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__label__cc	0.746823	0.253177	Your amazing pictures from World Book Day 2019 We asked for your pictures for World Book Day 2019 and you sent them in by the hundreds Tess Rushin It's World Book Day - so first thing this morning we asked our readers to send in their pictures. World Book Day celebrates the joy of reading, and children across across the globe are encouraged to dress up as a character from their favourite book, including children from Leicester and Leicestershire. Children love to dress up and World Book Day gives them the opportunity to do so. We've been overwhelmed with pictures sent in by our readers in some terrific costumes. Scroll down for gallery From Where's Wally to Scooby Doo, Willy Wonka and Harry Potter, Gangsta Granny, Mickey Mouse and many others in between, you sent your pictures in by the hundreds. We have picked out a selection of images that have been sent in to us, but we have had so many that we will be looking to do more galleries later in the day. Find out more about World Book Day 2019 World Book Day is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and - most importantly it’s a celebration of reading. It’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. Your brilliant pictures for World Book Day 2019 Everyone who loves books can take part in World Book Day. It is dedicated to getting children closer to the books and authors they already love – and helping them discover brand new books and authors they’ll love just as much. What's happening with our schools? First primary school on £1bn estate 90s kids lunchboxes Anger after school bans fake nails Remember these hymns from assembly? How to use your £1 book token? World Book Day, in partnership with schools all over the UK, will be distributing more than 15 million £1 World Book Day book tokens to children (that’s almost one for every child/young person under 18 in the UK and Ireland). When you get your book token, all you need to do is to take it to your local bookshop and swap it for one of the ten exclusive, new and completely free £1 World Book Day books. You can find a list here. Things to do in Leicestershire Leicester City FC'Why go backwards?' - Leicester City fans aim transfer jibe at Newcastle United over Hamza ChoudhuryLeicester City transfer news \| Hamza Choudhury has been linked with a move to St James' Park but fans would like him to stay and fight to nail down a place at St James' Park CrimeFamily of murdered student welcome planned restraining orders for suspected stalkers Stalking Protection Orders have been announced by the government to protect alleged victims ahead of any conviction Leicester City FC'Why go backwards?' - Leicester City fans aim transfer jibe at Newcastle United over Hamza Choudhury	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384229
__label__wiki	0.983827	0.983827	Best ways to get from Dough to The Morgan Library & Museum The private library of financier Pierpont Morgan—now a museum, research library, music venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. Tue: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM, 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Wed: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM, 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Thu: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM, 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Fri: 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM, 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM Sat: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sun: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Address:225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Website:http://www.themorgan.org Most Visited Museums in New York How far is it from Dough to The Morgan Library & Museum? How long does it take to get from Dough to The Morgan Library & Museum? How do I schedule a Lyft ride from Dough to The Morgan Library & Museum? From Dough From Dough to Dos Caminos From Dough to Allswell From Dough to by CHLOE. From Dough to The Cannibal Beer & Butcher From Dough to Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden From Dough to iLoveKickboxing - Glen Cove, NY From Dough to One World Trade Center From Dough to Momofuku Milk Bar From Dough to The Counter From Dough to Turntable Chicken Jazz From Dough to Rabbithole From Dough to Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre From Dough to New York Hilton Midtown From Dough to Ulysses Folk House From Dough to Everyman Espresso From Dough to Sprinkles Cupcakes From Dough to Le Bernardin From Dough to Lil' Frankie's From Dough to Havana Central Times Square From Dough to Columbus Circle From Dough to Casa Mono From Dough to Traif From Dough to The Wayland From Dough to Luke's Lobster From Dough to Sylvia's Restaurant To The Morgan Library & Museum From OddFellows Ice Cream Co. to The Morgan Library & Museum From Dizzy's Diner to The Morgan Library & Museum From Pulino's to The Morgan Library & Museum From Chobani to The Morgan Library & Museum From MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center to The Morgan Library & Museum From Ample Hills Creamery to The Morgan Library & Museum From Martha's Country Bakery to The Morgan Library & Museum From Habana Outpost to The Morgan Library & Museum From BCD Tofu House to The Morgan Library & Museum From Catch to The Morgan Library & Museum From Levain Bakery to The Morgan Library & Museum From Columbus Circle to The Morgan Library & Museum From Grand Central Oyster Bar to The Morgan Library & Museum From Hotel Chantelle to The Morgan Library & Museum From Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk to The Morgan Library & Museum From Sprinkles Cupcakes to The Morgan Library & Museum From UNIQLO to The Morgan Library & Museum From Toloache to The Morgan Library & Museum From Dinosaur Bar-B-Que to The Morgan Library & Museum From The Mermaid Inn to The Morgan Library & Museum From Yuca Bar & Restaurant to The Morgan Library & Museum From United Artists Court Street 12 & RPX to The Morgan Library & Museum From Happy Bones to The Morgan Library & Museum From Apple Grand Central to The Morgan Library & Museum From ABC Kitchen to The Morgan Library & Museum	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384233
__label__cc	0.575625	0.424375	Chinese Carriers Take One Million iPhone 6 Pre-Orders in First Six Hours Friday October 10, 2014 9:27 AM PDT by Kelly Hodgkins Pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus started today in China, with sales from the country's three carriers hitting one million units, reports Chinese publication Tencent (via Fortune). This figure includes orders processed by China's major wireless carriers and does not account for those orders accepted by Apple or the more than 6,000 resellers that also opened iPhone reservations today. While pre-orders officially began on Friday, October 10th, Chinese website JingDong started accepting iPhone 6 and 6 Plus reservations last week. In its first week, the website processed more than 9 million reservations, with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus almost equally popular among consumers. Apple launched its new iPhone models in September with sales reaching 10 million in the opening weekend. Demand for the new iPhone models remains strong, with Apple reportedly pushing back production of a rumored 12.9-inch iPad in order to boost the company's iPhone 6 Plus supply first. jrswizzle I don't care if they all worked at Foxconn making $2.00 a day. 1.3 billion is a big number for only 1 million pre orders regardless of the poverty levels. If they all worked at Foxconn making $2 a day, there would be 0 preorders because no one would be able to afford it. skafia Only 1 million preorders for a population of 1.3 billion seems pretty low Did you forget this is a third world country with a per capita of $11k? decimortis All ordered by this guy... ArtOfWarfare You're very confused. China's people collectively have $1.4 T or so to spend on all their needs throughout the year. In less than 1/1000th of a year, they spent around $500 M - over 1/3000th of all the money they spend annually - on iPhones. If they kept this up throughout the year, for every dollar spent on anything in China, $0.33 of it would be on an iPhone. That's huge. linkgx1 Depends on how many people have access to wealth. Appl3FTW Newsflash, not everyone in China is wealthy. Only a fraction. cocky jeremy That's some stellar logic there. Congrats! :rolleyes: None of us have any money, but there are a lot of us. Where's my iPhone?! ;) I'm wondering where you got the data of the pre-order split in the USA. Only Apple knows this. Supply of the iPhone 6 Plus was far more constrained according to supply-chain reports and even according to Fox Conn's disclosed numbers of how many units of each they could manufacture each day. The 3-4 week wait time is likely due to supply constraints. I am guessing that more than half the pre-orders went to the base iPhone 6 in the USA based on surveys that have been conducted. The fact that you are claiming that the "bulk" of the preorders were for the iPhone 6 Plus seems incorrect. If you have a survey that shows otherwise, I would be interested, but this is the first time I have heard anybody make this claim. UPDATE (since I remembered that I know how to use Google): I found this survey from Piper Jafray of folks waiting in line at the NYC Apple Store: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-09-20/apple-iphone-6-plus-outselling-smaller-model-survey-says It says 57% waiting in line were wanting to get the iPhone 6 Plus. However, this survey says that web usage statistics show the 6 Plus trailing the 6 significantly (could be due to supply): http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2014/09/21/latest-iphone-6-and-6-plus-usage-survey-and-updated-lead-times/ Finally, this a poll on iMore.com shows a dead-even split among iMore readers (though I doubt these readers are representative of the general population given their skew toward loving tech gadgets): http://www.imore.com/are-you-getting-iphone-6-or-iphone-6-plus-poll You really need access to actual orders. Impossible to tell based on web usage. Like you said, way too many backordered 6 Plus models to get an accurate number. MonkeySee.... srsub3 finally no more scalpers in the US AppleHater About 50 miliion Chinese people are milionaires. While people in China are not rich in general, there are still plenty of Chinese people who can buy new iPhone every year.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384235
__label__cc	0.651617	0.348383	Why NBN's 'Netflix Tax' Could Be The Final Nail In Its Coffin Sarah Basford Earlier this month, it was revealed NBN Co had started initial talks with ISPs about how they could chuck an extra fee on video streaming, according to Commsday and iTNews. Naturally, all of Australia simultaneously freaked out because video streaming sites like Netflix, Stan and YouTube have become as much of a necessary part of daily life as food or maybe even oxygen. So, while the conversation around net neutrality has been ongoing in the United States for years, it had finally arrived to Australian shores. But with the 5G rollout picking up speed, it's likely Australians would just move to this and other alternatives for their streaming needs. The Internet Reacts To NBN Co's 'Netflix Tax' If you ask any Australian in the country how reliable and fast their internet is, their answer would most probably fall in the "shit" to "abysmal" range. And if you asked them online, expect to wait awhile. Broken down simply, net neutrality is the idea that all internet traffic should be treated equally, regardless of what page you're loading. The NBN Co asked ISP retailers whether they would support a "price response" to "charging of streaming video" where it "could be differentiated from the charging of other traffic/services." An idea that, if implemented, would undermine net neutrality in Australia. NBN Co's statement, released after the news broke, offered no real answer as to whether the throttling of video streaming would ever be made a reality. NBN Co has released an industry-wide Wholesale Pricing Review Consultation Paper, which seeks RSP feedback on balancing industry economics with affordability and choice for customers. As part of this consultation process we’re interested in engaging in a constructive dialogue with Retail Service Providers (RSPs) and the industry about any challenges and opportunities they may face. Video streaming is an important part of using broadband for many customers and a significant proportion of overall internet traffic and future traffic growth, and one of the particular areas where we are seeking feedback. The focus of the paper is not about levying additional charges on customers, but rather to engage with RSPs and the industry on how we can collectively deliver the best possible service to customers, including for video services. Ditch The NBN With These Fast Mobile Alternatives The National Broadband Network has become a bit of a crapshoot - with emphasis on 'crap'. Depending on the technology deployed in your suburb and the type of plan you plump for, you could be getting speeds as low as 20 megabits per second. This clearly isn't good enough. While there's no concrete timeline from NBN Co on when a drastic overhaul of its service could be implemented, if ever, it's got people like IBISWorld Senior Industry Analyst Liam Harrison contemplating the alternatives and solutions if it ever comes to fruition. 5G is still in its infancy but Harrison believes Australians will simply move over to mobile 5G if the 'Netflix Tax' is ever introduced. As he explained in a statement: "The introduction of a premium service could also accelerate mobile substitution, which is already considered a threat to the NBN model. Although current 5G fixed-wireless offerings are in their infancy, they are already both price and speed competitive with wired internet services from the NBN. "For the moment, the NBN has some breathing room, as the ACCC's rejection of the TPG-Vodafone merger has meant that only two major competitors will be in the 5G market in the short-term. Vodafone has appeared to take a slow and steady approach to 5G, most likely due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the merger appeal." The Early Adopter's Guide To 5G You were the first of your friends to migrate from a dumb phone to a smartphone. You were also first to join a 4G plan. You always get the new version of Android before anyone else and buy the latest handset on launch day. You are a tech pioneer - and now, your time has come again. At long last, the wonderful world of 5G is open to consumers. But you will need to tread carefully. As the adage goes, here be dragons! With a fully-functioning 5G network still a few years off in Australia, let's just hope a Netflix Tax never eventuates before it enters our lives. You can also 'future-proof' yourself against new fees by committing to a longterm contract. Here are a few options worth considering: phil @phil It still makes me actually angry that nbn could have positioned Australia in prime position for emerging digital technology and commerce, but instead the politicians got their hands on it and turned it into an embarrassing money pit. I bet nbn are praying 5G data quotas don't hit sensible prices any time soon. I imagine they'll be lobbying quite hard to try and see off 5G. darren @darren What speeds can we reasonably expect from 5G in a few years when every man and his dog is using it? More than the average NBN connection djbear @djbear You put everyone's home connection on 5g you will get speeds akin to dial-up. Light spectrum > Radio Spectrum. Do please give your factual evidence showing how 5G is better than optical fibre @phil We all await it. Nope. It isn't. But as most people aren't getting fibre that doesn't matter. In a lot of use cases 5G will be better than acceptable, it'll be preferable. I service many, many businesses and users for whom 4G is their primary connection. That's how the real world works. I'd have thought that would be obvious. 5G is not a viable replacement for an optical fibre network as a country's internet backbone. Do you want to know why it works for those people? Because not many people are on it. 5G will only remain as an alternative option for the very few use cases. Not as a replacement for optical fibre. Please do continue going through all my old comments to downvote them. It's quite funny that ive made you that butthurt. You're right. 5g isn't a viable replacement for backbone or optical fibre. But we're talking about domestic connections. Which you know already. Butt hurt? Nah, I'm in the pub so all's well. Most of my state is fibre so it does matter. Speeds akin to dial up. The radio spectrum cannot sustain the bandwidth required for the home internet connections of Australia. Not only would you have speeds akin to dial up. You would need Mobile towers every couple of streets to be able provide proper coverage. Our current system can sustain All our phones. It cant sustain home internet connections on top of it. Mixedemoticons @mixedemoticons How in hell did we get to the point where the troglodytes running the NBN are considering breaking net neutrality? Plus, I still want to know just how dangerous the 5G network will be to our health. For the uninitiated, we will have a powerful millimetre wave transmitter right next to everyone, everywhere. Transientmind @transientmind We voted LNP is how we got to this point. ...Multiple times, learning nothing, every time. Because it's important for all this kind of stuff to run second to persecuting brown and poor people and protecting the wealthy and mining jobs. We voted LNP is how we got to this point Speak for yourself, I've never voted LNP and never will. I do agree with the sentiment though. 'We' as a nation. The majority did. Those of us who didn't are a minority. Laughing Guest ^^These guys acting like political two party preference matters atm. Neither party stood for anything thats why we have LNP, they just keep slinging mud in a vote for the least worst candidate competition. If we want action political heads need to start rolling. skrybe @skrybe Not by much considering how close the last few elections have been. 5G is non ionising so now real health dangers. You a bathed everyday in background radiation from banana's, your partner, the earth, the buildings you are in, the sun and all the radioactive shit spewed into the atmosphere by burning coal. Even if 5G was bad for you, it'd be so low on the list as to be trivial. Brainbeat Guest While 5g may have the theoretical speed to rival the nbn I doubt it will ever be able to take much more then the current 20-30% of internet traffic that mobile internet does now. That is unless they don't double or triple the amount of towers. If the nbn did ever actually try and break net neutrality I am certain they would get so much heat they would have to back down too. The final nail in the coffin was when they chose FTTN and Copper cables over FTTP. paranoidandroid @paranoidandroid I agree with you. I've got FTTN and then HFC and it is extremely unreliable. I need the Internet for my job and I primarily work from home, but these days it is so sketchy that I'd rather tether my phone on 4G than use the home Internet connection. hazmoid @hazmoid Jul 18, 2019, 11:55am that's interesting, we have FTTN and were one of the first adopters in our area. We do use Telstra as our RSP because I did not want to have to deal with multiple people to get issues resolved. When we first connected we were having issues with connections dropping out, I suspect because we are close to the Canning river and the ground water here is reasonably salty. NBN came in and re-ran the copper cable from the Node and since then we have been relatively fault free. I have an unlimited plan and we have 2 fairly hardcore gamers, who will stream youtube videos at the same time as they are playing online, along with multiple Netflix services on TVs through out the house and 4 mobile phones, tablets and laptops. We have to reset the modem maybe once a month? And usually because it has lost connection. Mind you, we did offload the wifi to another internet router which is just used as an AP rather than rely on the shitty Telstra modem for wifi. h0bkn0b @h0bkn0b I was looking at 5G as a potential alternative to NBN and an IT person told me it's a poor choice for home or business because the signal has significant problems penetrating the walls of buildings, which obviously gets worse the deeper you go in any building. Anyone else hear this? ravennoir @ravennoir Surely sending your traffic over a secure VPN connection would be enough to get around this. You might get a slight drop in speed for the overhead of the VPN, but it is better than what they are planning. dozzie @dozzie Via NBN I am streaming Freeview TV to my TV. I wonder how much bandwidth it is taking of my total of 50Mbps line.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384236
__label__wiki	0.657135	0.657135	Dictionary definition for: Divide 1. (n) a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility) 2. (v) separate into parts or portions; "divide the cake into three equal parts" "The British carved up the Ottoman Empire after World War I" 3. (n) a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems 4. (v) perform a division; "Can you divide 49 by seven?" 5. (v) act as a barrier between; stand between; "The mountain range divides the two countries" 6. (v) come apart; "The two pieces that we had glued separated" 7. (v) make a division or separation 8. (v) force, take, or pull apart; "He separated the fighting children" "Moses parted the Red Sea" WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384239
__label__wiki	0.954684	0.954684	Dropkick Murphys take to the road for five-date UK tour next spring Catch the American Celtic punks loud and live Dropkick Murphys have announced a short five-date tour of the UK kicking off Apr 2019. Tickets for the shows are on sale now. The American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996 and have been making music ever since. The hardcore punks are known for their loud and energetic live performances, bringing a plethora of instruments including bagpipes, a mandolin, a tin whistle, an accordion and a whole host more to the stage. Their 2018 world tour kicked off this Aug, showing they have no intentions of stopping anytime soon. The band have released nine studio albums over their extensive career and their latest release 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory came out in Jan 2017. Notable hits include 'Tessie', 'I'm Shipping Up to Boston', 'The State of Massachusetts' and 'Going Out In Style'. The 2019 UK tour kick starts at Glasgow's O2 Academy on Mon 22 Apr calling at Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester before finishing off at Brixton's O2 Academy on Mon 22 Apr. Dropkick Murphys UK tour dates 2019: Mon 22 Apr – O2 Academy, Glasgow Tue 23 Apr – O2 Academy, Leeds Wed 24 Apr – O2 Academy, Birmingham Thu 25 Apr – Manchester Academy Fri 26 Apr – O2 Academy Brixton, London Tickets for Dropkick Murphys UK tour 2019 are on sale now. Boston six-piece who blend punk and hardcore with Irish folk influences. Alexandra Palace, London N22 £38.10 / 020 8365 2121 Deftones, Frank Turner and Reel Big Fish added to line-up for Sonisphere 2014(12 Feb 2014) The bands join Metallica, Iron Maiden, The Prodigy and Limp Bizkit at the rock and metal fest Limp Bizkit, Anthrax and The Sisters of Mercy added to Sonisphere 2014 line-up(21 Jan 2014) Carnifex, Silverstein, Dropkick Murphys, The Virginmarys and Devin Townsend also added Sum 41 to headline 2016 Kerrang! Tour(30 Sep 2015) Pop punks come to the UK with gigs in Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, London and more Danko Jones announce 2020 tour, find out how to get tickets(16 Dec 2019) Torontonian rockers come the UK next March How much are tickets for the Hella Mega 2020 tour feat. Green Day, Weezer and Fall Out Boy?(10 Sep 2019) Pop-punk powerhouse tour comes to Glasgow's Bellahouston Park, Huddersfield and London next June Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes set for three UK shows, get presale tickets(29 Aug 2019) IDLES announce four date December tour(24 Jun 2019) English punk rockers to perform in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and London Melvins reveal UK tour dates, find out how to get tickets(5 Mar 2019) Punk-rockers to play in Brighton, London and Manchester this summer Rock (Music) Celtic Punk	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384241
__label__wiki	0.957869	0.957869	This site uses cookies to make it more useful and reliable. See our Cookies Policy for more details. Do not use this site if you do not consent to our use of cookies. × I Consent See Cookie Policy The free guide to costs, funding and the Jackson reforms ATE/CFA DBAs Jackson reforms MoJ claims process Judge rejects fundamental dishonesty claim from “hostile” defendant Posted by Nick Hilborne Hunjan: Indemnity costs may be inadequate remedy for dishonest defendants A judge has rejected a claim of fundamental dishonesty from a “hostile” defendant in a personal injury case, while accepting that there was a “degree of overstatement” by the claimant. Her Honour Judge Hampton said hostility arose at an early stage, when the defendant changed the description of the claimant – who it used to employ as a gas engineer – slipping into a four-foot hole, where he injured his ankle, to jumping into a hole measuring two foot six, meaning it did not need shoring up. “The trial of this case, which has proceeded over seven court days, has been characterised by contradictions throughout. “It has also been characterised by a hostility to the claimant on the part of the defendant’s representatives and medical experts, which I find surprising in the context of modern litigation, particularly from the medical experts engaged.” HHJ Hampton said Ashwell Maintenance admitted liability in October 2016 but at the trial, their only factual witness, who “heard but did not see the fall”, persisted with “the suggestion that the claimant jumped into the hole”. Mr Smith was subject to a “high level of surveillance” on 18 occasions and much was made of his participation in the Channel 4 programme Selling Houses with Amanda Lamb in March and April 2014, only nine months after the accident. HHJ Hampton said that Mr Smith could be seen in the programme “undertaking do-it-yourself and decorating activities, negotiating stairs apparently without difficulty”. The judge went on: “However, in the course of the filming, he attended an appointment with Mr Allen, the first orthopaedic expert to report in this case, to whom he described being unable to squat or kneel and that he was struggling with stairs.” HHJ Hampton said she found the “significant contradictions” in the claimant’s case “troubling” and the activities shown on the surveillance footage, showing him driving, walking to and from his vehicle and a local supermarket “without apparent difficulty” contrasted with his “presentation” to medical experts. The court heard in Smith v Ashwell Maintenance that the issues for determination were the nature of the claimant’s injury, the persistence of the disability and whether there had been fundamental dishonesty. The judge decided that Mr Smith had not engaged in fundamental dishonesty under section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. “I do not find that he has faked injury, or continuing pain, for the purpose of financial gain. “Nevertheless I find that there has been a degree of overstatement… of the claimant’s pain and its affect upon him. I find that the claimant has engaged in this conduct in order to convince rather than to deceive.” Even if she was wrong on this, HHJ Hampton said it would not be appropriate under the principles stated in the Fairclough Homes case to strike out the claim rather than give judgment on quantum in the ordinary way. She highlighted last year’s High Court decision in LOCOG v Sinfield, in which the claim was struck out after the claimant fabricated receipts to support an unjustified claim for gardening services. The claimant in this case has not been shown to have fabricated evidence to that extent, she said. “Given that this claimant has suffered a painful injury, and that I have accepted what the claimant’s medical witnesses have told me about that, that he has been required to resist the defendant’s vigorous attempts to avoid responsibility for an accident which it was accepted at the very last moment was entirely the fault of the claimant’s employer, I find that the claimant would suffer substantial injustice if the claim were dismissed.” On quantum, HHJ Hampton awarded Mr Smith £44,000 for general damages, over £108,000 for past loss of earnings and care, £100,000 for future loss of earnings and over £107,000 for future care, amounting, with smaller items such as a cancelled golf subscription, to a total of over £360,000. Writing on his chambers website, the claimant’s counsel – Satinder Hunjan QC, instructed by Affinity Law – said: “Where a claim is truly fundamentally dishonest, a claimant may properly lose all his damages; equally these are serious allegations and should not be made tactically and without sound support and after properly analysing the expert evidence which being used to substantiate the same. “Further, undoubtedly dishonesty will be deprecated by all whether it comes from the claimant or the defendants. “If from the claimant, he may lose all his damages; if from the defendants, indemnity costs may be an inadequate remedy and consideration given to striking out of the defence and counterclaims as well as the award of penalty or higher rates of interest.” Sign up to our free e-newsletter By clicking Submit you consent to Legal Futures storing your personal data and confirm you have read our Privacy Policy and section 5 of our Terms & Conditions which deals with user-generated content. All comments will be moderated before posting. Email address will not be published. Temple Legal Protection Eclipse Legal Systems Sparkle Capital Ltd Legmark Invicta Capital Funding DAS UK Group Acasta Europe Ltd Allianz Legal Protection LEAP Legal Software Services Directory Advertise Become an Associate Sign-up for our e‑newsletter Get our news roundup every Thursday. LEAP 2x: The power of LEAP and more Eclipse unveils latest version of TouchPoint+ West End law firm Campbell & Co select Proclaim Case Management solution Pinkney Grunwells selects Proclaim Practice Management solution from Eclipse Legal Futures Publishing Limited, Registered in England No. 7135808. Registered office: Handel House, 95 High Street, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7DB © Legal Futures Publishing Limited - 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384242
__label__wiki	0.779581	0.779581	Grown-Up Kind of Pretty (Jackson) A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty Joshilyn Jackson, 2012 A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty is a powerful saga of three generations of women, plagued by hardships and torn by a devastating secret, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of family. Fifteen-year-old Mosey Slocumb-spirited, sassy, and on the cusp of womanhood-is shaken when a small grave is unearthed in the backyard, and determined to figure out why it's there. Liza, her stroke-ravaged mother, is haunted by choices she made as a teenager. But it is Jenny, Mosey's strong and big-hearted grandmother, whose maternal love braids together the strands of the women's shared past—and who will stop at nothing to defend their future. (From the publisher.) • Birth—February 27, 1968 • Where—Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA • Education—B.A., Georgia State University; M.A., University of Illinois • Awards—(see below) • Currently—lives in Decatur, Georgia Joshilyn Jackson is the author of several novels, all national best sellers. She was born into a military family, moving often in and out of seven states before the age of nine. She graduated from high school in Pensacola, Florida, and after attending a number of different colleges, earned her B.A. from Georgia State University. She went on to earn an M.A. in creative writing from University of Illinois in Chicago. Having enjoyed stage acting as a student in Chicago, Jackson now does her own voice work for the audio versions of her books. Her dynamic readings have won plaudits from AudioFile Magazine, which selected her for its "Best of the Year" list. She also made the 2012 Audible "All-Star" list for the highest listener ranks/reviews; in addition, she won three "Listen-Up Awards" from Publisher's Weekly. Jackson has also read books by other authors, including Lydia Netzer's Shine Shine Shine. All of Jackson's novels take place in the American South, the place she knows best. Her characters are generally women struggling to find their way through troubled lives and relationships. Kirkus Reviews has described her writing as... Quirky, Southern-based, character-driven...that combines exquisite writing, vivid personalities, and imaginative storylines while subtly contemplating race, romance, family, and self. 2005 - Gods in Alabama 2006 - Between, Georgia 2008 - The Girl Who Stopped Swimming 2010 - Backseat Saints 2012 - A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty 2013 - Someone Else's Love Story 2016 - The Opposite of Everyone 2017 - The Almost Sisters Jackson's books have been translated into a dozen languages, won the Southern Indie Booksellers Alliance's SIBA Novel of the Year, have three times been a #1 Book Sense Pick, twice won Georgia Author of the Year, and three times been shortlisted for the Townsend Prize. (Author's bio adapted from the author's website.) Jackson's signature style-the feisty, bighearted voice of Gods in Alabama and Backseat Saints-propels this funny, dark whodunit, where strong women who've made bad choices band together to come out on top. Melissa Ruggieri - Atlanta Journal-Constitution [There are] hundreds of moving parts in the machinery of Jackson's intricate mystery, all deliciously unraveled one tantalizing clue at a time. Gena Webb - Atlanta Journal-Constitution A quirky mystery that serves up a delicious blend of likeable characters, plot twists and life as seen through the eyes of three remarkable women in a Southern family, namely Mosey, Ginny, and Liza. The dialogue is authentic and the writing insightful and unexpectedly witty. Larry Cox - Tucson Citizen The Slocumb women suffer from an unfortunate curse: every 15 years something bad happens. Ginny gave birth to Liza when she was 15. And Liza had Mosey when she was 15. Now it’s Mosey who’s 15, and she’s nervous. But the curse strikes in a different form, bringing a stroke to Liza that renders her mute and crippled, leaving her husband “Big” to care for her. Wanting to put a pool in the yard for Liza’s water therapy, Ginny has a willow uprooted, unearthing the bones of a baby—Liza’s baby. This macabre discovery sends Mosey, Ginny, and Big in search of answers about the baby and Mosey’s identity. Their quest, told in alternating points-of-view among all main characters, uncovers an old feud between Liza and best friend Melissa, an illicit affair, the vengeance of the thwarted party, and drug addiction long hidden. Along the way Mosey puts her life in danger and learns a thing or two about family. Jackson’s newest (after Backseat Saints) is highly immersive, evoking the suffocation of rural Mississippi and using a teen pregnancy mystery to create a compelling page-turner. While Jackson doesn’t entirely avoid clichés, the care that she’s taken in developing the relationships between the Slocumb women makes up for it. Jackson (Backseat Saints) has written an unusual Southern family saga revolving around three generations of lonely, hardscrabble Slocumb women. Grandmother Ginny is the glue that holds them together when her ex-drug addict daughter, Liza, has a severe stroke, leaving her voiceless except for a few vowel sounds. Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Mosey is the same age her mother and grandmother were when they had their daughters, but Mosey isn't like her forebears; she's scarcely been kissed by a boy. When Ginny decides to pull out the old willow tree in the backyard to make room for a pool to use in rehabilitating Liza, a shallow grave is uncovered, revealing a small skeleton dressed in tattered baby clothes and unleashing a series of events for which Liza seems to have an explanation—but she can't tell. The story is told in the alternating voices of the women as the mystery unfolds. Verdict: Liza, as the unreliable narrator, is used to perfection in this warm family story that teeters between emotional highs and lows, laughter and tears. Book groups will eat this up. —Stacy Alesi, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., Boca Raton, FL (Starred review.) Mesmerizing tale of a family coping with the revelation of a secret that will change their lives.... Jackson's most absorbing book yet, a lush, rich read with three very different but equally compelling characters at its core. Jackson (Backseat Saints, 2010, etc.) sticks with her specialty—plucky Southern women who overcome male ill treatment from their past—in this novel about a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter who confront a suddenly uncovered family secret.... Snappy dialogue with a Southern twang, spiritual uplift and undeniably likable characters—"Quirky Cute" at its best. 1. One of the opening scenes in A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty depicts Tyler Baines chopping down the Slocumb willow tree. What does this tree symbolize for Big? For Liza? For Mosey? 2. On page 70, Mosey realizes she isn’t who she thought she was. At first, she feels liberated. Then she feels confused and lost. How is she like Liza and Big? What makes her different? Do you think a child takes on traits like compassion, humor, and good sense from her biological parents, or do you think that she learns these from the people who raise her? 3. Several men in this novel cheat on their spouses (Coach, Lawrence), but the women cheat on one another in a different way. What kind of emotional betrayals show up in their friendships, and in their families? Who do you think is the most loyal person in this story? 4. Though Liza and Melissa were inseparable when they were young, Big believes that Noveen was a better friend to Liza than Melissa ever was. Patti turns out to be a wonderful friend to Mosey. What have the Duckins women given to Liza and Mosey? How was Melissa different? 5. One theme in A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty is belonging. On page 224, Big says, “Bogo wasn’t the only stray that Mosey had adopted for us all recently.” Who do you think are the “strays” in this story? When do they find a home? 6. When Mosey enters Liza’s tree house and sees her old Moomin books covered in Magic Marker, she says, “If I had doubted for a second this place was Liza’s, I didn’t doubt it now” (p. 245). Have you ever found a secret place or a secret box that belonged to someone you love? What part of this person did you find there? 7. Was Big smart to keep the details of her family crisis from Lawrence? If she had shared more with him, do you think he could have helped her, or protected Mosey? 8. Did Liza do the right thing by taking Mosey from her mother when she was small? Would you still feel that way if Mosey had been a Duckins or a Richardson instead? Why? 9. Big and Liza are determined to keep Mosey from getting too close to boys. Do you think they’re overreacting? What would you do to keep your daughter from making the same mistakes you made? 10. When something bad happens, Big, Liza, and Mosey often respond with action—though sometimes their approaches aren’t quite ethical. Does Liza break Lawrence’s ex-wife’s plates on purpose, or was it an accident? Did you enjoy it a little, since Sandy cheated on Lawrence and lashed out at Big? Do you think Claire Richardson was at all justified in her attacks on Liza? On Big? Do you blame her less because she lost both her daughters? Though it was wrong of Big to throw bricks at the church’s windows, do you think it was justified, given how she was treated by the church community? How does knowing the pain each character has been through change the way you respond to her actions? (Questions issued by publisher.) top of page (summary)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384243
__label__cc	0.683118	0.316882	“I look forward to reading the lotus guide every month for many years. I love the articles. I also appreciate ideas on new books to read. Best is information on alternative health practitioners that are in my area. It is really informative and authentic. I love topics on the environment and health issues. I feel grateful to have the lotus guide as a personal resource. ” Elaina M. Chico, CA (Yelp) “Lotus Guide gives an alternative voice to a community that is not always visible. The articles are great and I love the classified ads to find practitioners in our area and beyond. The North State has much to offer and Lotus guide makes it possible for us to find each other.” Pamm L. Chico, CA (Yelp) “Lotus Guide is a wonderful resource for the Northern California community for alternative health. Fun, uplifting and an all around feel good read. Dhara and Rahasya are also fantastic to work with for ads and marketing like minded business'. It's a win win :) Thank you Lotus Guide for all the beautiful work you do.” Jody McNicholas (Yelp) “The old statement that advertising pays is usually true, however, we have found ‘enormous success’ in our advertising with the Lotus Guide. Sales of advertised items increased dramatically and everyday customers come in and ask for “that product advertised in the Lotus Guide!” Locals supporting locals really is a win win situation and for us, this proves it.”” Donald Payne (S&S Organic Produce) Chico, CA “Finding alternative news is easy with the Lotus Guide. Be healthier, read what spiritually, & environmentally caring people are doing. Discover the latest in science, health and local services. Learn about all the exceptionally creative people from all around the north state. Find events that interest open, like minded people. Lotus Guide is there to help build a supportive, conscious community. ” Pamela Mosley Paradise, CA “I am very pleased with Lotus Guide -both the online newsletter and the magazine! I have had more than a few wonderful new clients as a result of Lotus Guide. I also appreciate greatly the time and care Rahasya and Dhara and staff took to help me set up my ad,and “clean up” my clip art so that it would look better in the ad. Due to my small budget for advertising I need to be careful about where and how I place my ads, and Lotus Guide has proved to be a wonderful and essential promotion source for my work-thank you!!” Evanne Jordon “We arrived in town in not knowing anyone and we wanted to build a client base as quickly as possible. Advertising in the Lotus Guide helped us to reach out to a wide audience of like minded people. After just one month our business is blossoming. Of all our advertising dollars spent, the Lotus Guide has brought us the most return on our investment. Thanks so much for being here and being so ready to help newcomers to the Chico area.” Ira & Susie Greene (NAET Allergy Elimination Clinic) “Everyone reads Lotus Guide in Chico. Rahasya and Dhara write excellent and sometimes controversial articles about local and or global issues. They are not afraid to put it on the table for discussion. I also read the advertisements because you can see what businesses are in town at any given time. If you have a business and are new to Chico or just live in Chico, Lotus Guide is your best bet for advertising to promote your business. I have known Rahasya and Dhara for 12 years and they are both very friendly and approachable. Two thumbs up for Lotus Guide!” Susan E. Corning, CA “The Lotus Guide consistently provides cutting-edge articles that keep readers informed about new discoveries with interviews with leaders in their fields. Everyone I know looks forward to the new issue. All the advertisers are holistic and can be trusted. The graphics are colorful and the covers innovative. I know of no competitors to the Lotus Guide in Northern California. ” Gayle Kimball Chico, CA “Everybody I talk to loves this magazine and the two people who run it. In the 12 years they’ve been around (Since 2004) I have heard nothing but great comments on their exceptional work and the positive influence they have in the community. They also support other organizations that do outreach in the community. It’s no big surprise that they have no competition in the entire north valley area of northern CA. ” “Rahasya and Dhara, I was trusting spirit when I called to place a last minute ad with you two months ago. You went out of your way to stretch your deadline to accommodate me and you were so kind about it. Best of all, I have had a great response to my ad from some wonderful people. I was touched that you published my “HorsePower” article and so appreciate your encouragement when I first mentioned wanting to write something. Thank you for your service to community and growth.” Mari Rubens “Thank-you thank-you thank-you… Dhara, Rahasya, and your team, for the Lotus guide! Of the advertising venues I have tried over this first year of my business, the Lotus Guide is the only one that has brought me results. As a new business, it is hard to decide on where to spend your advertising dollars and as soon as Deanna approached me with the opportunity to use the Lotus Guide, it felt right. I have found that the business that has come from the Guide has paid for cost of advertising and then some. But it is not only the advertising that impresses me, it is the genuine care that you put into it. You help advertisers to create a nurturing and supportive community, you encourage articles from the advertisers on topics of interest and bring people and workshops to our area so that we don’t have to go outside the Chico area to get the training and information we seek. It is a central point where we can go to search for quality services in our own community. There is a lot of work that goes into the Guide and keeping the Website updated with events, and I for one am very appreciative. I consider it an honor to support the Lotus Guide. ” Jo Mardian (Omni-Touch) “One of the things I appreciate about the Lotus guide is that it covers stories that aren’t being covered by traditional news media. I value reading an alternative perspective that often stems from a compassionate consciousness aimed at informing and helping our community & planet at large. In addition to the articles, the classified ads offer great services for those who wish to explore holistic, mind/body healing modalities and practitioners in the North State. Thank you Dhara and Rahasya for creating and providing such a wonderful resource.” Annalisa Cunningham, Chico CA (Yelp) “There is simply no other magazine like the LOTUS GUIDE in the Northern part of the Central Valley. Every issue is packed with tips and articles about how to live a better, fuller life on all kinds of levels, physical, emotional, spiritual and practical too. You always find interesting, intriguing even stories about totally alternative topics that you certainly wouldn’t find dealt with elsewhere and in this regard, you feel that there’s something here for everyone. YES, it is totally refreshing to pick up a new copy somewhere in our region and kudos to them BTW for their efficiency at distributing this magazine as far around as they do.” Gerard Ungerman, Respectful Revolution (Yelp) “An excellent magazine…. A wonderful group of creative, talented and brave and caring people. Discover all kinds of great ways to help yourself with stumbling blocks or health issues. Wonderful book reviews and find local health services!!!!” Elizabeth Daniels, Cohasset CA (Yelp) “I began advertising in the Lotus Guide in the Summer of 2015 and have benefited from a steady increase in new client leads and exposure to the community. Rahasya and Dhara have been quite helpful in making the process as streamlined and “painless” as possible! I look forward to continued growth for my clinical nutrition and detox consultation practice, and new opportunities to offer my services to Northern Californians and beyond. Together, the Lotus Guide continues to spread it’s message to a wider audience, and I receive the opportunity to help make Chico and it’s surrounding communities healthier and happier! Adrian Baume, L.Ac, MSTCM www.beyondfunctional.com Clinical Detoxification, Nutritional Testing, Acupuncture-Phone Consults and Local Treatment” Adrian Baume, Beyond Functional (Advertiser)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384245
__label__cc	0.645807	0.354193	It makes sense for business 587 sign ups. Click here to join. Join 587 employers that have already made the pledge Living Wage Brighton Blog Interview with Craig Jones, CEO of Brighton & Sussex Care On April 1st Brighton & Sussex Care signed up to the Living Wage Campaign here in Brighton making a huge statement about pay in this challenging sector. We interviewed Craig Jones, CEO of Brighton & Sussex Care to find out how he achieved paying a living wage for his team. How long have you worked in the Care sector? Having… ...Read More Success for the campaign now two years old... The Living Wage Campaign in Brighton & Hove has been on quite a journey since its launch in April 2012 and this two year campaign was originally going to come to an end next month. However, due to its success the team behind the campaign have been working to secure another years’ funding and so far are pleased that UNISON… ...Read More Sign up and join 587 local businesses Businesses already on board At Tru Thoughts, we started and have been proudly based in Brighton throughout the life of the label. The Brighton Living Wage is an important gauge of the financial situation of living in this city and we are proud to support it and ensure our staff are fairly paid and can afford to live in… "Because we support and advise people about money, and low waged workers are in our experience generally most likely to be living in poverty with all that that entails - they can be most reliant on other means of support such as welfare benefits, with little financial stability." Money Advice Plus "We are proud to be able to say we are now a Living Wage employer, we were not far off prior to this campaign but it highlighted the issues and the total additional cost has been manageable even in the current climate." Impact Initiatives we support living wages because if they need any help from us we can provide service to them. Immigration Solicitors London "Even as a small independent charity that is constantly having to raise funds to survive, we feel it is central to our ethos to pay our employees a living wage. People working in the community and voluntary sector often put in far more hours than they are contracted to, so this is at least one… Brighton & Hove Independent Mediation Service The Living Wage Campaign in Brighton & Hove is led and managed by Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce and is supported by UNISON and Brighton & Hove City Council. Website created by Madison Solutions, our web development partner. Just so you know... by browsing our site you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Cookies are tiny bits of data your web browser stores to make your online experience better.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384249
__label__wiki	0.946323	0.946323	Haberdashers' Aske’s Borough Academy: green light for free school London SE1 website team Education secretary Nicky Morgan has approved plans to open a new secondary school in the former Southwark Fire Station and fire brigade training centre in Southwark Bridge Road. The Haberdashers' Aske's Federation last year put forward plans for a secondary 'free school' on the site. The school will form part of a development by Hadston, new owner of the former fire station complex. Hadston exhibited its proposals for the site – including approximately 180 new homes – last October. Peter Taylor Associates has designed the new school and ColladoCollins is working on the residential scheme. Planning permission from Southwark Council will be required before the school can open. Once open, the academy will admit 180 children a year, growing year on year and ultimately opening a sixth form with 250 places to complete the 1150 place school. "I am delighted by today's announcement by the education secretary, which gives our proposed school in the old fire station site on Southwark Bridge Road a green light," said Adrian Percival, chief executive of the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation. "The Haberdashers' Aske's Federation has a proud history of providing excellent secondary education to children of south east London and we are excited to be able open a new school in Southwark. "We embarked on this project in response to a campaign by local parents and we look forward to continuing to work with them and the local council to develop a first rate school for the community." View related forum thread The SE1 website is supported by people like you Please join our membership scheme or sponsor an hour of local reporting so we can survive This article on a map SE1's new secondary school asks for views on admissions 14 Jun 2018 Southwark Fire Station: secondary school and 200 homes approved 31 Jan 2018 Sadiq knocks £12 million off Southwark Fire Station price 23 Jan 2018 Council 'absolutely committed' to fire station secondary school 7 Dec 2017 New secondary school delayed by affordable housing row 14 Nov 2017 Brand new Old Kent Road fire station faces cuts 19 Jan 2016 Haberdashers' Aske's proposes new school at fire station site 18 Sep 2015 £53 million: sale price for Southwark Fire Station revealed 28 May 2015 Southwark fire training centre shuts as school plan progresses 21 May 2015 Locals should be consulted on secondary school - council leader 30 Mar 2015 Related forum discussions Scovell Road Anyone live at Southwark fire station 1950 to 67 Southwark Fire Station Haberdashers new school Southwark Fire Station and the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation Fire Station Closure Simon Hughes - climbing the greasy pole News archive from February 1999 to January 2001 Got a story for us? Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384255
__label__wiki	0.828069	0.828069	Stocks rise on trade progress, S&P 500 notches weekly gain Business Markets News The S&P 500 finished with its first weekly gain in four weeks Friday as investors welcomed a thaw in the punishing trade war between the U.S. and China. After two days of negotiations in Washington, the U.S. agreed to suspend a planned hike in tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods that had been set to kick in Tuesday. Beijing, meanwhile, agreed to buy $40 billion to $50 billion in U.S. farm products. Specialist Dilip Patel, right, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The U.S. stock market opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 11. Word of the trade concessions filtered out in the last half-hour of trading and pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average 517 points higher, though the momentum faded near the close. "The market is welcoming any progress here, because (trade) has been the biggest overhang on growth," said Ben Phillips, chief investment officer at EventShares. "Any sort of deal, even if it's a super light, mini-deal, still gets the market constructive and saying, 'OK, we're moving in the right direction.'" The S&P 500 index closed higher for the third-straight day, adding 32.14 points, or 1.1%, to 2,970.27. Earlier it had been up 1.9%. The Dow rose 319.92 points, or 1.2%, to 26,816.59. The Nasdaq gained 106.26 points, or 1.3%, to 8,057.04. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks outpaced the broader market, climbing 26.54, or 1.8%, to 1,511.90. The indexes all notched gains for the week. Treasury yields rose as investors felt less need for safety and dumped bonds. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, a benchmark for mortgages and many other kinds of loans, jumped to 1.73% from 1.65% late Thursday. The rally got going early, reflecting optimism among investors that Washington and Beijing would reach at least a limited deal on trade. The U.S.-China trade dispute has been a drag on economic growth and slowed manufacturing around the world. Investors got encouragement from President Donald Trump, who said "Good things are happening," before meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He for trade talks at the White House. Later in the day, after emerging from the meeting to announce the partial trade deal, Trump told the Chinese delegation "You're very tough negotiators." The White House said the two sides made some progress on the thornier issues, including China's lax protection of foreign intellectual property. But more progress will have to be made on key differences in later negotiations, including U.S. allegations that China forces foreign countries to hand over trade secrets in return for access to the Chinese market. Markets around the world have swung sharply on every morsel of progress or dissonance dribbling out about the U.S.-China trade war. The concessions agreed upon by the U.S. and China Friday mark a sharp turnaround after expectations were lowered earlier in the week when the U.S. blacklisted a group of Chinese technology companies over alleged human rights violations. The Trump administration has already raised tariffs on more than $360 billion worth of Chinese imports, but the stakes were set to rise. The U.S. had planned to raise tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese imports from 25% to 30% Tuesday. Those are now suspended. But the two sides did not mention tariffs on $160 billion of goods scheduled for Dec. 15. Technology stocks, which often do lots of business with China, helped power the indexes higher Friday. Apple climbed 2.7%, and edged ahead of Microsoft as the most valuable company in the S&P 500. Broadcom added 2.4%. Industrial stocks also notched solid gains. Caterpillar climbed 4.7% and farm equipment maker Deere gain 1.9%. The jump in bond yields helped send bank stocks higher on expectations of bigger profits for making loans. JPMorgan Chase rose 1.7%, and Bank of America gained 1.6%. Stocks jumped across Europe on hopes that the United Kingdom and European Union can reach a trade deal ahead of London's pending exit from the bloc. The German DAX surged 2.9%, while the CAC 40 in France jumped 1.7%. The FTSE 100 in London rose 0.8%, held back in part by a stronger British pound, which adds pressure on British exporters. A missile strike on an Iranian tanker revived concerns about oil supplies and pushed energy prices higher. The explosion follows other attacks earlier this year on tankers in the Persian Gulf, through which about 20% of all oil traded worldwide passes. Benchmark crude oil rose $1.15 to settle at $54.70 a barrel. Brent crude oil, the international standard, gained $1.41 to close at $60.51 a barrel. The rise in energy prices lifted oil and energy services companies. Exxon rose 1.1% and Schlumberger climbed 4.5%. Fastenal surged 17.2% after the maker of fasteners and other industrial products reported surprisingly good first quarter profit and revenue. The company reported solid growth from its industrial vending and onsite services businesses. Newmont Goldcorp was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500 after gold prices fell $12.10, or 0.8%, to $1,482.70 per ounce, as investors shifted to more risky holdings. Newmont shares slid 3.4%. Investors will be focusing on the health of Corporate America next week as companies begin reporting their results for the third quarter. Expectations are generally low, with analysts forecasting a drop of 4.1% from a year ago. The results, plus what CEOs say about their spending and revenue forecasts, should give a better picture of the economy's potential direction. "You're going to see a little soft earnings (results) this quarter, is our expectation, largely on the manufacturing and global companies, but also a little softness on services," Phillips said. In other commodities trading Friday, wholesale gasoline rose 2 cents to $1.64 per gallon. Heating oil climbed 4 cents to $1.96 per gallon. Natural gas fell 1 cent to $2.21 per 1,000 cubic feet. Silver fell 6 cents to $17.46 per ounce and copper rose 1 cent to $2.62 per pound. The dollar rose to 108.52 Japanese yen from 107.91 yen on Thursday. The euro strengthened to $1.1041 from $1.1006. AP Business Writer Damian J. Troise contributed. Trade agreements, Greater China, Bank of America Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Corporate Sustainability Programs Online Support Software Corporate Incentive Gifts Digital Media Campaign China Trade Deal S&P 500 snaps 6-week string of gains even as stocks rise World shares subdued after signing of China-US trade pact Asian shares mixed as markets yawn at Trump's impeachment Asia shares mixed as optimism over China-US trade deal fades Asian shares mostly higher despite US-China trade anxiety	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384257
__label__cc	0.673047	0.326953	Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest These easy to moderate trails are located within the 735 acre Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest, which is owned and managed by the New England Forestry Foundation. Easy, Moderate Dirt/Forest Floor There is slight elevation gain on some of the trails, but they are mainly flat. The forest has been professionally managed since 1950, and contains a diverse array of stand types and management history. Shedd Pond is entirely encircled by conservation land and provides a moderate fishery for pickerel. Portions of this land were settled by the Allen family during colonial times. The Allen family was active in the publishing business and owned considerable commercial property in downtown Augusta. Mr. Edward A.Whitney was on the faculty of Harvard University, where he met John Hemenway and became acquainted with the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF). He deeded the first parcel of this forest to NEFF in 1955. The property has been under continuous management by NEFF since 1950 when a forest management plan was prepared by forester A.W. Neff. The first timber sale was made in 1950 when 225,000 board feet of marked timber were sold for the stumpage price of $9.07/mbf. Additional timber cuts have been made regularly since 1950. Tree planting on the abandoned fields was begun by Mr. Whitney in the 1940s and continued until 1961. Sixty-one thousand trees were planted under the Soil Bank program. All of the plantations have been thinned except for a few acres south of the former summer house. An internal road system was constructed in the early 1960s, providing access to all portions of the property. In recent years, NEFF has been teaming up with Manomet to establish management planning that grapples with the potential issues facing landowners due to climate change. This has included experimental management in eastern hemlock and white ash stands, as well incorporating invasive species assays into regular timber inventorys. Visit the New England Forestry Foundation online for more information or contact: New England Forestry Foundation Littleton, MA 01460 info@newenglandforestry.org Hide All Ford/Stream Crossing Landmark Natural Attraction Parking Trailhead Gannett Woods and Wyman Memorial Forest Show \| View Trail Posting There is one trailhead located on the Worthing Road, but there is more parking available at Scribner Hill Road. From Augusta: Go west out Rt 100/Rt 11 past all the car dealerships until you hit Prescott Road, take a right there. Continue approximately 2.5 miles, then take a left on Scribner Hill Road. In 0.9 miles, there will be a New England Forestry Foundation sign and a small parking area. From Belgrade: Head south on Rt 135 (Prescott Rd) for 10 miles, take a left onto Scribner Hill Road. In 0.9 miles, there will be a New England Forestry Foundation sign and a small parking area. chasfranklin Lots of poison ivy! The church parking lot at 98 Scribner Road is gated now, but there is parking at the cemetery, and across the street at one of the trailheads for the Shed Pond side of the trails. luckystiff Tried going there today no Parking on Scribner rd. church parking lot blocked off. grhinkley01 currently, there is logging activity on the Shedd Pond side of the Forest. Expected to end by mid-summer 2016. Trails are passable with caution. rauschsi The trail entrance on Rte 17 is overgrown with poison ivy. More poison ivy further along the trail as well.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384258
__label__wiki	0.568876	0.568876	0191 250 2220 Make Enquiry Simplify Your Processes Orders & Job Entry Operate & Monitor ePOD & Invoicing Mandata TMS TMS Go! Our Integrated Tool Kit Cloud or Server TMS Why Mandata? Systematic improvements bring big benefits to Scottish haulier Mandata TMS\|25th September 2016 Cost savings are adding up for Aberdeen haulier ARR Craib after turning to Mandata and its Manpack3 transport management system. Aberdeen-based ARR Craib Transport Limited, founded in 1983, is one of the largest fleet haulage firms in Scotland with a turnover in excess of £40million. It operates more than 200 vehicles and 500 trailers and employs 360 staff. ARR Craib first introduced Mandata’s transport management technology over ten years ago. The directors recognised they needed to improve efficiencies and control costs if the company was to remain competitive, whilst still providing a high standard of service for its customers who included among others, world-renowned food manufacturers Baxters Food Group and Walkers Shortbread. The Mandata Manpack3 system has since evolved to integrate process efficient modules including digital signature capture, online track and trace, online POD retrieval, email invoicing, vehicle telematics and driver behaviour modules which in the eyes of group financial officer John Bain, are helping the company to meet the dual challenge of controlling costs and improved reporting. As all the various elements of the system work seamlessly together, the company is able to stay in control of processes from beginning to end, enabling staff to share information and giving the right staff the right information they need to do their jobs effectively. John Bain says the Mandata TMS plays a vital role in helping the company to process information accurately and bill quickly enabling it to manage its cash-to-cash cycle. “Good financial housekeeping depends on controlling your costs, good customers, appropriate resources and an effective risk management strategy. We are certainly seeing a strong return on our investment in Manpack3 through company-wide cost savings.” SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH PALLETLINE’S SYSTEM In response to a recent Palletline system upgrade, Mandata has completed an upgrade to ARR Craib’s Manpack3 system to enable the automatic matching of sub-contractor invoices. And it’s bespoke developments such as the synchronisation of the two systems which are enabling ARR Craib to manage highly complex processes – ensuring the company can continue to improve efficiency and stay in control of costs. “The recent upgrade is of great benefit to us as it ensures every job is being accounted for and invoiced. It vastly reduces the amount of manual work we have to do,” said John. DRIVER PERFORMANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS Operationally, Mandata’s expertise in vehicle tracking and driver behaviour technology is also helping ARR Craib to reduce fuel costs, raise driving standards and minimise the environmental impact of the company’s vehicle fleet. The company has implemented a driver performance programme to ensure its drivers take a responsible approach when at the wheel of their vehicles – an initiative that’s reaped environmental success for the company with a Green Award at the recent Northern Star Business Awards. Group Commercial Director Mike Simpson has been impressed by the advantages Mandata’s systems bring. “Improved driver performance is definitely reducing fuel consumption and delivering efficiencies as well as helping to reduce our carbon footprint, which is very important, but the Manpack3 system is also improving our safety record. We can monitor driver performance on an individual basis, making specific improvements where necessary. “The integrated Driver Behaviour module allows us to track things like harsh acceleration and braking which are not consistent with safe driving. Using the data, we can address specifics to improve driving standards – our Driver Training Officer will meet with underperforming drivers to identify ways of addressing the problems. “Analysis of the data has also revealed the seasonal nature of fuel efficiency which is better in the summer than in the winter months. This information helps us to understand the reason for cost increases – we encourage drivers to perform at their best by taking into account seasonal variations when out on deliveries.” Mike Simpson also highlights the benefits of Mandata’s live tracking capability which aids logistical planning and improved vehicle utilisation. “Rather than rely on the driver to tell us where he is we can see for ourselves. Looking at information such as when the driver started his working day and his exact location means we can effectively plan vehicle deployment throughout the day.” Looking to the future, ARR Craib has plans to use Mandata TMS to its further advantage says Mike Simpson.“Geo-fencing is an area that we’ll be developing in the next few months because of the benefits to improved resource planning,” he says. Other Customer Stories Shepherds Distribution Katem Logistics 2 minutes with Ian Elliott, Halcyon Tankers Mandata TMS drives greater operational and customer benefits at Brit European Refrigerated Haulier saving up to 15% in man-hours Barnack replace spreadsheets with TMS Go! UK Head Office: 5 Silverton Court, Northumberland Business Park, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 7RY Telematics Centre: 14 Acorn Business Park, Killingbeck Drive, York Road, West Yorkshire, LS14 6UF Mandata 0191 250 2220 hello@mandata.co.uk *Excluding English Public and Bank Holidays © 2020 Mandata. All Rights Reserved \| Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy Make Enquiry 0191 250 2220	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384260
__label__cc	0.601964	0.398036	HOME MY CURRICULUM WORKSHEETS CHALLENGES TOOLS 3th Grade CCSS Math Worksheets and Activities 3.OA.A Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division 3.OA.A.1 Worksheets Interpret the factors and products in whole number multiplication equations (e.g., 4 x 7 is 4 groups of 7 objects with a total of 28 objects or 4 strings measuring 7 inches each with a total of 28 inches.) Interpret the dividend, divisor, and quotient in whole number division equations (e.g., 28 Ã· 7 can be interpreted as 28 objects divided into 7 equal groups with 4 objects in each group or 28 objects divided so there are 7 objects in each of the 4 equal groups). Multiply and divide within 100 to solve contextual problems, with unknowns in all positions, in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., contexts including computations such as 3 x ? = 24, 6 x 16 = ?, ? Ã· 8 = 3, or 96 Ã· 6 = ?) Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers within 100. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations: 8 x ? = 48, 5 = ? Ã· 3, 6 x 6 =? 3.OA.B Understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication and division 3.OA.B.5 Worksheets Apply properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide. (Students need not use formal terms for these properties.) Examples: If 6 x 4 = 24 is known, then 4 x 6 = 24 is also known (Commutative property of multiplication). 3 x 5 x 2 can be solved by (3 x 5) x 2 or 3 x (5 x 2) (Associative property of multiplication). One way to find 8 x 7 is by using 8 x (5 + 2) = (8 x 5) + (8 x 2). By knowing that 8 x 5 = 40 and 8 x 2 = 16, then 8 x 7 = 40 + 16 = 56 (Distributive property of multiplication over addition). Understand division as an unknown-factor problem. For example, find 32 Ã· 8 by finding the number that makes 32 when multiplied by 8. 3.OA.C Multiply and divide within 100 3.OA.C.7 Worksheets Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 x 5 = 40, one knows 40 Ã· 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of 3rd grade, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers and related division facts. 3.OA.D Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic 3.OA.D.8 Worksheets Solve two-step contextual problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding Identify arithmetic patterns (including patterns in the addition and multiplication tables) and explain them using properties of operations. For example, analyze patterns in the multiplication table and observe that 4 times a number is always even (because 4 x 6 = (2 x 2) x 6 = 2 x (2 x 6), which uses the associative property of multiplication) Number and Operations in Base Ten 3.NBT.A Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic 3.NBT.A.1 Worksheets Round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100 using understanding of place value. Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10â€“90 (e.g., 9 x 80, 5 x 60) using strategies based on place value and properties of operations. Number and Operations - Fractions 3.NF.A Develop understanding of fractions as numbers 3.NF.A.1 Worksheets Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b. For example, 3/4 represents a quantity formed by 3 parts of size 1/4. Understand a fraction as a number on the number line. Represent fractions on a number line diagram. 3.NF.A.2a Worksheets Represent a fraction 1/b on a number line diagram by defining the interval from 0 to 1 as the whole and partitioning it into b equal parts. Recognize that each part has size 1/b and that the endpoint locates the number 1/b on the number line. For example, on a number line from 0 to 1, students can partition it into 4 equal parts and recognize that each part represents a length of 1/4 and the first part has an endpoint at 1/4 on the number line. 3.NF.A.2b Worksheets Represent a fraction a/b on a number line diagram by marking off a lengths 1/b from 0. Recognize that the resulting interval has size a/b and that its endpoint locates the number a/b on the number line. For example, 5/3 is the distance from 0 when there are 5 iterations of 1/3. Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size. Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size, or the same point on a number line. Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3. Explain why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model. 3.NF.A.3c Worksheets Express whole numbers as fractions, and recognize fractions that are equivalent to whole numbers. Examples: Express 3 in the form 3 = 3/1; recognize that 6/1 = 6; locate 4/4 and 1 at the same point of a number line diagram. 3.NF.A.3d Worksheets Compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model. 3.MD.A Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects 3.MD.A.1 Worksheets Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve contextual problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes. For example, students may use a number line to determine the difference between the start time and the end time of lunch. Measure the mass of objects and liquid volume using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), milliliters (ml), and liters (l). Estimate the mass of objects and liquid volume using benchmarks. For example, a large paper clip is about one gram, so a box of about 100 large clips is about 100 grams. 3.MD.B Represent and interpret data 3.MD.B.3 Worksheets Draw a scaled pictograph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step "how many more" and "how many less" problems using information presented in scaled graphs. Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units: whole numbers, halves, or quarters. 3.MD.C Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition 3.MD.C.5 Worksheets Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement. 3.MD.C.5a Worksheets Understand that a square with side length 1 unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area and can be used to measure area. 3.MD.C.5b Worksheets Understand that a plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units. Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units). Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition. Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by tiling it and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths. Multiply side lengths to find areas of rectangles with whole number side lengths in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems and represent whole-number products as rectangular areas in mathematical reasoning. 3.MD.C.7c Worksheets Use tiling to show in a concrete case that the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths a and b + c is the sum of a x b and a x c. Use area models to represent the distributive property in mathematical reasoning. For example, in a rectangle with dimensions 4 by 6, students can decompose the rectangle into 4 x 3 and 4 x 3 to find the total area of 4 x 6. 3.MD.C.7d Worksheets Recognize area as additive. Find areas of rectilinear figures by decomposing them into non-overlapping rectangles and adding the areas of the non-overlapping parts, applying this technique to solve real-world problems. 3.MD.D Geometric measurement: recognize perimeter as an attribute of plane figures and distinguish between linear and area measures 3.MD.D.8 Worksheets Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters. 3.G.A Reason about shapes and their attributes 3.G.A.1 Worksheets Understand that shapes in different categories (e.g., rhombuses, rectangles, and others) may share attributes (e.g., having four sides), and that the shared attributes can define a larger category (e.g., quadrilaterals). Recognize rhombuses, rectangles, and squares as examples of quadrilaterals, and draw examples of quadrilaterals that do not belong to any of these subcategories. Partition shapes into parts with equal areas. Express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole. For example, partition a shape into 4 parts with equal area, and describe the area of each part as 1/4 of the area of the shape. Determine if a figure is a polygon. 3th Grade common core math worksheets with answers is available online for free in printable & downloadable (PDF) format to teach, practice or learn mathematics. The K-3 curriculum includes the above cluster topics under the CCSS domains operations and algebraic thinking 3.OA, number and operations in base ten 3.NBT, number and operations - fractions 3.NF, measurement and data 3.MD and geometry 3.G. Refer the cluster headings and content standards for 3.OA.A, 3.OA.B, 3.OA.C, 3.OA.D, 3.NBT.A, 3.NF.A, 3.MD.A, 3.MD.B, 3.MD.C, 3.MD.D and 3.G.A to select intended common core math worksheet for grade-3. All common core math worksheets for 3th Grade provisioned with the corresponding answer key which contains step by step calculation or complete work with steps for each exercise in the worksheet. The key activities included in the 3th Grade common core math worksheets (questions and answers) to increase the student’s ability to apply mathematics in real world problems, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, problem solving skills, critically evaluate the reasoning or prepare the students to learn 3th Grade common core mathematics in best ways is available in printable and downloadable (PDF & PNG) formats too. CCSS for Math Math Skills Practice Math Skills Assessment Homework Solver KuKu - Quick Math Solver mathsai.com © 2019 Home Worksheets Challenges Tools 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade Topics CCSS ANSWERS KEY WORKSHEET with ANSWERS Login with Email or Username I'm a Teacher I'm a Parent I'm a Student I'm 13 or above 13 years old! Ask your parent or guardian to register for you! I agree with Terms of Use and Privacy Policy please fill all the details Hey! I'm kuku I can answer you simple math queries! Question KuKu's Answer	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384271
__label__wiki	0.734411	0.734411	1. What are the important guidelines for implementing Organisational Development ? Discuss the process of Internal self Renewal Facilitator in an organisation. 2. Define Compensation System. Discuss in brief the characteristics which should be rewarded, and explain why ? Cite examples. 3. How do you see the roles of chief knowledge managers and chief learning managers different from that of traditional Head (HRD) at national and international levels ? Discuss critically with suitable example. 4. Define and describe globalisation and global corporations. What makes globalisation work ? Explain with example ? (a) Value anchored HRD Processes (b) Need for Campetency mapping (c) Reorganisation of work (d) HRD in voluntary organisations. 6. Read the following case carefully and answer the questions given at the end. The eleven workers whose annual increments were stopped made a representation to the management of XYZ Limited that the action taken was not justified and that they wanted to know what was their fault. The management which acted upon the recommendation of the department head concerned, Mr. Rog, felt guilty because such an action was taken for the first time in the history of the company. XYZ Limited was a large paper manufacturing company in South India. The major departments of the factory were: 1. Chemical processing : The raw material was mixed with certain chemicals for making pulp. 2. Pulp department : Pulp was mixed with other ingredients according to specifications for each order of paper. 3. Paper machine department : This was the heart of the factory where processed pulp was fed into the paper machines. Act first, a wet weak paper was formed which was subsequently dried and rolled. 4. Finishing department : The paper rolls were then moved to the processing department where the required coating was given. 5. Grading, winding and packing departments. 6. Quality control department. Twenty eight workers worked in the paper machine department in four groups-each group attending one machine. The nature of the work on each machine was such that all the seven workers had to work in cooperation. Because no individual tasks could be specified, the group was made responsible for the work turned out by them. All the workers working in the paper machine department had been with the company for over ten years. The company did not have any incentive wage system for any class of its employees. They were all given straight salaries with normal annual increments. The annual increments were sanctioned each year in a routine way. It was the policy of the company that the increments should not be stopped unless the department head concerned recommended such an action. Mr. Rog was placed in charge of the paper machine department a year ago. Though Mr. Rog was a newcomer in the concerned recommended such an action. Mr. Rog was placed in charge of the paper machine department a year ago. Though Mr. Rog was a newcomer in the organisation, he proved himself to be a very competent man. The management noted that he was very aggressive and enthusiastic and that he know his job well. At the end of the year when increments were due to be sanctioned, he recommended to the management that the increments due to eleven men in his department should be stopped, for, in his opinion they were lazy and inefficient. The eleven men concerned belonged to all the four groups operating in the department. The management, though puzzled about the action recommended by Mr. Rog, acted upon it and stopped the increments due to the eleven men concerned. The management were aware that such an action was the first of its kind in the history of the company. Most of the employees were with the company for a fairly long period and there was never an instance of strained relations between the management and the employees. Soon after the action was taken, the eleven employees concerned made a representation to the management requesting them to let them know what was wrong with their work as to warrant stopping of their increments. The management were in a fix because they did not have specific reasons to give except Mr. Rog's report in which he simply mentioned that the eleven men concerned were "lazy and inefficient." The management were naturally concerned about the representation and therefore, they tried to ascertain from Mr. Rog the detailed circumstances under which he recommended the stoppage of increments. When Mr. Rog could not pin-point the reasons, the management suspected that Mr. Rog's recommendation was based on his "impressions" rather than on facts. They, therefore, advised Mr. Rog to maintain a register from then on nothing the details of day to day incidents of "lazy and inefficient" workers and obtain the signatures of the workers concerned. Mr. Rog was to make the final appraisal of each worker in his department on the basis of this register and recommend each case giving specific reasons why increments should be stopped. Mr. Rog started maintaining a register as suggested by the management; but he found it difficult to report satisfactorily any case of laziness of inefficiency for want of specific reasons. The management were convinced that their action of stopping increments of eleven men on the strength of Mr. Rog's report was not a proper one. They realised that no similar action in future would be taken based on inadequate information. But, they were wondering whether the suggestion made to Mr. Rog was the proper course of action to prevent occurrence of similar situations. (a) Identify and discuss the core issue in the case. (b) Was management of the company justified in implementing the recommendations of Mr. Rog, in the absence of proper report ? (e) How would you view the action of Mr. Rog, if you were the M.D. of the company ? Ms-21 june 2007	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384275
__label__wiki	0.778149	0.778149	UVI’s Falcon soft synth plugin spreads its wings and lands at version 2 By Ben Rogerson (Computer Music) 2019-10-11T08:16:41Z A bit more of everything, basically UVI’s Falcon was already a pretty chunky hybrid synth plugin, but its capabilities have now been significantly expanded thanks to a version 2 update. Combining synthesis and sampling oscillators, effects, modulation and MIDI processors, we’re told that it now offers “infinite possibilities”. One criticism of the original Falcon was that it didn’t have an additive oscillator, this is now present and correct. What’s more, there’s now FM support in the wavetable oscillator and improved IRCAM Stretch, FM and Pluck oscillators (16 oscillators are included in total). There are also new and improved modulation sources. The parametric LFO makes its debut, while the multi-envelope modulator now supports MIDI and audio sample drag-n-drop. There are more effects than before, too - you’ve now got 90 to work with - and new MIDI processors give you additional creative potential. Finally, there are new sounds and wavetables, while an enhanced workflow promises to improve the user experience. Falcon 2 is available now for PC and Mac, running standalone and as a VST/AU/AAX plugin. The regular price is €349, but you can currently purchase it for €244. Find out more on the UVI website. Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… …with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384279
__label__wiki	0.777521	0.777521	Global Audio Designs Powerful Audiophile System for Public Records Working in close collaboration with designer Devon Turnbull of Ojas speakers, Jason Ojeda of Global Audio recently created a one of a kind high-powered audiophile sound system for community-based hospitality and performance space, Public Records. Brainstorm Media ⋅ Jun 24, 2019 Recently profiled in the New York Times https://nyti.ms/2HX0zHY as part a larger story about the emerging arts and cultural scene in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood, Public Records is described by co-owner Francis Harris as “a hospitality establishment with exceptional curated music and live performances.” Public Records has an all-day vegan café with a carefully selected periodical magazine selection along with a limited vinyl record collection on consignment from different labels and friends of the venue. It also has a bar/restaurant with alcohol by volume cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings made with fresh ingredients. Very conscious of the space’s environmental impact, it is a plastic-free venue with keg natural wines to save on glass bottle consumption and the fuel used for shipping them. As Francis underscores, “We’re ethos driven and hope to create a day to night eco-system that people can experience differently depending on the time of day. We’re trying to take a more health-oriented and mature approach that allows people to enjoy music outside of their homes.” To create the sound system to support this unique concept, Jason explains, “We’d been in extensive discussions with the owners who were looking for a true 2-channel audiophile system on steroids with amazing sound staging and imaging and enough horse power to cover a full on nightclub. We decided to build a system using the theory of older components and designs like Altec Lansing but updating those components with modern drivers, amplifiers and signal processing. “In the main sound room, we installed a four cornered stack system, each consisting of two Void Acoustics Nexus XL subwoofers, one custom Ojas Quad 15 slot-loaded enclosure, one Altec 1505B Multi-Cell horn and one Faital super-tweeter. The amplification for the main room is a Void Bias V9, Void Bias Q2 and a Void Bias D1 with a pair of BGW VXi3.3 amps and BSS signal processing. “For the DJ monitors and booth, we have two Void Acoustic Stasys 4 and a Venu 215 subwoofer, four Pioneer CDJ Nexus 2000 NX2 players, four Technics SL 1200 MK2 turntables, a custom DJ Mixer by Isonoe and a custom DJ console by Global Audio Systems and Harry Theocharidis. “In the Bar Room, we have four corner stacks, two with replica Altec 816 midbass boxes built by Devon and four with a Void Acoustics Venu 115 subwoofer and four Ojas cabinets with a 500hz horn and Altec HF driver, all powered by a Crown Macrotech 5002, a BGW 750G and a BGW 100B with analog crossovers and EQ. For the outside area, there’s one Ashley signal processor with six Void Acoustics Cyclone 55 speakers. “The DJ setup for the Bar Room includes two Pioneer CDJ Nexus 2000 NX2, two Technics SL 1200 MK2, a DJ mixer by Isonoe and the same custom DJ console as the main sound room.” Asked about the results, Jason says, “The dynamic headroom is through the roof and the amps will never get close to their limit because the system is so overbuilt. The channel separation and imaging is so incredible that we played the live version of ‘Hotel California,’ and it sounded like you were standing in the audience during the concert. It really is completely crazy, more than I could have imagined in large part because of the amplifiers. The BGW’s are class A-B, extremely fast with an outstanding slew rate and channel separation unlike any commercial amplifier on the market. “The owners are completely ecstatic with the system and in all my years of doing this, I have to say it’s really a special sound system, something that hasn’t happened in the last 20 years in NYC. It’s a special room which has been acoustically treated, but it has real life to it.” Public Records will be presenting unique performance artists such as Damo Suzuki, a Japanese musician known for his singing with CAN, ambient-music giant Laraaji and minimalist techno artist Jan Jelinek. In addition, Francis adds, “At night, we have various lecturers coming who present their record collections in an all analog system. We want to take the preciousness out of the audiophile world and make it more community driven and democratic. Like there are plenty of people who aren’t DJs sitting on great record collection that no one gets to hear outside of their houses. So the romantic idea is that they can come in, bring their friends and listen to their records on our HiFi. “I knew Jason for the sound systems he’s built in New York and his work with DJs like Louie Vega and Victor Calderone, and Devon’s speakers are like audiophile Altec-Lansing that wouldn’t necessarily work with a commercial system. “So it was like an experiment to combine this HiFi listening system with the power of this amp rack that Jason would design combined with subs and bringing those two systems together make it a very unique experience and a perfect balance of what we were seeking for the venue itself. We wanted to build a sound room so that when you played a record that’s really well produced with an incredible stereo field and remarkable musical depth, the system would do those records justice.” For more information about Global Audio Systems, click to www.globalaudiosystems.com Audio-Technica Announces Audio Solutions Department DB AUDIO & VIDEO DESIGNS, INSTALLS MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM AT AWARD WINNING HIGH SCHOOL Shape the Future of Audio — Sennheiser Presents AMBEO 3D Audio Technology at CES STEWART AUDIO INTRODUCES THE INTRASOUND AUDIO SYSTEM Junger Audio Unveils Audio Monitoring and Authoring Tools For Immersive 3D Audio at IBC 2015 AUDIO & LIGHT TAKES DELIVERY OF DAS AUDIO AERO SYSTEM NAMM 2013: Audio-Technica Offers New System 10 Digital Wireless System Go Audio Puts Newly Acquired Martin Audio WPC System to Good Use	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384284
__label__wiki	0.56439	0.56439	Inaugural LETR Black Tie Gala set for later this summer Members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run are excited to host the first-ever Black Tie Gala – a premiere event that will showcase the story of a local Special Olympics athlete and raise money to help provide opportunities for others to reach their full athletic potential. The gala is set for September 15 at the Coast Hotel and will feature a buffet meal, both a live and silent auction and music by the one and only Trevor Panczak. Guest speaker Brandon Thielen, a local business owner, self-advocate and Special Olympics athlete will share his inspiring story and talk about the abilities of all people with Down Syndrome. After graduating from college Brandon struggled to find an office job, so instead he started his own business and Photos Galore Digitizing Services has been operating for nine years. In addition to his owning and operating the business, Brandon participates in five-pin bowling and bocce ball and he’s also a member of the Downtown City Speakers Toastmasters Club. As an avid speaker he has travelled across Canada to share his story and encourage others. There are currently 167 athletes participating in Special Olympic sports in Lethbridge – including 11 summer programs and seven winter programs. “When you work with Special Olympics you see first-hand how amazing the athletes are,” said Insp. Jason Dobirstein, with the Lethbridge Police Service. “They work very hard and are so dedicated to their sports, but they are also committed to one another and it’s that camaraderie that really sets Special Olympics apart.” LETR’s mission is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement worldwide. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from 10 provinces and three territories, the 50 United States and 46 countries internationally form the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Since 2012 more than $450,000 has been raised locally in support of Special Olympics – money that stays in Alberta! Local LETR members include the Lethbridge Police Service, Blood Tribe Police Service, Taber Police Service, Lethbridge Correctional Centre, Alberta Sheriffs and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement. Tickets for the LETR Black Tie Gala cost $75 per person and can be purchased by contacting Jenn Ward at 403-330-5080 or jenn.ward@lethbridgepolice.ca All proceeds from the Gala will benefit Special Olympics. Auction and silent auction donations are still being gratefully accepted and anyone interested in making a contribution is asked to contact Cst. Braylon Hyggen at 403-393-7104 or braylon.hyggen@lethbridgepolice.ca OR Cst. Mathieu Champagne at 403-223-8991 or mchampag@taber.ca Insp. Jason Dobirstein and Cst. Braylon Hyggen will be available for media interviews July 6, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the police station. Media: any assistance you can provide to help us get the word out about this very cool fundraiser would be very much appreciated.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384285
__label__cc	0.621436	0.378564	3CX Phone System AtOne Workforce Management Software FileBound Document & Workflow Automation Custom Integration Platform Cyber Security & Cyber Resilience WatchGuard Network Security IT Support for Law Firms IT Support for Medical Practices IT Solutions for the Financial Industry IT Solutions for Airports IT Solutions for Field Service Companies IT Solutions for SME’s Microsoft Azure Consulting Home > Solutions > Cloud Computing > Microsoft Azure Consulting Microsoft Azure Consulting From Levit8 The Open, Flexible Platform You Need When You Need it the Most In February of 2010, Microsoft changed the face of cloud computing forever when it unleashed the first public release of its Azure service on the world. Immediately, it was billed as something of a "one stop shop" for all of your cloud needs - supporting not only many different programming languages, but also software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service and more. Technology has changed dramatically in the last ten years, but the core focus of Azure has not. It's still one of the best ways to build, test, deploy and manage both applications and services in the cloud available to the market today. Whether you're migrating to Azure for the first time or just need help managing all the work that you've already done, the team at Levit8 have years of experience working in Azure environments of all shapes and sizes - and that is experience we can't wait to leverage to your advantage. Azure Migration: At Levit8, we always begin all of our Microsoft Azure consulting sessions by taking the time to get to know as much about your business as possible. That gives us the best chance to come up with not only the right migration strategy, but also long-term cloud computing strategy, to meet your needs. We'll even conduct a cloud-readiness assessment to help make sure things go off without a hitch. We can help you at any part of the process you need - be it in terms of architectural design, project management, project execution, governance, compliance, security and more. All told, we're here for you at all times - from Azure evaluation to integration to implementation, deployment and beyond. Regardless of what you need or when you need it, Levit8 is always ready to answer the call and help guarantee that the full power of the modern cloud works for you. Azure vs. AWS: The State of Today's Cloud No discussion of Microsoft Azure would be complete without also taking a look at the service's largest competitor: Amazon Web Services, or AWS for short. Azure has four key classes, too, but they're a bit different from those of AWS. On the Azure side of the conversation, we have performance, networking, compute, and data management and databases. Amazon's AWS has four major classes of services to choose from, all of which fall under the umbrella of IaaS or "infrastructure as a service." These include content delivery and storage, compute, networking and database functionality. All told, Azure tends to be the best option for those organizations that are already heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. If your business has run on Windows machines for years, if you're totally satisfied and if you just want to take those benefits to the next level by embracing everything that the cloud has to offer, Azure is very likely the way to go. That's not to say that AWS is inherently "bad" - far from it. It's just that Azure will likely offer you a greater degree of flexibility and malleability that AWS might not be able to match. Getting Ready For Your Next Big Project? Let Levit8 Help At Levit8, we understand just how time consuming and overwhelming transitioning your organization into the cloud can be - which is why we're ready and willing to step in and lend a helping hand whenever we're needed. To get insight into everything you'll need to make your next big Microsoft Azure project as successful as possible, contact us today or click the button below. Together, we'll help achieve your outcomes and exceed your expectations in the fastest and most efficient ways possible. GET STARTED WITH AZURE Level 8, 50 Cavill Avenue Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217 Australia info@levit8.com.au Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia Level 3, 22 Mountain Street Copyright © 2019: Levit8 Pty Ltd. All rights reserved \| Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy \| Cookie Policy I would like a trial. Please contact me on: By providing us with your personal information By providing us with your personal information, you are voluntarily giving us express consent to deal with such information according to the terms of our Privacy Policy.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384287
__label__wiki	0.604075	0.604075	an alliance of library user groups and supporters About LLL Specialist Libraries Contact LLL LLL Meetings: The next LLL Meeting will take place onThursday 3rd November 2011 at 7.30 pm and will be held in Camden Town Hall. Online Petitions On 15th December 2010, the e-petitions requirement contained in the Democracy, Economic Construction and Development Act 2009 came into force. Getting help with thesis is super easy with Thesishelpers.com . Coincidently, the Localism Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 December 2010 and one of its intensions is the repeal of the Petitions Duty which requires councils to have a mechanism in place for local people to submit petitions ( https://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/ ). Guidance: Localism Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 December 2010 and one of its intensions is the repeal of the Petitions Duty which requires councils to have a mechanism in place for local people to submit petitions https://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/ AT Oct 2010 Successful Communication With Essay Writing Services Lewisham Libraries Closures New Cross Library: Brent Libraries Closures Croydon Library Closures in Blackheath Petition signing at Tate South Lambeth Library (a typical library user - a 6 year old from a local school) Signature collection at Sydenham Library Norbury Library signature collection Camden's Belsize Library goes on the offensive to defend its existence once again: https://www.youtube.com/user/NMalcolmBrown#p/u/3/7hyLYngrp9w Camden Council's Library Policy to be Legally Challenged Camden Public Libraries Users Group (CPLUG) has taken the first step in legally challenging the new library policy of Camden Council. A letter before claim has been sent to the Council on CPLUGs behalf which sets out the grounds for this challenge. The main grounds are major errors in the design and implementation of the Camden Council library public consultation which was carried out earlier this year. This will come as no surprise to those who have followed the developments in the borough. The consultation has become notorious and has added to a shameful list of previous faulty consultations carried out by Camden Council. Whilst the present challenge is restricted to the libraries consultation, it can be considered to be the groundbreaker for possible future legal challenges where the Council rides roughshod over the wishes of the population of the borough. Read the full Letter before Claim document The Closure List Public Library News has reported that CILIP believes that 20% of English libraries are under threat. The PLN has found that sustained attacks by local authorities on their public library services has resulted in 397 libraries (319 buildings and 78 mobiles) being currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK. The Public Library News London findings are: Myhomeworkdone.com is the spot you visit when you need homework done Barnet - 2 threatened (out of 16) - 1 to go as merge North Finchley and Friern Barnet libraries at "Artsdepot" site; Hampstead Garden Suburb to close (books with self-service machine to be placed in local Institute); Bookfund up by £10k; £3m raised by selling off buildings (Finchley Hill, Church End, Child's Hill and Grahame Park - to be moved into presumably cheaper buildings); 16FTE lost; £350k saving joint backroom services (£1.6m cut to be decided 29th March) final council decison here Bexley - 3 and 1 mobile (£1m - 16% cut) Merger of library services will include halving of staff - sacking of 36 staff, including all professional staff. Brent - 6 out of 12 confirmed as closing; 82% of consultation responders said council plans to close 6 of 12 were not reasonable. Legal challenge. Central Library will move to new Civic Centre building in 2013; the 6 libraries not being closed will be open seven days, with longer hours during exam periods, more e-books and more audio. Bromley - Suggested merger of two councils' library services may save Bromley £880k - £340k from staff losses, £90k from merging Penge and Anerley libraries. 8 (out of 15) may close; KAB talking books cut; Withdrawing from RNIB scheme, replacing with Calibre service. Large scale reductions in opening hours. Merger of library services will include halving of staff including sacking of 36 staff, including all (back-office?) professional staff. Council has £33m cash reserves; some branches will move to being run by "trustees" and volunteers Camden - 3 libraries to transfer to being run by volunteers, Mobile Library to close, Regents Park Library to close. 10% opening hours cut for all, bookfund cut, 35 jobs lost; may share some services with Islington: Belsize, Chalk Farm and Health libraries to be given to volunteers; £2 million cut King's Cross may be rebuilt in new Town hall complex, Crowndale Centre library may move to new Camden High Street site, Regent's Park may become study centre with new library built instead. St Pancras and Camden Town libraries subject to possible property sale. (£1.6million cut). Possible legal challenge. City of London - 1 (15.9% cut to Libraries/Archives/Art Dept budget, cuts to London Metropolitan Archives opening hours. Source = LAGAG update email). Guildhall Library will remain open on Saturdays, City Business Library will close on Saturdays. London Metropolitan Archives to open four days per week but will open until 7.30 Tuesday to Thursday to compensate (open one Saturday per month). Croydon - Will be privatised in joint tendering process with Wandsworth, Full paper to Council on decision to invite private tender for library services. Decision to close six libraries postponed until 2012. 23 library jobs lost April 2011. Another 26 likely to go in order to make £700k saving., (£690k saving) (doubts over consultation process). Qualified librarians removed at Sanderstead Library Ealing - It looks likely no branch library will close (mobile library will close though). Hanwell, Perivale, Northfields (£610k upgrade in 2007), Northolt Leisure Centre (£1m upgrade January 2010) were under threat; Current plan to go before committee is - (1) Picture sale of £570k to go to Libraries for Wifi, new computers. (2) Library opening hours reduced by 25 per week, (3) move to Trust, volunteers, or other model to be considered, (4) "comprehensive" volunteer programme, (5) some branches may be entirely "self-service", (6) 20 FTE library jobs to go. Cut to budget may be 30% over four years, Ealing Library Campaign.; Enfield - 20% budget cut.- 3 out of 16 under threat (Ordnance Road Library,Enfield Highway Library,Bullsmoor Library) under threat. Expert essay writers at WeeklyEssay. £578k cut 2011, £300k 2012 and 2013. If massive opposition, libraries could stay open but staffed with volunteers. Decision to be made in "Summer". Greenwich - 1 (Greenwich council has reserve of £133m - the second highest in the country)(could be turned into a Trust) (school library service closed) Hackney - One-quarter of library staff to lose their jobs (number down from 104 to 76) Events to reduce from 500 annually to 200, mainly run by volunteers. Most staff will be paid £2000-5000 less as jobs downgraded. Front-line staff cut by £700k 2010-11, but more senior managers. Consultation 18 April - 27 June 2011; all libraries to be kept open; new Dalston CR James Library to be opened in 2011; opening hours to change in all libraries; events to be solely at new library, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington; more volunteers (1 library already entirely staffed by volunteers) Hammersmith and Fulham - 2 (to be run by volunteers) and 1 mobile (record office to have £70k cut from £88k, volunteers, presumably no professional archivists, reduced hours) (£310k cut) Haringey - Hornsey, Marcus Garvey and Alexandra Park libraries to be closed on Sundays. Harrow - 34 full-time jobs cut as £1.1m saving expected from installation of self-service in all libraries Hounslow - initial plan to close 8 cancelled after public consultation, £300k cut in bookfund, some libraries may still be at risk as cuts "postponed". (Managed by private company Laing); Consultation on cuts soon Islington - Guarantee no libraries will close. 