Our blog includes news and commentary on financial topics related to your family, business, and nonprofits. Stay up-to-date on news and financial planning strategies by visiting us online often.
Are Trump trade negotiations increasing market volatility?
We've recently made the decision to reduce our use of mutual funds, and instead rely on individual stocks & EFTs. Here's why we made the switch.
Ambassador Advisors is pleased to recognize the very special centennial birthday of our client Mary Hannum, born June 9, 1917 in Philadelphia.
Read the Central Penn Business Journal article on the growth of faith-based financial planning, featuring our very own Bernie Bostwick.
Here are some final thoughts to consider when dealing with life insurance policies, including the rules and tax cost of employer-paid life insurance.
There are some significant traps that can snare you when utilizing life insurance. Here are three life insurance tax traps and their potential solutions.
Life insurance has an important role in achieving financial independence is one thing. Learn more about insurance and the tax laws that affect it.
Do you know how much money you will need for your retirement? Make sure you save enough for your retirement years, whether that is 30-35 years or longer.
As you reach age 50, the decisions you make can have a lasting impact on your retirement savings & legacy. Learn how the Planning Life Cycle model can help.
Start saving for retirement as soon as possible and let compound interest work to your advantage. Learn how much adding 1% could mean to you in retirement.
If you are a parent or grandparent looking start a college savings account, there are plenty of options available. Learn the benefits & features of each.
Many have felt there was a cloud over the economy in recent years. But this morning, while the sun's not yet out, the clouds are lifting.
Dirk Olds, a financial advisor based in Binghamton, NY, received his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®). Learn how this can help with your non-profit.
Curtis D. Stoltzfus recently received his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation, so he can better serve nonprofit organizations.
Financial stress is a cyclical problem which is generating health problems and more debt for our senior citizens. Learn how to cope with these issues today.
See highlights from the 2016 Ambassador Advisors Client Christmas Event. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
In the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study, 1 in 4 people said they feel they need more life insurance protection. Plan for your legacy with life insurance.
Bank deposits and treasury securities remain at their lowest levels in fifty years. Here's our thoughts on how this will impact the markets.
Here's our thoughts on the recent unemployment report, how it will affect the markets, and what you should do about it.
Here are some tips for investing in a 529 College Savings account, including how to optimize your savings by geography.
Here are six financial planning tips for US veterans and those who currently serve, helping them take control of their financial future and feel empowered.
In honor of Father's Day this Sunday, here is some heartfelt & genuine advice from fathers to their children on personal finances.
May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month and is a great time to think about protecting your income with long-term disability insurance.
As more individuals are becoming primary caregivers for their parents and loved ones, businesses and employers will need to adjust how we support them.
Figuring out how much to save for retirement can be a huge challenge. While some suggest a minimum retirement rule, here are some shortcomings of that plan.
Around this time every year, a handful of tax myths rear their ugly heads. Some of them change year to year, but a few stubborn ones just won't go away.
Are you part of the 61% of Americans with a retirement account? Here's how your account compares to others approaching retirement age.
41% of Americans approaching retirement have no retirement account. Here's how this group plans to pay for their retirement.
As you approach retirement, how does your savings compare against others in your age group? Here are some hard numbers on retirement savings in America.
Avoid these common retirement saving mistakes, like diversifying your retirement assets, to set yourself up for a stronger financial future.
Avoid these common retirement saving mistakes, like withdrawing funds early, to set yourself up for a stronger financial future.
There is a retirement crisis in America, but you can still start saving for retirement. Here's what you need to know about retirement in the United States.
There is a retirement crisis in America, but it's not too late to change your situation. Here's what you need to know about retirement in the United States.
Goldman Sachs recently released a projection report stating that market fears of a recession are overblown. Read a summary of the report.
Believing the Boom or Bust?
Here at the start of 2016, we have seen pundits worry about the global markets this year. Here are 3 reasons why we think 2016 will be a strong year.
Here is the final part of our 4-part series on key areas for business owners to focus on for high performance.
Here is part 3 of our series on key areas for business owners to focus on for high performance.
Here is part 2 of our series on key areas for business owners to focus on for high performance.
Business owners who want their business to have consistently high performance should consider the following key areas to improve.
There are three ways to meet the challenge of giving more fully: increase income, cut spending, and/or use tax laws to increase your ability to give.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 renews and makes permanent several important tax incentives. Here's what to know about this law.
Like gardening, retirement planning takes time, careful planning, knowledge, and patience.
Our team of qualified financial advisors have a host of designations after their names, including CFP, ChFC, CFA, and CAP. Here's what these mean.
In the face of countless investment tools and resources, our team of advisors rely on the right ones to provide you with information about your portfolio.
There are many myths and misconceptions about Social Security and how it relates to your retirement plan. Here's part 2 of a blog series on Social Security.
There are many myths and misconceptions about Social Security and how it relates to your retirement plan. Here's part 1 of a blog series on Social Security.
Your plans for retirement should adjust for different stages of life. Here are some more things to consider for your retirement planning.
Your plans for retirement should adjust for different stages of life. Here are some things to consider for your retirement planning.
As the cost of college education continues to climb, many "outside" family members are stepping in to help. Here's how a 529 account can help with college.
As the cost of college education continues to climb, many "outside" family members are stepping in to help. Here's how to give cash gifts for college.
Should you pay off your mortgage or invest your extra cash? Here are some more things to consider when deciding where to send extra money.
Should you pay off your mortgage or invest your extra cash? Here are some things to consider when deciding where to send extra money.
Planning out your retirement income can be difficult and may feel like putting together pieces of a puzzle. Here are some additional ideas for where you can look for potential income when nearing retirement.
Planning out your retirement income can be difficult and may feel like putting together pieces of a puzzle. Here are some ideas for where you can look for potential income when nearing retirement.
Whether you're a current business owner or a budding entrepreneur burning with the next great idea, one of the most important steps you can take on your road to success is creating a business plan.
Our Family Legacy Journey is a unique process enabling you to provide your children with essential guidance in handling your affairs.
You've worked hard your whole life to retire. Here's some final advice to help you carefully manage your assets so your retirement savings will last.
You've worked hard your whole life to retire. Here's some more advice to help you carefully manage your assets so your retirement savings will last.
You've worked hard your whole life to retire. Here's some advice to help you carefully manage your assets so your retirement savings will last.
You may never be able to completely prevent your identity from being stolen, but here are some more tips to help protect yourself from becoming a victim.
You may never be able to completely prevent your identity from being stolen, but here are some tips to help protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Here are some of the investment styles our team of advisors rely on when making investment recommendations for your portfolio.
Here are some of the objective criteria our team of advisors use when making investment recommendations for your portfolio.


Sugarbush Valley: An ideal life: Surprise!
Thanks for the comment Sigrun. It is not the best story ever, but I just wanted to give Dorothy a place of her own and if Antonio ever arrives they can live happily ever after!
If I could make bedding like that, that is all that I will be doing, ha ha. I love it too thx, it is from a local site like ebay. Not always just fun and games in Sugarbush Valley, especially with residents like Katrina Whiskers and Hatty Huckleberry.


