisy punk, and garage rock over their previous two albums, 2015's Fading Frontier and 2013's Monomania. But WHEAD contains moments conducive of mental clarity, too. "Tarnung" undulates atop sparse xylophones and the breathiest saxophone. "Détournement" resembles a relaxation tape. The narrator's drowned voice flies the listener around the world, across oceans. "Good morning to Japan," he says. He repeats the same greeting for Europe, Spain, Russia, America, and Australia. But the calmness fades. Drums and piano intrude the tranquility. He says hello to eternal jet lag. "And time starts to run backwards." As the sense of time becomes skewed, so does any sense of place, despite the narrator reciting place names like memorization cards. The only patch where WHEAD loses cohesion is on closer "Nocturne". Cox's filtered vocals are clipped. The lumbering melody and toy-like quality of the song call to mind the Unicorns, at least in the first third of the six-plus-minute song. "There are no boundaries left to cross," Cox sings. That isn't true of Deerhunter, but they've made a huge leap with Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?. review by Leslie Chu Helado Negro – Far In Erika de Casier – Sensational Sketchy – Tune Yards Songs Adrienne Lenker Future Islands As Long As You Are Big Thief Debut "Simulation Swarm" Cate Le Bon Shares "Remembering Me" Video Aldous Harding Announces 'Warm Chris' LP The Smile – You Will Never Work In Television Again Our Most Anticipated Albums of 2022

How Aida Muluneh Is Giving Storytellers a New Platform Naina Bajekal, Time Magazine, February 7, 2019 Aida Muluneh, First in the heart is a dream When TIME approached photographer Aida Muluneh to create images for the 2019 Optimists issue, she immediately turned to Ethiopia's political climate for inspiration. A new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, had assumed office in April 2018 and started implementing a series of reforms. "He instilled a different energy that was needed in our country," Muluneh says. "There were a lot of changes that incited optimism for many of us." Among those changes was a renewed championing of the role of women in politics. Last October, Abiy appointed women to half of the government's 20 ministerial posts, up from four in the previous government's much larger cabinet. "It's commendable to see," says Muluneh. As she began sketching out ideas relating to political optimism, she was keen to include female models and emphasize their role in politics and society. "Part of my optimism is about celebrating African cultures and traditions, but also about the need for the female voice." In the image above, titled "First in the heart is a dream," a woman is being pulled in different directions — symbolizing the difficulty of understanding the truth and taking into account all angles, Muluneh says. But the woman, who wears a traditional headdress, also has a set of keys near her heart. "Sometimes we forget we hold the keys to unlock things," she says. "Moving forward with truth and love is what optimism is." Muluneh was born in Ethiopia in 1974 but spent much of her childhood abroad, in Yemen, the U.K. and Canada. She moved to the United States and studied at Howard University in Washington, later becoming a photojournalist at The Washington Post.She credits African-American mentors like Chester Higgins Jr., a former staff photographer for the New York Times, for making her believe in the importance of telling untold stories. She eventually set off on a more artistic path, encouraged by Cameroonian writer and art critic Simon Njami. She draws not just from Ethiopia, but from the continent as a whole, when it comes to the traditional ornamentation and body paint featured in her work. "My work is very contemporary but it's still rooted in my culture," she says. "My inspiration remains in Africa." In the image above, titled "The bridge between," Muluneh was particularly interested in capturing Ethiopia's political history. The chair painted with different symbols charts the country's transition from empire—Ethiopia's monarchy was abolished in 1975—to the communist state that existed from 1987 to 1991, to the current political system. On the checkered floor is a jabanah, the traditional pot used to serve coffee. "That's a symbol of conversation and dialogue, because the coffee ceremony brings people together to talk," she says. Describing how the flower might represent love, friendship and understanding, Muluneh points out that her work is open to interpretation. "That's the great beauty of working in this way," she says. "When you show the work, people react to it and often find themselves within that image." When Muluneh returned to Ethiopia just over a decade ago, she was determined to focus on emerging talent in the region. It has not been easy, she says, to develop a community in a place where the market is underdeveloped and lacking in infrastructure and technical support. "People don't realize how rich the continent is," she says. "There's so much beauty and complexity to explore." But she has found success with Addis Foto Fest, a biennial event she launched in 2010. At the festival's fifth edition in 2018, Muluneh's team showcased the work of over 100 photographers from around the world, 35 of them from Ethiopia. "I wanted to build bridges between photographers around the world, not just Africa," says Muluneh, whose own work has been exhibition in several major exhibitions abroad. At portfolio reviews and panel discussions, she shares what she learned from the African-American mentors who gave her opportunities in photography. And through the exhibitions and awards ceremonies at Addis Foto Fest, she hopes to amplify the voices of up-and-coming storytellers. "The festival is an expansion of my passion," she says. "You can fantasize about reaching your own goals but your legacy is always who you can be proud of, who you have passed the torch to."