10% (£600k) cut. May be job losses, cuts in hours, more self-service. Seriously considering turning into a Trust to save £450k p.a. in tax. May share some services with Camden. Kensington & Chelsea - North Kensington Library may be moved to new site to allow for land to be sold to private company/public school. Kingston - (50% adult bookfund cut) Lambeth - 4 branches (out of 11) and 2 mobiles (setting up a trust "which will give you a chance to run libraries")("@walkyouhome: EVERY librarian in Lambeth has been told they are having their post deleted. Only assistants and admin staff remain" on twitter 9.3.11 confirmed 13.3.11); Council has £93.7m cash reserves.; £750k 2011/14 cut; Commission to be set up to consider volunteers/closures/shared service with other authorities Lewisham - 5 (of 12) Grove Park, Sydenham and Crofton Park Libraries will be divested to Eco Computer Systems. Age Exchange will take over Blackheath. New Cross Library has closed 28.5.12. £995k cut from £4.6m - 21.6%; (legal challenge - possibly unrelated to this, council summoned to DCMS to explain their actions.); Merton - (£81k cut) - Donald Hope Library (Colliers Wood) will close on Fridays, West Barnes Library will be staffed by volunteers on Mondays from July. Newham - Foreign language newspapers removed from all libraries Redbridge - 5 out of 12 may close, another may relocate (£2.3m cut). Goodmayes saved. Richmond - No libraries to close, Whitton library enhanced (as Heathfield closed earlier this year). Ham and Kew libraries may be co-located with other council services. Self-service in all libraries. Bookfund protected. More online services. (£351k cut) (service may be privatised) Heathfield closed in March. Tower Hamlets - (staff made to reapply for their own jobs -23 library staff replaced) Wandsworth - (York Gardens - description of council proposals here, library stays open but with cuts in service and staffing - decision not well-liked) mention in Guardian here plus reduction in hours in others. Will be privatised in joint tendering process with Croydon. Council papers here. Westminster - 1 (St James's Library to close) (Marylebone may never reopen) Petition to save St James' Library. Withdrawing from RNIB scheme, replacing with e-audio service. The full PLN UK list can be found at: https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/p/cuts-and-closures-by-local-authority.html Time to throw the book at Ed Vaizey Ivan Lewis John Walshs article in The Independent on 23rd June analysed the attitude of Ed Vaizey (Minister for Culture) to the current public library crisis in this country and compared it with his attitude in opposition. It was a demolition job. Vaizeys reputation is now in tatters. The recent encounter in the British Library of Camden journalist, Dan Carrier, with Ed Vaizey gave the same result. We can, therefore, be fairly confident that Vaizey is just a political opportunist eager to jump on any passing bandwagon and just as willing to jump off of it. Vaizey gained his former reputation by actively supporting public libraries while the Conservative Party was in opposition. He did support the library campaigners in the Wirral. Perhaps it is relevant to ask: where is the opposition spokesperson, Ivan Lewis, today? Carefully invisible. At least Vaizey put on a good imitation of interest. AT June 2011 Lewisham Lobby of DCMS - 18th May 2011 On Wednesday 18th May, a group of library users from Lewisham lobbied the Department for Cuture, Media & Sport in an attempt to get the Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, to use his powers under the 1964 Public Libraries & Museums Act to prevent a drastic reduction of library services in the borough. A letter was handed into the department. The text of the letter was: Ed Vaizey, M.P., 17th May 2011 Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, 2 4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH Ref: Sent on behalf of Library Users affected by the closure of their libraries Dear Mr. Vaizey, We are presenting this document to you as it strongly supports the views of many people in the London Borough of Lewisham, that their current libraries should remain open and the council should seek alternative measures to save money on the budget and treat all its residents equally, instead of offering the two tier system, with all the councils admitted risks involved in the new model of community libraries. Some call them pseudo libraries. We note that in 2009 you challenged Andy Burnham, then minister at the DCMS, as he was ignoring his responsibilities as secretary of state by refusing to intervene in the library closures in The Wirral. You went on to say he effectively renders the 1964 Public Libraries Act meaningless. While it is local authorities responsibility to provide libraries, the Act very clearly lays responsibility for ensuring a good service at the culture secretarys door. If Andy Burnham is not prepared to intervene when library provision is slashed in a local authority such as The Wirral, it is clear that he is ignoring his responsibilities as secretary of state, which in the process renders any sense of libraries being a statutory requirement for local authorities meaningless. Surely one is expected to obey the law, and not cherry pick the statutes? Lewisham officers and Lewisham residents had the opportunity to explain their views to officers at the DCMS. To date we have no decision from the secretary of state. Five Lewisham libraries close on 28th May 2011. Blackheath Village Library project has large sums of money involved, from varying sources including the council. It will run a transitional library until summer/autumn 2012. Crofton Park, Sydenham and Grove Park, all, according to the council report needing large sums to be spent on their crumbling buildings will be handed over to a business, on a 25 year lease, which had a turnover of less than £50,000 in 2010. The council made clear in its Mayor and Cabinet Agenda, 12th May 2011, that there were serious risks attached. Quote, Should either the financial or building related risks arise, this could lead to a reputational risk to the council. The final sentence added Officers acknowledge that these risks are real and that possible mitigation measures are limited. Worse, New Cross library, in a deprived area of a deprived borough seems to have no future. The council did not dare allow the winning company to take over 4 libraries, only 3. Is this the way to run local government? Where is the public probity? Where is the concern for public money and public services? We are facing misgovernance on a grand scale. But Lewisham council always claims to do it better!!! These pseudo libraries will provide many fewer books, (only 7000 in BVL as opposed to 21,000,) less space, ( one third the size of the current library) little professional staffing and no evening opening and one closure. How is this not a diminution of Lewishams service? What would you have said to Mr. Burnham in these circumstances? Is a bidding process with such shabby, shoddy results an appropriate way to deal with the provision of a statutory service? Can you support this dire outcome affecting the 327,000 visits to these libraries in 2009/10, the 264,000 issues, the 25,443 signatories of the petitions? The money saved is nothing like that promoted by the council. Alternative budgets were presented. Did the council discuss these with the users? Of course not! Did DCMS ministers and officers know this would be the result? Not only does the public deserve an answer, so does Parliament, which passed the Act, in the expectation that it would be used. Why not do what Mr. Burnham did? He asked for a report to be compiled in The Wirral. The library service should be the subject of that report and all council policy should be put on hold. There is a solution and it would win you and the government lots of brownie points! Patricia and Peter Richardson Lewisham's Plea to the Prime Minister After their lobby of the DCMS on 18th May, a group of Lewisham's librar users delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street. The text of the letter was: The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, M.P. London SW1A 2AA Ref: Delivered on behalf of the Library Users facing the closure of their libraries in the London Borough of Lewisham. Dear Mr. Cameron, The Oxford Mail interviewed you for its 14th May issue 2011. One question it asked was:- Q. Do you agree with cutting library services in Oxfordshire? A. What the County council is now proposing is significantly changed. They are looking at ways to keep libraries open and looking for ways to maintain them. Of course I have discussed it with Keith Mitchell, but it is his decision. Actually the final decision is with the Minister at the DCMS, Ed Vaizey MP. Under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 he has the power to intervene if a local authority is failing to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all its residents. Lewisham council is about to do just that and provide a two tier system for its residents. To date we have had no decision from Mr. Vaizey although both local authority officers and library supporters were interviewed at the DCMS, separately, to make their cases. The two tier system that results in 4 libraries being run as community libraries or pseudo libraries, reduced in stock, one much reduced in space, no evening opening and one closed altogether, that being New Cross. It is in one of the most deprived areas of the borough. The business plans of the firm chosen to run 3 libraries are even called into question, as well as the ability to deal with the 3 buildings that need large sums of money spent on them. Quote Mayor and Cabinet Agenda 12/5/2011 para 9.7, Should either the financial or building related risks arise, this could lead to a reputational risk to the Council. Para 9.8, Officers acknowledge that these risks are real and that possible mitigation measures are limited. Perhaps Mr. Pickles and the Audit Commission should also be involved. The quality of the final 4 interested parties was poor and calls into question the policy of subjecting the provision of a statutory public service to a bidding war. The savings originally stated as being essential are no longer there. Other pots of council money are being made available. Nobody has discussed the loss of service, due to staff restructuring, in the Reference Library, the local archives and local history departments. The councils own report on schools, young people and youth projects admitted these areas would be damaged by the proposed closures and implementation of community libraries. Areas around New Cross, Sydenham, Crofton Park, Grove Park each have several schools, using libraries to enhance literacy, reference and project work. The council will continue to run 7 libraries as before, which means some residents have a better service than others. This must be a breach of the 1964 Act. We therefore ask you to look at the information here, which sustains the case. Ask Mr. Vaizey to look at it and do his duty by the people of Lewisham as he is required. When Mr. Vaizey was the Shadow minister he clearly pointed out that Andy Burnham MP was ignoring his responsibilities as secretary of state, by refusing to intervene in the library closures in The Wirral in 2009. He went on to say that this refusal to take action in The Wirral effectively renders the 1964 Public Libraries Act meaningless. While it is local authorities responsibility to provide libraries, the Act very clearly lays responsibility for ensuring a good service at the culture secretarys door. If Andy Burnham is not prepared to intervene when library provision is slashed in a local authority such as The Wirral, it is clear that he is ignoring his responsibilities as secretary of state, which in the process renders any sense of libraries being a statutory requirement for local authorities meaningless. Is Mr Vaizey doing the same thing two years on? What is Mr. Hunts position in all this? We cannot choose which laws to obey. The law is the law. This attitude brings the administration of the law into public disrepute, and the minister as part of it. Patricia and Peter Richardson, Tel: 020 8852 9301 RICHMOND RETAINING ALL LIBRARIES, INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, in contrast to many other boroughs around the country, will keep all its libraries open in spite of current public cost-cutting pressures and protect its book acquisition budget while continuing to invest in new technology and refurbishment Let me say very clearly that there are no plans to close any of our libraries, Ian Dodds, Head of Libraries, told a recent public forum, but we will look carefully at the different ways in which we can manage them and how we can work in partnership with local community groups and volunteers to ensure that they remain public buildings at the heart of their local communities--delivering the services that local people want and need. While elsewhere in London 51 libraries were due to close in coming months, Richmond would invest in enlarging and refurbishing its branch library in Whitton, partly to enhance its facilities following downsizing of the nearby Heathfield library (due to sale of its premises). Improvements to the smaller Ham and Kew libraries were also under consideration, possibly by co-locating them and other smaller branches with other public services. This will have the benefit of improving buildings and locations and extending the range of public services on offer whilst enabling us to share building costs, Dodds said. In the past few years Richmond has modernised its branch libraries in Richmond, East Sheen, Teddington and Twickenham, and moved Hampton Hill library to more convenient new premises Instead of cutting opening hours and reducing book purchases, as happening elsewhere, Richmond will this year complete installation of self-service technology in all libraries, which would permit further extension of opening hours. More than 70,000 new books were added to collections last year and the budget spent on books would continue to be protected. We have implemented a new stock supply contract which has provided us with access to a better range of stock at a larger discountwhich means that we have been able to buy more, Dodds said. Richmond would also continue to ensure that its libraries were focal points for cultural activities, such as reading groups, exhibitions, performances and events with writers. The rapid expansion of technology-driven access to informationthe majority of traditional sources now being published onlinerequired further investment in electronic facilities. In the coming year we will grow these services, Dodds said, and make sure we are at the cutting edge of developments by extending access to e-books and online subscription services through a virtual library portal and by creating digital content and ensuring our libraries offer the most up-to-date technology. Cllr Pamela Fleming told the meeting that Richmond Council was firmly committed to maintaining an efficient library system in the borough. The annual library forum held in April at the Richmond Reference Library was arranged by the Committee of Friends of the Richmond upon Thames Libraries, chaired by Francis Bennett. (M Pagel) The Fight Back - the Challenge to Ed Vaizey Thus far we have coralled library users from Lewisham, Brent, Camden, Croydon, Lambeth and some from outside London, to challenge Ed Vaizey, minister at the DCMS, for not using his powers under the 1964 Public Libraries Act to prevent the desecration of one of the fundamentals of a decent Society. We meet on Wednesday 18th May 2011, at noon, adjacent to the DCMS building, to lobby that particular ministry and its ministers. It is time they came out of the bunker. How happy they are to meet consultants, businessmen, publishers - I could go on - but meet with your average library user? Give me a break! We just pay and use! Why would he consider us relevant? If your library is at risk, or may be at risk, come along and let him know this is criminal. He is actually happy to break the law. Patricia Richardson Minutes Secretary of Libraries for Life for London Secretary of Users and Friends of Manor House Library THE ALTERNATIVE - 26/3/2011- The Anti-Cuts March A still misty morning saw some of the Lewisham contingent muster outside Waterloo East station. Photo record and then the singing, parodies of all good traditional song and satire. People in their hordes flooded through Waterloo station exits but the real eye opener was the view from Waterloo Bridge. The embankment from the bridge going back to Blackfriars was stacked to bursting with people. They stood like medieval regiments, with colourful banners, flags and pennants slightly stirring in a faint breeze. 11.30 pm and up into the Aldwych we went , eventually sweeping down onto the embankment itself. Caught in narrow corridors and trying to dovetail in with the main march could have been an accident in the making, but all of us were so well behaved and considerate that it just worked. Stewards played their part but police were conspicuous, almost, by their absence. They were there, but so unobtrusive. Just as well really, or maybe the huge numbers of peaceful marchers may have kettled the police. Theres a thought. We (Peter and I) have never marched on this scale before. So, why now? Well, as it said on our badges, There is an alternative. And this is just for the public library service, a minnow of a spend! An alternative budget for Lewishams public library service was presented to Lewisham council after it had taken MONTHS to ring out of them The Library Service Budget Book, resorting to FoI. The pretence of wishing to talk to us was never properly followed up. Other residents also used the rung out financial details to achieve a similar solution. Did they get a follow up? Oh, please! Since last August we have been in regular contact with Ed Vaizey MP, minister at the DCMS with libraries in his portfolio. We lived in hope he would do his legal duty and intervene, or at least his boss, Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State, would do so. Dream on! So Messrs. Hunt and Vaizey (Jeremy and Ed) we are now on this march, because we are The Big Society. There are many, many more of us than you! We know more about our community than you do. We know more about the library service in that community than you do. And, as anyone on that march could have told you, None of you is listening. We know that services across the board could be provided at far less expense. Government, politicians, elected representatives at all levels, public servants at all levels have squandered eye watering amounts of public money, seemingly with the blessing of opposition politicians. Shall we move on? Well, we did, footstep at a time. By 1.45 pm we were under Hungerford Bridge. Hyde Park had to be about 2 hours away. The hips were failing and the bladders needed attention. We veered off to the station, loos and bought sandwiches. Trafalgar Square was full of spectators watching the streams of marchers approaching from Whitehall. Big Ben down on the left marked the progress. The gates to the National Gallery were closed. Police controlled the steps. However, it was pretty much like a normal Saturday afternoon except for a group of young men roaming about, clothed in black with black masks concealing their identity. And we all know what happened after that. But that was nothing to do with the hundreds of thousands of genuine marchers, who were too many to be counted accurately. Why tie us in with them? Such comments to do so by petty self- serving politicians and manipulative commentators are risible. We know why we were there, and was it worth it? Yeh, you bet it was! Lewisham People Before Profit, says it all! Cutting it Up If youre looking for trouble Heres how to start Blow up the theatres Tear down the art Burn down the libraries And concert halls Cut your jazz and ballet And then cut off your balls And be a serial killer of culture A serial killer of the soul If youre looking for trouble Take the artists youve got Stack their works all around them And torch the lot The human soul is hungry And sos the human heart The food and drink makes them feel and think It comes from works of art And the human soul without art Is locked in a dungeon cell If you take your knife and cut the arts You can cut your throat as well Cause youre serial killer of culture Cut your grants to the poor Seek out the old and sick Cut them some more Suffer little children To go to school in hell Then watch them burn your cities And your country estates as well Cause youre a serial killer of Britain A serial killer of its soul. By Adrian Mitchell News from the Template - Formally known as Lewisham Are Lewishams libraries the template? (We asked that before!) Are Lewishams libraries and residents the guinea pig, a pilot scheme, a testing ground? CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, has done library lovers proud in its last 2 issues, including an inconclusive interview (his decision) with the minister himself, Ed Vaizey MP. The 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act is the sole protection for the library service. This was reinforced by the Wirral Report, from Sue Charteris in 2009. The Local Government Association (LGA) was not happy with it and it remained unendorsed by government as Wirral dropped its proposals. Lets move on, post election, trouble ahead in libraries so Mr. Vaizey issues a letter to councils (did Lewisham ever find its copy?) On 3rd December 2010 he reminded them that:- a. State what your service is trying to achieve b. Describe local needs, including general and specific needs of adults and children who live, work and study in the area c. Detail how the service will be delivered and take into account the demography of the area and different needs of adults and children in different areas d. Detail the resources available for the service, including an annual budget. He added that a comprehensive and efficient service is a balance between meeting local need within available resources in a way which is appropriate to the needs of the local community. No two authorities are the same and there is no single way of making an assessment of the needs of a community. That is HIS judgement on the Act. The 2 tier service which will be on offer in Lewisham has been roundly condemned by residents, and Lewisham has totally ignored the results of its own consultation. The Chief Executive of CILIP, Annie Mauger, offered sound advice to MPs in the form of 6 key questions. Are Lewishams MPs ignoring these? Did they attend the Adjournment Debate on Libraries, 1st March? (And thanks to Walsall MP, Valerie Vaz, for calling that.) But, back to Ed ... his comments on the Future Libraries Programme, which had its roots a bit before his takeover of office (remember Modernisation Review of Public Libraries March 2010, better, remember Lewishams submission in January 2010) and led by MLA and the LGA (always a worry to users) is to help authorities to maximise the impact of available library budgets They are showing great enthusiasm and there are already 10 projects involving 36 local authorities. READ ON Among the ideas being explored in the ten pilot projects are transferring control of library services to communities to run Are you surprised? This is exactly what is happening in Lewisham. It is exactly what residents did NOT want and it is maybe why the Council ignores its electorate and wont back off. He continued, There are 151 library authorities in England. We will take the best learning from the 10 projects and make it available across the wider public library network so that everyone can achieve cost savings, new partnerships and governance models, and take advantage of digital opportunities. You had better watch out, and Im telling you why, it is on its way. But Santa it aint! Did anyone say The Big Society? Hey there, Dave, Ed, Jeremy even, we keep telling you what our Society wants, whatever its size, (and it is pretty basic, no golden elephants), but you want to TELL us what to have! Big Brother always did know best! Quote Annie, we cannot afford to let the baton drop. She is right. This is much too important to be left to a bunch of meddlesome, manoeuvering politicians. It is up to each and every library user, and potential library user, not to take it this time. Get aboard! Egyptian youth stood in front of the Library of Alexandria to protect it from looting and vandalism in the recent troubles. We should do no less. Rattled of Parliament Square is not sure where this is headed. Even Ed had to admit in Parliament, on 1st March, that volunteers cannot staff libraries as councils imply. And who knew about this debate? Did our MPs tell us? Did Ed tell us he had written another letter to councils recently? Did our MPs tell us? Did our councillors and Mayor tell us? Did they heck, they do not like us having information. What he actually said was, Volunteers are an important element of library provision, but they must never take the place of professionals and must work with them professionals should work in libraries, but they do not necessarily all have to be professional librarians. It is important to have a mix of professionals. Where does that leave the Blackheath Village new model library with its suggested pool of 80 volunteers? Lewisham is not alone, out there are others with the same predicaments who believe resistance is NOT futile. If politicians have become so careless in their attitudes to their electorates it is time to play hard ball. If the law with, hopefully, some justice thrown in, is the only way out, so be it. CHORUS: Amen to that! Alan Gibbons is out there in front leading the charge, followed by Lewisham, Somerset, Gloucestershire and the Brent contingents. Should it be regiments? In amongst all this battling comes news that almost 80% of children aged 5 10 years now use public libraries! Childrens borrowing has gone up for 6 consecutive years!! Why would any adult deny those who come after them!!! Certainly not dear old Frank Field MP. His report The foundation years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults, adds to the Life Chance Indicators by including the home learning environment, which, you have guessed it, includes library visits! There is more to underpin the importance of books, but, you are able to Google the report. Finally, and you really could not make it up, Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) has issued a booklet on what the public wants from libraries, after doing research. https://tinycurl.com/2uoo3rd A good choice of books/stock is key Expand your offer: but target genuine needs, and do not squeeze out books If the core service is free, people will pay for extras (if the income goes to the library) People detest poor customer service All that is missing is do you have that library? What else is there? LISTEN, and act on what you hear! Minutes Secretary LLL American Library Association Challenges HarperCollins eBook Lending Policy Publisher HarperCollins' decision to limit the number of times any of its e-books can be borrowed via a library to 26 has received heavy criticism from the US library world (66 percent of US public libraries offer free access to e-books) and the American Library Association (ALA) has published some videos showing just how restrictive this e-book policy is compared to normal book lending. The ALA is about to develop a model for e-book lending. So, the HarperCollins move is premature and is costing the company a loss of revenue and image. AT March 2011 Public Libraries & Museums Act under Attack? Author Alan Gibbons latest Campaign for the Book blogs have highlighted two developments: A legal challenge to library closure programs in several local authorities based on the statutory duty placed on them to run a comprehensive library service. This duty was set out in the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. A review of the statutory duties placed on local authorities which includes the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. The 1964 Act is notoriously vague and has not proved to be a very good guardian of library services in the past. However, it is better than nothing. Without the act, the present legal challenge would be almost impossible. Is that the intension of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport? Jeremy Hunt and Ed Vaizey have some explaining to do. Letters to MPs about the latest Parliamentary developments, from library campaigners Shirley Burnham & Tim Coates. Annie Mauger, Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP) has written to Ed Vaizey about the potential threat to the 1964 Act and concludes her letter with I would welcome your reassurance that the Coalition Government will remain true to the Act. Democracy lives . But where? We have hit the buffers in Lewisham, not to say the UK as a whole, but here in Lewisham we have no electoral challenge to a directly elected Mayor and elected councillors until 2014. They may do as they please if they hold the majority. The directly elected Mayor may do as he pleases anyway. At least, if you live in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya etc, etc you know where you stand. Here, we live in a nether world of perpetual pretence. Ignore 25,443 petition signatures, one tenth of the population of the borough. Ignore 7 months of borough wide campaigning by 5 separate groups and other political parties. Ignore the true wishes of the people. Why? BECAUSE YOU CAN! That is why the legal route is the only challenge available to an elected dictatorship, and then only as the money has been found to support it. Adding insult to injury the full council meeting held on 1st March 2011 was re-scheduled to meet at 10.00 am. Not only did that mean many members of the public were excluded, so were some councillors who had day jobs to go to, e.g. Peter Pattison, who is a teacher. Apparently this was on police advice in view of what had happened on the evening of 29th November 2010. Did the police offer this advice to other London councils where full council meetings took place as usual? Those elected councillors faced up to democracy even if they ignored it. Apparently Lewisham libraries were also closed that morning, not to mention council offices. Yet again, giving the public advance warning of closures did not seem to be an option. Forewarned (by a senior council officer) was forearmed, so Peter and I turned up with ID including passport and driving licence to cross the frontier into council territory. However, we are now recognised by security staff at the border crossing. The Council Chamber was not used. We were back in the double committee room, appropriately arranged. The public was thin on the ground. Those who had mustered for a demonstration, funeral service (for the death of services, geddit?) and the TV and Press cameras, could not face another morning of council self- justification so beat a hasty retreat and off to the day job. Wise move you guys, it was far worse than you could have imagined. But, as they repeatedly reminded us (Labour) they had to set the budget, or, shock, horror, Eric Pickles and his troops would be sent in to gleefully set a budget. Allowing the opposition the excuse of going through the councils books was not an option greeted gleefully, so, whatever, the councillors had to set and agree the budget. Public questions were on the order paper, but, sneakily, because we had contacted the Secretary of State at the DCMS, asking for his intervention, all our supplementary questions on the library service were suddenly off-limits and had to have written answers. But, did we give in? Did we heck. We asked anyway. My supplementary on Community Asset Transfers led me later to re-check its origin and past. Would you be surprised to learn it has its origins in the Quirk Review published 15th May 2007. Yes, spot on, Quirk. Who he? Well yes, its Barry; Lewishams own CE! As we encountered Councillors questions the meeting began to degenerate into a political bun fight. It was not tasteful or agreeable. In fact, most of the time it was downright nasty and unpleasant. Many of the councillors of the ruling party showed themselves in their true colours. Firstly the Mayor made a political speech to set the agenda of how it is all the fault of the coalition government, taking no account or responsibility for the squandering of public money throughout Lewisham, let alone by the previous Labour government. Forget the public sector debt requirement 2009/10 of £169 billion, forget this years, pencilled in at £140billion, forget the interest due on this and all past borrowing. We know its a mess. We know its virtually unpayable. That is why the approach needs to be sensible, reasonable and structured, not ideological. And they call Colonel Gaddafi delusional We went on to councillors motions. Two were important. Cllr Britton put forward a Conservative motion asking for Blackheath Village and Grove Park libraries to remain open. Why only 2 was connected with a previous motion asking for all 5 libraries to remain open, which was defeated. A motion may be put only once. Cllr Feakes and Cllr Maines put forward a motion for the Lib/Dems to defer library closures for another year and find a range of other savings. Both were eventually defeated by the Labour majority. Fortunately Cllr Britton committed himself to writing to the minister at the DCMS and asking for his intervention. Not only, but also, it would help if the majority party had not descend into abuse, sniping and raucous laughter while discussing policies that were going to affect lives seriously, now and into the future. If voters had seen this display it would have been lighting the blue touch paper. There was the usual jargon, e.g. not acceding to special pleading, I make no apology for increasing parking charges, explaining the reasons behind freezing the council tax as government will grant the equivalent of a 2.5% increase over 4 years. It goes on. Cllr Maslin, Cabinet member for Resources, had his day and reduced his colleagues to rolling around laughing. They had a wonderful time. There are pages of notes on who said what, who insulted whom, who fired cheap shots. What an exhibition. I will not sully your eyes or minds with such nonsense. Cllr Duwayne Brooks spoke up for reason when he suggested that such difficult times called for people working together, in the interests of the public. NB he had the same impact as the public, zilch! Finally, pre passing the budget, councillors were reminded it would be inappropriate to cheer or clap. The Mayor said, they took no pleasure in doing this, but it had to be done whether they liked it or not. Pickles being in charge meant the change in Local Government as we know it. This is not quite the quote he gave the Evening Standard last November. It also does not allow for the seeds of change that were being planted over the last few years. A footnote is appropriate Lewisham is one of the worst places in Britain for youth unemployment. Between June 2009/July 2010, 35.8% of 16 24 year olds were unemployed in the borough. This was an increase of 9.3% from the previous year. Closing libraries, Connexions and Opening Doors cannot be the answer. Interestingly these ONS figures do not agree with those of the council. STOP PRESS!!! What larks!!! Here is the scoop, courtesy of the SLP their Friday, 4th March 2011 issue reports that Barry Quirk, CE of Lewisham council is to become a part-timer! From the 1st July 2011 he will only work for 3 days per week. His current salary of £192,387 will reduce to £115,432. What ideas run through the mind! Is he the sacrificial lamb? How much is saved by not paying 50% tax on a portion of that former salary? Are we meant to be impressed? Will the £260,000 saved over 3 years be spent on libraries, or Opening Doors or Connexions? Patricia Richardson, Minutes Secretary (LLL) & Secretary, Users and Friends of Manor House Library Angels and Devils (demons? Mmm, could be) - The Lewisham Lot have not Gone Away Lets have Breakfast with Bullock, all invited on Thursday 17th November at 9.00 am (on police advice we have a daytime meeting, no confrontation in the early morning as many will be excluded from attending. Lets avoid the rampaging riff-raff. No, lets do it at 10 am, instead). We all attend anyway, back to the frisking and the confiscation of the searched handbag (dont ask!) The mind numbing, bottom numbing boredom of these meetings is relieved by taking minutes (was I the only one?), humorous antics and comments of the packed rows behind, paper darts of the mountainous packages of council papers and the stony faces of Mayor, councillors and officers. This is a meeting held in public, but not a public meeting, the Mayor says it all really. After some time he loses his cool over the interruptions, identifies someone to be removed. Security and steward misidentify this tearaway as James, who, quite rightly refuses to leave. A burly officer of the old school appears to enforce the wrong removal and we all back James. James knows he cannot be removed by the police, so they fade into the background leaving a couple of heavy minders in place. Is this in the minutes? I think we should be told. Am I the only one writing for posterity? What did you do in the great library war 2010/2011? The greatest sadness is the bits of money here and there, no longer available (yes, the incontinent Council did spend £12m on consultants and did buy the Catford Shopping Centre - £11m+ and did organise the Mayors Fund (whose fund? Where did he find £900,000?) for distribution to Local Assemblies the year before the local elections. There go your front line services. Central Government is not free from blame. If cuts to funding are made guidelines need to be clear and transparent to all. The Prime Minister has been reminded of this, by letter. Suddenly, libraries are pushed to the top of the agenda, the Mayor breaks for a 10 minute pit stop and by 1.30 pm we are told no less than we expected. Cllr Best (Cabinet member for Communities) did come over during said pit stop. James and Peter grill her, but the eyes glaze over and we are back where we started. Libraries are to close. We are using it AND losing it! We then get the Aileen Buckton spiel, no change there. She never loses. Regular readers will know the campaign against closures and a real alternative solution, for the best of all concerned, was brilliantly and sharply executed in Lewisham. But it was a done deal! Always was!! Egypt springs to mind. Our very own cabal has been together for too long and the Mayor has absolute power, thank you Mr. Blair, but then Colonel Gaddafi was one of your mates. Why was there a gross pretence of consultation? How can you decide to spend huge amounts of the peoples money against their wishes? I leave you to ponder. What a relief to leave. No human being (were there devils?) should have to sit through such a disgusting failure. Even Catfords air seems fresh compared to the Town Hall Committee Room. An incredible footnote to the day is learning that the council authorities closed Catford Library, opposite the Town Hall, supposedly on police advice should anything unspeakable happen to it! Ironic really, closing libraries is obviously council policy. We never close, but the libraries will on 28th May 2011, must get those redundancy notices out on time. By 1.20 pm on Friday 18th February two letters are delivered to the charming staff in the DCMS post room, for his nibs, the Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, dont you just love it, and his junior nibs, Ed Vaizey MP to demand ministerial intervention in Lewisham under powers granted in the 1964 Act. Copies are posted to the big panjandrum in Downing Street complaining (natch) and asking his government for clear guidelines. Sundays Independent (thanks, for all the support over the past months) reveals Cameron may have persuaded his Oxfordshire Council to defer plans for closure. Ruminate on that one. Continuing Day Two Is the message getting through? When will this government produce guidelines for councils on NOT cutting front line services? When will the Secretary of State use his powers to intervene in Lewisham to prevent the Council from destroying a comprehensive and efficient service for all its residents? Well, guys, we eagerly await your responses. James was right on Thursday when he told us all we should be shouting at councillors. We are too polite. How dare they treat us like this, and then shove the responsibility onto someone else? Dont get me started. Saturday dawns bleak, drab, dismal, wet. By 11 am our group is leafleting in Lee Green and collecting signatures for another petition. This is rolling out across Lewisham. A council has a legal duty to take notice of a petition, for the time being, but binned the 20,000 + signatures against the closure of the libraries. A quick lunch in the car, warmer feet then off to join the masses at the Town Hall. The weather did not put them off. The police said 500, always an underestimate, and there they were, a cross-section of Lewishams humanity .. familiar faces, smiling faces, whistles, drums and lots of traditionally built police officers, but no WPCs? By this time we have discovered that Lewisham Library Service has closed ALL its public libraries, but only for the day. There was no warning to staff or users, the portcullis came down. Was this a ploy to make campaigners look bad all your fault, was it fear or sheer nastiness? No matter, they aint gonna tell us the truth! Quickly we are organised and set off for the grassy knoll in Lewisham Centre. Blackheath Village Library User Groups beautiful banner leads the libraries at the front. Just as before people spill from shops, hundreds of leaflets are handed out, well-rehearsed chants ripple through the column of marchers. Car drivers hoot in sympathy, everybody waves. At the hospital another group of campaigners is ready and waiting having held their rally against NHS reorganisation. So well-organised are the police, stewards and traffic cone carers that we arrive in no time, well 50 minutes, and all that publicity. On the moral high ground of the grassy knoll, where the cinema used to be, where I first fell in love with Sean Connery in Dr. No, just slightly under age for an A film, we all gather and listen to the speeches. Most police dive across the road to the massive Lubyanka to be driven off in vans. Congratulations all round. Didnt we do well? And gentlemen in England, now a-bed, Shall think themselves accursed they were not here That fought with us upon St Crispins Day. (Henry V, 1599, act IV, sc. III, line 57) I look around at a Lewisham I no longer know. The centre is littered with tower blocks and others going up. To me it is a nightmare. Remember Fritz Langs Metropolis? Where are all these new people going to find room in only 7 proper libraries? DAY THREE part two Yes, it was a packed 3 days, but, if something is worth fighting for, it is worth giving your all. Someone HAS to do it! A bus ride to Catford, where we pick up the car and home to thaw out the bones, drink hot chocolate and cuddle the cats in front of the fire. The evening awaits and how surprisingly interesting that proves. With other campaigners we attend the fund raising concert at St Margarets Church, Lee for Age Exchange. First to say how wonderful are the Standages and what a privilege it is to hear their work in such a glorious environment. Sir Ian Mills, Chair of the Trustees of the Age Exchange, introduces the concert but first is at pains to explain how it has all been approved at the Town Hall for the Blackheath Village Library to be housed in the Reminiscence Centre. The £500,000 that the alterations will cost is in place. Lewisham Council will make a one off grant, oh, really, how much? (FoI?) You will get significant privileges if you pay £30 pa to support the AE. There will be computer facilities. It will be open 6 days a week, 7 hours a day and staffed by fully trained volunteers. (Note to friend James, nobody said zip, but we were in church and so were the plans and the model.) Within 4/6 weeks there will be a package of information. Will it also tell us the following:- Who trains the volunteers and to what standard? How many books will be available? Will there be a large print selection? Will there be a reference section? When will it be ready? Who will pay for any cost overruns or extraneous bills? And what if AE fails financially? No worries community, this is your project, a community project. There are as more questions than answers at present. Nobody regretted the job losses, that is people losing their paid employment, let alone professional, experienced service. The budget is required to be voted on by full Council on1st March 2011, so what. The decision is made. Its a done deal. Is this The Big Society? Is it finally government by committees of vested interests who catch the Councils eye and suit their agenda? Anyone outside these committees will still pay the bills but be on the outside looking in. Yet again, dear reader, conclusions are yours to make. Back to the beginning, the alpha . You need a long spoon to sup with the devil, and Im with Dan Brown, they be demons . evil spirits, a malignant being of superhuman nature; a being of nature between gods and men; a person of superhuman or diabolical energy and skill Anyone going to guess the title of the concert? It was Angels and Devils. A gift! Minutes Secretary for LLL The Largest Book Giveaway Ever World Book Night is the event in which 20,000 members of the public will give away 48 copies of their favourite book. In total, one million books are expected to change hands on the night. The 5th March event is intended to focus attention on the use of books and the enjoyment which can come from them. Hopefully, that is still going to be the long term outcome, but the short term result is that it has annoyed the book retail trade. It believes that the one million books should have been new purchases from its premises and takes no account of any future improvement in sales which may be generated by the widespread (free) publicity for its products. People have always given books away and lent them to other people so that the enjoyment can be shared. The work of the worlds public libraries is simply an extension and formalisation of this practice. The book trade benefits immensely from this and the growing tendency of those within the trade to attempt to restrict the activities of all those who consider books to be more than a source of profit will work to its long term disadvantage. In spite of the sour response from many booksellers, the event has caught the imagination of the public and the associated Trafalgar Square activities on 4th March are expected to draw a huge crowd. https://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/23/world-book-night-public-reading-london Bromley Joins the Rush to Close Public Libraries Bromley Council is considering the closure of 7 of it 15 libraries. The 7 threatened branches are believed to be the smaller ones. Several of them are near, or on, borough boundaries. Both Anerley and Penge Libraries are believed to be included in the list of closure candidates. The relevant scrutiny committee has recommended that a joint library service with Bexley be investigated to obtain an estimated saving of £350k - £550k. It is unclear how this saving will be achieved, but the closure of small libraries near the border with Bexley must be one possibility https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=3388&T=10 AT Feb 2011 Eight Small Pieces from Camden's "Save Our Libraries Meeting" on 8th February From Danny Abse: "The ghost of Hitler rejoices, for closing down libraries is only a genteel way of burning books" From Martin Amis: "Libraries are not a luxury, they are essential to civilisation" From Julian Barnes: "Like most writers, I had a childhood full of weekly book borrowing and know the value of libraries isout of all proportion to their costs." From Alan Bennett: "Closing down libraries is child abuse" From Dame Margaret Drabble & Sir Michael Holroyd: "You have won before in the fight against library closures and we know that you can win again. We all need libraries, because they are a public good, available to all of us, and we (personally) owe them more than we can say" From Helen Dunmore: "They are foundation stones of education, culture and community. They are part of a heritage which is our responsibility to pass on to succeeding generations. I hope that there will always be teenagers doing homework in a warm, safe, public library" From Ester Freud: "It is heartbreaking to think that libraries are under threat. When my children were small, our visit to the wonderful Keats Library was something we all looked forward to and the huge bag books we brought away with us fuelled our love of books, stories, learning in general" From Howard Jacobson: "Borges said that he always imagined Paradise would be a kind of library. So how do we imagine a country in which there are no libraries? As a kind of hell." Saturday 5th February Croydon's Sanderstead Library Response Read about the march to save the library and the 9th Feb meeting 9.50 am Camden's Belsize Library, "Save our Library Day" The queue goes on & on A Stunningly Brilliant Show of What Really Matters to Library Users Saturday 5th Feb 2011, pushing off the crumpled bed sheets (no, not La Bercow) groping for the radio switch, R.4 with libraries as one of the headlines! That wakes you up! Turning the dial and hitting on LBC there is James Max, trying devils advocate AGAINST the libraries case, but being shot down in flames by his callers. No less than deserved, if you have to explain the value of libraries to professional, educated people despair does creep in. Remembering AGs e-mail I manage to think of the TV, something to do with 50, oh, it is 8.50 am and there are libraries, a pro and a con. Interestingly both interviewers are coming across as pro! The pro interviewee gets his case across well and says he is off to the read-in at Norbury library! The act is together again on BBC News 24 by 9.50 am and there we find Alan Gibbons and a childrens author, who nearly drops the ball, but is rescued by Alans experience and know how! With the adrenalin well and truly flowing we are racing off to Sydenham by 11 am. The place is packed. Even the Library Service Manager and Cllr Best (Cabinet member for Communities) are present, as well as extra staff! Lots of faces we know, a childrens group in the corner singing their nursery rhymes happily, some people actually trying to implement the read-in and so much excitement in the air. Is this the Big Society? We have all given up our time, we know why we are there and why it is important. Any minister out there to comment on this fulfilment of policy? Anthony introduces Lady Warnock, here to support the library and read from Death Sentence. It is difficult to hear because of the great buzz in the background, but we are so pleased she is there! Our local poet, Chrissie Gittens takes the stage and reads appropriately from her collection, especially to make the children laugh and the special composition on the loss of libraries. We listened to her short story, Just one of the girls, at 12.30 am on R.4, still going. Anthony then calls for a big round of applause and thanks for the library staff. No quarrels there! We are then entertained by 2 members of the teenage reading group, followed by story telling, with a ukele, on Grow, grow, grow monster tomato accompanied by tomato shakers! As we leave, getting through the melee and meeting more familiar faces, we see Sly and Reggie setting up outside, having come from Crofton Park. They look really respectable as urban pirates, maybe we all do! What a shame the Mayor is missing all this, in his own back yard, too. Having been impeded by so much traffic we just make it to Crofton Park before closure. The library was overwhelmed by its visitors and we are heartily welcomed by all library staff. We missed Lindsey Davis (what a trooper, straight off to Blackheath Village.) Unfortunately the list of possible co-habitees to keep the library going seems to be doing the rounds. We thought the idea was to keep the library as a public service (1964 Museums and Public Libraries Act) but manage the money better! Where was the Audit Commission when you needed it? Who should supervise public spending? Down to us again? Barely time for a quick bite, picking up friends and off to Grove Park. There, we are met by Sly and Reggie. It is time for another photo shoot. Two councillors are out in support, Cllrs. Clarke and Allison. Grove Park Library is a true experience, delightful inside, on open ground and full of mums, babies and children. Here we actually do the read-in and it is SO comfortable. More faces we know and books to borrow. Grove Park has a good collection! We all come away with a book! Sly and Reggie head off for Blackheath Village and later we start off for New Cross. Blackheath Village Library was like the rest, over whelmed with visitors and new joiners. Blake Morrison made the introductions and concentrated on how valuable libraries were to those with health problems and dementia. Lucy Mangan read from the Reluctant Bride, followed by Father Nicholas of All Saints Church. Lindsey Davis had made it and read from Falcos dealing with the murder of a librarian, what else? Peter Greaves, a local resident, read a poem by Auden and the writer Jane Shilling, mud spattered from horse riding, spoke of the importance of libraries in her life. We arrive at New Cross at the same time as our urban pirates and get some good pix on the road. This small library is awash with people, more faces we know. It is well in hand and yet again, the Library Service Manager is on station, extra staff are out and one or two councillors present. Paul from Telegraph Hill was interesting to talk to, and helpful. Yet again there seemed to be a good collection of books. Those present were running interesting presentations. It gave time for a one minute rant. James explained the game plan and John explained how he was NOT arrested when decorating the library shutters with SAVE OUR LIBRARIES. Natch one thing leads to another and the read-in became a sit in. Well done them!!! Someone drew the short straw and it had to be the Library Service Manager, who stayed overnight along with security officers and the sitters in. Sympathetic friends, neighbours, library savers brought in food supplies and nobody died, BUT, meanwhile, back at Manor Lane Terrace, back in bed (I was tired, and getting older than I realise) who is on the TV? Before my eyes there is James grinning from his photo on the screen backed by his feisty words in defence of libraries. So BBC News 24 covers the lot, across the country, celebrities everywhere supporting the age old tradition of a library. It was on the radio too, but I was struggling to keep my eyes open and listen to the end of Chrissies skilful story on R.4. Drifting off thoughts of sit ins at every library under threat manifested themselves. What could they do? Libraries belong to us, after all. Peter could be heard tapping away on the computer, getting visual material out and climbing into bed around 2.00am. What a day! What success! What dreams! Leave the libraries alone. You dont understand their value - Philip Pullman In a speech on 20th January, the author Philip Pullman gave a well crafted outline of the case for the defence of public libraries. Although he was concerned specifically about the plight of Oxfordshire libraries, his arguments apply to all libraries in the land. It is well worth a read at: AT Jan 2011 Quiet Reflections on Lewisham's Plight "Happy New Year to one and all and it really is. As we all came out of the Christmas/Bacchanalian stupors, well, maybe not all, library campaigners in Lewisham were less isolated. Uncannily, like the rise of the armed skeletons in the story, campaigns across the land rose up. Legal action has been threatened. Our own elected Mayor is reported as advising other councils not to cut libraries. Why would he do that? Well, it is all down to you, campaigners, user groups, friends groups are all queering "his" pitch, "his" manor? It seems that if you threaten to close libraries we all rise up (refer skeleton myth) and challenge the proposals. Why did that surprise him? We have given the council REAL trouble before, so knew how to do it again. That lesson is, keep on doing it. Lewisham Council created its own problems, on top of the fiscal problems it had. There was no plan B for the libraries. Under pressure it has had to suggest the "community" model which has virtually no paid library staff, lots of volunteers and being co-ordinated with a community group and/or charity. The fact that these organisations are dependent on grants and fund raising which may be in short supply during an economic downturn along with public spending cuts seems to have escaped examination. To date there is no clear reply from the council on, eventually, how much money will truly be saved. It is still, clearly, all smoke and mirrors! Yet decision time is imminent. How can the Mayor, the Cabinet and other remaining councillors, in the interests of accountability and their own responsibilities, vote in favour? But then, they have done that before!!!! In spite of huge opposition, a projected increase in the local population, primary and secondary schools full to overflowing, a commitment by central government to improved literacy and stronger communities this is the best our highly paid, very experienced officers come up with for the people of Lewisham. Blackheath Village Library: In 2009/10 this library issued 64,766 items to 91,797 visitors. The plan is to move the library facility from its rented (£75,000 pa) building, sub-let that building and co-habit with the Age Exchange charity in its building. This building will be refurbished considerably, talk is of a £500,000 cost, thus saving both facilities for the people of Blackheath. To date it is not clear where the money is coming from, how it will be repaid, whether Lewisham Council will pay rent or what PLAN B is if the enterprise fails. The refurbishment is slated to take 18 months. Is this head banging time? The Library Service will commit to 10 hours per week for each of these 5 "libraries." And for your money you get about 7000 books (currently 20,000+) and some computers. The management of the Age Exchange will require a body of 80 volunteers to run the whole thing, Monday - Saturday, all day, until 6pm. At present no evening or Sunday opening has been suggested. Crofton Park Library issues 63,510 items pa to 82,528 visitors. It has been suggested that Darren Taylor of Eco Computer Systems, a social enterprise specialising in recycling computers, operates similarly out of Crofton Library. They sell 70% of the recycled computers to cover running costs and then use the remaining 30% and any surplus profits for community and charity projects. Currently the Pepys Resource Centre is their main project. They are in partnership with Hyde Housing and Lewisham Libraries. One thousand books are available at PRC and about 6/8 computers. Mr. Taylor was quoted in the local press as saying he could run 4 libraries on a similar pattern, but this seemed a big chunk to swallow in one go. We have no details of any funding from Lewisham, how much it already puts into PRC and what the start up costs were. Refurbishment and/or repairs were not mentioned either. The question of business failure MUST be catered for! Sydenham Library lends 55,298 items pa to 65,742 visitors. The attempt by the local library campaigners to operate the service was not possible as they have no history of applying for grants etc. etc. New Cross Library issues 37,189 items pa to 55,145 visitors. Grove Park Library issues 40,288 items pa to 42,088 visitors. Each library has different numbers of opening hours. Some one needs to explain where all the volunteers will come from. Who will manage volunteers and be legally responsible? Who will underwrite the costs? There are so many questions and you probably have some yourself. We and the council have now spent more than 6 months on this. It is true madness and ill behoves supposed adults to suggest this is the answer. It is insulting to every library user and tax payer in the borough. It is time the elected Mayor was reminded that he was elected by the majority of such people and owes it to them to tell his officers he cannot sell this idea and they need to come up with something he could sell. The Daily Telegraph of 21/1/2011 had a nice piece on libraries by Robert Colvile. To quote him, what we all know "... libraries are not just another public service. They are the physical embodiment of the idea that knowledge is to be cherished, both for its own sake and for its power to change lives." It is time this was publicly acknowledged by all politicians and civil servants with their commitment not to slash and burn. It is not the answer and never was." The questions are not just related to the attitudes and policies of local government. There are questions to be answered by central government as well. For instance, in what way is it possible for a library service to provide a better service for the residents of its borough by closing libraries? That this is considered a possibility is clear from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport letter reproduced below. It shows a touching faith in the benevalence of local authorities or deep cynicism. Minutes Secretary of Libraries for Life for Londoners The Swells for Sanderstead Library Story Residents, library supporters and the 1500 strong membership of Sanderstead Residents Association are actively opposing Croydon Council's plans to close Sanderstead library - one of six in the borough under threat. Over 100 people, many of whom were children held a protest outside Sanderstead Library on Saturday 8th January 2011. As part of an awareness-raising exercise, a petition signing event also took place outside the local Waitrose on Saturday 15th January. Going forward, there continue to be leaflet circulations to households and local shops in the area which started in the middle of December. Many of the shops are also holding petitions to sign. Local organisations, schools and community groups have been contacted to encourage them to show their support for Sanderstead library. This flurry of activity will continue in earnest to ensure supporters' concerns are heard and listened to. In particular, it is hoped that the strength of local feeling against any closure will be noted at a public meeting on Wednesday 9th February. As with all libraries under threat, Sanderstead library needs community support so could residents and library supporters please take the time to share their views and show support in aid of this invaluable asset to the community. Tracie Parry Library Closure Solutions? Some library user groups, e.g. Gloucestershire, Lewisham and Dorset, are considering legal measures to oppose library closures in their areas. Many groups are also calling for intervention from the Secretary of Statewho has a duty to ensure that provisions of the 1964 Public Libraries Act. One way that the Secretary of State could interveen is to acceed to the demands of Somerset library campaigners. These are calling for a national public inquiry into the threatened closures of hundreds of public libraries throughout the country. If the government does not respond by 24 January, they say they are ready to set it up themselves. In London, this may not be necessary, if Boris Johnson is serious about taking on board the responsibility for the capitals public libraries. He has proposed that a Trust he is setting up should be given all Londons public libraries to run. Presumably, he is expecting that economies of scale will produce a big enough cost saving to eliminate the funding problems which individual Councils are facing. Superficially, this seems to be an attractive proposition. However, many counties, which run large numbers of libraries, are also having library budget difficulties at present. Whether private donations will be able to fill any funding gap, now and in the future, is unknown. So, Boriss Trust idea needs careful scrutiny. There are many questions to be answered. For example: will the trust cherry-pick the libraries it takes on? At least Boriss heart seems to be in the right place. Perhaps the London Councils have proved themselves unsuitable guardians of this part of our heritage and should be relieved of the responsibility. However, the overwhelming advantage of the present system is that it is subject to democratic control. The public do have some influence in the way that their library services are run. It is certainly extremely difficult to exercise that influence, because the quality of local democracy is often poor. Councillors are frequently inclined to put party loyalty before their duty to their ward residents. Nevertheless, it is still possible to impose the will of the populace onto those in authority. Will Boriss Trust remove this possibility and, effectively, degrade democracy further? The government has spent a lot of time and effort disbanding unresponsive and inefficient quangos. What we do not want is another disguised one, full of the same type of self-important drones that inhabited the disbanded organisations. They are probably already forming a queue at Boris's back door. There are very real dangers buried in the London Trust idea, but Boris needs to be given a hearing. Can he can persuade us that his Trust will perform any better than local Councils? Politicians find it easy to make promises, but far more difficult to deliver on them. Boris has wandered into a very difficult area and he is not the most serious of politicians. https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Save-Somerset-Libraries/173898925966598?v=wall&filter=2 The Localism Bill Arrives The Localism Bill, laid before Parliament on the 10th January, is a package of reforms which is intended to devolve greater power and freedoms to Councils and neighbourhoods. The Bill is intended to improve Councils freedom to act in the interest of their local communities through a new general power of competence. The new power will allow Councils to innovate and drive down costs more easily. Moving power nearer to ordinary people must be an improvement in democracy, in theory. In practice, this is very dependent on the quality of the local authority. It is inevitable that there will be winners and losers. Obviously, this could be the start of yet another post code lottery, tending to further enhanse the areas run by responsive authorities and depress further those with unresponsive Councils. https://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1794971 Brent Council Prefers Closure for Kensal Rise Library At a heated meeting in Brent Town Hall on Thursday 6th January, Brent Council failed to provide any alternatives to their closure plans for six of their libraries. Suggestions that reduced opening hours should be considered as a way of saving the libraries were received with a great lack of enthusiasm by Councillors and Officers. The Kensal Rise Library users group is urgently formulating counter proposals for the future of their library. They hope that they can persuade Brent Council to temper its hard line attitude and meet them half way. More Bad News from Brent? The present tally of proposed library closures in Brent is six. Carefully not linked to these are initial proposals to redevelop the site of the large Willesden Library Centre. It is believed that this library will be demolished and a new building constructed. This will house a new library, together with offices and flats. The offices and flats will be necessary to help pay for the redevelopment, but also to provide more office accommodation for the Councils bureaucrats. In the depths of a major recession, Brent Council has decided to build a plush new Civic Centre in Wembley. This grandiose scheme will be placed a few hundred yards from the existing Wembley Town Hall (to be redeveloped). No doubt, dispensing with the Wembley Town Hall Library at the same time was considered. However, this would have increased opposition to the far more important project of providing good accommodation for Brents Officers. Therefore, this scheme will include a new library as a replacement for the one at the Town Hall. As part of the process of identifying the services and departments to be consolidated into the new Civic Centre, it was found that there was a need to also create a Service Hub in Willesden. The obvious place for this is the Willesden Library Centre after all, Council office accommodation is more essential than a public library service, isnt it? Again, better not remove the library completely, as the priority is to avoid opposition to upgrading the working conditions of the bureaucrats simply reduce its size and get rid of a few thousand books & some public access computers. It is all in a good cause and the library budget can be cut further. The new Willesden development has been isolated from the main Brent library closure plan and, hence, from the consultation process associated with that. However, it materially affects the closure plans and must surely be included within that consultation. The second Brent Library Closure Consultation Meeting will take place at Brent Town Hall on 6 January starting at 6pm. More London Libraries Under Threat Three more London boroughs have announced that they are considering closing public libraries. These are: Sanderstead Library Norbury Library Shirley Library Bradmore Green Library Broad Green Library South Norwood library Heathfield library York Gardens Library 363 libraries are currently under threat or recently closed AT Dec 2010 Resistance to Kensal Rise Library Closure Grows The users of Brents Kensal Rise Library have organised themselves to oppose the Councils plan to close their library. They now have a committee and are printing 4000 leaflets. A public meeting has been arranged (see banner advert, above) and fundraising events are being planned for January and February. In addition, they will take their case to Area Forum meetings in Queens Park and Harlesdon. Elsewhere in Brent, it is the Lib Dems who are leading the fight against the planned devastating library cull. Brent Council plans Brent Lib Dem anit-closure petition Ed Vaisey = Andy Burnham mk 2 = Cultural Vandal? Author Alan Gibbons has compared the Labour Secretary of State at the DCMS Andy Burnham's attitude to public library closures with that of the present Conservative Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, and found them to be very similar. In an open letter, Alan Gibbons quoted Ed Vaizey as saying at the time of the Wiral library closure controversy: "If Andy Burnham is not prepared to intervene when library provision is slashed in a local authority such as the Wirral, it is clear that he is ignoring his responsibilities as secretary of state. In the face of an even greater threat to public libraries, Ed Vaizey is exhibiting the same cavalier disregard for his responsibilities. In the letter, also signed by authors such as Philip Pullman and Carol Ann Duffy, Gibbons has called on the Government to prevent councils inflicting cuts which amount to cultural vandalism. Chaos and Violence at Lewisham Town Hall 30th November 2010 We was there! As we crossed the road we remarked how few people were outside the Town Hall. Not so! Rounding the corner we viewed a small police presence warily regarding newcomers, already protecting the front of the Civic Suite (in darkness and totally inaptly named), a large bunch of demonstrators in the middle and more security/police (difficult to identify) near the Town Hall main entrance. There were many familiar faces, banners and placards. Are we still challenging the elected representatives after all these years? Why do they not represent the electorate and usefully use our taxes? The debauchery of elected representation into the naked aggression of unrestricted power was soon to become apparent. The embodiment of this is an elected Mayor. There are historical comparisons, back to the Normans and the Tudors, but you have to look at barons and power seekers. We discovered we needed to join the queue to gain entrance to the Public Gallery to ask our supplementary questions and because of this we were allowed to jump the queue. Still queueing were library campaigners. Once inside a polite frisking took place, but, hey, I have been frisked in better places than this! The lobby was awash with council security and old friends like AB, Cllr Best, and best friend Steve Gough. They really do make use of him, and more later. Inch by inch we were able to make the journey to the Public Gallery to join the other 12 people. A few more followed, about 20 in all. At 7.25pm the Chamber was pretty empty then an alarm, followed by a disembodied voice, declaring smoke on the premises, EVACUATE. Wearily we rose to follow instructions, never to return. Who set off the smoke bomb (was it in the lobby?) Anybody know? Was it a plant? Was it a signal? I think I have seen too many movies of the Bourne variety. A Lisbeth Salander would have been most useful and where is Blomkvist when you need a superior investigative journalist? Back down the stairs, well, almost. Some fracas broke out involving a library campaigner and a senior councillor with cabinet portfolio. Of course, security and the rest piled on top of the campaigner and apparently threw him out. Doors flashed open and closed, yellow jackets dashed to and fro behind the frosted glass and we were told to clear the stairs for emergency circumstances. We had thought WE were an emergency circumstance to be evacuated. Apparently we were just in the way. We were to-ing and fro-ing until we were told to go back to the public gallery. Once there we were denied access as there were still 3 perpetrators freewheeling around the Chamber and one was hanging from the balcony. Suddenly there appeared several small officers with riot shields as big as themselves, who did gain access. John Hamilton had already got in. We were all barred. The linguistic skills of the council staff on duty totally failed them and anger broke out amongst the ordinary members of the public. Unfortunately staff lurched from the patronising to the downright insulting, back to Lewisham Council! John was not evacuated. We were not allowed in. WHY? I appreciate the staff had been on duty for a long time without proper breaks or food, well, council, that is another of your responsibilities. Back down the stairs again to muster in the lobby. By now one of the front windows was well and truly smashed. Blue lights flashed from numerous police vehicles blockading the Town Hall and closing the South Circular. Two mounted officers were ready and waiting. Dont you just love it, for our own safety we were ushered into a side room with a water fountain. Actually, we could not have been safer. We, included about half a dozen, and, eventually, having refreshed ourselves, we crept out. Nobody noticed! What we had missed was the human assault on the Town Hall. A report from a long term regular library campaigner confirmed that a security guard had, somewhat unskilfully, informed the queue that no more people would be allowed access to the Public Gallery. On the back of the council refusing to provide an annex for the public to view the council meeting and the grossly inappropriate fashion of the announcement this went down like a lead balloon, or a firecracker, even. Provocative or what? Light the blue touch paper and retreat. Not quite. Humanity launched itself at the Town Hall. Some of the older members of the library fraternity in the queue were caught in the crossfire and were injured. The greatly increased police presence just did what they do. Please try to view the excellent coverage by London Tonight which had its considerable coverage going out at 10.30pm. Even better was the coverage and comment this evening. Funny how Mayor Bullock found time to issue a statement on the governments deferring its housing benefit cut. Well, he would, wouldnt he? Having lost all touch with reality the councillors and many officers, safely incarcerated, isolated, in the Chamber, voted on budget proposals the public did not want, having excluded the public. It was a full sweep. All Labour councillors did their duty to Mayor, party and whip. The two Tories and one Green voted against. The Lib-Dems abstained, and there is a lot of that about! Well, was the public excluded? Our part of the public was excluded and in spite of numerous attempts to get sense and decisions out of council staff, Steve Gough, police officers and demands to be let back in, we were denied. But John was not removed. Well done, John! Why? If the public was removed and not allowed in why was one of the public in? This needs serious examination and answers, as the police were enforcing this, but denying responsibility. Stitch up? A self declared (he really did not look the part) superintendent, having spoken to Steve Gough, approached us to say we would be escorted off the premises, by him as we were in such danger. He revealed he had been forced to call in police from all over London to deal with this very serious incident. We never saw him again. Police dashed back and forth across the lobby with riot shields and ordinary shields. They were regularly outwitted by the same youngsters who had a knack of gaining entry and dashing up stairs to be brought down again. Two smart, fast girls with us completely diverted attention by one rushing through doors and pelting down a corridor followed by a police and security horde while the other made a dash across the lobby. She fell to a rugby tackle and was handcuffed. No doubt that will be on her CV. But, she has witnesses. So, there you have it. I just wish I was still a fast, smart girl, but, have taken up my pen on aging. That is my contribution to the age of the death of democracy. I am supported in this belief by Mayor Bullock, who told the Evening Standard, Dont give people the impression that with the stroke of a pen we can solve the problem. This is the end of local government as we know it. And there is the power what gives him the right and the power to have made this decision? Where do we, the people fit in his new State? And what is this new State? Maybe its time he handed over the reins of that power to a real problem solving candidate Minutes Secretary of LLL Secretary of The Users and Friends of Manor House Library Democracy Under Threat in Lewisham Democracy is messy, but it gets a whole lot messier when elected representatives eschew their electoral responsibilities to the electorate. It all went down big time at Lewisham Town Hall tonight. After the disrupted Mayor and Cabinet meeting of the 17th November, it was clear the Mayor opted for a large police presence this evening. Unfortunately, this resulted in keeping us all out! But, to continue. We greeted our friends and colleagues en route to the queue to gain entrance to the meeting. As favoured people, with supplementary questions to ask, we were escorted to the front. In spite of being so well known to the council, we still had to be "frisked". The lobby was full of officers, security, council staff...... We made it to the lift. We made it to the public gallery, where, in spite of the long queue outside there were only about 15 occupants who had made it through the frisking, thus far. Having collected our papers, a disembodied voice repeated and repeated there was fire in the building. Exit one and all! Not quite.... We were all stuck on the stairs, the smoke filtered through and a fracas broke out between a member of the public and a member of the cabinet. Yellow flash jackets rushed hither and thither behind the frosted glass! What was happening? We were all asked to return upstairs and back to the public gallery. But it was not to be. Three members of the public were causing mayhem in the council chamber and one was hanging from the balcony. We were told this could endanger us and we should leave. It was quite worrying when several small police officers arrived with their riot shields. There was chaos. Back in the lobby, the smashed window at the entrance, about 20 police officers defending the entrance, police women everywhere, mounted police officers outside, the South Circular blocked with police vehicles....it was mayhem - and no one seemed to be in charge! Half a dozen of us, actually keen to ask our supplementary questions in the council meeting ended up secreted in a side room with a water facility. We were treated in a patronising, inappropriate manner by virtually everyone. The main man, a superintendent in mufti, explained why we had to leave for our own safety and he would escort us out. He had called out reinforcements from all over London. Then he promptly disappeared! It was a hugely disappointing experience. We never did make it to the council chamber. The police in the lobby were outmanoeuvred by several smart, fast girls. What an experience! Will this be reported? Do we live in a democratic society? Arts Council Aquires Libraries Culture minister Ed Vaizey has confirmed that Arts Council England (ACE) is likely to take on responsibilities currently held by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). A number of the key functions that are currently undertaken by the MLA are to transfer to ACE by the end of March 2012, subject to the approval of its National Council. If approved, ACE will be responsible for the Renaissance in the Regions initiative; work to develop museums and libraries through accreditation and designation; and statutory cultural property functions. Additional funding worth more than £46m a year will be provided from 2012-13 to help ACE deliver the work, with £1.3m extra support going directly to the British Museum to co-ordinate the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Barking & Dagenham Joins the Rush to Close Libraries The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham has announced plans to close half of its libraries as part of the budget cuts necessary to accommodate its reduced government funding.The libraries to be closed are Wantz Library, Rush Green Library, Robert Jeyes Library, Markyate Library and a fifth TBD facility. These libraries are to be replaced by two new large libraries. The plans are to be considered by Members of the Safer and Stronger Community Select Committee at a Town Hall meeting early next month. Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet Meeting 17th November 2010? Democracy is messy ... but is aggravated by a sense of humour failure ... Cold, damp and dark, but, we all turned up on the steps of the Town Hall on 17th November, even though our issue, The 5 Library Closures, had been deferred. Others were present to defend their own issues and the loss of jobs and services threatened. The banners were out in force. The chanting was loud and speeches were made. It was important for library campaigners to turn out. Don't ever look as if you have gone away. The Mayor's position had filtered down as follows, "After studying the results of our consultation to close 5 libraries before attending the council's Public Accounts Committee earlier this week, I wanted to share with you my thoughts regarding the current library proposals as they stand at the moment, what I said to Public Accounts and what I am minded to do next Wednesday at the Mayor and Cabinet. I did not seek election as your Mayor in order to close down libraries. However, the scale of the challenge and size of the cuts we are faced with due to decisions taken by this Tory/LibDem Government means that we are faced with very difficult choices in order to protect the most vulnerable in our community. I believe in libraries and the difference they can make which is why over £6.5m has been spent in the last 4 years in providing 21st century library facilities across Lewisham. The current proposals do not provide enough detail on the alternative community library proposals and on the transitional costs of moving to these altrnatives. I am therefore minded next week to defer a decision on this proposal for up to 2 months to provide time for those proposals to be firmed up and to allow those who want to be involved to come forward and have further discussions with the council." Yes, it is a bit regal, but at least we have a statement from himself! Please read between the lines, please interpret the language, please remember he knew what was coming fiscally and it is all on record, well before the elections, please remember the government suddenly finds £7bn to support Ireland and half a billion more to go into the EU...... money is no object! Reported today interest rates on our debt are runnning at £5m per hour. Is someone printing the stuff?!!! The plan is to hold an Open Day at each of the threatened libraries and encourage community groups to attend to see how they would fit in with a much reduced library in each building and exist on the grants they currently live on. We have already investigated grants received by these groups from the council. They fluctuate year on year. WHERE IS THE GUARANTEE of this kind of funding or of any other funding? The council is also considering leasing these buildings (forget the asset transfers first suggested, by the council). And, did I get it right that they could use some of the saved money to plough back into these new ventures? We are still dealing with a volunteer only service for these centres, with limited library service support. Bless the campaigners of each library. It was clear to them that the fault lines and holes in these suggestions could completely kill off a library presence. When a council provides a borough wide service for all its residents the whole service has to be considered and the service has to be for everyone. Fortunately campaigners are supporting first principles. The double committee room on the ground floor had been suitably arranged with its chairs, staff and "bouncers" (who would not have looked out of place outside some Soho nightclub.) It seemed an attempt to foil an assault on the Mayor and Cabinet. As it happened the assaults remained verbal, very loud but verbal chanting, heckling, tub thumping. We managed to acquire an agenda and piles of paper, and I mean piles of paper. Fortunately it does contain some plums for us and the complete report on library closures. Cllr Maslin, Cabinet member for Resources, was invited to kick off the proceedings and lost his audience as soon as he launched into a political speech to blame the current government for what he had to propose. We blame them all and it really is about time they got the message. He ploughed on, the occasional word getting through. The Mayor asked for quiet and after the second ask did not work he adjourned the meeting. None of us knew where we were going with this, as he did not say. We found out it was a half hour adjournment, try again and if that failed the meeting would be reconvened the following morning at 10.30 am. without the public. Whence democracy? Oh, a slender shaft of light appeared before we were shut down. The chanters in the lobby were not let in. The chanters in the committee room demanded their presence. The Mayor denied they had been excluded so those in the room went to get their compatriots, and said "Thank you, Steve." As I said, messy! During the adjournment James had the sense to approach the Mayor and it was agreed the petitions be presented as soon as we started. So James (New Cross - 5063 signatures); Annabel (Sydenham, another 1838 signatures) and Cllr Bonavia (Blackheath - more signatures) handed them over. Sophie (Grove Park) had to leave earlier, not having time to outlive the adjournment, so her part in democracy was lost. But, they will get in later. There are over 20,000 signatures. The Your Lewisham, Your Say survey apparently only sported just over 2000 responses. This does not look good, Council. The room settled to try again, and we mostly did hear non-council people present their views, but, disruption let rip once the politicians tried to have their say. To be honest some of the heckling was really funny, but Steve did not respond to being asked to cut his pay. So, they were all asked to take pay cuts. Faces of Cabinet members were a picture, but, nobody was allowed to take a photo. Steve remained thunderous, but has learned not to swear while the mikes are on. We spilled out into the darknes, collecting banners and other propery connected with a demonstration. Are we downhearted? Not us! It is quite clear there is a complete disconnect between the electors and the elected. Where is the sense of public duty, public accountability, public service by elected members? The gap between us and them is truly unbridgeable at the moment. Yes, Democracy is messy and not perfect, but it needs to be given space and a hearing. We may then all hear each other. Library campaigners are certainly doing that! And the members of the public present were quite good-humoured when they left. Worse, it is not just Europe receiving large chunks of our money. The council continues with its local assemblies, only a few years old (unlike the library service.) This feature of council operation requires a large number of staff to supervise and organise. It continues. The locality funding for each ward, although cut, will continue at £7,500 pa. now children, 18 wards times £7,500 and we have spent - yes, £135,000. On top of that each ward will receive £18,500 pa from the Mayor's Fund (whose fund? who knew he had all that money?) so, try again £18,500 times 18 wards and we have £333,000. And the proposal is to close 5 libraries, for ever? Councillors really have a lot of thinking to do and not just about libraries. LLL Comments on the London Borough of Lewishams Proposed Library Closures 14/11/2010 Or not? We shall see! It had been quite noticeable that the council officer class constantly moved position on each of the libraries as the campaign gained momentum. It looked like a divide and rule operation (usual tactics from Lewisham, if you have been a close observer, for at least the last 10 years.) When this failed and the campaign grew stronger and was united we stand the initial proposal and reasoning actually undermined their case. They undoubtedly blinked first. It was NOT sound strategy to demand that 5 libraries had to close, to save the staffing costs, to meet lower government funding and then try to divide and rule when it became more difficult. As pointed out before, 5 libraries had to close to meet the staffing requirements and to meet the spending cuts 20 staff had to go. So, back to TINA, there is no alternative. There was no plan B. All that could be offered were outreach centres with mostly volunteers! Well, surprise, surprise, TINA is being rested, for the present. That girl had much to do recently, so, give her a break. No doubt she is needed elsewhere. Out of the ether on the morning of 11/11/2010 came news that Lewisham Council had withdrawn 5 library closures from the agenda at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting for 17th November. Therefore it would not go forward to the full Council (also delayed) now scheduled for 29th November. Councillors had quizzed the Mayor about library closures and that was the decision. Remember, we have one man one vote in the London borough of Lewisham. The Mayor is the man, and he has the vote! No reports have been received that he swore at anyone this time. It seems the proposal providers are not ready. All alternatives across the borough need to be quantified and more work needs to be done. Therefore, this will re-appear in February 2011. Carry on Blinking? Was this a cunning plan, of any kind, or a defence mechanism? Do they think campaigners will vanish? Dream on and keep blinking! E-information was circulated and, no worries, everyone is committed to standing their ground. Nobody is going away. One has to reflect how the loss of a library really gets people going and makes them angry, even those who do not use libraries. How all these highly paid officers continually fail, yet keep their jobs is mind blowing. You would think the authorities would learn this lesson and save themselves a great deal of aggro. (Aside - it certainly damages the Karma.) My advice to you out there, who are facing library closures, is to do what we have done. Follow the story on www.librarylondon.org and go for what you want. Do not take their deals. This is all OUR money they are dispersing. It is not the governments money. It is not the Councils money. It is not the Mayors money. It is not the councillors money. It most certainly is not the officers money. It belongs to all of us and needs to be better spent. Power to the people? I wish! Finally, this time only, as knowing Lewisham council as I do, Ill be back. Follow the story etc. etc. My advice for the moment, look out for TINA. She pops up any and everywhere and may be visiting a library service near you. She may NOT be blinking!!! Patricia Richardson, and Secretary of the Users &Friends of Manor House Library Brent to Close Half its Libraries? Labour controlled Brent Council has followed Lewishams lead and has prepared plans to close six of its twelve libraries. Its Director of Environment & Neighbourhood Services, Sue Harper, will present a paper to the administration on Monday 15th Nov. which will give details the closure program. Ms Harper, with her tongue firmly in her cheek, has suggested that the project will improve the quality of library services in Brent. Apparently, this miracle is to be achieved by co-locating the remaining libraries with other council services Officer-speak for reducing the library service offered to the public still further. The objective of the closure program is to save £1 million. However, it is very similar to a scheme which the Officers proposed several years ago. That program was rejected by the Council and it looks as though the Officers are simply trying again. The libraries under threat are: Neasden, Preston and Barham Park AT 11/11/10 Grove Park Library, Lewisham Closure - second and final consultation meeting, Anyone seen Roy Clare? (Who he? Why Chief Executive of Museums, Libraries and Archives, keep up!) Fat chance! It seems community is a word written on a piece of paper, not a living, vibrant, breathing group of humanity. Well, this group of humanity assembled in the historically named W.G. Grace Hall, but it certainly was not cricket. At one point we thought we had parts in Assault on Precinct 13 as the hall was assailed by other representatives of the community, so it was no wonder fewer people had turned up than at the first meeting. They obviously knew something we did not! Malcolm Smith took the floor again and said what a privilege it had all been. Calm down in the back row. He introduced the panel and poor Ms. Buckton rose again to repeat the message but with the added frisson of George Osbornes intervention on the Comprehensive Spending Review, 20th October. I have to be honest, I am beginning to feel quite sorry for her, but wont let that get in the way. The 3 Ward councillors were invited to speak first. David Britton reminded us that this was the third attempt to close Grove Park Library. Having noticed our presence and that of Anne and Alan, not to mention Frank, he said he did not want protesters from other libraries. The fact that we had all stood together in 2000; the fact that the whole library service would be affected; the fact that we had used Grove Park library; the fact that 20 staff could lose their jobs .. He added that the decision to close had been taken. One librarian had already been made redundant from April. He knew the majority of residents wished for no change. He suggested the use of community groups be used as co-residents, with the library. Of course there is no guarantee that such groups will be able to continue in the current financial climate. As a Conservative Councillor he was able to say that the government had advised front line services were to be untouched you heard it here first? It must be recorded that Cllr Britton was the nominated Conservative on the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning. He had not attended once. I know that because I went to every meeting. Ms. B. rose again to state stoutly that NO staff redundancies had been issued to library staff. Officers were consulting with the Union and non-Unionised staff. The report would go in with the main report. Councillor Allison, also Conservative, robustly defended the library staying where it was, as it was. She listed cuts that were already taking place, without consultation. She suggested other non-essential council spending should take the brunt of cuts first e.g. Lewishams own publication, Lewisham Life. The spend matches library cuts so well. We were also reminded of the Carnival March due to take place on Saturday. Councillor Clarke (Labour) had a family interest in keeping the library as well as it being a superb local asset. Actually, she was quite fearful this would be lost. But, change was essential. She amplified her previous suggestion of making it a home for the Childrens Centre, presently in a building next door. Sharing the library building might help survival of the library. However, it would be a much smaller service and require money spent. The relinquished empty building would then have to be dealt with. Could it be sub-let? We are going round in those circles AGAIN. The loss of staff was also a severe problem. She outlined the possibilities available to the other libraries. Faithful readers everywhere, you know what they are! None of these was possible in Grove Park. Being built on Metropolitan Open Land was another complication. Quite rightly she pointed out that Manor House Library was in a better area but had oodles of dosh spent on it. Sophie, lead local campaigner, took the floor and asked that better arrangements be made for public meetings. A dark night, in a lonely Community Hall (the assailants struck later) was not conducive to attracting mothers with families or the elderly. The petition currently had 1700 signatures. It had become clear to her, while collecting signatures, that none of the community wished to lose the library or its staff. If the Council continued to ignore us there were compelling reasons to believe this would lead to unintended, damaging consequences. She suggested that putting in a café or other facilities might generate more income. The local schools used the libraries both in and out of school. Books and IT were provided. It should be staffed by trained personnel. With no disrespect to volunteers that is was what they were, volunteers. They did not have the same conditions and responsibilities as employed staff. Using volunteers to conduct the Summer Reading Challenge would be a tremendous undertaking. The Council should look at other staff cuts, if necessary, e.g.middle management, those on higher salaries. The area around the library was somewhat isolated and the idea of trekking to Downham Library was really not feasible. On balance, none of this made any sense. Ms. B. rose again .. to try to make sense of nonsense. We were back to action replay, but going round in those circles, dizzy making to say the least! Just a few points she supported Downham Library, no problem with that, unless you live far away in Winn Road, or parts of Baring Road and Burnt Ash Hill, or go to Marvels Lane or Coopers Lane Schools. Explaining the investment in other libraries in better off areas was more challenging. As for taking staff from Manor House, that might spread staff too thinly! It has been admitted before that there really is no space in local schools to develop public libraries. It was admitted that not all library staff were qualified librarians anyway. As for slashing Senior managers, and their costs, well, my dears, that is a SEPARATE 25% CUT. There followed public questions, all on the same lines as before. Using the Ringway Community Centre was not an option as that was in bad condition. A new Community Centre was required. Bob wanted to know, as had others before him, why we were there at all. This had all been thrashed out at the first meeting! Nobody wants to see the library closed, or reduced. Why had the Council not made improvements when it had the money? As the saving through closure was minimal, why bother? He called this arrant nonsense, and, he is not wrong. A former librarian with the service spoke up to point out that ONCE UPON A TIME Lewisham Borough sported 18 libraries (each with at least 1 qualified librarian), now 12. Were they seriously suggesting 7? Libraries had been easy targets over the years and the idea of volunteers was definitely the end of the slippery slope. I cannot go on with all the points, mentioned before, on why this was all a totally crass idea. It is so depressing and unedifying and unnecessary. Aaargh!!! You can tell I used to read Beano and Dandy!!! Importantly, and new, was that our former librarian winkled out of them that it would cost at least £20,000 to demolish the building. Why demolish it? Malcolm, the man who was privileged, said it could not be left as a focal point for vandalism. By then the vandals had already been thumping on the wire meshed windows and throwing a missile into the our hall. This was a fully occupied hall, full of so-called adults! Cllr Best used her time, not necessarily to rubbish the service on offer in Grove Park, but almost (not happy news for the library staff who work so hard to do the best for all the library users AND ARE A BEACON in an outpost of the Lewisham Empire.) Yet again (ref Crofton Park) she mentioned that Full Council would be meeting on 29th November. Opportunity for a question Peter (one of those naughty protesters from out of area) asked if the date had been altered. Chris stated that it had, as the scrutiny committees needed more time. So, my friends, what does that tell you? Confirmation of this came from Governance. Now, dead important, Council Question Time deadline date is now midnight 14th November. Get your questions on library closures (and anything else that is Council business, which may annoy you at present) into the mix. E-mail Kevin Flaherty as follows kevin.flaherty@lewisham.gov.uk Keep up the pressure, you have everything to gain, nothing to lose. CARNIVAL PROCESSION in SUPPORT of LEWISHAM'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES We gathered from all corners of Lewisham in cheerful and carnival mood. The sun finally blazed down from the arctic blue sky and blessed us until we reached the darkening portals of the Town Hall There was something medieval in the brightly coloured clothes, the dressed up children of all ages, the whistles, the drum, the horn. Even St Hilda accompanied us from the splendidly wrought banner, carried by the St Hildas Church contingent. We were truly a motley crew. The lead was eventually taken by the coffin in which lay the body of Lewisham libraries, carried by the appropriately attired pall bearers. Do look at the photo, and see who leapt aboard Sir Steves ship, the coffin. Who are they? They be Cllr Curran, who stands to lose Sydenham Library in his ward and has made a good fist of supporting his constituents, thus far. Heidi Alexander, MP for Lewisham East, where both Grove Park Library and Blackheath Village Library may close and Joan Ruddock, MP for Deptford which has Crofton Park and New Cross Library to close. The latter two did not march, but Cllr Curran did while distributing his leaflets, but then he had news for us all, outside the Town Hall..Two other Councillors also attended at the Town Hall:- Cllr Paul Bell of Telegraph Hill and Cllr Bonavia of Blackheath Ward. Off we set, in remarkably good humour, whistles blowing, chanting slogans and making them up as we went along. It was noisy, we held up the traffic and the traditional police escort handled us extremely well, even on our journey down the South Circular. They deserve our thanks, but we, in return, were biddable, as London Folk are. Our own stewards did sterling work along the route. No ifs, no buts, no library cuts. We have had that before. Then, my partner on the Pensioners Forum banner introduced Steve Bullock here us say, library closures, no way! The children blew their whistles to match the chants! Not quite Battlestar Galactica and her rag tag fleet but, the car horns were hooting, bus passengers waved and grinned, residents opened their windows and peeped from their front doors, shopkeepers left their businesses We were noisy and drew attention to ourselves. Cllr Maines was there at the beginning and Cllr Morrison managed to help with a banner, making it to our destination. Cllr Clarke skipped along with the marchers. When you consider how many wards are affected by these closures it was surprising to see so few councillors. If any other was there and has been omitted, let us know, and we will ensure your name is recorded for posterity. About 160 set off from Crofton Park and those unable to do the 2 mile walk, or not having enough time, joined us outside the Town Hall. One young woman with child and sleeping baby was amazed at herself, I have never done anything like this before, she confided. As we approached we were overshadowed by the Council buildings and the air grew cold. People waiting in droves for buses on one side of the road just gawped. This is all getting very Pied Piper, but, we were not swallowed up, we stood our ground and listened, finally, in disbelief, to Cllr Curran. He urged us on, encouraged our campaign, trumpeted the 20,000 signatures on the petitions (10% of the electorate, dont you know) but finished by saying that whatever happened he would vote for the proposed Council Budget (whatever is in it?) How fitting to finish on that note. He has diligently and consistently backed his constituents in their campaign, advising them well. But, when push comes to shove. Congratulations to the organisers. This takes much hard work and dedication, but, then libraries are important. How can we call ourselves a civilised society and deprive little kids (and bigger kids, too) of something so precious? Just a political comment, how many better libraries would you get for the near half a billion extra we will have to stump up for the EU? Lewisham Round 2 Consultation Meeting: Proposed Closure of New Cross Library All Saints, (leaving the jokes to your imagination) yes another chilly church venue, but this one sported a portable mike, usually like gold dust. We had Malcolm Smith for the evening, but then, he is local. He managed marginally better this time. But, no sign of Roy Clare. And so to our cast of characters, and werent they just full of character! More were present, over 60 souls, and new faces too. All Saints is somewhat up the road from the library as opposed to us being across the park before. Ms. Buckton conducted the intro but was able to refer to the CSR as delivered by George, our Chancellor, last Wednesday. Any hope that 7.1% cut per annum would give us some respite was kicked into touch. Guidelines here, oh yes, years one and two see the heaviest cuts first, although we do not know the percentage yet. The mike, a proper one courtesy of the church, NOTE, was passed to our first eloquent, knowledgeable speaker who said it all really, New Cross is a deprived area that needs a library. It provides books, IT and a welcoming place to go. Nobody voted Labour for libraries to be closed. Why spend so much on consultants? There should be no personal benefit here, cut top wages, cut top jobs, cut out the elected Mayor syndrome (and therefore the salary.) It was well known that Mayor Bullock publicised probable cuts before the election. It was well known that developers could pay money to the Council under 106 to ease the passage of local development, why could that money not be used? Libraries are the great leveller and the money could be found. Cheers all round. Ms. B. said all services were facing a 25% cut, but added they were seeking to look at providing some use WITHIN THE CURRENT BUILDING, books and IT. See how something creeps in? Same as Crofton Park, but, read on and see how the attitude seems to bend and sway. Our second chap also cited nothing in New Cross, a common refrain and after over 40 years of a Labour Council! How important a library is to the community in these conditions. Closing it would be a waste of money. Ms. B reaffirmed that there was no prioritisation/no exception to consideration of what was to be cut. We then had a delightful continental touch from a tiny French lady, and we could hear the tumbrils rumbling in the background. Off with his head is also redolent of Alice in Wonderland. Typically, she regarded the cuts as a fallacy. Felt, as did the Guardian, that women would be most badly affected and compared library closures to the burning of books, whoever did either! The next chap was tired of going round in circles. This applied to the peculiar logic preferred at the Crofton Park meeting. The expensive, refurbished libraries cannot take a hit because they have had money spent on them. So, we must hit on those which need money spent on them. Purely coincidence but the battery went in the mike. Amazingly a spare was found. This enabled us to hear the accusation of spending on local roads to the tune of £1.4bn. Mr. Smith had a take on this one, his department. The New Cross/Old Kent Road realignment (taking out the one-way system and putting it back to what it was when I went to school down the road) was TFL money. The Kender Street changes, oh yes, that was Lewisham capital money and therefore not available for libraries. How much money? I do not know. But sometimes eye-watering amounts of money are tossed about. No wonder Susanna did not need a mike and was incandescent with rage, and would not be doused. She concentrated her fire on senior management, consultants and local government, just for starters. What were they all for? Why elect a local government? When asked by Whitehall to jump, they say how high? We did not elect people to make these cuts, but we had no confidence that anybody we elected would do anything for us. Aux armes citoyennes sing along, she joined forces with the French in defending their way of life! Cheers all round!! James did not quite seize the mike, but almost, and he led from the front. He reminded officers that they worked for us. There had to be alternative possibilities and we should write to government. It looked as if the CSR left us with more leeway. The budget should be revisited and there should be more flexibility in spending. Under Georges plan we had 3 years to continue campaigning. He also recommended an equal spread of cuts across the service, if cuts were necessary. We were then promised that the report for the Mayor and Cabinet would say that the library service with shorter hours across the board was not sustainable. Are you surprised to learn that longer opening hours encourages more usage? No, I did not think so, and neither were we. What a surprise! echoed across the church. One genius suggested pulling out of the EU, meaning an automatic saving per annum of £60bn and