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'Gut-wrenching:' Trumbull woman recalls mother-in-law's death from COVID
Amanda Cuda Dec. 4, 2020 Updated: Dec. 4, 2020 7:05 p.m.
Palmira Alves of Trumbull died due to COVID-19 on May 12,2020.
Photo: Contributed by the Alves family
Palmira Alves shouldn't have had to die alone.
The 82-year-old Trumbull resident had three sons and eight grandchildren, many of whom lived near St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport where she spent her last days.
But when Alves died from COVID-19 in May, no one was able to get there in time. Her daughter-in-law Alice Ferreira, 51, of Trumbull, said that's one of the many sad realities of life in a pandemic.
When the call came in that Alves was close to death, "there was an absolutely gut-wrenching race to figure out how we were going to do this," Ferreira said.
By Peter Yankowski
Lamont: National Guard COVID aid extended through March
Experts: As COVID soars, CT flu activity 'remains low'
State officials: CT reaches new COVID high, but all residents...
By Ben Lambert
Study: Black, Hispanic children disproportionately catch COVID
The family tried to figure out who was closest, and who could get there the fastest, but nobody made it in time.
Ferreira said it was heartbreaking knowing that her mother-in-law didn't have the presence of family at the end of her life.
"Whispering comforting thoughts into an ear at the end — that ability for us was not there," she said.
This week, Connecticut passed the milestone of more 5,000 deaths from COVID-19. For many families in Connecticut, those deaths included someone they loved and, likely, someone they couldn't spend time with in their final moments.
Ferreira said the situation with her mother-in-law was particularly sad because the family is so close. In addition to her three sons and grandchildren, Alves had three daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. Alves also had a daughter who died before her.
Under normal circumstances, without pandemic restrictions, it's likely most family members would have been sitting in the waiting room at the end, but COVID-19 made that impossible.
The whole experience of Alves's illness and death was a shock, Ferreira said. She said her mother-in-law at first seemed to have a cold, then some difficulty breathing. Alves eventually tested positive for COVID-19, then was quickly hospitalized.
The illness moved fast, Ferreira said, due largely to her mother-in-law's age and the fact that she lived with diabetes.
"She clearly could not battle it and passed away," Ferreira said.
Despite the family's harrowing experience, Ferreira praised the staff at St. Vincent's, whom she said did everything they could for the family. She's grateful, for instance, that they got to speak with Alves via FaceTime before she was placed on a ventilator.
"The way they paused and set up the technology for us to have FaceTime was amazing," Ferreira said. "I think us mere mortals wouldn't be so patient and kind and loving to say 'I'm going to pause what I'm doing to hold up this iPad so you can talk to your family.'"
Ferreira said the loss of her mother-in-law has made her and her family even more vigilant about the virus. For one thing, she's altered a family tradition — a holiday cookie swap and food donation — to make it virtual.
Overall, she said, she hopes more people realize the importance of masks, social distancing and other protective measures.
"(After Alves died) we became even more conscientious about following the rules," Ferreira said. "You try to be very mindful and model good behavior."
Amanda Cuda
Follow Amanda on:
AmandaCuda
Though she grew up in Michigan, Amanda Cuda is from Connecticut originally and moved here shortly after graduating from Michigan State University. She has worked for the Connecticut Post in a variety positions, including town reporter, features writer, TV columnist and health editor. She's a married mother of twins who loves reading, watching TV and rooting for the Michigan State Spartans.
Obama's praise part of 'odd' year for author and Fairfield University professor
State health department: No new flu hospitalizations in CT
Fact check: The truth about COVID vaccines

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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I Am Not Your Negro: Interview with Director Raoul Peck
Film + Entertainment—Review | by Cormac O'Brien
I Am Not Your Negro is an intimate telling of the American Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of one of its greatest figureheads; renowned activist and author James Baldwin. Director Raoul Peck uses Baldwin's unfinished manuscript 'Remember This House' as the platform to address his personal take on the dense and complex issue of race relations in North America. Peck envisions a possible finish to Baldwin's work using a mammoth resource of archive footage and Samuel L Jackson on narration duties, creating something that is beautiful, rich in knowledge and poignant.
Connecting the past of the Civil Rights Movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter; I Am Not Your Negro details America's racial tensions and how they've changed over the decades. The focus is always on Baldwin, but it also encompasses accounts by other movement leaders like Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The footage comprises archival images from private and public photos, film clips, Hollywood classics, documentaries, film and TV interviews, popular TV shows, TV debates, public debates and contemporary images. It is all presented in kaleidoscopic, poetic montage very much in-line with Baldwin's own very unique style.
Baldwin is an idiosyncratic figure, from his activism to his forthrightness, his immense talent to his openness. He had an unrivalled understanding of politics and history and, above all, the human condition. Interview segments with Baldwin are a testament to his passion, clarity of thought and impeccable articulation. A perfect spokesman for the civil rights movement, his own personal experiences of racism eloquently convey the African American experience. Even though his words are frequently harsh, it feels that his purpose is not to condemn or punish anyone, or victimize himself for that matter.
Jackson's familiar voice, frequently interrupted by Baldwin's impassioned speeches and interviews, seams together effortlessly while yellow tinged black and white pictures merge with Hollywood movie scenes and back again to archive news footage. We're privy to stand-out archival sequences including the young black Dorothy Counts as she confronts a large, aggressive, white mob on her way to school and Baldwin's emotional address on the Dick Cavett Show on the array of Sidney Poitier's cinema roles.
Nominated for an Academy Award at this year's Oscars, I Am Not Your Negro is an outstanding piece of documentary; immaculately presented with a gargantuan topic to tackle; Peck manages through Baldwin to successfully tell his personal story.
Candid Magazine recently met Peck in London and this is what he had to say:
The documentary is a beautiful, yet deeply insightful piece of work. What was your personal impetus to create it?
Like most of my films this isn't a decision that I took out of the blue. It's about what I feel, how politically engaged I am on the topic, how necessary it feels for me to say something.
Baldwin has always been a formidable force in my life. He helped me see through the connections of my own personal history, as part of the bigger story. I wanted to know where I belong. Baldwin helped me understand that I can't accept any definition of who I should be imposed on to me. My motivation is how do I make these realisations available to a wider audience, to a younger generation, as I feel that is what's lacking now; the elements of analysis. Like for example: what got us to this point in history to have Trump as president? Baldwin said you should know and own your history and act upon it. Don't just sit there and swallow everything in a lethargic state and let history dictate your life again and again.
There are protest footage scenes in the film by white people opposing the Civil Rights Movements, which are quite jarring to watch. Do you think that extreme sentiment is as prevalent now as it was then?
That extreme does still exist. I will always remember at Obama's first speech at the State of The Union Address, one white congressman yelled at him 'You lie' in front of everyone. Such violence at such a sacred moment in US politics. Baldwin often spoke about the vast cruel majority who don't say anything being perhaps the worst…. their lack of empathy. People see the ugly face of racism, the obvious blatant acts of cruelty. What makes Baldwin's work so powerful, is that he addresses the real culprit; the people who watch things happen and don't do anything about it. Baldwin forces you to see the reality in his very own humanistic way; telling you how he sees it. You can choose not to see it, but it's still there.
Interestingly though Baldwin never comes across as a victim but also doesn't come across as vindictive either. Would you agree?
There are several dimensions to that. Baldwin did say many damaging words; his condemnation of the Western civilisation; questioning its moral legitimacy. He claimed that the last 400 years; so much wrong was done in the disguise of morals, civilisation and education. American civilisation as we now know it; is built on two genocides; slavery and the massacre of the Native Indians. Baldwin often referred to the Marxist analysis that 'white' is a metaphor for power. Those are harsh words.
On the other hand; you as a viewer feel Baldwin's sincerity; his eloquent manner and it's all based on his real-life experience. He doesn't talk from an intellectual vantage point, but from personal experience. You see it in the way he expresses himself; the way he talks, the movement of his body; his eyes; his face, you feel his suffering. He spoke from the point of you of a humanist; didn't care if you were white, black or whatever; it's not about any black agenda, he was way beyond that. He talks of the responsibility as human beings to take care of each other.
The documentary despite its loaded and complex subject matter feels intimate, almost calming.
Baldwin has that effect on you. I am glad that the film catches that. It's an intimate conversation, that's the way we staged the narration. The only direction, I gave Samuel is "that you are telling it to your friend who is sitting next to you". He is not projecting. It's a conversation, a dialogue, an exchange. That's what you felt. The person in front of you is not insulting you, he is looking through you. He doesn't see your colour, what you have done or not done. Baldwin is rare human being. Yes, he did say harsh things but he was also very understanding; as well as charismatic, captivating and articulate. He was almost magical. I see it with the documentary's audiences; their reaction to it, we have seen a lot of people come back to see it again.
We know about Baldwin's sexuality and that he was prominent gay activist. There is very little mention of this in the documentary.
There are three mentions to be precise. The film is me trying to reconstruct the book. I didn't specifically choose what to do with it per se; it's what the manuscript sets out (Baldwin's unfinished manuscript 'Remember This House'). Yes, there was no footage where he openly says 'I'm gay', but it's not about an omission. I did not force anything in the documentary. I excluded the presence of talking heads, all I had was archive footage and the text. With great modesty, I tried to tell the story that Baldwin, wanted to tell. Not misuse or misinterpret anything more than he wanted to say. A few critics said that I didn't want to talk more about his gayness. That isn't the case. That's not the issue. It wasn't about my own respective agenda. I worked with what I was given.
It's funny to think, that he was the guy, that wrote Giovanni's Room, in 1956. Such a daring book for the time.
Well that's exactly it, he did it in a way that nobody else would have done, at the time. A gay novel, about a mixed couple in the 50s? You would get killed for that. And he did it! Why should all that be that be put into the documentary as something of a gay token? I think it was more elegant to trust the people's intelligence. I felt it was more ironic, poetic, beautiful to imply it rather than mentioning all the FBI files they had on him with all these sordid details. I felt that mentioning all that would be too aggressive and one wonders where they got all their information on him from. When you show something in a natural way; like when he says "I was in Puerto Rico with Lucien", that's enough: you know he was with his boyfriend. I feel it's wrong to believe; because you have a flag you make a statement; if you say things naturally it becomes a fact and that's better than a statement.
Words By Daniel Theophanous
I Am Not Your Negro is in cinemas now.
Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick interview: 'Deadpool is a really fucked up romantic comedy'
The Brand New Testament – exclusive clip
Filmmakers Chat: Andrew Niccol – Good Kill