Malware Manifesto A database of major known threats as seen by Webroot and other security channels. Cryptominer Most likes Most replies Most views Newest first LLiddell Administrator Knowledge Base Botnet A network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners' knowledge, e.g., to send spam messages. Andromeda Nanobot Adwind Knowledge Base Spyware Spyware is software that aims to gather information about a person or organization sometimes without their knowledge, that may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent, that asserts control over a device without the consumer's knowledge, or it may send such information... Knowledge Base Worm A Worm's purpose is to propagate and spread as much as it can because it's usually designed to find a specific environment as its target. It differs from a virus in that it doesn't need a host file to infect and spread. Once the worm reaches its target environment it has limitless options of the end... Knowledge Base Trojan Trojans are installed generally without a user's full, meaningful, and informed consent. A Trojan differs from most malware as the payload (or the behavior) of a Trojan can be controlled potentially from a remote site. Trojan Dropper: A file that contains at least one additional, malicious file. Fo... Knowledge base Cryptominer The world of cryptocurrency is in its infancy stages, but criminals have been using it for years and proving the utility and anonymity of blockchain technology. Not to mention the spike in interest and speculative price on the technology has really put a focus for criminals to accumulate as much as... Knowledge Base Ransomware Quite possibly the most devastating malware for victims and most profitable for criminals. This type of malware aims to block access to your data by either encrypting your files or the entire hard drive. To get your data back, victims are forced pay the criminals ransom to get their files back. Hist... Knowledge Base Virus The oldest of all malware is the virus and it's been around since the 70's. Designed to attach its code to other programs. Once those infected programs are executed, the virus will duplicate itself and spread like mad. Today, "Viruses" by their strict definition are rare in the wild and are usually... Knowledge Base Keyloggers/System Monitors Keyloggers and System monitors are either commercial or non-commercial. A commercial system monitor is a piece of software with system monitor characteristics, obtained with a legitimate license by legal means. All other system monitors are non-commercial system monitors. The system monitor category... Jokeroo (Formerly GandCrab) Summary - Jokeroo is a RaaS or Ransomware-as-a-Service being sold on the Darkweb. This RaaS requires an up front member fee. This ranges from $90 - $600 which allows the purchaser to keep anywhere from 85% to 100% of profits and even extra items such as Salsa20 encryption. Jokeroo was initially prom... LockerGoga Summary - LockerGoga is a Ransomware variant that appears to be targeting European companies. The encryption process used by LockerGoga is slow, showing a lack of sophistication. LockerGoga was signed using a valid Digital Certificate which has since been revoked. Glossary Blog Back to the Malware... Anatova Summary - Antova is Ransomware that encrypts files that are 1MB or smaller in size and will also encrypt files on connected network shares. This Ransomware appears to support additional modules which could be used to perform other malicious activities in addition to file encryption. Glossary Blog... Adwind Summary - Adwind RAT, first discovered in 2013, is a multi-platform Remote Access Trojan written in Java which is more commonly known as jRat. Adwind is provided as a