wiping out the deficit in 2 years. Now that IS saving money, big money! Tony was very concerned about peoples jobs and felt the decision had been made by default. Susanna was still awaiting an answer, and quite rightly said so. Peter pointed out this was his eighth meeting (actually, it is his ninth, smiles all round, even the officers) and he had yet to understand why cuts in hours could not be made elsewhere in the library service and challenged Ms. B. to prove it. Ms. B still judged this would not provide a viable service. The fact that 5 areas with library closures will not have a viable service seemed to escape her entirely. LOGIC LOCK. If the spending cuts were as outlined by George, why could this not be taken into account? Ms. B. reiterated her introduction, that cuts were to be front loaded and there were not 3 years to decide. Hal suggested all kinds of ways, across the board, of saving money and increasing the tax take. He had seen opposition to current policies country wide. Other ladies spoke up about the lack of facilities in New Cross. The damaging impact on children, their learning and literacy, books, homework and study clubs was obvious. How, when we had Council Tax increases year on year could this be possible? What about other library closures in other authorities? What about the trio of councils, banding together to provide services in the hope of saving money? Important statement here - Ms. B. again committed to keeping the building open, but there would be no professional library staff. One such person would visit occasionally though the week. Again, another important statement - Ms. B. stated that Lewisham was in discussion with Lambeth and Southwark, but not in relation to these closures. Where it will leave democracy and accountability nobody knows! But it is for another day, and must not be forgotten. In keeping with diversity one of our American friends spoke. He was from Oakland, California, but no California Dreaming here. He warned of the violence and destruction prevalent in American inner cities. He believed one of the reasons was the withdrawal of core services by the city fathers and this could accelerate in our inner cities if we followed these policies. Have you seen The Wire? Essential repairs to the building were raised and AT LAST, important statement here - we were told that whatever happens to the building it was to be repaired at a cost of £30,000 (Lewisham Homes, we think.) We do not know when. A library user outlined her concerns that if the library closed when would we get it back? You will remember the other mantra, first time round, "None of the libraries will re-open." She cited the history of the place. Geoffrey Chaucer had been mugged in the street outside the church. We did not need to make the area more squalid and ignorant than it was. Why was it easier to get a lap dance club than a library? The building must remain open and occupied. A cynic suggested that the library had been set up to fail with short opening hours as it had no real sustainability. By this time Ms. B. had donned her winter coat to be read her fortune on volunteers. It sounds fine said our speaker, who had been a volunteer until the money started to run out for the organisation she represented. This was more likely in the current climate than not. She added, what if volunteers do not come forward or sometimes do not turn up? Again a proper service could not be sustained. Her conclusion was that if libraries were closed down it was another route closed to those who wish to manage life for themselves. Costs of running New Cross library were introduced by James. His figure was £106,000. The professionals still do not know. Running costs are £30,000 - £35,000. Staffing costs were not available. James is looking at the closure not as a problem but as an opportunity to improve the library. Good man! A really frustrated user wondered where she was meant to go as an alternative? Bus fares to Central Lewisham were £2.00 each way! The new Wavelengths would open but the site was also somewhat distant from where we were. Cross borough boundary libraries could not be guaranteed due to the financial climate. The history of public service was raised, when people resigned rather than do these unspeakable things. But, we all knew that was not going to happen, even in Alice's Wonderland. We have to investigate the question raised on the EIA. It seems that it should not have been completed yet, only in conjunction with the consultation. The point of it was to assess the impact! This really needs to be clarified and is so important. Anybody out there with concrete information, rules, guidelines? The one elected person present spoke to us. Cllr Millbank had been elected for the first time in May 2010 to represent Telegraph Hill Ward. She had been fast tracked to a Cabinet post. She apologised for those absent saying they were at a council/political meeting. Jeers, not cheers, this time. In fact, she took the flack for the absentees. She carried on gamely, but had lost some of the certainty she displayed when we first had discussions at the Town Hall in July. By now she supported keeping the library open. She had experience of the Voluntary Sector, the Third Sector, and this could be made to work in conjunction with the library service. Nobody believes that. No cheers all round. As we have come to expect the voluntary organisation place person stood up. She represented 170, a voluntary organisation in New Cross Road, just round the corner. She had the sense (they are learning) to say the best option was to keep the library open in the building, BUT, if they took over such things as ESOL classes could be provided. ESOL classes are dependent on public and student funding, so why can they not go in the library anyway? James launched his final salvo saying it was a mistake to close the library. It should be fully funded, properly staffed and better. We were not going to make it easy for the Council to do the unacceptable and close libraries. Our final speaker was a young lady, aged about 9, who pleaded for the library not to close as people like her go every Saturday to do Arts and Crafts. Please dont shut the library. So, there you have it. It is long, but they all deserve to be heard out there in cyber space, let alone this planet. Arent they all wonderful? Dont they deserve their library? Great shame Roy Clare missed it all! He might have learned something. So, out into the cold, crisp, clear night, chatting about what we had learnt. So, see you in Grove Park. We have to return to Cllr Fletchers question to Council on 23rd September 2010. It asked when the council officers were first told to start planning for £60m of cuts? Answer Planning began before 6th May 2010. For example on 24/2/2010 the Executive Director for Resources advised Members that the Council will face a need to reduce its budget by £50m - £60m over the 3 years 2011/12 to 2013/14. The Financial Survey in Autumn 2009, demonstrates that the Council was already actively planning for a more austere financial climate, including estimates then of savings requirements of up to £55m. It serves no purpose to pretend it was all such a surprise. Now a question since when did it creep into Local Authority thinking that it was there to provide one level of service to some people and another level of service to others? CILIPs Response to the Comprehensive Spending Review The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals "expressed grave concern about the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on UK library and information services". Annie Mauger, CILIPs Chief Executive, commented: "No government should want to lose something so fundamental, and all it represents to a free, fair and democratic society. Publishers Move to Sabotage Public Library E-Book Lending For some time the Bookseller has been campaigning for ebooks to be excluded from the free lending activities of public libraries. Now the UK Publishers Association (PA) has adopted a stance which will, if allowed to proceed, severely restrict ebook lending activities by public libraries. Stephen Page, the CEO of Faber and Faber, announced the new PA guidelines at a recent conference. Apparently all major publishers have agreed that library users would only be allowed to download an ebook from within a library and via a computer terminal i.e. not via an ebook reader, mobile phone or other mobile device. The obvious objective of this agreement is to make access to free ebooks far more difficult for all sections of the community. Whilst the booksellers and the publishers will gain financially, the least well-off will be discriminated against. This latest move comes after many publishers had adopted an agency model for selling ebooks. This model is very similar to the outlawed retail price maintenance model. No doubt, the lack of any official interest in this earlier restriction of competition has encouraged the publishers to expect a similar blind eye treatment from Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture. Incontrast to the restrictive actions of UK publishers, Amazon is loosing the restrictions on its ebook apps. Later this year, Amazon will introduce a new feature which will allow owners of Kindle books to lend them to other Kindle device or Kindle app users. Each book can be lent once for a loan period of 14-days. Whilst this may appear to be a small step, it is certainly one in the right direction. Of course, the publishers could still stop this happening for the books that they control. Proposed Closure of Crofton Park Library (Tuesday 19th October 2010 at 7.00 pm) It was no surprise Roy Clare did not appear. What a cold, damp night it was to be in a chilly church, St. Saviours no less. No matter, we started with 60+ present and ended with about 75 (+ officers, of course.) Our new MC turned out to be Kevin Sheehan. He has a record as a safe pair of hands, and is usually courteous and organised. Ms. Buckton was introduced to go over familiar territory, but she made it clear this time, there is not much wrong with the fabric of the building. It needs modernising as a library, perhaps a new roof and better use of the upper floor. It does not seem to be falling down, as rumour had it. Attention was drawn to the EIA which showed 45% of users lived in the Crofton Park Ward, 16% in Ladywell Ward (by-election due) and 11% in Telegraph Hill Ward. James asked his usual pithy question, like Alice in Wonderland. What is the point of an Equality Impact Assessment that does neither? You have it wrong dear boy, we put results up against a list and points are scored. Dont ask me! Question time was thrown open and because people were allowed their say there was less aggravation (but, give them time.) We started with, what will you do with the site? Ms. Buckton referred back to the first meeting and said it had never been planned to get rid of the building. Yes, my eyebrows lifted at this. The building would be retained as a community asset for community use, BUT NO LIBRARY STAFF. Like soldiers, seamen, airmen, policemen, council officers etc. librarians are equally dispensable. Another was keen to know of feedback from the other 4 libraries in this package. Was it different? No is the answer. There is the same feeling across the board and New Cross has shown improved feedback. Lack of information about the consultation meetings was an issue, but we were told they were advertised in the SLP, which one has to buy and is not seen as a local Lewisham paper. Other community groups had been informed and it was on the Councils website. You see how we are not really reaching masses of people here. It was not in the September issue of Lewisham Life, its own publication! Yet again what a surprise to many that the whole library service had not been included in the cuts. We were doing quite well until then, but we easily revert to that Wonderland where Alices logic means nothing. Council logic is that it is better NOT to provide a thin service across the board, but to provide virtually no service to some favoured residents! With a good service to even more favoured residents. The Users and Friends of Manor House Library recommended, at the beginning, personally to Ms. Buckton, that services be maintained, even at a lower level, for ALL residents until the time came to re-invest in the service overall. Bemused and bewildered again? Yes we were! The question of the criteria used to judge closure was raised again. Again it is because 7 libraries had massive public investment so had to be maintained to justify the spend. Therefore the hit was on those less fortunate. It was a Council decision to borrow to spend on the Manor House, when they could have had a Heritage Lottery Grant. That is now part of the public debt in Lewisham (£27m pa total interest costs were mentioned) and costs £122,000 for each year until 2049. All Lewisham residents are contributing. Wavelengths Library is a PFI development and Downham Leisure Centre is similar. Just try extracting the costs from the accountants books. We are told it cannot be done. Is it really true public money cannot be tracked? Torridon Road is being refurbished in conjunction with a Childrens Centre. It is still public money. It was observed that other authorities were not closing 5 libraries and Kevin fell into a trap of his own making. I wrote it down All other authorities are putting forward similar proposals. This is what we suspected. If Lewisham falls, watch out the rest of you. We may be the first domino! Time to get your friends around you and be prepared! Someone wondered why Wavelengths had to be rebuilt. Had it not been an award winning library when built? Oh yes, but it was now too small and could not be developed so Lewisham took the opportunity of a free rebuild in connection with the development of the school site. The pool was being rebuilt too as that was no longer what was required, but it had been, not so long ago. More errors of judgement? One campaigner pointed out that the logic (oh dear, you know not to expect logic) of using the criterion of little investment to justify closing the libraries chosen bore no relation to the value that library has to the community. Why not spread the cuts over the service? Staff in all 12 libraries are facing re-structuring and redundancy. Unfortunately the answer to that is still in paragraph 4 and it is still 19 lost jobs. But, soft! What light in yonder window breaks? It is The Rt. Hon George Osborne MP, who has announced that the local authority grant cut will be 7.1% pa for each of the next 4 years, not 25% in one go. Question? How does this affect a 25% cut in library service funding in one year? Much as I would wish to give up campaigning one awaits the Council-speak on this one. Orwellian is their middle name. The dark side of George is that the rumours persist on the freezing of Council Tax rises AND would Councils be allowed to borrow on projected income? We all thought debt was the problem, not the answer! Up spake a strongly voiced contributor. No mike needed he. We had all struggled to hear questioners (no mikes for the proles) while Ms. Buckton was graced with her own mike and Kevin had access to the pulpit mike. The strong voice was angry that as it was clear there had been unanimous opposition to the closure of Crofton Park at the first meeting, what were we all doing now? There had been no confusion, no grey areas, no obfuscation, or were WE naïve? More voices were raised to criticise the Mayor for not making this clear before the election, the possibility of the Council seeking to out source the service and the Council wanting users to rubber stamp their proposals. Ms. Buckton reiterated the point that if the government cut the local authority grant there was less to spend, so they would have to spend less. (Memo to AB, talk to George) Peter suggested that users of libraries not threatened should have been asked if they were prepared to tolerate fewer hours to help out the threatened libraries. Officers seemed somewhat bemused by this and had no proper answer except they had not done so. Proposal 1: The Director of MakeBelieve Arts and her colleague gave a theatrical presentation on what they could offer the library building. They have existed for 9 years and receive core funding from LBL, according to their website (said to be £14,000.) Apparently European funding is a possibility and gets some of our money back, but it does not fund libraries! These two were kitted out with cute little personal mikes! We were all well aware of what libraries have to offer and what they are achieving, which is why we were present to save them. To get to the nitty gritty they were suggesting the possibility of a Community Asset Transfer. Plans were outlined for the full use of the building (does it have a lift?) with a smaller library facility and to connect with Libraries of the Future. Some books and shelves would have to go. Proposal 2: The Ackroyd Community Association, also in receipt of funding from LBL and in existence since 1977 presented similar plans to develop the building (Does it have a lift?) on the lines of the one they already have in the area. Yet again running the library service would be for trained volunteers. Questions were raised as to how these organisations were funded as well as what an Asset Transfer entailed. Ms. Buckton assured everyone that the contract would contain an Asset Lock and if the organisation failed or ceased to function the building would be returned to the Council. Concerns were expressed at how small the library service would necessarily be if the building absorbed the needs of another organisation. Also how could permanence and continuity be guaranteed? Answer? It cant. There were many concerns across the board and Ms. Buckton admitted this was not the ideal solution. However, having an anchor organisation (what was the library?) in the building would be positive. Helen Mercer raised the question of reflecting what support these proposals had as opposed to keeping the library in the building, as it was. How would this be reflected in the officers report to Mayor and Cabinet? At least Cllr Best later confirmed that the campaigning groups would be able to see the reports once ready. One young man, who had changed his seat in the church (to get in another question? In total frustration?) again voiced strong concerns about the fund raising possibilities of these organisations in such straitened economic circumstances. It seemed too unstructured and insecure. Seriously, most people cannot deal with the lack of logic and lack of sensible use of any public money that exists. The libraries in their buildings tick the boxes. What on earth will be the cost, eventually, of rearranging the chairs on the decks of the Titanic? How much better could that money, and the officers time have been spent? Do not even mention the huge amounts of time put in by the communities, as well as money. We were addressed by the Chair of the Board of MBA. Yes, she was present as were quite a few friends and supporters of the organisation. Clearly she was reading the runes in the meeting and admitted MBA could not run a library. In fact, wearing her other hat as a head teacher, she felt a political campaign to save the libraries was required. Just between thee and me that is what we all thought we had. She added that the Council should support and provide a library service. If this was not possible, we had to work with what was on offer. Surely all these highly paid, supposedly experienced officers should have been able to come up with alternatives? Something users could deal with, something that did not provoke outright opposition. Surely the Mayor should have given them better guidelines. Surely he should be saying, We are not selling this to the voters and payers for this service. Give me alternatives. They think they live in a democracy. And while we are on the subject, where are the government guidelines to councils and does it live in a democracy? John Hamilton has the last word on the whole issue, FAKE ALTERNATIVES. Consequently there will be a march from Crofton Park Library to the Town Hall on Saturday 30th October 2010, mustering at 12.00 noon. Secretary of the User and Friends of Manor House Library Proposed Closure of Blackheath Village Library (Wednesady 13th October 7.30 pm at Blackheath Concert Halls) There we sat in an even grander venue, the magnificent surroundings of Blackheath Concert Halls, hired courtesy of the Blackheath Society, with people streaming in from all over the village and surrounding area. I stopped counting at 130, a more persistent soul reached 204. How impressive it seemed, but how unimpressive it became. Not one person expressed a scintilla of human sympathy or concern for those about to lose their jobs as front line librarians. (Now put at 19.) But some were outraged that those on large salaries might be asked to take a cut in salary, to help out the library budget. Not one person asked what the impact would be on the whole library service. Not one person connected themselves to the 4 other libraries under threat of closure, in far more deprived areas than the village, except for Gillian Gadsby (the star of the evening, and more of her later.) Only one person seemed concerned that groups renting the first floor of the library building would be out on their ear, if the council sub-let it, ie U3A, The Bridge Club, Art Groups, Craft groups etc. Who was connecting up the dots of Council policy, with Sir Ian Mills wish to save the Reminiscence Centre and having a viable library? At least you, dear reader, please connect up the dots and remember the crucial word, VIABLE! The meeting started with Mr. Smith as MC, again. He introduced himself and remembering what happened on Monday, introduced the panel. He even managed to remember that it was a bad move to try to stop those present asking questions, if you have asked before. Resignedly we sat through the same resume of fact versus fiction, which is Council policy, from Ms. Buckton. She must be reciting this in her sleep, I know I am! (See earlier coverage.) What is clear is that the purpose is to save money and it has to be staff cuts (leading to library cuts) as that is the biggest component of library spending. Plans are under way for outreach services and one is due to open on the Pepys estate. Note to self, must visit. Use of local schools seemed unlikely. Graciously, ten minutes were allowed for questions why not infringe the 1964 Public Libraries etc Act and start charging, £50 annual membership plus a fee for loans? Apart from the Act how this would go down in less affluent areas, although Blackheath has its pockets of the less affluent, was not considered. Questions of building a new Town Hall, rumoured cost £10m, were definitely on the back burner, stated Mr. Smith. Concerns were raised about schools not being an option as they were closed during weekends and the holidays. Ms. Buckton suggested that Local Assembly funding might be used to support a childrens reading programme. Unlike Sydenham nobody said, We have one, its Blackheath Village Library. One person had the courage to suggest that there must be room in a bloated budget to tackle waste and overheads. It was necessary to protect core services and thus protect the library budget. The current rent on the building of £75,000pa, reviewable every 5 years (2013) was raised. Officers said tentative research into subletting produced positive results. The old chestnut of volunteers was raised, however this would not be helping out, but running the show. A trained librarian would visit occasionally each week. Ms. Buckton said one option was to keep the status quo. The library would remain in the building, the first floor could be sublet (projected rent £30,000 - and where do the incumbents go?) As staffing was the issue this still had to be resolved. Meanwhile, carry on campaigning, she said! And to our real star Gillian, Chair of Blackheath Village Library User Group, kept it simple. She reminded her audience that their library was not threatened in isolation. There were 4 others. The groups policy was to keep a fully viable, comprehensive service run by qualified staff. A petition of 4500 signatures had been handed in. The total now stood at 6000, and it continues. The groups view of a good library was for it to be open to all, supporting cultural, social and educational needs. Closure would threaten the local economy. Sir Ian Mills was then asked to describe his proposal. Sir Ian is Chair of the Age Exchange, housed in the Reminiscence Centre in the heart of the village, just round the corner from the library, which is next door to a Post Office. How fortunate! The impetus is that the Sir Ian judges that the Age Exchange is under financial pressures and could fold. We were given no figures and it is clear from their website that AE gets grants, donations and subscribing members, but not how much. He feels that if library and AE were under one roof, this mutual support would ensure the future of both. On these grounds AE funded, he said, a feasibility study and architectural designs for this purpose. This would result in a community centre with possibilities for further developments within empty parts of the building. The library facility would contain an accessible, comprehensive adult and childrens library, family centre for IT users, a reference library, high quality coffee shop and upgraded patio with outdoor café for the summer. It would be professionally managed by AE with fully trained volunteers for the library. He felt the building would be fully upgraded for these purposes in 18 months, but there would be no break in continuity of library service. How, if to meet the remit, the library has to close on 31st March 2011? The capital investment is £500,000. There are gasps of disbelief coming across the internet waves. Volunteers: Sir Ian stated that the new library would be open 6 days a week for 7 hours a day. It would be staffed as suggested by 6 volunteers, fully trained by Lewisham (on-costs?) Whether this is a team or 6 per day nobody knew and nobody asked. Who is prepared to give up all this time, for no remuneration (not mentioned) is not known. Evening opening was not mentioned, and, youve guessed it, nobody asked. Stock: Someone did ask how many books were currently on the shelves. Nobody answered, not even the Library Service Manager. The figure settled on was 20,000, could be more. The new facility would contain 7000. Well, Sir Ian thought this was fine as in todays world it is IT, e-mail, reference on-line, BOOKS? What he does not know is that Blackheath Village Library, although only open for 31 hours per week, had 64,766 issues during the 12 months of the last financial year. There were 91,797 visits. This averages 5,400 issues monthly. How can 7000 items of stock be sufficient? Yes, you may reserve books. Will you be charged? Anne Bennet asked this question at New Cross, where unfortunately Ms. Buckton did not even know there was a charge! When all was revealed she said there would be no charge. Will she remember she said this? Will you be prepared to wait for a book? Will you carry on using a library with so few books? Financing: Sir Ian admitted that Ms. Buckton could offer no money on behalf of the Council. It may be that AE would have to raise money from its contacts with people who wish to help, even bankers. It was expected that the Council would pay about £40,000pa rent for this facility. Ms. Bridget Prentice, former MP for Lewisham East and member of the co-ordinating panel, spoke in support of the scheme. No comment from me is necessary. Alan Dove had the sense and foresight to ask who would ultimately be responsible for these 6 fully trained library staff? Would the Council accept responsibility to manage, recruit and train the volunteers? Ms. Buckton agreed it was the responsibility of the Council. Comments: * Howard Shields, Chair of the Blackheath Society, supported the continuation of the Library Service in the village. Alternatives needed to be looked at. He was happy with the idea of volunteers and although Council input of funding was only a possibility he supported The Age Exchange proposal. Blackheath Residents Association actually had concerns. On asking the staff loss had mounted to 19/20, since Monday. At least the question was finally asked, and firing people was regretted. Support was given to keeping the present library open and fully staffed. *Cllr Maines (Lib- Dem Cllr. for Blackheath ward) supported keeping the library service in the Village. It was also an outlet for the Councils only presence in the Village. He felt Sir Ians proposal was more dependent on his own enthusiasm and trained volunteers. He was concerned that the true cost of his proposal had not been subject to scrutiny. The dots are joined up, there are enormous gaps in the plans (let alone the thinking) and why did I not ask a question? There were simply too many. At least the bar was open and the surroundings congenial. Drinks all round to quash the despair one sometimes has in ones fellow man! And so out into the cold night air for a dose of reality, re-awakening and remembering to remind (I hope I did not shout) Mr. Shields that peoples jobs and 4 other libraries were at stake here! Secretary for the Users and Friends of Manor House Library Lewisham Round 2 Consultation Meeting: Proposed Closure of Sydenham Library (Held at the Tudor Livesey Memorial Hall, Monday 11th October 2010 at 7.00 pm.) So, there we were in the rather glorious surroundings of the Livesey Memorial Hall, just down the road from the library itself. The Hall is yet another unsung architectural jewel in Lewisham. Grade II listed since 1995, built with London Stock Brick in 1911as a memorial to Sir George Livesey (1834 1908), the former Chairman of the South Suburban Gas Company, then for the employees of that company. It is in far better condition than the public library. Between 60 70 people attended and it was really heartening to hear the same thread running through the meeting, as before. For Mr. Clares benefit they still do not wish to lose their library, where it is, staffed properly and open for use. NOW THEY ARE REALLY ANGRY. This was followed by a raft of complaints about the attitude of officers, their approach to meetings and the public etc. Only Mr. Smith (MC and Director for Regeneration) introduced himself, others had to be asked. Pinned to one wall were the results of the so-called Equality Impact Assessment. This is what we were meant to look at, all of us, at a later moment. We would then be required to adopt the Post-it approach and stick our comments on the wall!!! No giggling in the back row, please. Complaints were made about the patronising approach, telling the public instead of listening to them, having no alternative proposals and treating the consultation meeting as if it were a Local Assembly meeting. Nobody present was going to help them abolish or re-organise (Mr. Clare?) their library service. Most insulting, it was reported, was the lack of reference to these closures by the Mayor. He had felt it incumbent upon him to deal with the funding problem for Blackheath Fireworks Night in Lewisham Life. The net costs of this publication are £237, 545 pa, excluding any council staff work. Points were raised about the Wirral experience and talking to local schools. There are 4 Primary schools within walking distance of the library, but the Council has no Schools Library Commission. Most such schools operate with a book corner within the classroom, but poor stock. Even these are not available at weekends or during the holidays, natch! Officially, putting a public library in a school was no longer an option. Secondary School libraries are already over used and Primary Schools in Lewisham do not have enough spaces for the pupils queuing up to gain entry, let alone a public library facility. (Another miscalculation by the authorities, but that is for another day.) Mr. Rizzo, describing himself as the Service Manager for the Library Service (could you not weep? Sounds like the maintenance man! No disrespect intended to maintenance men) tried to explain all this away and was eventually handed a microphone. We heard him but the message did not change. Mr. Smith somewhat lost control here and raised his voice against the uprising peasants. Ms. Buckton, who is not inexperienced in dealing with the public, stepped in to mollify the rabble, telling them the Council did understand, had taken note of all the opinions, comments, views and suggestions. It did not exactly improve much but gave those present the opportunity to demand the resignation of Steve Gough (responsibility for Property Services.) Apparently part of the ceiling damage is due to the fact that nobody came along to clear out the leaves from the guttering, the library is surrounded by huge trees, on the edge of Home Park, you would think would you not? There were plenty of volunteers for this job, but not to run the library. We seemed to be going over the same ground as the first meeting, because people feel they are not listened to an empty building would be a focus for vandalism and trouble, adding to the anti-social behaviour already present. There are policing priorities in this area, and a used library helps to support them. Anthony Scully, acting chair of the library campaign group, reiterated that the library must stay where it is. It had the support of the whole community so other cuts should be looked for. There were increased visits and it worked in conjunction with Home Park. He advised Mr. Rizzo that there was a school library programme, it is called Sydenham Library. Rounds of applause, cheering get the message, dare I say it, Mr. Clare? In fact there were lots of rounds of applause and cheering, so put them in where they fit! And up spake an alternative if the Opening Doors facility has to close at Sydenham Library (due to lack of funding) The Director of Sydenham Community Radio has a solution. SCR would like to move in and be at the heart of the Sydenham community. It needs discussion but it was on the table. He produced a quote from the Mayor saying in order to maintain levels of service we have to be innovative and creative.. He queried how this was possible in such a short time span. The libraries are up for closure from 31st March 2011. Details of staff loss were given, approximately 13 19 jobs would go, said Ms. Buckton, Cllr Best (Cabinet member for Community Services and elected Cllr.) gave her spiel, which was basically what we had heard before but she included that over 17,000 petition signers supported the 5 libraries remaining open. What else is there to say? Some of us trooped over to the wall display to discover an Equality Impact Assessment is a series of pie charts on gender, religion, age, race and how many use which libraries. It had been expected to show what the impact of closures would be and an assessment on those grounds. But it seems users and campaigners will have to do that themselves, for presentation to the Council. As somebody present had already said, we are expected to do your work for you! (Do we include volunteers, too?) Pace, Mr. Clare. Minutes Secretary of Library for Life for London A Frank Exchange of Views - Lewisham's Plans - "Impressive Re-imagining" or "Desert Created"? The Initial Salvo from Roy Clare of the MLA The Response from Pat Richardson, a Lewisham Library User Hello my attention was drawn to your blog re Lewisham libraries. For the record, I am not the Chair of MLA. Sir Andrew Motion is the Chair of the MLA Board. I competed openly more than three years ago for the appointment as CEO, which is a non-political post and has nothing to do with the shade of government of the day. I am not and never have been a pal of Sir Steve Bullock, who I first met professionally at the very end of my time in Greenwich. It is true that I gave evidence at his Libraries Commission; indeed, I felt that the Commission was a very good initiative and contributed markedly to furthering a positive debate within Lewisham. The formation of a broad-based Commission was a best-practice idea. So, whatever point you are trying to make about libraries, please dont make insinuations about me personally. Facts are better than fiction. I have no personal vested interest; my professional focus is to ensure that Councils across England receive the best possible advice about ways to deliver the best possible library services. My judgment is that Lewishams plans are a potentially impressive re-imagining rather than salami-slicing. If they pull off a partnership model on the lines of those theyre exploring in London, they could produce an interesting new paradigm for running libraries in London. In addition, Lewisham is leading on the South East London consortium of the new governments Future Libraries Programme, which is engaging more than 30 Councils across the country. On one thing we seem to be agreed: we both want a comprehensive, high quality, well-managed, and accessible library service for all Londoners: and we seek to emphasise the social, educational, economic, and cultural importance to every section of the community. Roy Clare CBE Museums Libraries & Archives Council roy.clare@mla.gov.uk www.mla.gov.uk Libraries for Life for Londoners runs a website, Mr. Clare, not a blog. Therefore this is not an Andrew Marr moment! So sorry to ignore Andrew Motion (what is his take on this?) and to over promote you. But, hey, we all make mistakes! You were forgiven for not answering, or even acknowledging, my letter to you after you gave evidence to Lewisham Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning in 2008. No doubt this was an oversight, but we have no oversight over this, do we? It is obvious you do not know what library users in Lewisham have been told. Ms. A. Buckton, Director of Community Services for Lewisham (salary £135,000) made it clear from the start, at each of the 5 consultation meetings, for the 5 libraries threatened with closure. Here is the explanation. This is a cost cutting exercise in preparation for the cutting of government funding to local authorities. As the largest expenditure within the Library and Information Service is on staff (80%) it faces 25% cuts. This saves £830,000. Without the number of staff 12 libraries cannot be run, so, they reduce to 7. Naturally, there will be an impact on the remaining service. Please look at our maps on LLL website as that shows the desert created. The other saving arises on not having these buildings in the properties portfolio needing maintenance. This saves, we are told, £170,000. Secondly she said these libraries will never return. Quite how this ties in with not binding your successors to policy beats me, but there we have it. Thirdly the newly created outreach centres have not been properly explained or costed. They will be dependent on volunteers and a qualified librarian will visit occasionally during the week. Have you read Lewishams staff restructuring document? If you would like a copy you are very welcome. If you read the rest of the website on these issues you will note that what is created is a 2-tier service for the people of Lewisham. All residents are contributing to public spending in one way or another, but will not get an equity of service. Those who live near Manor House or Downham or Lewisham Central etc, fine. They get long opening hours, pleasant surroundings, computers and some books. What about the rest? Yes, we do want a comprehensive, high quality, well-managed and accessible library service for all Londoners: and we seek to emphasise the social, educational, economic and cultural importance to every section of the community. These are your words. This is exactly what many residents in Lewisham will be deprived of if the Lewisham plans go ahead. We naughty library users have had the temerity to stick our heads above the parapet in large numbers. But, if you have not been to the meetings, if you have not stood with them on street corners collecting signatures, if you do not see 4 local schools (plus the rest near a library threatened with closure) about to be deprived of a library service invaluable at weekends and during school holidays, childrens use of the libraries is increasing, if you do not talk to elderly and infirm residents worried sick about losing the one local facility they have . Well, excuse me, but this is what Lewisham is leading on. These plans are NOT a potentially impressive re-imagining rather than salami-slicing. Yet again, your words, your opinion. How about getting yourself down to Lewisham and justify your opinions to these people. Seventeen thousand have thus far supported the petitions. It is they who will bear the consequences of the closures, not you. There is still time to visit: Wednesday 13th October, 7.30 pm at the Blackheath Concert Halls Tuesday 19th October, 7.00pm at St. Saviours Church, Brockley Rise Monday 25th October, 7.00 pm All Saints Community Hall Wednesday 27th October, 7.00 pm W.G. Grace Centre S.E.9 4HG Please e-mail us for further details, if you are able to spare the time to come and meet threatened Lewisham library users and campaigners. Secretary of Users and Friends of Manor House Library. Redecoration Lewisham's Worst Fears Our worst fears were confirmed when we had sight of the full staff re-structuring plan for Lewishams Library service 2 weeks ago. No library left in the service (last men standing?) will remain unscathed by this, if it goes ahead. There is a joke buried in the so-called plans for reorganisation, to whit, point 9, the first expected outcome, It is expected that the reengineered Service and the improved structure will deliver a better, more sustainable Library & information Service for the residents of Lewisham. Having a laugh, at our expense? You cant be serious? Such phrases spring readily to mind. Has Roy Clare (Chair of MLA, appointed under the last Labour government) been having words with Mayor Bullock? They were pals when Roy ran the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. He even addressed the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning in Spring 2008. Overall the staff will be reduced, paid less, be less experienced and qualified. There will be a hit on the Reference Library in Lewisham Central Library. There will be no dedicated Reference staff. Both Reference and non-fiction are expected to be placed on the same floor. Will this result in Reference stock turning into lending stock and disappearing? Best take away in town, yet again. Reference study space is expected to be reduced. This is tantamount to a library closure. The Local History Archive will also lose one member of staff. To date no library campaign group has keeled over in the face of the onslaught or the bribes concocted by Council Officers. I am not sure Ms. Buckton fits the bill of the Ice Queen (or was it the Snow Queen?) and this is no fairy story, but, look at the tactics! The 5 closures are dependent on the re-structuring and the re-structuring is dependent on 5 closures. Room for manoeuvre, doesnt look like it, which is why campaigners are standing firm. Just a thought, what room for manoeuvre has the Council? New Cross says - Must be in the same building, which should have its roof repaired Be open for at least as many hours and be staffed at all times by at least 2 trained, professional librarians (preferably 3) Be funded by the council to an amount in the region of £90,000 (now £105,000 after new information) Have the heritage collection moved to a more suitable location Be genuinely community controlled They hope to include a variety of activities and to make the library better. The outreach suggestions by the Council are truly hopeless and uncosted. Blackheath Village Library says .. The meeting with Ms Buckton was reasonably constructive and she seemed much more willing to listen to us and discuss possibilities. She is willing to consider keeping the library in its present building but the sticking point is staffing and volunteers. (I should think so!) Sydenham says The building must remain an asset of Lewisham Council That the funding of the Library Service including maintenance and repair of the building must continue to be the responsibility of Lewisham Council. That the Council continues to fund, run, and staff the Library and to maintain ( and improve if possible) the existing level of facilities and hours of access. It is clear that no library campaign group can do a deal with the council on the present policy. We will all lose out if they do, or if this Council overrides local feeling (not uncommon!) all users, all potential users, future users all council tax-payers and all tax-payers. We are ALL paying and we all deserve the same service. Such an ill-thought out rag-bag of policies is an insult. The alternative? Read about Bellingham outreach facility. The original Bellingham Library was closed in the nineties. Do not worry, said the Council, all residents will use the new facility at Laurence House (part of Lewisham Town Hall.) Well, they did not. Children, families, the elderly, ordinary residents were left bereft. The library service had deserted THEM! What have we now? Over two years ago the former Library Manager, John Hughes, told the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning about the outreach centre in Bellingham. And what do we have? The latest report says this community library is not yet open. When it is open it will be just staffed by barely trained volunteers for a couple of hours a day. In the Bellingham estate we currently have NOTHING as far as a library service goes . I do not support it being touted as a library service, it is merely a book collection, open limited hours, by volunteers. It is nowhere near what the community needs and something similar certainly does not come close to replacing Sydenham Library. All library users in Lewisham should be frantically concerned about these plans. The Users and Friends of Manor House Library see the writing on the wall, but we have dealt with Lewisham Council over 10 years. These proposals are to take advantage of a situation. They want a much reduced library service that is their bottom line. And thats no fairy tale, either. October 2010 consultation meetings are as follows:- Sydenham, 11th October, 7.00 pm, at the Livesey Memorial Hall, Perry Hill Blackheath, 13th October, 7.30 pm, at the Blackheath Concert Halls Crofton Park, 19th October, 7.00 pm, at St Saviours Church Hall New Cross, 25th October, about the same time, in All Saints Church Hall Grove Park, 27th October, 7.00pm, at the W. G. Grace Centre, 1 Lions Close, S.E.9 4HG Turn out will be crucial. We owe it to ourselves and those who come after us to save a cultural jewel, a true legacy. Patricia Richardson (Secretary of Users and Friends of Manor House Library) (minutes Secretary of Libraries for Life for Londoners) More Chicanery in South London "The Campaign [Upper Norwood Library Campaign] and other Crystal Palace community groups are alarmed by yet another inappropriate manoeuvre by Croydon Council, regarding the Upper Norwood Joint Library. It smacks of duplicity, as Croydon Council flouts the Upper Norwood Joint Library partnership agreement." This is the opening statement of a hardhitting newsletter from the south London library users group. Click for the full newletter. Library Closure Petitions and Political Chicanery in Lewisham Monday night, 20th September 2010, the leaders of the campaigns against 4 library closures met to co-ordinate the coming demonstration at the Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday. It was concerning that nobody came from Grove Park, but, read on. We were four days away from the 106th anniversary of the opening of Sydenham Library, a fine Carnegie building in a state of poor repair. (Thanks Lewisham Council.) Crofton Park campaigners were already applying to English Heritage for the listing of their building, also needing repair, so Sydenham people agreed to follow suit. The latter had applied before but was turned down on the grounds of alterations to the building. However, it was agreed to try again. Listing would give the buildings protection, force the Councils hand on some repair work and prevent the prospects of poor development if the worst came to the worst. In spite of long, round about discussions the bottom line agreed was that none of the libraries (Sydenham, Crofton Park, New Cross, Blackheath Village) would accept an offer by the Council to renege on the defence of the library they had. Any offer would be an outreach facility with no library staff. The options suggested do not merit the description of service. It is still incomprehensible that the Council officers have stated that none of these libraries would return. How this decision can be binding on future administrations is undemocratic and indefensible. But, there you have it! Thursday evening, 23rd September, less than one day from the 106th anniversary of the opening of Sydenham Library, we mustered outside the Town Hall with children, babes in arms, mothers, oldies, in betweenies and youngsters as well as lots of banners, the most beautiful custom made by a supporter of Blackheath Village Library. A young woman from Sydenham Radio toured the crowd with her microphone, many photos were taken. Someone from the steps led us in the traditional chants, in order to embarrass attending councillors, No ifs, no buts, no library cuts! You get the drift. Others had a go at making up rhymes on the spur of the moment. John Hamilton, former mayoral candidate for People Before Profit produced the Libraries song, to the tune of The Internationale. We even had copies distributed! This time Grove Park was well represented. And guess what? They want to keep their library, too!!! You might call it a full house. Even a couple of Unions were represented. At 7.20 pm (5 hours from the 106th anniversary of Sydenham Library) we were invited to the Public Gallery of the Council Chamber. There were not enough copies of the agenda, councillors questions, public questions or the amendment on the library closures issue. But we managed. Of the 41 public questions nearly all were on the topic of library closures. There were even some councillors who asked library questions. These questions and answers should be available on the Council website. The next Council Question Time is Wednesday 24th November, decision day for the libraries policy. The questions deadline is midnight, Tuesday 9th November 2010. During Petition Time the petitions against library closures were handed over by local councillors:- Crofton Park 4600 Sydenham - 3700 Blackheath Village 4467 New Cross - 1700 Grove Park - 1076 And so to the amendment There was an amendment to Item 15 which was the motion in the name of Cllr Maines (Lib-Dem) to be seconded by Cllr. Bowen (Lib-Dem) (A) The amendment is proposed by Cllr Best (Labour Cabinet member for Community Services) and seconded by Cllr Bonavia. Insert at the end if at all possible considering the coalition governments likely cuts to Lewishams funding The amended motion would read: Council calls upon the Mayor not to proceed with the full proposed reduction in the boroughs library services if at all possible considering the coalition governments likely cuts to Lewishams funding. After much politicking and attempts at point scoring the motion with the amendment was passed unanimously. Some typical political chicanery here, especially as the Council admitted to planning for expenditure reductions before 6th May 2010. The Executive Director for Resources advised members that the Council will face a need to reduce its budget by £50m - £60m over 3 years 2011/12 to 2013/14. In addition earlier public planning documents., e.g. the Financial Survey in autumn 2009, demonstrate that the Council was already actively planning for a more austere financial climate, including estimates then of savings requirements of up to £55m. This information is taken directly from the answer given in Q.5, in response to Cllr Fletchers question. In other words, as has been repeated long and often, they knew what was coming, whatever the government in power. But, back to the amendment, last word really today, the day of the 106th anniversary of the opening of Sydenham Library . FIVE PROPOSED LIBRARY CLOSURES IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM SEPTEMBER 2010 ROUNDUP 16TH SEPTEMBER 2010: WHERE ARE WE NOW? It is difficult to say. Perhaps what should be said is Where is the Council policy, now? After the 5 first consultation meetings the public and library users are quite clear, Books rather than Bullock, says it all really. We know where we stand and have no idea why the Council officer class cannot look at this in any other way. It certainly shows up their limitations! Why would they do that? Why give a very unpopular policy to the Mayor for consideration? Why pick on libraries? Councillors elected in May 2010 have, by and large, opted to oppose the policy, but it only takes one third of councillors to vote through a budget, as Cllr Maines (Lib-Dem) reminded Ms. Buckton. It is still very intriguing how vital snippets of information are excluded from the general discussion, which then turn out to be utterly crucial. So, on the other hand, are we dealing with a cunning plan? Are we being manipulated into jumping through hoops created for us, by the officer class, to produce a desired result, known only to themselves? I dunno. My experience of manipulation has revealed how often it does not turn out as plotted. The whole country is littered with the unintended consequences of policies that were implemented, because WE know best! and YOU dont! Worse, little is thought through. Is this all too Machiavellian and have I been subject to Council workings for far too long? Let me OUT! 1. The proposed closures will result in a two tier service. 2. Some of these libraries have 6000 -7000 visitors per month, where does it leave them? Some users are elderly, infirm, young mothers with children always the big losers in this kind of situation. 3. We are all paying taxes of some kind, even a childs pocket money may go on sweeties (VAT), so, what are we paying for, if we do not have equality of provision? 4. Having only 7 libraries (and maybe outreach sites) will have a greatly damaging impact on the whole library service in Lewisham. 5. Libraries are a cultural jewel. Their value to all communities cannot be underestimated and if fostered they will thrive. I speak of literacy and the cultural but the added educational, social and civic benefits are just as important. 6. We accept savings are required. Authorities and officers should accept they have often spent unwisely and foolishly, misusing eye-watering amounts of public money. Change is essential. What should be done, in view of the looming fiscal crisis? Armageddon was trailed by Steve Bundred, CE of the Audit Commission, in Feb. 2009. Our Council still saw fit to spend £12m on consultants fees in 2009/2010. 1. Central Government, as the payer of most local authority spending, needs to get its act together. a. Where are its guidelines for cuts? Where is the leadership from the Centre? b. The announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review on 20th October 2010 gives little time for long term solutions. 2. Public Services are in Shared Ownership is the Council co-ordinating employee engagement with the requirements of users of services, alongside funding? 3. How will councillors deal with this in their own wards? How will an elected Mayor use his overriding power? 4. How will these authorities deal with public reaction? What will be the Government reaction? Will national politicians stay out of the local debate? The Government says it favours the Big Society and Localism. Areas of discretionary spending, locally, are increasing. Where does this lead? 5. The link between tax payers, their money and political representation needs to be restored, on both sides. 6. Trust, openness, fairness and patience should be watch words, if difficult to achieve. Is it the Chinese who say, There are no problems, only opportunities? Whoever, in the present situation it is a good starting point. But is there time? Further information on some of the threatened libraries: Click for Blackheath Village Library, click for Crofton Park Library, Sydenham Library The Final Episode of Pat Richardson's Lewisham Library Closures Saga [perhaps] - Grove Park Library Continued from Episode Two (click for episode 1, click for episode 2, click for episode 3, click for episode 4, click for episode 5 ) Wednesday 25th August 2010, the gods were displeased. The rain hammered down, especially on parts of the high glass roof, some thunder thundered as it passed and the evening darkened very quickly. Nevertheless 90 residents turned out to hear just why Lewisham Council was proposing to destroy, forever, their library. Ironically we were seated in the large hall of the local TA where every sound made was swallowed up by poor acoustics or drowned out by the weather. Yet again no microphones were available so we all strained to hear a word. But, as it seems they do not listen anyway, maybe it was not so ironic on that level too. Back to the first ironic here we were in the TA hall 70 years since the Battle of Britain. Prior to 1940 a proposal was made to close Britains public libraries, to discourage numbers of people being present in single locations. It was decided, in the interests of social cohesion, to preserve normality, to keep up morale and maintain community spirit, this should NOT be done. Are our current authorities, politicians, officers lesser people than of those times? The British people endured 6 years of WAR with libraries, now we cannot deal with debt without closing libraries! Books rather than Bullock declaimed one Grove Park resident to the 90 present after listening to Ms. Bucktons limp excuses for closing their library. Every time she says how she knows they are much loved and well-used, but, hey, tough, yours has to go! Interestingly one of her first statements was to say that it was not the building that was a problem, but the leaflets first point is that the building is in poor condition and requires substantial investment. The library function could be re-located/co-located but no financial costs are given. If they do not know where or when how can it possibly be stated that Relinquishing the five buildings identified for closure will realise revenue savings in maintenance costs and rent of ca. £240,000 per year. The lady behind me had it right, Its just a jumble of words to me. The three local councillors all stood and introduced themselves, saying they supported the library. Cllrs. Allison and Britton (Conservative) both wanted to hear views before making a final decision. Cllr. Allison felt council money could be spent more wisely and not on the councils own pet projects, e.g. Local Assemblies, which cost £1m annually. Cllr Clarke (Lab) had a long list of how this relatively small library building could be used to accommodate many other services e.g. Sure Start and what might be possible in a more affluent future, but, she was keen to keep the library having fought to save it 10 years ago. Ms. Buckton did admit later that there was no capital available to re-build at present. Mr. Fox demanded microphones and also suggested cutting out council vanity projects, not to mention the regular publication of Lewisham Life. A million here, a million there, pretty soon we are talking big money! More than enough to save libraries. Pleas were made on behalf of the 2 Primary schools in the area, who needed the library for project books and could not possibly get to the next nearest library at Downham. Bob Mathew-Walker put the question many wanted the answer to, and not just in Grove Park. Why was it that the building was in such poor condition? When they had the money at the Town Hall why had they not used it for such purposes? He also pointed out that council information stated expenditure on premises was 0.4%. If it was so low and money was spent elsewhere this saving would be wiped out. By this time someone was so desperate they suggested local people contribute money to keep the library open. Another resident, a teacher, said the library was vital to the area. Encouraging users to travel further was ecologically unsound. He suggested reducing hours at other libraries. If the per hours costs were correct then Grove Park was good value for money. As were many present he was angry that earlier negligence by the council resulted in the public losing its services. He needs quoting, we want to use it, we want to continue to use it and continue to use it in the future. Another speaker, angry at having his library picked on for closure, said if you spend money on libraries keep them open, if you dont you close them. (He meant all of them.) Bill Bishop suggested ring fencing the service, it was that important. Others drew attention to what the site offered, the childrens playground, the garden, the value of books and how precious it all was. Decisions needed to be made at local level. Concerns were expressed about the future of the staff, what would happen to the land and property. Another added that Lewisham was actually advertising for librarians. What would happen to a closed building? Would it become a target for vandals? Answers were somewhat skated over but Steve Gough did say that as the building was on Metropolitan Open Land it was protected and would be difficult to build on. This was not bought in any shape or form by those present. They mostly had an inbuilt distrust of the council and politicians in general. An old timer (campaigner) from 10 years ago, Geoff Cox, reminded everyone that it had been planned to sell the land then. He warned everyone they were going to have to pull out all the stops to save that library. It was noticeable that a certain weariness had settled over the meeting, especially the panel Ms. Buckton, Ms. Renwick, Mr. Rizzo and Mr. Gough maybe all these meetings of constant repetition, trying to remember what you had made up before and obvious distrust from the public was getting to them. Cllr Best wound up the meeting and promised to take views back to the Mayor, that is, if she had heard them. The panel was quite keen to get away, but in conclusion, surely venues could be better chosen, sound and vision equipment provided and some semblance of professionalism might be attempted. At times officers could not always be bothered to stand to speak to the public! If these are the proposals you should look as if you are taking the whole procedure seriously. And what did it all cost? See Council Question Time, cut off date for questions Wednesday 8th September at midnight. Answers are to be given at the full Council meeting on Thursday 23rd September. We should all go along. There is nothing like the numbers game!! Episode Five of Pat Richardson's Lewisham Library Closures Saga - Crofton Park Library (click for episode 1, click for episode 2, click for episode 3, click for episode 4, click for final episode) From my 9 pages of notes it is clear this was the best attended, most vociferously angry meeting yet! To say the panel of officers was flagging is not an exaggeration and everything falls on Ms. Buckton, except the ringmasters duties. We all had a leaflet presentation on our chairs and yet again Ms. Buckton went through the proposals, flanked by the Head of Library Services and the Head of Culture. Why pick on Crofton Park? It is not in bad condition but will require investment in the future e.g. electrics, the boiler. There was a possibility of using Brockley Primary school, which was due for rebuilding, and could incorporate a new library facility. The Mayor had asked for the proposals and consultations. No decisions had been made. Our ringmaster (Steve Gough) limited us to one question per person, due to the numbers present. Firstly Cllr. Bowen (Lib-Dem) queried the chronic under investment in such a well used facility. Where was the long term strategic planning? Steve replied that his department had about 160 buildings to maintain and simply did not have the resources. Queries followed on finding other funding and/or bring in more money for other projects. Cllr Johnson (Green) asked how the primary school would deal with possible breeches in security with strange adults coming and going? Ms. Buckton said they were already dealing with this in a refurbished school in Bellingham (Bellingham lost its library in the 1990s). A newly built primary school in Deptford would have a new public library (to replace the existing library Wavelengths.) Attention was drawn to the fact that the new Brockley primary school plans had not even gone to planning yet. How would these plans now incorporate a library and where would the money come from? How would this fit in with the proposed timetable for closure April 2011? The panel was asked at what point did they think this was the right thing to do? As an aspect of social cohesion (mentioned a lot) it was vital to keep the library. All users present could not understand why anything else would be done. What was to happen to the building? How would this affect the public realm? What would be the impact on the local shops and bank? Crofton Park has 7000 visitors per month. This footfall helps keep local facilities going. One resident who really made an impact spoke of the value of the library to her foster children - when things got tough it was a refuge and an outlet for them. They were always welcomed by staff and learnt to be part of the community. As this was seen as the centre of the community a more creative approach to its use was required. The suggestion was to make more connection with business or other partners to provide computer training suites, a job club, use of the upper floor. All residents believed not enough time was being given to serious consideration of future possiblities. They were tired of short term fixes. John Hamilton (who had stood for the People Before Profit party in the May elections) realised votes across London had gone to Labour as Conservative cuts were feared. But, that is what we were getting anyway. Why would the Council not be brave, stand up for local communities and tell central government it was not going to play ball? Although many councillors in areas affected promised to vote against the cuts this was a damp squib. In an elected Mayor authority the Mayor held all the cards and all the power. Ms. Buckton reiterated what she says is the key saving, fewer staff, but this would be voted on by the full council. Cllr Maines pointed out that only a third of full council votes was needed to support the budget, which is 18 out of 54. Demands were made for the presence of the Mayor, especially when the council had spent so much on consultation fees last year - £12m. Jim proved a star and loudly declaimed his disgust. As it was not a fait accompli, most people did not want a change to Crofton Park or piecemeal solutions what were the strategies for taking on the government? Why erode the quality of our lives? You need to answer that! There followed a statement that, in essence we were all vulnerable people and we would all be hurt by these proposals. And then the next star appeared in the firmament. An elderly lady was concerned about redundancies and those costs as well as the loss of jobs. She wanted to know how she and others like her were supposed to get to Forest Hill Library? She felt this move would take everything from the community when in the past such buildings had provided for the people, by the people. Yet she was well aware if Steve Bullock said No, it was No! She was articulate, thoughtful and sound. They did not dare try to shut her up. Another asked why we had this all or nothing approach? Why not keep the service ticking over, reduce across the board and re-start when times were better? Ms. Buckton said this was not viable. She was asked how many volunteers worked in Lewisham Libraries, but said there were none. Cllr Morrison (Crofton Park ward, Cabinet member for the Third Sector) supported residents in their attempts to keep the library but had an idea that there was a possiblity of asset transfer of the building to community groups. Where the money was to come from in such hard times to support such a venture was not suggested. Ms. Buckton then told us that a room with 1000 books was to be provided on the Honour Oak Estate. We need to know these costs! But this is not comparable to a library anyway. It was truly amazing that every suggestion made to improve the position was met with why it could NOT be done. As someone said, defeatist! Finally someone asked the key question, so important, where is the cost benefit analysis? When it exists (as if) will it include the social costs? Well, you may not be surprised to learn it is now called a Quality Impact Assessment, and they would be talking to EVERYONE!!! Former Socialist Worker councillor, Ian Page, reminded everyone what had happened when St Katharines library Telegraph Hill) was closed, both to the service and the building. There were shouts of and Stanstead Road and Bromley Road. Like me he had served on the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning, which predicted none of this. He reminded us that it was the pre-election council members who had voted through the list of cuts to be looked at. Dont say nobody knew. The other end of the age spectrum was represented by a young girl, about 10, who fearlessly and warmly spoke of the value of the library to her. Big rounds of applause, natch! At least everyone had the chance to speak and make it abundantly clear how these proposals were stoutly opposed. There were proposals to dissolve the local assemblies as they cost £1m pa. Why was the council spending £11m on St Laurence House (council officer territory) refurbishment? Sorry this is long, but there is more, much more. I hope you have a strong flavour of how valued our libraries are and what potential they have, from people who live in the real world. Episode Four of Pat Richardson's Lewisham Library Closures Saga - Sydenham Library (click for episode 1, click for episode 2, click for episode 3, click for episode 5, click for final episode ) For the third meeting to discuss 5 library closures we trekked through the London borough of Lewisham to seek out the prey in Sydenham. We almost made it to Crystal Palace because the officers had chosen the most distant hunting ground from Sydenham library that you could imagine. In spite of this, fellow trekkers had turned out in force, over 80 of them. Some of the enemy, councillors, other officers etc made us about 100. Nobody revealed that Sydenham library is actually in Bellingham ward, until one of its councillors let us know. Councillors did turn out. Three wards ere represented Sydenham, Bellingham and Perry Vale. Those present did vow to fight these proposed cuts. Interestingly each presentation is slightly different, almost as if they are trying to learn by all the mistakes they make, because nothing is thought through. Attempts at the Power Point presentation, the first, led to a map of SE London, showing all the public libraries. As Peter later pointed out, use our maps instead. One map shows the present library situation in Lewisham, the other shows Lewisham minus 5 libraries. It is available on this site and amply illustrates the desert created across a whole swathe of west Lewisham. The Sydenham Society news letter editor grabbed copies for use in their newsletter. Back to basics our chairman this time was Steve Gough, in charge of Lewisham Buildings. This was the new strain of difficulty introduced. If the library buildings are closed not only will £830,000 be saved on staff but an extra £170,000 will be saved on building maintenance! Therefore the net save is £!m and as was said before Ms. Buckton has delegated powers from the Mayor to take decisions on projects of this amount. She keeps repeating it is for the Mayor, council and cabinet to decide. She accepted that Sydenham was popular, well-used (like all our libraries) so we want to look at options to relocate the library provision into existing community buildings and possible establish new, mutually beneficial partnerships. Unfortunately this building (a most attractive Carnegie, purpose built library) is in poor condition. The roof needs work and it will cost £250, 000 that is the magic figure. It is ALWAYS £250,000! Any outreach support would not be on a daily basis, but you would retain IT and access for childrens activities. Nobody suggested the costs here. It is clear other options can prove expensive. QUESTIONS there were so many questions and those present took no prisoners. How spending was prioritised actually revealed that Forest Hill Library (we were meeting closer to that than Sydenham library) had been renovated at a possible cost of one and a half million (officers were not quite sure.) Local Assembly members promised to look at the Councils budget. As that part of Sydenham was an area of deprivation with 4 primary schools why were we here in the school holidays? Ms. Buckton is used to making things up as you go along, and thinking of answers on the hoof, so she did. It was not an unseemly rush, we had to be prepared! Primary school views would be taken into account as would those of families with pre-school children who could not turn up at 7pm. However TINA rules, nothing would meet the level of saving required except reduction in staff (or lost jobs) and transfer of buildings. Sydenham library is on the edge of Home Park, the chairman of the Friends of Home Park was devastated at the proposed loss of the library when they had worked so hard to make Home Park a decent, wellused place. A new childrens playground, an outdoor gym, a summer house in the centre and the library were integral to this project. This could hold the community together, so he focused on the social costs of closure and the damage to the whole surrounding area, where there was so little for people. If the building was not properly used everyone felt it would be a target for vandalism and destruction. Julia Webb expressed her doubt about the figures given, as did many others. She felt (what we always say keep it ticking over) that the economic crisis was not permanent (we hope) so keep using the building as it is. Are the refurbishment costs urgent? The priority was to keep the library open. Ms. Buckton flunked her lines by saying when the building closes but was immediately challenged on this. She was accused of not answering questions properly and going on to the next, while presenting us with a fait accompli! Our friend, Cllr Best, at last spoke up and drew attention to Manor House library users being present and what benefits had been achieved at their library. My raised hand and But were overridden but eventually I caught the eye of my friend Steve and managed to ask how it could be justified to put so much money into these other libraries (Forest Hill, Wavelengths, Manor House, Downham) with such long opening hours and end up by leaving other residents virtually bereft? They were paying the same taxes for others to enjoy the benefits. Yet again we had the democratic deficit. (My hobby horse.) Rounds of applause, as happened throughout the evening. Ms. Bucktons non-answer centred on staffing cuts not being available in these libraries as they already had RFID (self-issue) so staffing had been cut to the bone. Peters moment, up he jumped shouting I interject! He pointed out that Manor House was fully staffed for all its opening hours and users often chose NOT to use RFID, but go to a librarian. We have since learnt that the system regularly breaks down in the Manor House so a member of staff is required. My turn to shout, You are in danger of creating a two tier service. More applause. But, I must add, not only does this invoke the 1964 Public Libraries Act, what about equal opportunities? Overall those present were very unhappy. The value of the library was uncontested, young Mums, small children, social interaction, community interests, the elderly, the unemployed and even those who just want a book. It is not rocket science. The panel of officers was accused of supporting excessively high salaries for some, would an impact assessment have an effect on the decisions? What about the statutory requirement to provide a comprehensive and efficient service? Dont go there!!!! Finally, finally they were accused of being derelict in their duties. No attention had been paid to the condition of these buildings in spite of these officers having been around a long time, with money sloshing around the system. They had let us down badly and should not expect us to pay the price. Why not cut the PR budget? Why not discontinue the Local Assemblies, as libraries were worth more? No answer there though. Monday night sees us at Crofton Park, Wednesday at Grove Park and then the closure caravan moves on to the next stage. Fahrenheit 451 in Lewisham Temperatures are rising in Lewisham as the battle to scupper the borough's library closure program intensifies. The directly elected mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, is a major target for the wrath of the protestors. He is regarded as a latter-day Savonarola, with extreme political expediency replacing the religious frenzy. Both motivations can be very destructive and Lewisham's residents fear that the contempt for education and culture exhibited for a short time in late 15th century Florence is replicated in their borough's administration. Lewisham Library Closures Meetings Diary Grove Park Library, Wed. 25th August at 7.00 pm, in the TA Centre, Baring Road, Grove Park, S.E.12 0BH Crofton Park Library, on Monday 23rd August, at 7.00 pm in St Saviours Hall, Brockley Rise, S.E.23 The Crofton Park Library page: localgroups/lewisham/CroftonPark.htm Episode Three of Pat Richardson's Lewisham Library Closures Saga - New Cross Library O, reason not the need! Wednesday evening, 18.8.2010, found us in the rays of the setting sun trying to do just that! The Moonshot (!) Centre was our venue and we sat on a mock Greco/Roman arrangement of steep steps, totally inaccessible if you were disabled or infirm. Truthfully the Greeks and Romans did it better. This put the council entourage at somewhat of a disadvantage, being in the pit, and very vulnerable. It was the same old faces, facing us. It was the same old explanation. We were all prepared to reason the need. New Cross Library has some added refinements as problems. It is now in the control of Lewisham Homes, an ALMO, set up in January 2007. The library is housed in what is a shop site. The basement houses the Lewisham History Society collection, as there is nowhere else to go, and was always subject to flooding. It still is. As a reason for closure this is a non-starter. Why has nobody, either Lewisham Council or, now, Lewisham Homes, dealt with repair? If the library goes what will Lewisham Homes do? The usual suspects were put forward as possible alternative sites, but a proper, clear explanation of what was involved was not given. As time went on you could sense those present were not buying it. Having been through it all before (Fluff and Bluff, Bluff and Fluff) Anne and Alan, Pat and Peter grew weary, but hung in there. Minds drift off into wondering what exactly are the costs of other options. Experience says, quite a lot. Mostly everyone else was amazed and one or two were really angry. Bit by bit this picked up momentum. Of course its not well used, it is closed most of the time!. What it does do in a run down, deprived area is exceptional! Without this facility on the main road, the whole of New Cross would suffer. Libraries are social levellers! People were concerned about those who would lose jobs. They were even more concerned that highly salaried staff showed no signs of opting for pay-cuts, let alone redundancy. Nearly everyone present felt there must be another way. We cannot have staffing figures until December. The decision to close is to be made by November. We do not have proper costings for some libraries. How is it a fair consultation when the public does not have precise accounts of how its money is spent? My question on pools/leisure centres was answered, although I already knew the answer. Where council services are outsourced, as are all the pools/leisure centres and the parks/gardens, the council cannot escape from the contract. Therefore services such as libraries, still in council control, will take a heavier hit. On being a statutory service it is not a statutory service, although backed by Act of Parliament, in the sense of a legal requirement. SEE YOU IN COURT. Finally Ms. Buckton said proposals to close New Cross would be decided by the council in November and it was not her decision, or that of officers, to make. She may have forgotten that the elected Mayor arranged for the delegated powers of officers to include any project under £1m. Such a project is the non-spending of £830,000 over 3 years, about £277,000pa. If savings cannot be found to cover this, the top ranking officers are not worth their high ranking salaries. The best moment of the evening was Ms. Buckton flunking the question on the fee to be paid for ordering a book (50p) and her colleagues not helping her out. Do you use the library? some wag interjected. She promised Anne that as fewer books would be available in each outreach centre the normal fee would not be payable. Lost revenue? Councillors present from Telegraph Hill Ward opposed the library cuts and when challenged promised not to vote for the budget. New Cross Ward councillors started out like that but its not cut and dried as they may support an alternative venue. Cllr Maslin, Cabinet member for Resources was somewhat equivocal. You know what I mean. Cllr Best, Cabinet member for Communities yet again said nothing. She may speak up on Thursday, as Sydenham is her area. It has to be asked why the council allowed each building to get into the state it is in, yet when money was freely available they chose to spend £12m on consultants last year. Reason not the need! The Future Library Programme On 16th August, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) announced which local government groups had been chosen to participate in phase one of the Future Library Programme. This partnership between national and local governments is intended to help the library service during the current challenging financial situation, with an ambition to ensure libraries play a central role for communities in the Big Society. Ten proposals have been chosen by the DCMS from the fifty-one submissions, representing over 100 local authorities. The ten projects will be offered practical support and advice in this phase. There are two London groups included on the chosen list. These are: · Lewisham with Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark (total population = 1.9 million approx.) · Kensington & Chelsea with Hammersmith & Fulham (total population = 350 thousand approx.) Other chosen groups are: · Northumberland with Durham · Bolton, with Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan · Bradford · Lincolnshire, with Rutland, Cambridgeshire, North East Lincs, Peterborough · Suffolk · Oxfordshire with Kent · Herefordshire with Shropshire · Cornwall with Devon, Plymouth, Torbay The DCMS press release states the programme promises to build momentum on the ideas that have been generated and spread learning between library authorities to achieve cost savings, new partnerships and governance models, and to take advantage of digital opportunities. Central to the programme is the vision for library services to have greater connection with other local services and an ambition for services to be designed around the needs of the public, rather than based on organisational boundaries. In the present financial climate, it is highly probable that the cost savings part of the programme is intended to be the overwhelmingly dominant one, with all other items serving to produce that outcome. History suggests that the needs of the public are unlikely to be considered very deeply and will be interpreted in such a way as to support the cost savings proposals. Perhaps library users should consider this initiative to be a damage limitation exercise. The cost savings will be obtained by hook or by crook. The national government is determined to obtain them and local government is in no position to resist. The local government preference is always for the simplest solution to a problem and there is no doubt that, as far as public libraries are concerned, that means library closures. Recognition that public libraries can make a huge contribution to education and social mobility has been lost in local government. Right wing Councillors consider public libraries to be a waste of public money (everyone can afford to buy books for themselves, is their argument), left wing Councillors consider them to be a subsidy for the middle classes and moderate Council Members are often simply not interested. Thus, the quick fix of library closures is almost irresistible for the political class. There is a possibility that the Future Library Programme will force everyone to rationally consider that future. So, some good may come out of it. Both the chosen Future Libraries Programmes from London are based on developing cross border cooperation. The south London one envisages cooperation over a very large area, but the west London proposal is limited to just two local authorities. It is obvious that the project most likely to succeed is the low key, low risk one in the west of the capital. There are just too many axes grinding in the south for anything worthwhile to be achieved, apart from large quantities of hype. However, the southern group has the potential to do the most good, if its worst performing boroughs (Lambeth & Greenwich, with 134.513 & 146.979 active borrowers per thousand residents respectively) can be brought up to the standard of the best borough (Bexley, with 261.081 active borrowers per thousand residents). Sadly, with the heavy emphasis on cost reduction, it is also very possible for the best boroughs to be dragged down towards the worst - for the group to adopt the worst practices of its members, rather than the best. One of the problems that the south London group will have to untangle is the one caused by the Lewisham library closure programme. There, the Council is proposing to close five of its libraries (over 40% of existing libraries). The threatened libraries are sited outside the boroughs central area and the proposals will therefore result in a withdrawal of service from Lewisham residents living on the periphery of the borough. For those Lewisham residents who live in the affected areas and have difficulty travelling, this is a disaster. Lewisham Council is targeting mothers with young children and the sick & disabled. So, the needs of the public part of the Future Libraries Programme is already compromised in south London. Most of these needy people will simply stop using public libraries entirely (the best possible outcome from the viewpoint of a local authority seekinf cost savings). A few will demand to be served by the Home Library Service (if it survives the cuts) and will thus receive a poor substitute for what has been withdrawn. For those Lewisham residents who can travel easily, there is the choice of travelling to central Lewisham or travelling to a neighbouring borough. As the closure program is totally driven by financial considerations, Lewisham Council would clearly prefer the latter option to be chosen. Not a good start for a project dedicated to improving cooperation between neighbouring authorities. https://www.mla.gov.uk/what/strategies/Support_for_councils_to_re-model_libraries https://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/~/media/Files/pdf/2010/libraries/Future%20libraries%20programme%20summaries AT Aug 2010 - - - - - Not Bothered by Lewisham Library Closures In response to a protest to Ed Vaizey (Minister for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries) from a library friends group in Lewisham; the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) stated that the proposed massive reduction in library services in the borough do not necessarily constitute a breach of the 1964 Act (the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964). The letter (click to view) was not actually from the Minister, but from a military sounding Public Engagement and Recognition Unit. The subaltern in charge of the unit admitted, The Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport [Jeremy Hunt] does have a statutory duty to ensure that public library authorities in England provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. The problem is that Secretaries of State at the DCMS have invariably avoided "engagement" with and "recognition" of the more difficult public library issues. In essence, there is little difference between the Lewisham response of the DCMS under Conservative Jeremy Hunt and the initial Wirral response under Labour Andy Burnham its someone-elses problem. The someone-else, according to the DCMS, is a combination of the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA) and the Local Government Association (LGA). One of these organisations is in the process of being wound-up and the other is specifically tasked with representing the body causing the problem and its peers. This traditional DCMS catch 22 scenario is meant to insulate the department from the real world, but the desired outcome is always achieved at the expense of library users throughout the country. Ed Vaizey has promised that he will meet library users representatives in the autumn. Let us hope that this meeting will be early enough to have an influence on the rapidly developing Lewisham situation. It is unfortunate that library users have to rely on obtaining a meeting with a busy Minister to get their voices heard. Library users have had a national organisation for a quarter of a century and it is difficult to understand why this has not been part of the decision making process for many years. If it had been, the Wirral debacle would have been quickly resolved, with far less embarrassment to the DCMS. 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, Wirral inquiry report: Episode Two of Pat Richardson's Lewisham Library Closures Saga - Grove Park Library (click for episode 1, click for episode 3, click for episode, click for episode 5, click for final episode) Armed with a list of points, 2 maps and copies of e-mails, I set off on Saturday morning [7th August], very enthusiastically, to talk to the Labour Councillor in Grove Park ward. Being a bit of a Pollyanna I was not downhearted at receiving no reply to my two e-mails, as her Conservative ward colleague on the Council had not replied either. My concerns were the proposed closure of Grove Park Library and the possible loss of Adult Education at the Grove Park Centre. It was hoped they would have been interested in the 2 main facilities their ward offers, hence my attempted visit. It was not to be. Would you believe these poor over-worked councillors take August off, like the MPs, I was told! Having only been elected in May and facing a crisis on all fronts, according to our elected Mayor, one hour a month, in August, is just too much for the poor dears. So, London has the benefit of my words. There will be an impact on the whole of Lewishams library service if these closures go ahead. While on the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning (2008/2009) the Mayor did mention he had seen the books and it was not pretty. But, at no time was it suggested any library closures would result. Read the Commission report on Lewishams website, if it has not been removed in haste to fit with the latest scenario. At the first Blackheath Village consultation it was noticeable that officers were running the show. It occurred to me that they were treading a very fine line between presenting policy and promoting policy. Two of the Blackheath ward councillors did make comments, however, Cllr. Best the Cabinet member for Community Services -was in the back row and contributed nothing on behalf of the elected administration. Ms Buckton Head of Community Services on £131,000 (+ some pennies) stated that once these libraries had gone they would never come back. How is it that an unelected, unaccountable officer is able to make this decision in perpetuity for all Lewisham councils to come, all future politicians and officers? Does it exceed her brief? Does it exceed her powers? Will she never retire? Unfortunately Sir Ian Mills had revealed that discussions had begun on the future of Blackheath 4 months earlier. That would have been the end of March, before the elections. So why was this not put before the electorate? We all know why, but it is still worth asking! Another aspect not tackled is that all Council buildings come under its Building Services department. These costs are not part of the library budget. That needs further investigation and we are currently asking for the library budget book. Otherwise it is extremely difficult to unravel the complex spending involved in the different bodies and business contracts providing buildings. Interestingly, of the five proposed closures, two are not owned by the Council. By closing the other three the Council is literally shutting itself down. No comments necessary. As they used to say at Saturday morning pictures, after the cartoons, Thats all for now folks! But this story will run and run. Why is it impossible to consider that the service should be kept ticking over until such times as it maybe revived? Why go out of business? There is more to this than meets the eye. Lewisham Library Closures Update Residents living towards the periphery of the borough of Lewisham have been targeted by the Council for library closures. It is unknown how pleased adjacent boroughs are at being forced to dip into their shrinking resources to provide library services for the abandoned Lewisham residents. Of course, the danger is that the adjacent boroughs will simply retaliate with similar closures and provide the next step in spreading the practice throughout London. If this does happen, Lewisham Council will bear a heavy responsibility. Sydenham Library, Thursday 19th August at 7.00 pm, in the Grove Centre, 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, S.E.26 6PL New Cross Library, on Wed. 18th August at 7.00 pm in the Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Angus Street, New Cross, S.E.14 6LU More Library Redundancies An estimated 40 redundancies are expected in the Harrow Library Service as a result of the borough's move towards self service in the libraries. The borough intends to install 22 radio frequency identification (rfid) self-issue machines. The installation of the machines is at the heart of Harrow's "Better Deal for Residents" program which is designed to save £50 million over three years. NO SECRETS, TOTAL TRANSPARENCY - as if, with Lewisham Council Episode 1 of a Long Saga The future of Blackheath Village Library, as explained at the FIRST Lewisham consultation meeting on 28th July 2010, as if! The venue was packed, lists and lists of names were taken and conducting the meeting were Aileen Buckton, Head of Community Services and Malcolm J. Smith heading Regeneration. Ms. Buckton explained, as she has often done, the Council cannot wait and be caught out by not being ready with its plans for CUTS. All councils are doing this! Will they all get the same Fluff and Bluff which all Lewisham officers trade in?! The estimate is that Lewisham will have to find £60m savings from 2011 -2014. The exceptions will be statutory services. Nobody seems to have revealed that the Library Service is a statutory obligation under the 1964 Public Libraries Act. She went on to say that officers believe this has to be done in one fell swoop. With an annual library budget of £4.2m staffing has to go. It is necessary to withdraw from 5 buildings and restructure the staff. WHY? Well, there are buildings with problems (due to lack of attention by Lewisham Council.) The lease on one library, (Blackheath) costs £75,000 pa and that is due to poor Council decision making, to be found in the archives. As a result of many poor decisions, we have problems. Let us look at the figures Annual net spend on the library service in Lewisham = £4,207,410 The L&IS will not be exempt [from local government budget cuts] and is aiming to realize cashable savings of approx. 25% of its Total Expenditure (£830,000) Is this per annum? Is it over the 3 years? 41% of libraries in Lewisham will close leaving large numbers of residents not able to access a library. However, they will be paying for the remaining, more expensive libraries, through any kind of tax they pay. Not a good deal! However, nobody has suggested closing one swimming pool and/or leisure centre in Lewisham. They are having a lot of money spent on them. The newly refurbished Forest Hill and newly built Loampit Vale pools will be ready by 2012. Downham has been up and running for 3 years and we await yet another new Wavelengths. Why are pools/leisure complexes more important than libraries? They are not a statutory requirement. A solution is sought by perhaps doing a deal with a community organisation or school. The name of the game is CO-LOCATION, but, read on. Arising from the background was Sir Ian Mills, chair of The Age Exchange in Blackheath Village, running the Reminiscence Centre a long standing charity with quite a large property, which holds events, runs a café, features exhibitions, has its office etc etc. Believe it or not, talks started FOUR months ago, at SENIOR LEVEL, of course. Forget about the little people, who wait at least 3 months before learning what is in store. We only pay the bills! 3 weeks ago talk had come down to the practicality of re-locating the library in the Reminiscence Centre (yes, rent would be required.) Also involved were the chairs of the Blackheath Village Library User Group and the Blackheath Society. Sir Ian hopes to be part of the solution and will operate with total transparency, with the community, and there would be NO SECRETS! You have noticed!!! ABSOLUTELY NO CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE IMPACT ON THE LIBRARY SERVICE PROVISION ACROSS THE BOROUGH. All residents are paying for this! To continue, there was another meeting 6 days ago with Ms. Buckton. Lewisham agreed to put forward a range of service specifications. Architects had been commissioned to upgrade and modernise the upper and lower floors. A co-ordinating oversight group had been formed comprising Blackheath Village Residents, The Blackheath Society, BVLUG, Sir Ian Mills and Bridget Prentice. Who she? Well, there is a blow for independence! Bridget Prentice is the former Labour MP for Lewisham East and to say she has a good understanding of local communities beggars belief. She is one of them. Their report will be out at the end of August. Time is of the essence. Sir Ians last word, Oh, but keep the campaigning going. The questions started and the first led to the admission that the Reminiscence Centre is actually in the London Borough of Greenwich, just. Others wondered why cuts were necessary at all. Indeed, during the financial year 2009/10 Lewisham, by its own admission, spent £12m on consultants. In the new year it was announced that it had bought the run down Catford Shopping Centre for £11m and it has been revealed that they are owed £7,818,000 in council tax plus £1,571,000 in non-domestic rates. Then the Mayor is happy to join in breaking ground of the Loampit Vale development which needed kick starting by a government loan earlier this year. Obviously, there is no shortage of money in some areas. Fortunately some very thoughtful, informed people were present who were asking all the right questions. One of these finally unveiled the plum fact of the evening. None of these co-located libraries will have on site staff. (The best take away in town?!) I think you might need to sit back and take that in. You note, in the interests of no secrets and absolute transparency this had NOT been mentioned. It occurred by way of. As did the idea that other closed libraries might see their areas served by a terminal or a book drop off. New Cross might see a co-location with Lewisham College, hardly in the same area. Secondary schools are not an option as their libraries are so well used. Primary schools have a problem with space and a local mother told the meeting that the 2 Blackheath Village primary schools had no libraries. We know Ms Buckton is interested in co-locating Grove Park Library in the run down Community Centre, because they are looking for support to continue. COSTS? You may well ask, and they did. Nobody knows how the £830,000 projected saving, is made up. Is it net? Is it gross? What are the on-costs of re-location? Are there planning implications? What are the likely impacts on the overall service? What will be the impacts on the Age Exchange and its volunteers? No secrets did not run to them. Questions were asked about the impartiality of the officers present. There was a very fine line between information and defending the policy. Not good. In fact so many questions were necessary because what was being put forward was not open and transparent. Being prepared does not seem to include thinking things through. Back to scouting and guiding for most of the boys and girls, I think. So, none of this is satisfactory in any way, shape or form. The least we are owed is an apology by the whole Council officers past and present, councillors past and present. (AS IF ) Large numbers of library users will be isolated and detached from books, IT, reference and general information, and that is just for starters. Already our affairs and our money have been completely mismanaged. We should not settle for their ramshackle, cobbled together last ditch stand. Patricia Richardson I was present at the meeting. As Secretary of the Users and Friends of Manor House Library; Minutes Secretary of Libraries for Life for Londoners and a member of The Library Campaign, and lifelong library user in different parts of the world my basic concern and real worry is, why pick on libraries. Click for episode 2 Want to Find a Book in Londons Public Libraries? Until a few days ago, the answer to that need was to point your browser at Whats In Londons Libraries. Now, trying to use that simple remedy will only result in frustration. The service has been quietly withdrawn due to financial constraints. Further, the London Libraries website (www.londonlibraries.org) will be unavailable from 31 July 2010. No official announcement has been made - presumably "due to financial constraints". The catalogues of each of Londons 33 library services are still available on line at present and will have to be interrogated individually. After George Osborne announces the results of his Comprehensive Spending Review on 20th October, how long will this be the case? AT July 2010 "Yes Minister" On 26th July, Jeremy Hunt; Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS); announced that his department was considering disbanding two QUANGOs. These were the UK Film Council and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). There was an immediate flurry of adverse comment from people in the film/arts world about the possible Film Council demise, but almost none about the MLA. Whilst the MLA is not completely friendless, it has a less than glorious history to justify its existence. Its support from local government is distinctly half-hearted and most library users organisations believe that it has failed to consider their views in any meaningful way. The MLA considered itself to be part of a command structure simply implementing the dictates of government. It completely failed to realise that it was just as important to pass back to government information about the populations views on those dictates - it did not know them or wish to know them. It thus failed both the government and the population. Few will miss the MLA, when it finally disappears, but there could be some adverse side effects. The MLA was the financial conduit for several useful programs (quangos are responsible for 13% of total government expenditure) and it is unclear what will happen to these. Presumably, the DCMS will deploy a less expensive mechanism for this task. The "Read Before Burning" report from the Institute for Government suggests that " the new administration must avoid repeating history [Mrs Thatcher's Bonfire of the Quangos] and that reform of arms length government must go beyond a simple numbers game, the traditional post election cull of ALBs [Arms Length Bodies]." The removal of the MLA from the scene is just the start. Adendum Just a few days after this post, The Centre for Social Justice published a report (Response to the Spending Review Framework 2010: Maximising Social Value) also cautioning against a blunderbuss approach to cost cutting Lewisham Consultation on Library Closures Lewisham has proposed that it should close five of its 13 public libraries to accommodate expected funding cuts. It is moving, with great haste, to the consultation stage and has set a date and venue for a meeting on each threatened library. It should be noted that all meeting dates are in the summer holiday period. This means that many Lewisham residents will be unable to attend and places a large question mark over the effectiveness of the consultation process. The meeting arrangements are: Blackheath Village Library, Wed. 28th July at 7.00 pm in the Leemore Centre, Clarendon Rise, Lewisham, S.E.13 5ES Sydenham Library, Thursday 19th August at 7.00 pm, in the Grove Centre, 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, S.E.26 6PL Grove Park Library, Wed. 25th August at 7.00 pm, in the TA Centre, Baring Road, Grove Park, S.E.12 0BH New Cross Library, on Wed. 18th August at 7.00 pm in the Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Angus Street, New Cross, S.E.14 6LU An exasperated comment from one Lewisham library user, Pat Richardson: Having viewed councillors, officers and politicians at close quarters for over 10 years, there are not many of their opinions, statements, policies etc etc that cannot be seen through with ghastly clarity. The public seldom benefits, huge costs are involved and you can guarantee a legion of shrouded figures will be lurking in the background. Nowadays they are called consultants but they make off with your money and mine like any cut-purse or pickpocket, with precious little to show for it! Last week we were invited to 2 events. Local activists held a demonstration outside the Town Hall. We were then able to sit in on the Mayor and Cabinet meeting which was discussing proposals for cuts, pages of them, almost £3m of them, for starters! Unfortunately we missed the entertainment and had to read about it in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday and our local News Shopper on the following Wednesday. Now, whatever you think of Sir Steve Bullock, the elected Mayor of Lewisham, he is a pretty smooth political operator but chaos set in on Wednesday. Having quite evidently lost his cool and forgotten to switch off his microphone witnesses recalled he swore at hecklers. Then he actually wondered what planet the public present were living on. Really the public should have had an opportunity to put the question to him. It was he, dear reader, who allowed the spending of £12m on consultants during the last financial year! It was he who sanctioned the purchase by the council, late last year, of the run down Catford Centre for £11m (and we do not know where that money came from.) And he knew what the future held because he told a group of us in 2008! He cannot escape responsibility because he is an elected Mayor and all decisions could be agreed or rejected on his say. No Cabinet Member is going to disagree as their position in Cabinet (and pay) depend on his support! A fine mess I got myself into, and that is probably the source of his irritation. But, they got the Show on the road. The following evening we had been invited by the council to attend the meeting of community and local groups. Firstly we were addressed gently by The Chief Executive, Barry Quirke (salary £199,000pa) plus extras for being the Returning Officer. We were given the Quirke version of why the country was in such financial trouble, and not a mention of Mr. Micawber, annual income and all that. The Mayor then stepped up to the podium for his 5 minutes to support the agenda, but no hecklers were heard. We were asked to busy ourselves in groups and come up with a thought that might help to bridge the financial gap and what we were prepared to put up with, really. Peter and I really do wonder why we take part. After 10 years and a literal bonfire of unquantifiable amounts of cash we are worse off than 10 years ago. How can that be? How has it come to this? Down in the bunker, that passes for a Town Hall, they must be really worried or all this activity would not go on. Arranged are 5 separate consultation meetings over each of the libraries proposed for closure. Currently the public has no leverage. There is no election on the horizon until 2014 - I am discounting Boris and the GLA. However, the results of CUTS will be kicking in by then, so maybe it is not so short- sighted. In all the information churned out one element was missing and it will be my first suggestion to show goodwill, all employees at the council earning over £100,000 pa should offer to take a 5% cut in salary. Residents may then see a completely different picture and take on board the seriousness of our predicament. DCMS Leads by Example On Tuesday 20th July, the Guardian stated that up to 50% (minimum 35%) of the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) staff will be made redundant, as a result of forthcoming funding cuts. In addition, the department is expected to move out of its prestigious headquarters building in Cockspur Street. The departments Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, has made these proposals to the Treasury in response to the general government cost cutting program (overall cuts of 25% to 40% required). He believes that the internal DCMS cost reductions are necessary in order to head-off criticism from the powerful arts lobby about cuts to its funding. The department is one of the smallest and weakest of central government and is extremely unlikely to win an argument with the Treasury. Therefore, it is unsurprising that Jeremy Hunt is quickly falling into line. The arts and museums big hitters are already making their concerns about cuts to their budgets very clear. So far, no very high-profile person has jumped into the arena to protest about possible cuts to public library funding, but a group of library users had a meeting with Ed Vaizey, the Minister responsible for public libraries. They carefully prepared for the meeting and their pre-meeting notes can be read here (courtesy Desmond Clarke). Rumours suggest that Mr Vaisey did not have an encouraging funding message for the group, but he did suggest another meeting in the autumn. The First Casualty List Lewisham is often among the first London boroughs to introduce a new concept to its library service. So, it is rather unfortunate that it now seems to be the lead borough in introducing a very old concept to that service library closures. In the Autumn of this year, the closure of 5 (at least) public libraries in the London Borough of Lewisham will be announced. These closures are expected to save the borough £800,000 and, of course, free-up the sites for development from which the local communities will get little benefit. At present, Lewisham has 12 libraries, so the closure of 5 of these (42%) is an enormous blow to literacy in the borough and, as a direct result, to social mobility in the area. The libraries chosen for closure are: BLACKHEATH VILLAGE LIBRARY CROFTON PARK LIBRARY GROVE PARK LIBRARY NEW CROSS LIBRARY The last time Lewisham attempted to close public libraries, there was intense resistance from residents and this was ultimately successful. The rationale behind that campaign is set-out here (click). Rumours of the preparation of similar closure programs are widespread throughout London and, like Lewisham, many of these will be put before Councils in the Autumn, for implementation in 2011. Public Lending Right Scheme Cut Back Authors are not the first group of people that springs to mind as probable victims of the recession and, to be honest, they are just one small group in the great host of people similarly afflicted. However, their plight does need to be recorded. For every block-buster novelist, such as J.K. Rowling or Ian Rankin, there are hundreds of authors who barely make a living from their writing. In 2007, the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society found that the average income for an author in the UK was £16,531. Thus, for the majority, the money they receive from their books being lent to the public by libraries is not just a welcome bonus, but an essential part of their income. For every loan of a book, its author receives slightly over six pence. The money for this payment is drawn from the Public Lending Right Budget, for which the Department for Culture Media and Sport has responsibility. The department has already cut the budget by 3% and it is expected that it will cut further, as it struggles to live within its diminishing means. It appears that saga authors, childrens authors and crime writers are particularly vulnerable to falling revenue from the PLR budget, as they are disproportionately reliant on income from public library lending. Of course, public library closure programs will have a marked affect on this income. Thus, for practical as well as idealistic reasons, authors are enthusiastic supporters of user groups that oppose such destructive policies. For library user groups seeking publicity for their campaigns, this is anopportunity not to be missed. Culture Minister Launches Support Programme for Libraries At the Remodelling Libraries Conference on 1st July, Mr Vaizey launched a new, expert support programme led by the Museums Libraries and Archive Council (MLA) and the LGA Group (Local Government Association Group). They will work together to support councils as they adapt to the current economic challenge, helping them to deliver the key services valued by communities while driving down costs. The programme will initially undertake intensive, proactive work with approximately 10 library authorities. The most effective methods developed by these projects will then be shared throughout the wider public library network, so that everyone can benefit from the work. The Minister reinforced the Governments commitment to a high quality library service. Of course, a high quality library service can mean anything that Mr Vaizey wishes. The LLL Charter, endorsed by both the Library Campaign and the MLA, is a very good definition of what a high quality library service should be. At present, there are few library services which pay more than lip service to the aspirations contained in this document. There is a danger that the need to save money will reduce this number further. Therefore, the favourable remarks made by the Minister about the Charter are encouraging. It is important that the recommendations which come out of the MLA/LGA initiative should be judged against the LLL Charter. LLL Charter , Love your Libraries - the people's inquiry into the public library service Unison, the public sector trade union, held an inquiry into the state of Britain's public libraries on 11th February and took evidence from Rachel Cooke, an Observer journalist, and authors Joe Craig, Michel Rosen, Sue Townsend & Ann Thraite, plus many others. A report on the day's proceedings has been written by Steve Davies, Senior Research Fellow at the Cardiff School of Social Sciences and has just been published. It can be obtained from Unison by accessing their Comms Online Catalogue at www.unison.org.uk/resources/publicity.asp . Alternatively, a request for a copy can be requested by email from stockorder@unison.co.uk Payment for Success in Public Library Services - A Question of Priorities The recent KPMG report Payment for Success claims that it offers the chance to fundamentally change what is achieved out of spending on public services. So, it appears to be no different from its many predecessors but, like those, it does have some interesting suggestions suggestions which are capable of producing bad outcomes as well as good ones. It is accepted by most people that public services in Britain are somewhat poorly managed. However, the difference between the UK and other countries with similar systems is not enormous. Unfortunately, that small difference costs the nation billions of pounds per year and that is the target for this report. In the short term, local government has to find savings of £1.165b and, in the long term, much more. When faced with a funding short fall, the traditionally, knee-jerk reaction of Council Members and Officers is to first cut the library budget. This time the problem cannot be solved simply by following this well-worn path the sums involved are far too large. Indeed, the scale of the required savings are so great compared with the average borough library budget (approximately £6m in London) that it may well be not worth the inevitable backlash which will result from yet further reductions in an already degraded service. Of course, this is unlikely to stop library budget cuts being applied and these will probably be accompanied by claims that the service to the public will not be reduced. In reality, the service will be reduced and it would be better to admit that. This would allow Council Officers to concentrate on minimizing the adverse effects, rather than wasting time trying to convince the public that it should not be worried that irreparable damage will be inflicted on cherished services. All is not well and difficult decisions do have to be made. These decisions should be made rationally and should aim at minimizing the long-term harm which will result. The good times will return and local government will then be faced with the task of repairing what has been damaged by the cuts. It is imperative that the actions taken now are capable of being reversed in the future, if it is found necessary/desirable. Thus, the outlook for public libraries in Britain is dire. The country is in a financial mess and the most senior levels of local authorities have an attitude somewhere between antipathetic and antagonistic. At present, the only proposals on the table are those contained in the KPMG report. The lack of understanding and less sympathy for the work of public libraries within Councils Directorates has been caused to a large extent by a confused message that has been propagated by the library profession. Library users have not suffered from what often appears to be a slavish commitment to fashion and have consistently supported the original public library activities book lending & education (the drivers for literacy and, therefore, social mobility). In this, the users have been simply reflecting the needs and wants of their local communities. As far as libraries are concerned, Paying for Success seems to be advocating a model close to that of many US public library services. There, many public libraries are fairly basic and run by volunteers. Of course the top tier of US public libraries are very impressive places, but it is not the top tier of UK pubic libraries which are likely to be badly damaged/destroyed by poorly managed budget cuts. Professional librarians have, almost universally, condemned the KPMG report. However, the profession has not produced any viable alternative suggestions on how to save money. The documents objective is just that and it is very relevant to the countrys present situation. If there is a will within government to consider radical changes to the way public libraries are run, it would be sensible to start by properly listening to what real library users consider to be important. It will be difficult to obtain a priority list acceptable to every single library user, because they each have a unique set of reasons for using a library. Nevertheless, there is much common ground and this is roughly what that list will look like: 1. Library buildings (once a library is closed, it never reopens) 2. Books (book borrowing is the prime activity for over 80% of library users) 3. Well trained, well treated staff (crucial for a good atmosphere within a library) 4. Public access computers (important for reducing the digital divide) 5. IT classes (important for reducing the digital divide) 6. Quiet study areas (important for students of all ages and ordinary readers) 7. The 1001 activities which are considered important by information professionals 8. Volunteer participation Volunteer participation is generally considered to be the least important part of any public library operation. Most users are very happy that libraries use paid staff. Of course, they are not so happy about paying the taxes that make this possible, but the connection between the two is not usually made. In London, only twenty local authorities used volunteers in libraries during 2007/08. Although this number has been slowly increasing (the figure for 2006/07 was 17), this has not been caused by a great demand from users. Of those Councils which do use library volunteers, very few use them in a serious way and none to the extent that would be required to make a very significant budget contribution (there were only 724 library volunteers in the whole of London in 2007/08 - see spreadsheet). If volunteer run libraries is the method by which local authorities intend to drive down costs, they will find that they have chosen one that will take some time to produce noticeable reductions. Indeed, if it is intended that there should not be a major reduction in the service offered to the public, the initial costs could well be greater than before. Recruiting and training volunteers to a high enough standard will cost a lot of money and, due to high volunteer turnover; a fairly high proportion of this cost will be a permanent part of the budget. The use of volunteers is no panacea. There are inevitably going to be cuts to the offered library service. The next level up the priority list will have to be addressed, as well. It is here that much of the library professionalism is centred. That professionalism is important, but only to a limited number of people in any one week. It is thus vulnerable to the efficiency test, but will severe cuts at this level be enough to produce the required savings? Perhaps not. The further up the priority list the Council knife is applied, the greater will be the backlash from the public. Unfortunately, the cost of that backlash does not appear in the KPMG calculations. There will be local government blood on the carpet, if the simplistic KPMG arguments are slavishly followed. Flexibility is required from everyone, not just users and staff. The use of volunteers in London Librarian comment on KPMG report What Everyone Knew about Public Libraries In December 2009, the DCMS commissioned Ipsos MORI to carry out research into public library usage in England and the findings of that investigation have now been published. Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative sample of 5000 people aged 15+ and found that 81% of library users visit a library to borrow a book. This figure is very similar to the finding of a recent survey in the inner London borough of Camden. In Camden, it was found that borrowing books was the prime aim of 82% of library users. These very high percentage figures have been achieved in spite of a massive reduction in book stock in virtually all of Englands public libraries and would indicate that the number of books within a library has little bearing on the behaviour of library users they still keep trying to find something suitable. However, a high percentage of a decreasing overall usage would actually suggest that users who are dissatisfied with a librarys book stock simply stop going to the library (confirmed by CIPFA active borrower figurers) and, therefore, also cease using its other facilities. The situation may well be far worse in London than in the rest of the country, as Londoners are the least likely to borrow a book from a library according to the survey. The overwhelming importance of the book lending activity in the nations public libraries is a constant theme of all library user group statements and it is one which is, equally constantly, ignored by library authorities. There are many new, exiting activities which can be carried out in public libraries and the boring, old-fashioned one is pushed down the library service priority list. The Ipsos MORI report clearly shows that there is a great mismatch between the priorities of library users and library authorities and, most likely, is just one additional piece of evidence to be ignored. Of course there is more to the research findings than a confirmation of the importance of book lending. Some of these are already well documented, such as the fall in library usage in the 20 30 year age group. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the report is the analysis of the employment status of library users. The investigation found that the unemployed were apparently the least likely people to use libraries. This is a group that could obviously benefit greatly from the help available in public libraries, but which seemed slightly unwilling to do so. The detailed analysis showed that only 28% of the unemployed group borrowed books (the lowest figure of all occupation groups) but, more encouragingly, 54% carried out research on jobs/health/training/local events (the highest figure of all occupation groups). In fact, although the headline figures for the unemployed appeared poor, this group became very focused in the way that it used public libraries and it concentrated on what mattered most. The overwhelming priority was to find employment. This is confirmed by the high interest that the group showed in learning about and using computers. Armageddon for Londons Public Libraries? Department for Communities & Local Government Eric Pickles, the portly Tory Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government has been told by the Treasury to put his department on a starvation diet as part of the initial £6b cut in government expenditure. He has to reduce the department's expenditure by 7.4% (£780m). This is the highest percentage cut of any department and probably reflects a Treasury view that local government is more inefficient than other sectors. It looks as though £537m of the £780m will come from the grants to local government and the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Grant Shapps, will need to make some very difficult decisions. The reduction in communities and local government grants is bad news for local communities, in its own right. Unfortunately, that is not the end of challenges to local authorities. Grants from the Department of Education will be reduced by £311m, grants from the Department of Transport will be cut by £309m and grants from DEFRA shaved by £8m.The total 2010 reduction in local government spending will be £1.165b. The simplest response from the departments would be to reduce the money allocated to each local authority by a constant percentage, thus sharing the pain equally among the authorities. This would confirm the existing inbuilt London budgetary disadvantage. However, as Londons Councils are overwhelmingly Labour run, there is a temptation for a Tory run Ministry to increase the amount of money effectively exported from London to the rest of the country. By making life more difficult for the London Local Authorities, the Labour Party will reap a greater share of the backlash against the consequential local service cuts. Department for Culture, Media & Sport The DCMS is the department responsible for ensuring that Britain's public libraries provide a good service and this has had its budget cut by £88m. This 3.5% cut is unlikely to have as great an affect on library services as the much larger percentage cut in local government expenditure. Crumb of Comfort Public libraries are traditionally considered to be the soft option, when budget cuts are under consideration by local government Officers. One of the reasons for this is that grants targeted at library services are not ring-fenced, whereas many other grants are. Thus the options available to local authorities have been fairly limited. This situation has been eased by the removal of ring-fencing from grants totaling £1.7b. Local Government Association comment: https://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/11410179 AT May 2010 Public Library E-book Activities Overdrive, the e-book distributor, is now five years old and its public library service is only a little younger. Its competitor in the UK, Bloomsburys Public Library Online is still an infant at one year old. These are the organisations on which the UKs public library services rely, as they slowly rollout their e-book offerings. Whilst many of the problems that inevitably afflict a new service will have been removed from both systems, it is not surprising that there should still be one or two left. The most obvious problem is the lack of an agreed e-book format. The battle over which format will come to dominate the field is ongoing, but has not yet reached the ferocity of the Betamax/VHS video format one. As the e-book battle is about a software format and not about hardware, this is more of a nuisance than a major obstacle to progress. However, there may be a major problem for library services in a period of austerity. The automatic deactivation of the downloaded e-book after the initial loan period (usually two weeks) deprives library services of an income from overdue charges. As overdue charges are usually accidentally incurred, this may seem to be an advantage from a users perspective. Nevertheless, the lost revenue has to be made up from other parts of the librarys revenue budget and, as a consequence, the general user does not gain anything in total. The magnitude of the problem can be gauged from the following table London Library Services Revenue Income per 1000 Population (CIPFA 2007/08 Actuals) Inner London Overdue Charges, £ Total Revenue Income, £ Overdue Charges as a % of Total The problem is clearly something that cannot be ignored, especially by the outer London boroughs. Potentially, the removal of £50k - £100k from library revenue budgets would be crippling. Of course, this assumes that the overdue payments actually go into the library budget rather than the general Council pot. The easy solution for library services is to charge for the hire of an e-book. Many Library Services would be very happy to equate an e-book with a CD or DVD purely because it is an electronic version rather than an ink on paper one. Whilst this may not be a definite breach of the 1964 Museums and Libraries Act, it is certainly not in the spirit of the Act and is something that library users should resist. Overdrive and Public Library Online are creatures of the book trade. So their prime objective is to maximise revenue for themselves and the publishing houses. It is unrealistic to expect them to eagerly seek a solution to this problem. However, they may be well advised to take it seriously, while they can. Google is lurking just below the horizon. In some boroughs, all that is required may be a little lateral thinking. The home library service is not cheap to run, but is an essential lifeline for the housebound. The issue of free e-book readers to people who use this service would quickly give a significant cost saving and an improvement in service. Perhaps this is the balancing item for the loss of overdue charges. 1964 Museums and Libraries Act, Essex Libraries E-Books (an MLA Case Study): The New Ministerial Team at the DCMS The Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt has been appointed Secretary of State at the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS). This now combines the responsibilities of the old DCMS with that of the 2012 Olympics. He stated in his first interview with the BBC that "The Olympics is our number one priority and what we need to do is to grasp the opportunity." As the Olympics will be a sport and media fest of major proportions, there will be little time left for him to spend on the cultural aspects of his remit in the next few years. This does not bode well for the public library sector in a period when it expected to be under considerable pressure to cut costs. Mr Hunt has been the MP for South West Surrey since May 2005 and has served as Shadow Minister for the Disabled (2005 2007) and Shadow Culture Secretary (2007 2010). He is thus not totally new to the problems experienced by the UKs public libraries. His experience prior to becoming an MP is also slightly relevant. He co-founded a publishing company which produces information about about educational courses in the UK. This company, Hotcourses, is based in the borough of Hammersmith. Minister for Culture As was widely anticipated, Ed Vaisey has been made the Minister for Culture in the department. From 1996-2004 he was director of a public relations company before turning to politics. He was Shadow Culture and Creative Industries Minister 2006-2010. Other appointments to the team are: Hugh Robertson , Minister for Sport and the Olympics John Penrose , Minister for Tourism YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZBkzkrdXqE&feature=youtube_gdata US Government States that Media Piracy Claims are Overstated A study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that claims by the film and recorded music industries about the devastating effect of intellectual property piracy have been grossly exaggerated. The 41 page study, which took a year to complete, was undertaken at the request of the US Congress and considered the affects of piracy on digital music, films, and software. Whilst e-books were not specifically included in the list, they obviously fall into the same category as the considered subjects. As the software associated with e-books is still in a state of flux, the study is very relevant. The piracy hysteria generated by the film/music industries is in danger of distorting the development of the e-book format to the detriment of the public. Public libraries will therefore also be disadvantaged in their difficult adjustment to the new technology. The study commented on the methods of measuring the affect of piracy: Each method has limitations, and most experts observed that it is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify the economy-wide impacts." This leaves the field clear for massive exaggeration by the film and music industries something in which they are both well practiced. The GAO found that three commonly cited reports could not be substantiated or traced back to an underlying data source or methodology to support claims that piracy was destructive to the film or recording industry. Reports from the Business Software Alliance and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) were also found to have been highly speculative and overstated. In spite of this, one of these is still being used officially. The GAO study did not suggest that there was no piracy/counterfeiting problem, but simply made the point that it had been overstated. The draconian measures which are being forced on the public by hasty legislation are therefore probably unnecessary for the defence of intellectual .property. They are more about the defence of an outmoded business model. GAO study: https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10423.pdf Grass-roots Activism Gets Results In the coming months, everyone is expecting many attempts to close public libraries in order to help bail-out an economy ruined by incompetent national politicians and greedy bankers. Library closures have long been regarded by local authorities as easy option cost cutting. One London borough, Walthamstow, has found that this can be far from the truth. About three years ago, Walthamstow closed one of its libraries without any prior notice and certainly without consulting the local residents. Since then, those residents have been a thorn in the side of the Council. They organised themselves and have been battling to get the library reopened at every possible occasion. The received wisdom is that once a library has been closed, it will never reopen again. The Council was probably counting on simply out-waiting the Walthamstow residents, but it miscalculated. The fight is still going on and it is the Council which is beginning to tire. The St James Street Library Campaign have issued its latest press release (click to view) and it is looking a little hopeful. The moral of the Walthamstow story is that it is better to act before the Council shuts your library, rather than after. Form that Fiends Group now. AT April 2010 The Public Domain Charter Almost all cultural objects published, painted, photographed or released anywhere in the world before the 20th century are within the Public Domain and therefore can be freely used and reinterpreted to fuel the creation of new treasures. However, the dash to digitise Europe's cultural heritage is now putting these Public Domain Rights in jeopardy. Some digitisation contracts grant exclusive rights that restrict access to newly digitised works for years or even decades. The European Online Library, Europeana, has responded to this retrograde trend by publishing The Public Domain Charter: a statement that calls for the Public Domain to be kept freely accessible to Europe's citizens. The intension of the Charter is to ensure that material held in trust for the public for generations, often at taxpayers' expense, should not enter the private sector when it is digitised. The Charter can be found at: A Manifesto for London's Public Libraries LLL has published its Library Manifesto in advance of the general and London Council elections. It calls for the Mayor of London to take a hands-on role in the improvement of Londons libraries and deliver the changes promised by the London Library Change Programme (LLCP) It believes that only direct intervention from the Mayor will provide the motivation for the LLCP to start living up to its name and implementing the changes required to improve Londons libraries for Londoners. A new start for public libraries should be his legacy. Click for the complete Manifesto Non-stakeholders The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has published its long-awaited Modernisation Review of Public Libraries to a cacophony of comment. As is to be expected from a government department, the review is mostly a statement of the obvious and much of the journal comment on it is concerned with the lack of overwhelming support for one or other viewpoint. As a library users group umbrella organisation, LLL has a particular viewpoint and this is not the same as the high profile local government, literati or book trade viewpoint. Even the views of library staff are not exactly the same as that of library users. It is therefore of concern that the UKs national public library users group, The Library Campaign, should complain that the DCMS failed to consult it before writing the review / policy statement. The document has much to say that is good but, as the Library Campaign points out, it could have been better. The implication of the comment is that the DCMS has been overly influenced by organisations and individuals whose primary concern is not the provision of a practical, well-rounded, modern library service which is dedicated to serving the needs of the community. Of course, the DCMS would strongly deny that it has shown a bias against library users organisations. However, there is some evidence in the review document to support this contention. The breakdown of responses to the consultation is: Local Government 44.2% Individuals 27.9% Companies & Organisations (excluding user groups) 22.1% Library User Groups 5.8% It is clear that the category with the largest stake in the public library system (the users) is the one with the least say in the review process. The under-representation is massive and it is surprising that the DCMS did not take steps to redress the balance. The DCMS has had over 30 meetings with stakeholders, but not with the national users group. Obviously, the users are not considered to be stakeholders. Apparently, it does not matter that they have been drowned out by the sound of axe grinding. "The Government Must" With those three, uncompromising words, CILIP (the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) begins its Library & Information Manifesto 2010. The Manifesto sets out CILIP's "six priorities for the next Westminster Government to ensure that quality library and information provision continues and improves". These priorities are: MAKE school libraries statutory and develop an action plan for implementation PROMOTE AND PROTECT the rights of users within copyright law and ensure these rights apply within the digital and print environments BUILD a successful knowledge economy based on effective information management, and restore public trust in the responsible management of public information ENSURE the legal deposit system works effectively so that the nations digital heritage can be enjoyed and exploited effectively by future generations FUND AND ENABLE the effective co-ordination of health information so that everyone who needs it - patients, carers, doctors, nurses and planners - will be able to find the necessary information to meet their needs DEVELOP a set of library entitlements for public library users and promote the concept of user entitlements in other library sectors Most public library users would find nothing to object to in the CILIP wish list. However, considering the expected assault on the county's public libraries, it would have been better not to leave the subject of public library user entitlement to the last. It does give the impression that it is the least of the priorities, in spite of being the one which directly affects the most people. Reference: www.cilip.org.uk/manifesto Changing Perspectives in South London "What future for Blackheath Village Library?" was the title of a meeting at The Bakehouse on Tuesday 16th March in which Antonio Rizzo, Head of Lewisham Library Services, explained how change might affect the local library service in the next few years. The revitalized Blackheath Village Library Users Group wants to know what you want from the library. Contact them at tel 020 8852 4032 email: se3villagelibrary@yahoo.co.uk. The Blackheath Village Library Users Group newsletter can be found by clicking here. THE newly refurbished West Greenwich Library and the beautiful East Greenwich Library are the subjects of Pat Richardson's write-up about this part of south London. It incidentally shows how important the presence of a Friends Group is to the continued existence of a public library. Click to read Pat's article Public Library Funding Cuts Damage Limitation There is no doubt that this country is in dire financial difficulties. A toxic mix of political hubris and banker greed has produced the worst economic downturn since the 1930s. The UKs private sector has been suffering severely and the countrys gross domestic product has fallen by a massive 6% but, so far, the public sector has escaped virtually unscathed. The badly damaged private sector produces the wealth which funds the public sector. Therefore, this state of affairs cannot continue. There is no magic formula which will allow it to do so. Public sector cuts are inevitable. It is better to accept this and plan properly rather than to simply deny the fact. Click for complete article Mein Kampf Freedom of Information or Censorship? One of the sillier aspects of copyright law is the insistence in many countries that the copyright holder has complete control of the work for 70 years after the death of the author. Perhaps this excessively long period has more to do with the fact that lawmakers are frequently spare time authors than with ensuring a flat playing field in the book trade. However, that is the situation that we have to live with. One of the difficulties this causes is actually determining when an author died and, thus, when copyright runs out. This is definitely not a problem for Mein Kampf. Nearly everyone knows when Adolf Hitler died. The copyright clock started ticking in a Berlin bunker in 1945. Therefore the book can be freely reproduced in most countries from 2015 onwards. As the deadline approaches, interest in the book has begun to rise. New editions have been printed and there are more planned. This presents a dilemma for public libraries. Should they have these books on their shelves? There is no doubt that Mein Kampf is of historic importance. However, the ideas contained within it are not generally acceptable, but neither is censorship. The Institute of Contemporary History (IfZ) in Munich has obviously been thinking about the problem and has arrived at a good compromise. It intends to publish an "annotated version" of the book. The annotations will consist of historical notes about the Third Reich and its policies. Compromises tend to satisfy nobody and this one will probably not stop a furious debate and the quality of the annotations is critical in this. With the rise of right-wring political parties such as the BNP, there will be a great temptation to use these notes for anti right-wring propaganda. If the authors of the notes succumb to this temptation, the resultant book(s) will be no better than the unannotated one. It is certain that there is going to be a very difficult judgement to be made in library book selection in the next few years. Another Chapter in The Google Book Settlement Saga A US federal judge has rejected Amazon's request that he withdraw his preliminary approval of a settlement between Google and US authors & publishers to allow Google the right to digitize millions of books. On 1st December, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin said that he would conduct a "thorough fairness analysis" of the settlement on 18th February next year and Amazon would be able to argue its case then. The original agreement between Google and US authors & publishers was criticized on monopoly & copyright grounds and for its probable consequences in non-US countries. These criticisms have resulted in major changes. One of these changes has restricted the agreement to the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom i.e. to major English speaking countries. UK public libraries have an interest in the small print of the final settlement, as Google has promised free access to all US public libraries to its archives. Each library will be allowed to have one terminal with this access. It is unknown whether the DCMS is attempting to ensure that this facility is extended to UK public libraries or whether it is content that the UK is treated as a poor relation by the agreement. AT Dec 09 The Wirral MBC is Found to be in Breach of its Statutory Duties The Public Inquiry into Wirral Metropolitan Borough Councils (MBC) decision to reduce the number of libraries in its area from 24 to 13 has found this to be in breach of its statutory duties under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. If the changes had gone ahead (they were withdrawn when it became clear that the Inquiry would comdemn them), the Council would have failed to provide comprehensive and efficient public library services for all persons desirous to make use thereof. The Inquiry, led by Sue Charteris, stated that the primary reason for this breach was that the Council failed to make an assessment of local needs in respect of its Library Services. She concluded that financial considerations, rather than those of library users had driven the Wirrals policy. The damming report has received a furious counter attack from the Local Government Association and the Wirral MBC leader, Steve Foulkes. Cllr Foulkes is reported as stating that the inquiry report was fundamentally flawed in its logic, and in many places it is just plain wrong. Perhaps Mr Foulkes and the Local Government Association should take some time to consider just what has happened. Unheeding, top-down policy implementation has met grass routs rebellion and the grass routs won. It is certain that the DCMS, the MLA etc will claim responsibility for this demonstration of democracy at work. However, it should not be forgotten that these bodies were very reluctant to interfere. They had to be forced into action by local protesters. "DCMS REVIEW IGNORES PEOPLE WHO USE LIBRARIES" states a press release from the Library Campaign on libraries minister Margaret Hodge's 'public libraries modernisation review' Perhaps Sue Charteris could take a look at the workings of the DCMS itself. There seems to be little difference between the attitude of Margaret Hodge and that of Cllr Foulkes. Cost Reductions in Londons Library Services It is no secret that the UK economy is in grave difficulties and that all local government services will have to deliver cost reductions in the near future. When this has happened in the past, Councils have taken the easy option and simply cut those services provided to the public. The easiest to cut have been library services and, as a consequence, these have tended to be the most severely reduced. Coincidently (possibly), the London region of the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA) has commissioned an investigation of methods of improving the efficiency of Londons library services. At least in theory, these should reduce costs without reducing the quality and quantity of the provision to the public i.e. exactly what local authorities will be seeking soon. The investigation took into consideration the views of both library staff and Councillors but, very noticeably, not library users. The MLA is thus following its usual top down attitude to service provision. A report has been written and this will be discussed at a meeting on 1st December by borough Councillors responsibility for library services. The main thrust of the report is the often-cited cost reduction potential of amalgamating some or all Londons library services. However, some other options were considered. The option list was: Local authorities to contract out library services to private companies Dissolve London library services and create one pan London or several sub regional library services Learn from other authorities to use staff more effectively to deliver outputs Reduce libraries in close geographical proximity Joint strategic planning of library service and workforce deployment and development One pan London purchasing model which maintains local accountability for stock Secondments of staff to other authorities Training, advisory and specialist services to be wholly outsourced Shared job descriptions and HR processes Specialist posts to cover several library services Shared recruitment and advertising processes and costs Develop shared training across library services Vertical integration of local authority advice services/customer services points with library services Joint posts within managerial level of library service All options were considered to be desirable except for two privatisation and shared job descriptions & HR resources. Whether library users would be similarly enthusiastic is unknown, as they have not been asked and, one suspects, they will not be asked - just told. AT Nov. 09 The Amazon Kindle is Really on its Way to the UK More or Less Amazon has announced the availability of its Kindle eReader to customers outside the USA. It is not easily available, as these customers still have to purchase their Kinder from the Amazon US on-line store and pay a premium for the privilege. In addition, there are countries excluded from the new offering, such as Canada, China, South Korea and Singapore. Blogkindle.com has analysed the availability of the Kindle worldwide and its operating restrictions in each country. Kindle 2 World version will start shipping on Monday 19th October. The International version of the Kindle 2 is identical to the one that was released in February, apart from its use of the AT&T 3G network for book downloads and internet connections in the US (the Kinder used Sprint before) and roaming partner networks in over 100 non-US countries. UK customers will find that the actual cost of buying a Kindle is approximately $345, or $65 more than the list price, due to import duties and shipping. Amazon also charges an extra $1.99 every time a book is downloaded outside of the U.S. Blogkindle.com has generated the following information for the UK market: Wireless capable Yes Typical book price $11.99 ($13.99 inc VAT) Duty included in price Yes Browser & blog capable No Number of books available under $5.99 70,000 (25% of total) Total number of books available 280,000 The UK is an important market for Amazon and it cannot afford to provide second class service to its British customers for very long. The announcement appears to be an attempt to mitigate the damage being done to the Kinder market potential by its long period of unavailability outside the USA. More or less available is better than not available. Minister Warns Councils Not to Cut Library Budgets Margaret Hodge is the new Minister for Culture, Creative Industries & Tourism within the DCMS. Soon after her appointment, in an interview with the Sunday Times, she said that local authorities should not cut library services as part of the expected reduction in public spending. They should, instead, concentrate on encouraging increased use. So, the underlying message appears to be: central government cuts ok, local government cuts unacceptable. The method by which this remarkable stratagem would be accomplished is that of turning public libraries into quasi-commercial organisations. Of course, this is arrant nonsense but, as the Good Library Blog pointed out, it is the party conference season. Local government in general and library managers in particular do not have the skills necessary to run commercial enterprises. If the existing, semi-commercial activities within libraries (dvd/cd hire for instance) were rigorously costed; it is almost certain that they would be found to operate at a loss. Adding further activities which are loss making does not seem sensible, especially as there would need to be significant initial investment for them to operate at all. If the DCMS is eager for public libraries to follow the Hodge doctrine, perhaps it should provide the necessary capital injection. The new minister does not seem to have got a firm grip on her Culture portfolio yet and she also appears to have under-whelmed in the tourist part of her remit as well. AT Oct 09 Every Library is a Local Library From 28th September, it has been possible to borrow books from more than 4,000 public libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland simply by showing a valid library card. The new scheme is an initiative of the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and, in spite of the hype, is simply an extension of what has been in existence for many years. With the diminishing book stocks in most public libraries, many users have been forced to use public libraries in several boroughs in order to access a large enough stock. There has been no difficulty in doing so, provided filling in a few forms and keeping track of several library cards is acceptable. The next step under consideration by the SCL is the introduction of a universal library card which can be used anywhere in England, Wales and N. Ireland. This creeping federalisation of the countrys public library services does have advantages. However, the concept does need to be openly discussed, to identify the disadvantages before it is taken too far. Top down decisions, made without consultation, often end in disaster. One possible disadvantage is that local authorities with no interest in the literacy or culture of their residents will find it easier to dismantle their public library services. The Virtual Public Library Ereaders are the new fangled, pocket-sized, electronic gadgets designed to allow owners to easily carry around up to 1000 books and read them wherever the user happens to be. They are usually sold with 100+ ebooks already in the memory, but only a few of these are likely to be what is really wanted by any one person. So, it is necessary to add to this collection. Publishing houses in the UK and US are increasingly offering ebook versions of books in the current lists and, for some new additions to their lists, they have even started offering the ebook versions before the printed versions. Additionally, a very large number out-of-copyright books have been available for download for some time, free of charge. Between these extremes is a long list of books which are out-of-print but not out-of-copyright. Most of the books on this list will never be reprinted, as the demand for them is too small to justify the cost. However, the cost of making them available for downloading is quite small. In the US, this new book supply opportunity has been seized upon by Google and the legal framework for it to become a reality is being put into place (Main2.htm#GBS). Wherever the US goes, the UK is not far behind, even if it is not always very happy with the scenery. So, the advent of the ereader has hugely increased the number of books available to the public in a convenient form and many of them cost nothing to acquire. Every day that passes produces more ebooks to reinforce this situation. So far, the sources of electronic books have excluded public libraries, although traditional book retailers are increasingly offering them for sale. The net result is that in a world of increasing book availability, the widespread public library policy of reducing book stocks is in danger of making them irrelevant for the majority of the population. Once public libraries are seen to no longer serve any useful purpose for the majority, they will be closed. The fact that this will seriously disadvantage the poorer sections of communities will have little influence on local authorities desperately short of money. It is unrealistic to expect the deeply conservative library services of the UK to follow market trends closely. However, there are signs that they are beginning to react and a mechanism for extending the book lending service to ebooks is starting to take shape. At present, ebooks published by Bloomsbury, Pearson Education, Random House, Rosetta Books, Wiley, Harlequin, Harper Collins, Taylor & Francis, and McGraw Hill Education are available from pioneering public libraries (Essex, Croydon & Dorset). Obviously, this list is heavily biased towards publishers of text books and non-fiction works. The reason for this is that academic libraries are well ahead of public libraries in adopting the new form of presentation. As more public libraries take up the new option, the balance will change. One of the advantages of the new loan mechanism is that the borrower does not have to go to a public library to borrow a book. Providing he/she has a computer or suitable ereader, e.g. Sonys Reader, all that is necessary is to go on-line to the library services website and download what he/she wants. This is an enormous advantage for the house bound and the very busy among us i.e. for almost everyone. It is also a great advantage for the library service, as it extends its reach right into the homes of its borrowers and potential borrowers. Further, it removes the restricted opening hours tyranny to produce a very cheap 24/7 service to the public. Once a borrower has downloaded his/her selected books, he/she has the use of them for the period defined by the library service. At the end of that period, the downloaded book becomes unreadable and it should be deleted from the computer/ereader. If the borrower wishes to continue the loan, it is necessary to download the ebook again i.e. the loan has to be renewed, just like a printed book. There has to be at least one disadvantage to any innovation and this development is no exception. In this case, the downside is that the expertise of the library staff is not available via the computer or ereader. However, it is possible to provide some of this with on-line programs giving borrowers alternative titles/authors to those which are sought. The friendly chat is lost though. AT Sep 2009 The future of reading: A public value project The Arts Council has something it calls its Literature Team and this is seeking to engage organisations and members of the public in a debate about the role and value of reading. This project is intended to be one of the inputs to the development of a programme to promote reading. This will be aimed at raising the profile of reading as a creative activity and strengthening its position within national, regional and local policy agendas and the plans and activities of cultural agencies. It will also be a vision, setting out shared aspirations for the future of reading and galvanising a wide range of individuals and organisations, particularly libraries, to help make that vision a reality. Understand how members of the public perceive, experience and value reading and whether they see it as a creative activity Explore perceptions of and attitudes towards reading among non-readers, and understand the barriers to greater engagement Enable members of the public to help develop a vision for the future role of reading in society Generate ideas as to how the Arts Council, the MLA, The Reading Agency, libraries and other organisations can make that vision a reality. Among the specific questions which the Arts Council wishes to answer is: What could individuals and organisations, particularly libraries, do to help meet public aspirations for reading? Sorry for stating the obvious, but would it not be a very good idea for public libraries to stop reducing their book stocks? The reducing number of books on library shelves that are of interest to a reader, reduces the likelihood that he/she will take a book home and, subsequently, come back for more. Removing a major discouragement to read should be a first priority surely. Once the opportunity to read has been improved, more arcane theories can be considered. Effectively, the UKs public libraries have been dismantling the infrastructure on which the reading habits of a large part of the population have been built. Over time, as the practice of reading falls, this produces an increase in illiteracy. Research has shown that this is happening in this country. AT July 09 It is not news that the UK economy is in a bad state. The OECD predicts that the British gross domestic product will fall by 4.3% this year, producing a significant fall in government income, and there is not expected to be a return to economic buoyancy for some time. Thus, heavy cuts in government expenditure are forecast from 2011 to compensate for this fall and also to pay for the recent fiscal stimulus. The magnitude of the required cuts is subject to fierce debate and estimates range from 7.5% to 20%. These are average figures and there will be services which fare better and services which fare worse than the average. For instance, health can be expected to be less affected than culture. In fact, culture will probably be one of the most heavily cut areas. Public libraries are firmly in this sector, although it could be argued that they are also in the education area. Thus, it is inevitable that central government money allocated to public libraries will fall substantially in the coming years. However, this is not the only bad news for library services. Past experience suggests that central government will try to pass more than a pro rata funding cut onto local government in general and to London local authorities in particular. Thus, Londons Councils will be in desperate trouble and will cast around for any way of saving money. Again, history suggests that, in this situation, one of the first budgets to be cut will be the library budget. When budget cuts are demanded, the choices are: improve efficiency or cut services. Sadly, most Library Services will automatically opt for the latter, as it is the easy option for senior managers. The value of sales in Britain's £4bn book publishing industry fell 6.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year. People are earning less and becoming unemployed at an increasing rate. They simply cannot afford to buy books as before. Of course the poor have always had this problem and their local public library provided the answer. Sadly, falling book stocks in the UKs libraries have limited the degree of help available from this source. Now, those stocks will undoubtedly have to stretch further, as the new poor also turn to the traditional provider. Thus, library services will have to meet a greater demand on an already inadequate resource and there is a grave danger of further mindless cuts to that resource. Library users need to start preparing their defences to against further reductions in library book stocks or worse - remember the Wirral and Swindon (click to see Shirley Burnham's desciption of the Swindon mess). Google Books Investigation A long awaited U.S. Department of Justice formal investigation has started into possible antirust violations in the Google Book settlement with US publishers and authors on digital publishing rights. In October 2008, for a payment $125 million, Google reached an agreement with US publishers and authors. This gave Google the right to digitise and publish books that are out of print, but still protected by copyright law. This would put Google in the position of a monopoly supplier and has caused concern. The in-copyright facility cannot be offered by Google until a federal judge has authorized it and the current Justice Dept. investigation is part of that authorization process. Google continues to digitise public domain books and has negotiated deals with some publishers for current works. Google is proposing to allow all public libraries in the US free access to all digitised books from one terminal. For more terminals, the libraries would have to pay. Whilst the Google Book situation is a little unclear at the moment in the USA, it is completely opaque elsewhere in the world. If it is allowed to go ahead, it will have enormous affects outside the USA. However, there seems to be no interest from other governments. The Telephone Box Cometh No not the Tardis, but possibly a library link. Roy Clare, the head of the MLA, has proposed a third tier of public libraries which will have book stocks of about 1500 books. He specifically suggested that the new type of library, christened library links, could be housed in doctors surgeries or post offices (I thought that post offices were being phased out), but he has obviously not thought this through. A telephone box would hold approximately 1500 books and BT is not very keen on them any more. Therefore, he could solve a problem for two organisations, local authorities and BT, if the existing public libraries are replaced by telephone box libraries. Of course, library users may find that this new public service is a little limited, but when has that ever been a valid consideration? Those that have taken more than just a passing interest in the UKs public libraries, will recognise this new idea as one which has been proposed several times before. The last time it was seriously suggested was during the wave of public library closures which swept the country, ten years ago. Then, the new model libraries were to be located in community centres. However, there probably are not enough of these left open for this type of location to be considered, even by our policy makers. Perhaps quite innocently, Roy Clare has wandered into the library closure minefield. There are just too many people around (both library users & staff) with bitter memories of past slight-of-hand exercises for this particular initiative to pass unchallenged. Five Months Later: The BBC has reported that the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip in Somerset have bought a telephone box from BT and have turned it into a library containing approximately 150 books and CDs. It is open 24 hours per day. So, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in persistence. Actually, the villagers use the telephone box as a convenient way of swapping books and CDs. However, that is really what a public library does. The only difference is that the original purchase was made by an individual and not by a local authority. DCMS Ministers Ben Bradshaw was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Gordon Browns recent Cabinet resuffle. He will thus have overall charge of the department. He has been MP for Exeter since 1 May 1997 Barbara Follett is the Minister for Culture, Creative Industries & Tourism. The subdivisions of the Culture remit include the arts, heritage, architecture, Royal Parks, galleries, archives, libraries and museums. She is also the East of England Regional Minister AT June 09 Scanning Delivers the Goods The scanning of documents and artefacts in libraries and museums around the world has been going on for a couple of years now and the results of this are beginning to appear on the internet. The big national libraries, such as the British Library and Library of Congress were among the first to start this process and we can now see what has been achieved in their websites . The BL offering has some particularly interesting, world-class subjects e.g. the da Vinci notebooks, Mozarts composition books for 1784 1791 and Jane Austens History of the World. The huge libraries and museums of the developed world are not the only organisations digitising collections and Unesco has provided a website for these other, less well-known, establishments. For instance, it is possible to view Christopher Columbus's diary for 1493, in which the explorer describes his discoveries, from the Center for the Study of the History of Mexico Carso . This is only the beginning. The central libraries and museums of the world have such large collections that it will take decades to scan all those items of general interest, let alone those of purely academic interest the New York Public Library has scanned 30,000 items in 9 months, but has 50 million items to go. In the short term, the present economic chaos will probably slightly dampen the ongoing increase in the digitisation rate. However, the experience of the past two/three years and the lessons which have been learnt are now beginning to significantly improve the quality of the scanned images. Further, it has been discovered that it is possible to combine techniques from other fields to produce images of documents and artefacts which have previously been impossible to view by any means. The use of multi-wavelength scans, CAT scans and X-ray technology to read invisible images and brittle scrolls without unrolling them is now feasible. This would have made the reading of the Dead Sea Scrolls very much easier. However, there are very many scrolls in a similar or worse condition than them which now become candidates for serious investigation. A large range of new and forgotten knowledge is on the brink of becoming accessible. AT May 09 New Powers for Local Government? In a new report, the Communities and Local Government Select Committee of the House of Commons stated that local authorities need both sufficient formal powers and more general autonomy to pursue a leading local leadership role. The Committee recognises the frustration that, regardless of their track record, local authorities remain subject to invasive central government scrutiny and interference. and urges the Government to take a more flexible view of decentralisation, and to deliver on its promises of earned autonomy. Library Service Modernisation Review A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) said that publication of its Library Service Modernisation Review, led by culture minister Barbara Follett, has been delayed to July. Observers point to the fact that Folletts review may want to take into account the results of the Wirral inquiry (see below). These will investigate whether the councils plans are consistent with its statutory duty to provide a "comprehensive and efficient" library service under the 1964 Museums & Public Libraries Act and will therefore have broad implications. Andy Burnhams U Turn Andy Burnham, Secretary of State at the DCMS, has removed the telescope from his blind eye and has seen that there is considerable, countrywide opposition to the proposed mass closure of (11) public libraries in the Wirral. The previous DCMS position of "not minded to intervene at this time" has been modified to: They [public libraries] should never be an optional extra for local authorities." The Secretary of State has ordered a local inquiry into Wirral Council's plan and the Council has promised that the libraries will remain open during the inquiry. Laura Swaffields Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals blog commented: It will open up quite a can of worms. The last time anyone even tried to do this intervention thingie was in 1991. One can almost (I said almost) sympathise with Andy for trying to dodge it Perhaps it will open a can of worms. However, that is not what Andy Burnham will want. A quiet burial would be his preference and he will choose a Chairman of the inquiry who will be sympathetic to this viewpoint. The Cilip blog AT April 09. Sue Charteris has been chosen by Andy Burnham to Chair the Inquiry. She is a Founding Director of Shared Intelligence and a public policy consultant specialising in local government and public service improvement. Her comment on her appointment was: " I am very pleased to have been appointed to lead this Inquiry into the Wirral library service. Having been involved in local government and worked for local authorities, I fully understand the challenges that they face in the provision of services - particularly in this difficult economic climate - but also know the valuable role that libraries play in local communities. My advice to the Secretary of State will be based on a thorough study of the evidence, and I will give all interested parties the opportunity to comment." Sue Charteris' report is due in June, and the Secretary of State's decision will follow shortly after. London Boroughs Comprehensive Performance Assessment - 2008 The 2008 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) scores for Local Authorities have been published by the Audit Commission. The CPA measures how well councils deliver services for local people and communities. The new report contains comparisons of council performances since the last set of results was published for 2007. Each score is on a scale from 1 to 4, where 1 is the lowest score and 4 is the highest. The relevant category for libraries is the Cultural one and the table below gives each London boroughs score for that. The change assessment given below covers all council services, but can be assumed to be a measure of the commitment to the improvement of cultural services as well as other services. Only one London borough has been assessed as not improving adequately. This is Haringey, where there are well known problems. In general, the lowest assessment made for any service is 2. The exception to this is for "children & young peoples services". In this very sensitive area, a more critical regime now seems to exist and some 1 assessments have been made. As is to be expected, Haringey appears in this list, but no other London borough. The inevitably low 2008 Haringey score highlights the overly rosy picture which the CPA usually gives of local government performance. The 2007 scores for this borough were 3 star overall, 3 for culture and improving well (see LondonCPAScores1.htm). There was no indication that things were about to fall apart in Haringey - rather like the assessment of Enron by its auditors. Comprehensive Performance Assessment 2008 Cultural Category Score Change Assessment Corporation of London Improving strongly Inner London Boroughs Improving well Southwalk Outer London Boroughs Not Improving adequately Improving adequately Waltham Forrest AT Mar 09 Unison Library Campaign Unison, the public sector trade union, has launched a campaign in support of public libraries or, more accurately, in support of public library jobs. The campaign, defend the public library service pointed out that there had been 60 public library closures in the UK during the last year and that more were planned. Like some library users, Unison disapproves of a shift towards computer services within public libraries and the fall in expenditure on books. Worryingly, it suggests that the use of volunteers is a cause of reducing services, rather than a method of maintaining and improving services. It would be interesting to find out if there was any concrete justification for such a allegation beyond the long standing antipathy to a community helping itself. The demands put forward are not completely restricted to special pleading on behalf of library staff, but do have some relevance to users. Taking stock: the future of our public library service is a 59 page Unison document which has recently been published and contains a lot of useful data on national trends in library service provision. This data has been abstracted from CIPFA publications, so can be considered to be reliable. However, care must be exercised in using it to make comparisons with individual local authority performances. A better method of carrying out comparisons is to compare the individual authority with its peer group e.g. an inner London authority should be compared with all 12 inner London authorities. Bloomsbury Open Access Bloomsbury, the publisher, is to offer free, non-commercial, downloading of books from the internet. Initially the books will be in the social sciences and humanities areas. It intends to build thematic lists on current global issues and expects to have approximately fifty new titles available by the end of 2009. Bloomsbury is assembling a high-power advisory board for its new venture, drawing in academics from the British Library, MIT, Open University, Max Plank Institute, LSE and Johns Hopkins University. The works will also be sold as books, using the latest short-run technologies or Print on Demand. The Print on Demand method of distribution is ideal for academic publishing, as it avoids the high set-up costs of normal book printing. Academic authors are not primarily interested in earning money from their books. They are more interested in gaining greater peer recognition for themselves and for the ideas which they espouse. As their works will not be subject to the normal long production process, the authors will benefit from having them distributed very quickly. Also, the books will be capable of being searched more easily and need never go out of print. The first book to be made available by this new venture was published in October and, appropriately, it was written by Lawrence Lessig, the copyright reform campaigner. In his new book, Remix, he makes the point that the present copyright laws tend to criminalise people, especially the young. Bloomsbury's German partner, Berlin Verlag, will be actively participating in the new venture and discussions are also underway with Melbourne University Publishing. AT Nov 08 European Online Library The European Online Library (described here in Sep 2006), Europeana, was launched on 20th November and proved immensely popular. It received 10 million hits an hour and promptly crashed. The site was relaunched in early January 2009. More than 1,000 cultural organisations, including The British Library in London, are making contributions to the library. National libraries from all over Europe have contributed printed and manuscript material, including digitised copies of rare and valuable books, such as the Gutenberg Bible. Also among these institutions are the Louvre in Paris and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam which have supplied digitised paintings and other objects from their collections. The intention of Europeana is to provide digital access to information on Europe's history; in the form of image, text, sound or film; which is held in libraries, archives or museums. The Institut National de l'Audiovisuel has supplied 80,000 broadcast recordings from the 20th Century, in addition to early footage shot on the battlefields of France in 1914, and The British Library has provided access to its vast collection of sound recordings, covering British accents and dialects, British wildlife, and early ethnographic wax cylinder recordings. Internet users will be able to access more than two million books, maps, recordings, photographs, archive documents, paintings and films, without charge. Link to Europeana AT Nov 08 The Noise Issue Mobile phone conversations, teenage chatter & giggling, the hiss of espresso machines, the rattle of coffee cups and a liberal scattering of food waste - these are all desirable attributes of a modern public library. At least they are according to national politicians. It is a well known phenomenon that, as politicians claw their way up their particular greasy pole, they become increasingly divorced from reality. Their contact with ordinary life is restricted to a very few hours per week and they begin to live more and more in a fantasy land containing only other Westminster-village virtual people. Of course, part of the fantasy is that they all believe that they are in close touch with their electors. In these circumstances, it is not surprising that the nonsense of noisy libraries should be given such wholehearted support by some of these arbiters of what is good for us. It is the nature of adversarial politics that everything is viewed as a black & white issue. In real life, most issues are actually just shades of grey and the noisy library is one of those. If the argument was about what should go on in large, modern libraries only, there would be some sense in the suggestions. These buildings usually have some spare space that can be used for coffee shops etc and their structures can often be fairly easily modified. Even in this circumstance, care must be taken in applying these transiently fashionable concepts, to avoid more people being driven away from libraries than are attracted to them. A few simple rules should be used to ensure that it is the library user that is really the beneficiary, rather than the victim, of any changes: · Ensure that there is a noise barrier between the quiet, library areas and any new facility. · Do not steal space from the library proper for the new activity. · Use the voluntary sector to run any commercial enterprise, in order to keep all the benefits in the local community. The vast majority of Britains public libraries are more friendly institutions than the large monuments to civic pride that politicians and librarians love. However, they are also small and elderly suitable for their original purpose of housing a largish collection of books, but little else. The addition of a few public-access computers into each of them necessitated considerable modification to their layouts and often resulted in the loss of bookshelves. Perhaps the politicians believe that the loss of bookshelves is a bonus and should be encouraged. Surely they cannot be that out-of-touch, or can they? The main supporters of the noisy library idea in the Palace of Westminster are Andy Burnham MP and Lyn Brown MP Public Library Volunteers in London The subject of Library Volunteers is becoming a popular topic of conversation among members of Londons Public Library Friends groups and the new issue of CIPFA Library Statistics has some data to add substance to those conversations (see below). Just over half of London boroughs have public library volunteer schemes,but there appears to be enormous variability in how the boroughs use those volunteers. Some have very few volunteers and use each of them intensively. Others operate in exactly the opposite manner. Inner London boroughs (42% have volunteer schemes) are less enthusiastic about volunteers than their Outer London counterparts (60% have volunteer schemes). Some boroughs (3 of the total of 17 boroughs with volunteer schemes) are so off-hand about this form of help that they are unable to say how many hours of work are freely given by their volunteers per year. However, on average, Londons public library volunteers give only one hour per week to their library service (allowing for holidays). For the widespread, major improvements in service which advocates of volunteer programmes suggest is possible, there has to be a great increase in this commitment. Relying on a large number of people coming forward is unrealistic. As with all published statistics, the CIFA figures are historic and tell us nothing about what has happened since the end March 2007. Because of this, the picture painted of the Hackney library service volunteer activities is quite average an average number of volunteers occasionally helping out in the boroughs archives. This picture changed radically in March 2007, when Hackney reopened a library which had been closed since 1996. This small library is completely volunteer run and has proved to be a notable success. A LLL delegation visited Woodberry Down Community Library and has come away impressed. A report on the visit can be viewed at: VolunteerLibrary.htm Inner London Borough No. of Volunteers No. of Volunteer Hours Hours per Volunteer for Year 2006 - 2007 Outer London Borough Total for Average Hrs. Calc. Overall Total Average Hours /Volunteer/Yr. AT Aug 08 Inner London Growing Faster Than Anywhere Else in UK HBOS plc compiled a very useful digest of population statistics just before it fell victim to the Credit Crunch. The statistics were taken from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates and show that the four local authorities with the biggest percentage population growth between 1997 and 2007 are all in Inner London. These are the City of London (40%), followed by Westminster (29%), Kensington and Chelsea (26%) and Camden (25%). Population growth in the rest of Greater London is not far behind these leaders. For comparison, the country, as a whole, only increased its population by 5% in the same period. The organisation representing London Local Authorities, London Councils, has expressed deep concern about the ONS figures. It believes that they significantly understate the populations of Londons boroughs. Londons library users should also be concerned. Any underestimate of a boroughs population automatically reduces the money received from central government and most of the income of the boroughs comes from this source. History tells us that library services are the first to suffer, when money is short. So it is extremely important to get the estimates right. It is actually doubly important, as London is already financially penalised by central government in its robbing Peter to pay Paul exercise of local government funding London is always cast as Peter - see below. London Councils Comment No, not the Aldous Huxley book but a study of the possible affects of digitisation on the publishing industry. This Brave New World is a 120 page report containing an in-depth analysis of the changes that are beginning to be forced upon the book trade. The sober assessments of the study are in marked contrast to the hysterical reactions of the music industry when faced with the same problems and they deserve wide consideration. The report can be freely downloaded (see below). AT April 08 Fact not Fiction 2008 - Facts and Figures about Londons public libraries The MLA, London has collected a wide range of statistics about Londons public libraries in a new document. It is well worth reading and is available for download from: Return of the Public Library Philanthropist? The beginning of the public library movement was marked by the support of public-spirited individuals. Visionaries, such as Andrew Carnegie & John Passmore Edwards, were willing to use their energy and wealth for the betterment of less fortunate citizens. Now, in the UK, these nineteenth century philanthropists are only dimly remembered and are considered to have little relevance to present day circumstances. However, under the influence of tightening local government finances, those circumstances have been changing for some time. For over twenty years there has been a slow drift away from a firm official belief in the importance of providing the poor with free access to a wide range of literature. That belief is now quite conditional - hemmed-in by many provisos. The nature of the link between education and the public libraries has been almost forgotten. The library safety net has been allowed to decay and many more people are now falling through it. In contrast to the UK, the USA has never lost a strong voluntary aspect to the delivery of public library services. Thus, it is probably not very surprising to Americans that a financier, Stephen A. Schwarzman, should donate $100m to the New York Library Service. Indeed, one member of the NY Public Librarys board thought that he should have given more an astounding reaction when viewed from this side of the Atlantic. Are there no UK billionaires interested in improving the literacy of their fellow citizens? There is little doubt that they will soon be sorely needed. https://www.forbes.com/business/2008/03/11/billionaires-library-donation-biz-cx_af_0311schwarzman.html Books on the Internet HarperCollins, the publisher, has begun to make available selected books on its website. The free electronic editions are complete books, not extracts. Since November, HarperCollins has provided electronic extracts from about 15 of its current books and has obviously found that the initiative has paid-off in higher sales. The HarperCollins move is a shrewd one. Although the entire contents of a book may be freely available via the internet, the rather clumsy nature of current computers, PDAs and e-book readers makes reading the complete electronic book an uncomfortable experience. Browsing the books, as in a bookshop, is another matter. The release of the Apple MacBook Air does not really alter the basic premise. Meanwhile: Random House has digitised all its new books and is now proceeding to do the same to its back catalogue. Tor, the science fiction publisher, is making one of its books available for free downloading each week. Borders, the US bookshop chain, has unveiled a new concept - a store where shoppers can mix and burn CDs, explore their genealogies and even publish their own novels. The digitalisation of out-of-copyright book collections by Google and Microsoft continues apace. The first production rollup display e-book/cell phone has been announced by Polymervision What was predicted in the LLL technology webpage a long time ago is beginning to happen. The digitisation process is building momentum and will result in fundamental changes to the way public libraries operate. AT Feb.08 2007 Comprehensive Performance Assessments The 2007 Comprehensive Performance Assessments (CPA) were published on 7th February. These provide a measure of the quality of services provided by English councils to their local communities and their commitment to improving these services in the future. Six of the 33 London boroughs are among the 13 authorities receiving the highest possible rating under CPA. The figures also show that 97 per cent of Londons boroughs are rated as improving well or strongly with 94 per cent gaining three or four stars (Harrow was the only borough to have less than 3 stars). Seven of the 13 inner London authorities were awarded 4 stars but only three of the 20 outer London boroughs were judged to have reached this standard. The star rating gives a headline CPA result for a borough and thus provides an average picture for the performance of each Council. However, within this average, there are areas of high achievement and areas of low achievement. In almost every London borough, the cultural area was found to have performed below the average for the borough. The only exceptions to this rule are The City of London, Westminster and Richmond upon Thames. The culture area is where a boroughs public library service is usually grouped. Click for a comparison of cultural performance with overall performance for all London authorities. https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/ , https://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/ AT. Feb.08 First Consultation on the Amendments to Copyright Exceptions Recommended by Gowers On 8 January 2008 Lord Triesman, Minister for Intellectual Property, launched the first of a two part consultation on the recommendations made by the Dec. 2006 Gowers report on Intellectual Property. Lord Triesman pointed out that it was necessary to ensure the IP protection systems are robust enough - and sensible enough - not only to protect the rights holder from illegal activity, but to ensure that the consumer and user can make sensible use of protected works and also respect the rights attached to them. The consultation will cover recommendations for changes to copyright law that will: · enable schools and universities to make the most of digital technologies and facilitate distance learning; · allow libraries and archives to use technology to preserve valuable material before it deteriorates or the format it is stored on becomes obsolete; · introduce a format shifting exception to allow consumers to copy legitimately purchased content to another format, for example CD to MP3, in a manner that does not damage the interests of copyright owners; and provide a new exception for parody. The responses to the consultation will be analysed and then a further consultation on the resulting draft law will follow. AT Jan 08 Busy Libraries The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has published its 2007 ranking of the UKs 20 most busy public libraries. The Norfolk & Norwich Millenium Library was the clear winner with 1,506,344 visits in the year and 1,158,080 issues. The leading London library was Croydon Central Library with a 4th place based on visits (868,088) and 15th place based on issues (491,888). London public libraries performed better on the visits measure than on the issues measure. CIFAs data could possible suggest an issues problem in Londons public libraries and, more worrying, a general problem in inner London libraries (no representative in either table). With the high levels of deprivation in inner London and a great need to raise literacy levels, this would not be good news. However, judging the effectiveness of a boroughs Public Library Service on the performance of one flagship library does not take into account the other libraries which are usually better integrated into their local communities. The inclusion of a borough library in the top 20 list could actually be a good reason to look more carefully at the overall library provision in the borough. One way to achieve a high ranking would be to reduce the service elsewhere in the borough i.e. restrict opening hours or simply close libraries. Such a policy would force people to travel to the flagship library and would, of course, result in the poor being penalised. Busiest London Libraries Based on Visits/Year Croydon Central Library Wood Green Central Busiest London Libraries Based on Issues/Year Bromley Central AT Jan.08 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlements for 2008/09 to 2010/11. On 6 December 2007, the government announced details of the provisional local government finance settlements for the three years 2008/09 to 2010/11. London Local Authorities are extremely disappointed with the settlements which they believe completely fail to recognise the extent of service and financial pressures on local authorities in the capital. The London Councils will receive an increase in grant well below the average for England in each of the three years. As London has been repeatedly penalised in this way over the past decade, services to residents have been under pressure for some time and this has resulted in library closure programs being proposed in Brent, Southwalk and Waltham Forest. The public library service is one of the few services in which central government allows local discretion to exist. Thus, it is easier to cut library services than almost any other locally provided service to the public. It is the Local Authority, of course, which receives the criticism of library users, whilst central government is able to claim that it is in favour of public libraries. Perhaps it is in favour of public libraries outside London, it is certainly not within London, as its policies make it inevitable that they be cut back for the 7 million Londoners. Oxford Universitys Department of Social Policy & Social Work recently published The English Indices of Deprivation 2007. In this, London was ranked as the second most deprived region in England in absolute terms (after the North West) and the third most deprived region in % terms. London was also ranked bottom in a measure of the least deprived areas i.e. prosperity was spread more widely in all other regions. If these facts are combined with the knowledge that local taxation is not based on the ability to pay, the conclusion can be drawn that the poor of London are being forced to subsidize the rich in other regions. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/576659 Public Library Materials Fund and Budget Survey for 2006-08 Loughborough Universitys LISU research unit has published its Public Library Materials Fund and Budget Survey for LISU found that total library expenditure for the UK fell by 0.3% in 2006/07, with a further fall predicted for 2007/08. Although the reported fall was small, LISU suggested that it was particularly disappointing as, at this time last year, libraries were predicting an increase of 3% in spending for 2006/07. Expenditure on materials fell by 1.5% in 2006/07 and a further fall of 2.3% is expected for 2007/08. Within this overall fall, spending on books continues to decline slowly and, although spending on audio-visual materials (including electronic resources) rose slightly in 2006/07, it is predicted to fall again in 2007/08, by 1.4%. Staff expenditure represents approximately 60% of overall public library expenditure, so small percentage changes in this figure has a far larger affect than other elements in a public library services budget. LISU reported that staff numbers have fallen for the first time for many years, and are predicted to fall further in 2007/08. The most expensive staff members are the professionally qualified ones and much of the decrease has been in this area. The Literacy Disaster The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls) is undertaken every five years (2001 & 2006) in over 40 countries around the world and measures the "reading literacy" & associated factors for children aged approximately 10 years old. Thus, in most countries, the Pirls investigation is aimed at children with four years of formal schooling. However, in some countries, including England and Scotland, it takes place after five years of schooling. The score for England in 2006 was 539 and was 527 for Scotland. The highest 2006 score was 565 for the Russian Federation. The average score was 500 and the lowest score was 302 (South Africa). The 2006 study found that childrens performance in England and Scotland had fallen in the previous five years. The reading performance of children in England had fallen from third to 19th in the world and Scotland also fell, from 14th to 26th. Top scoring Russia only managed to equal the Scottish score in 2001. In England, the Department for Children, Schools and Families commissioned a separate report on the findings, from the independent National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). This concluded that lower achievement among the better readers had contributed most to England's overall fall, rather than the small increase in the proportion of weaker readers. Perhaps the most worrying comment from the NFER is that there had been significant increases in the proportion of English 10-year-olds with the "least positive" attitudes to reading and who said they very seldom read stories or novels outside school. The fact that both England and Scotland had a 2006 score somewhat above the average value of 500 has been suggested as a mitigating circumstance. However, if allowance is made for the extra year of schooling provided in these countries, this appears very much like grasping at straws. It is obvious that the rate of children's progress in most other countries is greater than England or Scotland. Ed Balls, Children, Schools and Families Secretary, suggested that the same story was emerging from the government's consultation on its Children's Plan as from the Pirls study. He said "I'm calling today for everyone's help to get our children reading more and to kick-start a new national debate about the value of reading." As the public libraries have traditionally provided the UKs educational safety net, Mr Balls would do well to ensure that Library Services are provided with sufficient funds to take up his challenge. Contact LLL at email us : mail @librarylondon.org Saving Your Library This is the subject of many emails and telephone calls to LLL. Lewisham Council tried to close 3 of its public libraries a little while ago. You can read about the methods used to successfully fight against this at localgroups/SaveYourLibrary.htm You can still email and telephone us, if you wish. 31 Milton Park N6 5QB Tim Coates Susan Chinn sbchinn@btinternet.com plr@ukgateway.net See our Key Facts for each Borough's Library Service, with links to each Borough website Disclaimer:disclaim.htm The Book Stock in a public library is usually considered by the users to be its most important asset. However, many users groups find it impossible to establish the size of this asset. A very simple method has now been proposed for estimating the number of books on a library's shelves. More information: countthosebooks(2).htm UNIVERSITY TO VILLAGE HALL On 18th July 05, Libri published a report entitled From University to Village Hall This hard-hitting document can be found at: The LLL comments on the report can be found in webpage: Uni_to_V_Hall.htm The MLA review of the report can be found at: The Library Campaign	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384289
__label__cc	0.646525	0.353475	The full-length envelope of an HERV-H human endogenous retrovirus has immunosuppressive properties Marianne Mangeney1, Nathalie de Parseval1, Gilles Thomas2, Thierry Heidmann1 Affiliations: 1 Unité des Rétrovirus Endogènes et Eléments Rétroı̈des des Eukaryotes Supérieurs, UMR 1573 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif, France1 2 CEPH, 27 rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris, France2 Author for correspondence: Thierry Heidmann. Fax +33 1 42 11 53 42. e-mail [email protected] First Published: 01 October 2001 https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515 We have demonstrated previously that the envelope proteins of a murine retrovirus (Moloney murine leukaemia virus) and a simian retrovirus (Mason–Pfizer monkey virus) have immunosuppressive properties in vivo. This property was manifested by the ability of the proteins, when expressed by tumour cells normally rejected by engrafted mice, to allow the envelope-expressing cells to escape immune rejection and to proliferate. Here, it is shown that this property is not restricted to the envelope of infectious retroviruses, but is also shared by the envelope protein encoded by an endogenous retrovirus of humans belonging to the HERV-H family. These results emphasize the close relationship between endogenous and infectious retroviruses and might be important in relation to the process of tumour progression in humans. /content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515 /deliver/fulltext/jgv/82/10/0822515a.html?itemId=/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah Blaise, S., Mangeney, M. & Heidmann, T. ( 2001; ). The envelope of Mason–Pfizer monkey virus has immunosuppressive properties. Journal of General Virology 82, 1597-1600. Cianciolo, G. J., Copeland, T. D., Oroszlan, S. & Snyderman, R. ( 1985; ). Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by a synthetic peptide homologous to retroviral envelope proteins. Science 230, 453-455.[CrossRef] de Parseval, N. & Heidmann, T. ( 1998; ). Physiological knockout of the envelope gene of the single-copy ERV-3 human endogenous retrovirus in a fraction of the Caucasian population. Journal of Virology 72, 3442-3445. de Parseval, N., Casella, J., Gressin, L. & Heidmann, T. ( 2001; ). Characterization of the three HERV-H proviruses with an open envelope reading frame encompassing the immunosuppressive domain and evolutionary history in primates. Virology 279, 558-569.[CrossRef] Lindeskog, M., Mager, D. L. & Blomberg, J. ( 1999; ). Isolation of a human endogenous retroviral HERV-H element with an open env reading frame. Virology 258, 441-450.[CrossRef] Löwer, R., Löwer, J. & Kurth, R. ( 1996; ). The viruses in all of us: characteristics and biological significance of human endogenous retrovirus sequences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 93, 5177-5184.[CrossRef] Mangeney, M. & Heidmann, T. ( 1998; ). Tumor cells expressing a retroviral envelope escape immune rejection in vivo. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 95, 14920-14925.[CrossRef] Tanaka, K., Gorelik, E., Watanabe, M., Hozumi, N. & Jay, G. ( 1988; ). Rejection of B16 melanoma induced by expression of a transfected major histocompatibility complex class I gene. Molecular and Cellular Biology 8, 1857-1861. Tönjes, R. R., Czauderna, F. & Kurth, R. ( 1999; ). Genome-wide screening, cloning, chromosomal assignment, and expression of full-length human endogenous retrovirus type K. Journal of Virology 73, 9187-9195. Urnovitz, H. B. & Murphy, W. H. ( 1996; ). Human endogenous retroviruses: nature, occurrence, and clinical implications in human disease. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 9, 72-99. Voisset, C., Bouton, O., Bedin, F., Duret, L., Mandrand, B., Mallet, F. & Paranhos-Baccalà, G. ( 2000; ). Chromosomal distribution and coding capacity of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-W family. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 16, 731-740.[CrossRef] Wilkinson, D. A., Mager, D. L. & Leong, J. A. C. ( 1994; ). Endogenous human retroviruses. In The Retroviridae , pp. 465-535. Edited by J. A. Levy. New York:Plenum. http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515 J. Gen. Virol. 82, 2515 (2001); https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515 10.1099/0022-1317-82-10-2515	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384291
__label__wiki	0.936966	0.936966	squirrelsbaseball.com \| The Official Site of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (804) 359-FUNN (3866) 2020 Hot Stove Banquet Individual Tickets Promotions Season and Partial Season Memberships Group Packages Hospitality Areas Education & Camp Days Kids Club Diamond Parking Presented By Woodfin Rain Policy & Ticket Insurance Schedule & Stats Schedule 2020 Schedule (PDF) Game-by-game Results Scoreboard Individual Stats League Stats League Standings Roster Coaching Staff Flying Squirrels In MLB All-Time Roster Social Media Media Information Watch Video MiLB.TV The Nutshell Download The MILB APP Flying Squirrels Charities Squirrels In Schools Baseball Camps Camp Warrior Donation Requests Community Nights Appearance Request Score An "A" VACU Strike Out Hunger Work In Funnville Contact Us Front Office Directory Directions Parking Retro Brand Team Store The Diamond A-Z Seating Chart Dining at The Diamond What's on Tap? Tickets & Promotions Schedule & Stats Team Community The Diamond Shop News Ardillas Voladoras Double-A Affiliate Richmond Flying Squirrels News Flying Squirrels President Lou DiBella elected to International Boxing Hall of Fame By Richmond Flying Squirrels \| December 4, 2019 4:52 PM RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond Flying Squirrels President & Managing General Partner Lou DiBella has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday. DiBella has served in his role overseeing all aspects of the Flying Squirrels' operations since the franchise's founding and has been a prominent figure in the boxing world for three decades. "I'm humbled and I'm truly grateful for this recognition, an affirmation that I gave my best to the sport I love." DiBella said. "We are so proud of Lou," Flying Squirrels VP & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell said. "His tireless work ethic is an inspiration to all of us and he is a trusted and loyal friend to us as well. Lou is absolutely one of the most passionate people about life that I have ever met and he is family to me, the Squirrels and RVA." From 1989-2000, DiBella was the Vice President in Charge of Programming for HBO. Under his leadership, HBO Boxing vaulted to signature programming status and televised many of the biggest prizefights in the history of the sport. He also revolutionized the sport as creator of the critically acclaimed "Boxing After Dark" television series, providing underexposed fighters the opportunity to advance their careers on a national stage. In May of 2000, he launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company. DBE continues to be one of the most successful companies in boxing, and DiBella has been lauded in the boxing community for fighting the contractual exploitation of boxers by promoters. The 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will take place June 11-14 in Canastota, N.Y. -SQUIRRELS-	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384294
__label__wiki	0.977265	0.977265	Trump says transgender troops can’t serve in the military Leo Shane III and Tara Copp President Donald Trump speaks at the Covelli Centre, Tuesday, July 25 in Youngstown, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) WASHINGTON — Transgender individuals could be kicked out of the military and banned from enlisting under a policy change announced by President Donald Trump on Twitter Wednesday morning. Trump appeared to completely reverse policy put in place last year by President Barack Obama that allows open service of transgender individuals and funding for gender reassignment surgery. This announcement came as a shock to the “vast majority” of Pentagon leaders who had no idea the policy change was coming, a government official said. The Pentagon was working feverishly Wednesday morning to determine what the tweets mean for service members and determine the way ahead. For example, what sort of guidance should be provided to unit-level commanders regarding the men and women under their responsibility? Does a tweet make policy, or does it need to be further codified before the policy can be enacted, such as officially recording it in the Federal Register? And potentially most importantly, what does the policy mean for the thousands of transgender men and women service members already serving who have identified themselves in the months since the Obama administration welcomed them to serve openly? Trump says transgender troops can't serve Trumps tweets on July 26th have brought up many questions on the existing policy. “We refer all questions about the President's statements to the White House,” Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters. “We will continue to work closely with the White House to address the new guidance provided by the commander-in-chief on transgender individuals serving the military,” Davis said in a statement. ”We will provide revised guidance to the department in the near future.” The president’s tweets suggested that military readiness was a key concern. “After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump said in the morning tweets. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.” After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017 ....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..... ....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you Mattis was on leave this week on personal travel, Davis said. Newly installed Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan was "in the seat," Davis said, but Mattis was expected to call into key meetings. The White House did brief just a few senior Pentagon officials on the president’s planned tweets before they went out, said a U.S. official who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity. But the “vast, vast majority of people knew nothing about it,” the official said. The official did not know whether Mattis knew ahead of time about the tweets. The government official said the Pentagon’s current policies allowing transgendered servicemembers to serve remain in effect as the department conducts its review. The move comes just a few weeks after Defense Secretary James Mattis delayed a policy allowing the enlistment of transgender recruits into the military pending a six-month review of military policies. That review was not announced to be covering transgender troops already serving openly. Transgender service members who are already in the military have been able to serve openly since last year, when former Defense Secretary Ash Carter ended the ban. Since Oct. 1, transgender troops have been able to receive medical care and start formally changing gender identifications in the Pentagon's personnel system. Outside rights groups have estimated that about 15,000 transgender individuals are already serving in the ranks. They’ve also attacked Mattis’ delay as a discriminatory step that will make the military less safe. The RAND Corp. has previously estimated the cost of health care services for transgender troops at close to $8 million a year, a small fraction of the $600 billion-plus Pentagon budget. Lots of courageous transgender troops are honorably serving in our armed forces. Removing them weakens our country & our military. — VoteVets (@votevets) July 26, 2017 But conservatives on Capitol Hill have attacked the policy in recent weeks as an unnecessary expenditure and a potential threat to military readiness. Officials at OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which provides legal assistance to LGBT troops and recruits, called Trump’s announcement “pseudo-policy-by-twitter,” and said the news is part of a pattern of “blatant disregard for transgender service members.” “The disruptive burden to the military comes from indecision in a White House which itself is not focused on victory if it’s targeting service members,” the group said. “The readiness, effectiveness, and lethality of the Armed Services comes from the commitment of our troops — not the vagaries and bigotry of exclusionary policies.” Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, an advocacy group for transgender service members, blasted Trump’s comments as “creating a worse version of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” which banned gay troops from talking about sexual orientation while serving in the military. “As we know from the sad history of that discredited policy, discrimination harms military readiness,” he said. “This is a shocking and ignorant attack on our military and on transgender troops who have been serving honorably and effectively for the past year.” Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384295
__label__wiki	0.885518	0.885518	You do not have javascript enabled. Enable javascript for the best user experience. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our site. By continuing to use the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Mindsports Their Education Respecte a nosaltres Mindsports Moments JUGA ARA Reptes See Natalie's Articles Expertise Scrabble I have been playing Scrabble since the end of 2012. My Scrabble career highlight was in January 2016, when I beat Nigel Richards (not that I like to mention it – much!) I am based in Solihull with my partner and son. I am very excited about being part of the Mindsports Academy education programme and helping to put UK youth Scrabble firmly on the map. See José Luis's Articles En scrabble competitivo desde 1997..., apoyando el movimiento local en Venezuela y a la FISE desde su inicios: ¡estoy a sus órdenes!. ¡Un gran abrazo! See Brett's Articles Brett has been playing competitive tournament Scrabble for 20 years, having won most of the major UK titles and enjoying success on the global stage, ranking at or around the very top in the world for almost 15 years. He has contributed to a number of books and articles on the subject of Scrabble, as well as appearing regularly in the media (he was even a question on Have I Got News for You!) Brett is the reigning World Scrabble Champion, having won the title in a straight 3-0 victory in the 2016 final in Lille, France, and is the MSI Scrabble Ambassador. He’s already preparing to successfully defend his title and continues to strive to play the perfect game every time. See Daniel's Articles Daniel Stembridge describes his age as "44 of your puny Earth years". He does not reveal what planet he hails from though it is suspected that Scrabble must be played there due to his clear liking for the game. He currently resides on the third rock from the sun in Lancashire, England - not too far from the Lake District, where he can often be found struggling up mountains, across bogs, looking bewildered in fields, and moaning about how far away the nearest pub is. In 2013, he co-founded the Facebook Scrabble League, and is a former Editor of OnBoard, the magazine for British Scrabble Players. He is married, and has two young children. See Ganesh's Articles Ganesh Asirvatham has been playing Scrabble since he was 12. With a career spanning 17 years, Ganesh had achieved success in in Malaysia and has won numerous titles including a record breaking 5 national titles. Ganesh represented Malaysia in 5 World Scrabble Championships and was a finalist in the 2007 edition. His love affair has seen him take a more active role in Scrabble and was instrumental in initiating the Scrabble to Schools programme that saw hundreds of Malaysian students participate in local tournaments. He was also part of the organizing team of the 2003 World Scrabble Championship which was held in Malaysia. Ganesh has been tournament director for a number of events and had a successful outing as the tournament director of the 2013 Penang International Scrabble Open. Most recently he was the Tournament Director at the 2016 World Scrabble Championships in Lille, France. Ganesh is the Chairman of the WMSF driving the growth and development of Scrabble worldwide. See Bob's Articles Bob has played Scrabble since he was five-years-old and Chess since he was seven. His parents raised him using cognitive games as parenting and education tools. Bob was introduced to Magic in September of 1993, and that has been his game of choice ever since. Though he did enjoy a professional Magic career for a short period, Bob prefers the educational and social aspects of cognitive games. He has started multiple gaming clubs which include Magic, Chess, Scrabble, and others in several secondary and higher education institutions. Bob received his Doctoral degree from Lindenwood University. His dissertation is titled Higher Education Perspectives: Magic the Gathering’s Role in Whole-Person, Academic, and Career Development. You Can Help Make A Change Complete the short registration form Choose what membership you'd like Enjoy all the great benefits! Guaranteed Games Competitive Ranking Tournaments with real prizes Facetime Experience Multi-language play INSCRIU-TE GRATUÏTAMENT! Enviar Correu Nom d’usuari Preferències d’idioma English Spanish Catalan French Arabic Joc preferit Word Games Chess Go Mindsports Em recordes? Register - Free Register - Premium Already a member? Entra © 2018 TMA International Registered 0870 4741 VAT 278 008 295	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384297
__label__cc	0.693605	0.306395	The Moss Group, Inc Why Choose TMG The TMG Team PREA Readiness and Implementation Sexual Safety Assessments Mission Change/Transition Strategy Staffing Analysis Restrictive Housing Culture and Organizational Assessments Training and T4T Training for Trainers The Moss Group, Inc ⟩ Who We Are ⟩ History The Moss Group was formed to provide the field of corrections with opportunities to partner with some of the most dedicated and talented practitioners, researchers, and community stakeholders that touch the criminal justice system. Over 15 Years of Success A full-service national consulting firm, The Moss Group focuses primarily on facility and organizational safety. However, while our major outreach has been in prisons, jails, and community corrections, our experience also moves us into related fields of work. Our leadership strategies and unique ability to assess and develop healthy organizational cultures has resulted in opportunities to broaden our work with other types of agencies. We’ve partnered with educational organizations, fire and safety departments, non-profits, and most recently, forensic science. As the founder of The Moss Group, my vision came from a desire to serve the public and private sector after the first 20 years of my career in state and federal levels of criminal justice. My experience allowed me to build a consulting firm based on a profound belief in the talent and thoughtfulness of many of the senior leaders, academicians, and advocates I’ve worked with along the way. The opportunity to blend the talent of these individuals to problem solve as “trusted partners” to organizations was exciting to me. Additionally, the population The Moss Group serves includes those involved in the criminal justice system or other social justice systems. They are simply not, in my view, throw-away individuals. The dilemmas in criminal justice require a 360 perspective that clarifies our goal. – positive outcomes for staff, for those we serve, and for our communities. The Moss Group’s team of consultants represent a broad range of knowledge and expertise. We are policy experts, operations experts, legal experts, and training experts. Our team has the capacity to respond quickly to short- or long-range projects. Our commitment to learning and reinventing our consulting practice comes from each client engagement and striving to be the very best at what we do. Finally, my own history of working to achieve sexual safety in confinement through the lens of culture and leadership has framed much of The Moss Group’s early work. What continues to be a primary focus is that of sexual safety in confinement settings. It is important, however, to stress that our approach to sexual safety has for many years led my firm into the major critical and emerging issues that face public leaders. I hope you will consider our talent as you address the challenges of implementing best practice in your organization. Anadora Moss The Moss Group, Inc. The Moss Group, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based criminal justice consulting firm dedicated to helping state, local, federal, and private organizations in achieving organizational excellence. We specialize in developing strategic solutions to sensitive issues facing correctional administrators, executives, and leaders. Andie’s career with NIC and her years as a key contributor in the corrections field have instilled in her a keen sensitivity to the pressures facing executive leaders. She understands how networking extends along a continuum from excellent professional relationships to the synergy that solves emerging problems and dilemmas. Andie weaves confidentiality and wisdom into every interaction. Robert P. HoustonSenior Community Research Associate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Fellow in National Academy of Public Administration, College of Public Affairs and Community Service, University of Nebraska at Omaha TMG is a criminal justice consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve organizational excellence. TMG provides consultation, technical assistance, and training to the criminal justice field. TMG provides quality training and technical assistance customized to meet specific organizational needs. Have a question? Interested in consulting or want to join our team? LOG IN for TMG Consultant Resources 1312 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 info@mossgroup.us	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384298
__label__wiki	0.676252	0.676252	Home / News / Convertibles Maserati GranTurismo convertible due next year Ralph Hanson January 16, 2008 Comment Now! Maserati recently recorded its first profit in almost 17 years and is selling more cars than in its entire history because of the launch of new models such as the GranTurismo. This is a trend officials hope to continue, which is why next year will see the launch of a new convertible version of the stunning GT. Sales last year reached 7,353 units but Maserati has set a much more ambitious goal of selling 12,000 cars per year by as early as 2011. To do this, Maserati needs more models and the first of these new models will be the drop-top. "The convertible will go on sale in March 2009, but we have not decided yet at which show we will unveil it," a company source told Automotive News Europe at this week’s Detroit Auto Show. The convertible will feature the same mechanical package as the coupe, which means it will be fitted with the same 405hp Ferrari-built 4.2L V8 motor. However, the convertible will require extra reinforcements due to the missing roof and this extra weight will inevitably dull performance. Remember, the coupe already weighs in excess of 1,800kg so the drop-top could easily top the two ton barrier. However, at the end of the day, the GranTurismo is all about style and as a poser’s car a convertible version is as good as it gets. 2008 Convertibles Maserati GranTurismo News Maserati News News 1963 Modena Spyder California from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is for sale 2021 Ford Bronco, 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2021 GMC Yukon: This Week's Top Photos Ralph Hanson - Author	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384299
__label__wiki	0.890581	0.890581	19.03.2004 League Report Kotoko To Offload Players By JOYSports League champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko have decided to offload some players ahead of the new season. The porcupine warriors who currently have forty-five players on the payroll are pruning the squad to cut expenditure, which runs into several millions every month. According to a source, a number of notable faces who enjoyed less playing time last season would be affected by the retrenchment. The club is nonetheless doubling efforts to sign on two additional players for the upcoming season. The King Faisal duo of Hamza Mohammed and Abubakar Yahuza are the targets of the porcupine warriors. But, Faisal chairman, Alhaji Grunsah is not ready to negotiate with Asante Kotoko for any of his players until they pay up the full transfer fees of Frank Osei and Yusif Chibsah, which are still in arrears.