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The deep roots of conservative radicalism
The discussion surrounding conservatism today is overshadowed by incoherent knowledge of the founding conservatives.
by Corey Robin
The 'modern conservatism' Krugman refers to is very different from 'conservatism' as originally defined [EPA]
New York, NY - Long before Ron Suskind tangled with the media and the White House for telling truths or tales about the Obama administration, he was the hero of liberals. For it was Suskind, in the course of exploring the Bush presidency for the New York Times Magazine, who stumbled upon the Rosetta Stone of the contemporary conservative mind.
In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend - but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.
The aide said that guys like me were "in what we call the reality-based community", which he defined as people who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality". I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. "That's not the way the world really works anymore," he continued. "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality - judiciously, as you will - we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors ... and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."
"Reality-based community" soon became one of the most cited quotes of the Bush era - a Google search yields 456,000 results; it even has its own Wikipedia page - an affirmation of everything the Left ever thought about the Right: that it lives in a fact-free universe, where ideological purity is more important than pragmatic solutions, that it's revolutionary and radical rather than realistic and moderate, that it's activist rather than accommodating, that it's, well … not … really … conservative.
Conservatives, at least by reputation, are supposed to be calm, reasonable, quiet, averse to the operatic, friendly to the familiar. They don't go looking for trouble in far-off lands. They stay home, tending their gardens, patching the roof, taking care of their children. They want to be left alone. They're not interested in history's adventure. They want to leave things be, even if things aren't so great, because they know that trying to change things, particularly through politics, will only make them worse. Insofar as they are concerned with politics, it is, as William F Buckley once said, the "politics of reality".
That, at any rate, is how many literate conservatives understand themselves and their tradition. It's also how many liberals who may have read Edmund Burke in college, or who are perhaps friends with these literate conservatives, understand the conservative tradition.
To wit: this recent column by Paul Krugman.
Modern conservatism is actually a deeply radical movement, one that is hostile to the kind of society we've had for the past three generations - that is, a society that, acting through the government, tries to mitigate some of the 'common hazards of life' through such programs as Social Security, unemployment insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
When Krugman talks about "modern conservatism", he means anything from the last ten years of the GOP to the postwar American conservative movement as a whole. Either way, the notion is that there once was a conservatism that was different, a conservatism that looks something like what I sketched out above.
It's a pretty common notion: Modern conservatism - however it's defined - is different from the conservatism that came before it. Here's Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review and author of a forthcoming biography of Buckley, in his widely-read The Death of Conservatism:
What we call conservatism today would have been incomprehensible to the great originator of modern conservatism, Edmund Burke ... Burke's conservatism was based not a particular set of ideological principles but rather on distrust of all ideologies. The movement conservatives of our time seem the heirs of the French rather than the American Revolution.
Reaching a little less deeply into the well of history, Sidney Blumenthal wrote at the high tide of the Bush administration:
Bush also claimed to stand in the conservative tradition of Ronald Reagan. Indeed, Reagan sought to overturn longstanding policies of Democratic and Republican presidents alike in his pursuit of a radical and often fanciful conservatism. But when he found himself cornered by realities, Reagan the ideologue gave way to Reagan the old union negotiator prepared for compromise ...
Nothing like Bush's concerted radicalism has ever been seen before in the White House.
As soon as the afterglow of 9/11 began to fade, Andrew Sullivan also took up this argument in a series of articles and posts that culminated in his 2006 book The Conservative Soul. Since then, he's pursued it time and again, pillorying the conservative movement, in all its variations and iterations since the 1980s, for its rejection of Burke's supple traditionalism, Hayek's critique of utopianism, and more.
So powerful is this meme of conservatism-betrayed-by-conservatives that the blogger P.M. Carpenter has recently declared a ban on any use of the word in reference to the modern conservative movement. Commenting on Krugman's column, Carpenter writes:
Why, then, do modern commentators persist in referring to modern conservatism as "conservatism"? While Krugman's statement is perversely unimpeachable - "modern conservatism is actually a deeply radical movement" - it also contains a colossally unconcealed contradiction, which is way overdue for journalistic retirement.
To posit that "conservatism" is a "deeply radical movement" is to untether oneself from intelligible language and customary comprehension. By definition, conservatism is anything but deeply radical. Indeed, authentic modern conservatism arose from Edmund Burke's revulsion of the French Revolution's butchery of political order (such as it was), cultural tradition, social institutions, and human life; that is, modern conservatism arose in reaction to modern radicalism.
So, to Mr Krugman et al, please cease perpetuating the contradiction. Stop calling conservative pols what they are not: conservative. They are pseudoconservatives, they are reactionaries, they are radicals, and in some instances they are merely lunatics. But they are not conservative.
I wrote The Reactionary Mind for many reasons, but one of them was to show - contra Carpenter, Sullivan, Blumenthal, Tanenhaus, Krugman, and many more - that today's conservative is in fact conservative. She hasn't betrayed the traditions of Burke, Disraeli, Hayek, Oakeshott, Buckley, and Reagan: She has fulfilled them.
Because Burke so often figures in these discussions as the touchstone of comparison, I'd like to make a novel suggestion: Let's read him. And not just a few isolated passages in his Reflections on the Revolution in France - the pages everyone who took Intro to Political Theory refers to - but his entire counterrevolutionary oeuvre, particularly his Letters on a Regicide Peace. For Carpenter is right: Modern conservatism, which dates to Burke, did arise in reaction to modern radicalism. But what Carpenter doesn't say, perhaps because he doesn't know it, is that something funny happened on the way to the counterrevolution.
As early as the Reflections, published in 1790, Burke had voiced concern that the revolutionaries in France had tapped into the deepest currents of modern civilisation, putting themselves into the driver's seat of history, threatening to leave the defenders of the old order behind.
Burke framed the contest between the revolutionaries and the old order as a struggle between "ability" - the village lawyers and urban financiers of the bourgeoisie, who made the revolution in alliance with the mob - and "property", the aristocrats and their clients. In such a contest, he was fairly certain who would win and why: "As ability is a vigorous and active principle, and as property is sluggish, inert, and timid, it never can be safe from the invasions of ability, unless it be, out of all proportion, predominant in the" state. Without the protection of the feudal state, property would lose.
By the time he began writing his Letters on Regicide Peace, two years before he died in 1797, Burke's concern about the relative strength of the old order had reached a fever pitch. "In ability, in dexterity, in the distinctness of their views," he now wrote of the revolutionaries, "the Jacobins are our superiors".
But where initially he had located the source of the revolutionaries' superiority in their class position, their material base in finance and commerce, Burke now saw it in their absolute indifference to their material circumstances. The strength of the Jacobins lay in their faith, their willingness to destroy and suffer anything and everything for the sake of their cause. "While you are in vain torturing your invention to assure them of your sincerity and good faith," Burke wrote to the British officials who wished to negotiate and compromise with the French, "they have left no doubt concerning their good faith, and their sincerity towards those to whom they have they engaged their honour ... They have been true and faithful to the engagement which they have made more largely".
It was Burke's great fear that the British elite - as well as the other monarchies of old Europe - could not summon similar reserves of ideological resolve. They were too comfortable, too assured of their possessions, too confident of their estate. Where the Jacobins had "conquered the finest parts of Europe" with an "annihilated revenue, with defaced manufactures, with a ruined commerce", the aristocracies of Europe were drowning in the very properties Burke had once held up as the counter to revolutionary France. They didn't just possess estates; they were possessed by their estates.
At no time has the wealth and power of Great Britain been so considerable as it is at this very perilous moment. We have a vast interest to preserve, and we possess great means of preserving it. But it is to be remembered that the artificer may be incumbered by his tools, and that resources may be among impediments.
They who are in possession of all they wish are languid and improvident.
In the ordinary course of human affairs, any check to population among men in ease and opulence, is less to be apprehended from what they may suffer, than from what they enjoy. Peace is more likely to be injurious to them in that respect than war.
Because the British elite possessed so much, and were so assured of their possessions, they approached the revolution with a prudential logic rather than a daring zeal. They were careful and calculating, they were cautious and prudent. They were, in short, Burkeans. Condemning Pitt and his allies, Burke wrote:
They spoke neither to the understanding nor to the heart. Cold as ice themselves, they never could kindle in our breasts a spark of that zeal, which is necessary to a conflict with an adverse zeal; much less were they made to infuse into our minds that stubborn persevering spirit, which alone is capable of bearing up against those vicissitudes of fortune which will probably occur, and those burdens which must be inevitably borne in a long war.
These "creatures of the desk" and "creatures of favour", Burke complained, charged with defending the old orders of Europe, "had no relish for the principles of the manifestoes". They lacked the "generous wildness of Quixotism".
The other negative consequence of an inheritance that's assured, wrote Burke, was that its possessor - whether a country with an ancient constitution or an individual with a familial estate - quickly became encumbered by the weight of history and tradition. This is a seldom noted theme in Burke, for it runs counter to our stereotype of him as the tribune of long-standing wisdom and embedded prudence. But there is a deep and untapped vein in Burke's writings of worry about, even hostility toward, individuals and institutions that are awash in history.
"Our most salutary and most beautiful institutions yield nothing but dust and smut," Burke declared at the outset of his Regicide Peace. The laws of the state, ancient and "full of reason, and of equity and justice," were a "dead letter," producing "no more than stubble". Their very ancientness, he concluded, made them weak.
Our Constitution has more impediments, than helps. Its excellencies, when they come to be put to this sort of proof, may be found among its defects.
Nothing looks more awful and imposing than an ancient fortification. Its lofty embattled walls, its bold, projecting, rounded towers that pierce the sky, strike the imagination and promise inexpugnable strength. But they are the very things that make its weakness. You may as well think of opposing one of those old fortresses to the mass of artillery brought by a French irruption into the field, as to think of resisting by your old laws and your old forms the new destruction which the crops of Jacobin engineers today prepare for all such forms and all such laws.
It wasn't just the laws and constitution that were suffering from age; individuals too steeped in their history, Burke warned, would be blind to the very newness of the threats they faced. Prudence, in other words, the proverbial wisdom of the past made present, was not a way forward but a liability of the first order.
There was no more emblematic figure in this regard than Louis XVI, the hapless monarch who lost his head, in both senses of the word. He was by no means incompetent or malicious. He was well-tutored and lettered, particularly in history. And that in the end was the problem. "Louis the XVIth. was a diligent reader of history. But the very lamp of prudence blinded him."
Against so powerful a force as the Jacobins, and the revolutionary order they were inaugurating throughout Europe, prudence, half-measures, compromise, and moderation-all the meats and treats of the Burkean high table-would have to be pushed aside in favour of a more bloody repast. In a series of rhetorically escalating epigrams, Burke called his conservative brethren to the most radical arms.
Acquiescence will not do; there must be zeal.
To destroy that enemy, by some means or other, the force opposed to it should be made to bear some analogy and resemblance to the force and spirit which that system exerts.
The madness of the wise…is better than the sobriety of fools.
Every little measure is a great errour.
These were not just rhetorical tropes; they were programmatic injunctions to the leadership of the old order, which Burke hoped would wage a counterrevolution of continental proportions against the Jacobinism plaguing Europe. (This is another great misunderstanding among the defenders of Burke: They see him as the man of the "little platoon", of the local and the national as against the international. Not so. In face of the "general evil" that was Jacobinism, Burke wanted everyone to think of himself as a citizen of Europe. England should realise that international affairs were domestic affairs and vice versa: "Nothing in human affairs was foreign to her". ""No citizen of Europe could be altogether an exile in any part of it". Against those who wanted to take care of their little plots on their beloved island, Burke enjoined a great leap forward and across the English Channel.)
This was not to be an old-fashioned war of rules and constraints. Burke called for total war, of Sein oder Nichtstein, against not a country or a people but "an armed doctrine". That doctrine had to be exterminated, for "if it can at all exist, it must finally prevail". Against even its most infinitesimal expression, no quarter could be given: "It must be destroyed or it will destroy all of Europe".
I have dwelled so long on Burke in part because of the stature he holds, on the right and the left, as the founder of conservatism - and as the measure against which all contemporary conservatisms are deemed insufficiently conservative. But it's not just Burke who makes these sorts of arguments in favour of ideological zeal and against prudential restraints. Nor is it in the face of an arguably lethal threat like Jacobinism that conservatives make them.
In the twentieth century, one finds a similar move in Friedrich Hayek, arguing against not the totalitarianism of Stalin but the democratic socialism of Britain and France and the liberal welfare state of the New Deal. Again, this is not a widely noted theme in discussions of Hayek, but if you want a full-throated defence of ideology and utopianism against the prudential improvisations of the proverbial conservative, you could do worse than to start with Volume 1 of his Law, Legislation, and Liberty. There, Hayek says, among other things, that the "successful defence of freedom must therefore be dogmatic and make no concession to expediency" and that
Utopia, like ideology, is a bad word today … But an ideal picture of a society which may not be wholly achievable, or a guiding conception of the overall order to be aimed at, is nevertheless not only the indispensable precondition of any rational policy, but also the chief contribution that science can make to the solution of the problems of practical policy.
The other reason I have dwelled so long on Burke is that though he's often held up as the source of conservatism, I get the feeling he's not often read. Likewise, Hayek and the rest of the conservative canon. Sure, someone will quote a passage here or a phrase there, but the quotations inevitably have a whiff of cliche about them-little platoons and so on-emitting that stale blast of familiarity you sense when you listen to someone go on about a text he may or may not have read during one week in college. That, it seems to me, applies no less to the right than it does to the left. Everyone thinks they know Burke or Oakeshott or Hayek, but have they read them? In the last decade?
If nothing else, I hope my book spurs readers to go back to these texts. Not just because they're great, which they are. But also because we're having a conversation about modern conservatism in the dark, based on a misapprehension of the what the enterprise is and is not about. If we can get clear on these ancient texts, maybe we can get a little clearer on the contemporary practice.
So here's my final suggestion for Andrew Sullivan, Sam Tanenhaus, and anyone else who likes to invoke Burke or Hayek or [fill in the blank] against today's GOP: Read 'em. Then let's talk.
Corey Robin teaches political science at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center. He is the author of The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Sarah Palin and Fear: The History of a Political Idea. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Harper's, the London Review of Books, and elsewhere. He received his PhD from Yale and his A.B. from Princeton. You can read Corey's blog here and follow him on Twitter @CoreyRobin.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent Al Jazeera's editorial policy.
Corey Robin teaches political science at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center.
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Home » Articles » Record Label Profiles
Storyville Records: A Treasure Trove of Swinging Jazz
Since its foundation during the European revivalist movement of the early 1950s, Copenhagen-based Storyville Records has grown into a major repository of New Orleans, big band and mainstream recordings. With something approaching 600 releases in its back catalogue, the label is a treasure trove of jazz that swings.
Founded in 1952 by Danish jazz fan Karl Emil Knudsen, Storyville's original mission was simply to reissue US recordings for Scandinavian revivalist fans, though within a year it was also recording British and Danish revivalist bands and was soon to extend its A&R policy beyond New Orleans and its echoes.
Despite a predilection for funny hats, fancy dress and beery bonhomie, Europe's revivalists were a passionate community, made up of musicians and audiences who believed that they, and they alone, had the hotline to authentic jazz. Big bands were anathema; bop was obscene; and the French critic Hughes Panassiewhose dogmatic adherence to "real" jazz led him to count the indifferent Mezz Mezzrow as a greater clarinetist than Benny Goodmanwas the not so secret eminence grise. The expression "tunnel vision" could have been invented for Panassie and his flock.
The most monomaniacal of Britain's revivalists was the trumpeter Ken Colyer, the first bandleader to be recorded by Storyville. In 1951, Colyer signed on as a cook with a British merchant ship, with the purpose of staying ashore when it berthed in Mobile, Alabama and visiting New Orleans. He succeeded in reaching the city and playing with his heroes. Overstaying his visa, Colyer was jailed and deported back to Britain, where he arrived in early 1953by virtue of his New Orleans pilgrimage now a hero himself. (The religious fervor which Colyer invested in his relationship with New Orleans jazz continued to be felt in Europe through the decade. In 1960, revivalist fans at Britain's Beaulieu Jazz Festival actually fought a pitched battle with modernists in the grounds of the stately home which hosted the event. Colyer himself kept the faith until his death in 1988).
Colyer's band recorded for Storyville during a visit to Copenhagen in 1953. In the few next years, practically every European revivalist band of note was recorded by the label and/or played at the Storyville club. The only notable omission seems to have been the band led by trumpeter Humphrey Lyttleton. Many of these recordings are available today in Storyville's engrossing 15-CD series The Golden Years Of Revival Jazz. Like fading snapshots, long removed from their cultural context, the tracks speak of another age, but the passage of time hasn't diminished the crusading enthusiasm with which they were made.
Knudsen's bigger vision: beyond revivalism
That Storyville outgrew its parochial, revivalist rootsto embrace artists ranging from trumpeters Colyer and Louis Armstrong to saxophonists Ben Webster, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz, and pianist Duke Ellington's bandis to a large extent due to the determination and wide open ears of Knudsen, who helmed the label until his death in 2003.
Knudsen had a sure touch with revivalist signingstrombonist Papa Bue's Viking Jazz Band sold millions for Storyville in its early yearsbut unlike the stereotypical revivalist, he loved a broad spectrum of jazz. Towards the end of the 1950s, for instance, Storyville acquired the European rights to the US label Roulette, then riding high with a slew of big selling mainstream recordings such as pianist and bandleader Count Basie's The Atomic Mr Basie (1957). Profits have always been precarious in the jazz business, but under Knudsen's stewardship, and with his wide ranging A&R policy, Storyville early on achieved a degree of financial stability that has eluded most other independent European labels.
In 2005, Editions Wilhelm Hansen, a long established Danish publishing company and part of the Music Sales Group, acquired Storyville from Knudsen's family. Anders Stefansen, who worked at Storyville in the 1950s and returned there in 1992, and Mona Granager, who joined in 1976, continue to manage the label.
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Preview: Sitarist Kakali Bandyopadhyay plays Hindustani classical music at Schwartz recital
Mark Gresham March 23, 2016
Sitarist Kakali Bandyopadhyay also works as a consultant for the CDC.
Sitar master Kakali Bandyopadhyay — who studied with legendary Indian music figures Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan — performs a recital of Hindustani classical music with tabla player Anjaneya Sastry Friday night at Emory University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Admission to the concert is free.
Shankar is best known to most music fans as a favorite of the Beatles, George Harrison in particular, and as the father of pop singer Norah Jones. Akbar Khan was a major influence on iconic rock guitarist Derek Trucks.
Bandyopadhyay is an artist affiliate at Emory University, and has been teaching sitar and Hindustani music in metro Atlanta area for the past 18 years. In addition to being a master performer on the sitar, Bandyopadhyay is a scientist with a Ph.D in biotechnology, working in healthcare as a biotechnologist consultant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of the 2010 census, metro Atlanta’s Indo-American community numbered almost 80,000, or 1.5 percent of the metro Atlanta population, and has been growing rapidly while staying closely connected with its roots through active communications, travel, and cultural and intellectual exchanges. Despite their small percentage in the overall population, Indo-Americans have long been making significant contributions to the city’s life in science, medicine, engineering, education and business. Likewise, over the last decade or so, both Northern (Hindustani) and Southern (Carnatic) sub-genres of Indian classical music have begun to flourish here and achieve a more visible presence in Atlanta’s arts scene. For many Atlantans, however, hearing it performed live may be a first time experience.
The sitar and tabla are perhaps best-known instruments in the classical musics of India. Bandyopadhyay’s suggestion to those for whom Hindustani classical music is new is “to listen to the music with an open and relaxed mind, get immersed in the melody and rhythm without looking for harmony. This will allow the new listener to get familiarized and appreciate the beauty of this music form and the rest will follow.”
While it is virtually impossible to do justice to any culture’s classical music traditions in one brief statement, there are a few concepts that perhaps can be noted for benefit of the interested novice listener. One of those is raga.
In South Asian music, raga is the most important concept, and the classification of ragas plays a significant role in its theory and practice.
The term raga (and variants raag, rag or ragam) comes from Sanskrit, meaning “color,” “melody,” “beauty” or “passion.” Essentially, a raga is a melodic framework for composition and improvisation, based on a scale with a given set of notes, the order in which they appear, and both motifs and emphasis on degrees of the scale that are characteristic of the raga. Utilizing these aspects, the performer creates an emotional mood that is specific to the chosen raga.
Bandyopadhyay’s program on Friday will explore three different ragas: Puriya-Kalyan, Sohini and Kirwani.
Bandyopadhyay and Sastry performing at the Academy of Medicine in 2015.
Another helpful term is tala, for the cyclic rhythmic pattern of a composition, which has complex rules for its elaboration, as well the collective topic of rhythm. All of the ragas above will involve the 16-beat cycle known as Teentaal, the most common tala in Hindustani music, comprised of four groups of four beats each. The exception is the opening segments of Puriya-Kalyan — Alaap, Jod, Jhala — which introduce and develop the raga before the Teentaal rhythmic cycle kicks in.
Bandyopadhyay was born into a musical family. She began study of the sitar at the age of 7, with lessons from Pandit Kalyani Roy, a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan. She later studied with Pandit Indranil Bhattacharyya, disciple of Ustad Allauddin Khan. (“Pandit” is a title of respect for a scholar or expert, from which the English “pundit” is derived.) She attended masterclasses with Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with top distinction in India.
Even though she has a career as biotechnologist, Bandyopadhyay stays busy teaching, lecturing and performing on sitar throughout the United States, India and Canada, often presented by universities.
Sastry is a disciple of eminent tabla master Pandit Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee and has also attended tabla workshops of Ustaad Zakir Hussain for over 11 years. Sastry regularly performs at Hindustani classical concerts, including traditional tabla solo performances. In addition to performing with Bandyopadhyay, he has accompanied luminaries such as Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Sanjeev Chimmalgi, Pandit Deepak Ram, Pandita Shubhangi Sakhalkar and Pandit Nand Kishore Mooley.
Anjaneya Sastryemory universityHindustani classical musicKakali Bandyopadhyayragasitar
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About Last Night
AJBlogCentral
Terry Teachout on the arts in New York City
TT: Entries from an unkept diary
June 4, 2007 by Terry Teachout
• The other day I assured a twentysomething friend of mine that once upon a time, art museums sought to raise the public to their level, rather than lowering themselves to the public’s level. She looked pityingly at me and said, “How can you be so naïve? Everything’s all about money.”
• We are never so funny to others as when we are least funny to ourselves. This seeming paradox is the piston that drives the engine of comedy. In the greatest of all comedies–the Shakespearean tales of romantic reconciliation and their operatic counterparts, Verdi’s Falstaff and Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Così fan tutte–a pompous man’s thick carapace of earnestness is penetrated by humiliation. All at once, the unwitting butt of the joke realizes that he, too, partakes of the human condition, and is thereby made whole. It is in these transformative moments that the moral force of comedy is most evident, for it reminds us that we are not gods, merely men.
That’s one way to be funny. Another is to show us serious people who not only don’t realize how funny they are but never acquire any insight into their condition, wrapped as they are in their own bulletproof dignity. This sheer obliviousness is what makes them funny to us, but it also tempts us to feel superior to them, and that is a dangerous business, an invitation to vanity.
It is also the reason why women as a group tend to squirm at pure farce, which is a peculiarly hopeless kind of comedy, one in which the dignified boob learns nothing from his elaborately prepared Calvary of embarrassment. Instead, he is utterly vanquished by the other characters–and by the audience. Most men naturally think in such triumphalist terms, but my impression is that most women don’t. They want the victim (if he is a man) to learn from his misfortune, and be the better for it.
• Is there a more purely carefree record than Billie Holiday’s Miss Brown to You? The emotions that musicians express through their art are radically ambiguous and almost never readily reduced to verbal paraphrase, but if Holiday, Cozy Cole, Roy Eldridge, Benny Goodman, John Kirby, John Trueheart, Ben Webster, and Teddy Wilson weren’t having the time of their lives when they cut that 78 side in 1935, then I’m deaf. Just listen to the way Holiday sings “Don’t you all git too familiar!” and see if it doesn’t make you smile.
• Wallace Stevens once wrote a poem called “Not Ideas About the Thing but the Thing Itself.” That’s how I like my movies. I don’t like sequels, remakes, homages, paraphrases, or ironic commentaries, least of all when they exude the stale smell of postmodernism, which is to art what theme parks are to county fairs.
Terry Teachout, who writes this blog, is the drama critic of The Wall Street Journal and the critic-at-large of Commentary. In addition to his Wall Street Journal drama column and his monthly essays … [Read More...]
About “About Last Night”
This is a blog about the arts in New York City and the rest of America, written by Terry Teachout. Terry is a critic, biographer, playwright, director, librettist, recovering musician, and inveterate blogger. In addition to theater, he writes here and elsewhere about all of the other arts--books, … [Read More...]
About My Plays and Opera Libretti
Billy and Me, my second play, received its world premiere on December 8, 2017, at Palm Beach Dramaworks in West Palm Beach, Fla. Satchmo at the Waldorf, my first play, ran earlier this season at New Orleans’ Le Petit Theatre. It previously closed off Broadway at the Westside Theatre on June 29, … [Read More...]
About My Podcast
Peter Marks, Elisabeth Vincentelli, and I are the panelists on “Three on the Aisle,” a bimonthly podcast from New York about theater in America. … [Read More...]
My latest book is Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington, published in 2013 by Gotham Books in the U.S. and the Robson Press in England and now available in paperback. I have also written biographies of Louis Armstrong, George Balanchine, and H.L. Mencken, as well as a volume of my collected essays called A … [Read More...]
To read all three installments of "The Long Goodbye," a multi-part posting about the experience of watching a parent die, go here. … [Read More...]
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b. 1986, HK.
Andy Anzollitto is a graphic designer and lettering artist based in New York City working for Louise Fili Ltd. Though his work now focuses on branding, lettering and physical environments, his earliest introduction to design came at the age of 11 while taking lessons from Mr. Harvey, a Hanna Barbera illustrator. These lessons instilled a love for the personality of a line or form. Technically sound and intentionally clumsy, Andy’s cartooning gave him an appreciation for his own sense of voice which was then layered upon as his maturity as an artist grew. As Andy received his formal education, this voice began to overflow into his interest in the character of letterforms and logos.
Andy is available for new projects and enjoys discussing them over cups of coffee.
Hello! Let's work together.
© Andy Anzollitto 2017.
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Anacor Pharmaceuticals to Hold Conference Call Tomorrow, March 21, 2013 at 8am ET / 5am PT to Discus
Anacor Pharmaceuticals to Hold Conference Call Tomorrow, March 21, 2013 at 8am ET / 5am PT to Discuss Preliminary Results From the Phase 2 Dose-Ranging Study of AN2728 in the Treatment of Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NAS: ANAC) will release preliminary results from the Phase 2 dose-ranging study of AN2728 in the treatment of adolescents with atopic dermatitis tomorrow, March 21, 2013 at approximately 7:00 a.m. ET. The announcement will be followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results.
The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 291-1367 (domestic) and (914) 495-8534 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will also be webcast live and can be accessed on the Events and Presentations page, under Investors, on the company's website at www.anacor.com and will be available for three months following the call.
About Anacor Pharmaceuticals
Anacor is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel small-molecule therapeutics derived from its boron chemistry platform. Anacor has discovered eight compounds that are currently in development. Its two lead product candidates are topically administered dermatologic compounds — tavaborole, an antifungal for the treatment of onychomycosis, and AN2728, an anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. In addition to its two lead programs, Anacor has discovered three other wholly-owned clinical product candidates — AN2718 and AN2898, which are backup compounds to tavaborole and AN2728, respectively, and AN3365 (formerly referred to as GSK2251052, or GSK '052), an antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, which previously was licensed to GlaxoSmithKline LLC, or GSK. GSK has returned all rights to the compound to us and we are considering our options for further development, if any, of this compound. We have also discovered three other compounds that we have out-licensed for further development — two are licensed to Eli Lilly and Company for the treatment of animal health indications and the third compound, AN5568, also referred to as SCYX-7158, is licensed to Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, or DNDi, for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, or sleeping sickness). We also have a pipeline of other internally discovered topical and systemic boron-based compounds in development. For more information, visit http://www.anacor.com.
Anacor Pharmaceuticals
DeDe Sheel, 650-543-7575
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
dsheel@anacor.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America California
The article Anacor Pharmaceuticals to Hold Conference Call Tomorrow, March 21, 2013 at 8am ET / 5am PT to Discuss Preliminary Results From the Phase 2 Dose-Ranging Study of AN2728 in the Treatment of Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis originally appeared on Fool.com.
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FanFact - A Novel by April Presnell
Clara’s life is fairly unremarkable. She goes to school, is preparing for college, and spends her free time writing fanfiction about Liam and Blane, her ship in the popular Hierarchy Of Magic book series.
But everything changes when she discovers the world from the Hierarchy of Magic, including Liam and Blane, is all real. Not only is it real, but she’s stumbled into the world in the middle of the soon to be released, final book in the series. Her knowledge of the series is a big advantage for not only Liam, but the reigning Hierarchy Party, who seeks to dispose of any magician who does not fall into line. And Liam is the biggest target of all.
But how much of Clara’s knowledge is helpful versus a hindrance? Who can be trusted? And are Liam and Blane really falling for each other? As Clara gets swept up into the politics and danger of this magical world, she can’t help but wonder...is she meant to be a part of the story, or is her presence the force that will make Liam, and everyone except a select few, lose everything?
Seeking Utopia - Part 1 of 3, a Trilogy by April Presnell
The cracks in the world had always been there, snaking up buildings, climbing tree trunks, and forming along the ground. They’ve always glowed, always emitted a slight warmth, and have always been growing. They’re a part of daily life that no one thinks to question.
Felicity, though, has always been fascinated by the cracks. So when she gets the opportunity to explore one, without anyone watching, she takes it.
What she finds is a gateway into a world completely unlike her own. It is a world of humans who have mutated to survive. And they have cracks too, leading to even more worlds, each with their own structure, people, and laws.
But these other worlds are not all safe, and neither is Mel, the beautiful, dangerous woman that Felicity has no choice but to involve herself with. As Felicity and Mel travel from one world to the next, they find themselves in a battle just to survive. And the more places they go, the more Felicity sees that there is something not quite right about these cracks, and that they may be more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
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Larry Pimentel
Home/Our Leadership/Larry Pimentel
President and Chief Executive Officer, Azamara Club Cruises®
Larry Pimentel is President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises,® a member of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. family of cruise lines. Since taking the helm in 2009, he and his team have created a new niche of cruise travel distinguished by Destination Immersion® experiences, meaning longer stays, more overnights and night touring in port cities around the world.
Over a three-decade career, Pimentel has built successful cruise lines and brands while accumulating a unique body of knowledge about affluent travelers and the experiences that appeal to them. Before joining Azamara Club Cruises, he was president and CEO of SeaDream Yacht Club, a privately held luxury yachting company. At Carnival Corp. he served as president and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. He was previously president and CEO of Classic Hawaii, a tour operating company.
His keen insights about the travel marketplace and luxury tastes and trends have made Pimentel an in-demand speaker, writer and educator. He was Distinguished Lecturer at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and has led marketing seminars for Harvard Business School, Ritz-Carlton Company, Bloomberg and others. He was a founding member of The Luxury Marketing Council in New York, and also has been influential as director and chairman of major travel industry associations.
The cruise brands under Pimentel’s leadership have won dozens of “best in class” awards from discerning travelers. At Azamara Club Cruises, the up-market, 690-guest Azamara Journey® and Azamara Quest® have been recognized with best in class, best service, best overall experience and other awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards. The company also has won top honors from the UK Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards, including best overall, best dining, best service, best value-for-money and more.
As one of the travel industry’s most respected leaders in branding and luxury travel marketing, Pimentel has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from Cruise International, the 2017 AFAR Vanguard Award and selected as “one of the 25 most influential travel executives in America” and “global executive of the year.”
Larry Pimentel is married and lives with his wife Sandi in Key Biscayne. They have five children.
Richard D. Fain
Jason Liberty
Carol Cabezas
Francisco Mallmann
Nils Lindstad
Richard Twynam
Call us at 815 00 185, contact your
Travel Professional or find a travel agent
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Home Policy & Issues Project Development State and Local Permitting Decommissioning
Wind turbines have long life cycles, lasting several decades. Some turbines from the first wind farms built in California nearly 35 years ago still operate today. However, today’s turbines are far superior, and modern equipment makes up the vast majority of the U.S. wind fleet– over three quarters of U.S. wind turbines are less than 10 years old.
What happens to a wind turbine at the end of its life?
There are two main options for wind farm owners when a project nears the end of its original lifespan: repowering and decommissioning. Both options require new permits and can bring additional jobs and investment to the local community.
When turbines become outdated or reach the end of their useful lives, the story isn’t over for the wind farm. Most wind project owners keep the site in use but replace older equipment with newer, upgraded technology. It makes good business sense to replace or refurbish turbines. Existing sites have the best wind resource areas and already have transmission access. And with new technologies, upgraded wind farms produce more electricity at a lower cost.
In some cases, wind turbines and foundations are completely removed and updated through a process known as repowering. “Repowering tends to become financially attractive, relative to investing in a nearby greenfield site, after approximately 20 to 25 years of service,” according to researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Repowering usually leads to cheaper electricity, with savings passed on to consumers. For example, Leeward Renewable Energy has repowered projects in Illinois, and expects 30 to 50 percent cost reductions per megawatt hour to result from using new equipment. “The benefits of that will flow through to our customers, whether through merchant sales or a long-term off-take partner,” said CEO Greg Wolf.
In some instances, project owners may decide to completely remove a wind plant. This is called "decommissioning." Only a small number of projects have been decommissioned. Projects totaling 43 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity were fully decommissioned in 2017. These instances reflect the end of operational life for many 1980s wind projects.
When a wind farm is built, the project owner signs a legally-binding contract to lease land for the project from local farmers and ranchers. These contracts typically require removal of the decommissioned turbines. Companies are always responsible for turbine removal: Neither landowners nor the local governments face this expense. Because almost all wind farms are built on private land, this covers nearly every turbine in the U.S., and the decommissioning of turbines on federal lands are regulated by the Bureau of Land Management. Additionally, many local and state governments require decommissioning plans as a permitting condition.
The goal is to restore the area a wind farm occupies to as close as possible to the condition that existed before construction. It is important to protect the landowner's interest in proper removal, and the interest in investing in the wind resource.
Maximizing value when decommissioning
It's in a company's best interest to not let valuable machines sit abandoned—they can maximize value by reusing materials. There are a number of ways to reuse the towers, foundations and electrical cables. The steel, copper and other metal components that make up the bulk of a turbine have salvage value and can be recycled.
A Shared Future: Electrification and Renewable Energy
IRPs
AWEA Utility IRP Database
Carbon Policy
Market Design
Corporate Buyer's Guide to Wind Energy
Corporate Purchasers Market Reports
Radar and Airspace
State and Local Permitting
Sound and Shadow
Introduction to Safety OSHA 10 Training
Safety and Health Excellence Award Program
Excellence in Operations
WindPAC
Sign Up for Power of Wind
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Home Resources News Rep. Welch receives “U.S. Wind Champion Award”
Rep. Welch receives “U.S. Wind Champion Award”
Congressman recognized for his dedication to Vermont’s wind workers and for helping position the U.S. as a global leader in wind energy.
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) named Rep. Welch (D-Vt.) a U.S. Wind Champion for the 115th Congress at a September 6th event hosted by Avangrid Renewables, a leading renewable energy company with a portfolio that spans 22 states. AWEA’s U.S. Wind Champion Awards recognize select members of the 115th Congress who have taken action in support of American wind energy.
“I am honored to be recognized by the American Wind Energy Association,” said Welch. “The United States has barely scratched the surface of the potential of renewable energy. I’ll continue to fight for a new energy future that promotes wind and other renewable energies to reduce carbon pollution.”
“Thanks to the leadership and vision of Congressman Welch, we brought the Deerfield Wind Farm, our first in Vermont, online last year,” said Avangrid Renewables’ President and CEO Laura Beane. “We’re able to create clean energy and local, long-term economic benefits for rural Vermont thanks to forward-thinking policies that drive these investments and deliver benefits directly to the local community.”
“Representative Welch’s embrace of clean, renewable wind energy has helped create good jobs and a healthier environment for Vermonters,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “With the Congressman’s strong support, wind power has grown to become the source for over 13 percent of the electricity generated in Vermont and nationally the U.S. will continue as a global leader for wind energy production.”
Vermont ranks 13th in the nation for wind power as a share of yearly in-state electricity generation, with wind contributing over 13 percent last year. Wind power also makes a strong contribution to Vermont’s economy, supporting nearly 1,000 in-state jobs and representing more than $300 million in private investment. Wind energy is a drought-proof cash crop for Vermont farmers and rural landowners receiving $100k-$500k a year in total land lease payments. For Vermont, increasing reliance on wind energy saves water and prevents over 19,000 tons of carbon pollution each year—the equivalent of taking 4,000 cars off the road.
The U.S. is a global leader in wind energy production thanks to world-class natural resources and technological innovation. For Americans, wind power leadership translates to economic opportunity, homegrown energy and clean air. A record 105,000 Americans across all 50 states work in wind power, affordably and reliably supplying over 6 percent of U.S. electricity while creating public health benefits worth more than $8 billion each year through avoided air pollution.
Photo of Rep. Welch receiving the U.S. Wind Champion Award.
AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. We represent 1,000 member companies and over 114,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, serving as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemisphere’s largest wind energy event, the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Denver, June 1-4, 2020. WINDPOWER 2020 will be housed within CLEANPOWER, the new exhibition hub for utility-scale renewable energy, bringing together wind power, solar power, and energy storage industries. Find information about wind energy on the AWEA website. Gain insight into industry issues on AWEA's blog, Into the Wind. And please join us on Facebook and follow @AWEA on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Evan Vaughan
Media Relations Officer
Email: evaughan@awea.org
Phone: 202-431-4640 (cell)
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The Happy Man
1598 WordsJun 6, 20127 Pages
The text which I'm going to analyse is "The happy man" written by Somerset Maugham. He is a well-known English novelist, short-story writer, playwright and essayist. Maugham was the son of a British diplomat. He was educated at King's School in Canterbury, studied painting in Paris, went to Heidelberg University in Germany and studied to be a doctor at St. Thomas Hospital in England. Although Somerset Maugham didn't denounce the contemporary social order, he was critical of the morals, the narrow-mindedness and hypocrisy of bourgeois society. It was his autobiographical novel "Of Human Bondage" and the novel "The Moon and Sixpence" based on the life of the French artist Paul Gauguin, that won him fame. Somerset Maugham was also a master of…show more content…
Certainly we don't deny the existence of such kind of people who under some reasons can't venture to a decisive action and take their destinies into someone hands. The matter is about such a man in the following part. The second one is logically structured and includes the following components: the exposition, the development of the plot, the climax, and the denouement. The main characters are the narrator and the strange man Stephens. The exposition consists of only some sentences which dwell upon the narrator life. From here readers get to know the narrator was a young man who lived in London. One afternoon when nothing pointed to anything unusual he heard the door bell and there was a total stranger in the doorway. We see indirect description of the narrator nature. He allowed the man to come in and this characterizes him like a hospitable person although his speech is full of a personal pronoun "I" which can be taken as the feature of a little bit selfish man. "I was a young man. I lived… I was beginning… I had worked… I heard… I opened… I told…" Further on the narrator describes his dialog with Stephens how the stranger introduced himself. We find out he was a doctor, married, and worked as a medical officer at the Camberwell Infirmary. His speech was very emotional and this effect attains thanks to parallel constructions and gradation: "I was brought up by two aunts. I've never been anywhere. I've never done anything. I've been
The Happy Man - Analysis
‚The Happy Man’ The story I’m going to analyze is entitled ‘The happy man’ and it was written by Somerset Maugham, a well-known English writer. He was born on 25 of January in 1874, he was an English playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was one of the most popular authors of his era. Now, I’d like to give the summary of the story. At the beginning of the story the author tells us that the narrator didn’t like to give advices. The narrator thought about life and showed his attitude
The Book ' Happy : Happy
that moment but the sport I am playing. No thoughts of school, family issues, or anything to bother my play. A couple years ago, I was assigned to watch a movie called Happy. Happy is a documentary that explores the globe in search of what really makes people happy, taking real life stories and sharing what makes them happy truly happy. From tragedy to every day life, these people never let anything get in their way and want to live a life a pure happiness. Then recently I was reassigned to watch for
Happy Essay
Happy Middle East History Jerusalem The conflict in Jerusalem is rooted in religious, political, and historical aspects. As a center for the worlds three major religions, with a history of political divisions and borders, as well as historical claims to the territory, it calls for a peaceful coexistence and sensitive diplomacy which will enable an accepted agreement. Jerusalem is a prize which, for thousands of years, has been fought over. Israeli’s and Palestinians live side-by-side in
Happy Wife, Happy Life
Happy Wife, Happy Life Independence and freedom are some of the greatest qualities for which many races, nationalities, and genders have been able to thank America for. It took several centuries for our country to be at the forefront of equality, while most nations have only recently started to develop this type of thinking in their culture. However, America was not always this way. At the beginning of the 20th century, women held very few roles within society. With the husbands traditionally being
Happy Man Analysis
The text under interpretation is "The Happy Man" by William Somerset Maugham. First some information about the author. W. S. Maugham was a well-known English playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was the son of a British diplomat. He was educated at King's school in Canterbury, studied painting in Paris, went to Heidelberg University in Germany and studied to be a doctor at St.Thomas Hospital in England. So, he put his hand in different activities and that's why he is a versatile and
“Happy The Man” by John Dryden John Dryden was born on 9 August in 1631 in a small town in Northamptonshire, England, the eldest of 14 children, was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Walter Scott called him "Glorious John."[1] He was made Poet Laureate in 1668. As a humanist public school, Westminster maintained
favourite country was Spain and a great deal of his works devoted to it. For instance «The Happy man» that was written in 1927. Somerset Maugham's style of writing is clear and precise. He does not impose his views on the reader. He puts a question and leaves it to the reader to answer it. When criticizing something he sounds rather amused than otherwise. I’d like to analyze the text, which is entitled “The happy man”. The author is William Somerset Maugham, an English writer. He wrote novels, short
The Song ' Die A Happy Man ' By Thomas Rhett
different ways. This was no surprise though because we live “In a culture where sex and gender are centrally important” (2015; 73). The issue arises in the genre of music because of the way gender and sexuality is presented. In the top song “Die a Happy Man’ by Thomas Rhett, objectification was presented in both the lyrics and the music video. In the lyrics he says “Baby that red dress brings me to my knees, Oh but black dress makes it hard to break” and goes on to say “You’re a saint, you’re a Goddess
Happy And Happy One Year
Happy birthday AND happy one year!! I can honestly say this has been the best year of my life. You have made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I love you more than you will ever know babe. So, to explain to you how much I appreciate your love I am going to go through some experiences we have been through together starting all the way from the beginning. 6th grade: Even though I barely remember you in my 6th math class I think it 's so sweet how you talk about how you remember that day
Unhappy Man in E.A. Robinson's a Happy Man
THE NEEDS AND ITS COVERAGE IN BUILDING HAPPINESS IN EDWIN ARLINGTON’S A HAPPY MAN Introduction A Happy Man is a poem of Edwin Arlington Robinson about happiness reached by Edwin through the decision he made. Edwin lived in a period of millionaire when American competes to become millionaire after the Civil War. He born and raised in Maine to a wealthy family, he was the youngest of three sons and not groomed to take over the family business. Instead, he pursued poetry since childhood, joining
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Cypop2-6.1 Plan Meals for Young Children That Meet Their Nutritional Needs Based on Current Government Guidance and Information from Carers.
My Compromise
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RRP: £12.99. You Save: £7.60
Stock available, usually dispatched in 2-3 days.
TV adaptation of the classic children's tale in which Alice enters a magical land through a mirror and finds herself caught up in adventure. Based on the sequel to Lewis Carroll's famous 'Alice in Wonderland', this adaptation tells the tale of Alice's second adventure with a twist - after reading a bedtime story to her child it is a grown-up Alice (Kate Beckinsdale) that enters the magical land. The realm she enters through the mirror is known as Chessland, where Alice finds herself a pawn in the game between the White and Red kings and queens. Other bizarre characters encountered on her journey include Tweedledum (Gary Olsen), Tweedledee (Marc Warren), the Wasp (Ian Richardson) and the Gnat (Steve Coogan).
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Catalogue No: 2NDVD3222
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MFA Press Statement: Visit of Former Prime Minister of Italy Dr Enrico Letta to Singapore from 16 to 23 August 2018
August 15, 2018 Medical and Health Care
Former Italian Prime Minister Dr Enrico Letta will visit Singapore from 16 to 23 August 2018 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Distinguished Visitors Programme (MFA DVP). The DVP, which was started in 2005, invites outstanding foreign dignitaries to Singapore to help forge closer bilateral ties.
During his visit, Dr Letta will call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran and Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development Sam Tan. Dr Letta will also visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Enterprise Singapore, Economic Development Board, Nanyang Technological University, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore University of Technology and Design and St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. In addition, Dr Letta will visit the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy where he will deliver a public lecture titled Regional Integration: What Lessons from Europe?.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore
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Home > About > About ATMC
ATMC is a nationally recognized educational institute registered in the state of Victoria, Australia.
As a frontrunner in international education, the Australian Technical & Management College (ATMC) provides a pathway for international students seeking higher education in the fields of Business and Management in Australia and abroad.
First established in the Indian subcontinent, ATMC has evolved into a flourishing nationally recognized educational institution in association with two leading Australian universities that specialize in the fields of information technology and business: Federation University Australia (Fed) and The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).
The college has campuses in Melbourne and Sydney, offering a range of innovative courses designed to prepare students for the global workforce.
Our campuses are located in some of the most liveable and culturally diverse cities in the world, so our students are guaranteed an unforgettable international study experience. ATMC campuses are warm and inviting, and specifically catered to support students studying abroad.
We offer a range of degrees that are delivered in a personalized and practical learning environment with a strong focus on global industry connections. ATMC students graduate with the skills, knowledge and relevant industry experience necessary to make a significant impact on the world.
Quality Courses
ATMC, in association with Fed and USC, offers an exciting collection of bachelor degrees, associate degrees, graduate diplomas, master degrees in Information Technology and Information Systems and bachelor and master degrees in Business and Accounting. There is an absolute commitment to keeping the degree programs offered up-to-date at all times and relevant to the industry environment nationally and internationally. At the ATMC the class sizes are small so that students enjoy the learning experience and don’t get lost in the crowd. Staff is accessible. At the ATMC students are a name, not just a number. In fact, academic and administrative staff get to know the students.
Resources are put back into the College to develop facilities and services that benefit students. The College employs contemporary technology in all aspects of the business, delivery, and services.
Excellent Teaching
Classrooms are spacious, fully air-conditioned and inviting. The classrooms are equipped with technologically up to date learning and teaching equipment and resources. The ATMC is dedicated to providing the latest and best hardware and software solutions for all students. From diverse operating systems (such as XP, Linux, and UNIX) to high-end applications software (such as .NET, Java Enterprise, Case Tools etc). ATMC provides training in all of these areas. All labs are equipped with high-end HP servers, Database management solutions, latest multimedia workstations and wireless devices.
Student Mentors
At the ATMC we recognize that students might need additional help with their academic studies. So at ATMC, we assign mentors to each of our students. This offering is open to all ATMC students, free of charge, whereby they are able to work with high-performing, more senior students, who act as their mentors. These mentors, students with specialized knowledge who have excelled academically, are employed to assist students, whether individually or in small study groups.
At the ATMC we provide job placement assistance in which complete guidance is provided in terms of resume preparation, mock interviews, etc.
While academic excellence was, and remains, highly valued, the ATMC provides niche advantages in the range, depth and suitability of its student support services, not available at most other similar educational providers.
Do you require full information about your program prior to arrival? We will provide it.
Do you seek a helpful Orientation at the commencement of your studies? We will deliver it to you.
Would a senior student mentor be of assistance to you as you commence your studies? One is ready and waiting.
Will you need to find casual employment to assist with your living costs? We can assist with a developed list of useful contacts.
Do you seek a safe and friendly social program (from parties to talent quests) with your fellow students? One is available.
Would you like to engage in popular periodic sporting events? These are arranged.
Do you want to be kept up to date with all facets of College life? You will receive the regular ‘Student Talk’ newsletter.
Do you require support with spoken and written English? We have well-proven programs to assist.
Will you seek confidential counseling concerning your academic progress and living arrangements? We do this as part of our service.
Do you wish to pursue your studies further? We can offer a variety of highly credentialed graduate programs.
Will you seek a strategic career after graduation? We can offer skills development and general job search advice to help you achieve this goal.
The College’s strategic vision has been to expand the ATMC’s operations into the international sphere and a considerable amount of resources and energy has been dedicated to the pursuit of this goal.
The established ‘base’ in India with ATMC’s Australian IT Skills Colleges will progressively expand into neighboring Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Further target countries and regions include China, the Middle East and Switzerland, Eastern Europe and South America. Other locations are under active consideration, which will in due course contribute toward an international network of campuses with core values and academic offerings, each ‘tailored’ to respond to the particular international location.
With these opportunities in mind, the College’s marketing team has been expanded correspondingly to provide ‘face to face’ exchanges between international partners and the authorities that determine what programs can be offered by whom in their jurisdictions.
The descriptor of ‘College” is an apt one for the ATMC, as it recognizes the ‘collegiate’ attitude between fellow staff and their students. It also connotes the caring, interest and concern shown by staff towards the student body be it through ready personal access, social intermingling or the wide-spread provision of specialized services that support settling into the Australian culture, developing English language skills, providing career advice and the like.
The aim is not just to make a successful business or even an academic institution that is recognized for excellent outcomes but to create a place where the families of international students will be befriended, supported and encouraged as important human beings who are welcomed into the ATMC family. At the completion of their ATMC studies, our students will, in turn, go on to serve future generations. Making a positive difference throughout their professional careers in their countries of origin and elsewhere around the globe will be the ‘hallmark’ of their ATMC educational experience.
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Welcome .
PT/PTA
OT/OTA
State Mandated
All CEs
Course Modules
The Prevalence of Pain
Policies Guiding Pain Management in MI
The Physiology of Pain
Assessment of Pain
Approaches to Pain Management
Analgesics and Pain Management
Abuse of Opioid Analgesics
Return to Module View
MI: Pain and Symptom Management
Lauren Robertson, BA, MPT
Lauren Robertson earned a BA in Biology from Mills College in Oakland, California, and a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of California at San Francisco.
Lauren is the founder and co-owner of ATrain Education (atrainceu.com) and she has written or co-written more than two hundred courses on a wide range of topics for her continuing education website. She is certified as a trainer on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
Susan Walters Schmid, PhD
Susan Schmid earned BA degrees in History and European Studies from George Mason University, a Master's degree in Public History from Appalachian State University, and a PhD in History from Arizona State University.
In addition to her PhD she earned a Certificate in Scholarly Publishing from ASU. Susan has served as an editor for several scholarly presses. She worked as a desktop publishing specialist for Arizona State University and taught several courses for the History Department as well as "Introduction to Scholarly Publishing" and "Scholarly Editing" for the Scholarly Publishing Program.
Contact hours: 3
Pharmacotherapy hours: 3
Expiration date: June 1, 2020
Course price: $29
Newly updated course covers Michigan’s pain policies plus Joint Commission regulations for pain management. In addition, course includes major categories of pain; common sources of pain; pain assessment; and management in various special populations including children, older adults, and those at the end of life. Describes safe use of opioids for pain management and issues related to the abuse of prescribed opioids including the opioid epidemic.
The following information applies to occupational therapy professionals:
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, OTAs
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Content Focus: Category 1—Domain of OT, Client Factors; Category 2—Occupational Therapy Process, Outcomes
Criteria for Successful Completion
80% or higher on the post test, a completed evaluation form, and payment where required. No partial credit will be awarded.
Conflict of Interest/Commercial Support
Accredited status does not imply endorsement by ATrain Education Inc. or by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or any other accrediting agency of any products discussed or displayed in this course. The planners and authors of this course have declared no conflict of interest and all information is provided fairly and without bias. No commercial support was received for this activity.
Objectives: When you finish this course you will be able to:
Describe the prevalence of pain in the United States.
Outline current Michigan State policies and programs related to pain management.
State three differences between acute and chronic pain.
List the five most common sources of pain.
Explain the kinds and use of pain assessment tools.
Compare the Self-Management and Pain Medicine models of pain management, highlighting three main differences between them.
Identify the three components of analgesic pain management.
Define tolerance, dependence, and addiction, and their place in an understanding of the opioid abuse crisis in the United States.
First, treat the person. Second, treat the pain.
MI LARA, 2013c
A Pain Toolkit for Health Care Professionals
Pain is an unpleasant fact of daily life for many people, affecting every aspect of their lives. In its 2011 landmark report Relieving Pain in America, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (now the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies) estimated that in the United States treatment and management of pain costs about $635 billion annually in direct medical costs and lost productivity (IOM, 2011).
Although vast amounts of money are spent each year on the treatment and management of pain, it is still inadequately treated in vulnerable populations. This includes women, children, older adults, ethnic minorities, patients with cognitive impairment, cancer patients, nursing home residents, and those with active addiction or a history of substance abuse. Untreated pain has a profound impact on quality of life and can have physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences (King & Fraser, 2013).
Among African Americans, lower rates of clinician assessment and higher rates of undertreatment have been found in all settings and across all types of pain (IOM, 2011). Similar results have been found among Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. These disparities among racial and ethnic minorities are related to lack of provider education, system-level lack of access to pain medications, and cultural beliefs about pain (Makris et al., 2015).
In Michigan, as in other states, pain is widespread. In a 2013 public telephone survey of Michigan residents, about 25% had sought treatment from a healthcare professional for a chronic pain condition in the previous year, and 28% had sought treatment for an acute pain condition (LARA, 2013a). The Michigan Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management (ACPSM) noted in 2014 that up to 3 million Michigan citizens live with daily chronic pain, and that both in the state and nationally, pain affects more people than does diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined (LARA, 2014).
In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) most recent look at long-term health trends, Health, United States, 2016, data spanning the years from 1997 through 2015, indicate the percentage of adults over 18 reporting some of the most common kinds of pain—severe headache or migraine, low back pain, and neck pain—has remained at constant or slightly increasing levels across all age brackets, genders, races, and socioeconomic levels (CDC, 2017).
…Michigan continues to be the top among states enacting policies promoting delivery of effective pain management…
LARA, 2014a
The “State” of Pain in Michigan
Michigan has policies recognizing that pain management—including the use of controlled substances—is part of quality medical practice. State regulations require healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices, to make pain assessment and treatment an expected element of patient care. The state has established the Michigan Automated Prescription System—a prescription monitoring program—recognizing the need to reduce abuse and diversion* while making sure medication is available for patient care.
*Diversion: The use of drugs for other than medically necessary or legal purposes or for non-medical or not medically authorized purposes. It involves, but is not limited to, physicians who sell prescriptions to drug dealers or abusers; pharmacists who falsify records and subsequently sell the drugs; employees who steal from inventory and falsify orders to cover illicit sales; prescription forgers; and individuals who commit armed robbery of pharmacies and drug distributors.
Since the 1990s the Michigan legislature has passed a body of legislation intended to improve access to pain management services, enhance the quality of care available for Michigan citizens, and provide direction to prescribers on the use of opiates without fear of prosecution. This legislation has been regularly reviewed and updated to address the changing face of pain management and the expanding opioid crisis. This legislation includes:
Lengthening the period of time to fill Schedule 2 prescriptions, and providing for prescriptions to be partly filled incrementally for terminally ill patients (Section 333.7333 amended March 27, 2018—changes designed to help deal with opioid crisis but still help patients)
Requiring healthcare professionals to complete continuing education in pain and symptom management as a condition of relicensure (Section 333.16204)
Creating the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management (Section 333.16204a) (now part of Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission)
Providing legislative support to address pain and symptom management issues and enacting legislation that supports the treatment of pain (Section 333.16204b)
Providing legislative support for the use of controlled substances as being appropriate in the medical treatment of pain and enabling regulatory agencies to prevent the abuse and illegal diversion of controlled substances by creating an electronic monitoring system (Section 333.16204c)
Requiring the department of consumer and industry services, in consultation with the department of community health, to develop, publish, and distribute an informational booklet on pain to include specific content. The department, in conjunction with the controlled substances advisory commission, is required to develop and conduct an educational program for health professionals that covers specific topics (Section 333.16204d)
Addressing “rights and responsibilities of patients or residents” (Section 333.20201, amended in 2016 and 2017) (LARA, 2018a)
Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission
In 1998 Michigan established the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management (ACPSM) to address issues pertaining to pain and its management throughout the state. In 2000, ACPSM identified their areas of greatest concern, to include lack of education and training for healthcare professionals; lack of information throughout all levels of the public; concerns around Schedule II drugs (misinformation and fear of addiction); lack of availability; reluctance to prescribe for fear of disciplinary action; and patient difficulty in proving disability to insurers.
Over the next 16 years the ACPSM maintained evolving goals and was able to distribute pain management resources for healthcare providers; administer physician and public surveys to assess pain management knowledge, attitudes, and practices; implement a public service announcement campaign for the public; complete work on the Model Core Curricula on Pain Management for medical schools; and develop a pain management tool kit for both healthcare professionals and the public.
Along the way, Michigan was recognized as being at the forefront of dealing with pain management issues. In 2001 it was one of the first states to remove the term “intractable pain” from its statute, making its provisions apply to pain in general. In 2013 Michigan was one of only fifteen states awarded an “A” grade by the University of Wisconsin Pain and Policy Studies Group (PPSG) for its efforts to establish balanced pain policies. The state had maintained that grade since the PPSG began report cards in 2006 (PPSG, 2013a,b).
In 2016 the Michigan Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management was abolished by executive order of the governor when he folded “all of the authority, powers, duties, functions, responsibilities, and records of the ACPSM, the Controlled Substances Advisory Commission, and the Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force into the newly created Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission. The governor noted that the ACPSM had accomplished its original goals and that action was now needed to “combat the severe and complex prescription drug abuse epidemic that faces [the] state” (Executive Order 2016-15; LARA, 2013b,c; MDHHS, 2009).
Michigan’s Automated Prescription System
Of Michigan’s approximately 60,000 prescribers, about 30 percent as of mid-January were registered and using the MAPS system.
Traverse City Business News, March 2018
In Healthcare
The Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) is the prescription monitoring program for the State of Michigan. MAPS is used to track controlled substances, schedules II to V drugs. It is a tool used by prescribers and dispensers to assess patient risk and it is also used to prevent drug abuse and diversion at the prescriber, pharmacy, and patient levels. On April 4, 2017 the State of Michigan replaced the MAPS platform with PMP AWARxE (LARA, 2018c).
In its 2016 Prescription Drug Overdose Status Report for Michigan, the CDC notes that opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and hydromorphone, are responsible for three-fourths of all prescription drug overdose deaths and caused more than 16,200 deaths in the United States in 2013. Nationally, deaths involving opioids had quadrupled since 1999.The sharp rise in prescription opioid overdose deaths closely parallels an equally sharp increase in the prescribing of these drugs. Opioid pain reliever sales in the United States quadrupled from 1999 to 2010.
The severity of the epidemic varies widely across U.S. states and regions, and in Michigan the drug overdose death rate for 2013 (15.9 per 100,000 population) exceeded the national rate (13.8 per 100,000 population) (CDC, 2016).
CDC and other agencies have worked to identify and evaluate interventions to reduce prescription opioid overdose deaths, and the 2016 report focused on two key policies concerning state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), the electronic systems that track the dispensing of controlled substances to patients. The two policies supported by emerging evidence, expert consensus, and extensive review of the primary drivers of the epidemic are:
Requiring timely data submission to the PDMP
Requiring universal PDMP use by prescribers
PDMPs are promising tools, allowing healthcare providers to see patients’ prescription histories so as to inform their prescribing decisions; however, a PDMP is useful to healthcare providers only if they check the system before prescribing. The CDC noted that, as of October 31, 2105, Michigan required dispensing data be submitted to the PDMP within 24 hours but did not require prescribers to consult the PDMP before initially prescribing opioids (CDC, 2016).
CDC believes these are only key pieces in a much larger, multi-sector approach to preventing prescription drug abuse and overdose. Other important PDMP practices suggested for states included making PDMPs easy to use and access; linking them to electronic health records systems already in place; and enabling various tracking capabilities. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports, among other things, expanding the use and distribution of naloxone to reverse an overdose (CDC, 2016).
Going into effect in Michigan in March, June, and July 2018 are a number of new laws addressing some of these very issues. Under the new laws, prescribers of schedules II to V controlled substances must have a bona fide relationship with the patient, will be required to check MAPS prior to writing a prescription for more than a 3-day supply of a controlled substance, and will have to obtain more information from patients and provide or arrange for followup care. The laws contain other details about the writing of prescriptions and specifies penalties for failure to comply (MI Executive Office, 2017; Kraus, 2018; Lane, 2018).
In addition, in 2016 the use of naloxone was expanded when the state issued a standing order for naloxone for pharmacies, allowing them to distribute naloxone without a specific prescription, thus making it more readily available to law enforcement officers, first responders, healthcare professionals, and ordinary citizens (MI EO, 2017).
Michigan Medical Marihuana Program
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP) is a state registry program within the Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The MMMP administers the Medical Marihuana Act, passed by Michigan voters in 2008 (LARA, 2018d). (The spelling of marihuana within the act is consistent with its spelling in the Michigan Public Health Code.)
State law allows medical use of marijuana under specified conditions, although the law does not protect marijuana plants from seizure or protect individuals from prosecution if the federal government chooses to take action against patients or caregivers under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
In Michigan, patients must have a physician’s recommendation to be eligible to use medical marijuana legally. A qualifying, debilitating medical condition must be listed on the attending physician’s statement. Severe and chronic pain and severe and persistent muscle spasms are among the conditions approved under the state’s medical marijuana program (MCL 333.26421-333.26430).
In September 2016 three new laws went into effect that created a licensing and regulatory framework for medical marijuana. Changes included amendments and clarifications of the original 2008 bill and enactment of the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act whose framework was implemented in December 2017. More information is available on their website at: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-78089---,00.html (MI Senate Fiscal Agency, 2016).
Joint Commission Pain Management Standards
In early 2016 the Joint Commission embarked on a revision of its accreditation standards on pain management that involved a technical advisory panel, learning visits at hospitals, and a standards review panel (Joint Commission, 2018a). On January 1, 2018 the Joint Commission released its new standards for hospitals, which require they:
Establish a clinical leadership team
Actively engage medical staff and hospital leadership in improving pain assessment and management, including strategies to decrease opioid use and minimize risks associated with opioid use
Provide at least one non-pharmacologic pain treatment modality
Facilitate access to prescription drug monitoring programs
Improve pain assessment by concentrating more on how pain is affecting patients’ physical function
Engage patients in treatment decisions about their pain management
Address patient education and engagement, including storage and disposal of opioids to prevent these medications from being stolen or misused by others
Facilitate referral of patients addicted to opioids to treatment programs (JC, 2018)
Integral to both the original guidelines established in 2001 and the new ones released in 2018 are the following:
Hospitals must have a process to address pain assessment when necessary.
Hospitals must have a process upon clinical determination to either treat patient pain or refer patients for pain treatment, which may include nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic approaches.
Hospitals must have a process for the clinician to reassess and respond to a patient’s pain based on reassessment criteria (JC, 2018)
More information about the history of the standards and a discussion of some myths that arose about the standards can be found on the Joint Commission website at: https://www.jointcommission.org. Specifically, the Joint Commission “does not endorse pain as a vital sign,” “has never endorsed use of pain ‘satisfaction scores’ for…other than an organization’s internal quality improvement,” has “never required the use of drugs to manage a patient’s pain,” and has “never required organizations to mandate that clinicians measure pain on a numerical scale or treat patients to ‘zero pain’” (JC, 2018b).
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) describes pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.” Pain can be acute or chronic and, if left untreated, chronic pain can develop into what is referred to as a chronic pain syndrome.
Pain occurs when sensory nerve endings called nociceptors (also referred to as pain receptors) come into contact with a painful or noxious stimulus. The resulting painful impulse travels from the sensory nerve ending, enters the dorsal spinal cord, and travels to diverse parts of the brain via nerve tracts in the spinal cord and brainstem. The brain processes the pain sensation and quickly makes a motor response in an attempt to cease the action causing the pain (IASP, 2017; NCI, 2017). The sensory process of detecting the “actual or potential tissue damage” is called nociception (Kyranou & Puntillo, 2012).
Sensitization is a neurophysiologic response in which the pain pathways become more sensitive. This can include a drop in the threshold for activating nociceptors and an increase in the frequency of firing for all stimuli (IASP, 2017).
Hyperalgesia (exaggerated responses to stimuli) and allodynia (in which a stimulus not normally painful is perceived as painful) are clinical markers used to detect the presence of sensitization (IASP, 2017; Zouikr et al., 2016). There are two types of sensitization.
Peripheral sensitization occurs in response to the release of inflammatory molecules such as histamine, prostaglandins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These substances sensitize nociceptors by creating an “inflammatory soup” that enhances pain sensitivity by reducing the threshold of nociceptor activation (IASP, 2017; Zouikr et al., 2016). Under normal circumstances, peripheral hypersensitivity returns to normal when inflammation subsides or the source of the injury is removed (Kyranou & Puntillo, 2012).
In central sensitization, nociceptive-specific neurons progressively increase their response to repeated non-painful stimuli, develop spontaneous activity, and increase the area of the body that is involved with the pain. The hyperalgesia of central sensitization usually develops as part of ongoing pathology, such as damage to peripheral or central nerve fibers, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis, and is considered maladaptive (IASP, 2017; Kyranou & Puntillo, 2012).
Acute pain comes on quickly and, although it can be severe, lasts a relatively short time (IOM, 2011). Its location is usually well-defined and there is usually an identifiable painful stimulus related to an injury, brief disease process, surgical procedure, or dysfunction of muscle or viscera. Acute pain is often successfully treated with patient education, mild pain medications, environmental changes, and stress reduction.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has targeted improved treatment of acute pain as an area of significant healthcare savings. Better treatment of acute pain, through education about self-management and better clinical treatment, can avoid its progression to chronic pain, which is more difficult and more expensive to treat (IOM, 2011).
Chronic pain refers to pain that exists for three or more months and does not resolve with treatment. The three-month time frame is not absolute and some conditions may become chronic in as little as a month. When pain becomes chronic, sensory pathways continue to transmit the sensation of pain even though the underlying condition or injury that originally caused the pain has healed. In such situations, the pain itself may need to be managed separately from the underlying condition.
Chronic pain can be difficult to distinguish from acute pain and can be difficult to treat. Chronic pain does not resolve quickly and opioids or sedatives are often needed for treatment. Because medical practitioners frequently approach chronic pain management from a medication perspective, other modalities are sometimes overlooked. Chronic pain is a silent epidemic that reduces quality of life, negatively impacts relationships and jobs, and increases rates of depression (Sessle, 2012).
Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 adults, is more prevalent among women and older adults, and is associated with physically demanding work and a lower level of education (King & Fraser, 2013). Chronic pain is also a symptom of many diseases. Up to 70% of cancer patients suffer from chronic pain, and among individuals living with HIV/AIDS, pain has been reported at all stages of infection (Lohman et al., 2010).
Musculoskeletal pain, especially joint and back pain, is the most common type of chronic pain (IOM, 2011). Although musculoskeletal pain may not correspond exactly to the area of injury, it is nevertheless commonly classified according to pain location. However, most people with chronic pain have pain at multiple sites (Lillie et al., 2013).
Video—What Is Pain? (3:09)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBJXiu_QNk
Video—What Is Chronic Pain? (2:31)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTmE5X8NcXM
Certain pain syndromes are pervasive. Low back pain, migraine headaches, post operative pain, cancer pain, and pain associated with arthritis are some of the most common reasons patients seek medical care for pain.
Low back pain affects approximately 80% of people at some stage in their lives. If low back pain becomes chronic it often results in lost wages and additional medical expenses and can increase the risk of incurring other medical conditions (Chou et al., 2016).
Low back pain is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits. Approximately one-quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least 1 day in the past 3 months, and more than 7% reported at least one episode of severe low back pain in the previous year.
Clinically, the natural course of low back pain is usually favorable; acute low back pain frequently disappears within 1 to 2 weeks. Any of the spinal structures, including intervertebral discs, facet joints, vertebral bodies, ligaments, or muscles could be an origin of back pain—which is, unfortunately, difficult to determine. In those cases in which the origin of back pain cannot be determined, the diagnosis given is nonspecific low back pain (Aoki et al., 2012).
I’ve worked as a physical therapist for more than 20 years and didn’t know headaches were such a big problem. I don’t recall learning about headaches in school and I’ve never even thought about them in clinical practice, except in the most general terms—even with stroke patients!
Geriatric Specialist, 2014
Headache is one of the most common neurologic disorders and accounts for many visits to both general physicians and neurologists. In 2018 the International Headache Society published the third edition of its International Classification of Headache Disorders. The guide divides headache disorders into three categories:
Primary headaches (migraine, tension-type, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, and other primary headache disorders)
Secondary headaches—headaches attributed to:
trauma or injury to the head and/or neck
cranial and or cervical vascular disorder
non-vascular intracranial disorder
a substance or its withdrawal
disorder of homeostasis
disorder of the cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cervical structure
psychiatric disorder
Painful cranial neuropathies, other facial pain, and other headaches (IHS, 2018)
Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most prevalent primary headache disorders (Oshinaike et al., 2014). Although medication overuse headache is considered separately by some (Schmid et al., 2013), beginning in 2016 the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study has removed it as a cause and characterizes it as a sequela of migraine and tension-type headaches (GBD, 2016).
The 2016 GBD Study ranks tension-type headaches and migraine as the third and sixth most common diseases in the world (dental caries in permanent teeth were first). Globally, migraine is the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs), behind only low back pain. Although many questions remain about the occurrence of headaches, especially among children and adolescents, there is more data available all the time, yet is often ignored and headache remains undertreated globally (GBD, 2016; Steiner et al., 2018).
The medical treatment of patients with chronic primary headache syndromes is particularly challenging. Valid studies are few, and in many cases even higher doses of preventive medication are ineffective and adverse side effects frequently complicate the course of medical treatment. There is no single standard of care for patients presenting with primary chronic headache symptoms (Martelletti et al., 2013).
Postoperative Pain
More than 80% of patients who undergo surgical procedures experience acute postoperative pain and approximately 75% of those…report the severity as moderate, severe, or extreme.
Guidelines on the Management
of Postoperative Pain
Evidence suggests that fewer than 50% of surgical patients receive adequate postoperative pain relief. Inadequately controlled pain negatively affects quality of life, function, and functional recovery, the risk of post surgical complications, and the risk of persistent pain following surgery (Chou et al., 2016a).
Noting that quality management strategies exist to reduce and manage postoperative pain, strategies that can and should be employed before, during, and after surgery, the American Pain Society spearheaded work to establish a comprehensive set of guidelines for managing postoperative pain (Chou et al., 2016a).
The final 32 recommendations cover a range of relevant elements and include:
Provision of patient and family-centered education and information
Comprehensive pre-operative evaluations
Adjustment of pain management plan on the basis of adequacy of pain relief and presence of adverse events
Use of validated pain assessment tools to track treatment efficacy and make adjustments
Offering multi-modal analgesia, or the use of a variety of analgesic medications and techniques combined with non-pharmacological interventions (Chou et al., 2016a)
The recommendations cover specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological substances and modalities. There is significant detail provided for use of drugs and the overall thrust is toward a multi-modal program that acknowledges that pain management is an evolving process (Chou et al., 2016a).
Pain Associated with Cancer
Pain occurs in 20% to 50% of patients with cancer (NCI, 2017). It is one of the most feared and common symptoms of a variety of cancers and is a primary determinant of the poor quality of life in cancer patients (Bali et al., 2013).
Cancer-associated pain—particularly neuropathic pain—is often resistant to conventional therapeutics, whose application may be severely limited due to side effects (Bali et al., 2013). In advanced stage, moderate to severe pain affects roughly 80% of cancer patients. Younger patients are more likely to experience cancer pain and pain flares than are older patients (NCI, 2017).
Research from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the United States indicates that cancer patients are commonly undertreated for pain, both as inpatients and outpatients—sometimes receiving no analgesia at all. Regardless of what stage the cancer has reached, it is necessary to determine the prevalence of pain in specific cancer types, both to raise awareness among clinicians and to improve patient management (Kuo et al., 2011).
Breakthrough pain is a transitory increase or flare of pain in otherwise relatively well-controlled acute or chronic pain (NCI, 2017). It is common in cancer patients.
Incident pain is a type of breakthrough pain related to certain defined activities or factors; an example is body movement’s contributing to increased vertebral pain from metastatic disease. It is often difficult to treat such pain effectively because of its episodic nature. In one study, 75% of patients experienced breakthrough pain; 30% of this pain was incidental, 26% was non-incidental, 16% was caused by end-of-dose failure, and the rest had mixed etiologies (NCI, 2017).
Effective pain management can generally be accomplished by employing a comprehensive plan that involves screening to recognize pain early, proper identification of types of pain experienced, determining if pain requires pharmacologic or other modalities of treatment, identifying the optimal balance of treatment options, proper patient education about treatment, and continued monitoring (NCI, 2017).
Pain Associated with Arthritis
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are a leading cause of pain and disability in adults in the United States. By 2030 about 25% of Americans are expected to be living with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. The negative consequences, including pain, reduced physical ability, depression, and reduced quality of life can impact the physical functioning and psychological well-being of those living with the conditions (Schoffman et al., 2013).
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that damages the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. This allows bones to rub together and the rubbing causes pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. The condition can cause bone spurs to grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space, which causes more pain and damage (NIAMS, 2016).
Osteoarthritic Knee Joint Showing Spurs
Source: NIH.gov.
With OA, joint pain and stiffness worsens over time. OA is the most common form of arthritis and it affects close to 27 million Americans. After the age of 65, 60% of men and 70% of women experience OA (Van Liew et al., 2013).
Best practice guidelines for chronic osteoarthritis focus on self-management: weight control, physical activity, and pharmacologic support for inflammation and pain. Obesity is an independent risk factor for osteoarthritis and there is an interactive relationship among osteoarthritis, obesity, and physical inactivity (Dean & Hansen, 2012). Recent research suggests the relationship between obesity and arthritis may be more complex than originally thought (DeClercq et al., 2017).
Physical exercise has become widely recommended for individuals with OA because it has been related to longevity. A meta-analysis on treatments found that exercise programs reduced pain, improved physical functioning, and enhanced quality of life among individuals with OA (Van Liew et al., 2013). Despite this, close to 44% of adults with arthritis report not engaging in exercise.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of the thin layer of tissue lining a joint space (synovium) with progressive erosion of bone, leading in most cases to misalignment of the joint, loss of function, and disability. RA is among the most disabling forms of arthritis. It affects 1% of the U.S. adult population (about 2 million people). RA tends to affect the small joints of the hands and feet in a symmetric pattern, but other joint patterns are often seen (Sarmiento-Monroy et al., 2012).
Anyone can get RA, though it occurs more often in women. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is common in older people, but children and young adults can also get it. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, but may include genes, environmental factors, and hormones. With RA, individuals immune systems attack their own body tissues. Treatment may involve regular doctor visits, medication, surgery, and complementary therapies (NIAMS, 2017).
Normal Joint
Joint Affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis
Illustrations of normal joint and joint affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Source: NIH, public domain.
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease characterized by stiffness, pain, swelling, and tenderness of the joints as well as the surrounding ligaments and tendons. It affects men and women equally, typically presents between the ages of 30 and 50, and is associated with psoriasis in approximately 25% of patients. Cutaneous disease usually precedes the onset of psoriatic arthritis by an average of 10 years in the majority of patients, but 14% to 21% of patients with psoriatic arthritis develop symptoms of arthritis prior to the development of skin disease. Psoriatic arthritis has a highly variable presentation, which can range from a mild, nondestructive arthritis to a severe, debilitating, erosive joint disease (Lloyd et al., 2012).
No one knows what causes psoriatic arthritis. Researchers believe that both genes and environment are involved, and it is more common in Caucasians than African Americans or Asian Americans. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to help prevent joint damage (NIAMS, 2017a).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help with symptomatic relief, but they do not alter the disease course or prevent disease progression. Intra-articular steroid injections can be used for symptomatic relief. Physical or occupational therapy may also be helpful in symptomatic relief (Lloyd et al., 2012). For forms that are persistent or affect multiple joints, other classes of drugs may be effective. Exercise, heat and cold therapies, relaxation exercises, splints and braces, and assistive devices can help (NIAMS, 2017a).
The most critical aspect of pain assessment is that it be done on a regular basis using a standard format. Pain should be re-assessed after each intervention to evaluate its effect and determine whether an intervention should be modified. The time frame for re-assessment should be directed by the needs of the patient and the hospital or unit policies and procedures.
A self-report by the patient has traditionally been the mainstay of pain assessment, although family caregivers can be used as proxies for patient reports, especially in situations in which communication barriers exist (eg, cognitive impairment, language). Family members who act as proxies typically report higher levels of pain than patient self-reports.
Both physiologic and behavioral responses can indicate the presence of pain and should be noted as part of a comprehensive assessment, particularly following surgery. Physiologic responses include tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, and hypertension. Behavioral responses include splinting, grimacing, moaning or grunting, distorted posture, and reluctance to move. A lack of physiologic responses or an absence of behaviors indicating pain may not mean there is an absence of pain.
Good communication between clinician and patient is critical and good documentation improves communication among clinicians about the current status of the patient’s pain and responses to the plan of care. Documentation is also used as a means of monitoring the quality of pain management within the institution.
In the absence of an objective measure, pain is a subjective individual experience. How we respond to pain is related to genetic factors as well as cognitive, motivational, emotional, and psychological states. Pain response is also related to gender, experiences and memories of pain, cultural and social influences, and general health (Sessle, 2012).
Pain Assessment Tools
Selecting a pain assessment tool should be, when possible, a collaborative decision between patient and provider to ensure that the patient is familiar with the tool. If the clinician selects the tool, consideration should be given to the patient’s age; physical, emotional, and cognitive status; and personal preferences. Patients who are alert but unable to talk may be able to point to a number or a face to report their pain (Wells et al., 2008).
Pain Scales
Many pain intensity measures have been developed and validated. Most measure only one aspect of pain (ie, pain intensity) and most use a numeric rating. Some tools measure both pain intensity and pain unpleasantness and use a sliding scale that allows the patient to identify small differences in intensity. The following illustrations show some commonly used pain scales.
Visual Analog Scale
The Visual Analogue Scale. The left endpoint corresponds to “no pain” and the right endpoint (100) is defined as “pain as intense as it can be.”
†A 10-cm baseline is recommended for VAS scales.
Source: Adapted from Acute Pain Management Guideline Panel, 1992 (AHCPR, 1994). Public domain.
Numeric Rating Scale
The Numeric Rating Scale. Indicated for adults and children (>9 years old) in all patient care settings in which patients are able to use numbers to rate the intensity of their pain. The NRS consists of a straight horizontal line numbered at equal intervals from 0 to 10 with anchor words of “no pain,” “moderate pain,” and “worst pain.”
The Pain Scale for Professionals
The Pain Scale for Professionals. The patient slides the middle part of the device to the right and left and views the amount of red as a measure of pain sensation. The arrow at the left means “no pain sensation” and the arrow at the right indicates the “most intense pain sensation imaginable.” The sliding part of the device is moved on a different axis for the unpleasantness scale. The arrow at the left means “not at all unpleasant” and the arrow at the right represents pain that is the “most unpleasant imaginable.”
Source: The Risk Communication Institute. Used with permission.
Verbal Rating Scale
Points Assigned
Mild pain
Moderate pain
For patients with limited cognitive ability, scales with drawings or pictures, such as the Wong-Baker FACES™ scale, are useful. Patients with advanced dementia may require behavioral observation to determine the presence of pain.
Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale
The Wong-Baker FACES scale is especially useful for those who cannot read English and for pediatric patients.
Source: Copyright 1983, Wong-Baker FACES™ Foundation, www.WongBakerFACES.org. Used with permission.
Pain Questionnaires
Pain questionnaires typically contain verbal descriptors that help patients distinguish different kinds of pain. One example, the McGill Pain Questionnaire asks patients to describe subjective psychological feelings of pain. Pain descriptors such as pulsing, shooting, stabbing, burning, grueling, radiating, and agonizing (and more than seventy other descriptors) are grouped together to convey a patient’s pain response (Srouji et al., 2010).
The questionnaire combines a list of questions about the nature and frequency of pain with a body-map diagram to pinpoint its location. It uses word lists separated into four classes (sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous) to assess the total pain experience. After patients are finished rating their pain words, a numerical score is calculated, called the “Pain Rating Index.” Scores vary from 0 to 78, with the higher score indicating greater pain (Srouji et al., 2010).
Assessing Pain in Special Populations
Assessing Pain in Cognitively Impaired Adults
The assessment of pain in the cognitively impaired patient can be a significant challenge. Cognitively impaired patients tend to voice fewer pain complaints but may become agitated or manifest unusual or sudden changes in behavior when they are in pain. Clinicians and caregivers may have difficulty knowing when these patients are in pain and when they are experiencing pain relief. This makes the patient vulnerable to both under-treatment and over-treatment. Failure to report pain should not be assumed to mean the absence of pain.
In the absence of accurate self-report, observational tools based on behavioral cues have been developed. The most structured observational tools are based on guidance published by the American Geriatrics Society, which describe six domains for pain assessment in cognitively impaired adults:
Negative vocalization
Changes in activity patterns
Changes in interpersonal interactions
Mental status changes (Lichtner et al., 2014)
The interpretation of these behaviors can be complex, due to overlap with other common symptoms such as boredom, hunger, anxiety, depression, or disorientation. This increases the complexity of accurately identifying of pain in patients with dementia and raises questions about the validity of existing instruments. As a result, there is no clear guidance for clinicians and staff on the effective assessment of pain, nor how this should inform treatment and care decision-making (Lichtner et al., 2014).
Patient self-report remains the gold standard for pain assessment but in nonverbal older adults the next best option, from a user-centered perspective, becomes the assessment of a person who is most familiar with the patient in everyday life in a hospital or other care setting; this is sometimes referred to as a “silver standard” (Lichtner et al., 2014).
A thorough review of pain assessment tools for nonverbal older adults by Herr, Bursch, and Black of the University of Iowa is available at http://prc.coh.org/PainNOA/OV.pdf.
Assessing Pain in Children
Despite decades of research and the availability of effective analgesic approaches, many children continue to experience moderate to severe pain, especially after hospitalization. Overall, the factors affecting children’s pain management are influenced by cooperation (nurses, doctors, parents, children), child (behavior, diagnosis, age), organization (lack of routine instructions for pain relief, lack of time, lack of pain clinics), and nurses (experience, knowledge, attitude) (Aziznejadroshan et al., 2016).
Pain evaluation in small children can be difficult. Previous experiences, fear, anxiety, and discomfort may alter pain perception; thus, poor agreement between instruments and raters is often the norm. In children younger than 7 years of age and in cognitively impaired children, evaluation of pain intensity through self-report instruments can be inaccurate due to poor understanding of the instrument and poor capacity to translate the painful experience into verbal language; therefore, complementary observational pain measurements should be used to assess pain intensity (Kolosovas-Machuca et al., 2016).