malware-as-a-service for the attackers most commonly distributing it via malspam. When via a malspam email, a .jar attachment will be... Nanobot Summary - Nanobot is a botnet with hosts controlled by the NanoCore RAT, a Remote Access Trojan that targets Windows operating system users. All versions of the RAT feature base plugins and functionalities such as screen capture, crypto currency mining, remote control of the desktop and webcam sessi... Summary - Andromeda, also known as Gamarue, is a modular botnet whose functionailities can be modified via plugins. Some of its functions include: keylogging, rootkit, teamviewer and spreader. Andromeda was spread many different ways such as malspam, trojan downloads and exploit kits. The primary go... Crysis/Dharma Summary - These are variants which you will typically see come in via compromised RDP accounts in bruteforce attacks. Crysis was first spotted some time in 2016. Due to similarities in code, Dharma is thought to be a product of Crysis. Crysis will usually demand a payment of around $1000-$1500, per... Bitpaymer Summary - Bitpaymer is a multi vector ransomware which has been seen in RDP scenarios as well as dropped by trojans, such as Trickbot. Bitpaymer is a unique ransomware in that it utilizes alternate data streams (ADS) to hide itself from antivirus. This essentially makes the ransomware file-less shor... CEIDPageLock 29th August, 2018 By Charlie Osborne ZD Net Summary - The RIG exploit kit, which at its peak infected an average of 27,000 machines per day, has been grafted with a new tool designed to hijack browsing sessions. The malware in question, a rootkit called CEIDPa... Dark Tequila 22nd August, 2018 By Pierluigi Paganini Security Affairs Summary - Security experts from Kaspersky Labs have spotted a sophisticated strain of banking malware dubbed Dark Tequila that was used to target customers of several Mexican fina... 21st August, 2018 By Catalin Cimpanu Bleeping Computer Summary - A new ransomware strain named Ryuk is making the rounds, and, according to current reports, the group behind it has already made over $640,000 worth of Bitcoin. Attacks with this ra... 16th August, 2018 By Linday O'Donnell Threat Post Summary - A new downloader, which has been spotted in an array of recent email campaigns, uses anti-analysis techniques and calls in a system fingerprinting module. A newly discovered downloader malw... KEYMARBLE 10th August, 2018 By Juha Saarinen IT News Summary - The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has issued a fresh warning that a new piece of malware believed to be created by North Korean government actors is on the lose on networ... DeepLocker 8th August, 2018 By Nicky Cappella The Stack Summary - While DeepLocker has yet to be seen outside of the research lab, all of the tools used to create it are readily available: existing malware, and AI tools that can be trained to recognize a target.... Dark Caracal 6th August, 2018 By Nick Lewis TechTarget Summary - Dark Caracal is written in Java, so it can be used against any computer that executes Java code. It is an immature remote access tool that appears to be used by nation-state actors, but it... Ramnit 6th August, 2018 By Tara Seals Bleeping Computer Summary - A massive proxy botnet is just the tip of the iceberg, a warning sign of a bigger operation in the works by the Ramnit operators. The recently uncovered "Black" botnet campaign using the Ramnit malw... PowerGhost 27th July, 2018 By Danny Palmer ZDNet Summary - A new form of cryptocurrency-mining malware is targeting corporate networks across the world, employing a combination of PowerShell and EternalBlue to stealthily spread. Dubbed PowerGhost, the filele... Jaxx has earned the badge Posted 5 comments!