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384307
__label__wiki	0.545741	0.545741	Abe Sorock Moishe House Beijing, Resident Alumni Jewish Background In Beijing, a transient city where all of the local Jews are transplants or expats, US-born, Abe Sorock and his peers have become de facto Jewish cultural ambassadors. Moishe House Connection Whether hosting 60 people for a Passover Seder or 120 people for a lecture with a prominent business leader, Moishe House enables Abe and his Moishe House peers to extend their hospitality to visitors from around the world while envisioning their own pathways towards Jewish leadership. Abe believes that “the kind of young people and leaders you get in Beijing, who’ve decided to travel far from home because they see the future of business and technology in Asia, are exactly the kind of people the global Jewish community needs to engage and keep connected.” Abe has become a go-to resource on Jewish life in Asia and has been invited to speak at international Jewish events. He exemplifies the value of investing in young adults who are leading Jewish communal life in new places. For more information about Moishe House community builders and their work overseas click here.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384310
__label__cc	0.544027	0.455973	Sodexo Foodservice Launches Meatless Monday at Brandeis with University’s Sustainability Committee Sodexo, a leading global foodservice management company, and Brandeis University, in Waltham, Massachusetts, recently launched a successful Meatless Monday promotion. The Monday Campaigns provided free resources and collaborated with Emily Baksa, Sodexo’s Marketing Specialist and Beth Winthrop, National Dietitian for Sodexo Universities. They shared tips and insights on getting students excited about vegetarian and vegan meals on campus. Emily Baksa – Marketing Specialist for Sodexo What were the driving forces behind the launch and implementation of Meatless Monday at Brandeis? A student on the Brandeis Dining Committee, who is also a representative of the Brandeis Sustainability Committee, requested Meatless Monday as a trial event in the spring semester. The Sodexo Dining team had already developed a relationship with a local vegetarian and vegan restaurant, Red Lentil, in Watertown, MA and were planning on hosting the chef and owner, Chef Pankaj, on campus. At a Dining Committee meeting made up of students and Sodexo and Brandeis staff, the decision was made to host Meatless Monday. The event would also include a Chef Pankaj demo from Red Lentil. The Sustainability Committee was influential in promoting the event on their club social media and in weekly meetings. I provided print materials present throughout the lunch, speaking to the value of Meatless Monday. The Dining Services Dietitian also developed a display table showcasing sufficient sources of protein aside from meat that were present in the Dining Hall. This included soy milk, black beans, hard boiled eggs, and more. Students from the Sustainability Committee were present to greet students at the table and through-out the luncheon. How did Sodexo develop a Meatless Monday menu for Brandeis? Chef Pankaj from Red Lentil brought three recipes with him that he cooked and served at a separate station. The rest of the menu was created by Sodexo’s Executive Chef from a selection of plant-based recipes available in the company recipe matrix. Sodexo’s corporate culinary development team has always focused on vegan and vegetarian recipes. In 2018, Sodexo is working with chefs from The Humane Society on additional plant-based vegan recipes. The process starts with sustainable purchasing practices, which means sourcing local, fair trade, and humane ingredients. Then, recipe development in our state-of-the-art test kitchen with recipe testing and menu development. Sodexo’s global chefs contribute vegan and vegetarian recipes from around the world, broadening the perspectives of the staff, students, faculty and staff they encounter. How successful was the launch overall? We definitely consider our first Meatless Monday launch a success. We served 688 guests at lunch, which is higher than an average Monday. You mentioned testimonials. Can you share what the students said? They messaged us many positive reactions to the Meatless Monday event: “Meatless Monday was so delicious! Please continue to do this, the options were great.” “Meatless Monday is awesome! Please do more of them in the future!” “I loved Meatless Monday! All the food was amazing and, as a vegetarian, I didn’t need to check what had meat and what didn’t. I would love to see more of this at Brandeis.” What key strategies can you share for other schools interested in implementing Meatless Monday. Collaboration is key. Any opportunity for campus dining to engage with other interest groups (on or off campus) makes Meatless Monday feel like a community-driven effort. Cross promotion of this messaging with campus partners is also an effective way to spread the word. Meatless Monday is a moment to educate. The event should be supported by information on why meatless makes an impact and the benefits associated with a plant-based diet. These communications should occur in advance of the event, teasing its arrival, and also the moment a guest enjoys their meal. Finally, the menu is the foundation of the event’s success. It is the moment to showcase the variety of dishes that are possible without meat. It’s an opportunity to flaunt some culinary creativity. It gives guests a taste of something that isn’t typical for a vegetarian diet and shows them the versatility of plants, beans, legumes, and grains. More importantly, it makes them tasty! What is the likelihood that Sodexo will continue to promote Meatless Monday at the next school year? It is likely that we will run more Meatless Mondays in the fall semester. We would like to continue to drive it through the Brandeis Sustainability Committee, as the student influence makes these events that much more valuable. What do you think are the most effective ways to market Meatless Monday to get student support? It was important to me to balance the promotion of our event from a variety of different perspectives on why Meatless Monday matters, including arguments for personal health, public health, and environmental health. A combination of these different appeals allowed the messaging to resonate with each guest in the most impactful way. Meatless Monday has a lot of graphics that are fun and ready to use! We utilized the graphics to communicate health and environmental messages. The material was posted on our social media channel and we displayed posters, table tents and flyers in the Dining Hall during the event. I also believe success comes from framing Meatless Monday as an exciting opportunity to try something new. Some guests may see “Meatless Monday” and be apprehensive, making a mental note to eat somewhere else for lunch that day. Instead, I want to counter that viewpoint and promote the event as something so enticing, so unique, so delicious that you don’t want to miss out! Beth Winthrop – National Dietitian for Sodexo Universities For those who eat meat, there are concerns abstaining from meat won’t provide enough protein in their diets. What would you say to educate people about their concerns? Plant-based eating includes a variety of foods rich in proteins and other nutrients. For a great registered dietitian resource go to: https://vegetariannutrition.net/docs/Protein-Vegetarian-Nutrition.pdf What top culinary trends do you see for college and university foodservice menus in the coming school year? Plant-forward eating continues as a growing trend, along with Flexitarian eating, and a desire for clean ingredients. What influences do you see Sodexo has, as a leading foodservice operator, on America’s eating patterns? The University setting is a bridge from life with your family to life as an independent adult in a variety of different ways. University dining is essential to fuel academics and athletic performance. It also fosters understanding between students as they learn about one another through their respective foodways. Our kitchen and dining venues are a non-academic classroom where students learn about new ways of eating, including plant-based, and begin to develop the eating habits of their future. Meatless Monday is implemented in colleges and universities across the globe and is getting more popular. Students or faculty who are interested in learning more about sustainable, healthy food and how to get your school on board, take a look at our implementation guide and get in touch with us at info@meatlessmonday.com or contact us online here.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384317
__label__wiki	0.835416	0.835416	The ultrachic international It girl and heiress Claire Courtin-Clarins takes us on a tour of Miraval's equally stylish new spa. By Erin Flaherty Julian Broad Desert Cool If our grandfather was the founder of a global beauty and spa dynasty, we'd spend endless days lazing around the sauna. There might even be palm fronds involved. So it seemed perfectly fitting to find Claire Courtin-Clarins, 24, at — where else? — a spa. "I was expecting to see a barren desert," she says of first setting eyes upon Miraval in Tucson, Arizona. "Instead, it was this lush landscape filled with life and character." The resort and spa, nestled in the Sonoran Desert, has long been a favored destination for well-scrubbed heels, but thanks to a new partnership with the French cosmetics company and much-hyped renovations, Miraval's newly opened Life in Balance Spa with Clarins is abuzz. Claire's uncle Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins, managing director of the beauty brand, helped develop the new spa menu. But that's not to say Claire and her famous relatives — her sister, Virginie, and cousins Jenna and Prisca (Olivier's daughters), all glamorous fixtures on the transatlantic social scene and genetic proof that beauty products are only part of the equation — didn't provide a sounding board. "As a family, Clarins' business is always a discussion," she explains. "I love the Grounding Facial," she says of her favorite treatment. "The heat [of warm stones], combined with the Clarins massage techniques, allows the products to be absorbed more effectively. I felt like my face looked younger and more refreshed afterward." She's also a fan of the Naga body treatment, which draws from Thai massage traditions and is attracting rave reviews all around: "The therapist stands on these beautiful silks suspended from the ceiling that he wraps around parts of your body to pull you into these deep, graceful stretches. It feels like dancing together!" Covetable treatments aside, patrons old and new will likely appreciate the aesthetic upgrades, too: The Mithun architects and Clodagh Design team incorporated glass, stone, water, and native plants like sage and wild lavender to create a space that blends seamlessly into the natural setting, complemented by the stunning backdrop of the Santa Catalina mountains. "As an artist, the landscape and architecture totally inspire me," says Claire, who is also a photographer but had the chance to get in front of the lens for this story. Personally, we couldn't be more inspired to book a facial. "I love the idea of having a spa in the middle of the desert." Dress, $1,954, shoes, $1,095, Michael Kors; earrings, $860, braided leather bracelet, $1,150, thin leather bracelet, $435, Hemès; silver bracelets, $195 each, Alexis Bittar; glove bracelet, $1,355, Erickson Beamon. Jacket, $2,495, Donna Karan New York; bra, $690, briefs, $1,450, Herve Leger by Max Azria; shoes, $995, Christian Louboutin; gloves, $370, Lanvin; earrings, $860, cutout cuff, $1,800, solid cuff, price upon request, Hermès. Hair: Michael Long at Frank Reps. Makeup: Robin Black at Frank Reps. Manicure: Miraval Spa. White coat, price upon request, Chado Ralph Rucci; belt, $650, Giuseppe Zanotti Design; choker, $475, Mitchel Primrose; wide leather cuff, $1,000, leather cuff with silver rings, $610, Hermès. Fur vest, $3,637, Michael Kors; pants, $990, Helmut Lang; belt, $895, Jean Paul Gaultier; clear bracelets, $395 each, silver cuff, $245, Alexis Bittar. Top, $1,190, Zac Posen; choker, $550, Mitchel Primrose; spike earring, $1,188, Luis Morais; gold hoop earrings, Courtin-Clarins' own. On brows: Clarins Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown. "The talented [team] who designed the spa did a magnificent job incorporating the elements of the natural surroundings." Dress, price upon request, Yves Saint Laurent; harness, $1,400, Herve Leger by Max Azria; shoes, $1,095, Michael Kors; bracelets, prices upon request, Repossi. Dress, $2,495, Proenza Schouler; harness, $1,350, Herve Leger by Max Azria. Earrings (worn throughout): Yellow-gold spike earring, $975, white-gold spike earring, $1,188, Luis Morais; ear cuff, $4,680, Repossi; gold hoop earrings, Courtin-Clarins' own. Rings (worn throughout): Knuckle ring, $5,840, Repossi; claw ring & black-stone ring, prices upon request, Stephen Webster; link ring, $2,695, Phillips Frankel; fan ring, $5,014, Deborah Pagani. "It is funny that I spend hardly any time thinking about makeup or what I'm going to wear, but I tend to spend a lot of time prepping my skin for the day." Fur coat, $5,000, Quentin Veron; snakeskin top, $2,990, shirt, $890, pants, $890, Reed Krakoff; shoes, $995, Steiger. Designer Dossier: Rodarte Marie Claire's Guide to the Hottest Sex Positions and Tips Marie Claire Job Search The World's Coolest Spas Behind the Scenes at Marie Claire 's Golden Globes After-Party	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384319
__label__wiki	0.629766	0.629766	20 Stocks Analysts Can't Stop Upgrading 8 Retail Stocks to Own For the Long Haul 12 Marijuana Stocks to Buy Now 12 Stocks Corporate Insiders are Abandoning NASDAQ:NTRS - Northern Trust Stock Price, Forecast & News Adding Northern Trust Co. Now: $109.38▼ MA: $107.31▼ Market Capitalization$23.18 billion Northern Trust Corporation, a financial holding company, provides wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families, and individuals worldwide. It operates in two segments, Corporate & Institutional Services (C&IS) and Wealth Management. The C&IS segment offers asset servicing and related services, including custody, fund administration, investment operations outsourcing, investment management, investment risk and analytical services, employee benefit services, securities lending, foreign exchange, treasury management, brokerage services, transition management services, banking, and cash management services. Read More… Stock Exchange NASDAQ Industry State commercial banks Sub-IndustryAsset Management & Custody Banks SectorFinance Current SymbolNASDAQ:NTRS CUSIP66585910 CIK73124 Webhttp://www.northerntrust.com/ Net Income$1.56 billion Net Margins22.10% Market Cap$23.18 billion Receive NTRS News and Ratings via Email Sign-up to receive the latest news and ratings for NTRS and its competitors with MarketBeat's FREE daily newsletter. NASDAQ:NTRS Rates by TradingView Northern Trust (NASDAQ:NTRS) Frequently Asked Questions What is Northern Trust's stock symbol? Northern Trust trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "NTRS." How often does Northern Trust pay dividends? What is the dividend yield for Northern Trust? Northern Trust announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, October 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share on Wednesday, January 1st. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 12th. View Northern Trust's Dividend History. How will Northern Trust's stock buyback program work? Northern Trust announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, July 17th 2018, which permits the company to buyback 25,000,000 outstanding shares, according to EventVestor. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued. How were Northern Trust's earnings last quarter? Northern Trust Co. (NASDAQ:NTRS) posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October, 23rd. The asset manager reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.06. The asset manager had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.52 billion. Northern Trust had a return on equity of 15.66% and a net margin of 22.10%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.58 EPS. View Northern Trust's Earnings History. When is Northern Trust's next earnings date? Northern Trust is scheduled to release their next quarterly earnings announcement on Wednesday, January 22nd 2020. View Earnings Estimates for Northern Trust. How can I listen to Northern Trust's earnings call? Northern Trust will be holding an earnings conference call on Wednesday, January 22nd at 12:00 AM Eastern. Interested parties can register for or listen to the call using this link or dial in at Not Available. What price target have analysts set for NTRS? 12 brokerages have issued 1 year price targets for Northern Trust's stock. Their forecasts range from $89.93 to $120.00. On average, they anticipate Northern Trust's share price to reach $107.24 in the next year. This suggests that the stock has a possible downside of 2.0%. View Analyst Price Targets for Northern Trust. What is the consensus analysts' recommendation for Northern Trust? 12 Wall Street analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Northern Trust in the last year. There are currently 1 sell rating, 8 hold ratings and 3 buy ratings for the stock, resulting in a consensus recommendation of "Hold." View Analyst Ratings for Northern Trust. What are Wall Street analysts saying about Northern Trust stock? Here are some recent quotes from research analysts about Northern Trust stock: 1. According to Zacks Investment Research, "Shares of Northern Trust have outperformed the industry in the past three months. Also, the company has an impressive earnings surprise history, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters. First-quarter results reflected high revenues, strong capital position and improved credit metrics. However, rising operating expenses and lower fee income were on the downside. Northern Trust continues to gain from its strong wealth-management operations, along with diversified products. Also, higher interest rates are expected to ease margin pressure and support its top line. Further, its impressive capital-deployment activities continue to enhance shareholders’ confidence. However, despite undertaking cost-saving measures, mounting expenses continue to hurt the company's financials. Moreover, declining loans balance puts the top line under pressure." (5/17/2019) 2. Vining Sparks analysts commented, "We believe, as NTRS’ fundamental improvement continues to be paired with an acceleration in capital deployment; it should be able to improve its profitability by over another full percentage point in 2019E. As this improvement is realized, NTRS could create more than a 30% total shareholder return for investors over the next 12 months from a revaluation in its price-to-tangible book value toward 275% to reflect profitability enhancements, a 3% growth in 2.4% dividend yield." (1/23/2019) Has Northern Trust been receiving favorable news coverage? News stories about NTRS stock have trended somewhat negative this week, InfoTrie reports. InfoTrie ranks the sentiment of news coverage by reviewing more than six thousand blog and news sources in real time. The firm ranks coverage of public companies on a scale of negative five to positive five, with scores nearest to five being the most favorable. Northern Trust earned a media sentiment score of -1.7 on InfoTrie's scale. They also assigned press coverage about the asset manager a news buzz of 0.0 out of 10, meaning that recent news coverage is extremely unlikely to have an impact on the stock's share price in the immediate future. View News Stories for Northern Trust. Are investors shorting Northern Trust? Northern Trust saw a decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,100,000 shares, a decline of 9.5% from the December 15th total of 4,530,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 981,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days. Currently, 2.0% of the company's stock are sold short. View Northern Trust's Current Options Chain. Who are some of Northern Trust's key competitors? Some companies that are related to Northern Trust include BlackRock (BLK), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), T. Rowe Price Group (TROW), State Street (STT), Ameriprise Financial (AMP), Franklin Resources (BEN), SEI Investments (SEIC), Invesco (IVZ), Ares Capital (ARCC), Eaton Vance (EV), Affiliated Managers Group (AMG), Federated Investors (FII), Legg Mason (LM), Cohen & Steers (CNS) and Main Street Capital (MAIN). What other stocks do shareholders of Northern Trust own? Based on aggregate information from My MarketBeat watchlists, some companies that other Northern Trust investors own include California Resources (CRC), Intel (INTC), Bristol-Myers Squibb (bmy), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Walt Disney (DIS), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), 3M (MMM), AT&T (T), NVIDIA (NVDA) and Chevron (CVX). Who are Northern Trust's key executives? Northern Trust's management team includes the folowing people: Mr. Michael G. O'Grady, Chairman, Pres & CEO (Age 53) Mr. Stephen Biff Bowman, Exec. VP & CFO (Age 55) Mr. Steven L. Fradkin, Exec. VP & Pres of Wealth Management (Age 57) Mr. Peter B. Cherecwich, Pres of Corp. & Institutional Services (Age 54) Mr. Robert Patrick Browne CFA, Exec. VP & Chief Investment Officer (Age 54) Who are Northern Trust's major shareholders? Northern Trust's stock is owned by a number of of institutional and retail investors. Top institutional investors include Boston Trust Walden Corp (0.32%), Calamos Advisors LLC (0.08%), Reilly Financial Advisors LLC (0.05%), First National Bank of Omaha (0.05%), Chesley Taft & Associates LLC (0.04%) and State of Alaska Department of Revenue (0.02%). Company insiders that own Northern Trust stock include Aileen B Blake, Biff Bowman, Clair Joyce St, Dean M Harrison, Jana R Schreuder, Jeffrey D Cohodes, Peter Cherecwich, Robert P Browne, Stephen N Potter, Susan Gillian Pembleton, Teresa Parker, Thomas A South, William L Morrison and Wilson Leech. View Institutional Ownership Trends for Northern Trust. Which institutional investors are selling Northern Trust stock? NTRS stock was sold by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Calamos Advisors LLC, Meag Munich Ergo Kapitalanlagegesellschaft MBH, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC, Reilly Financial Advisors LLC, Tributary Capital Management LLC, State of Alaska Department of Revenue, First National Bank of Omaha and IFM Investors Pty Ltd. Company insiders that have sold Northern Trust company stock in the last year include Biff Bowman, Dean M Harrison, Robert P Browne, Teresa Parker and Thomas A South. View Insider Buying and Selling for Northern Trust. Which institutional investors are buying Northern Trust stock? NTRS stock was purchased by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Sciencast Management LP, Legacy Capital Partners Inc., DNB Asset Management AS, Ballast Inc., Diversified Trust Co, OLD National Bancorp IN, Price Wealth LLC and Wedbush Securities Inc.. View Insider Buying and Selling for Northern Trust. How do I buy shares of Northern Trust? Shares of NTRS can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages with access to the U.S. stock market include Vanguard Brokerage Services, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Robinhood, Fidelity and Charles Schwab. What is Northern Trust's stock price today? One share of NTRS stock can currently be purchased for approximately $109.38. How big of a company is Northern Trust? Northern Trust has a market capitalization of $23.18 billion and generates $6.66 billion in revenue each year. The asset manager earns $1.56 billion in net income (profit) each year or $6.73 on an earnings per share basis. Northern Trust employs 18,800 workers across the globe.View Additional Information About Northern Trust. What is Northern Trust's official website? The official website for Northern Trust is http://www.northerntrust.com/. How can I contact Northern Trust? Northern Trust's mailing address is 50 S LASALLE ST, CHICAGO IL, 60603. The asset manager can be reached via phone at 312-630-6000 or via email at [email protected] MarketBeat Community Rating for Northern Trust (NASDAQ NTRS) MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Northern Trust and other stocks. Vote "Outperform" if you believe NTRS will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote "Underperform" if you believe NTRS will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Featured Article: What is meant by buying and selling pressure?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384320
__label__wiki	0.835599	0.835599	Official Site of Marygrove College Athletics Marygrove College under Trust Pharmacy Support Women’s Volleyball Category: Women’s Basketball (Page 3) Mustangs Sign Mott’s Coleman WATERFORD, Mich.-Mustang women’s basketball picked up a highly-touted recruit last week with the signing of Tiffany Coleman, senior at Waterford Mott High School. Coleman signed a 2010-11 Letter of Intent alongside numerous supporters inside Mott’s LGI classroom. Coleman, a 5’10” power forward, is fresh off a stellar senior campaign that culminated with an all-star game appearance at Oakland University in April. Making the most of her effort, Coleman came into… Mustangs Sign Talented Spicer DETROIT, Mich.-Coach Hitchcock and the rest of his coaching staff continued their hot streak of commitments this offseason with the signing of Mariah Spicer. This signing has been in the making for over a year as Spicer landed early interest from the Mustang coaching staff due to her excellent play at Mount Clemens High School. Spicer heads to Marygrove after a year in college at St. Clair Community College. The… Corrothers Comes to Marygrove College DETROIT, Mich.-On Saturday, the Lady Stangs added experience when Owens Community College transfer Kaila Corrothers signed a 2010-11 Letter of Intent. The signing continued the rebuilding efforts by the Mustang coaching staff for the 2010-11 season. Corrothers, a 5’7″ athletic two-guard, comes to Marygrove as a leader after being captain of her high school and community college teams for the past few years. The leadership, combined with plenty of talent… Adams Signs with Mustangs for 2010-11 DETROIT, Mich.-On Saturday, Allen Academy’s Monea Adams inked her 2010-11 Letter of Intent to play for the Mustangs next season. Adams, a 5’11” forward/center, is another signee with plenty of height for the Mustangs. The four-year post player enjoyed a successful career along with the rest of her Wildcat teammates. Adams helped lead her team to SAC and District Championships from 2008-2010. In addition, the dominating post presence helped elevate… Mustangs Add Minus DETROIT, Mich.-The Lady Mustangs used “addition by subtraction” with the signing of Flint Central’s Candice Minus. The former hardwood standout for the Phoenix of Flint Central High School will join the Mustangs next year. Minus, a 5’4″ point guard, earned many accolades during her high school playing days. Ending on a positive note, the determined point guard earned a list of honors after her senior season was complete. Minus averaged… Mustangs Ink Roberts DETROIT, Mich.-The Mustangs signed another “Flintstone” when Beecher High School’s Ashley Roberts inked her 2010-11 Letter of Intent. Next year’s squad will hold more players from the Flint area than ever before. Roberts, a 5’6″ speedy combo guard, is a lockdown defender that will bring added toughness to the Mustangs in 2010. The two-year varsity standout earned team defensive player of the year honors in her junior season. Known as… Mitchell Commits to Mustangs DETROIT, Mich.-Signing number two went to Carisma Mitchell out of Michigan Collegiate High School. The highly talented student-athlete signed her Letter of Intent at Marygrove inside the Wellness Center. Mitchell, a 5’6″ shooting guard, was a five-sport athlete during her days at Michigan Collegiate. In the fall, Mitchell ran cross country and played volleyball. Basketball was her main love when she hit the court in the winter and in the… Mustangs Sign Kellogg Transfer Baker DETROIT, Mich.-The Lady Mustangs continued the rebuilding process on Thursday with the signing of Shantinique Baker. The former Kellogg Community College standout inked a 2010-11 Letter of Intent inside the Wellness Center at Marygrove College. Baker, a 5’9″ guard/forward, is headed to Detroit’s northwest side to attend Marygrove College this fall. She brings with her a bevy of college basketball experience as a two-year player for the Bruins of Kellogg… Mustangs Sign Flint Beecher’s Laster DETROIT, Mich.-The final signing of the day went to Loletta Laster out of Flint Beecher High School. With the signing, Laster concluded the most successful day of signings for the Mustangs in program history. Laster is headed to Marygrove known as a hard-nosed forward that presents difficult matchups for the opposition. The 5’11” standout was named Genesee Athletic Conference Honorable Mention for her efforts this season. Showcasing great work ethic,… Berry joins Smith as second Napoleon Signee DETROIT, Mich.-The Mustangs signed their second student-athlete from Napoleon High School on Saturday with the addition of Kellie Berry. The pair of Pirates, [Kellie] Berry and Andrea Smith, come to Marygrove after fine senior campaigns. Berry, a 5’7″ shooting guard, transferred to Napoleon for her senior season and enjoyed immediate success. In her only season as a Pirate, Berry helped lead her team to a Cascade Conference Championship this year…. Previous 1 2 3 4 5 … 11 12 Next Sports For Weight Loss: Advice From A Fitness Instructor Juniors Taylor, Major Earn USCAA All-American Basketball Honors Basketball Student-Athletes Receive Post-Season Honors Elisha Major Receives WHAC Honors, Named All-Conference Honorable Mention Mustangs Drop Season Finale to Concordia, 89-65 Men's Indoor Track & Field Women's Indoor Track & Field Send Highlights/Game Footage Register for NAIA Eligibility Copyright © 2020 www.marygrovemustangs.com Today - 19 January 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384324
__label__wiki	0.979621	0.979621	RHONJ: Joe Giudice's lawyers granted three-day extension in deportation appeal 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' star is appealing his deportation order RHONJ: Joe Giudice's lawyers granted three-day extension in deportation appeal 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' star is appealing his deportation order Check out this story on mycentraljersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2019/07/15/rhonj-joe-giudice-lawyers-granted-three-day-extension-deportation-appeal/1736854001/ Chris Jordan, North Jersey Record Published 2:52 p.m. ET July 15, 2019 \| Updated 3:19 p.m. ET July 18, 2019 Team Giudice needed three more days — and they got it. Lawyers representing Joe Giudice of Montville requested and received, unopposed, three extra days to file an opening brief in federal court as the star of Bravo's “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” appeals his deportation order, according to court records. Teresa, left, and Joe Giudice, from "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," leave federal court in Newark on March 4, 2014. They each pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and failing to pay taxes. (Photo: AP) It was the second request for more time. An “extension of time to file opening brief” was granted on June 7 for an extra month. It was previously due June 12. The brief is now due Thursday, July 18. Joe Giudice, husband of star Teresa Giudice, has been battling to remain in the United States following his conviction and 48-month sentence for tax fraud. An immigration court ruled in October 2018 that Giudice is to be deported back to Italy upon the completion of his federal sentence. More: RHONJ's Jim Marchese: My son is too young to say if he's gay or not More: RHONJ: Where the Real Housewives of New Jersey went on their Jersey Shore trip The government can deport anyone who is not a U.S. citizen if they commit a crime. Giudice was brought from Italy to the United States by his parents when he was a 1-year old and he never became a citizen. Giudice’s team filed a petition in federal court after the immigration court ruled that he must go and that's where the case is now, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia. Giudice was granted permission in May to remain in the U.S. by a federal court as he appeals his deportation order. He previously had a stay of removal. Also, a motion for 27 former immigration judges to argue on Giudice’s behalf was also granted. RHONJ star Teresa Giudice greets fans at Bookends in Ridgewood Angela Parente, Cristina Zinno, Teresa Giudice, Danielle McManus and Deanna Marino. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Anita Cimera, Teresa Giudice, Michaela Schwartz and Tara Rielly. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice gets a surprise visit from her Housewives of New Jersey co-star Danielle Staub. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Danielle Staub and Teresa Giudice. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Eva Sanchez. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Michaela Schwartz, Anita Cimera and Tara Rielly. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice is greeted by fans upon arrival at Bookends in Ridgewood. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Fans gather at Bookends in Ridgewood to meet Teresa Giudice. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Lisa Giordano and Christina Deritis. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Daniella Barbieri, Teresa Giudice, Caitlin Pilkin and Dorthea Alsberg. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Ashley Knief, Lexi Knief, Hailey Adams and Kaitlyn Borowski. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Noah Suris, Teresa Giudice and Julia Bilotta. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Delilah Santos and Eva Sanchez. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Jennifer Brown and Sharon Maurice. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Joey Correa, Paige Pallotta, Nicole Gaito and Vanessa Pallotta. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice, Raquel Riggitano and Jaclyn Scotto. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Jamie Hickey. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Valerie Smaldone. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Jennifer Single. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Adrianna Braid. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Julianna Wilson and Sophia. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Maria Pitasi. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Cleo Dominici. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Teresa Giudice and Linda Pitasi. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Maria Pitasi, Teresa Giudice, Linda Pitasi and Cleo Dominici. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com The new book by Teresa Giudice, Standing Strong. Star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to meet fans and sign copies of her new book: Standing Strong. 10/05/2017 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com Noted Jersey lawyer Michael Critchley recently joined Team Giudice, according to court records. He recently represented Bridget Anne Kelly in the Bridgegate trial. Kelly was the deputy chief of staff to former Gov. Chris Christie who infamously said "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" in an email. Giudice is in ICE custody at Clinton Hill Correctional in Pennsylvania. Teresa Giudice will appear Friday, July 19 at the Pool After Dark at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Visit thepoolafterdark.com for tickets or more info. Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. His multiple awards include recognition for stories on both Bruce Springsteen and Snooki. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com. Read or Share this story: https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2019/07/15/rhonj-joe-giudice-lawyers-granted-three-day-extension-deportation-appeal/1736854001/	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384326
__label__wiki	0.77477	0.77477	Deadly Ink conference set in New Brunswick Deadly Ink is the only annual mystery conference based in New Jersey. Deadly Ink conference set in New Brunswick Deadly Ink is the only annual mystery conference based in New Jersey. Check out this story on mycentraljersey.com: http://mycj.co/2aPjHsp @triciavand Published 7:24 p.m. ET Aug. 3, 2016 \| Updated 4:04 p.m. ET Aug. 4, 2016 Reed Farrel Coleman(Photo: ~Courtesy of Adam Martin) Deadly Ink is the only annual mystery conference based in New Jersey. At the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick from Friday, Aug. 5, to Sunday, Aug. 7, it's accessible by car or train; NJ Transit stops two blocks from the hotel. More than three-dozen authors and experts will (wo)man 18 panels/workshops from Friday morning until mid-afternoon on Sunday, with the traditional Deadly Dessert Party officially opening the conference on Friday night. "Except for one short hiatus, this conference has been up and running since the turn of the century," said Jack Bludis, panelist/moderator on three Saturday panels: "Been There, Done That: Tropes & Cliches"; "Settings — Where Are We?" and "Keepers of the Flame." Bludis is a Maryland resident and Orioles fan who has, "under many, many pseudonyms," sold more than 60 novels and novellas and almost 600 short stories since 1977. He calls it, "A great small conference … that has something for everyone. The Friday sessions are dedicated to writers and others who want to know 'How it is Done,' with detailed sessions on plotting and suspense." READ: Our Mondays with Authors series READ: Join the Super Summer Reader Club READ: New youth theater company to perform play for charity The Friday sessions to which Bludis refers are part of Deadly Ink Academy ($75, no lunch). This year, S.W. Hubbard teaches "Plot Your Way To Success" in the morning. Afternoon features Jane Cleland, who instructs attendees "How To Create Suspense: Make Your Readers Sweat." Full price, including Friday's daylong Academy, for all conference events and conference-sponsored meals, is $250. Costs do not include hotel accommodations. Vegetarian and dietary-specific requirements are available. Reed Farrel Coleman is this year's guest of honor. Born in Brooklyn, Coleman has written almost 25 books in addition to his poetry, essays and short stories. Known for his Moe Prager mysteries, in 2014 he took over Robert B. Parker's iconic nine-book series featuring Jesse Stone. Parker died January 2010. Even those who have not read Parker's books will recognize Stone, played on TV (CBS and Hallmark Channel) by Tom Selleck. Coleman is a founding member of Mystery Writers of America University and former executive vice president of MWA. He will give the keynote address at Saturday's gala awards dinner sponsored by Sisters in Crime — Central Jersey Chapter, and will participate in several panels. Debby Buchanan, owner and chair of the Deadly Ink Conference said, "I'm a fan of Reed's Moe Prager series, and the Jesse Stone novels. Reed has won multiple prestigious awards for his writing. I think we have a great lineup of panels this year. "'Keepers of the Flame — When an Author Assumes Authorship of Another Writer's Series or Characters' (on which Reed is a panelist), and 'Touchy Topics' are among my favorite." "I'm honored to be guest of honor at Deadly Ink," Coleman said. "Being a GOH is an interesting thing; in addition to the personal distinction, it's also a responsibility — to share some part of Mystery Writers of America's contributions to writers and to the field, to enlarge the writing community, and welcome more people into it." Toastmaster Hilary Davidson will interview Coleman just before Saturday's lunch buffet. Davidson has won an Anthony, Derringer, Crimespree and two Ellery Queen Readers' Choice Awards. Tess Gerritsen has called her "the master of plot twists." Davidson: "One question I'll definitely be asking Reed: What has it been like to step into the shoes of the legendary Robert B. Parker and take over writing the Jesse Stone series?" Sharing "Keepers of the Flame" podium with Coleman: Jack Bludis; R.G. Belsky, who writes the Gil Malloy series and is a former New York Daily News, New York Post and Star magazine editor, and managing editor at NBC News; Carole Bugge/C.E. Lawrence who writes novels that examine the dark side of human behavior; and Marvin Kaye, editor of numerous horror anthologies and editor of Weird Tales. Coleman will also be part of Sunday morning's "What If?" with Annamaria Alfieri, Hilary Davidson and Jane Kelly, in which authors come up with a victim, plot, setting and suspects to create a mystery; and Sunday afternoon's "Coming Attractions" to discuss what's next up for themselves as well as future trends in publishing. Appearing with Reed and Hilary on "What If?" are Bruce DeSilva, Jack Getze, Nina Mansfield, Jeff Markowitz and E.F. Watkins. "Touchy Topics" will be a discussion about the inclusion of sensitive issues in mystery, with Sandra Cody, Jeff Cohen, David Manfre, AJ Sidransky, S.A. Solomon and Albert Tucher. The Book Room will be open throughout the conference so fans can buy authors' books and have them autographed. Attendees will have plenty of time meet and chat with the authors. A highlight of Saturday's gala awards dinner is the announcement of The David Sasher Award. Award nominees this year are Jane K. Cleland for "Ornaments of Death," Jack Getze (fiction editor of Spinetingler magazine) for "Big Shoes," Hank Phillippi Ryan for "What You See," AJ Sidransky for "Forgiving Mariela Camacho" and Karin Slaughter for "Pretty Girls." Jeff Markowitz and Steve Rigolosi tied for first place last year for "Death and White Diamonds" and "The Outsmarting of Criminals: A Mystery Introducing Miss Felicity Prim," respectively. Jeff Cohen (writing as E.J. Copperman) was a close second with "The Question of the Missing Head," in which he introduced young Samuel Hoenig, a borderline genius with Autism Spectrum Disorder — one of the most winning and original protagonists in recent fiction. Rigolosi just released a charming e-novella last month, "The Ocelot Chronicles." It begins, "If you love someone, give her an ocelot." He proceeds to instruct the reader on how to liberate one (since few are available for purchase), including the size of the gunnysack (medium, because an adult ocelot is about twice the size of a typical overfed house cat), how to lure it an trap it — he prefers kidnapping but cautions the reader to beware while navigating the faux habitats in zoos. "Trust me," he writes. "I know all this from experience." Author Hilary Davidson will be the toastmaster at the Deadly Ink conference. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Hilary Davison) What: Deadly Ink Mystery Conference Website and registration: http://www.deadlyink2016.org/ When: Friday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. 2016 Deadly Ink Hotel Room Rate: $130/night Conference costs (which do not include hotel accommodations): $250 for all conference events; includes Friday's Deadly Ink Academy, conference-sponsored meals and Friday's Deadly Dessert Party. $75 for Friday's daylong DI Academy alone (no lunch), registration at 8:30 a.m. Read or Share this story: http://mycj.co/2aPjHsp	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384327
__label__wiki	0.959386	0.959386	Heathrow's next, warn airport invaders Heathrow will be next, according to the young green activists who invaded a runway at Stansted this week. Protester at Stansted Airport More than 50 Plane Stupid protestors cut through the perimeter fence with bolt-cutters on Monday causing the Essex airport to close for five hours. Spokeswoman Leila Deen claimed the group was already training residents who live near Heathrow in 'direct action' techniques and warned airport chiefs to expect 'something similar if not bigger' than at Stansted. "I wouldn't say we would do exactly the same thing at Heathrow but they should be watching what we did at Stansted and expecting something similar if not bigger at Heathrow if they do give the third runway the go ahead," she said today. Campaigners would not elaborate on exactly what they planned to attempt at the world's busiest international airport. But the activists who climbed onto a plane and unfurled banners earlier this year prove it is possible to gain access to the tarmac. Any attack is likely to follow transport secretary Geoff Hoon's verdict on expansion plans, including proposals for a third runway, which is due next month. Mr Hoon announced last week the decision was being postponed as he rejected calls from MPs to give Parliament the vote. A spokeswoman for BAA Heathrow condemned the protesters' actions but refused to confirm whether security at the airport would be reviewed in the wake of this week's runway invasion. "Security at Heathrow is very high and has always been an absolute priority," she added. BAA Stansted has promised to investigate the security breach, adding 'where there are lessons to learn we will do so'. Police arrested 57 protesters following the demonstration, 49 of whom have been charged with aggravated trespass and bailed to return to court between now and January. At one point, campaigners claimed airport staff mounted a snow plough and tried to sweep up the eco-warriors, who had chained themselves to a homemade square of fencing. However, a BAA spokeswoman said the vehicles had been steered into place to block protesters' access to the runway.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384328
__label__wiki	0.78281	0.78281	Recap the Fulham FC webchat as we talk Ryan Sessegnon, transfers and pre-season plans Discuss all things Fulham with our reporter Ryan O'Donovan Ryan O'DonovanFulham FC Reporter Updated 12:59, 7 JUN 2017 We're deep into the close season with two weeks left until Fulham discover who they will face in the coming Championship season, but there's still lots to discuss. Transfers and pre-season is high on the agenda at the moment, with only one friendly announced so far - the behind-closed-doors game with west London rivals QPR. However you're feeling about the close season, here's your chance to join the debate with other Fulham fans and ask your questions about the coming season, transfers, or to just have a general rant. Reporter Ryan O'Donovan will be hosting the webchat between 12pm and 1pm and you can get your questions in from 11am. Doing so is simple, just use the form below to get your questions in and we'll do our best to answer them. 12:58 Ryan O'Donovan That's all for today! Thanks a million for your questions, I think we got through a wide range of topics today! We’ll be back next week with another webchat to discuss all the goings on over the course of the next seven days, so I’ll see you then. You can follow me on Twitter and keep up to date with all the news as it happens, or to just have a chat and ask me some more questions, right here: https://twitter.com/R_O_Donovan One more for luck Colin asks: Are Fulham currently looking at any particular defenders other than Kalas Kalas is their priority - Jokanovic is a huge fan and the Chelsea defender would like to come back to Fulham. SPAL defender Fernando Vicari is also on the radar and the club have scouted him extensively, so he could well be on the way. Denis Odoi will probably be leaving the club, so a defender in the full back variety will also probably be on their way to the Cottage this season too. Will Fulham win the Championship? Abdul: “Will Fulham win the Championship this season?” A good question to end on. Let me answer it in two parts, firstly, can they win it? Yes they can, so long as they bring in the right players and keep hold of Jokanovic, regardless of the players he is the key person in mounting a serious title bid next season. Secondly, will they? I don’t think they will - their style leave s them open at the back and the stronger teams, ones who will look to tighten up and defend like crazy against them may prove a struggle. That said, I think they’ll get promoted next season, whether that be automatic or through the dreaded play-offs shudders Looks like we're feeling nostalgic now Another anonymous question here: What was your favourite moment from the 2006-07 season? Without revealing my age, I was only young in 2007 so I wasn’t reporting on Fulham I’m afraid. My favourite moment of that season, though, was watching Liverpool and AC Milan go at it again in Athens in the Champions League final! Good question this about the defence An anonymous person has asked: “Do you think it’s viable for Joka to sturdy the defence while keeping the same emphasis on attack? Or is it a risk you’ve got to take to play that style?” This is a very good question, so thank you! Playing the style Jokanovic plays always means there’s a risk that Fulham will ship goals, it comes hand in hand with the fast, attacking brand of football. That being said, I think he does need to sure up the defence because some of the goals conceded weren’t as a result of the attacking brand, but because of individual mistakes. They will happen, of course, but as we saw this season, you don’t win Championships on attack alone so he’ll have to sturdy the defence in some way, shape or form. That said, his style always means Fulham risk shipping goals, but so long as they score more, it’s not that big of a problem, right? Kevin McDonald to leave? Jez asks: How much should we read into rumours linking Kevin Mcdonald with a move away from the club? Not much to be honest - the midfielder is happy at the club and is only one year into a three-year deal. He’s 28-years-old now, so despite his chances of Premier League football slipping away, teams won’t be paying the price associated with taking a player of his importance out of his contract at Fulham. Rangers offer him a good chance of international football, but he won’t ever play in the Premier League by going there so he’d pick Fulham over that. He won’t go to Nottingham Forest either, though the links there aren’t a surprise seeing as Mark Warburton was interested in him when he was manager of Brentford. Youngsters to look out for? Jason asks: Which young players should we be keeping an eye out for at Craven Cottage next season? Good question Jason, especially after the emergence of Ryan Sessegnon this season. The club have just signed Tammy Abraham’s brother, Timmy, from Charlton so he’ll be one to watch in the coming years. Of course, Luca Del La Torre is one to watch, especially after his fantastic U20 World Cup campaign while Dennis Aden iran will be looking to make more of a first team impact. Marlon Fossey is held in high regards so he’ll be one to watch, while Steven Sessegnon will be hoping to make the impact his brother did this year. Is this a question about shirts? Some says: “Chequered shirts or go home” Can’t see Fulham playing in chequered shirts myself... The pre-season question has been asked Phil asks: When are the club planning on announcing their pre-season friendlies? What a question, and one we’re all asking at the moment! So far, the only ones we know of are the U23s playing Wealdstone in July, and the first team facing QPR at Motspur in a behind-closed-doors match. The club will announce the others shortly and most likely all in one go - they’re probably taking a bit longer because Fulham didn’t know what division they would be in next season, meaning they may have had to rearrange games they had booked in. As soon as we know, we’ll let you know on GetWestLondon. Colin asks: Afternoon Ryan is Jokanovic fully focused on Fulham or has his head been turned by the interest from Crystal Palace? Afternoon Colin! I’ve had a go at answering about Jokanovic and Palace earlier on, but in answer to your question, from my dealings with Jokanovic he comes across as a very professional and determined character, so I don’t think his head will have been turned whatsoever. He’s the Fulham manager, and his sole concentration as this moment in time will be on preparing the side for pre-season and then the Championship campaign. I don’t think he’s the type of person who will allow speculation to get in the way of his job. A question from Twitter now We’ve had a question from Twitter - Hi Will, so the Sessegnon one is tricky because of his contract situation. They’ve offered a professional deal to him but he hasn’t signed yet, meaning he’s still technically a youth player at the club, so that will come into any dealings that may be happening with him. If he rejects that contract and stays until next season, they’ll lose him for next to nothing. For me personally, if Fulham get anywhere near £12million for him with clauses added on, it will be a good deal - he’s only 17 and is unproven at the top level, so despite his potential clubs won’t pay mega money for him. Will Jokanovic be the manager next season? Joel has asked: Will Slavisa Jokanovic remain as manager following links to Palace and Middlesbrough? We all saw those links to Palace a few weeks back, and I think when a club has a manager like Jokanovic those links will always come. However, I think Fulham a good chance of keeping hold of their gaffer this summer - he’s happy after receiving assurances from the board that they back him and he’s ready to give promotion a real good go next season. In regards to Middlesbrough , I don’t think he’d leave for a club in the same division, let alone one that is based so far up north. Where do the club need to strengthen? Justin asks: What position/s do you think the club will be looking to strengthen during the summer? Afternoon Justin, I think the most obvious answer is up front. They were lacking towards the end of last season, despite being joint top scorers and with both Chris Martin and Gohi Cyriac heading back from their loan deals, Fulham lack an out and out striker. It wouldn’t surprise me if a couple of new striking options come in ahead of next season, but I would also like to see Cauley Woodrow make up the striking options - I think he’s a good player to have and can really kick on from last season’s haul at Burton. A question about Cairney and Sessegnon David Pearce asks: 1. Why is there total absence of news regarding Sessegnon, Cairney etc , new contract extensions and possible new arrivals. All that is on the media is of other clubs interest in our players. 2. When are new fixtures announced? Okay, so in answer to your first question, there’s been a ton of gossip regarding Sesegnon and Cairney in recent weeks, but there’s been no concrete news because they’ve both been on holiday and are now with Scotland and England youth side. With contract extensions, Scott Parker is in talks over a new deal, but apart from that most of the players are signed on deals that last through this season and next one, so there is no real need to give them new deals just yet. When players are as good as Sessegnon and Cairney, the media is always going to talk about where they could go. And secondly, the fixtures are announced on June 21 and you can find all of them right here on GetWestLondon. Our first question is in and we're off! Guido asks: “Who do you think will be Fulham’s first choice keeper next season?” Hi Guido, that’s an interesting question. David Button was clearly first choice for most of the season, but Marcus Bettinelli was favoured towards the end. They both want first team football and it’s clear that Slavisa Jokanovic doesn’t think much separates them in terms of ability, so it will all depend on how they take to his style of football in early pre-season. It wouldn’t surprise me if we also saw a new goalkeeper in this summer, one that Jokanovic feels can play out from the back in the way he wants. 15 minutes until we kick off We’ve got 15 minutes until we kick off our webchat and already have a few questions in - if you want yours answered use the form above and I’ll answer them. PS - asking questions really makes this thing work, it’ll be a bit awkward if it’s just me sat here without any questions Jozabed is wanted back at Celta Vigo by his teammate Former Liverpool man Iago Aspas has been speaking to Radio Galega about Jozabed returning to Celta Vigo, here’s the jist of what he had to say: He wants to stay and the rest of his teammates want him to stay because he is an exceptional guy. “I gave the club my opinion, and that is that I want him to remain.” Iago Aspas (Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) New pitch being laid The new Craven Cottage pitch is being laid ahead of next season - shouldn’t be too long before the first shoots come through Meet the man making a Lego Craven Cottage We spoke to Jules Richards, a Cardiff fan who’s making stadiums out of Lego, yesterday after we saw he’d made a Craven Cottage Lego model. It was extremely detailed I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want one - you can read his interview here. Lego Craven Cottage Welcome to our webchat Welcome to our first Fulham webchat! There’s a lot to discuss as we enter the middle of the close season, so get your questions in for me to answer once we start officially at 12pm.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384329
__label__cc	0.613305	0.386695	To receive email from Anti-Fur Society, add antifursociety+msn.com@mnb.email to your safe sender list. View as Web Page Subscribe Unsubscribe Preferences The Anti-Fur Society Aloha Hawaii! Hawaii has just released the bill SB-1350 which is set to prohibit the sales of fur animal products and fur farms. WASHINGTON, January 25, 2019 (Newswire.com) - Fur Free Society, Inc. would like to congratulate the State of Hawaii for introducing “A Bill For An Act Relating to Animal Fur Products” (S.B. No. 1350) to “prohibit the manufacture or sale of certain animal fur products in the State [of Hawaii] and the shipment or transport of certain fur products into the State for sale or distribution.” They would also like to thank Senator Gabbard for his leadership on this important bill. In a statement to Fur Free Society, Inc. on January 24, 2019, Senator Gabbard said that “[b]anning animal fur products in our islands is the right thing to do and will show our aloha for animals. I’m hopeful we’ll get this bill to the finish line this session.” Fur-bearing animals suffer terribly on fur farms and in traps. In recent years, more and more designers, including Versace, Chanel, Coach, and Burberry, have pledged to stop using fur, and countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, and others have banned fur farming, with many more countries introducing bills to ban fur farming. About Fur Free Society, Inc. Fur Free Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and advocacy of fur-bearing animals. Our work will not be complete until the last fur farm is closed, the last trap is removed, and the last fur-bearing animal is rescued. See: www.newswire.com/news/hawaii-set-to-ban-fur-20784248 FUR FREE SOCIETY The Fur Free Society, the newly registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has replaced the Anti-Fur Society which for so long was the umbrella organization for many projects for well over a decade. Many are still going on. The good news is that we'll be preserving not only its website, but also several others each serving a different mission under this new name. So far, we have accomplished much as a registered non-profit as you may read on our main page FurFreeSociety.org -- One of our goals is to continue working with animal groups in China with which we lost contact due to Weibo and Wechat. But now we are geared up to reinstate this most important segment of our mission. In fact, we have already started by connecting with this amazing rescuer in China who just saved 174 foxes from a bankrupt fur farm. See: People4chineseanimals.org/BoHe-Animal-Rescue.html Each day, we notice more children violence all over the country, and abroad. What is happening to our children? Why have they become so violent as almost daily we now hear about horrendous violence against those who cannot defend themselves, mostly animals. Cats in special are the easiest targets, and we are constantly advising cat guardians to keep them inside as they are easy targets. In one of our attempts to help educate children, we produced the children's book "HOW THE LITTLE FOX SAVED HER COAT" which we have sold quite a bit at conferences, but have also donated many to school teachers, and some to libraries. We would like very much to start a program to donate them to libraries and schools across the country. If you are a teacher and have an interest in helping, please contact us so we can see how we can work on this together. Send us a message through: LittleFoxbook.com The Fur Free Society is hiring! In order for us to grow a lot faster, we need help! The work is all part-time and can be done at the candidate's availability. We are especially in need of computer programmers and other skilled professionals such as fundraisers, grant writers etc. We cannot afford high fees, but will be happy to negotiate. BTW: Computer work needs to be done at our location in Towson, Maryland. It would be an ideal job for computer science students. Contact us at FurFreeSociety.org . AFS CONFERENCE OF SEPT. 2018 It was held last September 15th, in Manhattan/NY. As usual, it was a very nice gathering with fabulous speakers who made the event very worthwhile. Followed by a lovely reception in the evening and everyone enjoyed the party and meeting new friends from 4 different countries. I haven't had the time to consolidate the videos, so here you will all the info related to our event: AFSConference Speakers2018 AFS Conference Special Thank you for reading our News Alert! Follow us on social media where we maintain over one million followers and post updates on a daily basis. We are still working on Instagram and Twitter, but mainly on our pages are on FB: Facebook.com/AntiFurSociety. Rosa Close FurFreeSociety.org AntiFurSociety.org People4ChineseAnimals.org The Anti-Fur Society \| P.O. Box 6871 \| Towson, MD 21285 \| http://www.antifursociety.org Subscribe • Preferences • Send to a Friend • Unsubscribe • Report Spam	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384332
__label__wiki	0.903199	0.903199	Brent Batten: Support iffy ahead of health care vote House Speaker Paul Ryan can count on support from one member of Southwest Florida’s congressional delegation. Brent Batten: Support iffy ahead of health care vote House Speaker Paul Ryan can count on support from one member of Southwest Florida’s congressional delegation. Check out this story on naplesnews.com: http://nplsne.ws/2mSh2iV Brent Batten, brent.batten@naplesnews.com; 239-263-4776 Published 7:59 p.m. ET March 22, 2017 \| Updated 8:43 p.m. ET March 22, 2017 Brent Batten(Photo: Naples Daily News)Buy Photo Scraping for every Republican vote he can muster for the first phase of “repeal and replace” for Obamacare, House Speaker Paul Ryan can count on support from one member of Southwest Florida’s congressional delegation. As for the second, we’ll have to wait and see. Revisions and deal making were still ongoing on the eve of Thursday's scheduled House vote on the American Health Care Act. U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, of Naples, is on board with Ryan’s proposal. U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who represents much of eastern Collier County, was still seeking changes. With conservative Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus already opposing the bill they’ve labeled “Obamacare Lite” Ryan can afford few defections in the remainder of the GOP delegation. If it becomes clear to Ryan his proposal does not have enough Republican support to pass, he may pull it back to spare an embarrassing defeat. A week ago Diaz-Balart cast a decisive vote to move the bill out of the House Budget Committee he serves on. But Diaz-Balart says that vote was not a signal that he’s ready to approve the American Health Care Act as it existed at that time. “My committee vote does not mean I will support final passage of this legislation as it presently reads. I have clearly stated that I have some serious concerns with the bill in its current form. This isn’t the end of the road, but rather one step of a long process that will include conference with the Senate. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure the replacement addresses the varying health insurance needs of our country, lowers costs, and bolsters the economy,” he said. As of Wednesday, Diaz-Balart was still working on those changes, according to his spokeswoman. “The congressman is still reviewing the recent changes to the bill and continues to negotiate with House leadership about multiple aspects of the bill, including how the legislation handles the older, low-income population,” Diaz-Balart spokeswoman Katrina Valdes wrote in response to an inquiry. The potential effect on the senior population is bound to cause heartburn for South Florida politicians, who serve an older constituency. In an attempt to return market forces to health insurance, the Republican bill would allow seniors to be charged higher premiums than they paid under Obamacare because they need more care. But politically, it’s a difficult case to make to voters who have been subsidized by younger insurance customers under Obamacare. On Wednesday, Democrats launched fundraising attacks against Diaz-Balart and other Republicans for their even tenuous support of the Republican alternative. “Instead of using his leverage to substantially benefit his constituents, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart got himself played,” wrote Cole Leiter of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis showed a 60-year-old making $20,000 could lose up to $12,130, a 1,266 percent tax increase,” the DCCC letter warned. Rooney, who represents coastal Collier and Lee counties, stressed that passage of the AHCA would be only a first step in the process of repealing and replacing the Obamacare system Republicans have campaigned against since its inception. “The Obamacare replacement plan being considered by Congress is not perfect, but it is a good first step towards a free market-based health care system that puts patients back in control and lowers costs for everyone,” Rooney said. While not a member of the Freedom Caucus, Rooney ran on a conservative platform and voiced support Wednesday for changes that appeal to that constituency. “The AHCA was substantially improved this week by adding provisions to allow a work requirement for able-bodied Medicaid recipients, the option to provide block grants to states, and anti-abortion funding assurances,” he said. Rooney also pointed out that the Republican bill, like Obamacare, prevents insurance companies from disqualifying customers with pre-existing conditions. Rooney says if the bill passes the House and Senate, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price can begin making regulatory changes to further improve the system. Obamacare "was deliberately vague, and he can take advantage of that vagueness now,” Rooney said. Finally, Rooney said additional legislation may be required to fix whatever problems remain. Whatever the outcome of today’s vote, assuming a vote happens at all, the fact that Republicans are still making deals and gathering support for something they’ve been talking about for seven years doesn’t bode well for Ryan’s leadership going forward. Connect with Brent Batten at brent.batten@naplesnews.com, on Twitter@NDN_BrentBatten and at facebook.com/ndnbrentbatten. Read or Share this story: http://nplsne.ws/2mSh2iV	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384336
__label__wiki	0.973711	0.973711	SpaceX Plans to Send People to the Moon in 2018—Get the Facts By Nadia Drake 28 February 2017 The proposed mission would see two private citizens make a loop around the moon, but the company has a few technical hurdles to clear first. In a surprising and somewhat secretive press briefing, Elon Musk announced today that his company SpaceX intends to fly two paying passengers to the moon by late 2018. The pair reportedly approached SpaceX with the idea and have paid the company a “significant deposit.” As envisioned, the mission would lift off from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida—the same launch pad from which the Apollo missions blasted off more than four decades ago, delivering astronauts into lunar orbit and onto the moon’s surface. The SpaceX passengers wouldn’t walk on the moon, though; the trip would slingshot them around the moon before returning to Earth. “This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them,” - SpaceX said in a statement. WATCH: Tour the SpaceX Dragon Crew Capsule With its anticipated launch date pegged to next year, the SpaceX plan is an audacious moonshot, contingent upon efficient technology development and reliable funding. But there’s no doubt that sending humans back to the moon would be exciting, whenever and however it happens. COOL. SO WHO’S GOING? It’s still a mystery. The lunar tourists are two private citizens whom Musk declined to identify. But according to the Associated Press, they apparently know one another—which is good, because being stuffed in a space capsule with someone for a week would be difficult under the best of circumstances. HOW WILL THESE PRIVATE CITIZENS GET TO THE MOON? The plan for now is for the mystery pair to hitch a ride aboard a next-generation version of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which is already in service carrying un-piloted cargo missions to the International Space Station. The crew-compatible Dragon 2 capsule, which will fly autonomously, is still in the design and testing phase. SpaceX intends to test the Dragon 2 later this year and send humans to the International Space Station aboard it in mid-2018. If all goes to plan, the moon mission could launch in late 2018. After leaving Earth’s orbit, the Dragon 2 would loop around the moon and briefly venture into deeper space before returning home. The SpaceX itinerary suggests the trip will last about a week and cover as much as 400,000 miles, giving new meaning to the concept of frequent flier miles. However, given the company’s somewhat loose relationship with deadlines, some critics wonder whether a human Dragon mission will occur when Musk says it will. There’s also the issue of getting the capsule into space. To lift something as weighty as a crewed Dragon 2 capsule, SpaceX will need its Falcon Heavy rocket, an as-yet unproven vehicle that for years has repeatedly missed its scheduled debut dates. HAS SPACEX FLOWN ANYTHING TO THE MOON BEFORE? Nope. The company has been ferrying goods to and from the ISS since 2012, and Musk recently announced an ambitious strategy for sending people to Mars in the near future. If SpaceX does indeed achieve its goal of ferrying people to the moon in late 2018, it will be the first time humans have visited the immediate lunar neighborhood since Apollo 17, which flew in 1972. WHAT SORT OF TRAINING WILL PRIVATE PASSENGERS NEED TO FLY? It’s unclear at this point, but one of the reasons Musk declined to identify the passengers is because they can’t fly until they’ve completed a series of health checkups and training regimens. Astronauts preparing for missions aboard the International Space Station are in exceptionally good physical condition. They undergo a litany of physical examinations and train for the challenges of microgravity using a variety of simulators, including submerged replicas of the space station. WHAT DOES NASA MAKE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT? In an official statement, NASA says it “commends its industry partners for reaching higher,” and that burgeoning public-private collaboration will “free the agency to focus on developing the next-generation rocket, spacecraft and systems to go beyond the moon and sustain deep space exploration.” Musk has said that he prioritises collaboration with NASA, and that if the agency wishes to send its own astronauts to the moon aboard a Dragon 2 capsule, they could displace the private passengers on the capsule’s maiden moon voyage. Lots. Space is hard. Among other unpleasantries, rockets blow up, life support systems fail, sometimes you literally have to fit a square peg into a round hole, and it’s not exactly simple to safely plummet through Earth’s atmosphere. That’s just the technical stuff. The interpersonal and psychological challenges associated with deep space missions are also an active area of research, and let’s just say that it’s not usually acceptable to vote a disagreeable team member off the island once your spaceship is en route. But at least two people on Earth are so excited by the prospect of a lunar visit that they are willing to pay despite these challenges. While it’s still a mystery how much the moon tickets cost, Musk has said the fee is about the equivalent of a journey to the International Space Station, which in the past has seen space tourists pay between $20 million and $40 million. Follow loading... 27 September 2016 Elon Musk: A Million Humans Could Live on Mars By the 2060s The SpaceX plan for building a Mars settlement includes refueling in orbit, a fleet of passenger ships, and the biggest rocket ever made. 12 July 2016 Astronauts Could Ride Asteroids to Mars, Study Says Space rocks would shield crews from cosmic rays. 29 April 2016 SpaceX Plans to Send Spacecraft to Mars in 2018 The company aims to send modified versions of its Dragon capsules to the red planet as part of a long-term goal of getting humans to Mars. Elon Musk Really Wants you to go to Mars Musk Suits- Up For SpaceX Why Haven't Humans Landed On Mars Yet? Elon Musk: A Million Humans Could Live on Mars By the 2060s Mars: Inside the High-Risk, High-Stakes Race to the Red Planet Caught In A Monkfish The Cappuccino Coast Largest Wing Span Bondi Rescue Air Crash Investigation Apocalypse: War of Worlds Never miss a Nat Geo moment National Geographic explores the people, places and events of our world. National Geographic showcases leading explorers, scientists, environmentalists, film makers and renowned photographers. Get Foxtel Get SKY Get Fetch TV My Brilliant Brain Are They Identical Crocs 'n Logs Site MapClose FetchTV © 2016 National Geographic. All rights reserved. Site by Chook Digital Agency. Join our curious community and you'll have access to some great features! 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__label__wiki	0.67797	0.67797	NEB explains the winning conditions for LNG in Canada By Elizabeth McSheffrey in News, Energy, Politics \| July 18th 2017 Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announces approval of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project in Richmond, B.C. on Sept. 29, 2016, with help from federal ministers Jim Carr and Dominic LeBlanc, and then-premier Christy Clark. Photo by The Canadian Press Lingering investment decisions from industry are part of what's stopping Canadian liquified natural gas from reaching global markets, Canada’s national energy regulator has found. Canada may be late to the game, says a National Energy Board (NEB) report, but with an abundance of natural gas to spare, financial commitment from industry could help the sector forge ahead amidst a global plunge in LNG prices. The United States — Canada’s fiercest competitor in reaching coveted Asian markets — has yet to break ground on any projects along the west coast. Canada could beat the U.S. to it, said Colette Craig, a market analyst at the NEB. But she said that success hinges on having companies that aim to develop the sector. “It’s completely up to the companies at this point to make a final investment decision and see Canada as a good place to invest,” she told National Observer. Craig co-author of the NEB’s latest energy market assessment on the role of Canadian LNG in the global market. No construction underway in Canada Liquified natural gas is natural gas that has been converted to a liquid state through an intense cooling process. Oil and gas companies covert it into this format to make it easier and cheaper to ship. Most often, it is transported to liquefaction terminals via pipeline before it is shipped by road or ocean tankers to reach its intended market. More than 70 per cent of Canada’s natural gas reserves are in B.C. and Alberta, and over the last five years, the B.C. government has lobbied heavily in favour of developing them in order to sell Canadian LNG to Asian markets. Since 2010, the NEB has approved 34 LNG export licenses, but none of the 24 planned projects across B.C., the Maritimes and Quebec have begun construction, according to its latest assessment. The Woodfibre LNG project near Squamish, B.C. is the closest to an “actual project,” said Craig, even though it’s still implementing recently-approved design changes. Another recently-approved LNG proposal — the $36-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project — remains stalled as its Malaysian oil and gas partners ponder a final investment decision. The Canaport LNG facility in Saint John, N.B. began operating in 2009 receives offshore supply from regions such as the North Sea and the Caribbean. Photo courtesy of Canaport LNG Climate change a market consideration The NEB’s assessment indicates that several “uncertainties” could impact investment decisions, including fluctuating market prices and the transition to clean energy as a result of climate change. “Natural gas and LNG demand may strengthen as economies become less reliant on more carbon-intensive fossil fuels such as oil and coal,” it reads. “Alternatively, natural gas and LNG demand could decline if renewable and/or nuclear energy sources become more prevalent at the expense of all fossil fuels.” Liquified natural gas is considered to have a lower environmental impact than burning fossil fuels like coal or diesel, says the report. But it emits more climate-polluting greenhouse gas emissions than plain natural gas, as a result of the additional energy required to transport, liquify and regasify it. The controversial Pacific NorthWest LNG project — currently stalled and facing an onslaught of Indigenous lawsuits — would be the one the largest single greenhouse gas emitters in Canada if it is ever completed, according to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. It’s “feasible” to have some LNG development and still meeting provincial, national and international climate targets, said Maximilian Kniewasser of the Pembina Institute, but LNG and natural gas shouldn’t be viewed as a “climate solution.” “With the really big projects like Pacific NorthWest LNG it’s just very challenging because the emissions impact is so large,” the program director for B.C. climate policy told National Observer. “For B.C. for example, the entire rest of the economy would have almost entirely to decarbonize so we could still meet our legislated climate targets…With some of the smaller projects, it’s feasible. Woodfibre LNG is going ahead with electric drive to reduce emissions.” Chief Na'moks of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in B.C. signs the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion in Vancouver, B.C. on Oct. 4, 2016. His nation is one of several locked in a lawsuit whose aim is stop the emissions-heavy Pacific NorthWest LNG project. Photo by Elizabeth McSheffrey On Horgan and hydraulic fracking The NEB’s report lists a set of advantages and disadvantages for the Canadian LNG market. On the plus side, Canada has abundant and relatively low-cost natural gas supplies, and shorter shipping distances to Europe and Asia than the U.S. But there are also obstacles such as having high costs for new projects in remote regions with limited infrastructure. These require new pipeline approvals in order to transport the fuel. One factor the assessment did not include is a change in government receptiveness to LNG development in B.C. — where NDP Premier John Horgan was sworn in today. While Horgan has said he supports LNG “provided conditions are met,” his government will is expected to place more scrutiny on industry proposals than his predecessor, BC Liberal Christy Clark. Craig said she couldn’t comment on politics in relation to the report, but admitted companies “consider all the factors” where they aim to invest, which likely includes party politics. Either way, the NEB is predicting an 18 per cent boost in natural gas production by 2040 as a result of technological advances in drilling and hydraulic fracturing — the process of pressure-pumping huge quantities of water underground to fracture dense rock formations and released the trapped gas. Hydraulic fracking creates millions upon millions of cubic metres of chemical, carcinogen, and metal-laden wastewater, according to a recent report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which labels it a “controversial, brute-force fossil fuel extraction practice.” The report’s author, Ben Parfitt, told National Observer in a recent interview fracking for the purposes of natural gas and LNG development turned northeastern B.C. into “one giant industrial sacrifice zone.” According to the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission, nearly 12,000 wells have been hydraulically fracked this since the 1950s and 355 new wells were drilled throughout B.C. in 2016. The NEB's report does not address the controversy surrounding fracking, including water contamination and earthquakes. Elizabeth McSheffrey "The NEB's report does not Public Interest \| Tue, 07/18/2017 - 17:03 "The NEB's report does not address the controversy surrounding fracking, including water contamination and earthquakes." Of course not. Why address the dirty facts of the industry when the NEB's raison d'être is to placate and advance it? Nor does the either the NEB John Hill \| Wed, 07/19/2017 - 01:03 Nor does the either the NEB report nor the article address significant and just about possible to avoid methane leakage! Major oversights! Not mentioned, methane René Ebacher \| Wed, 07/19/2017 - 07:51 Not mentioned, methane emissions which are 85 times more potent than CO2 on a twenty year basis. The low price of natural gas has helped considerably in-situ production in the bitumen oil sands. It uses 20% of all the natural gas produced in Canada. Good for the bitumen oil sands industry, very bad for the environment. OK National Observer, you are Diana Daunheimer \| Wed, 07/19/2017 - 09:01 OK National Observer, you are dangerously close to becoming part of the scrap heap of junk journalism. With this piece of LNG cheerleading and propaganda, you might have gotten there. Ms. McShaffery, do some research and stop regurgitating CAPP bullshit, it's false. Quoting Pembina is ridiculous too, particularly considering when I chatted with your boss Mike De Souza he agreed that Pembina is nothing more than controlled opposition for the industry. This reflects so poorly on your publication, but not nearly as much as your "facts" on fracking. There has never been, or currently, a well that is fracked with only water. In fact, tens of thousands of wells are fracked using no water at all. LNG is highly emissions intensive, over the lifecycle of drilling, fracking, production, processing, transmission and liquifying, natural gas exploration and production is proving to be the top emissions generator. The NEB report comes up very Eoin Finn \| Wed, 07/19/2017 - 16:26 The NEB report comes up very short on one big factor which will determine the future of BC's wanna-be LNG industry- world LNG demand growth. The chapter on "Global LNG Demand" is the shortest, and appears to erroneously conflate LNG demand with regasification capacity. Increased competition and supply from Australia, U.S., Qatar, Iran and a host of lower-cost African countries, coupled with Russian gas pipeline imports to China and Japanese nuclear restarts will likely dampen demand growth (2.6% average over the past 10 years), and, with it, any chances for BC LNG being anything other than a local LNG fuel supplier for dual-fuel coastal vessels. As LNG is primarily used for power generation, the rapid growth of non-fossil renewable alternatives (mentioned once in the report) won't help any. In those respects - not a very good report - or outlook. To begin with, sentence ingamarie \| Wed, 07/19/2017 - 19:47 To begin with, sentence structure needs some work....in three places....so I'd suggest more careful editing. That said, a person would have to know nothing about hydraulic fracking, to think that an export market which depends on that process to extract the natural gas.........before it is then liquified, piped to the coast and sent around the globe in mega tankers.....could be in any way better for the climate than other forms of fossil fuel. Enough 'cleaner fossil fuels' already. We need to move quickly to clean energy and call a halt to these pipe dreams of unconventional fossil fuels making us rich on the global export market. It's a boondoggle, and unless subsidized by the unsuspecting public, not economic in the long term. What's worse, is that wherever oil and gas goes, it leaves leaking open sores all over the back country....when a well ceases to be profitable its generally not properly shut down...........and the methane leaking all over western Canada, is a poison gift to the climate that keeps on giving. We won't meet our Paris agreements. And those agreements in themselves, are not enough to keep us below 2 degrees of warming. Why is that so hard to get through our Canadian noggins? Too many poisonous chemicals in our air and water??? It is irresponsible for Nielle Hawkwood \| Thu, 07/20/2017 - 06:11 It is irresponsible for governments and government agencies to ignore the demonstrated devastating impacts of fracking on the environment, public health and agriculture. We cannot afford to have our precious farmland in Alberta and B.C. turned into toxic waste dumps. Perhaps if McKenna and Treetop \| Sat, 07/22/2017 - 12:32 Perhaps if McKenna and LeBlanc spent less time colluding with multinationals and more time on the actual mandate of their portfolios, we wouldn't have dead endangered whales appearing in record numbers on 2 coasts or destruction of endangered species' habitats in several provinces along with sharp declines in remaining individuals. We need to go back to the days when environmental portfolios were strictly about protecting species and habitats, not protecting salmon destroying Norwegian fish farms or multinational fossil fuel corporations turning endangered caribou habitat and remaining boreal forest into a poisoned lunar landscape. The decisions show clearly that they cannot serve 2 masters and they will always choose the one with money and lobbyists. Dear British Columbia, forget fracking. Sincerely, two doctors By Warren Bell & Larry Barzelai in Opinion, Energy, Politics \| June 29th 2017 Race Against Climate Change Trudeau government on defensive after approving "carbon bomb" By Elizabeth McSheffrey in News, Energy \| September 28th 2016 First Nation to claim land title to block Pacific NorthWest LNG terminal By The Canadian Press in News, Energy \| September 19th 2015	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384338
__label__wiki	0.856773	0.856773	Good Riddance to the Unions of The Irishman About Kyle Smith Follow Kyle Smith on Twitter (Niko Tavernise/Netflix LLC) They were anything but benevolent, and we are better off without them. Martin Scorsese’s Netflix film The Irishman contains one of the cinema’s most detailed and unsparing looks at how labor unions operated at their mid-century peak of power. Scorsese waggishly introduces a variety of labor-union and mafia figures (it can be difficult to tell the difference) with screen captions telling us how their lives would violently end — in gunfire or via bombing. It’s startling, then, to read a conservative writer oozing with nostalgia for this reign of terror in which labor unions routinely extorted America with threats, intimidation, and outright violence. Because the mid-century unions wielded huge power over so many industries — shipping, trucking, the rails, construction, manufacturing — their demands amounted to a tax on everything. Except the revenue collected wasn’t spent on public goods; it simply went into the pockets of a special-interest group that enforced its policies with goon tactics. Unions were not just a nuisance that interfered with American liberty but a destructive and sometimes malign force. Often they destroyed or severely damaged their own industries, many of which have over time relocated to areas that weren’t bled by unions, either overseas or within this country. Yet at The American Conservative, James Pinkerton praises The Irishman’s “retro civilization: one where, if you can believe it, labor was equal to capital . . . [and] strong unions shaped society. Picket lines were not to be crossed, and work rules — detailing which worker could do which job — were strictly enforced (unless there was a payoff).” Though Pinkerton concedes that unions did everything from preventing meat from being sold on Sundays in Chicago all the way up to murder, he finds them an essential balancing force against the supposed wickedness of free, non-coerced economic choosing. “The decades of union power coincided with America at its most powerful and in a way at its most cohesive,” Pinkerton writes. “Pluralism among countervailing power blocs — Big Labor versus Big Business — may seem messy, but it’s also societally healthy, keeping the nation’s humors in balance.” He laments that the Democratic party turned away from workingmen’s issues to the culture war: “As workers’ issues receded, so did their relative power — and their incomes.” He praises an era when “labor was equal to capital, when the working class was growing into the middle class,” and contrasts it with how “over the last half-century, reformers have helped capital to triumph over labor, and, as a result, much of the middle class has been busted back down to the working class.” Sardonically Pinkerton concludes that these days, “Hey, you can have all the abortions you want, and you can even buy meat on Sundays.” There is a lot of this kind of thinking these days in precincts of the right that are culturally conservative and economically liberal. An obvious retort to Pinkerton’s remark that “decades of union power coincided with America at its most powerful and in a way at its most cohesive” is that American manufacturing power peaked because we were the only major industrialized nation untouched by World War II’s devastation, not because unions forced management to pay workers far more than they were worth. Once overseas competitors rebuilt, America essentially lost its industrial monopoly. As for the “most cohesive” label, which everyone seems to agree applied at mid-century, that was also the period when the percentage of Americans who were foreign-born hit an all-time low. The huge upsurge in immigration that followed the passage of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, not the slow decline in union power, created a less cohesive (or, if you like, more pluralistic) populace. Unions, many of which openly shunned black workers or relegated them to segregated auxiliary units — the “Jim Crow locals” — to keep them from attaining power, should hardly be praised for maintaining social “cohesion” by retarding the progress of black Americans. Not least among the wonders of free enterprise is that it tends to dismantle racism: Factory owners may have had racist inclinations, but when black workers showed up at their doors offering to work for less than white men, the owners were willing to hire them. It’s because of a black Alabama contractor named Algernon Blair, who brought black workers from the South to Long Island to work on a building site, that Republican congressman Robert Bacon introduced what became the Davis-Bacon Act, which essentially mandated that federal projects employ unions, which in turn discriminated against blacks, especially in the building trades. American Federation of Labor president William Green praised the bill because “colored labor is being brought in to demoralize wage rates.” The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, known as the Wagner Act after Democratic senator Robert Wagner, contained language forbidding racist discrimination in labor unions — until the AFL succeeded in striking out the clause. Pinkerton shrugs off the union infringement on American liberty as merely restricting the purchase of meat on Sundays in Chicago, but in fact unions equal coercion at many levels. In closed shops unions would coerce union fees from workers, then use the money to buy politicians. They would extort pay raises by striking, or threatening to strike, and enforce the strikes with hired thugs who would beat up anyone who tried to cross a picket line. Infamous practices collectively known as “featherbedding” would require employers to, for instance, pay union wages to workers who were not even present, or to hire far more union workers than were necessary to do a job. Though private-sector union membership is down to 10.5 percent of the workforce, unions are still up to the same old tricks. In October, GM fired three UAW members for making threats during a strike. When Verizon replacement workers went about their jobs in Boston in 2011, striking workers interfered with them: “We are definitely trying to slow them down in their efforts to keep business going,” a union steward named Matt Lyons boasted. A Verizon spokesman said union members were sabotaging the business by cutting wires. Please don’t tell me you’re against cartels and special-interest groups but you’re okay with entirely innocent people getting their phone lines cut because of a union tantrum. Unions make it difficult, sometimes almost impossible, to fire the worst workers. They drive up consumer prices with absurd salaries. Want to know why a Carnegie Hall concert ticket costs so much? The stagehands earn $400,000 a year. In New Jersey alone, union deals called Project Labor Agreements have cost Garden State residents half a billion dollars in excess costs since 2002. A 2012 report by the Chamber of Commerce detailed the many ways unions have used their political clout to buy themselves exemptions from various crimes — intimidation, sabotage, stalking, trespassing. Many such laws are still on the books. “But won’t you think of the blue-collar white guys!” is becoming the “But won’t you think of the children!” of the right. If a policy makes sense, it shouldn’t have to resort to sentimental appeals to a kind of person who is meant to be especially appealing. There’s a reason why the history of labor unions is so intertwined with that of the mafia. The word “racket” applies in either case. Kyle Smith is National Review’s critic-at-large. @rkylesmith	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384339
__label__cc	0.684819	0.315181	Spring at Snowshill Dovecote in spring National Trust / James Dobson Snowshill Manor and Garden has woken up from its winter slumber in time for spring. " ‘…T’is sweet life giving time of spring When all the Birds right blithely sing.’ " - Charles Paget Wade In the manor the covers are off and Charles Wade's collection of remarkable treasures is once more on show. Over the winter the collection has been carefully checked and cleaned. The scent of beeswax flows through the rooms, the samurai warriors gleam, the glasses sparkle and you could believe that with some wind in their sails the model ships could set forth. The garden in spring Charles Wade loved this time of year and his notebooks are full of the beauty of nature to be found in his garden and the surrounding countryside. As the days begin to lengthen and there is a hint of warmth in the air, dust off the cobwebs and come and explore the garden at Snowshill as it bursts into life after the stillness of winter. The spring bulbs, planted by the garden team, over the winter start to peak through and are in full bloom by April and May. Sometimes the blossom in the orchards arrives later in the season - May is the best time to enjoy this specatular sight. The surrounding fields will also soon be full of the Clun lambs, a feature of Snowshill and looked after by the tenant farmer. Their joyful play and noisy bleats heralds the coming of spring and never fails to delight visitors. Discover more at Snowshill Manor and Garden An English country garden The garden at Snowshill is a great place to escape and explore - a gem in the Cotswold crown. Wolf's Cove - a model village From April to the end of September the model village of Wolf’s Cove is on display at the heart of the garden. In October each year we take in the village, just as Charles Wade used to do, to look after it over the winter months.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384340
__label__wiki	0.97428	0.97428	At least 21 killed in attack at Pakistan university Militants raided a university in northwest Pakistan, timing their attack to a ceremony at the school to ensure maximum casualties. As security forces combed the campus block by block after the massacre Wednesday, they counted the bodies of at least 21 students. Wednesday, January 20th 2016, 6:03 AM EST ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Militants raided a university in northwest Pakistan, timing their attack to a ceremony at the school to ensure maximum casualties. As security forces combed the campus block by block after the massacre Wednesday, they counted the bodies of at least 21 students. Four militants were also killed, said army spokesman Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa. The attack took place at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Peshawar -- less than 40 kilometers (25 miles) from where the Pakistani Taliban slayed 145 people, including 132 children, in another college attack in December 2014. It's unclear whether the group was responsible for the Wednesday incident. One Pakistani Taliban spokesman, Umar Mansoor, said the attack was in retaliation for military operations against the group. Mansoor was also the mastermind behind the December 2014 attack, Pakistan's DawnNews reported. But another spokesman, Mohammad Khurrassani, from the Pakistani Taliban's central organization, disavowed any role.. We "strongly condemn the attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and disown the attack, saying this is not according to Shariah," Khurrassani said. Wednesday was the 28th anniversary of the university's founder, Abdul Ghaffar Khan -- a 1920s Pashtun independence activist and pacifist also known as Bacha Khan. Guests were gathered at the university to pay tribute to the man when the militants came, said student Zahoor Khan. Khan said he saw his chemistry professor shot while advising students to stay inside. A student told DawnNews the attackers were in his own age group. "The attackers were like us - they were very young. They carried AK-47 guns. They wore jackets like the forces do." The student said dozens of students were still asleep in their rooms because they didn't have class. "There was firing between attackers and security forces," the student told DawnNews. "After everything was over, the army men knocked on our room and told us we were safe." Troops pour in In the aftermath, troop transporters pulled up to the gates of the university and drove through onto campus with heavily armed soldiers, video from the scene showed. Other soldiers combed the school's outer walls with guns held at ready. Ambulances swarmed to the campus. As rescuers rushed to put people on stretchers, injured people who could stand on their own walked past them in the opposite direction. Some of them held onto others for support. Some cried openly. Nearby, groups of men carried caskets through the crowd, and ambulance workers rushed back to their vehicles with the injured on their gurneys. Prime Minister's statement "Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is deeply grieved over the sad incident of terrorists' attack on Bacha Khan University, Charsada, which has reportedly resulted into the loss of precious human lives and injured many others," a statement from the Prime Minister's office read. "While condemning the cowardly attack of the terrorists, the Prime Minister said that those killing innocent students and citizens have no faith and religion." The past few days have seen an increase in militancy in the region, including an attack on a checkpoint in Khyber Agency, a region west of Peshawar that borders Afghanistan, where 10 people were killed and 36 others injured. The-CNN-Wire: By Sophia Saifi, Ben Brumfield and Euan McKirdy (Journalist Zahir Sherazi in Peshawar and Saleem Mehsud in Islamabad, Pakistan contributed to this report)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384343
__label__wiki	0.88596	0.88596	Pineapples? Not So Fast: 100 Pounds of Hidden Cocaine Seized in Delaware By The Associated Press • Published at 8:13 am on August 25, 2018 Nearly 100 pounds of cocaine has been seized from a Delaware port where it was hidden in boxes of pineapples headed to New Jersey, according to reports. A drug-sniffing dog at the Port of Wilmington led authorities to the cocaine Wednesday, according to news reports citing a U.S. Customs statement. The statement said the pineapples were from Costa Rica. The News Journal of Wilmington cited a United Nations report that says the roughly 45 kilograms of cocaine has a street value of more than $7.6 million. The News Journal reported that Wednesday's seizure comes months after federal agencies launched a surprise inspection at the port's federally bonded warehouses. Citing federal disclosure reports, the newspaper says Adderall and thousands of Xanax pills also have been seized at the port this year.