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Polley, Rea, Perabo join cast of The I Inside
Stephen Rea, Sarah Polley, Stephen Lang and Piper Perabo have joined Ryan Phillippe in the cast of Roland Suso Richter's UK-set thriller The I Inside which is being financed by Los Angeles-based sales and financing company MDP Worldwide. The film started shooting on Friday in the UK.
Based on Michael Cooney's mystery play Point Of Death, The I Inside is the story of a man who wakes up in hospital with amnesia after a near-death experience, then discovers that he has the power to travel back in time.
The film which is Richter's first film since his German thriller The Tunnel reunites Polley and Rea, who last appeared together in 1999's Guinevere. Perabo recently wrapped George & The Dragon in Luxembourg.
MDP Worldwide will be distributing and co-producing the film with VIP Medienfonds 1 and MDP's wholly-owned German entity MDP Filmproduktion GmbH. Rudy Cohen and MDP's Mark Damon will produce while Andreas Schmid and Andreas Grosch will serve as executive producers.


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[ca344] Silence Drift - Landscapes Through The Viewfinder
Label: Clinical Archives
Catalog: ca344
Styles: Ambient Drone Experimental
01 - Landscapes Through The Viewfinder
02 - Cheow Lan
03 - Thousand Peaks
Following on the success of the debut album, 'Aircode', Silence Drift returns with deep and tunefully beautiful 'Landscapes Through The Viewfinder', his second full-length album.
Hypnotic and charmful journey to the mystery of ancient tropical rainforest, filled with nostalgic melancholy. A breathtaking masterpiece!
'Lanscapes' was written and recorded by Maxim partially over his trip to Cambodia and Thailand, during July-August, 2008. The jungle atmosphere was an important influence in these pieces, as they helped him to capture a tremendous beauty of nature. Additional piano, vocal and guitar recordings was made at his home studio in Moscow. Cover photograph was taking during the trip by Maxim.
Silence Drift is an dark ambient / drone project formed by musician and sound engineer Maxim Komov in late November 2007. In May 2008 Silence Drift releases 1st full-length CD called Aircode - the four long drone pieces inspired by amazing photographs taken by Alexey Seliverstov. Following on the success of the debut album, 'Aircode', Silence Drift returns with deep and tunefully beautiful 'Landscapes Through The Viewfinder', his second full-length album shedulled for release in December 2009 on Clinical Archives.
Пример: Minimal


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Q: Atualizar os dados de uma página HTML com JSP Estou fazendo um sistema simples em JSP, onde o programa deve simplesmente buscar um float num Banco de Dados e em seguida somar a uma variável. Tudo está funcionando, porém não consigo fazer com que essa informação seja mostrada pelo HTML, segue meu código:
<form name="orc" method="post" action="#">
    <select name="tratamentos">
            <%float preco = 0;
            Integer x = 0;
            DAOTratamento dao = new DAOTratamento();
            ArrayList<Tratamento> listaTratamento = new ArrayList<Tratamento>();
            listaTratamento = dao.searchAll();
            for(Tratamento t : listaTratamento){%>
            <option value=<%out.println("tratamento"+x); x++%> ><%out.println(t.getNome());%></option>
            <% } %>
            <input type="submit" name="submit" value="Adicionar"/>
            </form>
             <%
                       String s = request.getParameter("tratamentos");
                       if (s !=null)
                       {
                           Tratamento tratamento = new Tratamento();
                           tratamento = dao.searchByName(s);
                           preco+= tratamento.getPreco();
                       }
              %>

Preço: R$<%out.println(preco);%>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Tests for the homogeneity of variance of independent samples and their properties and assumptions.
F Test if the ratio of the variances is equal to a hypothesized value.
Assumes the populations are normally distributed and is extremely sensitive to departures from normality. The Levene and Brown-Forsythe tests are more robust against violations of the normality assumption than the F-test.
Bartlett Test if the variances are equal.
Assumes the populations are normally distributed and is extremely sensitive to departures from normality. The Levene and Brown-Forsythe tests are more robust against violations of the normality assumption than Bartlett's test.
Levene Test if the variances are equal.
Most powerful test for symmetric, moderate-tailed, distributions.
Brown-Forsythe Test if the variances are equal.
Robust against many types of non-normality.