Bilfinger Power Systems GmbH, based in Oberhausen, Germany, is one of five business divisions of the German multinational construction and services company Bilfinger SE. Business activities Power Services primarily provides energy, environmental and pipeline technology. Bilfinger Berger also provides equipment such as steam generators and brine heaters as well as services including maintenance, installation, repair, power plant longevity assurance and power plant rehabilitation. Bilfinger Berger Power Services focuses on construction, reconstruction and fabrication as well as providing spares and components to industrial plants, oil refineries and sewage treatment plants. A large percentage of these parts, such as pressure vessels and heat exchangers, are also fabricated on-demand from some of its regional manufacturing facilities. At the end of the 2010 fiscal year, Bilfinger Berger Power Services employed approximately 7,400 specialized technicians, 3,200 administrative employees and 265 trainees. Subsidiary companies A dense network of branches links the activities in the group's major markets: Germany, Europe, Middle East, and South Africa. Babcock Borsig Steinmueller GmbH Babcock Noell GmbH BHR Hochdruck-Rohrleitungsbau GmbH Bilfinger Berger Power Holdings (Pty) Ltd., South Africa Deutsche Babcock Middle East, United Arab Emirates Deutsche Babcock Al Jaber, Qatar Duro Dakovic Montaza d.d., Croatia MCE Berlin GmbH MCE Aschersleben GmbH MCE Machine and Equipment Construction GmbH & Co. KG Rosink Plant and Equipment GmbH Rotring Engineering GmbH History {| | style="width:10%;"|Date | style="width:90%;"|Milestone |- valign="top" |08/2003 |Deutsche Babcock AG buys Babcock Borsig Service Group from the bankruptcy of Babcock Borsig AG. |- valign="top" |09/2003 |Deutsche Babcock Al Jaber is established by Deutsche Babcock Middle East as joint-venture in Qatar. |- valign="top" |12/2003 |Babcock Borsig Service buys Steinmüller-Gesellschaft Steinmüller Engineering Service (Pty) Ltd. |- valign="top" |01/2005 |Acquisition of license for flue gas desulfurization by Babcock & Wilcox, USA. |- valign="top" |04/2005 |Bilfinger Berger AG acquires all shares in Babcock Borsig Service Group. |- valign="top" |05/2006 |Changed name from Deutsche Babcock GmbH to Bilfinger Berger Power Services GmbH |- valign="top" |05/2006 |Acquisition of BHR Hochdruck-Rohrleitungsbau GmbH. |- valign="top" |04/2009 |Acquisition of 80.5% stake in Croatian company Duro Dakovic Montaza d.d. (formerly of Đuro Đaković) |- valign="top" |10/2010 |Bilfinger Berger Power Services GmbH takes over Rotring Engineering AG. |- valign="top" |02/2010 |Acquisition of MCE Maschinen-und Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG as part of the power services segment. |- valign="top" |03/2010 |Power services becomes a separate division within Bilfinger Berger AG. |- valign="top" |09/2011 |Acquisition of equipment Rosink Anlagen und Apparatenbau GmbH. |- valign="top" |10/2011 |Acquisition of the remaining shares of the Duro Dakovic Montaza dd (100%). |} See also Bilfinger Berger Babcock Borsig Service Deutsche Babcock Middle East Deutsche Babcock Al Jaber References External links Bilfinger Berger Power Services Official Website Companies based in Baden-Württemberg Construction and civil engineering companies of Germany Oberhausen Engineering companies of Germany Construction and civil engineering companies established in 2003 German companies established in 2003

I was extremely underwhelmed with Unfriended (2014), the first film in this series. The first film as well as the sequel Unfriended: Dark Web (2018), were directed by Stephen Susco. I felt like Unfriended was a movie I could have made for free using Skype and a few of my friends, so it just didn't impress me at all as a horror film. Fortunately, the sequel Unfriended: Dark Web, is a much stronger film with a very intriguing story that is well executed, has a strong cast, and it is truly scary. College student Matias (Colin Woodell) is in love with Amaya (Stephanie Nogueras), who happens to be deaf. He has been hesitant to learn sign language, so he develops a software program that will allow him to communicate with Amaya. She isn't happy about the fact he has put off learning sign language and they have an argument while talking on Skype. That night, Matias and his friends Nari (Betty Gabriel), Serena (Rebecca Rittenhouse), Damon (Andrew Lees), AJ (Connor Del Rio), and Lexx (Savira Windyani) get together on Skype for their weekly game of Cards Against Humanity. Amaya is supposed to join them, but is running late. Matias hasn't told his friends that he found a computer at a coffee shop that day or that he is using the computer to chat with them. While talking with his friends on Skype, Matias is also browsing through the information on the computer he found, including logging into the owner's Facebook page. He ends