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384344
__label__cc	0.551437	0.448563	The Independent News Source About NCR Column \| Young Voices Seeing is believing: Why Catholics need women deacons by Nicole Sotelo WEB 20170720T0956-0284-CNS-COLOMBIA-PEACE-HENAO.jpg A woman holds a crucifix during Mass in Bogota, Colombia, in this 2015 file photo. (CNS/EPA/Leonardo Munoz) As a child, I had a fairly good idea of what God looked like. When I prayed, I imagined God in the form of Msgr. McMahon, the pastor of my parish. Certainly the way people treated him seemed like he must be a step away from divinity. As a result, I conjured an image for God as an older male, balding, wearing a white alb, and maybe even speaking an Irish brogue. Get the best of NCR delivered to your inbox! Sign up here I knew God wasn't Msgr. McMahon, but being surrounded by male-only church officials and male-only pronouns for the divine, the image of a masculine God was cemented for the first 20 years of my life. It took many more years to pry that male-only template out of my heart. But it still slips back from time to time. When it does, the template carries overlays of male superiority that affect how I see the world, how I work, how I love and interact with others. Even deeper, it affects how I feel about myself. When young Catholic women see only men in the highest levels of leadership, the impact is wounding and lasting. The image casts its own harmful shadow on the male psyche, too. That is one of the reasons why the Vatican commission on women deacons, whose results I hope will be released in the new year, is so important for our church. We have the opportunity to offer our faith's daughters the chance to see themselves as sacred equals, not only in the church, but also within themselves. Study after study reveals that images of women's leadership that we see — or don't see — affect the way we view ourselves. A 2012 study in the Group Processes & Intergroup Relations Journal found that women who are exposed to images of women leaders report "less negative self-perceptions and greater leadership aspirations" than those exposed to images of women in non-leadership roles. Another study by MIT researchers in 2012 revealed that seeing women serve as leaders in local politics led to increased educational aspirations, not only on the part of young women, but in their parents, too. Whereas in villages that had never seen local women leaders, parents were 45 percent less likely to say that they wanted their daughters to finish school or study beyond secondary school. Additionally, a 2015 KPMG study discovered that among women surveyed, 84 percent "reported that having positive leadership role models helped them feel confident about what they could accomplish in life." It is my hope that as we see more women leaders in our church, we women will also believe more deeply in ourselves. While modern Catholicism celebrates women as lectors and youth leaders, pastoral associates or diocesan administrators, women's broader leadership in liturgy and decision-making roles remains absent. While we may not have many role models of women's high-level leadership to lift up, we can certainly look to our past to see women who led, starting with the only deacon named in Christian scriptures: a woman, Phoebe (Romans 16:1). Throughout the centuries, we have historical evidence of Catholic women serving in multiple roles, including as deacons, priests, and bishops. With regards to women deacons, this year marks the 1,000 anniversary of a letter from Pope Benedict VIII to the bishop of Porto, Portugal, in 1017. The pope wrote, "In the same way, we concede and confirm to you and to your successors in perpetuity every Episcopal ordination, not only of presbyters but also of deacons or deaconesses." To be sure, even if Catholic women are re-welcomed with men to be deacons next year, significant concerns remain. Women who feel called to be deacons may step forward, but what about women who feel called to other ministries that are still restricted to male-only policies? What about the culture of clericalism that pervades the current roles? Only a transformation of leadership and how we understand ministry will truly save us over time. That being said, I do believe that women deacons will be a step forward on the long arc of justice. For example, I can't imagine the Vatican would even be discussing women deacons if the church had not first experienced women as lay ecclesial ministers. The church's saying, lex orandi, lex credendi, refers to the fact that what we pray is what we believe. The similar phrase, "seeing is believing," also holds true. What we see often becomes, consciously or unconsciously, what we believe. It is my hope that as we see more women leaders in our church, we women will also believe more deeply in ourselves. And church officials who may initially think that the sky is falling, will come to see that it is simply heaven, the kin-dom of God, drawing nearer. Note: After almost 10 years, this is my last column for the Young Voices series. I want to ensure space for more voices and I am grateful to National Catholic Reporter for providing a space for young adult Catholics to be seen and heard among Catholic news. Seeing is, indeed, believing. [Nicole Sotelo is the author of Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace, published by Paulist Press, and coordinates WomenHealing.com. She is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School.] Editor's note: We can send you an email alert every time a Young Voices column is posted to NCRonline.org. Go to this page and follow directions: Email alert sign-up. A version of this story appeared in the Jan 12-25, 2018 print issue. Send your thoughts and reactions to Letters to the Editor. Learn more here Enter your email address to receive free newsletters from NCR. Column \| Seeing is believing: Why Catholics need women deacons EarthBeat Weekly: The planet as patient Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Questions to set us on fire Dorothy Day documentary examines the woman and might-be saint Editorial: US foreign policy belies the veneer of noble purpose Impact investing moves money from 'do no harm' to promoting social good Appeals court rules to throw out youth climate change case Religions can be part of the solution for peace, not the problem, faith leaders say Rome-brokered peace deal increases chances of papal visit to South Sudan Mexico bishops urge no statute of limitations for sex abuse Northern Ireland religious leaders welcome restoration of institutions Trial delayed for French priest accused of abusing 75 boys 3 ways to support NCR Sign up for our free newsletters. Subscribe to our newspaper. Support our journalism: Become a member. At Ohio racism listening session, participants express sorrow and hope Fr. Jim Martin meets people where they are -- online Stop shaming women for seeking equal power in the church Pope's quotes: To deacons Indian theologians say women deacons could create progress, and setbacks NCR Media Kit Web User Guidelines Giving to NCR Your NCR Legacy Endowment Opportunities Catholic Parish/Group Giving Subscribe to NCR Give NCR as a Gift	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384346
__label__cc	0.727119	0.272881	Contact Neil 120: Strengthen Your Connection: Undefended Love with Jett Psaris by neil \| Dec 12, 2017 \| Relationship Alive Apple PodcastsGoogle PlayShare Leave a ReviewClammr ItListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotify Let’s get practical for a moment. You’ve heard about the importance of courage and vulnerability in taking your relationship to the next level. How do you do that in a way that actually makes you stronger? How do you truly overcome feeling like a victim – in your life and relationship? How can you literally become a “yes” to everything – the painful moments as well as the joyful moments – to create new levels of spark and connection in your relationship? In today’s episode, you’re going to learn a way of showing up that helps you face your fears and heal the patterns that no longer serve you, no matter what’s going on in your relationship. Our guest is Jett Psaris, co-author of the book Undefended Love, and her work clearly illuminates the path to wholeness, healing, and deep authenticity – especially in relationship. I’ve been excited to speak with Jett Psaris ever since the beginning days of the Relationship Alive podcast – and it was well worth the wait. Plus as an added bonus, you’ll get to hear us sing the “Namaste” chant together at the end of our conversation! As always, I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this episode and what revelations and questions it creates for you. Join us in the Relationship Alive Community on Facebook to chat about it! Click here to receive the Jett Psaris and Undefended Love Transcript! Talkspace.com – Online therapy that matches you with your perfect therapist. You can communicate with your therapist daily – so they can be there for you during the moments you most need support. Visit talkspace.com/ALIVE and use the coupon code “ALIVE” for $30 off your first month of online therapy. Check out Jett Psaris’s website Read Jett’s book Undefended Love and check out her new book Hidden Blessings: Midlife Crisis As a Spiritual Awakening http://www.neilsattin.com/undefended Visit to download the transcript, or text “PASSION” to 33444 and follow the instructions to download the transcript to this episode with Jett Psaris Amazing intro/outro music (not including the Namaste chant) graciously provided courtesy of: The Railsplitters – Check them Out Neil Sattin: Hello and welcome to another episode of Relationship Alive. This is your host, Neil Sattin. How do you take your relationship to a totally new level where you actually transform, where you get past the things that hold you back, that keep you from shining your brightest? And that keep you from supporting your partner in doing the same? We’ve talked a lot on this show about how to evolve into a relationship that creates deep safety, and trust and respect, so that you can be fully in the moment with your partner. And yet, even then, some of us feel like, well, maybe there’s something more or maybe there’s like, “I’m disconnected from this place within me and I’m not quite sure how to get there. I’ve heard about relationship as a vehicle for transformation, and I could really use some help doing the transforming and knowing what that process is like.” Neil Sattin: Well, on today’s show, we are going to dive deep into the black hole of transformation with Jett Psaris, who is one of the co-authors along with Marlena Lyons of the book, “Undefended Love”. This book will truly open your eyes as to what is possible. Not only in partnership but also in how you reveal to yourself the ways that you are holding yourself back from being centered in your essence and operating from there. And also, how to bring that kind of clarity into your partnership and to see ways that you can stop defending yourself and instead be undefended, vulnerable, courageous and alive. So with that, we will dive right in. I do want to let you know that we will have a detailed transcript and an action guide for this episode, which you can get by visiting neilsattin.com/undefended. And you can always text the word “Passion” to the number 33444 and follow the instructions to also get a link to this show guide and all the other show guides from Relationship Alive. Neil Sattin: Jett Psaris, so happy to have you here with me today on Relationship Alive. Jett Psaris: And thank you so much for the invitation, I appreciate it. Looking forward to it. Neil Sattin: Great. And it’s my pleasure. And just so you know, listening, this is a conversation that actually started a couple of years ago because I knew very early on in the inception of this podcast that I was really hoping to have either Jett or Marlena here on the show to talk about “Undefended Love”. So with a little patience and waiting for the timing to feel right, here we are. [chuckle] Neil Sattin: I’m excited. And Jett, I’m wondering if we can start right out by talking about this concept of… We’re talking about undefended love, but what is defended love? What is being defended and what are we defending ourselves from? Maybe that’s a good place to dive in. Jett Psaris: Yeah, in fact, yes it is. The reason we titled the book “Undefended Love”, is really because most people, while they’re aware of defensive behaviors and actions like reactions, getting angry, withdrawing, most people are aware that those are defensive but unaware that our entire perspective is born out of a defense. For example, if our orientation or role or sense of self that we adopted as a child was to be super competent, that itself is a defense against feeling not good enough. And so, while we can catch ourselves in defensive behaviors or being triggered or reactive, we seldom know that we’re going through each moment of every day oriented around protecting ourselves from an experience we had as children that we could not endure. And so, I often point out that these roles that we play and ways of perspectives that we have taken on, they actually got us to this place in our lives. They helped us survive. But now, if we don’t relinquish those roles, self-concepts, worldviews, and emotional coping mechanisms, we don’t relinquish them – then it’s a little bit like an acorn husk, if it doesn’t give way, the seed possibility for who we can be, ourselves and in relationship, will never be realized. So undefended, undefended love, is the work of recognizing and dismantling those defense structures which will then dismantle, and the defensive reactions and behaviors will no longer be necessary. And I love the way you did this introduction, it was very subtle, but I want to point it out to listeners. The introduction that you gave, Neil, is you very subtly wove in that the starting place is with ourselves. The starting place is not getting the other to be different. The starting place is that relationship and love call us to a profound inner transformation. After which, we can relate to others in an undefended, or in a non-provisional way. So that’s our starting point. Neil Sattin: So many places that we can go from there. I’m curious… Well actually, maybe a good place to go from here is… A lot of people were asking me, “What can you tell me about ‘Undefended Love’?” They were like, “What are you reading now for your upcoming interview?” And I was like, “Alright, well basically, when you’re growing up, things happen that lead you to form erroneous conclusions about yourself which you call the cracked identity.” And it’s this sense, and it can be distilled often down to simple statements like, I’m not lovable, or, I’m not worthy, or I’m not valuable, or I’m always wrong. I think those identities, they’re not things that are there all the time for us, but from that come our personalities. And one thing that I loved about what you wrote about was how you showed that the personality – things like being a really generous person – are actually there to help us avoid feeling the pain of this underlying cracked identity. Jett Psaris: Exactly, right. Yeah, what you’re speaking about here is there are two main layers to our identities, self-concepts or what we created in order to manage our childhood. And the one, the deepest one, the one that is the most gnarly are these self-concepts that are deficient. And it’s very interesting to me that the way these are born. I’ll give you an example, is, let’s say that your dad comes home from work. He’s had a rough day at work. You’re five years old, you’re just excited to see him. And so, you run up to him and he pushes you away, tells you to give him space, not now. And so, here you’re wide open, your arms are out literally, you’re reaching for the person you love the most in the world, and you experience a physical punch; it feels somatic when he says, “No, go away.” Jett Psaris: And so, then the child is left with a dilemma. How do I make my world make sense? And so, what they do is they actually do a kind of translation and say, “I must have been too much in that moment.” And so, that’s the birth of a self-concept as deficient. “I am too much.” And then what they do is they create a compensation to manage themselves. “Since I’m too much, I need to control, contain, suppress, repress my natural emotions, exuberance, actions.” And so now, we’re beginning to build this self-concept of being restrained, that’s the compensation. But that’s built on top of, “I’m too much.” And so, we do that basically… This is the most important part for me. We create that in order to maintain our relationship like this child in the example with his father. He wants to stay in a relationship with his father, so in order to not make the father wrong for his impatience and anger, the child makes himself wrong and says, “I’m too much.” Jett Psaris: And so, you see the impulse is to maintain the relationship. But the way we maintain that, psychologically, produces a self-concept that we just build on over, and over, and over again. And maybe later in the show, we’ll talk about how we do that in partnership, how we maintain that entire mistake. Neil Sattin: Yeah. And with that, I thought another great example that you offer in the book is just because you might be listening and thinking, “Well I’m not shut down. I’m a really generous, giving person, full of exuberance. So this probably doesn’t apply to me.” So what would you say to that person? Jett Psaris: Well, I think there is a case study in this book, I’m not sure if it’s this one, or the next one, where a minister saw himself as… His self concept, he was generous, and probably everybody he knew would consider him to be generous except his wife actually. And so, I said, “Well, tell me what happens with your wife if your generosity isn’t appreciated.” And he said, “Well, actually, I get angry with her and I withdraw.” And I said, “Uh. Well, essential generosity has no strings attached. So because you are committed and attached to being seen as a generous person, that’s where we have the clue that that is something you developed, and that you are reinforcing because if it doesn’t get reinforced from your wife, you actually separate; you sever the relationship, you punish her or you withdraw in some feelings of reactive hurt.” Jett Psaris: And so, that’s where we begin to see that. We’re not actually working purely with essential generosity here. But I want to hasten to mention that we cannot develop a concept of generosity unless we have that essential quality. So the truth is, he does have that essential quality and it’s apparent if you sit with him for a number of minutes, you can see that he has that essential quality, but especially with his wife, it also has become a compensatory identity. That has become an obstacle in their relationship because he is more focused on being seen as generous than making authentic contact in a given moment. I just want to mention one more thing about this just coming to me, I’m sorry to interrupt you. Neil Sattin: Sure. No, go ahead. Jett Psaris: Is that the other thing about this is that when he is giving to his wife and she receives that, it’s actually not enough. So there’s a little backside here, it’s a nuance, but he is more attached to a constant stream of validation, and if that stream is broken, then we begin to see the cracked identity underneath that compensation. Neil Sattin: Yeah. Can you chat a little about how that compensatory identity, so you’d think, “Okay, I’m great. I suffered under my parents. I became… I learned how to hold myself back a little bit”, or “I learned how to be really generous.” But at the same time, these compensatory strategies, they actually perpetuate that underlying belief as well. Jett Psaris: That’s exactly right. It’s very rarely understood that if our emotional survival strategy is to seek approval, every time we seek approval, we reinforce our deficient identity as not good enough, or not smart enough, or not generous enough. So it’s like we’re putting coats and coats of paint on that deficient identity and we keep… It’s a little bit like an addiction. We keep having to fill that hole, H-O-L-E of deficit. “I’m not good enough so I need to constantly hear from you and everyone around you that in fact I am.” So it actually does the opposite. The approval just gets us by for that moment, but it never is going to fill that hole. Neil Sattin: Yeah, and so let’s make the leap, at least in this moment that the way that we typically find ourselves in relationship is driven by some aspect of this personality, the compensatory strategy. Jett Psaris: That’s right. That’s right. A good question and if we take this into a little bit more concrete example is, if you ask yourself, what experience am I trying to get in this moment with my partner, or what experience am I trying to avoid in this moment with my partner? Then you will begin to see the workings of the compensatory and the cracked identity, because authentic and essential interactions are never trying to get something and they’re never trying to avoid something. Neil Sattin: So yeah, so now I’m wondering, and you’re probably wondering if you’re listening, where we’re headed with all of this ’cause alright, great, you’ve got this, I have these cracks in my identity and then my personality came up and there are things about it that are great and maybe there are things about it that are not so great. If I’m gonna be delaminating all of these coats of paint that Jett was just talking about, where do I get with that? What possibilities actually open up for me if I’m willing to go through this process? Jett Psaris: Well, the one piece is that we through this process, we develop ourselves into a much larger, we become much larger. And I often use this example of, if you picture a glass of water next to a large pristine blue mountain lake, and where we start this journey really as that glass of water. So if you picture putting maybe a teaspoon of salt into that glass of water and drinking it up, you’ll be repulsed. But that same teaspoon of water into that blue mountain lake, that water is just going to be as refreshing as it always was. Jett Psaris: So life delivers us and also of course relationship on a daily basis, things that don’t taste good. If we’re that glass of water, we’re gonna constantly be saying “no” to everything that comes toward us that we believe is going to produce discomfort and displeasure. But as we become that large, blue pristine mountain lake of our beings, all the things that come to us, they become absorbed and refreshed. And we actually become a source of nourishment and refreshment to everyone around us. Jett Psaris: You can see this a little bit with people who have gone through cancer a number of times. The first time they get the diagnosis, they panic, usually reach for whatever treatment is offered, and go into kind of a trance state and just try to survive. The second time, well, they have their medical team together, they know what worked and didn’t work. They move a lot more slowly, generally speaking. And they have the ability to recognize that life is continuing, and this recurrence has also come into their lives. But they have much more stamina and capacity to show up for what’s happening. Jett Psaris: And the third time, they’ll come into my office, and then say, “Well, there’s been a third recurrence, and I feel capable of taking the necessary steps, and I also want to talk about what’s happening currently in my marriage.” And so, the capacity to be with what life offers becomes larger and larger. We’re less likely to feel resentment, we’re less likely to feel collapse, we’re less likely to feel emotionally defensive or reactive. We develop a general “yes” to everything, because we are so large and have already experienced our capacity to show up for life, that we’re no longer afraid of life, as we are when we begin this journey. Neil Sattin: So, as you peel back these layers, you get to reveal essential qualities about yourself that are larger, and deeper, and more constant, more resilient. Jett Psaris: Yes. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And the capacity, also… Neil Sattin: Go ahead. Jett Psaris: Everyone knows what it feels like to have these essential qualities bubbling up in them. And I often use the example of the first time you fell in love. And if you can remember that, the first time you fell in love, a lot of us will focus on what the other person was like. But if you focus for a moment on what you felt like, that experience of yourself, when you first fell in love, that openness, that joy, that capacity, that willingness, that love and all of that, that’s actually the destination of this journey. When we fall in love we glimpse that possibility for who we can be with another, and within ourselves we glimpse that possibility. And then, the hard work of realizing that possibility begins. And so, in short form, the answer to your question is, who you were when you first fell in love, the experience you had of yourself, that’s actually the destination of this journey. Neil Sattin: That would make sense. And it’s making sense to me on this deep level of, right, of course, I’ve been summoned by this vision of potential. And then, I think often couples find themselves heeding the call, being summoned and then a year or two or 10 later, totally forgetting what called them into that relationship to begin with. Jett Psaris: Right. Neil Sattin: So what happens when we get stuck? And as I did mention in the intro, which you heard, Jett. A lot of what we’ve talked about on the show has been about creating safety in relationships, so that people really feel freedom to be vulnerable, to be courageous. And yet, I couldn’t help but notice that further along in your book you talk about “REACT”, and basically identifying all of these qualities of a safe container. And talking about, how maybe those are great to get you to one place, but then you have to find ways to shed those qualities. Jett Psaris: Yeah, and you need a ratio of what I call closeness and intimacy. The closeness is the safe container you’re talking about, that holding environment, where you feel like you can rest in the relationship. And the intimacy really is that transformative edge. So the hallmarks of a close relationship are things like reciprocity and the capacity to make and keep agreements. And those very same things that are capacities in a healthy, close relationship can also prevent intimacy. So for example, yes, while it is wonderful to have a relationship where both of you are doing the work. If you maintain, “I will if you will… “ Neil Sattin: I’m working with a couple right now who are very mired in “I will if you will”, and that is not gonna move forward. We actually have to have a fidelity to our own unfolding. And assuming there is nothing violent or damaging going on in the relationship, we have to be willing to continue to unfold, and reveal, and tell the truth about what we are experiencing, and explore. We have to be willing to do that even if our partner is not willing to do that, otherwise there is a… What creeps in is an unhealthy dependency where we are requiring the other person to be a certain way in order for us to feel safe. When technically speaking, we don’t really need another person to be a certain way in order for us to feel safe. Safety is found in that large lake of our being, or the ocean of our being, it is not found in a temporary ability to manipulate or coerce our partner to show up in a particular way. So we need a balance, we do need someone who is not chronically going to be attacking us but we also need the ability when we experience someone like our partner being critical, we have to have the ability to say, “Okay, what is true about the criticism that you are telling me about?” Instead of, “No, I’m not that way.” “What’s true about that?” Jett Psaris: And also, “In the presence of your criticism, what essential quality or aspect of being do I lose access to?” And clearly, that would be curiosity. So in order to have a fidelity to our own unfolding, we have to say, “Okay, in this moment in the face of your criticism, I have lost access to my essential curiosity. And so now, what I want to do is I want to try to access that curiosity and apply it to your criticism,” and then you’ll notice that the whole relationship moment, the tension will soften because you’re willing to listen to what your partner has said even if your partner has said it in a way that is not simple. Neil Sattin: How do you avoid then, this becoming totally one sided in a relationship where one person is willing to do the work and where the other will happily dish out criticisms and ways of trying to control their partner to make life easy for themselves? Jett Psaris: Well, the truth is you don’t avoid that, you don’t avoid anything in this approach. And what you do is you establish this fidelity to your own unfolding, and that’s primary. And then, what actually happens is one of two things, you outgrow your partner and that becomes very evident and then the question is of whether I should leave or not really becomes moot, becomes obvious, or your partner sees who you’re becoming and jumps on board. And I can tell you that happens more than… The latter happens more than the former. The experience they have of your openness, your clarity, your kindness, your skillful means, they begin to say, “I want to be more like that. I want to find that in myself. I want to join with you in this enterprise that you have initiated.” And I can tell you when that happens, often the turn is quite dramatic, and then you have established a new chapter on your ground between you based in the shared value of being allies, intimate allies in this journey. Jett Psaris: But it is true that there are those who resist and defend and say, “You know, I don’t want to do this work.” And then the person who is doing the work, they become stronger, clearer and then they have a choice. Do I want to stay with you and accept you 100% as you are? And then of course, they also have developed the abilities to set boundaries and the rest of that, or is this really no longer… Has this taken us where we could go together, and do I want to actually step outside of this relationship now and move forward on my own? And that’s a scary place for people. But it’s a lot scarier not to take the journey because if you don’t take the journey that seed acorn of you will wither and die. Neil Sattin: So journey or death? The choice is up to you. [laughter] Neil Sattin: And guess what, we all die anyway. Jett Psaris: We all die anyway. It’s a series of deaths. Of course, this is a totally transformational process, we get very good at dying psychologically and emotionally speaking, over and over again, that’s we become part of the cycle of life, and that’s why I think we all long for intimacy so much because it’s so fresh, it’s so new, it’s so exciting, there’s no longer, been there, done that, everything becomes sacred. And that’s when I think life really becomes everything that we’ve read about. Neil Sattin: So what does the process look like? And I think this would be good to complete our overview of what someone’s gonna go through and then maybe we can offer some actual beginning steps for you, listening, so that you can get a sense of how to take this journey. Jett Psaris: Yeah. Can I blend those two together? Neil Sattin: Please. Jett Psaris: Yeah. The first step, it’s just non-negotiable. The first step is that your starting point is “Whatever is happening is about me, not about my partner.” And I have to tell you that that can be an easy step for some, and a very, a very large leap for others. For a period of time, at least as an exploration, take on the task that this is about you and not about them. And later on, when you have done that thoroughly, you can examine what part is also about them, but initially you cannot do that. I ask my couples to go on a detox diet of not critiquing, complaining, evaluating, noticing, psychoanalyzing their partner. When you stop, even doing this verbally or in your mind, when you stop focusing your attention on your partner, you’re left with having to explore, which is difficult, what is actually going on for you. So the first task is “This is about me, not about you.” Jett Psaris: The second one is to stop critiquing. Stop that outward flow and that is very important. The next task is to recognize that there’s more to you in that moment than you think. So whatever you think is going on, there’s a lot more going on than that. And so, your work is to inquire into the experience you’re trying to get in that moment and the experience you’re trying to avoid in that moment. Once you do that, it will bring you naturally down into whatever the contraction is that is keeping the self-concept in place. So I’ll use an an example. So if you come in… Oh actually can I use you as an example? Neil Sattin: Sure. Let’s go for it. Jett Psaris: Okay. [chuckle] Good. Can you give me an example of a reaction that is familiar to you, you have it with your wife, and it happens periodically? Or everyday? Jett Psaris: Because a lot of these reactions they happen everyday. Neil Sattin: Right. Well, this almost never happens but… Jett Psaris: Okay. Jett Psaris: Good. Neil Sattin: Yeah, sure. Let’s go with, I’m working and I’m working a lot and, I get a complaint from her that that I’m working too much and I haven’t prioritized our connection enough. Neil Sattin: Let’s say in that day even. Jett Psaris: Yes. And let’s say in that moment, you’re not in your most conscious and spacious self who would probably say, “Oh, you know, I hear that you are wanting more time with me,” right? So in our most conscious self that’s what we would say. But let say that you’re actually working really hard and you’re trying to get somewhere, accomplish something, and so this interruption actually threatens what you’re trying to accomplish. What’s the first thing you experience was the reactive experience when she interrupts you with her complaint? Neil Sattin: That she doesn’t value what I’m doing. Jett Psaris: Right. And how is that familiar for you? Neil Sattin: Well, it’s a pattern that certainly came up in other relationships that I had before. And I think it connects me… In this moment, I’m seeing my parents very clearly and thinking about how I had to justify my choices to them. Yeah, things that were interesting to me that I wanted to pursue that they didn’t necessarily approve of. So, in those moments I would feel like they didn’t value what I was doing. I had to do something different to get their approval. Jett Psaris: Right. So in that moment when she has that complaint, it brings you back to an old area of sensitivity that who you are and the choices you make are not valuable. So, in that moment, you lose access to your intrinsic value which is your essential trait and you experience the part of you that wants to make his own choices, but also his choices in some way threaten the stream of goodwill and approval from the other, whoever that is, parents or your wife. And so in that moment, if you don’t become reactive and push against her complaint, you don’t value me with your own complaint, that’s how we separate from each other. If you were to use her complaint as an invitation to drop back in your history to the young boy who had passions and desires that were disapproved of, what vulnerable experience would you have there? What was the vulnerable experience of that young boy? Neil Sattin: He felt alone and self doubt comes up for me. Yeah, like maybe I… Yeah, a lot of uncertainty and confusion almost, like if I can’t… I guess, I can’t trust myself. Jett Psaris: Yeah. So the self doubt comes up in order for you to maintain the relationship with your parents or your wife. But the vulnerable feeling that you’re talking about is you feel lonely. You feel like they severed the relationship with you in that moment. You lost access to the common ground you once shared. And you also lost access to the feeling of passion that you were engaged with when you were in your own little world alone. And so, that’s a moment of trauma. And if we can use your wife’s complaint to bring you back to to that moment of trauma, and to just simply feel it, what you will find is there’ll be a little unwinding, the contraction will soften, and there’ll be more space to actually experience the real message that your wife is conveying which is, “I miss you.” Jett Psaris: It would be great if she could say that, but it’s equally important that she can’t because you need to develop the ability to stay in contact with yourself without defending against what she says, and to stay in contact with yourself and also it will bring you to deeper contact with her because she said, “You know, I hear what you’re really saying is you miss me. And that is actually what I wanted in the beginning.” And so, then the two of you can be allies, “You know, I hear that you miss me and actually now that you’re saying that, you’ve kinda jogged me out of this addiction to my work. And let me just finish this up and let’s spend some time together.” Or you’ll say, “I miss you too, but this is a priority for our family. And so can we kinda support me around completing this project, and then let’s plan some extended time together so that we make sure that we’re also nourishing the well of our relationship.” So then you become resourced. Neil Sattin: How helpful is it to, when going through that inquiry, to let my partner know that that’s… Like to let them know what I’m going through or what I’m experiencing, what I’m seeing? Jett Psaris: Well, if you have the emotional strength to reveal your process and there is a welcoming environment to do that, I would say do that. If it feels too risky, then I suggest that clients say to their partner, “Listen, something’s just come up for me. I just feel triggered in this moment. It’s not about you. I’m gonna spend the next hour to diving in into that and can we meet up at [3:00], so that I can reveal that to you and we can talk about it.” It is very important to let your partner know that you’re in process. And if you don’t have the strength to reveal that process or that process needs some incubation time to protect its space. But you maintain the relationship with a promise to do your work and come back into discussion about what just transpired. That is very important. Neil Sattin: And just to be clear, the process of diving in, there wasn’t some magical mantra around the experience that I was having. It’s more about simply being with that experience to get to the other side. Jett Psaris: Yes. It’s well said, first of all, I just want to also appreciate, I mean how many… Just to, this is a note to the listeners, how many podcasters you know who willing to enter the process personally, so a big thank you for that. It is about freshly meeting each experience with the knowledge of the patterns but the willingness to let this step outside those patterns. And so, there is a mix. You have a knowledge of familiar patterns which you are able to quickly identify. And that’s very important, because patterns are always a result of the compensatory and cracked identity. But there’s also the willingness to have a completely fresh insight and a completely new experience of that moment where you lay down the pattern, and maybe for the first time, come into contact with the original heart of the moment when you were disproved of, or not appreciated, or rejected. Neil Sattin: So what are some ways that that could manifest? So that if you’re going through this at home, you’re probably wondering like, “All right, what could that look like for me if I’m willing to just be there? It sounds scary.” I have to say, as I was reading your book, I was feeling mixes of elation like, “Wow, this is amazing.” And I felt very viscerally the fear coming up of my parts responding to, “Ooh, that’s gonna be scary when you do that [chuckle], or that could be frightening when you just rest in that with Chloe. Chloe’s my wife. So yeah, it brings up a lot. And you call it the black hole, and I’m sure there’s some good reason behind that. Jett Psaris: [chuckle] Yeah. Well, the black hole is where we really drop into that core sensitivity, and it feels very uncomfortable. And it feels uncomfortable to the compensatory identity which has just failed at its mission to keep you out of that discomfort. That’s the whole idea of the compensation is for you to actually maintain control, feel safe, and feel comfortable. And so, when you drop into these core sensitivities, most of us scramble quickly to get out of them. You know, that’s okay too. What happens is, in my experience, we don’t drop into the black hole in a way that is annihilating. It’s a little bit more like a snake shedding its skin. When we’re ready to drop into the black hole and reveal that piece that’s needing our attention and healing, there really already is a substantial experience of ourselves ready to pick that… Pick something up to, in essence, rises up to carry the day. And so we’re not gonna drop into the hole and go into a self-destruct. It will absolutely feel uncomfortable, and it feels uncomfortable every single time. Jett Psaris: But what happens is, we develop the capacity of making that transition, and the rewards on the other side are… They’re so positively reinforcing, because we get to have that experience of ourselves like when we first fell in love. And so, it is something that happens over time. It’s very helpful if you have a therapist, or a spiritual guide, or close friend to do this work with, because it is helpful to have a kind and gentle holding environment. But over time, you just begin to look for the opportunities to fall into that place and recover the sense of self as infinitely loving, open, generous, kind. And so this work really builds on itself. Neil Sattin: Yeah. You talk about the, I think you call it the flip where your fear of not doing the work outweighs the fear of facing into those experiences that you were initially trying to avoid. Jett Psaris: Yeah. I call it the flip. Other traditions call it the spiritual warrior. You develop the commitment to your own unfolding, and you place that over these passing discomforts. At that moment, you have shifted your center of gravity away from a protective, controlling, predictable sense of self and life into a more fluid, more surprising, definitely more spontaneous, and exciting way to be. It’s a little bit like moving from the land which is predictable. We walk on land, it’s predictable, and jumping into water, where there are all kinds of new, and interesting, and exciting, but also scary movements that occur, you’re not in control anymore. Neil Sattin: Yeah. Chloe often… I’ve heard her recount this story of snorkeling in Bali. I think it was Bali. And being right at the edge of this drop-off from… It went from, I think, the coral reef down into who knows how many thousands of feet and just seeing the shadows lurking just below the light and how terrifying that was. Jett Psaris: That’s a wonderful experience. And I often use snorkeling, because most of us when where based in our self concepts, we’re like looking at the surface of the water, and this work you’re putting on some gear and you’re dropping below the surface and there’s an entirely new magical, beautiful world. And so, at some point, we long for our depths and for that magic, and mystery, and largeness, and relationship definitely is the sacred path to that experience. Neil Sattin: I have to say, it was kind of funny to me thinking just now about how so much of our time can be spent trying to avoid conflict, and in that situation that I described with Chloe, we would probably make some agreements that would be around like, “Okay, on Mondays I only work until [6:00] PM,” That sort of thing to avoid… Coming across that circumstance and what I hear you saying is, well that could be great and you get this magnificent opportunity by being in the discomfort of failing or where you’re compensatory strategy is. The things that initially brought you together with that person because you complimented each other so well, where they start to fall apart. Jett Psaris: Yeah, beautifully said. Basically, my way of saying that is, if you can make an agreement and keep the agreement, by all means go ahead and do that. When you make an agreement and you can’t keep them, then you know that you have created false ground between you and that there’s something deeper that’s actually needing to be seen and addressed. And so, when the agreements fall apart which they will, if it’s a repetitive deep issue, then you want to ask yourself, what does the agreement protect you from experiencing? And usually that will be as you said earlier discord, it protects you from experiencing that you’re having a different experience than the other, and we want to protect ourselves from that. Neil Sattin: Are there core agreements that you think are important in relationship? Jett Psaris: I think, I encourage all couples to address that question, more kind of maybe in terms of core values which might cover the same area. So, some relationships have a core value of telling the truth as we know it, creating a receptive environment for the truth, becoming conscious of underlying motivations and behaviors, so it depends. It should be born of the specific couple not kind of universal, I think, core agreements, but doing the work of forging those core values in agreements is probably as or more important than when you come up with on your list. It’s saying, this is how I want to be in life with you, and can we agree to that? And if that seems to change, can we speak about what’s changing? Neil Sattin: And it makes me curious to know, like those situations where an agreement is broken, and that could be something like, “I said I was gonna stop working at [5:00] and it turns out I planned an interview for [6:00].” [chuckle] Or it could be something more that feels bigger like a betrayal, an emotional infidelity, an affair, something, I gambled all our money away, like those kinds of things. How do you apply… ’cause what I heard you saying earlier is to help someone realize, “Well, this isn’t about the other person, this is about me.” And how do you merge that in a situation where there’s maybe some shock or trauma going on from an agreement having been violated? Jett Psaris: Well, I’ll been meeting with a couple tomorrow, where it’s a man and a woman. And the man has apparently gambled away their life savings, and she feels deeply betrayed by that. But I have to say that her starting point in asking for the session is that she said, “I recognize that I contributed to the outcome I’m experiencing. I did not take an active role in finances because I was afraid. I knew all along that he had tendencies around gambling, and I didn’t want to look at them. We have two children, I didn’t want that as another issue to have to deal with.” And so, right out of the gate, she’s recognizing that this has to do with her. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel betrayed, because she has a pattern, as you talked about earlier, her father also gambled. And so, the narrative is very personal for her, but her starting point is one of taking personal responsibility for what occurred, and wanting to explore what occurred, instead of just making him into a rotten, horrible human being. Jett Psaris: And so, that’s the rigor of this and that can be very hard when we talk about gambling away one’s life savings. It can be very hard when you talk about having an affair. These are the areas that hit us the most deeply in our psyches, and touch into the deepest of our sensitivities and traumas. And they’re the ones that really provide generally the most transformation because they are touching so deeply. So again, the content of what’s occurring is not as important as the commitment and the fidelity to unpacking… I love your phrase “delaminating,” I’ll have to use that. Delaminating these places that we have become hardened and separate from life. Neil Sattin: So now, I’m listening to us and I’m driving in my car, and I’m thinking about this conversation that’s touching down into the core of my essence, and I know it’s there. What can I do in this moment to take a step in that direction of getting clear on where my work lies, and also maybe how to… Well, I understand you’re saying, Jett, that it’s not required, but how might I invite my partner into that with me? Jett Psaris: Well, I think the best invitation is by example. And so, the strongest invitation is this is the way I want to approach what has just transpired between us. I want to look at how I became a part of this narrative with you and how it’s familiar in my own life so that I can be more awake, and conscious, and resourced when things like this occur, and so that we together can create a digestive system that can digest what life brings to us. And so, I think that’s kinda the answer to your second question. The first question is not quite so clear. If you just experienced a betrayal and you just found out about that, the first thing you’re gonna experience is shock. And so, when we experience shock, that is something has come into our field that feels larger than what we can handle. Jett Psaris: And so, the first thing we need to do is not scramble and to actually do the opposite which is very hard to do, which is stop and rest and wait until our warm animal body calms down. And we can walk, we can meditate, we can bathe in warm water, whatever helps us calm our animal body, which always is the one that bears the burden of these shocks. And when we begin to feel like we’re coming out of the shock, then we begin by slowly wondering, what does this situation have to do with me? How is it familiar? And we begin to apply that essential curiosity and interest to what has transpired and recognize that the content of our lives is there to grow the context of our lives, our being, our openness, our resourcefulness, our genius, our capacity to love and care for ourselves and each other. The more we recognize that the content is there to rub us in a way, create a friction to enlarge that context, the more likely we are to use what happens between us, what arises within us, to actually do the work that I’m describing in undefended love. Neil Sattin: And one quick addendum question to that. How do I stop from victimizing myself? I want to inquire, I don’t want to blame myself. Jett Psaris: You don’t want to blame anyone. Neil Sattin: Yeah. Jett Psaris: Because this isn’t actually a problem. This is the way transformation occurs. The only way we can see what we can’t see is by bumping into it and suffering the discomfort of it. Jett Psaris: So, we don’t want to become a victim, we don’t want to identify as a victim, we don’t want to victimize others, we want to join together. And it’s all hands on deck, and do what’s necessary to wake up and to use the weather of our lives, that’s what I’m calling the content, the weather of our lives, to see that which the weather is happening in. So, if I have a feeling, I don’t have to become anger, I’m just feeling angry; it’s something that is occurring within me. I don’t have to… If I have a thought, “This isn’t right,” that’s just a thought. That thought is occurring within me, and there’re gonna be thoughts, 60,000 according to Stanford, additional thoughts before the end of the day is up. And so, we become larger than these passing inconveniences or moments of disruption and confusion. Neil Sattin: And then, you get to experience yourself as bigger than all of those things. Jett Psaris: Yes. And more resilient and more skillful. Neil Sattin: And more able to show up for love with your partner. Jett Psaris: Exactly. Well, all those things is love really. We become love instead of being a consumer of love. Neil Sattin: Yeah. Then you embody it in what you do. We’re not gonna have a chance to talk about it today, but I loved your discussion of needs versus desire versus wants versus desires, and how we progress through that to get to a place where we’re actually good with how life is, which doesn’t mean we don’t desire things. Neil Sattin: But we welcome it. Jett Psaris: Exactly. Neil Sattin: The big yes that you mentioned earlier in our conversation. Jett Psaris: That’s right. Neil Sattin: Well, Jett Psaris, thank you so much for joining us today. It’s been a pleasure. I could talk to you for another hour I’m sure, but your tree crew showed up. Neil Sattin: And I’m just so delighted to have you here. Jett is, as we mentioned the co-author of “Undefended Love” along with her partner Marlena Lyons. And you can get links to her websites through the show guide for this episode. Again, you can visit neilsattin.com/undefended, or text the word “Passion” to the number 33444 and follow the instructions. Neil Sattin: Jett, is there anything else currently going on in your life or your world that you’d like to tell people about? Or if they want to find out more about you, where should they go? Jett Psaris: Oh yeah, my website is http://www.jettpsaris.com. And I just published a new book this year which I’m very excited about, “Hidden Blessings: Midlife Crisis As a Spiritual Awakening”, that has won a couple of awards already. And for those in midlife, over the age of 40, that might me something if you like this approach, basically. It’s an undefended approach to the midlife passage which I believe is arguably the most transformative passage of one’s lifetime. So, do take a look at that, if this approach is of interest you. Neil Sattin: Well, I definitely will, and I encourage you listening to do the same. And thank you so much for your time and wisdom today. And I look forward to speaking again at some point. Jett Psaris: Thank you so much. I appreciate you and the work you’re doing. 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How to do it right. 148: How to Strengthen the Safety and Resilience of Your Relationship - with Gabrielli LaChiara 147: A Simple, Radical Way to Improve Your Ability to Connect 146: How and Why to Have a Good Divorce - with Constance Ahrons 145: Core Relationship Principles #3 - Fostering Curiosity and Dismantling Limiting Stories - with Chloe Urban and Neil Sattin 144: Extreme Self Care for a Healthy Relationship - with Cheryl Richardson 143: Mismatched Sex Drive? What To Do. 142: Loving Bravely - How Self Discovery Can Transform Your Relationship - with Alexandra Solomon 141: Is Your Relationship Healthy? - with Neil Sattin 140: Mastering the Art of Inner Transformation - Internal Family Systems with Dick Schwartz 139: Change Your Pattern - How to BE an Invitation 138: How Orgasms are Hurting Your Relationship - with Marnia Robinson - from the Archives 137: Calling in The One - No Matter Your Status - with Katherine Woodward Thomas 136: An Important Action Step for Your Relationship - with Neil Sattin 135: Improve Your Communication Skills for Deeper Understanding - with Deborah Tannen 134: Snooping and Secrets - What to Do - with Neil Sattin 134: Snooping, Secrets, and Rebuilding Trust - What to Do - with Neil Sattin 133: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Cognitive Distortions with Dr. David Burns 132: Core Relationship Principles #2 - Finding Play, Humor, Fun, and Lightness - with Chloe Urban and Neil Sattin 131: How Love is Evolving You - Evolutionary Relationships with Patricia Albere 130: On Valentine's Day and Uncertainty in Your Relationship - with Neil Sattin 129: Unlocking the Secrets of The Smart Couple - with Jayson Gaddis 128: Practical Masculinity: Beyond Stereotypes 128: Practical Masculinity: Beyond Stereotypes - with Shana James 127: Peter Levine - Building Resiliency in Yourself, Your Relationship, and Your Children 126: Core Relationship Principles #1: Mutual Support without Codependence - with Chloe Urban and Neil Sattin 125: Developing the "Yes Brain" in Yourself and Your Kids - with Dan Siegel 124: Jealousy - How to Deal and Heal 123: Pleasure is the Measure: The Science of Sex and Desire - with Emily Nagoski 122: The Science of Empathy and How to Keep Yourself Clear 121: Tackling the Fears of Loneliness and Abandonment 118: Crafting an Uncommon Bond and Soulshaping - with Jeff Brown 117: Why Projection Can Be Useful - Neil Sattin 116: Sex, Love, and Dating: From Addiction to Health with Alex Katehakis 115: The Courage to Not Be Perfect - with Neil Sattin 114: How to Get the Most Out of Therapy - with Jeff Zeig 113: How to Find Healing and Connection in a Dark Time - with Neil Sattin 111: How to Ask for Support - with Neil Sattin 110: Your Tantra Questions Answered - with Diana Richardson 109: Is This Normal? 108: Creating Positive Intensity in Your Connection with Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt 107: A Little Honesty Goes a Long Way 106: Stopping The Nice Guy Syndrome with Robert Glover 105: One Small Thing That Can Change Everything 104: How to Get What You Need - Nonviolent Communication with Max Rivers 103: Are You Being Codependent or Considerate? 102: How to Evolve Your Relationship with Jeffrey Zeig 101: A User Manual for You 100: Attraction - How to Sustain It and How to Revive It - with John Gottman and Sue Johnson 99: The Secrets of Scheduling Sex Successfully 98: How to Stop Being a Victim - Feeling Good Together with David Burns A Brief Interlude 97: How to Enlist Your Friends to Support Your Relationship 96: How to Transform the Hidden Beliefs that Hold You Back with Katherine Woodward Thomas 95: Who is Holding You Back? 94: Conscious Weddings and Commitment with Lila Sophia and David Tresemer 93: How to Find the Gift in Any Moment 92: Creating New Possibilities from the Inside Out - Winning from Within - Erica Ariel Fox 91: The Power of Deep Relating 90: Heal Your Relationship at the Deepest Level With Hedy Schleifer 89: How to Have a Healthy Long Distance Relationship 88: Helen Fisher - The Anatomy of Love: What Makes Love Last 87: How to Know If Someone Is Right for You 86: Beyond Mars and Venus - Reducing Stress and Improving Nutrition with John Gray 85: How and Why to Take Space 84: Deepening the Divine in Your Relationship - Andrew Harvey 83: How to Be OK No Matter What 82: How Safety Leads to Better Sex - Sue Johnson 81: Are You Addicted to Distraction? 80: Bring Your Shadow Into the Light - Keith Witt 79: How To Speak Your Truth 78: How to Have More Fun in Your Relationship with Cathy Salit 77: 21 Days to Deeper Intimacy 76: Healing from Infidelity with Michele Weiner Davis 75: A Powerful Oxytocin Booster for Your Relationship 74: John Gottman - How to Build Trust and Positive Energy in Your Relationship 73: Neil Sattin - If It Were Easy You Would Already Be Doing It 72: Love, Sex, and Awakening with Margot Anand 71: Just One Thing 70: How to Get Your Partner to Do What You Want 69: How to Be Completely Alive in Your Relationship - Hedy Schleifer 68: Are You Willing? 67: How to Get Your Ex Back with Chris Seiter 66: The Impact of Gratitude 65: Divorce Busting and Strategies for Relationship Success with Michele Weiner Davis 64: How to Amplify the Positive in Your Relationship 63: Dan Wile - How Collaboration Creates Intimacy 62: Neil Sattin: The Secrets of Relationship Repair 61: Orgasmic Meditation with Aubrey Fuller 60: Neil Sattin on Risk, Vulnerability, and Courage 59: How to Make Difficult Conversations So Much Easier with Sheila Heen 58: Self-Care: A Crucial Step with Neil Sattin 57: Mastering Mindfulness in Your Relationship - with Dan Siegel 56 - How to Create Amazing Days with Your Partner 55: Defeating Emotional Blackmail and Manipulation with Susan Forward 54: A Quick Practice to Change Everything About Your Relationship with Neil Sattin 53: How to Embrace Your Fear of Intimacy with Ken Page 52: Intimacy and Connection from the Inside Out with Toni Herbine-Blank 51: Neil Sattin: How to Get Inspired in Your Relationship 50: Wired for Dating and Love - Psychobiology with Stan Tatkin 49: How to Figure Out What You Really Want with Neil Sattin 48: Get Rid of Limiting Beliefs and Show Up Fully with Kyle Cease 47: The Best Ways to Come Back into Balance When You're Triggered with Neil Sattin 46: Finding Freedom in Commitment with Chloe Urban and Neil Sattin 45: Overcoming Jealousy and What about Polyamory with Janet W Hardy 44: How to Know if It's Worth It with Neil Sattin 43: Recovering from Infidelity: From Chaos to Connected with Terry Real 42: How to Invite Intimacy through Deeper Presence with Guy Sengstock 41: Unlock New Potential in Life and Love with Curiosity and Presence with Chloe Urban and Neil Sattin 40: Transform Your Boundaries with Sarri Gilman 39: Catching Up With Neil Sattin 38: Successful Stepcoupling for Blended Families with Susan Wisdom 37: Oxytocin: the Molecule of Love with Sue Carter 36: Relationship Repair after an Affair: Infidelity with Janis Abrahms Spring 35: Happy Kids, Better Relationship: Unconditional Parenting with Alfie Kohn 34: The Science of Safety with Stephen Porges 33: How and Why to Forgive with Fred Luskin 32: Mastering Communication in Three Dimensions with Marty Babits 31: Strategic Wisdom to Take Your Relationship to the Next Level with Shannon Waller 30: Sparking Attraction Through Inspiration Not Deprivation - Deeper Dating with Ken Page 29: How to Heal Your Triggers and Trauma with Peter Levine 28: Healthy Polarity, Energetic Connection, and the Work of David Deida with Michaela Boehm 27: Breaking Free from Your Patterns of Conflict with Sue Johnson 26: How to Get All the Parts within You to Work Together (and with Your Partner) with Dick Schwartz 25: Get Your Ego Out of the Way - How to Be an Adult in Love with Dave Richo 24: Why We Lie and How to Get Back to the Truth with Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson 23: Useful Things You Never Knew about Feminine Sexuality with Sheri Winston 22: Essential Skills for Conscious Relationship with Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt 21: Healing Pain from Past or Present Breakups through Conscious Uncoupling with Katherine Woodward Thomas 20: Sparking Passion through Generosity and Being Authentically Yourself with Shana James 19: Recipe for a Secure, Healthy Relationship with Stan Tatkin 18: Integration Time with Neil Sattin 17: Stop Worrying, Start Playing - The Art of Improvisation with Patti Stiles 16: Expanding Your View of What's Possible in Relationship with Gabrielli LaChiara 15: How to Thrive in Long Term Relationships with Gay Hendricks 14: Heal the Split between Head and Heart: Inner Bonding with Margaret Paul 13: Resolve Conflict and Create Intimacy through Attunement with Keith Witt 12: How to Turn Your Anger into a Force for Good with Harriet Lerner 11: Take Back Your Power from Porn with Gary Wilson 10: How to Get Off the Rollercoaster and Get Back to Love with Diana Richardson 09: Deeper Intimacy Through Sexual Healing with Wendy Maltz 08: How To Tackle The Hard Questions with Susan Piver 07: From Problems to Passion with Katie Hendricks 06: How to Deepen Intimacy Through Shared Consciousness with Patricia Albere 05: How Orgasms Are Hurting Your Relationship (and how to fix it) - Marnia Robinson 04: Advanced Relationship Jiu Jitsu with Terry Real 03: Katherine Woodward Thomas - Overcoming Your Barriers to Love and Connection 02: Diana Richardson - Discover the Power of Slow Sex 01: John Gottman - How to Be a Master of Relationship Incredibly impactful July 29, 2019 by lolkjt92 from United States This is my first time listening to this podcast. I was activity searching for something like this in efforts to have a healthy, intimate, real relationship and this gem happened to pop up! I have to say Neil really does have such amazing content on here. I am sooooo grateful for this podcast, it has helped me immensely with communication with my partner and I have to give this podcast credit for helping me pave such a respectful path for my new relationship. I am spreading the word and I am excited to keep learning and growing! Thank you Neil! I recently downloaded the free guide for secret tips on communication and I am soo eager to read it! My partner and I are using many of the tools I learned here. If you have a chance listen to relationship Alive! You won’t regret it 🧡 Love it! But. July 8, 2019 by Akmommaof2 from United States I love almost all of the podcasts!! My only complaint is when he switched to putting his adds in the middle of everything after you’re engaged, tends to throw me off! Not sure about everyone else? Not a Substitute for Therapy but Pretty Dang Close July 4, 2019 by FreeziePop from United States As a therapist myself, I use this as supplemental to my partner’s and my couple’s counseling with positive outcomes. Well produced show with extremely knowledgeable and well known/renowned guests (in the mental health field). Remarkable Resource July 1, 2019 by Brandon MS from United States Neil is a gifted interviewer who brings information that is helpful for laypeople as well as professionals. I am a marriage and family therapist, as a busy mom and clinician I have found this podcast extremely helpful in pointing me toward what I want to invest time reading more about. I often forward podcasts to my clients to have them listen as well. Thank you Neil! Great and helpful interviews June 18, 2019 by Lazercats from United States Neil has a great interview style and has interesting and knowledgeable people on his show. Very helpful for my relationships.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384349
__label__wiki	0.70321	0.70321	Best Shots Advance Review: DEADPOOL #1 (2/10) By Pierce Lydon, Best Shots Reviewer November 19, 2019 06:49am ET Deadpool #1 Written by Kelly Thompson Art by Chris Bachalo, Wayne Faucher, Tim Townsend, Al Vey, Jaime Mendoza, Livesay, Victor Olazaba and David Curiel Lettering by Joe Sabino It seems that nothing in this world is certain except death, taxes, and Deadpool having his own solo title. And while it’s not surprising to have names like Kelly Thompson and Chris Bachalo taking a stab at the Merc With A Mouth, the results this time around leave something to be desired. The concept and execution isn’t up to the pedigree of the creators involved, and given the delays that the series has already experienced, it’s hard not to wonder if this whole approach might have needed more development time. “Superheroes versus monsters” is the kind of thing that can be a home run if it’s executed well. Unfortunately, Thompson’s take here doesn’t feel unique or exciting - setting the story in Staten Island as a part of the joke feels cribbed from the first season of What We Do In Shadows, for example - and Thompson’s extremely dialogue- and caption-heavy approach makes this issue a slog to get through. Deadpool’s charm can sometimes be that he’s the violent Bugs Bunny of the Marvel Universe but Thompson’s gags don’t hit consistently enough to make this issue enjoyable or make the character at all endearing. However, that might not be totally her fault - the art doesn’t do her any favors. This might be the worst that Chris Bachalo has looked in some time. While his monster designs feel bland at best, what’s most glaring is his page compositions: his panels are often too zoomed in, and his linework is cluttered and unclear. Bachalo is not usually an artist that has trouble with visual storytelling - he’s often able to weave compelling story through his pages even with some non-traditional paneling decisions. But his work here feels almost like he’s doing a bad impression of himself. It feels flat and inconsistent, which makes sense considering this issue needed six inkers to make it to print. That’s not an indictment of each individual inker’s work - it’s tough to maintain consistency across an issue especially when each inker has their own style that they are bringing to the work, and they were likely in a massive time crunch. However, the decision to employ an army of inkers does hurt the overall product. Bachalo is better than most, even on an off day, but this is definitely not one of his better showings. Thompson has proven herself across multiple titles over the past few years. Bachalo is a legend in the industry. Deadpool, well he’s still Deadpool - one of the most popular characters in Marvel’s stable. On paper, there’s no reason that this book shouldn’t work. But a basic concept combined with lackluster execution makes this debut an exhausting read rather than a fun one. Hopefully, the creative team can pull this one together or Thompson can find new life with whoever (inevitably) takes over for Bachalo and company. But right now, Deadpool’s turn as King of the Monsters is dead on arrival.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384355
__label__wiki	0.908633	0.908633	EntertainmentTV The Golden Globes: Who and what will win in TV (and why) Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" Credit: AP By Verne Gay January 11, 2013 8:32 AM The Golden Globes are here, and thank goodness for that - 6 p.m. Sunday on WNBC for the first red carpet special, 7 for another bigger, redder red carpet special, then finally 8 for the whole shebang . But to the topic of the hour: Who will win on TV? To my predictions, and caveat emptor - no guarantee is made for accurate prognostication, but then there never is... BEST DRAMA: Will win: "Homeland" - The Globes don't want to disavow last year's choice, and "Homeland" is, after all, the flavor of the month, and had two excellent first episodes. Should win: "Breaking Bad" - It is the best show of this group, after all. Would make sense, no? Nominees: "Boardwalk Empire" - HBO; "Breaking Bad" - AMC; "Downton Abbey" - PBS; "Homeland" - Showtime; "The Newsroom" - HBO BEST COMEDY Will win: "Girls" - the Globes desperately want to look like the "cool" awards show, and also to stick it to the Emmys, which overlooked this. "Girls" should help with both goals. Should win: "Girls" - hey, maybe the Globes will get this one right! By the way, I think the first four episodes of the second season - beginning Sunday - indicate that the sophomore season is superior to the freshman one. Nominees: "The Big Bang Theory" - CBS; "Episodes" - Showtime; "Girls" - HBO; "Modern Family" - ABC; "Smash" - NBC Subscribe to the Entertainment newsletter BEST ACTOR/DRAMA: Will win: Jeff Daniels, because the Globes' voters (mostly reporters from overseas who work in Hollywood) think his character is how American TV anchors should (and probably do) behave. Plus, he's a big screen actor, and they love that, too. Plus, he did a great job with all those windy Aaron Sorkin speeches. Should win: Bryan Cranston. About a tie - but don't expect this because the Globes don't like to ape favored sons of the Emmys. One possibility in his favor - they do know, I presume, that the series is ending, and may want to finally honor him. Nominees: Steve Buscemi – "Boardwalk Empire" as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson; Bryan Cranston – "Breaking Bad" as Walter White; Jeff Daniels – "The Newsroom" as Will McAvoy; Jon Hamm – "Mad Men" as Don Draper; Damian Lewis – "Homeland" as Nicholas Brody BEST ACTOR/COMEDY: WILL WIN: Don Cheadle, because the Emmys didn't honor him last season. (Take THAT!) Plus I've seen the second season premiere - he's still good. No shame at all in this choice except....SHOULD WIN: Louis C.K. Maybe too bleak for the walk-on-the-sunny-side-of-street Globe voters. Nominees:Alec Baldwin - "30 Rock" as Jack Donaghy; Louis C.K. - Louie as "Louie"; Don Cheadle - House of Lies as "Marty Kaan"; Matt LeBlanc - "Episodes" as Fictional Matt LeBlanc; Jim Parsons - "The Big Bang Theory" as Dr. Sheldon Cooper BEST ACTRESS/DRAMA: WILL WIN: Michelle Dockery. The Globe voters know they've made a mistake not honoring "Downton" earlier; this should make up for that. SHOULD WIN: Dockery, though the competition is rough here. Highly unusual if the worthy Glenn Close gets this, as her last Globe win was back in 2007; rarely if ever do the Globes give a repeat win to someone over such a long interim period. Nominees:Connie Britton - "Nashville" as Rayna Jaymes; Glenn Close - "Damages" as Patty Hewes; Claire Danes - "Homeland" as Carrie Mathison; Michelle Dockery - "Downton Abbey" as Lady Mary Josephine Crawley; Julianna Margulies - "The Good Wife" as Alicia Florrick BEST ACTRESS/COMEDY: WILL WIN: Zooey Deschanel. Yup, if only to stick it to the Emmys, who gave Julia Louis-Dreyfus their trophy last year. SHOULD WIN: Amy Poehler. If anyone anywhere in any of the TV categories is more worthy of a win Sunday night than Poehler - who also co-hosts with Tina Fey - then I'm not sure who that is. Nominees:Zooey Deschanel – "New Girl " as Jess Day; Lena Dunham – "Girls" as Hannah Horvath; Tina Fey – "30 Rock" as Liz Lemon; Julia Louis-Dreyfus – "Veep" as Selina Meyer Amy Poehler – "Parks and Recreation" as Leslie Knope 2:03 + FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS What ever happened to TV meteorologist Storm Field? 'Avenue 5': Bland satire that's lost in space 'Troop Zero': Promising idea never gets fulfilled 2:12 Netflix releases 1st trailer for its Gilgo movie, 'Lost Girls' LI's Debbie Gibson to guest on musical episode of 'Lucifer' Bill Hemmer talks his new afternoon Fox News gig, more	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384356
__label__cc	0.653892	0.346108	The road not taken: Simon Armitage on his years as a probation officer My technique was to act like a decent and caring human being, then hope some of it rubbed off. By Simon Armitage The night that changed my life: Simon Armitage on David Bowie at the V&A The exhibition turned me from a grumpy old man into a weeping 15-year-old boy. The NS Poem: Gravity A new poem by Simon Armitage. “On the Existing State of Things”: a new poem by Simon Armitage From Virgil, the Aeneid, Book VI. "Poundland": a new poem by Simon Armitage “Emergency”: a new poem by Simon Armitage Angel of the north As we celebrate the centenary of her birth, Barbara Hepworth's work has assumed an unexpected resona	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384359
__label__wiki	0.879718	0.879718	Mexican traffickers use minors to carry drugs into US South Africa,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sat, 24 Mar 2012 IANS San Diego, March 24 (IANS/EFE) The number of minors transporting drugs across the Mexico-US border continues to rise, as does the number of "blind mules" who transport dope without their knowledge, activists said. In 2011 some 190 minors were arrested for trying to bring drugs across the border, an increase of 13 percent over 2010, according to official figures. Some 33 young people have been arrested so far this year. These youths are "cheap, plentiful and disposable labour for drug traffickers", Victor Clark Alfaro, a professor at San Diego State University (SDSU), who also heads the Tijuana-based Binational Human Rights Center, told EFE. Clark Alfaro said that since the new terminal was built at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the main crossing between Tijuana and San Diego, his organization has observed an increase in attempts to smuggle drugs across the border using different mechanisms. While `mules' are mainly pedestrians, traffickers have noted that for vehicular crossings US Customs and Border Protection now have a lower, slower capacity for making secondary searches, making it more difficult to get through, so they're trying more daring methods. "We have numerous cases of 'blind mules' in cars. These are people who cross the border frequently and traffickers put drugs in their cars without them knowing it. If they get past the border guards successfully, the traffickers follow them to where they're going to park," he said. Clark Alfaro said he testified in court recently in the case of one of his SDSU students who said she had gone through that experience after visiting her boyfriend in Tijuana and was arrested when they found 35 kg of marijuana in her car. As for the witting `mules' who cross on foot, what drug traffickers say to convince them are always the same promises - that nothing will happen to them and at most they'll be deported after days or weeks in a juvenile detention center. "The teens traditionally come from dysfunctional families, are paid little money, as in the case of another teenage girl who was stopped on her third trip carrying 4 kg of cocaine taped to her body. For her first two attempts she received $1,000, a tiny amount compared to the drug's street price," Clark Alfaro said. Drug traffickers tend to pick out youths who cross the border to study, many with dual citizenship, or who travel to see their families or to go shopping, the expert said. "For those who are arrested there's no second chance, they're just spent cartridges, they lose the documents they need to cross the border," he said. --IANS/EFE Read More: Mexico \| Safdarjung Air Port \| R K Puram (main) \| Drug \| Bamrauli Air Port \| Clark Hotel \| Kandla Port \| Adani Port \| A.p.terminal So \| Air Port \| 3 Eme Center \| Spinning Mills Center \| Dharwad K.c.park \| Cuddalore Port \| Colachel Port \| Customs House \| Haldia Port \| Bagdogra Air Port \| Port Blair \| Kailashahar Air Port	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384360
__label__cc	0.681736	0.318264	Takahachikawa (Japanese layout) Pages: « previous page 1 ... 33 34 35 36 37 [38] 39 40 41 42 43 ... 58 next page » Go Down Author Topic: Takahachikawa (Japanese layout) (Read 29282 times) Re: Takahachikawa (Japanese layout) A while back we saw this very early Tomix ("Made by Bachmann in Hong Kong") ED75 Bo-Bo 20Kv AC loco: Tomy ED75 (ED75 513) by Rail Squid, on Flickr This is a successor model, made by Tomix in Japan, and a world apart in terms of quality: Tomix ED75 (ED75-1015) by Rail Squid, on Flickr I'm not exactly sure when this model was produced, probably mid-late 1980s. While it looks a lot better, compared to contemporary models, there's no attempt to even hint at the cab interior, which is walled off by a grey plastic part which conceals the lighting unit and chassis block. The tail lights are part of the main body moulding (Japanese N gauge locomotives rarely have working tail lights, but modern models at least have them as separate parts). Interestingly there's no attempt to represent the shunter grab handles, which in earlier models are usually done as vertical lines in the moulding, in modern models as separate parts; and there's no coupling release lever, but those didn't get modelled until much more recently. Mechanism is Tomix's (infamous) worm gear drive, on this model noisy but not excessively so. Otherwise running quality is pretty good, despite the short wheelbase it runs smoothly over pointwork. The (or a) previous owner seems to have weathered it slightly, but not attached any of the provided number plates, which I have rectified and given it the number EF75 1015; the prototype lasted in service until 2012, see e.g.: http://photozou.jp/photo/show/1619862/118817925 « Last Edit: July 20, 2019, 02:30:03 AM by railsquid » Bealman Promotion remains in the future Not just a world apart, light years!! Vision over visibility. Bono, U2. A couple of other features not present on more recent models are: - seperate whistle / emergency smoke flare parts (both mounted on the cab roof at each end, on this model part of the main body moulding) - glazing for the body side windows Also the number plates are thicker, the ones on the side protude from the body; not really noticeable in the photo, but I had to check against other pictures of this model to be sure I hadn't made a mistake. Meanwhile, back in the real world, this is Takao Station, the "Taka" in "Takahachikawa": takao-station-2019-07-15a by Rail Squid, on Flickr takao-station-2019-07-15c by Rail Squid, on Flickr This is the western edge of the Kanto Plain, after that it's all hills, so is a natural terminus for Chuo Line suburban services. Some do continue west, including onto the private Fujikyu line down towards Mt Fuji, but mainly this is the transition point between suburban and regional trains. The elevated line just visible on the left is part of the private Keio network. View looking east, back towards Tokyo: takao-station-2019-07-15b by Rail Squid, on Flickr The two trains in the platform are Chuo Line E233s, which we have seen previously; on the right you can see a 211 series in a holding siding, these run on the regional stopping services west of Tokyo through the mountains (they took over from the 115 series a few years ago). To the right of that you can see a Keio line train. This is very typical of Japan, fairly dense urban area sweeping right up to the edge of the hills, go one station beyond and it's another, much quieter world mainly full of trees on steep slopes. (Sorry about the rather dull grey photos, it's been a protracted rainy season and cloudy every day for the last month) Continuing the odyssey through the collection of ED75s, we jump forward in model production time to 1992, where we find this version by Kato: Kato ED75 (ED75-89) by Rail Squid, on Flickr It is a different subclass to the Tomix one seen previously, so the cab front looks slightly different. It is almost a sister locomotive to the Eidai model (produced ca. 1979): Eidai ED75 (ED75 91) by Rail Squid, on Flickr In terms of body detailing quality, the two are not that far apart (as mentioned, the Eidai one was quite advanced for the time). The Kato one has sharper detail on the roof and the "skirt" (what in UK parlance would be the buffer beam, except Japanese locomotives don't have buffers). It also has an attempt at a cab interior, unlike the previous models shown. The cab window surrounds by contrast are somewhat lacking, the Tomix version does them much better. The main difference to all previous models is the mechanism, which features Kato's double-flywheel motor, introduced in the very early 90s, and is a nice smooth quiet runner. Unfortunately the number plates had become very brittle and half of them snapped off the sprue by accident, breaking tiny bits off the plates themselves. Hi railsquid, That's a bit spooky about the buffers because I mentioned before about possibly having Japanese (to be Rule 1) DMUs/EMUs/locos on my Spanish track in Izaro as RENFE have Mitsubishi locos and was going to ask you about a 2 car add on DMU set I bought on ebay years ago. Mainly the question was going to be what year was it in real life and what is it (besides being Kato) in case I bought the powered set. I noticed yesterday that it didn't have any buffers and I presumed they had broken off. Annoyed, I didn't bother to take pic but in a possible new light I will do so after dinner. Speak soon, Cheers weave PS Great pics as usual. Thanks Ian following with great interest Sorry to hijack you again but here are some pics of the DMU...... 20190720_225114 by Christopher Weaver, on Flickr I like the colours as thought they could be older Spanishy type livery in my semi fantasy world but as I said, if you knew when they appeared and what it is ie. classification to look up on a Kato site that would be fantastic. PS Meant to ask, do DMUs not have buffers either? « Last Edit: July 20, 2019, 11:59:30 PM by weave » Quote from: weave on July 20, 2019, 11:57:04 PM Once upon a time Japanese locomotives and rolling stock did indeed come fitted with buffers and chain link couplings, such as the previously seen Locomotive Number 1: MicroAce Class E ( by Rail Squid, on Flickr as per British practice, but it was decided they were impractical for various reasons, and over a few days in July 1925 swapped them all out (on every single locomotive, coach and wagon) for automatic couplers (mainly variant(s) of the Janney coupler), which among various advantages removes the need for buffers. Hate to break it to you, but this is actually an EMU, more specifically the pantograph-less driving trailers of a (most likekly) a 165 series like this: Kato 165-800 series by Rail Squid, on Flickr The numbers on the side are not legible in the photos but they should be "クハ" or "クモハ" 164-something or 165-something. You know, all those three weeks over there, I never noticed the lack of buffers! I must admit, I never really thought about it until I started with N gauge, and noticed the lack of them being there to break off, lock up on tight corners etc. While we're at it, the 165 series was an EMU designed for express services. It look similar to the 115 EMUs previously seen, but only has narrower doors at the ends of each car. They were the mainstay of intercity express services on the Chuo Line after electrification, most famously the "Alps" service between Shinjuku (Tokyo) and Matsumoto. Here is my Kato model with the "Alps" headboard added: Kato 165 series by Rail Squid, on Flickr This model is "classic" Kato tooling, not exactly sure from when it dates, possibly late 1970s? Each car will have a 3-digit number on the chassis, which is a sure sign of earlier Kato. The model itself was in production until quite recently; it has since been replaced by a more up-to-date version. The old model (available by the bucketload for cheap as chips) is nevertheless quite passable, especially if upgraded a bit, e.g. by replacing the wheelsets, adding close couplings, and retrofitting corridor connectors: kato-165-series-corridor_01 by Rail Squid, on Flickr I think that's a very passable model for it's age. The corridor connections are a definite improvement. By the way, Hello Kitty is now Goodbye Kitty in the local shopping mall. She (He?) has been replaced with this rather boring looking thing: Kitty didn't last long! There is hope for Antipodean civilisation yet... Train Waiting The Table-Top Railway. The livery reminds me of the Great Northern Railway (the US one!) before it went all 'Big Sky Blue' in the 'sixties. Thank you, Gentlemen, for these super photographs. 'Why does the Disney Castle work so well? Because it borrows from reality without ever slipping into it.' (Acknowledgement: John Goodall Esq, Architectural Editor, 'Country Life'.) The Table-Top Railway is an attempt to create, in British 'N' gauge, a 'semi-scenic' railway in the old-fashioned style, reminiscent of the layouts of the 1920s to the 1950s. For the made-up background to the railway and list of characters, please see here: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=38281.msg607991#msg607991 That livery is known as the "Shonan" livery, as it was first applied in the 1950s to the (then) fancy new trains running on the Tokaido line between Tokyo and the Shonan area (coastal/resort area centred around Kamakura). For a long time it was the default livery for DC multiple units, and survives (in abbreviated form) on the Tokaido line even today. Meanwhile, ooh a video! Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skp4guHtQQw As I was messing around with the camera recently, and needed to edit some other videos anyway. Good video! The Apollo ones after it are pretty cool too! 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__label__wiki	0.647213	0.647213	December 10, 2019 Comments 0 Nigerians in South Africa It is our own failure that led to load shedding SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande says the tripartite alliance must take responsibility for recent load shedding.”The 1998 energy policy told us we needed to do certain things even in the early 2000s. We were told Eskom power stations must be maintained, must be renewed, we did not do that because we wanted to privatise. It’s our own failure that is leading to this load shedding,” Nzimande said during his political report address at the SACP’s special national congress. South Africans took to social media to express anger and frustration over the current wave of load shedding.With the country still gripped by stage 4 load shedding, Eskom announced it was shedding 6 000MW on Monday evening. This pushed South Africa to stage 6 for the first time since the forced blackouts began in 2008.Many municipalities, including the City of Johannesburg, had no scheduling timetables for stage 6 and were caught off guard. On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has cut short his official trip to Egypt, said the “anger and frustration” over the power cuts were understandable. “The extreme weather in several parts of the country over the last week has compounded the problems of an electricity grid that was already under great strain,” he added.Eskom earlier said heavy rains and floods at three power stations had caused its already reduced generation capacity to plunge further which forced it to institute stage 6 cuts to prevent a total collapse of the grid. Speaking at the special national congress, Nzimande said the ANC-led alliance, which includes the SACP and Cosatu, should continue to fight against state capture and looting. He added he had confidence in the Ramaphosa administration.However, he said the SACP was concerned that “[u]nder that banner of cleaning, there are people who are seeing an opportunity that because SAA was seen as corrupt, we must use this in order to buy SAA. That we cannot allow”.Nzimande added some of the ANC-led alliance’s failures in managing state-owned enterprises (SOEs) was to “prescribe to them and say we will focus on our core service”.”Let’s not fool ourselves. If we say SOEs must remain in the hands of the state, we must be clear what is to be done. We must say they must be in the hands of the state so that we could do A, B, C or D.” Nigerians in South Africa 3275 posts We are about democracy, human rights, public opinion, political behavior, civil rights and policy aimed at improving the human condition, with a focus on African countries. Crime 0 Comments PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI SAYS BOKO HARAM-HIT NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA NOW ‘POST-CONFLICT’ Nigeria’s remote northeast is in a “post-conflict stabilisation phase”, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday, despite persistent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The Islamist insurgency has devastated the region since Business 0 Comments NEW SOUTH AFRICAN TAX COULD SEE YOU PAYING MORE FOR NETFLIX AND OTHER INTERNET SERVICES The National Treasury recently published an amended regulation for electronic services. The regulation – which has an effective date of 1 April 2019 – will impact international suppliers of services News 0 Comments Nigeria High Commision, Pretoria, South Africa Consulate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in South Africa Nigerian Visa Application Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Tour Nigeria Windy Cape Town is holding back undersea internet cable repairs – as some SA users lose Twitter access This Is What Will Power Hyundai’s Pickup Truck Mercedes-AMG G63’s twin-turbo V8 boosted to 592 kW/1 020 Nm! Mega Millions lottery: Did you win Friday’s $103M Mega Millions drawing? Live results, winning numbers (01/17 Icy weather causes passenger plane to slide off taxiway at Kansas airport Shatta Bandle ready to buy MTN Ghana SA’s R1bn Yekani smart factory faces liquidation How Nigeria Spent $61 Billion For Black South Africans To Fight Apartheid. Ayo Solanke Shines in South Africa 2017 Call For Submissions: 38th DIFF CAMPAIGN About Nigerians in South Africa We are a registered Nigerian organization for education, culture, development services with the provision of news and information about our facilities and programs in South Africa. Like Nigerians in South Africa Follow @nigeriansinza on Twitter Tweets by @nigeriansinza Add Nigerians in South Africa to your Homescreen!	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384362
__label__wiki	0.942409	0.942409	Sun select Duke center with No. 4 pick in WNBA Draft Marc Allard The Bulletin Apr 16, 2015 at 10:25 PM Apr 16, 2015 at 10:25 PM MOHEGAN - Connecticut Sun coach Anne Donovan lives in North Carolina in the offseason and has had plenty of chances to see Duke University senior Elizabeth Williams play, as well as talk to people who know her. She just never thought the Sun would have the opportunity to draft the 6-foot-3-inch center. Fortune turned Donovan’s way when Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd and Minnesota’s Amanda Zahui B. decided to enter the WNBA Draft. Their presence pushed Williams and UConn’s Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis down a couple spots and opened the door for Connecticut to select Williams with the No. 4 pick on Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. “This kid is hungry and she’s ready,” Donovan said. “She has the nicest demeanor. She has a lot of history in our locker room. She’s played with Chiney (Ogwumike) before, (former Duke star) Chelsea (Gray) obviously, so I’m really excited about that.” With their second pick, the Sun took DePaul guard Brittany Hrynko, but quickly traded her to Atlanta for another Duke product, guard Jasmine Thomas. Donovan said prior to the draft that the Sun were looking for help at the post and guard spots, specifically a good shooting guard. But when Mosqueda-Lewis was chosen by Seattle with the third pick, Williams was the automatic choice for the Sun. “We wanted somebody who is going to come to practice every day and challenge (current center) Kelsey Bone and keep her on her toes,” Donovan said. Williams will provide the Sun with a strong defensive presence and good rebound skills. But even though she scored in double figures for Duke in each of her four seasons, she is not known as a primary offensive threat. There were concerns about Williams when it came to her commitment to either a professional basketball career or moving forward with a medical career. “I don’t have a specific timeline right now (for her medical career) and I want to be able to play basketball for quite a long time,” Williams said. “Med school is something I definitely want to do in the future.” Connecticut standout and last year’s No.1 pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year, Chiney Ogwumike, said she was actually hoping that Williams would be donning a Sun jersey. “We want people who want that want to be here and want to play hard,” Ogwumike said. “I think that she is a great person overall and that will be the No. 1 step in growing. She has a great defensive presence and in (the WNBA) if you can play defense, you can win games.” But Ogwumike also praised Williams’ offensive prowess, citing her 33-point performance in a game against rival, North Carolina. “We need to score, clearly, I love defense, but putting points up, we certainly want to be sitting a lot higher than we are currently,” Donovan said. The Connecticut coach thinks Williams will help in that regard, especially without Ogwumike in the lineup. “I have to extend my range and be a consistent mid-range shooter is something that will be important for me to help make this team better,” Williams said. Ogwumike appeared for the draft, but will likely not be in a Sun uniform this season. She is still rehabbing her knee following microfracture surgery in January and said she has no timetable for her return. Also questionable is the timetable for guard Katie Douglas who is in rehab for a back injury suffered last season. The addition of Thomas will add some veteran experience to the backcourt. “We’ve looked at Thomas for awhile, another Duke kid, go figure,” Donovan said with a laugh. “But that’s kind of to help Chelsea (Gray) along. To help her understand what it takes to be a pro and mentoring Chelsea as she grows into what I think is going to be a premier point guard in this league.” Thomas was drafted by Seattle in 2011 and traded to Washington where she played for two seasons before joining Atlanta in 2013.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384369
__label__wiki	0.568872	0.568872	Pakistan Agriculture News, Seeds FAISALABAD: Pakistan and the US are enjoying sustained and mutually beneficial relations despite a “temporary political recession” and a visible improvement in ties is expected in coming days, said Ann Mason, Chief of Political and Economic Section, US Consulate General, Lahore. Speaking to business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), she said America was investing in many countries including Pakistan. Terming agriculture an integral and major part of Pakistan’s economy, she emphasised that the US would continue to assist Pakistan within the given circumstances. However, she said some US seed manufacturing companies had expressed reservations and the local business community must take measures to address their grievances in order to take benefit of the latest American technology that was bringing high-yielding seeds. The envoy called the M3 Industrial Estate an opportunity for investors to play their role in the overall development of Faisalabad and gave assurances to businessmen that she would persuade the Americans to invest in the estate. She also agreed to cooperate in human resources development in Pakistan. FCCI President Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain said textile was the real economic strength of Faisalabad, but the city witnessed phenomenal diversification with the addition of many new sectors. Crescent and Nishat groups are leading yarn manufacturers in the city, which also has a state-of-the-art edible oil manufacturing unit named Rafhan Maize. Similarly, Iqbal Rice, which is a member of the FCCI, is consistently winning the best exporter award. Hussain revealed that construction of a residential colony had been kicked off in the M3 Industrial Estate and an additional 3,300 acres of land were being acquired on the other side of the motorway for its expansion in future. READ MORE: 26 seed companies qualify for bidding to produce seed varieties He pointed out that work on a car assembly plant of Hyundai was being completed while other industrial units were at different stages of completion. “Pakistan is an agrarian economy and its 70% population is directly or indirectly linked with it. Hence, we need high-yielding American seeds to enhance our per-acre yield, which is necessary to eliminate rural poverty,” he said. The FCCI chief stressed that America should invest in Pakistan and particularly mentioned the setting up of an oil refinery in Gwadar or Karachi, which would not only trim the overall import bill of Pakistan, but would also encourage ancillary industries. He highlighted the manufacturing of solar panels as another area where American investment was required.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384371
__label__wiki	0.958527	0.958527	Russia prepares for biggest war games in its history By Web Desk on September 10, 2018 News World View Russia on Tuesday will launch the biggest military drills in its history involving 300,000 troops as well as Chinese soldiers, in a move NATO denounced as “exercising large-scale conflict”. The week-long deployment alongside Chinese and Mongolian armies dubbed “Vostok-2018” (East-2018) will start in eastern Siberia on September 11. It comes at a time of escalating tensions between Moscow and the West over accusations of Russian interference in western affairs and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. The Russian army has compared the show of force to the USSR´s 1981 war games that saw between 100,000 and 150,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers take part in “Zapad-81” (West-81) — the largest military exercises of the Soviet era. But defence minister Sergei Shoigu said this time would be even larger, with 300,000 soldiers, 36,000 military vehicles, 1,000 planes and 80 warships taking part in the drills. “Imagine 36,000 military vehicles moving at the same time: tanks, armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles — and all of this, of course, in conditions as close to a combat situation as possible,” Shoigu said. The Russian army will roll out all of its latest additions for the event: Iskander missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, T-80 and T-90 tanks and its recent Su-34 and Su-35 fighter planes. At sea, the Russian fleet will deploy several frigates equipped with Kalibr missiles that have been used in Syria. Russia´s previous military exercise in the region, Vostok-2014, was almost half the size, with 155,000 soldiers participating. The country´s war games in Eastern Europe last year, Zapad-2017, saw 12,700 troops take part according to Moscow. Ukraine and the Baltic states said the true number was far bigger. ‘Future world war’ President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend Vostok-2018 after hosting an economic forum in Russia´s far eastern city Vladivostok where his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is one of the star guests. Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said the games were a “preparation for a future world war”. “The army´s General Staff believes this will take place after 2020 in the form of either a global war or a series of conflicts with magnitude,” he said. “The enemy is the United States and its allies.” According to Felgenhauer, China´s participation — although modest with only 3,200 men — will be a key factor at the drills. “It´s not just about a sign or a message, but about a preparation for a real-life war of great magnitude,” he said. This opinion was shared by NATO, which said that Vostok-2018 “demonstrates Russia´s focus on exercising large-scale conflict”. “It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time — a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its defence budget and its military presence,” said the alliance´s spokesman Dylan White. Russia has denied the drills are a cause for worry. “Vostok-2018 is far from NATO´s area of responsibility and does not affect the security of its member states,” the Russian foreign ministry´s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Growing number of drills Relations between Russia and the West declined sharply in 2014 with Moscow´s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine. Since then Moscow has increased the number of its large-scale military exercises in the Caucasus, the Baltic and the Arctic. At the same time the Kremlin has accused NATO of expanding westwards and threatening Russian national security. This week, Russia held military exercises in the Mediterranean. More than 25 warships and around 30 planes took part in the drills, as Russia increased its military presence in Syria where it intervened to help the Bashar al-Assad regime in 2015. Around 2,200 Ukrainian, American and other NATO soldiers took part in military exercises in western Ukraine in early September. Last month, the Kremlin´s spokesman said Russia´s “ability to defend itself in the current international situation which is often aggressive and unfriendly to our country is justified, essential and without alternative”. Tags: Military drills \| NATO \| Russia Previous ArticleFriendship with China a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: PM Imran Next Article Fund The Transition International aviation body dismisses India’s complaint against Pakistan NATO launches largest military drill in Norway Nearly 50,000 troops are joining NATO war games in Norway to test alliance defenses against ...read more Trump says US will pull out of nuclear arms deal with Russia President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that the United States plans to leave a Cold War-era ...read more Trump team says Russia behind effort to meddle in US elections WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s national security team said on Thursday that Russia is behind ...read more	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384372
__label__wiki	0.540379	0.540379	Palgrave Macmillan Memory Studies Lessons from the Past? Memory, Narrativity and Subjectivity Authors: Forchtner, Bernhard Only book which comprehensively reconstructs/conceptualises and theorises claims to know the lessons from past wrongdoing Draws on modes of analysis and interpretation rarely used in the field of social memory studies Contributes to developing a theory of collective learning processes This book reconstructs how claims to know ‘the lessons’ from past wrongdoings are made useful in the present. These claims are powerful tools in contemporary debates over who we are, who we want to be and what we should do. Drawing on a wide range of spoken and written texts from Austria, Denmark, Germany and the United States, this book proposes an abstract framework through which such claims can be understood. It does so by conceptualising four rhetorics of learning and how each of them links memories of past wrongdoings to opposition to present and future wrongdoings. Drawing extensively on narrative theory, Lessons from the Past? reconstructs how links between past, present and future can be narrativised, thus helping to understand the subjectivities and feelings that these stories facilitate. The book closes by considering if and how such rhetorics might live up to their promise to know ‘the lessons’ and to enable learning, offering a revised theory of collective learning processes. Bernhard Forchtner is Lecturer at the School of Media, Communication and Sociology, University of Leicester, UK. He has published in the field of memory studies, environmental communication, the far right in Europe and at the interface of sociological theory and critical discourse studies. “Lessons from the past? addresses questions that are urgently raised, yet rarely tackled explicitly, in the ever-expanding body of literature on collective memory. In the process, Forchtner provides a valuable conceptual apparatus not only for scholars of memory but also sociologists of culture, politics, and knowledge more generally.” (Christina Simko, European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology, Vol. 5 (03), 2018) “This book opens up new horizons in the sociological study of memory. It is not only a theoretical adventure, trying to push a critical approach to memory studies, going beyond Habermas, but also an empirical study full of insights into the workings and transformations of the collective memories we live with and the claims to know the lessons from the past which arise from them. It is required reading for everybody looking to make sense of the dynamics of everyday discourse and political discourse in present-day societies about their pasts.” (Klaus Eder, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Germany) “It has almost become cliché to claim to have ‘learnt from history’ in commemorative rhetoric. But what does this mean? Which lessons are to be taken? And how do these lessons vary when referring to Our or Their past wrongdoing? In this erudite and provocative book, Forchtner outlines and analyses four rhetorics of learning – each of which, whilst presenting history as a teacher, are characterised by different narrative grammars. Lessons from the Past? is vital reading for anyone interested in Memory Studies and the politics of commemoration.” (John E. Richardson, Loughborough University, UK) Lessons from the Past? Introducing the Rhetorics of Learning Forchtner, Bernhard On Plot Grammars and Modes of Emplotment The Rhetoric of Judging The Rhetoric of Failing The Rhetoric of Penitence The Rhetoric of Judge-Penitence Narrating Lessons and Collective Learning Processes Bernhard Forchtner	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384373
__label__cc	0.709958	0.290042	Contact Us Today for a Free Initial Consultation James C. Olita Parental Responsibilities We strive to be honest and transparent with our clients about what to expect in the process and the outcome. You and your children are our primary concern. Fair and equitable solutions are our goal. We understand how important parenting time and having a say in your child's life is to our clients. Guiding couples through the difficult and emotional process of divorce with insight, honesty and openness. Geneva, Illinois Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Kane County Lawyers Serving the Needs of Northern Illinois Families At Olita Law Group, we understand that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of attorneys from which to choose when you need legal representation. We also understand the importance of choosing wisely. When you hire a law firm or an individual attorney, you do so with the expectation that you and your case will be treated as high priorities. You want a lawyer who sees you as a person and not just as a name on a file. From the moment you call our law firm, you become an integral part of the legal process. Our attorneys not only take the time to get to know you and your family’s needs but will help you fully understand the law and how it applies to your situation. We will work hard to live up to the trust you have placed in our firm no matter what type of legal concern you may be facing. Kane County Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Sooner or later, most families will be touched in some way by a divorce or child-related legal matter. At Olita Law Group, our attorneys have nearly 40 years of combined family law experience, handling cases of all different types. Our team is fully equipped to assist you with aspects of the divorce process including: Division of property and debts; Spousal support/maintenance; Allocation of parental responsibilities, sometimes called child custody; Parenting time/visitation; Child support; Order modification; and Post-decree enforcement. We are also able to help you with other concerns beyond those normally associated with divorce. Our attorneys regularly assist individuals and families working through issues related to: Parentage or Paternity; Guardianship of a minor child or a disabled adult; Domestic violence and orders of protection; and Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements. At Olita Law Group, we know that family law can be very complicated. We pledge to remain open and honest throughout the process, ensuring that your expectations are realistic and based on the reasonable application of the law. Reliable Criminal Defense Counsel in Kane County In addition to our strengths in areas of family law, we also assist clients facing criminal charges as well. Allegations of criminal activity can have a dramatic impact on your life and future opportunities, so it is important to work with an attorney you can trust. With careful attention to detail and a focus on protecting your best interests, the team at Olita Law Group can offer responsible representation in cases involving: Driving under the influence (DUI); Possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia; Assault and battery; Burglary, shoplifting, or petty theft; Traffic violations; and Many other felonies and misdemeanors. When you need an attorney for any type of family law or criminal legal issue, go with the team that is committed to serving you. Contact our office today for a free evaluation of your case. We invite you to come in and meet with us before making any decisions so that you can ask questions and get the answers you need. Call 630-402-0333 to schedule a consultation. Olita Law Group is proud to serve clients in and around Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, and Will Counties. I faced many tough fights getting to 3 Super Bowls, but the toughest and scariest occurred when I was denied access to my child. I am thankful for having an attorney on my side who was knowledgeable and aggressive enough to help me win my biggest battle. I put my trust, my life in Jim’s hands and I am grateful I did. - Leon L. As a top executive of a multi-national corporation, I had access to some of the best attorneys in the country. After my wife filed divorce papers I interviewed the top domestic relations firms in Illinois. When I spoke to my friends and colleagues, however, the one name I heard repeated was Jim Olita. Within five minutes of our initial meeting, I knew he was my guy. As a self-professed “control freak”, it was a very difficult process for me, but Jim took the time and had the patience to calm my fears and anxiety. His cool demeanor and expertise led to a very satisfactory conclusion. - Nicole A. As a former judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and then a justice on the Illinois Appellate Court, I have had the privilege to witness and listen to some of the best attorneys in the State of Illinois. Jim Olita ranks at the top of that list in terms of knowledge and demeanor in the courtroom. His professionalism and ability to guide me through the system made a very tough time in my life that much easier. I give him my strongest recommendation. 