My first map, based on a high school in São Paulo - Brazil as it was by the start of 2012. Enjoy!
I recommend you play this one in 3 or 4 FFA or 2v2.
It includes balanced bonuses for entire buildings (or parts of each one, since two of them are quite big), and for specific parts of the highschool, plus one greatly rewarding bonus if you manage to capture every single gate.
Review by Rhinogamer on 6/14/2012.
Somewhat fun, but nearly impossible to tell what territories connect. Some seem obvious and make sense; others make no sense at all (are visibly connected, yet you cannot transfer or attack between obviously connected territories.).
Needs work to make it readily apparent what connects; so you can place troops accordingly.
Review by philip1300 on 9/9/2012.
Review by tekk25 on 12/4/2012.
It was a lot of fun. I'm pretty much a noob here, so don't put a lot of faith into what I'm saying. It reminded me of high school. Well done.


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Commandos 3 : Destination Berlin est un jeu vidéo de tactique en temps réel, développé par Pyro Studios, sorti sur PC en 2003.

Histoire du développement

La série dévie un peu pour se tourner vers l'action avec ce troisième opus, l'éditeur voulant rendre celui-ci plus accessible que Commandos 2. Si les bases du gameplay qui ont fait le succès de la série sont encore là, cette dynamisation annonce le changement radical qui aura lieu dans le prochain opus.

Système de jeu

Malgré les protestations des fans, cet opus est plus basé sur l'action, dans un souci d'accessibilité au grand public, mais il garde quand même la marque de stratégie qui a rendu la saga mythique.

L'aventure se divise en trois campagnes, Stalingrad, l'Europe centrale et les plages de Normandie. Les commandos apparus au fil des opus disparaissent, hormis le voleur, l'équipe se rétrécit donc pour revenir avec les membres de l'équipe originale. Malgré les protestations des fans, le commando Samuel Brooklin, le mécano, a disparu. Pour le reste, chaque commando possède toujours ses propres capacités qui se complètent avec celles de ses équipiers. Toujours dans son orientation action, les membres de l'équipe sur le terrain sont plus restreints. Apparaissent également des fantassins, que le joueur peut manier comme n'importe quel autre commando, équipés d'un fusil à munitions inépuisables, et dont la mort ne signifie pas l'échec de la mission, même si elle la complique.

Développement

Le jeu fut développé par Pyro Studios, mais le créateur de la série, Gonzo Suarez, ne faisait plus partie de ce studio, qu'il avait quitté avec 11 autres développeurs de la série pour fonder Arvirago Entertainment, ce qui justifie peut-être le changement d'orientation.

Accueil

Ce jeu reçut un assez bon accueil critique, même s'il fut considéré comme moins bon que le précédent. Il obtint la note de 82 % dans le magazine PC Jeux.

À noter
 Le jeu possède un nouveau moteur graphique pour les décors intérieurs.
 Avec son combat de sniper, la mission à Stalingrad est un clin d'œil évident au film du même nom.

Notes et références

Lien externe

Commandos
Jeu vidéo se déroulant pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale
Jeu vidéo sorti en 2003
Jeu de tactique en temps réel
Jeu Windows
Jeu vidéo développé en Espagne
Jeu Eidos Interactive

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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December 17, 2020 - Field Level Media
Browns, Giants each looking for bounce-back win
The Cleveland Browns will play their second prime-time game in seven days when they visit the New York Giants on Sunday night in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Browns (9-4) and Giants (5-8) enter the tilt at MetLife Stadium looking to rebound after seeing their respective four-game winning streaks come to a halt.
Baker Mayfield has Cleveland bidding for its first playoff appearance since the 2002 season. The brash quarterback has accumulated nine total touchdowns (eight passing, one rushing) over his last three games while throwing for 677 yards over his last two.
"Baker is obviously playing at a high level," Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said of Mayfield, who recorded season highs in completions (28), attempts (47) and yards (343) in a 47-42 setback to Baltimore on Monday. "He doesn't lack confidence, and I say that in a good way. That's who he's always been, which is great. His comfort level is certainly growing."
Mayfield said as much after seeing his team erupt for 83 points in the last two games.
"I'm confident in this team," Mayfield said, "in the guys around me and in what we're doing."
The 1-2 punch of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt added three touchdowns on the ground on Monday for the Browns, who boast the NFL's third-ranked rushing offense (156.2 yards per game). Chubb and Hunt will be tested by a Giants' rush defense that is surrendering an NFL seventh-best 101.5 yards per game.
Star pass rusher Myles Garrett (10.5 sacks) and former Giant Olivier Vernon (7.0) have combined to record 17.5 of Cleveland's 34 sacks on the season. Garrett and his teammates will look to raise those totals at the expense of a New York club that has allowed an NFL third-worst 41 sacks on the season.
Daniel Jones likely will have his head on a swivel, provided he actually plays on Sunday night. Jones was limited in Wednesday's practice while nursing both an ailing hamstring and ankle injury.
Giants coach Joe Judge said he hasn't decided whether Jones or Colt McCoy will be under center on Sunday night.
"If (Jones) can defend himself properly in the pocket as I've said before on how I'll handle it, if he's not at risk beyond any normal game, then we'll go ahead and give him the opportunity to play," Judge said on Wednesday. "If we think that's an issue, that he can't go out there and defend himself, then we'll make the best decision for him long-term and the team as well."
Jones, 23, went 11-of-21 passing for 127 yards in New York's 26-7 setback to Arizona on Sunday. The loss dropped the Giants a game behind the Washington Football Team for first place in the moribund NFC East.
McCoy, who provided mop-up duty against the Cardinals, was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
"You have to go into it and study both (quarterbacks) and understand their strengths and things that they may lean on depending on who is in there," Stefanski said. "That happens over the course of the season."
Tight end Evan Engram leads the Giants in receptions (50) while wideout Darius Slayton has posted club-best totals in receiving yards (629) and receiving touchdowns (three).
Wayne Gallman, who leads New York with 561 rushing yards, has been kept out of the end zone in back-to-back games after recording six touchdowns in his previous five games.
Cleveland safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) and Wyatt Teller (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday.
Sport Writer & Editor
FLM has a North American focus while tying into regional and hyper-local resources – providing the ability to distribute compelling content through the writing of professional journalists. As the U.S. sports content provider to dozens of digital and print media publishers through strategic partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen Sports, FLM covers the nuts and bolts with a breaking news desk and game event coverage.