up chatting with one of the owner's friends and begins to realize something is not right about the computer's owner. He simultaneously receives another Facebook message from a user named Charon who has a mysterious job offer for him. This leads him to look at the files on the computer and while doing that he finds a file containing short videos of random people unknowingly being filmed by a web cam. Matias' friends realize that something is up and he tells them about finding the computer and also shares the videos with them. They eventually find videos that appear to show people being killed in horrible ways. When the first person Matias has been chatting with on the owner's Facebook begins accusing him of stealing the computer and Charon is also becoming suspicious of him, Matias opens a file that takes him into the dark web. He asks his friend AJ for advice, since he's computer savvy. He finds himself on a site called The River where Charon is asking for confirmation that he will accept the job as well as a payment of ten million dollars to be paid in bitcoin. He maneuvers through the dark web with AJ's help and at the same time, the shadowy owner of the computer seems to be hacking all of their computers and begins sending threatening messages to him. The owner of the computer says he will kill Amaya if the computer isn't returned immediately, but oddly helps Matias by giving him the password to complete the transaction with Charon on The River. Matias realizes that the job he is being paid for will actually require him to kill someone. Unlike the first film Unfriended, the performances are believable and Unfriended: Dark Web takes you inside the story and makes you feel like you are part of what is happening on the screen. When one of Matias' friends disappears and is then shown on video being pushed off a building and falling to their death, it becomes clear that Charon is more than one person and they are playing a sick game with Matias and his friends. In fact, there are thousands of Charon and they are all over the world watching everything and everyone. With a believable concept that is told in a personal and terrifying way, Unfriended: Dark Web is a solid and very scary horror film.

Nigerian Mayor Turns To Reggae For Healing After Horrible Tragedy Port Harcourt, Nigeria - Through their travels musicians are often privileged to meet persons from all walks of life, hardcore fans, music lovers, politicians and even the occasional royalty. Such an honor recently was bestowed on Morgan Heritage's youngest band member Mojo Morgan while journeying in Nigeria he became acquainted with Port Harcourt Mayor Chimbiko Iche Akarolo. Bonding through music, Mojo heard a tale unlike any other, and combining his love of Music and Philanthropy decided to lend his voice, talent, compassion and heart to a worthy project. This is the story of the Mayor who became musician... Hailing from the motherland of Africa, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo's story is unlike any other. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to school teacher parents, education was embedded in Chimbiko from an early age and his future seemed cemented unto that path. Proudly 7 years after being married, Chimbiko became the Mayor of Port Harcourt, the third largest city in Nigeria and dedicated his service to his beloved city when tragedy struck. Within 3 months of taking office, the Mayor lost his devout wife during childbirth, due to a poor health system. Through this tragedy and like a phoenix rising through the ashes, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo's alter ego C-Strokes emerged. Music became the bridge between politics, philanthropy and a foundation. The music also gave birth to CAF, a foundation created in honor of his late wife to support pregnant women and childcare. Music is the universal language. So as a means to raise funds for the charity, Chimbiko resorted to music as a tool for promoting the ideals of the foundation through the name C-Strokes. Although it is quite unorthodox for his position as a Mayor, his position in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria has enabled him to collaborate with medical associations and musical artists both locally and now internationally with Heritage Grown Productions. Mojo Morgan of Reggae super group Morgan Heritage, heads Heritage Grown Productions and he also shares in the vision to support childcare with emphasis on malaria. Mojo is featured on the remix of the lead single "It's All About You" from the upcoming album "Reality (Love & Life)". C-Strokes' music touches emotionally where words alone can't express. All proceeds arising from his career as C-Strokes is donated to his CAF charity. With the help and new collaboration with Heritage Grown Productions, sub Saharan Africa will witness great support for motherhood and childcare in 2014 and beyond.

