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« Go big or don't make the offer: Why we shouldn't Banksy on public library philanthropy
Mr (W)right? A new Culture secretary appears. »
Balancing and philanthropy revisited
Excellent piece from Leon about the need for a more balanced narrative about public libraries. You know the sort of thing. Campaigners on one end only reporting bad news and being angry on side while, on the other, official professional library stuff only emphasising the good news, with neither side really acknowledging the truth of the other. Leon argues that we should be happy to talk about the good as well as the bad, the bad as well as the good, and I agree. I thought Isobel Hunter's first impressions about libraries after taking the helm at Libraries Connected was the closest I've seen for a while and Nick Poole can do balanced too. But too often I read only one side or the other in the news, and I am as guilty sometimes as anyone else, so Leon's blog is timely and welcomed.
Speaking of balancing acts, now its time to go back to philanthropy for a bit. I've been thinking about my previous editorial. First thing is that after some rooting around, I find that philanthropy funding public libraries directly, even up to 100% of the service, is legal as far as I can see as long as the local authority is still providing a service that satisfies the minister (not exactly hard) and other legislation such as on equalities. So I was wrong there. Secondly, of course, in reality, it's a rare to non-existent council that would say not to any private donation as long as it was politically or ethically abhorrent. So, as much as pretty much everyone in libraries would say that they'd want the sector to be paid for properly by taxation, when it comes to it, pretty much every council would take the money. And I suspect staff would too, if their jobs depended on it. Moreover, the current government would clearly strongly welcome such moves – they'd get rid of funding public services entirely if they could, and see no problems with MacDonalds Library with Fries – and Labour would not be far behind them. So, OK, pragmatically, thank you Banksy. Make the cheque out to … oh, what do you mean, you've not actually said you'd pay anything yet? Darn it.
Bracknell Forest – £750k new library to replace Harmans Water Library. Money from reserves and £250k cut 2017/18, £120k cut 2018/19, £30k cut 2019/20 mainly apparently from replacing paid staff with self-service and volunteers.
Renfrewshire – Paisley Central Library to move to temporary location while new library built.
St Helens – Visitors down 28% compared to last year: Central Library closed during period for repairs.
Libraries: where the world's memories are stored – BBC. "A new book from Taschen, Massimo Listri: The World's Most Beautiful Libraries, features images taken by Listri of the oldest and finest libraries around the world, from medieval to 19th-Century institutions and private to monastic collections. It claims to be 'a bibliophile beauty pageant'."
Striking The Right Balance – Leon's Library Blog. Conversation about libraries is split between campaigners who emphasise negativity (doom, cuts, closures) and others e.g. SCL who stressed the need for "a positive narrative". "In a work context we would not knowingly mislead our users. Whether undertaking research or signposting to information we would seek to present a balanced view, based on the available resources and evidence, and allow the user to make their own conclusions. And yet most stories around libraries fall at either end of the narrative spectrum. I would argue that as a profession our responsibility to maintain a balanced approach – which is not to be confused with neutrality – is an ethical imperative. We need not 'sit on the fence' or occupy some wishy-washy middle ground. We can engage in positive advocacy and at the same time be assertive in challenging decisions that adversely impact on services and users. We can celebrate the success of a brand new library while highlighting the risks of localism and devolution where it leads to fragmentation and hollowing out of services."
Netherlands – Football Makes Reading Fun – IFLA. "Encouraged by players from Dutch professional teams, the children read as many books as they can during a period. A formula that catches on." … "You can score anywhere! With this in mind, the Library in association with the Dutch Premier League is carrying out a unique reading project for pupils aged 8-10: Score a Book! In six regions across the Netherlands, from February until April, 11,000 pupils will be reading ('scoring') as many books as they can for nine weeks."
South Africa – Young man turns home into public library – Randfontein Herald. " A youngster has turned his home in Mohlakeng into a library after the original one sustained damage during protests. " …"With the recent spate of violent service delivery protests that affected Mohlakeng, the local library was one of the public service buildings badly affected. With the local library in ruins due to being burnt by protesters, youngster Neo Mathetsa has offered his home on Moroka Street as a library. Due to the extensive media coverage of his kind deed, he soon received book donations from far and wide."