Three methods are commonly used to measure a child’s pain intensity:
Self-reporting: what a child is saying.
Behavioral measures: what a child is doing (motor response, behavioral responses, facial expression, crying, sleep patterns, decreased activity or eating, body postures, and movements).
Physiologic measures: how the body is reacting (changes in heartrate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, palmar sweating, respiration, and sometimes neuroendocrine responses (Srouji et al., 2010).
Children’s capability to describe pain increases with age and experience, and changes throughout their developmental stages. Although observed reports of pain and distress provide helpful information, particularly for younger children, they are reliant on the individuals completing the report (Srouji et al., 2010).
Approaches to the management of pain vary according to the individual patient. They also vary according to the training and experience of the clinician. The overall goal is to improve function—enabling individuals to work, attend school, and participate in other day-to-day activities.
To guide clinicians, the Michigan Pain Management and Palliative Care program developed the Pain Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals. The toolkit outlines nine essential principles for managing pain appropriately, safely, and effectively:
Use evidence-based and consensus guidelines for best practice outcomes.
Distinguish the underlying and distinct mechanisms of acute, acute recurring, and chronic pain.
Understand the origins of pain and methods for treating the origin.
Address and manage chronic pain effectively.
Use opioids appropriately and safely.
Know your definitions regarding opioid use in pain patients.
Use Michigan’s electronic prescription monitoring program (MAPS).
Improve patient safety.
Prevent and reduce the misuse, abuse, and diversion of pain medications, and address proper storage and disposal. (LARA, 2013c)
Self-management of pain describes strategies used by a patient to manage or minimize the impact of a chronic condition on everyday life. The basic tenets of self-management include:
Active participation by the patient
Treatment of the whole person, not just the disease
Empowerment of the patient (NIH, 2013)
Although some people seek professional help immediately, most try to self-manage their pain. This can include talking to friends, searching the internet, or attending group classes or programs intended to educate a person about pain management. Self-management also includes exercise, ice, heat, positioning, limiting activity, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and education. In many cases, self-management is highly successful.
The Pain Medicine Model
The Institute of Medicine (2011) described a continuum of care referred to as the Pain Medicine Model. It begins with:
People attempting to manage pain on their own. If this fails,
They often seek guidance from a primary care practitioner, and if their pain continues, they turn to
Specialty care.
The Pain Medicine Model, though it includes primary and specialty care, possesses a relatively weak basis for efficacy—particularly for chronic pain care—and often fails to involve patients as integral, active participants in their own care. Although the Pain Medicine model has low demonstrated efficacy, it is widely used because of a strong business model, industry support, and professional training in healthcare (NIH, 2013).
Seeking treatment from a primary care provider is a mainstay of the Pain Medicine Model. Primary care involves several management strategies, ideally coordinated by a general medicine specialist. Primary care clinicians often provide the initial assessment or diagnosis and serve as a starting point for specialty services; primary care may include prescription medications, referrals to other practitioners, imaging, and surgical and interventional techniques (minimally invasive procedures with placement of drugs in targeted areas or ablation of targeted nerves). Primary care physicians are responsible for the majority of prescription pain medications.
Once the primary care clinician has completed an initial assessment, medical management ideally involves a multi-disciplinary team that develops a comprehensive treatment plan that includes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Treatments should be regularly re-evaluated for effectiveness, adjusted as needed, and side effects quickly addressed (PPSG, 2013b).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pain Consortium conducts a symposium each year that focuses on pain management research and methods. One of the presentations at the 2017 consortium, “Self-Management Strategies as Part of an Integrated Approach for Pain Management,” emphasized a blended approach to pain management with concrete suggestions for making it successful. This was just one of many presentations in 2017, and previous years, to emphasize such multi-disciplinary approaches (Friction, 2017; NIH, 2017).
The opioid crisis that came to worldwide attention in 2017 led to an examination on multiple fronts to find ways to limit opioid prescribing and to support those who became addicted to pain killers (see Module 7).
Integrative Pain Management
It is not surprising that healthcare providers, along with those dealing with the effects of pain, have sought ways to combine the strengths of the self-management model with those of the Pain Medicine Model. The combination of these two approaches is increasingly referred to as integrative pain management. A wide range of techniques, medications, and practices are included in the integrative model; they include physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, complementary and alternative medicine, and a variety of other techniques and practices that are only now gaining acceptance in Western medicine.
Integrative techniques and practices are of particular importance because many chronic pain patients become resistant to conventional medical treatments or suffer adverse effects from widely used prescription medications with high addictive potential. For these reasons, patients with chronic pain frequently seek to integrate complementary therapies, often without the knowledge of their primary care provider (Abrams et al., 2013).
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of integrative medicine is its focus on patient-centered care, which at its most effective addresses the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental influences that affect a person’s health. Integrative care considers the patient’s unique conditions, needs, and circumstances and uses the most appropriate interventions from an array of disciplines to heal illness and help people regain and maintain optimal health. Integrative medicine is a “whole systems” approach and, not surprisingly, chronic pain is one of the main reasons patients seek care at integrative medicine clinics (Abrams et al., 2013).
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) many Americans—more than 30% of adults and about 12% of children—use healthcare approaches developed outside of mainstream Western, or conventional, medicine. When describing these approaches, people often use alternative and complementary interchangeably, but the two terms refer to different concepts:
If a non-mainstream practice is used together with conventional medicine, it’s considered “complementary.”
If a non-mainstream practice is used in place of conventional medicine, it’s considered “alternative.”
True alternative medicine is uncommon. Most people who use non-mainstream approaches use them along with conventional treatments (NCCIH, 2017).
There are many definitions of integrative health are, but all involve bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. The use of integrative approaches to health and wellness has grown within care settings across the United States. Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations, including pain management for military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and programs to promote healthy behaviors (NCCIH, 2017).
A great deal more information is available at the NCCIH website (https://nccih.nih.gov/).
Rehabilitation Therapies and Chiropractic
Although rehabilitation therapists and chiropractors receive extensive training within the traditional medical model, they are uniquely positioned to combine elements from the self-management model, the medical model, and some techniques from complementary and alternative medicine. Physical and occupational therapists are trained to treat patients following many common surgeries, particularly orthopedic surgeries. Often, these therapists receive additional education and training in the treatment of neck, back, and joint injuries. Treatment modalities are aimed at reducing or eliminating pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Pain Management in Special Populations
The extremes of age provide special challenges to pain care. Pediatric patients and geriatric patients have little in common physiologically, but they share a propensity toward under-medication for pain. There is some evidence that the under-treatment of pain in those at the extremes of age is improving, but acute-care clinicians should pay particular attention to pain assessment and care in these patients (Thomas, 2013).
Pain Management at the End of Life
When a person is living with an advanced illness and coming to the end of life, preventing and relieving pain is a high priority. Pain is among the most debilitating and feared symptoms that patients and families face, and effective pain management is a palliative focus for many conditions.
The Michigan Administrative Code (R 325.13302) establishes a responsibility for hospices to ensure that pain management is an essential part of patient care. Medical care is expected to prevent and control pain and other distressing symptoms (LARA, 2017; PPRG, 2013b).
Under-treatment and inequitable access to pain treatment, particularly among cancer patients presenting with pain, have been described in the literature. The reported prevalence of moderate to severe pain in advanced cancer is approximately 64%, with a sharp increase to as high as 80% to 90% at the end of life (Gao et al., 2014).
Although palliative care has, in the past, focused on cancer, it has expanded to include other conditions, including musculoskeletal pain at the end of life. Population-based studies indicate that musculoskeletal pain is such a common and significant issue at the end of life that musculoskeletal disease may have as much, if not more, effect on whether a person dies in pain than the condition that is the cause of death (Lillie et al., 2013).
Pain Management in Older Adults
It is believed that the majority of older adults experience pain on a regular basis and that the incidence of pain increases after the age of 60. Pain is the number one complaint of older adults, and 1 in 5 takes a painkiller regularly (Lillie et al., 2013).
The American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatrics Society have issued guidelines for the management of pain in older adults. Management begins with an accurate assessment, which includes the impact of pain on the patient’s daily activities. Analgesic treatment and pain-modulating drugs are a part of the pharmacologic treatment of pain in older adults, although co-morbidities and other risk factors must be carefully considered. When prescribing medications, the least invasive method of administration should be used, and in most cases the oral route is preferred (Age and Ageing, 2013).
Older adults with low income, those without adequate prescription drug coverage, and those using high-cost medications are likely to stretch out their medication supply by skipping doses or extending the intervals between doses.
Age-related changes in physiology can render an older adult more sensitive to medications, making polypharmacy a major issue associated with adverse drug events and increased hospitalizations. Older adults also have an increased pain threshold, a decreased tolerance for pain, and recover more slowly after an injury. Decline in organ function, particularly the renal and hepatic functions, which are critical in the clearance of ingested medications, dictates the pharmacokinetic properties* of many drugs. Aging patients may experience changes in body fat and water composition. These changes alter the tissue and plasma distributions of many lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs in ways that predispose patients to adverse effects (Taylor et al., 2012).
*Pharmacokinetics: the study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Changes associated with aging affect the pharmacokinetics of medications.
Patient and family education is a central part of acute and chronic pain management in older adults. Healthcare providers play a key role in helping family members understand that preventing and controlling pain is an important issue. Patients and family members should understand the interventions available to manage pain. If opioids are part of the plan of care, fear related to side effects and risk of addiction should be addressed. Patients and family members should understand that side effects can be managed effectively with medication and the risk of addiction when using opioids to control acute pain is extremely low.
Patients and their family members have a responsibility to tell healthcare providers when the patient is experiencing pain or when the nature or level of pain changes. Although complete pain relief may not be possible, healthcare providers can assure patients and family members that they will work to keep pain at a level that allows patients to engage in activities necessary to recover and return home.
Pain Management in Children and Adolescents
It is estimated that 15% to 30% of children and adolescents experience chronic pain, with prevalence increasing with age and occurring slightly more commonly in girls than boys. The most commonly reported locations of pain in children and adolescents are the head, stomach, arms, and legs. The most common chronic pain conditions in children include migraine, recurrent abdominal pain, and general musculoskeletal pain (Carter & Threlkeld, 2012).
Effective pain management in the pediatric population requires special attention to the developmental stage of the child. Current research does not adequately address the effectiveness of tools and measurements used to assess pain in children at various ages. Knowledge of the experience of pain and its associated copying strategies has not been adequately related to developmental stages. In spite of its frequency, pain in infants, children, and adolescents is often underestimated and under-treated. Infants and children who experience pain in early life have shown long-term changes in terms of pain perception and related behaviors (Srouji et al., 2010).
Clinicians need to be able to distinguish the signs of pain by age group and determine whether symptoms are caused by pain or other factors. Barriers to pain management in children are numerous, as reflected in statements like “Children do not feel pain the way adults do,” fears regarding the use of pharmacologic agents, and deficits in knowledge of methods of pain assessment. These and other factors, such as personal values and beliefs, prevent adequate identification and alleviation of pain for all children (Srouji et al., 2010).
Understanding medication dosing, interactions, and side effects is critical in children. Dosing is different for children but the goal is to reach an analgesic level of pain control. Safe pediatric prescribing requires accurate weight, proper conversion of pounds to kilograms, and the choice of an appropriate preparation and concentration.
Children with chronic pain experience significant interference with developmental functioning, showing increased levels of emotional distress and impairment. In an effort to find treatment for chronic pain, patients must often negotiate appointments with multiple providers, primary and secondary. Consequences of searching for treatment often include missed school for the child, missed work for parents, and expenditure of emotional and financial resources (Gorodzinsky et al., 2012).
The appropriate use of analgesics—the right drug at the right interval—provides good pain relief for the majority of patients. There are dozens, even scores, of drugs that can be used depending on the clinical circumstances. They generally fall into three categories: opioid analgesics, non-opioid analgesics, and adjuvant medications with analgesic activity.
The predominant method of analgesic pain treatment continues to be the Pain Ladder developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of cancer care. This three-step approach is based on pain severity and recommends the use of non-opioids prior to the initiation of opioid therapy.
Opioid Analgesics
Narcotics are drugs that in moderate doses dull the senses, relieve pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses cause stupor, coma, or convulsions. Opioids have a narcotic effect; that is, they induce sedation and are effective for the management of many types of pain. Opioid receptors are found extensively in the brain and spinal cord, as well as in the vascular system, gut, lungs, airway, cardiac system, and some immune system cells.
Opioid analgesics have a legitimate medical use and are indicated for the medical management of moderate or severe pain. Although their use for the relief of a variety of chronic non-cancer pain conditions continues to evolve, and evidence of effectiveness for these conditions is derived largely from consensus standards, there seems to be a general agreement that some patients can be properly treated with opioid therapy. Physicians, osteopaths, pharmacists, and nurses (where permitted) must be knowledgeable about opioids and confident to prescribe, administer, and dispense them according to individual patient needs (PPSG, 2013a).
Dozens of compounds fall within this class of opioid analgesics, including hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, propoxyphene (recalled in 2010), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and meperidine (Demerol), which is used less often because of its side effects. In addition to their effective pain-relieving properties, some of these medications are used to relieve severe diarrhea (eg, Lomotil, also known as diphenoxylate) or severe coughs (codeine).
Management of pain using opioid therapy requires a thorough assessment before initiation of treatment. When treating a person with chronic pain there may be physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and hereditary as well as behavioral factors that contribute to suffering and require attention and evaluation.
Opioids can cause unwanted or adverse effects. They usually cause drowsiness in the first 24 to 36 hours and patients should be advised that this will resolve. Constipation is a common side effect because opioids suppress receptors in the gut that guide peristalsis, leading to a slowdown in bowel motility. Patients should be given a bowel stimulant while on opioids.
Opioid Epidemic a National Emergency
Thirty years ago, I attended medical school in New York. In the key lecture on pain management, the professor told us confidently that patients who received prescription narcotics for pain would not become addicted.
While pain management remains an essential patient right, a generation of healthcare professionals, patients, and families have learned the hard way how deeply misguided that assertion was. Narcotics—both illegal and legal—are dangerous drugs that can destroy lives and communities.
Thomas Frieden, MD, February 24, 2012
Former Director, CDC (Special to CNN)
The opioid epidemic is a problem the likes of which we have never seen.
CNN Politics, August 9, 2017
On March 29, 2017 President Donald Trump ordered the establishment of the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, to be headed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The final report was issued on November 1, 2017. Following is a summary of its recommendations.
Federal Funding and Programs
The Commission urges Congress and the Administration to block grant federal funding for opioid-related and SUD-related activities to the states, where the battle is happening every day. There are multiple federal agencies and multiple grants within those agencies that cause states a significant administrative burden from an application and reporting perspective. Creating uniform block grants would allow more resources to be spent on administering life-saving programs. This was a request to the Commission by nearly every Governor, regardless of party, across the country.
The Commission believes that ONDCP must establish a coordinated system for tracking all federally-funded initiatives, through support from HHS and DOJ. If we are to invest in combating this epidemic, we must invest in only those programs that achieve quantifiable goals and metrics. We are operating blindly today; ONDCP must establish a system of tracking and accountability.
To achieve accountability in federal programs, the Commission recommends that ONDCP review is a component of every federal program and that necessary funding is provided for implementation. Cooperation by federal agencies and the states must be mandated.
Opioid Addiction Prevention
The Commission recommends that Department of Education (DOE) collaborate with states on student assessment programs such as Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). SBIRT is a program that uses a screening tool by trained staff to identify at-risk youth who may need treatment. This should be deployed for adolescents in middle school, high school and college levels. This is a significant prevention tool.
The Commission recommends the Administration fund and collaborate with private sector and non-profit partners to design and implement a wide-reaching, national multi-platform media campaign addressing the hazards of substance use, the danger of opioids, and stigma. A similar mass media/educational campaign was launched during the AIDs public health crisis.
Prescribing Guidelines, Regulations, Education
recommends that HHS, DOJ/DEA, ONDCP, and pharmacy The Commission recommends HHS, the Department of Labor (DOL), VA/DOD, FDA, and ONDCP work with stakeholders to develop model statutes, regulations, and policies that ensure informed patient consent prior to an opioid prescription for chronic pain. Patients need to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to taking opioids. This is not the standard today.
The Commission recommends that HHS coordinate the development of a national curriculum and standard of care for opioid prescribers. An updated set of guidelines for prescription pain medications should be established by an expert committee composed of various specialty
The Commission recommends that federal agencies work to collect participation data. Data on prescribing patterns should be matched with participation in continuing medical education data to determine program effectiveness and such analytics shared with clinicians and stakeholders such as state licensing boards.
The Commission recommends that the Administration develop a model training program to be disseminated to all levels of medical education (including all prescribers) on screening for substance use and mental health status to identify at risk patients.
10.The Commission recommends the Administration work with Congress to amend the Controlled Substances Act to allow the DEA to require that all prescribers desiring to be relicensed to prescribe opioids show participation in an approved continuing medical education program on opioid prescribing.
The Commission associations train pharmacists on best practices to evaluate legitimacy of opioid prescriptions, and not penalize pharmacists for denying inappropriate prescriptions.
For the complete report of the Commission, please go to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/
images/Final_Report_Draft_11-1-2017.pdf
Non-Opioid Analgesics
For patients needing broadly effective analgesia, non-opioid approaches may offer improved overall safety and efficacy compared to opioid analgesics. Rather than immediately moving to opioids, a clinician should consider whether non-opioid approaches may be appropriate (Thomas, 2013).
Non-opioid analgesics can include:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol* has been marketed in the United States as an over-the-counter antipyretic (fever reducing) and analgesic (pain reducing) agent since 1953. Acetaminophen is widely available in a variety of strengths and formulations for children and adults as a single-ingredient product.
*Tylenol, also known as paracetamol and N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP).
Acetaminophen’s anti-inflammatory properties are much weaker than those of aspirin and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 but can irritate the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. It is thus less effective or appropriate for chronic inflammatory pain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is, however, an excellent choice for osteoarthritis, especially in those patients where aspirin is contraindicated.
Acetaminophen lacks the antithrombotic, blood-thinning properties of aspirin and other NSAIDs and therefore does not inhibit coagulation, an important consideration for pain therapy following minor surgical or dental procedures.
Research has shown that acetaminophen is a major cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Taking more than the recommended amount of acetaminophen can cause liver damage ranging from abnormalities in liver function blood tests to liver failure and even death. There are an estimated 400 deaths each year from acetaminophen-caused liver failure (Hodgman & Garrard, 2012). Clinicians prescribing acetaminophen should be meticulous about warning patients against taking more than the optimal daily dosage.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatories
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties and are among the most widely used drugs in the world. Aspirin, developed in 1897, was the first NSAID. NSAIDs are often used to reduce short- and long-term pain, decrease stiffness, and improve function in patients with acute and chronic conditions such as arthritis, headache, dysmenorrhea, and postoperative pain.
NSAIDs work by stopping COX enzymes from making prostaglandins. Like all drugs, NSAIDs have some unwanted side effects. Because certain prostaglandins protect the stomach lining from the stomach acid that helps to digest food, NSAID use can cause gastrointestinal complications (dyspepsia and abdominal pain, increased incidence of endoscopic ulcers, bleeding, and death). A history of prior gastrointestinal symptoms or bleeding, the presence of other risk factors such as advancing age, higher doses of NSAIDs, duration of NSAID use, as well as the frailty of the patient all increase the risk for upper gastrointestinal damage and consequent bleeding (Simon, 2013).
Despite the many available forms of NSAIDs—including injectable and topical—oral dosing is the most common route, usually the one route consistently associated with chronic use and thus the one that carries the most risk. NSAIDs with a longer half-life probably place patients at greater risk of adverse events. Strategies to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal damage include transition to other types of drugs, lower doses, and the use of topical NSAIDs. Other strategies include the addition of prostaglandin analogues, H2 receptor antagonists, or proton pump inhibitors as concomitant therapies (Simon, 2013).
NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke to varying degrees and therefore should be avoided by people at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. The increased cardiovascular risk has been observed both in people with a prior high risk of cardiovascular disease and in previously healthy individuals, and this risk appears to be dose dependent (McGettigan & Henry, 2013).
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Based upon the recent literature, N2O may be poised for something of a comeback in the acute care setting. The agent is well known, self-administered, safe, and at least moderately effective. It avoids the need for IV access and has a very low risk of concerning side effects. It is excreted unchanged by the lungs so there are no issues with renal or hepatic disease. When the training, technical, and related physical barriers (eg, external venting) to N2O use in the emergency department can be overcome, it makes sense to incorporate capability for administration of this inhaled agent for analgesia and also as an adjunct for procedural sedation (Thomas, 2013).
Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is an ancient plant that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cannabinoids is the term for a class of compounds within cannabis of which delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most familiar. I addition to THC, approximately 100 other cannabinoids have been identified, including one of special scientific interest called “cannabidiol” (CBD). The human body produces endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) and contains specific receptors for these substances (Collen, 2012).
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Originally from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Five placebo-controlled studies at the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research looked at the efficacy of smoked or inhaled cannabis for the treatment of HIV neuropathy and other neuropathic conditions. The efficacy of cannabis was found to be comparable to that of traditional agents, somewhat less than that of the tricyclics, but better than SSRIs and anticonvulsants, and comparable to gabapentin. The data suggest, on balance, that cannabis may represent a reasonable alternative or adjunct to treatment of patients with serious painful peripheral neuropathy for whom other remedies have not provided fully satisfactory results (Grant, 2013).
Adjuvant Medications with Analgesic Activity
Adjuvant analgesics are medications whose primary purpose is for the treatment of something other than pain. Adjuvants are valuable during all phases of pain management to enhance analgesic efficacy, treat concurrent symptoms, and provide independent analgesia for specific types of pain. Adjuvant analgesics have been extensively studied and reviewed in non-cancer settings and are generally endorsed as an important component of pain management. Adverse drug reactions are common and must be regularly assessed.
We have an emergency on our hands. The fast-moving opioid overdose epidemic continues and is accelerating. We saw, sadly, that in every region, in every age group of adults, in both men and women, overdoses from opioids are increasing.
Anne Schuchat, March 2018
CDC Acting Director
*From left to right, the categories are:
(1) non-core (non-metro), (2) micropolitan (non-metro), (3) small metro, (4) medium metro, (5) large fringe metro, (6) large central metro.
Source: CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) Program, 16 states reporting percent changes from July 2016 through September 2017.
The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic (see also Module 7). Opioids (including prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl) killed more than 42,000 people in 2016, more than any year on record. Forty percent of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid (CDC, 2017a). In the year between the third quarter of 2016 and the third quarter of 2017 opioid overdoses across the nation jumped by about 30% (Stein, 2018).
Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. The majority of drug overdose deaths (66%) involve an opioid. In 2016 the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) was 5 times higher than in 1999. From 2000 to 2016, more than 600,000 people died from drug overdoses. On average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose (CDC, 2017a).
We now know that overdoses from prescription opioids are a driving factor in the 16-year increase in opioid overdose deaths. The amount of prescription opioids sold to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors’ offices nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2010, yet there had not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans reported. Deaths from prescription opioids—drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone—have more than quadrupled since 1999 (CDC, 2017a).
An unfortunate consequence of the increased availability of opioid analgesics is their use in ways that are unsafe or unintended. OxyContin for example, which was designed as a slow-release, oral medication is being crushed, then snorted or injected, with lethal consequences. In an attempt to stay ahead of the illicit drug trade, new formulations have been designed that are intended to deter some of these abuses. For example, a new formulation of OxyContin releases from 21% to 48% less opioid when tampered (milled, manually crushed, dissolved, and boiled) than the original version (Raffa et al., 2012).
Paradoxically, despite an enormous rise in spending and prescription, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain management. In a European survey on chronic pain, 15% of respondents felt that their medications were not very or not at all effective (Xu & Johnson, 2013). Systematic reviews have suggested limited efficacy of long-term opioid therapy over short-term treatment or placebo, while an evidence review by the Institute of Medicine concluded that the effectiveness of opioids as pain relievers, especially over the long term, is somewhat unclear (Xu & Johnson, 2013).
The enormous increase in the availability of prescription pain medications is drawing new users to these drugs, and changing the geography and age-grouping of opiate-related overdoses. Prescription opioid–related overdoses currently represent the leading cause of death in the United States for 35- to 54-year-olds (Unick et al., 2013).
Opiate-Related Overdose and Poisoning
Poisoning is now the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States and nearly 9 out of 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs.
Margaret Warner, 2011
One of the Healthy People 2020 objectives is to reduce fatal poisonings in the United States. This goal was set because, during the Healthy People 2010 tracking period from 1999 to 2008, the drug poisoning death rate increased among all age groups. In 2008 alone, over 41,000 people died as a result of a poisoning and 80% of drug poisoning deaths that year involved opioid analgesics (Warner et al., 2011). More persons died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2014 than during any previous year on record. (CDC, 2016b).
Opiate-Related Overdose Deaths
CDC, 2016b.
In Michigan, during the reporting period covering the years 1999 and 2014:
The total number of drug poisoning deaths has leveled in recent years but there has been a steady increase since 2012.
The age-adjusted rate for heroin poisoning deaths nearly doubled between 2012 and 2014, while the age-adjusted rate for opioid analgesics poisoning death increased slightly.
The age-adjusted death rate involving heroin was nearly 3.5 times higher for men than women in 2014.
Young adults aged 25 to 34 years had the highest death rate involving heroin and adults aged 35 to 44 years had the highest death rate involving opioids (MDHHS, 2014). In 2015 35- to 44-year-olds also had the highest prescription drug overdose death rate.. (MDHHS, 2017)
Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction
The predictable consequences of long-term opioid administration—tolerance and physical dependence—are often confused with psychological dependence (addiction) that manifests as drug abuse. This misunderstanding can lead to ineffective prescribing, administering, or dispensing of opioids for cancer pain.
Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which a drug becomes less effective over time, which means a larger dose is needed to achieve the same effect. Tolerance occurs when a drug causes the brain to release large amounts of dopamine. In some cases, this occurs almost immediately—especially when drugs are smoked or injected—and the effects can last much longer than those produced by natural rewards.
The resulting effects on the brain’s pleasure circuit dwarfs those produced by naturally rewarding behaviors. The brain adapts to these overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. This reduces the user’s ability to enjoy not only the drugs but also other events in life that previously brought pleasure. This decrease compels the person to keep abusing drugs in an attempt to bring the dopamine function back to normal, but now larger amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same dopamine high (NIDA, 2016).
Analgesic tolerance is the need to increase the dose of opioid to achieve the same level of analgesia. Analgesic tolerance may or may not be evident during opioid treatment and does not equate with addiction (PPRG, 2013b).
Dependence and Addiction
It is often said that addiction is easy to recognize, that it rarely arises during the treatment of pain with addictive drugs, and that cases of addiction during pain treatment can be managed in much the same way as other addictions, but such generalizations grossly oversimplify the real situation.
International Association for the Study of Pain
Clarifying the difference between dependence and addiction is important to better understand the issues in opioid use and abuse. Dependence is the physical tolerance of the drug that requires increased amounts of the drug to achieve the desired response. Withdrawal of the drug will result in physical symptoms such as shaking, tremors, nausea, and vomiting. Addiction is a behavioral disorder that refers to the emotional desire for the drug and the desired effects it brings, which often creates strong drug-seeking behaviors. Generally, those who are dependent on opioids will vary between feeling sick without the drug and the desired high after taking the drug. Being addicted to the drug will motivate a person to do whatever it takes to get and take the drug to avoid the dreaded withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms include the following:
Intense drug cravings
Depression, withdrawal fears, anxiety
Sweating, watery eyes, runny nose
Restlessness, yawning
Fever and chills
Tremors and joint pain
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure (NIDA, 2015; Kosten & O’Connor, 2013)
People at risk for opioid dependence and addiction are seen in every age, gender, ethnicity, and culture. Physical dependence varies. A genetic component has been identified that influences how quickly a person may slide from occasional use to physical need and addiction to the drug (Kreek et al., 2005). Susceptible populations have typically included the homeless, alcoholics, and those with personality or mental health disorders who look for a way to block the emotional pain of life stressors. Healthcare professionals, who experience great work stress, have a higher risk of becoming dependent or addicted to opiates following back or other injuries and having easier access to narcotics in their work setting (Kenna & Lewis, 2008).
Addiction may also be referred to by terms such as drug dependence and psychological dependence. Physical dependence and tolerance are normal physiologic consequences of extended opioid therapy for pain and should not be considered addiction. Pseudo-addiction is a pattern of drug-seeking behavior by pain patients who are receiving inadequate pain management that can be mistaken for addiction (PPRG, 2013b).
Addiction affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior. As with any other disease, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person. In general, the more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to abuse and addiction. The overall risk for addiction is impacted by the biologic makeup of the individual and can be influenced by gender, ethnicity, developmental stage, and the surrounding social environment. Adolescents and individuals with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction than the general population.
Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier individuals begin to use drugs the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse. This may reflect the harmful effect that drugs can have on the developing brain; it also may result from a constellation of early biologic and social vulnerability factors, including genetic susceptibility, mental illness, unstable family relationships, and exposure to physical or sexual abuse. Still, the fact remains that early use is a strong indicator of problems ahead—among them, substance abuse and addiction (NIDA, 2016).
Smoking a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense high can fade within a few minutes, taking the abuser down to lower, more normal levels. It is a starkly felt contrast, and scientists believe that this low feeling drives individuals to repeated drug abuse in an attempt to recapture the highly pleasurable state (NIDA, 2014).
Opioids are highly addictive and rates of addiction among patients receiving opioids for the management of pain vary from 1% to 50%, which suggests uncertainty about what addiction really is and how often it occurs (IASP, 2013). The enormous increase in the availability of prescription opioids is fuelling a rise in addiction nationally, introducing new users to these drugs and changing the geography of opiate-related overdoses (Unick et al., 2013).
To distinguish between misuse behaviors and addiction in chronic pain patients, assess the relationship between opioid dose titration and functional restoration. In this approach, in response to aberrant “drug-seeking” behaviors (ie, continued complaints of pain or requests for more medication), the clinician increases the opioid dose in an effort to provide analgesia. Improvements in functional outcomes and quality of life, with fewer problematic behaviors, indicate that active addiction is not present. In this case, drug-seeking behaviors may reflect pseudo-addiction, therapeutic dependence, or opioid tolerance. Effective dosing results in functional restoration (Chang & Compton, 2013).
Postoperative Pain Management in the Era of the Opioid Epidemic (36:52)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnGZa0ocLzE
Pain is a common reason for people to seek medical care. In Michigan, state policy recognizes that patients have the right to expect appropriate pain and symptom management as a basic and essential element of their medical treatment. This means that a person seeking medical care for pain in Michigan can expect to receive a thorough initial examination and ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of the pain management program.
All pain technically occurs in the brain (as perception) and differentiation between types of pain is theoretical. There is no one type of pain that is worse than the others. Although it may be difficult or even impossible to determine the exact cause of a person’s pain, certain pain conditions are common. Low back disorders, headaches, post-surgical pain, cancer, and arthritis are among the most common reasons someone seeks medical care for pain.
Assessment of pain is most effective when there is good communication between patients and their healthcare providers. A clinician’s ability to share information, provide compassionate and empowering care, and be sensitive to patient needs is essential for optimal pain management.
Nondrug techniques, including complementary and alternative medicine and self-management of pain, pose minimal safety issues and can provide positive outcomes. Healthcare providers trained in the medical model can improve outcomes by utilizing a team approach involving other healthcare providers and complementary practitioners in the care of patients with pain, particularly chronic pain.
The evidence base supporting the use of analgesics to manage acute pain is strong and clear—analgesics, particularly opioids, are effective in controlling acute pain. Use of analgesics, particularly opioids, is currently the foundation of treatment for most types of ongoing or chronic pain. Safe use of analgesics is promoted by using more than one type of analgesic to treat an individual’s pain. With opioid analgesics, in particular, pain management goals will require balancing side effects with pain control. While it is important to give enough medication to manage pain effectively, healthcare providers must remain aware of the potential for diversion of medication to recreational use or abuse.
In children, older adults, and those approaching the end of life, pain management is more complicated and requires a high degree of knowledge about side effects, drug–drug interactions, and dosing. Patients benefit from a team approach and from the use of complementary and alternative approaches to pain management.
Concern about the abuse and diversion of opioids has moved to the forefront in recent years. Although opioid analgesics unquestionably have a role in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, their increased availability has had many unintended consequences. Abuse has skyrocketed, as have deaths from prescription opioid overdoses. Healthcare providers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, law enforcement personnel, and pain patients themselves are learning firsthand the importance of understanding the potential for abuse these drugs carry.
Healthcare providers in Michigan, as well as the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and others involved with pain management are working to ensure that Michigan residents receive prompt and thorough pain assessment and treatment. Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go as we work to educate ourselves about the origins of pain, improve our understanding of pain medications and their effects, and learn to incorporate complementary and alternative options into our daily medical practice.
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MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2017). Hospices and Hospice Residences. Administrative Rules Summary. September 28, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/2015-069_LR__Final_Hospice_and_Hospice_Residences9.28.17_602737_7.pdf.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2014). 2014: The “State” of Pain in Michigan: Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management (ACPSM) 2014 Recommendations. Retrieved February 27, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/ACPSM_State_of_Pain_Report_to_Directors_Sept._2014_469555_7.pdf.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2014a). Michigan Tapped by National Governor's Association to Focus on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse: LARA, MDCH to partner on improving state's pain management. LARA News Release. Retrieved February 26, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-10573_11472-338198--,00.html.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2013a). Michigan Pain Management 2013 Survey. Glengariff Group, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/PUBLIC_SURVEY_RESULTS-report_MARCH2013_424451_7.doc.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2013b). Model Core Curriculum on Pain Management for Michigan Medical Schools. Retrieved February 27, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Curriculum_MODEL_CORE_FINAL_APRIL_2013_MAILING_424376_7.pdf.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). (2013c). A Pain Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals. Retrieved February 10, 2018 fromhttp://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/FINAL_Prof_Ed_Toolkit_May_3_2013_424378_7.pdf.
Michigan Executive Office. (2017). Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signs legislation to combat opioid epidemic, prevent addiction in Michigan. Retrieved March 4, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-80388_80397-456397--,00.html.
Michigan Executive Office. (2016). Executive Order No. 2016-15. Office of Governor Rick Snyder. Retrieved February 25, 2018 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/EO_2016-15_527251_7.pdf.
Michigan Legislature. (2018). Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 15 of 2018. Retrieved from http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(weenlnoavznohwibs4c2kuvr))/mileg.aspx?page=Home; http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2017-2018/publicact/pdf/2017-PA-0248.pdf; http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2017-2018/publicact/pdf/2017-PA-0249.pdf.
Michigan Legislature, Senate Fiscal Agency. (2016). Medical Marihuana Revisions. H.B. 4209, 4210, & 4827: Summary as Enacted. Bill Analysis. Retrieved March 4, 2018 from http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2015-SFA-4209-N.pdf.
National Cancer Institute (NCI). (2017). Cancer Pain (PDQ)—Health Professional Version. Retrieved March 2, 2018 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-hp-pdq#section/all.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). (2017). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). (2017). Rheumatoid Arthritis. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). (2017a). Rheumatoid Arthritis. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriatic-arthritis.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). (2016). Osteoarthritis. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2016). DrugFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved March 7, 2018 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2015.) Prescription Opioids and Heroin. Retrieved March 7, 2018 from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/relationship-between-prescription-drug-abuse-heroin-use/introduction.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2014.) What Is Drug Addiction? Drug Abuse and Addiction. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved March 7, 2018 from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2017). Twelfth Annual Pain Consortium Symposium: Multidisciplinary Strategies for the Management of Pain, May 31-June 1, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://painconsortium.nih.gov/Meetings_Events/Annual_Symposium/12th-Annual-Pain-Consortium-Symposium.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2013). Eighth Annual NIH Pain Consortium Symposium on Advances in Pain Research: Integrated Self-Management Strategies for Chronic Pain. Workshop summary of the meeting held on May 29–30, 2013, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://painconsortium.nih.gov/sites/default/files/PCS_8th_Annual_2013_Summary_0.pdf.
Oshinaike O, Ojo O, Okubadejo N, et al. (2014). Primary headache disorders at a tertiary health facility in Lagos, Nigeria: Prevalence and consultation patterns. BioMed Research International, Article ID 782915. Doi:10.1155/2014/782915. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG). (2013a). Achieving Balance in Federal and State Pain Policy: A Guide to Evaluation (CY 2013). Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Retrieved March 4, 2018 from http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/sites/www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/files/evalguide2013.pdf.
Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG). (2013b). Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Retrieved February 28, 2018 from http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/sites/www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/files/prc2013.pdf.
Raffa RB, Pergolizzi JV, Muñiz E, et al. (2012). Designing Opioids That Deter Abuse. Pain Research and Treatment Article ID 282981. Doi:10.1155/2012/282981. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
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Stein R. (2018). Jump in Overdoses Shows Opioid Epidemic Has Worsened. All Things Considered. Shots: Health News from NPR. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/06/590923149/jump-in-overdoses-shows-opioid-epidemic-has-worsened.
Steiner TJ, Stovner LJ, Vos T, et al. (2018). Migraine is first cause of disability in under 50s: Will health politicians now take notice? Journal of Headache and Pain 19:17. Doi.org/10.1186/s10194-018-0846-2. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
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Zouikr I, Bartholomeusz MD, Hodgson DM. (2016). Early life programming of pain: Focus on neuroimmune to endocrine communication. Journal of Translational Medicine 14(123). Doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0879-8. Retrieved March 4, 2018 from https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-016-0879-8.
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From Berklee to Nashville with Chad Michael Jervis
John Mirisola
Chad Michael Jervis '18 followed a Career Jam opportunity that led him to King Calaway, a new country band already making noise in Nashville.
Chad Michael Jervis '18
Image by Alex Ferrari
Chad Michael Jervis ’18 always felt that Nashville, Tennessee, would be an inevitability in his musical career. "I remember when I was 18 I was trying to decide whether I wanted to go to Boston, or whether I wanted to go to Nashville,” Jervis says. He wound up deciding to come to Boston, to study music at Berklee. “But I always thought: there will be a time when I make it out there.”
It turns out he was right. After several years honing his craft as a vocalist and songwriting major at Berklee and grinding out a career in a nationally touring band, Jervis took a risk and accepted an opportunity that arose during Career Jam 2018. Legendary country music producer Robert Deaton recruited him to join a new band, King Calaway, which was coming together in Nashville. “When I heard about that opportunity,” he says, “I thought: It’s now or never.”
Unlock Your Career Potential
Learn more about Berklee Career Jam.
The road to that moment was a winding one. Jervis came to Berklee as a songwriting major in 2013. After two semesters, he took to the road fulltime with his former band, The House on Cliff. The band crisscrossed the country in a 10-passenger van, and released two EPs plus a handful of singles from 2014 through 2017, when Jervis returned to Boston and decided to resume his studies at Berklee. In the fall of 2017, Jervis also auditioned in Boston for a spot on the next season of American Idol, which he earned, and wound up spending time that fall traveling to California to participate in the competition.
Coming back to Boston "was a whirlwind for me," Jervis says. But since he was in the city, he wanted to make sure he was taking every opportunity to progress as a musician—even as he was also pursuing musical opportunities such as American Idol. “I had the opportunity to pick up where I left off [at Berklee]. I could be learning more, I could be getting better at harmony and ear training. I could be doing so much with my time in order to better my craft. Why not take advantage of that?”
Jervis says his artistry and musicianship benefitted greatly from his coursework, including classes in harmony with Winnie Dahlgren and Daniel Smith, in DAWs for songwriters with Daniel Cantor, and in songwriting with Mark Simos. He remembers in particular the impression made by his his private voice lessons with Jodi Jenkins, which helped him transform his vocal talent from a natural skill into a true instrument to be tuned and refined: “Jodi gave me a drive to practice every day. I had to develop discipline in order to get better.”
"Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone in order to make things happen for yourself, especially in this industry."
Ultimately, when Jervis decided to move to Nashville and join King Calaway, it was the culmination of years spent absorbing knowledge, practicing, chasing opportunities, and learning from each new gig. Flash forward to September 2018 and Jervis was rehearsing and recording King Calaway’s first EP at the famed Castle Recording Studios in Franklin, Tennessee. The band is composed of six members, all of whom play their own instruments live, and three, including Jervis, sing lead vocals. They worked hard to find a fresh sound that fit them, and that all country fans could enjoy while noticing something different about them.
“We wanted to create our own lane in country music,” Jervis says. “We wanted to have authentic, sort of rustic harmonies, and a live band playing everything.” One of the early reference points the band found for that sound was Stephen Stills’s “Love the One You’re With,” which the group considered such an important touchstone that they included a cover of the song on their first EP, which was released in January on Stony Creek Records (part of BMG/BBR Music Group). Since its release, the band’s lead single, “World for Two," has amassed nearly a million plays on Spotify, and the band has been named one of Billboard’s “7 Country Acts to Watch in 2019."
“If you would have told me years ago that I’d be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Jervis says. “It was because of Berklee that I got this gig.” Well, Berklee, and some guts: “Meeting Robert and getting this opportunity was all about having to put myself out there and making myself a little uncomfortable. Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone in order to make things happen for yourself, especially in this industry."
Watch the music video for King Calaway's lead single, "World for Two":
Video of King Calaway - World For Two
Young Bluegrass Virtuosos
Kathy Mattea Presented with Berklee’s American Master Award
The Grammy-winning songwriter received the award at Warner Music Nashville during Berklee's 34th annual Nashville student trip.
Wednesday / July 17, 2019 / 8:00 pm
Havins
Friday / September 27, 2019 / 4:30 pm
Dotan
Saturday / November 9, 2019 / 8:00 pm
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Coast Guard, Hawai`i County to Hold Search and Rescue Exercise Off Hilo
BIW Staff August 13, 2018
The United States Coast Guard, Hawai`i County Fire Department, Hawai`i Police Department, and Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services are scheduled to conduct a search and rescue exercise in the vicinity of Hilo on Tuesday and Wednesday.
”The purpose is to continue building and improving operational cohesion between other agencies and us,” said Ensign Seth Gross, a Sector Honolulu search and rescue coordinator. “We wish to improve our response, readiness, and communication continuously. We hold these exercises semi-annually, and they revolve throughout the islands. Last year was on Maui and Kauai and this year will be on the Big Island and Oahu.”
Day one of the exercise, members from Coast Guard Sector Honolulu will meet with Hawai`i County officials to discuss safety, communication and demonstrate assets to understand each other’s capabilities. The following day a multi-agency search and rescue exercise will be conducted for a simulated lost person in the water.
The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners regarding the activity at 7 a.m. Wednesday and run it for the duration of operations.
The exercise will take place on the water and in the air off Hilo with Coast Guard and local agencies working together to test and evaluate interagency communications, response plans, and responders’ actions during a simulated exercise of a missing mariner. Operations will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Access may be limited to the public boat ramp in Hilo Bay where the Incident Command Post is stood up during this time. During the search and rescue exercise, multiple agencies’ assets will be launched, including the use of an Oscar dummy in the water. Oscar is weighted and used to simulate a person in the water. The public is asked not to disturb Oscar if found.
Assets are expected to include: the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124), an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii County Fire helicopter and boat crews, dispatchers from Hawaii County and personnel from the Hawaii County Police Department, and a Jet Ski crew from Ocean Safety.
The SAREX is being conducted to evaluate notification and response procedures between first responders and to identify shortfalls in communication and coordination of response during SAR incidents. Each agency holds individual capabilities that complement each other’s efforts and bolsters the overall success of the SAR system.
Although people are requested to stay clear of any boating area involved in the exercise, designated by the presence of Oscar, boats and other assets, the general public should remain vigilant and call 911 to report any possible distress situations.
Coast Guard duty personnel will not be affected by the exercise, and will and be available to respond to any ongoing and emergency search and rescue cases.
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii County Fire Department, Hawaii Police Department, Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services, Search and Rescue Exercise, United States Coast Guard
HPD Hosts Annual 'Cop on Top' Fundraiser
Governor Ige Issues Statement on Fallen Hawai`i Soldier
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Latest Headlines View More Articles
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Patrick Swayze has died
carriesparkle
joined:1/31/09
Patrick Swayze has died#1
Posted: 9/14/09 at 8:08pm
Very sad news.
JamieHT
joined:11/20/06
re: Patrick Swayze has died#2
I agree, and though I wasn't a particular fan of his work, he always seemed such a lovely guy. I'm sure he will be missed by all his fans around the globe.
My thoughts go to his family and friends.
Once you start to spread it, Baby, if you let it, Love comes right on back to you . . .
Jonwo
Broadway Legend
Sad to hear, he did some great movies like Roadhouse, Ghost and Dirty Dancing.
TimesSquareRegular
Posted: 9/14/09 at 10:26pm
He also did a few Broadway shows, including playing Danny Zuko in GREASE, and (in 2003) he played Billy Flynn in CHICAGO.
A sad ending ....
2016 These Paper Bullets (1/02) Our Mother's Brief Affair (1/06), Dragon Boat Racing (1/08), Howard - reading (1/28), Shear Madness (2/10), Fun Home (2/17), Women Without Men (2/18), Trip Of Love (2/21), The First Gentleman -reading (2/22), Southern Comfort (2/23), The Robber Bridegroom (2/24), She Loves Me (3/11), Shuffle Along (4/12), Shear Madness (4/14), Dear Evan Hansen (4/16), American Psycho (4/23), Tuck Everlasting (5/10), Indian Summer (5/15), Peer Gynt (5/18), Broadway's Rising Stars (7/11), Trip of Love (7/27), CATS (7/31), The Layover (8/17), An Act Of God (8/31), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (8/24), Heisenberg (10/12), Fiddler On The Roof (11/02), Othello (11/23), Dear Evan Hansen (11/26), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (12/21) 2017 In Transit (2/01), Groundhog Day (4/04), Ring Twice For Miranda (4/07), Church And State (4/10), The Lucky One (4/19), Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (5/16), Building The Wall (5/19), Indecent (6/01), Six Degrees of Separation (6/09), Marvin's Room (6/28), A Doll's House Pt 2 (7/25) Curvy Widow (8/01)
Leading Actor
Posted: 9/15/09 at 2:13am
RIP - such sad news.
He was a great actor, got to see him in G&D in London a few years ago, a wonderful memory.
Phantom of London
Very sad news, a awful type of cancer he had (pancreatic, no chance of surviving that, my stepfather passed away with the same type over 2 years ago now, he was all bones, with a nappy on,no bowel control both sides, hope Patrick went away with a lot more dignity, truly horrendous way to die
. Very sad news, a awful type of cancer he had (pancreatic, no chance of surviving that, my stepfather passed away with the same type over 2 years ago now, he was all bones, (looked emaciated) had to wear a nappy, as he had no bowel control both sides, hope Patrick went away with a lot more dignity, truly horrendous way to die.
Musical-Matt
his friends and family are in my prayers. RIP to a very talented man !
No Doubt Our Paths Will Cross Again ! Matt
Beergoggles
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!
songanddanceman2
So sad, he put up one hell of a fight
RIP xxxx
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
MamasDoin'Fine
re: Patrick Swayze has died#10
Met him a number of times when he was in London for 'Guys And Dolls' and he was such a charming gentleman.
Rest in peace.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8256033.stm
Updated On: 9/15/09 at 06:39 AM
The producers have announced that the house lights will be dimmed and a minutes silence will be given for Patrick Swayze before tonights performance of 'Dirty Dancing'.
AnythingGoes2
Posted: 9/16/09 at 11:55am
I'm sure the musical "Ghost" will be a fitting tribute to him.
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Home > CULTURE & SOCIETY
Mannix Era, The
Author: Morgan, Patrick
Description: The Mannix Era covers the main actors, organizations, events and issues in the archdiocese from 1920-1970. The narrative has four heroes: Dr Mannix, the Archdiocese itself, its weekly newspaper The Advocate, and the well organised Catholic community. It is the story of a Catholic archdiocese in which initiatives were encouraged, to become under Dr Mannix the most energetic in Australia, a self-aware community with high participation rates, but suddenly and unexpectedly, it came to a shattering crash with the great Labor split of the mid 1950s. This book is a sequel to the author’s Melbourne Before Mannix. Patrick Morgan was educated at St Bernard’s CBC, Moonee Ponds, and at the University of Melbourne. He taught English at the Clayton and Churchill campuses of Monash University and has written and edited books on topics where religion, politics and history intersect. He is a frequent contributor to Quadrant, Tintean and other journals.
Publisher: Connor Court
Publish Date: 1-Oct-18
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Travel Budget for Oslo
Oslo Fylke, Norway
Europe / Norway /
Oslo Overview
Oslo Accommodation
The Best Hostels in Oslo, Norway
Best Hostels for Couples in Oslo
Norway Cities and Regions
Norway Overview
Gjovik
How much does it cost to travel to Oslo?
How much money will you need in Oslo? kr1,141 ($134) is the average daily price for traveling in Oslo. The average price of meals in Oslo for one day is kr250 ($29). The average price of a hotel in Oslo for a couple is kr1,355 ($159). Additional pricing is in the table below. These average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
kr1,141
kr15,972
How expensive is Oslo?
How much does a trip to Oslo cost? Is Oslo expensive? The average Oslo trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Oslo prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
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How much does it cost to go to Oslo? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend SkyScanner because they can find the best deals across all of the airlines.
How much money do I need for Oslo?
Typical travel prices in Oslo are listed below. These actual costs can give you an idea of the price of travel in Oslo. Please keep in mind that the cost of travel in Oslo can vary depending on your specific style of travel.
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Typical tour prices for Oslo
How much do tours to Oslo cost? Multi-day tours can often be an effecient way to see the highlights of a country or region.
Find a hostel, guesthouse, or B&B in Oslo
The Best Hostels in Oslo, NorwayBest Hostels for Couples in OsloBergen
Oslo On a Budget
Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.
Oslo's population is quite diverse with more than a quarter of the city's population having nationalities outside of Norway. Some of the most heavily represented nationalities include Pakistani, Somali, Polish, Moroccan, and Turkish among many others. In addition to an international population, many people choose to move into Oslo from elsewhere in Norway, giving the city the feel of a "melting pot" for the country. You'll find a great diversity of food, entertainment, and shopping options that heavily reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the population.
Although it's located in the far north, the warm air coming off the Atlantic from the Gulf Stream keeps Oslo's temperature relatively moderate. Summer temperatures are mild and comfortable, and daylight lasts well into the night. Although precipitation is spread throughout the year, August is usually the wettest month. The winter temperatures average around freezing and there are occasionally cold spells. Snow is common and the nearby forested areas make this city popular for winter sports.
Popular sights in Oslo include the Royal Palace, the University of Oslo, the Opera House, Oslo Cathedral, Kirkeristen, City Hall, Akershus Festning, Holmenkollen and Stortinget. There are a good number of museums around town and some favorites are Henrik Ibsen Museum, Munch Museum, the Nobel Peace Centre, and Emanuel Vigeland Museum and the National Gallery.
Central Oslo is spread between the Central Station in the east and the Royal Palace in the west. Karl Johans Gate is the main street that connects these two points. Most visitors prefer to stay in central Oslo because it is the most convenient and interesting part of the city. It's also where you'll find most of the city's hotels and restaurants. There is an Old Town area, Gamlebyen, that is south of the Parliament Building and Karl Johans Gate. Here you'll find some historic restaurants, the Norwegian Resistance Museum and the Old Town Hall. The newest neighborhood in Oslo is Aker Brygge. It's a great place to eat out and there is an interesting walk along the waterfront. It also has a good number of shops, theaters, restaurants and attractions. The West End is a trendy residential section that has some upscale hotels and restaurants. It can be reached with public transit in 15 minutes, and it has a more relaxed atmosphere than central Oslo. Farther west is the Bydgoy peninsula, which has some interesting sights including the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Viking ships, the polar ship Fram and the Kon-Tiki Museum.
Oslo has many festivals throughout the year, but most of them are during the warmer summer months. Oya is a popular music festival in August. Norwegian Wood is also a music festival held yearly and Ekebergsletta is called the world's biggest football tournament with about 25,000 participants.
Food can be expensive in Oslo, but there are enough budget options to keep all travelers satisfied. The cheapest restaurants are usually the ethnic ones. In particular the Asian restaurants have good food for a low price. Menus are available at the door. Street snacks are also available throughout the city but may be more expensive than you'd expect. A local favorite is hot dogs. Torggata has a high concentration of budget restaurants including Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese options. There are also some pizzerias and kebab places.
Aker Brygge is on the waterfront just south of the city hall. It's a popular place to hang out during the warm summer months and there are a good number of outdoor restaurants and bars. It's a great place to try local seafood with a cold beer, but it is an expensive place to eat. If you're planning to eat inside, you'll lose the atmosphere and you can save money by eating somewhere else.
The best prices for buses and trains in Norway can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.
A great way to explore the city center of Oslo is to walk. It's a very pedestrian friendly city and quite compact in nature. The most pedestrian friendly main street is Karl Johan, which connects Oslo S and the Palace. Also head into the nearby residential areas where you'll be pleasantly surprised by some wonderful architecture, as well as attractions and entertainment. Alternatively, there's a great public bike program you can learn about in the tourist office. For about 80 NOK you'll have one day's access to the bikes available around town. You may use any bike for up to three hours before you must return it. After you return it, you can choose a different bike which you can have for another three hours. Walking and biking are obviously most enjoyable in the summer months when the weather is warm. If you find yourself in Oslo in the winter, the public transportation system with a metro, buses and boats, is quite convenient and definitely the way to go.
Traveling alone to Moscow, St Petersburg, Stockholm or Riga and need a hostel?
Looking for a party in Copenhagen or Tallinn?
Looking for budget hostels in Scandinavia?
Hostels in Norway
By backpackguru in Local Transportation
Sticking with it's progressive nature, Oslo has a good public bike service you can use while you're in town. The service isn't available during the winter, but during all other months you can get keycard for one day at the tourist office for a small charge. With the keycard you can access bikes that are all around the city. You have access to the bike for three hours, but then it must be taken back to the bike stall. You have immediate access to a new bike, but each individual bike can only be taken out for three hours. It's a nifty service, and very convenient for getting around town and getting a true feel for Oslo.
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Book My Wood
03 9331 5176 Email Us
This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally identifiable information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.
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We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance notice. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property, or safety.
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Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page, or as a minimum on the first significant page after entering our website.
Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’, and can be easily be found on the page specified above.
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The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the Australia and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.
We also agree to the individual redress principle, which requires that individuals have a right to pursue legally enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or a government agency to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.
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About Jill Cabai
Jill E. Cabai graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in Orlando Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State College of Law. She graduated from law school with a Certificate in Land Use and a Certificate in Environmental Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2007.
Ms. Cabai has been practicing criminal law for the past twelve years. Ms. Cabai is a seasoned and talented trial attorney who started her legal career in Orange County, Florida working as a Certified Legal Intern at the State Attorney’s Office of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Ms. Cabai then returned to Southwest Florida where she grew up.
Upon passing the Florida Bar Exam Ms. Cabai was hired as an Assistant State Attorney for the State Attorney’s Office of the 20th Judicial Circuit. She chose to work in the Hendry County office covering cases from LaBelle, Clewiston, Montura and occasionally cases in Moore Haven.
While practicing at the State Attorney’s Office Ms. Cabai successfully handled a caseload of over 100 felony cases from intake to resolution. Ms. Cabai has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law and has tried numerous felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases. During her career as an Assistant State Attorney, Ms. Cabai tried DUIs, Domestic Violence, Sale and Possession of Narcotics, Resisting Officer, Battery on Law Enforcement, Sexual Crimes, Theft, Robbery, Burglary and Weapons Offenses and Triple Homicide.
Ms. Cabai lives and works in Hendry County, Florida with her fiancé and rescue pets. She is a current member and past Vice President of the Hendry/Glades County Bar Association. She is a volunteer and former board member of the Caloosa Humane Society in LaBelle.
Let Ms. Cabai use her experience and successful trial record to help you with your criminal, civil and family law needs!
Call Today for Your Free Consultation: 863-674-1114
or Email Jill@CabaiLaw.com
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You are here: Home > About Us > Relationship with UVic
CanAssist is an organization of the University of Victoria and is aligned with the university's vision and strategic plan. CanAssist is also integral to UVic's support for persons with disabilities and its outreach and community engagement goals.
Together, CanAssist and UVic demonstrate that universities can go beyond their traditional education and research mandates, by directly providing meaningful and much-needed services to the community.
CanAssist operates as an internal unit of UVic, subject to all the university's relevant policies, procedures and requirements. CanAssist ultimately reports to the UVic Board of Governors and UVic Executive (as do all UVic programs), through the Office of the UVic Vice-President Academic and Provost.
CanAssist also reports to an Advisory Board comprised of senior university-based members and members from the external community who, through their experience or position, provide expertise and advice on the activities and operations of the organization.
In addition, CanAssist benefits from the advice of an Academic Research and Evaluation Committee, which identifies, recommends and prioritizes CanAssist activities designed to advance and integrate the university's educational and research missions.
As with any large-scale internal UVic entity, CanAssist receives very significant support and advantages as a result of being based at the university. These include access to space, specialized facilities and equipment, and other services. CanAssist has direct access to the university's highly talented and motivated student population, as well as the expertise of the university's diverse research community.
Section Navigation: About Us
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Chances of Britain leaving EU without deal is '60-40'
Mon, Aug 06, 2018 - 5:50 AM
BRITAIN is now likely to leave the European Union without a deal due to the "intransigence" of the EU, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told The Sunday Times.
The pro-Brexit minister said the chances of a no-deal Brexit were now "60-40", laying the blame on EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
"I think the intransigence of the commission is pushing us towards no deal," he told The Sunday Times. "If the EU decides that the theological obsession of the unelected is to take priority over the economic well-being of the people of Europe, then it's a bu-reaucrats' Brexit - not a people's Brexit - and there is going to be only one outcome."
He said Mr Barnier had rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's latest plan, agreed by her Cabinet, on the grounds that "we have never done it before".
SEE ALSO: May says Brexit must be delivered in a way that brings country back together
It was therefore up to the EU to "show us one that they can suggest that would be acceptable to us," said Mr Fox. "It's up to the EU27 to deter-mine whether they want the EU Commission's ideological purity to be maintained at the expense of their real economies."
Mrs May met with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Mediterranean coast on Friday to lobby for her Brexit plan, which has divided her government and so far failed to win over EU negotiators. She has just a few months before an agreement on Britain's divorce from the EU - set for March 29, 2019 - must be forged in principle ahead of an EU summit in mid-October. AFP
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'Big Bang Theory' Carol Ann Susi Dead at 62 & Her Immense Talent Will Be Greatly Missed
The Big Bang Theory might be one of the most enduring shows on television with a beloved cast and memorable cast, but currently they have been struck by a tragedy with which we all should empathize. A member of the cast is gone: Carol Ann Susi AKA the voice of Mrs. Wolowitz passed away early Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
Susi doesn't have a face that most Big Bang Theory fans would recognize because she never actually appeared in person much on the show. Instead, she was a mystery character, a ghost known only by her voice, that nonetheless captivated and entertained audiences for eight seasons. The most one saw of her was a brief glimpse during the wedding of her son, Howard Wolowitz, in the fifth season finale.
"The Big Bang Theory family has lost a beloved member today with the passing of Carol Ann Susi, who hilariously and memorably voiced the role of Mrs. Wolowitz," Warner Bros. Television and Big Bang Theory producers Chuck Lorre, Steve Malaro, and Bill Prady said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "Unseen by viewers, the Mrs. Wolowitz character became a bit of a mystery throughout the show's eight seasons. What was not a mystery, however, was Carol Ann's immense talent and comedic timing, which were on display during each unforgettable appearance. In addition to her talent, Carol Ann was a constant source of joy and kindness to all. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family during this time, and we will miss her greatly."
Susi is survived by her brother, Michael, and his wife Connie, not to mention a wealth of friends and fans mourning the loss of such a bright spirit.
Image: CBS
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BECAUSE of the CAMELS, by Brenda Blair
Title: Because of the Camels
Author(s): Brenda Blair
Genre(s): Fiction, Historical Fiction, Western, Western Fiction
Publisher: SIWA Publishing (2012)
You access the book at:
Because of the Camels is an inspiring story about a little known account of the incredible journey that brought Egyptian camels to rugged Texas in the mid-1800s. This historical novel skillfully weaves more into the story than just a depiction of what happened; it is a story of many cultures, the coming upheaval with the war that changed our nation, and the pioneering of the West and of Texas.
More uniquely interesting was the portrayal of people from two different cultures, East/Islamic and Western/Christian, encountering their societies and customs for the very first time that is enlightening about the isolation of different cultures before the age of television or radio.
Elizabeth McDermott, an up and coming socialite from one of Galveston’s most prominent families has no idea of the grand adventure that awaits her when the camels arrive in port. Nor do the three young men Alex, Nate and Hassan who accompany the camels. Their lives will intersect in ways that none of them could have imagined.
But this is not just Elizabeth’s story, nor is there ultimately one main character; more it is the story of how bringing the camels effected the lives of those half-way around the world, the military men who were in charge of the special mission to procure the animals and then get them back to U.S. for the Army Camel Corps, the brave Egyptian young man who accompanied the camels, the plight of non-whites in ante bellum Texas, and the arrival of German immigrants. Tensions soon mount from the effect of all of these new cultural aspects clashing.
To counterbalance some more of the gritty scenes that are historically accurate of the time, there are also many delightful scenes. But readers should be aware that the author did not overlook the racism and subjugation of people of color that was prevalent at that time. I felt that her descriptions were so vivid that they truly took you back to Egypt, to the trans-Atlantic sail, to the crushed covered streets of Galveston, to the beautiful colored bays and its abundance of life that surrounded Saluria; to the vast expanse of the prairie grasses in the unsettled lands near San Antonio. Each scene is so well depicted that one effortlessly travels back in time to become part of the adventures told. U.S. history and military buffs will appreciate this well-researched book. Those looking for an antebellum romance will also enjoy reading it.
Not only was I captivated by the imagery the author created, but I was taken away by how well each character in the story was developed. The author developed each and every character so well that you can’t help but feel that you are having tea with Elizabeth, riding the camels with Hassan and Alex, sitting around the campfire listing to the tales spun by the camel men, and rocking on the porch with Jeremy.
The story of the camels’ journey to America and the part they played in American history is one that I found to be most informative and entertaining. Ms. Blair had me turning the pages to find out what will happen to the McDermott family, Hassan and the camel men, Alex and his Uncle Babcock, Nate and his grandfather, as well as the many other characters. This is one story I will not soon forget.
Because of the Camels was awarded the Laramie Awards First Place for Historical Western Novels. The Laramie Awards is a division of Chanticleer Novel Writing Competitions.
2016-12-17T12:15:33-07:00By T. Mitchell|
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Porter County election bill advances; awaits Holcomb signature
Apr 12, 2019 | 1:45 PM
State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso (Post-Tribune file)
A bill restructuring how Porter County handles its elections passed a final reading before the House of Representatives Thursday and is now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk for a signature.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, along with the county’s other legislators, comes in the wake of a host of Election Day problems in November, which were investigated and detailed in a report requested by the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
Those problems included more than a dozen polling places that didn’t open on time and 18,000 absentee ballots that were not sorted and delivered for counting on Election Day. The hand counting of the absentee ballots culminated in an almost three-day wait for preliminary election results.
Soliday’s bill, which takes effect July 1, predated the results of the report, but called for an expanded election board and an election director and co-director. All of the positions would have to follow the court’s anti-nepotism rules.
“I feel a great sense of relief with the passage of this legislation,” said Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South. “I appreciate our legislators' bipartisan effort to get this done. It's a huge step forward for the voters of Porter County.”
Under the bill, the election board would be expanded from three to five members, with the clerk and two appointments by each of the party chairs. Those appointments could not be direct relatives of the party chairs.
“Some of the powers that be who were in charge of elections were clinging with a death hold to an antiquated system, a system that clearly no longer functioned,” County Council President Dan Whitten, D-At large, said. “A change was necessary.”
For decades, Porter County’s Voter Registration Office handled election duties. That changed in March 2018 when the election board voted along party lines to pass the duties to then-Clerk Karen Martin, a Republican.
The switch came months after Kathy Kozuszek, the Democrat director in that office and wife of Porter County Democrat Party Chair Jeffrey Chidester, who appointed her, sent a letter to some election and county officials stating that she would no longer handle election duties because doing so ran afoul of state statute.
Kozuszek has since filed a federal lawsuit against the county, claiming the vote was retaliatory because she unsuccessfully sought overtime for hours worked during the 2016 presidential election. The county council had previously determined that Kozuszek and her Republican counterpart, Sundae Schoon, were not eligible for overtime because their positions were salaried, and boosted their pay to $50,000 a year to compensate for the lost overtime.
Under the bill, a director and a deputy would handle election duties. The clerk would be responsible for appointing those positions, one from each party, and they would have to be approved through a bipartisan vote of the election board. The anti-nepotism rules would apply for those positions as well.
The measure also calls for centralized counting of absentee ballots, something that will be in place for the May primary through the recent purchase of $1.8 million in new election equipment, including a high-speed central counting machine.
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Berkeley Robot BRETT Completes Tasks on Its Own
May 26, 2015 By Andreas Petersen
We are closer and closer to the era in which artificial intelligence plays an important role in our daily life. Even if, from this point of view, the future of mankind looks controversial or even, some would say, including respected figures of the academic communities like the Cambridge cosmologist Stephen Hawking, it even looks threatened by the development of the artificial intelligence field. On one hand, AI would represent another progress made by science and an improvement to our lives, especially if we consider them as `comfortable`ahead of all other characteristics, but, on the other hand, we do not know how much artificial intelligence will develop on itself if we allow robots to think individually. Anyways, scientists have all agreed that there is still a long, long way to go until we reach that curious point in our history, if we will ever reach it. But, at this moment, the world is surprised by the performances of an artificial intelligence robot which has recently demonstrated that it can resolve quests on its own, according to an announcement made by officials talking on behalf of the University of California, Berkeley. And as the Berkeley robot BRETT completes tasks on its own, the world could not ask more questions about what this event represents in our long time history. After all, there is a chance that we are witnessing a historic moment.
BRETT is an acronym that stands for Berkeley Robot for the Elimination of Tedious Tasks. BRETT and the scientists who have created it have become famous after the Berkeley robot has demonstrated that it can perform a way of learning on its own, in spite of the lack of human support.
There are motor tasks which have been learned and performed by BRETT through a system of trial and failure, one that is very similar to the way in which human beings learn.
BRETT, which is a robot created by University of California, Berkeley`s Robot Learning Lab has performed tasks that by now were considered impossible to perform by an artificial intelligence. For example, BRETT has assembled a toy plane made of LEGO, it screwed a cap on a bottle of water and it has also been capable to put clothes hanger on a rack.
“The key is that when a robot is faced with something new, we won’t have to reprogram it. The exact same software, which encodes how the robot can learn, was used to allow the robot to learn all the different tasks we gave it”.
said Professor Pieter Abbeel of University of California, Berkeley.
Image Source: betanews
About Andreas Petersen
Andreas was too little to remember when he and his parents first set foot in America. He considers himself a true American citizen, but uses every opportunity to promote his Danish origins. He is deeply found of politics, all nations’ politics and generally looks forward to the presidential elections. His BA degree in Political Sciences has helped him get familiar to the constitutional frames of US and non-US nations.
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Has Ed Sheeran just teased his new music video?! We definitely think so.
This Week's MUST-SEE Photos From The World Of Music
38. Has Ed Sheeran just teased his new music video?! We definitely think so.
We presume that the young guy on the left is the person who will be playing Ed in the music video for 'Castle On The Hill'. Aptly captioning the photo with the castle emoji, we're really hoping that this lands soon. Picture: Instagram
See the full gallery: This Week's MUST-SEE Photos From The World Of Music
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Connect // The Overture Blog // Uncategorized // From Surgeon to Satirist
Carolina Performing Arts Blog
From Surgeon to Satirist
// Sep 6,2018
BY Dan Ruccia
“You are a natural,” Jon Stewart raved after Bassem Youssef’s first appearance on The Daily Show. “I know you might find this weird, and that you made a leap of faith switching your career to be a satirist, but you will soon discover that you are made for this. You are not just another guest—you are a friend and a colleague.”
It was the summer of 2012, just after the end of the first season of Bassem Youssef’s wildly popular TV show Al-bernameg (“The Show”), a year and a half after the Arab Spring ejected Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak from power. Youssef was in New York and, through a friend, snagged a tour of the studios for The Daily Show. The biting satire and incredible success of Al-bernameg had already earned Youssef the title of “Jon Stewart of Egypt,” and Youssef was giddy at the chance to meet Stewart in person. In the documentary Tickling Giants, Youssef can be seen practically melting when he first lays eyes on Stewart’s desk. And in his funny, self-deprecating memoir Revolution for Dummies, he talks about “squeal[ing] like a fan girl” when he got to shake Stewart’s hand after an hour-long conversation. Later that day, Youssef was invited on the show itself.
Youssef’s excitement was entirely understandable given how unlikely his story is. Until early 2011, Youssef was a cardiothoracic surgeon with dreams of moving to the U.S. When the uprising in Tahrir Square started, he was waiting for paperwork for a position at a hospital in Cleveland. The utopian promise of the days after Mubarak’s resignation inspired him and a friend to create a series of short YouTube videos satirizing state media, Islamist politicians, and celebrities. Amazingly, his first video was watching 100,000 times in its first two days. Within months, numerous Egyptian channels were in a bidding war to put him on TV, and Youssef was a heart surgeon no longer.
The next three years were incredibly tumultuous both for Egypt and for Youssef. The election of Mohamed Morsi and his ensuing hypocrisy and corruption provided endless fodder for Youssef and his writers, and viewers flocked to the show. Youssef spared no target in the Egyptian establishment, earning him praise (from Egyptian liberals and free press advocates from around the world) and scorn (first from the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies, later the government of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi). He even managed to smuggle Jon Stewart in as a guest in June 2013.
While Youssef had always skirted the line with the authorities—including a notorious incident where the Morsi government tried to jail him for making fun of Morsi’s hat—his luck started to change after the military coup in July 2013. Sisi quickly became a kind of national hero, and his regime did not take well to any form of criticism. Youssef soldiered on, continuing to poke fun at any target he deemed fit, including the government. The government started harassing Al-bernameg, putting pressure on him and the network and even attempting to jam the station’s signal. Eventually, it all became too much. Despite continued high viewership, Youssef was forced to cancel the show in June 2014 and to flee the country that November.
After a brief stop in Dubai, Youssef moved to the U.S., where he has used his knowledge and experience of life under actual dictatorships to hilariously critique and contextualize the Trump administration while also continuing to provide his offbeat assessments of goings on in the Middle East.
Dan Ruccia is a Durham-based composer, writer, and graphic designer.
Not Manet's Type
Jonah Bokaer Announced as Mellon Foundation DisTIL Fellow for 2018-20
CAROLINA PERFORMING ARTS ANNOUNCES ARTIST FELLOWS FOR CREATIVE FUTURES INITIATIVE FUNDED BY THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION
YOU ARE A CITIZEN
DisTIL Fellowship
General Updates and Announcements
Glass at 80
Sufi Journey
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Trespasser caught on camera on Belfast to Larne railway line
Published: 10:10 Monday 05 November 2018
Police have issued a rail safety warning after a trespasser was caught on camera on the Belfast to Larne line.
The PSNI spoke out after a trespasser was caught on camera crossing the railway at Clipperstown in Carrick.
A spokesperson for PSNi Carrickfergus said: “This person may know the local timetable but it’s possible there could be unscheduled services running or maintenance trains using the lines, so this sort of behaviour is never a good idea.
“If you are doing this or indeed hanging around the train station or platform with no intention of travelling by train then you can be prosecuted by Translink for trespassing.
“If you need to cross the tracks, use the designated crossing areas.”
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How Insurers and Reinsurers Can Proactively Manage Weather-Related Claims
August 13, 2018 by Karen Clark
Insurers handle and pay out millions of weather-related claims each year on homes, businesses, and automobiles. The bulk of these claims result from wind and hail damage caused by severe convective storms. The most active months are March through July, but on any given day, severe weather is likely occurring somewhere in the U.S.
Whether insurers want to map claims from a “Ring of Fire” meteorological event or less damaging daily weather activity, combinations of sophisticated weather forecast models, dynamic models that detect the formation of hail and tornado, and exposure data used for catastrophe models can help insurers and reinsurers estimate claims impact (the number of claims, average severity and total losses). They can also provide information to develop insights about claims drivers for different event intensities. Risk modeling expert Karen Clark explains the process.
Advanced weather forecasting and detection technologies are making it possible for insurers to know in advance where there’s likely to be high wind, hail and even tornadoes. Sophisticated modeling technology enables insurers to translate these weather forecasts into estimates of claims and insured losses. The ability to project the numbers and locations of claims helps insurers to proactively plan and manage their claims adjusting activities.
Improving Weather Forecasts
Meteorologists rely on sophisticated models, such as the Global Forecast System (GFS), a numerical weather prediction model that ingests atmospheric data around the world and at multiple layers of the atmosphere using satellites, surface observations and weather balloons. Detailed equations representing the physics of the atmosphere fill in missing data so that every three hours scientists have updated and complete three-dimensional gridded data for forecasting purposes.
Forecast skill decreases with time and scale. It’s more difficult to make an accurate seven-day forecast versus a three-day forecast, and smaller-scale systems, such as convective storms, are more difficult to model than larger-scale weather patterns. Supercomputers have been improving the extended forecasts of localized severe weather potential primarily by enabling higher spatial and temporal resolutions. With higher resolution and upgraded observational data sources such as the GOES-16 satellite, the GFS can now be used for a skillful forecast of the severe convective storm threat a week before the storms occur.
As a severe convective storm unfolds, other dynamical models, such as the Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor System (MRMS), take advantage of advanced NEXRAD radar networks and satellite data to detect the occurrence of hail, storm rotation necessary for tornado formation and precipitation. The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model solves the equations of the atmosphere at high enough resolution to capture meso-scale (intermediate) convective systems responsible for the damaging wind gusts from severe thunderstorms. With an update cycle of one hour, HRRR can be used for near-real-time predictions of rapidly evolving meteorological conditions.
Linking Enhanced Weather Models to the Claims Process
Insurers can now efficiently harness these advanced technologies to proactively manage their weather-related claims. New risk modeling technology is enabling insurers to link these weather products directly to their claims processes.
Skilled scientists are able to use the model output from the GFS to provide a weekly outlook indicating where severe weather is likely to occur over the next several days. For example, in mid-May, the meteorological signals pointed to a major severe weather event across the Central Plains, upper Midwest, and into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
When a ridge of high pressure developed over the West Coast of the U.S. on May 11 and became large enough to block the normal passage of troughs and ridges across the continent, it led to a period of consistent, almost unchanging weather in the Central and Eastern U.S. At the same time, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico flowed into the Southern Plains states for several days, increasing the instability of the atmosphere.
Even though the conditions across the Southeast were unstable, convection was suppressed due to the formation of a center of high pressure. Only around the edges of the high could organized convective be initiated. This classic severe weather setup is referred to by meteorologists as a Ring of Fire.
Scientists were able to predict the increasing potential for convective storm development as the boundary between the maritime tropical air in the Southeast and the dry, continental air to the north and west continued to strengthen. A quasi-stationary front, depicted in the map below, developed at the northern margin of the tropical airmass and triggered convective activity from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic. When the frontal boundary was eventually pushed eastward by a small upper-level disturbance, convergence ahead of the front and the higher upper-level winds created conditions for supercell storms over the Northeast U.S.
As this weather system unfolded, high-resolution real-time data from the MRMS and HRRR models were extracted and ingested into advanced risk models to determine where damaging hail and high winds were actually occurring and to create the hail and tornado/wind intensity footprints. The intensity footprints (seen below) show the geographical scope of the event and the likely intensities by location, providing a strong indication of where property damage will be experienced.
In the hail footprints, darker red areas indicate higher likelihood of large hailstones. Darker reds in the tornado/wind footprints indicate higher frequency of strong wind gusts and increased likelihood of tornadoes. For both hail and high winds, the intensity footprints generally followed the Ring of Fire arc that was predicted days in advance.
The final step to link advanced weather technologies to claims is to utilize the new risk models to superimpose the intensity footprints on the detailed insurer exposure data. This is the same exposure data used in the catastrophe models and includes geocoded locations, replacement values by coverage, and property-specific characteristics such as construction and occupancy. Based on this exposure information and the event intensities, the number of claims, average claim severity and total losses can be estimated.
For major weather systems, it’s important that the cumulative event footprints are created each day to avoid the double-counting that would occur if each day’s footprint was used independently to estimate the claims and losses.
Not every event is as large and damaging as the May Ring of Fire event, and this process is suitable for all types of meteorological activity. Because weather is always occurring and generating claims across the U.S., insurers have implemented this new technology to monitor daily activity in order to capture all weather-related claims. This process also results in a rich database of claims matched to event intensities that can be mined to uncover new insights into the drivers of losses.
Benefit of Being Proactive
New risk models can now be linked to advanced weather forecasting technologies to provide accurate and timely information on weather claims. Insurers can now know days in advance where there’s likely to be severe weather and resulting claims activity and can accurately estimate claim counts and amounts on a daily basis—from hail, tornadoes and high winds resulting from severe convective storms.
Along with positioning claims adjusters to handle the claims, insurers are proactively reaching out to their policyholders who may experience property damage. In addition to enhancing customer goodwill and satisfaction, these proactive measures help to mitigate the damage.
Another benefit of this new technology is identifying any damage and claims that are likely not based on the most recent weather events so that those claims can be handled appropriately.
Claims / LegalFeatured
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Karen Clark, Karen Clark & Company
Karen Clark, the president of Karen Clark & Company, is internationally recognized as the founder of the first catastrophe modeling firm and as the expert in the field of catastrophe risk assessment and management. Reach Karen at info90410@karenclarkandco.com.
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Natural Disaster-Related Losses Reach 13-Year Low in H1: Munich Re
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9:30am–10:30am
Itty-Bitty Art: Infant Massage
Program for families with infants 0–11 months
Bring your baby (up to 11 months) to the Amon Carter for an art-filled experience! Engage with Brandi Cline, licensed massage therapist, as she leads an infant massage session inspired by the Amon Carter’s collection.
Discover the health benefits of infant massage while learning how to teach your baby to relax. Learn to safely and effectively apply massage techniques to your child.
Registration for this program opens October 1.
Questions? Call 817.989.5013 or email education@cartermuseum.org.
Itty-Bitty Art programs are offered on the third Saturday of every month.
10/21/2017 9:30am 10/21/2017 10:30am Itty-Bitty Art: Infant Massage Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Itty-Bitty Art: Music
Bring your baby (up to 11 months) to the Amon Carter for an art-filled experience! Engage with Jennifer DeSantis, early childhood music specialist, as she leads a developmentally appropriate session that includes music-making activities inspired by the Amon Carter’s collection.
Musical activities include singing, instrument play, creative movement, and dancing. Caregivers will learn to recognize early music behaviors such as singing and moving, as well as how to utilize music during daily rituals at home.
Please bring a small blanket for your baby and be sure to wear comfortable clothing.
10/21/2017 9:30am 10/21/2017 10:30am Itty-Bitty Art: Music Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Itty-Bitty Art: Early Literacy
Bring your baby (up to 11 months) to the Amon Carter for an art-filled experience! Engage with Dr. James Thomas, early literacy consultant, who will demonstrate age-appropriate activities inspired by the museum’s collection.
Infancy is the time to begin with an awareness of language and books. During this program you will learn songs, how to share books, sign language, and ways to exercise with your little one to encourage language development.
Please bring a blanket to use during this program.
10/21/2017 9:30am 10/21/2017 10:30am Itty-Bitty Art: Early Literacy Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Itty-Bitty Art: Sign Language
Program for families with toddlers 12–24 months
Bring your baby (ages 12–24 months) to the Amon Carter for an art-filled experience! Engage with A. J. Bowman-Shelton, founder and facilitator of Baby Sign-and-Speak, as she leads an age-appropriate sign language session inspired by the Amon Carter’s collection.
Learn fundamental signs and insights that will help facilitate a stronger bond between you and your little one. By using colors, shapes, and sculptures, start a conversation and discover that communicating with babies is not as abstract as you may have thought!
10/21/2017 9:30am 10/21/2017 10:30am Itty-Bitty Art: Sign Language Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden
Meet at the Information Desk for a guided tour of Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden. Over the decade, North Texas photographer Dornith Doherty has traveled the globe to construct a visual meditation on the planet’s botanical diversity by showcasing the work of international seed banks and sharing the pure aesthetic pleasure of seeds and their transformations into plants. This exhibition celebrates the completion of that project. No reservations required.
10/21/2017 11:00am 10/21/2017 12:00pm Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Explore the Amon Carter's collection
Wild Spaces, Open Seasons: Hunting and Fishing in American Art
Explore the current special exhibition
Meet at the special exhibition entrance for a guided tour of Wild Spaces, Open Seasons: Hunting and Fishing in American Art. This is the first major exhibition to explore the multifaceted meanings of such outdoor subjects in both painting and sculpture from the early nineteenth century to World War II. This exhibition encompasses a wide variety of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes, including iconic works by Thomas Cole, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens, as well as key pictures by specialists in the category such as Charles Deas, Alfred Jacob Miller, William T. Ranney, and Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait. No reservations required.
10/21/2017 3:00pm 10/21/2017 4:00pm Wild Spaces, Open Seasons: Hunting and Fishing in American Art Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
Library and Archives Tour
Every third Saturday, join the museum’s librarian or archivist on a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s research library and archives. The tour starts in the reading room and continues to book storage and then to archives and special collections. Along the way, learn about the history of the facility, its collections (over 150,000 items), and its various programs. No reservations required.
10/21/2017 3:00pm 10/21/2017 3:30pm Library and Archives Tour Amon Carter Museum America/Chicago public
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Pete Davidson criticized for mocking candidate who lost eye in Afghanistan
November 4, 2018 / 6:32 PM / CBS News
Pete Davidson, a cast member on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," is under fire for mocking the appearance of Dan Crenshaw, a Republican candidate for Congress in Texas who lost his eye in Afghanistan. In a segment that aired Saturday, Davidson gave his first impressions of several midterm candidates, including Rick Scott and Peter King.
"This guy is kinda cool, Dan Crenshaw. You may be surprised to hear he's a congressional candidate from Texas, and not a hitman in a porno movie," Davidson said with a laugh. "I'm sorry. I know he lost his eye in war or whatever ... Whatever."
Weekend Update: Pete Davidson's First Impressions of Midterm Election Candidates - SNL by Saturday Night Live on YouTube
Crenshaw spent 10 years as a member of the Navy SEALs. In 2012, he was hit with a blast from an improvised explosive device in the Helmand province that destroyed his right eye, according to his campaign website. He retired in 2016 and left the service with two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor.
Crenshaw tweeted a response to Davidson's comments Sunday afternoon.
Good rule in life: I try hard not to offend; I try harder not to be offended. That being said, I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don’t deserve to see their wounds used as punchlines for bad jokes.
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) November 4, 2018
After defeating State Rep. Kevin Roberts in a May primary, Crenshaw faces Todd Litton, a Democrat, in the race for Texas' 2nd Congressional District.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) responded to the "SNL" segment on Sunday, demanding an apology from Davidson and the network. "Pete Davidson and NBC should immediately apologize to Dan, and to the millions of veterans and military families who tune in every weekend - because they're not laughing," committee spokesperson Jack Pandol said.
Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, tweeted that the segment was tone deaf. "This is really awful and incredibly tone-deaf and offensive to veterans, their families and all who serve. Come on SNL, do better."
First published on November 4, 2018 / 4:47 PM
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site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | section: | slug: | sport: basketball | route: gametracker | 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/gamecenter_recaps
NBAt
Tue Jan. 1
TOR -1.5, O/U 208.5
Leonard scores career-high 45, Raptors beat Jazz 122-116
TORONTO (AP) Kawhi Leonard was so good Tuesday night, Raptors coach Nick Nurse just wanted to enjoy the show.
Leonard scored a career-high 45 points, Pascal Siakam had a career-best 28 points with 10 rebounds, and Toronto beat the Utah Jazz 122-116.
''That's good, we all got to witness that live and in person,'' Nurse said of Leonard's outburst. ''He was phenomenal. I've kind of been waiting for one of these nights where he makes them all.''
Norman Powell scored a season-high 14 points, and the Raptors won their fourth straight at home despite playing without All-Star guard Kyle Lowry (sore back) and center Jonas Valanciunas (dislocated left thumb).
''The way he's playing right now is really big for our team with a lot of guys out,'' Powell said of Leonard.
Leonard shot 16 for 22 overall, missing all three attempts from 3-point range, and went 13 for 17 at the free-throw line. He said he wasn't aware of his scoring achievement until after the game.
''I try to stay in the moment and keep competing every possession and not worry about myself, just try to get a team win,'' Leonard said.
It was the third 40-point game of Leonard's career, including a 43-point effort against Memphis in Game 4 of the first round in April 2017.
Leonard has scored 20 or more points in a career-best 14 straight games.
Jae Crowder scored a career-high 30 points, Derrick Favors had 21 and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 as the Jazz dropped to 10-12 on the road and 18-20 overall.
''Jae was hot,'' Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. ''It's unfortunate that we didn't capitalize on the night that he had.''
Utah's Rudy Gobert scored 16 points, and Ricky Rubio had 14.
Leonard made all seven of his field-goal attempts in the third quarter and added five foul shots. His 19 points were the second most in any quarter by a Raptors player this season.
''He scored in the post, he scored in isolations, he scored going to the rim over Rudy,'' Snyder said. ''Eventually we started hitting him when he walked across half court. The biggest thing was we put him on the line.''
After making two 3-pointers in the first half, the Raptors connected on their first three long-range shots of the third quarter, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a 12-point edge midway through the quarter.
''Those nine quick points really changed the game,'' Snyder said. ''It gave them a big lift.''
Siakam went 3 for 3 from 3-point range in the third and scored 13 points. Toronto outscored Utah 44-32 to take a 95-85 lead into the fourth.
Rubio started after sitting out Saturday's win over New York because of a sore left knee and sore lower back, while Crowder was back after missing the victory over the Knicks because of a sore left thumb.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Utah has lost nine of 12 meetings against Toronto. ... Utah outscored Toronto 22-5 in second-chance points. ... Favors and Gobert each had nine rebounds. ... Crowder went 5 for 7 from 3-point range. His career high is six made 3-pointers. ... The Jazz have lost five of six on the road.
Raptors: Toronto is 5-2 on New Year's Day, including a 4-0 mark at home. ... C Jonas Valanciunas had stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand Saturday. Valanciunas still has a splint on his hand. ... VanVleet scored seven points, failing to reach double figures for the first time in eight games. ... Toronto matched a season-low with 20 3-point attempts. ... Serge Ibaka scored 20 points in the first quarter of a Nov. 4 road win against the Los Angeles Lakers, the most by a Raptors player in a single quarter this season.
LOWRY LATEST
Lowry sat for the eighth time in nine games. Before the game, the Raptors said Lowry had travelled to New York last Friday to receive anti-inflammatory injections. Lowry's condition continues to improve but there is no timetable for his return.
QUARTER TO REMEMBER
The Raptors set a franchise record with 44 points in the third quarter.
Jazz: Visit Cleveland on Friday night.
Raptors: Visit San Antonio on Thursday night.
R. Gobert
K. Leonard
34.8 Min. Per Game 34.8
26.7 Pts. Per Game 26.7
2.9 Ast. Per Game 2.9
8.3 Reb. Per Game 8.3
66.0 Field Goal % 49.7
65.5 Three Point % 48.5
63.9 Free Throw % 85.5
Defensive rebound by Pascal Siakam 0:01
Donovan Mitchell missed 3-pt. jump shot 0:05
Defensive rebound by Donovan Mitchell 0:06
Kawhi Leonard missed 2nd of 2 free throws 0:07
+ 1 Kawhi Leonard made 1st of 2 free throws 0:07
Personal foul on Dante Exum 0:07
+ 2 Ricky Rubio made reverse layup 0:13
+ 1 Fred VanVleet made 2nd of 2 free throws 0:18
TOR team rebound 0:18
Fred VanVleet missed 1st of 2 free throws 0:18
Personal foul on Jae Crowder 0:18
Field Goals 42-97 (43.3%) 45-82 (54.9%)
3-Pointers 9-32 (28.1%) 7-20 (35.0%)
Free Throws 23-29 (79.3%) 25-35 (71.4%)
Offensive 12 5
Defensive 31 40
Team 10 10
J. Crowder PF 99
30 PTS, 6 REB
K. Leonard SF 2
45 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST
Jazz 18-20 24 29 32 31 116
Raptors 28-11 26 25 44 27 122
Scotiabank Arena Toronto,
Jazz 18-20 97.8 PPG 47.2 RPG 23.0 APG
Raptors 28-11 106.6 PPG 42.3 RPG 22.5 APG
J. Crowder PF PPG RPG APG FG%
K. Leonard SF PPG RPG APG FG%
J. Crowder PF 30 PTS 6 REB 0 AST
K. Leonard SF 45 PTS 6 REB 1 AST
43.3 FG% 54.9
28.1 3PT FG% 35.0
79.3 FT% 71.4
D. Favors
D. Mitchell
R. Rubio
J. Ingles
Starters PTS REB AST FG 3PT FT PF MIN STL BLK TO OREB DREB +/- FPTS
D. Favors 21 9 0 8/12 0/2 5/8 4 27 0 2 0 6 3 -13 32
D. Mitchell 19 4 3 7/23 2/8 3/3 2 35 1 0 0 1 3 -10 30
R. Gobert 16 9 2 6/7 0/0 4/5 3 32 2 0 0 3 6 -11 31
R. Rubio 14 4 8 6/17 0/4 2/3 5 31 0 1 2 0 4 -7 33
J. Ingles 2 6 6 0/5 0/5 2/3 5 34 2 0 1 0 6 -4 21
J. Crowder
D. Exum
T. Sefolosha
K. Korver
R. O'Neale
E. Udoh
N. Mitrou-Long
G. Niang
T. Cavanaugh
R. Neto
T. Bradley
Bench PTS REB AST FG 3PT FT PF MIN STL BLK TO OREB DREB +/- FPTS
J. Crowder 30 6 0 9/15 5/7 7/7 3 26 0 0 1 0 6 +14 35
D. Exum 8 3 3 4/11 0/0 0/0 2 18 0 1 0 1 2 -2 18
T. Sefolosha 3 1 0 1/3 1/2 0/0 1 9 0 0 0 1 0 -2 4
K. Korver 3 1 0 1/4 1/4 0/0 1 18 0 0 0 0 1 +2 4
R. O'Neale 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0/0 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 +3 3
E. Udoh - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
N. Mitrou-Long - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
G. Niang - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
T. Cavanaugh - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
R. Neto - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
G. Allen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
T. Bradley - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total 116 43 23 42/97 9/32 23/29 27 237 6 4 4 12 31 -30 211
P. Siakam
S. Ibaka
F. VanVleet
K. Leonard 45 6 1 16/22 0/3 13/17 2 35 0 0 2 0 6 +8 51
P. Siakam 28 10 1 9/15 3/4 7/7 3 32 0 0 1 1 9 +12 39
S. Ibaka 8 8 3 3/10 1/3 1/4 4 29 1 1 0 0 8 +10 24
F. VanVleet 8 4 5 3/5 1/2 1/2 1 32 0 0 2 0 4 +12 20
D. Green 2 4 1 1/4 0/2 0/0 4 30 0 1 1 2 2 +16 8
N. Powell
D. Wright
G. Monroe
O. Anunoby
C. Miles
K. Lowry
J. Valanciunas
L. Brown
M. Richardson
C. Boucher
J. Loyd
N. Powell 14 3 1 6/11 2/4 0/0 4 22 0 2 0 0 3 -4 21
D. Wright 8 0 0 4/8 0/2 0/1 1 18 2 0 2 0 0 -7 8
G. Monroe 7 6 2 2/5 0/0 3/4 1 18 0 2 1 2 4 -4 18
O. Anunoby 2 2 3 1/2 0/0 0/0 1 17 1 0 0 0 2 -11 11
C. Miles 0 2 1 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 -2 4
K. Lowry - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
J. Valanciunas - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
L. Brown - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
M. Richardson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C. Boucher - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
J. Loyd - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total 122 45 18 45/82 7/20 25/35 21 235 4 6 9 5 40 +30 204
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By on in Biography, Celebrity, Fun Facts
Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro – # 100 Fun Facts
Cristiano Ronaldo Date of Birth – Full name and Early Years
1) Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
2) Family Cristiano Ronaldo
3) Named for U.S. President Ronald Reagan
4) Poor and Deprived
5) Football
6) Schooling
7) Heart Surgery at 15
Football Career of Cristiano Ronaldo
8) Ronaldo’s Debut
9) Liverpool vs. Manchester United
10) No. 7
11) First Goal of Cristiano Ronaldo
12) Joining Real Madrid
13) Field Position And Team
14) The Majestic Flying Winger
15) Real Madrid Vs. Manchester United
16) Barcelona And Ronaldo
17) On Selection For Manchester United
18) Fergie On Ronaldo 7
19) Fergie On Re-signing Ronaldo
20) Confidence On Joining Manchester United
21) Most Expensive And Highest Paid
Accolades Cristiano Ronaldo
22) Four Awards In One Year
23) Madame Tussauds
24) Broke Maradona’s Record
25) Statue in Portugal
26) European Golden Shoe
27) Forbes Lists
28) Best Young Player
29) 10 Million-Plus Facebook Fans
30) 40 Goals In A Single Season
31) 100th Cap For Portugal
32) Champions League Top Scorer
33) 1000th Manchester United Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo: Other Work
34) A Man Of Fashion – CR7
35) Modeling Career
Cristiano Ronaldo Charity
36) Earthquake And Tsunami
37) Mother Diagnosed With Cancer
38) Save The Children
39) Mangrove Care Forum
40) ‘11 For Health’
Cristiano Ronaldo Relationships
41) Ronaldo And Paris Hilton
42) Ronaldo And Kim Kardashian
43) Ronaldo And Irina Shayk
Personal Life of Cristiano Ronaldo
44) Cristiano Ronaldo, Father’s Death
45) Cristiano Ronaldo Junior
46) Ronaldo On Ronaldo Junior
Cristiano Ronaldo Personality
47) ‘I Know I’m The Best’
48) ‘Crybaby’
49) No Shirt Swap With Israeli Captain
50) David Beckham On Ronaldo
51) Sir Alex Ferguson On Ronaldo
52) Ian Holloway On Ronaldo
53) Sir Bobby Charlton On Ronaldo
54) No Tattoos
55) Luis Figo On Ronaldo
56) Quarrels With Referees
57) Short-Tempered
58) Free Kicks
59) Brazilian Ronaldo On Cristiano Ronaldo
60) Cristiano Ronaldo Dribbling
61) Wanting To Be Normal Sometimes
62) He’s So Vain?
63) Arrogant Ronaldo
64) Amazing Young Footballer
Cristiano Ronaldo Preferences
65) Food
66) Favorite Pastimes
67) Heroes And Idols
68) Apple Crumble & Custard
69) Ferrari Crash
70) Fond Of Actresses
71) Mike Tyson
72) Ricky Martin
73) Cooking
74) Car Crazy
Cristiano Ronaldo Inspirational
75) On Money And Motivation
76) Best Thing About Ronaldo
77) Family Comes First
78) Professionalism
79) Messi Vs. Ronaldo
80) Perfectionist? Or Not?
Other facts about Cristiano Ronaldo
81) National Level Performance
82) 2005 Arrest
83) Heads Up With Cristiano
84) Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Tested to the Limit’
85) Most Dangerous Footballer Online
86) CR7…
87) Lucky No. 7
88) Improving Speed
89) Luiz Felipe Scolari
90) ‘Diving Queen’
91) Alan Parry On Ronaldo
92) Ronaldo On Sir Alex Ferguson
93) Denzel Washington
94) Biggest Ambition
95) Libel Payout
96) Ronaldo Lookalike
97) Leg Insurance
98) Extension of Contract with Real Madrid
99) Recent Injury
100) Cristiano Ronaldo On Becoming the World’s Best Player
Cristiano Ronaldo Facts – Biography
The famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro came into this world on Feb. 5, 1985.
He was born in Madeira, Portugal, to Maria and José and is the youngest of four kids.
Cristiano Ronaldo was born in a neighborhood of Funchal called Santo Antonio.
His mother was a cook by profession while his father worked as a gardener for the municipality.
His three older siblings are a brother Hugo and sisters Elma and Liliana.
Ronald Reagan was the U.S. president at the time of Ronaldo’s birth.
Reagan was an actor previously and was José’s favorite actor.
That is why he named his youngest son after him.
Ronaldo is Ronald’s Portuguese form.
Cristiano Ronaldo came from a very poor family.
Both his parents worked to make ends meet.
According to him, he had a deprived childhood as the family could not afford to have any of the luxuries that he now does not even give a second thought to.
He is now living a complete opposite life to what he did when he was a child.
Since age 8, Cristiano Ronaldo had a passion for football.
He started playing for his town’s local club called Nacional by the time he turned 10.
His talent did not take very long to be discovered and he was given an opportunity to play for one of the biggest football clubs in Portugal, Sporting Lisbon.
He was only 11 at that time.
By 16, he was a professional footballer, ready to take on the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he was not the best of students in school.
He said, “I was not thick but I was not interested in school.
I was expelled after I threw a chair at the teacher.”
His mother then decided that maybe Ronaldo was not cut out for school and should just concentrate on football.
Ronaldo had a heart condition when he was younger.
At 15, he had heart surgery and after treatment, it allowed him to run faster.
According to his mother, “His heart raced a lot when he wasn’t running.
They used a sort of laser to cauterize the source of the problem.
He was operated on in the morning and came out at the end of the afternoon.”
Cristiano Ronaldo made his career debut in 2002 in a game against Moreirense, where all eyes were on him.
Soon he started being recognized in Europe and made his European debut against Inter Milan.
His international debut was a year later on August 20, 2003, when Portugal played against Kazakhstan.
Cristiano Ronaldo, before he joined Manchester United, wanted to go to Liverpool Football Club.
However, in 2002, Liverpool thought he was not good enough and did not sign him.
A year later, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United had a friendly match where Sir Alex Ferguson spotted young Cristiano.
According to him, “At half-time I knew I had to sign this boy.
He was sensational.”
Cristiano Ronaldo took the No. 7 shirt after David Beckham left Manchester United.
At first, he was quite hesitant to take the number of the World’s Sexiest Man but when he finally did upon joining Manchester United, it was then that he won FIFA World’s Best Player award.
In 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United.
His first goal for the club was against Portsmouth, which he scored on a free kick on November 1, 2003.
On June 26, 2009, Real Madrid announced that Cristiano Ronaldo would be playing for them as of July 1, 2009.
This transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid was worth £80 million, which also gave Ronaldo the title of world’s most expensive footballer.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a right/left winger and striker/forward, who currently plays for Real Madrid.
He is also the captain of the Portuguese international team.
In 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo, also known as the Majestic Flying Winger, became the fastest player in the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid to reach 100 goals.
He broke the record of Ferenc Puskas, who had 100 goals in 105 games.
The new record that Ronaldo set was 101 goals in 92 games.
Cristiano Ronaldo compared the two clubs that he played for and said, ‘”I believe things will go well.
In my opinion Real Madrid have a better team, but we have to show that on the pitch because United are a very united team and always have been in recent years.
They’re a team that always do well, every year they’re at the top and therefore a team we respect a lot.”
It has been claimed that in 2003, Barcelona was interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo and almost did.
Barcelona’s ex-president Joan Laporta said in an interview, “(Agent Jorge) Mendes offered him to us, for even cheaper than to Manchester United, due to some transfers we had done for him, including Deco.
But at that moment we did not have the resources after signing Ronaldinho, (Rafael) Marquez and (Ricardo) Quaresma.”
When Ronaldo was chosen for Manchester United and the contract deal was confirmed, it was a very happy moment for the football superstar.
He said, “I am very happy to be signing for the best team in the world, and I’m especially proud to be the first Portuguese ever to join Manchester United.”
With Cristiano having his doubts about taking the No. 7 shirt, Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson had no hesitation.
According to him, “We’ve had some fantastic number 7s, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, some wouldn’t want the jersey but his confidence was high even at 18.
When he made his debut as substitute against Bolton he took the place by storm.”
Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson has always been fond of Cristiano Ronaldo.
And it is reported that he wants to re-sign him for ManU.
According to former footballer and TV pundit Gary Pallister, “I know for sure that Sir Alex would love to have Ronaldo back at Old Trafford.
To be honest, I didn’t think it would be likely, especially this summer, but I’m coming round to it now.
A lot depends on whether Jose Mourinho stays at Real, but, if not, Ronaldo could be tempted into a return.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was confident that he deserved a place in Manchester United.
He said, “Lots of young players have triumphed at United, so why can’t it happen to me? I’m not worried I’m young – it’s an incentive to do the best I can.”
In 2009, when Ronaldo transferred clubs from Manchester United to Real Madrid, he became the most expensive footballer in the world and the history of football.
This move was worth £80 million.
He gets about 11 million Euros per year from Real Madrid, which also makes him one of the highest paid footballers.
His contract has a 1-billion Euro buyout clause.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only footballer who got all of football’s four major awards within the same year.
In 2007, Ronaldo was given the World Soccer Player of the Year, FIFA World Player of the Year, FIFPro Player of the Year and Onze d’Or awards.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his Madame Tussauds debut in 2010 just around the time of the 2010 Football World Cup.
Ronaldo’s wax figure is worth £150,000.
According to the footballer himself, “I have been excited ever since the Madame Tussauds team came to measure me for my wax figure.
I cannot wait to see the finished figure in person!”
Cristiano Ronaldo broke Diego Maradona’s record for attracting the biggest crowd the day he was presented.
In 1984, Maradona attracted an audience of 75,000 whereas when Ronaldo was presented as a Real Madrid player, the number of fans neared 80,000.
In May 2010, Portugal unveiled a giant statue of Cristiano Ronaldo in the heart of Lisbon.
The sculpture is 10 meters in height and was placed in the Columbus Commercial Centre.
The statue was actually placed in Madrid but was brought over to Lisbon for the 2010 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first winger ever to win the European Golden Shoe Awards in 2007/2008.
He won his second Golden Shoe in 2010/2011, which he donated to support Palestinian children.
He sold the boot for one million Euros through his club’s charity and donated the money raised for schools in Gaza.
According to Forbes, as of June 2012 Cristiano Ronaldo was worth $42.5 million per year.
He was the world’s ninth highest-paid athlete and was ranked 44 in the celebrity 100 Forbes List.
Also, he rankedNo. 7 in the Forbes Press List and No. 5 onthe Forbes Social List.
In 2006, Ronaldo was to be awarded the Best Young Player trophy.
However, before he was actually presented the award, his link to Wayne Rooney’s red card cost him his precious award.
Supporters of the English footballer bombarded the board with emails and petitions against Ronaldo.
Therefore, the title was withdrawn.
In 2010, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first non-American ever to cross ten million fans on Facebook.
Currently Ronaldo has more than 120 million fans on the social networking website.
This makes him the athlete with the most fans in the world.
Ronaldo holds the record for scoring the most goals per minute in La Liga.
He is also the first European League player to score 40 goals in one season for two consecutive years.
According to Wikipedia he is “‘the first player ever to score against every team in a single season in La Liga.”
Cristiano Ronaldo earned his 100th Cap for Portugal in October 2012.
This made him the third-youngest European footballer to get 100 caps.
He earned this title against Northern Ireland.
This is again one of those titles which make him one of the greatest players in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the title of being Champions League Top Scorer this year as he has pocketed 11 goals and hopes to add more.
Moreover, during his time in Real Madrid he has an average one goal per game with 196 goes in his 193 match appearances.
One of the most unforgettable moments in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United career was the goal he scored in October 2005.
This was no ordinary goal! It was Manchester United’s 1000th goal which he scored in a game against Middlesbrough.
One of the richest footballers in the world is also very fashion forward and stays up to date with what is in and what is out.
He also has two boutiques named after him, CR7.
The first one was opened in his hometown Funchal and the second one in Lisbon.
He owns these boutiques with his two sisters who are also in charge of their running.
Not only is he the world’s most expensive footballer, he is also quite good-looking.
This is why he has a modeling career too.
He has modeled for brands like Nike, Armani Exchange and Timeforce Watches.
He earns approximately $25 million from modeling, on top of his football earning.
Footage of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami showed a child wearing Ronaldo’s No. 7 shirt.
The child’s family was killed during the calamity and he had been on his own for about 20 days.
When Ronaldo found out about this, he started a project to collect funds for the victims.
Ronaldo personally went to Aceh in Indonesia to raise money for the restoration of the city.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and was treated at a hospital in Madeira.
In 2009, she was declared fully recovered.
As a gesture of thankfulness, Ronaldo donated £100,000 to the hospital so that they could build a specialized cancer department.
In January 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo was declared the new Global Artist Ambassador for Save the Children.
As the ambassador, Ronaldo will be helping the organization with child hunger and obesity prevention along with encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Ronaldo considers it an honor to be given this opportunity.
In March 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to help Indonesia help save its mangrove forests.
It was announced that Ronaldo would be the ambassador for the Mangrove Care Forum, which is a Bali-based organization working for conservation of Mangroves in Indonesia.
The one time that rivals Ronaldo and Lionel Messi represented the same team was when they were selected for FIFA’s 11 for Health program.
In December 2012, FIFA selected football’s top 11 players for drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, malaria and obesity awareness causes.
Christian is among those 11 footballers who will help the organization spread the message to youth throughout the world.
In 2008, Ronaldo was in Los Angeles on a business trip when he ran into the U.S.heiress and celebrity Paris Hilton.
According to reports, Paris tried desperately to catch his attention but he was in no mood to give it to her.
But later on reports emerged that the two spent a couple of days in each other’s company in 2009 where Ronaldo looked nothing like the not-interested type from 2008.
However, the pair did not last very long and went their separate ways the same year.
Other than being a footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo is also known as a ladies’ man.
In 2010, he linked up with another American celebrity socialite, Kim Kardashian, who was also a friend of Paris Hilton’s.
Kim and Ronaldo met in Spain but once again it was a short-lived relationship that almost as soon as it started.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in and out of many relationships.
But to date, his longest relationship has been with Russian model Irina Shayk.
The couple met during an Armani Exchange campaign, as Ronaldo also models for the brand, and have been together since 2010.
Ronaldo has been caught in rumors and scandals randomly but his relationship with Irina is still going strong.
Cristiano’s father died in 2005 and the news was devastating for the star footballer.
In September 2012 when Madrid won 3-0 against Granada, Ronaldo did not celebrate his two goals and said:
“I am sad and the club knows it, that’s why I didn’t celebrate the goals. The people in the club know why.”
It was later revealed that this was near his father’s death anniversary.
José Dinis Aveiro died of alcoholism and it was then that Ronaldo vowed not to touch alcohol again.
But there have been reports of him being spotted drinking gin and juice.
On July 3, 2010, Ronaldo became father to a baby boy who is named Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.
Cristiano is the child’s sole custodian and requested press and fans to give him privacy in this matter.
The mother’s identity was not disclosed.
Ronaldo said on his son’s birth, “It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy.
As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.
No further information will be provided on this subject and I request everyone to fully respect my right to privacy (and that of the child) at least on issues as personal as these are.”
Cristiano Ronaldo without a doubt is a very confident footballer.
And this confidence comes from his belief in himself.
He does not have any doubts about himself and knows exactly what he is capable of.
One quote that he is always heard saying is, “I know I’m the best.”
Ronaldo is often referred to as “crybaby.”
This is because he cried every time he lost.
According to him and his family, he cannot tolerate defeat.
He hates to lose and during his childhood, he cried every time someone could not score when he made a pass.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been heard expressing his support for Palestine but this was made clear on the day he came face-to-face with Israel in March 2013.
At the end of the game it is a ritual to swap shirts but this did not happen in the above-mentioned game as Ronaldo walked straight off the field and snubbed the Israeli player.
This caused a huge uproar among his fans and also caused a lot of negative remarks.
In an interview David Beckham compared Messi and Ronaldo and said, “While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both better than the rest, Ronaldo doesn’t reach the level of Messi.
They can have similarities in their technical skills and talent, and it is hallucinating for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world.”
When Ronaldo left Manchester United for Real Madrid, speculations arose on how he might have betrayed Manchester United.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson said of him, “You’ve got to remember he came at 17 and really developed himself here as a great footballer.
We’re proud of the part we played in his career.
He’s improved as a footballer and his record at Real Madrid is incredible.”
“The kid makes you sick.
He looks the part, he walks the part, he is the part.
He’s six foot something, fit as a flea, good looking – he’s got to have something wrong with him…hopefully he’s hung like a hamster! That would make us all feel better!”
“He does things I have never seen from any other player and it really is marvelous to watch.
It takes a great player to grab the bull by the horns and make things happen, but he has done it repeatedly.
He has been even better than people here thought he would be and that’s saying something.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for being arrogant and proud but he also has a humble side to his personality.
The footballer does not have any tattoos on his body.
This is because he donates blood regularly, twice a year.
“He’s a technical footballer who is quick and brave too.
He is not intimidated by the other players around him.
A lot of people maybe thought he was too young for the jump and he was destined for a place on the bench from the start.
But he has shown that is not the case and has taken advantage of his chances.
I thought asking Cristiano Ronaldo to wear David Beckham’s number would be too much, but I hope things continue to work out as they have so far.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has hardly ever been involved in fights and brawls.
However, on field one would often see him in a tiff with the referees and players.
The star footballer is known for being grumpy and sometimes this becomes obvious in his game too.
Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for being temperamental and that reflects in his games as well as the way he manages his team.
Some people criticize this as a bad quality as he is usually indifferent to any issues within his team.
As a leader,he should keep that in mind.
He may be the one of the best footballers in the world but he still needs to master one skill: free kicks.
It has been noted that Ronaldo tries to copy Roberto Carlos when it comes to his free kicks.
He needs to concentrate more and hit the ball with less aggression so the ball ends up in the goal rather than in the crowd.
The famous Brazilian footballer Ronaldo thinks very highly of his Portuguese namesake but has his reservations about him at the same time.
“I would say Messi [is the world’s best player] because he is a little bit better than Cristiano.
But I would also add that Cristiano has had unbelievably bad luck.
He would have been the best player in the world in many other eras, but he has coincided with another of the game’s greats.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is also known for his dribbling skills.
It is widely known that he is a fast footballer and handles the ball well.
Another interesting fact is that he is skilled enough to be able to play with both feet.
He also has an extraordinary kicking ability.
Cristiano Ronaldo loves being a footballer and a famous one.
However, there is one thing that he does not like about his fame.
According to him, everyone is entitled to their privacy and because he is so famous now it “deprives” him of a normal life without people recognizing him wherever he goes.
Ronaldo is said to be a vain man who is aware of his good looks.
It was reported earlier this year that the handsome footballer spends at least half an hour in front of the mirror before he leaves his house.
When questioned about this, Ronaldo denied the claims and said it is just a rumor and he never spends more than a minute fixing his hair.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been ranked among the top 20 most arrogant footballers in the world.
It has been pointed out numerous times that Ronaldo is very arrogant and it might cost him his career and reputation.
This still has not made any differences in Ronaldo’s behavior, but neither has it tarnished his career so far.
He should keep his fingers crossed!
Ronaldo always knew he was a good footballer.
Even at the age of 11 he was great with the ball and had amazing footwork.
When he was at Sporting Lisbon, his coach admired his skills and once said, “When he got the ball he went past two or three players.
At the end of the game the players gathered around him, they knew he was a special kid.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has a tough job because being a footballer, and one of the world’s most famous and expensive ones, he has to stay fit and look his best.
He loves to eat, however, and needs to keep his habits in check.
His favorite food is any type of fish especially made the Portuguese way.
He prefers fruit and natural fruit juices for dessert rather than going for sugary puddings.
Whenever Cristiano Ronaldo has free time, he likes to make the most of it.
He loves going to the movies.
If not that, he likes to listen to music and go for long walks.
The footballer also craves some me-time and says that whenever he gets a chance, he likes to have some quiet time to himself as well.
As a child, Cristiano Ronaldo idolized Argentinean football star Diego Maradona.
He is one of those players who inspired young Ronaldo to play football.
As he grew up, just like his football skills, his idols also increased and Luis Figo and Thierry Henry were added to his list of favorite footballers.
In an interview after Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United to join Real Madrid, he was asked what he missed most about the United Kingdom.
Upon this he replied how he loved that at Man U, they were always served after-dinner desserts.
He looked forward to them the most, and the one thing he misses about the UK is their apple crumble and custard, not a person or a place.
In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo crashed his £150,000 red Ferrari sports car on his way to training near Manchester Airport.
The footballer escaped unhurt.
When asked about the crash and how precious his car was to him, he replied that money and material things are not important to him and he is thankful that he and his legs are fine.
Nothing is more important than health and life.
Ronaldo likes to watch movies, and as everyone knows, he likes women as well.
Apart from the women in his life, Ronaldo’s favorite actresses are Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore.
Some people even say that Ronaldo’s current girlfriend Irina looks like Angelina Jolie and that is one reason why the footballer is so crazy about her.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge fan of boxing great Mike Tyson.
And in the same way Mike Tyson is an even bigger Ronaldo fan.
In 2011, Mike Tyson sent Ronaldo a gift; it contained boxing gloves signed by Tyson, which said, “To Cristiano #7, Mike Tyson.”
And in turn Ronaldo wrote, “Thanks Mike Tyson for this great gift.
You are a legend.”
Cristiano Ronaldo loves music just like he loves football, fashion and women.
He disclosed in an interview that his favorite singer is Ricky Martin and that he owns every album that the singer ever released.
According to Ronaldo, “Ricky’s tunes are very catchy.
‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ is his most catchy by far and it is my most favorite.”
The star footballer has a love for food and cooking.
He is health conscious and likes to cook for himself when he has time.
According to him, he prefers preparing the meal before leaving for training every day so once he gets back he can relax in front of the TV with a nice homemade meal, that is, when he has the time!
Cristiano Ronaldo also has a craze for automobiles.
He has had 19 cars in total in his football career which included a Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Audi R8, Lamborghini, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bugatti and Mercedes.
In an interview with The Sun, Ronaldo was asked about the importance of money in his life.
He said, “I’m not going to say I don’t care about the money.
Money is important, of course.
But it is not the most important, it is not my priority.
Maybe when I was young at Sporting Lisbon it was – they didn’t pay me good and I wanted to buy this and that.
But when you get to a certain point in life the money doesn’t give you motivation.
It is not the money that gives me the motivation to play or train every day and try my best all the time.”
During the same interview, Ronaldo was asked what he thinks is the best thing about him.
The answer was a pretty humble one, “To be able to do what I love to do and be happy about my life.
I have a great life and a great family.”
This shows that being the richest footballer does not take “being human” away from a person.
He is still a human being and thinks normally.
Ronaldo always tries to keep his personal life separate from his life in the limelight even though the press is always trying to get as much information about what is going on his life as possible.
However, for Ronaldo, family comes first.
In an interview he said, “I don’t speak about my private life.
I simply don’t talk about it.
I don’t show off and I don’t hide.
Whoever wants to talk can talk.
Whoever wants readers, can write.
He has admitted that the credit for his success goes to his family.
No matter how arrogant, rude or proud people might call Cristiano Ronaldo, one fact that everyone would agree upon is his professionalism.
From his coaches to his fellow players, friends and family, everyone can vouch that he has a great work ethic and principles, which are an illustration of his professionalism.
When asked about his constant comparison to Messi, Ronaldo said in an interview, “Some people say I’m better, other people say it’s him, but at the end of the day, they’re going to decide who is the best player.
Sometimes it makes me tired.
For him too, because they compare us together all the time.
You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche because it’s a different engine.
You cannot compare them.
He does the best things for Barcelona, I do the best things for Madrid.
I think we push each other sometimes in the competition, this is why the competition is so high.”
“I am not a perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well.
More important than that, I feel an endless need to learn, to improve, to evolve, not only to please the coach and the fans, but also to feel satisfied with myself.
It is my conviction that there are no limits to learning, and that it can never stop, no matter what our age.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance internationally has been subject to a lot of applause.
However, his national level performance has not been so good.
According to Maradona, “As good as he is with Real Madrid, he often seems frustrated at the national level, as if he was surrounded by players who do little to assist him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was arrested in October 2005 on charges of rape.
However, he was released a month later when the charges were dropped as enough evidence was not available.
Ronaldo also denied the allegations.
He said upon release, “I have always strongly maintained my innocence of any wrongdoing and I am glad that this matter is at an end so that I can concentrate on playing for Manchester United.”
Cristiano Ronaldo launched an iPhone game named “Heads Up with Cristiano” in 2011.
It is a free application to download on Apple mobile devices.
According to a website,“The goal of ‘Heads Up with Cristiano Ronaldo’ is to line up at least three of the same color soccer balls in a row to make them disappear before the balls fall below the line.
The task is carried out by ‘heading’ each ball upwards using a finger swipe.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Global Brand Ambassador for Castrol and in September 2011 the footballer’s skills were tested through a documentary called “Tested to The Limit.”
During the documentary, Ronaldo was put through a set of various tests that examined his skills, agility, strength and mental toughness.
It was reported that the tests were so rigorous that they left Ronaldo really exhausted.
In July 2012, McAfee announced a list of “11 riskiest footballers” in the online world.
According to their list, Cristiano Ronaldo came out to be the “most dangerous” footballer in cyberspace.
Their report said that people looking up Ronaldo’s information, photographs, news, etc., are at the most risk of getting online threats.
Cristiano Ronaldo is also known as CR7, CR9 and Ronnie, which are his nicknames.
He is known as CR7 because he wore the No. 7 shirt for Manchester United and CR are his initials.
When he moved to Real Madrid his number changed to 9 and therefore, CR7 evolved to CR9.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lucky number is 7.
And when he was signed by Manchester United in 2003 and David Beckham’s No. 7 shirt was available, he did have his reservations about taking it but later on was very happy.
Cristiano Ronaldo is fast.
His opponents, coach, fellow players, everyone knows he is hard to catch.
What he used to do to improve his speed was to train with weight on his feet one by one and dribble.
He was confident that this would definitely work as without weights he would be able to dribble faster.
Brazilian football coach Luiz Felipe Scolari compared the two Ronaldos (Brazilian and Portuguese) and said, “I hoped Cristiano would be as good one day.
He just doesn’t stop, no matter how much you demand of him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is also called the “Diving Queen” as he is fast and it is almost impossible to catch him.
He is a sprinter.
His tackling skills are so high that he almost forgets about his surroundings and continues playing his game, putting himself in trouble that urges him to dive and sometimes wound opponents.
He said, “I wouldn’t want to injure anybody.
I’m not that type of person. I’m not a bad person.
I only want to shine by playing football.”
The BBC Sports commentator once said of Ronaldo, “He’s a gift from heaven, he is truly a gift from heaven.
Whatever he touches turns to gold.”
It is quite well known and obvious that Cristiano Ronaldo admires Sir Alex Ferguson.
At one occasion, he said, “I arrived at United at just 18 years old and he taught me how to grow up properly in the football world.
Who better? He has so much experience – 1,000 players have passed through his hands.”
In a recent tete-a-tete with his fans, Cristiano Ronaldo was asked who he would like to play his role if his life was turned into a movie.
Cristiano said that if he ever got an opportunity to choose an actor to play him, he would pick Denzel Washington.
He admits that Denzel is his favorite actor.
In an answer to a question about his biggest aspiration in football, Ronaldo said, “My biggest ambition is to be on the top all the time.
I think that’s the most difficult challenge I could have set for myself and I hope I can be on the top for many years.”
In 2008, The Daily Telegraph claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo in July had put his injured ankle at risk when he put his crutches aside to dance in an LA nightclub.
In 2010, they admitted that the allegations against Ronaldo were untrue and paid an undisclosed amount to the footballer.
Once the drama was over, Ronaldo said, “I take enormous pride in my professionalism.
I treat my training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have drunk and danced in a nightclub without my crutches.”
In March this year, Cristiano Ronaldo got a chance to meet a real-life lookalike.
The two have great resemblance, although the lookalike, a Turkish national, is a smaller version of Ronaldo.
The two met when Ronaldo visited Istanbul.
After a knee injury that Ronaldo suffered in 2009, Real Madrid made sure that they were covered and insured his legs for $144 million, equivalent to £90 million.
According to a Spanish newspaper, “Real Madrid is attempting to protect themselves in case Cristiano, 24, ever gets seriously injured during a soccer match.”
With claims flying around everywhere about Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid and going back to Manchester United, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez assured everyone that they are looking to extend their contract with him.
He said in a recent interview, “Keep calm, we are going to renew with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The club is going to pay him.”
On the other hand Sir Alex Ferguson also wants Cristiano back.
The competition is tough!
Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is playing for Juventus.
Ronaldo recently suffered a leg injury in April due to a muscle sprain.
He was sent to the benches for a La Liga game.
Real Madrid lost the match but they were expecting Ronaldo “the talisman” to make a comeback in the second leg game on following Tuesday.
“There is no harm in dreaming of becoming the world’s best player.
It’s all about trying to be the best.
I will keep working hard to achieve it, but it is within my capabilities.”
Angelina Jolie, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Facts, Football, Fun Facts, Lionel Messi, Soccer, Sports
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By Celebrity Fun Facts on February 18, 2019 in Biography, Celebrity, Fun Facts
Tim Cook (Apple) – #50 Facts
Tim Cook: Wonder Years
1. Timothy Cook is the CEO of Apple Inc.
2. Education and Beginning of Career
Tim Cook Joins Apple Inc.
3. Most Suitable Candidate for Apple
4. Cook’s Quick Decision To Join Apple
5. Becomes Temporary CEO of Apple
6. Cook’s First Designation at Apple
7. Promotion to the level of COO
8. Cook’s Third Appointment as CEO of Apple
9. Cook does not Intend to Fill Jobs’ Shoes
10. Failure of Apple Maps
11. Cook fires Forstall for Failure of Apple Maps
12. Cook is Criticized for Hiring John Browett
13. Disagrees With the Decision to Sue Samsung
14. Parents
15. Cook Comes from a Hard Working Family
16. Cook Values His Family
Inspirations of Tim Cook
17. Big Fan of Lance Armstrong
18. Inspired by Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy
19. Devoted Fan of the Football Team at Auburn University
20. Bobby Kennedy is Tim Cook’s Hero
21. Tim Cook’s Idols
22. Charitable Donations by Tim Cook
23. Known For Establishing a Nationwide Charitable Program
Tim Cook Personality
24. Cook’s Single Status
25. ‘The Most Powerful Gay Man in the Silicon Valley’
26. Most Influential Gay Men of America
27. No.35 in the List of World’s Most Powerful People
28. Likes To Lead a Simple Life
29. Monetary Success does not Motivate Cook
30. Concern for the Workers and Laborers
31. Never Raises his Voice on His Employees
32. Something that Steve Jobs and Cook Have in Common
33. Views of Employees About Tim Cook
34. Careful and Strict in His Work and Meetings
35. Firm Believer in Technological Progress
36. The First One to Get to Work
37. Appears on the List of 100 Most Influential People in the World
38. Cook Hates Litigation
Other Facts about Tim Cook
39. Takes Care of His Health
40. Concerned About Work Environment in Apple Factories
41. Appreciates Other Successful Companies
42. Likes to Mingle with Employees
43. Motivates Audience at the Commencement Ceremony of Auburn University
44. Cook is the Highest Paid CEO
45. Cook’s Memorable Day at Apple
46. Controls Stress through Exercise and Visiting Parks
47. Steve Jobs’ Advice to Timothy Cook
48. Seriously Fulfills All Corporate Obligations
49. Price of a Product is Insignificant for Cook
50. Dislikes Introduction of OLED Displays
Timothy Cook Facts – Biography
Timothy Cook is the CEO of Apple Inc., the second largest technology company in the world.
He is previously COO but becomes CEO after the previous CEO, Steve Jobs passes away due to cancer.
As of 2012, Cook is paid US$ 378 million, making him the highest paid CEO in the world.
Tim Cook goes to Robertsdale High School after which he enrolls at Auburn University from where he receives a BS.
Degree in industrial engineering.
For his graduate, Cook goes to Fuqua School of Business at Duke University for his MBA degree.
At the start of his career, Cook serves as COO of Intelligent Electronics, in the computer reseller division.
After that, he joins IBM as the director of North American Fulfillment.
Steve Jobs has long been looking for a suitable candidate to hire for Apple and in 1998 he eventually comes upon Tim Cook.
Jobs has been looking for someone who can improve the shipping and manufacturing processes of the company.
In 1998, when Cook is contacted by an agency regarding a position with Apple, Cook dismisses their phone calls.
After just five minutes of meeting with Steve Jobs, the previous Apple CEO, Cook changes his mind immediately and leaves his other job.
In 2004, Timothy Cook serves as temporary CEO of Apple for two months when Steve Jobs has to take leave of absence for a serious pancreatic cancer surgery.
Cook’s second experience as CEO of the company comes about again a few years later in 2009 when Jobs has to take leave of absence for many months for a liver transplant.
When Tim Cook is hired by Apple, his first designation is that of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.
A lot of people believe that Cook single-handedly pulls the company out of manufacturing by closing down warehouses all over the world.
Over time the margins are increased significantly because the supply chain is streamlined and inventory levels are introduced.
These efforts help Cook to give Apple the extra edge in market competition because the company is able to unveil their next-generation products by keeping their products secret until the very last moment before distribution.
It is because of these achievements and techniques by Cook that he is finally promoted to the level of COO in 2007.
In January of 2011, Steve Jobs applies for his third leave of absence, which is granted him by the Board of Directors.
During this time, Cook is appointed to run the daily operations of the company while Jobs still makes the major decisions.
However later in the year, Jobs finally resigns as CEO and Cook is finalized as the new CEO of the company.
After Steve Jobs died and Cook takes over as CEO, many people begin comparing his work to that of Jobs.
Cook is not dismayed by this, rather he expects it.
He says that he does not intend to fill Jobs’ shoes.
Job is good at what he does, and Cook will be good at what he does, in his own way.
After becoming CEO of Apple, 51-year old Tim Cook has certainly made some mistakes.
The most recent being the failure of Apple Maps.
Although he has put a trusted executive in charge of the product, there is certainly a lack of involvement from Cook in dealing with problems that are faced by developers.
As CEO of the company, he should have had a better idea of what is going on.
In 2012, Apple stock begins to fall.
This decline in stock has been said to be connected to the company’s introduction of Apple Maps.
Apple Maps has had many mixed reviews, most of them being negative.
The failure of Apple Maps is believed to be due to the executive in charge of the project at the time, Scott Forstall.
Cook takes action and fires Forstall after he does not take accountability for the project’s failure.
Much criticism is received by Cook regarding his decision to hire John Browett.
Cook announces the decision to add Browett to the Apple team early 2012, and in October of the same year, he announces that Browett will be leaving the company.
Critics are dubious about Cook’s decision-making capabilities, as he has hired and then fired Browett in such a short span of time.
Tim Cook does not agree with the company’s decision to sue Samsung.
Apple buys many of its parts from Samsung.
The company plays an important supplying role for Apple’s biggest and most popular products, the iPhone and the iPad.
Tim comes from a humble background.
His father is a shipyard worker and his mother stays at home and takes care of him and his other two brothers.
He is born in the small town, Robertsdale located in Alabama.
Cook’s parents, Donald and Geraldine Cook live in the same house Tim grows up in.
His family still lives humbly, and Tim is not ashamed of this.
He comes from a hard working family.
One of his brothers is the manager of a shipbuilding company.
When Tim is young, he delivers newspapers.
Cook values family enormously and at the commencement ceremony at Auburn University he says, “I am where I am in life because my parents sacrificed more than they should have.”
Cook is a big fan of the famous Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong.
He quotes him during meetings and likes to follow certain aspects of Armstrong’s lifestyle, which has fueled his interest in cycling.
Rumor has it that his haircut is influenced by Armstrong’s hairstyle.
In an interview with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, Tom Cook reveals the personalities that he looks up to.
At the All Things D’s D10 Conference, he tells them that if they walk into his office, they may probably find Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy.
As for the leaders that are living currently, he believes that Bob Iger who is part of Disney has a huge influence.
Even though Tim Cook graduates from Auburn University in 1982, he has been regularly in touch with the program there and is a devoted fan of the football team at Auburn University.
The US politician Bobby Kennedy is one of Tim Cook’s heroes when he is growing up.
Tim Cook’s idols include Bobby Kennedy and all-time favorite Martin Luther King Jr.
If you go into his office, you will find portraits of both.
Their ideas and lifestyles have inspired Cook.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is extremely concerned about charity and making philanthropic contributions to society as well.
He strongly believes in the quote by John Kennedy that states, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’.
At the start of February 2012, Cook announces his plans of donating $100 million to charity.
To celebrate the successful fourth quarter of Apple, Cook announces in an internal town hall meeting that $50 million will be donated to Stanford’s hospital including the children’s hospital.
The other $50 million will go to Product RED, which is a campaign to combat diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria.
Cook is also known and much appreciated for laying the grounds for a nationwide charitable program that matches all of the donations that are made by employees, of up to $10,000 annually.
Cook’s single status and the fact that he has never been married with no kids, leads to speculation that he is gay.
He has never officially announced his sexuality publicly, but he is not afraid to do so, as he has Apple’s full support.
The Gawker blog Valleywag has officially named Tim Cook as ‘the most powerful gay man in the Silicon Valley’ and even though Cook is known for not revealing too many personal details of his life, his quiet mannerism belies his position of strength.
Unofficially labelled as a gay man, Tim Cook has been regarded as one of the most influential gay men of America.
In a magazine called Out, Cook is found at the top of the “Power” list.
This list rates the most influential gay people in America.
Currently 52 years of age, Tim Cook is at number 35 at Forbes.com in their list of World’s Most Powerful People.
When he is asked about confronting the fame that is attached to being CEO of Apple, Cook claims that he does not feel famous because he continues to lead a simple life.
He misses the privilege of being anonymous but at the same time, he enjoys being the CEO of Apple despite some major life adjustments.
True to his humble background, Cook lives in an average four-bedroom condo in Palo Alto, California.
It has a small yard in the front.
Tim says that he likes to be reminded of where he is from.
Again, he doesn’t like to think of himself as someone superior.
He says that monetary success does not motivate him.
Tim Cook is extremely sensitive about the working conditions of people in factories; he expresses his concerns at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in February.
In relation to the millions of Apple products that are manufactured and produced by the Chinese Foxconn factories, Cook conveys his dissatisfaction with their lack of concern for the workers and laborers.
Many people begin to compare Cook’s work ethics with Steve Jobs’ way of doing things.
Over time, his employees notice a difference in their temperament and methods of tackling issues, Cook’s workplace rages are few and far in between.
Unlike Jobs, he never raises his voice if somebody in the company makes a mistake or does not know how to do their job; instead, he lapses into silence and stares at the person at fault.
However, one of the traits that Jobs and Cook share is their love and passion for Bob Dylan, his life and his musical works.
According to one general manager of an Apple store, ‘Steve is the face of the company and very involved with product development but Tim is the guy who takes all those designs and turns it into a big pile of cash for the company’.
On the other hand, a former subordinate of Cook says in an interview with CNN that Cook can be brutal in meetings, ‘shredding’ his employees into pieces.
On the other hand, Tim Cook also does not call himself a shy person, especially because of the rigor and force that he puts into each and every meeting at Apple.
According to Cook, ‘I’m not a person that puts value in being recognized’ and instead he says, ‘I am driven by great work and seeing people do incredible things and having a part in that’.
When it comes to the future of Apple, Tim Cook is a firm believer of technological progress; as a child, he is a huge fan of ‘The Jetsons’ and on NBC he reveals that he can like this age with the technology portrayed in the show.
Cook has a strict routine that he follows.
He wakes up quite early and begins sending emails as early as 4:30 am.
He is usually the first one to get to work, and holds telephone meetings on Sunday nights to discuss plans for the upcoming week.
In mid-2012, Cook is made part of the list of 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine.
He also has the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for Nike.
Cook has always hated litigation and prefers to settle rather than battle tirelessly in court.
In 1996, Cook is misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
This eye opening experience urges Cook to take care of himself and his health.
He enjoys cycling and hiking, and abides by a firm gym routine.
Even though he spends most of his time working, he makes sure to take out time for himself.
Cook knows how it is to work in the labor industry, and is concerned with poor working conditions of Apple factories.
He himself works in an Alabama paper mill and a Virginia aluminum factory, a past that he is proud of and has announced in a public gathering.
Cook is not afraid to speak highly of other successful companies.
He appreciates the work of Facebook, and says that it is very similar to Apple.
He has a lot of respect for the highly popular social network.
He likes to mingle with his employees.
He does not feel that he is superior to them and sometimes will have lunch with his employees.
This is not something that many big company CEO’s will do and his employees must feel valued by his actions.
In 2010, Cook is invited to speak at the commencement ceremony of Auburn University where he speaks about the importance of having good intuition.
It can guide one in making the most important decisions in one’s life and he also speaks about hard work and preparation, both of which can help to invigorate one’s intuition.
At the same ceremony, Cook claims that his decision to join Apple is perhaps the most significant one of his life.
In 2012, The New York Times article reveals that among the largest publicly traded companies in 2012 alone, Cook is the highest paid CEO.
His annual salary at Apple alone amounts to $900,000 and in addition to this, he is responsible for bringing in a lot of income from other sources including stock awards, bonuses and other forms of compensation.
Most of the time, this additional source of income also amounts up to millions of dollars annually.
In the year 2011 alone, Tim Cook earns about $378 million from compensations alone.
According to Cook, one of his most memorable days at Apple is perhaps his first one there.
He has to cross a picket line to get into the building because the lines of customers are protesting Jobs’ decision to kill the Newton device.
At that moment, Cook recalls feeling inspiration and awe for the company that has customers who care about it so much.
To keep stress at bay, Cook employs exercise and activities like going to national parks.
In an interview with Businessweek, Cook talks about the valuable advice, which is given to him by Steve Jobs about following intuition and instincts.
Following the example of Walt Disney’s studios after Disney’s death, Jobs makes it clear to Cook that he does not want Cook to question what Jobs must have done in a situation; instead, Cook is advised to do what’s right.
Tim is also very serious about fulfilling corporate obligations; giving back to the community, producing environmentally friendly products and focusing on education.
Price of a product, for Cook, is hardly ever the most important thing; rather, it is the joy you get every day from using the product.
Cook does not like the recent introduction of OLED displays.
He agrees with his predecessor, Jobs, that OLED displays do not have great color and absorption.
Interestingly, even though Cook does not like OLED displays, Apple has begun to sign patents on OLED technologies.
Apple, Biography, Facebook, Facts, Google, Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs, Tim Cook
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Chronicles Magazine Politcs
Surveying America: A Plan for Growth
Steve Sailer - APRIL 07, 2015
Latin America has repeatedly failed to achieve the kind of settled distribution of property that could support a middle-class society.
Which KGB?
Hugh Prysor-Jones - APRIL 07, 2015
Everyone in Moscow knew that the massive demonstration planned for March 1 was in some way meant to be dangerous. The mood harked back to the events that caused the 1917 Revolution, or the troubles on the streets that paved the way for Boris...
The Neocons Called the Tune
Justin Raimondo - APRIL 07, 2015
The April issue of Chronicles had just gone to press when the news broke: 47 Republican senators had signed an open letter to the Iranian leadership penned by neoconservative stalwart Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).
An American Sniper
Roger McGrath - APRIL 07, 2015
A galloglass was a professional warrior hired by an Irish chief. The practice of employing such men became common in the decades following the Norman invasion, when it became obvious that heavily armed and mail-clad fighters were needed to...
Messalina’s Revenge
Clyde Wilson - APRIL 07, 2015
In modern America the curse seems to have appeared with the consolidation of imperial government at home and abroad with the New Deal and World War II. Eleanor Roosevelt was in a class all by herself.
Trigger Warnings
R. Clay Reynolds - APRIL 07, 2015
In a May 21, 2014,Washington Post column, Kathleen Parker alerted readers to a phenomenon in higher education termed “trigger warnings.”
UNDER THE BLACK FLAG
Taki Theodoracopulos - APRIL 07, 2015
“There is no more potent instrument of fate in 19th-century fiction than the legacy.” So writes a female columnist in Britain’s best newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, before going on to say some rude things about trust-fund babies.
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Agriculture in Transition in the West Texas Plains
October 19, 2012 /1 Comment/in /by Brett Walton
As in much of the Great Plains, farmers here are adapting to new conditions.
Photo © Brett Walton/Circle of Blue
Farmer Glenn Schur talks to a group of journalists about growing cotton in the Texas High Plains.
The Euclidian scrape of the West Texas plains is both mesmerizing and terrifying.
Mesmerizing in their simplicity–cotton field, billboard, intersection, repeat–the infinite plains rouse in me a psychological near-panic.
Growing up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and now living in Seattle where I see craggy mountain ranges to the east and to the west, I think to myself: how can people live in such flatness? What can you daydream about when there looks the same as here?
I’m in Lubbock, Texas this week for the 22nd annual conference of the Society for Environmental Journalists. Psychogeography was on my mind yesterday on the bus as some of us took a field trip two hours north to explore a more basic question: how do farmers here in the center of U.S. cotton production make a living where there are no perennial rivers?
Like in much of the Great Plains, salvation lies below. The Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world’s great stores of groundwater, pushes down into West Texas. (In September I wrote about how farmers in Kansas are managing their section of the Ogallala.) In a region where average annual rainfall is 45 cm (18 in) and where devastating droughts occur, groundwater makes large-scale agriculture and big crop yields possible.
Cotton. It’s everywhere in West Texas.
What we found on the trip is a fascinating example of farmers confronting a Medusa’s wig of water management challenges: climate change, a shrinking aquifer, rising energy, fuel and seed costs, and the necessity of adaptation. The farmers we talked to have changed their practices by using water more efficiently and by adopting no-till farming, which reduces evaporation by protecting soil moisture.
“A lot of things for farmers are out of your control,” said Steve Verett, the executive vice president of the Plains Cotton Growers Incorporated, a producer group. “We have to adapt. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
It’s a story I’ll tell here on Circle of Blue in the next few weeks.
Brett Walton
Circle of Blue reporter
Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton
Tags: Agriculture, cotton, Energy, great plains, In The Circle: Fresh Focus, Irrigation, Kansas, Ogallala Aquifer, Seattle, Texas, United States, Water Management
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png 0 0 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2012-10-19 06:00:292012-10-19 02:03:49Agriculture in Transition in the West Texas Plains
The Stream, March 29: Shale Gas Prospects in China and California
Election 2014 Recap: Voters Mostly Say ‘Yes’ to Water Spending
Event Invitation—Choke Point: Confronting Energy Demand and Water Scarcity in China
In Silicon Valley, Symbols of California's Drought Abound
Water tapping: Utah confronts Nevada government on pipeline pollution
U.S. House Passes Bill to Accelerate Decision on Tar Sands Keystone XL Pipeline
It is funny your goal is to save the farms, from the farmers I tealkd to they are all in agreement in support of the pipeline. Also it is ironic that you are all flying in from all over the country to protest fossil fuel, what do think is fueling your planes.Reminds me of a pic that has been going around the web, shows a protest like yours and a guy is holding up a sign stating he does not use fossil fuels, he rides a bus. In my opinion this is a political rally only.
Clean Water Act Turns 40 (Part I): Cities Fall In Love With Rivers Again Photo Slideshow: Vintage Collection, Before Clean Water Act
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View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2019/07/09/291845.htm
Quakes Push Californians to Prepare for the Next Big Jolt
RIDGECREST, Calif. — Shaken residents were cleaning up Sunday from two of the biggest earthquakes to rattle California in decades as scientists warn that both should serve as a wake-up call to be ready when the long-dreaded “Big One” strikes.
California is spending more than $16 million to install thousands of quake-detecting sensors statewide that officials say will give utilities and trains precious seconds to shut down before the shaking starts.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said it’s time residents did their part by mapping out emergency escape routes and preparing earthquake kits with food, water, lights and other necessities.
“It is a wake-up call for the rest of the state and other parts of the nation, frankly,” Newsom said at a Saturday news conference on efforts to help a desert region jolted by back-to-back quakes.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake Thursday and a magnitude 7.1 quake Friday were centered 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the small desert town of Ridgecrest, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) from Los Angeles.
The quakes buckled highways and ruptured gas lines that sparked several house fires, and officials said about 50 homes in the nearby small town of Trona were damaged. No one was killed or seriously injured, which authorities attributed to the remote location in the Mojave Desert.
“Any time that we can go through a 7-point earthquake and we do not report a fatality, a major injury, do not suffer structure damage that was significant, I want to say that that was a blessing and a miracle,” Kern County Fire Department spokesman Andrew Freeborn said Sunday.
Seismologists said a similar-sized quake in a major city like San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego could collapse bridges, buildings and freeways, as well as spark devastating fires fueled by ruptured gas lines.
“We’re going to have a magnitude 6, on average, somewhere in Southern California every few years. We’ve actually gone 20 years without one, so we have had the quietest 20 years in the history of Southern California,” said seismologist Lucy Jones of the California Institute of Technology.
“That’s unlikely to continue on the long run,” she added. “Geology keeps on moving … and we should be expecting a higher rate. And when it happens near people, it is going to be a lot worse.”
Thus the need for preparation, Newsom and others say.
Some Californians, like Greg Messigian of Los Angeles, say they’re already taking such precautions. His wake-up call came with the 1994 Northridge earthquake that killed 61 people and caused $15 billion in damage. His San Fernando Valley home, located just above the fault line, was all but destroyed.
“We had brick walls around the perimeter that had all fallen down. We had cracks in the pool. Inside the house everything that we ever had on a shelf was broken. Television sets fell off the places where they were and cracked. Our chimney was broken. There were cracks in the walls.”
With the help of earthquake insurance, he rebuilt.
On Sunday, the retired schoolteacher was going over his preparedness kit, making sure he had everything he would need for the next quake.
Among the contents: Enough water to last a week, extra shoes and clothes, blankets, flashlights, batteries, food, a cellphone charger and food for the family dog. On top of that, he has an escape route planned and keeps one car parked in the garage and another in the driveway _ in case the garage falls down on the car.
The 1994 quake was not the state’s most devastating. The famous 1906 San Francisco earthquake killed 3,000 people. The 1971 San Fernando quake, centered not far from the Northridge quake, killed 65. The 1989 Loma Prieta quake, nicknamed the World Series Earthquake because it struck the Bay Area as the San Francisco Giants were playing Game 3 of the World Series, killed 63.
Kathy Mirescu of Los Angeles said she had been meaning to restock her earthquake safety kit and got a push after the quakes she called the strongest she’s felt since moving to California in 2000.
“The size of those quakes drove home the urgency of making sure we had everything we needed,” she said.
The Salesforce product designer spent $250 on everything from camping lanterns, flares and waterproof matches to nonperishable food, iodine tablets for purifying water and freeze-dried food for her dog. She also printed out copies of her and her husband’s passports and driver’s licenses and earthquake insurance policy.
Some in other states were taking heed as well.
“When you see a place that suffers two huge earthquakes back-to-back like that, I always think what’s next?” said Laura Sampson of Palmer, Alaska. “It absolutely makes me think of worrying about what comes next and if I’m prepared.”
Sampson was at home in her community northeast of Anchorage last November when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook the area. She said she still needs a better plan for contacting loved ones after a quake.
As people prepared, authorities in rural Kern County repaired roads and utilities.
The quakes sparked several house fires, shut off power, snapped gas lines, cracked buildings and flooded some homes when water lines broke. Newsom estimated the damage at more than $100 million and said President Donald Trump called him to offer federal support.
All roads serving Ridgecrest, a town of 28,000 residents, were safe to drive again Sunday, water and power had been restored and bus service would resume Monday, Police Chief Jed McLaughlin said. He said homes were being inspected for damage and that all government buildings were declared safe.
Residents of the nearby town of Trona, southwest of Death Valley, reported electricity had been restored but water and gas service was still out at many homes. People in the town of about 2,000 lined up for free water that California National Guard soldiers handed out at Trona High School.
“I just picked up a couple cases for me and my dog,” said Jeb Haleman, adding that his home of 40 years otherwise escaped unscathed.
When Friday’s quake struck he said he was about 10 stories off the ground working on a boiler at the Searles Valley Minerals plant.
“I was holding on for dear life,” he said, laughing. “That was quite a ride.”
With temperatures hovering around the 100-degree mark, Sgt. Robert Madrigal said the National Guard would provide water “just as long as they need us here.”
Officials were taking precautions because of the heat and expectation of thousands of smaller aftershocks over the next several days.
The U.S. Geological Survey said there was just a 1% chance of another magnitude 7 or higher earthquake in the next week, and a rising possibility of no magnitude 6 quakes.
The National Guard was sending 200 troops, logistical support and aircraft, Maj. Gen. David Baldwin said.
The California Office of Emergency Services brought in cots, water and meals and set up cooling centers in the region, Director Mark Ghilarducci said.
Copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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"It's absolutely a dream come true": Caribou on His Career So Far and His Deeply Personal New Album
ByJules Muir
By Jules Muir
Dan Snaith has made music as Manitoba, Caribou, and Daphni over the course of six albums and 15 years as a recording artist. Whether making gentle IDM, psychedelic electronica, lo-fi pop, straight house and techno, or a mix of all of the above, Snaith has steadily pushed the boundaries of what one person can create. Now in his mid-30s and with a young daughter, Snaith’s new album as Caribou, Our Love, is his most personal to date, but also his most expansive.
Our Love, released on October 7 (buy here), takes some of the best elements from Snaith’s previous albums, and presents them in a golden package of catchy vocals, warm analog production, and crisp electronic beats. The influences and musical references come from far and wide but listeners needn’t have any knowledge of these far-flung influences and musical reference points to enjoy Our Love. It’s that rare accessible album that will delight the core fanbase but also function as an entry point into a rich body of work.
We spoke to Snaith in New York before the album’s release, talking about how much Four Tet helped shape Our Love, the hazards of working alone in his basement, and trying to make music that he’d want his daughter to be around in the first few years of her life.
Listen to Dan Snaith’s recent BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, featuring exclusives from himself, Chaz Bundick’s Les Sins project, Joy Orbison and Boddika, Pearson Sound, and Anthony Naples here.
I’m passing through New York on the way to North Carolina and then I have a holiday upstate.
A little vacation from your extensive touring.
Which is kind of a vacation in itself.
Is that how you look at it?
Definitely. I’m playing amazing shows and traveling all over the world. Sure, sometimes I have to get up early and travel for long periods of time, but it’s so amazing.
What are your favorites places to travel and play shows?
It correlates with the places that I’ve been least often. We’ve only been to South America once, we’ve only been to Mexico twice, and next year we’re going to do a proper Asian tour with a lot of places I’ve never been to before. Places like New York and London are always great shows but the new places are always the most exciting for me.
You tour extensively, ten back-to-back days in October for example. How is the chemistry within the band?
That’s a good question. With Swim we did over 200 shows in a year and there was a period of seven months where we were only at our homes for ten days—we were with each other the entirety of that time. We get on remarkably well, but of course if you spend an extensive amount of time with anybody there will be small things like, “Move your shit I need more room!” [laughs]
Besides the fact that we’re good musically together, we get along really well. That’s one of them most important things, because that’s what makes bands implode almost all the time—they just can’t stand each other any more.
Alongside the live dates are you doing club shows at the moment too?
Here and there but not really that much. I only do them when it seems like I’m in the right place and it seems like fun, but there’s a lot going on right now. I’ve done more of that in the last couple years but at the moment it’s time to do the band thing and focus on that.
The Daphni album was your club music side-project, but when you’re creating as Caribou, what inspires you? What inspired you specifically with this new album?
Caribou is everything musically for me. The Daphni thing is a very particular side-project, everything else I’m interested in musically, including some of the dance music influences, is in my Caribou stuff. It’s the main thing I do. The way Swim was received I felt this vote of confidence and affirmation from people, so one of the most important things was to really make a record for everybody. That was kind of the impetus, this idea of making something in the way that you make a handmade gift for somebody.
I also wanted to get as much of my personal life in there as well, because there was some of that in Swim but I’ve become more and more confident. The Caribou music means more to me personally than Daphni, I want it to represent me. I wanted to make something really special for people and that was where the energy came from, rather than from an environment, a genre of music, or clubs. I was thinking about how to cram my life into an album.
There’s heartbreak, there’s love, it’s delicate but it’s danceable. What was your mind-state going into the recording?
The thing about the way I record now is that it’s so integrated into the rest of my life. My studio is just in the little basement in our house and I’ve got a young daughter now, so I spend a lot of time either looking after her or being with other friends who have kids. I’ll have a couple of hours while she has a nap where I’ll go and try and make music.
I’ve got a young daughter now, so I spend a lot of time either looking after her or being with other friends who have kids. I’ll have a couple of hours while she has a nap where I’ll go and try and make music.
The music is knitted into the whole fabric of my life in such a cohesive way, and I wanted the music to capture all those things that are important to me. I have my child, my family, my friends, all those things—I wanted to represent that and celebrate it in the music somehow. There are these melancholy moments, there are the euphoric moments, I think the whole thing is generally optimistic but I hope it’s a mix of things. It’s not like, “Ok here’s a euphoric dance album,” and it’s not like, “Oh, a sad singer/songwriter album.” I hope a bit of everything is in there.
The lead single “Can’t Do Without You” has elements of both—what roles do the euphoria and melancholy play on the album?
Music is the best at synthesizing those two things which seem to be opposed, music like disco where marginalized people are celebrating their difficulties in a really euphoric kind of way. Dance music in general has often been about that as well as the blues. It’s this way of celebrating difficulty and making something that’s both happy and sad at the same time. I’ve always loved that kind of music. I feel good now, my music feels genuine, truthful, and honest, it just naturally has both of those things in it because life has both of those things in it.
On the Daphni album you used the modular synth that you built yourself, but going into this album what was organic and what type of electronics did you use?
It was a combination. I got really fascinated with the contemporary sound of R&B music which is generally so synthesized, pristine, and two-dimensional—it’s like a mirage you know. I think you can hear that in some places in the record, but I was also listening to music I would want my daughter to hear as a kid. I put on classic Stevie Wonder albums, the music you want to be around in some of the first years of someone’s life. I didn’t really think about that in terms of the music that I was making, but in retrospect that had a huge impact on what I did on this record.
I was also listening to music I would want my daughter to hear as a kid. I put on classic Stevie Wonder albums, the music you want to be around in some of the first years of someone’s life.
The intention of making a really personal record that’s warm and generous—that’s exactly what those Stevie Wonder records do. That’s where I think a lot of the production sounds come from, there’s me playing drums, electric piano, analog instruments, and those kind of sounds ended up more and more in the music as the record developed. It’s this synthesis of the hyper-digital and the warmer analog sounding stuff.
image cia Thomas Neukum
The album has these two sides, there’s the male perspective but then on a song like “Second Chance” there’s the female perspective too.
Jessy Lanza sings on that track and she’s been a friend for a while. Her album is co-produced by Jeremy from Junior Boys and he’s a good friend from High School—Jessy’s actually from the same town that I grew up in. Three or four years ago Jeremy gave me some of the tunes they were working on together because he was super excited, and I was blown away right from the start.
I knew that I wanted her to be part of this record. I see one of the failures of my music as the fact that it’s the work of one man, and I wanted to not just include the sonic difference of the female perspective but also include her actual perspective to make it less masculine. I’m wary of making masculine music, I want it to be more encompassing and open. She’s an incredibly talented musician and producer so I sent her that loop and getting it back was probably the most enjoyable moment of making the record for me. Working by myself I don’t get to be surprised as often as if I were working with another musician and they come up with something that just blows me away.
I see one of the failures of my music as the fact that it’s the work of one man, and I wanted to not just include the sonic difference of the female perspective but also include her actual perspective to make it less masculine
When she sent me back the melody and the lyrics it totally changed what that track was for me. That melody is so gorgeous and that was a real treat for me. It’s one of, if not my favorite tracks on the album. Her and Owen Pallett who does the string arrangements on the album both had a big part to play the way the album turned out.
You write and record all the music yourself, correct?
Yes, on the record it’s just me, the guys in the live band don’t play on the record. It’s just me apart from Jessy and Owen.
I know you have a relationship with Four Tet, but is there anybody out there, a Jessy Lanza type, who you want to bring into your musical process?
The central thing for me is that it’s somebody I am friends with personally. The music is almost like a photo album for me. It doesn’t make any sense to just hire somebody who’s got a nice voice or plays guitar really well and stick them on the record. Why are they there?
The music is almost like a photo album for me. It doesn’t make any sense to just hire somebody who’s got a nice voice or plays guitar really well and stick them on the record. Why are they there?
This is about my life and if I just hired someone it doesn’t represent me. That’s why both with Owen and Jessy—and I’m glad you mention Kieran [Four Tet] actually because he’s one of my closest friends—we bounce our musical ideas off each other. Kieran really should have some type of credit on this album because even though he doesn’t produce or play anything on the record I got so much feedback from him. I asked him about different tracks on the album, different arrangements, I wasted so much of his time and like a good friend he was so generous being that sounding board. Working by yourself you need that outside perspective some of the time, and he was really, really key for the music coming out the way it did.
What is your process when you work? Just in a basement surrounded by instruments?
That’s been the challenge about the way that I work. The way that I used to work was closing the door of the studio and sitting by myself for 12 hours until I was totally lost and absorbed in the music. The best things would happen when I shut everything else out and really got in the zone. Now, though, my time is much more fractured between work and personal life. I maybe only get to go down to the studio and record one thing and then I have to go back up again.
There are always months and months at the beginning where I think I won’t be able to make another album I like. It’s frustrating and things are very slowly coming together, but not in a clear way. Then, one night, maybe two thirds of the way through the process, I went down to the basement late at night but I was thinking, “Oh I should go to bed.” So I went to bed but I couldn’t sleep and I was just thinking about what the songs needed. Then I went back down and recorded another thing, went back to bed and the same thing—I couldn’t sleep. It happened three or four times one night. When I woke up in the morning I had three or four tracks that I knew how to finish. That was a very exciting time.
A track like “Mars” has a house feel but it’s on the Caribou album—where do you see the personas of Daphni and Caribou overlapping?
I played that track in 2011, I did a Boiler Room set with Jamie xx and I played that track back then while I was billed as Caribou. “Mars” is a track that could be a Daphni track or a Caribou track, there isn’t really a distinct split that makes it obvious. The thing that differentiates it for me is the process and the intention. The Daphni stuff is all just super fast jams that are intentionally raw and unedited. They’re made to DJ with and they work in the club. I’m happy with them and excited by them but I never go back and rework them, whereas the Caribou stuff I’m like, “Ok lets put this in the file, work on the arrangement, and consider how everything relates to each other.”
“Mars” is a track that could have gone either way, I could have just left it the way I played it on the Boiler Room but in the end I thought it related to the Caribou stuff so I added another a section to the end and I worked on it some more, but it could have gone either way.
Daphni is based on whims and quick creativity and Caribou is more meticulous?
Yeah, definitely.
Every album you’ve made has a running time of 39 minutes to 45 minutes, is there some sort of algorithm or method you use when going into an album?
And they all have like between nine and twelve tracks—something like that. There isn’t a formula, but I’m sensitive to the importance of editing. I make so much music, hundreds and hundreds of things that could be turned into tracks. I could have made this Caribou album four hours long but it would be a much worse album. I love that music can appear in many different forms and you can have songs that are 28 minutes long and you could have a song that’s 2 minutes long and they kind of live in the same world.
Maybe my albums are that length because that’s the length of all the classic albums which were dictated by how long a piece of vinyl could be. That’s why all the albums we love from the past are that kind of length. But there’s something about making a statement at that kind of length that just makes sense to me, in some ways I need a mark to say, “I’m done.” It does help that once I make ten tracks that I’m happy with I look at them and see what they sound like. If there was no accepted album format I’d just keep making tracks forever.
Here we are in a nice New York hotel room, is this what you envisioned growing up?
I knew from a really young age that I wanted to be a musician, from when I was five maybe. I had an older sister and she was into ’80s music, I don’t even remember why, but Depeche Mode and that kind of thing. It just seemed exciting and interesting but also my experience with music at that age was sitting listening to the Top 40 on the radio and taping songs off the radio that I liked.
Music always spoke to me a lot and I was that kid playing with spoons on a pot or pan. But for a while that wasn’t what I was going to be, I was going to be a scientist or a mathematician, or a musician of a very different kind—I played jazz piano a lot when I was a teenager. I thought I might be a pianist and it wasn’t until my late teenage years that I connected to making my own music. At that point though it seemed obvious, it seemed like the most exciting thing to do in the world, but I didn’t have any idea of what the reality of it would actually be like.
Are you happy with how things have turned out?
Oh my god, I’m so happy with it. I’m so lucky and I often think about going back and telling my 15-year-old self that this is what it is. It’s absolutely a dream come true.
Pigeons & Planes is all about music discovery, supporting new artists, and delivering the best music curation online and IRL. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
GalleriesPigeons And PlanesCaribouDaphni
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The Failed Turkey Coup and Lessons Learnt for Leadership
I watched with keen interest on an international news channel, the military coup in Turkey on the night of 15th July. At some point, the news channel was reporting that they were not sure which government was in power. If it was President Recep Tayyip Edrogan or the military because the reports they were getting were either saying the Military were in Power or the current elected government was still in charge. While all these were going on, the President called on the citizens to go all out to the streets to protest and reject the military.
Turkish soldiers being trampled upon & humiliated by civilians
By the next morning, I woke up to see new reports that the citizens were successful in
countering the military and defeated them. The military coup failed. I watched on the news channel, how some military men were beaten, stoned, and more than a hundred soldiers killed during the clash. Close to 50 civilians lost their lives in the process. This is an unfortunate event and will be seen as the price for democracy.
Well, my intention is not to really analyze the Turkish government, the people and the coup but the lessons learnt for Leadership from this failed coup.
Coup is never an option to usurp power – especially when the leader is democratically elected. They might end up like the Turkish military men who were humiliated.
As a Leader, you are expected to lead right - Leadership is not for the purpose of exercising power, authority and control, but for the purpose of service. This is majorly the purpose. Service to the people that have elected you to serve them and help improve the economic, social and political lot of the Country. A leader that leads right will be appreciated by the people or citizens or as the case maybe.
A leader needs to be open-minded and receptive – it is important for a leader to be conscious and not get carried away when in power, taking cognizance that s/he was elected by the people. The people can choose to support you when in power, protect you, like the ‘Turks’ did for their President or neglect you.
Leadership is not selective – Do not choose which constituent to favour or neglect because you are counting people and geographical areas were you were given higher number of votes. Leadership, and for a position like the Presidency, it is for ALL. You lead a whole nation and the citizens not a selected group.
LEAD and serve the people that elected you right. Citizens have POWER.
+Chinwe Oguamanam is a Development Practitioner. Follow on Twitter @chinweogu
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John Heartfield: satirist, anti-fascist and fearless communist
Published in Visual Arts
Jenny Farrell salutes John Heartfield, the creator of political photomontage, who died fifty years ago.
John Heartfield is one of the most important European artists. He works in a field which he created himself, the field of photomontage. Through this new form of art, he exercises social criticism. Steadfastly on the side of the working class, he unmasked the forces of the Weimar Republic driving towards war; driven into exile he fought against Hitler. The works of this great satirist, which mainly appeared in the workers’ press, are regarded as classics by many, including the author of these lines. - Bertolt Brecht
John Heartfield died fifty years ago, on 26 April 1968. He is the founder of political photomontage and a fearless communist and activist, who lived through two world wars.
Helmut Herzfeld was born on 19 June 1891 in Berlin. His parents abandoned Herzfeld, his brother and two sisters, at a very young age, in 1899. The children lived with relatives after that. After finishing school in 1905, the brothers moved first to Wiesbaden, and from there to Munich, in 1909, where Heartfield studied art. Initially, he worked as a commercial artist and later continued his studies in Berlin. In protest against chauvinist war propaganda and the greeting “May God Punish England”, Herzfeld translated his surname into English, calling himself John Heartfield thenceforth.
Heartfield’s brother Wieland and he worked closely together throughout their lives. Together they published the magazine “Neue Jugend” in Berlin in 1917-18, where John Heartfield pioneered a new typography. They founded the Malik-Verlag publishing house in 1917. When the Communist Party of Germany was founded, at the end of December 1918, Heartfield joined immediately. He produced stage sets for proletarian theatres, posters for the Communist Party, and contributed artwork for magazines and pamphlets.
Over the following years, he began experimenting with new ways of working with photographs. These photomontages were used for the book covers of the Malik-Verlag and other progressive publishing houses. Heartfield also collaborated with other anti-fascist artists, such as George Grosz, especially in creating collages in the early post-war years.
Fathers and Sons, 1924
Photomontage became Heartfield’s specific artistic weapon. He made photomontages commenting on contemporary politics, starting with the famous image “Fathers and Sons” in 1924. After 1930, he contributed frequently to the weeklies “Arbeiter-Illustrierte-Zeitung” (AIZ) and “Volks-Illustrierte” (VI), often collaborating with Wieland in creating montages. Heartfield’s photomontages on the covers of the widely sold AIZ, appeared at newsstands across Germany. He used Rotogravure, engraving pictures, words and designs, into the printing plate, to design montages on posters, which were distributed in the streets of Berlin in 1932 and 1933.
The spirit of class struggle and in particular of the October Revolution imbues the book covers he created for the works of revolutionary German, American, and Soviet writers, for the collected editions of Tolstoy, Gorky, Ehrenburg and Sinclair. He responded directly to world events: the British general strike in 1926; the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti in 1927; the planned frame-up of the eight Scottsboro boys in Alabama, USA, in 1931.
This is the God they they bring, 1938
When fascism took over in Germany, the Nazis targeted him immediately. A dramatic flight brought him to Prague, where he resumed his work for the emigrated AIZ and the Malik-Verlag. An entire series of photomontages was dedicated to the trial of Dimitrov in 1933, later, in 1936-37, to the battles of the Spanish Republic and the International Brigades.
The meaning of the Hitler salute, 1932
In 1938, Hitler demanded the extradition of Heartfield and other anti-fascists. This demand was rejected by the Czechoslovak government. He fled to London shortly before the Nazis marched into Prague in December 1938, where he was initially interned as an enemy alien. Following his release, he received permission to stay in Britain, whilst Wieland did not and had to flee to the United States. In London, Heartfield co-founded the active “Free German League of Culture” and earned his living as typographer and designer for British publishing houses.
Returning from Britain in 1950, he settled in the German Democratic Republic, initially in Leipzig and then in Berlin. Despite serious heart trouble, he continued working, creating stage settings and theatre posters for the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, and for the Berliner Ensemble, as well as political posters for the state.
John Heartfield wrote the following passage for the catalogue of the last two exhibitions held during his lifetime:
Since we are living in the nuclear age a Third World War would mean a catastrophe for the whole of humanity, a catastrophe the full extent of which eludes our imagination. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, on 13 October 1937, I made a photomontage entitled Warning. A cinema audience was shown watching scenes of horror caused by a Japanese air raid on Manchuria in the Far East. The caption read: 'today you will see a film from other lands. But know that if you do not resist unitedly today, it will kill you tomorrow.’ The campaign of extermination against the Vietnamese people, fighting heroically for their existence, caused me to change the first line of the caption. Now it reads: '... You will see a film from far-off Vietnam.’
“Now the war has reached the Near East. A short while earlier the monarcho-fascist putsch in Greece smothered every democratic political movement. The fire is at the gates!
“Today the people of peace of all countries must work together even more closely, and mobilise all resources to strengthen and save world peace, since warlike rulers are rallying for war. The Civil War in Spain was the fascist manoeuvre field for the Second World War; in the same way today’s wars endanger world peace.
“With his famous painting ‘Guernica’ Picasso supported the heroic anti-fascist writers in Spain. He succeeded his compatriot Goya in the struggle against war. He also created the wonderful lithograph of the world-famous flying dove of peace. That the dove shall never again be impaled upon a bayonet (as shown in one of my photomontages), all advocates of peace, whatever their political opinions, must close the ranks in the fight to maintain peace.
My brother Wieland Herzfelde, my trusted helper and co-combatant against exploitation and war, wrote a poem entitled ‘The Soldiers of Peace’. It begins with these words:
We are the soldiers of peace.
No nation
And no race is our enemy
And it ends:
Peoples, may your children
All be saved from war.
Preventing war
Shall be your triumph.
And to work for this great triumph has been the aim of his and my artistic work since our earliest youth.” - Berlin, 9 June 1967.
Paul Robeson: activist, communist and spokesperson for the oppressed of the earth
Published in Music
On the 120th anniversary of Paul Robeson's birth, Jenny Farrell tells the story of his life.
"The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative."
- Paul Robeson at a rally in London’s Albert Hall on 24 June 1937, in support of the democratically elected Spanish Republic.
Paul Robeson, son of an escaped slave, was born into apartheid America on 9 April 1898, 120 years ago. Best known as a bass-baritone singer, he was also an outstanding actor and consummate athlete, fighting against racial discrimination in sports. He was a fearless political activist in the struggles for emancipation at home, a supporter of all liberation movements, a friend of the Soviet Union and the socialist world. He sang in over 20 languages, including Chinese, Russian, and African dialects. He was the first singer to perform an entire programme of spirituals and songs of the African-American experience, giving them the recognition of a concert stage and making them known worldwide. Robeson was also the first to refuse to perform before segregated audiences. He was the first African-American actor to perform as Othello in the US, based on his ground-breaking interpretation of this character and the first in Britain since Ira Aldridge in the 19th century. He was the most significant African-American actor in the US on stage and screen and first African-American actor to gain international prominence, bringing dignity and respect to African-American characters. He was a worldwide symbol of the artist as activist and spokesperson of the oppressed of the earth.
When he died in 1976, he lived in seclusion with his sister in Philadelphia, standing firm on all his political convictions, yet never having fully recovered from the enormous pressure of the witch-hunt against him. The responsibility for this tragic trajectory lies with the racism and anti – communism of the McCarthy era.
Robeson met and married Eslanda (Essie) Goode, first African-American analytical chemist working at Columbia Medical Center in New York, activist, writer and orator, in 1921. When it became clear he could not work as a lawyer because of racism, he began his singing career in the mid-1920s with radically new interpretations of spirituals. The spirituals express the hardship of slavery in biblical language, and often contain veiled messages and resistance. Thus, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”, not merely expresses Robeson’s own experience of losing his mother at an early age, but also describes the severance of families through slavery. Further, Robeson’s interpretation adds his father’s experience of those African-Americans who fled the South to escape from slavery. Another spiritual, “Go Down Moses”, celebrates the release of the Israelites from captivity, something Robeson’s audience understood referring to their own freedom.