Houston-based helicopter company's $560M acquisition called off Houston-based Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) and Oregon-based Columbia Helicopters Inc. have called off their $560 million deal, according to a Feb. 11 press release. The companies mutually agreed to terminate the deal, in which Bristow would hav.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsFeb 11th, 2019 Oregon-based helicopter company's $560M acquisition called off Houston-based Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) and Columbia Helicopters Inc. have called off their $560 million deal, according to a Feb. 11 press release. The companies mutually agreed to terminate the deal, in which Bristow would have acquired Colu.....»» Billion-dollar acquisition of Houston-based energy co. called off Houston-based Penn Virginia Corp. (Nasdaq: PVAC) and Plano, Texas-based Denbury Resources Inc. (NYSE: DNR) have mutually agreed to terminate an acquisition announced in late October. Neither company will have to pay a breakup fee, according to press.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsMar 21st, 2019 National retailer will close all stores (including 3 in KC area), after second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2 years Houston-based Charming Charlie Holdings Inc. is the latest casualty of the so-called "retail apocalypse." The accessories retailer filed for bankruptcy protection again Thursday, and court documents indicate the company will close all of its 261 .....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsJul 12th, 2019 Charming Charlie files second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in two years, to close all stores Houston-based Charming Charlie Holdings Inc. is the latest casualty of the so-called "retail apocalypse." The accessories retailer filed for bankruptcy protection again on July 11, and court documents indicate the company will close all of its 261 st.....»» Charming Charlie to close all stores, including 7 South Florida locations Houston-based Charming Charlie Holdings Inc. is the latest casualty of the so-called "retail apocalypse." The accessories retailer filed for bankruptcy protection again July 11, and media reports indicate the company will close all of its 261 store.....»» Accounting firm Briggs & Veselka buys another Austin company — its third since January 2018 Briggs & Veselka Co., a Houston-based accounting firm, is growing in Austin, with both an an acquisition and an office expansion. Briggs & Veselka said May 8 it had acquired Austin-based Financial Valuation Services, a business valuation and financial c.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsMay 13th, 2019 Vistra Energy to cut 300 positions at Dynegy's Houston headquarters Shortly after Irving, Texas-based Vistra Energy Corp. (NYSE: VST) closed on its acquisition of Houston-based Dynegy Inc., the company has disclosed local job cuts, which were not entirely unexpected. According to information released by the Texas .....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsApr 22nd, 2018 New Houston co. created through $2.66B acquisition of EnerVest's South Texas energy business TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TPGE), a special purpose acquisition company launched in Fort Worth in 2017, completed its previously announced $2.66 billion deal to acquire Houston-based EnerVest Ltd.'s South Texas Division, according to a Jul.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsAug 1st, 2018 Westlake Chemical plans to buy global PVC company for $265M Westlake Chemical Corp. (NYSE: WLK) has another acquisition lined up. The Houston-based company and Los Angeles-based OpenGate Capital have signed an exclusivity agreement for Westlake to buy Nakan, a France-based PVC compounding solutions busin.