USA – Socialist Democrat's Post On What Will 'Terrify' Republicans Sparks Troll Wars – Daily Wire. "Democratic socialist and leader of the #AbolishICE movement Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has continued to frequent the headlines since her upset victory over the incumbent Democrat who many believed would be Nancy Pelosi's successor. Amid working to mainstream her radical positions, Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to declare what will truly "terrify" the GOP. "If you think the GOP is terrified of my politics now, just wait until they find out about public libraries," she wrote in a tweet. [GOP = "Grand Old Party" = Republicans – Ed.] see also Free libraries highlight the bloody history of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's politics – Washington Examiner. "New York [Public Library] is the result of the generosity of a corporate lawyer named Samuel J. Tilden. He made his money working for the railroads and, at the time of his death in 1886, he gave $4 million of that money, worth about $108 million in 2016 dollars, to establish a library in New York City. and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez taunts Republicans for being 'terrified' of her progressive policies – Independent.
Bracknell Forest – Hundreds of thousands to be spent on new library – Bracknell News. "£750,000 will be spent on a new library in Harmans Water, Bracknell after savings are made from other libraries in the area. The new library will replace the current Harmans Water facility and Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) is set to contribute £431,000 towards the construction. However £400,000 will be saved from the running costs of the borough's libraries after new technology is rolled out to help customers and staff. Councillor Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, resources and public protection said: "The introduction of this technology follows an extensive public review of library services in 2016 and the value our residents placed on their libraries in creating a sense of community and combating social isolation in the elderly." … "Currently, over 100 volunteers run Bracknell's libraries, dedicating between 850 and 1000 volunteer hours per month. "
Cheshire West and Chester – Storyhouse: How an innovative library has energized the life of a cultural hub – Libraries Taskforce. "he venue is housed in a converted art-deco cinema, it is open 7 days/week until 11pm, the longest opening hours of any library in the UK." … " an innovative solution which would see the library become totally integrated into the building's operation and planning, and more than that, it would become the most vital ingredient in the cultural mix, bringing people in throughout the day and creating an atmosphere as rich with socialising and study, as it is with storytelling."
"Storyhouse has become the all-day 'hang-out' of choice for over a million visitors since opening 12 months ago. Driving the incredible success of the theatre and cinema has been the powerful and constant presence of the library throughout the building. The success of Storyhouse makes the case for putting libraries front and centre as part of integrated cultural hubs, where the books literally become the 'glue' holding the whole building together."
Darlington – 'Get rid of council cabinet not Darlington library' – Darlington and Stockton Times / Letters. "Go to other towns with a Quaker heritage and the buildings are proudly still standing and put to good use. Our library has character, a calm atmosphere and very knowledgeable, pleasant, friendly staff on duty." … "There is a generation out there in this town who have no interest in their heritage which is a great pity for their future" see also Why is mine a 99? – Northern Echo / Letters. "It was two years ago that the council took the decision to close the library and make minimal savings by offering a worse service in the Dolphin Centre. There are no plans for what to do with the library building – board it up, buckle it down and see what turns up. Two years ago, in the depths of austerity, when every penny was sacred, this may have been an understandable decision, but two years on, the council budget is balanced and times have changed. The battle now is to keep the town centre alive so it can develop into its future shape. Boarded-up bookends at either end will make it look dead and unattractive, and having a derelict library in the middle will look like an ugly self-inflicted wound."
Halton – Anthology makes dream come true for budding new writers – Runcorn and Widnes World. "writers are celebrating after their short stories have been published in a new anthology. Almost 60 budding writers attended an eight week Write Time, Write Place creative writing course for beginners at Halton's four libraries."
Norfolk – A love letter to my local library – Eastern Daily Press. "ow you might think that, because I'm an English teacher, daughter of publishers, writer and book obsessive, I might have an agenda with this article. And I do. I want you to go to your local library, pick up a book, sniff it, read it and then take home armfuls of books to your children. Books are powerful magical things and libraries are their portal. Libraries are excellent for parents of children of all ages. Here are some reasons why and I hope it persuades you to visit your local one."
Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire county libraries' summer prize draw starts – Herald Series. "Oxfordshire County Council's 43 libraries will invite readers to fill in a postcard explaining their favourite summer reads, to fit themes of 'history makers' or 'having a laugh'. Each person who takes part in the 'Oxfordshire Reads' scheme, which runs from today until September 8, will be entered into a prize draw featuring tickets to some of the county's best attractions."
Renfrewshire – Paisley Central Library set for temporary move – Renfrewshire 24. "Paisley Central Library will be moving to a temporary home in the town centre – ahead of a new state-of-the-art facility opening on the High Street. The library has to leave its current home next to Paisley Museum in September when the building closes for a £42m revamp to turn the museum into an international-class destination based around the town's unique textile heritage and collections. Library provision will move to a new learning and cultural hub at 22 High Street by 2021, with a temporary library to be built next to the Lagoon leisure centre and due to open in January 2019."
St Helens – Visitor numbers for St Helens libraries falls by almost 30 per cent – St Helens Star. "number of visitors to St Helens' libraries is down by almost 30 per cent, in part due to the closure of Central Library, a council report has revealed. A six-week review of the borough's library services took place from March to April of this year, due to 'unprecedented financial challenges'. The new strategy is due to be finalised in early 2018-19 and if accepted will go out to public consultation. Central Library has remained closed since November 2017 due to the significant remedial work required in the Gamble building." … ""Some of the customers of Central Library will have transferred their business to a branch library. "However, a large proportion will not have access with no viable town centre alternative."
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Home » Blog » How proposed changes to the Planning Act will impact Ontarians
How proposed changes to the Planning Act will impact Ontarians
Blog - Dec. 13, 2018 - By Carolyn Kim
Ontario's Greenbelt. Photo: Roberta Franchuk, Pembina Institute
On December 6, the Government of Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade introduced Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018. The proposed Bill is framed as an attempt to cut red tape and facilitate the development planning and approvals process for business. However, looking beyond the rhetoric, we believe it could result in real, adverse, and potentially irreversible effects to Ontario's land, housing, and climate. If Bill 66 becomes law, it will allow new and potentially large-scale developments to be approved without the sound environmental protections and evidence-based growth management policies that ensure healthy and sustainable communities—including allowing development in the Greenbelt. The Bill will also dramatically weaken the public's right to comment on development projects that might affect the environment, including access to clean water, natural heritage systems and agricultural lands.
Bill 66 will amend the Planning Act to give municipalities unprecedented powers to create a new type of zoning bylaw, called an "open-for-business planning" tool. What do these sweeping amendments in Bill 66 mean? Here are the top concerns that Ontarians need to know about:
Development without an end-game
Currently, the planning process requires development proposals to follow provincial and municipal policies designed to protect Ontarians' health and quality of life and support a strong economic future, and a key component to that is protecting the province's natural environment such as the Greenbelt. Under the proposed Bill, should a municipality enact an open-for-business planning bylaw, the bylaw or development projects pursuant to the bylaw would be exempt from essentially all substantive land use, transportation planning, and environmental statutes, such as the Planning Act, Places to Grow Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, Greenbelt Act, and Ontario Planning and Development Act. At the municipal planning level, the development project would not need to conform to official plans or go through site plan approval—all due diligence requirements for any development. Overall, with the proposed changes, any development project could be built without checks and balances, and may undermine the Growth Plan's overarching vision to strategically grow in areas with existing or planned infrastructure and services.
Development projects pursuant to open-for-business planning bylaws will bypass obligations to meet critical environmental protection policies that ensure Ontarians have access to clean drinking water and a clean environment, such as the Clean Water Act and Great Lakes Protection Act. Bill 66, coupled with new environmental management practices approved in another recent Bill (Bill 57) would significantly weaken private businesses' responsibilities to ensure that business practices do not have adverse impacts to Ontarians' health and natural environment, for example access to clean drinking water. The impacts of weak environmental protections have led to serious public health concerns related to contaminated water. The Clean Water Act was introduced to strengthen protections for drinking water at its source, and a direct response to such concerns.