A turning point in Robeson’s life were his years in London, 1927-39. Here, he formed his outlook on world affairs, became an internationalist, fully embraced socialism, identified with the oppressed working class, regardless of colour. In London he discovered Africa and forged life-long friendships with Jomo Kenyatta, Nkrumah, Azikiwe (also, the future Indian leader Nehru) – and African seamen in the ports. Robeson began to study African culture, learn African languages, and embrace languages as gateways to the nations of the world: “It is fascinating … to find flexibility and subtlety in a language like Swahili, sufficient to convey the teachings of Confucius”. He also came to realise that alongside “the towering achievements of the cultures of ancient Greece and China there stood the culture of Africa, unseen and denied by the imperialist looters of Africa’s material wealth … and I came to learn of the remarkable kinship between African and Chinese culture.” Robeson indeed went on to develop a theory whereby a universal pentatonic tonality links musical folk cultures across the continents.
Robeson worked as a celebrated actor and singer in London, playing Othello and other important roles. During these years, he came to realise one could not rely on middle-class African-Americans in the emancipation struggle, recognising their dependence on their White masters. Robeson grasped that the lives of the oppressed were connected, evident in their music, and that alliances must be forged across geographical and racial differences, along the lines of class. He joined the working-class Unity Theatre in London, in an effort to help build workers’ theatres and develop a working-class culture in its full meaning.
Concomitantly, Robeson became active in the political issues of the time: the Spanish Civil War, anti-fascism, and the liberation struggles in Africa and Asia. Indeed, he became the supreme emblem of this global battle for emancipation. Through his interest in Africa, Robeson looked to the Soviet Union, which had overcome the backwardness of Czarist Russia. He first went there in 1934, struck by “a place where coloured people walked secure and free as equals” - he arranged for his son to attend school in Moscow for two years, a fact cited later as a reason to withdraw Robeson’s passport. Robeson learnt Russian to perfection and felt great empathy with the USSR.
Robeson sings the Song of The Volga Boatmen
Robeson’s journey to Spain in 1938 was a milestone in his life: “I sang with my whole heart and soul for these gallant fighters of the International Brigade. A new, warm feeling for my homeland grew within me as I met the men of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion … My heart was filled with admiration and love for these white Americans, and there was a great sense of pride in my own people when I saw that there were Negroes, too, in the ranks of the Lincoln men in Spain.”
His partisan involvement in the Spanish Civil War shows Robeson’s courage in the international struggle against fascism. In beleaguered Madrid, the Republican forces used Robeson’s music as a weapon, broadcasting it through loudspeakers to the fascist trenches.
When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the Robesons returned to the struggle in America, only delaying for Paul to finish filming The Proud Valley, a film about an African-American becoming one of a mining community in Wales, filmed on location in the coalfields. This film, he “was most proud to make”, forged a deep bond between Robeson and the Welsh.
Back in the US, acting was an important source of income, e.g. playing Othello in the incredibly successful Broadway production in 1942/43, whilst continuing his political commitments.
In the US, Robeson used his celebrity effectively, in a prolonged campaign against segregation, heralding the boycotts of the civil rights era. He headed the anti-lynching movement, leading a delegation to the White House. When Truman refused to act, Robeson, in December 1951, presented a petition “We charge Genocide” to the United Nations, on behalf of the Civil Rights Congress, charging that the U.S. violated Article II of the U.N. Genocide Convention by failing to prevent the lynching of African-Americans.
At the Paris Peace Convention in April 1949, he stated: “It is unthinkable that American Negroes could go to war on behalf of those who have oppressed them for generations against the Soviet Union which in one generation has raised our people to full human dignity.” This speech resulted in a witch-hunt against him. In August 1949, the notorious racist and anti-communist assault took place at Peekskill, thwarting a concert which had been organised with Howard Fast and Pete Seeger. It left many seriously injured.
Angry locals from Westchester County, New York shout hate-filled insults at the carloads of concert-goers arriving to hear the singer Paul Robeson, the most famous African-American of the day, perform at an open-air concert in Lakeland Acres, north of Peekskill, on September 4th, 1949. A state trooper smirks and does nothing. Photo: History Today.
This his unyielding stand on the rights of African-Americans, and Robeson’s continued support of the USSR and world peace, led to his silencing. The state department withdrew his passport, and that of his wife and son, denying him the right to travel.
By 1952, Robeson was, according to Pete Seeger, “the most blacklisted performer in America”. No commercial hall was available to him, no producer promoted him, and his acting career finished. The FBI threatened concert organisers, shops and radio stations banned his records. From the height of fame, Robeson was turned into a non-person. From a career of intense activity he was blacklisted, deprived of public life and the source of his income. The African-American bourgeoisie failed to support Robeson, and colluded in this campaign.
He fought back by giving famous concerts, which circumvented the travel ban. He sang on the Canadian border to audiences on the other side. He gave transatlantic telephone concerts in England and Wales. The national ‘Let Paul Robeson Sing’ solidarity committee, the British Actors’ Equity Association and 27 MPs organised for Robeson to sing by telephone. This epic concert in St Pancras Town Hall on 26 May 1957, unforgettable for anybody who witnessed it, increased the pressure on the US government to return the passport.
In June 1958, years after taking his passport, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny a US passport on political grounds. Robeson immediately embarked on a worldwide tour, flying first to London. He sang to millions on television and radio and became the first lay person - and the first non-White - to take the pulpit in St Paul's Cathedral, with 4000 spectators inside and 5000 outside.
In the late 1950s, the world was changing, with African nations beginning to achieve independence. Robeson’s last concert tour in 1960, took him to Australia, where he gave the first recital at the Sydney Opera House - to the trade unionists who were constructing the building. He was the first to speak publically here about the oppression of the indigenous people by Europeans.
In Australia and elsewhere, Robeson sang “Ol’ Man River”, one of his best-known songs. Robeson changed the words of this song, originally written for The Show Boat, transforming it from acceptance of oppression to a song of resistance: the desire for freedom would prevail:
There’s an old man called the Mississippi,
That’s the ol’ man I don’t like to be.
What does he care if the world’s got troubles?
What does he care if the world ain’t free?
Tote that barge, lift that bale,
You show a little grit an’ you lands in jail.
But I keeps laffin’ instead of cryin’;
I must keep fightin’ until I’m dyin’,
And Ol’ Man River, he just keeps rollin’ along.
I would like to thank Christine Naumann, former curator at the Academy of the Arts Berlin, Paul Robeson Archives, for her advice.
Banners for Spain
Nick Wright reviews the current exhibition of banners produced by Hammersmith Communist Party in the 1930s, to help the Spanish Republic.
Legend has it that while Picasso was living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, a visiting German officer asked him, upon seeing a photo of the painting Guernica in his apartment, "Did you do that?" Picasso responded, "No, you did.”
As the veterans of the International Brigades breathe their last, a new generation is recovering the significance of their heroism and of the Spanish tragedy.
Defence of the Spanish Republic was the defining issue of the late Thirties. Britain’s ruling elite favoured accommodation with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy while the democratic Spanish Republic counted on the support of the Soviet Union and enormous international popular movement of solidarity.
In every country this took the the traditional form of political action and demonstration. In Britain there were protests against the government’s so-called ‘non-intervention’ policy which turned a blind eye to Hitler and Mussolini's shameless supply of military aid and mercenaries to Franco’s fascists.
While thousands from every part of the world rallied to the call of the Communist International to form an International Brigade to confront with arms the fascist threat, the solidarity movement everywhere took practical shape.
Banners for Spain, Fighting the Spanish Civil War in London shows in public, for the first time in decades, banners produced by the Hammersmith Communist Party to aid Spain.
These date from 1937-8 and raised awareness of the plight of the Spanish people along with funds and material aid. Some commemorate the International Brigades - two Brigaders from the area died at the battle of Brunete, Labour Party member William H. Langmead and communist Arthur Ernest Richard ‘Dickie’ Bird.
Conservation funding from the Textile Society and the General Federation of Trade Unions means they are able to be displayed and now form part of the Spanish Collection - the largest archive on the British volunteers and aid Spain movement in the country - and donated by the International Brigade Association to the Marx Memorial Library.
All but two of the banners are unattributed but Lawrence Bradshaw (1899-1974) - whose sculpture marks the grave of Karl Marx - was active in Hammersmith and made Hammersmith Communist Party Sends Greetings to Comrades Fighting in Spain which lists the men and women who fell .
Arms and Justice For Spain depicts a worker, a miner with lamp and engineer with spanner shaking hands with a combatant. The slogan ‘No Pasaran’ ‘They Shall Not Pass’ was the universal cry from the defenders of Madrid, and at the Battle of Cable Street.
The banners provide a fascinating insight into the politics of the period and to the uncompromisingly partisan nature of the campaign. Aesthetically, they are a window into the cultural politics of the time and show the wide range of styles deployed by artists of the period, whose commitment to a partisan content infused their work with great creativity.
This is exemplified in the striking banner Hammersmith Ambulance for Spain, with the references to the bombing of Guernica, Madrid and Barcelona. This is signed J.O.T. Julian Otto Trevelyan (1920-1988) was an artist and poet resident in Hammersmith from 1935 until his death who was also a member of the Artists International Association.
In retrospect, the defining work of the period was Picasso’s Guernica. As Morning Star art critic Christine Lindey says: 'Its topical subject and innovatory style provoked strong reactions during its wide exposure first in the Spanish Republic’s pavilion at the Paris World Fair in 1937, followed by touring exhibitions in London, Leeds, Oxford and Manchester in 1938-9 to raise funds for Spanish Relief.'
Questions of style and content enlivened debates among artists. The artists who created these banners worked fast, with little money and with limited materials. We can see a variety of influences at work. This is not surprising given that surrealists and socialist realists clashed over what style was revolutionary and how content could be best expressed, and avant-garde opinion and popular taste widely diverged.
Banners for Spain: Fighting the Spanish Civil War in London is at Islington Museum. 245 St John Street, London EC1V 4NB, to Saturday 8 July 2017. Free.
https://www.islington.gov.uk/libraries-arts-and-heritage/heritage/islington-museum/exhibitions
Christine Lindey’s forthcoming Manifesto Press illustrated book: Art for all, British Socially Committed Art c. 1939 – c. 1962 is due out this autumn.
Animal Farm: a powerfully written allegory but an untruthful, gender-blind analysis
Published in Fiction
Following her appearance on the In Our Time radio programme discussing Orwell's Animal Farm, Professor Mary Vincent reflects on its powerfully written but fundamentally untruthful and simplistic analysis of Soviet Russia, based on Orwell's mistaken interpretation of the Spanish Civil War and his blindness to gender issues.
When I picked up Animal Farm to reread it before taking part in Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time the other week, I did so with some trepidation. Going to discuss it with colleagues who are more expert in Orwell’s life and works than I am seemed a daunting task, particularly as I had first read the book as a schoolgirl. But it took only a few pages for the power, and simplicity, of the allegory to take hold. The importance of Orwell’s experience in the Spanish Civil War in the shaping of the narrative leapt out from almost every page. The new society that the animals create remains a source of hope even as it is being gradually dismantled. This was the ‘state of affairs worth fighting for’ that Orwell had glimpsed when he arrived in revolutionary Barcelona in December 1936 and that had later been betrayed by Moscow. Paradise, briefly glimpsed, is slowly and inexorably lost.
It is this sense of inevitability that gives Animal Farm its power. The allegory is of the totalitarianism of the left, which Orwell believed had destroyed the Spanish revolution. There are, though, many other echoes of his Civil War experiences. The set-piece battles, the struggles to defend the windmill, the ‘victory’ declared when a piece of ground has simply been regained, all come from his time in the trenches on the Aragón front, where illiterate soldiers were taught to read. For the Republican government, literacy was emancipatory, rather than the tool of power it becomes for Orwell’s pigs. With the other animals, they establish a collective form of social and economic life on the farm, just as the villages of Aragón were collectivized. As a collective, Animal Farm is very like its Spanish forerunners: surrounded by agricultural land and so, in some senses, cut off; self-sufficient in food but with no means of making petrol, medicines or many manufactured goods; heroic but not necessarily efficient.
These drawbacks are clearly shown in Animal Farm but there is no sense that they contributed to the final outcome. The socialist utopia is betrayed by the pigs just as the Spanish workers were betrayed by Stalin’s henchmen. Any wider complexity or contingent circumstances are omitted or ignored. This may be an unfair criticism of the ‘fairytale’ of Animal Farm but it’s a significant issue with Homage to Catalonia. The relationship between the two is close. After all, Spain was where Orwell saw what he profoundly believed to be the truth of Stalinism when the POUM, whose militia he belonged to, was suppressed. This was, to him, the truth of experience; he and his fellow POUMistas were witnesses to the real nature of Stalinist power. He was thus compelled to reveal it. Animal Farm is a way of bearing witness.
As with all Orwell’s later writing, its power lies in its prose. This is plain, clear, and deceptively simple. It is the result of great skill and much craft, honed by his years of filing journalistic copy and informed by his audience. Orwell wrote for the ordinary man. His disdain for the literati led to some odd alliances—for example with the bombastic and reactionary fantasist, Roy Campbell—and his romanticized belief in the ordinary worker never wavered. The plainness of his prose conveyed a common sense approach to history and politics, determined, more than anything, by his own experience. Orwell always operated from first principles, with little background research or wider investigation. He lived his truth; as witness, he was the hero in his own narrative. He spoke out about the suppression of the POUM—a nasty, unnecessary skirmish that followed the reassertion of control by the central Republican government—and reinterpreted it as the central struggle in not only the Spanish Civil War but also the wider history of the European left.
He also spoke up for the innate goodness of the common man, the ‘crystal spirit’ he wrote of in the poem ‘The Italian solider shook my hand’. In Animal Farm, it is the animals themselves who play the role of the workers, who are also the people of England. As with the Italian militiaman—about whom Orwell knew absolutely nothing—it is an idealized picture rather than an analytical one. The pigs are a caste while the other animals are distinguished by occupation with very little, if any, differentiation between them. There is no complexity to the social world of Animal Farm.
This simplicity enhances the power of the fable, but make it impossible to use it as an analysis. Take, for example, the way gender is treated—or rather not treated—in the book. Interestingly, Napoleon is the only virile male in the book, at least the only one to sire children. The female pigs are simply breeders; the dogs are bitches but only so they can provide Napoleon’s vicious canine defenders. Clover is a mare but her gender isn’t important; Molly, the pony, leaves for another farm, seduced by sugar lumps and ribbons, a caricature of a silly girl. The association of masculinity, power, and violence is never explored. As with other forms of complexity, gender is simply absent. We can identify Stalin and Trotsky behind the characters in Animal Farm and the vision of Marx or perhaps Lenin. But don’t bother looking for Kollontai or Luxemburg or even Pasionaria.
Communism in the gunsights
Graham Stevenson reviews the recent In Our Time radio programme about George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Melvyn Bragg's discursive radio series, In Our Time, recently considered Orwell's Animal Farm with comment from Steven Connor, Grace 2 Professor of English at the University of Cambridge, Mary Vincent, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Sheffield, and Robert Colls, Professor of Cultural History at De Montfort University. The usual response of the liberal-minded intelligentsia to Orwell, awe-filled exaggeration of his `timeless’ importance was there, as was to be expected. But it was refreshing to hear Professor Vincent openly judge Orwell as being completely wrong about Spain, as perhaps befits the author of original research in the social basis of Franco's support, particularly that provided by the Catholic Church, as evidenced in her “Catholicism in the Second Spanish Republic” (1996).
Much of the programme was a well-travelled rehearsal of the events of Animal Farm and of Orwell’s own life. A staunch critique of publishers’ reluctance to publish the text is made, hindsight-driven as it is an expected justification that publishers were fearful was focused on the assumption that it was merely the fact of the prestige of the Red Army and Commander-in-Chief Stalin that worried people who spend their lives sending out rejection slips!
Sloppy historical facts abounded; for example, it was said the Cold War had more or less started in August 1945, so it was “alright” to publish Animal Far then but not a year or two earlier. In fact, it was the British government’s announcement that it could no longer afford to prop up the right wing anti-communists in Greece as late as February 1947 that promoted US President Truman to announce a global programme of funding of such projects that was the trigger for the Cold War.
The truth is that Orwell’s book wasn’t (isn’t) very good and it only makes sense as a tongue-in-cheek fable about Communism. The 1941 drawings by Gertrude Elias for a storyboard for a cartoon film featured Nazi hoodlums as pigs – and the allegory rooted in personal experience. She mooted the idea for a cartoon to the Ministry of Information and the imagery and ideas were known to Orwell, who briefly worked there as a BBC Talks Producer. He and Elias knew each other and she was later very firm in that the core of his Animal Farm was effectively plagiarised from her, after the mischievous inversion of Nazi pigs into Soviet ones.
In 1946, the New Republic book reviewer, George Soules, panned Animal Farm with disgust: “the book puzzled and saddened me. It seemed on the whole dull. The allegory turned out to be a creaking machine for saying in a clumsy way things that have been said better directly. And many of the things said are not instantly recognized as the essence of truth, but are of the sort which start endless and boring controversy.”
Such a view of the work was common; indeed, it was not uncritically or well received at any point until the CIA heavily popularised it. Orwell wrote a preface to a 1947 Ukrainian edition of Animal Farm in which he makes it clear that this is an anti-Soviet work, designed to undermine the Soviet Union. One moment’s thought – a Ukrainian edition in 1947 – should make clear the malevolence with which this book was promoted. Amusingly, Melvyn Bragg comments that for a work slating propaganda this is “an irony”. Perhaps there is a more cynical explanation?
In terms of substance, its value is over-rated by the process of filling its gaps with belief that they are intended. It is helped in this by being written with great speed and little skill (the original work was sub-titled “A Fairy Tale”) and the fact that it isn’t very long. Supposedly, it is full of laconic irony and is a humorous satire, as critics of Orwell and his sources have long stated, his work is almost entirely at odds with the two famous anti-communist pieces.
Frustratingly, the radio discussion speeds past the 1930s and 40s, almost missing the Spanish war. Yet it is noted that Orwell’s contrary nature seemed always to start with opposing one thing and ending up against another. Although, the canonisation into a “saintly and heroic” figure in the 1950s is touched on, that he doesn’t see any contrariness in Nazism is passed over almost without comment. It is communism that is in the gunsights.
Seemingly, it is the rewriting of history that is the strongest motivator of Orwell; the “fragility of memory”. Yet, frustratingly, it is only as the broadcast programme is about to end and the off-air (intriguingly available on the web) discussion emerges that the expert of the piece, Professor Vincent is able to stress her view that “Orwell got it all wrong about Spain”. Defeat was not down to Stalin but to the military aid given by the Fascist powers that was not stopped by French or British politicians.
An account of how Orwell’s creative output, as opposed to his journalistic production, seems uncomfortably too well informed by material produced by women is available online here:
http://www.grahamstevenson.me.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1451:orwellian-mischief&catid=36:articles-and-reviews&Itemid=135
A short account of Gertrude’s life can be found here:
http://www.grahamstevenson.me.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1446:elias-gertrude&catid=5:e&Itemid=20
A pamphlet containing an extract from Gertrude’s encounter with Orwell is now available:
http://www.marx-memorial-library.org/shop/shop-books/item/674-gertrude-elias-pamphlet
Communism by way of the poem
Published in Poetry
Alain Badiou writes about the links between poetry and communism, with particular reference to the poetry of the Spanish Civil War.
In the last century, some truly great poets, in almost all languages on earth, have been communists. In an explicit or formal way, for example, the following poets were committed to communism: in Turkey, Nâzim Hikmet; in Chile, Pablo Neruda; in Spain, Rafael Alberti; in Italy, Eduardo Sanguinetti; in Greece, Yannis Ritsos; in China, Ai Qing; in Palestine, Mahmoud Darwish; in Peru, César Vallejo; and in Germany, the shining example is above all Bertolt Brecht. But we could cite a very large number of other names in other languages, throughout the world.
Can we understand this link between poetic commitment and communist commitment as a simple illusion? An error, or an errancy? An ignorance of the ferocity of states ruled by communist parties? I do not believe so. I wish to argue, on the contrary, that there exists an essential link between poetry and communism, if we understand ‘communism’ closely in its primary sense: the concern for what is common to all. A tense, paradoxical, violent love of life in common; the desire that what ought to be common and accessible to all should not be appropriated by the servants of Capital. The poetic desire that the things of life would be like the sky and the earth, like the water of the oceans and the brush fires on a summer night – that is to say, would belong by right to the whole world.
Poets are communist for a primary reason, which is absolutely essential: their domain is language, most often their native tongue. Now, language is what is given to all from birth as an absolutely common good. Poets are those who try to make a language say what it seems incapable of saying. Poets are those who seek to create in language new names to name that which, before the poem, has no name. And it is essential for poetry that these inventions, these creations, which are internal to language, have the same destiny as the mother tongue itself: for them to be given to all without exception. The poem is a gift of the poet to language. But this gift, like language itself, is destined to the common – that is, to this anonymous point where what matters is not one person in particular but all, in the singular.
Thus, the great poets of the twentieth century recognized in the grandiose revolutionary project of communism something that was familiar to them – namely that, as the poem gives its inventions to language and as language is given to all, the material world and the world of thought must be given integrally to all, becoming no longer the property of a few but the common good of humanity as a whole.
This is why the poets have seen in communism above all a new figure of the destiny of the people. And ‘people’, here, means first and foremost the poor people, the workers, the abandoned women, the landless peasants. Why? Because it is first and foremost to those who have nothing that everything must be given. It is to the mute, to the stutterer, to the stranger, that the poem must be offered, and not to the chatterbox, to the grammarian, or to the nationalist. It is to the proletarian – whom Marx defined as those who have nothing except their own body capable of work – that we must give the entire earth, as well as all the books, and all the music, and all the paintings, and all the sciences. What is more, it is to them, to the proletarians in all their forms, that the poem of communism must be offered.
What is striking is that this should lead all those poets to rediscover a very old poetic form: the epic. The communists’ poem is first the epic of the heroism of the proletarians. The Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet thus distinguishes lyric poems, dedicated to love, from epic poems, dedicated to the action of the popular masses. But even a poet as wise and as hermetic as César Vallejo does not hesitate to write a poem with the title, ‘Hymn to the Volunteers of the Republic’. Such a title evidently belongs to the order of the commemoration of war, to epic commitment.
These communist poets rediscover what in France Victor Hugo had already discovered: the duty of the poet is to look in language for the new resources of an epic that would no longer be that of the aristocracy of knights but the epic of the people in the process of creating another world. The fundamental link organized into song by the poet is the one that the new politics is capable of founding between, on the one hand, the misery and extreme hardship of life, the horror of oppression, everything that calls for our pity, and, on the other hand, the levying, the combat, the collective thought, the new world – and, thus, everything that calls for our admiration.
It is of this dialectic of compassion and admiration, of this violently poetic opposition between debasement and levying, of this reversal of resignation into heroism, that the communist poets seek the living metaphor, the nonrealist representation, the symbolic power. They search for the words to express the moment in which the eternal patience of the oppressed of all times changes into a collective force which is indivisibly that of raised bodies and shared thoughts.
The Spanish Civil War and Poetry
That is why one moment – a singular historic moment – has been sung by all the communist poets who wrote between the 1920s and 1940s: the moment of the civil war in Spain, which as you know ran from 1936 to 1939.
Let us observe that the Spanish civil war is certainly the historic event that has most intensely mobilized all the artists and intellectuals of the world. On one hand, the personal commitment of writers from all ideological tendencies on the side of the republicans, including therefore the communists, is remarkable: whether we are dealing with organized communists, social democrats, mere liberals, or even fervent Catholics, such as the French writer Georges Bernanos, the list is extraordinary if we gather all those who publicly spoke out, who went to Spain in the midst of the war, or even entered into combat on the side of the republican forces. On the other hand, the number of masterpieces produced on this occasion is no less astonishing. I have already noted as much for poetry. But let us also think of the splendid painting by Pablo Picasso that is titled Guernica; let us think of two of the greatest novels in their genre: Man’s Hope by André Malraux and For Whom the Bell Tolls by the American Ernest Hemingway. The frightening and bloody civil war in Spain has illuminated the art of the world for several years.
I see at least four reasons for this massive and international commitment of intellectuals on the occasion of the war in Spain.
First, in the 1930s the world found itself in a vast ideological and political crisis. Public opinion sensed more and more that this crisis could not have a peaceful ending, no legal or consensual solution. The horizon was a fearsome one of internal and external warfare. Among intellectuals, the tendency was to choose between two absolutely contrary orientations: the fascist and the communist orientations. During the war in Spain, this conflict took the form of civil war pure and simple. Spain had become the violent emblem of the central ideological conflict of the time. This is what we might call the symbolic and therefore universal value of this war.
Second, during the Spanish war, the occasion arose for artists and intellectuals all over the world not only to show their support for the popular camp, but also to participate directly in combat. Thus what had been an opinion changed into action; what had been a form of solidarity became a form of fraternity.
Third, the war in Spain took on a fierceness that hit people over the head. Misery and destruction were present everywhere. The systematic massacre of prisoners, the indiscriminate bombing of villages, the relentlessness of both camps: all this gave people an idea of what could be and what in fact was to be the worldwide conflict to which the war in Spain was the prologue.
Fourth, the Spanish war was the strongest moment, perhaps unique in the history of the world, of the realization of the great Marxist project: that of a truly internationalist revolutionary politics. We should remember what the intervention of the International Brigades meant: they showed that the vast international mobilization of minds was also, and before anything, an international mobilization of peoples. I am thinking of the example of France: thousands of workers, often communists, had come as volunteers to do battle in Spain. But there were also Americans, Germans, Italians, Russians, people from all countries. This exemplary international dedication, this vital internationalist subjectivity, is perhaps the most striking accomplishment of what Marx had thought, which can be summarized in two phrases: negatively, the proletarians have no fatherland, their political homeland is the whole world of living men and women; positively, international organization is what allows for the confrontation and in the end the real victory over the enemy of all, the capitalist camp, including in its extreme form, which is fascism.
Thus, the communist poets had found major subjective reasons in the Spanish war for renewing epic poetry in the direction of a popular epic – one that was both that of the suffering of peoples and that of their internationalist heroism, organized and combative.
Already the titles of the poems or collections of poems are significant. They indicate almost always a kind of sensible reaction of the poet, a kind of shared suffering with the horrible fate and hardship reserved for the Spanish people. Thus, Pablo Neruda’s collection bears the title Spain in Our Hearts. This goes to show that the first commitment of the poet is an affective, subjective, immediate solidarity with the Spanish people at war. Similarly, the very beautiful title of César Vallejo’s collection is Spain, Take This Cup from Me. This title indicates that, for the poet, the sense of shared suffering becomes its own poetic ordeal, which is almost impossible to bear.
However, both poets will develop this first personal and affective impulse almost in the opposite direction – that of a creative use of suffering itself, that of an unknown liberty. This unknown liberty is precisely that of the reversal of misery into heroism, the reversal of a particular anxiety-ridden situation into a universal promise of emancipation. Here is how César Vallejo puts it, with his mysterious metaphors, in Hymn to the Volunteers of the Republic:
Proletarian who dies of the universe, in what frantic harmony
your grandeur will end, your extreme poverty, your impelling whirlpool,
your methodical violence, your theoretical & practical chaos, your Dantesque
wish, so very Spanish, to love, even treacherously, your enemy!
Liberator wrapped in shackles,
without whose labour extension would still be without handles ,
the nails would wander headless,
the day, ancient, slow, reddish,
our beloved helmets, unburied!
peasant fallen with your green foliage for man,
with the social inflection of your little finger,
with your ox that stays, with your physics,
also with your word tied to a stick
& your rented sky
& with the clay inserted in your tiredness
& with that in your fingernail, walking!
builders, civilian & military,
of the active, ant-swarming eternity: it was written
that you will create the light, half-closing
your eyes in death;
that, at the cruel fall of your mouths,
abundance will come on seven platters, everything
in the world will be of sudden gold
& the gold,
fabulous beggars for your own secretion of blood,
& the gold itself will then be made of gold!
You see how death itself – the death in combat of the volunteers of the Spanish people – becomes a construction; better yet, a kind of nonreligious eternity, an earthly eternity. The communist poet can say this: ‘Agricultural builders, civilian & military, of the active, ant-swarming eternity’. This eternity is that of the real truth, the real life, wrested away from the cruel powers that be. It changes everything into the gold of true life. Even the accursed gold of the rich and the oppressors will simply become once more what it is: ‘the gold itself will then be made of gold’.
We might say that, in the ordeal of the Spanish war, communist poetry sings of the world that has returned to what it really is – the world-truth, which can be born forever, when hardship and death change into paradoxical heroism. This is what César Vallejo will say later on by invoking the ‘victim in a column of victors’, and when he exclaims that ‘in Spain, in Madrid, the command is to kill, volunteers who fight for life!’
Pablo Neruda, as I have mentioned, likewise starts out from pain, misery and compassion. Thus, in the great epic poem titled ‘Arrival in Madrid of the International Brigade’, he begins by saying that ‘Spanish death, more acrid and sharper than other deaths, filled fields up to then honoured by wheat.’ But the poet is most sensitive to the internationalism of the arrival in Spain from all over the world of those whom he directly calls ‘comrades’. Let us listen to the poem of this arrival:
Comrades,
I saw you,
and my eyes are even now filled with pride
because through the misty morning I saw you reach
the pure brow of Castile
silent and firm
like bells before dawn,
filled with solemnity and blue-eyed, come from far,
far away,
come from your corners, from your lost fatherlands,
from your dreams,
covered with burning gentleness and guns
to defend the Spanish city in which besieged liberty
could fall and die bitten by the beasts.
let your pureness and your strength, your solemn story
be known by children and by men, by women and by old men,
let it reach all men without hope, let it go down to the mines
corroded by sulphuric air
let it mount the inhuman stairways of the slave,
let all the stars, let all the flowers of Castile
and of the world
write your name and your bitter struggle
and your victory strong and earthen as a red oak.
Because you have revived with your sacrifice
lost faith, absent heart, trust in the earth,
and through your abundance, through your nobility, through
your dead,
as if through a valley of harsh bloody rocks,
flows an immense river with doves of steel and of hope.
What we see this time is first the evidence of fraternity. The word ‘comrades’ is followed later on by the word ‘brothers’. This fraternity puts forward not so much the changing of the real world as the changing of subjectivity. Certainly, at first, all these international communist militants have come ‘from far’, ‘from your corners’, ‘from your lost fatherlands’. But above all they have come from their ‘dreams covered with burning gentleness and guns’. You will note the typical proximity of gentleness and violence. This will be repeated with the image of a ‘dove of steel’: combat is the building not of naked violence, not of power, but of a subjectivity capable of confronting the long run because it has confidence in itself.
The workers and intellectuals of the international brigades, mixed together, have given new birth to ‘lost faith, absent heart, trust in the earth’. Because we are at war, the dove of peace must be a dove of steel, but it is also and above all, says the poem, a dove of hope. In the end, the epic of war that Neruda celebrates, what he calls ‘your victory strong and earthen as a red oak’, is above all the creation of a new confidence or trust. The point is to escape from nihilistic resignation. And this constructive value of communist confidence, I believe, is also needed today.
The French poet Paul Eluard picks up on two of the motifs that we have seen so far, and mixes them together. On one hand, as César Vallejo says, the international volunteers of the Spanish war represent a new humanity, simply because they are true human beings, and not the false humanity of the capitalist world, competitive and obsessed with money and commodities. On the other hand, as Pablo Neruda says, these volunteers transform the surrounding nihilism into a new confidence. A stanza of the poem ‘The Victory of Guernica’ says this with precision:
True men for whom despair
Feeds the devouring fire of hope
Let us open together the last bud of the future.
However, in the Spanish war Eluard is sensitive to another factor with universal value. For him, as for Rousseau, humanity is fundamentally good natured, with a good nature that is being destroyed by oppression through competition, forced labour, money. This fundamental goodness of the world resides in the people, in their obstinate life, in the courage to live that is theirs. The poem begins as follows:
Fair world of hovel
Of the mine and fields.
Eluard thinks that women and children especially incarnate this universal good nature, this subjective treasure that finally is what men are trying to defend in the war in Spain:
Women and children have the same riches
Of green leaves of spring and pure milk
And endurance
In their pure eyes.
In their eyes
Men defend them as they can.
Women and children have the same red roses
They show each their blood.
The fear and the courage to live and to die
Death so difficult and so easy.
The Spanish war, for Eluard, reveals what simple riches are at the disposal of human life. This is why extreme oppression and war are also the revelation of the fact that men must guard the riches of life. And to do so you must keep the trust, even when the enemy is crushing you, imposing on you the easiness of death. We clearly sense that this trust is communism itself. This is why the poem is titled ‘The Victory of Guernica’. The destruction of this town by German bombers, the 2,000 dead of this first savage experience that announces the world war: all this will also be a victory, if people continue to be confident that the riches of simple life are indestructible. This is why the poem concludes as follows:
Outcasts the death the ground the hideous sight
Of our enemies have the dull
Colour of our night
Despite them we shall overcome.
Poetic communism
This is what we can call poetic communism: to sing the certainty that humanity is right to create a world in which the treasure of simple life will be preserved peacefully, and that, because it has reason on its side, humanity will impose this reason, and its reason will overcome its enemies. This link between popular life, political reason and confidence in victory: that is what Eluard seeks to confer, in language, upon the suffering and heroism of the Spanish war.
Nâzim Hikmet, in the truly beautiful poem titled ‘It Is Snowing in the Night’, will in turn traverse all these themes of communist poetics, starting out from a subjective identification. He imagines a sentry from the popular camp at the gates of Madrid. This sentinel, this lonely man – just as the poet is always alone in the work of language – carries inside him, fragile and threatened, everything the poet desires, everything that according to him gives meaning to existence. Thus, a lonely man at the gates of Madrid is in charge of the dreams of all of humanity:
It is snowing in the night,
You are at the door of Madrid.
In front of you an army
Killing the most beautiful things we own,
Hope, yearning, freedom and children,
The City …
You see how all the Spanish themes of communist poetics return: the volunteer of the Spanish war is the guardian of universal revolutionary hope. He finds himself at night, in the snow, trying to prohibit the killing of hope.
Nâzim Hikmet’s singular achievement no doubt consists in finding the profound universality of nostalgic yearning in this war. Communist poetics cannot be reduced to a vigorous and solid certainty of victory. It is also what we might call the nostalgia of the future. The hymn to the sentry of Madrid is related to this truly peculiar sentiment: the nostalgia for a grandeur and a beauty that nevertheless have not yet been created. Communism here works in the future anterior: we experience a kind of poetic regret for what we imagine the world will have been when communism has come. Therein lies the force of the conclusion of Hikmet’s poem:
everything great and beautiful there is,
everything great and beautiful man has still to create
that is, everything my nostalgic soul hopes for
smiles in the eyes
of the sentry at the door of Madrid.
And tomorrow, like yesterday, like tonight
I can do nothing else but love him.
You can hear that strange mixture of the present, of the past and future that the poem crystallizes in the imagined character of the solitary sentry, confronted with the fascist army, in the night and snow of Madrid. There is already nostalgia for what true humanity, the combatant people of Madrid, is capable of creating in terms of beauty and grandeur. If the people are capable of creating this, then humanity will certainly create it. And, then, we can have the nostalgia for that which the world would be if this possible creation had already taken place. Thus, communist poetry is not only epic poetry of combat, historic poetry of the future, affirmative poetry of confidence. It is also lyric poetry of what communism, as the figure of humanity reconciled with its own grandeur, will have been after victory, which for the poet is already regret and melancholy as well as ‘nostalgic hope’ of his soul, past as well as future, nostalgia as well as hope.
With regard to the Spanish civil war properly speaking, Bertolt Brecht also committed himself by writing a didactic play, Señora Carrar’s Rifles, which is devoted to the interior debate over the need to participate in the right battle, whatever the excellent reasons may be to stay at a safe remove.
But perhaps the most important aspect is the following: as the independent communist that he has always been, Brecht is the contemporary of very serious and bloody defeats of the communist cause. He has been directly present and active in the moment of the defeat of German communism in the face of the Nazis. And of course he has also been the contemporary of the terrible defeat of Spanish communism in the face of Franco’s military fascism. But one of the tasks that Brecht has always assigned to himself as a poet is to give poetic support to confidence, to political confidence, even in the worst of all conditions, when the defeat is at its most terrifying. Here we rediscover the motif of confidence, as that which the poem must stir up based on the reversal of compassion into admiration, and of resignation into heroism.
To this subjective task Brecht devoted some of his most beautiful poems, in which the almost abstract focus of the topic aims to produce an enthusiasm of sorts. I am thinking of the end of the poem ‘InPraise of Dialectics’, in which we again find the temporal metamorphoses that I have already talked about – the future that becomes the past, the present that is reduced to the power of the future – all of which makes a poem out of the way in which political subjectivity supports a highly complex connection to historical becoming. Brecht, for his part, in Lob der Dialektik, poeticizes the refusal of powerlessness in the name of the future’s presence in the present itself:
Who dares say: never?
On who does it depend if oppression remains? On us.
On who does it depend if its thrall is broken? Also on us.
Whoever has been beaten down must rise up!
Whoever is lost must fight back!
Whoever has recognized his condition – how can anyone stop him?
Because the vanquished of today are tomorrow’s victors
And never will become: already today!
Must we, too, not desire that ‘never’ become ‘already today’? They pretend to chain us to the financial necessities of Capital. They pretend that we ought to obey today so that tomorrow may exist. They pretend that the communist Idea is dead forever, after the disaster of Stalinism. But must we not in turn ‘recognize [our] condition’? Why do we accept a world in which one percent of the global population possesses 47 per cent of the world’s wealth, and in which 10 per cent possesses 86 per cent of the world’s wealth? Must we accept that the world is organized by such terrible inequalities? Must we think that nothing will ever change this? Must we think that the world will forever be organized by private property and the ferocity of monetary competition?
Poetry always says what is essential. Communist poetry from the 1930s and 1940s recalls for us that the essential aspect of communism, or of the communist Idea, is not and never has been the ferocity of a state, the bureaucracy of a party, or the stupidity of blind obedience. These poems tell us that the communist Idea is the compassion for the simple life of the people afflicted by inequality and injustice – that it is the broad vision of a raising up, both in thought and in practice, which is opposed to resignation and changes it into a patient heroism. It tells us that this patient heroism is aimed at the collective construction of a new world, with the means of a new thinking about what politics might be. And it recalls for us, with the riches of its images and metaphors, with the rhythm and musicality of its words, that communism in its essence is the political projection of the riches of the life of all.
Brecht saw all this very clearly, too. He is opposed to the tragic and monumental vision of communism. Yes, there is an epic poetry of communism, but it is the patient epic, which is heroic for its very patience, of all those who gather and organize themselves to heal the world of its deadly diseases that are injustice and inequality; and to do so requires going to the root of things: limit private property, end the violent separation of the power of the state, overcome the division of labour. This, Brecht tells us, is not an apocalyptic vision. On the contrary, it is what is normal and sensible, reflecting the average desire of all. This is why the communist poem recalls for us that sickness and violence are on the side of the capitalist and imperialist world as we know it, and not on the side of the calm, normal and average grandeur of the communist Idea. This is what Brecht is going to tell us in a poem that carries the absolutely surprising title, ‘Communism is the Middle Term’:
To call for the overthrow of the existing order
May seem a terrible thing
But what exists is no order.
To seek refuge in violence
May seem evil.
But what is constantly at work is violence
And there is nothing special about it.
Communism is not the extreme outlier
That only in a small part can be realized,
and until it is not completely realized,
The situation is unbearable
Even for someone who is insensitive.
Communism is really the most minimal demand
What is nearest, reasonable, the middle term.
Whoever is opposed to it is not someone who thinks otherwise
It is someone who does not think or who thinks only about himself
It is an enemy of the human species who,
And, in particular,
Wanting the most extreme, realized even in the tiniest part,
Plunges all humankind into destruction.
Thus, communist poetry presents us with a peculiar epic: the epic of the minimal demand, the epic of what is never extreme nor monstrous. Communist poetry, with its resource of gentleness combined with that of enthusiasm, tells us: rise up with the will to think and act so that the world may be offered to all as the world that belongs to all, just as the poem in language offers to all the common world that is always contained therein, even if in secret. There have been and continue to be all kinds of discussions about the communist hypothesis: in philosophy, sociology, economics, history, political science. But I have wanted to tell you that there exists a proof of communism by way of the poem.
Translated by Bruno Bosteels. This essay is from The Age of the Poets and Other Writings on Twentieth-Century Poetry and Prose, by Alain Badiou, edited and translated by Bruno Bosteels with an introduction by Emily Apter and Bruno Bosteels (London-New York: Verso, 2014). Thanks to Alain Badiou and Verso Books for permission to republish this essay.
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Poh Ling Yeow's VERY modern love life: MasterChef star's ex-husband married her best friend of 20 years -and now they all run a café together
By Daily Mail Australia Reporter
Poh Ling Yeow has become one of Australia's most famous celebrity chefs since appearing on the first season of MasterChef in 2009.
And while fans are familiar with her culinary skills, many are unaware of her rather complicated love life.
The 46-year-old married her first husband, Matt Phipps, in 1990 when they were both practicing Mormons.
REVEALED: MasterChef star Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) has a very complicated love life involving an unusual business arrangement with her ex-husband
They divorced after nine years together, with Matt going on to marry Poh's best friend of 20 years, Sarah Rich.
'How predictable': Fans accuse MasterChef judges of giving... 'It looks like a garbage bag!' MasterChef viewers mock Poh... How to meal prep like a CHEF: Masterchef star Poh Ling Yeow... 'You look so cute and young!' MasterChef star Poh Ling Yeow,...
The Malaysian-born chef then married Jono Bennett, an aspiring actor eight years her junior who was working as a production assistant on MasterChef when they met.
In an extraordinary twist, the two couples have since gone into business together, teaming up to open their own café in Adelaide.
That's odd! Poh's first husband Matt Phipps (left) married her best friend of 20 years Sarah Rich (right) after they divorced - but Poh remains on good terms with them both
Poh makes no secret of the unusual arrangement, but insists they make it work.
'He's my ex-husband. She's my best friend. And when we broke up, they got together and it's all dandy. It's actually really good!' she told Mamamia in 2017.
She and Matt have remained 'great mates' since their divorce, something that used to make her new husband Jono feel 'jealous'.
Current husband: Poh then married Jono Bennett (right), an aspiring actor eight years her junior who was working as a production assistant on MasterChef when they met in 2009
'It was something we all had to work on essentially,' Jono told Woman's Day last year. 'I know it’s very human to be jealous, but it doesn’t make it right.
'There’s a lot of history [between Poh and Matt], so it’s not something that can be taken away. It’s not something that should be.'
Poh is currently appearing on the latest season of MasterChef as a mentor. She also just signed on as an ambassador for Crock-Pot in Australia and New Zealand.
Culinary superstar: Poh has become one of Australia's most famous celebrity chefs since appearing on the first season of MasterChef in 2009. Pictured in 2012
Mamamia - News, podcasts and video for women
Woman's Day | Woman's Day
Poh Ling Yeow's VERY modern love life revealed
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Wires Home
Activists look to build on momentum of Sanders campaign
CHICAGO (AP) — Whatever happens with Bernie Sanders and the race for president, his supporters say one thing is certain: Their movement will continue.
Roughly 3,000 activists are gathering in Chicago this weekend to talk about how to build on the momentum of Sanders' insurgent campaign now that the primaries are over. They say they're looking to unite forces for changes such as a $15 federal minimum wage, better police accountability, health care for all and preventing climate change.
"We have a huge opportunity right now," Becky Bond, who served as a senior adviser to the Vermont senator's campaign, told a crowd inside the McCormick Place convention center on Saturday. "We have the makings of getting something much huger than what we've done on the Bernie Sanders campaign."
Hillary Clinton has secured enough delegates and superdelegates to be the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, but Sanders has not conceded the nomination.
In a livestream address on Thursday, he said the two campaigns will be working together to "transform the Democratic Party" and to ensure this summer's Democratic National Convention adopts the most progressive platform in party history.
He also urged supporters to continue their "political revolution" and to join him in working to defeat presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
There was little talk of either Trump or Clinton at the weekend's "People's Summit," though many attendees railed against Democratic Party rules they argue were rigged to ensure Clinton secured the nomination.
RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United, called it "corruption in the political machinery of the Democratic Party." Her organization, a labor union that backed Sanders, organized the summit.
Mostly though, the conversations were centered on stirring massive change on progressive issues, separate from "establishment politics."
Several organizations said they are planning actions at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Mark Schlosberg, national organizing director for Food and Water Watch, was encouraging attendees to join a march to call for a ban on the oil and gas extraction process known as fracking.
"There's a tremendous amount of people who have been engaged through this campaign and I think people are going to continue to be involved," Schlosberg said. "I think that is a very positive effect regardless of what ends up happening with the election."
Michael Brennan, a 78-year-old retired researcher from Chicago, said he attended because he wanted to be with other "kindred spirits" who believe, as he does, that everyone should have health care.
"Maybe we can do something together to try to make this a better world, or a better country at least," Brennan said.
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See all posts about Global Issues
Chemical Security
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Keeping People Safe from Chemicals and Chemicals Safe from People
We love to tell our stories – on our website and our blog and with the media, and we think we create some cool events. Check out our news and events and hear from the people we serve around the world.
Bhopal Memorial
Aaron Karako
From medicine to agriculture chemicals have saved lives, been at the forefront of pioneering innovations, and fed the world. But although chemicals hold promise, their use also bears great risk. It is our responsibility to protect people from chemicals and chemicals from people.
On the night of December 2nd, 1984, gallons of cleaning water flowed through the wrong pipes of a Union Carbide pesticide plant, seeped into an over-filled tank of 42 tons of methyl isocyanate, and caused an explosive reaction leaking tons of lethal gas into the air above Bhopal, India. Over a half-million people were exposed to a gas cloud of methyl isocyanate and other chemicals over the subsequent winter days, leading to an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 deaths and at least 700,000 injuries.
The Bhopal disaster’s immediate causes were an unintentional deactivation of multiple safety mechanisms and user error. From a broader perspective, however, it was the result of a lack of attention to, and respect for, the power of chemistry. Many have rightly called attention to keeping people safe from hazardous industrial chemicals. But this framing of the problem overlooks the fact that it is we who have brought these substances into being, which have unquestionably revolutionized our society. From plastics to agriculture to medicines, the welfare of billions depend on chemicals that improve and prolong life while simultaneously possessing the ability to cause great harm to us and the environment. And it is people – from lab to factory to cash register – who determine the properties of these compounds and how they are used. We are their custodians.
And with great power goes great responsibility (lest you assume this is a quote from Uncle Ben Parker, it was spoken by J. Hector Fezandie in an 1894 graduation address at The Stevens Institute of Technology entitled The Moral Influence of a Scientific Education). As their custodians, we have the responsibility to keep chemicals safe from people – meaning preventing both unintentional mismanagement and intentional misuse.
“Chemistry is not limited to beakers and laboratories. It is all around us, and the better we know chemistry, the better we know our world.” - American Chemical Society
The worst industrial disaster in history was a catalyst for the chemical industry to improve their safety, health, and environmental impacts. The incident was also a call to arms for facilities to address security vulnerabilities. Like a double-edged sword, many chemicals can be considered “dual-use,” with applications both in industry and, if they fall into the wrong hands, as precursors to chemical weapons. One such component of Bhopal’s toxic methyl isocyanate gas, for example, is phosgene, an infamous chemical warfare agent used in World War I. Given the globalized state of the chemical supply chain, fully addressing these concerns requires committed international collaboration.
In 1985, the Chemical Industry Association of Canada launched Responsible Care ®, a global industry-driven initiative to continuously improve environmental, health, safety, and security performance. Responsible Care practices have now been adopted by the chemical industry in 60 countries. With time, industries across the world have started recognizing the importance of voluntarily addressing all aspects of responsible chemical management including security.
That same year, a United Nations investigation concluded that Saddam Hussein had used chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war, developed partially through the legal chemical trade. This finding motivated a group of 15 counties led by Australia concerned about unintentional sale and diversion of chemical weapon precursors to gather in Brussels to discuss how to jointly close loopholes in their export controls. The Australia Group as it became known now includes 41 states and the European Union, committed to preventing the spread of chemical weapons by controlling the export of dual-use chemicals, technologies, and equipment.
International efforts to end the intentional use of chemicals to cause suffering culminated in 1997 with the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a treaty banning signatories from producing, stockpiling, or using chemical weapons, and committing them to their destruction. The convention went a step further, promoting international cooperation in the peaceful use of chemistry among the 192 states now bound to the agreement.
On May 2 to 4, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – established to promote and verify adherence to the CWC – celebrates the first annual International Day for the Foundation of the OPCW with a series of events in The Hague entitled Chemical Safety and Security in a Technologically Evolving World. At the 19th anniversary of the ratification of the CWC, attention has clearly gone beyond preventing proliferation by nation states to cross-sector collaboration to keep chemicals that improve our lives secure from non-state actors. With the lethal use of mustard gas by ISIL in Iraq, likely derived from precursors prevalent in the oil industry, this is no longer a philosophical discussion.
It is for these reasons that CRDF Global with funding from the U.S. Department of State Chemical Security Program, focuses on fostering cross-sector approaches to chemical security to raise awareness of risks, secure physical facilities, build human capacity, and train emergency responders world-wide.
With support from the Chemical Security Program, CRDF Global recently implemented the first National Chemical and Biological Security Coordination Conference in Baghdad. The conference convened Iraqi government, security, industrial, and academic sectors to discuss national efforts, interagency coordination, and best practices, and address security gaps to counter chemical and biological proliferation in Iraq. During a divisive political period for a country with a bitter history of chemicals used to destructive effect, these efforts provide an opportunity for Iraqis to join behind a united front.
And India, a country once victim to the worst chemical accident in history, has since taken aggressive steps to improve chemical security. I witnessed these steps in April when CRDF Global and the Indian Chemical Council held workshops for chemical manufactures and transporters to address the chemical safety and security risks facing the world’s second largest country. In June of this year, highlighting India’s new leadership role in responsible chemical security management, CRDF Global and the Indian Chemical Council will hold a Regional Chemical Security Leadership Summit, gathering industry partners from across Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, committed to Responsible Care initiatives and enhancing chemical security.
On this first International Day for the Foundation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, we have much to be proud of and work still to do. Rather than fearing chemistry, let us celebrate the international collaborations that are fostering science for peaceful purposes, improving industry to better our lives, keeping people and the environment safe from hazardous chemicals, and keeping chemicals safe from people.
© 2019 CRDF Global – All rights reserved.
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Home Cricket Analysis Dhoni’s Letter To His Fans
Dhoni’s Letter To His Fans
Joshi
Dhoni speaks to his fans
We all know our captain cool. We all know he is one of those people who prefer to keep their feelings to themselves. MSD has tirelessly served the nation and provided us with a number of opportunities to feel proud and happy. The man behind two World Cup victories, a top ranking in Test cricket and several other achievements has been deserted by one and all. This is but a feeble attempt at trying to share what Mahi would like to share with all his fans. Read with concern.
To all my fans,
People-
More effective and contributing than anything in this world and stronger than any force on this planet, has been your undying faith in the game and your untroubled trust in the men who play it, which has taken Indian cricket to it’s dominating position on the cricketing map of this world. Our small and humble steps met with huge success in the year 1983, when Kapil paaji and his men brought back the World Cup. We all savour that moment till date. Since then, the team has achieved so much that a few passages cannot describe.
Just like any other leader, my strength has always been derived from the people around me. Starting from my own family to my team members, to you – THE FANS, who have always applauded my every single run and the team’s each and every victory. You accepted me, not just in your hearts, but also in your homes. Your respect for me and the team, and you’re rejoicing faces have always helped us go that extra mile and fetch a victory out of the jaws of defeat. All this, just to see you smiling.
The 2007 T20 World Cup and then the 2011 World Cup, both have been a result of your continuous prayers and belief. When a player is out on the field, more than his own set of skills or practice, it is the quality of reception and level of acceptance he gets from the crowd which converts him into a match winner. The Indian team has seen some glorious days full of bright lights, loud clouds and shiny trophies. But one must remember that success is only relative. The dark days shall always be there to remind us about the value and importance of the brighter days.
Well the situation is such that Indian cricket is going through a dark phase. Our performance has been below par. The legends that made the team have said goodbye to the game and asked the next generation to step in. My own performance has been very poor and from a captain who did the impossible, I have been reduced to a captain who doesn’t even deserve to be the captain anymore. These are hard times you know? When all the fingers are pointing at you and you’re losing sight. When everything around you is shaky and you yourself feel so terribly weak that you can’t even find the strength to complain. I will not say that you, my fans, have deserted me. You have every right to be angry. For all the love and support which you have given me and the team, you have every right to charge us with the crime of disappointing you over and over again. But you know, at times, one stands in front of the mirror and hopes he won’t have to see his reflection. These are times when you can’t face yourself. All my dedication and commitment towards the game has been struck by a thunderbolt. Down and out, I can’t seem to recover. I can’t face myself.
But then I know, my fans will be there to rescue me. My fans will get rid of the fingers and unite as a fist. My fans will stop questioning and start believing as they have always done. My fans will make sure that I stand firm and the jar of confidence is filled to the brim. For you have always been there and you will always be there, for your very own Mahi. Yes, to an extent I’m a criminal. I agree when you say I’m a thief who took away your trust, belief, joy, pleasure and happiness. But I know that with your support and your accompaniment, the days of glory will return. More than quality players and doctored pitches, it is your support that will help the team recover. It is you who can, and I’m sure will, bring the dynamite tag back to the name MSD.
I want you all to be there with us, not just when we’re sailing through the oceans of success and victories but also when we’re fighting the storms of failure and defeats.
Your very own,
Captain-Indian Cricket Team
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A student of political science, journalism and mass communication, Rohit Joshi has been writing for four years now. A blogger, a photographer, an emcee/rapper, graphics designer and a public speaker, Joshi taps a number of subjects in his content and dazzles the readers by engaging them in his words which he feels are his weapons. His passion for cricket and his love for the game can be felt in his write-ups.A number of tabs on him, Joshi is above all a dreamer who feels that someday he'll find his ground.Visit his blogs:http://rohitjoshi888.blogspot.in/ http://joshijiphotowale.blogspot.in/
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CBD Vending Machines Coming to C-Stores in New York
Convenience Valet to Represent Mylan’s Portfolio
Draw Customers in With a Car Wash
C-Stores Look to Automated Labeling to Boost Profits
Reclaiming the Cold Vault
RPP Products Names New President
Company expects units to be up and running by the end of 2018 By Brett Dworski on Dec. 13, 2018
HARRISON, N.Y. – Vending company One Step Vending Corp. has agreed to place 15 cannabidiol (CBD) vending machines in convenience stores throughout New York, the company said. The dispensers will offer CBD-infused candies, capsules, shots and more at stores in Queens and Brooklyn.
The company said it will place the first five machines in stores during the third week of December. It did not name the c-stores.
CBD is a main component of the cannabis plant, also known as marijuana. It is a nonpsychoactive compound of cannabis, meaning it doesn’t give consumers the “high” feeling associated with the drug.
“Our vision in 2019 is for a national rollout of our branded CBD Kiosks,” said David Garfinkel, president of Kosk, the One Step subsidiary that owns the CBD Kiosk logo to be printed on the machines. “We’re initiating Kosk’s pre-rollout phase in the greater New York City region because of the potential to influence other major metropolitan regions around the USA. With the federal Hemp Farm Bill that legalizes CBD unanimously passing on Monday, we firmly believe that we are positioned for explosive national growth and expansion.”
Cannabis has become a budding category in convenience retailing. Beer and beverage companies such as Heineken USA, Constellation Brands and the Coca Cola Co. have expressed interest in cannabis-enhanced drinks, while others have even begun pushing for CBD candies in c-stores. On Dec. 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate-approved version of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the Farm Bill, which, if approved by President Donald Trump, would allow the industrial farming and state-regulated production of hemp, another nonpsychoactive element of cannabis.
“Although we have been quiet for several months, we have been busy and making significant progress,” Garfinkel said. “Today’s announcement is the first of many more to come.”
Harrison, N.Y.-based One Step Vending grows through acquisitions and cooperative agreements with companies that have high potential and capabilities of achieving sustainable growth. The company works with businesses in the food and beverage, self-checkout and mobile vending sectors.
alternative snacks beverage and foodservice equipment
Hemp May Become Legal
Instant CBD Strips Arrive in C-Stores Nationwide
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Jaylin Hunter is East Catholic’s best kept secret, but not for long
| Hartford Courant |
| Manchester
In the Connecticut high school basketball scene, Jaylin Hunter is a bit of an unknown, but that’s exactly how he likes it.
Maybe in Nebraska, where he spent five years of his life, he was known. Hunter played on elite summer circuits, won a state championship and put up big performances against rivals.
An established player in the Midwest, Hunter will look to do the same in Manchester at his new school, East Catholic. Just two game into his first and only season in high school basketball in Connecticut, Hunter hasn’t opened up his entire bag of tricks.
“They don’t know much about me, and I don’t know much about them,” he said.
[Related] 2019 All-Courant softball athlete of the year: Maria Hanchuk, South Windsor »
For now, at least.
Hunter has moved around, following his father Kenya Hunter, who was previously an assistant on the Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball staff and now is working for Dan Hurley at UConn.
Jaylin Hunter told his teammates during preseason that since he got the call that he and his family would be moving from Nebraska to Connecticut, he’d been eagerly waiting for his first game. It didn’t take long for Hunter to ease into his new navy threads, as he drilled a corner 3 off of the opening tip against Hillhouse for his first points in an East Catholic uniform.
“Seeing the first shot go in, it’s always great,” Hunter said after the game. “It gave me confidence throughout the game.”
He finished with 20 points, then scored 21 against E.O Smith days later, helping the Eagles to an early 2-0 record.
[Related] 2019 All-Courant boys golf athlete of the year: Chris Fosdick, Xavier »
Suddenly, East Catholic’s secret was out. Just a week into the high school basketball season, it became clear that Hunter, junior wing Matt Knowling and senior guard and reigning All-State player Joey Reilly had the potential to be one of the state’s top trios, and that the drop-off between last year’s 25-1 Eagles team and this year’s would be minimal.
“It’s very fun. It’s definitely something I’ve never been apart of, having such versatile and high level guards. I honestly feel like all three of us are Division I players,” Hunter said. “It’s not a secret: The goal is a state championship.”
Just months into his time in Connecticut, he’s noticed differences. Nebraska didn’t have the same level of talent — specifically when it came to big men — as Connecticut does. He added that players "care a lot about the rankings and what is said about them in the news” here. He never had people try and offer him basketball mixtapes after games back west, and people didn’t take to social media post game to see what’s being said about them.
Hunter doesn’t plan on joining in on the trend. He hopes his teammates don’t, either, and that the Eagles keep their heads down and push forward.
“People are going to say everything, good or bad, about the team," Hunter said. "We’ve just got to keep our heads down and keep working.”
[Related] The 2019 All-Courant boys golf team »
That comes with maturity, something Hunter has easily developed. He’s experienced a lifetime of basketball in a short span, thanks in parts to his own skill level, taking him to championships and on elite travel teams, but also due to his father. Hunter has followed his dad, Kenya, on every stop of his coaching career — Xavier, Georgetown, Nebraska and now UConn.
He’s seen players flourish, from Georgetown’s Greg Monroe and Otto Porter to Nebraska’s Terran Pettaway and Shavon Shield, two All-Big Ten selections. He’s also seen players fail.
I think I’ve earned some respect by just playing hard
Jaylin Hunter
That, he claims, is the most important thing he’s picked up from being the son of a coach. As much as Hunter has learned from watching the future NBA stars and all-conference players, he’s learned more from those with that level of potential who couldn’t put it all together.
How? They relied on their arms and legs, when they should have relied on their ears.
“Some guys that my dad has struggled with, they have bad listening skills,” he said. “Kind of close-minded at times. If you’re not ready to learn, you’re not going to be a very good player. If you keep learning and learning, you can just keep expanding your game.”
[Related] The 2019 All-Courant girls golf team »
Music to East Catholic coach Luke Reilly’s ears. It’s not often teams can add an experienced veteran with elite skills on offense and defense, that also has the mind of a coach.
It didn’t take long for Hunter to settle in as a leader. In practice, he’ll pull teammates aside, both to motivate them and critique them. In practice, he runs the offense like a four-year veteran.
“Jaylin’s a great player, and he fits into our culture extremely well," Reilly said. “He’s unselfish. He works extremely hard. He believes in the greater goal.”
Latest High School
2019 All-Courant softball athlete of the year: Maria Hanchuk, South Windsor
2019 All-Courant boys golf athlete of the year: Chris Fosdick, Xavier
The 2019 All-Courant boys golf team
Added Hunter, “No one is going to listen to you if you’re not doing it yourself. I think I’ve earned some respect by just playing hard.”
Hunter said he will continue to keep playing like an unknown. He doesn’t know who’s who on opposite teams. He didn’t experience the one-point loss to Windsor last year in the state tournament. Each team is new to him, and he’s going to approach each equally, whether they’re winless or undefeated.
Maybe that’s a perfect scenario for him and the Eagles.
“I have to come into every game playing like they’re the best team,” he said. “I personally don’t know anything about any other players. I just think that will help me. I just think a lot of players get into the habit of, ‘Oh, we’re not playing against a very good team. Let me take the night off.’ I can’t afford to do that because I might get burned one day.”
Most Read • High School
High School Football: Maloney Vs. East Catholic
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Noah's Ark park coming
The creators of Northern Kentucky’s controversial Creation Museum say enough money has been raised to proceed with a ...
Noah's Ark park coming The creators of Northern Kentucky’s controversial Creation Museum say enough money has been raised to proceed with a ... Check out this story on courier-journal.com: http://cjky.it/1fv4SkB
Chris Kenning, The Courier-Journal; Published 8:56 p.m. ET Feb. 27, 2014 | Updated 11:44 p.m. ET Feb. 27, 2014
A rendering shows the proposed “Ark Encounter” park.
The creators of Northern Kentucky's controversial Creation Museum say enough money has been raised to proceed with a new biblical theme park built around a 510-foot replica of Noah's Ark.
Ken Ham, the president of Answers in Genesis who gained national attention earlier this month after a debate with Bill Nye the Science Guy, said that after a recent bond offering "the funding is in place" to start building the "Ark Encounter" park on an 800-acre site in Grant County, Ky.
The Ark's website says it has raised $14.4 million in private donations toward the $24.5 million needed to build the ark alone as part of a theme park that is expected to cost more than $120 million. The complete first phase totals more than $70 million, and officials said they sold most of the $62 million in municipal bonds offered to investors.
"We're going to begin construction, and this is going to be great for the area," Ham said in an online announcement Thursday night, noting the park would open in 2016. "Let's build the ark."
WATCH | Video highlights | Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham | Creation vs. Evolution debate
AND |Bill Nye the Science Guy trades barbs with Creation Museum founder
Along with the three-story wooden boat — which Ham said would be the largest timber-frame structure in the United States — the park would eventually include a pre-flood themed area, live animal shows, the "Tower of Babel" featuring a special-effects theater and a first-century village.
Williamstown Mayor Rick Skinner said the project would bring hundreds of jobs and attract hotels and restaurants to a largely rural community.
"We're happy to be the home of the Ark," Skinner said.
But Josh Rosenau, policy director for the California-based National Center for Science Education, said the Ark park is objectionable because it displays "a false account of world history and biology" and presents it "as if it were fact."
Answers in Genesis and its Creation Museum embraces a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis and a belief that the Earth is only 6,000 years old — a view that runs counter to established science. As a result, it has drawn widespread criticism and derision.
On his website, Ham wrote that "God has burdened AiG to rebuild a full-size Noah's Ark."
But fundraising initially was slow after plans were announced in 2010, Ham has said.
Late last year, the city of Williamstown, where the park would be located, helped by offering $62 million in municipal bonds on behalf of the Christian group. The city isn't responsible for repaying the unsecured bonds, which would come from park revenues. Partly because of a lackluster response, the sale was extended in December.
Mike Zovath, the Ark project coordinator, said the minimum amount was sold, which constituted most of the bonds, and AiG purchased some. They did not provide exact figures.
AiG officials said they would continue raising money for various phases of the project, including lifetime "boarding passes" costing $3,000 for families and $2,000 for individuals.
State development studies have predicted that the theme park would draw hundreds of thousands of visitors and bring in a net fiscal impact of $119 million over 10 years, including sales and income taxes.
In 2011, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority granted approval for up to $43.1 million in sales-tax rebates over 10 years. State tourism law allows developers to recover up to 25 percent of the project's cost through a return of the sales tax paid by visitors on admission tickets, food, souvenirs and other expenses.
Gov. Steve Beshear has defended his support for the project, saying that if the park failed, the state would not be out any money.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg News reported that the Ark project was drawing comparisons to tourist attractions from Alabama to Nebraska that have defaulted on such bonds, and noted that it came with the added risk of legal challenges from those who believe the religious themes may violate the Constitution.
Groups such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State have argued that Kentucky's tourism department is supporting religion. But Rosenau said that, despite his opposition, he does not think it would be Constitutional violation.
Officials said they plan to break ground in May. Ark Encounter has begun to file permit applications for the park. One filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permission to impact wetlands for the construction the park and roadways on the 795-acre parcel.
On its website, the group said the ark would be built by the Indiana-based Troyer Group, a design and construction firm. AiG officials said it would include exhibits focusing on how Noah would have built the ark, as well as evangelical elements.
Ham spent much of the announcement railing against reporters and atheist bloggers for "distortions," and Zovath said he was pleased the project would move forward.
He said the release of the upcoming big-budget movie about Noah and the flood would help stoke interest in the project despite "the liberties that Hollywood takes."
Reporter Chris Kenning can be reached at (502) 582-4697. Follow him on Twitter at @ckenning_cj.
Read or Share this story: http://cjky.it/1fv4SkB
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Home /CPA Journal Content/Getting Divorced: A Tax Perspective
Getting Divorced: A Tax Perspective
By James R. Grimaldi, CPA, James A.J. Revels, CPA and Sidney Kess, JD, LLM, CPA
April 2016 Issue, Columns |
Despite the best of intentions when couples say, “I do,” more than a few will find themselves eventually saying, “I don’t.” Aside from the emotional issues involved in divorce, there are also tax and financial considerations. The resolution of these issues may depend in part on how amicable the parties remain, their financial status, and whether they live in a community property or common-law state.
Timing of Divorce
A taxpayer’s marital status is determined on the last day of the year. If the divorce is final by the last day of the year, then the spouses are treated as unmarried for the entire year, assuming neither has remarried by the end of the year. If the divorce has not been finalized by the end of the year, the spouses are married for tax purposes, and can file a joint return or separate returns. In addition, if the spouses live apart for the last six months of the year and one maintains a household for a dependent child, that spouse may qualify to file as head of household. Divorcing couples therefore may want to carefully consider in which year to get divorced; the couple may save money depending on whether they file jointly or divorce and each file as unmarried.
Legal separation has the same tax effect as divorce. Thus, if a couple is legally separated on the last day of the year, then they are treated as unmarried for the year. Merely living apart and considering themselves to be separated is not a legal separation for tax purposes.
Alimony is an umbrella term covering payments for support by one spouse for the other; states may label such payments as alimony, spousal support, or separate maintenance. Alimony may be temporary (i.e., during the course of the divorce process), rehabilitative (for a limited period to give the recipient-spouse time to complete an education or get a job), or permanent. Permanent alimony is usually awarded only for marriages lasting more than 10 years and where the recipient-spouse likely cannot reenter the workplace in a meaningful way. From a tax perspective, alimony is taxable to the recipient-spouse and deductible by the payor-spouse only if all of the following conditions are met:
Payments are made pursuant to a divorce decree or separation agreement.
Payments are made in cash.
The divorce decree or separation agreement does not designate the payments as nontaxable to the recipient and non-deductible by the payor.
The spouses live apart.
There is no liability to make payments after the death of the recipient-spouse.
The payments are not support.
Voluntary payments, such as amounts paid without any court order prior to a final decree of divorce, are not treated as alimony (e.g., Milbourn v. Commissioner, TC Memo 2015-13, http://1.usa.gov/1pGTvDk). Payments made to a third party for the benefit of the former spouse, such as health insurance premiums to cover the former spouse, may be deductible alimony, assuming all the other conditions are met.
The IRS requires the payor-spouse to report the Social Security number (SSN) of the recipient-spouse to ensure that amounts deducted align with amounts reported as income. Nevertheless, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) found in 2014 that there was a $2.3 billion gap between the amount of alimony deducted and the amount reported as income (Significant Discrepancies Exist Between Alimony Deductions Claimed by Payers and Income Reported by Recipients, TIGTA Report 2014-40-022, http://1.usa.gov/21rkONO). To close this tax gap, the IRS may increase scrutiny of alimony deductions to ensure that recipient-spouses are reporting the income.
CHECKLIST FOR DIVORCE
Consider filing separately if a spouse has concerns about becoming liable for taxes on a joint return.
Consider the long-term tax consequences in property divisions (e.g., which assets have potential gains).
Prepare an inventory of marital assets and liabilities (e.g., mortgages).
Consider the rules for a dependency exemption for the couple’s child. Make sure that the divorce decree specifies which spouse is entitled to the exemption. If the non-custodial spouse is entitled to the exemption, ensure the custodial spouse signs a permanent or annual waiver on Form 8332.
Nail down the desired treatment for alimony (taxable or nontaxable). Both spouses should agree to the treatment. Consider that the payment of a former spouse’s medical costs under the terms of a divorce settlement is deductible alimony. In effect, these costs become deductible as adjustments to gross income rather than itemized medical deductions subject to the applicable adjusted gross income (AGI) floor.
Decide on tax liability for stock redemptions.
Couples who co-own a corporation which one spouse wants out of can agree in writing that either a redemption of stock will be taxable to the transferor-spouse or taxable to the redeeming spouse.
Make arrangements for transfers of retirement benefits. No court order is necessary to make transfers of IRAs tax free as long as they are incident to divorce. Note that tapping IRA funds to satisfy alimony is a taxable event. Use qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) to avoid tax on the plan participant when the retirement account is paid (in whole or in part) to an alternate payee (e.g., former spouse).
Advise on deducting legal fees related to tax advice in the divorce.
Determine the impact of divorce on Social Security benefits.
Revise wills and beneficiary designations.
Children of the Marriage
Having a child complicates the divorce process. Unfortunately, the child may become a negotiating hot spot, with parents vying for custody, support payments, and concessions. For tax purposes, the two key issues are child support and the dependency exemption.
Child support.
Payments to support a child are not taxable to the recipient-spouse or deductible by the payor-spouse [IRC section 71(c)]. These include payments labeled as child support, as well as payments construed as child support because they are related to a contingency involving the child—for example, if the amount is reduced or eliminated when the child attains majority. If there is a delinquency in both alimony and child support, payments are applied first toward child support before being applied toward alimony (e.g., Becker v. Commissioner, TC Summary Opinion 2015-2, http://1.usa.gov/1Ri5M7d). If a parent fails for some time to pay required child support, the IRS can apply a federal tax refund to the delinquency [IRC section 6402(e)]. For this purpose, “past due support” means a delinquency for which the IRS has been notified by a state in accordance with section 464(c) of the Social Security Act.
Payments to support a child are not taxable to the recipient-spouse or deductible by the payor-spouse.
Dependency exemption.
The dependency exemption for a child can be claimed automatically by the custodial parent, i.e., the parent with physical custody for the greater part of the year (26 CFR section 1.152-4). Claiming the dependency exemption may also entitle the custodial parent to claim head of household status, the child tax credit, and the earned income tax credit [IRC sections 2(b), 24, and 32, respectively]. The custodial parent can also waive the dependency exemption to allow the noncustodial parent to claim it. To do so, the custodial parent must sign Form 8332, Release/Revocation of Release to Claim Exemption for Child, and attach it to the tax return of the noncustodial parent. The waiver can be annual or permanent. A divorce decree can require the custodial parent to sign the waiver, but the decree itself is not a waiver for tax purposes.
Which parent should receive the exemption depends on their respective financial statuses. Usually the parent with the greater income claims the exemption, but if such parent is a high-income taxpayer subject to the phaseout for exemptions, then it makes more sense for the other parent to claim the exemption. Financial negotiations during the divorce process should take this tax break into account.
Property Settlements
No gain or loss is recognized on the transfer of property related to divorce (IRC section 1041); instead, the recipientspouse steps into the shoes of the transferor-spouse for basis purposes [IRC section 1041(b)]. When the recipient-spouse sells the property, he or she recognizes gain or loss on the transaction at that time. Therefore, property settlements should factor into tax results. For example, stock worth $10,000 with a basis of $2,000 presents the recipient-spouse with a potential gain of only $8,000.
Marital home.
The couple’s home often becomes a prime issue in divorce. Both spouses may continue to own the property, even though only one is given possession of the residence. Sometimes, the spouse living in the home is directed or desires to sell the home once the couple’s child has grown and is no longer living there. For purposes of the home sale exclusion, two special rules apply:
A spouse who receives title to the home is treated as having owned the house during previous period of ownership as well, be it joint or by the other spouse. This can help such spouse meet the two-out-of-five–year ownership test for the exclusion [IRC section 121(d)(3)(A)].
A former spouse who continues to own the home occupied by the other spouse is treated as having used the home during the period that the other spouse uses it; again, this enables the former spouse to claim the exclusion [IRC section 121(d)(3)(B)].
Legal Fees for Divorce
Generally, legal fees to obtain a divorce are not deductible. For example, a business owner whose ownership is at stake in a divorce settlement usually cannot deduct legal fees, even though they relate to the business (e.g., Melat v. Commissioner, TC Memo 1993-247, http://bit.ly/1Ri7fKV). The courts view the origin of the claim as a division in marital property, for which no deduction of legal fees is allowed. A spouse who obtains alimony, however, may deduct the portion of legal fees related to the production or collection of such income [IRC section 212(1)]. The attorney handing the divorce for this spouse should itemize the services so that the spouse can deduct the applicable portion of the fees.
Qualified Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefits
Benefits from qualified retirement plans, IRAs, and other employee benefit programs are important considerations during divorce. Divorcing spouses may want to change beneficiary designations to plans, as well as to life insurance policies, so that former spouses do not inherit benefits, as well as take the other actions below.
Retirement plans.
The divorce settlement may award benefits accrued by the working spouse (the participant) to the other spouse (the alternate payee). As long as this is done by a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO), the participant is not taxed on benefits transferred to the alternate payee [IRC section 414(p)], and the early distribution penalty does not apply [IRC section 72(t)(2)(C)]. The QDRO cannot compel the distribution of benefits to the alternate payee; it merely awards them to this spouse. Benefits are payable on the earliest retirement date, even if the participant has not separated from service [IRC section 414(p)(4)(B)]. Service is defined as—
the date on which the participant is entitled to a distribution under the plan, or
the later of 1) the date the participant attains age 50 or 2) the earliest date on which the participant could begin receiving benefits under the plan if the participant separated from service.
The alternate payee is not taxed if, when benefits are payable, they are rolled over or directly transferred to a qualified retirement plan or IRA of this spouse. The IRS and the Department of Labor (DOL) provide sample language for a QDRO at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/qdros_appD.html.
IRAs.
Funds in an IRA transferred to a former spouse incident to divorce are not taxable to the owner [IRC section 408(d)(6)]. The transfer is also exempt from the 10% early distribution penalty [IRC section 72(t)]. If an IRA owner uses funds from the account to pay alimony, child support, or anything else related to the divorce, however, the funds are taxable and not exempt from the early distribution penalty [e.g., Bunney, 114 TC 259 (2000), http://1.usa.gov/22fWNeP]. The IRA owner must transfer the interest in the IRA, and not the funds themselves, in order to escape tax on the transfer. There may be an offsetting alimony deduction where applicable.
If a spouse is covered under the other spouse’s employer’s health plan and the employer is subject to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the spouse may opt to continue on the plan for up to 36 months (29 USC 1161). The DOL answers FAQs on COBRA at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-consumer-cobra.html.
Medical FSAs.
Usually an employee commits to contributions in medical flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for the year; however, upon divorce, the employee can change the contribution for the balance of the year [26 CFR section 1.1254(c)(2)(i)].
Other Tax Issues
Premium tax credit.
A couple who opts to receive on an advance basis the premium tax credit (IRC section 36B) for health insurance purchased through a government marketplace should notify the marketplace about the change in marital status. This changes the taxpayer’s advance payment amount.
Tax liability.
If the IRS audits a joint return filed prior to the divorce and finds that taxes are owed, the divorce decree or settlement agreement can stipulate which spouse is liable for any deficiency or whether the amount should be split between them.
Divorce does not necessarily extinguish spousal rights to collect Social Security benefits. If the marriage lasted at least 10 years, a divorced spouse can collect benefits based on an ex-spouse’s earnings if unmarried and at least 62 years old. The ex-spouse does not have to be collecting benefits but must be eligible to do so (i.e., at least 62 years old as well). The benefit is 50% of the other spouse’s full retirement benefit if benefits commence at full retirement age. A divorced spouse collecting benefits under these conditions does not affect benefits for the ex-spouse, the ex-spouse’s children, or the ex-spouse’s current spouse. Note that the 10-year marriage duration may affect the timing of a divorce.
The death of a former spouse does not bar a surviving divorced spouse from collecting benefits. Again, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the survivor can collect starting at age 60 (or 50 if he/she has a severe disability). This is permitted even if the surviving divorced spouse has remarried, as long as the remarriage occurred after reaching age 60 (or after age 50 if disabled). A former spouse can also collect benefits if the divorced wage earner has died if the couple has a child under age 16 (or older but disabled). In this case, the age or length-of-marriage rule does not apply, as long as the survivor is caring for the child.
Divorce is never easy, and taxes complicate a difficult situation. Attention to tax and financial issues, however, helps the parties involved create certainty and avoid problems later on. CPAs should use the accompanying checklist to make sure they cover the essentials.
Sidney Kess, JD, LLM, CPA is senior consultant to Citrin Cooperman & Co., LLP and of counsel to Kostelanetz & Fink. He is a member of the NYSSCPA Hall of Fame and was awarded the Society’s Outstanding CPA in Education Award in May 2015. He is also a member of The CPA Journal Editorial Board.
James Revels, CPA, MST are Partners at Citrin Cooperman.
James R. Grimaldi, JD, CPA are Partners at Citrin Cooperman.
The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty and Encumbered Funds
Assisting Individuals with Charitable Legacies
TAGS: social security divorce tax issues
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John Merrill was named DigiCert CEO in August 2016, after serving as the company’s COO during the previous three years. Merrill has led the DigiCert acquisition of Symantec’s Website Security and related PKI solutions as well as Verizon’s Enterprise SSL business, significantly expanding DigiCert’s global footprint. He has played a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s finance, operations, sales, and emerging markets divisions. Among his initiatives as COO, Merrill oversaw the company’s focus on enhancing its solutions for the Internet of Things, advancing its industry leadership, and developing innovative certificate management platforms. Merrill has a strong, multi-decade background in corporate finance, marketing, and operations for high-revenue growth companies.
Prior to joining DigiCert, Merrill was President of the Global Retail Division for Connolly, Inc., where he led efforts that grew the division revenue by 93 percent during his five-year tenure. Previously, Merrill was COO for UserTrust, Inc., where he oversaw the digital security company’s growth and ultimate acquisition. He also led division growth at GE Capital and Evans and Sutherland. Merrill received a BA in Economics from The University of Utah and an MBA from Cornell University.
John Merrill was last modified: September 17th, 2018 by Jeff Chandler
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Departmental media releases
Notice to mariners archive
Home > Media > Departmental media releases
The departmental news area contains news and media releases specific to Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.
DPTI Media Alert - Temporary closure of Mannum ferry Tuesday 25 October 2016
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) advises there will be a temporary interruption to the downstream Mannum ferry service from 10am to 2pm Tuesday 25 October 2016 (weather permitting).
DPTI Media Alert - Paringa Bridge
The Paringa Bridge will be under traffic restrictions due to essential maintenance from 6am Tuesday 25 October 2016 until 5pm Wednesday 9 November 2016, weather permitting.
DPTI Media Alert - Repaired Outback Road Signs
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure advises that 31 of the 32 Outback Roads signs that inform motorists of road conditions are now fully operational.
DPTI Media Alert - O-Bahn City Access Project - Dequetteville Terrace (between North Terrace and Rundle Road) Weekend Closure
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) advises that Dequetteville Terrace between North Terrace and Rundle Road will be closed from 10pm Friday 21 October 2016 to 6am Monday 24 October 2016 for installation of tunnel roof beams and road resurfacing.
DPTI Media Alert - Noarlunga to Victor Harbor Road Repairs
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) advises that works to undertake repairs on a section of the Noarlunga to Victor Harbor Road between Yundi Road and Old Willunga Hill Road are scheduled to commence Monday, 24 October 2016.
DPTI Media Alert - Darlington upgrade project - Main South Road traffic shift
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) advises that traffic will shift to the eastern side of Main South Road between Brookside Road and Flinders Drive at Bedford Park South as part of the Darlington Upgrade Project from today, 13 October 2016.
DPTI Media Alert - It's back to school - slow down near buses!
Children across South Australia are heading back to school on Monday 17 October and drivers are reminded to slow down to 25 km/h and to take care around schools and school buses.
DPTI Media Release - Adelaide Metro Children's Week
Adelaide Metro is celebrating Children’s Week by inviting talented and creative kids across the State to showcase their artistic flair by sending in artwork of our buses, trams, and trains.
DPTI Media Alert - O-Bahn City Access Project - East Terrace Closure for asphalt surfacing and line marking works this weekend
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) advises that East Terrace between Grenfell Street and Bartels Road/Pirie Street will be closed from 7am Saturday 8 October 2016 to 5pm Sunday 9 October 2016 for asphalt surfacing and line marking works.
DPTI Media Alert - Southern suburbs traffic delays
Overnight roadworks at the intersection of South Road and Shepherds Hill Road at Bedford Park have resulted in a sewer main collapse.
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Home > Community mobilisation and local alcohol action plans: an evaluation.
Dillon, Lucy (2016) Community mobilisation and local alcohol action plans: an evaluation. Drugnet Ireland , Issue 58, Summer 2016 , pp. 27-28.
PDF (Drugnet 58)
A report on the National Community Action on Alcohol Pilot Project (NCAAPP) was published in December 2015.1 The findings of this report, a process evaluation of the project which began in 2015, are outlined below.
On foot of the National Substance Misuse Strategy,2 the remit of the drugs task forces was expanded in 2014 to include alcohol. To support the task forces in meeting the demands of this new remit, the NCAAPP was established. Its aim was to support task forces in developing a ‘community mobilisation approach’ which would inform the development of policies to address alcohol use, and reduce alcohol-related harm, in their area. The project was delivered by the Alcohol Forum in partnership with the Drug Programmes and Policy Unit of the Department of Health and the Wellbeing Division of the Health Service Executive.