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsSep 25th, 2018 A 61-year-old Oregon company gets a new, high-flying owner A venerable Oregon helicopter company has a new Texas owner after a $560 million deal. Houston-based Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), which provides industrial aviation services, announced Nov. 9 it will acquire a Columbia Helicopters Inc. for $560 mi.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsNov 12th, 2018 Houston-area bank to grow Texas footprint with nearly $64M acquisition Conroe-based Spirit of Texas Bancshares Inc. SSB (Nasdaq: STXB), the holding company of Spirit of Texas Bank, announced plans to acquire Beeville, Texas-based First Beeville Financial Corp. and its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Beeville. T.....»» Houston-based homebuilder expands to Dallas with parent company acquisition Houston-based Trendmaker Homes' parent company, Tri Pointe Group (NYSE: TPH), announced it acquired two Dallas-based homebuilders in a $60 million cash transaction Dec. 11. Homebuilder Dunhill Homes and its 55-and-up brand Nathan Carlisle Homes wil.....»» Category: topSource: bizjournalsDec 11th, 2018 Alabama technology company acquired by New Jersey firm A New Jersey-based company has acquired an Alabama-based smart home device company. Ezlo Innovation acquired Centralite Systems, creator of the Centralite line of consumer and white-labeled smart home devices. The acquisition enables Ezlo Innov.....»» Geronimo Energy sold to British utility for $100 million Geronimo Energy has been sold to a British utility company for $100 million, the renewable-energy developer announced Monday. National Grid's intention to buy Edina-based Geronimo was first announced in March. In addition to its acquisition, the .....»» Trucking company Cowan Systems acquires Pennsylvania-based competitor Local trucking company Cowan Systems LLC has acquired Carlisle Carrier Corp., its second acquisition in the last three years. Cowan, a 95-year-old company based in Lansdowne, added about 285 trucks with the purchase bringing its total fleet to ab.....»» Charming Charlie closing 7 Philadelphia-area stores Houston-based retailer Charming Charlie is closing all of its stores, including seven in the Philadelphia area, the company announced this week. Closures will happen at the following Philadelphia-area stores: Deptford Mall, Deptford, N.J. Plymo.....»» Symantec shares plunge on report that Broadcom has called off buyout over price Shares of Mountain View-based security software maker Symantec Corp. plunged 13 percent in early trading today, after CNBC reported that acquisition talks with Broadcom had fallen apart after the two companies couldn't agree on a purchase price. Syman.....»» South Florida company buys Pennsylvania medical marijuana dispensary operations for $63M Jushi Holdings, a Boca Raton-based cannabis and hemp company, closed its previously announced $63 million acquisition of all of the membership interests in Franklin Bioscience-Penn LLC. The deal covers the Pennsylvania medical marijuana dispensary.....»» UPDATE: Callon Petroleum to acquire Carrizo Oil & Gas in all-stock deal valued at $3.2 billion Independent energy company Callon Petroleum Co. said Monday it has agreed to acquire Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. , a Houston-based company engaged in E&P and.....»» Category: topSource: marketwatchJul 15th, 2019 Dallas distributor acquired by Memphis area company One of the Memphis area's largest private companies just got bigger. Bartlett-based Kele Inc. — a manufacturer and distributor of peripheral control products used in building automation systems — announced the acquisition of Dallas-based T.....»»