"This was a day of a truly incredible blessing."
On the previous day, my new wife and I had obtained "Sposi Novelli" tickets to Pope John Paul II's Wednesday audience. The first several rows in front of the hall were reserved for various groups, including newlyweds. We thought we might have a close look at the Pope, from those front rows.
But as we boarded the bus back from the Vatican on Tuesday afternoon, we saw an old friend of mine, Fr. Sylvester Catallo, a Capuchin priest who could have been Padre Pio's twin, and who had been pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Woodstock, Virginia years ago, when I was in college. I had taught CCD there in 1982. He and his pilgrimage group were getting off the bus, so we spoke briefly. We told him about the tickets, and he said something very important: "Go and get on the line first thing in the morning. Get there as early as you can. If you get seats in the front row you can meet the Pope!"
We arrived on Wednesday morning before 9:00 AM, and the Swiss Guards took us through a special entrance. Thus we found seats in the front row of the Paul VI Audience Hall, right behind the famous waist-high barricade that one always used to see in pictures of the Pope greeting people at the General Audiences. In time we would see how right Fr. Sylvester had been. The area was soon packed with people as was the rest of the hall. Only those in front, scrunched against the barricade, had any chance of touching the Pope much less speaking with him personally. But we would make the most of our chance.
Finally, the Pope began to make his way along the front of the crowd. We were crunched on every side. When he came close, there was something that I sensed for the first time (after having seen the Pope so many times from a distance) -- the simple human warmth, the affectionate nature, and also the human vulnerability, the enormous vulnerability of this man who is not a "religious superstar," but who is a man, created with a need to love and to be loved.
When he stood before me and Eileen, we touched him and embraced him (burying face, lips, anything available, against his hands and arms) as though he were our Grandpa. Without any loss of reverence, we were filled with an overflowing and spontaneous affection, a familial affection.
We had a brief conversation. We told the Pope that were were from America, that we were newlyweds on pilgrimage to Rome, and that we desired his blessing on our marriage. And so the Pope placed his hand on each of our heads and traced the sign of the Cross while pronouncing his benediction.
We spoke for a moment. We gave him one of our wedding cards with the verses from John 17 ("that they may be one..."). Above all, we told him that we loved him. He looked tenderly into Eileen's eyes, and then he patted me on the cheek (as shown in the Vatican Press Office photograph, one of several we were able to purchase later on).
Finally, he began to move on, greeting others who stuck their hands out next to us, speaking again in Italian. [But I couldn't suppress my overflowing, excessive nature, and for once I'm glad I didn't.] I shouted to him one last time, "We love you, Holy Father!" And as he continued down the row, he spoke again very distinctly in English, "God bless you."
And so our marriage was blessed, personally, by the Pope. Also, I believe, we gave something to him; we were able to express personally to him the affection we have for him on account of the love and the suffering that shape his whole mission, and through which he has given us so much. And I think that we gave him comfort -- we stayed with him, even if only for a moment, and our companionship with him in Christ was evident, and was a source of strength for us and also for him.
We believe we received a great grace on this day, seventeen years ago. And now with our five children and many years of joys and trials, we have seen this grace continue to unfold in our marriage and family life. For his part, Blessed John Paul II (now on the threshold of being declared a canonized saint) offered his sufferings for the Church and for every human being during the rest of his life, and in the remaining eight-and-a-half years of his long Way of the Cross he carried us along with so many others. Then, almost from the moment of his death, I sensed with confidence his intercessory closeness, his new way of continuing a companionship with us.
This picture is now a uniquely personal icon in our dining room. The greatest saint of our times -- and this great apostle of the sanctity of marriage and the family -- seems to be holding me and Eileen in his strong arms, and I know that his prayers accompany us in suffering and many trials. Every day I pray for his intercession: "Hold on to us, keep us always together, and obtain for us God's blessing."
His intercession is powerful before God, and I know that he will pray in the same way for any couple who invokes his aid, or any person.


A CURRY club in a secret location in Whitefield is urging people to ditch supermarket curries in favour of traditional home-cooking. We sent own curry addict — news editor Steven Thompson — to find out if he could stand the heat.
I LOVE good Indian takeaway — and my lack of kitchen after moving house has only served to increase my curry intake of late.
But this constant gorging on microwave bhunas and takeaway vindaloos has done nothing for my waisteline.
So when the chance to learn how to cook my own curries from scratch arose, I jumped at the chance.
Spice Club Manchester started back in 2010 as a supper club, serving up home-cooked Indian feasts to grateful punters at £20 a pop.
At the time, I was, among other things, food and drink correspondent for the Bolton News and Bury Times, and when I heard there was a super-secret curry club in a super-secret location on patch, I went to investigate.
It is safe to say I was impressed. I am proud to be one of the first people to discover this enterprise, based in secret location — a modest semi-detached home in Whitefield.
And when I discovered they had branched out into a cookery school, I went along to find out more.
Spice Club Manchester is a mother-daughter double act, with Monica taking the lead and her mum Anita chipping in with all her years of wisdom in the kitchen.
In this particular lesson we were learning how to cook up an Indian vegetarian feast.
We learnt five recipes in total – two different veggie curries, a flaky north Indian flatbread, a bread roll with spiced potato stuffing, and a carrot pickle.
Despite being a militant meat-eater, I'm not averse to the odd veggie meal, and these recipes, contained a healthy dose of protein and were also "transferable" should you wish to add a bit of chicken or lamb.
The daunting thing about Indian cooking is the blend of spices. It has always seemed to me that every recipe demands 17 different powders — little wonder then that most people reach for either a jar or a takeaway menu.
But in fact, it turns out that it is just different blends of the same handful or spices — paprika, tumeric, garam masala spice blend, amchur (sun-dried mango powder), cumin, coriander, mustard seeds and salt — which you should always keep in your handy spice tin.
Since I first wrote about Monica and Anita six years ago they have gone from strength to strength.
They have featured on the Hairy Bikers Best of British BBC television programme and were also ranked in the Guardian's top five UK supper clubs.
The cookery school — launched a couple of years ago — is a great addition to this burgeoning empire.
I learnt a great deal, and while I won't be giving up the takeaways just yet, I'll certainly be making my own curries too.


text:
Taher Saifuddin (4 August 1888 – 12 November 1965), also known as Tahir Sayf al-Din, was the 51st and longest serving Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras. Saifuddin adapted the modernisation in Western and European ideas, and established its benefits for the Bohras, whilst still steeped in the traditions and the culture of the community's Fatimid heritage. Saifuddin laid substantial groundwork in terms of philanthropy, education, entrepreneurship, social outreach, political outreach, and community upliftment upon which his successors, Mohammed Burhanuddin and Mufaddal Saifuddin, continued to build, resulting in unprecedented era of prosperity among the Dawoodi Bohras.

Early life
Taher Saifuddin was born to Mohammed Burhanuddin I and Amatullah Aaisaheba on 4 August 1888 in Surat, British India (present day the state of Gujarat).

Da'i al-Mutlaq

Saifuddin became the 51st al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq in the year 1915 at the age of 28.

During his reign, he rebuilt and repaired many monuments of the Fatimid Imams, al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq, and other structures, and artifacts.

Education
Saifuddin was instrumental in setting up over 350 co-ed institutes, some of which bear his name, including but not limited to: Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat, Saifee Hall in Calcutta, Saifiyah Girls School in Karachi, Saifi High in Mumbai, Saifee Nursery at Saifee Mahal in Mumbai, Saifee Eide Zahabi College in Karachi, Saifee Golden Jubilee Quaderia College in Burhanpur, Saifee Jubilee Arts and Commerce College in Sidhpur. Mohammed Burhanuddin later organized the schools under the banner of MSB Educational Institute (also known as Al Madrasa Tus Saifiya Tul Burhaniyah), which are affiliated with Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and, as of 2011, has branches in 22 cities across India, Pakistan, East Africa, and the Middle East. Burhanuddin organized the numerous religious schools world-wide known as Madrasas under the purview of the department of Attalim.