Community mobilisation
Underpinning the pilot project’s approach was the finding of the National Substance Misuse Strategy that community mobilisation is successful in bringing stakeholders together to develop alcohol and drug policies. The author of the evaluation report describes community mobilisation as a public health approach to reducing alcohol-related harm: it changes the context in which alcohol use occurs, rather than focusing on the ‘problem drinker’. It is a process through which communities work together to take action and bring about change, working with a range of stakeholders from the public, statutory and private sectors to identify the changes they want to bring about in their area. Based on the best evidence available the different stakeholders plan together how to bring about the desired changes. The community then implements the plan and monitors its progress in reducing alcohol-related harm. Some common features of the approach are shown in Figure 1.
The evaluation report contains a review of the literature on community mobilisation and shows how elsewhere it has been effective in reducing alcohol-related harm. The author identifies key elements that contribute to positive results when working in this way, including:
establishing well-functioning coalitions,
getting wider community buy-in to the process and its aims,
changing the policy context,
taking an evidence-based approach,
giving the project adequate time to get established and deliver on outcomes (in excess of three years),
taking a multi-strategy approach, and
using the media to support interventions.
Evaluation findings
Drawing any conclusions about the effectiveness of the NCAAPP in reducing alcohol-related harm was beyond the scope of this evaluation. Instead, the report explored the effectiveness of the process put in place to deliver on community mobilisation and to establish local alcohol action plans.
Five task forces were selected to take part in the project, each of which identified a project lead and established an ‘alcohol sub-committee’ with responsibility for delivering on the project in their area. Each sub-committee sent a representative on five one-day formal training sessions in Dublin. These covered a range of topics including community mobilisation, data collection, research and evaluation methods, logic models, alcohol-related harm, using the media, and effective policy measures to address alcohol harms. The task forces then received on-site tailored support to help develop their local plans, as well as access to follow-up support via phone calls, emails, one-on-one meetings and some on-site group training. One individual from the Alcohol Forum had responsibility for delivering this programme of training and support.
Broadly speaking, the goals of the project were to train stakeholders on drug-related harm, raise awareness of policy measures, support community engagement, and develop local action plans. The evaluation found that, overall, the project was successful in these areas.
The training and support delivered was of a high quality and was delivered by a highly dedicated trainer. Participants improved their knowledge of alcohol-related harms and the networking opportunities afforded by the centralised training sessions were seen as beneficial. The training also led to changes in work practices, for example a public health approach to alcohol issues was adopted, evidence-based measures were applied, and a community mobilisation model was used.
At the core of the project was the production of local alcohol action plans. Four of the five task forces completed local alcohol action plans by the end of the project and the fifth had an outline plan. All the completed action plans included monitoring, review and self-evaluation measures.
A number of critical barriers were identified. Building local leadership and commitment to the project proved challenging, as did engaging stakeholders to lead a collective approach. Limited resources presented hurdles when it came to making and implementing a plan. Finally, local policy changes to help lower alcohol-related harm needed to be reinforced by a government-level commitment to adopting such evidence-based policies.
The author made a range of recommendations at the end of the report. She highlighted the fact that community action on alcohol is a long-term process and that the pilot project was just the beginning of the process for those involved.
1 Galligan C (2016) National community action on alcohol pilot project 2015: external evaluation project. Dublin: Department of Health https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/25098/
2 Department of Health (2012) Steering group report on a national substance misuse strategy. Dublin: Department of Health. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/16908/
Issue Title:
A Substance use, abuse, and dependence > Prevalence > Substance use behaviour > Alcohol consumption
B Substances > Alcohol
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Risk and needs assessment > Needs assessment > Community needs assessment
MA-ML Social science, culture and community > Community action > Community development
MA-ML Social science, culture and community > Community action > Community involvement
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SanDisk 4GB Sansa Clip and 32GB Sansa View
Posted on Friday, January 11 2008 @ 09:29:16 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
SanDisk unveils two new digital audio players at CES 2008: a new Sansa Clip with 4GB storage capacity and a Sansa View with 32GB.
The matchbox-sized Sansa Clip, introduced in August in capacities of 1GB and 2GB, is the perfect companion for jogging, working out or just hanging out. The new 4GB version, due in February with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $79.99, can store 1,000 songs, runs for 15 hours on its rechargeable battery and comes in a stylish silver color with a mirror finish on the front. Sansa Clip stands above the leading wearable music player because of its bright OLED color screen – allowing users to select the music they hear, not just wait for songs to come around at random.
The full-featured Sansa View, introduced in September in capacities of 8GB and 16GB, features a vibrant 2.4-inch TFT color screen with 320x240 resolution for crisp playback of full-motion video. The new 32GB version, due in February with an MSRP of $349.99, can hold a stunning 48 two-hour movies or 8,000 songs. The rechargeable, long-lasting lithium ion battery provides 35 hours of audio or 7 hours of video playback. The Sansa View has built-in support for the MPEG4, WMV and H.264 video formats.
Sansa Clip continues to be available in 1GB capacity with an MSRP of $39.99 and 2GB capacity with an MSRP of $59.99. The 4GB Sansa Clip is expected to be available in February in the United States with an MSRP of $79.99. The 1GB Sansa Clip is available in black; the 2GB Sansa Clip is available in black, red, pink or blue; and the 4GB will be available in silver.
Sansa View continues to be available in 8GB capacity with an MSRP of $149.99 and 16GB capacity with an MSRP of $199.99. The 32GB Sansa View is expected to be available in February in the United States with an MSRP of $349.99.
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Vicki Schwean
Dr Vicki Schwean
Dean, Faculty of Education
Degree: B.Ed., M.Ed. (University of Regina), Ph.D. (University of Saskatchewan)
Executive Assistant: Carol Hooper
Nelson Mandela once said that there could be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.
At the Faculty of Education, we know today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and we work everyday to strengthen the field of education to help ensure every child has the opportunity to flourish.
Our faculty members are leaders in their respective fields and offer world-renowned research expertise that informs and advance the field of education. They also provide practical experience and knowledge to future and current educational leaders at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. We believe in not only advocating for the next generation, but also in providing children with the knowledge and skills necessary to take charge of their own futures and advocate for themselves.
We also believe strongly in investing in the community. From our nationally and internationally recognized research centres, like our Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children, to our dedication to children’s mental health and advancing education for Indigenous populations, we are fundamentally connected to the community.
Our faculty is actively engaged in research focusing on state-of-the-art curriculum development, equity and social justice, educational leadership, international education, inclusive education and assessment practices.
And while we do this important work every day, we do not do alone. Our partnerships are the lifeblood of our faculty, and help us to accomplish our goals on a broader scale. We work regularly with local, national and international stakeholders, and continue to seek new opportunities to expand our reach, utilize our expertise and make a difference on a global level.
Welcome to the Faculty of Education.
School Mental Health
RESEARCH AND PROJECT GRANT INFORMATION:
Schwean, V.L. (2014). Single Ceiling Project: Phase I. London Community Foundation ($150,000)
Schwean, V.L. (2013). Single Ceiling Project. Lawson Foundation ($10,000).
Schwean, V.L. (2013). Single Ceiling Project. Libro Financial ($10,000).
Schwean, V.L., Climie, E., & Wills, S. (2010). Developmental pathways of resiliency in children with ADHD. Alberta Centre for Child, Family & Community Research ($45,000).
V.L. Schwean & A. McKeough (2008-2009). Evaluation of Rapport Youth Leadership Program in students attending schools within the Calgary Board of Education ($25,000).
J. McLennan, J. Popp, V. Schwean, & M. Ostryznik (2008). Addressing complex aggressive behaviour manifested by children in the school setting. Alberta Centre for Child, Family & Community Research ($100,000).
V.L. Schwean & A. McKeough (2007-2008). Evaluation of the Rapport Youth Leadership Program. Werklund Foundation ($73,000.00).
V.L. Schwean, S. Bisson, C. Barry, A. McCrimmon, & D. Dyke (2007). Communities of Care: Transforming Practice in the Delivery of FSCD Aide Services. Child and Family Services, Government of Alberta ($25,000).
V.L. Schwean, Dyke, D., Hind, Y., Burt, J., & Kohurt, K. (2006). Resiliency Factors in Youth with Asperger’s Disorder. Alberta Centre for Child, Family & Community Research, $33,245.00
Interdisciplinary cohort of applicants (Co-Applicant) (2005). Interprofessional Education for Collaborative Patient-Centred Practice. Health Canada, $1,196,000.00.
V.L. Schwean. Canadian Institute of Health Research Institutional Development Grant, $8,400.
V.L. Schwean, Evaluation of the ACTAL Program, Saskatoon Public School Board. $6,000.
V.L. Schwean & D. Mykota. Implementation Evaluation of Parenting Plus, the Early Childhood Program of the Pipestone Health District. Pipestone Health District and Saskatchewan Health, Community Care Branch, $42,000.00.
V.L. Schwean. Evaluation of the Structured Success Program, Saskatoon Public School Division, $6200.00.
V.L. Schwean, 1999-2000, College of Education Alumni Fund, $5,000.
Schwean, V.L., & Saklofske, D.H., 1996-1997. WAIS-III, WMS-III, MicroCog, Beta, Million Studies. Contractual grant with Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, Texas, $6,000.00.
S.K. Ali, H. Krespin, D. Illerbrun, & V.L. Schwean. Project: Psycho-educational problems in school-age children treated for leukemias and brain tumors. Clinical Teaching and Research Fund, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, $10,000 (1994/1995).
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1993-94. University of Saskatchewan Publications Fund, $1,000.00.
D. Quinn, V. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske & R.A. Yackulic (1995). Dose effects of and responsivity to methylphenidate on cognitive processing in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clinical Teaching and Research Fund, College of Medicine, $4,500.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske & P. Greenough (in collaboration with the Saskatoon District Tribal Council). An Epidemiological Study of Exceptionality in Band Schools, Secretary of State Research Grant, $14,000.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean. Assessing Cognitive Processes in Clinically Treated ADHD Children, President's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Research Fund, $4,700.
V.L. Schwean, 1992. Visiting Lecturer's Fund (for Dr. V.I. Douglas), University of Saskatchewan, $1,000.
V.L. Kowalchuk, D. Quinn, D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic & P. Greenough. Short-term effects of methylphenidate on the performance of AD/HD children on higher-order cognitive tasks. $4,000 Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, $4,500 Clinical Teaching and Research Fund, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, $1,000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Research Fund, test batteries and materials - The Psychological Corporation, test batteries - American Guidance Service, pharmaceutical supplies - Cyba-Giega Pharmaceuticals, 1989-90.
V.L. Kowalchuk, D.H. Saklofske, D. Quinn & R.A. Yackulic. The performance of attention deficit disordered children on the WISC-III. $4,000 and test batteries - The Psychological Corporation, 1989-90.
V.L. Kowalchuk, D.H. Saklofske & R.A. Yackulic. Reliability and validity of the Behavior Assessment System for Children: Normative and clinical Samples. Research Costs, test batteries, and materials - American Guidance Service, 1988-89.
CONTRACTUAL FUNDING:
(2007- 2009) Actively negotiated contracts for University of Calgary Applied Psychological and Educational Services (U-CAPES) with: Goldenhills School Division; Calgary and Child Family Services; Calgary Health Region (Rural Health Network); Persons with Developmental Disabilities; Calgary Health Region (Mental Health Services); Gifted Centre, University of Calgary; and, several other foundational groups. Total amount exceeds $500,000 annually.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:
2007-2009 – Clinical Supervision in University of Calgary Applied Psychological and Educational Services, 100+ hours
2007-2008 - Clinical Supervision in University of Calgary Applied Psychological and Educational Services, 100+ hours
2006-2007 - V. Schwean – Clinical Supervision in University of Calgary Applied Psychological and Education Services, 52 hours
2005-2006 - V. Schwean (2006) – Clinical Supervision in University of Calgary Applied Psychological and Educational Services, (25 hours)
Director, Child and Youth Development Institute (2004-2005). Oversaw the clinical operations of the clinic and professional development functions of the Institute. CAYDI provided direct clinical services to over 300 children and families and offered several professional development workshops to psychologists and teachers in the Saskatchewan community.
V. Schwean (2003-2004). Direct clinical services, including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy to 43 children, youth, and adults presenting with varying disabilities. Referral sources included: Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, Saskatchewan Learning; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (Kelsey Campus); Services for Students with Disabilities; University of Saskatchewan; Pediatrics Department, Royal University Hospital; Psychology Department, University of Saskatchewan, and individual physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists through the Province of Saskatchewan.
V. Schwean (2003). Co-Organizer and Host to six-week - Kuwait Professional Development Program held in September and October, 2003.
V. Schwean & R. Duncan (October 2003). Development of an instrument for assessing the late-effects of cancer treatment in children diagnosed with brain tumor. Presentation to the College of Medicine, Grand Rounds.
Co-Hosted (with Saskatchewan Association for Community Living) an all-day workshop on Promoting Inclusion (November 28th, 2003).
Chair, Department Head Leadership Program, Talk and Coffee, March 18th, 2004.
Reviewed graduate proposal for College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan (2004).
V.L. Schwean, Evaluation of the AcTal Program: Recommendations. Presentation to the Trustees of the Saskatoon Public School Board, March 2003.
V.L. Schwean. Provided direct clinical services, either on an individual basis or in a supervisory capacity for EDPSY 819.6, including pyschoeducational assessments, reports, consultations and advocacy to 104 children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities. Referral sources included: Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, Saskatchewan Learning; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (Kelsey Campus); SEARCHES; University of Saskatchewan, Student Counselling Services; Department of Psychiatry, Royal University Hospital; individual physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists throughout the Province of Saskatchewan; School Divisions; and, parent and self-referrals. This practice generated approximately $20,000.00 that was used for the purchase of materials for the Department’s test library.
V.L. Schwean (together with L. Haines and J. McNamara). Children First: Integrating Behavioral and Emotional Supports for Schools, Families and Communities. Laycock Lecture and Conference, Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, April, 2002.
V.L. Schwean. Provision of direct clinical services, either on an individual basis or in a supervisory capacity for EDPSY 819.6, including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy to 93 children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities. Referral sources: Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (Kelsey Campus); SEARCHES, individual physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists, varying school divisions, and parent and self-referrals. This practice generated considerable funds that were used for the purchase of materials for the Department’s test library.
V.L. Schwean. Evaluation of the Structured Success Program: Recommendations. Presentation to the Trustees of the Saskatoon Public School Board, September, 2001.
Provision of direct clinical services, either on an individual basis or in a supervisory capacity for EDPSY 819.6, including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy to 85 children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities. Referral sources: Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (Kelsey Campus); Saskatchewan Government Insurance; individual physicians and psychiatrists, varying school divisions, and, parent and self-referrals. Interview on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults for CFCR Radio, March 12, 2001.
Review of promotion case for Dr. M. Winzer, University of Lethbridge, February 2001. In collaboration with Dr. L. Haines, developed and piloted alternative course delivery for M.Ed. project supervision.
V.L. Schwean, 2000. Supervisor for AD/HD Education and Skills Program undertaken by C. Skaalid and D. Bergan and offered to eight clients over twelve week period.
V.L. Schwean, 2000. Supervisor for Social Skills Career Intervention undertaken by F. Lee and students from EDEXC 831.3 and offered to eight clients over twelve week period.
V.L. Schwean, August 16-20, 1999. Resource Consultant to Early Childhood Development, Health Promotion Summer School, 1999. The Health Promotion Summer School is sponsored by the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan, and is attended by over 200 participants who are health practitioners in various sectors around Saskatchewan and from neighbouring provinces.
V.L. Schwean, 1999-2000. Consultant to the AD/HD: Adaptive Student/Employment Enhancement Project, Parkland Regional College, S.I.A.S.T. (approximately 40 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1999-2000. Government of Saskatchewan provincial nominee to the Roundtable on Outcome Evaluation, Child Health Agenda, Human Resources Canada (approximately 50 hours).
V.L. Schwean, D. Mykota, D.H. Saklofske, 1999-2000. Consultants to Pipestone Health District and Saskatchewan Health, Community Care Branch with reference to Parenting Plus, the Early Child Health Initiative Project - Early Childhood Program (approximately 20 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1999-2000. Provision of direct clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities to 99 clients. Referral sources: Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities; Saskatchewan Education and Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; Department of Social Services, Government of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology; Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan; individual physicians and psychiatrists, and parent and self-referrals. (Approximately 600 hours.)
V.L. Schwean, 1998-99. Provision of direct clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities to 126 clients. Referral sources: Employability Assistance for Disabled Persons; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; University of Saskatchewan Services for Students with Disabilities; Department of Psychiatry (Childrens Services and Adult Psychiatry), University of Saskatchewan; Department of Justice, Probation Services, Government of Saskatchewan; Department of Social Services, Government of Saskatchewan; Mental Health Services, Government of Saskatchewan; Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (Kelsey and Parkland Regional Campuses); various school divisions; private counseling agencies, law firms, and self-referrals. (Approximately 1000 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1998-99. Consultant to Adaptive Student/Employment Enhancement Project, S.I.A.S.T. (Parkland Regional College). Services included: development of models for program entry, service delivery, and curriculum; community-based liaison; funding advocacy; workshop delivery; and, on-going consultation. (Approximately 40 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1998. Supervisor for AD/HD Education and Skills Program undertaken by M. Headley, R. Wong, and D. Gossner and offered to eight families over twelve week period.
V.L. Schwean, 1997-98.Provision of direct clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities to 73 clients. Referral Sources: Employability Assistance For Disabled Persons (former V.R.D.P.; Saskatoon Public School Division; Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan; University of Saskatchewan Services for Students with Disabilities; University of Saskatchewan, Department of Psychiatry; University of Saskatchewan, Psychology Clinic; Yorkton Public School Division; Davidson Public School Division; Pentecostal College; Department of Justice,
Corrections Services; Eastend School Division; Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Environment; Saskatoon Tribal Council; Buffalo Plains School Division; Northern Lights School Division; Prince Albert Tribal Council; North Battleford Mental Health; individual referrals; S.I.A.S.T. (Kelsey Campus); and, numerous referrals from physicians across Saskatchewan. (Approximately 550 hours).
V.L.Schwean, 1997-98. Clinical supervisor for M.Ed. students undertaking School Psychology Practicuum (R. Keele; A. Sawhney).
V.L. Schwean, 1997-98. Supervisor for AD/HD Education and Skills Program undertaken by P. Wyand, D. Walker, and S. Werle and offered to eight children over eight weeks.
V.L. Schwean, 1995-1997. Contribution of AD/HD subjects to the Wechsler Memory Scales - Third Edition, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition, BETA, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition standardization studies. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, Texas.
V.L. Schwean, 1996-1997. Clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities provided to 58 clients (300 hours).
V.L. Schwean (February, 1997). Guest on Let's Talk Saskatchewan (CJWW Radio) hosted by C. Cherneski. Topic: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean (January, 1997). Issues of subtyping in AD/HD research. Presentation at the 990 Seminar, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children.
V.L. Schwean (November, 1996). AD/HC Research Program. Presentation at the 990 Seminar, Department of Educational Psychology.
V.L. Schwean, 1995-96, Clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults presenting with varying exceptionalities. Clients referred by physicians, schools, governmental agencies, school divisions, advocacy groups, individuals, and families. A total of 39 clients were seen between January 1, 1995 and June 30, 1995, representing approximately 230 hours.
V.L. Schwean, G. Sarkar, & B. Hackl, 1996. Barriers to employment of postsecondary trained adults with disabilities: Impact of gender, type of disability, and geographical locale on employability. Research proposal submitted to the Status of Disabled Persons Secretariat (Human Resources Development Canada) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
V.L. Schwean, 1995. Chair, Subcommittee on Conceptual Framework for the Provincial Interagency Working Committee on ADD/ADHD.
V.L. Schwean, 1996. Chair, Subcommittee on Final Report on Centre for ADD/ADHD for the Provincial Interagency Working Committee on ADD/ADHD.
V.L. Schwean, 1996. Advocacy work for the establishment of an adult chapter of CHADD, Saskatoon.
V.L. Schwean, 1996. Clinical supervisor for C. Birn and K. Burt, School Psychology Program, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, 1996. Clinical Supervisor for Skills and Strategy Program for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder offered by K. Burt and R. Parks as part of EDEXC 868.3, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children (20 hours).
Clinical Supervisor for Cognitive Restructuring Program offered by D. Phillips and R. Beckie as part of EDEXC 868.3, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children (10 hours).
Clinical Supervisor for Parent Program offered by D. Boiley and L. Bussee as part of EDEXC 868.3, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children ( 10 hours).
V.L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, April 1996. Exceptionalities in First Nations’ children. Saskatoon Board of Education, Special Education Services, 2 hours.
V.L. Schwean, 1994-95. Clinical services including psychoeducational assessments, reports, consultations, and advocacy for children, youth, and adults with exceptionalities. Clients referred by Tribal Councils, government agencies, school division, and individuals. Approximately 150 hours.
V.L. Schwean (together with D.H. Saklofske), 1994-95. Research supervision and seminars provided to the Northern Lights School Division, Progress North Project for three system-wide research projects (10 days).
V.L. Schwean, 1994-95. Member of the Working Group Around ADD/ADHD and Chair of Theoretical Sub-Group. Departments of Health and Education, Government of Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean (September 1995). Participant in Saskatoon Tribal Council Conference on First Nations' Gifted Children, Saskatoon.
V.L. Schwean (Nov. 1994). Chair for E. Stange, Functional Programming for the Mentally Handicapped: Workshop for Teachers and Consultants, Moose Jaw.
V.L. Schwean and D.H. Saklofske (January 1995). Aggressive and non-aggressive ADHD boys: Cognitive, intellectual, and behavioral differences. Lecture to EdExc 5th Graduate Seminar (1 hour).
V.L. Schwean (together with D.H. Saklofske, January 1995). Organizer for J. Lochman, (Duke University) Seminar presented to faculty and graduate students of the Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, Department of Educational Psychology, and Department of Psychology.
V.L. Schwean and D.H. Saklofske (February 1995). Epidemiological study on exceptionalities in students of the Saskatoon Tribal Council. Presentation to the Education Committee of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993-94. Clinical services provided to 32 referred clients. Services provided included clinical interview and assessment, development of educational and psychological interventions, report preparation, teacher in-services, consultation, and advocacy. Approximately 140 hours.
V.L. Schwean, 1993-94, Consultative services to the Kindersley Integrated Child and Youth Project.
V.L. Schwean (together with D. Illerbrun), Clinical services provided to the Psycho-educational Problems in School-Age Children Treated for Leukemias and Brain Tumors (approximately 45 hours).
V.L. Schwean (together with D.H. Saklofske), Two-day presentation on educational research to central staff of the Northern Lights School Division, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, June, 1994.
V.L. Schwean, 1992-1993. Clinical services provided to 35 referred clients. Services included psychoeducational assessments and development of intervention formats, report preparation, teacher in-services, and advocacy (approximately 120 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Committee member of the Kindersley Integrated Child and Youth Project. The mandate of this committee is to develop and implement an integrated service delivery system for mental health services to children and adolescents in keeping with the community health wellness model. Responsibilities included background research and development of paradigm, written presentations, and selection of screening tools.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Preparation of a book of informational materials and readings for educators on child sexual abuse, pp. 50.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Preparation of a book of informational materials and readings for educators on externalizing problems in children and adolescents, pp. 85.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Preparation of a book of informational materials and readings for educators on classroom management pp. 46.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Internalizing Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Workshops presented to staff of Northern Lights School Division in Ille le Cross, LaRonge, and Crieghton.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Proactive Approaches to Behavioral Problems in the School. Workshop presented to staff of Thunderchild Reserve, March 29.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1993. Externalizing Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Workshops presented to staff of Northern Lights School Division: Ille le Cross, Crieghton, and LaRonge.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Participant in the Interagency Symposium on Integrated School-Based Services for Children and Families, Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, January 28 & 29.
V.L. Schwean, 1992. Behavior disorders in children. Workshop presented to the staff of Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, December 9.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1992. Best Practices in Classroom Management. Workshops presented to staff of Northern Lights School Division: Ille le Cross, Creighton, and LaRonge.
V.L. Schwean, October, 1992. Response to the Director, Child and Youth Services, Mental Health Services Branch, Department of Health, Government of Saskatchewan, on the Draft of Services for Autism in Saskatchewan,
V.L. Schwean, 1991-1992. Direct assessment, intervention, and program development, report writing, and advocacy for six self-referred clients.
V.L. Schwean, with others, 1992. Preparation of an informational book, Programming Suggestions for Children and Adolescents with Attentional and Behavioral Problems, for educators, pp. 323.
V.L. Schwean, with others, 1992. Preparation of an informational book, Language and Academic Interventions, for educators, pp. 225.
V.L. Schwean, May, 1992. Conference organizer for the Series on Behavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Attention Deficit Disorders, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ($7,000.00).
V.L. Schwean, April, 1992. Psychological assessment and rating scales in practice. Invited lecture to third year medical students, University of Saskatchewan (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean, March, 1992. Alternative Assessment for Aboriginal Students. Workshop presented to the staff at Cumberland House School, Cumberland House, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, March, 1992. Identification of Behaviorally Disordered Students. Workshop presented to the staff of Pinehouse School, Pinehouse, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, March, 1992. Functional Assessment for Behaviorally Disordered Students. Workshop presented to the staff of Wollaston School, Wollaston, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, March, 1992. Behavioral concerns in gifted children. Invited presentation to the Saskatchewan Association for Gifted Education, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, February, 1992. Attention deficit disorders in children. Invited presentation to the West Central Teachers' Convention, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean, February, 1992. Educating the ADHD child: Debunking the myths. Invited presentation to the Saskatoon Board of Education Teachers' Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean (with co-organizers D. Illerbrun, G. Robertson & D. Saklofske), January, 1992. Innovations in Special Education Conference (Social Skills), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, December, 1991. Anger Management in the Schools. Workshop presented to the staff of Green Lake School, Green Lake, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, November, 1991. Educating the ADHD Child, Article in the STF Bulletin.
V.L. Schwean, November, 1991. Identification and Assessment of Exceptional Aboriginal Children. Workshop presented to the Northern Lights School Division special education staff, Beauval, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, November, 1991. Behavioral Assessment of Aboriginal Students. Workshop presented to Northern Lights School Division special education staff, La Ronge, Saskatchewan.
V.L. Schwean, November, 1991. Behavioral and academic interventions for ADHD children. Invited presentation to the Elementary Teachers' Institute, Biggar, Saskatchewan (4 hours).
V.L. Schwean, October, 1991. Educating the ADHD child. Invited presentation to the Elementary Vice-Principals' Professional Association, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean, September, 1991. Cognitive behavior interventions for ADHD children. Invited presentation to staff of Lakeview School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean, September, 1991. Proactive approaches to behavioral management. Invited presentation to Last Mountain School Division Fall In-service, Govan, Saskatchewan (4 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Current Understanding of Attention Deficit Disorders. Presentation to the Saskatchewan Foundation for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May (2 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Psychological Assessment. Presentation to the 4th year medical students, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, April (2 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Classroom-based Management of Attention Deficit Disorders. Presentation to the staff of Aberdeen School, Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, March (2 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Attention Deficit Disorders. Presentation to the Exceptional Education Committee, Saskatoon Board of Education, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, March (2 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Teaching the Child With Attention Deficit Disorder. Presentation to the staff of Holliston School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, March (1.5 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, D.H. Saklofske & M.A. Nostbakken, 1991. Use of Methylphenidate for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Research Program. EDEXC 990 Seminar, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, March (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1991. Cognitive Training for Impulsive Children. Presentation to the Resource Teachers Meeting, Saskatoon Public School Division, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, February (1.5 hours). Co-organizer (with Dr. G. Robertson & B. Brownbridge) of the Curriculum-based Assessment Conference sponsored by the Department for the Education of Exceptional Children and the College of Education, January 24-26, 1991, Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The conference was attended by approximately 130 delegates and featured 15 sessions. V. Kowalchuk (with Dr. D. Quinn), 1990. Cognitive Processing in Children With Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. Seminar presented at Grand Rounds, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. The AH-HD Adolescent. Session presented to the teachers of Marion Graham Collegiate, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990, (Supervisor). Social cognitive therapy for impulsive children. Presented by supervisor and graduate student to select teachers, consultants, and psychologists of the Saskatoon Public and Separate School Divisions, June 20 (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. Who is the AD/HD child? Presentation to special educators, consultants, and psychologists of the Saskatoon Public School Division, March 2 (1 hour).
Co-organizer (with Dr. D. Saklofske) of the DAS colloquia held at the University of Saskatchewan January 25-26, 1990. Contributors to the event were: Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, Department of Educational Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Alvin Buckwold Centre.
V. Kowalchuk, 1989. Why Teach Social Skills to Learning Disabled Children ? Presentation to the Regina Chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan, November 27 (2 hours).
V. Kowalchuk, 1988. Moral Reasoning in Children. Presentation to Child Law and Policy, Human Justice Department, Extension Division, University of Regina, Prince Albert Campus, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
New clinic to support mental health in kids
Schwean appointed to second term as Education dean
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The Single Ceiling Project - Western Revealed
2015 - Rogers TV
Community Vitality Grant: The Single Ceiling Project
Feb 12, 2015 - Rogers TV
Western leading children's mental health project
Jan 7, 2015 - Western Gazette
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Dec 26, 2014 - London Free Press
Taking charge of the future
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Books, Chapters in Books, Expository and review articles
Books: Saklofske, D. H., Reynolds, C.R., & Schwean, V. L. (2013). Oxford Handbook of Psychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents. New York: Oxford University Press.
Ormrod, J. E., Saklofske, D. H., Schwean, V. L. et al. (2010). Principles of Educational Psychology (2nd ed). Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall
Ormrod, J.E., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., Harrison, G.L., & Andrews, J. (2005). Educational psychology: Developing learners - First Canadian edition. Toronto, ON: Pearson.
V.L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske (Eds.) (1999). Handbook of psychosocial characteristics of exceptionality. New York: Plenum Press.
R.R. McCown, N. Driscoll, P. Roop, D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, I.W. Kelly, & L.P. Haines, (1999). Educational psychology: 2nd Canadian edition. Scarborough, ON: Allyn & Bacon. (Also Assessment Package discs and manual; Instructor’s Resource Manual, Student Study Guide & transparencies).
R.R. McCown, N. Driscoll, P. Roop, D.H. Saklofske, I.W. Kelly, V.L. Schwean, & J. Gajadharsingh (1996). Educational psychology: Canadian edition. Scarborough ON: Allyn & Bacon. (Also Assessment Package [487 pages]; Instructors Resource Manual [117 pages, 36 pages of Handout Masters and 128 Transparencies], and study Guide [123 pages]).
Chapters in Books: Climie, E., Mastoras, S., McCrimmon, A., & Schwean, V.L. (2013). Socio-emotional resilience in children with ADHD. In Prince-Embury, S. & Saklofske, D. H., (Eds.) (2013). Resiliency in children, Youth and Adults: Translating Research into Practice. New York: Springer
Austin, E., Boyle, G., Groth-Marnat, G., Matthews, G., Saklofske, D. H., Schwean, V. L., & Zeidner, M. (2011). Integrating intelligence and personality. In T. Mark Harwood, Larry E. Beutler, & Gary Groth-Marnat (eds), Integrative assessment of adult personality (3nd Ed.). (pp. 119-151), New York: Guilford.
Jeary, J., & Schwean, V.L. (2010). How can psychological assessment inform classroom practice? The role of the school psychologist in Canadian schools. In C.F. Webber & J. Lupart (Eds.), Leading student assessment. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
McCrimmon, A., & Schwean, V.L. (2008). ADHD. In A. Prifitera, D. Saklofske, & L. Weiss, WISC-IV clinical use and interpretation: Scientist-practitioner perspectives, second edition. San Diego: Elsevier Inc.
Montgomery, J., Dyke, D., & Schwean, V.L. (2008). Asperger’s Disorder. In A. Prifitera, D. Saklofske, & L. Weiss, WISC-IV clinical use and interpretation: Scientist-practitioner perspectives, second edition. San Diego: Elsevier Inc.
Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., Bartell, R. et al. (2007). School psychology in Canada: Past, present, and future perspectives. In T. Fagan & P. Weiss (Ed.), Handbook of School Psychology.
Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., Harrison, G., & Mureika, J. (2006). School psychology in Canada. In S. Jimmerson & T. Oakland (Eds.), Handbook of International School Psychology. London: Sage.
Schwean, V.L., Oakland, T., Weiss, L.G., Saklofske, D.H., Holdnack, J.A., & Profitera, A. (2006). Report writing: A child-centered approach. In L.G. Weiss, D.H. Saklofske, A. Prifitera, & J.A. Holdnack, WISC-IV Advanced Clinical Interpretation. Boston: Academic Press.
Schwean, V.L., & Saklofske, D.H. (2005). Assessment of ADHD with the WISC-IV. In A. Prifitera, D.H. Saklofske, L.G. Weiss, & E. Rolfus (Eds.), WISC-IV clinical use and interpretation: Scientist-practitioner perspectives. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Schwean, V.L. & Saklofske, D.H. (2004). Assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with the WISC-IV. In A. Prifitera, D.H. Saklofske, L.G. Weiss, & E. Rolfhus (Eds.), WISC-IV Clinical Use and Interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
D. Saklofske, E. Austin, G. Matthews, M. Zeidner, V. Schwean, & G. Groth-Marnat. Integrating intelligence and personality. In L.E. Beutler & G. Grothy-Marnat (Eds.), Integrative assessment of adult personality, second edition. Guilford Publications, Inc. 2003.
G. Matthews, V.L. Schwean, S.E., Campbell, D.H. Saklofske, & A.R. Mohamed (2000). Personality, self-regulation, and adaptation: A cognitive-social framework. In M. Boekaerts, P. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner, (Eds), Handbook of Self-regulation. San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 171-207.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske (1999). Preface. In V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske (Eds.), Handbook of Psychosocial Characteristics of Exceptionality. New York: Plenum Press.
V.L. Schwean, D. Mykota & D.H. Saklofske (1999). Psychological problems in exceptional children: Cultural influences. In Schwean, V.L., & Saklofske, D.H. (Eds.), Handbook of Psychosocial Characteristics of Exceptionality. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 147-168.
V.L. Schwean (1999). Looking ahead: The adjustments of adults with disabilities. In V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske (Eds.), Handbook of Psychosocial Characteristics of Exceptionality. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 587-610.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1998. WISC-III assessment of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In A. Prifitera & D.H. Saklofske (Eds.), WISC-III clinical use and interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspective (pp. 91-118). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1995. A social cognitive description of exceptional children. In D.H. Saklofske & M. Zeidner (Eds.), International handbook of personality and intelligence (pp. 185-204). New York, NY: Plenum.
D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, & H.L. Janzen, 1995. Psychological and educational assessment of children. In K. Covell (Ed.), Readings in child development (pp. 185-208). Toronto, ON.: Nelson Canada.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1994. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In V.S. Ramachandran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 1). Academic Press: San Diego, California, 245-251.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk, 1992. Contextual and personal variables affecting testing and test results. In M. Zeidner and R. Most (Eds.), Psychological testing: A practical guide. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychological Press, Inc.
Brady, D., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., Montgomery, J. Thorne, K., & McCrimmon, A. (2015). Executive functions in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities (Accepted Feb., 2015).
Brady, D., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L. et al (2014). Cognitive and emotional intelligence in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without an accompanying intellectual or language disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 1016-1023.
Brady, D., Schwean, V.L., Saklofske, D.H., McCrimmon, A. et al (2013). Set-Shifting executive abilities in Asperger’s syndrome. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1631-37
MacCrimmon, A., Schwean, V.L., Saklofske, D.H., Montgomery, J,M., & Brady, D.I. (2012). Executive Functions in Asperger’s Syndrome: An Empirical Investigation of Verbal and Nonverbal Skills. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 224-233.
J. Montgomery, A. McCrimmon, V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, (2010). Emotional intelligence in Asperger Syndrome: Implications of dissonance between intellect and affect. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities.
Sarah M. Mastoras, Emma A. Climie, Adam W. McCrimmon, & Vicki L. Schwean (2010). A C.L.E.A.R. Approach to Report Writing: A Framework for Improving the Efficacy of Psychoeducational Reports, Special Issue, Canadian Journal of School Psychology.
Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Schwean, V. L. & Saklofske, D. H., (2010). Emotional intelligence in Asperger Syndrome: Implications of dissonance between intellect and affect. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities. 45(4), 566-682.
Montgomery, J., Burt, J., Schwean, V., Thorne, K., Hindes, Y., Dyke, D., McCrimmon, A., Saklofske, D., Kohut, C., & Jordon, J. (2009). The relationship of trait- versus performance-based emotional intelligence to resiliency in youth with Asperger’s disorder. Special ‘Resiliency’ Issue: Canadian Journal of School Psychology.
Hindes, Y., Thorne, K., Schwean, V.L., & McKeough, A.M. (2008). Promoting intrapersonal qualities in adolescents: Evaluation of Rapport’s teen leadership breakthrough program. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 23, 206-222.
V. Schwean, D. Saklofske, Wittifield-Konklin, L., & Parker, J. (2006). Emotional intelligence and gifted children. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2(2), 30-37.
D. Mykota & V.L. Schwean (2006). Moderator factors in First Nation Students at risk for psychosocial disorders. Journal of School Psychology.
V.L. Schwean, K. Burt, & D.H. Saklofske, 1999. Correlates of mother- and teacher-ratings of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention in AD/HD children. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 15(1), pp. 43-62.
D. Phillips, V.L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 1997. Treatment effect of a school-based cognitive/behavioral program for aggressive children. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 13 60-67.
K.L. Burt, R. Parks-Charney, & V.L. Schwean, 1996. The AD/HD skills and strategies program: A program for AD/HD adults in postsecondary education. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 12(2), 122-134.
D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, & L. ODonnell, 1996. WIAT performance of children with ADHD. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 12, 55-59.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, E. Shatz, & G. Falk, 1996. Achieving supportive integration for children with behavioral disorders in Canada: Multiple paths to realization. Canadian Journal of Special Education (Special Issue Edited by J. Kauffman), 11(1), 30-50. Invited Article.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic & D. Quinn, 1995. Aggressive and nonaggressive ADHD boys: Cognitive, intellectual, and behavioral comparisons. Journal of Psychological Assessment, Assessment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders Monograph, 6-21.
V.L. Schwean, D.L. Gulka-Tiechko & D.H. Saklofske, 1994. Effects of methylphenidate on the processing of non-verbal cues in children with ADHD. Issues in Special Education and Rehabilitation, 9 (2), 49-56.
D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, R.A. Yackulic, & D. Quinn, 1994. WISC-III and SB:FE performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 10, 167-171.
P. Greenough, V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1993. School psychology services in Northern Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Special Education, 9, 1-12.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic & D. Quinn, 1993. WISC-III performance of ADHD children. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, WISC-III Monograph, 56-70.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1993. Standardized procedures for measuring the correlates of ADHD in children: A research program. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 9(1), 28-36.
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Guest editor's foreword. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 9(1), i-ii.
V.L. Schwean, M. Parkinson, G. Francis & F. Lee, 1993. Educating the ADHD child: Debunking the myths. Canadian Journal of School Psychology 9(1), 37-52.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk, 1991. Stylistic variations in requesting: How does the language/learning disabled adolescent fare ? Canadian Journal of Special Education 7(1), 61-75.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk & M.A. Nostbakken, 1991. Help seeking: How successful is the learning disabled adolescent ? Canadian Journal of Special Education 6(1), 1-11.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk & A. Roadhouse, 1990. A school-based social cognitive intervention for aggressive boys. B.C. Journal of Special Education, 14, 27-38.
Papers in non-refereed journals
V.L. Schwean, M. Parkinson, G. Francis & F. Lee (1998). Educating the ADHD child: Debunking the myths. Reprinted in Public Education: Every Child, Every Possibility. Vancouver, B.C., British Columbia School Trustees Association.
D.R. Phillips, V.L. Schwean, & D.H.Saklofske (Spring 1998). School based cognitive behavioural programs for aggressive children. (Abstract of 1997 Study). Youth Update, 16 (1).
V.L. Schwean, 1991. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Council of Exceptional Children, Chapter 41, Newsletter, 2-5.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk, D. Quinn & D.H. Saklofske, 1991. Cognitive processing in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Child Assessment News, 1(3). (invited feature article)
Contributed papers in published conference proceedings and abstracts
Goulard, F., Climie, E., Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Executive function performance in bilingual children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax, Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 146.
Stinson, C.E, Saklofske, D.H., Mastoras, S., Climie, E.A. & Schwean, V.L. (2011). Attachment and resilience in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, Canadian Psychology, 52, 2a, XXX, June, Toronto.
Crumpler, T.D., Climie, E.A., Mastoras, S.M., Schwean, V.L., & Saklofske, D.H. (2011). Parent-child interactions in the promotion off self-esteem in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, Canadian Psychology, 52, 2a, XXX, June, Toronto.
Saklofske, D. H., Yan, G., & Schwean, V. L., (2004). Intelligence: Past and present perspectives. 28th International Congress of Psychology, Program Abstract Book and CD. August. Beijing, China.
Climie, E., Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L. (2012). Strengths in ADHD: A focus on resilience. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 114.
Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., & Climie, E. (2012). Who’s got your back? The dynamics of social support and resilience among children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 114.
Stinson, C., Saklofske, D.H., Climie, E., Mastoras, S. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). The power of knowledge and attachment: Fostering resiliency in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 114.
Crumpler, T., Saklofske, D.H., Mastoras, S., Climie, S., & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Theories of intelligence and goal orientations of parents of children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 114.
Taylor, M., Saklofske, D.H., Climie, E., Mastoras, S. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). You’re so Black and White! Exploring creativity and social skills in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax, Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 114-115.
Mastoras, S., Reed, W., Ki, D., Mitchell, K., Climie, E., Saklofske, D.H. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Knowing your own strengths: Profiling self-perceived strengths among children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax. Canadian Psychology, 53, 2a, 149.
A. McCrimmon, V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, J.M Montgomery, D. Brady, K. Thorne, & Y. Hindes, 2010. Executive functions in Asperger’s Disorder; An empirical investigation of verbal and nonverbal skills. Canadian Psychology, 51,2a, 42, June, Winnipeg.
S. Mastoras, E, Climie, V. L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 2010. A conceptual model of socioemotional resilience in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychology, 51,2a, 42, June, Winnipeg.
J. Jordan, S. Wills, V. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 2009 Development of the functional intelligence rating scale for teachers. Canadian Psychology, 50:2a, 146. June, Montreal.
Hindes, Y., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Burt, J., Thorne, K., & Kohut, C. (2007). Assessing theory of mind in youth with Asperger’s Disorder: Implications for Predicting and Promoting Resiliency. Abstracts of the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
McCrimmon, A., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., Dyke, D., Kohut, C., Hindes, Y., Thorne, K., & Burt, J. (2007). Executive functions in Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism: Taxonomical validation and relationship to other variables. Abstracts of the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
Thorne, K., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Burt, J., Kohut, C., & Hindes, Y. (2007). An investigation of resiliency in youth with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. Abstracts of the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Hindes, Y., Thorne, K., Burt, J., & Kohut, C. (2007). Resiliency in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Abstracts of the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Montgomery, J., Saklofske, D., Schwean, V., Hindes, Y., Burt, J., Kohut, C., Dyke, D., McCrimmon, A., & Thorne, K. (2007). Theory of mind, executive functions, and emotional intelligence in Asperger Syndrome: Social implications. Abstracts of the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., Schwean, V., Dyke, D., McCrimmon, A., Burt, J., Kohut, C., Hindes, Y., & Thorne, K. (2007). Emotional intelligence and Asperger Disorder. Abstracts of the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Dyke, D., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., McCrimmon, A., Montgomery, J., Hindes, Y., Burt, J., Kohut, C., & Thorne, K. (2007). Executive specificity in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Abstracts of the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
McCrimmon, A., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Dyke, D., Montgomery, J., Kohut, C., Burt, J., Hindes, Y., & Thorne, K. (2007). Verbal versus non-verbal abilities in Asperger Disorder and High Functioning Autism. Abstracts of the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1999. Coping, personality, and AD/HD. Abstracts of the 9th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences. July, Vancouver, p. 117.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1997. Cognitive and Behavioural Characteristics of AD/HD Children. Fifth European Congress of Psychology, Conference Abstracts. July, Dublin, Ireland, p. 215.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1996. A study of exceptionalities among Canadian Aboriginal children. XXVI International Congress of Psychology. International Journal of Psychology, 31 (3 & 4), pp. 328-329. Montreal, Canada. August, 1996.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1995. Social-cognitive descriptions of aggressive and learning disabled children. Seventh meeting of The International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, Conference Abstracts. July, Warsaw, Poland, p. 16.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Cognitive and intellectual characteristics of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Abstract of a paper presented to the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology, Madrid, Spain, p. 101.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Collaborative practices and applied research programs in remote Canadian community schools: New roles for school psychologists. Abstract of a paper presented to the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology, Madrid, Spain, p. 137.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Personality and behavioral correlates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Abstract of a paper presented to the 7th European Conference in Personality, Madrid, Spain, p. 71.
D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic, V.L. Schwean & D. Quinn, 1991. Intelligence and cognitive processing in attention deficit disorder children. International Society for the Study of Individual Difference Biennial Conference, Oxford, England, Conference Abstracts, pp.3.
D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, R.A. Yackulic & D. Quinn, 1992. Assessing the cognitive performance of ADHD children. Cognitions, 6(2).
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske & P. Greenough, 1992. Consultative Collaborative Model for Psychoeducational Service to Northern Aboriginal Students. Canadian Psychology, 33(2a), Quebec City, Quebec.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk, D. Quinn & D.H. Saklofske, 1991. Cognitive Processing in ADHD Children. Canadian Psychology, 32, 2(a), 326. Abstract of a presentation made at the Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, June 14.
Technical reports relevant to academic field
V. Schwean, S. Bisson, C. Barry, A. McCrimmon, & D. Dyke (2007). Communities of care: Transforming practice in the delivery of FSCD aide services. Evaluation and report commissioned by Child and Family Services, Government of Alberta (67pp).
V. Schwean. Evaluation of the AcTal Program. Evaluation and report commissioned by the Saskatoon Public School Division. January 2003. (pp. 193).
V. Schwean. Evaluation of the Structured Success Program. Technical Report Submitted to the Saskatoon Public School Division (pp. 300). January 2002 (pp. 259).
L. Spracklin-Cross & V.L. Schwean (2000). Adults managing, surviving, and celebrating AD/HD: A multimodal intervention program for adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the adult education setting. Manual prepared on behalf of Parkland Regional College, Saskatchewan Post Secondary Education Skills & Training, and the National Literacy Secretariat (pp. 130).
V.L. Schwean & D. Mykota, 1998. Early skills development program: Summary efficacy report. Technical report prepared for Child and Youth Services, Mental Health Services, Department of Health, Province of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK, pp. 22.
V.L. Schwean, 1998. Model for assessment of adult AD/HD. Technical report prepared for the Yorkton Regional College, Adaptive Student/Employment Enhancement Project, Saskatoon, SK, pp.4.
V.L. Schwean, 1998. Proposal for community-based servicing of adults presenting with AD/HD. Technical report prepared for the Yorkton Regional College, Adaptive Student/Employment Enhancement Project, Saskatoon, SK, pp.12.
D. Illerbrun, V.L. Schwean, S.K. Ali, & H. Krespin, 1995. Psychoeducational profiles in school-age children treated for leukemias and brain tumors. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan, pp. 114.
V.L. Schwean, J. Zeamore, K. Tunney, & G. Francis, 1995. Conceptual model for service delivery to children and adolescents with AD/HD. Technical report prepared for the Provincial Interagency Working Group Around ADD/ADHD. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, pp. 27.
V.L. Schwean & K. Tunney, 1996. Draft proposal for Centre of Excellence for the identification and treatment of ADD/ADHD. Technical report prepared for the Provincial Interagency Working Group Around ADD/ADHD. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, pp. 4.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1994. Epidemiological study of exceptionalities in Saskatoon Tribal Council schools. Research and report commissioned by the Saskatoon Tribal Council in conjunction with the Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan and Secretary of State, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, pp. 100.
V.L. Schwean (on behalf of the ADHD Provincial Protocol Committee), November, 1992. Integrated school-based services for children and families. Submission to the Minister's Advisory Committee on Integrated School-Based Services for Children and Families, Saskatchewan Education, Regina, Saskatchewan, pp. 22.
V.L. Schwean (on behalf of the Kindersley Integrated Child and Youth Project), June, 1993. Draft proposal for the Kindersley Integrated Child and Youth Project. Submission to the Kindersley Integrated Child and Youth Project Committee, Kindersley, Saskatchewan, pp.7.
V.L. Schwean & S. Greenough-Olson, 1992. Master plan for the assessment of exceptional students. Report commissioned by the Northern Lights School Division, pp. 70.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, D. Quinn & R.A. Yackulic, 1992. Cognitive and intellectual processes in ADHD children. Report submitted to the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, pp. 25.
Invited lectures / invited conference presentations
V.L. Schwean (2007). Transforming schools into communities of care. Presentation to the BEd Master of Teaching Students, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary.
V.L. Schwean (2006). Shared systems of care. Keynote address. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, Calgary, Alberta, June.
V.L. Schwean (2001). Evaluation of the Structured Success Program: Presentation of the results. Session presented to the Student Services and Structured Success personnel of the Saskatoon Public School Board, September.
V.L. Schwean, 2002. What to do until the Ritalin arrives. Session presented to the staff of Forest Grove School, March.
V.L. Schwean 2001. AD/HD. Session presented at Showcase 2001, Nurture the Mind, Touch the Heart, Saskatoon, February 20.
V.L. Schwean, 2001. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Session presented at Showcase 2001, Nurture the Mind, Touch the Heart, Saskatoon, February 23.
V.L. Schwean, 1999. Co-occurrence of AD/HD and Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida Association of Canada Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK, September 17.
V.L. Schwean, 2000. AD/HD in adults: A glimpse of the future. Keynote address at the Saskatchewan Adult Basic Education Association Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK, February 17.
V.L. Schwean, 2000. Supporting the education of children with AD/HD. Presentation to consultants, teachers, and teacher associates of Structured Success Programs, Saskatoon Public Schools, Saskatoon, SK, March 20.
V.L. Schwean, 2000. Diagnostic and theoretical conceptualizations of AD/HD in Adults. Presentation to Literacy Coordinators, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Saskatoon, SK, May 12.
V.L. Schwean, 1999. AD/HD: An adult disorder? Clinical seminar presented to the CH.A.D.D. Canada, Regina Chapter, Regina, SK, May.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1999. Clinical seminar on intelligence and psychoeducational assessment. SRS Vocational Services, Vancouver, BC, April.
V.L. Schwean, 1999. AD/HD: An adult disorder. Lecture/Workshop presented on behalf of AD/HD - Adaptive Student/Employment Enhancement Project, S.I.A.S.T. (Parkland Regional College), Yorkton, SK.
V.L. Schwean, 1998. AD/HD: A look ahead. Keynote address presented at the LINKS to Success Conference, Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, October 3.
V.L. Schwean, 1998. AD/HD in children. Seminars presented to the Saskatchewan Paraprofessional Association Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK, September.
V.L. Schwean, May, 1997. Externalizing disorders in children. Presentation to the special services personnel of the Davidson School Division, Davidson, SK (3 hours).
V.L. Schwean, January, 1997. Habilitative environments for educating children with behavioral disorders. Presentation at the Winter Institute of the Saskatoon Board of Education, Saskatoon, SK (1 hour).
V.L. Schwean, January, 1996. Behavioral assessment: Contemporary models for school psychology. Toronto York Region Board of Education, Toronto, Ontario (3 hours).
V.L. Schwean (together with Dr. R. Bartell, Dr. H. Janzen and Dr. S. Massey) 1994. Psychological assessment and discrepant data. Session to the Canadian Association of School Psychologists and Manitoba Association of School Psychologists, Transformation '94, Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 10.
V.L. Schwean, 1995. Behavior problems of gifted children. Presentation to Saskatoon Association for Gifted Education General Meeting, February.
V.L. Schwean, 1994. Cross cultural awareness: Issues in assessment. Presentation to the 1994 Yellowknife Educators' Conference, Yellowknife, NWT, February 18 (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1994. Educating the child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Presentation to the 1994 Yellowknife Educators' Conference, Yellowknife, NWT, February 18 (2 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993. What do you do with a kid like this? Educating the child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Presentation at the Northern Area Teachers' Association Annual Conference, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, October 13 (4 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Presentation to the Special Services Division, North West Territories Education, Yellowknife, NWT, June 25 (6 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Attention Deficit Disorder. Presentation at the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, District Education Conference '93, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, February 25 (1.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1993. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Presentation at the POGO '93 - Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology Workshop for Nurses, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, February 11 (1.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1992. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Presentation at the Buffalo Plain Annual Teachers' Convention, Bethune, Saskatchewan, October 9 (2.5 hours).
V.L. Schwean, 1992. Educational interventions for children with ADHD. Presentation at the E.C.E.C. Conference, Watrous, Saskatchewan, March.
V.L. Schwean, 1991. Students with ADHD: Interventions for the classroom. Presentation to the C.E.C. Annual Meeting, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, October.
V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1991. The Shared Services Project. Presentation at the Lac La Ronge Indian Band - Saskatoon District Tribal Council Joint Education Conference, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, September.
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Presentation at the Provincial Conference of the Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan, November 24 (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Presentation at the 1990 spring Institute and Annual General Meeting of the Psychological Society of Saskatchewan, May 10 (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. Control versus therapy: Promoting appropriate social behavior. Presentation at the Saskatoon Teachers' Association Annual Convention, March 2 (1 hour).
V. Kowalchuk, 1990. Teaching prosocial competencies. Presentation at the Blaine Lake School Division Annual Conference, February 26 (1 hour).
Presentations at conferences (non-invited)
Climie, E., Mastoras, S., Schwean, V.L. & Saklofske, D.H. (2013). Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Knowing versus Doing. April, Washington, D.C.
Climie, E.,Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L. (2012). Strengths in ADHD: A focus on resilience. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H., Schwean, V.L., & Climie, E. (2012). Who’s got your back? The dynamics of social support and resilience among children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Stinson, C., Saklofske, D.H., Climie, E., Mastoras, S. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). The power of knowledge and attachment: Fostering resiliency in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Crumpler, T., Saklofske, D.H., Mastoras, S., Climie, S., & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Theories of intelligence and goal orientations of parents of children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Taylor, M., Saklofske, D.H., Climie, E., Mastoras, S. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). You’re so Black and White! Exploring creativity and social skills in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Mastoras, S., Reed, W., Ki, D., Mitchell, K., Climie, E., Saklofske, D.H. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Knowing your own strengths: Profiling self-perceived strengths among children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
Goulard, F., Climie, E., Mastoras, S., Saklofske, D.H. & Schwean, V.L. (2012). Executive function performance in bilingual children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, June, Halifax.
S. Mastoras, E, Climie, V. L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 2010. A conceptual model of socioemotional resilience in children with ADHD. Canadian Psychological Association 71st Annual Convention, June, Winnipeg.
A. McCrimmon, V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, J.M Montgomery, D. Brady, K. Thorne, & Y. Hindes, 2010. Executive functions in Asperger’s Disorder; An empirical investigation of verbal and nonverbal skills. Canadian Psychological Association 71st Annual Convention, June, Winnipeg.
A. McCrimmon, V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, J.M Montgomery, D. Brady, K. Thorne, & Y. Hindes, 2010. Executive functions in Asperger’s Disorder; An empirical investigation of verbal and nonverbal skills. International Meeting for Autism Research, May, Philadelphia.
J. Jordan, S. Wills, V. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 2009 Development of the functional intelligence rating scale for teachers. Canadian Psychological Association Conference, June, Montreal.
Thorne, K., Hindes, Y., & Schwean, V. (2009). Promoting emotional intelligence in Canadian youth: A pilot study. Paper presented at the Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Montreal (June).
Hindes, Y., & Schwean, V. (2009). Promotion of leadership skills in Canadian youth. Paper presented at the Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Montreal (June).
Hindes, Y., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Burt, J., Thorne, K., & Kohut, C. (2007). Assessing theory of mind in youth with Asperger’s Disorder: Implications for Predicting and Promoting Resiliency. Paper presented at the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
McCrimmon, A., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., Dyke, D., Kohut, C., Hindes, Y., Thorne, K., & Burt, J. (2007). Executive functions in Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism: Taxonomical validation and relationship to other variables. Paper presented at the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
Thorne, K., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Burt, J., Kohut, C., & Hindes, Y. (2007). An investigation of resiliency in youth with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. Paper presented at the Sixth Annual International Meeting for Autism Research. Seattle, Washington.
Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., McCrimmon, A., Dyke, D., Hindes, Y., Thorne, K., Burt, J., & Kohut, C. (2007). Resiliency in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Symposium presented at the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Montgomery, J., Saklofske, D., Schwean, V., Hindes, Y., Burt, J., Kohut, C., Dyke, D., McCrimmon, A., & Thorne, K. (2007). Theory of mind, executive functions, and emotional intelligence in Asperger Syndrome: Social implications. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Saklofske, D., Montgomery, J., Schwean, V., Dyke, D., McCrimmon, A., Burt, J., Kohut, C., Hindes, Y., & Thorne, K. (2007). Emotional intelligence and Asperger Disorder. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
Dyke, D., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., McCrimmon, A., Montgomery, J., Hindes, Y., Burt, J., Kohut, C., & Thorne, K. (2007). Executive specificity in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
McCrimmon, A., Schwean, V., Saklofske, D., Dyke, D., Montgomery, J., Kohut, C., Burt, J., Hindes Y., & Thorne, K. (2007). Verbal versus non-verbal abilities in Asperger Disorder and High Functioning Autism. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Ottawa.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1999. Coping, personality and AD/HD. Presentation at the Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, July.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1997. Cognitive and behavioural characteristics of AD/HD Children. Fifth European Congress of Psychology. July, Dublin, Ireland.
D.H. Saklofske, D.S. Tulsky, & V.L. Schwean, 1997. Utility of new WAIS-III and WMS-III subtests for ADD assessment. 105th Annual Convention, American Psychological Association, August, Chicago.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1996. A study of exceptionalities among Canadian aboriginal children. XXVI International Congress of Psychology, Montreal, Canada.
V.L. Schwean, & D.H. Saklofske, 1995. Social cognitive descriptions of aggressive and learning disabled children. Seventh meeting of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, July, Warsaw, Poland.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, H. Lafond, & G. Lobe, 1995. An epidemiological study of exceptionality in band schools. Tenth National Conference of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, October, Saskatoon.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Cognitive and intellectual characteristics of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Paper presented to the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology, Madrid, Spain, p. 101.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Collaborative practices and applied research programs in remote Canadian community schools: New roles for school psychologists. Paper presented to the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology, Madrid, Spain, p. 137
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1994. Personality and behavioral correlates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Paper presented to the 7th European Conference in Personality, Madrid, Spain, p. 71.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic & D. Quinn, 1994. Cognitive, academic, and behavioral correlates of ADHD: Standardized approaches to measurement. Department for the Education of Exceptional Children 25th Anniversary Conference, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, January.
D. Quinn, V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1993. Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Canadian Academy of Child Psychiatry, Banff, Alberta, October.
R.A. Yackulic, V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske & D. Quinn, 1992. PASS and Achievement Performance of Attention Deficit Disorder Children. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., August.
P. Greenough, D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1992. Consultative collaborative model for psychoeducational services to Northern Aboriginal students. Paper presented at Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Quebec City, Quebec, June.
D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic, D. Quinn & V.L. Schwean, 1992. Cognitive and intellectual assessment of ADHD. Paper presented at the Series on Behavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Attention Deficit Disorders, May.
D.H. Saklofske, V.L. Schwean, D. Quinn & R.A. Yackulic, 1992. Performance of ADHD Children on the WISC-III. Paper presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Nashville, Tennessee, March.
V.L. Schwean, D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic & D. Quinn, 1991. Assessing the cognitive performance of ADHD children. Paper presented at the Canadian Association of School Psychologists, Toronto, Ontario, October.
D. Quinn, V.L. Schwean & D.H. Saklofske, 1991. Cognitive responsivity to methylphenidate in ADHD children. Presentation to the Canadian Academy of Child Psychiatry, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September.
D.H. Saklofske & V.L. Schwean, 1991. Cognitive and intellectual performance of ADHD children. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Conference, San Francisco, California, August.
D.H. Saklofske, R.A. Yackulic, V.L. Schwean & D. Quinn, 1991. Intelligence and cognitive processing in Attention Deficit Disorder children. Paper presented at the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, Oxford, England, July.
V.L. Schwean Kowalchuk, D. Quinn & D.H. Saklofske, 1991. Cognitive Processing in ADHD Children. Presentation at the Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, June 14.
V. Kowalchuk, D. Quinn D.H. Saklofske & A. Yackulic. Cognitive processing skills of ADHD children. Presentation at the Canadian Association of School psychologists and Saskatchewan Educational Psychology Association Annual Conference, September 25 (1.5 hours).
OTHER CREDENTIALS:
Registered Doctoral Psychologist (#369), Saskatchewan College of Psychologists (2001-2008)
Registered Psychologist, College of Alberta Psychologists (#3213) (2005-2011)
Professional A Teaching Certificate, 1974, Saskatchewan Department of Education.
Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, July 2011-Present
The Dean, Faculty of Education, is responsible to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) for the administration of the Faculty and exercises the responsibilities of Faculty Dean in accordance with the policies and procedures of Western University. The Dean chairs the Faculty of Education in accordance with the powers and duties laid out in the University Act and are expected to maintain the confidence of the Faculty. The Dean chairs a committee of Associate Dean’s (Research, Graduate Programs, Pre-service/Undergraduate Programs) and consults with the Associate Deans on the development of policies and general directions for the Faculty and University and provides the University Administration with the views of the Faculty on issues and plans.
The Dean is responsible for development of strategic plans for the Faculty and the budget for the administration of the Faculty which conforms to Western’s practices. She is also responsible for ensuring that the budget is expended in keeping with the general objectives toward which the budget was development. The Dean is also required to maintain links between the Faculty and other Faculties, as well as with other institutions and academic bodies, both provincial and national. It is also the responsibility of the Dean to support curriculum development and the initiation and development of new undergraduate and graduate programs in line with the mission of Western University. Primary responsibility to delegated to the Dean for encouraging high standards of teaching, methods of evaluating teaching effectiveness, and grading practices, and foster and encouraging research within the Faculty. The Dean serves on the Senate of Western University and other University Committees as required and reports to the official bodies of the University and University administrative officers on academic and administrative developments relating to the Faculty. The Dean shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned by University bodies, the President, and the Vice-President, Academic. There is an expectation that the Dean should also maintain contact with her discipline during the term of office.
The Faculty of Education at Western University is currently home to 40 full-time faculty (current recruitment is underway), 287 part-time faculty, 60+ administrative staff, and 8 librarians. Over 680 pre-service students and 600 graduate students are currently enrolled in full-time programs. The Faculty also supports several research centres: Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education; Centre for School and Community Mental Health; Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children; the Language and Literacy Education Research Group; Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre at Merrymount; and, the Educational Leadership Centre. Western’s English Language Centre was also introduced by the Faculty of Education in 2012. Underway are the development and introduction of the Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Education and the International Baccalaureate Centre of Excellence.
Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, 2011- present
Professor, Division of Applied Psychology, University of Calgary, 2005-2011.
Professor, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children/Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Saskatchewan, 1998 – 2004
Associate Professor, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, University of Saskatchewan, 1993.
Assistant Professor, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, University of Saskatchewan, 1988.
School Psychologist, Special Services Division, Regina Board of Education, 1987-1988
School Psychologist/Consultant, Transitional Learning Centres, Regina Board of Education, 1986-1987
Sessional Lecturer, Department for the Education of Exceptional Children, University of Saskatchewan, 1986-1987
Teacher, Senior Autistic Program, Regina Board of Education, 1983-1984.
Teacher, Program for Children with Behavioural/Emotional Needs, Regina Board of Education, 1978 -1982
Teacher, Special Foster Homes Program, Saskatchewan Department of Social Services, 1977- 1978
Research Officer, Child and Youth Services, Saskatchewan Department of Health, 1975-1976
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This Clue Kate Middleton Will Give Birth Soon Comes From Her Hospital In The UK
By Kelli Boyle
Royal baby number three is going to be here any day now! A new clue Kate Middleton will give birth soon can be found in front of the hospital she's planning to give birth in. On Monday, April 9, parking restrictions were seen being put in place in front of the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, the same place where Middleton gave birth to George and Charlotte and will be giving birth to baby number three. Workers were seen placing barriers around the entrance of the Lindo Wing in London, which could mean the hospital is preparing for the arrival of the newest member of the royal family.
In March, the fence in front of the hospital was given a new coat of paint, which can also be taken as a sign that the hospital is getting everything in order before the big day. Middleton's official due date hasn't been revealed, but outside of appearing with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family on Easter, she made her final official public appearance before giving birth on March 22.
Middleton's third pregnancy was announced via a tweet from Kensington Palace on Sept. 4, 2017.
The announcement read,
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news. As with her previous two pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today. The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte have two official titles they will share with their younger sibling. George's official titles are His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, and His Royal Highness Prince George of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Charlotte's official titles are Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, and Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The new baby's titles will be the same, but there's a bit of a plot twist in that Charlotte and the new baby are technically commoners. Yes, you read that right. According to English tradition, Charlotte and her younger sibling technically are not royalty. But it's not as concrete as that sounds.
Royal expert Marlene Koenig told Town & Country,
It sounds complicated, but in the U.K., the only people who are not commoners are the Sovereign and peers of the realm, [people with titles like] Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.
Koenig also noted that Will and Kate's children's titles are a bit different because of their own titles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. “Royal children are ‘styled’ differently if they are the children of a royal duke,” she said. That's where the titles of Prince/Princess of Cambridge come from.
Essentially, what Koenig means is the only people who are technically royalty are those who are going to be the sovereign one day (Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George) and people who have been given a noble title by the sovereign. That means Prince Harry is a commoner as well (the word "commoner" sounds laughably dramatic, doesn't it?), but members of the royal family are usually given new titles by the sovereign on their wedding day, so that might change come May 19. It's rumored that Queen Elizabeth II will give Harry and Meghan the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. If this happens, Meghan Markle will be the first-ever Duchess of Sussex.
But enough about titles, let's talk about babies. Kate Middleton and Prince William debuted both Prince George and Princess Charlotte on the steps of the Lindo Wing when they were born.
Here's Kate Middleton and Prince William debuting Princess Charlotte on May 2, 2015.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
And here they are debuting Prince George on July 22, 2013.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
The Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London is also where Princess Diana gave birth to Will and Harry when they were born, and they were also debuted in the same spot by Princess Diana and Prince Charles. So basically, if the Lindo Wing is getting ready for the royal baby, we should be too.
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The Life of an American Boy at 17
Ryan Morgan is a high school senior from West Bend, Wisconsin. Like all seventeen-year-olds, he thinks a lot about what he wants to do with his life, because everyone keeps telling him he’s supposed to have it figured out. He’d rather just talk about his girlfriend or cool sneakers or the Packers. But life is never that simple.
Jennifer Percy
Part One in a Series on Growing Up in America Today, from the March issue of Esquire
1.“GIRLS SOMETIMES JUST DO THAT”
Ryan Morgan is seventeen and happy to be a guy. To be a girl would mean he’d have to deal with a lot more drama. He’d likely have to deal with mean girls. And he could end up a mom, which he doesn’t ever want, because being a mom is hard. Probably the hardest job in the world. Also, he might not think football was as interesting. He isn’t sure what would be interesting, but if it isn’t football, then he isn’t interested. Other than that, he doesn’t think there are too many reasons it would be better to be a guy than a girl—unless you’re from the Middle East or maybe the inner city.
Ryan lives in West Bend, Wisconsin, a town of just over thirty thousand outside Milwaukee. He has a kid face, with big brown eyes. His mom, Tori, usually cuts his hair, which he sometimes styles into a side sweep. He’s well-dressed and has a sizable sneaker collection. At six five, he’s taller than most of his classmates; taller than his dad, Owen; tall enough to get into a bar to watch football without getting carded. Ryan’s girlfriend, Kaitlyn, is also seventeen. They got together in eighth grade after she gave him a birthday card with a twenty- dollar bill inside. Ryan thought, Who does that? He’d had girlfriends before, but she is his most long-standing and most serious. They eat lunch together in the cafeteria of West Bend West, where they’re both seniors, and they make sure to cross paths in the hallway between classes, even if just for a moment, long enough to graze fingers or lock eyes. Sometimes when Kaitlyn is driving and he’s riding shotgun, she’ll pull up to a four-way stop and gesture to other drivers to go, go, go, even when it’s her turn. It is just one of those things Ryan thinks girls do. They are more tentative, no fault of theirs. Whereas he knows with certainty that he is decisive.
Read the story behind this cover in Editor in Chief Jay Fielden's Editor's Letter
A Note from Jay Fielden
But there’s this thing that still bothers him. It has to do with an incident last year in the computer lab. It was a Friday, near the end of the period, and Ryan waited by the exit. He began absentmindedly opening and shutting the door. This girl he didn’t really know told him to stop. When he did it again, she smacked him in the face. He smacked her back. She clawed at him, and he fell into a row of computers. The bell rang, and the girl ran off. “The teacher asked me to report it right away,” he tells me, “but I had a bus to catch.”
Ryan in his bedroom in West Bend, Wisconsin, where he likes to play video games.
Ryan went home with a cut on his eyebrow, two on his forehead, and another on his ear. Tori told him to take pictures. “That girl could go home,” Ryan recalls his mom saying, “slit the whole side of her cheek with a knife, and come to school Monday and say, ‘Hey, look what he did to me.’ ” That was news to him. He’d never even been in a fight before. In middle school, he and this other kid had agreed to punch each other in the face because they wanted to know what it felt like, but when the time came, they just went home. “I guess girls sometimes just do that,” he says. “It happened once when my mom was in high school. A girl purposely broke her own arm just to get another person in trouble.”
“Last year was really bad,” Ryan says. “I couldn’t say anything without pissing someone off.”
He took photos of his face and went to the principal’s office first thing on Monday, like his mom told him to. “He was so upset,” the assistant principal tells me. “He didn’t know why he was in trouble.” Ryan spent a couple hours in the in-school suspension room. He got a ticket referring him to the municipal court, where he appeared in August. He pleaded not guilty. At a second meeting, Ryan spoke to a prosecutor. At least, “I think it was a prosecutor,” he says. “I think he felt like it was stupid that I got a ticket for this. The look on his face was kind of like, What the heck is this?” Ryan thinks that if he were a girl, he wouldn’t have been punished. “As long as I don’t get in trouble again for a year, I’m okay,” he tells me. “But I had to deal with it for a few months.” The kids in school, “they called me a woman beater. I don’t think anyone actually thought I was. They were just giving me crap. It was just a stressful time.”
Most of the year Ryan lives with his mother, two younger brothers, stepdad, and four-year-old half sister in a two-story house on ten acres in West Bend. His stepdad works in the printing business. Tori is a full-time mother, though sometimes she makes bear rugs or bartends for a little extra cash. Every other weekend and for part of the summer, Ryan lives with Owen, a taxidermist in Mountain, an unincorporated community three hours north, in the Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest. He and Tori separated when Ryan was four, and the parents now have as little to do with each other as possible. The distance from one home to the other is 147 miles. “Exactly three miles short of the 150-mile maximum distance allowed by law between parents with joint custody,” Owen says. (He and Tori both okayed Ryan’s participation in this story, but Tori declined to be interviewed.)
The Story Before the Story: Read Susan Orlean's December 1992 piece 'The American Man at Age Ten' on
Esquire Classic
West Bend is a blue-collar town with a strong German heritage in a county where Donald Trump won 67 percent of the vote. “If you’re a moderate Republican in West Bend, you’re a liberal,” Joe Carlson, a former school-board president, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2011. It’s also overwhelmingly white. Trump held a campaign rally at its conference center in 2016, where he declared, “I’m asking for the vote of every African-American citizen struggling in our country today,” even though only 2 percent of West Bend’s population is African-American. (Whites account for 95 percent.) Milwaukee is thirty miles south, close enough that West Bend is considered an outer suburb but still far enough that not many people consider commuting an option. The counties around Milwaukee are some of the few suburban places in America to remain firmly red. Ryan doesn’t think West Bend has changed much since he was a kid. The winters are long and cold. For fun there is the bowling alley, shopping at Hobby Lobby, or walking down Main Street. There is Big Cedar Lake and Little Cedar Lake, a winter sports park, and the Little Switzerland ski resort. Ryan has known most of his friends since elementary school. He met his best friend, Andrew, in third grade. They can’t remember anything interesting that’s happened. Andrew heard about a man in a tank top running through the Walmart parking lot and getting tased by the police. Ryan heard about a man who had his throat slit outside Fleet Farm. There were bomb threats at Badger Middle School. And that turkey with a broken arrow in its chest that attacked people by the river. Kaitlyn loves to watch the sunrays burst on tree branches after an ice storm.
Ryan in a classroom at West Bend West high school.
On school days, Ryan wakes up around 5:30 a.m. “It sucks,” he says. “It’s not hard to get up, but I wish I could just stay in bed.” He goes to the local water-utility headquarters at 6:30, where he has an apprenticeship that earns him course credit and a small paycheck. “It’s kind of like a job thing,” he says. He hopes to get hired once he graduates—he wants to eventually work as an environmental scientist because he loves the outdoors—and he likes shadowing his coworkers. “I follow them around and learn. It’s fun and interesting, but I don’t do much.” His parents support the decision. “When Ryan started talking about what he wanted to do with his future, I was all in,” Owen says. “I’m not gonna tell him that he shouldn’t do it, even though I think he’s so smart. He’s ridiculously smart. And he could do so much more. Hopefully he’ll realize that.”
At 9:30, he returns home and gets ready for school. His mom drives him at 11:30 so he can have lunch in the cafeteria with his friends. He has a driver’s permit, but he’s not taking his driver’s test until later in the fall. “It sucks,” he says. “My mom has to drive me everywhere, but whatever.”
In the afternoon, he takes Advanced Placement Environmental Sciences and Government and Law. He also takes two online college courses that will go toward an associate’s degree in water-quality technology. He’s never loved school, and he didn’t try very hard until senior year. His freshman-year GPA was 1.8. Sophomore year, it was 2.4. The fall of junior year, it was 2.5, and in the spring it was 3.0. This year he’s expecting a 4.0. “I don’t mind going to school,” he says, “but doing all this stuff is not practical for life. Why do I need to take English Comp if I’ll be working at a water plant?”
"He’s ridiculously smart,” Owen says of his son. “And he could do so much more. Hopefully he’ll realize that.”
After school, Ryan usually goes home. He doesn’t drink or do drugs. “Parties are stupid,” he says, “because it’s where guys get drunk and talk about threesomes. It’s lame.” He isn’t part of any social clique—not the football guys, the volleyball girls, the Pokémon players, the anime lovers, the choir kids, the guys who work on cars, and definitely not the “white guys who all hang out with their trucks and guns and say, ‘Heil Trump’ and all that.” Ryan tried playing sports, but he didn’t like any of them. He just doesn’t care about being popular. “I’m really happy with who I am,” he says. When he does hang out, he goes to Kaitlyn’s house or to a restaurant in town. He’s usually home by 10:00 p.m. At home, he likes to play his Xbox. He loves Madden NFL, Call of Duty, and Red Dead Redemption, about outlaws in the Wild West. Sometimes he plays a car-crash game on the computer he built using salvaged parts and YouTube tutorials. What does it look like to see a car slam into a brick wall at one hundred miles per hour? Ryan can tell you.
Ryan visits Milwaukee or Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin, a few times a year. He’s left the state a handful of times. Once, he and his dad took a road trip to Florida and saw the ocean. Another time, he went to Oregon to visit his uncle. “It felt so weird being in Portland,” he says. “It was a good experience, but so different. I would look out the window and everyone was smoking marijuana.”
2. “THE WHOLE SITUATION WAS CRAZY”
When I ask Ryan if I can meet him at school for lunch with his friends one Wednesday, he says okay, but he warns me that “teenagers say stupid things.” He doesn’t want me to think teenagers are weird.
I meet Ryan, who’s wearing khaki shorts and a black long-sleeved shirt, at the public library, and we drive to school. West Bend West is on the east side of town, in a building that also hosts another high school, West Bend East. It has been this way since 1970, when, to save money, the schools opened in the same facility. They consistently rank among the best in the nation. They share a campus, administrative staff, and some classes. The principals and the sports teams are separate. Together, the enrollment is more than twenty-three hundred kids, the largest in the state. We pull into the wraparound lot, where fourteen school buses are parked in waiting. The building looks like a five-acre Tetris block fallen in a grass field. A guard buzzes us in. The risk of school shootings is taken seriously, and the doors stay locked while school is in session. Police officers monitor the campus and loop the halls.
Ryan and Kaitlyn in the hallways of West Bend West.
Kaitlyn, Ryan, and five of their male friends have one extra seat at their table in the cafeteria, a windowless room with a low ceiling and a yeasty smell. Kaitlyn smiles and gestures at the empty seat. She has long brown hair and blue eyes, and she’s wearing a denim jacket and a skirt. When I sit down, the others sort of stare at me, and when I introduce myself, they just say whatever.
Ryan gets a tray with a softball-sized pile of mashed potatoes, sliced apples, a carton of milk, and two wrinkled chicken nuggets. Lunch lasts twenty-five minutes, but Ryan finishes his food in about five, so he and I take off. We walk down hallways with speckled terrazzo floors and cinder-block walls covered with colorful murals, plaques with inspirational quotes, and rows of burgundy lockers. We go to the library and sit at a small wooden table in a bright study room carved into the back wall like a cove. Girls are lying on nearby couches, talking about vaping.
We talk about how he’s become more interested in politics in the past couple years. Then I ask about why he thinks the altercation with the girl happened last year. He’s still unsure: “The whole situation was crazy. She probably didn’t like that I opened the door.” He says he wasn’t trying to provoke her. “I didn’t process that she was mad at me, and I opened the door again. She hit me. I hit her back because I didn’t know how to react.”
He explains what he has learned by way of a hypothetical. “If a girl came in the library and hit me, I’d have to turn my back, try to get away, and if she kept on hitting, I’d probably have to wait, get pummeled for about five minutes, and then at that point I could turn around and knock her out.” Ryan is convinced that if it had been a fight between two girls, things would’ve been different. He has this idea that since I’m a woman, if I were in the same situation, I could do whatever I wanted. I could pull out a knife and stab a guy, and I wouldn’t get in trouble. He leans forward and clasps his hands. “Well, I don’t know. I still don’t really understand it. I know what I can’t do, I just don’t know what I can do.”
3. “TOTALLY STUPID AND NOT WORTH THE ATTENTION”
The fight with the girl was just one of a long string of recent events, most of them politically tinged, that have shaken Ryan’s sense of self. “Last year was really bad,” he says. “I couldn’t say anything without pissing someone off.” He says it started around the time of the presidential election—the liberal students became enraged and the conservative students emboldened. “Lots of drama over politics,” he says. “It ruined friendships and changed social groups. People were making friends based on their politics more than anything.” Kids started advertising their beliefs by hanging flags and posters on their lockers. They wore T-shirts that promoted Hillary for president, or Trump for president, or LGBT rights, or feminism, or Black Lives Matter. The most popular opinion at West Bend seemed to be anti-Trump. Ryan, raised in Republican households, was surprised by the vitriol. “Everyone hates me because I support Trump?” he says. “I couldn’t debate anyone without being shut down and called names. Like, what did I do wrong?”
The week I visit West Bend, the front page of USA Today reads, Is What Someone Does at Age 17 Relevant? in reference to Christine Blasey Ford’s sexual- assault accusation against Brett Kavanaugh. I ask Ryan if he has discussed #MeToo in any of his classes. “I’ve heard of that,” he says. “What does it mean again?” I also ask him about Trump’s reputation as a misogynist. “He is respectful towards his wife, as far as I know,” he says. “I don’t think he is racist or sexist.” Then again, he thinks the president tries to piss people off a little too much. “Sometimes I think it’s funny,” he says, “but I guess it’s really not that funny in the end.” Seventeen is the age when we begin to make such moral calculations, according to experts I spoke with. It’s when teenagers begin to “look at the world outside of their immediate environment,” says Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, a developmental pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital. “They begin to question their own beliefs, and those of their parents and peers.” At the same time, the teenage brain is still a work in progress. “Teenagers are expected to act like adults, but their brains are not ready,” says Pradeep Bhide, director of the Center for Brain Repair at Florida State University. But they’re close: “Everything they need for moral reasoning may already be there,” he says.
Ryan’s mother Tori in her home in West Bend, near Milwaukee.
This past year, Ryan ran another gantlet: social media. He does not use Facebook or Twitter, which he thinks are mostly for older people. And he has no interest in Snapchat. But he, like most everyone his age, uses Instagram. “I’d post a comment,” he recalls, “and the replies would all be the same thing: ‘You’re stupid and that’s dumb’ or ‘You suck’ or ‘You’re straight, you can’t talk about something LGBT.’ ” One time, on a post he describes as “a feminist thing that said something about what men do,” he commented, “It’s not true, and that’s really stupid to say that.” The woman who’d posted it responded with something like, “What do you have to say? You’re a white man.” Ryan is still confused by her response. “Doesn’t she promote equal rights?” he says. “What if I posted the same kind of thing but about what women do? Like, if I posted a photo of a feminist march? But wait, feminist people hate when white men talk about stuff like that. That would be the end of me.” He pauses. “I guess they think since I’m not a girl, I don’t have an opinion.”
As Ryan grappled with progressive ideas on social media, he noticed that others did, too. Last summer, James Gunn, the director of Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy, was sacked for a bunch of tweets he wrote several years ago. “He was fired because he said a shower in a hotel felt like a little kid peeing on him,” Ryan’s friend Andrew says. “Totally stupid and not worth the attention,” says Ryan. “Some jokes are pretty bad. But it depends on the context. If you’re honestly kidding, people shouldn’t get offended.
“Also, baseball,” he continues, referring to another incident from last summer, this time with Josh Hader, a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. “Just so happens that something Hader said seven years ago about hating gay people came up the day of a big game. Now he has to go to all these sensitivity trainings.” Ryan considers the leaker’s motivation. “Someone must’ve been jealous of him and said, ‘Oh, I have this message from when he was fifteen.’ It’s like, yeah, you say a lot of stupid stuff when you are fifteen.” (Later, I look up the tweets. Gunn said worse than what the boys mentioned, including, “I fucked the shit out of the little pussy boy sitting next to me!” And Hader, who was actually seventeen and eighteen when he sent his controversial tweets, used the n-word repeatedly and made an allusion to “white power.” One tweet read, “I hate gay people.” Another read, “Need a bitch that can fuck, cook, clean right.”)
Ryan’s father Owen in his taxidermy studio in northern Wisconsin.
Ryan began to feel like social media was more trouble than it was worth. He even thought about erasing his Instagram account. “But I haven’t said anything too bad,” he says. And more to the point, he decided it is better to engage with other perspectives than to drop out of the conversation. He now watches both Fox News and CNN. He says he’s inched toward the center politically, and so have his friends. He’s even changed his wardrobe and now avoids shirts with words or anything else, save for an American flag, that makes a statement. “It’s better to be a moderate, because then you don’t get heat,” he tells me. “We want everyone to be happy.”