Home biography Nick Bateman Nick Bateman Biography Facts of Nick Bateman 1986 , November-18 Quick Timeline of Nick Bateman 1986 Born in Burlington, Ontario 2007 Television debut through Just for Laughs 2011 Movie debut from Ethos 2017 Total Net Worth 2008 Began dating Maria Corrigan Detail Timeline of Nick Bateman Born in Burlington, Ontario Bateman was born on November 18, 1986, as Nicholas Kevin Stanley Yunge-Bateman Burlington, Ontario. He was born in a middle-class family in Canada and spent a long part of his life in Canada. Television debut through Just for Laughs Bateman made his television debut from 2007 television series, Just for Laughs where he played the role named Sideswipe Performer. His outstanding performance led him into numerous television series like Originals, Space Janitors and so on. Movie debut from Ethos Bateman took his first step in the movie industry through the 2011 short film, Ethos as Nick. He then got an opportunity for many movies including Hobo with a Shotgun, Tapped Out, Ugly Love and many others. Total Net Worth Nick Bateman receives a big chunk of money from his television series and his current net worth is estimated to be $750000. He is a traveler person and often seen in world expensive destination. Began dating Maria Corrigan Nick Bateman began dating his beautiful girlfriend, Maria Corrigan since July of 2008. His girlfriend worked along with Hannah Telle on the short film "Over & Out." After being graduated from the University, Nick Bateman ran his own Karate School for three years and stopped pursuing his passion for acting. In the beginning of his career, Bateman appeared in the numerous commercials and many brands. He then made his television debut through the 2007 television series, Just for Laughs where he portrayed the role named Sideswipe Performer. Later, he appeared in many television series like Originals, Space Janitors, My Babysitter's a Vampire, Mr. D, The Listener and much more. Apart from this, Nick Bateman featured in many movies including Ethos, Hobo with a Shotgun, Tapped Out, Ugly Love and so on. As an actor, Bateman has been honored with "Golden Maple Award" in 2016 for Outstanding Social Media Achievement Award. Nick Bateman is in a relationship with his girlfriend, Maria Corrigan. The pair is enjoying their love affair for about nine years now. They began dating since 2008. However, they haven't revealed any plans for their marriage. Bateman belongs to white ethnicity and holds a Canadian nationality. He often posts the pictures with famous personalities that includes Andrea Bowen and Adam Senn etc. Bateman is one of the rising and on-demand actors in the film industry. He is currently enjoying his new-found and acting career to the fullest. Within a short period, he has earned a great name as well as fame in the entertainment industry. Bateman is very fond of dogs and often posts snaps with dogs on Instagram. As of 2017, his net worth is estimated to be around $750,000. He also receives reasonable earnings from his Instagram through brand promotion. He is also the face of Glamglow and has worked with Calvin Klein. Bateman posts the pictures with the car on Instagram. He loves traveling and often shares the pictures while on holidays.

Home›housing›14 vacant buildings coming down in downtown Gary to make way for potential 14 vacant buildings coming down in downtown Gary to make way for potential "I anticipated and was told by the city of Gary that some of these buildings were scheduled to come down," she said. "Artists were aware that some of their murals would be ephemeral and temporary. Paint Gary has two programming components: to create murals with a longer impact and permanence and taking blighted properties and beautify them in the interim." She hoped that over the past few years the public art got people to appreciate the city's historic architecture and storied past. "It's always sad to see buildings come down, but from what I understand, the demolitions are part of a new renaissance. It is a tragedy that Gary has lost so many buildings and structures. Since the launch of Paint Gary in 2018, the Gary Public Schools Memorial Auditorium erected in 1927 and the 110-year-old Water Tower are no longer standing," she said. "What I've tried to focus attention on are areas to be saved or highlighted. For example, two Paint Gary bookend murals by artists Nicolas Escalada and Erik Burke shine a light on the Edison houses, which are threatened by a similar future. These structures represent great historical and architectural significance." As the wrecking ball makes way for the promise of progress and a fresh start, Pacheco hopes there's still space for public art in the city. "Through the generous goodwill and creative contributions Paint Gary has generated a lot of attention for the city of Gary," she said. "It is my opinion that our city should welcome and embrace the diversity of aesthetics and artists wanting to be helpful in taking part in this urban renaissance or city renewal. I'm incredibly thankful to each artist for their creative contribution and support of the Paint Gary project since its launch in 2018." Read More: 14 vacant buildings coming down in downtown Gary to make way for potential TagsbuildingscomingDowntownfelix maldonadogarypotentialvacant Serendipity strikes a chord for Imperial Beach house hunters Top 10 LEED-Certified Buildings in Chicago City of Bloomington Shares Master Plan for Hospital Site Redevelopment – WBIW Frankfurt's housing prices rise despite the pandemic Urban Land Institute report urges Toronto to improve its aging public housing Covid-19 has changed our co-existence in housing; here is how Houzz predicts a decline in open kitchens, Christian Siriano is coming for the