Weakening of the democratic planning process
Currently, provincial and municipal planning processes require minimum public consultations for the public to provide input into a development proposal. Under this proposed Bill, a municipality is not required to hold public meetings if it decides to approve a development using an open-for-business planning bylaw. In order for a municipality to use an open-for-business planning bylaw, a municipality must pass a resolution requesting the Minister of Municipal Affairs' approval, which the Minister can do at their discretion. The bylaw comes into force once the municipality has received approval from the Minister, 20 days after it is passed, or a later day that may be specified by the Minister. However, unlike other current zoning bylaws, the municipality is not required to give notice of or hold a public meeting prior to passing an open-for-business planning bylaw. It is only after passing the bylaw that the municipality must give notice to "any persons or public bodies the municipality considers proper" within 30 days — 10 days after the bylaw has already come into effect. Furthermore, an open-for-business planning bylaw cannot be appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
A fragmented and incoherent approach to economic development
Rather than advancing a regional economic development strategy or approach, this proposed tool may encourage fragmented economic investments across the province and put municipalities in further competition with each other for employment development. As the proposed Bill is written, the Minister of Municipal Affairs has the authority to approve the bylaw in one jurisdiction but not in another, or to impose different conditions across municipalities. This makes for an incoherent economic development strategy for cities that have integrated and connected economies such as those in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
The proposed open-for-business regulation aims to create job growth by requiring that development projects meet a minimum job creation threshold, but it is unclear how this can be determined in a way that is not arbitrary. This is in contrast to how planning is currently guided, using evidence-based intensification targets for resident and job densities, which are informed by population and employment growth forecasts.
Details matter, but planning fundamentals matter more
At the Pembina Institute, we recognize the need for public policies that allow Ontario municipalities to respond to changing and growing economies and populations and to ensure that development keeps pace with growth — but not at all costs. While further details may be offered in forthcoming regulations regarding preconditions and applicability of an open-for-business planning bylaw, what matters more is that government does not undermine the building blocks and fundamentals of planning and the environmental policies in the province. Ontario's regulatory framework must evolve in a way that not only attracts business investments but also protects Ontarians from risks like a changing climate and drinking water contamination, and protects our farmlands and green spaces. The Bill 66 changes to the Planning Act take us in the wrong direction.
Tags: Ontario, Urban Planning.
Carolyn Kim
Carolyn Kim is Ontario regional director with the Pembina Institute. She is based out of the Toronto office.
Follow @CarolynKim_YYZ on twitterView all posts by Carolyn Kim
First stop, electric transit buses, next stop – a clean freight sector Electric bus fleet grows
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Is it just us, or has the air in Toronto seemed a little bit cleaner this summer?
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July 25, 2019 - By Janelle Lee
This in-between space — the curbside — is a critical part of the transportation network for everyone.
Toronto makes moves to prioritize green fleets How the City of Toronto is exploring opportunities for cargo cycles to reduce truck emissions
May 9, 2019 - By Janelle Lee
Two weeks ago, the City of Toronto showed impressive leadership by passing two motions that made promising headway in reducing the number of trucks on the road: an initative to test the use of cargo cycles for seasonal park maintenance, and a request for a regulatory framework for low-speed wheeled modes, including e-assist cycles and cargo cycles that can be helpful for cyclelogistics.
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Summary: What would you do if a hippopotamus turned up on your doorstep? Sean Taylor tells you exactly the things that will make a hippo your life long friend in this fun, playful book illustrated by Laurent Cardon.
All hippopotamuses want to do is play in the bath and eat salady things. If you follow these instructions then any hippopotamus who turns up at your house will be thrilled to call you their friend; just don't forget to open the door very w i d e when they arrive, otherwise they'll never get in!
This is a really fun book to read, and makes for a very entertaining way to pass some time with the kids. The idea is a nice, basic one which leads to much hilarity, and gives plenty of scope for silly ideas outside of the book itself. There isn't too much text on each page, and I like the half rhymes which give it a nice rhythm without tying the text to a rigid verse style like a lot of picture books. The way in which some of the text mirrors the words works well, such as a larger font for the word 'size', which livens up the pages a little more and makes it all the more fun to read aloud.