After our talk in the library, Ryan and I walk to his Government and Law class, led by Adam Inkmann, a social-studies teacher with a beard. “He is funny,” Ryan tells me on the way over, “but at the same time, he makes sense.” The class recently took a political-opinion poll that places students on a forty-four-point spectrum from Conservative Reactionary (22C) to Liberal Radical (22L). About two thirds of the class were moderate to liberal, falling between 1L and 22L. Ryan says a few kids landed at the extremes: one “conservative radical,” a boy, and three “liberal extremists,” all girls. Ryan is 2C—a conservative-leaning moderate, according to the spectrum. He supports the death penalty, and limits on foreign goods. He doesn’t support welfare, unless those who receive it are made to get a job. He doesn’t support needle exchanges. On issues of gender, Ryan is mixed. He doesn’t think abortion should be legal. He doesn’t support condom distribution in high schools to prevent pregnancy. If a man and a woman earning the same salary have a child, and if one of them must quit their job to raise it, Ryan thinks it should be the woman. But he supports marriage equality and the right to enlist in the military regardless of sexual orientation.
“It’s better to be a moderate, because then you don’t get heat,” Ryan says. “We want everyone to be happy.”
In class, I sit next to Ryan, in a small desk chair in a fluorescent-lit room with about thirty other students. Mr. Inkmann wears khaki pants and a navy polo. On the wall behind his desk hangs a cardboard cutout of JFK’s head. The topic of discussion is still “the political spectrum,” and they continue working on an exercise about partisan stereotypes. “Who’s on the other side of Trump?” Mr. Inkmann asks.
“Kanye,” says a kid in the front row.
“Absolutely not,” Mr. Inkmann says. “Maybe Obama?”
Kanye West is a source of immense confusion for the students. “Do you think Kanye is liberal or Republican?” asks a kid snacking on Goldfish.
“Liberal,” says the girl behind him.
“No,” Ryan says, “he supports Trump.”
“I don’t think he can be both,” says another kid. “Unless it has something to do with him being bipolar?”
Mr. Inkmann then has the students sing two songs written by another West Bend teacher. “The Liberal Song” is set to the tune of “Ode to Joy.” Mr. Inkmann offers to sing first before everyone joins in. “If I were a liberal, liberal, life would be so very great,” the lyrics read, “knowing that in liberal land this other man could marry me.” The students flip through their political-spectrum packets to follow along. One kid snaps his fingers, rocking out. “The Conservative Song,” set to the tune of “Beer Barrel Polka,” includes lines like “I hate social programs, they really make me want to puke / I would rather use the money for a two-ton nuke” and “Welfare is not good, before we had it, people tried / And I hope the biggest criminals are electrified!”
Next, Mr. Inkmann leads the class through an exercise. He walks around the room making proclamations—about smoking weed, loving guns, thinking gay men are great, thinking needle exchanges are wrong—and the students say who would be more likely to agree with each one, a liberal or a conservative, supporting their decisions with lines from either song. When it is Ryan’s turn, Mr. Inkmann says something about a man marrying a woman and having lots of babies. “Conservative,” Ryan answers. He looks down and reads a few lyrics. “I hate gay marriage,” he reads, “and abortion’s wrong.” Mr. Inkmann then plays “War of Words,” an NBC News segment from 2012 in which Ted Koppel explores the partisan slant of cable news. Steny Hoyer, a House Democrat, tells Koppel, “People tend to choose to watch the channel that doesn’t give them facts, doesn’t make them think, but makes them think that their views are the views [that are] accurate.” Mr. Inkmann paces across the room. “This was not the case ten years ago,” he says, “but you guys think this is normal.” Later, he hits pause to chat with the students, and the screen freezes on a close-up of Bill O’Reilly’s open mouth. “Before he was fired, O’Reilly was making $20 million a year,” Mr. Inkmann says. “One of the highest-paid and most popular hosts of all time.”
“What did he do?” a kid asks.
“Some things with the ladies he shouldn’t have done.”
After school I meet Ryan, Kaitlyn, and Andrew at Noodles, a restaurant in a parking lot between Hobby Lobby and Menards. We sit at a booth and eat bowls of steaming pasta. I ask what they are talking about at school, and they mention school shootings.
“It was easier for our parents,” says Kaitlyn, Ryan’s girlfriend. “They figured things out quick. Now there’s so much competition.”
“I don’t know why it’s always white males shooting up schools,” Ryan says. “In the inner-city schools there are shootings and stuff, but it’s more like ‘I hate this kid because he touched my girlfriend, so now I’m going to shoot him.’ ” Kaitlyn tells me that a high school in a town nearby has active-shooter drills, but at West Bend they only practice lockdowns. Students pile stuff in front of doors and find objects to use as weapons. Teachers now know CPR. If a fire alarm rings, they check the hallway first, because at the school in Parkland, Nikolas Cruz pulled the alarm and waited for students to come out of their classrooms. There’ve been a few threats, but most of them ended up being nothing, just stuff written on bathroom walls or sent in emails. One kid wrote down what he called a “hit list,” and someone forwarded it to the cops, but it turned out to be just the names of friends he planned to call. Another kid was criminally charged after it was discovered that he was looking for an accomplice to help carry out a shooting at the school. Now he’s got a record. Ryan remembers him being a nuisance. “He’d be walking behind me, and I could hear it come out of his mouth: ‘I’m going to F you in the butt.’ I’d just be like, ‘What are you talking about?’ ” Ryan thinks for a moment. “He was short. He probably had trouble getting attention.”
After a weekend with his father, Ryan meets his mother in a parking lot halfway between West Bend and Mountain. Tori and Owen park facing opposite directions.
Ryan and his friends look forward to graduating in the spring—no more worries about school shootings or what your shirt says. They are thinking more than ever about their future selves, and what worries them now is getting a job and making money. “I feel like it was easier for our parents,” Kaitlyn says. “They figured things out quick. Now there’s so much competition.” Ryan plans to stay in West Bend and work at the water-utility plant. Later, he’ll consider getting a four-year degree—he wants to be an engineer or work for the Department of Natural Resources. But he’s thinking at first he might live with his mom for a little while to save money. “I’ll be five or six years ahead of everyone who goes to college,” he says. “They’ll be looking for jobs, and I’ll be buying a house.”
Kaitlyn talks about applying to the satellite campus of the University of Wisconsin in West Bend. She’s thinking about being an English teacher, and Andrew’s thinking about being a pharmacist. But all three are skeptical about how useful college is and how attending might change them. “I grew up in a conservative family,” Kaitlyn tells me. “And my mom went to college and became more liberal.” “I’ve noticed that about college,” Andrew says.
“It sways,” Ryan says.
4. “THE RULES HAVE CHANGED”
Every other weekend, Ryan waits in the school parking lot or at the end of his mother’s driveway for Owen to pick him up. One Friday last fall, I follow behind as father and son drive to Mountain on I-43, along the edge of the Ice Age Trail, which traces the farthest reach of an ancient glacier.
Owen runs his taxidermy business out of a small building on his property. When we arrive, bear hides dangle from hooks in the garage and flesh-eating beetles feast on wild game in the shop. The freezer is full of meat. As much as possible, the family eats animals they’ve hunted, vegetables they’ve grown, and eggs from their chickens. Owen has taught Ryan that taxidermy is not about showing off the biggest thing you’ve killed; it’s about preserving memories. Each animal tells a story. Owen likes to do fun stuff with Ryan during their limited time together. They play catch, watch football, go hunting. Owen especially loves hunting with Ryan—it’s how he bonded with his own father. Ryan is a good shot, and he knows about his guns and his game, but sometimes he prefers to hunt more on his Xbox in West Bend than in the woods around Mountain. “When I’m older, I probably won’t hunt as much,” Ryan says. “I like nature, but I don’t want to sit in a tree for hours. There are fun moments, like when we shoot a deer. It’s like, ‘Whoo-whoo! Get that rush!’ It’s a good feeling. But you’ve got to gut it, and I don’t like doing that. Then you have to drag it out—also not fun.”
On Saturday morning, we get ready for a grouse hunt. We put on our gear—muck boots, orange hats, orange vests—and load Owen’s two spaniels into his truck. We don’t have to drive far, maybe twenty minutes, since Mountain is basically in the woods. On the way, Ryan tells me turkey hunting is his favorite because you do it before it gets too cold outside, and you get to walk around. To hunt a male turkey, Owen will drive around with the windows down while Ryan mimics the sounds of a hen. Then they’ll wait for the tom to call back: gobble. When they hear one, they’ll get out of the truck and hide in the woods. “We try to be a female,” Owen explains. “We’re like, ‘How you doing?’ And the male responds, ‘Hey, baby, I’m on my way.’ ” The tom puffs up, his
tail fans open, and he struts. “We don’t want to sound too interested,” he says. “It’s funny, they are kind of like human beings.”
“When I’m older, I probably won’t hunt as much. There are fun moments, like when we shoot a deer. But you’ve got to gut it, and I don’t like doing that. Then you have to drag it out—also not fun.”
Last year, Ryan saw a turkey walk close to within a shooting range, pause, then walk away. A missed opportunity. “You feel down in the dumps after that happens,” Owen says. “Right, Ryan? How did you feel?” “Like I should have shot him in the head.”
We park the truck on an old logging road and hike into a forest of poplar, oak, birch, and pine. We walk in a line—Owen and the dogs through the woods, Ryan and I on the road. We go for about five miles without hearing any birds, so we break for lunch.
On the ride home, I ask Ryan about his stepsister, Ashley. “She’s quiet, and I’m quiet, too,” he says. “I guess that when you’re a teenager, you don’t really have anything important to say. You just sit there on your phone.”
When we get to the house, Ashley, a college student who loves to hunt, is wearing head-to-toe woodland camo. She’s coming with us in the afternoon to hunt bear while we squeeze in another few hours of grouse time. Her mother, Ryan’s stepmom, tells me that when a black bear gets shot, it lets out an eerie moan before it dies. If Ashley shoots one today, the whole family will come with knives, and they’ll skin the bear together in the dark. They’ll divide up the meat, load it onto the truck, drive home, and pack the freezer.
In the truck on our way back out to the woods, Ashley sits next to me. She has a black crossbow, her weapon of choice. She plans to kill a bear with an arrow to the heart. “What’s the hardest part about killing a bear?” I ask.
“Seeing the bear,” she says.
Ryan on a grouse hunt with his father in Mountain, Wisconsin.
Owen asks her questions about college, but she mostly looks at her phone instead of answering. Ryan is in the front seat, also quiet. We drive to another old logging road and get out at a trail Owen made to a log pile, which he’s baited for months with leftovers and scraps. On our way in, Owen points out paw marks in the grass and fur tangled in a tree. He demonstrates how a bear scratches its back against the bark with a wiggle. The woods are dark and thick. We come to a clearing with the log pile. Owen lifts the logs with his hands, something only he and the bear can do. “Today’s the day,” he says. It is time for more bear bait, which this time is a five-gallon bucket of popcorn soaked in fruit jam. He returns the logs and we hike out. Ashley is already gone, and it takes me a second to find her, on a platform way up in a tree, looking through the scope of her crossbow.
Hunting that afternoon turns out to be a bust. “It’s not about killing things,” Ryan reminds everyone the next morning. Anyway, it’s now Sunday, which means that all attention is on the Packers. Owen and Ryan need to meet Tori at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Perkins, a restaurant in Oshkosh, halfway between Mountain and West Bend. To watch as much of the game as possible, they leave early and head to the Wooden Nickel, a little bar with eleven televisions.
There’s seven minutes to go in the second quarter, and the Packers are down by 7. “They say domestic violence goes up in the state when the Packers lose,” Owen tells me. Clay Matthews, a player for Green Bay, tackles the Redskins’ running back but doesn’t get in trouble. The camera cuts to a close-up, and Matthews is visibly relieved—a week earlier, he got a penalty for roughing the passer. “You can’t tackle,” Ryan explains. “The rules have changed.” He’s watched football since he was eight, and he just wants to watch football, not a neutered version. “It’s getting kind of stupid. You can’t hit the quarterback’s head; you can’t hit him a second or two after he throws the ball; and if you’re going to slide, you can’t hit him. You can’t put weight on him. You’ve got to set him down gently, like putting him to bed.” Ryan is worried that in five years, hard tackling will no longer be a thing. Matthews tackles the quarterback in the third quarter, but this time he gets flagged. A bar patron curses at the screen. The Packers’ coach sprints toward the ref and starts screaming. “He doesn’t know what to do,” the television commentator says about Matthews, “what’s right or what’s not right.”
This article appears in the March
Earlier in the game, another Green Bay player, Jaire Alexander, makes a tackle. A Redskins player starts jawing at him, and Alexander punches him in the face. “So if someone talks shit about you, you can smack them?” I ask Ryan.
“I guess so,” he says. “That’s what Alexander did.”
When the game is over, Owen and Ryan rush to the Perkins parking lot. But we are early, so we stare at the empty sky for a while. Owen always parks his car facing one direction, and Tori parks her car facing another. It makes things easier.
While we wait, Ryan tells me that he has a different personality in Mountain from the one he has in West Bend. A different attitude. He likes both versions, and it’s easy to make the switch. We wait a little longer. Ryan rests his backpack in his lap. He keeps looking behind him.
Photographs by Justin Kanep
Jennifer Percy Jennifer Percy is a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine.
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Boy Meets Girl, Boy Blinds Girl, Boy Goes to Jail
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Why the 2026 Winter Olympics will go to Milan
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo have been chosen to host the Winter Olympics in 2026, beating out their only rival, Stockholm. According to commentators it's easy to understand why the IOC decided in favour of the Italian bid.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (DE) / 25 June 2019
Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung GmbH
Sweden would have been the better choice
Milan was awarded the Games because it could guarantee more state subsidies than its rival, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung surmises:
“No doubt the fact that the City of Stockholm wouldn't sign the organiser's contract guaranteeing that it would deliver a flawless event with tax money, but instead passed on this responsibility to the town of Åre didn't go down too well with the IOC. Why, some IOC members may have wondered, should we put all our faith in the Swedish economy's financing the Games privately if the City of Stockholm isn't ready to do the same? But one could always take the view that memorandums of understanding given by Sweden's industrial heavyweights are more solid than Italian state finances.”
IOC missed a chance to improve its image
The IOC has missed an opportunity with its decision not to hold the 2026 Winter Games in Sweden owing to public opposition there, writes the Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
“The Committee could have signalled that it takes seriously the concerns of people in Western democracies who can express themselves freely. It could have shown that it has understood the alarm signals from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway and Canada, where people are not rebelling against the Olympic Games in principle but against the system that has established itself behind them. ... But the IOC failed to do this. In choosing Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo it took the easy option. The option in which a populist government promises 80-percent support - which it won't be able to provide.”
Daniel Germann
La Stampa (IT) / 25 June 2019
Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso SpA
Victory for Italian team spirit
The successful bid owes much to the excellent cooperation between all concerned, La Stampa writes in delight:
“Apart from a detailed, well thought-out proposal and first-class preparation (13 of 14 sites are already finished), an exceptional team spirit which had everyone working towards the same goal secured this victory: the National Olympic Committee headed by Giovanni Malagó, the government and Undersecretary of State in charge of sport Giancarlo Giorgetti. ... But above all the success was due to a (hitherto) unthinkable team spirit among an elite comprised of people with very different ideas, party affiliations and backgrounds. ... This is particularly commendable in times when public life in our country is marked by hatred, slander and smear campaigns.”
Marcello Sorgi
to the homepage
Dagens Nyheter (SE) / 25 June 2019
Bonnier Media
Sweden doesn't need the Games
It's a good thing that Stockholm's bid was unsuccessful, Dagens Nyheter writes:
“We're talking about a city built on an island, whose infrastructure is already inadequate for the present population and which can't deal even with the slightest weather irregularities. With the Olympic tourists, the number of visitors to the city would have doubled. ... Sweden doesn't need to put itself on any map - there's already so much going on here. The only question is how many of the tourists would have wanted to return to Stockholm or Åre if they'd been witness to the spectacular chaos that would surely have reigned in 2026. ... All those who take the Olympic Games seriously should be delighted that we'll avoid all the embarrassment.”
ItalySwedenElectionsOlympicsSport
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The Eagles Fly Back To Australia Next Year
Wednesday 10 October 2018
US rock legends Eagles are flying down to our shores next year as part of their critically-acclaimed world tour. They will be landing at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena for two shows, then will glide their way up to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for two back to back performances before winging south to Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena for the final pair of shows. Before the Aussie dates, the band will first be in New Zealand to delight flocks of fans at Auckland's Spark Arena and Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
The best-selling American band of the 70s and one of the top-selling acts of all time, Eagles continue to transcend both generation and genre. Since forming in Los Angeles in 1971, they have sold over 150 million albums, scored six #1 albums and topped the singles charts five times.
The upcoming tour is a celebration of the band's prolific career, and the setlist will include songs from all of Eagles' seven studio albums—'Eagles' (1972), 'Desperado' (1973), 'On The Border' (1974), 'One Of These Nights' (1975), 'Hotel California' (1976), 'The Long Run' (1979) and 'Long Road Out of Eden' (2007).
Band members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey will be joined on stage by a marvelous live band that includes a full horn section and full string section. Since the tour kicked off in North America last March, the rock icons have performed to more than half a million fans, gathering high marks from critics and fans alike:
"With Gill and Deacon Frey on board, and the band’s veteran members clearly reinvigorated, the Eagles are back in orbit. Long may they fly." - The San Diego Union Tribune
"It took all of about 20 seconds [...] to realize this newfangled Eagles lineup would deliver the goods sonically in concert...The melange of voices melded into the familiar smooth harmonies that helped the Eagles distinguish themselves from so many other groups over their career." - Herald Extra
"It’s amazing that the musicians can make it seem so effortless when you can see with your own eyes how demanding it is. Gill's crack guitar work is another tool in the arsenal, superbly complementing Steuart Smith's fretwork." - Best Classic Hits
Eagles last visited Australia in 2015 for a 14-date run on their famed 'History of the Eagles World Tour'. Demand for tickets was so high that multiple arena shows were added in each capital city, alongside a pair of very special outdoor shows at Hanging Rock and Hope Estate.
Undeniably one of the most pivotal bands in contemporary music, Eagles have bagged six Grammy® Awards, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and have received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016. To further celebrate their almost half a century career, they will release a Legacy collection in two comprehensive editions on Friday 2 November (via Warner Music Australia), available in both a 12-CD/DVD/Blu-ray set, and a 15-LP set.
Make sure you grab your tickets to one of Eagles' Australian dates and be in for a musical flight you will not soon forget!
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Eagles World Tour 2019
Tue 5 Mar 2019 - Fri 15 Mar 2019
Rod Laver Arena
Batman Avenue, East Melbourne
Qudos Bank Arena
Edwin Flack Avenue & Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Melaleuca Drive, Boondall
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FEV, Inc. Announces Winners of 2012 FEV Powertrain Development Award
Awards presented as part of Formula SAE Competition at Michigan International Speedway
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 15, 2012 – Advanced powertrain and vehicle systems engineering company FEV, Inc. announced the recipients of the FEV Powertrain Development Award, presented to three collegiate teams that designed, developed and demonstrated exemplary powertrain solutions in the 2012 Formula SAE competition held May 9 - 12 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) near Brooklyn, MI. The Award was presented on Saturday, May 12 during the awards ceremony that was held at the conclusion of the competition.
The Powertrain Development Award considers critical powertrain relevant aspects, including performance, fuel economy, durability and cost in determining a winner. The award uses a quantitative scoring system intended to be a metric, or equation, for the optimization process that the student teams go through as they develop their solutions, much like the work that a professional engineer might perform on a day-to-day basis in the industry. There are multiple solution paths that a team can employ to win. Full details of the weight factors and scoring system are on the SAE website.
The 2012 FEV Powertrain Award winners were:
1st place: Oregon State University/Global Formula Racing (GFR), Corvallis, Oregon
(764.1 of a possible 900 pts)
2nd place: Universitat Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany (724.6 pts)
3rd place: Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada (716.1 pts)
Notably, Oregon State was also won the FEV Powertrain Development Award in 2011, while Universitat Stuttgart moved from third place in 2011 to second in 2012. Locally, the University of Michigan, which finished in 6th place in 2011 moved to fifth place in 2012, the University of Toledo ranked 10th, the University of Akron was 13th, and the University of Michigan - Dearborn was ranked 14th in the FEV Powertrain Award ranking.
"FEV has been both a corporate sponsor as well as a team sponsor for many years. The goals of the SAE Foundation to further education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are not only of great importance, but fully consistent with our corporate goals. This event represents the culmination of a series of Foundation-sponsored activities that are designed to develop young talent to fill tomorrow's technical jobs. It is a thrill to be a part of this competition as a sponsor," said Robert J. Last, vice president of communications and purchasing for FEV. "This program enables engineering students to demonstrate practical application skills that complement their classroom work -- the same skills that they will need to excel in their careers. Formula SAE is an excellent example of a program that successfully grows the kind of engineering talent that our company will need in the future."
Student teams must adhere to the rules specified by the SAE, which can be found on its Web site, www.sae.org. In the process of developing engineering solutions for their vehicles, students will have also mastered critical elements of strategy planning, project management, contingency planning, and logistics management, according to Last.
"FSAE represents a microcosm of the complete engineering and business project cycle, including fundraising and defending the project in a detailed presentation. These are essential skills that engineering students need to demonstrate to be successful in the industry," said Last.
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Google's Project Loon working with AT&T to get basic wireless services to Puerto Rico
Oct 21, 2017 12:16pm
A Loon balloon on its way to Puerto Rico from Nevada. (X)
Project Loon found a telecom partner in AT&T to help get basic communication and internet activities to some people with LTE-enabled phones in Puerto Rico.
It marks the first time the X project within Google parent Alphabet has used its new machine learning-powered algorithms to keep balloons clustered over Puerto Rico, and it’s still a learning process, according to a blog post by Alastair Westgarth, head of Project Loon.
The team will keep the balloons hovering for as long as possible as they continue to learn how to navigate the constantly shifting winds in the region, Westgarth said.
“We’ve never deployed Project Loon connectivity from scratch at such a rapid pace, and we’re grateful for the support of AT&T and the many other partners and organizations that have made this possible,” he added.
AT&T said it’s been working around the clock to restore service, and as of Friday it was processing more than 12 million calls and 6 million texts a day in Puerto Rico. It sent five planes and nearly 40 ships containing network supplies, equipment, vehicles and personnel to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it’s continuing to send more assets as needed. It also deployed 17 mobile cell sites, five emergency communications portables and six charging stations and staged and refueled nearly 600 generators.
The Project Loon team has been working with the government of Puerto Rico, as well as the FCC, FAA, FEMA, spectrum partners and international aviation authorities to bring service to the island that was hit by Hurricane Maria last month. Balloons used for the Puerto Rico efforts were being launched from Nevada.
The Loon team is trying to manage expectations and said the experimental service is designed to support basic internet communications activities like text messaging, SMS, status updates, basic web access and email during daylight hours. The service works with 4G LTE Band 8 devices.
RELATED: Loon gets OK to help provide emergency cell service in Puerto Rico
Loon was granted an experimental license by the FCC earlier this month to help provide emergency cellular service in the region, but it wasn’t clear how much the balloons would help because they still needed a telco partner with which to integrate.
Others are involved as well. The Pan-American and Puerto Rican governments’ aviation authorities and air traffic controllers enabled Loon to send small teams of balloons from its launch site in Nevada to Puerto Rico. In addition, SES Networks and Liberty Cablevision helped set up essential ground infrastructure so that the balloons could get internet connectivity.
Included in Loon’s FCC application were letters from 800 and 900 MHz license holders in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands providing their consent for Loon to use frequencies granted to them.
Loon made a point to thank the following entities as well: High Tech Communications Services, MilkyWay Communications, North Sight Communications, PDV Spectrum Holding Company, Space Data Spectrum Holdings, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority/PREPA Networks, Sensus Spectrum and Spok.
RELATED: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint work at restoring service in Puerto Rico
As of Oct. 20, 68.2% of cell sites were out of service in Puerto Rico, according to the FCC (PDF). All counties in Puerto Rico except Bayamon, Caguas, Catano, San Juan, and Toa Baja had greater than 50% of their cell sites out of service, and five of the 78 counties in Puerto Rico had 100% of their cell sites down.
LTE Alphabet Project Loon AT&T SES Networks Google
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home . about . books to film . lists . news . rating system . reviews . trivia
Updated June Preview: Part 2
Posted on | June 23, 2012 | Add Comments
After a little delay I’m back with part 2 of my June movie preview. I’ll talk about how the newest releases will do with critics and at the box office. I will talk about everything from global moneymaking to Rotten Tomatoes scores. Also just so you know OWG means opening weekend gross, DTG means domestic total gross, and ITG means international total gross. RT means Rotten Tomatoes. Enjoy!
June 22nd: This week has one movie that will make a ton of money and likely become the highest grossing movie of June. There is also an oddball historical horror flick, an apocalyptic romantic comedy, and the latest effort from one of the world’s most admired directors. Of course the four films I am talking about are Pixar’s Brave, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seeking A Friend For The End of the World, and Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love. Adjusted for inflation no Pixar movie has made under $191 million in the US. Last year when Cars 2 made that much and became the first Pixar movie to make under $200 million domestically as well as get a rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes (39% splat) fans got worried. Will Brave be nominated for Best Picture the way Best Animated Film Oscar winners Up and Toy Story 3 were? Probably not. But will it make some money, get rather favorable reviews, and at the very least be nominated for the Best Animated Film at the Oscars? Yes. This is one of the summer movies I am most anticipated to see. The animation as always looks absolutely beautiful and the story and action seem pretty good. Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World stars Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley but it is rated R and has an indie crew. In other words not likely to be a mainstream box office hit. The director, Lorene Scafaria is directing for the first time ever but she wrote the movie Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist which got a 73% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. This should get about the same. At the box office that movie made $31 million in the US total and it was in wide release. Scafaria’s new movie has more star power than Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist but it has a much more limited release so it should do worse at the box office (it also has more tough competiton than Nick and Nora had) and it should do worse with the critics because it is slightly more mainstream. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter sounds ridiculous and will probably be a flop. Luckily it only cost $69 million and at least, worldwide it should earn a little more than that. Critics are also likely to call it one of the worst movies of the year. Meanwhile Woody Allen has a new movie, To Rome With Love a romantic comedy told in four star studded vignettes. This does not seem like it will be as successful as Midnight In Paris because it did not play at Cannes, let alone open Cannes, but it should still do okay with critics and good at the box office for a limited release.Here’s how I think past releases will fall into the rankings: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: $15 million Prometheus: $9 million Rock Of Ages: $6 million That’s My Boy: $5 million Brave: RT: 88% fresh OWG: $82 million DTG: $305 million ITG: $725 million Seeking A Friend for The End Of the World: RT: 70% fresh OWG: $5 million DTG: $15 million ITG: $18 million Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: RT: 13% splat OWG: $11 million DTG: $24 million ITG: $45 million To Rome With Love: RT: 71% fresh OWG: low because of limited release DTG: $4 million ITG: $25 million
June 29th: R rated teddy bear comedy Ted and to a lesser extent, Dreamworks family drama, People Like Us should do not bad at the box office. Ted will probably be the second most successful adult comedy of the year, just behind $135 million grosser 21 Jump Street, that opened on March 16th this year. People Like Us is said to be “The Help” of the year: a Dreamworks summer drama. Or at least that’s what the ads say. But box office wise and definitely Oscar wise there is no way this will do as good as that film. For one People Like Us is not based on an extremely popular book with a lot fans who can’t wait to see the movie like The Help. Ted should open strong as what will perhaps be the only R rated comedy hit of the summer. Though it will only have four days too shine before The Amazing Spider Man it is aiming for a very different target audience. It will have to hold up very well in a summer this packed but I think it can make at least over $100 million in the US alone. Meanwhile adult comedies Magic Mike and Tyler Perry’s Madea Witness Protection are also being released. Magic Mike star Channing Tatum led and two movies to over $100 million: The Vow in Febuary with $125 million and in 21 Jump Street March with $137 million . However this time around I don’t think that Tatum will pull it off. Meanwhile the Madea movie will also make little money. I expect both films to get bad reviews from the critics. Even if Ted and People Like Us turn out to be respectable hits there is simply no way that they can win the number 1 crown against likely to be massive holdover Brave, which should do fine with about $63 million, almost the same drop Monster’s Inc. had 11 years ago. Also Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter should drop to about $4 million showing no signs of being a big holdover success. That should also be true for Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World which I predict will turn in $3 million. To Rome With Love should continue to do okay for a limited release. That’s My Boy should make $2 million and Rock Of Ages $3 million. Critics will not like any of these new releases except for People Like Us and Ted just a little. Ted: RT: 69% OWG: $30 million DTG: $85 million ITG: $300 million People Like Us: RT: 75% OWG: $19 million DTG:$66 million ITG: $120 million Magic Mike: RT: %19 OWG: $9 million DTG: $22 million ITG: $50 million Tyler Perry’s Madea Witness Protection: RT: 10% OWG: $3 million DTG: $8 million OWG: $15 million
Category: 3-D, action, adventure, animation, books to film, box office predictions, comedy, drama, in theaters, monthly movie madness, posts by flack, summer movie preview, upcoming films
More Marvel Movies (Flack’s Guide)
Posted on | May 18, 2012 | Add Comments
If you’ve seen The Avengers and are hungry for more Marvel superhero movies here’s your guide to whats up next. SPOILER ALERT If you have not seen The Avengers or the other Marvel films then minor plot elements may be revealed. This is a comprehensive, chronological guide to what’s up next for Marvel (bought by Walt Disney).
Iron Man 3 Release Date: May 3rd, 2013 News: Ben Kingsley joins the cast as the evil villain, The Mandarin and Tony Stark\Iron Man (played of course by Robert Downey Jr.) must head to China to battle him. Guy Pierce plays Aldrich Killian. Don Cheadle and Gwenyth Paltrow reprise their roles. Getting a new director (Shane Black) could shake things up pleasantly after the unoriginal Iron Man 2. The plot sounds exactly the same as the first two (Iron Man must fight a villain and terrorists) but as with the others hilarious lines and a bit of depth may transcend a generic storyline. The movie will open the summer movie season on the first week of May, the way Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers have. The film will probably make more money than Iron Man and Iron Man 2 but not as much as The Avengers. I will definitely see this one. After Iron Man 2 was criticized for being stuffed with The Avengers references, Keven Feige has said Iron Man 3 is to be very different than The Avengers. There will still probably be an end credits sequence and cameos.
Thor 2 Release Date: November 15th, 2013 Keneth Branagah who directed the first one is leaving the series and Alan Taylor (director of such TV shows as Game of Thrones and The Sopranos) is taking over the directing credits. Almost all the actors are returning so that means you’ll get to see Tom Hiddelston, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, and of course Chris Hemsworth as Thor himself. The film starts filming in August this year. The film will probably make more money than Thor but being sandwiched in the middle of possible November blockbusters Ender’s Game and Catching Fire certainly won’t help. There will also be a new main villain (ie not Loki though he will still be in the movie). Tom Hiddelston and Chris Hemsworth have also stated that sometime in the Thor series that they would like Thor and Loki to be friends. If they can combine awesome, amazing action with an emotional storyline, then Thor 2 will be great.
Captain America 2 Release Date: April 4, 2014 The new Captain America film tells the story of the superhero in the present. His only friends are Nick Fury and SHIELD. Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, has said Captain America will learn about his World War II friends while he was frozen for about 70 years. I don’t think the movie will be unique because the story sounds similar to Thor where a super hero gets put into modern times. So far only Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson are signed on as actors. Vulture.com says, the three possible directors are F. Gary Gray, George Nolfi, and Anthony and Joseph Russo. I think they should get Steven Spielberg to do a WW 2 sequel to the first one that is set in the 1940’s but he probably wouldn’t want to do it because he’s so busy. Also it seems like Marvel is trying to make this film fail. They are releasing it in April, one of the worst months for movies (both critically and commercially). I am still nonetheless very excited to see how this film turns out.
Other Marvel Projects: Marvel has announced that they will be releasing a new movie on May 16th, 2014. Why not May 2nd, the first week of summer movies like they normally do? Because they want to give Captain America 2 some time to make some money and Sony is ridiculously planning to release The Amazing Spider Man 2 on May 2nd. The movie that will probably be released then is probably going to be The Avengers 2, because of The Avengers box office success (it’s already the 6th highest grossing movie of all time). Meanwhile Guardians Of The Galaxy, Inhumans, Dr. Strange, and Ant-Man directed by Edgar Wright are all non Avengers related movies that might be released sometime in the future. They might not do as great at the box office or maybe even with critics but they will still will likely be much, much more original because they are not leading up to a big crossover team up blockbuster movie like The Avengers. I would also not be surprised if there were movies solely about Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, which there probably will be. Also a new Hulk film starring Mark Ruffalo might happen because Ruffalo said that he wanted to and Marvel would love to make some more money.
I am looking forward to all these films. I’m least excited to see the original films and Captain America: The First Avenger 2 sounds bad. I can not wait, however to see Iron Man 3, Thor 2, and The Avengers 2.
Category: 3-D, action, actors, adventure, comics to film, lists, news, posts by flack, reviews, sci-fi, summer movie preview, superheros, upcoming films
May Movie Preview (Flack’s Preview)
Posted on | May 4, 2012 | Add Comments
And just when you thought I was gone….. I’m back with updated May box office predictions! And let me tell you: you have not seen this before! I will talk about The Avengers, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Dark Shadows, Battleship,What To Expect When You’re Expecting, Moonrise Kingdom, and Men In Black 3. The Avengers is the massive month of May movie that out of all these films I (and 1 billion other people who will help make it a box office success) am looking forward to the most month. NOTE 1: All the films I will talk about except The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, and Dark Shadows are in 3-D. NOTE 2: OWG means opening weekend gross, DTG means domestic total gross, an ITG means international total gross all for my box office predictions. May the 4th be with you…………….always!!
May 4th: Walt Disney has made only a little over $200 million so far this year (that’s about $300 million off from the the highest amount from a studio so far which is $500 million). Luckily they’ve made a deal with Marvel Studios and are producing The Avengers. The film was released on April 27th in the rest of the world (Marvel’s foreign high was Iron Man 2‘s $316 million and this will likely surpass that number this weekend). This will definitely be the second highest grossing movie of the summer. Marvel’s largest opening weekend was Iron Man 2‘s $128 million and the lowest was The Incredible Hulk‘s $55 million. Here are some other stats: Domestic Money: Iron Man‘s $318 million is the most but The Incredible Hulk‘s $134 million is the least. International Total: The lowest was The Incredible Hulk‘s $128 million. However this film will likely do a lot better than all of those movies, not least because all the characters are being combined.Why? Fan anticipation, a recognizable previous franchise, added 3-D money, and a current 92% on Rotten Tomatoes will help this movie avenge at the box office. The will also likely beat The Hunger Games as the third highest opening weekend ever. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will likely get a weak $1 million US opening.Meanwhile this will also be a weekend where past weekend releases The Hunger Games (now 4th spot: $5 million), The Lucky One (3rd spot: $8 million), and Think Like A Man (2nd spot: $10 million) will die down. The Avengers OWG: $157 million DTG: $500 million ITG: $1 billion The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: OWG: $1 million OWG: $15 million ITG: $75 million
May 11th: This will be one of the closest weekends of the summer. If Dark Shadows didn’t open the weekend after The Avengers then it might make more money but it will be top spot (The Avengers is safe with a $60 million second weekend, dwindling a little over 50%, similar to The Hunger Games although The Hunger Games would have done worse if it opened during the summer). Alice in Wonderland‘s $116 million opening is way out of reach but Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street‘s $9 million is also a lot lower goal. This will be in the middle of Johnny Depp\Tim Burton collaborations, which is not bad for an adaption of a 1960’s soap opera TV show. Meanwhile April releases and The Hunger Games will basically stop making money. Dark Shadows: OWG: $65 million DTG: $200 million ITG: $300 million
May 16th\18th: Another close weekend. Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie The Dictator will easily get $25 million, which is not terrible for an R rated political spoof comedy. Cohen’s comedies have done okay in the past and this should do just a bit worse (there are a lot of comedies being released this summer). Dark Shadows will probably have about$26 million and The Avengers is a good bet for $40 million. Meanwhile the big new opener is Battleship which will wind up close to the first Transformers movie (in tone, style, critics reviews, and box office money). The film itself looks bad, but then so does Transformers. Meanwhile, What To Expect When You’re Expecting is a star studded romantic comedy that should open fairly high, due to it’s prestigious cast lineup. The Dictator: OWG: $24 million DTG: $75 million ITG: $175 million Battleship: OWG: $70 million DTG: $210 million ITG: $310 million What To Expect When You’re Expecting: OWG: $25 million DTG: $100 million ITG: $200 million
May 25th: The Avengers will be massive but to a lesser extent I’m predicting Men In Black 3 will too. The two previous Men In Black films (from 1997 and 2002) mad $51 million and $52 million on their opening weekends, $250 million and $190 domestically, and $589 million and $441 million, respectively. Of course adjusted for inflation these movies made a lot more, though the second film is widely considered to be one of the most disappointing sequels in movie history. However the first is said to be a comedy classic. The latest film should be a comeback movie and after the fun, funny trailers it should open to $55 million at the least. Also the movie is in 3-D which could boost it’s box office haul. Will Smith has not been in a blockbuster since Hancock (2008 so people will have an oppurtunity to see him in an action movie again. Tommy Lee Jones is back and Josh Brolin joins as Lee’s character in the 1960’s. Meanwhile that very same weekend Moonrise Kingdom gets a limited release and the movie it should open closest to is Midnight In Paris (OWG: $5 million DTG: $56 million ITG: $148 million). Both are star studded summer romantic comedies that open Cannes. Men In Black 3: OWG: $85 million DTG: $20o million ITG: $500 million Moonrise Kingdom OWG: $5 million DTG: $60 ITG: $145 million
May will have a massive blockbuster (The Avengers), a small art house flick (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) a surprise success (Dark Shadows), a profitable comedy (The Dictator),a big, bad blockbuster (Battleship), a comedy success ( a comeback hit (Men In Black 3), and an indie hit (Moonrise Kingdom). I can’t wait to see The Avengers and Men In Black 3, I hope to see Moonrise Kingdom, and wish I could see Dark Shadows. Bye- Bye!!!!!
Category: 3-D, action, adventure, box office predictions, drama, great movie, in theaters, monthly movie madness, news, posts by flack, reviews, sci-fi, summer movie preview, superheros, upcoming films
Summer Movies 2012: Part 3
Posted on | May 2, 2012 | 3 Comments
This is the last of the three Summer movie previews. I’m going to talk about the movies that I’m personally looking forward to this summer. I will also predict what rating I’ll give the movies out of 5 and give an overview of other films coming out (that I don’t really want to see). Don’t forget to read Summer Movie Preview Part 1 (Flack’s Box Office Predictions) and Summer Movie Preview Part 2 (Flack’s Critics Predictions). Hope you enjoy “The Epic Conclusion To The Summer Movie Legend”. Clue: Watch the trailers of all the films I talk about and find what movie I just referenced.
Movies I’m Most Anticipating:
The Avengers This 2 hour 22 minute super hero epic movie looks very entertaining. Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor will assemble, along with Black Widow, the Hulk, Nick Fury, and newcomer Hawkeye to battle Loki, Thor’s brother. If Robert Downey Jr. has great chemistry with all the other actors, then this will be hilarious. I think it would have been a good idea to have John Favareau direct it, but Joss Whedon might be a good choice, but I haven’t seen his other movies. I don’t think the story will be excellent, because all of the super heroes together might be a bit too much. But it should be overall entertaining. Reel prediction: 4 stars Release Date: May 4th
Men in Black 3 I have not seen the first 2 MIB films, but I have heard that they are entertaining. Some people say the second one was not as good as the first, so the third might not be either. I think this could follow the path of Indiana Jones, can Josh Brolin be as great as Sean Connery? The trailer looks pretty funny, especially Will Smith’s description of Tommy Lee Jones’ smile. Reel prediction: 3 stars Release Date: May 25th
Brave Pixar’s latest film is a departure from their previous work, but after the mediocre Cars 2 we’re also hoping that it’s a return to form. The latest trailer looks promising but not they’re best. Rude humor and an annoying song are some of the detractors. Meanwhile the brilliant animation, big castle battle, and stunning archery tournament all look amazing. Of course with any trailer there are also some intriguingly mysterious elements. In this case 2 shots in which Merida, the heroine, is caught between two black bears. I don’t think this movie will be as bad as Cars 2, but not as good as the Toy Story trilogy, WALL-E, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Monsters Inc., or any of the other Pixar classics. Reel Prediction: 4 stars Release Date: June 22nd
The Amazing Spider-Man I am looking forward to this film a great deal. The actors all seem great, the trailer has loads of exciting action, and the director Marc Webb has been calling this more personal than most superhero movies. The only bad thing in it is the part in the first trailer when he’s flying and it looks too much like a video game. In the second trailer they didn’t put that part in: Could they secretly be hiding a huge mistake? Reel Prediction: 4 1/2 stars Release Date: July 3rd
Paranorman This looks like the must see August movie of the year. Last year August, a usually lackluster month for summer movies, (because they can’t play all summer long) brought us two surprise hits: The Oscar winning The Help and the massive blockbuster prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Can this be the surprise hit of August? I am sure hoping so!!!!! Reel Prediction: 4 stars Release Date: August 17th
Family Films That Look Just Okay:
The Odd Life Of Timothy Green Peter Hedges, the Oscar winning writer/director of Dan In Real Life and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape presents a new Disney movie that (based on the short trailer, there will probably be another one soon) promises to be a sappy, formulaic, yet intriguing and fun, kids movie. Sounds way different than Academy Award winning indie pictures but no matter how this film turns out I am excited to see what it’s like. Go watch the trailer. Flick calls it “The Tree of Life for kids.” I’d call it “a realistic Peter Pan“. Reel Prediction: 3 stars Release Date: August 15
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted I am not particularly excited to see this film but the trailer looks okay and it’s playing out of competition at Cannes. I haven’t seen any of the others in this series because the annoying theme song and rude humor seemed unappealing. Still, potty joke seeking kids will definitely enjoy this summer movie. Add in a catchy new circus song, it’s festival schedule, and a trailer with great 3-D and no rude humor parents and critics may enjoy the film as well. Reel Prediction: 2 stars Release Date: June 8th
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift I know many people around the world will see this film. The previous installment, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs made $886 million worldwide (and the highest foreign box office ever for an animated movie:surprising but true). The rest of the series was not terrible but this is not top of my must see summer movie list. However, if you liked the other ones then you’ll probably like this one. Reel Prediction: 2 1/2 stars Release Date: July 13th
Other Movies That I Would Like To See, But Probably Can’t:
The Dark Knight Rises This is the most anticipated movie of the summer and quite possibly of the year. It’s a superhero threequel that continues the story line of The Dark Knight (4 years ago, in 2008) which followed the story of Batman Begins (7 years ago, from 2005). The newest trailer is awesome. After The Dark Knight became the highest grossing superhero movie ever made (a little over $1 billion worldwide) and won 2 Oscars (including Best Supporting Actor for the late Heath Ledger) a sequel became inevitable. Adding Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon Levvit, and Marion Cotillard has added to fan’s anticipation. Will this new film get good as good reviews as the first ones (85% and 94%, respectively)? Will there be superb special effects and awesome action, as well? Find out this summer when this last in the trilogy movie is released. In the trailer Catwoman says “You don’t owe these people anymore”. Batman responds “Not everything. Not Yet.” Empire Magazine said that Batman’s answer could be applied to Christopher Nolan. Reel Prediction: 4 stars Release Date: July 20th
Moonrise Kingdom A shot in R.I. Wes Anderson film with a star studded cast including Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartznam, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, and newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward: sounds like an Oscar hopeful and quite possibly an opening night Cannes summer smash hit. As for the plot, it’s a romantic comedy with a bit of adventure and drama, as it tells the story of two teenagers in love who run away from their families and then get looked for by their parents, the police, and a pack of cub scouts. Reel Prediction: 4 stars Release Date: May 25th
Dark Shadows Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up to make an adaption of the TV soap opera series of the same name. Romance, fantastical humor, Burton weirdness, vampire violence, and a cast including previous Burton stars (Depp, Burton’s wife Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee, and Michelle Pfeiffer) and newbies (Jackie Early Haley, Eva Green, and Chloe Grace Mortez). Many people disliked the first trailer but I thought it was very funny. Don’t forget to check out a special featurette on Apple Trailers about the film. It has new clips from the movie and behind the scenes insights from Burton and Depp. Reel Prediction: 4 stars Release Date: May 11th
And now last and least, the summer movies that seem to be all action, no story:
Battleship Transformers on water? Maybe. Robots, things blowing up, big battles, massive explosions, and possible aliens. Sounds a bit far from the board game. Reel Prediction: 2 stars Release Date: May 18th
G.I. Joe Retaliation Bringing in Dwaye Johnson and especially Bruce Willis will boost box office power but keeping Taylor Kitsch in the series was probably a bad move (after Battleship and John Carter but not Savages). The film looks like it has a smudge of fun action to it but not looking like a something that will become an all time classic at all ever. Reel Prediction: 2 1/2 Release Date: June 29th
Piranha 3DD Looks bad except for the title of course.Reel Prediction: 1 star Release Date: June 1st
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Lincoln will probably be a lot better. Reel prediction: 2 stars Release Date: June 22nd
Other summer movies being released that I will not do Reel Predictions for (they are not ones that I necessarily want to see a lot) include:
Dramas: Lawless (with an all star cast), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (with another all star cast), Savages (with a bigger all star cast than the two movies that I just mentioned), and To Rome With Love (with Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, and more)
Fantasy: Snow White and the Huntsman (with Kirsten Stewart as Snow White)
Musical: Rock of Ages (starring Tom Cruise) and Sparkle (with Whitney Huston)
Action Movies: The Bourne Legacy (a prequel to the previous trilogy of Bourne movies) Preminum Rush (an N.Y.C. bicycle action movie), and The Expendables 2 (with Sylvester Stallone and other famous action heroes)
Comedies: The Campaign (a political comedy with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakas), The Dictator (a political spoof starring Sacha Baron Cohen), What To Expect When You’re Expecting (starring Cameron Diaz), That’s My Boy (starring Adam Sandler), Ted (with Mark Wahlberg and a teddy bear), Neighborhood Watch (with Jonah Hill and Ben Stiller and maybe some aliens), and Hope Springs (staring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carrell)
Sci- Fi: Total Recall (a remake of the 1992 Arnold Schwarsenegger but now starring Colin Farrell) and Prometheus (a Ridely Scott sci-fi horror movie with a tough Noomi Rapace, a flat Charlize Theron, and a scared Idris Elba)
Documentaries: ReGENERATION (from the 2010 PCFF) and First Position (from TIFF kids)
Thank you for following me on my epic journey of a trilogy of summer movie madness!! Thank you as well to my family for helping me and movie websites for increasing my movie knowledge (IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo, Lights Camera Jackson, EW, and The New York Times). Please don’t forget to COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also you should watch the trailers of the films I talked about about (on Apple Trailers) so you might have a little idea of what I have been talking about over the past three articles. During the summer movie season look for articles, reviews, news and maybe some videos and podcasts from Flick and I (in other words not a break from May 31st to August 21st like last summer, hopefully). And last try to go to the movies in the summer and COMMENT and COMMENT some more. You should make your own summer movie schedule of what you want to see for fun!!!!!!!! See you later!!!!!!
Category: 3-D, action, adventure, animation, books to film, comedy, drama, great movie, in theaters, lists, news, posts by flack, reviews, sci-fi, summer movie preview, superheros, upcoming films
2012 Summer Movies: Top 15 Blockbusters Part 1: Flack’s Predictions
Posted on | March 31, 2012 | Add Comments
Here is the first of my 3 summer movie preview articles. I will talk about my predictions for the top 15 biggest money making blockbusters from May to August 2012. I will have my predictions for the opening weekend (OWG), domestic total (DTG), and international total (ITG) box office grosses. The next 2 articles are my guesses for the top 15 best critically reviewed movies and my list of the ones I want to see. I have researched on such various websites as IMDB, Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes, Entertainment Weekly, and Empire as well as The New York Times. I’ll say why I think these movies will be big and why they might not be big. Plus I’ll throw in a few funny jokes and more.
15. The Bourne Legacy Release Date: August 3 Why it will be big: The three previous Bourne movies grossed $121 million, $176 million, and $227 million. Their opening weekends were $27 million, $52 million, and $69 million. That means this one should do pretty good. The bad bars in the trailer are annoying but with a Casino Royale (violent spy prequel) approach it might just work. Why it might not be big: Casting Jeremy Renner instead of Matt Damon could be a mistake. The movie was Bourne to be in 14th place. OWG: $45 million DTG: $130 million ITG: $250 million
14. ParaNorman Release Date: August 17 Why it will be big: Despite only making $75 million, Coraline still got a good Rotten Tomatoes score (90%). ParaNorman is another movie from the same studio, Laika Entertainment, and is shaping up to be a hit. Why it might not be big: Another movie from Laika Entertainment, 9, only grossed $31 million, with a budget of $30 million. Also August is a bad release date because then the movies don’t play all summer long. However last year The Help and Rise of the Planet of the Apes were breakout box office biggies but were still released in August. Still, ParaNorman does not seem likely to make paranormal grosses at the box office. This will have to do a lot better than 9. OWG: $50 million DTG: $150 million ITG: $255 million
13. G.I. Joe: Retaliation Release Date: June 29 Why it will be big: Channing Tatum (he is in six movies this year) returns in this action-packed sequel. Adding Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis to the cast is a great idea and should give it an overall boost. The trailer suggests non-stop ridiculous action. Joe will go to 13th place. Why it might not be big: Stephen Sommers, the director of the first film had directed films with Dwayne Johnson, but for the sequel they have brought in Jon M. Chu, the director of the documentary, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Although the first film (G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra) in the series made $150 million and had a $54 opening weekend, it got a 34% SPLAT on Rotten Tomatoes, which means it got bad reviews. Big box office and bad reviews is a combination likely to happen again. OWG: $65 million DTG: $155 million ITG: $265 million
12. Neighborhood Watch Release Date: July 27 Why it will be big: Watch out this movie will be in 12th place. This sci-fi comedy stars Jonah Hill and Ben Stiller, a comedy duo that seems like it will work. Add in aliens and a good end of July release date, and you have got a hit. It’s the director’s first film (Akiva Schaffer), but Shawn Levy (director of the Night at the Museum movies, Date Night, and Real Steel) is producing it. The trailer shows both ridiculous comedy and funny comedy. Why it might not be big: Will a combination of sci-fi and comedy work? Will the actors have good chemistry? OWG: $55 million DTG: $200 million ITG: $270
11. Snow White and the Huntsman Release Date: June 1 Why it will be big: This movie will hunt down 11th place. The Twilight meets Alice in Wonderland without the humor approach will probably work. Add in the fact that it stars Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron, and the movie will probably do good at the box office (or at least better than Mirror Mirror). Why it might not be big: Mirror Mirror will draw in family audiences, but will enough teenagers and adults want to see this dark version of the tale. OWG: $65 million DTG: $200 million ITG: $300 million
10. Dark Shadows Release Date: May 11 Why it will be big: Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter have made some big blockbusters, with such massive money makers as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ($472 million) and especially Alice in Wonderland ( $1 billion). Their newest effort will have tons of wildly eccentric comedy and the trailer looks pretty entertaining. Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, and Chloe Grace Mortez round out the supporting cast. Horror comedy and fantasy romance should prove to be a strong enough combination to beat The Dictator at the box office on the same opening weekend. Why it might not be big: Most people are not enjoying the trailer and few people are familiar with TV show (although that might be good, because fans of the TV show are saying that it is way too different). OWG: $65 million DTG: $205 million ITG: $315 million
9. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Release Date: June 8 Why it will be big: This movie is wanted by 9th place. The two previous Madagascar movies made $47 and $63 million in their opening weekends, $180 and $193 million in the domestic total, and $532 and $603 million in their international total. Now, those are some movies that like to move it to the box office. Will the third film follow those foot steps? Why not? I mean it has 3-D, which the others did not have. Plus there’s a new villain played by Frances McDormand, some circus fun, bad pop songs, and Jessica Chastain. The makers even moved the rude humor out of the movie (or at least they moved it moved it moved it out of the trailer). Why it might not be big: Also being released on June 8 is Prometheus, which is although being targeted for a totally different audience will beat this at the box office. Will people still find this series likable? I haven’t seen any of them because they looked so terrible, but I might see this one if I have to. I think that this one will not make as much as the others because nobody wants to watch this movie series anymore. OWG: $70 million DTG: $210 Million ITG: $350 million
8. Ice Age: Continental Drift Release Date: July 13 Why it will be big: This movie will drift into 8th place. The previous Ice Age movies have all made over $176 million domestically, and more than $383 million internationally. The most recent movie made $886 million internationally, which means this one is sure to make money. The trailer shows a lot of action and comedy, a combination which well worked in the others. In this one the characters think the world is ending, and there are some new creatures joining them, including a band of evil pirates. Many family audiences will definitely rush out to see the movie. Why it might not be big: Will people have series fever and be tired of the Ice Age movie series as I’m guessing they might be with Madagascar. Probably not too much, but I don’t think this one will be quite as big a hit, as the previous two films internationally. OWG: $70 million DTG: $200 Million ITG: $400 million
7. Battleship Release Date: May 18 Why it will be big: The Transformers series did remarkably well. The first film had a $70 million opening weekend, made $319 million domestically, and even grossed $709 million internationally. Battleship is based on a game and has a trailer involving things blowing up, robots blowing up, people blowing robots up, things blowing up robots blowing up people blowing robots up etc. The movie looks like it has been created in the same mold as the Transformers series. What does this have though, that Transformers does not have? A star studded cast including Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard, and Brooklyn Decker, a newbie who is also in the ensemble comedy romance What to Expect When You’re Expecting, which also opens on May 18, the same weekend as Battleship. Why it might not be big: The trailer looks like a dreadful mix of things blowing up robots blowing up people blowing up blowing up up up up up up up, you get the idea, a boring story, and uninteresting characters. Peter Berg, the director had stressed that the film had a great story and that no aliens are in it for over half an hour. After watching the trailer I can already tell that there is no story. And I bet that even if there are no aliens in it for a while that there is still just guns and other non-alien action. And the movie is probably 2 and a half hours or something. I love long movies but only when they have a story. But still people like and sometimes sadly love that stuff so why should they even care. OWG: $75 million DTG: $250 million ITG: $415 million
6. Prometheus Release Date: June 8 Why it will be big: Prometheus stars Noomi Rapace (the original Girl with The Dragon Tattoo), Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Patrick Wilson, and Idris Elba. It is a science-fiction horror movie from the acclaimed director Ridley Scott, and is said to be distantly related to the Alien franchise. With a cool yet scary trailer, this could be the biggest horror movie of the year. Why it might not be big: Because I can’t see it. Yeah, but a billion other people can and will, so it does not really matter. I think this movie will be the Super 8 of the Summer, meaning a surprising sci-fi film that has secrets and is a little scary. The only problem is that Super 8 was not a huge blockbuster (the good news: Super 8 was the best summer movie of last year, 2011 and the second best movie of the year). Also the Alien movies never made over $85 million domestically and $161 million internationally. OWG: $95 million DTG: $280 million ITG: $425 million
5. Men in Black 3 Release Date: May 25 Why it will be big: The previous 2 Men in Black movies were massive box office smashes. The first film got 91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but the second got a 39% splat, even though it was a box office success. That means 10 years after the third will have to be really good, make a lot of money, and do well with critics, in order for the series to continue. This will have to be a case like the Indiana Jones series, where the first one has good box office and does well with critics, the second one only does good at the box office but then the third one they bring in a new actor, Sean Connery, or in this case, Josh Brolin and the series is better than ever. Based on the funny and action-packed trailer, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be a smash. Why it might not be big: As I said before the second MIB movie didn’t do well with critics, the third might not either. another problem is that like with other series, people might be tired of it. OWG: $100 million DTG: $285 million ITG: $450 million
4. Brave Release Date: June 22 Why it will be big: The people who work at Pixar are the best animation makers in the world. They also do good at the box office. Toy Story 3 made $110 on it’s opening weekend, $415 million domestically, and $1 billion internationally. It also got a 99% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and easily earned back it’s $200 million budget. Meanwhile their next film, Cars 2 made $66 million on it’s opening weekend, $191 domestically, and $559 million internationally. It also got a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and earned back it’s $200 million budget. Well let’s hope that Brave is more like Toy Story 3 (which has a better trailer than Brave) than Cars 2 (which does not have as good a trailer as Brave). Anyway medieval action sword fights, a strong cast of characters, and Pixar’s classic comedy plus a female heroine should prove to be a strong combination. It’s also a good idea to release Brave at the end of school, just exactly like Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Why it might not be big: Will the female heroine work? Yes. Will the fairy tale elements work? Probably. So, what’s not to like? OWG: $105 million DTG: $300 million ITG: $500 million
3. The Amazing Spider-Man Release Date: July 3 Why it will be big: This movie will swing amazingly into 3rd place. With one of the top 3 trailers of the year (in my opinion) and involving a lot of action, this is sure to be a blockbuster. However, many people are hoping for a more emotional story than the previous 3 Sam Raimi directed, Tobey Maguire starred, movies. That’s because the director Marc Webb’s only other movie is the independent hit (500) Days Of Summer and the star of this version is The Social Network actor Andrew Garfield. Add in there a cool villain The Lizard played by Rhys Ifans, a love interest played by Emma Stone, some awesome 3-D, great web-slinging action, and a script by Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves and TA-DAAAAAAAA!!!!! I have high hopes. Why it might not be big: People are saying this is too soon for a reboot. I mean, Spider-Man 3 came out 5 years ago and this very same origin story was shown on screens just ten years ago, in 2002 when Spider-Man was released. Also I doubt this will do Spider-Man 3 numbers at the box office (that movie was the highest grossing of the year and made $151 million on its opening weekend). OWG: $125 million DTG: $400 million ITG: $850 million
2. The Avengers Release Date: May 4 Why it will be big: I think it’s a great idea that the movie is being release on May 4th, not only with the 4th be with it, but also it’s a great way to start the summer movie season. Marvel used this technique with both the Iron Man movies and Thor being released on May 2nd, May 7th, and May 6th, respectively. They debuted at $98 million, $128 million, and $65 million, respectively. Meanwhile Captain America: The First Avenger, on July 22, with $65 million. The Incredible Hulk was released on June 13th and made $55 million on the opening weekend. The worst domestic total was The Incredible Hulk at $134 million, meanwhile the best was Iron Man with $318 million. The worst international total was The Incredible Hulk with $263 million, meanwhile the best was Iron Man 2 with $623 million. This plan will be used again for the Iron Man 3 release planned for May 3rd 2013. Combining all these super hero characters together will surely pay off in some aspects: It will be fun watching them battle each other, and with so many actors they’ll have to have great chemistry. Joss Whedon is an acclaimed TV writer/director. If he writes a script anywhere as good as the one he did with 3 other people for Toy Story, this will be an amazing movie and one of the best super hero movies of all time. Why it might not be big: It’s possible that with so many characters the movie will become both distracting and bad.Will the focus be on Iron Man? I hope so because he’s the coolest. Will it be on Hawkeye? I think so because he’s the new character. Or will it be on Captain America? He’s the most likely because he’s now in 2012 not the 1940s and will be re-introduced to the Avengers in the same way the audience is. OWG: $155 million DTG: $450 million ITG: $900 million
1. The Dark Knight Rises Release Date: July 20 Why it will be big: This movie will rise to 1st place. With Christian Bale returning as Batman, fans are going crazy. And for fairly good reason. Batman Begins grossed $48 million on it’s opening weekend, $205 domestically, and $372 internationally. It also got an 85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, earned back it’s $150 million budget, and became the 12 biggest superhero movie of all time. Meanwhile the 2008 sequel to the 2005 prequel, The Dark Knight, did the impossible. Making $158 million on it’s opening weekend (beat only by HP 7 part 2, but at the time the best ever), $533 domestically, and $1 billion internationally. It also received a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, got back it’s $185 million budget, and became the biggest superhero movie of all time. Hopefully this final film in the trilogy will be just as fulfilling as Toy Story 3. The cryptic yet exciting trailers make this the event movie of the summer. Just like in 2010 (Toy Story 3) and in 2011 (Hp 7 Part 2) this year the biggest movie of the summer (and possibly the year) is another beloved franchise coming to a close. Why it might not be big: The consensus of preview screening buzz is that Bane, the bad guy played by Tom Hardy, has a hard to understand voice. If he doesn’t work out though Anne Hathaway as Catwoman certainly will certainly work out. In addition to Tom Hardy other Inception actors in the movie include Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotilard, as new characters, but will they make the story too confusion and complex. If they do prove too confusing, then at least there will be older fan favorites such as Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman. Although these problems are all possibilities, the movie is still likely to be a success. Why? Because with an intriguing cast, cool special effects, and the rising anticipation, the movies is going to be a hit. I think this movie is going to be 8th highest grossing film of all time and it will have the best opening weekend of all time. OWG: $175 million DTG: $550 million ITG: $1 billion
Honorary Independent Blockbuster. Moonrise Kingdom Release Date: May 25 Why it will be big: The movie stars a great cast including Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Frances Mcdormand, Harvey Keitel, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayard. It’s directed by Wes Anderson, maker of wacky comedies and dramas. I think this movie will be the Midnight in Paris of the year, because just like that other film it will be the opening night movie at Cannes and is a comedy/romance/drama. This movie could be nominated for Oscars just like Midnight in Paris. Plus another massive factor is the film was shot in Rhode Island, the smallest and best state. Why it might not be big: Will the newcomers be good or will this be their last movie? OWG: $5 million DTG: $55 million ITG: $150 million
Honorary Original Blockbuster. Preminum Rush Release Date: August 24 Why it will be big: David Koepp, the writer and director also wrote Spider-Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Mission:Impossible, Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, and more. Plus it stars Michael Shannon and Joseph Gordon- Levitt. The trailer shows an odd yet original combination of crazy stunts and realistic action. Why it might not be big: I doubt it will rush past 15th place. Sadly but truly originality isn’t very popular these days so will the “you’ve never seen this before” approach. work or not? OWG: $35 million DTG: $100 million ITG: $150 million
Other Possible Blockbusters: The Expendables 2 Release Date: August 12 OWG: $40 million DTG: $115 million ITG: $300 million, The Dictator Release Date: May 11 OWG: $30 million DTG: $140 million ITG: $230 million, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Release Date: June 22 OWG: $40 million DTG: $200 million ITG: $240 million, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Release Date: June 22 OWG: $30 million DTG: $100 million ITG: $130 million, Total Recall Release Date: June 22 OWG: $35 million DTG: $125 million ITG: $175 million, Rock of Ages Release Date: June 15 OWG: $35 million DTG: $125 million ITG: $200 million, The Campaign Release Date: August 10 OWG: $35 million DTG: $125 million ITG: $190 million, The Odd Life of Timothy Green Release Date: August 17 OWG: $30 million DTG: $125 million ITG: $150 million, and The Wettest Country Release Date: August 31 OWG: $25 million DTG: $50 million ITG: $100 million
Okay then, that’s it! Wait no, it’s not! Look out for a parts 2 and 3 (you’ll get to comment on favorites and critically acclaimed movies) coming soon to a computer near you. In the comments section tell me what you think will be the highest grossing movies of the summer and your OWG, DTG and ITG predictions. Also you can tell what you think of my predictions.
Category: 3-D, action, adventure, animation, box office predictions, comedy, drama, in theaters, news, posts by flack, reviews, summer movie preview, superheros, upcoming films
2012 Summer Movie Preview (Flick’s Report)
Posted on | March 17, 2012 | 1 Comment
Could this summer be full of Box Office smashes? Look at the lineup of films: The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Men in Black III, Brave, ParaNorman, Battleship, Ice Age 4: Continental Drift and many more films that have the potential to be blockbusters. It’s pretty easy to be overwhelmed by the schedule of films, so here’s an overview.
Here are the three films I am looking forward to the most this summer (in order of what I’m looking forward to the most.) 3. The Avengers Technically this won’t be released in summer but because the rest of the press is including it in their summer movie previews I snuck it in mine too. After watching Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor and Iron Man 2, The Avengers is finally here. Somewhere in between the making of these films it was announced that The Avengers, a film featuring all of the superheros shown in the Marvel films would join forces in an upcoming film. It’ll also be Marvel’s third 3-D film featuring superheros. One more thing: the action looks sickeningly fun.
2. Finding Nemo Pixar’s first 3-d re-release could prove to be cinemactically stunning in bold 3-D. I think the scenes of Marlin and Dory encountering creatures like Bruce, the angular fish and the jellyfish would look great on the big screen. The fish tank scenes however present a drawback for using 3-D because in those scenes you have to feel as if you are at a normal dentist’s office and adding the third dimension could spoil the fun.
1. Brave Pixar does it best and the trailers of their new medieval CG movie look astonishing. Pixar’s attention to detail is shown in vast proportions and the action is wonderfully choreographed. Even though, Brave’s trailer looks amazing, the finished product could turn out to be a failure because Pixar is taking a risk. Two unknown directors will be at the helm and not to say that a new director spells disaster, but Pixar rests it’s shoulders on John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Andrew Stanton and other members of the “brain trust” so deeply that letting an unknown give it a shot might not turn out so well. My hopes are high.
Here are some other films that you should be aware of before summertime. Men in Black III You don’t need to travel back in time to know that Men in Black III will be released on May 25th. It’s been ten years since Tommy Lee Jones and Will smith have starred in a MIB film. Is it the right time for them to return? Only the new film will tell. The plot? Agent J must go back in time to the 60s to save Agent K from being killed by an alien. Simple and sci-fiy.
Ice Age: Continental Drift The multiplexes will be drifting away on July 13th when Ice Age: Continental Drift is released. One of the family friendly films of the summer, Manny, Diego and Sid use an iceberg as their ship while their continent drifts away in their fourth adventure. Many franchises that will be releasing their first 3-D film this summer and Ice Age just happens to be one of them. The trailer has some made for 3-D cinematography and there are also quite a bit of new characters so I think Continental Drift might be just okay.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted They like to move it move it into theaters on June 8th. The 3-D is used to great effect in the trailer which I have now seen almost five times. The greatest thing about the trailer is that there is no bathroom humor (a.k.a. fart jokes etc.) except for maybe one of the animals being shot in the butt. This is another family friendly release for this summer and it will be competing against Continental Drift in box office gross. Personally, I am looking forward to Continental Drift more.
Titanic 3-D This year marks the 100th anniversary of the real ship’s sinking, making now the perfect time for James Cameron to re-release his 1997 film in 3-D. The film will also be shown in 2-D which is not usual for a 3-D re-release. The big question is: will Titanic have any chance competing against films like The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Ice Age: Continental Drift? These franchises have built up audiences over the years and now they just might be able to throw Titanic overboard.
The Dark Knight Rises My guess is that not only will this be the highest grossing film of the summer but also that it will gross over $1.1 billion at the box office. Batman fans will watch the final film in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy unfold on screens starting July 20th. This will also be in IMAX adding even more to it’s box office gross. This could also be the highest grossing film of the year. My guess: yes. The Amazing Spider Man The 3-D looks astonishing especially in the last fifteen seconds or so of the trailer (I’ve seen the trailer in 3-D at the theater). Tobey Maguire is replaced by Andrew Garfield who recently starred in The Social Network. Other new actors include Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Dennis Leary and of course Stan Lee. A mistake people often make is thinking that this is a Marvel Studios film. Wrong! Marvel has the rights to all of their comic superheros except one: Spidey. The truth is that Sony Pictures Classics has the right to Spidey.
Battleship How can you turn a toy or game into a successful movie? That question has been floating around Hollywood for some time now, films like the Transformers films, the G.I Joe films and now the latest Battleship which will be docking at theaters May 18th. Taylor Kitsch who also recently starred in John Carter, will play a major role in the film as will Liam Neeson. Star power. Explosions. Big ships. Peter Berg will have to make some magic to make this work. The idea of a film based on the game Battleship is not exactly intriguing, however this could just turn out to be the surprise hit of the summer.
ParaNormarn Despite some bathroom humor, this claymation film seems to have a message and also looks different. What I mean by that is that nowadays we expect a certain thing when we see animated films: a film for young kids, funny, ect. but what looks great about ParaNorman is that while it has all of those qualities it adds something new. It adds a mix of slight horror to comedy to action to the story of a lonely kid who must find his place in life. The trailer has me hooked.
Prometheus Ridley Scott’s new epic, Promeheus stars Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron. The sci-fi/epic/horror/action film blows up in theaters June 8th. While it won’t be the highest grosser of the summer, my guess is that it will be in the top ten. Fans of Scott’s past films will probably see the film and it features an all star cast which could boost up it’s gross.
There you have it. Those are eleven films that you might not see (I might not see) but either have a lot of buzz circulating around them or as with the top three films I am looking forward to the most this summer, I’m really excited about. In the meantime, happy ninety five days till summer and movie mayhem.
Category: 3-D, action, adventure, animation, books to film, posts by flick, summer movie preview, upcoming films
A Preview of PCFF 2016
The Revenant is Intense, Thrilling Filmmaking (Flack’s Review)
The Royal Tenenbaums is a Weird, Wonderful Wes Anderson Great
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the Movie You’ve Been Looking For
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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Flick and Flack’s podcast) May 23, 2011
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CGMA
Competency & Learning
Retailers struggle to capitalise on omni-channel opportunity
By Samantha White
Today’s tech-savvy consumers demand a seamless shopping experience, featuring online access to cross-channel inventory and the option to pick up web purchases in-store.
Yet retailers are struggling to make that kind of experience a reality, due in part to organisational, operational and technological constraints, according to research by Forrester Consulting.
Just 36% of the retail and manufacturing decision-makers say their companies were able to provide the essential elements of seamless retailing, while 94% said their company faced significant barriers to becoming an integrated omni-channel company, according to Forrester’s survey of 256 decision-makers from retail and manufacturing organisations across the US, UK, France and Germany. The study was commissioned by Accenture and commerce platform provider Hybris software. The views of 1,500 multi-channel shoppers were also gathered for the study.
Obstacles for retailers
Forty per cent of retailers said they had experienced difficulty integrating back-office technology across all of their channels. Conflicting priorities and organisational silos remain a key challenge, even though 46% of respondents said their company already had a dedicated omni-channel team with cross-function representation. Additional barriers cited in the study include problems in sharing customer data and analytics between channels or locations, as well as a lack of training for in-store employees.
As for shoppers, street visibility plays an important role, giving brick-and-mortar brands an advantage over web-only companies. Indeed, 50% of respondents expect to be able to pick up purchases made online in a physical store.
Seventy-one per cent of shoppers surveyed expect to find in-store inventory information online, regarding it as critical to their purchase decision. In fact, 39% of respondents said they were unlikely or very unlikely to visit a retailer’s store if they could not do so. This is an area that requires urgent attention from companies, the research suggests, as only 32% currently offer this facility.
The findings suggest that customers, rather than retailers, are defining competitive shopping patterns, and business will go to the companies that can provide the omni-channel sales experience shoppers are looking for.
“Retailers that fail to understand the significance of this gap in service and sales delivery are leaving themselves exposed to a significant competitive disadvantage,” Brian Walker, chief strategy officer at Hybris, said in a news release. He added that “this is going to be vital to meeting customers’ expectations and, frankly, survival for retailers.”
—Samantha White (swhite@aicpa.org) is a CGMA Magazine senior editor.
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FUN PAYOFF
Students at Eura Brown Elementary School on Friday enjoyed a fun playoff for a goal-exceeding fundraiser.
Earlier in the year, Eura Brown students spent two weeks raising money for the American Heart Association during the Kids Heart Challenge, formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart.
The goal, according to Principal Katie Holland, was to raise $11,000 to help families who cannot afford surgeries and treatments for heart conditions.
Students were able to participate in the Kids Heart Challenge activities at the school, and were given extra physical education time and other treats once they raised a minimum of $5.
As an added bonus, if the $11,000 goal was reached, the top five fundraising students would get to “pie” P.E. Coach Chris Weaver during a school presentation.
Students and their families took the challenge seriously, raising a grand total of $15,449 to benefit the AHA.
Holland said it was the best fundraiser the school has ever had. “I’m so proud of our students for raising this much,” she said Friday.
The pie-throwing celebration was saved for Friday as a way for students to celebrate their hard work after a week of school-wide testing. Near the end of the day, classes gathered in the gym and watched as Weaver, wearing a trash bag as a makeshift parka, took a seat in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the school’s top sellers who each had a pie in hand.
Following countdowns from the crowd, Daniel Holcomb, Landon Hoermann, Marrin Brooks and Mary Carlton Gilbert each pied their coach, one at a time.
Weaver said the students expected all five pies to land on his head, but he had conspired with Holland and second-grader Cole Flemming, the top selling student, to come up with one last surprise for the rest of the school.
Before Flemming threw his pie, Holland came out dressed in a parka and took Weaver’s place on the court. As the rest of the school cheered him on, Flemming threw the final pie.
Afterward, as he tried to clean pie out of his hair, Weaver said it was a fun experience. “I’ll do anything to make the kids laugh, especially when it’s for a good cause,” he said.
While throwing pies was entertaining for the students, it represents an important accomplishment for the school. Weaver said the Kids Heart Challenge brings with it an entire week of learning about health, good foods and exercise. He said he hopes that some of what the kids learned sticks with them into adulthood.
The students who threw the pies said it was an exciting reward for their fundraising efforts.
“It was hilarious, I had so much fun,” said first-grader Brooks. “He (Weaver) looked so funny afterwards.”
Holland said she was glad they were able to celebrate their achievement by doing something fun with the students. “They’re all so generous,” she said as she wiped pie from her face.
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The University of Texas at Arlington Certificate in Localization and Translation
Department of Modern Languages
The University of Texas at Arlington Box 19557
Website: www.uta.edu/modl/certifications.php
In this five-course certificate program, students in 7 languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian) study the processes of localization and develop specialized skills in translation for future employment in the language services industry. Localization adapts language, texts, products, software and websites to the locale for which they are intended. By using specialized computer-assisted translation workflow software and simulating a collaborative work environment, students become conversant with the tools and procedures required for twenty-first century localization and translation work. Extensive practice in translating a variety of oral and written documents in the target language provides the skills to work in business, non-profit, and academic situations.
About the University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution of more than 50,000 students in campus-based and online degree programs. It is the second largest institution in The University of Texas System. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UT Arlington as one of the 20 fastest growing public research universities in the nation in 2014. US News and World Report ranks UT Arlington fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic Serving Institution and is ranked as a “Best for Vets” college by Military Times magazine.
Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Russian
University or Training Institute
Internship Placement Program
Degree and/or Certificate Offered
Education/Training Program Focus
Localization Management
Education/Training Program Setting
On Campus / In-Person
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Bryan Fuller says American Gods will be 'Marvel Universe with Gods'
By Amon Warmann 2015-11-04T15:50:49.307Z News
For better or worse, Marvel Studios has been extremely successful with its shared universe storytelling model, and everywhere you look there are others attempting to follow in their ambitious, Hulk-sized footsteps. The latest to embrace the increasingly popular technique is screenwriter Bryan Fuller.
After the cancellation of the much-loved Hannibal series, Fuller's next project is to adapt Neil Gaiman's popular fantasy novel, American Gods for the small screen. In an interview with Crave, the prolific showrunner spoke of his MCU-inspired plans for the show. “[W]hat we’re looking at with American Gods is developing a Marvel Universe, not with superheroes but with gods. As detailed and integrated as the Marvel Universe is, and doing that with deities is something that excited all of us...
Amazon Prime Day deals: see all the best Australian offers at TechRadar!
"In success we may have spin-offs of American Gods that follow lesser gods in greater detail than you might in the main series, but there’s all sorts of potential for this show that we’re very excited about and I hope the audience is as enthusiastic as we are so we can bring those dreams to fruition."
The Pushing Daisies writer also went onto explain how the show will deal with the delicate subject material: “There’s conversations in the writer’s room that we are having on this show that I’ve never had in a writer’s room before, because we’re actually given the ability to talk about fate and belief, and the rules which we use to navigate society being challenged in a fashion that is not anti-religion, but not necessarily letting religion off the hook entirely...
"So it’s very important to us in the show to not be making fun of anybody for their religious beliefs because we all have some sort of belief-like thing in our brain that could arguably be delusional, whether it’s ghosts or gods or whatever superstition, black cats, walking under ladders, et cetera.” We'll be able to see just how successful Fuller & co are in implementing their ideas when American Gods premieres on the Starz network in 2017.
All the video game release dates for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch
Dragon Quest Builders 2: "A beautiful mashup of iconic games with a quirky sense of humour"
The Lion King review: "Live-action remake is an astonishing spectacle that closely follows the original"
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Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2014
Gartner Says the Physical Location of Data Will Become Increasingly Irrelevant in Post-Snowden Era
Analysts to Discuss Data Security Issues at Gartner's 2014 Security and Risk Management Summits August 25-26 in Sydney, September 8-9 in London and September 15-16 in Dubai
The physical location of data still matters, but will become increasingly irrelevant and will be replaced by a combination of legal location, political location and logical location in most organizations by 2020, according to a report from Gartner, Inc.
Gartner research vice president Carsten Casper said that the number of data residency and data sovereignty discussions had soared in the past 12 months, stalling technology innovation in many organizations. Originally triggered by the dominance of U.S. providers on the Internet and the Patriot Act, the perceived conflict was then fueled by revelations of unexpected surveillance by the National Security Agency (NSA) made public by Edward Snowden.
“IT leaders find themselves entangled in data residency discussions on different levels and with various stakeholders such as legal advisors, customers, regulatory authorities, employee representatives, business management, and the public,” Mr. Casper said.
“Business leaders must make the decision and accept the residual risk, balancing different types of risk: ongoing legal uncertainty, fines or public outrage, employee dissatisfaction or losing market share due to a lack of innovation, or overspending on redundant or outdated IT.”
In the report, Gartner identifies four types of data location:
1) Physical location: Historically, people equated physical proximity with physical control over data and security. Although everybody knows that locally stored data can be accessed remotely, the desire for physical control still exists, especially among regulatory bodies. Gartner advises organizations not to dismiss concerns about physical location, and instead balance the discussion with other types of risk.
2) Legal location: According to Gartner, many IT professionals are not aware of the concept of legal location. The legal location is determined by the legal entity that controls the data (the organisation). There could be another legal entity that processes the data on behalf of the first entity (such as an IT service provider) and a third legal entity that supports the second one in that endeavor (possibly a captive data center in India).
“Statements like ‘it's illegal to store such data outside the country’ are often interpretations of legal language that is far less clear,” said Mr. Casper. “Each organization must decide whether they accept those interpretations.”
3) Political location: Considerations such as law enforcement access requests, use of inexpensive labor in other countries that puts local jobs at risk or questions of international political balance are more important for public sector entities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), companies that serve millions of consumers or those whose reputation is already tainted.
“Unless you fall into one of these categories, you can discount media reports on data residency concerns,” Mr. Casper said. “While public outrage is still high about data storage abroad, there is little evidence that consumers really change their buying behavior.”
4) Logical location: This is emerging as the most likely solution for international data processing arrangements and is determined by who has access to the data. For example, a German company signs a contract with the Irish subsidiary of a U.S. cloud provider, fully aware that a backup of all data is physically stored in a data center in India. While the legal location of the provider would be Ireland, the political location would be the U.S. and the physical location would be India, logically, all data could still be in Germany.
For that to happen, all data in transit and all data at rest (in India) would have to be defensibly encrypted, with keys residing in Germany. With such an architecture there is an increase in cost and complexity and a reduction of usability through functions like preview and search, mobility and latency.
“None of the types of data location solves the data residency problem alone,” Mr. Casper said. “The future will be hybrid — organization will be using multiple locations with multiple service delivery models. IT leaders can structure the discussion with various stakeholders, but eventually, it's the business leader who has to make a decision, based on the input from general counsel, compliance officers, the information security team, privacy professionals and the CIO.”
More information is available in the report ‘The Snowden Effect: Data Location Matters’, available on Gartner’s web site at: http://www.gartner.com/doc/2724017
About Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit
Gartner analysts will take a deeper look at the outlook for security solutions at the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summits taking place August 25-26 in Sydney, Australia, September 8-9 in London, U.K and September 15-16 in Dubai, UAE. More information on the Australian event are at http://www.gartner.com/technology/summits/apac/security/. More information on the U.K. event is at http://www.gartner.com/technology/summits/emea/security/. Details on the Dubai Summit are at http://www.gartner.com/technology/summits/emea/security-dubai/.
Members of the media can register for press passes to the Summits by contacting susan.moore@gartner.com (Sydney), laurence.goasduff@gartner.com (London) or sony.shetty@gartner.com(Dubai)
Information from the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summits 2014 will be shared on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Gartner_inc using #GartnerSEC.
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT), is the world’s leading research and advisory company and a member of the S&P 500. We equip business leaders with indispensable insights, advice and tools to achieve their mission-critical priorities today and build the successful organizations of tomorrow.
Our unmatched combination of expert-led, practitioner-sourced and data-driven research steers clients toward the right decisions on the issues that matter most. We are a trusted advisor and objective resource for more than 15,000 organizations in more than 100 countries — across all major functions, in every industry and enterprise size.
To learn more about how we help decision makers fuel the future of business, visit gartner.com.
susan.moore@gartner.com
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Home >> Uk + Ireland >> England >> Cheshire >> Runcorn >>
WESTON BY RUNCORN: St. John the Evangelist (Church of England)
Weston Village.
Built in 1898 as a chapel to Runcorn: All Saints. In 1930 it became the district church for the township of Weston and part of the township of Runcorn (previously served by Runcorn: All Saints). The boundaries of the district were descried in the London Gazette on 16 May 1930:
"All that part of the Parish of Runcorn, in the County of Chester and in the Diocese of Chester, which is bounded upon the west by the River Mersey, upon the south by the Parish of Frodsham, upon the east by the New Parish of Halton, both in the said County and Diocese, and upon the remaining sides, that is to say, upon the north east and upon the north, by an imaginary line commencing at the point where the boundary which divides the said New Parish of Halton from the said Parish of Runcorn crosses the middle of the road leading from Clifton to Higher Runcorn, and extending thence north westward along the middle of the said road for a distance of 30 chains or thereabouts to a, point opposite to the south eastern end of the wall or fence forming the south western boundary of Runcorn Heath, and extending thence first westward to and then first north westward and then in various directions along such wall or fence and across Heath Road for a distance in all of 35 chains or thereabouts to the point where such wall or fence reaches the eastern side of the road leading along the western side of Runcorn Heath, to Higher Runcorn, and extending thence north westward in a straight line (thereby crossing Beacon Hill) for a distance of 25½ chains or thereabouts to the south eastern corner of the premises attached to the house known as Beaconsfield House, and extending thence first westward along the wall or fence forming the southern boundary of such premises and then northward along the wall or fence forming the western boundary of the same premises for a distance in all of 7 chains or thereabouts to the point where the last mentioned wall or fence meets the fence forming the southern boundary of the close numbered 1 upon the map or plan annexed to this Representation, and extending thence westward along the last mentioned fence and along the fence forming the southern boundary of the close numbered 2 upon the said map or plan for a distance in all of 12¾ chains or thereabouts to the point where the last mentioned fence reaches the eastern side of the roadway leading northward into Cock and Hen Lane, and extending thence first westward to and then northward along the middle of the said roadway for a distance in all of 6½ chains or thereabouts to its junction with Cock and Hen Lane, and extending thence westward along the middle of Cock and Hen Lane for a distance of 6 chains or thereabouts to its junction with the roadway leading under the Runcorn Dock Branch Line of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway to the Runcorn and Weston Canal, and extending thence first north westward and then south westward along such roadway for a distance of 15 chains or thereabouts to its junction with the towing path on the eastern side of the said canal, and extending thence in a straight line due west (thereby crossing the said Runcorn and Weston Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal) to the boundary of the said Parish of Runcorn in the River Mersey"
The district was affected by the following boundary changes:
1960 May 20 — enlarged when the following area was transferred from Halton: St. Mary the Virgin: "All that part of the parish olf Halton which lies to the south and southwest of an imaginary line commencing at a point on the boundary which divides the parish of 'Saint Michael and All Angels, Runcorn, from the parish of Halton in the middle of the Ditton and Runcorn branch railway line of British Railways (London Midland Region) and proceeding thence southeastwards along ithe middle of the said railway line to a point in the middle of its junction with the Frodsham branch railway line of (British Railways (London Midland Region), thence southeastwards along the middle of the last mentioned railway line to the boundary which divides the parish of Halton from ithe parish of Aston".