Saifuddin was appointed the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University for four consecutive terms, starting in 1953. Under Saifuddin's chancellorship, Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation of Asia's largest library, the Maulana Azad Library, at AMU.

Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah

Saifuddin from his own personal wealth renovated Dars-e Saifee, an institution of Islamic studies, founded by his predecessor Abdeali Saifuddin  in Surat, transformed it in to a university by introducing secular courses and establishing affiliations with international educational bodies, and consequently renamed it Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah ().

Keeping in line with tradition of his predecessor, Ismail Badr al-Din I, the talabat al-ilm () of the institution were provided with lodging and meals at full cost to the office of Dai al-Mutlaq. To further inclusion and expansion, Saifuddin admitted to Aljamea its first female students. As is tradition, in his capacity as Dai al-Mutlaq, Saifuddin personally taught select classes at the newly renovated Academy. Saifuddin brought about a structural and functional change at Aljamea: He personally oversaw the standardization of the syllabus of each class and wrote numerous memoranda and treatises which were instilled into the curriculum. To this day, the treatises written by Saifuddin and his successors, Mohammed Burhanuddin and Mufaddal Saifuddin, are taught through the year and are central subjects of al-Imtihan al-Sanawi (), among other religious and secular subjects.

After succeeding his father, Burhanuddin significantly expanded the reach of Aljamea: He added Mahad al-Zahra, an institute of Quranic studies , re-renovated the Surat campus , established campuses at Karachi , Nairobi , and Mumbai . Aljamea and its graduates have since become integral to spiritual and temporal aspects of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Community service

Saifuddin founded Bunaiyat-tul-Eidiz-Zahabi, a volunteer-run organisation of Dawoodi Bohra Women, in the 1950s which set a precedent that led to formation of Burhani Womens Association by his son Burhanuddin; Happy Threads and Supermums by Mufaddal Saifuddin's daughter Umme Haani in , and The Radiant Arts by Mufaddal Saifuddin's daughter-in-law Zaenab Imaduddin.

In a similar vein, Saifuddin established an organisation of Dawoodi Bohra men, Shabab ul-Eid iz-Zahabi, during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of his 50 years in the office of Dai al-Mutlaq, exclusively for community service. Mohammed Burhanuddin would later found the Burhani Guards (for crowd-control at miqaats ), Tolaba ul-Kulliyat il-Mumenoon (of college and school students), Burhani Medical Idara (of medical professionals), Saifee Ambulance in India, and Burhani Ambulance in Pakistan (of paramedics and first responders). Mufaddal Saifuddin, on his first visit to North America, established Saifee Burhani Medical Association (America), on 14 March 2015.

Rasm-e Saifee

To subsidize costs and facilitate marriages among the close knit Dawoodi Bohra, Saifuddin initiated Rasm-e Saifee () in Jamnagar  and later institutionalised it . Rasm-e Saifee is a singular occasion when multiple Nikah are solemnized at the hands of the Da'i al-Mutlaq and his representatives. Burhanuddin further organized it under International Taiyseer al-Nikah Committee (ITNC) (), which organizes Rasm-e Saifee throughout the year at various miqaats (). Burhanuddin's successor, Mufaddal Saifuddin, continues to uphold the tradition.

Contributions to Islamic Institutions

Saifuddin contributed vast sums of money towards the refurbishment of mosques and shrines. He along with the Nizam of Hyderabad were among the few Indian Muslims to contribute towards the renovation of Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem:

Sultan Taher Saif al-Din is said to have come from India with one hundred and fifty of his followers...At the Jerusalem station he was welcomed by the Mufti and other Sheikhs of the Supreme Moslem Council and a number of Arab notables including Ragheb Bey Nashashibi. A troop of Arab boy scouts paraded in his honour and there were two bands from Moslem institutions...The sultan was reputed to be a man of great wealth who had made substantial contributions to the religious and political funds of the Arabs of this country.

Saifuddin also gifted the internal curtains which were kept in the Kaaba for decades to King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia in 1354AH, with whom he kept warm relations.

Saifuddin constructed Ghurrat-ul Masajid (), also known as Saifee Masjid, in Mumbai, Al-Mahal al-Saifee () for pilgrims in Mecca, the zarih of Ali Ibn Abi Talib in Najaf and  Husayn ibn Ali in Karbala and Cairo, the mausoleum of Qutub Khan Qutub al-Din and Fakhr al-Din Shaheed. He also made and donated the kiswah for the Masjid al-Haram.

The Chandabhoy Galla Case

Family

Saifuddin married Husaina Aaisaheba, who was also from the family of the Du'at Mutlaqeen. After her death, he then married Vazira Aaisaheba, Fatima Aaisaheba, and Amina Aaisaheba.

Saifuddin had 12 sons and 8 daughters: His sons were Mohammed Burhanuddin, Husain Husamuddin, Abdut Taiyeb Zakiyuddin, Yusuf Najmuddin, Ismail Shehabuddin, Hatim Hamiduddin, Qasim Hakimuddin, Aliasgar Kalimuddin, Shabbir Nooruddin, Abbas Fakhruddin, Mohammed al-Baqir Jamaluddin, and Khuzaima Qutbuddin. His daughters were Asma, Maryam, Khadijah, Zahra, Shireen, Banu, Fatema, and Zainab.

Saifuddin descends from the family of the early leaders of the Fatimid mission in India, Fakhr al-Din and Abd al-Qadir Hakim al-Din.

Works

Rasāʾil Ramaḍāniyya (Epistles)
Saifuddin's Risalah () are peculiarly titled gematrically equivalent to the Hijri year of its publication.

Recognition
Saifuddin was conferred Doctor of Theology by Aligarh Muslim University on 15 April 1946, and later  accepted the chancellorship for which he was elected to for four consecutive terms.

Saifuddin was among the first to be conferred Doctor of Laws by Karachi University .

Saifuddin was voted among 100 Greatest Indian Muslims of the Twentieth Century in an opinion poll run by Milli Gazette.

Death

Saifuddin died on 12 November 1965 (19 Rajab al-Asab 1385H) at Matheran, a hill-station in Maharashtra, India. He is buried at Raudat Tahera, a mausoleum opposite Ghurrat-ul Masajid in South Bombay, constructed by his successor, Mohammed Burhanuddin.

Legacy

The Dandi Memorial
Saifuddin donated his home Saifee Villa in Dandi, Navsari where Gandhi stayed for ten days during his historic march from Sabarmati Ashram against the English Salt Laws, to Nehru in 1961. It was later converted into a National Museum. Present day, it lies adjacent to the 15-acre National Salt Satyagraha Memorial which was inaugurated by Narendra Modi in 2019.

Aligarh Muslim University

The Syedna Taher Saifuddin School at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is named after him in his honour. Saifuddin was the longest serving chancellor at AMU at 12 years, and was a patron of the Ali Society at AMU.

Hospitals
Saifee Hospital in Mumbai, inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005, was dedicated to Saifuddin by his successor, Mohammed Burhanuddin, who built the hospital in social service. Saifee Hospital was one of the first responders to 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks. Another hospital of the same name was built by Mohammed Burhanuddin in Karachi and dedicated to his father.