330 W. State Street, Suite 3, Geneva, IL 60134 Home Firm Overview Attorney Profiles Practice Areas News & Events Contact Us From our office in Geneva, Illinois, we serve family law and criminal defense clients throughout Kane County, Will County, DuPage County and Cook County including the communities of St. Charles, Elgin, Batavia, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, North Aurora, Carol Stream, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Plainfield, Romeoville, Lockport, Shorewood, New Lenox and surrounding areas. © 2020 Olita Law Group, L.L.C. \| 330 W. State Street, Suite 3, Geneva, IL 60134 \| 630-402-0333 © 2020 Olita Law Group, L.L.C. Resources \| Disclaimer \| Privacy Policy \| Sitemap Resources \| Disclaimer	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384375
__label__wiki	0.868803	0.868803	Vanderhoof Vikings and Viqueens Old Timers Hockey Nechako Lakes Clippers Speed Skating 2016 Vacation Planner 2016 Colour Book 2017 Telephone Directory 2017 Tri City Business Directory The modernization of the Soul’s exterior includes a fantastic band of lighting surrounding the liftgate. The front end is in step with the look, although the size of the lower grille opening is quite disproportionate. Photo: Kia Who says fun and funky can’t also be practical? The Soul does the utility-vehicle dance differently than just about every other nameplate on the market Jan. 6, 2020 11:00 a.m. Buyers Advice & Car Reviews The Soul does the utility-vehicle dance differently than just about every other nameplate on the market. It’s a formula that has been attempted by other automakers — think about the Honda Element — but none as successfully as Kia’s smash-hit funky wagon. The urban runabout was designed primarily for the youth market, but has wound up in the driveways of wider swath of buyers since its 2010-model-year launch. The Soul’s attention-getting bodywork was updated four years later and for the 2020 model year the vehicle receives a complete overhaul, including a new structure, updated content and revised powertrain choices. The new Soul retains the quirkiness of previous models, but the front end — previously the least-attractive spot — now displays a minimal grille above a large air intake that appears influenced by current Toyota models. There are also slimmed-down headlights and dominating running light/fog light pods positioned below a rounder hood. Somehow, Kia’s designers found a way to make these disparate features sync together. Vertically shaped taillights are conjoined to a light bar extending across the roofline that almost completely encircles the wider hatch opening, providing a squared-off appearance. The interior has likewise been updated, with modern graphic displays for the gauge cluster and an available 26-centimetre touchscreen. The previous dual speakers that were set about dashboard’s air vents have been relocated to the front door panels and are part of an available mood-lighting system. Its six different settings, with names such as Party Time, Romance, Hey! and Midnight City, will pulse to the beat of whatever music being played through the audio system. The 2020 Soul receives a lighter and stiffer platform that results in the car’s capacities changing, however slightly. Overall length increases by about five centimetres and the distance between the front and rear wheels gains a bit more than an 2.5 centimetres. Likewise, cargo capacity behind the rear seat is up a touch, while both body width and height remain unchanged. Ground clearance measures 17 centimetres, or slightly more than that of the previous model. This despite the fact that the Soul remains a front-wheel driver and is not designed to go off road. The bottom line: The Soul is just as spacious as it has always been, with plenty of head and legroom for even the tallest occupants and a commanding view of the surrounding scenery. The Soul’s three available engine picks have been reduced to two for 2020. The previous base 130-horsepower 1.6-litre four-cylinder and the optional 161-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder have been replaced by a single (and new) 2.0-litre that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The optional turbocharged 1.6 carries over from 2019 at 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the base Soul LX, while a continuously variable unit (CVT) is available on that trim and is standard with the S, X-Line, EX and GT-Line 2.0L. The top-level GT-Line 1.6T is the only model equipped with the turbo engine, which is mated to a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission. For best fuel economy, the 2.0 four-cylinder with the CVT is rated at 8.6 l/100 km in the city, 7.1 on the highway and 7.8 combined. The Soul LX starts at $23,000 (including destination fees), with the GT-Line Limited 1.6T and topping out at $31,400. Also in the lineup is the Soul EV ($44,500), with 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque (previously 109/210). Maximum range jumps to 383 kilometres from 178. The EV and the gasoline-powered Souls are indicative of Kia’s efforts to keep the boxy attention-getter as a popular pick in its class, even if that class has only one bona fide member. What you should know: 2020 Kia Soul Type: Four-door, front-wheel-drive compact utility vehicle Engines (h.p.): 2.0-litre DOHC I-4 (247); 1.6-litre DOHC I-4, turbocharged (201) Transmissions: Six-speed manual; continuously variable (CVT); seven-speed automated manual (std. with turbo I-4) Market position: For the past decade, the Kia Soul has turned the small-utility-vehicle class upside-down. It’s a case of practicality running headlong into offbeat styling that makes this hard-to-categorize model so desirable. Points: Second-generation model keeps its unusual looks, but has matured somewhat. • Elevated interior content is now more up to date. • New base engine is more powerful and fuel efficient, while optional turbo I-4 makes for a sportier drive. • Upcoming EV version should give the competition a run for its money in performance and range. Active safety: Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic backup alert (opt.); active cruise control (opt.); emergency braking (opt.); drowsy-driver alert (opt.) L/100 km (city/hwy) 8.6/7.1 (2.0, MT); Base price (incl. destination) $23,000 BY COMPARISON Base price: $20,150 Small, tall wagon comes with FWD and a 125-h.p. four-cylinder. Stylish FWD model could use a bit more power. Cargo capacity is average. Distinctively styled model gets a new turbo-I-4 option. 4×4 drivetrain is standard. If you’re interested in new or used vehicles, be sure to visit TodaysDrive.com to find your dream car today! -written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram The available mood-lighting system has six settings that pulse to the beat of the music being played through the audio system. Photo: Kia A new 2.0-litre four-cylinder base engine replaces the previous 1.6 and 2.0, while the optional turbocharged 1.6 carries over from the 2019 model. Photo: Kia The interior gets new graphic displays for the gauge cluster and an available 26-centimetre touch-screen. The round button hubs on the steering wheel and the fan-shaped vents on the dash fit the unique stature of the Soul. Photo: Kia Mercedes is flooding the upscale-compact-utility-vehicle market Premier Horgan announces business plan approval for new hospital in Fort St. James The new hospital in the district is aimed to be open to patients by 2024 Horgan cancels event in Fraser Lake due to security concerns, says mayor The premier will still be visiting the district, but the location and day will not be made public Third annual Lego Robotics challenge held in Vanderhoof Technology is going to be a big part of our students’ futures, says elementary school teacher Fort Fraser’s water distribution system has been replaced The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako undertook the $3.7 million project Good Samaritan pays part of rent for B.C. woman facing eviction in can-collecting dispute Zora Hlevnjak, 76, supplements her pension by collecting cans and receiving public donations Explore Vanderhoof Omineca Express Vanderhoof News Vanderhoof Weather Vanderhoof Classifieds © 2020, Vanderhoof Omineca Express and Black Press Group Ltd.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384377
__label__cc	0.70417	0.29583	Calibration Unit FGC100 How it Works – FluxGage Technology FluxGage is a completely new way to measure LED luminaires. The integrating sphere is the standard instrument for measuring flux and color of LED lights. It uses a white diffusive coating on its interior to redirect a known portion of the light to a detector. However, the integrating sphere must be at least three times the size of the device under test (DUT). Additionally, the integrating sphere must be recalibrated for each use to take into account the absorption of the DUT itself. FluxGage uses the opposite approach: Detection surfaces which absorb and detect light. Eliminating reflections allow the device to be the size of the DUT, rectangular, and calibrated only once. The detection surface should have these properties: To detect light To be independent of incidence angle To absorb all the light (very little reflection). The FluxGage detection surface is made of solar panels to detect light, a sheet diffuser to make the panels insensitive of angle and a dense array of pinholes printed with black ink over the diffuser. This arrangement ensures all three requirements. The FluxGage system has a photodiode to measure flicker and a spectrometer for color parameters (CCT, CRI, chromaticity, etc.). For more information about the FluxGage technology, including an analytical model of total flux measurement, error analysis, and experimental results, read the white paper written by Dr. Efi Rotem: “FluxGage” A Photometric Test System for LED Luminaires Based on Solar Panels The white paper was presented at the LED professional symposium + expo, LpS 2016, Bregenz, Austria Contact us Copyright © 2020 Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384383
__label__wiki	0.903454	0.903454	ERROR FREES SLAYING SUSPECT THE ORLANDO SENTINEL FORT LAUDERDALE -- The State Attorney's Office has dropped murder charges against a 27-year-old man because of mishandled DNA evidence crucial to the case. Kevin Hoffman had been charged in the beating and strangling death of Michael Sortal, a 47-year-old storage and mini-warehouse manager found dead in his Fort Lauderdale apartment in March 2001. But genetic material from the Broward County crime scene was mixed with a DNA sample taken from a Pembroke Pines rape, and the evidence against Hoffman could not be salvaged. The murder charges were dropped Monday. Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said a lab analyst made the mistake. "We discovered it when we were reviewing the results last month while preparing for trial," he said, calling it "human error" and an isolated incident. Sortal was found naked with a plastic bag over his head and a belt around his neck.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384385
__label__wiki	0.879047	0.879047	EntertainmentArt & Books Reclaiming The Slur: Meet the Maricón Collective A group of queer Chicano artists is reappropriating the word "faggot" as a source of empowerment. By Evan Moffitt May 31 2015 3:30 PM EDT Pictured, from left: Carlos Morales, Rudy Bleu, Michael Rodriguez, and Manuel Paul (Facebook/Maricón Collective) If you’ve been to a gay bar or an art opening on the east side of Los Angeles in the past year, you probably noticed someone wearing a snapback hat emblazoned with the word “maricón” in gothic letters. Maricón is a slur. It’s Spanish for “faggot.” That may seem like a strange adopted name for a group of queer Chicano artists, but the Maricón Collective have been positively reappropriating the term in their work as a central source of empowerment. The art and DJ collective, which hosts parties and various participatory art projects around Los Angeles, was started in 2014 by Rudy Bleu, Carlos Morales, Manuel Paul, and Michael Rodriguez. All four men grew up east of the L.A. River, where the machismo culture made it difficult to come out. But their hometown was also the place that brought them together, at basement punk shows and family barbeques. Bleu and Morales grew close as teens in the punk scene and queer backyard “tea parties” of the San Gabriel Valley. Years later they discovered Paul’s art on Tumblr: handsome mustachioed cholos kissing, drawn on lined notebook paper richly decorated with roses and gothic “tags,” and largely inspired by cult 'zines like the 1970s-era Teen Angels. Artwork by Manuel Paul (Maricón Collective) Over coffee, the three men and Rodriguez met and discussed their love for queer and Chicano culture, and decided to band together. Last April, the Maricón Collective held their first party at Akbar, a popular gay dive in Silverlake. The event was such a success that the Collective has been hosting regular events since. Inspired by those warm family gatherings and east L.A. “backyard boogies”, Maricón Collective events have a casual, familial atmosphere in which all are welcome. Some of their programming has attracted queer people of color to art spaces that usually fill with mostly-white audiences—a blessing for Los Angeles, a city whose burgeoning art scene doesn’t always reflect its diverse population of artists. A recent Maricón Collective party in L.A. (Facebook/Maricón Collective) They’ve hosted dance parties at the gallery Human Resources and the Tom of Finland Foundation, accompanied by 'zines and limited-edition shirts, and have worked with artists like Shizu Saldamando and Alice Bag. This June, Maricón will unveil a mural at the Galería de la Raza, in San Francisco, and host a screening at Outfest of In Search of Margo-go, a never-before-seen film by iconic DIY filmmaker Jill Reiter, starring Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hana. The word maricón retains its sting, but the Maricón Collective is just getting started. Their unique blend of punk programming, mixing underappreciated gems of queer and Chicano culture with the atmosphere of an eastside L.A. party, is slowly redefining the term as a jubilant adjective in local gay enclaves. Eventually, more queers may self-label as maricónes, taking away its power from the sullen mouth of homophobes. [H/T: L.A. Weekly] For more information, visit the Maricón Collective's Facebook page Tags: Art & Books, Pride, Travel & Nightlife	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384386
__label__cc	0.698887	0.301113	About Tambo Step back in time when you arrive in Tambo, enjoy the slower pace and all the history that the oldest town in the Central West has on offer. Tambo has a relaxed atmosphere and visitors are encouraged to wander around and enjoy a self-guided walk along the banks of the Barcoo or around the town’s historical buildings. Meet and chat with local volunteers at the town’s heritage Post and Telegraph buildings where you can try your hand at Morse code and learn of the town’s rich history. Take a picnic to the Tambo Dam where an abundance of birds will keep you entertained with their antics, or you can pull up in the middle of town at the EE Parr Park which has a well-equipped picnic area with a playground to allow those little travellers to work off any excess energy. Across from the park, the Grassland Art Gallery is well worth a visit, a contemporary art space showcasing artworks from local and regional artists, the exhibitions change every six to eight weeks so there is always something different to see. A trip to Tambo, the Outback Teddy Bear Capital is not complete without a visit to the Tambo Teddies workshop where you can marvel as these pure wool teddies in a variety of colours and styles come to life. Plan your visit to spend an extra day so you can take a four wheel drive adventure east along the Wilderness Way, a 320km round trip that takes in an area of rugged beauty traversing a landscape of deep gorges and vast cliff lines. Crossing the Great Dividing Range and looping back into town, this route is a nature lover’s delight full of native flora, fauna and brilliant wildflowers from August to September. Salvator Rosa, Carnarvon National Park Crystal clear springs add more than ten million litres of water a day to peaceful Louisa Creek and the Nogoa River as they meander beneath a backdrop of rocky sandstone crags and spires. Named by explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846, Salvator Rosa, a section of Carnarvon National Stubby Bend On the banks of the Barcoo River away from the highway noise, Stubby Bend offers fully self-contained travellers a free site for camping. A variety of birds visit the area throughout the day, you can watch the kangaroos grazing in the afternoons, and quite often at night friendly Tambo Aquatic Centre Nestled amongst mature palm trees and manicured lawn areas the Tambo Aquatic Centre, with a 25m swimming pool and smaller wading pool, embodies the relaxed and restful Tambo lifestyle. The staff are friendly and are willing to offer any information or assistance to patrons. So unwind with a Tambo Dam At the town’s southern entrance lies the picturesque Tambo Dam and parklands. A habitat for water birds and wildlife, a place for rest and relaxation. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the grassy areas for picnics and make use of the barbecues provided. Pathways wind through the forest parkland Tambo Heritage Precinct Discover stories of the oldest town in the west at Tambo’s Heritage Precinct . The buildings were originally Tambo’s Post and Telegraph Offices, and Tambo played a vital role in the early telegraph system linking the north of Australia with the south. These heritage listed buildings were moved Tambo’ s Wilderness Way Self Drive Route Travel Tambo’s Wilderness Way, a self-drive tour through an area of rugged beauty, known as the ‘Rooftop of Queensland’. The tour traverses a landscape of deep gorges and vast cliff lines. Enjoy vistas of tangled ranges where the wind and rain have created massive sandstone formations which contrast Tambo Teddies Tambo Teddies create quality hand crafted sheepskin teddy bears in the tiny Outback town of Tambo in western Queensland, truly Australian made teddies. These very appealing, friendly teddy bears come in different styles. Find a soft and cuddly Bickie Bear for your newborn or a fully dressed Mr. Grassland Art Gallery Call into Tambo’s Grassland Art Gallery, a modern, stylish purpose-built art facility located in the centre of town. Opened in 2009, the complex is the cultural hub of the township with the gallery being managed as a Council and Community collaborative partnership. Tambo Arts Council volunteers working closely Galleries & public art in the outback Known as the place to see natural wonders and breathtaking sunsets, Outback Queensland also offers a cultural experience... Find your perfect Outback road trip 10 things you didn't know about Tambo 25 reasons to love Tambo Teddies Pack the car and get tracking to the outback town of Tambo, where the famous Tambo Teddies have... 8 free camping spots in Outback Queensland Save your dollars on accommodation with some of Outback Queensland's best free camping. Read all articles about Tambo Don't miss the iconic spots and hidden gems. No matter where you go in the Outback, there are amazing itineraries for you to explore.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384387
__label__cc	0.731781	0.268219	Ep. 27 Spring Breakdown with ParentNormal News and Mail It’s the week of Spring Break for our family, so the theme of this episode, naturally, is Spring Break-down. In the episode, I’ll cover what’s in the ParentNormal News about spring breakdowns. I’ll also touch on springbreakdowns in the ParentNormal Mailbag segment while also covering other calendar events this week like Daylight Savings Time and St. Patrick’s Day. Do you have any parenting tips for St. Patrick’s Day? How do you survive the daylight savings time change with kids when every parent knows that keeping kids on a schedule is so important? Am I the only parent who feels like they are being mocked when they hear the term “spring break?” Isn’t there a better name that doesn’t imply spring break is actually a break for parents? In the ParentNormal News: Students across the nation are showing adults that it is still possible for people of all backgrounds to unite behind a single message, and that message to adults this Spring Break week is, “I’m bored.” The student demonstrations of boredom began during minute number two of Spring Break and they are expected to continue throughout the week. Parents have attempted to end the demonstrations by giving their kids endless entertainment opportunities and by taking them on expensive vacations, but the students are resolved to declare their boredom whenever there is a potential pause in their entertainment. Meanwhile, a first grader in Paris, Texas was shocked this week to learn that she actually can wake up early on a weekday. She has been insisting every school day this year that she is too tired to wake up on time, much less early. But to her great surprise and her parent’s frustration, now that Spring Break has begun, she has transformed into a morning person, a very early morning person who wants to play all the time. When asked about her breakthrough, the six-year-old says she doesn’t expect it to last past the weekend. In Loredo, New Mexico, a couple of grandparents are spending time this week with their grandkids and bragging to all of their friends back home that their grandkids are the sweetest and most brilliant grandkids in the world, despite tremendous evidence to the contrary. The grandparents claim their grandkids are so sweet and smart that they don’t break anything. They’re also so generous that they turn all sorts of very fragile things into 3D puzzles for their parents to put back together. The kids’ parents have no comment because they’re still cleaning up broken objects. And finally, in travel news, the Parent Staycation Association has named their top destination for spring break this year. Rather than spend extraordinary amounts of money on taking kids to the beach or a theme park, the PSA suggests taking your kids to the mailbox. According to the PSA’s research, for some unexplainable reason, kids actually get more excited to go to the mailbox than going on any ride at Disney World. And for any parent who might feel guilty about taking kids to the mailbox because it’s a cheap alternative to a theme park, there are still plenty of bills waiting in the mailbox to make sure you feel every cent of the trip. Filed Under: ParentNormal Mailbag, ParentNormal News, The ParentNormal Comedy Podcast Tagged With: baby, toddler Ep. 20 ParentNormal News – Scary Good Edition The theme for this week is Scary Good, which means the ParentNormal News will feature what’s scary good about parenting. In this episode, I also preview Thursday’s upcoming interview with Scary Mommy creator Jill Smokler. Investigators in Belmont, New York are stunned after discovering the true identity of nighttime monsters. In a plot twist reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie, the monsters scaring everybody at night have turned out to be everyday toddlers. Thousands of eyewitnesses report being victimized by toddlers on a nightly basis, so the most surprising thing is just that it took this long to close the case. Meanwhile, a mother in Grand Rapids, Michigan is still not talking after a recent scare in her home. Her husband says their kids were playing like they always do, with lots of screaming and fighting and laughing, when all of the sudden the kids went quiet. The father says he and his wife were terrified of what their kids must’ve been up to. The mom still isn’t speaking because she’s still trying to figure out what they did. The fact that it’s not an obvious spill or construction project only makes it more chilling because whatever they were up to might not be discovered for months. Parents aren’t the only ones being scared in Eugene, Oregon. A group of toddlers are boycotting public restrooms over their fear of automatic flushing toilets and hand dryers. The toddlers can be heard running around in restaurants away from bathrooms chanting, “What do we want?” “Quiet Potties” “When do we want it?” “Several minutes ago before we had the crap scared out of us and into our pants!” And finally, a new study finds that jumping in fear of bugs and spiders is actually a learned behavior. But kids eventually pick up their parents’ techniques. And those are the ParentNormal News headlines. Filed Under: ParentNormal News, The ParentNormal Comedy Podcast Tagged With: baby, toddler Ep. 17 ParentNormal News – Time After Time Edition The theme for the three episodes being released this week is Time After Time. So if you’re lost, you can look, and you will find… well, I don’t know what you’ll find but I’m sure if you’re a parent it’s going to be sticky, gross and old…Time After Time. Alright, has everyone who is going to get the Cyndi Lauper reference shown their True Colors? Okay, good. Now let’s see what’s in the ParentNormal News about Time: In St. Louis, Missouri, a mother and father are getting dirty looks from their neighbors because the couple put their toddler in timeout without a good reason. The parents, however, say there was a really good reason – their sanity. They say they were about to lose their mind if they didn’t get a 10 second break, which is the maximum length a toddler will sit in time out. They’ve since begged their toddler to put them in timeout, but the toddler just put them in dinner time. In a related story, a family in Annapolis, Maryland is redefining snack time. The parents say that since their toddler eats snacks all day long, they are no longer going to have snack time. It will just be referred to as time. In Sydney, Austrailia, a father is still trying to button his baby’s pajamas. The father has been having a very hard time trying to button the pajamas since taking his baby out of the bath last night. At one point, the father thought he was nearly finished after a three-hour-battle, but he was forced to start over when the baby pooped in her diaper for the sixth time in one day – that was 18 hours ago. The father says he won’t give up, but the baby isn’t going to stop kicking either. We will continue following this story to see how much longer the father will wait before switching to zipper pajamas. Meanwhile, in Springfield, Massachusetts, a judge has ruled a toddler not guilty of breaking the 5 second rule after eating an M&M found on the floor. The judge said that even though the M&M had been on the floor for perhaps as long as 6 months, the toddler has been led to believe 5 seconds is a really long time, considering she has never heard her parents finish counting to three, not even when she fails to do what they ask. According to a new study, time really can fly by. Researchers have discovered that time flies when you’re having… the kids spend the day at their grandparent’s house. This just in on the baby pajama story. The dad is now counting on somebody hurrying up and inventing a time machine before he finishes buttoning his baby’s pajamas, so he can go back in time and kill the person who invented baby pajama buttons. And finally, a baby has grabbed the sunglasses off her parents’ faces for the 12th time today, as if to make it clear there is never a time when parents are cooler than their kids. Filed Under: ParentNormal News, The ParentNormal Comedy Podcast Ep. 14 ParentNormal News – YouTube vs. Television Edition Recognizing that parents may only have a few minutes a day to listen to podcasts, the ParentNormal Comedy Podcast will now be produced in very short and easy to listen to episodes three times a week, beginning with this episode. ParentNormal News updates will be released every Tuesday. Special guest interviews will be released on Thursdays. And on Saturdays, I’ll share my answers from the ParentNormal Mailbag. We’ll still have a theme for each week, and this week’s theme is YouTube vs. Television, so here’s what’s in the ParentNormal News about YouTube and TV: A new study is highlighting the differences between the TV watching habits of kids and their parents. The study finds that kids are spending more time than ever watching shows online. Meanwhile, most of a parent’s TV watching time is not spent in front of a TV or a computer. Most of parent’s TV watching time is actually spent watching kids not go to sleep. In Deerfield, Montana, HBO is revoking the subscription of a parent who hasn’t watched the channel in months. HBO says it’s just helping the parent save money that’s being wasted. Critics however, suggest HBO doesn’t want to be associated with anyone who continues watching a show like Calliou after their kids have already left the room. In related news, Netflix says it is making a change to the way it recommends shows for parents. Rather than suggest shows to watch, Netflix will be making a blanket recommendation for all parents to stop watching the exact same cartoon episode over and over again just because that’s what their kids want to watch. In Crenshaw, Vermont, a baby girl has already discovered YouTube and the girl’s parents are not happy about it. Since discovering clips of MTV Cribs on YouTube, the baby has become outraged that her crib is so puny by comparison. The baby is now demanding her crib be upgraded to include a doorbell, a stocked refrigerator, a garage full of luxury cars, a room for random friends to hang out in and a bed where the magic happens – as in actual Harry Potter-like magic. Meanwhile, in tech news, a TV manufacturing company has started working on the most ambitious enhancement to smart TVs since the advent of streaming television. The executive who came up with the plan is being called a mad scientist by some while others are calling him just a frustrated dad after he showed up one morning looking frazzled and asking everyone the question, if smart TVs are so smart, why can’t they find where my toddler keeps hiding the damn remote control? Since that day, he’s been investing all of his time and energy on the project, which currently still involves trying to find where his toddler lost his damn remote control. And finally, a father in Ontario, Canada is feeling the wrath of his children after beating them in a race. In his defense, the dad says he never imagined he was going to win by such a large margin. But sure enough, the dad ran a mile backwards in flip-flops faster than his kids could walk 10 feet forward with the television on. And those are the parentnormal news headlines! On Thursday I’ll have a brand new interview to share with Deva Dalporto, a mom whose videos on YouTube have been downloaded millions of times. She is the creator of the viral videos “What Does the Kid Say,” as well as the mom parodies of “Let It Go, ” “I’m So Cranky” and many more catchy songs. NBC recently called her the “Weird Al of YouTube Moms. I’ll talk with her about how she got started making videos for YouTube, how she decides what to make her videos about and what advice she has for anyone who might want to make their own videos for YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe to the ParentNormal Comedy Podcast on iTunes. You can also follow ParentNormal on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Filed Under: ParentNormal News, The ParentNormal Comedy Podcast Tagged With: baby, podcast, toddler	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384389
__label__cc	0.714106	0.285894	« SHORT SERMONS ARE BEST \| Main \| IMAGES FROM THE ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYERS CONVENTION » FAREWELL & GODSPEED - a book No, not me. I'm not voluntarily going anywhere. Farewell is the title of a book edited by Cyrus M. Copeland. The full tile is Farewell, The Greatest Eulogies of Our times. Here are some random passages that I thought of interest. Adlai Stevenson on Eleanor Roosevelt We who are assembled here are of various religious and political faiths and perhaps different conceptions of man's destiny in the universe...And now one can almost hear Mrs. Roosevelt saying the speaker has already talked too long so we must say farewell...We pray that she has found peace, and a glimpse of the sunset. But today we weep for ourselves. We are lonelier. Someone has gone from one's own life - who was like the certainty of refuge. And someone has gone from the world - who was like a certainty of honor." At the funeral of Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame, it was pointed out that Laurel, who died of a heart attack at age 74, had warned his friends "If anyone at my funeral has along face, I'll never speak to them again." Cathy Guisewite on Charles Schultz, cartoonist It's night, Snoopy bams on the door. Charlie Brown gets out of bed, opens the door, and crouches down next to Snoopy on the porch. "Are you upset, little friend?" he asks. " Have you been lying awake worrying? Well don't worry, I'm here. I'm here to ive you reassurance. Everything is all right. The floodwater's will recede. The famine will end. The sun will come up tomorrow and I will always be here to take care of you. Be reassured." Snoopy walks back to his doghouse. Charlie Brown gets in bed, pulls the covers up to his face, looks out, and asks "Who reassures the reassurer?" Edward A Guest on Henry Ford Henry Ford has been called in the midst of his eighty third year to join the great of the earth. Tonight he knows the answer to the mystery of life and death of which he often thought and talked. Life to him was a thrilling experience; a never ending struggle for the perfection of the human soul. Among the few ho have come closest to attaining that perfection in a single lifetime, his name must be recorded. We are all his debtors now. There is none of us - rich or poor, in humble or high place - whose life has not been bettered by his labor. Garrison Keillor on Chet Atkins of Country Hall of Music fame In his recollection, he was kind, but he was honest, like the bartender in Frankie and Johnny, "I don't want to cause you no trouble, but I ain't gonna tell you no lies." Larry McMurtry on Irving "Swifty" Lazar talent agent I happened to open a silver cigarette box given to him by Walter and Carol Matthau. It was engraved with the following tribute "You have that rarest of things, an evolved heart." Larry Gelbart on Billy Wilder movie director commenting on Wilder's "rules" Throw away any rules you didn't write yourself And you might want to do another draft of those every once in awhile as well If what you are writing isn't likely to offend or annoy anyone at all, go back and start again Treat your failures the same way you treat your successes. Either one is a natural outcome of your efforts. Either way, just mush on Orson Wells on Darryl Zanuck I always knew that if I did something really outrageous, that if I committed some abominable crime and if all the police in the world were after me, there was one man and only one man I could come to and that was Darryl. He would not have been mealymouthed or put me aside. He would have hid me under the bed. Very simply he was a friend and that is why it is so very hard to say good by to him. Robert L Bernstein on Theodor Seuss Geisel creator of Dr. Seuss stories We are all mortal so it had to happen. Ted Geisel had to leave this earth sometime. But it worked out so that he came as close to being immortal as possible. While Ted is gone, he left behind Dr. Seuss. Christopher Isherwood on Virginia Woolf Virginia Woolf is dead and thousands of people, far outside the immediate circle of her friends and colleagues will be sorry, will feel the loss of a great and original talent to our literature. For she was famous, surprisingly famous when one considers that she was what is called "a writer's writer." Edward Kennedy on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis She graced our history. And for those of us who knew and loved her - she graced our lives. August 29, 2009 in Communications \| Permalink	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384391
__label__cc	0.698567	0.301433	Answer Line By Lincoln Spector, Contributing Editor, PCWorld \| Solutions, Tips and Answers for PC Problems Log into Windows 8 without having to type a strong password Lincoln Spector Papa John created a strong, complex password for his Microsoft account--as he should. But he wants a simpler password for logging into Windows 8.1. Microsoft built Windows 8 on the assumption that your local user account and your online Microsoft account would be one and the same. While this provides certain conveniences (and Microsoft profits), it also causes problems. One big problem: Everything is set up so that you use one password for both logging into your computer and accessing Microsoft’s cloud-based services. But online passwords need to be strong (see Learn to use strong passwords), and local logon passwords should be easy to remember and type. You can’t have both. Here are three Windows 8.1 password workarounds: [Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com.] Use a photo and a pattern lock Identifying the right photo isn’t really the key to Windows 8’s Picture Password feature. Anyone who turns on your computer will see the photo that unlocks Windows. But to get past that photo, that person would have to know the three gestures you created for it. To set up Picture Password, go to the Settings charm and select Change PC settings in the lower-right-corner. In the PC Settings screen’s left pane, select Users (Windows 8) or Accounts, then Sign-In options (Windows 8.1). Under ‘Picture password’, select Add. Then follow the prompts. You’ll have to enter your Microsoft password, after which you’ll have an opportunity to select a photo, then record three touchscreen gestures. Look for gestures that aren’t obvious--don’t follow a line that stands out in the photo. And don’t worry; when you repeat the gestures, they don’t have to be exact. Use a four-digit pin If you’ve got a smartphone or tablet, and are not using pattern lock, you probably already have a four-digit PIN. You can use one with Windows 8.1, as well. You set this up from the same screen as the Picture Password. Under PIN, select Add and follow the prompts. Finally, you don’t have to stay connected to Microsoft’s cloud services. You can create a local user account on your PC and use an easy-to-type password to log into that. You won’t automatically be connected to Microsoft’s cloud. I’ll let you decide if that’s a problem. There will be some annoyances: For instance, you’ll have to enter your email address and Microsoft password before you can install an app from the Store. To set this up, go to that same PC Settings screen described above, except that in Windows 8.1, select Other accounts instead of Sign-In options. Click or tap Add an account. (8.1) or Add a user (8). On the ‘How will this person sign in?’ screen, select Sign in without a Microsoft account. On the next page, select Local account. Microsoft should have given you an option to use a separate password for logging in locally. But since it didn’t, you’ll have to pick one of these options, or get really good at typing your long and complex online password. In addition to technology, freelance journalist (and sometimes humorist) Lincoln Spector is a passionate cinephile who writes the Bayflicks.net movie blog.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384393
__label__cc	0.594694	0.405306	Shipyard Girls in Love Imprint: Cornerstone Digital Shipyard Girls 4. #4 in the Series: The Shipyard Girls Series Nancy Revell Janine Birkett (Read by) Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Shipyard Girls in Love written by Nancy Revell, read by Janine Birkett. ‘Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!’ The Northern Echo Sunderland, 1941 With a brief break in air raids providing some much-needed respite from the war, things are looking up for head welder Rosie, who has fallen head over heels for Detective Sergeant Miller. But how long can their romance last in such uncertain times? Life remains full of challenges for Gloria, who must face her abusive ex-husband and confront her own guilty conscience about baby Hope’s real father. The secret is tearing her apart but if she admits the truth, she will risk losing everything. Both women are determined that their love and faith will be enough to keep the most difficult of promises, but nothing is as simple as it seems… Praise for The Shipyard Girls series: ‘This author is one to watch!’ Sun ‘A brilliant read’ Take a Break ‘Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages’Woman Christmas with the Shipyard Girls Victory for the Shipyard Girls Courage of the Shipyard Girls Triumph of the Shipyard Girls Shipyard Girls at War Secrets of the Shipyard Girls The Shipyard Girls Nancy Revell is the author of the Shipyard Girls series, which is set in the north-east of England during World War II. She is a former journalist who worked for all the national newspapers, providing them with hard-hitting news stories and in-depth features. Nancy also wrote amazing and inspirational true life stories for just about every woman’s magazine in the country. When she first started writing the Shipyard Girls series, Nancy relocated back to her hometown of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, along with her husband, Paul, and their English bull mastiff, Rosie. They now live just a short walk away from the beautiful award-winning beaches of Roker and Seaburn, within a mile of where the books are set. The subject is particularly close to Nancy’s heart as she comes from a long line of shipbuilders, who were well known in the area.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384397
__label__cc	0.537267	0.462733	a-z, dash, period, spaces only Select a State Nationwide Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming People Search County Records Virginia Campbell Campbell Virginia Search Campbell County Public Records & Background Checks Public Records in Campbell Type of Record Campbell County Court Recorder Offices Campbell County PO Box 7 Rustburg, VA 24588 Record Availability Records indexed on a public use terminal back to 1/1994. In addition, the index books and recorded land records back to 7/1/68 can be viewed by use of the Special Index feature on the public terminals. Courier Offices 732 Village Hwy Rustburg, VA 24588 Find Campbell in another state Campbell in KY Campbell in SD Campbell in TN Campbell in WY Botetourt Buena Vista city Charlottesville city Colonial Heights city Covington city Danville city Dickenson Emporia city Fluvanna Franklin city Fredericksburg city Galax city Greensville Hampton city Harrisonburg city Hopewell city Lexington city Lynchburg city Manassas city Manassas Park city Martinsville city Newport News city Norfolk city Norton city Nottoway Pittsylvania Poquoson city Portsmouth city Rappahannock Richmond city Roanoke city Smyth Staunton city Suffolk city Virginia Beach city Waynesboro city Williamsburg-James City Winchester city Privacy Education PeopleSmart is designed to help you find and connect with others. Search by name, email, phone number, and address. PeopleSmart is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). To learn more, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information offered by PeopleSmart is not to be used for assessing or evaluating a person's eligibility for employment, housing, insurance, credit, or for any other purpose covered under the FCRA.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384398
__label__cc	0.740111	0.259889	The Advertiser - Plus Rewards All RewardsAllOffersOffersTicketsTicketsCompetitionsCompetitions There's nothing secretive about our Privacy Policy. It includes important information such as details about the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information, including providing you with targeted advertising based on your online activities. It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or correct your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, and how we’ll deal with a complaint of that nature. You can read the full Privacy Policy here. Winners Page © 2020 Nationwide News Pty Limited. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384399
__label__wiki	0.977001	0.977001	Spain and Mexico’s centuries-old blame game Mexican demand for apology for conquest has the potential to damage Pedro Sánchez’s electoral prospects. By Diego Torres Updated 4/1/19, 5:17 AM CET Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador speaks during his daily morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on March 26, 2019 \| Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images MADRID — The latest diplomatic spat in Spain has been 500 years in the making. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's demand that the king of Spain apologize for the abuses committed during the conquest has put pressure on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of a national election and sparked debate on the issue of historic apologies. It has also raised questions about how Spain deals with its colonial past at a time of rising nationalism as a reaction to the Catalan independence push. “The incursion led by [Hernán] Cortés in our current territory was doubtlessly a founding event of the Mexican nation, but it was tremendously violent, painful and offensive,” Obrador wrote in a letter addressing Spanish King Felipe VI, dated on March 1 and published this week by Reforma. “Mexico wants the Spanish state to admit its historical responsibility for these offenses and offer the appropriate apologies and political redress. For this reason, your majesty, the current Mexican authorities prepare a list of crimes that will be presented to the Kingdom of Spain before the end of the current year,” Obrador — a leftist who won the presidency in a landslide last year — wrote. “We Spaniards went there and finished with the power of tribes who assassinated their neighbors cruelly and viciously, and that’s why a few [men] … conquered and civilized that land” — PP lawmaker Rafa Hernando The demand hit a nerve in Spain. The country faces a general election on April 28, with polarizing views on the Catalan independence push dominating the debate. The Socialist government led by Sánchez, whom rivals accuse of treason because of his attempts to calm down the conflict via dialogue with separatists, rushed to reject the Mexican proposal. “Spain will not offer those extemporaneous apologies,” Foreign Minister Josep Borrell told reporters during a trip to Argentina. “It looks a bit strange to demand an apology for events that occurred 500 years ago. Likewise, we aren’t going to ask the French Republic to offer an apology for what Napoleon’s soldiers did when they invaded Spain; neither are the French going to demand an apology from the Italians for Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.” Sánchez bets big on women in Spanish campaign Sánchez faces backlash over Catalan concession Sánchez — a leader who enjoys the international spotlight and has embraced progressive causes from feminism to the environment to taking care of migrants — has remained silent on this one. A senior Spanish government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said both sides have talked about the issue and thought the plan was to first discuss a "shared narrative" to avoid controversy. “We’re astonished,” the official said of Obrador's approach. That the Mexican demand had the potential to damage Sánchez's electoral prospects was clear straightaway. Popular Party leader Pablo Casado called it an “affront against Spain,” described Obrador as “Sánchez’s leftist friend” and vowed not to tolerate any country that “comes to lie, and insult, about the many and good things that Spaniards have given the world.” https://twitter.com/pablocasado_/status/1111013653640368129 Yet Obrador’s plans to commemorate the fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire — and México’s 200 years of independence — in 2021 with a bilateral ceremony with Spain suggest the controversy could remain alive for years. “I think this is here to stay,” said the Spanish government official. Both Borrell and his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard have tried to play down the significance of the incident, and committed to maintain a good bilateral relationship, but have not changed their stance. Obrador’s initiative was also divisive in Mexico, with former President Vicente Fox and opposition lawmakers — from right and left — criticizing the move and warning that the demand may harm the relationship with Spain. “The history we’re writing is about strengthening ties, not about distancing ourselves,” Miguel Ángel Mancera, a former mayor of Mexico City, told reporters. Identity issues Beyond the diplomatic spat, and the political controversy, Obrador’s demand has sparked a debate on whether countries should apologize for their past crimes and to whom, as well as raising questions about national identity. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez \| Philippe Marcou/AFP via Getty Images Ignacio Marván, an economics professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said the issue has sparked huge controversy. “It’s a debate about political attitudes that’s always been present, and lights up from time to time,” he said, arguing that the Mexican right tends to vindicate the role of Spanish colonization while the left tends to emphasize Mexico’s indigenous origins and have a critical view of the conquest. Soledad Loaeza, an international relations professor at the College of Mexico, said she doesn’t think Obrador took into account the Spanish election nor wants to influence Spanish politics. “We Mexicans feel like a blend of two cultures,” she said. “This sort of complaint may please some groups, but it’s not something that enjoys majority support so I’m not sure if the president will maintain it in the longer term, because majority support is what he seeks.” In Spain, views on colonial history also depend very much on ideology, as proven by the reactions to the Mexican initiative. “We Spaniards went there and finished with the power of tribes who assassinated their neighbors cruelly and viciously, and that’s why a few [men] … conquered and civilized that land,” PP lawmaker Rafa Hernando wrote on Twitter. Ione Belarra of the far-left Podemos said Obrador was right to demand an apology from the king, and promised “a process of democratic and colonial memory.” Habrá q recordarle a este Sr. q los españoles fuimos allí y acabamos con el poder de tribus q asesinaban con crueldad y saña a sus vecinos, y q por eso unos pocos ayudados por los q eran perseguidos y esclavizados, se conquistó y civilizó esa tierra. Q estudie un poco. ¡Anda ya! pic.twitter.com/GkyOytsrPi — Rafael Hernando (@Rafa_Hernando) March 25, 2019 López Obrador es el digno Presidente de México. Tiene mucha razón en exigirle al Rey que pida perdón por los abusos en la "Conquista". Si Gobierna Podemos habrá un proceso de recuperación de la memoria democrática y colonial que restaure a las víctimas. — Ione Belarra (@ionebelarra) March 26, 2019 Such divisive positions are reflected in society. A survey of the Center for Sociological Research conducted in 1992 — the latest data on the issue — found that 33 percent of Spaniards said they feel “proud” of the Spanish conquest of America; 38 percent said they “accepted” history as it is, including “mistakes” committed by Spain; 9 percent said there is nothing to commemorate; and 5 percent spoke of a “genocide.” The controversy has also potential to cause contagion in other Latin American countries. Peruvian Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa this week weighed in against Obrador at a public event in Argentina, saying: "The Mexican leader mistook his recipient. He should've sent that letter to himself, and answer why Mexico still has so many millions of Indians marginalized, poor, ignorant, exploited." Carlos Malamud, a researcher for think tank Instituto Elcano, said Obrador's demand isn’t the first of its kind to be issued by a Latin American leader, with former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Bolivian President Evo Morales having done so in the past. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador \| Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images The difference, Malamud argued, is that this time it comes “at a very particular moment of Mexican political life and Spanish political life.” Danielle Celermajer, a professor at the University of Sydney, said there are no rules when it comes to nations offering apologies for the errors of the past. She said that since German Chancellor Willy Brandt went down on his knees at the Warsaw Ghetto in 1970, a number of Western leaders have offered apologies while some other demands for redress have been unanswered. "Debates about apologies in relation to colonialism are debates about how we narrate our history and thus also about how we wish to represent our values today," she said. "Progressives seek apologies, and generally conservatives resist them, vehemently insisting that the narratives we have of our glorious pasts need to be kept sacrosanct and not be sullied by political correctness."	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384401
__label__wiki	0.849535	0.849535	Books\|Letting a Flying Hairy Arm Take It Away Books of The Times Letting a Flying Hairy Arm Take It Away By Troy Patterson See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes.com. Following a dedication page that offers his fifth novel to the memory of Kurt Vonnegut implicitly announcing as his goal to employ Vonnegut’s shades of dark comedy and fluorescent farce Rick Moody turns things over in “The Four Fingers of Death” to one Montese Crandall. This character is not the narrator of the novel but the “author” of a slab of sci-fi horror hack work coextensive with it. This is to say that Mr. Moody here undertakes an extended impersonation of a long-winded ham, convincingly so. Crandall lives in a scruffy Arizona town in the year 2025, a zany, dystopian time when many consumers have smart phones surgically implanted in their wrists, and Major League Baseball allows players to use not only performance-enhancing drugs but also even bionic limbs. Though a sports memorabilia dealer by trade, Crandall thinks of himself first as a writer doing innovative work in the genre of the one-sentence story. “He was just a kid,” is the whole of his tribute to a teenager who died in a motorcycle accident. “The 350 pages of a novel,” Crandall argues early on, “are tedious elaboration.” He nonetheless proceeds to deliver himself of a book clocking in at roughly twice that length. Given the Quality Lit ambitions Mr. Moody bared in “The Ice Storm” and “Purple America” and given that his 2002 memoir, “The Black Veil,” found him deeply enmeshed in French literary theory a loyal reader might expect a book of this heft to amount to a dense experimental fiction or a Vonnegutian exercise in wild satire. Rather, it reads as an epic prank, a dime novel grown to the size of one of those limestone discs once used for trade in Micronesia. “The Four Fingers of Death” text represents Crandall’s novelization “with introduction, afterword and notes” of a 2025 remake of “The Crawling Hand,” an actual B movie released in 1963. It presents us with a figure far more baffling than an unreliable narrator: an anti-reliable author. There is no other means of accounting for Crandall’s insistence that the original “Crawling Hand” ranks as “one of the finest films ever made,” when a judicious assessment places it one small step up from the work of Ed Wood. Crandall’s overall performance is of a silliness consistent with that claim. Book 1 of Crandall’s “Four Fingers” is the diary of Col. Jed Richards, one of nine NASA astronauts undertaking a journey to Mars that promptly degenerates into a frenzy of extramarital sex, homicidal violence and gaudy temper tantrums. Many of the troubles stem from the mission’s top-secret objective. As Richards and most of his fellow crew members did not know at liftoff, their mission is to harvest a bacterium that has military applications. After deranging the mind and disfiguring the face, the bug causes a victim’s body to “disassemble” and its limbs to run amok. Rick MoodyCredit...Thatcher Keats This fact emerges early on, and it keeps emerging for hundreds and hundreds of pages, reiterated endlessly as Richards talks the matter over with his colleagues and turns it over in his head. Both the conversations and interior monologues proceed in a tone that you might call mock-heroic if Richards and Crandall weren’t each so pungently earnest. The discovery of ice crystals in the Martian soil occasions a typically antic ode: “Water! That tasteless (or mostly tasteless), odorless (or mostly odorless) fortification that makes up the vast majority of our physique.” Book 2 begins with the office politicians of Mission Control tracking Richards’s progress home. The only astronaut to board an Earth Return Vehicle, he hoots and hemorrhages as he approaches, bitten by the space bug and further unhinged by the painkillers he’s been gobbling since a crazed colleague mangled his left hand with a sword made of space junk. In a late bid to avoid infecting his fellow Earthlings, Richards blows the oxygen tanks in his craft. Nonetheless, his damaged forearm enters the atmosphere, where it begins to kill without mercy, to touch off fears of a pandemic and to inspire cascades of faux-amateurish prose: “An arm. A human arm. An awfully hairy arm, the arm of a really hairy guy, some guy with really unflattering, bristly black hair up and down his arm.” At this point long after the moment two adulterous Martian astronauts effect the home delivery of their love child, well past the 12-page scene in which another chats up an unmanned drone that has fallen in love with the larger of the planet’s two moons “The Four Fingers of Death” begins to expose its full frivolity. Praying to contain a bacterial outbreak, government officials turn to Woo Lee Koo, a renowned Korean stem-cell expert who has set up shop at a university in the American Southwest, where he hopes to reanimate his dead wife, whom he keeps cryogenically preserved in the garage. The most helpful member of Koo’s research team might well be Morton, a laboratory chimp injected with the deceased Mrs. Koo’s cerebral tissue, the result being that he is now able to speak, a power he uses most ardently when declaring his love for Koo’s comeliest lab assistant. “Really, chimpanzees don’t have a lot of ideas about sexual positions,” he assures her. “It’s kind of the same thing all of the time.” It is difficult to say much at all while going over the top with your tongue in your cheek. The book dares to present a frolicsome piece of absurdism part parody and part homage but the parts fit together so loosely that the whole collapses into noodling folly. Mr. Moody is monkeying around.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384404
__label__cc	0.614488	0.385512	This Japanese Muscle Suit is the real life Power Loader from Aliens Researchers in Japan have created a suit that allows you to move heavy objects easier. By Emily Price Who says you have to hit the gym to have muscles? Researchers in Japan have created a "muscle suit" that gives its wearer some serious power just by strapping it on. The 12-pound wearable power-assist device is worn like a book bag and uses a mouthpiece for controls. Wearing it won't make you suddenly be able to move buildings, but it does make moving larger everyday objects a little easier. Check out the above video of a man in Japan trying to move a 44-pound box before wearing the suit and after. The suit attaches to the wearer at their hips and shoulders, and the exoskeleton extends part of the way down the wearer's legs. When activated, it fills with air, giving the wearer's muscles a bit more juice. The device is designed to be used by people like nurses and factory workers who often have to move around heavier-than-normal loads. It could also be used by the elderly, who need a bit of help to move everyday objects. Around 770 of the suits have been shipped so far, and the device is about to become available for anyone who wants them. Owning your own set of artificial muscle will set you back roughly $5,100. You can also rent the suit on a monthly basis for $250 to $425. The wearable power-assist device from Tokyo University of Science is designed to be worn knapsack-style. (Photo Credit: Hiroshi Kobayashi/Tokyo University of Science) Via WSJ. Long Live the Liver How 23andMe Used Your DNA To Create a New Drug AI Is Better Than Humans at Catching Cancer Our Cells Are More Mysterious Than We Thought Medical Device Loaded with Radioactive Material Airplane Poop Is Dangerous Doctor Suggests Head Transplants by 2030 Why It Hurts to Sit on This Toilet for 5 Minutes Water Desalination Just Got a Lot Better Photon-Boosted Lasers for Good, Not Evil Know Your Mechanical Exoskeletons A History of Iron Men: Science Fiction's 5 Most Iconic Exoskeletons The Next Generation of Exoskeleton Will Be Mind-Controlled Live From the DARPA Robotics Challenge The Robotic Doctor is In Will Honda's Exoskeletons turn the Elderly into RoboCops? (With Hands-On Video!)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384407
__label__wiki	0.535306	0.535306	Boy and family walk across country for diabetes cure Local \| August 9, 2017 Sallee Ann Ruibal sruibal@postindependent.com Noah Barnes, 11, and his dad Robert make their way through Glenwood Springs Wednesday afternoon. They're walking from Florida to Washington state to raise awareness and money for Type 1 Diabetes. Chelsea Self / Post Independent \| Noah Barnes, 11, has spent more than 200 days walking on foot across the country. He’s covered hundreds and hundreds of miles and has been through eight states. When asked Wednesday what his favorite part of the journey has been, he was quick to answer. “I like Colorado because of the mountains,” Noah said with a smile as he and his father, Robert, took a quick break on Highway 6 in Glenwood Springs. Noah and his family are traveling across the country — from Key West, Florida, to Washington state — to raise awareness and funds for Type 1 Diabetes research. They call it Noah’s March. An article about a diabetes walk fundraiser first prompted the idea. But Noah wanted to do more. After seeing the documentary “Into the Wind” about Terry Fox running across Canada after losing one of his legs to cancer, he was even more inspired. “Noah thought, if Terry Fox can do it on one leg, he could definitely do it with two,” Robert Barnes said. Robert said Noah begged him to let him make the trip a reality. When he pointed out the necessary money to sponsor such a journey — a billion, the dad guessed — Noah asked, “Don’t you have that?” When reminded how large the country is, Noah didn’t budge on his positivity of it being possible. Robert and Noah did interval training in the sand to prepare for the long days on foot. “I would ask him, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ And he’d always say ‘yes,’ ” Robert said. So Robert quit his job, cashed in his 401k and the entire family hit the road together on Noah’s March. Robert and Noah average about 20 miles a day, but the mountains and altitude have slowed them in the past couple of days. The two travel with provisions such as Gatorade and insulin to closely monitor Noah’s blood sugar levels. Usually Sunday is a rest day, and a well-deserved one at that. They’re doing this without a plan. The original intent was for the family to travel alongside in an RV. When the RV broke down on New Year’s Eve, the night before they started, they packed up everything into the family Jeep and started anyway. The goal is to be in Blaine, Washington, by November — nearly 4,000 miles from home. The vision is to raise enough money to find a cure for diabetes. “I’m doing this because I want to be cured,” Noah said. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Hiring for Part-Time Â Seasonal and/or Year Round Positions at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in GLENWOOD SPRINGS Hiring for Part -Time – Seasonal and/or Year Round Assistant Food & Beverage Manager Facilities… Valley View Hospital Multiple Maintenance positions at Valley View Hospital in GLENWOOD SPRINGS Valley View's Facilities Dept. has the following openings: Senior Maint. Engineer (FT days) Maint. Tech… Glenwood Post Independent Sports Reporter at Glenwood Post Independent in GLENWOOD SPRINGS Cover sports indoors and out in a Rocky Mountain paradise If you're as passionate about…	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384408
__label__wiki	0.574552	0.574552	Bureaucrats Pulling Politician’s strings The NEWS’ noted that the new mayor of Parksville had been endorsed by “local political heavyweights. The NEWS’ front-page report on Nov. 18 noted that the new mayor of Parksville had been endorsed by “local political heavyweights, former mayors Randy Longmuir, Sandy Herle and Chris Burger.” Many folks who’ve kept a eye on local politics during the past couple decades would surely agree that the term “heavyweights” seems somewhat incongruous, when applied to those mentioned. During their terms, which date back to when the new mayor was first elected councillor 12 years ago, they ceded power to highly-paid bureaucrats and very costly consultants. A quick peak at the past dozen years show many things were mishandled, starting with crowded meetings about the Island Hall/Beach Club when public opinion was disregarded as meaningless. Then the expensive cosmetic “upgrading” of the stretch of Alberni Highway between 19A and Jensen Avenue — locally known as Snafu Avenue; followed by the half-million dollar dirt berm on the beach that requires repair every time a Nor’Westerly Winter gale blows in. Who can forget the Fire Hall Fiasco, when city hall was determined to borrow $5.7 million, and for taxpayers to repay $11.4 million, including compound interest. Their free-spending plans were stymied by a referendum; thanks to a successful alternative application process (AAP) that was ignited by a disparate band of scribblers. The AAP brought about the referendum that went down in ignominious defeat, and also brought about seething contempt and disdain by the six of the seven elected officials and the bureaucrats. Then along came the Master Transportation Plan that was resurrected and flogged to death for a year before being presented to the citizens, who again showed their backbone by dispatching it to the nearest garbage dumpster. Those were days when real Parksville People Power was on display, but it is a shame that was not too evident on Nov. 15, when only 35 per cent of the electorate managed to make it to the polling places. It really means that the new mayor receives support from only about one in five citizens. Looks like we may have yet another person occupying a mayor’s chair who becomes secondary to the bureaucrats and consultants who continue to pull the strings of elected marionettes. Bernie SmithParksville Silent spring and peak climate change Put your lips together Oceanside minor lacrosse trio drafted by Nanaimo Timbermen Three among eight players picked by BCJLA club Naked Naturals has tentative deal for $2.5M purchase of town-owned in Qualicum Beach Business plan includes a new grocery store, 32 units of rental housing and parking Clinic helps retired Parksville educator return to running ORCA Learn to Run program to start Feb. 5 Robbie Burns to be celebrated across Parksville Qualicum Beach Legions host suppers and celebrations in trio of communities Parksville Legion, community centre team up to fundraise for Australia PCC puts out the call for businesses, individuals to help with event Regional District of Nanaimo board not answering ministry survey Questionnaires forwarded to RDN on roles of alternate electoral area directors	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384410
__label__wiki	0.559506	0.559506	Permira funds back African IT expansion with acquisition of data services firm Permira funds back African IT expansion with acquisition of data services firm Permira funds back African IT expansion with acquisition of data services firm Out-Law News \| 05 Dec 2014 \| 4:36 pm \| 1 min. read International private equity firm Permira is to acquire South African data centre services provider Teraco Data Environments , in a partnership with Teraco’s management to support the firm’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) growing IT services and telecoms market. Teraco, which Permira said is the largest provider of carrier neutral data centre services in SSA, hopes to tap into rising internet usage and increased data centre outsourcing. Teraco currently manages co-location data centres in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Permira said Teraco had built “an important strategic position” and its funds’ investment will support Teraco’s growth plans “including the strengthening of its sales and marketing platform and its expansion into SSA”. The firm’s acquisition by Permira, which is subject to various regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015. Permira said Teraco’s data centres “are the most interconnected in SSA, with customers connecting directly with each other, as well as through the region’s largest and fastest growing internet exchange (IX) point NAP Africa”. NAP Africa, an IX point located within each of Teraco’s data centre facilities in South Africa, provides a single peering point that allows multiple networks and ISPs to interconnect using an exchange environment, instead of what Teraco said would be “costly multiple direct links to different providers”. The data services market in South Africa “is growing rapidly, with only one tenth of data centre facilities outsourced compared with a third in the US and a quarter in Europe”, Permira said. According to a survey published by Swedish technology company Ericsson earlier this year, digital technology is "fast becoming a part of everyday life" in SSA while total mobile subscriptions are rapidly catching up with those globally. The region's mobile data traffic is predicted to grow around 20 times between the end of 2013 and the end of 2019, by which time Ericsson has predicted that there will be around 930 million mobile subscriptions in the region. The African Union’s ‘action plan’ for Africa up to 2015 (104-page / 1.53 MB PDF) said access to advanced information communications technology (ICT) is critical to the long-term economic and social development” of the continent. “It has increasingly become essential that appropriate ICT infrastructure, applications and skills are in place and accessible to the population to close the development gap between Africa and the rest of the world,” the plan said. African cities thought leadership programme Amazon's Deliveroo investment subject to UK investigation VAT charges on digital versions of newspapers overturned Database rights: the basics Telecoms regulation in Bahrain Telecoms regulation in the UAE Telecoms regulation in Qatar UK rail plans call for clarity on procurement Data transfers opinion welcome but burdens could increase for business US updates export control voluntary self-disclosure policy	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384413
__label__wiki	0.629019	0.629019	We help you find your way 1635 Associates Drive, Suite 102 info@pioneerlawoffice.com Veterans Disability Information Criminal Defense and OWI Jodee R. Dietzenbach Thad J. Murphy Christopher Soppe Cory Thein The Definition of “Severe Impairment” in Social Security Disability This is an overview of the applicable Social Security disability laws, regulations, rulings, and primary circuit court case law governing the definition of “severity,” as used in step two of the sequential analysis used by the Social Security Administration to determine eligibility for disability benefits. Many circuits that have issued published decisions on this topic have held that an impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality that has such minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work. Other courts have held that the inquiry at step two is a “de minimus screening device to dispose of groundless claims.” Each impairment and its resulting limitations must be documented with medical evidence. Simply alleging existence of the impairment is insufficient to establish “severity” as set forth in step two of the sequential evaluation process. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d) In determining whether an individual’s physical or mental impairment or impairments are of a sufficient medical severity that such impairment or impairments could be the basis of eligibility under this section, the Commissioner is required to consider the combined effect of all of the individual’s impairments without regard to whether any such impairment, if considered separately, would be of such severity. If the Commissioner does find a medically severe combination of impairments, the combined impact of the impairments shall be considered throughout the disability determination process. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 The regulations provide that a claimant must have a severe impairment. If the claimant does not have any impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limit his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, the SSA will find that the claimant does not have a severe impairment and is, therefore, not disabled. In §§ 404.1521 and 416.921, a non-severe impairment is defined as an impairment or combination of impairments that does not significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. “Basic work activities” are defined as the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs. Examples of these include: Physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling; Capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking; Understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; Use of judgment; Responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations; and Dealing with changes in a routine work setting. Social Security Ruling 96-3p To be found disabled, an individual must have a medically determinable “severe” physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that meets the duration requirement. At step two of the sequential evaluation process, an impairment or combination of impairments is considered “severe” if it significantly limits an individual’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities. An impairment that is “not severe” must be a slight abnormality (or a combination of slight abnormalities) that has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to do basic work activities. When an individual is not engaging in substantial gainful activity and a determination or decision cannot be made on the basis of medical factors alone (i.e., when the impairment is severe because it has more than a minimal effect on the ability to do basic work activities, yet does not meet or equal in severity the requirements of any impairment in the Listing of Impairments), the sequential evaluation process generally must continue with an identification of the individual’s functional limitations and restrictions and an assessment of his or her remaining capacities for work-related activities. Social Security Ruling 85-28 An impairment or combination of impairments is found “not severe” and a finding of “not disabled” is made at step two when medical evidence establishes only a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that would have no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work even if the individual’s age, education, or work experience were specifically considered. The severity requirement cannot be satisfied when medical evidence shows that the person has the ability to perform basic work activities, as required in most jobs. Examples of these are walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying or handling; seeing, hearing, and speaking; understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; use of judgment and responding appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and usual work situations; and dealing with changes in a routine work setting. Thus, these basic work factors are inherent in making a determination that an individual does not have a severe medical impairment. Although an impairment is not severe if it has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, the possibility of several such impairments combining to produce a severe impairment must be considered. A claim may be denied at step two only if the evidence shows that the individual’s impairments, when considered in combination, are not medically severe (i.e., do not have more than a minimal effect on the person’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities). If such a finding is not clearly established by medical evidence, adjudication must continue through the sequential evaluation process. If the medical evidence establishes only a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on a claimant’s ability to do basic work activities, but evidence shows that the person cannot perform his or her past relevant work because of the unique features of that work, a denial at the “not severe” step of the sequential evaluation process is inappropriate. The inability to perform past relevant work in such instances warrants further evaluation of the individual’s ability to do other work considering age, education and work experience. POMS DI 24505.005 Evaluation of Medical Impairments that Are Not Severe POMS DI 24505.005 sets forth the various considerations in evaluating severity issues. It confirms that although an impairment is not severe if it has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s physical or mental ability(ies) to do basic work activities, the possibility of several such impairments combining to produce a severe impairment must be considered. When assessing the severity of whatever impairments an individual may have, the adjudicative team must assess the impact of the combination of those impairments on the person’s ability to function, rather than assess separately the contribution of each impairment to the restriction of his or her activity as if each impairment existed alone. A claim may be denied at step two only if the evidence shows that the individual’s impairments, when considered in combination, are not medically severe (i.e., do not have more than a minimal effect on the person’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities). If such a finding is not clearly established by medical evidence, however, adjudication must continue through the sequential evaluation process. At the second step of sequential evaluation, evidence is evaluated to assess the effects of the impairment on the ability to do basic work activities. If the assessment shows the individual to have the physical and mental ability necessary to perform such activities, no evaluation of past work (or of age, education, and work experience) is needed. Rather, it is reasonable to conclude, based on the minimal impact of the impairment(s), that the individual is capable of engaging in SGA. The rationale of denial in the formal determination as to disability must also include a statement regarding the individual’s present functional abilities which supports the finding of a not severe impairment(s). If the medical evidence establishes only a slight abnormality(ies) which has no more than a minimal effect on a claimant’s ability to do basic work activities, but evidence shows that the person cannot perform his or her past relevant work because of the unique features of that work, a denial at the “not severe” step of the sequential evaluation process is inappropriate. The inability to perform past relevant work in such instances warrants further evaluation of the individual’s ability to do other work considering age, education, and work experience. The severity regulation increases the efficiency and reliability of the sequential evaluation process by identifying at an early stage those claimants whose medical impairments are so slight that it is unlikely they would be found to be disabled even if their age, education, and experience were taken into account. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S.137, 153, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 2297, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987). Under Social Security Ruling 85-28, a claim may be denied at step two for lack of a severe impairment only where the medical evidence establishes only a slight abnormality or combination of slight abnormalities that would have no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work even if the individual’s age, education, or work experience were specifically considered. Barrientos v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 820 F.2d 1, 2 (1st Cir. 1987). Social Security Ruling 85-28 clarifies that the step two severity requirement is intended “to do no more than screen out groundless claims.” McDonald v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 795 F.2d 1118, 1124 (1st Cir. 1986). A step two analysis can do no more than “screen out de minimus claims.” Pickering v. Chater, 951 F. Supp. 418, 424 (S.D.N.Y. 1996), citing Dixon v. Shalala, 54 F.3d 1019, 1030 (2d Cir. 1995) (finding that the Commissioner misapplied the severity step between 1976 and 1983 and ordering the readjudication of class member claims). A severe impairment is one that imposes “more than a minimal restriction on a person’s ability to engage in basic work activities.” Torres v. Shalala, 938 F.Supp. 211, 215 n. 8 (S.D.N.Y. 1996). The step two severity standard is not intended to screen out significant disabilities. Bailey v. Sullivan, 885 F.2d 52, 56-57 (3d Cir. 1989). The establishment of “severity” is ordinarily not a difficult hurdle for the claimant to clear: “[A]n impairment can be considered as ‘not severe’ only if it is a slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work experience.” Albright v. Commissioner of Social Sec. Admin., 174 F.3d 473, 478 n. 1 (4th Cir. 1999), citing Evans v. Heckler, 734 F.2d 1012, 1014 (4th Cir. 1984). The Fourth Circuit law provides that “an impairment can be considered as ‘not severe’ only if it is a slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work experience.” Evans v. Heckler, 734 F.2d 1012, 1014 (4th Cir. 1984). The Fifth Circuit assumed that the ALJ applied an improper standard for determining severity where the ALJ adverted only to the literal terms of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Loza v. Apfel, 219 F.3d 378, 392-93 (5th Cir. 2000). The court further held that the ALJ should have either set forth the standard as it was construed in Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d 1099 (5th Cir. 1985) or another Fifth Circuit decision, or expressly stated that an impairment could be considered as not severe only if it was a slight abnormality having such minimal effect on an individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education or work experience. Id. An impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality that has such minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education or work experience. Spellman v. Shalala, 1 F.3d 357 (5th Cir. 1993), citing Estran v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 340, 341 (5th Cir. 1984). As stated by the Spellman Court, in Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d 1099 (5th Cir. 1985), the Fifth Circuit stated that unless the correct standard was used in determining the severity of an impairment, the claim must be remanded to the Commissioner for reconsideration.Id. The court concluded that the Commissioner must indicate in his opinion that it evaluated severity in accordance with Estran and Stone. The court further noted that it would assume that the ALJ and Appeals Council applied an incorrect standard to the severity requirement unless the correct standard was set forth by reference to the Stone opinion or another of the same effect, or by an express statement that the proper construction was used. Id. An impairment can be considered non-severe only if it could constitute a “slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with an individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education and past work experience.” Farris v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 773 F.2d 85, 89-90 (6th Cir. 1985). The Seventh Circuit rejected a claimant’s argument that an ALJ was required to find that the claimant suffered from a severe mental impairment simply because one medical source opined that she often suffered from deficiencies of concentration. Nelson v. Apfel, 210 F.3d 799, 802-03 (7th Cir. 2000). The court reasoned that applicable regulations or SSR 96-3p did not equate the rating of “often” with a severe impairment as defined by a “significant limit” in a person’s ability to do basic work activities. The court added that because “we do not know what [the medical source] meant by ‘often’ . . . we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it remanded this case to the ALJ for further proceedings to resolve factual conflicts in the record.” Id. The Eighth Circuit held that the ALJ erred in not acknowledging the correct severity standard. Caviness v. Massanari, 250 F.3d 603 (8th Cir. 2001). The court further found that this error was not “harmless” and declined to make a finding of severity in “the first instance.” Id. at 605. In Simmons v. Massanari, 264 F.3d 751 (8th Cir. 2001), the Eighth Circuit held that substantial evidence supported the determination that the claimant did not suffer from a severe impairment or combination of impairments prior to the expiration of his insured status. Id. at 755. The Eighth Circuit rejected a claimant’s argument that reversal was necessary because the ALJ applied the wrong standard for determining severity. Johnston v. Apfel, 210 F.3d 870, 873 (8th Cir. 2000). The court reasoned that “[a]lthough the ALJ’s decision referred to the ‘no significant limitation’ standard instead of the ‘no more than a minimal effect’ standard, any error was harmless because it was undisputed that the district court used the correct ‘more than a minimal effect’ standard.” Id. The Eighth Circuit held that the lack of any medically necessary restrictions in the record supported the ALJ’s finding that the claimant’s impairments were not severe. Mittlestedt v. Apfel, 204 F.3d 847, 852 (8th Cir. 2000). In Gilbert v. Apfel, 175 F.3d 602 (8th Cir. 1999), the Eighth Circuit held that the ALJ’s conclusory finding that the claimant’s arthritis and carpal tunnel were non-severe impairments was not supported by the VE’s testimony that a manipulative limitation produced by these conditions would render the claimant unemployable. Id. at 604. The regulations define a severe impairment as one that significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities that are defined as the “abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.” Gwalthney v. Chater, 104 F.3d 1043, 1045 (8th Cir. 1997). An impairment is non-severe when it has no more than a minimal effect on the claimant’s ability to work. Nguyen v. Chater, 75 F.3d 429, 431 (8th Cir. 1996). Denial of benefits at step two of the sequential evaluation process is justified only in cases where the claimant’s medical impairments are so slight that it is not likely that the claimant would be found disabled even if his or her vocational factors of age, education, and work experience were taken into consideration. Id. The sequential analysis may be terminated at step two only when an impairment or combination of impairments would have “no more than a minimal effect on the claimant’s ability to work.” Henderson v. Sullivan, 930 F.2d 19, 21 (8th Cir. 1991), citingHudson v. Bowen, 870 F.2d 1392, 1396 (8th Cir. 1989). In Edlund v. Massanari, the Ninth Circuit held that the ALJ erred in finding that the claimant failed to demonstrate a severe mental impairment under step two of the five-step sequential evaluation process. Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1159 (9th Cir. 2001). In finding that the claimant’s mental impairment was not severe, the ALJ “appears to have applied a more stringent legal standard than is mandated by law.” Id.at 1158. The step two inquiry is intended to be “‘a de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims.’” Id., quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996). The Ninth Circuit held in Bustamante v. Massanari, 262 F.3d 949 (9th Cir. 2001) that to the extent the ALJ determined that the claimant’s mental impairments were not severe regardless of the impact of alcoholism, the conclusion was not supported by substantial evidence. Id. at 955. The court noted that every psychiatrist or psychologist who examined the claimant found significant mental problems and that the evidence as a whole “overwhelmingly” supported his claim that he suffered from a severe mental impairment. Id. at 956. The inquiry at step two is a “de minimus screening device to dispose of groundless claims.” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996). The Tenth Circuit recently reiterated that “although a severe impairment must ‘significantly limit an individual’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities,’ 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521, we have held that this is a ‘de minimus’ showing at step two of the five-step process.” Grogan v. Barnhart, 399 F.3d 1257, 1263 (10th Cir. 2005), citing Hawkins v. Chater, 113 F.3d 1162, 1169 (10th Cir. 1997) (citing Williams v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 748, 751 (10th Cir. 1988)). Step two requires a “de minimis” showing of impairment. Hinkle v. Apfel, 132 F.3d 1349, 1352 (10th Cir. 1997). However, the claimant must show more than the mere presence of a condition or ailment. Id., citingBowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 153, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 2297, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987) (holding step two was designed to identify “at an early stage” claimants with such slight impairments they would be unlikely to be found disabled even if age, education, and experience were considered). At step two, a claimant is required only to make a “de minimus showing” that his or her medically determinable impairments, in combination, are severe enough to significantly limit his or her ability to perform work-related activity. Williams v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 748, 750-51 (10th Cir. 1988). Where the record showed that the claimant suffered from joint disease or fibromyalgia, as well as chronic fatigue, migraines or chronic headaches, depression, and reflux disorder, the Tenth Circuit held that the ALJ’s determination that the claimant’s impairments were not severe was not based on substantial evidence. Langley v. Barnhart, 373 F.3d 1116, 1123-24 (10th Cir. 2004). Where substantial medical evidence supported a conclusion that the claimant manifested few symptoms of sickle cell anemia and that her cognitive, social, and motor development were normal or close to normal during the relevant time period, the ALJ properly found that sickle cell anemia was not a severe impairment. Wilson v. Apfel, 179 F.3d 1276, 1278 (11th Cir. 1999). The court defined a severe impairment as an impairment “that is more than ‘a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that causes no more than minimal functional limitations.’” Id. An impairment is not severe if the abnormality is so slight and its effect so minimal that it would clearly not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work experience. Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d 914, 920 (11th Cir. 1984). The severity step is a threshold inquiry that allows only “claims based on the most trivial impairments to be rejected.” McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1031 (11th Cir. 1986). The claimant’s burden of showing severity is mild. A claimant “need show only that [his or] her impairment is not so slight and its effect is not so minimal.” Id. A claimant who establishes the inability to perform past work activities has a severe impairment. Flynn v. Heckler, 768 F.2d 1273, 1275 (11th Cir. 1985). Case Type* Social Security Disability Resources Family Law Resources Bankruptcy Resources Should I apply for disability? How long does the disability process take? When should I apply for benefits? Should I use an attorney to help me apply? When do you suggest I hire a lawyer? What does a disability attorney do? How much will representation cost? When am I likely to receive a hearing? What are disability hearings like? What happens if my disability appeal is late? 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Types of bankruptcy cases Actions not halted by bankruptcy Meeting of creditors Notices you must receive from attorney or debt relief agency Evolution of bankruptcy laws How to use Voice Case Information System (VCIS) How to use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) Glossary of bankruptcy terms The debtor’s estate What assets are included? Excluded assets Debts not dischargeble in bankruptcy Priority claims Voiding of preferential transfers Is a transfer fraudulent? 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Summary of the proceedings List of creditors Checklist and timetable of Chapter 7 tasks Chapter 7 means test Chapter 7 petition Chapter 7 petition instructions Debtor’s certificate of completion Chapter 7 Discharge of Debtor Needs-based bankruptcy The 6 steps of the means test 1. Debtor’s current monthly income 2. Necessary expenses 3. Additional expenses 4. Secured debt expense and priority claims 5. Disposable monthly income 6. Presumption of abuse Special circumstances rebutting a presumption of abuse Requirement of financial counseling Means test checklist Chapter 13 wage earner’s adjustment of debts What are the advantages of a Chapter 13 filing? The disadvantages? How does a Chapter 13 repayment plan work? What are the most common objections to repayment plans? What is considered a reasonable expense during the life of a repayment plan? Summary of proceedings Trustee’s duties Requirements of the plan Trustee objections to the plan Creditors’ claims Confirmation hearing Modification of plan or suspension of payments Annual reporting requirements Checklist and timetable of Chapter 13 tasks Conversion from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 Chapter 13 means test Chapter 13 plan Chapter 13 discharge before completion of plan Chapter 13 discharge after completion of plan Chapter 12 family farmer and fisherman bankruptcy Who may file for Chapter 12 The trustee’s duties Creditors, claims, and priority claims Confirmation hearing and discharge Pioneer Law Office Pioneer Law Office is an innovative, full service law firm. With over 50 years of experience, the attorneys at Pioneer Law Office are seasoned professionals, distinguishing them from other legal firms. As your advocate, Pioneer Law Office will explore, prepare and lead…because that’s what Pioneers do. 4711 Brady St, Suite 22 S Davenport, Iowa 52806 Free Case Evaluation: (563) 583-9101 Email: info@pioneerlawoffice.com © 2020, Pioneer Law Office Powered by James Attorney Marketing	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384414
__label__wiki	0.877274	0.877274	Planet Rail Creating holidays around you Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm \| Saturday 9am - 3pm Reveal menu Holidays by Rail Luxury Day Trips Venice Simplon Orient Express Orient Express Information Orient Express History Orient Express Compartments Orient Express FAQs Cities & Sightseeing Cruise by Rail European Carnivals Opera Breaks Holidays by Destination The Glacier Express Frequently Asked Questions Holidays by Season Christmas Markets by Rail About Planet Rail Rail is Greener than Flying What Makes us Special 6 Benefits of a Tailor-Made Train Holiday Join Us – Work With Planet Rail Our Carbon Neutral Pledge Glacier Express Escorted Tour Video Tailor Made Rail Holidays with Planet Rail Northern Belle Video A brief history of the Eiffel Tower Written by Planet Rail. Definitive, bold and prominent on the skyline of Paris, a structure that was only ever meant to be temporary, a piece of architecture that stands so tall and proud creating a focal point for the city. A landmark so grand. It can only be the Eiffel Tower. Instantly recognisable whether in the pages of a book, photograph or while sightseeing, the Eiffel Tower has become an iconic landmark of Paris that is known all over the world and famous for being one of the most romantic pieces of architecture. So how on earth did a tower that was only ever meant to be temporary become so permanent and well known? Gustave Eiffel an entrepreneur, Emile Nouguier, Maurice Koechlin both engineers and an architect named Stephen Sauvestre won a competition to design a tower that would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution at the World’s Fair of 1889. The engineers asked Stephen Sauvestre to help them develop the aesthetics of the tower to enable a design that had public appeal. The original structure featured monumental arches, stonework pedestals at the base of the tower legs and large glass-walled halls on each level along with very ornamental details to adorn the tower structure itself. In the end, a simplistic version of the design was decided upon using the arches and latticework structure the tower is so instantly recognisable for today. Although this was an exciting project and would provide the city with an architectural masterpiece many people opposed the design and were concerned it would detract from the elegant, refined beauty of the city. If only they knew how spectacular the tower would become and how monumental it would be for the future of Paris and all its beauty. The Tower was only meant to stand for 20 years but when over two million people came to visit the structure and the city of Paris during the World’s Fair of 1889 the people’s views began to change. The architectural structure featured 7,300 tonnes of iron, 2,500,000 rivets, 60 tonnes of paint, 150 plus workers in the factory and 150-300 workers on the construction site itself, this was a project of epic proportions and was supported by a hardworking workforce that completed the tower in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. The Eiffel Tower is also a monument to their hard work and dedication as working conditions would not have been easy and health and safety standards wouldn’t have been what they are today for employees. It is easy to see why this piece of architecture has become a wonder for the world to see. As well as being bold and domineering on the skyline of Paris, the tower is also graceful and beautiful. Its delicate ironwork details set in repetition create a stunning piece of art that oozes style and sophistication, and whether you are stood beneath the structure looking up, entwined within its construction or admiring the views from the very top this tower is breathtaking. Thankfully the Eiffel Tower became a lasting feature of the city, as to imagine Paris today without it is impossible. For more information on any of our tailor-made holidays, or to book now… Unforgettable moments upon the Belmond Royal Scotsman A day in Moscow The Venice Simplon Orient Express and the beauty of Art Deco Beautiful Bordeaux The River Danube A gift with a difference Sign up for Planet Rail Special Offer Insure your trip with Holiday Extras Planet Rail on Facebook Venice Simplon Orient Express Special Offers © 2020 Planet Rail. All rights reserved. Planet Rail Online Enquiry Please enter your details below, together with your enquiry and click Send. Receive our Newsletter* How would you prefer to be contacted?* Please select…TelephoneEmail Preferred departure date(s)* Most travel can be arranged for any day of the year. Please indicate your preferred departure date or dates. Is there a specific holiday you are enquiring about? How did you find out about us?* Word of mouth - family or friendsGoogle or other search engineSocial mediaThe Man in Seat 61TripAdvisorFeefoThe National TrustOther If 'Other', please specify	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384415
__label__wiki	0.856859	0.856859	Rehau to build new €150m auto parts plant in Hungary Richard Higgs Hungary is set to host another major automotive manufacturing expansion as Germany-based Rehau AG plans to build a new €150 million exterior car components plant near Budapest to serve growing Daimler production locally. Hungarian offshoot Rehau-Automotive Kft. intends to build the 63,000 square meter facility, to produce vehicle bumpers and other external parts, in Újhartyán. Construction begins in March 2018 and the plant is set for completion in April 2019, according to the Rehau, Germany-based company. Details of the company's latest plan were unveiled at a joint news conference with the Hungarian government in Budapest on Feb. 20. The greenfield investment, expected to create 727 new Rehau jobs, has received a significant financial boost with a state grant of almost €23 million, Hungary's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó pointed out at the news conference. He stressed this support is the third largest investment of its kind under the current Hungarian government term since 2014. "The auto industry is the flagship of the transition to the digital age, so that this country, which is competitive in the sector, will be competitive in the economy of the future as a whole," Szijjártó said according to national press reports. Rehau's Hungarian subsidiary, based in Győr, is also expanding its existing automotive parts manufacturing operation there. The plant serves Audi vehicle production at its local assembly plant and it responding to the car builder's own expansion of capacity. The supplier aims to extend bumper systems production at its facility and plans to raise its current 400-strong workforce by 75. Audi just announced it intends to establish a new €20m research and development center in Győr with a government grant amounting to a fifth of the investment. Rehau first launched the plant in Hungary in 2013 to mold and supply the nearby Audi plant with bumper systems for the manufacturer's TT and Q7 car models.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384416
__label__wiki	0.877935	0.877935	Pile – Tickets – Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT – December 7th, 2019 Calyx, Crag Mask, The Fiction Kids Sat, December 7, 2019 $15.00 Sales Ended General Admission Standing Room Only From their earliest days as the solo project of frontman Rick Maguire, Pile have followed an unusual path through a decade in which rock bands have generally receded from the cultural spotlight. Starting out in 2007, in the then thriving Boston DIY scene, the band rapidly became heroes and standard-bearers for their hometown’s music community, garnering a cultish-adoration that has only intensified as that cult has grown, expanding by word of mouth along the Eastern seaboard and across the country over 10 years that have seen 6 full length albums and 100s of shows in basements, bars, punk houses and clubs. Crag Mask After releasing 2017’s critically lauded debut Loom, Connecticut-based Crag Mask took their future into their own hands. That spirit of freedom is an undercurrent in all of the band’s music. Twisting and turning, Crag Mask’s sound defies conventional boundaries, veering in and out across a range of genres. What started as a solo songwriting project for Abramo, Crag Mask has become a full, ambitious band. The band’s current line-up is a dream team of Connecticut talent: Abramo plays in Vundabar, drummer Jason Rule is one of the songwriting forces behind Queen Moo, and bassist Phil Lord played in the local-favorite post-hardcore Mt. Meridian. The recent addition of Zayne Couch on guitar and synthesizer fleshes out the band’s core sound with new layers of subtlety. Together, the band’s wide array of influences and backgrounds makes their music -- and live performances – an exciting mix of thoughtful composition and fierce action. The willingness to embrace this duality has made Crag Mask one of the most exciting bands to follow in the northeast. 2019’s Bend represents a new step forward for Crag Mask. Recording and mixing the album themselves, rarely has a band sounded so fully-realized. With idiosyncratic guitar riffs and song structures, the band’s music traffics heavily in melodies, intense breakdowns, and beautiful interludes. From the crowd-pleasing “Secret Plane”, to the tumultuous “Old News”, to the dark ballad “Downer”, listeners will find plenty of surprises in store for them throughout Bend. That restlessness is also made manifest in Abramo’s lyrics, which come from adversity: “I come from a very poor background, and it’s really hard to find other people in the bands in our circle who have struggled,” he states, “I’m talking about the kind of poor where your childhood home gets foreclosed.” Crag Mask spent the summer of 2019 touring in support of Bend, which is available on vinyl LP, CD, cassette, and digital download. The Fiction Kids The Fiction Kids is a post-punk band from New Haven CT. It consists of Kuki Kooks and Alexa Ambrose. They used to play together as the backbone of Laundry Day, bassist Kooks digging Alexa’s drumming from day one. They always complimented each other about how they'd love to get together in a different format in the future. Fast forward a couple years, Alexa ended up not playing with anybody anymore, and Kooks has a dozen songs that need playing for a show. With the help of Sam Carlson (Ports Of Spain, Laundry Day, S.G Carlson) on bass, The Fiction Kids began playing around town. They’re in the process of recording their debut LP Souvenir this year at Sans Serif Recording Studio with Sam at the helm. 295 Treadwell Street Building G Hamden, CT, 06514 Sun 1.19 - Sunflower Bean Fri 1.24 - Chris Distefano (Early Show) Fri 1.24 - Kashmir: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Show Fri 1.24 - Chris Distefano (Late Show) Sat 1.25 - Atmosphere: The Wherever Tour Sat 1.25 - J Roddy Walston Presents: A Single Dose Of Strangeness Tue 1.28 - Grace Potter Fri 1.31 - Seratones Fri 1.31 - Rick Springfield Sat 2.1 - Lettuce	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384419
__label__wiki	0.769729	0.769729	Sunday in the Park with Pride Society Pride Guide Download My Big Gay Prom Sunday in the Park with Pride 2019: Participant/Org./Vendor Registration SITPWP Volunteer Sign-Up Form My Big Gay Prom Registration My Big Gay Prom Volunteer Registration Laurie Lesk, Director Laurie is the founding director of the Society and co-editor of Pride Guide. A Nice Jewish Girl from Cote St. Luc, Laurie worked for many years as a composer and music director for theatre in Montreal and later Vancouver. She has written and co-written several musicals for young people, specifically, which have been produced at venues such as Arts Umbrella, and has worked with young people from ages six to nineteen in a variety of settings, including theatre, choirs, youth groups and arts and culture events. In 2015, after identifying an absence of young people at LGBTQ2 events, Laurie decided to go out and find them. She believes change happens one person at a time, and for the last four years has spoken to numerous LGBTQ2 youth, health care providers, business owners, community services workers and many more to help create a safer and more welcoming community for LGBTQ2 youth on the Sunshine Coast. In 2017, Laurie received a commendation from the SCRD for her work with Sunday in the Park with Pride Society in its “continuing effort to give the LGBTQ2 community an easier path to follow, build on and transform.” Our other Board Members: Jon Nicholson Denise Brown Rochelle Curé More information about our board members coming soon. Laurie Lesk editor@prideguide.ca Sign up to hear about LGBTQ2 events and other society news on the Sunshine Coast © 2020 Pride Guide. Site by Imaginations Everything Inc	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384421
__label__cc	0.749409	0.250591	* Wartburg * Westchester County * Healthcare * Mount Vernon Wartburg Hosts Mt. Vernon, New York Mayoral Debate - August 25, 2015 By: Wartburg • Wartburg • Westchester County • Mount Vernon - New York - US MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Aug. 14, 2015 - PRLog -- Wartburg to Host Mount Vernon Mayoral Debate Forum August 14, 2015-Mount Vernon, NY-- Wartburg is pleased to host the Mt. Vernon, NY Democratic Primary Mayoral Debate Forum on its campus on Tuesday, August 25, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The six candidates invited to participate are: incumbent Mayor Ernest D. Davis; former Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr.; Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson; Comptroller Maureen Walker; City Council Person Richard Thomas; and City Council Person Deborah Reynolds. The Westchester County Homeowners’ Coalition (WCHC) is sponsoring this civic event in concert with several community organizations, including: The Mount Chamber of Commerce; the Fleetwood Neighborhood Association; Greater Centennial AME Zion Church; Oakwood Heights Homeowner’s Association; Chester Hill Park Neighborhood Association; Lorraine Terrace Condominiums and Fleetwood Residents. “We are pleased to be able to bring such an important event to our campus,” said David Gentner, President and CEO of Wartburg. “The residents of Mount Vernon will benefit from a valuable open forum about the key issues facing the city today. We are excited to provide the venue for the mayoral candidates to express their ideas and strategies that will define their vision for the future of our city.” “The WCHC organization is committed to fellow homeowners and citizens of Mount Vernon to produce a debate platform that will differentiate the quality of the mayoral candidates,” said Derickson K. Lawrence, Chair of WCHC. The forum will be moderated by FIOS/RNN political commentator Dominic Carter. Seating is limited, so registration on WCHC’s website www.WestchesterCountyHC.org is required from August 17 – August 20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Early arrival is recommended as the forum will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. Question cards for the candidates will be distributed upon arrival, and/or can be submitted online, www.WestchesterCountyHC.org up to 24hrs before the start of the forum. To ensure greater accessibility, the forum will be shown live at the following viewing locations in Mount Vernon: Greater Centennial - 312 South Eighth Avenue; WCC MV Extension – 17 South Fifth Avenue; MV Public Library—28 South First Avenue. The Primary election will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015. About WCHC The organization’s mission is to advocate on behalf of homeowners of Westchester County, on issues that impact property taxes, fiscal reform, community preservation, the environment and quality of life. About Wartburg Wartburg is an award-winning provider of comprehensive senior services, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and hospice care. Its 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon serves seniors and their families in southern Westchester and the northern Bronx and now the NY Metro Area. Wartburg’s nursing home has been recognized by U. S. News & World Report as among the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State for four consecutive years, in 2014. Over the past few years, Wartburg has launched an ambitious building expansion program, including the Friedrichs Residence, with 61 independent living apartments, and a Rehabilitation and Adult Day Services Center, both opened in 2013. Angela Ciminello *@wartburg.org : *@wartburg.org : Wartburg, Westchester County, Healthcare : Mount Vernon - New York - United States : Events Wartburg, a premier senior care community PRs Wartburg Partners with the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function Wartburg's President & CEO Travels East to Present Dissertation Research Wartburg's David J. Gentner Receives Humanitarian Award Angela Ciminello honored by Mount Vernon Heights Congregational Church & Marquis's Who's Who Wartburg Hosts Spiritual Care Volunteer Training Program	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384423
__label__cc	0.708046	0.291954	Qventus Wins Black Book Research and UCSF Digital Health Awards Company Heralded as #1 in Client Satisfaction for Patient Flow Solutions and Best Solution for EHR Data Interoperability Qventus MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Qventus, the leader in AI-based patient flow automation systems, has been recognized by Black Book Research as the best client experience for Patient Identification, Tracking & Flow Solutions and by UCSF Digital Health Awards as the best solution for Electronic Health Record Data Interoperability. Independent research group Black Book Research recently published its Coding & Health Information Management Report, which recognized Qventus as the #1 provider of Patient Identification, Tracking & Flow Solutions among more than twenty other solution providers. Findings for Black Book reports are based on ballot results on 18 qualitative indicators of client experience, loyalty and customer satisfaction, among other critical KPIs. In this case, feedback was gathered from 3,300 healthcare organizations, including over 278 hospitals, to determine the top vendors of each category. The UCSF Digital Health Awards recognize best-in-market digital products and services with the goal of helping patients access innovations from these companies. Judges from healthtech, venture capital, academia and hospital systems evaluated over 500 companies for 14 categories to determine which effectively promote faster, better, cheaper healthcare by improving outcomes. Qventus won the EHR – Data Interoperability category, which recognizes the best product that is improving data interoperability with electronic health record data. "We're honored Qventus earned such notable recognition based on the proven results we've seen with our partners, such as Mercy, SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian, which have been able to significantly improve outcomes and save millions of dollars with the Qventus patient flow automation system," said Mudit Garg, CEO and founder of Qventus. "It's imperative for every organization to drive down the cost of care through operational reliability. And leading organizations are recognizing that they now have an opportunity to extend the value of the investments they've made in EHR systems, dashboards, and performance improvement projects. They're adding artificial intelligence, behavioral science, and data science--innovations which have been proven in other industries--to their environments, allowing them to automate their patient flow and deliver a step-function improvement in their operational performance." About Qventus Qventus is the leading provider of patient flow automation systems for hospitals and health systems. The Qventus platform integrates with and extends EHRs by applying AI and behavioral science to: identify and predict operational issues before they occur, orchestrate actions among frontline teams and ancillaries, and manage accountability to drive continuous improvement. Qventus works with 70+ leading organizations across the country, including Dignity Health, M Health Fairview, Mercy, and NewYork-Presbyterian. These partners are achieving transformative results across inpatient, ED, perioperative, and system operations settings, including 0.3 to 0.8 day reductions in LOS, elimination of thousands of excess days, and 50%+ reductions in ED LWBS. For more, visit www.qventus.com. SOURCE Qventus http://www.qventus.com Qventus to implement AI-based technology platform for operations...