C = Christenings (Baptisms) ; M = Marriages ; B = Burials ; BTs = Bishop's Transcripts
Original Registers C 1914-1954 ; M 1924-1980 — Cheshire Record Office (P 116)
C from 1954 ; M from 1980 — Church
Microfilm Copies C 1914-1954 ; M 1924-1952 — Cheshire Record Office
Copies and Indexes M 1924-1951 — Cheshire BMD (CC:C16)
Notes C 1898-1914 — recorded at Runcorn: All Saints
Explanatory Notes Index of Churches
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Last updated 26 August, 2018 - 19:41
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Tag Archives: Synthetic Biology Applications (SynBioApps)
Genetic engineering: an eggplant in Bangladesh and a synthetic biology grant at Concordia University (Canada)
I have two bits of genetic engineering news.
Eggplants in Bangladesh
I always marvel at their beauty,
Bt eggplant is the first genetically engineered food crop to be successfully introduced in South Asia. The crop is helping some of the world’s poorest farmers feed their families and communities while reducing the use of pesticides. Photo by Cornell Alliance for Science.
A July 17, 2018 news item on phys.org describes a genetic engineering application,
Ansar Ali earned just 11,000 taka – about $130 U.S. dollars – from eggplant he grew last year in Bangladesh. This year, after planting Bt eggplant, he brought home more than double that amount, 27,000 taka. It’s a life-changing improvement for a subsistence farmer like Ali.
Bt eggplant, or brinjal as it’s known in Bangladesh, is the first genetically engineered food crop to be successfully introduced in South Asia. Bt brinjal is helping some of the world’s poorest farmers to feed their families and communities, improve profits and dramatically reduce pesticide use. That’s according to Tony Shelton, Cornell professor of entomology and director of the Bt brinjal project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Shelton and Jahangir Hossain, the country coordinator for the project in Bangladesh, lead the Cornell initiative to get these seeds into the hands of the small-scale, resource-poor farmers who grow a crop consumed daily by millions of Bangladeshis.
A July 11, 2018 Cornell University news release by Krisy Gashler, which originated the news item, expands on the theme (Note: Links have been removed),
Bt brinjal was first developed by the Indian seed company Mahyco in the early 2000s. Scientists inserted a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (thus the name, Bt) into nine brinjal varieties. The plants were engineered to resist the fruit and shoot borer, a devastating insect whose larvae bore into the stem and fruit of an eggplant. The insects cause up to 80 percent crop loss.
The Bt protein produced by the engineered eggplant causes the fruit and shoot borer larva to stop feeding, but is safe for humans consuming the eggplant, as proven through years of biosafety trials. In fact, Bt is commonly used by organic farmers to control caterpillars but has to be sprayed frequently to be effective. The Bt eggplant produces essentially the same protein as in the spray. More than 80 percent of field corn and cotton grown in the U.S. contains a Bt gene for insect control.
“Farmers growing Bt brinjal in Bangladesh are seeing three times the production of other brinjal varieties, at half the production cost, and are getting better prices at the market,” Hossain said.
A recent survey found 50 percent of farmers in Bangladesh said that they experienced illness due to the intense spraying of insecticides. Most farmers work in bare feet and without eye protection, leading to pesticide exposure that causes skin and eye irritation, and vomiting.
“It’s terrible for these farmers’ health and the health of the environment to spray so much,” said Shelton, who found that pesticide use on Bt eggplant was reduced as much as 92 percent in commercial Bt brinjal plantings. “Bt brinjal is a solution that’s really making a difference in people’s lives.”
Alhaz Uddin, a farmer in the Tangail district, made 6,000 taka growing traditional brinjal, but had to spend 4,000 taka on pesticides to combat fruit and shoot borer.
“I sprayed pesticides several times in a week,” he said. “I got sick many times during the spray.”
Mahyco initially wanted to introduce Bt brinjal in India and underwent years of successful safety testing. But in 2010, due to pressure from anti-biotechnology groups, the Indian minister of the environment placed a moratorium on the seeds. It is still in effect today, leaving brinjal farmers there without the effective and safe method of control available to their neighbors in Bangladesh.
Even before the Indian moratorium, Cornell scientists hosted delegations from Bangladesh that wanted to learn about Bt brinjal and the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP II), a consortium of public and private institutions in Asia and Africa intended to help with the commercial development, regulatory approval and dissemination of bio-engineered crops, including Bt brinjal.
Cornell worked with USAID, Mahyco and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute to secure regulatory approval, and in 2014 the Bangladeshi government distributed a small number of Bt brinjal plants to 20 farmers in four districts. The next year 108 farmers grew Bt brinjal, and the following year the number of farmers more than doubled to 250. In 2017 the number increased to 6,512 and in 2018 to 27,012. The numbers are likely even higher, according to Shelton, as there are no constraints against farmers saving seeds and replanting.
“Farmers who plant Bt brinjal are required to plant a small perimeter of traditional brinjal around the Bt variety; research has shown that the insects will infest plants in the buffer area, and this will slow their evolutionary development of resistance to the Bt plants,” Shelton said.
In a March 2017 workshop, Bangladeshi Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury called Bt brinjal “a success story of local and foreign collaboration.”
“We will be guided by the science-based information, not by the nonscientific whispering of a section of people,” Chowdhury said. “As human beings, it is our moral obligation that all people in our country should get food and not go to bed on an empty stomach. Biotechnology can play an important role in this effect.”
Here’s what an infested eggplant looks like,
Non-Bt eggplant infested with fruit and shoot borer. Photo by Cornell Alliance for Science
It looks more like a fig than an eggplant.
This is part of a more comprehensive project as revealed in a March 29, 2016 Cornell University news release issued on the occasion of a $4.8M, three-year grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),
… The award supports USAID’s work under Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global initiative to fight hunger and improve food security using agricultural science and technology.
In the Feed the Future South Asia Eggplant Improvement Partnership, Cornell will protect eggplant farmers from yield losses and improve their livelihoods in partnership with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and the University of the Philippines at Los Baños. Eggplant, or brinjal, is a staple crop that is an important source of income and nutrition for farmers and consumers in South Asia.
Over the past decade, Cornell has led the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII), also funded by USAID, that prompted a consortium of institutions in Asia and Africa to use the tools of modern biotechnology, particularly genetic engineering, to improve crops to address major production constraints for which conventional plant breeding tools have not been effective.
In October 2013, Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to approve commercial cultivation of a genetically engineered food crop. In February 2014, Matia Chowdhury, the Bangladesh minister of agriculture, released four varieties of Bt brinjal to 20 farmers. With the establishment of the 20 Bt brinjal demonstration plots in 2014 and 104 more in 2015, BARI reported a noticeable decrease in fruit and shoot borer infestation, increased yields, decreased use of pesticide and improved income for farmers.
The Feed the Future South Asia Eggplant Improvement Partnership addresses and integrates all elements of the commercialization process — including technology development, regulation, marketing, seed distribution, and product stewardship. It also provides strong platforms for policy development, capacity building, gender equality, outreach and communication.
Moving on from practical applications …
Canada’s synthetic biology training centre
It seems Concordia University (Montréa) is a major Canadian centre for all things ‘synthetic biological’. (from the History and Vision webpage on Concordia University’s Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology webspace),
Emerging in 2012 from a collaboration between the Biology and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments, the Centre received University-wide status in 2016 growing its membership to include Biochemistry, Journalism, Communication Studies, Mechanical, Industrial and Chemical Engineering.
You can see the timeline does not yet include 2018 development(s). Also it started as “a collaboration between the Biology and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments?” This suggests a vastly different approach to genetic engineering that that employed in the “eggplant” research. From a July 16, 2018 posting on the Genome Alberta blog,
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has committed $1.65 million dollars over six years to establish a research and training program at Concordia’s Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology.
The funds were awarded after Malcolm Whiteway (…), professor of biology and the Canada Research Chair in Microbial Genomics, and the grant application team submitted a proposal to NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program.
The Synthetic Biology Applications CREATE program — or SynBioApps — will help students acquire and develop important professional skills that complement their academic education and improve their job-readiness.
‘Concordia is a natural fit’
“As the Canadian leader in synthetic biology and as the home of the country’s only genome foundry, Concordia is a natural fit for a training program in this growing area of research,” says Christophe Guy, vice-president of Research and Graduate Studies.
“In offering a program like SynBioApps, we are providing our students with both a fundamental education in science and the business skills they’ll need to transition into their professional careers.”
The program’s aims are twofold: First, it will teach students how to design and construct cells and proteins for the development of new products related to human health, green technologies, and fundamental biological investigations. Second, it will provide cross-disciplinary training and internship opportunities through the university’s District 3 Innovation Center.
SynBioApps will be open to students from biology, biochemistry, engineering, computing, and mathematics.
“The ability to apply engineering approaches to biological systems promises to revolutionize both biology and industry,” says Whiteway, who is also a member of the Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology.
“The SynBioApps program at Concordia will provide a training program to develop the students who will both investigate the biology and build these industries.”
You can find out more about Concordia’s Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology here (there are jobs listed on their home page) and you can find information about the Synthetic Biology Applications (SynBioApps) training programme here.
This entry was posted in agriculture, food, science, science communication, science policy, synthetic biology, Technology and tagged Africa, Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP II), Alhaz Uddin, Ansar Ali, anti-biotechnology groups, Asia, bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Begum Matia Chowdhury, bio-engineered crops, biotechnology, brinjal, Bt eggplant, Bt protein, Canada, capacity building, caterpillars, Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Christophe Guy, Concordia University, Cornell University, eggplants, Feed the Future, Feed the Future South Asia Eggplant Improvement Partnership, field corn, field cotton, fruit and shoot borer, gender equality, genetic engineering, genetically engineered food crop, Genome Alberta, genome foundry, India, insect, insect control, Jahangir Hossain, Krisy Gashler, Mahyco, Malcolm Whiteway, marketing, Matia Chowdhury, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program, organic farmers, outreach, pesticides, Philippines, policy development, product stewardship, regulation, seed distribution, South Asia, SynBioApps, Synthetic Biology Applications (SynBioApps), Synthetic Biology Applications CREATE program, technology development, Tony Shelton, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), University of the Philippines at Los Baños on July 18, 2018 by Maryse de la Giroday.
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Frontiers in Immunology
B Cell Biology
PI3K signalling View all 12 Articles
B Lymphocyte Development
Pathophysiology of KSHV-Associated B Cell Malignancies
KSHV Alters Normal B Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Leading to Lymphoproliferative Disorders
KSHV Life Cycle
The PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway
KSHV Activates PI3K Signaling During De Novo Infection
KSHV Viral Proteins that Activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling
KSHV-Mediated Transformation and the Hallmarks of Cancer
Exploiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway to Treat KSHV-Associated Malignancies
Front. Immunol., 07 January 2013 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00401
AKTivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by KSHV
Aadra P. Bhatt1,2 and Blossom Damania1,2*
1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
As an obligate intracellular parasite, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) relies on the host cell machinery to meet its needs for survival, viral replication, production, and dissemination of progeny virions. KSHV is a gammaherpesvirus that is associated with three different malignancies: Kaposi sarcoma (KS), and two B cell lymphoproliferative disorders, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman’s disease. KSHV viral proteins modulate the cellular phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which is a ubiquitous pathway that also controls B lymphocyte proliferation and development. We review the mechanisms by which KSHV manipulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, with a specific focus on B cells.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8) is a human gammaherpesvirus that was discovered in Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) biopsies in 1994 (Chang et al., 1994). Following this seminal discovery, KSHV has been found in all forms of KS, including KS associated with AIDS patients, as well as HIV-negative and transplant-associated KS. In addition to KS, which is a vascular endotheliosarcoma, KSHV is also tightly associated with two lymphoproliferative disorders: primary effusion lymphoma (PEL; Cesarman et al., 1995 and the plasmablastic variant of multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD; Gessain et al., 1996, both arising from infection of B cells. Owing to the association with these three cancers, KSHV has been extensively studied, and the results of these studies have revealed fascinating mechanisms by which this oncogenic herpesvirus alters the infected cell in order to promote transformation and tumorigenesis.
B and T cells descend from a common lymphoid progenitor cell, itself derived from a hematopoietic stem cell precursor. In humans, B cell development occurs in the bone marrow, where the earliest progenitor (or pre-pro) B cell expresses germline heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin genes (Murphy et al., 2008). As the B cell matures, movement along the bone marrow and interaction with stromal cells leads to maturation. D-J gene rearrangement occurs in early pro-B cells, and continues to V-DJ rearrangement in the late pro-B cell. These gene rearrangements create a unique variable domain in the immunoglobulin. Allelic exclusion is enforced by the pre-B cell receptor, whereby only one allele encoding the rearranged heavy chain is expressed, thereby ensuring that each B cell has specificity for a single antigen (Murphy et al., 2008). Many rounds of cell division occur during the transition of pro-B cells to the pre-B cell stage, leading to the formation of numerous small pre-B cells with a specific rearranged μ heavy-chain gene. Pre-B cells undergo light-chain gene rearrangement, which is also accompanied by allelic exclusion. Since these pre-B cells now produce both heavy- and light-chain proteins, they are classified as immature B cells, and bear intact IgM molecules on their cell surface (Murphy et al., 2008). For a review describing normal B cell development, please see Montecino-Rodriguez and Dorshkind (2012)
In addition to allelic exclusion, isotype exclusion also occurs in immature B cells, wherein the immature B cell expresses only one light chain (either λ or κ; Murphy et al., 2008). In humans, because the κ gene rearranges prior to the λ gene, many more mature B cells express the κ light chain rather than λ. The average distribution of κ to λ-bearing B cells in humans is approximately 65:35%, and aberration from this ratio is indicative of lymphoproliferative disorders, reflecting dominance of one clone (Murphy et al., 2008).
Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Primary effusion lymphoma mainly afflicts HIV-infected patients, and occurs in body cavities such as the peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities (Green et al., 1995; Nador et al., 1996). Some KSHV-positive lymphomas can also present as extranodal solid masses, which may subsequently develop into an effusion. Cells have an immunoblastic appearance with a high mitotic index. KSHV-positive solid lymphomas represent an extracavitary variant of PEL (Arvanitakis et al., 1996). In PEL, every tumor cell expresses between 50 and 150 copies of the KSHV genome. The genome is found as an episome tethered to the host cell chromosome by the virus-encoded latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) protein (Ballestas et al., 1999; Cotter and Robertson, 1999; Schwam et al., 2000; Garber et al., 2001). Some PEL are co-infected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), another lymphotropic gammaherpesvirus (Cesarman et al., 1996; Nador et al., 1996).
Patients with PEL present with lymphomatous effusions within body cavities, in the absence of a solid tumor mass (Nador et al., 1996; Ambinder and Cesarman, 2007). Cells contained within the effusions are large, with abundant cytoplasm, and display morphological aspects common to both large-cell immunoblastic and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (Nador et al., 1996). Analysis of Ig rearrangements suggests that PEL arises from clonal expansion of an infected B cell (Green et al., 1995). PEL express syndecan 1/CD138, which is a plasma cell surface marker, in addition to CD45 (Gaidano et al., 1997).
Although most PEL cell lines do not have translocations and mutations e.g., c-myc and p53, many PEL possess numerous genetic aberrations (Luan et al., 2010). Sophisticated comparative genome hybridizations (CGH) studies reveal extensive copy number aberrations comprising predominantly of gains and amplifications. Two genes, SELPLG and CORO1C were found to be the targets of amplification at chromosome 12q24.11. SELPLG encodes a membrane-bound glycoprotein that binds to P, E, and L-selectins, and is important for leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation (Laszik et al., 1996). CORO1C is a member of the coronin gene family that regulates actin-dependent processes such as motility and vesicle trafficking, and whose expression is associated with enhanced invasion and metastatic capability (Roadcap et al., 2008). Deletions of the two fragile site tumor suppressors, WWOX and FHIT, were also recently reported in PEL (Roy et al., 2011).
Multicentric Castleman’s Disease
Multicentric Castleman’s disease, an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder, is divided into the hyaline vascular type, and the plasmablastic type. KSHV is associated with the plasma cell variant of MCD, which is multicentric in that several lymph nodes and the spleen are involved in disease. In the context of HIV infection, MCD is systemic, aggressive, and is associated with high fatality. KSHV genomes are detected in almost all HIV+ MCD cases, and ~50% of non-HIV+ cases of MCD (Soulier et al., 1995; Dupin et al., 2000). AIDS patients diagnosed with MCD suffer sustained fevers, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly (Du et al., 2001). MCD frequently progresses to lymphoma or KS.
Multicentric Castleman’s disease is localized to the marginal zone of lymph nodes and the spleen. The germinal centers resemble follicular hyperplasia, and the mantle zone is generally intact and surrounded by mature KSHV-infected plasmablasts (Dupin et al., 1999; Katano et al., 2000; Parravicini et al., 2000). MCD cells resemble plasmablast or pre-plasma cells (Jenner et al., 2003). All KSHV-infected plasmablasts within the lesion exclusively express the λ light chain of IgM (Du et al., 2001, and the presence of λ light chains and absence of CD138 on MCD cells further suggests they originate from the infection of a less differentiated B cell (Hassman et al., 2011). Lymph nodes involved in MCD are characterized by germinal center expansion and vascular endothelial proliferation. MCD is characterized by elevated serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the patient (Yoshizaki et al., 1989). These elevated IL-6 levels, partially augmented by virally encoded IL-6 (vIL-6), create an inflammatory microenvironment which significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of MCD.
Both MCD and PEL are associated with infection of a pre-terminally differentiated plasma cell. Gene expression arrays indicate that PEL have a plasma cell expression profile, and enhanced expression of genes involved in inflammation, adhesion, and invasion (Jenner et al., 2003, likely contributing to their malignant phenotype. MCD is characterized by the polyclonal expansion of KSHV-infected plasmablasts that exclusively express the λ light chain. No functional significance exists in whether a plasmablast bears either λ or κ, as the isotype exclusion is purely a function of order of light chain gene rearrangement.
It was unknown whether KSHV preferentially infected λ light-chain bearing B cells due to an inherent, yet unknown survival advantage to the virus/infected cell, or whether KSHV infection of a more undifferentiated cell (prior to light chain rearrangement) drove the expansion of λ-expressing B cells.
Hassman et al. (2011)attempted to address this question in a recent study in which they infected ex vivo suspensions of human tonsillar cells with purified KSHV. Despite the presence of various cell types, KSHV infection was shown to preferentially occur in B cells, as evidenced by LANA+ staining. The tonsillar cultures contained both κ- and λ-expressing B cells, however, all LANA+ staining was observed within the λ subset. Furthermore, infection with KSHV enhanced the proliferation of this IgMλ subset, which was further augmented by treatment with IL-6. KSHV-positive cells mirrored phenotypic characteristics of MCD cells, such as blasting morphology and increased expression of IgMλ, CD27, Ki67, and IL-6R.
This study also suggested that rather than naïve B cells, KSHV preferentially infects IgM memory B cells, resident within sub-epithelial regions of the tonsil and spleen. During plasmablast differentiation, IgM memory B cells acquire phenotypic markers such as Ki67+, IgM+, and CD27+, similar to MCD. This model is concordant with molecular and seroepidemiological data suggesting that the primary mode of KSHV transmission is via saliva (Vieira et al., 1997).
Plasmablast differentiation, including that of IgM memory B cells, can result from NF-κB activation, a signaling event that occurs during KSHV infection, and also during latency. The viral FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE/caspase-8) inhibitory protein (vFLIP) activates NF-κB signaling in latently infected cells by associating with the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, and driving degradation of IκBα, and thus, NF-κB translocation into the nucleus. A consequence of NF-κB signaling is the promotion of cell survival and proliferation pathways. Ballon et al. (2011)constructed an inducible CD19- or Cγ1-driven conditional vFLIP knock-in mouse, which targeted vFLIP expression to various stages of B cell development. vFLIP expression in B cells was found to prevent germinal center development, Ig class switching, and affinity maturation; vFLIP expression resulted in splenomegaly in the mice. Although transgenic mice did not recapitulate phenotypes of PEL, B cells mimicked an MCD phenotype, with expansion of IgM λ plasmablasts, concordant with the findings of Hassman et al. (2011) indicating that vFLIP leads to expansion of the IgMλ subset upon KSHV infection. Moreover, impaired GC formation and class switch recombination resulting from vFLIP expression suggests that inhibition of the adaptive response is a means of escaping immune surveillance.
Interestingly, 20-month old vFLIP-expressing mice developed B cell-derived histiocytic/dendritic cell (DC) sarcoma. This finding is important as it underscores the ability of vFLIP to either reprogram or transdifferentiate the infected lymphocytes or the bystander cells in a paracrine manner, into other cell types. These findings also demonstrate the inherent plasticity of B lymphocytes (Cobaleda and Busslinger, 2008).
The collective body of research suggests that KSHV viral oncogenesis is mediated by expression of both latent and lytic viral gene products. Viral latent proteins are expressed in every tumor cell, whereas lytic proteins are expressed in a small percentage of tumor cells undergoing reactivation, and are thought to promote cell proliferation in an autocrine or paracrine manner. KSHV can infect a wide range of cell types in vitro and in vivo including monocytes, plasmacytoid DCs, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, B lymphocytes, endothelial, and epithelial cells (Kliche et al., 1998; Renne et al., 1998; Lagunoff et al., 2002; Akula et al., 2003; Inoue et al., 2003; Krishnan et al., 2004; Naranatt et al., 2004; Kaleeba and Berger, 2006a,b; Rappocciolo et al., 2006, 2008; Jarousse et al., 2008; Greene and Gao, 2009; Hassman et al., 2011; West et al., 2011; West and Damania, 2008). To guarantee successful replication within these distinct cell types, KSHV encodes an arsenal of viral proteins that are capable of modifying the host cell environment, either directly or indirectly, with the outcome being beneficial for the virus. Modulation of host cell pathways includes evasion of both immunity as well as apoptosis, induction of cell proliferation, and the promotion of cellular metabolism, macromolecular synthesis, and protein translation. One way KSHV accomplishes these alterations is by targeting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. Similar to KSHV, many DNA viruses encode one or more viral proteins that either activate or inactivate various nodes of this pathway (Buchkovich et al., 2008).
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus establishes lifelong latency within the host, punctuated with sporadic bouts of reactivation and lytic replication. During latency, the KSHV genome exists as a circular, extra-chromosomal viral genome (episome), with minimal expression of a subset of latent viral proteins: K12/Kaposin, K13/vFLIP, ORF72/vCyclin, ORF73/LANA, vIL-6, and K1 (Wen and Damania, 2010b). In contrast, during the lytic replication phase, most of the viral genome is expressed and viral replication is followed by viral assembly, egress, and dissemination. The lytic switch protein replication and transcription activator (RTA) governs KSHV reactivation (Sun et al., 1998; Lukac et al., 1999). Chemicals such as phorbol esters, sodium butyrate, and histone deacetylase inhibitors reactivate the virus by activating the RTA promoter (Yu et al., 1999, and thus are useful for studying the viral life cycle. Hormones (norepinephrine and epinephrine), cytokines such as interferon-γ, oncostatin M, and hepatocyte growth factor reactivate KSHV, as does the hypoxic microenvironment typical of solid tumors and serous cavities, thus stimulating the expression of viral proteins that are beneficial to the host cell (Chang et al., 2000; Mercader et al., 2000). Terminal differentiation of B cells, resulting from expression of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) can also activate the RTA promoter, inextricably linking virion production to the host cell life cycle (Wilson et al., 2007; Yu et al., 2007). Furthermore, stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 8 by microbes can also reactivate KSHV from latently infected cells (Gregory et al., 2009; stimulation of these pattern recognition receptors generates an anti-viral state, and expressed lytic proteins have many functions which antagonize the host immune system.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus reactivation from latency significantly alters the physiology of the infected cell. Viral replication can reveal viral nucleic acid or peptide motifs that can activate host immune surveillance pathways. Viral replication also increases the demand for macromolecules such as nucleotides and amino acids to synthesize progeny virions. Cellular energy pools are substantially depleted in order to fuel the increased biosynthetic rates associated with viral replication. The combined effect of enhanced biosynthetic rates and unfulfilled energy demands is the activation of cellular stress responses, resulting in cell cycle arrest or apoptosis, in an attempt to resolve these deficits. To circumvent activation of stress responses, lytic proteins efficiently block cell death pathways, and maintain the host cell in a constant state of proliferation. Moreover, many lytic and latent proteins co-opt cellular signaling pathways, which sustain proliferation, block cell death, and enhance cellular metabolism, in order to maintain latent virus or facilitate lytic replication and dissemination of KSHV. One such pathway is the pleiotropic PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which governs many cellular processes.
The following brief introduction describes the various effectors of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, and relates their activation to distinct physiological outcomes for the cell. While no means exhaustive, this description provides a primer for subsequent sections, which describe KSHV’s interaction with this pathway. For recent reviews describing up-to-date targets of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, their regulation, and relevance to malignancies, please refer to Bunney and Katan (2010), Hsieh et al. (2011), Zoncu et al. (2011) and De Luca et al. (2012)
The PI3K are lipid kinases that phosphorylate the 3′-hydroxyl of the inositol ring of phosphoinositide, a component of the interior side of eukaryotic cell membranes (Engelman et al., 2006). Phosphoinositides help form membrane cell signaling complexes and are essential for intracellular trafficking. PI3K are divided into four classes, IA, IB, II, and III, all of which have differing substrate specificities and modes of regulation. Class IA and IB PI3K catalyze the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at the 3′ carbon on the inositol ring into phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3). PI(3,4,5)P3 production by PI3K allows for pleckstrin homology (PH)-domain containing proteins to localize to the plasma membrane (Engelman et al., 2006). PIP3 also functions as a cellular second messenger capable of controlling cell shape, survival, proliferation, growth, and motility. Class I PI3Ks are heterodimeric proteins comprising a regulatory subunit and a catalytic subunit. The regulatory subunits are p85α, p85β, p55α, p55γ and p50α (Engelman et al., 2006). The catalytic subunits are comprised of one of four isoforms: p110α, p110β, p110δ and p110γ. Most mammalian tissues widely express p110α, β, and γ catalytic subunits, whereas p110δ is restricted to lymphocytes (Donahue and Fruman, 2004). Phosphatase and tensin homology (PTEN) is a phosphatase that catalyzes dephosphorylation of the 3′ carbon on the inositol of PI(3,4,5)P3 back to PIP2 (Cantley and Neel, 1999). PTEN is one of the most frequently lost tumor suppressors in various cancers.Mutations or deletions in PTEN cause hyperactivation of PI3K signaling, leading to increased cell proliferation as well as evasion of apoptosis. AKT is a PH-domain-containing protein that plays a central role in varied cellular processes such as glucose metabolism, evasion of apoptosis, and promotion of cell proliferation, transcription and cell migration (Manning and Cantley, 2007). AKT can also stimulate protein synthesis via activation of mTOR (discussed below; Hsieh et al., 2011). Once AKT is localized to the cell membrane through its PH-domain, it is phosphorylated on Threonine308 by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), and serine473 through the mTORC2 complex (Lawlor and Alessi, 2001, both of which are activating modifications. AKT has several different effectors, which control distinct biological processes, thus, AKT activation has pleiotropic effects upon the cell. AKT inhibits cell death by phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of pro-apoptotic factors Bad, Caspase-9, and the FOXO group of transcription factors (Cross et al., 1995; Datta et al., 1997; del Peso et al., 1997; Cardone et al., 1998). Phosphorylation of the FOXO transcription factors sequesters them within the cytoplasm, thus preventing them from transcriptionally activating target pro-apoptotic genes such as Fas ligand and Bim.
AKT regulates the cell cycle by phosphorylating and inactivating key regulators of cell cycle progression. For instance, AKT promotes the transcriptional activation of c-Myc and cyclin D1 genes (Gera et al., 2004, and interacts with two regulators of the cell cycle, p27 and p21 (Zhou et al., 2001; Shin et al., 2002). Maintaining a quiescent state requires high intracellular p27 levels, and PI3K activation was shown to reduce the cellular reserves of p27 (Sun et al., 1999). AKT phosphorylates the p53-induced protein p21, a negative regulator of cell cycle progression (Zhou et al., 2001). The net result of these inhibitory phosphorylation events is the maintenance of cell cycle progression and the de-regulation of cellular checkpoint signaling.
AKT also activates the non-canonical branch of the NF-κB family of transcription factors. NF-κB regulates many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity and cell survival. NF-κB is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm by inhibitory proteins such as inhibitor of κB (IκBα), which is degraded following phosphorylation by the upstream IKK complex, comprised of IKKα and IKKβ. IκBα is a direct target of IKKβ, that when degraded, releases NF-κB p65 thus activating genes involved in innate immune responses IKKα activates non-canonical NF-κB, leading to formation of p52 which activates genes involved in adaptive immunity (Verma et al., 1995; Ghosh et al., 1998; Karin and Ben-Neriah, 2000, and AKT regulates non-canonical NF-κB p52 processing by increasing the activity of IKKα (Gustin et al., 2006). Studies using constitutively active AKT demonstrated elevated p52 transcriptional activity. Non-canonical NF-κB activity was severely inhibited by using PI3K inhibitors, kinase-dead AKT or cells lacking AKT isoforms 1 or 2 (Gustin et al., 2006; Comb et al., 2012). Thus, AKT modulates both cell survival and regulation of adaptive immune responses. de Oliveira et al. (2010) provide an excellent review of the role of NF-κB signaling with regard to KSHV infection.
The serine/threonine kinase mTOR is a downstream target of PI3K/AKT signaling. In addition to being activated by essential signaling pathways such as PI3K and MAPK, mTOR is activated by a wide range of cellular stimuli such as growth factors, stress signals, and nutrient, energy, and amino acid abundance. mTOR activity is negatively regulated by the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), comprised of TSC1 and TSC2. TSC2 is an AKT target, and when phosphorylated, inhibits Rheb, also a negative regulator of mTOR (Manning and Cantley, 2007). mTOR exists in two distinct multiprotein signaling complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which have differing sensitivities to the macrolide rapamycin; mTORC1 is sensitive, whereas mTORC2 is insensitive. mTORC1 regulates protein translation, cell size regulation, intracellular transport, metabolism, and lipid biogenesis. mTORC1 phosphorylates S6K1 and 4EBP1, which are two proteins critical for translation of eukaryotic capped mRNAs. S6K1 phosphorylates the S6 ribosome, thus stimulating protein synthesis. Unphosphorylated 4EBP1 tightly binds and represses the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E); hyperphosphorylated 4EBP1 releases eIF4E, thereby enabling cap-dependent translation (Gingras et al., 1999). mTOR has a wide plethora of other targets, for example ULK1 which regulates autophagy (Zoncu et al., 2011). Because protein translation is central to both cancer growth and viral persistence, mTOR is a very important signaling protein. The rapamycin-insensitive mTORC2 complex regulates cell survival and cytoskeleton dynamics. mTORC2 activates AKT, thereby paradoxically activating AKT/mTOR signaling even upon rapamycin treatment, demonstrating a feedback activation loop (Sarbassov et al., 2005).
Solid tumors are characterized by hypoxic microenvironments, therefore, de novo angiogenesis as well as remodeling existing blood vessels is essential to provide the rapidly growing cells with nutrients and oxygen. The viscosity and shear forces of blood against the walls of blood vessels govern the enzymatic activity of endothelial cell-expressed NOS (eNOS), and consequently, the continual synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO). In endothelial cells, AKT is activated in a PI3K-dependent manner, both by shear forces and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which collectively activate eNOS (Dimmeler et al., 1999). NO has pleiotropic functions ranging from angiogenesis, remodeling of the vasculature, and the control of blood vessel tone (Thomas et al., 2008).
The AKT/mTOR axis is a critical regulator of cellular metabolism. Activated AKT stimulates glucose uptake by re-localizing the GLUT1 glucose transporter, thus bringing glucose into the cell for fueling various cellular processes (Wieman et al., 2007). Activation of the mTORC1 complex promotes glycolytic flux, up-regulates the pentose phosphate pathway, and stimulates de novo lipogenesis, all of which contribute to metabolic reprogramming essential for rapidly dividing cancer cells (Duvel et al., 2010).
As mentioned above, hyperactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling is a characteristic of many malignancies (Kodaki et al., 1994; Samuels et al., 2004). Deregulated signaling may result from inactivation of negative regulator phosphatases, e.g., TSC2 or PTEN, or from mutations in catalytic domains of kinases, e.g., PIK3CA. Although KSHV-infected PEL cells are not known to have activating mutations in any of these three kinases, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling is highly up-regulated in these cells (Sin et al., 2007; Bhatt et al., 2010). As we will discuss further, a variety of viral proteins can activate this signaling pathway.
Proper PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling is essential for the differentiation and developmental program of normal T and B lymphocytes, as well as other immune cells. PI3K is downstream of numerous cytokine receptors – CD40, TLRs, and the BCR itself. The current body of research suggests that PI3K signaling regulates the development of bone marrow B cell precursors, as well as the differentiation and development of B cell subsets (Hodson and Turner, 2009; Srinivasan et al., 2009; Beer-Hammer et al., 2010). Moreover, PI3K signaling also governs many aspects of activation and proliferation of mature B cells. For an excellent review describing the PI3K pathway with regard to B cell development, please see Donahue and Fruman (2004).
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus activates the PI3K signaling pathway during viral infection. The widely expressed proteoglycan heparan sulfate, α3β1 integrins, DC-SIGN, and xCT are the primary receptors for KSHV, and their differential distribution in various cell types contributes to the wide tropism of KSHV (reviewed in Chandran, 2010). KSHV enters target cells by endocytosis. Viral entry activates many cellular signaling pathways, which does not require active viral replication, as demonstrated by studies using UV-inactivated KSHV (Chandran, 2010). Viral ligation of cell-surface integrins triggers the phosphorylation and activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in fibroblasts (Krishnan et al., 2006). FAK further activates downstream signaling molecules including Src, Rho GTPases, Diaphanous 2, and PI3K (Naranatt et al., 2003 ; Veettil et al., 2006; Raghu et al., 2007). In turn, these molecules further activate their own downstream effectors such as Ezrin, protein kinase C (PKC), MEK, NF-κB, ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPKs, and AKT.
Integrin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK occurs minutes after KSHV infection of fibroblasts (Chandran, 2010). Reduced viral genomes and gene expression are observed in cells lacking either FAK or Pyk2, a FAK family member, illustrating their essential role in viral infection of target cells (Naranatt et al., 2003; Krishnan et al., 2006). FAK and Pyk2 signaling converge onto the Src kinase family, whose downstream effectors are PI3K and Rho GTPases. FAK, Src, and PI3K are also phosphorylated following infection of THP-1 monocytes, as are NF-κB and ERK-1/2 (Kerur et al., 2010). PI3K activation is crucial for de novo infection due to its activation of various GTPases involved in actin cytoskeleton remodeling, endosome formation, and vesicle trafficking. These intracellular processes allow for viral entry and delivery into the nuclear compartment. PI3K and Rho GTPase activation collectively induces other Rho GTPase family members, which precipitate the formation of subcellular structures such as lamellipodia (through Rac), stress fibers (through RhoA), and filopodia (through Cdc42; Krishnan et al., 2006). Further, activation of the PI3K target, AKT, leads to the inhibition of pro-apoptotic factors, thus protecting KSHV-infected cells from cell death.
Activation of cellular signaling is imperative for successful viral infection. The signaling nodes described above activate the processes of vesicle formation, intracellular motility, and evasion of cell death. Furthermore, transcription factors activated by these signaling pathways also play a role in activation of the viral transcription program, as well as induction of cellular proteins that facilitate viral replication. Thus, the collective activation of these intracellular signaling pathways creates an environment benefiting the KSHV life cycle.
Currently, four of the approximately 100 genes and microRNAs encoded by KSHV are known to impinge upon the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. They are K1, viral G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR), vIL-6, and ORF45. We will discuss the mechanisms, extent, context and physiological relevance of each of these proteins below.
K1 is the first ORF encoded by KSHV, and is located at the extreme left end of the viral genome. K1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein whose expression in rodent fibroblasts induces morphological changes and the ability to grow in foci, indicating K1’s transformation capacity (Lee et al., 1998). Further, infection of T lymphocytes with a recombinant herpesvirus Saimiri expressing K1 instead of the oncoprotein, Saimiri transforming protein (STP), conferred IL-2 independent growth, suggesting that K1 is also an oncoprotein (Lee et al., 1998). All KSHV-associated tumors express low levels of K1 transcript, and K1 expression is highly up-regulated early during lytic replication (Lagunoff and Ganem, 1997; Jenner et al., 2001; Lee et al., 2003; Wang et al., 2006; Chandriani et al., 2010). K1 transgenic mice display constitutively active NF-κB and Oct-2 transcription factors, increase in expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), as well as up-regulated expression and activity of the Lyn tyrosine kinase (Prakash et al., 2002). A physiological consequence of K1-mediated alteration of the cellular transcription program is the development of tumors similar to spindle-cell sarcomatoid tumor and malignant plasmablastic lymphoma (Prakash et al., 2002).
Various studies describe the extent to which K1 also deregulates normal cellular signaling (Figure 1). The regulatory p85 subunit modulates PI3K activity, and tyrosine-phosphorylation of p85 results in activation of PI3K (Cuevas et al., 2001). K1 expression leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of p85, in addition to phosphorylation of Vav and Syk, thus activating signaling networks downstream of these kinases, which have pleiotropic effects on the cell (Lagunoff et al., 1999; Lee et al., 2003; Tomlinson and Damania, 2004). Further, activation of transcription factors downstream of these kinases, for example, NFAT, downstream of Syk signaling, further augments deregulation of cellular signaling and promotes cell survival.
FIGURE 1. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K1 activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling thereby activating protein synthesis and survival pathways, while inhibiting apoptotic pathways. Orange circles denote phosphorylation.
In B lymphocytes, ectopic K1 expression was found to activate AKT signaling in two simultaneous ways: K1 expression induced AKT phosphorylation on Thr308 and Ser473, and also inactivation of the negative regulator PTEN (Tomlinson and Damania, 2004). K1-mediated AKT activation induced the cytoplasmic sequestration of the FOXO family of transcription factors, and subsequent reduction of Fas ligand expression, thus conferring a cell survival advantage to K1-expressing cells (Tomlinson and Damania, 2004). K1 also stabilizes AKT through interaction with the cellular chaperones heat shock protein 90 β (Hsp90β) and the endoplasmic reticulum-associated Hsp40 (Erdj3/DnaJB11), (Wen and Damania, 2010a, both of which are important for enhancing the signaling function of AKT (Sato et al., 2000; Gao et al., 2003). Chaperone-mediated stabilization of AKT by K1 is essential for sustained signaling, as their inhibition induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in FasL-treated, K1-expressing cells (Wen and Damania, 2010a).
K1’s cytoplasmic tail contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM; Lagunoff and Ganem, 1997; Lee et al., 2003). ITAMs are essential for signal transduction in immune cells, therefore are found on immunoreceptors, for example, CD79α and β, subunits of the B cell receptor complex. Upon ligand binding, the tyrosine residues on ITAMs are phosphorylated, which allow for docking of SH2 domain-containing molecules (Figure 1). Downstream transduction of the extracellular signal induces calcium mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum, and activates the lymphocyte. K1 does not require ligand binding to induce signaling, and functions as a constitutively active receptor (Asmuth et al., 2003). The K1 ITAM is closely conserved across KSHV strains, indicating the importance of this motif for K1 function (Zong et al., 1999, 2002). The constitutive activity of the K1 ITAM activates a variety of downstream signaling pathways that not only protect the infected cell, but also neighboring cells in a paracrine fashion. Notably, K1 also activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in endothelial cells (Wang et al., 2004, 2006). Components of the K1 signalosome have been identified, and indicate that the K1 ITAM interacts with a diverse set of cellular signaling proteins (Lee et al., 2005). Overall, K1 interactions with cellular proteins augments global cellular signal transduction, activation of transcription facts such as NF-κB and AP-1, and induction of inflammatory cytokines (Lee et al., 2005).
Interactions of the K1 N-terminal domain with the BCR complex induces BCR sequestration within the endoplasmic reticulum (Lee et al., 2000). Because normal BCR signaling can potentially induce apoptosis, BCR sequestration preempts this possibility, thus conferring a long-term survival advantage to the infected cell.
K1 expression is up-regulated during viral reactivation from latency. Lytic replication may induce pro-apoptotic signals resulting from immune detection of replicating KSHV. Viral replication also places increased demands for energy and nutrients on the cell (Munger et al., 2006, and induces a stress response that can activate apoptosis. These collective pro-apoptotic signals can be subverted by K1 expression (Tomlinson and Damania, 2004; Wen and Damania, 2010a, thereby supporting productive lytic replication and further dissemination of KSHV. Moreover, PI3K activation can also re-start protein translation and metabolic programs, halted as a result of apoptotic signals, ensuring that raw materials for production of progeny virions are plentiful.
KSHV vGPCR
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF74 encodes a vGPCR, a seven-pass transmembrane protein homologous to the cellular IL-8 chemokine receptor (Cesarman et al., 1996). vGPCR is a ligand-independent receptor expressed during the lytic cycle. Genes expressed during lytic replication are potently transforming, as they exert strong survival signals to prolong the life of the host cell, which ultimately dies as a result of viral replication and associated cellular stress. vGPCR has transforming properties; it promotes focus formation in mouse NIH3T3 cells, and vGPCR-expressing cells form tumors in nude mice (Bais et al., 1998). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are immortalized by vGPCR expression, and also protected from apoptosis induced by serum-starvation (Montaner et al., 2001). In various mouse models, vGPCR expression leads to formation of vascular tumors and KS-like angioproliferative lesions, with cell surface markers and circulating cytokine profiles resembling KS (Yang et al., 2000; Guo et al., 2003; Montaner et al., 2003).
Being a constitutively active receptor protein, vGPCR can function without the need for ligand binding (Rosenkilde et al., 1999). However, vGPCR is capable of binding members of both CXC and CC chemokine families (Sodhi et al., 2004). Some CXC chemokines, such as GRO-α and IL-8, enhance vGPCR signaling (Rosenkilde et al., 2000, whereas interferon γ-inducible 10-kDa protein (IP-10/CXCL10) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 α (SDF-1α) inhibit vGPCR signaling (Gershengorn et al., 1998). IL-8 is a major mediator of inflammation, and recruits neutrophils, basophils, and T cells. IL-8 released during the immune response to lytic KSHV replication may enhance the function of vGPCR in lytically infected cells, thereby inducing an anti-apoptotic signal to delay the death of the infected cell. More puzzling is why SDF-1/CXCL12, a stimulator of B cell progenitor proliferation, inhibits vGPCR activity (Gershengorn et al., 1998). However, since vGPCR is primarily expressed during the lytic cycle, this might not have a consequence for latently infected B cells.
KSHV vGPCR activates a plethora of cellular signaling molecules as well as transcription factors, by means of which it promotes transformation in endothelial, epithelial, and fibroblast cells (Figure 2). vGPCR activates pathways such as PLC/PKC, Pyk2/Lyn, ERK, p38, and JNK, downstream of which are transcription factors that control many growth- and angiogenesis-promoting genes. For example, HIF-1α activation resulting from vGPCR-dependent p38 and MAPK signaling activates the VEGF promoter (Sodhi et al., 2000). vGPCR also activates AP-1, NF-AT, and NF-κB transcription factors, which in turn promote expression of a panoply of pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules (Couty et al., 2001; Montaner et al., 2001; Schwarz and Murphy, 2001; Pati et al., 2003). The vGPCR-mediated secretion of such a wide array of factors may enhance proliferation and survival in neighboring, uninfected cells in a paracrine manner (Figure 3). Indeed, a recent report demonstrates that cytokines secreted by a small number of vGPCR-positive tumor cells activate signaling pathways in neighboring cells, converging on mTOR-dependent VEGF up-regulation (Jham et al., 2011). Inhibiting paracrine mTOR activity in non-expressing cells abrogated the tumor-promoting activities of vGPCR-expressing cells in vivo. On the other hand, vGPCR expression may directly induce transformation of the cell, due to up-regulated signaling resulting from the same secreted factors. These two methods of transformation may act in concert, rather than in isolation, leading to transformation of both the infected and bystander cells.
FIGURE 2. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus vGPCR broadly activates PI3K and MAPK pathways, leading to increased production of cytokines and growth factors, with a concurrent increase in cell proliferation, and inhibition of apoptotic pathways. Orange circles denote phosphorylation.
FIGURE 3. Viral proteins enhance cell proliferation by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Viral and cellular cytokines and growth factors can activate signaling pathways within the cell they are secreted from (autocrine), or on distant cells that may either be uninfected or latently infected with KSHV (paracrine). RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase.
PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling is a common pathway downstream of many growth factor and cytokine receptors. In particular, the tissue-restricted γ isoform of PI3K is crucial for relaying vGPCR signaling downstream to AKT/mTOR in endothelial cells (Martin et al., 2011). Paracrine secretions resulting from vGPCR expression activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling (e.g., VEGF), and moreover, vGPCR directly activates AKT in a PI3K-dependent manner (Montaner et al., 2001).
vGPCR expression in the B cell neoplasms, PEL and MCD, exhibits a distinct gene expression profile compared to endothelial cells (Polson et al., 2002, and is also characterized by elevated PI3K/AKT and ERK/p38 MAPK signaling. Ectopic vGPCR expression in B cells activates several transcription factors: AP-1, CREB, NF-AT, and NF-κB, thereby promoting cell survival, although the mechanisms of activation of these transcription factors differ (Cannon et al., 2003).
As mentioned above, although capable of constitutive activity, vGPCR can also signal by coupling with cellular Gαq and Gαi subunits (Cannon and Cesarman, 2004, further amplifying PI3K/AKT signaling, as both Gαq and Gαi subunits signal through this pathway (Murga et al., 1998). Additionally, vGPCR-mediated activation of AP-1 and CREB (but not NF-κB and NFAT) in B cells was found to be dependent on PI3K/AKT (Cannon and Cesarman, 2004). vGPCR also activates endogenous Lyn tyrosine kinase in a Gαi- and PI3K-dependent manner. Pharmacologic and genetic ablation of Src family kinases abolished AP-1 and CREB transcriptional activity, confirming that these transcription factors are activated by vGPCR through a Gαi-PI3K/AKT-Src signaling axis. Further, this study showed that Src inhibitors decreased AKT phosphorylation in PEL, indicating that in B cells, Src may be upstream rather than downstream of PI3K/AKT signaling, suggestive of a positive feedback loop. Importantly, this study revealed that NF-κB and NF-AT are not activated in a PI3K/AKT-dependent manner in B cells (Cannon and Cesarman, 2004). Subsequent studies indicated that the Ras-related small G protein Rac1 may be required for NF-κB activation via vGPCR (Montaner et al., 2004).
The previous paragraphs describe the extent to which vGPCR activates cellular signaling. The lytically replicating, vGPCR-expressing cell activates transcription factors and signaling entities within the infected cell; induction of secreted factors further amplifies signaling in neighboring cells, with the collective outcome of enhanced proliferation and sustained survival (Figure 3).
VIRAL IL-6
Viral IL-6, encoded by ORF-K2, is a homolog of the human IL-6 (hIL-6) cytokine, with 24.8% amino acid sequence similarity and 49.7% sequence identity (Moore et al., 1996). Functionally, vIL-6 is a faithful mimic of hIL-6, as vIL-6 secreted by KSHV-infected B lymphocytes supports proliferation of B lymphocytes and also hIL-6-dependent mouse myeloma cell lines, demonstrating its functional similarity (Moore et al., 1996; Neipel et al., 1997; Nicholas et al., 1997). Most latently infected cells express low levels of vIL-6, with up-regulated expression during lytic replication (Cannon et al., 1999; Staskus et al., 1999; Parravicini et al., 2000; Chandriani et al., 2010). Similar to its cellular counterpart, vIL-6 signaling activates the JAK/STAT, MAPK, and H7-sensitive pathways (Osborne et al., 1999). Although vIL-6 and hIL-6 have similar sequence and function, their receptor usage is substantially different. Cellular IL-6 requires two IL-6 receptor subunits: IL-6Rα and gp130. However, vIL-6 is capable of signaling via only the gp130 subunit (Molden et al., 1997). Thus, KSHV vIL-6 circumvents the requirement for a second receptor, thereby subverting cellular checks against uncontrolled, exuberant signaling.
vIL-6 is implicated as a linchpin in the pathology of all KSHV-associated malignancies, due to its angiogenic properties, as well as potent proliferative and survival effects. vIL-6 is detected, in increasing order, in KS, PEL, and MCD patients (Aoki et al., 2000, 2001). However, only a subset of cells express vIL-6 in KS tissue (Cannon et al., 1999; Staskus et al., 1999; Parravicini et al., 2000, suggesting that like vGPCR, vIL-6 effects are primarily paracrine, activating proliferative signaling pathways in bystander cells. Similarly, in MCD, vIL-6 is expressed in lymphoid cells in mantle zones, and hIL-6 was detected in germinal centers (Cannon et al., 1999; Staskus et al., 1999; Parravicini et al., 2000).
Injection of vIL-6-expressing NIH3T3 cells into athymic mice led to tumor formation, hematopoiesis, and plasmacytosis, all of which were absent in control mice. Tumors derived from vIL-6-expressing cells were highly vascularized, and correlated with elevated secreted VEGF (Aoki and Tosato, 1999). A recent report of transgenic mice constitutively expressing vIL-6 describes elevated serum vIL-6, increased levels of phospho-STAT3 levels in the spleen and lymph nodes, and a manifestation of human MCD-like symptoms (Suthaus et al., 2012). Importantly, when vIL-6 was constitutively expressed in a mouse lacking endogenous hIL-6, no MCD-like symptoms were observed. These studies indicate that vIL-6 and hIL-6 cooperate in the pathogenesis of MCD.
Lymphatic reprogramming resulting from KSHV infection of endothelial cells also occurs via engagement of the gp130 receptor (Morris et al., 2008). Specifically, gp130 receptor activation leads to the activation of JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways. Activated AKT promotes the expression of Prox1, a lymphatic transcription factor necessary for VEGFR-3 induction, and Prox1 itself is known to potentiate the lymphatic reprogramming of endothelial cells upon de novo KSHV infection (Hong et al., 2004). Furthermore, STAT3 amplifies this signaling cascade by activating gp130 receptor expression. Podoplanin, another marker of lymphatic reprogramming, is also expressed following KSHV activation of gp130. While not found to be necessary, vIL-6 is sufficient to induce lymphatic reprogramming in endothelial cells infected with KSHV (Morris et al., 2012). Thus, through gp130, vIL-6 can enhance lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic reprogramming in both a paracrine and autocrine manner.
ORF45
ORF45 is an immediate early gene product that plays a crucial role in lytic replication. ORF45 expression is induced upon entry into the lytic cycle and subsequently increases as the life cycle advances, with expression restricted to the cytoplasm. ORF45 is incorporated into the KSHV virion (Zhu and Yuan, 2003, suggesting that it may immediately influence the environment of the de novo infected host cell, exemplified by the observation that ORF45 acutely inhibits type 1 IFN induction upon infection. ORF45 mediates the inhibition of innate immune responses by sequestering the cellular transcription factor, interferon regulatory factor-7 (IRF-7), to the cytoplasm (Zhu et al., 2002).
In addition to the modulation of cellular anti-viral responses, ORF45 also exerts an effect upon the cellular signaling milieu. Cellular MAPKs are activated during KSHV infection (Sharma-Walia et al., 2005; Xie et al., 2005, and ORF45 interacts with two important MAPK substrates RSK1 and RSK2, which are both p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family members. RSK1 and 2 not only phosphorylate ORF45, but their association further augments the kinase activities of these two proteins (Kuang et al., 2008, 2009).
Another consequence of formation of the RSK/ERK/ORF45 complexes is phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, and eIF4B, an important member of the complex that recruits ribosomes to 5′ capped mRNAs. Phosphorylated eIF4B complexes with eIF4A, eIF4G, 4E-BP1, and 5′ capped mRNAs to recruit the 40S ribosome, thereby initiating protein translation. Normally, S6 and eIF4B are activated by p70 S6 kinase, itself regulated by upstream mTOR signaling; eIF4B is also a target of the p90 S6 kinase, regulated by MAPK signaling. However, ORF45 allows for eIF4B phosphorylation in an mTOR- and MAPK-independent manner. These observations indicate that protein translation may occur upon KSHV infection in an mTOR-independent manner. They also demonstrate the existence of unique viral strategies to directly enhance protein translation despite a situation within the host cell that may potentially be inhibitory to protein translation.
The hallmarks of cancer are a conceptual framework to understand the multistep progression of cancer (Hanahan and Weinberg, 2000, 2011). The hallmarks of cancer take into account that neoplasms, rather than being a singular, isolated entity, are a collection of distinct cell types, comprised of tumor cells, tumor-associated stroma as well as normal, non-cancerous cells. These diverse cell types cooperate to collectively confer hallmark capabilities, which further enhance the development of a tumor microenvironment. Acquisition of one hallmark by a normal cell facilitates the development of others, thus increasing the likelihood of cellular transformation. The classical hallmarks of cancer are sustained proliferation signaling, evasion of growth suppression, replicative immortality, induction of angiogenesis, evasion of cell death, and invasion and metastasis. Three additional hallmarks have also been recently proposed: deregulation of cellular energetics, tumor-promoting inflammation, and avoidance of immune recognition.
The endpoint of the productive KSHV life cycle is the production of new virions that can subsequently infect new cells, and begin another round of the viral life cycle. To successfully replicate and generate progeny virions, KSHV must evade immune recognition during latency, and also counter antiviral and death-inducing signaling during lytic replication. A plethora of viral proteins successfully grant invisibility from immune recognition, and prolong the life of the infected cell by altering cellular signaling, as described above.
Sustained Proliferative Signaling
Proliferation is a carefully controlled process in normal cells. Uncontrolled growth would lead to nutrient scarcity as well as overgrowth in the physical niche. KSHV encodes genes that activate cellular proliferative pathways both in a paracrine and autocrine fashion (Figure 3; Lagunoff et al., 1999; Lee et al., 2003; Tomlinson and Damania, 2004). This hallmark is particularly evident in KS, as not all cells within the lesion are KSHV-positive; expression of viral and cellular factors bestows neighboring cells with enhanced proliferative capabilities. Sustained proliferation results from growth factors binding to their cognate cell surface receptors, and subsequent signaling that further promotes expression of the same growth factors and receptors, in a positive feedback loop.
Evasion of Growth Suppression and Cell Death
Powerful growth inhibitory programs are intrinsic to the host cell to prevent uncontrolled proliferation. Hyperproliferation can trigger cell senescence via activation of checkpoint signaling. Alternatively, apoptosis may also result from aberrant oncogene activation. Immune cells that detect virally infected cells may also transduce apoptotic signals to facilitate viral clearance.
KSHV encodes several proteins to protect the infected cell from these growth suppressive and cell death-inducing signals, during latency and the lytic cycle. For example, vCyclin, a homolog of cellular cyclin D, forces quiescent rodent cells to enter the S-phase to overcome RB-mediated growth arrest induced by CDK inhibitors (Swanton et al., 1997). In the same vein, cells supporting lytic replication do not die prematurely despite increased cellular stress, due to the presence of viral proteins that inhibit apoptotic signaling. As described above, K1-dependent, AKT-mediated sequestration of FOXO transcription factors and inactivation of Bad can protect B cells from apoptosis (Tomlinson and Damania, 2004). Similarly, vFLIP expression also protects cells from apoptosis by up-regulating NF-κB transcription and pro-survival factors (Sun et al., 2003; Matta and Chaudhary, 2004; Thurau et al., 2009). In the context of the whole virus, KSHV-infected primary HUVEC cells are more resistant to apoptotic stimuli such as etoposide, staurosporine, and serum-starvation, compared to uninfected cells (Wang and Damania, 2008). Thus, evasion of both cell death and growth suppression by viral proteins expressed during latency and the lytic cycle contribute to the development of KSHV-associated cancers.
Replicative Immortality
Somatic cells within the body divide a finite number of times, i.e., they have limited replicative potential. Upon reaching their limit, normal cells senesce and cannot proliferate any further. The number of cell divisions is governed in part by telomeres, which are stretches of repetitive DNA at the ends of chromosomes that shorten after every cell division. However, cancer cells can replicate indefinitely owing to activation of one of two pathways: activation of human telomerase (hTERT), or the activation of an alternative (ALT) pathway, both of which lead to lengthening of telomeres. KSHV LANA has been shown to increase the expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT by up-regulating its promoter, thereby contributing to replicative immortality (Knight et al., 2001). Additionally, K1 expression in primary HUVECs endows replicative immortality, primarily through the ALT pathway (Wang et al., 2006).
Induction of Angiogenesis
All cells, whether normal or cancerous, require a reliable blood supply to provide nutrients and oxygen, and to eliminate carbon dioxide and metabolic waste products. Tumor cells promote formation of vasculature by activating angiogenesis, as well as remodeling of existing vasculature and sprouting new vessel growth. Often, tumor-associated vessels are erratically branched, aberrantly sized, excessively convoluted and structurally unsound, all resulting from hyperactivated induction of angiogenic factors (Baluk et al., 2005; Nagy et al., 2010). VEGF is a key mediator of angiogenesis, and its expression is governed by upstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT (Jiang and Liu, 2009). Other inflammatory cytokines can also drive angiogenesis. KSHV vGPCR induces VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 secretion in endothelial cells (Bais et al., 2003). Moreover, K1 expression in epithelial and endothelial cells also induces secretion of VEGF and the invasion factor matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9; discussed below), as does KSHV infection of endothelial cells (Wang et al., 2004.
Invasion and Metastasis
Invasion and metastasis is a multistep process that begins with local invasion due to cancer cells exceeding their occupied niche, resulting from hyperproliferation. Cancer cells that weakly adhere to neighboring cells easily escape and intravasate nearby blood vessels and lymph nodes and travel to distal sites through vasculature and lymphatics (Langley and Fidler, 2011). Some cells escape these vessels and enter a new environment, often substantially different than the first, forming micrometastases; in the final stage, these grow into larger masses that colonize the new niche, generating metastases (Langley and Fidler, 2011). Activation of a developmental regulatory program termed “epithelial–mesenchymal transition” (EMT) bestows onto epithelial cells the ability to invade and metastasize (Thiery, 2002; Mani et al., 2008). EMT includes a transcriptional and signaling program, and a similar, “endothelial to mesenchymal” (EndMT) transition occurs in the context of KSHV infection (Cheng et al., 2011). vFLIP and vGPCR activate the Notch signaling pathway, resulting in secretion of the mesenchymal marker membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP), granting invasive properties to KSHV-positive cells. Significantly, MT1-MMP was found co-localized with LANA in KS biopsies. These data suggest that the presence of heterogeneous cell types within KS lesions can result from viral proteins driving EndMT within infected cells, bestowing them with invasion capabilities, and the creation of a microenvironment that benefits viral dissemination.
Deregulation of Cellular Energetics
Recent evidence suggests that the reprogramming of cellular energetics and metabolism is an emerging hallmark of cancer (reviewed in Hanahan and Weinberg, 2011). Fueling uncontrolled proliferation and cell division of tumor cells requires rewiring of normal cellular energetics. Normal cells, in aerobic conditions, utilize glucose to first generate pyruvate and ATP by glycolysis, and subsequent mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Anaerobic conditions result in a switch to glycolysis, which is relatively inefficient and generates smaller quantities of ATP, which may or may not be accompanied by reduced OXPHOS. Warburg observed that cancer cells preferentially oxidize glucose by glycolysis even in aerobic conditions, limiting their energy production; this phenomenon is termed the Warburg effect, or aerobic glycolysis (Warburg et al., 1924). The Warburg effect is an adaptation of tumors growing in hypoxic conditions to generate ATP. KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces the Warburg effect, and glycolysis inhibition of latently infected cells leads to apoptosis (Delgado et al., 2010). Moreover, we reported that in KSHV-infected PEL, aerobic glycolysis fuels de novo lipid synthesis to generate precursors for daughter cells, explaining the significance of up-regulating an energetically unfavorable biochemical process (Bhatt et al., 2012). This study also demonstrated that glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis (FAS) occur in a PI3K/AKT-dependent manner, providing a mechanism for metabolic reprogramming in PEL. Further, PEL viability was found to be susceptible to FAS inhibitors, revealing a new molecular therapeutic target.
Immune Evasion
An ever-watchful immune system surveys the body for signs of nascent neoplasms, and eliminates such cells. The ability to escape immune surveillance is a frequent consequence of genetic instability and aberrant signaling in tumors. KSHV-associated tumors are even more adept at hiding from the immune system as viral protein expression can subvert various aspects of the innate and adaptive immune response. Viral proteins, e.g., KSHV vIRFs, K3, K5, etc. inhibit immune signaling, protecting the infected cell from host detection. For example, the K3 and K5 viral proteins can down-regulate both class I and II major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), enhancing the immunoevasion capabilities of infected cells (Coscoy and Ganem, 2000; Ishido et al., 2000). The KSHV vIRFs also contribute to immune evasion (reviewed in Jacobs and Damania, 2011). As discussed in previous sections, apoptotic signaling resulting from immune detection is also potently inhibited by viral protein expression.
Tumor-Promoting Inflammatory Microenvironment
Similar to non-viral tumors, KSHV-associated lesions are infiltrated by a large number of immune cells. KSHV-associated neoplasms are also characterized by elevated local and systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, further augmented by virally encoded cytokines such as vIL-6, vMIPs/vCCls, and vOX2. KSHV infection up-regulates cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, which are inflammation mediators (Sharma-Walia et al., 2010). COX-2 is essential for survival of KSHV-infected cells, and viral genome maintenance, both of which are susceptible to COX-2 pharmacological inhibitors. Creation of an inflammatory environment is functionally significant, since it activates signaling in surrounding tissues, and recruits readily infectable cell types to facilitate viral dissemination.
Individual KSHV proteins can activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in B cells and endothelial cells, and this pathway is important for both lytic and latent phases of the KSHV life cycle. Additionally, both KS and PEL display highly activated AKT and mTOR kinases (Montaner et al., 2001; Uddin et al., 2005; Sin et al., 2007). Because aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling is a characteristic of almost all human cancers, a plethora of small molecule inhibitors exist that target various nodes of this pathway. These inhibitors include allosteric inhibitors such as rapamycin and FK506, and also ATP-competitive small molecule kinase inhibitors that usually target the kinase activity of specific proteins.
Rapamycin is a macrolide that binds to FKBP12, a component of the mTOR signaling complex (mTORC), thus making it an allosteric inhibitor (Sawyers, 2003). Rapamycin is commonly used as an oral immunosuppressant for solid organ transplant recipients, as it inhibits the production and secretion of IL-2 in T cells, thus blocking T cell proliferation. Moreover, rapamycin blocks protein translation. Therefore, rapamycin and its derivative compounds called “rapalogs” are extensively studied for their therapeutic benefit in a variety of human cancers, including those associated with viral infection (Dittmer et al., 2012). Rapamycin treatment resolved transplant-associated KS (Stallone et al., 2005, a seminal finding that has prompted many other studies which confirm that rapamycin is an effective anti-cancer drug for PEL (Sin et al., 2007). Specifically, rapamycin is effective at halting the proliferation of PEL in cell culture, and in a xenograft model of PEL, rapamycin inhibits tumor formation and induces tumor regression (Sin et al., 2007). One drawback of rapamycin therapy is that it slows tumor growth (tumorstatic), rather than killing tumor cells (tumortoxic). Therefore, single agent therapy with rapamycin alone has limited benefit in a majority of cancers.
A class of AKT inhibitors called alkyl-lysophospholipids (e.g., miltefosine and perifosine) also inhibited PEL cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo (Bhatt et al., 2010). Moreover, NVP-BEZ235, a dual inhibitor of both PI3K and mTOR kinases, is a potent inhibitor of PEL cell proliferation and tumor formation in xenograft mouse models. NVP-BEZ235 treatment induced high levels of apoptosis in PEL (Bhatt et al., 2010). Thus, it appears that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is essential for the survival of both PEL and KS tumors. It is of critical importance to evaluate whether long-term treatment with small molecule inhibitors breeds resistance to pathway-focused inhibitors. Selective pressure resulting from these inhibitors could drive expression of viral proteins that may contribute to resistance. Therefore in the future, it will be important to investigate whether as yet uncharacterized KSHV proteins influence PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, both in the context of latency and lytic viral replication.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus is an obligate intracellular parasite, and is a salient example of a successful pathogen. Viral manipulation of cellular pathways enhances the synthesis and secretion of growth factors and cytokines of both viral and cellular origin, which in turn support angiogenesis and proliferation. These secreted growth factors and cytokines can also activate pro-survival, proliferative, and angiogenic processes in uninfected or latently infected cells (Figure 3). Thus, by manipulating cellular signaling, KSHV viral proteins create an environment beneficial for both lytic and latent phases of the viral life cycle. Given the central role it plays in cell survival and proliferation, it comes as no surprise that KSHV targets the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway at multiple nodes, in order to induce and sustain a survival and proliferative signal that is advantageous for the virus.
We thank the Damania lab members for helpful discussions. Aadra P. Bhatt was supported by the Virology training grant (T32-AI007419). Blossom Damania is supported by CA096500 and CA019014. Blossom Damania is a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Infectious Disease. Due to space constraints, we were unable to reference all of our colleagues’ work, for which we apologize in advance.
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Keywords: Akt, KSHV, mTOR, PI3K, B cells
Citation: Bhatt AP and Damania B (2013) AKTivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by KSHV. Front. Immun. 3:401. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00401
Received: 02 May 2012; Accepted: 12 December 2012;
Published online: 07 January 2013.
Michael R. Gold, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Craig McCormick, Dalhousie University, Canada
Martin Richer, University of Iowa, USA
Copyright: © 2013 Bhatt and Damania. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in other forums, provided the original authors and source are credited and subject to any copyright notices concerning any third-party graphics etc.
*Correspondence: Blossom Damania, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7295, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. e-mail: damania@med.unc.edu.
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For media inquiries, email media@fsisac.com or download our press kit:
FS-ISAC Awards Cybersecurity Diversity Scholarship in Singapore
Five Women Receive a Cybersecurity Scholarship at FS-ISAC’s Annual AP Summit
Singapore – July 23, 2018: The Financial Services Information Sharing Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) announced the recipients of the Building Cybersecurity Diversity (BCD) scholarship in Singapore. The announcement was made at the FS-ISAC Summit in Singapore.
According to Frost & Sullivan’s 2017 Global Information Security Workforce study, women are underrepresented in the global cybersecurity workforce at a mere 11 percent compared to their male counterparts. In Asia Pacific, women make up only 10 percent of the cybersecurity workforce.
The scholarship was started by FS-ISAC in 2016 to bridge the diversity gap by helping women interested in cybersecurity kickstart their careers. This is the first year the BCD scholarship is being offered in Asia Pacific. To date, FS-ISAC has awarded seven scholarships, with additional scholarships to be awarded in Europe and the U.S. later this year.
“FS-ISAC started the BCD scholarship because we believe that diversity of thought can help the global financial services industry stay ahead of cybercrime,” said Bill Nelson, president and CEO of FS-ISAC. “Women are underrepresented in our field by a large percentage, so FS-ISAC is trying to build up the talent pipeline with top students looking to break into the field.”
The scholarship offers $5,000 and a trip to the regional summit for a chance to learn and network with influential industry leaders. Scholarship recipients are also paired with industry mentors.
This year’s scholarship recipients are: Yvonne Soh, Tan Lixin, Tan Zhi Xuan Francine, Sun Meng and Gayathri Sugumar.
Yvonne Soh is pursuing a diploma in digital forensics at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. She is also a member of the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir.
Tan Lixin is pursuing a diploma in digital forensics at Temasek Polytechnic. She is also a member of Temasek Polytechnic’s Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) student group.
Tan Zhi Xuan Francine is pursuing a diploma in digital forensics at Temasek Polytechnic. She participated in ongoing cybersecurity research at the University of Waikato in New Zealand for three months. She is also a certified system administrator.
Sun Meng is a Ph.D. candidate pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Her research focuses on privacy preservation in data mining.
Gayathri Sugumar is a Ph.D. candidate pursuing a degree in cybersecurity at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Aside from her research, she has been a volunteer with the national cadets.
About FS-ISAC
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) is a non-profit corporation that was established in 1999 and is funded by its 7,000 member firms headquartered in 45 countries with users in 72 countries. FS-ISAC is a member-driven organization whose mission is to help assure the resilience and continuity of the global financial services infrastructure and individual firms against acts that could significantly impact the sector’s ability to provide services critical to the orderly function of the global economy. FS-ISAC shares threat and vulnerability information, conducts coordinated contingency planning exercises, manages rapid response communications for both cyber and physical events, conducts education and training programs and fosters collaborations with and among other key sectors and government agencies. Follow us on Twitter @FSISAC, on LinkedInor visit fsisac.com.
FS-ISAC members around the world receive trusted and timely expert information that increases sector-wide knowledge of cybersecurity threats.
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James Milton Gavel to Gavel on OK Supreme Court 10 Commandments Ruling
By: James C. Milton
Journal Record
When the Oklahoma Supreme Court denied rehearing in the Ten Commandments case on July 27, the justices issued four concurring opinions and one dissenting opinion. These five opinions should be required reading for Oklahomans.
In his dissent, Justice Combs noted that Oklahoma's constitutional framers invoked the Almighty's guidance and viewed liberty as a blessing. Indeed, Oklahoma's constitution is part of a legal system that secures our liberty. Our constitution provides a framework for legislation and judicial review. It also imposes constraints on government action.
In his concurring opinion, Justice Edmondson urged that the Ten Commandments monument had no "embracing historical and secular context" that would allow it to remain on Capitol grounds. This is an important point. As noted in Justice Gurich's concurrence, the legislature specifically descibed the Ten Commandments as "an important component" in our legal system.
Gurich acknowledged that the Ten Commandments surely had some impact on our legal system. But both Gurich and Justice Taylor, in a separate concurring opinion, explained that the Ten Commandments are not cited in the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, or the Declaration of Independence.
The Ten Commandments monument could be viewed as favoring a system of "natural law." Some scholars argue that natural law emanates from nature or from divine provenance. Stated simply, proponents of a natural law system believe that the law always is what it is, and that we must strive to find out what that is.
Natural law is viewed to be the opposite of a positive legal system. Legal positivists urge that law should be derived from legislation or case law. While the Oklahoma Supreme Court rarely delves into these issues, it can be viewed as favoring legal positivism. Most recently, in 2001, the Court noted its preference for establishing "a positive legal order that minimizes the frictions among different interests."
With rehearing no denied, the case will return to the district court. This process can take some time. Soon, the Supreme Court will issue its "mandate," which tells the district court that it can proceed. It is possible that the parties will engage in further legal wrangling at the trial court. The Attorney General may even file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. But in the end, our system of government will remain intact. We can expect that the Capital Preservation Commission eventually will follow the Supreme Court's decision and remove the monument.
James C. Milton
jmilton@hallestill.com
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Charlie Redmayne
Chief Executive Officer, HarperCollins UK
Charlie Redmayne is CEO of HarperCollins UK, with responsibility for the UK, Ireland, India and Australia, reporting to Brian Murray, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide.
Charlie first joined HarperCollins as Group Digital Director, and was promoted to Chief Digital Officer, based in HarperCollins' head office in New York. He left HarperCollins in 2011 to set up Pottermore, JK Rowling’s digital publishing business, before returning as CEO in 2013.
At the start of his career Charlie served for four years as a lieutenant in the Irish Guards. He founded and ran the media buying company RCL Communications and entertainment business Blink TV, before launching leading UK teen internet company Mykindaplace Ltd in 2000, which he sold to BSkyB.
Charlie went on to become Head of Commercial Partnerships for the Sky Online Business Unit at BSkyB and joined HarperCollins UK as Group Digital Director in 2008.
Simon Dowson-Collins
General Counsel & Company Secretary
Simon runs the legal and contracts team at HarperCollins UK, responsible for all legal advice to the company. He is also Company Secretary.
Legal areas covered by Simon and his team include corporate and commercial matters, defamation, copyright, contractual matters, acquisitions, sales and the handling of all litigation.
A strong advocate of HarperCollins UK’s strategy on diversity and inclusion, Simon was named on the inaugural 2016 Financial Times UPstanding Executive Power List, the first ranking of its kind to unite business leaders from across all BAME communities internationally.
Before joining HarperCollins UK in 2001, Simon was a legal advisor for the BBC. He is a director of the Bush Theatre in London’s Shepherds Bush, and a member of its Finance and Audit Committee.
Kate Elton
Executive Publisher, HarperFiction, NonFiction & Avon
Kate Elton is the Executive Publisher for three divisions of HarperCollins: HarperFiction which comprises crime and thriller, women’s fiction, the prestigious HarperVoyager science fiction and fantasy list, the literary imprint The Borough Press and the literary estates of JRR Tolkien and Agatha Christie; HarperNonFiction which publishes commercial non-fiction ranging from cookery, lifestyle and the Thorsons imprint through to autobiographies, sports writing, narrative non-fiction and memoir; and Avon, a boutique commercial fiction division with a particularly strong record for discovering and building new talent.
Prior to her move to HarperCollins in 2011, Kate worked for fifteen years at Random House.
David Roth-Ey
Executive Publisher, 4th Estate & William Collins
David Roth-Ey is Executive Publisher of 4th Estate and William Collins. Winner of the British Book Award’s Imprint of the Year in 2013 and shortlisted again in 2018, 4th Estate publishes distinctive, critically-acclaimed fiction and nonfiction from a diverse array of authors including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Hilary Mantel, Jonathan Franzen, E. Annie Proulx, J. G. Ballard, Philip Hensher, Anna Jones and Nigel Slater. The William Collins imprint, launched by David in 2013, brings together leading nonfiction writers across a wide range of disciplines, including history, biography, science, art, natural history, politics and memoir. We publish prize-winning and bestselling books of consequence by writers as diverse as David Attenborough, Madeleine Albright, Brian Cox, Christina Lamb, and Max Hastings. Integral to the William Collins list are a number of sub-imprints, including the landmark natural history series, THE NEW NATURALIST, along with the extensive Collins Classics line.
Prior to taking over as Executive Publisher in 2012, David served as Group Digital Director at HarperCollins UK in addition to publishing roles at HarperCollins US, Scribner, Bookspan and International Creative Management (ICM) in New York.
Ann-Janine Murtagh
Executive Publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books
Widely recognised as one of the most distinguished publishers working in children’s books, Ann-Janine joined HarperCollins in 2007, becoming Publisher for HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2011, having worked previously at Penguin Children's Books, Kingfisher and Hachette Children's Books.
Under Ann-Janine’s leadership the division has celebrated record growth in profit and market share and produced a tranche of bestselling titles that dominate industry bestseller lists. The division’s achievements have been recognised repeatedly by the trade - in 2016 it was named Children’s Publisher of the Year at the British Book Industry Awards for an unprecedented third consecutive time.
HarperCollins Children’s Books is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature past and present, including JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Dr. Seuss, David Walliams, Oliver Jeffers, Lauren Child, Judith Kerr, David Baddiel and Michael Morpurgo.
Lisa Milton
Executive Publisher, Harlequin
Lisa is Executive Publisher for the Harlequin division. This includes the imprints HQ and Mills & Boon.
She joined HarperCollins in 2015 after a decade as Managing Director of Orion Publishing where she was responsible for Orion, Orion Children’s, Gollancz and Weidenfeld & Nicolson, which was awarded Imprint of the Year at the 2015 Bookseller Industry Awards. Whilst there she published major bestsellers and award winning authors including Maeve Binchy, Ian Rankin, Gillian Flynn and Malala Yousafzai.
Previously Lisa was Editorial Director at BCA, the UK’s biggest book club, and prior to this she had a successful career at Waterstones, where one of her most notable achievements was opening the flagship store in Piccadilly and winning the Bookshop of the Year Industry Award in 2000.
Colin Hughes
Managing Director, Collins Learning
Colin joined HarperCollins in April 2012 as the new Managing Director of the Collins Education division. In October 2012 he was promoted to MD, Collins Learning - bringing together the Education, Language & Geo divisions. In 2013 he launched Collins India, and he has been Chair of the Education Publishers Council in the UK since 2014. Colin was Chair of the Board of the Governors of Middlesex University from June 2010 to July 2017, and is now a Pro-Chancellor of the university. He is a Trustee of the Workers’ Education Association, and a member of the Advisory Board of The Rialto poetry magazine.
He worked at the Press Association and The Times before joining the Independent in 1986 as Political Correspondent. He went on to become Policy Editor, Education Editor, and US Correspondent, and spent his final five years at the Independent as Managing Editor of the Independent and Independent on Sunday, and Deputy Editor of the Independent. He joined the Guardian in 1998, and founded Learnthings Ltd, the Guardian's digital learning business, in 2000. Colin was appointed Managing Director of Guardian Professional in 2006, and Director, Business and Professional, in 2009.
Sheena Barclay
Managing Director, Collins Geo & Deputy Managing Director, Collins Learning
Sheena runs the cartographic and geo information division of HarperCollins Publishers, overseeing Collins Geo and Collins Bartholomew Ltd, and is now also Deputy MD of the combined Collins Learning division.
She received BSc (Hons) Geography from the University of Edinburgh, followed by an MBA from the University of Glasgow and was awarded the RSGS Digital Award in 2004 for outstanding achievement in the field of cartography.
Sheena has a wealth of experience in the cartographic field, working first as an editor, then Cartographic and Technical Director before being promoted to run the cartographic business within HarperCollins in 2008.
David Alford
David joined HarperCollins in 2007 from Warner Music, where he spent two years managing the company’s UK royalty accounting as Director of Royalties. After spells as Group Commercial Director for Collins and Financial Controller, he was appointed Finance Director in 2016 and Chief Financial Officer in 2019.
As Chief Financial Officer, David is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company’s finances, including accounting, reporting, forecast and budgeting.
Laura Meyer
As HCUK’s CIO, Laura oversees the company’s technology division, incorporating a wide variety of tools, applications, projects and services, supporting customers across the company. Laura also has executive oversight for Distribution and Production.
Formerly Senior Vice President, Technology and Operations, for Turner Broadcasting System Europe (part of the Time Warner Group), Laura has held a variety of senior positions in her field.
Alex Beecroft
Director Of Corporate Development
As Director of Corporate Development, Alex is responsible for M&A and corporate strategy for HarperCollins UK. He also manages the pricing and analytics team and is a board member of HarperCollins India.
Alex joined HarperCollins through the graduate scheme in 2009, having graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class BA in Modern History and a Masters in Byzantine Studies.
Fiona Allen
Fiona joined HarperCollins in January 2015. She heads up corporate communications, with responsibility for internal and external comms, corporate social responsibility and events.
She has almost twenty years’ experience in communications, having previously worked at Dorling Kindersley and Penguin. Most recently she was Head of PR & Brand Communications for high street retailer Waterstones.
John Athanasiou
Director Of People
John joined HarperCollins in September 2008. He is responsible for overseeing all areas of talent management, recruitment, staff development and employee relations, plus compensations and benefits across the company.
Prior to this role, John was Director of Executive Search International at Time Warner, and has also worked in a number of HR roles in blue-chip multi-national, private and public sector companies.
John has rolled out an industry-leading strategy on diversity and inclusion at HarperCollins, for which the company was recognised at the 2016 Race Equality Awards, winning the Employee Network category and highly commended for the company’s work with Creative Access and the launch of a traineeship for BAME graduates.
Kimberley Young
Publisher, Commercial Women’s Fiction
Kimberley is Publisher of commercial women’s fiction at HarperFiction. She joined HarperCollins in 2012 from Harlequin UK, where she was Editorial Director, responsible for the Mills & Boon imprint and the general fiction MIRA list, and she also established a teen and digital first imprint.
At HarperFiction, she publishes household names including Sunday Times bestsellers Josephine Cox, Dilly Court, Kimberley Chambers, Barbara Erskine and Fern Britton, as well as new talents Dawn O’Porter, Lucy Clarke and Lucy Foley. Kimberley is also a huge advocate of digital publishing and launched the award-winning digital first imprint HarperImpulse, which is home to number one Kindle bestsellers and is at the forefront of breaking new talent in digital. In 2014 she was named a Bookseller Rising Star, and in 2015 she was shortlisted for Editor of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards and at the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2016.
Oliver Malcolm
Publishing Strategy Director
Oli joined HarperCollins as UK Sales Director for Fiction, specialising particularly in publishing ‘event’ debuts as well as the ongoing brand development of authors such as Stuart MacBride and Bernard Cornwell. Having been promoted to Sales Strategy Director in 2013, Oli then moved into the position of Publishing Strategy Director in 2015, combining his two major strengths and personal motivations: commercialism and creativity. In this role, Oliver directly oversees the Avon and Non-Fiction divisions.
Prior to joining HarperCollins, Oli held a number of senior Sales roles at Penguin Random House, including serving as Deputy Sales Director at Ebury.
Anna Derkacz
Group Sales Director
Anna Derkacz is Group Sales Director for HarperCollins UK, with responsibility for UK and International trade and non-trade sales.
Anna delivers HarperCollins’ sales strategy and manages the teams that bring HarperCollins’ books to market, through traditional & non-traditional retail channels. Previously UK Sales Director for Fiction, Non Fiction and Avon, Anna took these hugely significant divisions from strength to strength, re-establishing core sales strategies for legacy brands such as Agatha Christie and JRR Tolkien as well as launching outstanding new authors such as Gail Honeyman, Gill Sims, Ant Middleton, AJ Finn and Kat Diamond into the market to bestselling success.
Prior to her move to HarperCollins in 2016, Anna worked as a buyer for Asda and Borders, before joining Penguin Random House where she held positions across UK and International sales. She was promoted to the role of Group Sales Director in June 2018.
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HART UK | HART Australia
Aid and Advocacy
Fundraising Priorities
Fundraise for HART
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aerial bombardment
Al-Bashir
Baroness Cox
ethnic nationals
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Kachin
News Round Up
Nuba Mountains
South Kordofan
Can the recent political changes in Armenia alter the course of negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A few months ago, the Republic of Armenia (RA), a former Soviet Union country in the Southern Caucasus, experienced protests against the newly elected Prime Minister Mr. Serzh Sargsyan. This resulted in the replacement of Mr. Sargsyan by one of the main opposition leaders and Members of the Parliament of RA, Nikol Pashinyan, on the 8th of May.