The illustrations are big and bold, matching the content of the book well, though there are one or two pages which I found a little dark and maybe could have benefitted from brightening up a little. I like the simple style, which focuses the eye on the image directly related to the text, and I could easily see this being taken up as a series of books.
Having the repetition of Because... On every other page is a nice, simple way of keeping attention focused on the book, and will no doubt get some kids guessing and shouting out. I like the way each section of the hippo's visit is split over two pages, giving the whole book a segmented feel which makes it a more manageable read for much younger children.
This style of book is the sort that works well with a group of children, for say a story time or bedtime reading with more than one child, as it spans age groups well. Younger children will be able to laugh at the lively images and ideas, while older children will be able to appreciate some of the more subtle humour in the illustrations and more than likely come up with scenarios of their own for such a situation.
I very much hope we'll find out what happens next time Hippo comes back... with his friends!
If you love this, then there's no way you won't enjoy The Slightly Annoying Elephant by David Walliams and Tony Ross!
You can read more book reviews or buy That's What Makes a Hippopotamus Smile! by Sean Taylor and Laurent Cardon at Amazon.com.
This page was last modified on 10 April 2018, at 14:11.


I foolishly believed that I could perform the simple act of purchasing and consuming lunch without risking life and limb. I would soon recognize my miscalculation after witnessing an elaborate three-headed attack unleashed by employees of a local eatery.
It was early afternoon, I was driving down Poway Road and decided it was time for lunch. I pulled into the parking lot of a popular fast-food joint. To avoid any affairs of a litigious nature I will say only that the restaurant's name translated into English means, "of the taco." As I entered the establishment I noticed a homeless man occupying a corner booth. The fact that a somewhat scruffy man occupied a booth in the corner didn't bother me; I realize everybody has his/her own life circumstances and I can respect that. The fact that he was participating in a traditionally nocturnal activity while face down in the remnants of what looked like a deluxe nacho plate, did give me slight pause. I pressed on, though, stepping to the counter in my pursuit of nutrition. T'was here I met the first head.
She wore a uniform, appeared to be, herself, an enthusiastic fast-food fan, and took absolutely no notice of me. As I stood ignored for several moments she continued a ciphering ritual that involved the repeated counting of bills and a rudimentary system of check marks. She finally wondered what I wanted. I placed a simple order of two tacos, one small fry and a small drink and she stared at me as if I were speaking Russian. She finally blinked back into animation and offered me a #3 combo that came with a larger drink and cost only forty-eight cents more, or a #2 combo that came with a chicken burrito but no drink, or a #6 that was nothing but drinks, four of them, any flavor… After some head-shaking and "no thank-you"ing I was able to convince her that I would, in fact, like only the items I'd ordered. She accepted my money and gave me a look of disgust as change. I took my cup and prepared my iced tea, blissfully unaware that Number Two Head would soon enter my life.


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Karolina's Twins
By: Ronald H. Balson
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
Series: Liam Taggart and Catherine Lockhart, Book 2
Categories: Literature & Fiction, World Literature
4.7 out of 5 stars 4.7 (1,561 ratings)
Saving Sophie
Narrated by: Fred Berman
Jack Sommers was just an ordinary accountant from Chicago - that is until his wife passed away, his young daughter was kidnapped, and he became the main suspect in an $88 million embezzlement case. Now Jack is on the run, hoping to avoid the feds long enough to rescue his daughter, Sophie, from her maternal grandfather, a suspected terrorist in Palestine.
By Ashley Stillwell on 06-12-18
The Girl from Berlin
An old friend calls Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart to his famous Italian restaurant to enlist their help. His aunt is being evicted from her home in the Tuscan hills by a powerful corporation claiming they own the deeds, even though she can produce her own set of deeds to her land. Catherine and Liam's only clue is a bound, handwritten manuscript, entirely in German, and hidden in its pages is a story long-forgotten....
WWII in Berlin and Italy
By Mona-Alisa on 10-23-18
Once We Were Brothers
Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice.