Housing
In 2009 Mohammed Burhanuddin founded Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), a large-scale cluster redevelopment project in Bhendi Bazaar and dedicated it to his father, Saifuddin. The Government of Maharashtra plans to develop Kamathipura, one of the oldest neighborhoods of South Mumbai, after the cluster redevelopment model pioneered by SBUT.

Remembrance
Saifuddin's urs () is commemorated annually by the Dai al-Mutlaq at Saifee Masjid, South Bombay. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah's annual examinations, Imtihan al-Sanawi, commence after the Dai al-Mutlaq delivers the Zikra sermons in remembrance of Saifuddin.

Memorials

Shortly after Saifuddin's demise, on 18 March 1966 Mohammed Burhanuddin established His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin Memorial Trust for educational and medicinal financial aid for  institutions and individuals.

In memory of his father Burhanuddin set up Matheran Memorial Hall, a museum and lodging facility in the hill station of Matheran, where Saifuddin died.

Notes

References

Further reading
Abdul Qaiyum Mulla Habibullah, His Holiness Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb, Dai-ul-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohra, Dawoodi Bohra Book Depot Publications, 1953.

Life and Works of His Holiness Syedna Dr. Taher Saifuddin Saheb, Leader Press Pvt. Ltd. Publications.
Jafar us Sadiq Mufaddal Saifuddin, Al Aqmar: A Living Testimony to the Fatemiyeen, Al Jamea tus Saifiyah Publications, 2000.
Jafar us Sadiq Mufaddal Saifuddin, Al Juyushi: A Vision of the Fatemiyeen, Al Jamea tus Saifiyah Publications, 2002.
Mustafa Abdulhussein, Al-Dai Al-Fatimi Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin: An Illustrated Biography, Al Jamea tus Saifiyah Publications.

See also
List of Dai of Dawoodi Bohra

External links

Dawoodi Bohra da'is
Vice-Chancellors of the Aligarh Muslim University
Scholars from Gujarat
1888 births
1965 deaths
Gujarati people
People from Surat
Deified people
20th-century Ismailis


text:
Platinum Keyz Recording Studio Offers Professional Production Services For Any Skill Level
Faizan Anwar 8 months ago 5 months ago 012 mins
Michael Williams II and his wife Felicia Williams.
By Deborah M. Walker
LANSING, MI — Platinum Keyz Recordings LLC offers a laid-back atmosphere in a professional setting. Using state-of-the-art equipment and its expert staff, Platinum Keyz has what every artist, or business, needs to complete any audio or visual production project.
"Platinum Keyz is multifaceted. We do audio as well as visual production. We are also affiliated with a few firms out in California in bringing artists and talent here. Platinum Keyz is the foundation, hopefully, to bring Hollywood to Lansing," said Michael Williams II, owner, and CEO of Platinum Keyz Recording Studio.
Williams said that Platinum Keyz has helped artists achieve their dreams for more than three decades. The producer started his business in the basement of his home 31 years ago. Back then, Williams said he was doing a lot of promotional work. He also did television production and had a television show called The Music Entity. The show started on the Public Access Network and then moved to Channel 53. Williams said his wife, Felicia, came up with Platinum Keyz based on an old keyboard. He said his wife has always been there for him and has been a leading source of inspiration.
Michael Williams II is the owner and CEO of Platinum Keyz Recordings LLC located in the Lansing Mall. Photo by Jacobi Williams
Platinum Keyz offers audio and visual production services and event planning. There are three separate studios to accommodate artists of all skill levels. The warm decor and plush seating provides a relaxing environment for creating one-of-a kind projects. The spacious studios invoke an inviting feeling and are designed to make the clients feel welcome and comfortable.
Studio A is designed for professional-grade artists. It is ideal for those using multiple instruments and vocals. To rent out Studio A is about $80-$90 per hour, but the costs usually depend on the project.
Studio B is in the final stages of being completed. Studio B is designed for solo artists or instrumentalists but can accommodate other musicians. The price for this studio averages about $68 an hour.
Studio C is designed for an artist who strives to complete the project individually. The artist can "just go in there and hammer it out," informed Williams. The studio is a small private room of about 250 square feet and is equipped to handle independent production.
Video, audio, and television production are also offered at Platinum Keyz, and the cost depends on the project's scope. Williams said he had much success with his audio and visual studio. For example, the studio has been utilized for sound production and video editing for the Lifetime movie "Generations," directed by Sheila Thompson from Hollywood, California. It has also produced #1 iTunes hits for the artist Clayton Morgan and the global #1 hit "Groove Tonight" by Martone on Reverbnation.
Platinum Keyz offers beat-making services for individuals who want to lay down the vocals. Event planning is also available for those looking for a venue to host their function. The studio can accommodate a large or small crowd.
New Artists Welcome
Williams said it is easier to work with new artists because they do not already have a process, and they are open to new ideas. He works with experienced artists as well, he said, but new artists need the help, and he is happy to help them achieve more than they possibly thought.
"If you are interested in taking your career to the next level, that's the area I work in… artist development," Williams declared.
Platinum Keyz provides a welcoming environment for creatives. Courtesy photo
Daniel Davie, who raps under the pseudonym Marvin Ariza, said he has worked with Platinum Keyz since 19. He and his friend went because of the affordable price and stayed because of the outstanding service.
"We were a couple of college kids, and that seemed like the best place. Ever since the first couple of sessions, he saw something within us and pushed us to get better with each song and try different things. In the past three years, I have seen my music flourish under the direction of Williams. We have worked together on over a hundred songs," informed Davie.
Williams recently hosted a workshop and a seminar conference geared towards new artists. He said the event taught newbies how to get past writers' block and formulate a song. The event also taught artists about media promotions.
"This is more than just a hobby. If you want to take it seriously, it can be more than just a hobby for you," explained Williams.
Artist development classes are offered every Sunday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the studio. The cost of the class is $25 per session. Williams said he would like to add more courses such as production because he has received a lot of inquiries about that.
Williams explained that new artists could take as many classes as they chose; however, attending classes should be ongoing. Artists may have different areas that require extra training, such as stage presence. They may need a critique on walking on stage or performing in front of a crowd. Williams said there are different levels to the amount of training new artists may require.
Advice for New Clients
Williams said the best advice he can give to new artists coming in for the first time is to be well-rehearsed if going into the recording studio.
"It's going to be much better for yourself, a more effective type of session. The frustration won't set in, especially when people take themselves way too seriously, but when they come in here, they don't take their music seriously. Some people think they can just hop in a booth, and they've seen it on TV or social media, but this is an art… it is also a skill to get on the mic," explained Williams.
The microphone can be intimidating for some artists, said Williams. Maintaining voice level is essential for success in the studio.
"You are staring at the mic, but it's staring back at you, and some people see it. Even when they are in there by themselves, they almost get stage fright within themselves," Williams said.
Working in the studio. Courtesy photo
Equipment for beginners
Williams advised new artists to get the best affordable and within-budget equipment. He warned that many new artists rush out and purchase new equipment without understanding how to use the equipment they have.
"If you get the best equipment you can afford and learn the ins and outs, every increment of the [instrument] I believe that it would be more valuable to you, and you would probably use that until the wheels fall off," informed Williams.
Williams explained that he works with anyone that needs branding, media, or content.
He has worked with NARAS since 2015, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; abbreviated NARAS, which is famous for its Grammy Awards.
If you are interested in learning more about Platinum Keyz Recording Studio, stop by 5708 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI, 48917, on the west end of the Lansing Mall. You can also visit them online at www.platinumkeyzrecordings.com or call them at 517-657-4800.
Tagged: Michael Williams II Platinum Keys Platinum Keyz Recordings
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Interpersonal Edge: Strategic timing for new ventures
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MI Governor Whitmer's 2022 Accomplishments
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Excuse me, are you listening? Happy New Year 2023!
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Michael Feuer cofounded OfficeMax in 1988. Now, he is CEO of the Max-Ventures venture capital and retail consulting firm, and founder/CEO of Max-Wellness, a health and wellness retail chain launched in 2010.
Often, the biggest roadblock to execution at companies is consensus. Leaders spend valuable time and money trying to get everyone on board with a decision, and end up stalled in a state of extended debate – a.k.a. analysis paralysis. But in today's business environment, it's those who can make speedy (yet thoughtful) decisions – in hours, days or weeks instead of months – who not only survive but excel.
Michael Feuer (pronounced "foyer") says it's important for leaders to make well-informed, wise decisions, but it's also crucial to know when it's time to stop talking and start acting.
Treading water is fine until exhaustion sets in, and you begin to sink. When you spend too much time trying to build consensus, you fail to accomplish anything that moves the venture forward, which will lead inevitably downward.
Success today means executing quickly and effectively. In his book, Feuer writes sometimes it's best to put consensus aside and "just do it." He presents a leadership style – being a benevolent dictator – that combines appreciation for consensus and the input of the team with the ability to recognize when debate, conversation and analysis can take you no further.
Being a leader in business is somewhat like being a battlefield commander – things happen quickly, and many of them are outside your control.
"Generals and general managers are a lot alike," Feuer said. "Neither group always has the luxury of going over every little detail or asking their people what they think should happen. They have to move fast; they have to think on their feet. To take advantage of a competitor's weakness, you have to be able to move quickly, and you can't do that if you spend too much time trying to figure out what every last person on the team thinks.
Feuer's own method for making difficult choices is to follow the time-tested formula of ready, aim, fire. He takes emotion out of the equation, gathers the facts, decides where he wants to go, and determines how to get there.
"After OfficeMax's first year, we'd actually grown nicely and were operating stores in Ohio, New York and Michigan," Feuer said. "Better yet, we'd done so with no real casualties and just a few wounds. In hindsight, the key to that first year's success was our ability to make on-the-run decisions rather than conduct lengthy analysis that would have meant waiting weeks – if not months – before taking the next step. I learned a few things that helped me make choices that were as smart and calculated as possible, given the circumstances.
Leading benevolently means never having to say you're sorry. Sometimes when leaders must quickly put their decisions into practice, they feel like the schoolyard bully. But, as Feuer explains, that's where the benevolent side of your leadership must kick in.
Being a benevolent dictator may sound autocratic, but when the emphasis is on the benevolent portion, meaning you're doing what is right for the greater good, the odds for success move in your favor.
"In OfficeMax's early days, I was making a lot of quick decisions without consulting the team," Feuer said. "During this time I remembered the quote from the movie 'Love Story': 'Love means never having to say you're sorry.' I thought this would be the perfect preface for strong-armed decisions, and gave my team a quick synopsis of the movie and the background behind the statement. After the tutorial, I would occasionally use the line when I knew I'd been aggressive in making a decision.
People are willing to do just about anything for their leader as long as he is honest about his intentions and avoids falling back on an excuse for why he wasn't able to use an employee's idea or ask for others' opinions on a certain decision.
Analyzing data and making informed decisions is good. The problems start when analysis is used as a crutch to avoid pulling the trigger. You second-guess yourself and give more and more thought to "what ifs" … and before you know it, you've lost the use of speed as a competitive advantage. The team becomes terrified to move forward.
There will, of course, be decisions that require analysis and deep thinking. Often, the best way to work out these problems is to put your subconscious to work.
When you do what is right for the company, not just to please this or that group, then you're halfway there in making your undertaking work. "At all costs, avoid making decisions based on how they will affect the 'us' or 'them' groups in the company," Feuer urges.
Michael Feuer cofounded OfficeMax in 1988 with $20,000, a partner and a small group of investors. He grew it to 1,000-plus stores and $5 billion in sales. He is CEO of the Max-Ventures venture capital and retail consulting firm, and founder/CEO of Max-Wellness, a health and wellness retail chain launched in 2010.