During his visit to Nagorno-Karabakh on 9th May, Mr. Pashinyan talked about the importance of the participation of the representatives of Artsakh (another name for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) in negotiations with Azerbaijan. However, this has been strongly rejected by the Azerbaijani side for the last two decades. It is worth mentioning that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) took part in the armistice signed on the 12th May 1994, but left formal negotiations soon later.
The formal participation of the representatives of NKR in the negotiation process could lead to some huge changes, as this would reduce the social and economic impacts of the isolation of NKR by the Azerbaijani forces. Thus increasing the involvement and aid of various charity organisations in the different projects in NKR. This idea has been strongly supported by the founder and president of HART, Baroness Caroline Cox. On her visit to The Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre in NKR in October 2016, Baroness Cox said, “My position has always been based on two fundamental principles: first of all, NKR has to be part of negotiations in the future and the second, people of Karabakh have to be given the right of self-determination”.
Another outcome of the political changes in Armenia is that it showed the commitment of the Armenians to build a more democratic country. Unlike the revolutions in Georgia and in Ukraine, in Armenia, it was not led by any foreign rule but was the spontaneous protest of the ordinary Armenians. Once again, this shows that it is possible to achieve political changes by peaceful means in different countries and that the use of violence cannot be accepted at any time and anywhere, regardless of the situation. Supporting the people in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh would further strengthen democracy in the region. The events in the RA showed that NKR and Armenia are democratic countries and are ready to reach a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means.
Last but not least, there was a small-scale protest in Nagorno-Karabakh at the beginning of June, which erupted after an incident between the Security Service of Nagorno-Karabakh and a few civilians. People wanted the resignation of some of the officials, responsible for the actions. The government of Nagorno-Karabakh did not use violence at all and tried to reach a solution after negotiating with the opposers. This is another example of flourishing democracy in Nagorno-Karabakh and shows that our aid to this small and not officially recognized country is essential. We believe that democracy is not just words and taking actions is vital for achieving it. The democratic government of Nagorno-Karabakh proved to the world again that it deserves both historically and by the international law to be respected and recognized.
By Narek Nahapetyan
Narek is a student from Armenia, who has just finished his GCSEs. He is interested in Politics and enjoys work experience at HART.
Twitter: hartnews
Baroness Cox continues to speak up for persecuted Christians in Nigeria, persistently calling on the British Govern… https://t.co/JoFVAkILBa about 10 hours ago
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AAP's Kejriwal to share stage with Nitish Kumar at Delhi event
In what is being seen as a declaration of his support to Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar in the upcoming polls in Bihar, chief minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal will be sharing the stage and felicitating his Bihar counterpart at a function in the national Capital on August 19.
india Updated: Aug 14, 2015 00:54 IST
This is the first time Kejriwal will be sharing the dais with the leader of another political party. Kumar will be the chief guest at a function titled ‘Bihar Samman Samaroh’.
Though Kejriwal has serious reservations about Kumar’s alliance partner, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad, whom he had named in his list of India’s most corrupt politicians — his relations with Kumar have been cordial.
In fact, the JD(U) had supported Kejriwal’s candidature against then BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Varanasi. Both Kejriwal and Kumar have publicly praised one another on several occasions in the past.
As an outcome of several meetings between Kumar and Kejriwal, poll strategies including a robust social media campaign for the upcoming Bihar elections have been formulated. “The Aam Aadmi Party will continue to provide logistical support, but it is unlikely that Kejriwal will travel to Bihar to campaign for the secular alliance,” sources close to Kejriwal said.
JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi, however, claimed that the Delhi chief minister would also visit Bihar to address political rallies in the state.
“The August 19 event should be seen in the context of strategies to reach out to non-resident persons of Bihar, who are opinion-makers,” he told HT. As part of his outreach programme, Kumar plans to address gatherings at nine locations including Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Guwahati in the coming weeks.
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Heat Vision Live Feed Esq The Race Behind the Screen Bastard Machine Rambling Reporter The Fien Print
Madonna Talks 'Madame X,' Classic Hits and Running for President at Intimate Fan Event
3:31 PM PDT 6/21/2019 by Evan Real
Katherine Tyler for iHeartRadio
During an iHeartRadio listening party in New York, the pop superstar shared more stories about the making of her latest album and the songs that came before it and laughed off the idea of a 2020 campaign: "Oh God, you don't want me in the White House."
Nearly a week after Madonna released her 14th studio album, Madame X — which is expected to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 200 chart — the pop superstar took the stage at New York's iHeartRadio Theater on Thursday night to talk with an intimate group of fans and media about the genesis of her latest body of work.
In a conversation moderated by co-hosts Cubby Bryant and Christine Nagy from iHeartRadio's 106.7 Lite FM, Her Madgesty offered more insight into her creative process while waxing nostalgic about beloved hits such as "Vogue" and "Like a Virgin."
But music wasn't the only topic on the table. A lively, warm and candid Madonna, 60 — fueled by rosé champagne and dressed in a sparkling blazer, bustier, silk shorts and her signature Madame X eye patch — spoke about using art as activism in 2019's divisive sociopolitical climate and joked about the possibility of running for president. However, the performer did her best not to bring up current POTUS Donald Trump, whom she has publicly criticized in the past. "Let's not go there," she said at one point when his name slipped out of her mouth.
Here, The Hollywood Reporter rounds up the highlights from the wide-ranging discussion — which also included interesting commentary about Madonna's relocation from the U.S. to Portugal, her relationship with social media, collaborating with Latin artists and her role as a mother of six.
Finding inspiration in Lisbon
Madonna admitted that she didn't think she would record another album after 2015's Rebel Heart — but she changed her mind after moving to Portugal's capital nearly two years ago. She originally settled in Lisbon so her 13-year-old son, David Banda, could pursue his dreams of becoming a soccer player, but she unexpectedly found her creative juices flowing again in the scenic coastal city.
"I never in a million years would have imagined that I would live in Lisbon. But it really was about supporting my son's passion for soccer and wanting to have an adventure and to get outside of America for a minute," said Madonna, who has homes in New York and London. "So I did go there. And it was a confusing, crazy experience for me, specifically in the beginning, because I didn't know anybody. And the culture is very different. It's very much slower than New York."
After the initial culture shock, the entertainer found herself connecting with local musicians who helped her lay the foundation for Madame X. "In my moments of loneliness and not having a friend, which reminded me of my early days in New York, I met a few people who led me to meeting other people, who introduced me to amazing musicians who invited me to parties and small bars and clubs. I was truly, truly inspired. I had no intention of recording another album, but somehow it just happened."
Still, while recording Madame X, Madonna made sure to never miss one of David's soccer games — often wearing "sneakers, you know, normal-type clothes. Maybe designed by Gucci? I don't know."
Paying tribute to Martha Graham
Asked how she named her new album, Madonna said that "Madame X" is the nickname modern dance pioneer Martha Graham gave her decades ago when she was a student in New York.
"[Graham's dance school] had a very strict dress code," she said. ''I, of course, couldn’t help myself, I broke all the rules. I refused to dress like everybody else. Shocker. And I kept getting called into [Graham's] office."
During one of those meetings, Madonna said that her teacher — who died at age 96 in April 1991 — "was not having" her sartorial deviancy but was impressed nonetheless. The Grammy winner continued, "[Graham] said, 'I'm going to have a new name for you,' and I said, 'What's that?' And she said, 'Madame X…Madame X is the name of a spy, a secret agent. That's what you are — because every time you come here, I don’t recognize you. You look like someone else.' I was like, 'Yeah, cool.'"
Madonna said that when her friend the fashion designer Jeremy Scott came to visit her in Lisbon, it dawned on her that she should name her album Madame X. "I told him the story," she said. "And he said, 'That's the name of this record!' So thank you, Jeremy."
Madonna went on to say that her reputation as the queen of reinvention owes much to the seed that Graham planted. "You can blame Martha Graham," she joked, referencing the distinctly different looks and sounds she has introduced in each era of her lengthy career.
Taking a few trips down memory lane
In between listening to tracks from Madame X, co-hosts Cubby and Christine played a few gems from Madonna's ascent to stardom, including "Vogue," "Papa Don't Preach" and "Material Girl."
Minutes before dancing in her seat to 1990's "Vogue" — which has recently found new life in the season two narrative of FX's groundbreaking series Pose — Madonna recounted the moment she first witnessed the legendary House of Xtravaganza voguing at a Manhattan nightclub, which ultimately prompted her to record the song and bring New York's LGBTQ ballroom community into the mainstream. "It was just the most amazing thing," she said.
While she moved along to "Vogue" and "Papa Don't Preach," Madonna seemed less enthused to listen to her iconic tune "Material Girl." Taking a sip from her champagne glass, she shrugged and laughed, saying, "I don't even know how to dance to this."
Involving her kids in her craft
Asked about the emotional lyrics of the Madame X cut "Come Alive," Madonna said the song was inspired by her children. "[I wanted] to instill in them the idea that they never have to stand in the back, and that they are important human beings — and that each and every one of us matters equally," she said. "That's why it was also important for me to have a children's choir singing on it."
Madonna also said her kids' "excellent taste" in music has influenced her current sound — "They've turned me on to a lot of things I probably wouldn't have heard if it weren't for them " — and revealed that some of them were even involved in recording Madame X. For instance, her 6-year-old twin daughters, Stelle and Estere, offered their talents to "Dark Ballet." She explained, "[The sound of] someone blowing on the flames, that's my daughters. So somehow [my children are] always involved in some way or another."
Her favorite songs from Madame X
Though Madonna said that every Madame X track feels like her "baby," she did mention a couple standouts when asked to name her favorite. "It's a toss-up between 'Extreme Occident' and 'God Control,'" she said, later detailing why "Extreme Occident's" lyrics are particularly meaningful to her. "I say, 'I guess I'm lost, I had to pay the cost/The thing that hurt me most, was that I wasn't lost.' That doesn't make sense, right? But it really does to me, because I spent my entire life listening to the noise and people's commenting, ideas, judgments, criticisms and advice, what I should do and what I shouldn’t do, and that's such a waste of time."
She added, "I realized that I should have always paid attention to my own intuition. To thine self be true. I realized all that time, I wasn't lost."
Her struggle with social media
Sharing her thoughts about Instagram, Madonna said she enjoys posting a "shameless selfie" here and there but is happy she grew into her fame at a time when cell phones didn't even exist.
"Instagram is great, but it's a lie. It's not reality," she said of what she considers a "confusing" social media trend. "I didn't grow up with a phone. I didn't grow up as an artist with social media. So I feel really lucky to have been able to develop as an artist without having to feel like I had to be like somebody else, look like somebody else or dress like somebody else. I was allowed to develop and be my own person and be unique. That's a privilege that a lot of kids don't have now. They don't even know it, like my own kids."
Creating fire with Latin artists
On Madame X, Madonna has several collaborations, including with Latin artists like Colombian heartthrob Maluma ("Medellin," "Bitch I'm Loca") and Brazilian songstress Anitta ("Faz Gostoso"). Next, she hopes to get into the recording studio with Spanish pop princess and flamenco singer Rosalia.
"I'm very intrigued," Madonna said. "I would like to say that I heard about her about a year and a half ago, and I tried to get her to perform at my birthday party. And she was not well known at the time … I love flamenco. I was really moved by her, but it didn't happen. But now she's huge. I think she's a very unique and very outspoken, strong woman. I love her style. And I love how she has managed to take the folk music of Spain and bring it into the pop arena."
Playing theaters instead of stadiums and arenas
Last month, Madonna announced a residency-like Madame X tour that will see her playing small venues across multiple dates in big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Of her decision to forgo arenas and stadiums for this set of shows, she said, "I want to be close to people. I want to look into people's eyes … I want people to really focus on the music, and I want people to focus on the lyrics. I want to present it in a theatrical way, so you really do pay attention to the words and music and intimacy and humanity."
Reliving her messy but memorable "Like a Virgin" performance at the 1984 VMAs
Toward the end of the event, Madonna played a game that involved her picking random items out of a box that each sparked a memory. One of the items was a white high heel that resembled the one she lost onstage while performing "Like a Virgin" at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards.
As fans will remember, Madonna bounced back from the shoe snafu by writhing around on the floor — no footwear required! — but accidentally flashed her undergarments to the audience, one of the first of many controversies throughout her career. Recalling the number, Madonna said that her manager at the time told her that the mishap had "ruined" her career. "But f— him," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Madonna took another swig of champagne as the crowd cheered loudly and a few fans shouted, "Yas, queen!"
Activism through art
The listening party closed out with Madonna's powerful Madame X anthem "I Rise," which she wrote in response to today's divisive sociopolitical climate. On Thursday, she dropped an accompanying music video that does not feature the star herself but instead weaves together footage of the survivors of the Parkland shooting, supporters of LGBTQ equality, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman's testimony about sexual abuse, first responders to natural disasters and more pushes for social justice across the globe.
"This song is really about feeling responsible and/or connected to all marginalized people who have been discriminated against in any way, shape or form," she said of the song and its visual counterpart. "They're really stories about resiliency. I'm really attracted to the idea that people can rise no matter what happens, rise up against all odds and say, 'I will not be afraid. I do not bow down to fear and I will survive. I will do more than survive. I will rise.'"
Madonna for president?
As Madonna spoke about the political undertones of "I Rise," one galvanized fan exclaimed, "Madonna for president!"
But she responded, "Oh God, you don't want me in the White House. I really feel like being the president is not a good way to get things done. And you have to be so diplomatic that you can't actually — I mean, maybe I would change all that. People don't want to offend anyone that they just, I guess, no, no, Donald Trump hasn't really thought about that."
Curtailing herself, Madonna ended the night by saying, "Let's not go there."
Madonna's Madame X listening party is available to stream on LiveXLive.com on Friday evening, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. iHeartRadio's AC and Hot AC stations will air special radio broadcasts of the event at the same time.
Evan Real
evan.real@thr.com evan_real
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Start by marking “Relational Reality: New Discoveries of Interrelatedness That Are Transforming the Modern World” as Want to Read:
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Preview — Relational Reality by Charlene Spretnak
Relational Reality: New Discoveries of Interrelatedness That Are Transforming the Modern World
Charlene Spretnak
4.06 · Rating details · 17 ratings · 4 reviews
RELATIONAL REALITY reveals the coherence among numerous surprising discoveries, most made since 2004, about the interrelated nature of physical reality. These discoveries are now transforming every mainstream field of human endeavor, as basic assumptions (built on the old idea that everything in the physical world is essentially separate and functions mechanistically) are b RELATIONAL REALITY reveals the coherence among numerous surprising discoveries, most made since 2004, about the interrelated nature of physical reality. These discoveries are now transforming every mainstream field of human endeavor, as basic assumptions (built on the old idea that everything in the physical world is essentially separate and functions mechanistically) are being reconsidered. No longer a marginal perspective, the Relational Shift is based on the realization that all entities in this world, including humans, are thoroughly relational beings of great complexity who are both composed of and nested within networks of creative, dynamic interrelationships. Nothing exists outside of those relationships. As we try to grasp the interrelated nature of reality, emergent relational approaches are already transforming the way we educate our children, attend to our health, green our communities, and rethink economic activity. New analyses of the crises of modernity and abundant new solutions are the result. "A vital book." -- Bill McKibben CONTENTS: Ch. 1: Relational Revelations; Ch. 2: The Relational Shift in Education and Parenting; Ch. 3: The Relational Shift in Health and Healthcare; Ch. 4: The Relational Shift in Community Design and Architecture; Ch. 5: The Relational Shift in the Economy; Ch. 6: Stepping Up ...more
Published May 19th 2011 by Green Horizon Books
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· 17 ratings · 4 reviews
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May 24, 2012 Mark rated it liked it
Charlene Spretnak has collected a lot of information in order to argue that there is a "Relational Shift" taking place in culture-at-large. She summarizes new scientific studies, social movements, theoretical books,etc. all of which point to the emergence of a post-mechanistic view of the world. There are chapters on the "Relational Shift" in Health and Healthcare, Education and Parenting, Economics, and Community Design and Architecture. Though it is hard to prove this kind of historical genera Charlene Spretnak has collected a lot of information in order to argue that there is a "Relational Shift" taking place in culture-at-large. She summarizes new scientific studies, social movements, theoretical books,etc. all of which point to the emergence of a post-mechanistic view of the world. There are chapters on the "Relational Shift" in Health and Healthcare, Education and Parenting, Economics, and Community Design and Architecture. Though it is hard to prove this kind of historical generalization, especially in the midst of the phenomena, Spretnak's newest book is a useful resource for those who are hopeful about our ecological future or for those who wish to find reason to be hopeful. ...more
Aug 23, 2012 Luaba rated it really liked it
Shelves: society
I've loved Spretnak's work for many years; she is an original thinker who brings the feminine dimensions of life to the forefront without compromising critical thinking and analysis. In her latest reflections, she points to emerging (and re-emerging) understandings of life's systems that are revolutionizing how we organize our societies.
This book is truly edifying.
Jul 23, 2013 Christy rated it it was amazing
~ great book on so many levels.....she has brought together so much research to support her theory of interrelatedness in the present......i have re read this book several times.
Feb 25, 2016 Audrey rated it it was amazing
Recommended for mindful reading, training, building, rebuilding and purpose.
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Feminists Unite!!: Gather the Women Book Circle ♀ Current Pick 1 5 Apr 13, 2013 09:00AM
About Charlene Spretnak
Charlene Spretnak has been intrigued throughout her life as a writer, speaker, and activist with dynamic interrelatedness. She has written nine books on various subjects in which interrelatedness plays a central role, including its expression in the arts. She is particularly interested in 21st-century discoveries indicating that the physical world, including the human bodymind, is far more dynamic Charlene Spretnak has been intrigued throughout her life as a writer, speaker, and activist with dynamic interrelatedness. She has written nine books on various subjects in which interrelatedness plays a central role, including its expression in the arts. She is particularly interested in 21st-century discoveries indicating that the physical world, including the human bodymind, is far more dynamically interrelated than modernity had assumed. Such discoveries are currently causing a “relational shift” in our institutions and systems of knowledge, as she suggests in Relational Reality (2011). Several of her books have also proposed a "map of the terrain" of emergent social-change movements and an exploration of the issues involved. She has helped to create an eco-social frame of reference and vision in the areas of social criticism (including feminism), cultural history, and religion and spirituality. Since the mid-1980s, her books have examined the multiple crises of modernity and furthered the corrective efforts that are arising. Her book Green Politics was a major catalyst for the formation of the U.S. Green Party movement, of which she is a cofounder. Her book The Resurgence of the Real was named by the Los Angeles Times as one of the Best Books of 1997. In 2006 Charlene Spretnak was named by the British government's Environment Department as one of the "100 Eco-Heroes of All Time." In 2012 she received the Demeter Award for lifetime achievement as "one of the premier visionary feminist thinkers of our time" from the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology. She is a professor emerita in philosophy and religion. ...more
Books by Charlene Spretnak
Trivia About Relational Realit...
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Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Colin Allred elected to Congress in Texas
Colin Allred, whom the Titans signed as an undrafted linebacker out of Baylor in 2006, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Colin Allred elected to Congress in Texas Colin Allred, whom the Titans signed as an undrafted linebacker out of Baylor in 2006, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. Check out this story on gosanangelo.com: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/11/07/colin-allred-titans-elected-congress-texas/1918196002/
Erik Bacharach, Nashville Tennessean Published 9:00 a.m. CT Nov. 7, 2018
Colin Allred: Former NFL linebacker. Democrat running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas' 32nd congressional district.(Photo: Will Weissert, AP)
You remember him as linebacker Colin Allred, the 6-1 bruiser who played his entire five-year NFL career with the Titans from 2006-2010.
Now you can call him Congressman Allred.
Allred, whom the Titans signed as an undrafted free agent out of Baylor in 2006, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Democrat knocked off Pete Sessions, a Republican who had served in Congress since 1997, in Texas' 32nd congressional district.
This victory would not have been made possible without you. This people-powered campaign has made history tonight and North Texans made their voice heard. Now the real work begins. Thank you North Texas! #TX32
— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) November 7, 2018
A former Housing and Urban Development Department official who pursued a career in law after his football days, Allred played in 32 games for the Titans and had 46 tackles. He focused his campaign on healthcare, education and improving the immigration system.
The Titans, fresh off a 28-14 season-saver of a win against the Cowboys on "Monday Night Football," just keep winning in Texas.
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Wall-Mason rematch kicks off West Texas Dream Tour
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« Return to this article
for people who care about the West
MS-13 isn’t the real enemy
The gang’s brutality is undeniable. But the president’s rhetoric erodes American ideals.
Ruxandra Guidi Perspective March 7, 2018
Este artículo también está disponible en Español aquí.
California is often the first state in the West to test new solutions to social and environmental problems. These days, the state is at the fore of a much more ambitious challenge, as it finds its progressive ideals — and its increasingly diverse citizenry — in frequent opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump. Every month, in the Letter from California, we chronicle efforts in the state to grapple with its role in the changing, modern West.
If you tuned in to President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address on Jan. 30, you heard that working-class immigrants in this country are, above all, a security threat to everyone else. The president implicitly linked all young, brown working-class men to La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal gang started by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s.
“Many of these gang members took advantage of glaring loopholes in our laws to enter the country as unaccompanied alien minors,” Trump said. “We have sent thousands and thousands of MS-13 horrible people out of this country or into our prisons.”
There is nothing new about Trump’s claims: Since before the 2016 election, he has blamed the United States’ supposedly “open borders” for the deaths of innocent Americans. That’s why we must build his border wall, he says, and deport them all. But Trump’s threatening words, with their thinly veiled racism, only draw attention to this administration’s rapid erosion of civil rights. They are meant to instill fear in the public, while advancing a false narrative about immigration and what it means to be American.
And the strength of the president’s claims fades under scrutiny. According to government data, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested around 800 suspected gang members last year, not thousands. It is unclear how many of them belonged to MS-13. What is clear is that the crackdown resulted in the unlawful detention of minors, including 26 teenagers who were charged with “gang affiliation” until the American Civil Liberties Union sued the government on their behalf.
Salvadoran immigrants Diana Paredes, left, and Isabel Barrera, right, react following an announcement from the Trump administration ending special protections for immigrants from El Salvador on Jan. 8, 2018. That action could force nearly 200,000 to leave the U.S. by September 2019 or face deportation.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
MS-13’s brutality is undeniable, as is the long history of violence in Honduras and El Salvador, where many gang members come from. Over the past decade, both countries have ranked as two of the most dangerous in the world outside of active war zones. The conflict goes back at least a hundred years, to the first of a series of U.S. military invasions and political interventions in Central America, done in the name of American corporate interests. American involvement in El Salvador’s civil war and Honduras’ repressive policies seeded the political and economic instability that has swept the region in the past four decades, leading to widespread human rights abuses, and unsurprisingly, mass emigration to the United States.
[RELATED:https://www.hcn.org/issues/44.7/a-literary-organization-tackles-california-gang-violence]
Today, an estimated 2 million people of Honduran and Salvadoran descent live and work in the U.S. About 250,000 of them are here under Temporary Protected Status, short-term work visas for immigrants from places where environmental disasters or armed conflicts make it too dangerous for them to return home. Next year, under new White House directives, many of these legal residents could be facing deportation. And then there are those who stand to lose their right to claim asylum: the “unaccompanied minors” — meaning those tens of thousands of Central American children and teenagers who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since about 2010, fleeing gang violence and seeking a better, safer life.
Since the 1980s, California has been an important refuge for those fleeing war, poverty and gangs: Almost half of all Central American immigrants in the U.S. live in the Los Angeles area. Now, Trump is raising the specter of MS-13 to advocate sending thousands of immigrants back to countries ravaged by violence largely of our own creation. A mandate to welcome “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” has long guided America’s unique style of inclusiveness, but in just the span of a single year, we’ve witnessed how rapidly that can erode. So beware of the current push for a border wall and deportations: They are code for something bigger and much more dangerous.
As a resident of Los Angeles and a naturalized citizen, I routinely feel offended by this rhetoric. But I not need be a foreigner to be hurt by it; it is, or it ought to be, a collective pain. More than a third of my city is made up of immigrants from all over the world, with or without papers. Imagine the trauma faced by neighbors and coworkers who may be suddenly separated from their families after an arrest over a minor traffic infraction. Think of the young undocumented Dreamer who has been able to work in the U.S. thanks to the DACA program, but who is now under constant threat of deportation, and whose reputation is wrongly tarnished by violent gangs. All the fiery rhetoric about MS-13 reflects little of the reality of these people’s lives. In California, a state that’s thriving partly due to the hard work of immigrants, it undermines our shared ideals of multiculturalism and opportunity. So next time you hear the president spew generalized falsehoods about an entire people, ask yourself: Is this really what it means to be American?
Contributing editor Ruxandra Guidi writes from Los Angeles, California. Follow @homelandsprod
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James Van Dyke
Futurion
T.C. Spencer Pryor
Alston & Bird, LLP
Brian A. Engle, CISSP, CISA
Riskceptional Strategies
Incident & Breach Response , Security Operations
Dixons Carphone: 10 Million Records Exposed in 2017 Breach
Retailer Revises Breach Impact Upward; 5.9 Million Payment Cards Also Exposed Mathew J. Schwartz (euroinfosec) • July 31, 2018
Dixons Carphone 3-in-1 store on Oxford Street in London (Photo: Dixons Carphone)
Struggling European electronics giant Dixons Carphone says its investigation into a July 2017 data breach has found that the incident was worse than it initially believed, affecting 10 million customers - 10 times the number it previously reported (see Dixons Carphone Breach: 5.9 Million Payment Cards Exposed).
See Also: The Application Security Team's Framework For Upgrading Legacy Applications
"Our investigation, which is now nearing completion, has identified that approximately 10 million records containing personal data may have been accessed in 2017," the publicly traded company says in a Tuesday statement. "While there is now evidence that some of this data may have left our systems, these records do not contain payment card or bank account details and there is no evidence that any fraud has resulted."
London-based Dixons Carphone is a multinational electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company that owns and operates a number of brands throughout Europe, including Carphone Warehouse, Currys, Dixons Travel and PC World.
The company issued its first alert on the breach on June 13, saying that "as part of a review of our systems and data, we have determined that there has been unauthorized access to certain data held by the company." At the time, it said that 5.9 million payment cards may have been accessed, of which 5.8 million had chip-and-PIN protection. That figure has not changed.
But it previously said that 1.2 million records with non-financial information - including customers' names, addresses and email addresses - had been accessed. Now, however, it says 10 million such records were exposed.
Alex Baldock, CEO of Dixons Carphone, issued an apology to customers and says his firm is communicating advice on how they can best protect themselves.
"Since our data security review uncovered last year's breach, we've been working around the clock to put it right," Baldock says. "That's included closing off the unauthorized access, adding new security measures and launching an immediate investigation, which has allowed us to build a fuller understanding of the incident that we're updating on today. As a precaution, we're now also contacting all our customers to apologize and advise on the steps they can take to protect themselves."
National Crime Agency Investigates
The U.K.'s National Crime Agency is leading the law enforcement response to the breach, and its National Cyber Crime Unit officers are working with Dixon Carphone investigators to secure evidence.
"Due to the complexity of these inquiries, the investigation will take some time," says the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Center, the country's national incident response team that's part of the GCHQ signals intelligence agency.
Last month, the Information Commissioner's Office, which enforces the country's data privacy laws - including the EU's General Data Protection Regulation - told Information Security Media Group that it was too early to say if the breach would fall under GDPR, which has been in effect since May 25.
As of Tuesday, the ICO says its investigation - together with NCA, NCSC and the Financial Conduct Authority - remains ongoing. "Dixons Carphone reported a data breach to the ICO in June. The company has now confirmed that the incident affected the personal data of 10 million records, which is significantly higher than initially stated," the ICO said on Tuesday.
"Our investigation into the incident is ongoing and we will take time to assess this new information," the ICO says. "In the meantime, we would expect the company to alert all those affected in the U.K. as soon as possible and to take all steps necessary to reduce any potential harm to consumers."
Security experts say it's not unusual to see businesses revising upward - or occasionally, downward - their estimate of the number of records that may have been exposed in a breach, once investigators have had time to mitigate the intrusion and assess the damage (see Equifax: US Breach Victim Tally Stands at 146.6 Million).
Iowa Health Group Data Breach Hits 1.4 Million Patients
Facebook Removes 'Bad Actors' for 'Inauthentic' Activity
Premera Signs $10 Million Breach Settlement With 30 States
Cybersecurity Firm McAfee Preps for Public Market Return
The Growing Threat Landscape in 2018
https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/dixons-carphone-10-million-records-exposed-in-2017-breach-a-11265
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DC's Rebirth Is Leaving Me Weirdly Optimistic--Some Spoilers Ahead
When I first heard of DC's Rebirth initiative earlier this year, I was cautiously optimistic especially with chief creative officer Geoff Johns overseeing the project. When we officially learned the details of the initiative in a live press conference in March, I was quickly bummed out by the lack of Earth-2 and Justice Society news, effectively leaving me with the impression that DC had decided to abandon the concept all together.
Johns had later confirmed that the Justice Society was 'still out there somewhere,' but without any details of the team's status, I couldn't bring myself to feel excited for that rather ambiguous confirmation, especially given DC's history with the Justice Society. Now that some very spoilery details have been leaked, I feel my optimism rising again and hoping for a better future. Since there are two major spoilers mentioned in this post, I highly recommend that you turn away now and come back to this post on Wednesday after you've already read the one-shot.
Yesterday, Newsarama released the official (and spoiler-heavy) preview of Geoff Johns' 80 page one-shot. In just five pages, we learn that its narrator is (SPOILER ALERT!) the pre-Crisis Earth-1 Wally West in his Kid Flash costume. Yes, the original Wally West who was a Teen Titan in the 1980s, seemingly confirming that he's still out there somewhere and may still return.
Obviously, I don't know what to expect from Rebirth at this stage, and while many comics news sites are already spoiling the hell out of Rebirth, I'm still uncertain of the changes we can expect. However, if we're already getting back the original Wally West from the pre-Crisis Earth-1 era, plus it's been confirmed on multiple websites that the original Justice Society is returning to the DC Universe, I have reason to hope that I may still see the pre-Crisis Earth-2 characters yet. At least, from my perspective, it would tremendously compensate for the train wreck that the New 52 Earth-2 became under Eddie Berganza's editorial office, and the Dr. Frankenstein creation that is now passing for Earth-2 in the Earth-2: Society series.
I really want to be optimistic about this. I really, truly do, namely because it'll mean that I'll finally have something positive to say about DC's direction for the first time in five years. As much as I prefer having a multiverse over another Clutter Earth (plus I still feel DC is lacking structural diversity), if Rebirth means scrapping all of the cynicism, the extreme violence, and overly dark tone that have been plaguing DC for the last three decades in order restore light and optimism to DC Comics characters and narratives, I am totally game. Because the one thing that's been missing from DC since the start of the post-Crisis era (aside from fan favourite characters, relationships, and narratives) has been exactly that: optimism and light. Some narratives had it, but there were many more that didn't, which made both the post-Crisis and New 52 continuities largely joyless for me compared to the pre-Crisis comics.
In many ways, the five-page preview for DC Universe: Rebirth alone feels like Johns is apologising to fans for decades of getting so many characters and narratives wrong. He also appears to be tracing the source of the problem (in a meta sort of way) to Alan Moore's graphic novel, Watchmen, which many have held responsible for ruining the foundations of mainstream superhero comics for the last 30 years. That multiple sources have confirmed that (SPOILER ALERT!) Dr. Manhattan was responsible for creating the New 52 Earth and not Pandora as previously established seems to validate that opinion.
I want to believe that Rebirth will lead to a major turnaround for DC Comics both tonally and commercially. I strongly believe all of these characters need to be accessible to everyone from the very young to the very old in order to sustain and especially foster a future audience. As the late Darwyn Cooke once said:
The bravest and smartest thing [Marvel or DC] could do would be to scrap everything they’re doing and bring in creative people who would have the talent and were willing to put in the effort it takes to write an all-ages universe that an adult or a child could enjoy. If either one of these companies were smart enough to do that, I think they could take huge strides for the industry.
He was absolutely right, and for the first time in 30 years, it's starting to look like both Marvel and DC are finally learning from their past mistakes. I wasn't originally going to buy DC Universe: Rebirth after feeling bummed out over the lack of a new Earth-2 Justice Society title, but I will definitely buy it now on Wednesday and report back here. If I find myself pleasantly surprised by what I find in its 80 pages, I'll post a public love letter to Geoff Johns on this blog for restoring light and optimism back to DC. If it turns out to be more of the same, you'll surely know about it because I'll definitely rant about it. However, I strong feeling that won't be the case this time, and I can almost taste that love letter happening from light years away!
Labels: dc comics, geoff johns, news, opinion, rebirth
Jyger85 21 May 2016 at 15:47
Yeah, I'm pretty optimistic, too. I like the direction we're seemingly going in, I like that, while we've got the new Wally West to work with and see what he does, that we've also got the old one back again. I like that the old Superman is back with his wife and son, the latter of whom is becoming Superboy. I like that old characters are coming back, and characters that HAVE been around are maybe getting back to their roots and having their histories brought back.
And I will say this: I don't know where this is going with Watchmen and if this is going to lead to some kind of clash. I was actually originally wondering HOW Doctor Manhatten was responsible for this, but then I slapped myself and realized "Jeff, TOTALLY not the best question you could be asking right now", and that the bigger question is WHY he did this, and if he's gonna be a villain now. But I will say this if there's going to be a clash: Making the DC Universe a more light and optimistic one right now is a GREAT choice, especially if we're headed for a clash with Watchmen, because it creates a great contrast, whereas if it was the New 52 Universe going against Watchmen, it'd be one dark and dire universe fighting another.
Havilland Parker 2 June 2016 at 05:25
Awesome. I'm cautiously optimistic too. So far I'm pulling more books than I was in New52.
By the way, I'm new to the site! ;) I can't wait to read your review.
Wonder Woman Wednesday: The Legend of Wonder Woman...
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Legend of Wonder Woman Gets Volume 2 by DC
Dear DC Comics, Stop Being Sexist, Stop Pretending...
Earth-2 Has A New Group Editor: Jim Chadwick!
The Legend of Wonder Woman #5 Preview
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Beethoven: Cello Sonatas & Variations
Beethoven: Cello Sonatas & Variations Duo Sinossi
Label: OnClassical
Subgenre: Concertos
Formats & Prices
Format Price In Cart Buy
FLAC 88.2 $ 20.40
Ludwig van Beethoven !770 -1827): Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1:
1Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: I. Adagio sostenuto02:59
2Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: II. Allegro15:25
3Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: III. Rondo. Allegro vivace07:13
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2:
4Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo05:37
5Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: II. Allegro molto più tosto presto15:07
6Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: III. Rondo. Allegro09:07
12 Variations on "See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes", WoO 45:
712 Variations on "See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes", WoO 45: Theme. Allegretto00:52
812 Variations on "See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes", WoO 45: Var. 100:44
1012 Variations on "See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes", WoO 45: Var. 300:45
1712 Variations on "See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes", WoO 45: Var. 1000:42
12 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen", Op. 66:
2012 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen", Op. 66: Thema00:33
2112 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen", Op. 66: Var. 100:32
3012 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen", Op. 66: Var. 1001:17
Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69:
33Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69: I. Allegro non tanto13:03
34Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto05:37
35Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69: IIIa. Adagio cantabile01:36
36Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69: IIIb. Allegro vivace07:18
7 Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", WoO 46:
377 Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", WoO 46: Theme00:53
387 Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", WoO 46: Var. 100:40
Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1:
45Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1: I. Andante teneramente02:37
46Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1: II. Allegro vivace05:03
47Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1: III. Adagio01:59
48Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1: III. Tempo d'andante00:45
49Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 No. 1: IV. Allegro vivace04:20
50Cello Sonata No. 5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio06:49
51Cello Sonata No. 5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2: II. Adagio con moto sentimento d'affetto08:27
52Cello Sonata No. 5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2: III. Allegro - Allegro fugato04:37
Total Runtime02:31:20
Info for Beethoven: Cello Sonatas & Variations
In the early 19th century and earlier, the instrumental sonata for ensemble that included piano was usually called "piano sonata with instrumental accompaniment". Beethoven's first violin sonatas, for instance, were published as "sonatas for piano with violin accompaniment." While most sonatas with cello from the 18th century were written for continuo, with the left hand of the keyboard part often doubling the cello, Beethoven is credited for composing some of the first works in the genre that featured a written-out piano part.
The first two cello sonatas that Beethoven composed were published as Op. 5 in 1796, and were dedicated to Friedrich Wilhelm II. They are thought to have been written with the celebrated cellist Jean-Louis Duport in mind. As the chronicles of the era report, they were played several times at court. The two Sonatas, Op. 5 are monumental in intentions, even if they are structured in two movements (in both compositions, the opening movement presents a lengthy introduction followed by a fast-paced movement in sonata form, which alludes to the presence of a third movement).
The third cello sonata, in the key of A Major and published as Op. 69, was written in 1808, and generally proposes more balanced and transparent writing than the previous sonatas. "Greater compositional technique allowed Beethoven the possibility of using fewer notes with confidence," wrote violinist Mark Kaplan. Cellist Steven Isserlis describes it as the first cello sonata in history to give the two instruments equal importance.
The two Sonatas, Op. 102 (Nos. 4 and 5) were composed between the end of 1812 and 1817. During that time, Beethoven was challenged by all sorts of difficulties, and experienced a period of literal and figurative silence. As his deafness became overwhelmingly profound, his productivity diminished. Following the A Major Sonata by seven years, the complexity of their composition and their visionary character marks (alongside the Piano Sonata in A Major, Op 101, written at the same time) the start of what is generally described as Beethoven’s “third period.”
The Duo Sinossi, with Marianna Sinagra at the cello and Lorenzo Cossi at the piano, offers a reading of the five compositions, plus the three sets of variations, that underscores the richness of contrapuntal textures and instrumental brilliance.
Duo Sinossi, Duo:
Marianna Sinagra, cello
Lorenzo Cossi, piano
Duo Sinossi
Lorenzo Cossi
has been recently internationally acclaimed as one of the five finalists at the Honens
International Piano Competition in Calgary, Canada.
His performance of the Brahms first Piano Concerto in D minor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Roberto Minczuk received a standing ovation at the beautiful Jack Singer Concert Hall.
The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote “Cossi’s technique and command of sonority were simply stunning. He produced lush, orchestral sounds and performed amazing feats, but always with a refined touch”.
Lorenzo was born in Trieste, Italy, and completed his studies at the local Conservatory, under the guideance of Giuliana Gulli, sister of the beloved violinist Franco Gulli.
His musical education has been developed with other important artists, such as Nino Gardi, Elisso Virsaladze, Joaquìn Achùcarro, William Grant Naborè and Jerome Lowenthal.
He had the opportunity to study at the International Piano Academy “Lake Como” and the “Accademia Chigiana” in Siena.
In 2011 he was one of the ten pianists selected worldwide to take part to the Music Academy of the West summer Festival in Santa Barbara, California.
His repertoire ranges from the baroque era to contemporary music, with a special interest for Jazz and many other styles.
Lorenzo has always been fascinated by chamber music, and he collaborates with many important musicians (he played with cellist Johannes Moser, violinist Federico Agostini and Geoff Nuttal, soprano Amanda Roocroft).
In particular, he regularely plays with cellist Marianna Sinagra, a partnership dating back to 2009.
The Sinagra-Cossi Duo recently won third prize at the “V. Gui” International Chamber Music Competition in Firenze, one of the most important competitions of this kind.
A prize winner of the “Rina Sala Gallo competition” in Monza, the “G. Pecar” competition in Gorizia and many others, Lorenzo was twice finalist at the prestigious International “F. Busoni” Piano competition in Bolzano.
In November 2014 he performed Scriabin’s masterpiece Prometheus (Poem of Fire) in Luxembourg with the Luxembourg Philharmonie conducted by Emilio Pomarico.
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Grant of Fuel Cell Catalyst Patent
Posted on: 21st December 2012 in News
Ilika (AIM: IKA), the advanced cleantech materials company, announces that it has received notification that its patent application covering the use of lower cost metal alloys as electro-catalysts in PEM fuel cells has been granted in the USA.
In a fuel cell, a controlled reaction occurs between hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction requires electro-catalysts, which are currently based on the precious metal, platinum. Ilika has developed a novel platinum-free catalyst, which, on a cost/performance basis, has been shown to be 70% cheaper than the current industry standard. The electro-catalysts, which were originally discovered using Ilika's high throughput materials development platform at its facility in Southampton, UK, have been subsequently manufactured to Ilika's specification by a partner using an industrially-scalable process.
The grant of this patent is therefore a significant step forward in securing the intellectual property in the major markets in which Ilika intends to commercialize its proprietary technology. Further grants of the patent family in other jurisdictions around the world are expected in 2013.
As communicated in Ilika's Trading update released in October 2012, Ilika's lead automotive partner has commenced its assessment of the technical performance of Ilika's proprietary fuel cell catalysts. Initial samples are being made available for confirmatory testing prior to designing a larger scale programme. A larger batch of electro-catalyst is currently being manufactured to Ilika's specification for delivery in the first half of CY 2013.
This patent underpins the product development work, which is being supported by the Carbon Trust through the £150,000 equity investment Ilika announced in September 2012. The Carbon Trust invested in Ilika through its Polymer Fuel Cells Challenge programme, to support the commercialization of Ilika's high performing electro-catalysts for use in fuel cell vehicles. As part of the Carbon Trust's technical and commercial evaluation of the technology, Ilika submitted performance data for assessment by independent experts demonstrating the performance and stability of the catalyst. The performance data was generated in industry standard tests of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) carried out at an independent fuel cell testing facility. The investment from the Carbon Trust is currently supporting Ilika in having a larger quantity of the electro-catalyst made for testing by the major automotive OEMs that have expressed their interest in the technology.
Graeme Purdy, Chief Executive of Ilika, added: "The grant of this patent by the USPTO confirms the novelty and inventiveness of Ilika's intellectual property in this area. The Ilika team is very focussed on ensuring the successful commercialisation of this technology with our key partners".
Completion of laboratory facility expansion
Completion of disposal
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Update on patents for solid-state batteries
Posted on: 17th March 2015 in News
Ilika announces international progress with two of its patent applications supporting solid-state batteries.
These two patent applications, of which Ilika announced the successful British grant in May 2014, are part of the patent families that cover Ilika's proprietary vapour deposition processes used in producing solid-state batteries directly from the elements. Ilika has received a Communication of Intention to Grant in Europe for one of its patent applications and a Notice of Allowance in the United States for another. Both patent applications were jointly filed with Toyota Motor Company on 21st July 2011.
Further new international patent applications have also recently been filed under the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) based upon earlier British priority applications. It is the Company's intention to apply for patents in all significant economic jurisdictions.
These particular joint filings resulted from collaborative work undertaken by Ilika and Toyota, which commenced in 2008. These two patent families are the earliest filings of a growing portfolio of intellectual property (IP) exemplifying Ilika's unique approach to solid-state battery production using evaporation sources. The more recent applications in the portfolio contain both jointly-owned and solely owned IP.
The scalable stacked cell architecture which Ilika can produce enables the simple fabrication of cells over a wide range of sizes. Ilika intends initially to produce micro-battery prototypes designed for powering wireless sensors, commonly referred to as the "Internet of Things", which is a rapidly growing segment expected to create an addressable market for micro-batteries in excess of £1bn by 2017. The battery architecture will subsequently be scaled-up, using the same process but with faster fabrication rates, to produce devices suitable for the largest markets for lithium ion batteries in wearables and consumer electronics, including mobile phones.
Commenting on this latest development, Graeme Purdy, Ilika CEO, said: "This announcement underlines the uniqueness of the technology developed by Ilika for the production of solid-state batteries. Securing granted patents in Europe and the USA, two of the major markets in our field, is a significant milestone in reinforcing the value of Ilika's technology position and is a key value driver for the business. We also plan to secure granted patents in all other major economic jurisdictions."
Commencement of solid-state battery pilot production
Full Turnout at Ilika Investor Day
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Transforming the Workplace
SHARE Published : May 2016
Quick Read Deep Read
In the latest CEO Dialogues, Bernard Yee, VP of AT&T Asia Pacific, discussed how the company has recognised and responded to the rapid shift in how people access information and how changes to their workplace has led to higher productivity and retention of skilled employees.
IMA: What are some of the changes you have made in your regional office environment?
Bernard: We have moved from dedicated offices to floating workspace. This office in Taikoo Shing was a big change for us. It may not look any different than many other offices in Hong Kong. But our office in Times Square was the traditional dark wood with high cubicles that you couldn’t look over. It was sort of “New Jersey-style,” similar to Pfizer and other companies there. We’re trying to encourage people to work differently. We generally don’t have reserved desks, even though we actually have enough for each employee. Hong Kong, like Tokyo, has one of the highest percentages in the world of staff coming to the office every day instead of working somewhere else. In Australia and India, for example, quite a few people have offices in their home. Although we don’t have a fixed desk policy, human nature being human nature means that they often do sit in the same desk each day. They are not supposed to personalize it, but people do and we don’t want to be dogmatic about it. Yet, we still are slowly moving toward that “floating space” over time. So, we have cubicles with low walls, and have moved everyone to wireless with enough capacity and speed. Video is on all desktops, often used for conference calls.
IMA: You use mobile video communication through the office. Why?
Bernard: We’ve seen a big shift globally, in almost every culture, from TV as the main source of information to smartphones and tablets. Video is everything. We have training and courses, as well as emails that are moving into short videos – 30 seconds to one minute. Otherwise, people get bored, especially the younger folks we bring on. I was initially sceptical about mobile videos in the office. Mobile videos are efficient and effective on a business trip or even outside the office in your own city. But do people want to work in a
mobile way, instead of at a desk? It’s definitely moving that way – and not just for millennials, but also with folks like us.
IMA: The intial reaction from some of your staff was a bit sceptical. What steps did you take to alleviate their concerns?
Benard: Before we moved here, we gave staff a tour of the office as designed via virtual reality. Then, we brought our employees in to look at the office as it was being built, to help overcome the natural trepidations about moving from an office they knew and liked, to a new place in a different location with smaller individual space. They could see everything taking shape over three to four trips during the renovation. Proposed furniture, office fittings, and colour schemes were displayed at the old office for people to try them out and decide whether they wanted them or not. So, we built that “little bit of ownership” with almost everyone. They then could say: “I suggested this” or “they had this stupid idea, but it was fortunate that I was around to move them in a more acceptable direction.” We had some global standards and interior styles that provide a “consistent look and feel.” We worked within those parameters, using the same global property consultant who knew the standards and how they could be applied.
Members can read the full interview and magazine via login.
Learn more about IMA Asia’s memberships here or contact us.
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Film & TV By Michelle Drown | Thu Feb 04, 2016 | 5:24pm
‘25 April’
Director Leanne Pooley
There were many defining battles of World War I — the Battle of the Somme, for example, in which more than 50,000 French military personnel were killed or went missing. For our compatriots Down Under, the battle for Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula is etched into their collective memory as one of the deadliest. In 25 April, director Leanne Pooley has made a beautifully rendered documentary that uses graphic novel-style animation to tell the true stories of six Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who fought in the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign. (25 April screens Friday, February 5, 5:20pm at Metro; Saturday, February 6, 11:20am at Metro; and Monday, February 8, 11am at Lobero.)
What drew you to make this film?
I was approached by the producer Matthew Metcalfe who had the idea to make a film about Gallipoli using animation. Gallipoli is a very important part of New Zealand’s national identity, but it’s a story that’s been told a number of times. This was a new and exciting way to explore what happened. Animation means I can do things I couldn’t if this was a live action film. I can really get inside the heads of those who were there. There are visual metaphors that help me express the emotional cost as well as the physical cost of this conflict that simply wouldn’t work in a live action film. It really was a creative opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
How did you select the six people whose lives the film followed?
The research stage took almost a year. We read hundreds of diaries looking for individuals who could help me cross the entire eight-month campaign and who wrote not just of what happened but of what they felt about what was happening. It was a sobering and difficult task but I felt really humbled by the words of the young men and women who were living through a nightmare. By the time we “cast” the six we felt best articulated the circumstances I really felt I’d got to know them.
Why did you decide to use graphic-novel style animation to tell the story?
This is a grown up story and I didn’t want it to feel “cartoonish.” I wanted it to have a beautiful yet gritty feel and I believed the graphic novel approach would help us achieve this. Colin Wilson, a renowned graphic artist, was brought on to help us design the look. I believe what he and the animators at FLUX animation have achieved is truly amazing and gives the film power a more traditional style of animation might not have.
The film is beautifully animated and the emotional nuances that show in faces of the people “interviewed” nearly made me forget it was animation. Did you use motion-capturing imaging to attaint such subtlety?
Yes, the “interviews” were done using motion capture. I felt strongly that if the audience didn’t connect with these individuals as real people the film wouldn’t work so we had a cast of wonderful New Zealand actors inhabiting those animated bodies. The actors read the diaries, letters, and memoirs of the people they played. They really got inside the characters and brought another layer of honesty to the film.
I presume most people in New Zealand and Australia are familiar with the Gallipoli campaign. Did you make this film with those audiences in mind or was your intention to acquaint international viewers with the battle?
Both really. While the story is known to our audience at home I’m hoping that in choosing to animate it we’ve given it a new life. We have been able to bring the men and woman who were there a chance to really talk about their experiences in an intimate and sometimes confronting way. I’m hoping this, alongside the power of the story itself, will engage those who felt they’d heard and seen everything Gallipoli had to offer. At the same time I believe that same power and the innovative way we’ve chosen to explore it will connect with an international audience. That there will be interested in a “documentary” that goes outside the traditional envelope. I also believe that because the film taps into universal themes around war and sacrifice that it should touch anyone who has thought about conflict and its impact on humanity.
What do you hope audiences take away from this film?
I’m hoping the audience really identifies with these young men and woman who 100 years ago experienced unimaginable horror but managed to cling to their humanity. While reading the diaries I found these people from a different time very familiar, it felt as if they were talking to me down the pub. Not much has changed in 100 years. Young men and women go to war at the behest of others and make huge sacrifices. I hope that the reality of war, imagined in this unreal way, encourages the audience to consider the price paid by those who are there and how it’s still being exacted.
Michelle Drown
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War, Nation, Memory
International Perspectives on World War II in School History Textbooks
Keith A. Crawford, Newcastle University, Australia
Stuart J. Foster, University of London
A volume in the series: Research in Curriculum and Instruction. Editor(s): Cheryl J. Craig, University of Houston.
The Second World War stands as the most devastating and destructive global conflict in human history. More than 60 nations representing 1.7 billion people or three quarters of the world’s population were consumed by its horror. Not surprisingly, therefore, World War II stands as a landmark episode in history education throughout the world and its prominent place in school history textbooks is almost guaranteed. As this book demonstrates, however, the stories that nations choose to tell their young about World War II do not represent a universally accepted “truth” about events during the war. Rather, wartime narratives contained in school textbooks typically are selected to instil in the young a sense of national pride, common identify, and shared collective memory. To understand this process War, Nation, Memory describes and evaluates school history textbooks from many nations deeply affected by World War II including China, France, Germany, Japan, USA, and the United Kingdom. It critically examines the very different and complex perspectives offered in many nations and analyses the ways in which textbooks commonly serve as instruments of socialisation and, in some cases, propaganda. Above all, War, Nation, Memory demonstrates that far from containing “neutral” knowledge, history textbooks prove fascinating cultural artefacts consciously shaped and legitimated by powerful ideological, cultural, and sociopolitical forces dominant in the present.
Paperback978-1-59311-851-8
Hardcover978-1-59311-852-5
HIS027100 - HISTORY: MILITARY: World War II
EDU016000 - EDUCATION: History
EDU015000 - EDUCATION: Higher
Educating About Social Issues in the 20th and 21st Centuries - Vol 4 Critical Pedagogues and Their Pedagogical Theories
Educating About Social Issues in the 20th and 21st Centuries Vol 1 A Critical Annotated Bibliography
Educating About Social Issues in the 20th and 21st Centuries Vol. 2 A Critical Annotated Bibliography
Exemplary Elementary Social Studies Case Studies in Practice
Facing Challenges and Complexities in Retention of Novice Teachers
Schooling for Tomorrow's America
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7 Best Things to Do in Little India
What is Little India Most Famous For?
Many of the best things to do in Little India Singapore are within walking distance from one another, meaning that you can explore this bustling neighborhood within a day or two. Located east of the Singapore River, it’s one of the smallest districts in Singapore so walking and cycling are the best ways of getting around.
You’ll be surrounded by plenty of religious sites, such as Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as a mosque dating back to the 19th century. In this list of things to do in Little India, we’ve also got you covered on shopping – one of Singapore’s most popular pastimes.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Sri Veeramakaliamman is one of the prettiest and busiest temples in Little India. Located on Sarangoon Road, this 19th-century Hindu temple dates all the way back to the 19th century, with facilities such as a wedding and multipurpose hall.
With hundreds of tiny colorful statues blanketing the exterior temple structure, Sri Veeramakaliamman is quite a popular photography spot. Inside is just as impressive – expect a large crowds paying their respects on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Entrance is free, but dress respectfully and take your shoes off before stepping inside the temple.
Location: 141 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218042
Open: Tuesday from 5.30am to 12.15pm and from 2.30pm to 9pm, Wednesday–Monday from 5.30am to 12.15pm and from 4pm to 9pm
photo by Steve (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
House of Tan Teng Niah
The House of Tan Teng Niah is a colorful 2-storey villa dating back to 1900. Located on Kerbau Road, It’s one of few remaining Chinese structures in Little India that were built during the colonialization of Singapore.
The local community is responsible for the rainbow of colors that the House of Tan Teng Niah is so famous for, as well as its renovation and upkeep. After snapping some photos of the villa, grab yourself a biryani meal in the nearby courtyard for a particularly picturesque al fresco dining.
Location: 37 Kerbau Road, Singapore 219168
photo by Marcin Konsek (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
To the untrained eye, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple might look similar to Sri Veeramakaliamman, just down the road. The exterior features all those intricately designed Hindu relics which cling to the main structure – or Gopuram – and the whole building is just as colorful.
The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. You’ll also see statues of other Hindu deities, including Mahalakshmi, Murugan, and Anjaneyar. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple serves the local community with daily Pooja (worship sessions) in the mornings and evenings.
Open: Daily from 6.15am to 12pm and from 6pm to 9pm
photo by xiquinhosilva (CC BY 2.0) modified
Mustafa Center
Mustafa Center is a 24-hour shopping mall that offers designer products at low prices. Shopping at this mall is akin to shopping at an indoor market – narrow aisles jam-packed with all manner of products.
Sure, it’s messy, a little disorganised, and packed every day, but if you come in search of a specific item you can’t find anywhere else in town, you might just find an entire aisle dedicated to it at Mustafa Center.
Location: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore, 207704
photo by ProjectManhattan (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Temple of 1,000 Lights
The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple was built in the 1927 by a Thai monk, and the Siamese influences are clear to be seen throughout The main feature of this Buddhist temple is a 15-meter-tall Buddha statue that weighs about 300 tonnes.
It’s often called the Temple of 1,000 Lights, thanks to the chain of lamps surrounding the statue. Located between the Little India and Farrar Park MRT stations, entrance to Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is free but do dress modestly out of respect for the worshippers.
Location: 366 Race Course Road, Singapore 218638
Open: Daily from 8am to 4.30pm
photo by Insights Unspoken (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
Abdul Gafoor Mosque
The original Abdul Gafoor Mosque dates back to 1859 – it was built to serve South Indian Muslim merchants and those who worked at the old race course at Farrer Park. After years of renovations, the mosque has a unique architectural style of Southern Indian, Moorish, and Victorian influences.
A must-see at Abdul Gafoor Mosque is the Arabic-style glass cupola, which is supported by Roman pillars inspired by Roman architecture. Like many religious sites around the world, do dress modestly if you’re planning to visit the mosque.
Location: 41 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209369
Open: Friday from 8am to 12pm and from 2.30pm to 8pm, Saturday–Thursday from 8am to 8pm
photo by Orderinchaos (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Leong San See Temple
Leong San See Temple was built to honor Guan Yin (or as Guanyim), the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. It’s often packed with families praying for filial piety and academic success. The ancestral hall offers free vegetarian dishes during important days in the lunar calendar.
Leong San See Temple’s main structure resembles a Chinese palace, with bright red and gold accents throughout the building. There are also plenty of intricate carvings of mythic beings on its beams and pillars.
Open: Daily from 7.30am to 5pm
photo by Basile Morin (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Stephan Audiger | Compulsive Traveler
I don’t know my dates
6 Best Places to Go Shopping in Little India
Ari Gunadi, 4 Jun, 2019
Great Restaurants in Little India
Best Nightlife in Clarke Quay and Riverside
Paul Smith, 4 Jun, 2019
6 Best Things to Do in Orchard Road
8 Best Things to Do in Bugis and Kampong Glam
Best Things to Do in Geylang and Joo Chiat
16 Best Things to Do in Marina Bay
Best Things to Do in Chinatown
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LSU sprinter sets two world records
By LSU Sports Information
Jun 8, 2019 at 10:32 PM
AUSTIN, Texas – LSU sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson set two U20 world records on Saturday at the NCAA Championships with personal bests of 10.75 in the 100 meters and 22.17 in the 200 meters.
She is the first woman in world history, of any age, to run sub 10.8 in the 100 and sub 22.2 in the 200 meters. Richardson’s 10.75 broke Dawn Sowell’s collegiate record of 10.78 that was set in 1989. The top three NCAA 100 meter sprinters in NCAA history all attended LSU – Richardson (10.75), Sowell (10.78/1989) and Aleia Hobbs (10.85/2018). She was victorious in the 100 meters and took second in the 200 meters.
As a team, the LSU women took third with 43 points. Richardson won the 100 meter NCAA title and claimed silver in the 200 meter finals for a total of 18 points.
The women’s 4x100 meter relay of Tonea Marshall, Kortnei Johnson, Rachel Misher, and Sha’Carri Richardson finished second for eight more points. In the hurdles, LSU had two bronze showings with third-place finishes by Tonea Marshall (100m hurdles) and Brittley Humphrey (400m hurdles). Jurnee Woodward added in three points with a sixth-place finish in the 400 meter hurdles and Ersula Farrow was the final scores with two points in the 800 meter run. It is LSU’s best finish at the outdoor NCAA Championships since 2011.
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FuZen Entertainment presents
Om Unit
(Metalheadz/Exit Records)
Sat 23 Apr
Neck of the Woods
Uptown, 155b Karangahape Rd, Auckland
EARLYBIRD:
ADULT - R18
1ST RELEASE:
FuZen presents Om Unit (Metalheadz/Exit Records)
Om Unit is returning to NZ for the first time since his appearance at Northern Bass 14/15 - where he took the stage for not only his solo set, but was part of the now legendary NB Main Stage Metalheadz Takeover.
With support from:
Dylan C
Charlie B
Om Unit Bio:
As a producer and DJ, Jim Coles has been a significant and pioneering presence in various dance music circles for the past five years. Following a formative decade in the global hip-hop underground, Coles took the name Om Unit in the late 2000s and began to travel across genres and scenes in search of sonic tropes to cross-breed and re-imagine. Key to his approach is a desire to never settle for the destination and instead focus on what can be learned from the journey.
What drives Coles is a desire to keep challenging himself, and in turn his audience. Over the past five years, this has led him to distill various influences — hip-hop, dubstep, ambient, jungle, footwork — into a fluid take on sound system culture that sidesteps the pitfalls of genres and pastiche and creates new potentials for exploration and inspiration, with many following in his footsteps. It’s how, in the early 2010s, he came to pioneer the stylistic and rhythmic links between jungle and footwork via a series of acclaimed edits that brought him to the attention of the drum & bass scene. This personal approach has earned Coles praise as a refreshing voice in dance music from both peers and the media.
On record, Coles’ explorations into the deeper end of the electronic music spectrum have come via releases for Civil Music, including a critically acclaimed debut album, 2013’s Threads, legendary drum & bass outfit Metalheadz, where he was given access to Goldie’s personal sample archive as the inspiration for 2014’s Inversion album, Planet Mu, for a collaboration with Machinedrum as Dream Continuum, All City Records, remixing Grammy-winning producer Om’Mas Keith, Plastician’s Terrorhythm, and Exit Records, where he first collaborated with Sam Binga (leading to their BUNIT series of white label releases). The same exploratory approach has made him an in-demand remixer and BBC Radio 1, Boiler Room, Resident Advisor, FACT, XLR8R, and Rinse FM have called on him to provide mixes and showcase his sound.
In 2011, Coles set up a label, Cosmic Bridge Records, through which he has exercised an A&R sensibility that has created an exciting independent home for likeminded artists. The label’s releases, pressed onto limited edition vinyl runs, regularly sell out within days of their street date. Through Cosmic Bridge, Coles has championed veterans such as Kromestar and Boxcutter alongside new voices from Europe and America, including Moresounds, Danny Scrilla, and Graphs. The label’s breadth is best seen in the celebrated, and award-nominated,Cosmolog compilation series Coles began overseeing in 2014. Cosmic Bridge represents a dual path of inspiration: that which Coles found in others’ music, and that which others have found in his.
Coles is also a sought after DJ, with over 300 appearances in clubs and festivals in more than 30 countries he has made the equivalent of over a dozen trips round the globe and counting. And in line with his desire to imagine new potentials for dance music has appeared on varied bills from the Montreux Jazz Festival to Bass Coast, Outlook to Mysteryland.
After two decades in London, Coles relocated to Bristol in 2015. From his new studio on the English west coast he continues his search through production work (the Torchlight EP series on Cosmic Bridge) and aesthetic exercises (the Gates mix series). A keen scholar of all music, he draws from the past and present to imagine the future, never content to remain in the same place for too long.
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Robert D. Kaplan speaks about Romania’s history and significance within Europe
By Ben Martin
Robert D. Kaplan, best-selling author and Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, spoke at The Institute of World Politics on March 3 to discuss his new book In Europe’s Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond.
As Mr. Kaplan explained, this book is an unusual one for him. The reason is that his books almost always have a much broader geographical focus, but this one focuses on just one country. Romania, he felt, is the key to the complex history of the Balkans. His travels to Romania, from his first visit in 1981 to his most recent in 2014, let him to witness first-hand the change from a grim country still mired in the grips of a ruthless leader to a flourishing country with a bright future.
A large part of the talk was about how Romanians care about things that those in Western or Central Europe take for granted — that is, rule of law, transparent institutions, democratic governance, individual freedoms, and financial wellbeing. For many in the EU, those features are not groundbreaking, but for a country where “World War II didn’t end until 1989,” it is very significant.
Mr. Kaplan also focused on how much faith Romania has in American military initiative and leadership. As he said, “In pretty much any war-game scenario, it is almost always the U.S. Government leading NATO to action.”
Please click here to buy the book.
Kosciuszko Chair & Center for Intermarium Studies
Papers & Studies
Speeches & Lectures
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Reading: Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectivene...
Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Courts
John Zeleznikow
Victoria University, AU
The growing rise in the number of self-represented litigants has negative implications for both the court system and access to justice. The expanding use of Artificial Intelligence and the World Wide Web has led to the development and use of Online Dispute Resolution. In this article we investigate a number of systems in Australian Family Law that enhance Alternative Dispute Resolution and Access to Justice. We discuss how a hybrid system that incorporates advice about BATNAs and potential trade-offs as well as allowing online communication can enhance access to justice.
Keywords: Self-Represented Litigants , Access to Justice , Online Dispute Resolution , Artificial Intelligence , Machine Learning
How to Cite: Zeleznikow, J., 2017. Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Courts. International Journal for Court Administration, 8(2), pp.30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow, J., 2017. Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Courts. International Journal for Court Administration, 8(2), pp.30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow J. Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Courts. International Journal for Court Administration. 2017;8(2):30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow, J. (2017). Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution enhance efficiency and effectiveness in Courts. International Journal for Court Administration, 8(2), 30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow J, ‘Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in Courts’ (2017) 8 International Journal for Court Administration 30 DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow, John. 2017. “Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in Courts”. International Journal for Court Administration 8 (2): 30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow, John. “Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in Courts”. International Journal for Court Administration 8, no. 2 (2017): 30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
Zeleznikow, J.. “Can Artificial Intelligence and Online Dispute Resolution Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in Courts”. International Journal for Court Administration, vol. 8, no. 2, 2017, pp. 30–45. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.223
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February 19, 2019 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs
Tax burden on people in the lowest income group reduced
The tax burden on persons in the lowest income group would be reduced by 2 percentage points if the changes to the tax system which the government is proposing are adopted. These changes are in line with the government’s policy declaration of February 2018. In particular, they would improve the position of women, people aged 18-24, people aged 25-34, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and those who do not own their own homes or who receive housing supplements.
A new lowest tax bracket would be added, with funds allocated for the lowering of taxes being transferred to middle and low-income groups according to plans for changes in the tax system that Bjarni Benediktsson, minister of finance and economic affairs, unveiled today. The proposals are seen as delivering about ISK 14.7 b in changes in the income tax system. Increases in child benefit in 2019 amount to ISK 1.6 b and the raising of personal tax credit by more than the rise in the consumer price index puts a further ISK 1.7 b into taxpayers’ hands. Altogether, therefore, the government’s proposals on tax cuts and increased child benefit payments come to ISK 18 b.
It has been the government’s aim to lighten financial burdens and to make for greater equality, and it is in this spirit that a task-force has come up with these proposed changes. The task-force found that the most desirable way of working towards equality is to add a lower tax bracket rather than to change personal tax credit or the tax-free threshold. It therefore recommends the use of a new tax bracket which will specifically lighten the proportion of wages paid in tax by those who are in the lowest income decile. For persons with monthly income below ISK 325,000, this will mean an increase of about ISK 81,000 in disposable income.
It is envisaged that these changes would be introduced in stages in the period 2020-2022.
The task-force’s proposals on new tax brackets, tax rates, personal tax credit and tax-free threshold are as follows:
Bracket 1. Tax rate 32.94% consisting of 18.5% income tax and average municipal tax of 14.44%.
Bracket 3. Tax rate 46.24%,consisting of 31.8% income tax and average municipal tax of 14.44%.
Personal tax credit: ISK 56,477 per month, or ISK 677,358 per year.
Tax-free threshold: ISK 159,174* per month, allowing for 4% pension fund premium deduction.
Examples of the effects of the changes on families with children.
Single parent with 2 children, one of them under the age of 7 years.
Monthly income Increase in child benefit in 2019 Reduction in tax Overall effect
300,000 114,400 81,100 195,500
900,000 200 79,600 79,800
Cohabiting parents with 2 children, one of them younger than 7 years
Monthly income Increase
(combined) in child benefit 2019 Reduction in tax Overall effect
1,000,000 93,500 162,200 255,700
1,800,000 0 159,200 159,200
The tax proposals constitute part of the package of proposals put forward by the government in the run-up to the current round of negotiations on collective agreements on the labour market. Others include the lengthening of maternity/paternity leave from nine to twelve months in two stages: to 10 months as from the beginning of 2020 and to one year as from the beginning of 2021. On the housing front, the government will work on the implementation of the proposals submitted by a task-force, in consultation with the social partners (unions and SA) and the local authorities. These include measures on tenant protection, the allocation of state-owned land for residential housing, including rental apartments, and the expansion of the socially-assisted public rental dwellings system by means of foundation capital contributions and higher income ceilings. The task-force’s proposals on measures to eradicate social dumping will also be implemented. Work is also in progress on the formulation of proposals to lower the threshold for young people and low-income groups to enter the real-estate market.
Measures of various types have already been taken over the past year which have a bearing on the economic position of ordinary working people. As an example of measures taken to strengthen the social rights of the individual, it may be pointed out that unemployment benefit payments have been raised from ISK 227,000 to ISK 270,000 per month and the maximum level of income-related benefits has been raised from ISK 358,000 to ISK 425,000; child benefit was raised by about 16% between 2018 and 2019 and the income level at which benefit reductions begin has been raised by 29%; the amount that senior citizens are permitted to earn through employment without paying tax has been raised from ISK 25,000 to ISK 100,000; the maximum payment from the Income Insurance Fund has been raised from ISK 385,000 to ISK 633,000 per month; the ceiling on monthly payments during maternity/paternity leave has gone up from ISK 500,000 to ISK 600,000; dental treatment costs borne by senior citizens and persons with disabilities have been cut and consultation fees at primary health clinics have been abolished for these groups.
Tax burden on people in the lowest income group reduced (in Polish)
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Paul Turner and Paul Anscombe, Seventeen Group
By Saxon East2012-07-10T15:54:00+01:00
Having just celebrated its 30th year, Seventeen Group is full of vigour. Acquisitions had to take a back seat during the economic downturn, but its leaders reveal that the business is now back on the prowl for brokers and staff
Forget the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. At Seventeen Group’s offices in the City, there’s another far more important celebration going on. The broking and managing general agency specialist has just celebrated 30 years of trading, during which time it has survived four recessions.
It’s become a bit of a cliché for insurers to label brokers as survivors and entrepreneurs, but this certainly rings true for Seventeen Group. It began as a motor underwriter but has evolved into a multi-faceted broker and financial services group, a fascinating journey that chief executive Paul Turner and managing director Paul Anscombe are keen to talk about.
The two sit opposite each other for today’s interview, and if ever there was a case of chalk and cheese, this is it. Turner is all English gentleman: well spoken, smart and polite. He’s proud to carry the torch for the business his father started in 1982. Anscombe is the stocky, streetwise and quick-witted Londoner, running day-to-day operations. He started out as a stockbroker, moved into insurance broking and worked his way up the rungs, becoming a high-profile director at several brokers before finally landing the managing director role at the company in 2004.
Despite the differences in appearance, the two are united in their cause to keep Seventeen Group running smoothly in these tough economic times. “I’ve got a mixed view on recessions,” says Turner, “because there are opportunities out there as well. The reality is that we have a tiny share of the market. Other people will contract and reduce their service. We’re always looking at our servicing so, within specialist markets particularly, we can grow quickly.”
To understand Turner’s optimism, you have to look at the company’s history, which has constantly evolved with the times. The business was started by Turner’s father, Alan, as a motor underwriter, Sabre Motor Policies, along with a broking division, James Hallam. Sabre grew steadily and, with private equity backing, was sold to General Accident in 1996. Today it is one of the highest performing motor insurers, run by industry grandee Keith Morris. The Sabre sale was a watershed moment for the company, and gave James Hallam the funds to embark on a programme of acquisitions. Between 2001 and 2007, the company brought eight brokers, formed an underwriting agency and acquired a risk management business.
Anscombe says it was an era of do or die - if you didn’t grow, you’d become a target yourself or whither away. He admits mistakes were made along the way by everyone, during a time when debt-funded acquisitions resulted in broker bosses being paid what would now be considered over the odds for their businesses.
“There was very much a feeling that you had to sink or swim; and to swim you had to go forward,” he says. “You had the origins of Towergate and the consolidator model starting, and a generation of vendors hitting the right sort of age. We’ll look back at that time as critical because certainly the number of brokers has gone downwards, and now it’s a question of how far downwards.”
Seventeen Group, like other brokers in the post-financial crisis world, eased up on acquisitions and has not made a move since 2009. But now it is on the hunt for brokers and staff. “There are a lot of brokers out there looking for an independent broker home,” says Turner. “In the last six months we’ve had more interest than ever from individuals being referred to us.
“We’re certainly continuing to look for complementary acquisitions, but our business model is not based around the need to feed the business through acquisition. And equally we are very interested in bringing in complementary people.”
We can’t ignore regulation. We have to live it and make it work for us. It’s a threat and an opportunity”
Paul Anscombe, Seventeen Group
If Turner and Anscombe do make another acquisition, it will add to an already well-diversified group. The core of the group is James Hallam, a broker for SMEs and larger international organisations; James Hallam Financial Services provides employee benefits; 4sight provides risk management; and there is an Allianz-backed MGA, Touchstone. There are also direct online brands, such as Gauntlet offering hotel insurance and Yesquote supplying SME products.
Seventeen Group is a model for UK brokers - focused on its specialisms through a variety of distribution channels. The duo are confident and cool-headed when it comes to their firm’s prospects. So does anything ruffle them? When Insurance Times asks Turner about his low points, Anscombe intervenes: “Alcoholism, drug addiction …” Turner smiles, and replies: “Very kind of you to repeat them on my behalf, Paul.” There’s a good chemistry between the two, and it shows today.
There are a couple of subjects, however, that touch a nerve, such as the burden of regulation, which Turner says is “massive”. Anscombe adds: “We can’t ignore it. We have to live it and make it work for us. It’s a threat and an opportunity.”
Anscombe is also cynical over insurer claims that they’re empowering regional underwriters to get closer to brokers and improve service. “We’ve heard it all before,” he says. “It goes in cycles. They go from centralised to decentralised and more accountability. It goes with the tide. We run our business.”
For Insurance Times to dwell on the negatives would be out of kilter with the duo’s optimism. When asked about his vision for the future, Turner perks up. He wants to double turnover and brokerage, which could be achieved on organic growth alone within the next five years. “We’ve put together a five-year plan on a rolling basis and it looks extremely exciting,” he says.
The interview is coming to an end, but Insurance Times has to ask one more question: why is the company now called Seventeen Group? Turner says he was born on the 17th of the month, along with his sister, brother, mother and father.
This rebrand a couple of years ago is a nice touch, showing that the group hasn’t forgotten its roots as a family-founded business. And if the next 30 years are anything like the past, it’s a name that will be around for a long time to come.
Snapshot: Paul Turner
Hometown: Balham, London
Family: Married, two children
Interests: Tennis, golf, skiing, 20th century art, fly fishing
Snapshot: Paul Anscombe
Hometown: Salisbury
First job: Stockbroker
Family: Married, four children
Interests: Rugby, fishing
Snapshot: the company
Group premium: £50m
Market view: A well-managed and diversified independent broker with good prospects
James Hallam acquires First Light
Move strengthens SME business
James Hallam sets up MGA to underwrite SME
London-based independent broker James Hallam has formed a managing general agent (MGA) to underwrite the bulk of its SME business.
Top 50 Brokers 2011: 1st AON
Management: Chief executive Rob Brown has spent much of the past year dodging flak over his new commission charge and the continuing controversy over Aon’s Global Risk Insight Platform (GRIP), a database of client information that insurers pay to access. Brown is a tough customer and, accordingly, Aon retains poll ...
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Anti-pipeline protestors, right, argue with a man attending a pro-pipeline gathering in downtown Vancouver, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Demonstrators on either side of Trans Mountain debate clash in Vancouver
Crowd heard from member of Indigenous-led coalition that hopes to buy 51% of expansion project
Protesters on either side of the debate over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion clashed at a rally organized by the project’s supporters in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Lynn Nellis of the Canada Action Coalition was speaking to the crowd of a few dozen people when anti-pipeline protester Kwiis Hamilton began playing rock music.
Rally attendees asked him to stop but Hamilton persisted. Police responded when Hamilton was shoved.
Afterwards, Hamilton said he interrupted the rally because he wants to defend the land along the B.C. coastline where his ancestors have lived for generations.
Several First Nation leaders who support the project spoke at the rally, including Shane Gottfriedson of Project Reconciliation, an Indigenous-led coalition that hopes to buy 51 per cent of the expansion project.
Gottfriedson says a few Indigenous bands have joined Project Reconciliation and they’re prepared to offer the federal government a fair price for the project, which has been approved by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for a second time.
“For many decades a lot of First Nations have been a part of the oil and gas industry and this opportunity to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline is a one-time opportunity and we’re hoping to make the best of it,” he said.
Clifford Sampare, a hereditary chief of the Gitxsan Nation, told the rally the pipeline expansion will bring benefits to all of B.C.
“Imagine the revenue it’ll generate for Canada,” he said.
VIDEO: Trans Mountain expansion project gets green light, again
New trial ordered for man accused of human smuggling in MV Sun Sea case
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Commencement Matters
Beef Data Programme
See the whole debate Next speaker »
Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for accepting the matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris. My matter relates specifically to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and while I accept it is not within the Minister of State's area of responsibility, I appreciate him coming to give a response. The matter relates to the beef genomics scheme on which I have consulted with suckler farmers throughout most of the north west of the country. The scheme is turning out to be totally unworkable and its implementation threatens the quality of weanling beef output in the north west. I can only provide examples from counties that are close to mine. In Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim some 12,800 farmers were eligible to apply for the scheme but fewer than 5,500 have applied.
The cost of the scheme is €52 million. It was designed to assist farmers but, in effect, the science behind it will adversely impact on the type of weanling that is being produced by farmers throughout the north west. Times are very difficult for farmers in the north west. We have smaller holdings, longer winters and land that is of a lesser quality to other parts of the country but yet have been renowned for breeding the highest quality stock for export and processing for many years.
The Minister of State might be aware, but the Minister will certainly be aware, that in recent weeks farmers are being informed about the grading of the cows. They are finding that the cows that are producing the highest possible quality of weanling are being given a grading of two stars. If the scheme works in the way the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, ICBF, the IFA at a senior level and the Department seem to want it to work, we are going to end up with a much more maternal-focused herd rather than a paternal one. We need a healthy mix. In the first instance the scheme does not help the small farmers of the north west and the other parts of the country and does not serve to increase the quality of the type of output from the north west, which is already renowned as producing the finest store cattle and replacement cattle in Ireland. Something must be done in that regard.
A total of €8 million of the €52 million will go not to farmers but to the genomics testing. One wonders what the ultimate contribution will be. The Minister of State may know, but the Minister, Deputy Coveney, certainly knows, the money is derived from Pillar 2, in terms of funding under the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. There may have been a big uptake on the scheme generally as there are very large dairy and suckler farmers in the south of the country but it is not working in the north west. It would be much better for the 12,800 eligible farmers in the north west where testing costs approximately €1,000, if that money were made available through the payment to areas of natural constraint, what is traditionally known as the disadvantaged area scheme payment, which was substantially reduced. It was originally introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s to keep people on the land and to ensure the continuation of production. Production has been of the highest quality in the north west in terms of weanling production. Some 40% of the country’s entire output of young calves comes from the area and that is now under threat. The scheme is unworkable and is costing money. It is not serving the purpose we need it to serve. I appeal to the Minister of State to impress upon the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to undertake a full review of the scheme at least in the north west where it is not working.While I appreciate that it is not the Minister of State's line and while I appreciate him being here on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, it would be remiss of me not to mention while he is here that the announced scheme for villages and towns is a very sad indictment of any Government, particularly this one. It is less than €190,000 per county, per year over six years. Every Government over the past 30 years has been guilty of not adequately resourcing our regions and rural areas to enable them to reach their potential. If any Government is committed to doing that, it needs to think in terms of billions over a six-year period to strategically target resources for the regions to empower them to reach their potential. I hope the Minister of State will take that on board.
First and foremost is the necessary review of the beef genomics scheme. There is €52 million there that I do not believe is going to serve an adequate purpose. It should be diverted, as I have suggested, to the areas of natural constraint or what would have been known as the disadvantaged area payment.
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Leading Proxy Advisory Firm ISS Recommends Kindred Stockholders Vote “FOR” the Transaction with TPG Capital, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Humana Inc.
Kindred Reminds Stockholders to Vote “FOR” the Value Maximizing Transaction Today
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 19, 2018-- Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (“Kindred” or the “Company”) (NYSE:KND) today announced that leading independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) recommends that Kindred stockholders vote “FOR” the transaction with affiliates of TPG Capital, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) (together, the “consortium”).
Commenting on the report, Benjamin A. Breier , President and Chief Executive Officer of Kindred, said, “We are pleased that ISS recognizes the significant cash value that will be delivered to stockholders through the transaction and supports our Board’s recommendation that stockholders vote “FOR” the transaction. The transaction will deliver certain cash value to Kindred stockholders at a substantial premium in the face of significant operational, regulatory, reimbursement and capital structure risks, especially considering Kindred’s high leverage and pending debt maturities. We strongly urge all Kindred stockholders to follow the recommendation of ISS and vote “FOR” the value maximizing transaction with the consortium TODAY.”
Kindred continues to expect the transaction to close in the summer of 2018.
Kindred’s special meeting of stockholders is scheduled to take place on March 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Kindred stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 20, 2018 will be entitled to vote their shares either in person or by proxy at the special meeting.
Kindred reminds stockholders that their vote is important, no matter how many shares they own. The Kindred Board unanimously recommends that all Kindred stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement as well as all other proposals included in the definitive proxy statement. Kindred reminds investors that failing to vote or abstaining from voting is effectively a vote against the transaction.
Kindred stockholders who have questions, need assistance in voting their proxy card or require replacement proxy materials may contact Kindred’s proxy solicitors:
Your Vote Is Important, No Matter How Many Shares You Own!
If you have questions about how to vote your shares, please contact:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10018
(212) 929-5500 or Toll-Free (800) 322-2885
Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Barclays and Guggenheim Securities, LLC are serving as financial advisors to Kindred and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is serving as legal counsel.
About Kindred
Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a top-105 private employer in the United States, is a FORTUNE 500 healthcare services company based in Louisville, Kentucky with annual revenues of approximately $6.0 billion. At December 31, 2017, Kindred’s continuing operations, through its subsidiaries, had approximately 85,300 employees providing healthcare services in 2,471 locations in 45 states, including 75 LTAC hospitals, 19 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, 13 sub-acute units, 608 Kindred at Home home health, hospice and non-medical home care sites of service, 99 inpatient rehabilitation units (hospital-based) and contract rehabilitation service businesses which served 1,657 non-affiliated sites of service. Ranked as one of Fortune magazine’s Most Admired Healthcare Companies for nine years, Kindred’s mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “approximate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “intend,” “hope,” “may,” “potential,” “upside,” “seek,” “continue” and other similar expressions.
Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and stockholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from Kindred’s expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which Kindred is unable to predict or control, that may cause Kindred’s actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties related to the proposed transactions include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the failure of the parties to satisfy conditions to completion of the proposed merger, including the failure of Kindred’s stockholders to approve the proposed merger or the failure of the parties to obtain required regulatory approvals; the risk that regulatory or other approvals are delayed or are subject to terms and conditions that are not anticipated; changes in the business or operating prospects of Kindred or its homecare business or hospital business; changes in healthcare and other laws and regulations; the impact of the announcement of, or failure to complete, the proposed merger on our relationships with employees, customers, vendors and other business partners; and potential or actual litigation. In addition, these statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors detailed from time to time in Kindred’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Many of these factors are beyond Kindred’s control. Kindred cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by Kindred are not guarantees of future performance. Kindred disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Kindred has filed with the SEC and mailed to its stockholders a definitive proxy statement in connection with the proposed merger. We urge investors and security holders to read the proxy statement because it contains important information regarding the proposed merger. You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other related documents filed by Kindred with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You also may obtain the proxy statement (and other documents filed by Kindred with the SEC relating to the proposed merger for free by accessing Kindred’s website at www.kindredhealthcare.com by clicking on the link for “Investors”, then clicking on the link for “SEC Filings.”
Kindred and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Kindred’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about Kindred’s directors and executive officers, including information regarding the interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed merger, is included in Kindred’s definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on February 21, 2018. You can obtain a free copy of this document from Kindred using the contact information above.
Source: Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Susan E. Moss, 502-596-7296
Kindred Corporate Communications
Investors and Analysts
Todd Flowers, 502-596-6569
Kindred Investor Relations
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