5-Star Thriller with History and Heart
By Ella on 11-22-14
Eli's Promise
Eli's Promise is a masterful work of historical fiction spanning three eras - Nazi-occupied Poland, the American Zone of post-war Germany, and Chicago at the height of the Vietnam War. Award-winning author Ronald H. Balson explores the human cost of war, the mixed blessings of survival, and the enduring strength of family bonds.
Balson saves us from the full horror
By Trudy Owens on 10-28-20
Chateau of Secrets: A Novel
By: Melanie Dobson
A courageous young noblewoman risks her life to hide French resistance fighters; 70 years later, her granddaughter visits the family's abandoned chateau and uncovers shocking secrets from the past. Gisèle Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family's medieval chateau in Normandy. Now, with Hitler's army bearing down, her brother and several friends are hiding in the tunnels, resisting the German occupation of France. But when German soldiers take over the family's château, Gisèle is forced to host them as well.
Unexpected Twist
By Chastity Brooks on 06-14-20
A View Across the Rooftops
By: Suzanne Kelman
Narrated by: Alan Medcroft
Would you risk your life to save just one person? An incredible story of love, hope, and friendship; and a testament to humanity and courage in history's darkest days. 1941, Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Professor Josef Held has never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife - and has no intention of ever letting anyone new into his quiet, safe world. But then the Nazis come for the Jews - and Mrs Epstein is killed. And Josef, in an impulsive act of courage, offers his student Michael Blum a place to hide.
Didn't want it to end!
By Daylelianna on 10-30-19
Hidden Among the Stars
As Hitler's troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family's summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker's daughter. Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika's story.
A stirring Christian time-slip
By: Jennifer Cody Epstein
Once inseparable, Berlin teenagers Ilse Fischer and Renate Bauer find their friendship ripped apart by their nation's abrupt swing into fascism. Ilse, a so-called Aryan, throws her lot in with the Nazi Party, while Renate sees her once-secure world dismantled by Adolf Hitler's race laws and then shattered by a shocking betrayal. Decades later, that same betrayal will upend the life of Ilse's daughter, Ava, as she discovers long-buried truths about her mother's past.
Amazing book
By Paula Boudreault on 05-20-19
By: Kate Furnivall
Narrated by: Imogen Church
Germany, 1945. Klara Janowska and her daughter, Alicja, have walked for weeks to get to Graufeld Displaced Persons camp. In the cramped, dirty, dangerous conditions they, along with 3,200 others, are the lucky ones. They have survived and will do anything to find a way back home. But when Klara recognises a man in the camp from her past, a deadly game of cat and mouse begins. He knows exactly what she did during the war to save her daughter. She knows his real identity. What will be the price of silence? And will either make it out of the camp alive?
GREAT STORYLINE!!
By Marisa Conte on 07-30-19
The Secret Letter
By: Debbie Rix
Narrated by: Jacqueline King
Germany, 1939. A tumbledown farmhouse, on the outskirts of a close-knit village in the heart of the rolling hills of Bavaria. A once happy family home torn apart by Nazi rule. And one young girl who refuses to give up on what she believes in...London, 2018: When 94-year-old Imogen receives a letter addressed to her in neat, unfamiliar handwriting, she notices the postmark is stamped from Germany - and it sends shivers down her spine....
By Book Nerd on 01-06-20
Daughter of the Reich
By: Louise Fein
Narrated by: Marisa Calin
As the dutiful daughter of a high-ranking Nazi officer, Hetty Heinrich is keen to play her part in the glorious new Thousand Year Reich. But she never imagines that all she believes and knows about her world will come into stark conflict when she encounters Walter, a Jewish friend from the past, who stirs dangerous feelings in her. Confused and conflicted, Hetty doesn't know whom she can trust and where she can turn to, especially when she discovers that someone has been watching her.
Interesting Perspective
By TeresaS on 07-08-20
Memories of Glass
Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman's The Zookeeper's Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland's darkest history and bravest heroes. 1942. As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese's son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese's dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission.
Evangelical Propiganda
Catching the Wind
What happened to Brigitte Berthold? That question has haunted Daniel Knight since he was 13, when he and 10-year-old Brigitte escaped the Gestapo agents who arrested both their parents. They survived a harrowing journey from Germany to England, only to be separated upon their arrival. Daniel vowed to find Brigitte after the war, a promise he has fought to fulfill for more than 70 years.