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384424
__label__wiki	0.618925	0.618925	Connie Hosker Project Alive & Kicking/About Us/Our Board & Team/Our Team/Connie Hosker DesignationFounder Emailchosker@projectaliveandkicking.org Realizing the need for all expectant moms to better understand their pregnancies and to help them ensure a healthy delivery day, Connie founded Project Alive & Kicking, My Empowered Pregnancy (PAK). Through PAK, Connie hopes to empower all expectant moms through awareness, a proactive attitude and vigilance. Following the stillbirth of her first granddaughter Roberta Rae on June 28, 2009, Connie became an advocate for stillbirth prevention. This quest allows her to nurture the legacy of her granddaughter and that of every stillborn baby. Connie first joined the Star Legacy Foundation. She served on its Board, chaired its Family Advisory Council and helped create its educational program See Me, Feel Me, focusing on stillbirth awareness and prevention for all pregnant moms. She is a former member of the National Stillbirth Coalition Working Group fighting for stillbirth awareness. Connie is a registered nurse who trained at the United Liverpool Hospitals College of Nursing, Liverpool, England. After completing her New York State licensing requirements she moved to Georgia and began studies at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Fascinated with Energy Medicine and Spirituality, Connie is also a Certified Pranic Healer. Over the years she has also been involved in numerous school and church organizations revolving around her family life. Connie is married to Mark and has four grown children. In June of 2010, May of 2012, January of 2015 and April of 2017 she became “Grammy” to Jacks, Roberta Rae’s little brother, and Trent Oscar, Maisie June & Cade William, Roberta Rae’s little cousins. A Newfoundland mix, Dash (named after Queen Victoria’s pup) and one jet black rescue cat, Dickie Lewis, are also members of her home in the Atlanta area.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384428
__label__wiki	0.651376	0.651376	Providence man gets 50 years in prison in fatal stabbing of friend PROVIDENCE — A Superior Court judge sentenced a 36-year-old city man to serve 50 years in prison for the stabbing death of his friend in 2015. Judge Netti C. Vogel last week sentenced Miguel Tebalan-Rivera to 60 years, with 50 to serve and the remainder suspended, for slaying 36-year-old Julio Francisco Perez-Mejia in December 2015. Tebalan-Rivera received another five years, to be served concurrently, for possession of a knife in excess of 3 inches while committing a crime of violence, Kristy dosReis, spokeswoman for Attorney General Peter Neronha's office, said in an email. Officers found Perez-Mejia’s body in a third-floor apartment in the city's Elmwood section after Tebalan-Rivera ran into Providence Police headquarters, screaming in Spanish that he’d killed his friend, according to police. Special Assistant Attorney General Robert Johnson prosecuted the case, with Susan Iannetelli representing Tebalan-Rivera.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384430
__label__wiki	0.897134	0.897134	iReach Archive West Orange Stark High School First to Have Exclusive Nolan Ryan Turf General Sports Surfaces started construction on the the first installation of the NR34 baseball system created by Act Global and Nolan Ryan led RS3 WEST ORANGE, Texas (PRWEB) August 29, 2019 Dan R. Hooks Stadium home of the Mustangs will be the first school in the world to have the new state of the art baseball system created and manufactured by Act Global and RS3. The base construction began on both the baseball and softball field in mid-August and the turf will be installed late September. The NR34 system is similar to what is being used for Act Global stadiums and community fields around the world, optimized specifically for baseball. Performance benefits range from shock absorption, impact, ground interaction, traction, stability, bounce, lower infill splash, durability and UV testing, and more. The field base construction and turf installation is being done under the direction of General Sports Surfaces of Ft. Worth, TX, that recently installed a new Act Global turf system for the West Orange Stark football field. “It is not often that a company in the synthetic turf industry has the unique opportunity to be the first to do something,” Hector Puentes, CEO of General Sports said. “The baseball and softball fields being installed by General Sports at West Orange Stark High School will not only be the first Act Global NR34 fields in Texas, they will be the first in the entire nation. We are proud to be associated with Act Global and the Nolan Ryan group (RS3),” Puentes continued. “Countless hours of research and testing went into the development of this system, which was designed and tested to emulate the playing conditions of perfectly manicured natural grass baseball and softball fields.” “The custom line of Nolan Ryan & RS3 Turf is first class,” said Cornel Thompson, Athletic Director of West Orange - Cove CISD. “West Orange – Stark High School is thrilled to be the first school in Texas with this surface on our baseball and softball fields. I am confident our turf will be outstanding!” “We’re excited to be partnering with West Orange Stark School and congratulate them on being the first field to bear the NR34 name,” said Ryan Sanders Baseball CEO Reese Ryan. “We’re committed to bring the game of baseball to as many people as possible, while keeping player safety at the forefront, and we feel very confident in this product.” About Act Global Act Global is a world leader in synthetic turf technology with an ISO 9001 Quality Certified manufacturing facility in Calhoun, Georgia, and field installations in over 90 countries. Act Global is a FIFA Quality Licensee and preferred supplier for World Rugby, the International Hockey Federation, and the United Soccer League. The Act Global UBU Speed Series is the leading brand for NFL & NCAA Division I Football Fields has been featured in the New Orleans Superdome 2013, 2017, and 2018, New York Met Life Stadium 2014, and Minneapolis U.S. Bank Stadium 2016 and 2019. Rachel Frnka Act Global @ActGlobalTurf	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384431
__label__wiki	0.610176	0.610176	PUBLIC ART IN PUBLIC PLACES About :: Who We Are About :: What We Do @Google Arts & Culture @Google Maps Project Data and Copyright CITIES A - K CITIES L - M CITIES N - R CITIES S - Z BEST PUBLIC ART IN LOS ANGELES "10,000 Year Trail" (1990) by Jim Wilsterman and Machi Ushida "1902 Wright Brothers Glider" (ca. 2009) by Wade Jackson "1909 Hermosa" (2012) by Chris Coakley "2001 #2" (1999) by Jerry Rothman "229.5° ARC X 4" (2005) by Bernar Venet "317 Paces and 21 Stops" (2009) by Renée Petropoulos "A Bear in LA" by ROA "A Courting Prance" (2004) "A Florence Moment" (2005) by Ricardo Duffy "A Healing Home" (2014) by Dominique Moody "A Kind Touch" (c. 2000) by David L. Spellerberg "A Passage Through Memory" (2016) by Jose Antonio Aguirre "A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place" (1993) by David Bunn "A Tranquil Moment" (2002) by Jason Kopydlowski "A Tree Within" (2007) by Guy Angelo Wilson "A Tribute to Industry" (1994) by Horace Washington "A-Train" (1996) by Bill Bell "About Place About Face" (2009) by Rob Neilson "Above and Beyond" (2002) by Guy Angelo Wilson "Accept Difference" (2016, 2017) by Louie Tozser "Adjoeman" (2004; installed 2012) by Frank Stella "Aerial Plaza" (2010) by Carl Cheng Affleck sculpture (1975) by Rafe Affleck "After Market Wheel" (1996) by Paul Tzanetopoulos "Agriculture in Indio and the Coachella Valley" (2002) by Jim Fahnestock "Agua Caliente Women" (1994) by Doug Hyde "Airplane Mural" (date/artist unknown) "Airplane Parts" (2003) by Nancy Rubins "Alchemy of the Human Spirit" (1999) by Michael Zapponi "All in a Day" (2012) by Michael Massenburg "All Together Now" (c. 2005) by Joseph Palumbo "Almost Invisible Boxes" (2004) by Joshua Callaghan "Aloha" (2018) by Jeff Gress "Along The Way" (2005) by Shelley Iger Sivak "Amaryllis" (2001) by Sharles "Ambrosia" (1990) "Amelia Earhart" (c. 1971) by Ernest Shelton "Americanization of California" (1932) by Dean Cornwell "América Tropical" (1932) by David Alfaro Sequeiros "Anacapa Pride" (2010) by Mary Beth Hanrahan "Anchor for Malibu" (2004; 2019) by Emanuel Hatzofe "And Here I Will Stay" (2016) by Nzuji De Magalhaes "Angel Train" (1995) by Patrick Mohr "Angelus" (2017) by Robert Vargas "Anthony Quinn" or "The Pope of Broadway" (1984) by Eloy Torrez "Antonio Aguilar" (2012) by Dan Medina "Aquarius" (1969) by Jerome Kirk "Arbor" (2018) by Sijia Chen "Arcadia Bandini de Baker" (1987) by Masahito Sanae "Arcadian Zephyr" (2016) by Michael Davis "Arnold Schwarzenegger" (2013) by Jonas Never "ART" (2013) by Louie Tozser "Art for the People" (2015) by DOURONE "Art Wall" (2012) by Michael Tauber "Artist Educators" (2016) by Shizu Saldamando "Astride-Aside" (2003) by Michael Stutz "Aurora" (1987) by Susumu Shingu "Ayama" (2003) by Jun Kaneko "Azul Healing Garden" (2015) by Dan Corsen and Ahbe Landscape Architects "Azusa Horticultural Paradise" (2016) by Lynn Goodpasture "Azusa Light & Water" (2001) by di Giacomo "Baby Greens" and "Rarin' to Ride" (2007) by Cammie Lundeen and George Lundeen "Back Home" (2014) by Sol Mesz "Badger" by ROA "Balance" (2006) by Kathleen Caricof "Balboa Pavilion" (2013) by Art Mortimer "Baldy View" (2014) by Alba Honoré Cisneros "Ballerina Clown" (1989) by Jonathan Borofsky "Basket Dancer" (1987) by Glenna Maxey Goodacre "Beach Scenes" (1970) by Millard Sheets "Beachball" (2007) by Romero Britto "Beacon Overlook" (2000) by Jody Pinto "Bear Skeleton" by ROA "Beethoven" (1932) by Arnold Foerster "Bell Communications..." (1961) by Anthony B. Heinsbergen "Belltower" (2014) by Mark Bradford "Ben Carlson" (2016) by Jake Janz Benton sculpture (1985) by Fletcher Benton "Bicycle Garden" (2016) by Liz Avalon "Big Red" (1996) by Ed Benavente "Bighorn Fountain" (2008) by Gwynn Murrill "Bill and Coo at MOCA's Nest" (2019) by Larry Bell "Bird of Paradise" (1989) by James Hubbell "Birds of Valencia" (2008) by Douwe Blumberg "Birds" (c. 2013) by Jeff Morse "Black Butte Divide" (1958) by Peter Voulkos "Blissful Interiors" (2009) by Adobe LA "Blue Line Oasis" (1996) by Lynn Aldrich "Blue Line Totems in Red" (1994) by Roberto Salas "Blue Sculpture" (1994) by Richard Gerrish "Bobble" (2017) by Christian Moeller "Booker Taliaferro Washington" (1999) by M. Bernard Edmonds "Boom Boom Peal Step From Ocean Hill" (2017) by Michael Stutz "Borrego Springs Mural" (c. 1970) by Nancy N. Colbath Bracero Monument (2019) by Dan Medina "Breaching Whale" (2011) by Jon Seeman "Breaking Free II" (1990) by Márton Váró "Breaking the Chains" (1995) by Melvin Edwards "Breezy and Delightful" (1994) by Paul Tsanetopoulos "Bride and Groom" (1972) by Kent Twitchell "Bridge of Culture" (1997) by Stanley C. Wilson "Bruce Lee" (2013) "Buffer Zone" (2009) by Hirokazu Kosaka "Building of the Missions" (1932) by Dean Cornwell "Bulkhead" (installed 2016) by Harold L. Pastorius "Buried in Nature" (2013) by Josh Barnes "Bus Home" (2002) by Dennis Oppenheim "But When The Thaw Comes" (2002) by Mark Venaglia "Butterfly Cluster" (2005) by Anita Margrill "Caballeros Gate" (2003) by Paul Hobson "Cabrillo's Discovery of California" (1932) by Dean Cornwell "California Coyote" (2017) by John Mahoney "California Landscape" (1937) by Milford Zornes "Cantamar" (2004) by Woods Davey "Canto 79" (1979) by Joseph L. Young "Canyon Chess and Checkers" (1981) by Marlo Bartels "Canyon Preserve" (2006) by Michele Taylor "Canyon Spirits" (2000) by Ralph Tarzian "Canyon Walkers" (2018) by Brittany Ryan "Carlos III" (1976, 1987) by Federico Coullaut-Valera "Carlsbad Golfers" (2007) by T. J. Dixon and James Nelson "Celestial Chance" (1995) by Sally Weber "Celluloid" (1959) by Merrell Gage "Centennial Bench" (2004) "Cerritos Air Disaster Memorial" sculpture (2006) by Kathleen Caricof Cerritos Veterans Memorial (2006) by James T. Russell Cesar E. Chavez Memorial (2013) by Ignacio Gomez "Chain Reaction" (1991) by Paul Conrad "Chandeliers" or "Natural, Technological, Ethereal" (1993) by Therman Statom "Chicano Gothic" (1987) by Emigdio Vasquez and Sidney Stone "Children in Flight" (1995) by Tom Farrange "Children's Mural" (1978) by Daniel Alonzo "China Alley Memorial" (2004) by Qi Pang and Songyun Guo "Chinatown Mosaics" (c. 1968) "Chiune Sugihara" (2002) by Ramon G. Velazco "Christopher Columbus" (1973) by Francesco Perotti "Citrus Roots" (2001) by Art Mortimer "Citrus Traditions" (1997) by Frank Matranga "City Above" (1991) by Terry Schoonhoven "City of Dreams" (1996) by Richard Wyatt Civic Clock Tower (1971) "Claremont Village Mural" (2000) by Art Mortimer "Classic View" (2013) by Meghann Nelsen "Coastal Helix" (2014) by Roger White Stoller "Coastal Rail Trail Benches" (circa 2004) by Alber de Matteis "Coffee Cup" (date and artist unknown) "Cognizance" (1985) by Bill Bedford "Colors of the Canyon" (2013) by Marsh Scott "Companions" (1995) by Mineko Grimmer "Composition in Stainless Steel and Bronze No. Eleven" (1987) by Gidon Graetz "Compton: Past, Present and Future" (1995) by Eva Cockcroft "Conductor and Ballerina" (2009) by Hacob Jambazian "Conductor's Pocket Watch" (1994) by Rod Baer "Cone" (1995) by Cosimo Pizzuli "Connector" (2006) by Richard Serra "Contemplation" (2001) by T. J. Dixon "Convergence" (2011) by Matt Dehaemers "Conversations With Michael" (2015) by Giorgio Tuscani "Coronado Plaza Tower" (2013) by CoSA Students "Cougar III" (1996) by Gwynn Murrill "Cougar Intaglio" (2008) by Gwynn Murrill "Cougar Park Mural" (2015) by Art Mortimer "Cougars I and II" (1991) by Gwynn Murrill "Countdown Leader" (2007) by Brady Houghton "Cradle" (2010) by Ball-Nogues Studio "Craftsman Village" (2007) by Art Mortimer "Crenshaw Stories" (1995) by Buzz Spector "Crossed Currents" (1999) by Don Merkt "Crown Lair" (1989) by Lloyd Hamrol "Curved Air 7" (c. 1980) by Alexander "Cyclist" (date and artist unknown) Dabah sculpture (1972) by Simi Dabah "Dai Maru XI" (1978) by Michael Todd "Dana Point" (2018) by Aleena Malik "Dance Door" (1978; installed 1982) by Robert Graham "Dance With the Midnight Moon" (2005) by Kevin Robb "Dancing Gabrielenos" (1997) by Janet Tuck and Geraldine Waldman "Dancing Partners" (date and artist unknown) "Dawn to Dusk in the Estuary" (2005) by Harrison and Cartozian "Declaration" (2001) by Mark di Suvero "Defenders of the Union" (1906) by Theodora Ruggles Kitson "Del Amo Wheel" (1999) by Colin Gray "Desert Desert" (1989) by Michael Anderson "Desert Star" (1992) by Robert Perless "Desertscape" by Vista Elementary School students "Dewey Weber" (2015) by Phil Roberts "Different Strokes" (2009) by Paul Tsanetopoulos "Digital Divide" (2009) by Dan Corson "Disk Fountain" (1985) by Calvin Abe "Dissimilar Equals" (1987) by Bill Bedford "Dissimilar Equals" (circa 1987) by Bill Bedford "Divine Order: The Manifestation of the Soaring Spirit" (1995) by Charles Dickson and Escudero-Fribourg Architects "Diving Porpoise" (1962) by John Edward Svenson "Dogs at Play" (2015) by Karena Massengill "Dolphin Fountain" (date unknown) "Dolphins" (1997) by George Lundeen "Dominguez Field and the Famous Titans of Aviation" (2015) by Faustus Fernandez "Dorothy" (2018) by Levi Ponce Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial (2001) by Community Design Group "Double Ascension" (1973) by Herbert Bayer "Dragonfly" (2004) by Kevin Robb "Dream Catcher" (2017) by Janet Echelman "Dream Stream" (2001) by Anne Marie Karlsen "Dreamer" (1991) by David L. Phelps "Dreaming" (2016) by John Mahoney "Drive-By Art" (1992) by Lars Hawkes "Duke Paoa Kahanamoku" (1990) by Jan Gordon Fisher "Eagles" (c.1999) by Gary Price "Early Pomona Family" (1962) by Millard Sheets "Echo Echo" (1996) by Guy Dill "Edges and Ends" (2000) by Christopher Mercier and Tom Farrange "Eggs" (1969) by Harold L. Pastorius "Egremont II" (1972) by Herbert Ferber "Eiler Larsen (The Laguna Greeter)" (1986) by Guy Angelo Wilson "Einstein and Beyond" (1998) by Gifford Myers "El Deseo de Progresar" (2004) by Ricardo Mendoza "El Monte Legion Stadium Nocturne" (2014) by Vincent Ramos "El Monte Station Murals" (2014) "El Niño Perdido" (2009) by Alexandro de la Loza "El Nuevo Fuego" (1985) by East Los Streetscapers "El Quetzalcoatl de Xochicalco" (2003) by Roberto L. Delgado "El Sol - The Sun" (1993) by Francisco Letelier "Elations" (2017) by Poetic Kinetics "Electric Fountain" (1931) by Robert Merrell Gage and Ralph Carlin Flewelling "Elsinore Grand Prix" (2014) by Robin Golden "Emerald Rings" (1992) by Harold L. Pastorius "Enagua" (2015) by Ned Kahn "Endangered Species" (1990) by Emily Winters "Endangered" (1992) by Mark Stasz "Endless Miles" (2018) by Rob Ley "Endless V" (2012) by Jaume Plensa "Enduring Heroes" (2017) by Christopher Slatoff "Engraved in Memory" (2012) by Daniel Gonzalez "Entry Arches" (1986) by R. M. Fischer "Envisioning the Future" (2004) by Kevin Stewart-Magee "Ephemeral Views: A Visual Essay" (2012) by Ronald J. Llanos "Erratic" (2007) by Roxy Paine "Escena Wind Wave" (2012) by Steve Rieman "Espejos Abstractos" (1987) by Guy Dill "Esprit" (c. 1990) by Patty Fiedler "Eternal Smoke" (1987) by John Jagger "Eternal Spring" (2000) by James T. Russell "Eternal Sunset" (2003) by John Barber "Euclid" (2002) by Victor Hugo Zayas "Everyday People" (2003) by Pat Ward Williams "Executive Action III" (2005) by Ed Benavente "Exhibit A" (1992) by Mary Chomenko "Extinción" (2015) by DourONE "Eyes Open, Mind Open" (2017) by Shepard Fairey "Faces of Elysian Valley" (2017) by Freyja Bardell and Brian Howe "Facing the Sun" (2018) by Lauren Evans and Margaret Lazzari "Failed Ideals" (1995) by Jim Isermann "Falcon" (2002) by Michael Maiden "Falling Water 3 7 & 5" by Jack Zajac "Family" (2005) by Bruce Chaban "Felipe De Neve" (1932) by Henry Lion "Fields of Light" (2004) by Jacqueline Draeger "Fiesta at a Mission" (circa 1928) by Albert Herter "Fiesta" (2007) by Carol Gold "Film Strip U.S.A." (1981) by Natalie Krol "Fire Bird" (1986) by Richard Lippold "Fire Break" (2012) by Garin Baker "Fire Station 136 Series" (2008) by Jason Greene "Fire Station 93 Series" (2008) by Jason Greene "Firefighter Heritage" (2016) by Betsy Schultz "Fireflies" and "Abby" (1999) by Jane DeDecker "Five Elements" (2003) by Efrain Olivares "Flight to Infinity" (1991) by Judith Shea "Floating Dog and Flying Cat" (2016) by Mark Lere "Florence Nightingale" (1937) by David P. Edstrom "Flow" (2005) by May Sun "Flower Tree" (2016) by Matt Wedel "Flowers and Flames" (2008) by Christopher Lee "Flying M" (1995) by Paul Wheeler "Flying Morrison" (2013) by Jim Coke "For The Conductor" (2010) by John Neumann "For Your Intellectual Entertainment" (1995) by Daniel Martinez "Fork in the Road" (2008) by Ken Marshall "Forward Motion" (2004) by Gordon Huether "Founding of the Pueblo De Los Angeles" (1932) by Dean Cornwell "Fountain of the Rain Forest" (2000) by Sandy Scott "Fountainhead Rockscape" (2003) by Tomas Lipps "Four Arches" (1973) by Alexander Calder "Four Deities" (dates/artists unknown) "Four Lines Oblique Gyratory - Square IV" (1973) by George Rickey "Four-Square (Walk Through)" (1966) by Barbara Hepworth "Frank Augustus Miller" (1999) by Richard Myer "Freedom" (2014) by Herb Alpert "Frozen Music, Opus for Pasadena" (2002) by Arthur Stern "Fusion Series #3" (1998) by Shannon Owen "Gandhi" (2012) by Jasu Shilpi "Gateway Beacon" (1989) by David Wilkins "Gateway to Los Angeles" (2015) by Jenna Didier "Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley" (2011) by Art Mortimer "Gear Head 1" (2010) by Kathleen Smith-Schooley "Gene Autry" (2009) by DeL'Esprie "General Harrison Gray Otis" (1920) by Paul Troubetzkoy "Geologica 42" (2003) by Michael C. McMillen "George Chaffey, Jr." (2018) by John Edward Svenson "George Washington" (1933) by Jean-Antoine Houdon "Gestation III" (1991) by Baile Oakes "ghandiG" (2002) by Peter Shelton "Giant Binoculars" (1991) by Claes Oldenburg, Coosje van Bruggen "Gift of the Valley" (2017) by Tony Sheets "Gifts of a Lifetime" (2003) by Harry Reese "Glendora" (2009) by Michael Hillman, Citrus College students "globe on pedestal" (circa 2004) "Going to the Olympics" (1984) by Frank Romero "Gold Line Bridge" (2012) by Andrew Leicester "Good Friends - Nakayoshi" (1984) by Eiichi Ishida "Gordon and Lily" by Victor Salmones "Gorilla" (2013) by Isabelle Alford-Lago "Grace" (2014) by Terry Thornsley "Great Gathering Place" (1992) by Jacqueline Dreager "Grizzly Bear" (2017) by John Mahoney "Grove" (2007) by Lynn Basa "Guardian of Water" (1939) by Donal Hord "Hail and Farewell" [or untitled] (1995) by Richard Turner "Hammer" (date and artist unknown) "Hammering Man" (1988) by Jonathan Borofsky "Hand Holding a Bowl of Rice" (2007) by April Greiman "Hands With Plane" (2015) by Case Maclaim "Handstand" (1986) by Milton Hebald "Hard To Reach" (2003) by Debbie Jane Elmer "Harlequinade" (2005) by Wayne Healy "Harmic Arch" (1989) by Guy Dill "Hawk Raising" (2017) by John Mahoney "Health is Multi-Cultural" (1997) by JoeSam "Heat Exchanger" (1980) by Harold L. Pastorius "Helix" (2005) by James Hill "Helms Coach Gone A Rye" (2002) by Art Mortimer and Andrea Cohen Gehring "Hermosa Beach 9/11 Memorial Sculpture" (2012) "Hermosa's Great Wave" (2015) by John Van Hamersveld "Hide-n-Seek" (1995) by JoeSam "High Flying" (2009) by Jon Seeman "Highland Park Gateway" (2003) by Teddy Sandoval, with Paul Polubinskas "Historic Flowers of Carlsbad" (2006) by Kim Emerson "Historical Claremont" (1990) by Merrilyn O'Neill "History of Electricity In and Around Indio" (2000) by Jim Fahnestock "History of the Date Industry in the Coachella Valley" (1998) by Chuck Caplinger "History of the Pico Neighborhood" (1983) by Ann Elizabeth Thiermann "History of Water in the Coachella Valley" (2003) by Don Gray "Holey Gates" (2004) by Susan Landau "Hollywood Gateway" (1993) by Catherine Hardwicke "Homage to a Starry Knight" (1990) by Rip Cronk "Homage to Ballona Creek" (1994) by Lucy Blake-Elahi "Homage to Cabrillo: Venetian Quadrant" (1985) by Eugene Sturman "Homage to Quetzalcoatl" (1992) by Dora De Larios "Home" (1992) by Charles Arnoldi "Hope, Dream" (1993) by Sandra Rowe "Horizon" (2010) by Blake Rankin "Horse and Tree" (c. 1962) by Millard Sheets "Huberth Tree" (2001) by Gülhis Celâyir-Monezis "Hula Kahiko" (2000) by Lark Grey Dimond-Cates "Hunter and Hounds" (1925) by Henri Alfred Marie Jacquermat "Hymn of Life: Tulips" (2007) by Yayoi Kusama Idaho Gate (1912) attr. Greene and Greene "I Have a Dream" (1999) by Lisa Reinertson "Iglecia de Pensamiento" (1978) by Dan Clapp and others "Illuminated Fig Leaves" (2002) by Kim Abeles "Illumination" (2007) by Brad Goldberg "Illuminations" (1993) by Ann Preston "Illuminations" (2006) by Terry Braunstein "IMAG_NE" (2019) by Emma Ann "Image Emergence: Promenade of Clouds" (2011) by Craig Cree Stone "In Central Park" (1999) by Jerry Rothman "In the Eye of the Beholder" (2001) by Anne Marie Karlsen "In The Living Rock" (2004) by Samm Kunce "In The Meadow" (2014) by Phung Huynh "Indians and Yuccas" (1968) by Millard Sheets "Inertia" (2019) by Miguel A. Del Real "Infinity" (2014) by Cliff Garten "Innate" (1985) by Bill Bedford "Inner Dance" (2002) by Mark Leichliter "Inspired by John Raimondi's "Ceres" " (c. 2013) "Inspired by John Raimondi's "Dian" "(c. 2013) "Intercept" (2005) by James T. Russell "Interface" (1984) by Bill Bedford "Interface" (c. 1984) by Bill Bedford "Interlude" (1999) by Gary Price "Intermittent Constancy" (2015) by Paul Chilkov "IO" (2015) by Carol Bove "Iron Works for Paseo Colorado" (2001) by Michael Amescua "It Takes All Kinds" (2006) by IMO "It's Your Fault" (2001) by Leah Vasquez "Jack Herer" (2013) by Brian "TAZROC" Garcia "Jean De Fiennes, Vetu" (1884-95) by Auguste Rodin "Jeanne d'Arc" (1895, 1964) by Adolphe Roberton "Jessica" (1987) by Dee Toscano "Jet Delivery Airplane" (circa 2008) by Dan Romero "Jonah and the Whale" (1918; inst'd. 1985) by Carl Milles "Jose Gaspar De Portola" (circa 1929) by Albert Herter "Joy of Music" (1996) by George Lundeen "Juan Bautista De Anza" (circa 1929) by Albert Herter "Kaikoo IV and XVI" (1987) by Betty Gold "Kaloseidos" (2003) by Ralph Bacerra "Karl Benjamin" (2012) by David P. Flores "Keep It Clean For The Next" (2011) by Sandra Jones Campbell "Keep It Clean, Malibu" (2014) by Lindsay Carron "Keeping Watch" (2012) by Steve Farley "Kinetic Energy" (2003) by Ries Niemi "Kioku" (2003) by Jun Kaneko "Kneeling Man With Hammer" (1992) by Viola Frey "Kosmic Krylon Garage" (2004) by Kenny Scharf "L'Entreinte" (1980) by Jean Wolff "L.A. Family Baroque" (1992) by Bill Barrett "L.A. Freeway Kids" (1984) by Glenna Boltuch Avila "L.A. Sonata" (2013) by Judithe Hernandez "La Ballona" (1995) by May Sun "La Brea" (2011) by Shepard Fairey "La Caresse d'un Oiseau" (1967) by Joan Miró "La Gente del Pueblo" (2003) by Roberto L. Delgado "LA Metro Loteria" (2012) by Jose Lozano "LA: City of Angels" (1993) by Cynthia Carlson "Lady America" (2008) "Lady Liberty" (1973) by David Wilkens "Lady of the Lake" (1934-35) by Ada May Sharpless "Laguna Coastline" (2004) by Mia Tavonatti "Laguna Tortoise" (2003) by Michele Taylor "Landings" (2009) by Nobuho Nagasawa "Last Call" (2014) by Allison Renshaw "LAX Gateway Pylons" (2000) by Paul Tsanetopoulos "Leaping Lynx" (2017) by John Mahoney "Legacy of Literature" (2001) by Rosalind Cook "Levitated Mass" (2012) by Michael Heizer "Library Steps" (1989) by Lawrence Halprin "Life Force" (2005) by Dora De Larios "Life in the Desert" (2013) by S.C.R.A.P. (Student Creative Recycle Art Program) "Life in the Foothills" (2014) by Miriam Balcazar "Lifeguards in Hermosa" (2017) by Joanna Garel "Light Gate" (2015) by Mags Harries and Lajos Héder "Light of Learning" (1926) by Lee Lawrie "Light Overhead" (2001) by Sheila Klein "Light Trap" (2005) by Laddie John Dill "Light Wave" (2002) by Laddie John Dill "Lighthouse" (circa 2012) "Lillith" (2004) by Rosalind Cool "Lincoln in Meditation" (1962) by Henry van Wolf "Lincoln" (2005) by Mark Lundeen "Literary Figures" (2011) by Art Mortimer and local students "Little Treasures" (2012) by Scott and Naomi Schoenherr "Local Color" (2016) by Constance Mallinson "Local Gradient" (2014) by Phillip K. Smith, III "Local Odysseys" (1994) by Terry Braunstein "Location" [untitled] (1995) by Rene Petropoulos "Locus: City Imprints" (1995) by Steve Appleton "Los Angeles Holocaust Monument" (1992) by Joseph L. Young "Los Angeles Opens Its Heart of Compassion" (2014) by Cliff Garten "Los Angeles Teachers" (c. 1997) by Juan Hector Ponce "Los Molinos" or "Los Molinos Business District" (2011) by Andi G "Lucy and Desi" (2000) by Francois Bardol "Luminaire" (2002) by Denny Haskew "Luminaries of Pantheism" (2015) by Levi Ponce "MacArthur Park, Urban Oasis" (2010) by Sonia Romero "Mach Band" (1980) by Jay Willis "Madison Mansion" (2002) by Linda Pollack, Claudia Reisenberger, Christina Ulke "Madonna of the Trail" (circa 1929) by August Leimbach "Magic Carpet Ride" or "The Cardiff Kook" (2007) by Matthew Antichevich Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (2006) by Madan and Aruna Garge "Making Lemonade" (2006) by Nancy Mooslin "Makua and Kila" (2001) by Holly Young "Male Figure of Balzac" (2009) by Christopher Georgesco "Malevich's Pick-Up Sticks" (2006) by Peter Shire "Malibu Sweet 16" (2007) "Mama Watts" (circa 1965) by Bill Watts "Mandril de Rosa" (c. 2000) by Marsh Scott "Maravilla Hearts of Token" (2009) by Jose Lopez "Mark Twain" (2003) by Gary Price "Marmalade Dragonflies" (2009) by Benbow Bullock "Matriculated Nature" (2007) by Tom Otterness "Memorial Flagpole" (1927) by Lee Lawrie and Bertram Goodhue "Memorial Park Mural" (2011) by Roberto Del Hoyo "Mer-man" (circa 1962) by Betty Davenport Ford "Mermaid in the Sea" (2012) "Messenger of the Puul" (1991) by Curt Mattson "Mia Chan IV" (2007) by Michael Todd "Mi Casa Es Su Casa" (1971/2013) by Millard Sheets "Mind, Body and Spirit" (1986) by Gidon Graetz "Mine" (Corona Del Mar clock tower) (2005) by Andrew Michael Phillips "Miner" (1925) by Henry Lion "Mirage" (2008) by Ted Shaal "Mission to Masterpiece" (2009) by Betsy Schulz "Mobius Bench II" (2003) by Vito Acconci "Modern Screen" (2007) by Erika Rothenberg "Mojo" (2008) by Christian Moeller "Molecule Man" (1981) by Jonathan Borofsky "Monument to Balzac" (1897) by Auguste Rodin "Monument to Sharing" (2017) by Fallen Fruit "Monument to the Special Olympics" (2015) by Kent Twitchell "Moon Bench" (2016) by Andrea Benitez "Morning Mist" (2014) by Wendy Jann "Morning Shot" (1991) by Rip Cronk "Mosaics & Fountains" (circa 2002) "Mother and Child" (1984) by Harold L. Pastorius "Mother and Child" (2001) by Lisa Reinertson "Mother Earth and Father Sky" (1996) by Alber de Matteis "Mountain Scene" (2008) by Dan Van Clapp and Perales "Moving Pictures" (2001) by Wick Alexander and Robin Brailsford "Moving Towards The Future" (2012) by David Ocelotl Garcia "Msgr. Oscar A. Romero" (2013) by Joaquin Serrano "Multi-Verse" (2008) by Kipp Kobayashi "Multiplicity/Various Ways of Seeing" (1992) by Anne Marie Karlsen "Muse Dancers" by Bruce Thomas "Music" (1993) by Leonardo Nierman "Music of the Spheres" (1994) by Nancy Mooslin "National Humane Alliance Fountain" (1905) "Native" (2016) by Brian McCutcheon "Nature Redone" (2018) by Eric Garcia "Nature Re-Presented" (2014) by Sol Mesz "Neighborhood Portrait: Reconstructed" (2012) by Jessica Polzin McCoy "Neons for Pershing Square" (1993) by Stephan Antonakos "Neptune Water Spouts" (1975) by Betty Davenport Ford "Night Sail" (1985) by Louise Nevelson "Night Shift" (1981) by Jim Huntington "Night Watch" (2017) by John Mahoney "NoHo Gateway" (2009) by Peter Shire "North, East, South, West" (1981) by Michael Heizer "North Wave and South Wave" (2003) by Larry Gill "Nothing Exists" (2015) by Cyrcle "Nuestra Reina de Los Angeles" (1934-35) by Ada May Sharpless "Oasis" (2015) by Douglas Hollis and Anna Valentina Murch "Oblique" (2001) by Albert Paley "Ocean Dancer" (1998) by Lyle London "Ocean Steps" (2011) by Debbie Collette and Patti Linnett "Ocean" (2018) by Rachel Rodi "Oceanlife, Sun and Waves" (2002) by Kim Emerson "Oceans of Time" (1994; 2001) by Eric Orr "Octopus" (2013) by Isabelle Alford-Lago "Oculus Sol" (2012) by Buster Simpson "Of Two Lineages" (2017) by James Dinh "Oiseau" (1981) by Joan Miró "Olympiade '84" (1986) by Milton Hebald "On Saturdays" (2012) by Robbert Flick "One Sphere Five Arcs" (2005) by William Wareham "One Voice" (2009) by Phillip K. Smith, III "Oneness" (1966) by Eino Romppanen "Ontario Town Square Mural" (2014) by Andrea Benitez "Oomo Cube" (2014) by Nicole Maloney "Opus Notem Galateæ Unum" (1991) by Judith Shea "Orange Grove" (1999) by Meg Cranston "Orange Lobby" (1991) by Richard Haas "Origins" (2017) by Debra Scacco "Orit Haj" (2013) by Jenna Didier and Oliver Hess Orr sculpture (1991) by Eric Orr "Our Best" (1998) by Francois Bardol "Our Lady of DTLA" (2013) by Robert Vargas "Our Legacy: Forever Presente..." (2004) by José Antonio Aguirre "Out of Sight" (2006) by Franka Diehnelt and Claudia Reisenberger "Overcoat" (2009) by Merge Conceptual Design "Pablo at the Beach" (2013; installed 2015) by Guy Dill "Palm Trees and Paint Brushes" (2012) by Stephanie Leonard "Panoramas" (2016) by Abel Alejandre "Panoramic" (1995) by Barbara McCarren "Parallel Dance" (2003) by Cheryl Ekstrom "Parallel History I" (2005) by Charles Fine "Pasadena Egrets" (circa 1974) by David Wynne "Pasadena Panorama" (2001) by Margaret Nielsen "Pasadena Robinson Memorial" (1997) by Ralph Helmick, John Outterbridge, Stuart Schechter "Passersby" (2005) by MERGE "Pat Nixon" (1997) by Ivan Schwartz "Pathways to Freedom" (2002) by Michael Massenburg and Robin Strayhorn "Paul Revere" (2002) by Dee Clements "Peace Memorial" (1991) by Márton Váró Peace Monument of Glendale (2013) "Peace on Earth" (1969) by Jacques Lipchitz "Pelican Brown" (2005) by T. J. Dixon and James Nelson "Perfect Union" (2011) by Jeff Laing "Perpetual Motion" (c. 1996) by Bruce Stillman "Photo Collages" (2005) by Anna O'Cain and Richard Keeley "Pieces Together" (2014) by Lawrence Argent "Pier Ave. 1924" or "Beautiful Hermosa Beach" (2011) by Art Mortimer "Pierre De Wissant, Nude" (1884-95) by Auguste Rodin "Pierre De Wissant, Vetu" (1884-95) by Auguste Rodin Pioneers Monument 1934 "Pioneros de la Rivera de San Gabriel" (2016) by Robin Brailsford "Pirate's Cove" (2015) by Art Mortimer "Playground" (2003) by Tony Smith "Pomona" (1957) by Jean and Arthur Ames "Portal to Big Sur" (date unk.) by Aaron Appel and Abe Toke "Portrait Heads" (2012) by Michael Stutz "Portrait of Abbot Kinney" (2004) by Rip Cronk "Portrait Of My People #619" (1995) by Willie Middlebrook "Portraits" (officially untitled) (2003) by Tony Gleaton "Postcards From Ballona" (1997) by Francois Bardol, Lucy Blake-Elahi, Lori Escalera "Pre-Natal Memories" (1976-1980) by Mark di Suvero "Pride of La Verne" (2003) by Kevin Stewart-Magee "Pride of the Foothills" (2012) by Michael Hillman, Citrus College students "Primordial Reflections" (1996) by Albert Paley "Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana 'ole" (2001) by Sean Browne "Projections on Lake" (2007) by various artists "Prometheus Bringing Fire to Earth" (1935) by Nina Saemundsson "Proud Puma" (2017) by John Mahoney "Psychic Body Grotto" (2017) by Anna Sew Hoy "Psychogeographies" (2015) by Dustin Yellin "Pua'I wai" (1994) by Billy Al Bengston "Puck" (c. 2003) by Elizabeth MacQueen "Puka o ka moku" (1994) by Billy Al Bengston "Punk and Skate in Hermosa" (2018) by Daniel Inez "Pyramid" (1996) by John Outterbridge "Quetzalcoatl" (1968) "Quotation Courtyard" (1995) by Barbara McCarren "Raccoon Family" (2004) by Betty Davenport Ford "Raising the Flag at Monterey" (circa 1928) by Albert Herter "Ram" (1977) by Charles O. Perry "Raoul Wallenberg" or "Angel of Rescue" (1988) by Franco Assetto "Raptor Intaglio" (2008) by Gwynn Murrill "Raymond Starburst" (2003) by Marlo Bartels "Reach For The Sun" (2000) by Gary Soszynski "Read, Reach and Realize" (2002) by Wayne Healy and East Los Streetscapers "real green" (1995) by Kim Yasuda "Rebirth" (2013) by Nicole L. Ponsler "Rebuilding of the Palomares Adobe" (1941) by Frank Stauffacher "Reclining Figure II" (1967; installed 2016) by Edoardo Villa "Reclining Figure" (1981; inst'd. 1984) by Henry Moore "Recreations of Long Beach" (1936) by Stanton Macdonald-Wright "Red Car Man" (2014) by Daniel Stern "Red Car Woman" (2014) by Daniel Stern "Red Echo" (2010) by Konstantin Demopoulos "Red Roses" (2016) "Redlands Heritage" (1980) by Millard Sheets "Relief Ship at San Diego" (circa 1928) by Albert Herter "Rendezvous" (2008) by Tuan "Resting Raccoon" (2017) by John Mahoney "Rev. King, Jr. and Dr. Drew" (1998) by Tina Allen "Reverence for an Era" (2005-2006) by Kerry Zarders "Rider's Dream" (2003) by Michael Amescua "Right Above The Right-of-Way" (2016) by Susan Lorgoreci "Ring Of Fire" (2004) by Peter Erskine "River of History" (1996) by May Sun "River of Life" (2000) by Robin Brailsford "River of Time" (2016) by Cha-Rie Tang "River" (2001) by Guy Angelo Wilson "Rivers of the World" (1997) "Rock Pile Carve" (2000) by George Stone "Ronald Reagan" (2011) by Miriam Baker "Rondelle" (2005) by Lyle London "Rose Abstraction III" (2006) by Alber De Matteis "Rose Lobby" (1990) by Richard Haas "Rotunda Ceiling" (1926) by Julian Garnsey "Route 66 America's Main Street" (2012) [artist unlisted] "Route 66" (2013) by Phil Yeh "Route 66" (2014) by Brian Worley "Running for the Blue Line" (1997) by Elliott Pinkney "Sage Owl" (2017) by John Mahoney "Saint John the Baptist" (1878-80) by Auguste Rodin "Salmon Run" (1982) by Christopher Keene "San Angelo Landscape" (2015) by Mara Lonner "Santa Monica" (1934) by Eugene H. Monrahan "Santiago Park Mural" (2011) by Roberto Del Hoyo Scanga sculpture (2006) by Italo Scanga "Scenes From Ivanhoe" (1926) by Julian Garnsey and A. W. Parsons "Scenes of the Old West" (c. 1979) by Denis O'Connor, Susan Lautmann Hertel "Science, Arts, Places, Past" (1999) by Antje Hammer "Sea Breeze" (2015) by Sukhdev Dail "Sea Passage" (2005) by James Hubbell "Seagrass" (2011) by Barbara Grygutis "Searching Squirrels" (2017) by John Mahoney "Seeds of Summer" (2011) by Guy Angelo Wilson "Self-Preservation Revised" by Ed Pogue "Semper Memento" (2011) by Jorg Dubin "Sentry" (1999) by John Okulick "Separated United Forms" (2009) by David Schafer "Sequi" (1985) by Nancy Graves "Serenade" (2001) by Dee Clements "Seth Thomas Clock" (1966) by Seth Thomas Clock Company "Setting the Tables" (2014) by Jeanine Centuori, Russell Rock "Shard Towers" (2002) by Stanton Hunter "Ship in a Bottle" (2011) by Mark Dion "Short Stack" (2005) by Bruce Chaban "Shoshone" (1982) by Mark di Suvero "Sierra Leone" (1983) by Woods Davy "Sign of the Time" (1999) by Jack Sullivan "Simple Gifts" (2001) by John Fisher "Siren Call of Filmland" (2003) by Paul Hobson "Sister Cities Clock" (2019) by Dan Romero and Dina Romero "Sisyphus" (1985) by Alexander Liberman "Site Lines Past" (c. 2018) by Jeanine Centouri and Russell Rock "Sitting Figure on a Short Bench" (2000) by Magdalena Abakanowicz "sixbeastsandtwomonkeys" (2009) by Peter Shelton "Skateboarder" (1999) by Studio 2 "Skyspace: Dividing the Light" (2007) by James Turrell "Sliver" (2010) by Christian Moeller "Solar Alignment" (1992) by Ernest Shelton "Solar Shift" (2006) by Roy Nicholson "Soulful Sunrise Melody" (2016-2017) by Luis Sanchez "Sound and Sight" (2002) by Raymond Persinger "Source Figure" (1992) by Robert Graham "South Central Suite: Slauson Serenade, South Central Codex" (1995) by East Los Streetscapers "Sower's Dream" (2011) by Guy Angelo Wilson Spanish American War Memorial, Seventh Regiment Monument (1900) "Spatio Virtuo Teatro" (2006) by Jason Meadows "Spine" (1993) by Jud Fine "Spiral of Life" (1985) by Baile Oakes "Spires" (2006) by Sylvia Tidwell "Spirit of American Youth" (2008) by Donald Harcourt De Lue "Spirit of Freedom" (1993) by Janet Tuck and Geraldine Waldman "Spirit of Peppertree Square" (2015) by Maureen McProud Wheeler "Spirit of the Lima Bean" (1980) by Isamu Noguchi "Spirit of the San Gabriel River" (2016) by Andrea Myklebust and Stanton Gray Sears "Spiritual Flight" (1976) by Elijah David Herschler "Sports All Stars" (2012) by Maureen Wheeler "Sports Cut-Outs" (2005) by Anna O'Cain and Richard Keeley "Squeeze" (2007) by John Clement "Starting Over" (2014) by Harold Cohen "Statue of Freedom" (2006) by Michael Maiden "Steel Workers" (2003) by Jacquelyn Giuffre "Stone Tree Inverted Post" (2003) by Jud Fine "Story Circle" (2012) by Jules Rochielle and Chad Clark "Street Eyes" (2001) by John Okulick "Streets" (2010) by Eric Powell "Strength of the Maker" (2003) by Jacquelyn Giuffre "Suka: Place of the Bees" (1995) by Meg Cranston "Sun Glitter" (1932; inst'd. 1985) by Carl Milles "Sun Ribbon" (1980) by Claire Falkenstein "Sun Yat-sen" (c. 1961) "Sunburst" by Bill Ware "Sundancer" (2001) by Miles Addison Pepper "Sunday Drive" (2016) by Mike Stilkey "Sundial Clock" (1968) by Imre Kalinscak "Sunny Southern California" or "Centennial Mural" (2007) by Neal and Dawn Von Flue "Sunrise Sunset" (1980) by Jill Casty "Sunset at Trestles" (2013) by Ashley Keene "Sunset Dinner" (2013) by Michael Ravetti "Sunsets" (2016) by Miriam Baker and Rhonda Jones "Support" (1999) by Louis Longi "Surfer on a Wave" (2003) by Robert Pashby "SWAY" (2017) by Nick Petronzio "Swimmer Solstice" (1998) by Robin Brailsford "Symphony Mural" (2009) by Kevin Mitchell "Syncretic Manifestations" (2009) by Paul Botello "Telltales Wind Ensemble" (2004) by Douglas Hollis "Temple City Past and Present" (2015) by Art Mortimer and local students "Ten Soaring" (2007) by Lyle London "Territorial Dispute" (1995) by Chester Armstrong "The Art of Surf" (2017) by Roark Gourley "The Bandstand" (2015) by Carole Choucair Oueijan "The Big Wave: Gateway to Santa Monica" (1989) by Tony Delap "The Blessing of the Animals" (1978) by Leo Politi "The Brea Angel" (2014) by Cheryl Ekstrom "The Building of a Mission" (circa 1928) by Albert Herter "The Burghers of Calais" (1884-95) by Auguste Rodin "The Claremont Stelae" (2001) by East Los Streetscapers "The Cocoa Bear" (2017) by John Mahoney "The Conversation" (1987) by Alex McCrae "The Corazon" (1983) by Erwin Binder "The Crown Jewel" (1994) by Gifford Myers and Marlo Bartels "The Dalton Tile Murals" (2008) by Bob Zoell "The Dinosaurs of Santa Monica" (1989) by Claude and Francois LaLanne "The Doughboy" (1924) by Humberto Pendretti "The Drummer" (1990) by Barry Flanagan "The Elements" (2006) by Jane DeDecker "The Evolution of Los Angeles" (1988-1989) by Tony Sheets "The Evolution of Printing" (1988) by Tony Sheets "The Family" (2000) by Gregory Hawthorne "The Far Off Summer" (1989) by Carol Miller "The First Artists in Southern California: A Short Story" (2003) by John Valadez "The First Experience" (1984) by Erwin Binder "The Freedom Sculpture" or "Freedom: A Shared Dream" (2017) by Cecil Balmond "The Great Wall of Los Angeles" (1977-1983) by Judith Baca and Others "The Greatest" (2015) by Cryptik "The Hats" (2018) by Michael Davis and Eugene Daub "The Intimacy of Place" (2012) by Christofer C. Dierdorff "The Journey" (1999) by Gary Price "The Landing of Cabrillo at Catalina Island" (circa 1928) by Albert Herter "The Law Givers" (1960) by Albert Stewart "The Lion's Fountain" (2004) by Douglas Olmstead Freeman "The Literate Fence" (1993) by Ries Niemi "The Location" (2016) by Daniel Stern "The Lone Sailor" (1984) by Stanley Bleifeld "The Love That Binds" (2016) by Jose Calderon and Roberto Delgado "The Moment" (2016) by Dan Romero "The Motion of the Planet" (1997) by Gifford Myers "The Movies: Fantasies and Spectacles" (1993) by Joyce Kozloff "The Muralists" (1995) by Terry Schoonhoven "The Museum of Space Information" (1995) by Carl Cheng "The Pasadena Way" (1990) by Robert Irwin, Douglas and Regula Campbell "The Path of Life" (2003) by De L'Esprie "The People's Council" (2006) by Linda Brunker "The Photo Shoot" (1989) by Seward Johnson "The Preciousness of the Hunt" (2014) by Faith47 "The Raven" (2017) by John Mahoney "The Riddle of the Sphinx" (2001) by Richard Turner "The Roots of our Lives" (1994) by Denise Filz "The Savant Guard" (2006) by Christina Ulke and Ashok Sukumaran "The Seven Centers" (1993) by Renée Petropoulos "The Steps We Take" (2014) by Eloy Torrez "The Stones of Life" (1997) "The Stop" (2010) by Walter Redondo "The Sunbathers" (1983; 2016) by Leonard Glasser "The Swan" (c. 1960) by Jack Zajac "The Thinker" (1880) by Auguste Rodin "The Triumph of Civilization" (1926) by Lee Lawrie "The Unconscious" (2010) by Franz West "The Walking Man" (1905) by Auguste Rodin "The Wall: Las Memorias" (2004) by David Angelo, Robin Brailsford "The Waterman's Wall" (2013) by Randy Morgan "The Whaling Wall" (1996) by Wyland "The Wheels of Change" (2003) by Chusien Chang "Thin Cube With Sphere" (2009) by Dore Capitani "Three Graces" (1963; installed 1996) by Julie MacDonald "Three Graces" (2006) by Peter Fink "Three Moons" (1993) by John Okulick "Three Pylons" (1989) by Harold Pastorious "Three Scenes from Shakespeare" (1963) by Millard Sheets, Denis O'Connor "Three Sheets to the Wind" (1998) by Andrea Cohen Gehring "Three" (1975) by Charles Perry "Through the Looking Glass" (2009) by Clement Hanami "Tide Pool Paddleboard" (2013) by Larry Gill and Gavin Heath "Tides of Time" (2007) by John Okulick "Tiger Swallowtail" and "Yerba Santa" (2016) by Lt. Mustardseed "Tim" (2013) by Michael King and Wade Koniakowsky Tim Kelly Lifeguard Memorial (1965, 2000) by William Maloney, Chris Barela "Time and Presence" (1993) by Robin Brailsford "Time Connected" (2012) by Scott and Naomi Schoenherr "Time Piece" (2012) by Donald Lipski "Timekeeper" (2014) by Susan Narduli "Timeline" (2009) by Alber De Matteis "Todos Juntos" (2016) by Siobham Burke and Rob Berry "Tom Bradley" (1987) by Serge Sarkis "Topiaries" (2012) by Christie Beniston "Torso" (2003) by Robert Graham "Tortilla Flats" (2008) by MB Hanrahan and Moses Mora "Touch of Venice" (2012) by Jonas Never "Tracinda Deer" (1991) by Joe Fay "Tracinda Obelisk" (1992) by Joe Fay "Tractor" (date and artist unknown) "Transformative Illumination" (2016) by Wenceslao Quiroz "Traveler" (1993) by Terry Schoonhoven "Tree for Elijah" (2009) by Italo Scanga "Tree of Life" (1997) by Dora De Larios "Tree Trimmer" (2005) by Robert Tolone "Tree With Birds" (1963) by Helen Richter Watson "Trench, Shafts, Pit, Tunnel, and Chambers" (1982) by Bruce Nauman "Triforium" (1975) by Joseph Young "Trio" (2000) by Jorg Dubin "Trolley" (date and artist unknown) "Tropical Sounds" (2000) by Jun Kaneko "Truth or Fiction" (1995) by Nobuho Nagasawa "Tsunami" (2001) by Mark Leichliter "Twelve Principles" (1994) by Joe Lewis "Two Figures With Ring" (1987) by John Frame "Two of Hearts" (1997) by Tim Doyle "Two Open Rectangles" (1977) by George Rickey "Two Sphinxes" (1926) by Lee Lawrie "Two Urns" (2009) by Anne Marie Karlsen "Ultimate Challenge" (1976) by Edmond E. Shumpert "Ulysses" (1988) by Alexander Libermann "Under the Sea" (circa 1988) "Union Passage" (1998) by Guy Angelo Wilson "Universal Musicans" (1995) by Eva Cockcroft "Unknowable Origins" (2012) by Tom LaDuke "Untitled III" (2005) by Mark Lere "Upland Pride" (2003) by Art Mortimer "Upland Waiting Station" (2008) by Art Mortimer "Uptown Rocker" (1986) by Lloyd Hamrol "Uranus" (circa 1980) by Alexander "Urban Dualities" (2012) by Samuel Rodriguez "Urban Light" (2008) by Chris Burden "Utsurohi 91" (1991) by Aiko Miyawaki "Vamos Juntos" (2014) by Martin Durazo "Venice Beach Chorus Line" (2004) by Rip Cronk "Venice Beach" (1990) by Rip Cronk "Venice Kinesis" (2010) by Rip Cronk Venice Public Art Walls "Venice Torso" (2007) by Robert Graham "Veterans Are Timeless" (circa 1994) (artist unknown) "Vibrant Hills" (2013) by Hannah Daly "Villa-Parke Mural" (c. 1992) by Betty Dore Ysmael R. Villegas Memorial (1995) by Gary Coutrer "Volleyball in Hermosa" (2016) by Bo Bridges "Voyager" (2003) by Linda Brunker "Wading Pool" (2000) by R. M. Fischer "Wakeup and Dream" (2018) by Friedrich Kunath "Walk On Words" (2013-2017) "Walking Family #2" (date and artist unknown) "Walking Family" (date and artist unknown) "Walking Fingers" (2015) by Case Maclaim "Wall of (Un)Fame" (1995) by Erika Rothenberg "Wall Play" (2013) by Helle Scharling-Todd "Wallace Fountain" (1872) by Charles-Auguste LeBourg "Walter" (1991) by Edna Martinek Henry "Wanderers" (2012) by Willie Middlebrook "Warriors United" (2013) by Cheryl Ekstrom "Water Henge: H20 = Life" (2009) by Kim Emerson "Water Street: River of Dreams" (2003) by Cheri Gaulke "Water Tank Mural" (2018) by John Van Hamersveld "Water Tower" (2000) by John Okulick "Waterdance" (2012) by James Parkhurst "Watts Towers" or "Nuestro Pueblo" (1921-1954) by Sabato (Simon) Rodia "Wave 1" (2009) by Doug Snider "Wave Dance" (2002) by Marsh Scott "Waves" (2018) by Gordon Huether "We Know Who We Are" (1995) by June Edmonds "We Too Were Once Strangers" (2015) by Richard Turner "Weather Field No. 1" (2013) by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle "Welcome Home" (2017) by Shepard Fairey "Welcome to Long Beach" (2011) by John M. Valadez "West Coast Jazz" or "Hermosa Jazz" (2012) by John Pugh "Whale of a Mural" (1983) by Daniel Alonzo "Whale Watch" (1994) by Terrie Bennett "What Wall" (1998) by Eric Owen Moss "What We Created" (2015) by Carole Choucair Oueijan "What You Wore, What You Wear" (2016) by Carmen Argote "Wheels" (2010) by Anne Marie Karlsen "When It Comes to Dreams and Visions" (2002) by Mark Venaglia "White Doves" (c. 2000) "Who, What, Where?" (1994) by Mark Lere "Whole Flow" (2009) by Buster Simpson "Why We Immigrate" (1993) by Dagoberto Reyes "Wind and Sea" (1970) by Frank Matranga "Window With Ball" (1991) by John Outterbridge "Wisdom Given" (ca. 2012) by Alexander Bashta III "Wish" (2014) by Heath Satow "Women with Fruit and Grain" (date and artist unknown) "Wonder" (2012) by PowerOfWordsProject "Woodside Mural" (2014) by Jason Woodside "Working Together" (2001) by Ken Sheffer "Working Woodpeckers" (2017) by John Mahoney "World Stage Legacy" (2015) by David Flores "Woven Walk" (2015) by Pae White "You Are Not Forgotten" (1992) by Peter Stewart "Zodiac Chandelier" (circa 1926) by Lee Lawrie Hispanic Heritage of Anthony Quinn as "The Pope of Broadway" Hispanic Heritage of "Los Angeles Teachers" Surfing Culture and Public Art Kinetic Public Art: 20th & 21st Centuries Guide to Venice Beach Murals	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384433
__label__wiki	0.747682	0.747682	Jeremy Cordeaux: from office boy to radio station owner \| radioinfo Hot off the Net Faces for Radio Radio Tomorrow Selling Engagement Selling Radio Creative & Production NewsTalk Edge Weird Wonderful World Station Survey History radioinfo Australia's leading site for broadcast professionals Any Match Sign In / Newsletter Subscribe Now ▶ Jeremy Cordeaux: from office boy to radio station owner Thursday 15 September, 2016 Jeremy Cordeaux (right) with Josh Sampson He has had an illustrious career which has seen him go from office boy to owner, achieve consistent #1 ratings and acclaim as the king of Adelaide talkback radio. radioinfo’s Josh Sampson sat down with Australian Radio Hall of Famer Jeremy Cordeaux on his 2016 ACRA nomination for Best Talk Presenter. Congratulations on your nomination. Is this the first time you have been named in this category? "Yes it is and it comes as a great surprise and pleasure. I feel very lucky to still be in this industry and to be recognised by my peers is wonderful." When you left radio a decade ago, you were quoted as saying it was time to take your own long service leave. What was it that got you out of that? "For some time, I was the owner of two radio stations and when you are running the show, it is very difficult to take time for yourself. When I left, I spent time at my home in Sydney and some afternoons, I found myself enjoying a glass of red on the verandah and becoming incredulous about stories I had heard and read in the media. It wasn’t uncommon for me to be heard berating the possums and saying ‘Did you see that story today? "I found that I was still hungry and far from blasé about talkback radio so I returned to Adelaide and got in touch with the Program Director at FIVEaa. I was filling in for Leon Byner in mornings over the Christmas break and it was like I never left. One morning the Program Director asked me ‘How do you do that? How do you do what you just did on air?’ and before long, I accepted the evenings position on FIVEaa. This is despite the fact that my wife Caroline told me she would leave me if I chose to do it." The Court of Public Opinion’ moved from evenings to afternoons around this time last year. What are the main differences between these time slots? "I find that the format and the way I do things hasn’t changed but it is evolving. If you can keep yourself interested and entertained, you will have your audience doing the same. I like stings and stabs and something that punctuates hence why I have my song grabs in between segments. These are nostalgic and remind people of the soundtrack of their lives from Buddy Holly and Janis Joplin through to more modern artists including Shania Twain." How, if at all, has talkback radio changed since you returned? "When I started back in the 1970s, talkback radio was an ‘actual’ service and there were still many things we couldn’t do on air such as saying the name of a doctor. Now, talkback radio is no longer a novelty but a genre. I still feel as energetic and as passionate as I have about talkback radio and that is the key – it isn’t ‘drone in’, it isn’t ‘moan in’. Whether your listeners like you or not, they will either leave you on or they will turn you off." What would winning the 2016 ACRA for Best Talk Presenter mean to you? "I think it unlikely that I will win but it would be a humbling experience and I would be very grateful. I think there is as much talent in Adelaide as there is in the larger markets including Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and to share the evening with the many other people who have been nominated from FIVEaa will be wonderful. It is also a reminder that life is a struggle – I have had my ups and downs in this industry and sometimes when you are on thin ice, you may as well tap dance. I will keep trying, stay hungry and make everything I can of my program." Josh Sampson FIVEaa ACRA Finalists 2016 Jeremy Cordeaux Log InYou must be logged in to post comments. 16 September 2016 - 11:52am Best of luck Jeremy ! Programme Manager - AIBD Kuala Lumpur AIDB 2EC and Power FM Content Director and 2EC Announcer PowerFM Bega On-Air Personality - still looking! 103.1 Power FM Afternoon Announcer – Image Producer Ballarat Power 103.1 FM 2RPH Sponsorship and Sales Manager - updated 2RPH Star 104.5 Breakfast Co-Host Star 104.5 SEA FM farewells Gold Coast breakfast favourites After five years together on the air, SEA FM’s Galey and Charli will... Aussie plebiscite parody trending around the world The Turnbull Government has introduced legislation forcing... Tweets Liked by @radioinfo radioinfo ABN: 87 004 005 109 P O Box 6430 North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia. \| All content © 2012. All Rights Reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384441
__label__wiki	0.757389	0.757389	You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Legislators enter what could be last week of ’09 session Legislators enter what could be last week of ’09 session Today marks the beginning of what leaders hope will be the final week of the 2009 legislative session. Bills outlining state spending for the next year are on the "must-do" list, while other items — like a bill that would dramatically change Iowa’s income tax system — are on the "might-do" list. House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha doesn’t consider the Democrats’ tax proposal dead, but Democrats in the House are one vote short of the votes that’re necessary to pass it. "I think that the fact that they’re struggling to get it passed is definitely a credit to Iowans and the fact that they have engaged so directly and so adamantly on this question," Paulsen says. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs is still pressing for the plan. "We have a very modest proposal out there to provide tax cuts to Iowans in the middle class — Iowans that pay more than their fair share now and this effort corrects that a bit," Gronstal says. "I’m surprised Republicans are against it. We’ll see how that shakes out." Another tax proposal is on the "want-to-do" list. The bill would extend the state tax breaks that lured Google to build a "server farm" in western Iowa to other large "data centers" that store records for hospitals, insurance companies and other businesses. Senator Roger Thomas, a Democrat from Elkader, says Department of Economic Development officials tell him the concept is alluring. "They’ve got about 11 companies that are interesting in looking at Iowa since we’ve introduced the bill," Thomas says. By law, legislators are allotted daily expense money for 110 days this year which would push the session’s end to May 1, but Gronstal, the top Democrat in the senate, has been pushing legislators to adjourn before that in order to save money — a sort of furlough for lawmakers. "Listen we’re going to get the work done we need to get done and then we’re going to get out of here as quickly as possible," Gronstal says. "That work includes everything we can get enough votes to pass. We’ve got to pass a budget. We’re working on that." House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha says Democrats have put together a $6.3 billion state budget. "Despite the talk of all the cuts…when we’re done Fiscal Year ’10 is going to be more spending than the state has ever done in its entire history," Paulsen says. If the governor gets his wish and legislators endorse a $750 million borrowing plan for infrastructure projects, total state spending for the next budgeting year will top $7 billion. "I just find it remarkable that while we’re talking about tough times and reducing spending is that the truth of the matter when this all shakes out is that spending’s going to go up in a dramatic fashion," Paulsen says. Tonight, a public hearing will be held at the statehouse so Iowans can share their thoughts on a proposed change in Iowa’s sex offender law. Current law prohibits paroled sex offenders from living within two-thousand feet of a school or day care. The new proposal would make places where kids congregation — like schools, day care centers, libraries and parks — off limits to sex offenders and get rid of the residency restriction for all sex offenders, keeping it in place for only the most dangerous pedophiles. Filed Under: Politics / Govt Tagged With: Chet Culver, Democratic Party, Legislature, Republican Party, Taxes	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384442
__label__wiki	0.599695	0.599695	Identifying Underlying Causes of Hematuria CT urography offers significant advantages over IVP Jared Allen, MD Imaging plays a crucial role in the investigation of the underlying causes of hematuria, and until recently the primary approach has been IV pyelography (IVP). In a review of imaging modalities for patients with hematuria in AJR, O’Connor et al, noted that multiphase CT urography offers significant advantages over IVP in sensitivity and specificity, 3D rendering and global evaluation of the entire kidney and collection system, as well as discovery of alternate causes. The major drawback, however, has been the increased radiation dose needed for the examination, but the report concluded that low-dose CT may overcome this drawback. SMIL provides optimized protocols for patients allowing for dose-saving measures while maximizing the benefits of CT urography, says Jared Allen, MD, PhD, a radiologist at Scottsdale Medical Imaging (SMIL). “Individuals with hematuria and a history of a known cancer or risk factors for urinary tract cancer, particularly smokers, should be scanned,” Allen says. “In general, for any presentation of unexplained hematuria that is not associated with a known pattern of kidney disease, CT urography is the preferred imaging examination.” Allen says that SMIL’s dose-saving measures include a hematuria protocol that reduces the number of scans for younger patients, as well as physician monitoring to eliminate unnecessary delayed phases that can accompany multi-phase CT scans. “For our CT urogram, we do a non-contrast phase using a lower dose,” Allen says. “This is followed by a spilt contrast dose that allows for simultaneous evaluation of both the nephrographic phase, that shows us the outer tissue of the kidney, and the excretory phase, highlighting the entire collecting system.” Allen adds that CT urography often catches alternate causes of hematuria. “We can see alternative diagnoses with CT that would never be picked up with conventional IV pyelography,” Allen says. • O’Conner Owen, Fitzgerald Edward, Maher Michael. Imaging of hematuria. AJR. 2010;195:263-267. CT Dose Optimization and Safety Incidental Findings in Imaging Diagnostic Tests New Options for Imaging in Crohn’s Disease	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384443
__label__cc	0.560297	0.439703	BOOK a Rental Inspection & Forms When is it time for the elf to return to the shelf? By Raine & Horne Forget Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen this Christmas. The new kids on the Yuletide block are Buddy, Snowflake, Elfie, Jingle and the rest of the Elf on the Shelf squad, who should start appearing in Aussie homes by the end of November. Unless you’ve been living under a South Pole ice shelf, the Elf on the Shelf is a relatively new Christmas tradition capturing the hearts of children everywhere who are enthusiastically inviting the magical gnome-like characters into their homes for the holiday season. The elfin helpers assist Santa to manage his’ naughty or nice’ list by taking note of their family’s Christmas exploits and travelling back on a nightly basis to the North Pole to give the boss an update. Each morning, Buddy or Snowflake and the other elves return to their families and perch in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them. Children love to wake up and race around the house, looking for their Elf on the Shelf each morning. When to expect an elfin visitor Most elves will return to their shelves during Scout Elf Return Week—a week-long window between 24 November –1 December 2019, according to sources close to Santa[i]. But mum and dad, there are no hard and fast rules as every elf is different. Moreover, it would be worth taking note of several unforeseen scenarios that could help explain to younger enquiring minds why an elf’s holiday homecoming is delayed. For example, often the elves’ training is extended by Santa, or the elf is out of flying shape after chowing down on too many lollies in Mrs Claus’ Sweet Shop. It’s also quite common for a North Pole snowstorm to hold up the arrival of an elf. Hands off the Elf Keeping your hands-off Santa’s helpers is a golden rule of elf management – it affects their magical powers. But if the kids take hold of Snowflake or Jingle, Santa’s helpers can win their magic back in several ways. The touchy child could write an apology note to Santa, or better still by sprinkling cinnamon near the Elf. Sweets such as cinnamon are like vitamins for an elf and will help him or her return to the North Pole where Santa’s medical team can provide a quick check-up! The elves’ magical powers also respond to the healing energy produced by a Christmas carol sung to them by their families. If the Elf fails to move overnight Parents, please note that if an elf fails to shift position overnight, there could be several reasons for their apparent idleness. It could be that Santa’s impish helper has a favourite spot in your home, or yesterday’s spot offers an excellent observation point. Alternatively, Santa gave the elf a specific duty at the North Pole, and they didn’t have time to create a new spot, or the gluttonous elf ate too many cookies at the North Pole, and he or she can’t relocate to a new spot. To discover more about the elfin tradition, which can light up your family home this Christmas, visit www.elfontheshelf.com.au/ [i] https://www.elfontheshelf.com.au/blog/faq-elf-return What is the value of taking my property to auction in 2020 or selling by private treaty? Will extra storage add value to my home? What is the value of using a mortgage broker to secure a first home loan? Are auctions advisable for first timers?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384444
__label__wiki	0.579658	0.579658	You are here: Home \| Kingston Clan \| Kingston children get new birth certificates with father’s name Kingston children get new birth certificates with father’s name Polygamy Friday June 18, 2004 Religion News Blog SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Daniel Kingston’s 10 children with Heidi Foster have been given new birth certificates bearing the family name of their polygamist father. Juvenile Court Judge Andrew Valdez had ordered the birth certificates be reissued to ensure inheritance rights and ending a purported effort to hide Kingston’s ties to the children. Changing the names will allow child welfare and police to begin connecting some of Kingston’s 14 different wives and his estimated 120 children. Until now, only the 12 children of his first wife, Rachael Ann, carried the Kingston name. “Now we can begin to link families together,” attorney Kristin Brewer, director of the Guardian ad Litem’s Office, told The Salt Lake Tribune. Brewer brought allegations of abuse and neglect against Foster and Kingston to court after a relative sought a protective order on behalf of the two oldest daughters. Valdez ruled on June 3 that the girls had been abused and neglected. On July 7, Valdez will decide what happens next based on evaluations of the couple and their 10 children. The eight youngest children remain at home with Foster, who likely will deliver her 11th child soon. Her 15-year-old girl is in foster care and her 3-year-old girl is in the temporary custody of Shauna Blacksher, who sought the protective order that triggered the trial. Blacksher is married to Heidi Foster’s brother, who left the Kingston polygamist group years ago. Blacksher filed the protective order through Legal Aid Services when she learned of a Feb. 15 confrontation between the girls and their parents after the teens had their ears pierced. Valdez granted Blacksher’s protective order request and the two teens were taken into state-supervised custody. The Guardian ad Litem’s Office and the state Division of Child and Family Services differed on how the state should deal with the family. DCFS had investigated Foster four times in 10 years, finding inappropriately supervised children and unsafe living conditions in her home. After a 1996 investigation, her children were temporarily placed in state supervision. Allegations of physical abuse, along with concerns about Foster’s home, were raised in 2001. DCFS has provided Foster with 54 months of homemaking lessons and periodic supervision. On Feb. 22, a Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputy investigated when children ages 4 and 2 were found wandering along a busy street. His report described the home as “extremely filthy and unsanitary.” The lengthy report, which also detailed other problems, led to a referral to DCFS. The Guardian ad Litem’s Office also found DCFS referrals on other women who have children with Kingston. Brewer’s office most often gets involved in child welfare cases after DCFS petitions to remove children or seeks court-ordered services for their families, but in this case it went ahead on its own. “We became convinced that the regular petition needed to be filed and that DCFS was not going to file one,” Brewer said. “I think that they have a view that you need to be tolerant of different people’s cultures. They viewed this as a polygamy case and I was viewing it as a child abuse and neglect case.” DCFS spokeswoman Carol Sisco said her agency was “looking at long-term solutions for those girls. We don’t feel that just putting them into foster care is a long-term solution.” Associated Press, USA www.casperstartribune.net Topics: Kingston Clan, Polygamy This post was last updated: Dec. 16, 2016 Arizona court declines Warren Jeffs’ appeal to have charges remanded Polygamist sect figure released on bond FLDS struggle beyond YFZ Ranch borders FLDS tax bill to be monumental FLDS: Polygamists Pay Back Taxes New sheriff to watch FLDS in South Dakota FLDS: Polygamous sect in Canada goes public Federal grand jury indicts polygamist leader Warren Jeffs for time on the run	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384447
__label__cc	0.599385	0.400615	× 7 day services (1) Child growth (7) × Children and young people voice (5) Continuing professional development (4) × Examinations (2) × Neurology (1) × Participation (5) × Respiratory medicine (10) Smoking and tobacco (8) × Wellbeing for health professionals (4) × England (26) × North Central East London (2) × 7 day services × Children and young people voice × Examinations × Respiratory medicine × Wellbeing for health professionals Time for urgent action on air quality, says RCPCH The College warns that air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to public health in the UK, and that it disproportionately affects children, young people, and more deprived communities. Our calls include the expansion of clean air zones in towns and cities, bringing forward our comm... RCPCH responds to GMC report on wellbeing for doctors Today the General Medical Council (GMC) published ‘Caring for doctors, caring for patients’, which sets out an ambitious and welcome vision for a health service that supports doctors’ wellbeing and patient safety. Ultra low emission zone protecting children in London The Mayor of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone has now come into force. RCPCH welcomes the move, but says we also need to see employers and schools encouraging and facilitating better use of public transport and active travel options. Harassment and bullying in the NHS "Respect should underpin all working relationships" says RCPCH, as the GMC launches a pilot programme that will give doctors training in tackling unprofessional behaviours from colleagues. Membership benefit for spring - volunteering opportunities Developing new skills, meeting new people, networking with like-minded colleagues, carrying out a sense of purpose... The benefits often outweigh the time given, which may be why more than 1,100 of you volunteer for the College. Whether it's representing your region or specialty on a committee, work... Clinical guidelines and standards “UK is lagging behind” – RCPCH responds to Nuffield Trust report The Nuffield Trust and the Association for Young People's Health have today published the first ever international comparison of young people's health measures over time, comparing the UK to 18 other high-income countries. Professor Russell Viner, President of the RCPCH, responds. A movement for child health: where next? The latest instalment of our State of Child Health campaign – our “Two years on scorecards” – puts the need for progress on key child health issues front and centre of the political agenda across all nations in the UK. We want to make sure we keep up momentum and make children a political priority, ... Vice President election results announced The RCPCH is pleased to announce the results of the recent Vice Presidential elections. Dr Simon Clark has been elected Vice President for Health Policy and Professor Nick Bishop has been elected Vice President for Science and Research. They will take up their posts on 6 March 2019. Scoring change in 2019 Its only 25 days into the New Year (happy new year by the way) and it feels like 25 months have passed. We’ve seen the launch of the NHS Long Term Plan (England), launched our own screen time guidance and hosted a roundtable with three CMOs on social media use, launched our State of Child Health 201... RCPCH members asked for their views on air pollution Around one in three children are growing up in areas of the UK with unsafe levels of air pollution. This is not only damaging for their health, but a fundamental threat to their right to grow up in a clean, healthy environment.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384453
__label__cc	0.570576	0.429424	Everything you need to know about ticket sales for Shanghai Disneyland Shanghai Disneyland yesterday released an official Q&A list on the ticket sales, which begins on March 28. Q: When do ticket sales start for Shanghai Disneyland? Shanghai Disneyland park ticket sales begin on March 28 at the following times: 12:01am at Shanghai Disney Resort’s official website (http://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com) 12:01am at… Shanghai Disney Resort triggers travel surge THE June opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney’s first theme park in the Chinese mainland, triggered a sales rush after tickets became available Monday. Major authorized online tour operators, including Lvmama, Ctrip and Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, have reported a surge in bookings for tour packages related to the par… Shanghai Disneyland Tickets Frequently Asked Questions When will tickets go on sale? Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 28, 2016.What is the price of theme park admission? We offer both regular and peak-priced tickets, with regular pricing set at ¥370 and peak pricing set at ¥499. Pricing during the grand opening period (June 16-30, 2016) is set at ¥499. Special pricing (discount… Shanghai Disneyland opens on June 16, 2016 Beginning June 16, 2016, discover a never-before-seen world of wonder where you can ignite the magical dream within your heart. This is Shanghai Disneyland, a fun experience filled with creativity, adventure and thrills! Set your sights on Enchanted Storybook Castle—the largest Disney castle on the planet—and then get ready to explore as you come upon 6… The Disney Theme Park – A Tradition of Fun for Guests of All Ages Discover a magical place where you can ignite the dream inside your heart with family and friends! Once upon a time, Walt Disney—the founder of the Walt Disney Company—had a dream about something much more exciting than a standard amusement park: “It came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy’s day. So I’d take them to th… Shanghai Disneyland Weather & Packing Information Wondering what the weather’s like at Shanghai Disney Resort? We’ve put together some general information to help you prepare for the most important part of your trip—having fun! Rain or Shine: You’re Good to Go Shanghai’s climate shifts throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from hot and humid in the summer months to chilly winter weather that may… Shanghai Disneyland \| THE LION KING ｜ The Mandarin World Premiere For the first time, the incredible music, drama and grandeur of The Lion King come to life in a Mandarin-language live production—exclusively at Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown. Disney Unveils New Magic in Shanghai: Resort Filled with Innovative Attractions and Entertainment Created Especially for Chinese Guests Shanghai Disneyland, the First Disney Theme Park in Mainland China, Offers Something for Everyone Across Six Themed Lands Resort Includes Two Hotels, a Shopping, Dining and Entertainment District, and Wishing Star Park Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in Mainland China, will introduce magical Disney storytelling and exp… Shanghai Disney shows what’s in store with flagship opening The countdown to lift-off for Shanghai Disneyland begins in earnest on Wednesday with the opening of its flagship Shanghai store, the first of its kind on the mainland and the biggest in the world. The opening comes a day after the topping out of the theme park’s iconic central attraction, the Enchanted Storybook Castle, another milestone in the Walt… Disney Opens First Mainland China Retail Store in Shanghai The Walt Disney Co. opened its first Disney Store in China, getting started on a major expansion into the world’s second-largest economy. The store, at 9,257 square feet, is Disney’s largest in the world, the company said Wednesday in a statement. It is located in Shanghai’s Pudong district, where Disney plans to open a 34 billion yuan ($5.5 billion) theme p… Summer Camp China For Tour And Cultural Activities What Kind Of Services You Will Get In Summer Camps In China Summer Camp In China For Overall Development And Good Command Over Chinese Language HSK Level I – Chinese Listening Test A self-test of your Chinese proficiency Chinese Brush Painting Chinese Paper-cutting chinese summer camp excursions Culture Courses Shanghai news Study Chinese Tai-chi Quan	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384457
__label__wiki	0.522207	0.522207	Rediff.com » News » Lord Ayyappa News for Lord Ayyappa Decade's last solar eclipse witnessed in parts of India The Moon on Thursday slowly masked the Sun to leave just a burning ring of fire in what was the last solar eclipse of the decade, an astronomical phenomenon witnessed by thousands of scientists and...... Sabarimala verdict on entry of women not 'final word': CJI The Supreme Court on Thursday said its 2018 verdict allowing entry of girls and women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Kerala's Sabarimala was not the "final word" as the matter was referred...... Why this woman wants to visit Sabarimala again 'I want the Supreme Court to give directions to the Kerala government that it must give protection to all those women who want to enter Sabarimala.' IMAGE: Women's rights activist Bindu Ammini...... Tharoor: 'Always wise to tread carefully on people's feelings' 'This is an issue that is larger than the interests of any one party.' IMAGE: Police personnel detain a protestor during a demonstration against the entry of activist Trupti Desai and other women...... Trupti Desai cancels Sabarimala plan; govt says no security IMAGE: Bhumata Brigade leader and Pune-based activist Trupti Desai comes out from Kochi Commissionerate Office after their cancellation of pilgrimage to Sabarimala, in Kochi, on Tuesday....... Videos for Lord Ayyappa Web results for Lord Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa, Lord Vishnu, mythology, Karnataka, Gudgeri, superpower Lord Ayyappa, Lord Vishnu, mythology, Karnataka, Gudgeri, superpower ... http://www.dnaindia.com/india/video-lord-ayyappa-lord-vishnu-mythology-karnataka-gudgeri-superpower-2808032 Kathakali performance takes the breath away It was a sight to behold as artistes of Kerala Kalamandalam staged ‘Kathakali’ dance, depicting the fight between Arjunan and Lord Shiva, at... ... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/kathakali-performance-takes-the-breath-away/articleshow/73001810.cms The Moon on Thursday slowly masked the Sun to leave just a burning ring of fire in what was the last solar eclipse of the decade, an astronomical... ... http://www.rediff.com/news/report/decades-last-solar-eclipse-seen-in-parts-of-india/20191226.htm Mobile phones banned around Sabarimala temple Use of mobile phones has been banned around the area near the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, official sources said on... ... http://news.rediff.com/commentary/2019/dec/04/mobile-phones-banned-around-sabarimala-temple/874d0202e75013df50e18ac336d99a5a SC to hear next week plea of woman who was stopped from entering Sabarimala temple A five-judge Constitution bench, by a majority of 4:1 in its verdict delivered in September last year, had allowed girls and women of all age... ... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-to-hear-next-week-plea-of-woman-who-was-stopped-from-entering-sabarimala-temple/articleshow/72361339.cms Swami Ayyappa Hd Images Download Swami Ayyappa Hd Images Download ->...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384459
__label__wiki	0.95488	0.95488	Jessica Chastain: Matt Damon Was "Manipulated" Story from Entertainment News Jessica Chastain Says Matt Damon Was "Manipulated" & Is "A Really Good Guy" Meagan Fredette Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage. Update: Jessica Chastain sent a followup tweet after Matt Damon explained his side of the story in an interview with Deadline. "I believe that Matt was manipulated. I've spent time with him on The Martian and he's a really good guy," Chastain tweeted. This story was originally published on October 9, 2017. Jessica Chastain is adding her voice to the women of Hollywood who are shocked, outraged, and disappointed about the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations. So far, Meryl Streep, Rose McGowan, Lena Dunham, Judi Dench, and more have all spoken up to condemn the disgraced movie mogul. The fiercely feminist actress first tweeted her support of Weinstein's abuse victims this morning, writing that "Yes. Im [sic] sick of the media demanding only women speak up. What about the men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behavior....." She's right. Complicit men are often part of an infrastructure that keeps abusers in power. And unfortunately, her The Martian co-star Matt Damon is one of them. She tweeted again, saying "This is heart shattering," and linking to a piece by Vulture. The story details how Matt Damon and Russell Crowe both allegedly worked to kill a New York Times story that would have exposed Harvey Weinstein over a decade ago, in 2004. The Times broke the initial allegations last week. Vulture goes on to describe how journalist Sharon Waxman traveled around the world to investigate the story. She followed Fabrizio Lombardo, who was then the Italian head of Miramax, which was Weinstein's distribution company. Lombardo allegedly was hired to "to take care of Weinstein’s women needs," and yes, we're cringing too. "I had people on the record telling me Lombardo knew nothing about film, and others citing evenings he organized with Russian escorts," says Waxman. She also describes how Damon and Crowe made calls to help stop the story from being published. "Waxman alleges in the Wrap that Matt Damon and Russell Crowe called her “directly” to dispel the report," writes Vulture. If this is true, and we have no reason to believe the reporting is faulty, this is a terrible act on the part of these two actors. By not allowing Weinstein to be exposed sooner, they endangered more women. Their reported lack of integrity exposed a known sexual predator to even more victims because he would face no consequences. We're with Chastain here. This is shattering and sickening. We expect that more awful stories are only going to be told in the days to come. Yes. Im sick of the media demanding only women speak up. What about the men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behavior..... https://t.co/tGUsjUYNMR — Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 9, 2017 This is heart shattering https://t.co/xqgrH5Smgp You'll Never Guess How Anna & Elsa Connect To The Disney 'Verse The Best British Shows You Should Be Watching Exactly What Women Spend To Compete On The Bachelor Jessica Chastain Matt Damon Harvey Weinstein Shattered Entertainment News • Entertainment • Movies written by Meagan Fredette Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Will Leave Their HRH Titles Behind —... When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would be taking a step back from the royal family, there was a lot of confusion about what, exactly by Lydia Wang Cameron Diaz & Benji Madden Got Creative With More Than Their Bab... One of the toughest decisions parents must make is what to name their child. What’s in a name? How creative should you get? Should you continue family na by Tara Edwards One Of R. Kelly’s Girlfriends Has Reunited With Her Estrang... When Surviving R. Kelly first aired on Lifetime, the world was introduced to the harrowing personal stories of women who alleged that the R&B singer ha by Ineye Komonibo American Horror Story & The OA Actor Dead At 27 Hollywood has lost another star. Harry Hains, popular for his roles in shows like Ryan Murphy’s award-winning American Horror Story and the beloved sci-f R. Kelly’s Girlfriends Got In A Fight On Instagram Live & N... As if the charges he’s currently facing weren’t already gravely serious, R&B singer R. Kelly’s legal situation might be getting even more complic Silvio Horta, Creator Of Ugly Betty, Found Dead At 45 TV producer and creator of ABC’s Ugly Betty Silvio Horta has died, according to Deadline. Reports around the cause of death vary at this time. Refinery29 by Kaitlin Reilly Riverdale‘s Vanessa Morgan Tied The Knot With A Ce... Vanessa Morgan and MLB star Michael Kopech have tied the knot. Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz on the hit CW show Riverdale, and Kopech, a pitcher for the Chi by Alejandra Salazar Leaving Neverland Accusers Can Sue For Sexual Abuse, After... As of January 1, 2020, a California law preventing victims of childhood sexual assault from filing a claim against a corporation after the age of 26 has un by Sarah Midkiff Time’s Up Addresses Exploitation In Auditions, Nude Scenes & Work... Time’s Up has taken a major step to empower workers in the film industry. The organization debuted its three-part guide to working in entertainment to ed DaBaby Has Been Arrested On Battery Charges Rapper DaBaby (real name Jonathan Kirk) was taken into police custody and questioned by authorities on New Year’s Eve during a trip to Miami, FL. The Nick Gordon, Ex-Boyfriend Of Bobbi Kristina Brown, Is Dead At 30 The Associated Press reports that Nick Gordon, the ex-partner of Whitney Houston’s late daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, has died. He was 30. Gor by Leah Carroll America Ferrera Kicks Off 2020 By Announcing She’s Expecting Her ... America Fererra is expecting her second child! She rang in 2020 by announcing her pregnancy on Instagram, in a photo surrounded by her husband, Ryan Piers by Meagan Fredette	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384460
__label__cc	0.713319	0.286681	High Grade Re-Mineralisation Programme (A Summary/Recap) Advanced Mineral and Nutritional Therapy - The Foundation of Health and Recovery We believe this is simply the best re-mineralisation programme out there. We really felt a need for an all encompassing approach to re-mineralisation as it is so important, being the very foundation of health and recovery. A deficiency in minerals (including trace minerals) is a fundamental cause of poor health, disease and premature aging. Why is the correct method of mineralisation so important ? The body is basically made from minerals and water. It is the way minerals and water are arranged that creates flesh, organs, blood and bone, etc. It is not just the physical composition of the body that the minerals play a key role in; they also play a role in the production and transmission of the electro-biological energy that keeps us alive. The pH connection- testing saliva and urine pH The urine and saliva pH, measured three times daily for six days, reliably reveals the mineral status of the body in a dynamic way. It can indicate mineral reserve levels, the utilisation of minerals, the efficiency of the metabolism and if one is losing excessive minerals via the urine. The essential elements of the re-mineralisation programme are Calcium (the correct type of calcium is determined by pH testing, taking the wrong type of calcium can be counter-productive) Low Sodium Ionic Liquid Minerals (multi-soluble-minerals and trace minerals with an huge emphasis on magnesium. Essential for balance when supplementing calcium) Celtic Ocean Sea Salt (with trace minerals and bitterns) Calcium; either Coral Calcium or Calcium Citrate as determined by pH testing (see full article) The majority of people will require Coral Calcium for this re-mineralisation programme. This will have a powerful effect on raising physiological energy, hence the need to go carefully with dose introduction. Who shouldn't take coral calcium? It takes energy to metabolise calcium, to break it down. Babies, children, the frail, elderly and the very sick don't have strong enough digestive capability (stomach or small intestine) to break it down. So in these cases we recommend an easy-to-digest calcium like calcium citrate. This supplies calcium that the body can use whilst healing without adding to the struggles the body already has. Low Sodium Ionic Liquid Minerals This is a highly absorbable source of all the soluble minerals and trace elements, with an emphasis on magnesium. Similar mixture and balance as found in a healthy extracellular fluid and blood, except with the sodium chloride (salt) removed. Low in calcium and so to balance, the calcium is taken separately as discussed in the full article. Full spectrum ocean minerals & trace elements with many unexpected health benefits. A pure, natural salt such as Celtic Ocean Sea Salt has the perfect balance of minerals, nutrients and sodium chloride that we need for optimum health; the body can recognise and absorb these essential nutrients efficiently. Both of our vitamin C products contain Acerola Cherry Extract; one of natures highest concentrations of Vitamin C. The free radical scavenging benefits are useful for lessening the tendency to degenerative disease and fighting cellular aging. Please click on the banner below to read the full article, which includes extensive details on pH testing saliva and urine and interpreting the results and more in depth information on all of the elements outlined above. Ionic Liquid Minerals -- Low Sodium	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384462
__label__wiki	0.88152	0.88152	Blast From The Past: Inside Ukraine's Last Nuclear Missile Base April 16, 2019 13:00 GMT By Amos Chapple A perfectly preserved nuclear launch site in the Ukrainian countryside 1 Under this 121-ton steel door a nuclear missile once stood, aimed at the United States, and ready to launch. 2 After the collapse of the U.S.S.R., a newly independent Ukraine agreed to destroy its dozens of nuclear-missile silos. 3 But the commanders of this base near Pervomaysk, some 300 kilometers south of Kyiv, were allowed to leave their silo intact as a museum. 4 Today, the remarkable relic of Cold War brinksmanship is overseen by some of the same commanders once tasked with potentially destroying America. 5 The heart of the base lies through a 155-meter underground corridor... 6 ...behind a 750-kilogram steel door… 7 ...and at the bottom of a 40-meter shaft. 8 Inside this command center, a tour guide explains, Soviet officers spent years awaiting a command that would have signaled the end of civilization as we know it. 9 A model of the underground command center showing living and working compartments (bottom) under 10 floors of electronics and generators designed to keep the base running for 45 days in the event of nuclear war. Within its massive steel shell, the cylinder was suspended on shock absorbers to insulate the men and equipment inside from the earth-twisting power of a nuclear strike. 10 Deep underground, commanders on duty spent six hours in front of their keyboard, strapped into their seats in case an enemy missile struck. The men were not permitted to eat or drink while in this seat. 11 Local tour guide Olena Smerychevska (who works professionally as Elena Smerichevskaya) sitting at one of the two desks with access to the launch buttons. 12 The nuclear apocalypse would have begun with a direct command from Moscow… 13 ...after which the launch code would be determined. 14 Once the code was entered, the two officers simultaneously needed to turn a key (right), then press the launch button (left). The "four hands" system made it impossible for anyone to launch a missile alone, according to the museum. 15 A model of the SS-24 Scalpel missile that would have blasted out of the silo. 16 A Soviet propaganda image of a missile launch. After streaking through space at a speed of around 7 kilometers per second, the Scalpel missile (known by the Soviets as "Brave Man") would have opened to release up to 10 individually targeted nuclear warheads. 17 An SS-18 Satan missile on display at the base. An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fired from Pervomaysk could have hit New York within 20-25 minutes of launch. The targets for this base's Scalpel ICBM remain a secret, according to the museum. 18 Underneath the control room, a living space for off-duty officers conceals fail-safes described by former commanders. Behind the door at bottom right... 19 ...was a safe for service weapons. 20 According to Smerychevska, off-duty officers relaxing beneath the command center were under orders to grab their pistols, clamber up, and execute comrades who refused to launch a strike. A military expert who spoke with RFE/RL, however, doubted this claim, saying the pistols were most likely for self-defense. 21 The subterranean living space also held a mixture of cutting-edge and ancient appliances. This microwave was installed in the base, reportedly before any Soviet homeowners had access to the technology. 22 This samovar was fixed in place to reduce the risk of a more modern electric kettle being dropped and wreaking havoc on delicate electronics. 23 Above ground, the base was ringed with an array of underground sensors and three fences. A current powerful enough to kill a person (or animal) pulsed through the wires of the inner fence (pictured). 24 These armored turrets, with machine guns mounted inside, were a last line of defense. Smerychevska says the bases in the area were so secret that even today some locals are reluctant to talk about them. 25 Today, with the base slowly becoming well-known, former military personnel working with tourists can make for an occasionally awkward mix. Amos Chapple Amos Chapple is a New Zealand photojournalist with a particular interest in the former U.S.S.R. ChappleA@rferl.org LIKE Subscribe via RSS	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384464
__label__wiki	0.958214	0.958214	Washington Operative Who Lobbied For Ukrainian Party Charged Samuel Patten, a longtime Washington operative and associate of a Russian-Ukrainian man indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, has admitted to lobbying for a Ukrainian political party and failing to register as a foreign agent. Second Person Dies In Donetsk Cafe Blast That Killed Separatist Leader Zakharchenko The leadership of the pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine has been thrown into disarray after the head of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic was killed in an explosion at a cafe designed to honor the separatists. EU Foreign Ministers Voice Concern Over Possible Kosovo-Serbia Land Swap European Union foreign ministers joined Germany in expressing concerns about a possible territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia, warning it could reignite age-old ethnic tensions. Russia Says Contract To Ferry U.S. Astronauts To ISS Ends In April Russia’s contract with the United States to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) is due to expire in April, Russia’s deputy prime minister for defense and space agency said on August 31. Germany Extradites Suspected Islamic Militant Back To Russia Germany has extradited a man from Russia's North Caucasus region back to Russia, where he faces allegations of taking part in terrorist activities in support of a banned Islamic extremist group. Industrial Acid Leak Blamed For Ravaging Northern Crimea Russia-imposed officials in Ukraine's occupied Crimea region say a leak from a chemical factory in the northern part of the peninsula is the cause of an oily film that has coated nearby villages and decimated crops in the area. Blast At Russian Explosives Factory Kills At Least Three A blast at an explosives plant in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region on August 31 has killed at least three people. Claiming Unfair Treatment, Trump Threatens To Pull U.S. From WTO U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the World Trade Organization, calling the international body’s agreements "the single worst trade deal ever made." Afghan Official Says Roadside Bomb Kills Five Police In East Afghan officials say a roadside bomb has killed five border police and wounded three others in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Kazakh Friend Of Boston Marathon Bomber Released From U.S. Prison A Kazakh friend of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been released from a U.S. federal prison after serving more than five years for obstruction of justice. International Space Station Crew Repairs Air Leak With Epoxy, Tape Retired Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev says a "micro" pressure leak in a compartment of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS) has been repaired with epoxy resin and tape. Kremlin Says Putin Open To Talks With Trump At Upcoming Events The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin could hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at three summits by the end of this year.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384465
__label__wiki	0.733731	0.733731	Microsoft Launches Solitaire, Mahjong and Minesweeper for Nokia Lumia December 29, 2013 Miss Hika Microsoft Launches Collection Solitaire, Mahjong and Minesweeper for Nokia Lumia, Windows Phone 8 only three games that can be considered as the most popular Microsoft PC games of all time, is that devices and who has not ever played some of these three games?. By the way, are also available for Windows 8. Games have been completely connect with the Xbox Live service included in all three, with which you can earn achievements, challenge your friends, send your scores to leaderboards and your personal game stats. In addition, we can also play, pause and resume the game through Windows, PC and tablets. Solitude is still the most played game of all time computer, and for good reason. Simple rules and simple gameplay that are easy to understand for anyone. Just focus on the cleanliness of the cards on the table, or try to raise your score to compete with friends. Solitude has been part of Windows for more than 20 years ago, and Microsoft Solitaire Collection makes it the best experience so far with five different card games in one: Klondike. This version is the timeless classic that many people simply call it ” Solitude.” Try to eliminate all cards from the board by popular or traditional scoring Vegas scoring system. FreeCell. Use four extra batteries to move the cards around as you try to remove all cards from the table. More strategic than the version of Klondike, FreeCell rewards players who think several moves ahead. Spider. Eight columns of cards waiting for their attempts to clear them with the fewest possible moves. Start playing with one stick until you feel comfortable, and then see how you do when two or even four suits are used in a match. TriPeaks. Select the cards in a sequence, either up or down, to earn points. How many tables can be solved before you run out of deals ? Pyramid. Pair two cards totaling 13 in order to eliminate them. Try to reach the top of the pyramid. See how high you score in this game seemingly simple and highly addictive card is still increasing in popularity! Microsoft Mahjong is a game of classic matches renovated with beautiful images, intuitive controls, and all the features that fans have come to expect mahjong.Enjoy amazing graphics and soothing sounds with three different themes to choose from. Complete multiple puzzles in three difficulty levels, great for beginners and experts alike. With an improved Undo system, players have the option to rewind to correct errors. Play the logic game you know and love, now with updated graphics and sound. Play with a touch of your finger to point to the location of all mines without uncovering any of them! Start with easy puzzles and passes Expert. Microsoft Launches Solitaire, Mahjong and Minesweeper for Nokia Lumia is available free in the Windows Phone Store. Monster Stack 2 for Nokia Lumia 900/800/710/610 Angry Birds Space for Nokia Lumia Available Soon Asphalt 5 for Nokia Lumia 900/800/710/610 Free Download The Sims FreePlay for Nokia Lumia on Windows Phone Store Dungeon Hunter 4 now available for Nokia Lumia Download Angry Birds Seasons: Wreck the Halls for Nokia N8, C7, C6-01, E7 and Nokia X7 Peak Gold for Nokia N8 / C7 / 603/701 / N9 Nokia 3D World Gaze is updated to MeeGo and Nokia Belle Free Download Where’s My Water? 2 for Nokia Lumia tagged with game, Nokia, Nokia Lumia	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384470
__label__wiki	0.638612	0.638612	お客様ポータルお問い合わせ 🔒 お客様ポータルサポートしている製品 Oracleサポート SAPサポート IBM関連のサポート Microsoft関連のサポートサポートプログラムの特徴製品サポートサービス各国の税および法改正に関する更新サービスセキュリティサポートサービスリスク回避サービステクノロジーサポートサービス戦略的イノベーション & ロードマップサービスアカウント管理サービスオンボーディングおよびアーカイブサービスアナリストレポートデータシート Eブックリサーチレポートウェビナー（英語）ホワイトペーパービデオ削減額を計算会社概要ニュースプレスリリースブログイベント受賞歴（英語）マネージメントチームサポートプログラムの特徴製品サポートサービス各国の税および法改正に関する更新サービスセキュリティサポートサービスリスク回避サービステクノロジーサポートサービス戦略的イノベーション & ロードマップサービスアカウント管理サービスオンボーディングおよびアーカイブサービス Eブックリサーチレポートウェビナー（英語）ホワイトペーパー削減額を計算受賞歴（英語）マネージメントチーム Rimini Street Wins Company of the Year Award Receives industry recognition from One Planet Awards with multiple wins for outstanding customer service and company growth LAS VEGAS, March 1, 2018 - Rimini Street, Inc., (Nasdaq: RMNI), a global provider of enterprise software products and services, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products, today announced it has been honored with three One Planet® Best in Business and Professional Excellence Awards for the Company's ongoing commitment to outstanding client service delivery and for its exceptional company growth and achievements, including the public listing of RMNI on Nasdaq in 2017. Rimini Street's award wins included Most Innovative Service of the Year and Most Customer Friendly Company of the Year, as well as Company of the Year. Exceptional Company Growth and Customer Service Excellence Rimini Street achieved several key milestones in 2017 which contributed to its Company of the Year recognition. In addition to its public listing, Rimini Street also marked its 47th consecutive quarter of growth in Q3 2017 and increased its quarterly net revenue by 32% year over year for the same period. The Company also launched support for six new product lines, introduced its next-generation database security solution, expanded its presence in Brazil, and opened a new office in France. Rimini Street's Global Service Delivery (GSD) team earned two customer service awards for achieving an overall client satisfaction rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 (with 5.0 being "excellent") in 2017, and delivering response times averaging less than five minutes for all Priority 1 cases. During the first three quarters of 2017 alone, the group closed over 20,000 support cases across more than 40 countries. Rimini Street's GSD team is made up of professionals around the world who support global client operations, providing services such as interoperability, security advisory services and performance tuning. The Company provides its clients with industry-leading Service Level Agreements which include 15-minute guaranteed response times for Priority 1 critical cases and 24/7/365 support coverage. The Company also provides each client a named local Primary Support Engineer with an average of 15 years' experience specifically with the client's application or system software. "Rimini Street launched more than a decade ago with a mission to redefine the enterprise software support market by providing our clients around the world with the highest quality, most responsive support in the industry," said Brian Slepko, senior vice president, Global Service Delivery at Rimini Street. "Ensuring our clients' satisfaction and success drive us to continually innovate and invest in new products and services to address their changing needs. We are honored to be recognized by the One Planet Awards for Rimini Street's steadfast commitment to providing the 'Gold Standard' of support to our clients, as well as being recognized for Company of the Year for our strong, consistent growth." The One Planet Awards is the world's premier awards program honoring best in business and professional excellence in every industry from around the world. Organizations from all over the world are eligible to submit nominations including public and private, for-profit and non-profit, largest to smallest and new start-ups. About the One Planet Awards One Planet Awards recognizes companies for their business and professional excellence. The One Planet Awards honors are currently conferred in category sections which include outstanding individuals, executives, teams, new products and services, PR, Marketing, and Corporate Communications, and organizations from all over the world. Learn more about the One Planet Awards at www.oneplanetawards.com. Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI) is a global provider of enterprise software products and services, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products. The company has redefined enterprise software support services since 2005 with an innovative, award-winning program that enables licensees of IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and other enterprise software vendors to save up to 90 percent on total support costs. Clients can remain on their current software release without any required upgrades for a minimum of 15 years. Over 1,450 global Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and other organizations from a broad range of industries currently rely on Rimini Street as their trusted, third-party support provider. To learn more, please visit https://www.riministreet.com, follow @riministreet on Twitter and find Rimini Street on Facebook and LinkedIn. (C-RMNI) Certain statements included in this communication are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "may," "should," "would," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "continue," "future," "will," "expect," "outlook" or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our 2017 revenue guidance, industry, future events, future opportunities and growth initiatives, estimates of Rimini Street's total addressable market, and projections of customer savings. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance, nor are these statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Rimini Street's business, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in the business environment in which Rimini Street operates, including inflation and interest rates, and general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which Rimini Street operates; adverse litigation developments; inability to refinance existing debt on favorable terms; changes in taxes, governmental laws, and regulations; competitive product and pricing activity; difficulties of managing growth profitably; the loss of one or more members of Rimini Street's management team; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger transaction with GPIAC, including difficulty in integrating the businesses of GPIAC and Rimini Street; uncertainty as to the long-term value of RMNI common stock; the inability to realize the expected amount and timing of cost savings and operating synergies; those discussed in Rimini Street's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on November 9, 2017 and other documents of Rimini Street on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be additional risks that Rimini Street presently knows or that Rimini Street currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Rimini Street's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Rimini Street anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Rimini Street's assessments to change. However, while Rimini Street may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Rimini Street specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Rimini Street's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. © 2018 Rimini Street, Inc. All rights reserved. "Rimini Street" is a registered trademark of Rimini Street, Inc. in the United States and other countries, and Rimini Street, the Rimini Street logo, and combinations thereof, and other marks marked by TM are trademarks of Rimini Street, Inc. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, and unless otherwise specified, Rimini Street claims no affiliation, endorsement, or association with any such trademark holder or other companies referenced herein. 日本リミニストリート株式会社 163-1030 東京都新宿区西新宿 3-7-1 新宿パークタワー N30 階 Tel 電話: +81 (0) 3 5326 3461 サポート製品 Support for Salesforce サポートプログラムの特徴製品サポートサービス各国の税および法改正に関する更新サービスセキュリティサポートサービスリスク回避サービステクノロジーサポートサービス戦略的イノベーション & ロードマップサービスアカウント管理サービスオンボーディングおよびアーカイブサービス会社概要ニュースプレスリリースブログイベント受賞歴（英語）マネージメントチームキャリアお問い合わせ	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line1384471

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