In probing our brains, we've lost our minds.
The History of Western Philosophy | Click image for larger view.
This entry was posted in Philosophy and tagged history, philosophy on October 22, 2014 by Taimur Khan.


Apartment (Cod. 373-006) at sea for holiday rental in CASPOGGIO (Sondrio) with 7 sleeps - Impresa La Caravella S.a.s.
Apartment for a maximum of 7 sleeping persons with 3 rooms and the following features: refrigerator, wash machine, pets not allowed, central heating. Downtown distance -1 meters.


Today's artist is Evelyn McCpeters. She is a painter who's work is very vibrant and colorful. I like the colors and the blend of abstract and realism in her art. She sent these images of her work, but there is much more on her website.
Evelyn answered some questions about her work.
1.How long have you been creating your art? As long as I can remember. I can still envision my first drawing. It was a grey and blue striped bowl with fruit on our dining room table. I was lucky my parents were always very supportive.
2.Why did you choose your particular medium?
I think creating in oils just kind of happened, again, with the support of my parents. My Mom signed me up for oil painting classes in the next town over. It was a really big deal for me. I had to walk and take the train and I went by myself. It was really the first time I could do something like that alone. I took classes there for many years, until I went away to college, so oil paints and charcoal were what I was first exposed to and they are still the two mediums I enjoy and use the most.
3.What do you consider your greatest achievement?
When you sent this question I had to think about the answer to this. There are lots of little actions and accomplishments in my life that I'm proud of. But when looking at the big picture I think my greatest achievement is that I've made the decisions and taken the paths that let me lead the life I wanted. I've taken lots of bad turns but always came out stronger on the other end. The best decisions I've made and the people I've chosen to surround myself with have brought me to a place where I am content and proud of who I am and what I've accomplished.
4.What awards have you won?
I've won awards in local shows but nothing big time. The award I have that I actually display is from my retail days. I worked as a District Manager for the Disney Stores. I was in the top five of the company for sales and payroll. The award is just so cool, Mickey Mouse on a pedestal with my name engraved below. I love that thing and I'm not even really a big Disney fan. But Mickey I like.
5.Do you have a funny story related to your work?
I like to paint parts of animals. Yeah, it's kind of weird but it fascinates me. A friend of mine recently found the wings of a vulture intact on part of the skeleton. She brought it to me and it's awesome! But it's kind of stinky. For a week I was painting in my studio and I kept getting bit by these little gnats. I couldn't figure out where they came from. I walked by the vulture wings in the other room one day, needless to say there they were. They are in a box now.
6.Are you working on something new?
I have two big goals right now. One is to create a consistent body of work to present to a gallery for a show. The other is to be awarded an artist residency at a National Park. I've just started applying and I know it will take long but you have to start somewhere. I've first applied to Denali National Park. Alaska is one of the only two states I have not visited.
Evelyn has two websites, be sure to check them both out.


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