A beautiful story of redemption!!!
By Steve on 10-07-18
By: Kelly Durham
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Germany 1938. While young and old are captivated by the country's rapid ascent under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, naive Maggie O'Dea, an American studying abroad, finds her own fortunes turning after falling in love with a handsome soldier and landing a job with the Propaganda Ministry. Embodying the infectious spirit of nationalism sweeping the country, her powerful dispatches launch her broadcasting career as a champion of the Fatherland.
WWII Absolute Must Read; In Line With Some of the Best!
By Kate Yonder on 11-02-17
The Book of Lost Names
By: Kristin Harmel
Narrated by: Madeleine Maby
Lina Meisel, a retired librarian in Florida, is reading the newspaper one morning when she freezes. Her eyes lock on a photograph of a book she hasn't seen in 65 years - a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names. The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II - an experience Lina remembers well - and the search to reunite people with the texts stolen from them so long ago. The book in the photograph is one of the most fascinating cases.
Another whiney female "heroine"
By Patricia on 08-15-20
In Darkness, Look for Stars
By: Clara Benson
Narrated by: Daphne Kouma
Paris, 1941: Going against her mother's orders, spirited Maggie devotes herself to the Resistance. Her life is a whirlwind of forged passports and secret midnight runs, helping Jews escape. Much to her high-society mother's disapproval, she has fallen in love with Emil, a Jewish Resistance fighter who is wanted by the Nazis.
Very different type of story.
By paula wright on 05-10-20
Could you kill someone? Someone you love? Paris, 1938. This is the story of twin sisters divided by fierce loyalties and by a terrible secret. The drums of war are beating, and France is poised, ready to fall. One sister is an aviatrix, the other is a socialite, and they both have something to prove and something to hide. Discover a brilliant story of love, danger, courage...and betrayal.
By Daniela Laws on 03-28-19
From the New York Times best-selling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American - Mildred Fish Harnack - and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin.
A nice tribute to (relatively) unsung war heroes
By S. Stein on 06-03-19
From Ronald H. Balson, author of the international best seller Once We Were Brothers, comes a saga inspired by true events of a Holocaust survivor's quest to fulfill a promise, return to Poland, and find two sisters lost during World War II.
©2016 Ronald H. Balson (P)2016 Macmillan Audio
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
The Once and Future Witches
What listeners say about Karolina's Twins
Impeccable writing and superlative narration make this book a winner
This is a heartbreaking account of a woman's search, more than 70 years later, for the twin baby girls thrown by their mother and her best friend out of a transport train headed to Auschwitz as the only means of saving the infants ' lives. It takes us from pre-war Poland to the horrors of the Jewish ghettos, the labour camps, the death camps and on to the March of Death.
On our journey, we find compassion and heroism but also betrayals in unexpected places.
It is a testament to the resilience and courage of ordinary people trapped in extraordinary circumstances and their determination to survive and rebuild broken spirits, lives and communities.
One of my best listens ever.
M. Ryder
Excellent Story and Storytelling
Read the author's first book Once We Were Brothers, and although it is still my fave, I really enjoyed this one as well, and will certainly recommend it to friends. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing what to expect. I loved the twist at the end. As for the narrator, she did an incredible job performing all of the characters, with distinct voices for each.
I couldn't stop listening
I loved this book. I loved the story and the narrator. I couldn't stop listening.
Theresa Myers
WOW!! Where did all the time go??? GREAT BOOK!!!
I started listing to this audible book one afternoon and before I knew it it was already midnight. It is such a well written, and well narrated story, that you just want to find out what's going to happen next. There was a lot of historical information in it also. I will look forward to listening to this story again, and recommend it to my friends as well. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to! And all the work you put into this book.
Jo F Cordell
Kudos to Balson!
Don't miss this Book! Karolina's Twins is no
Less than a masterpiece. It is a story which weaves history and the triumph of the human spirit into a beautiful tapestry of survival.
Balson's characters will remain in your memory
Long after you finish the book. Love and commitment triumph over the ugliness of
Prejudice and hate.
Shame vs. Love: Struggle to fulfill a promise
This book could be called "Karolina's Choice" following in the shadow of William Styron's wonderful book about a mother's painful decision as a POW in a Nazi concentration camp. (No spoiler here: The choice is not the same choice, and the outcome is not the same.)
Beautifully narrated, I could absolutely see the main character - Lena - as she talked quietly with her attorney and investigator, slowly unwinding the story of her friends' twins. Her Polish accent was superb, consistent and age-appropriate.
The threat of a lawsuit, the rift deepening in Lena's family, and the fear of exposing the shameful truth all combine to create some tension and mystery.
I enjoyed this book very much, although I thought the ending was too neat.
Fabulous!! A must read, especially for anyone personally touched by the Holocaust. Heart wrenching traumas told beautifully.
Listening to Lena's very moving story gave me some insight into what my mother might have endured but was unable to share with me. Thank you for that gift!!
lovemykids
One of the best books of 2016! If you loved All of the light you cannot see or The Nightingale, you will surely not be disappointed! Rarely does a book move me to tears but this one made me stop and take a break more than a few times.
Narration could not have been any better! a truly amazing book.
audrey.o
having trouble with this one...
I normally love WWII novels. the portion of this book told by Lena is captivating, and if it were only that I'd give this book 4-5 stars. Liam and Cat are just the worst, though. they are so flat and so annoying. the narrator is awful, though I can't tell if that's her fault or if it's because she's not given much to work with. seriously. I cannot stress enough how much Cat and Liam ruin this book.
Natalie Bezuhov
Wonderful story and narration!
Excellent, moving, engaging story with, bar none, the best narration I've ever heard (& I've listened to a whole lot of audible books!). How one person did all these voices is a mystery to me, but she did one heck of a terrific job. Highly recommended!!
Wow what a book - Totally brilliant
Wow what a book totally amazing, the Narrator Gabra Zackman was superb, she made the book come alive:)
Mintychristine
Another great read
I really enjoyed this story the narrator kept my interest there wasn't any violence to give me nightmares and I loved the voice of the narrator the ending was a tad cheesy but still good
Mrs Jackie Commissar
What an amazing story!
I can't recommend this book highly enough I couldn't stop listening to it. The narration was superb and it brought tears to my eyes several times. A must have book to read!!!!
Could no stop listening. One of the best audible books I've bought to date. You really should give it a go, you won't be sorry.
Amazing story
superb ! so well written so well narrated I truly couldn't put it down till I'd finished
Melinda Hannett
This was a beautiful story, couldn't put it down, listened to in one weekend. Highly recommended.


Here's a story about 4 mutual fund managers who have consistently beaten the market.
Have Value Stocks Slumped For 25 Years?
Hey Andrew, I've got a non-investing question for you… I've picked up a few good reads from you on some references you make in your articles. With all the reading you do, do you have a top 10 or top 5 favorite books that aren't related to investing?
At first I was shocked to read the title as I thought that it was impossible over the long term – great hook!
I'm a Brit living in Singapore but with no plans to retire in the UK (Singapore is most likely I guess but at only 33 who knows!). i got stung by the smooth words of an adviser when I was in Shanghai and stuck with a Friends Providence rip off that I'm trying to extractor my money from as per your advice!
As I'm in Singapore I've been looking at brokerages and think Standard Chartered could be a good fit (am thinking of moving my banking there anyway as my HSBC Premier account has been a lot of trouble!) although I'd consider TD-international if they really are a lot better?
So, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the brokerage (you don't seem to discuss StandChar very much), currency (I guess is pretty moot) and 100% VWRL allocation for the next 10+ years. Any thoughts?
Standard Chartered is fine. And yes, buying that GDP denominated global index makes sense. If you go 100% stocks, just be prepared for the extra volatility. Odds are, over the next 25 years, you'll make more money (but will take higher risk) with a 100% equity portfolio.
Glad you liked that article!
Hi Andrew – thanks for such a fast reply!
a quick follow up question or two if I may?
My thought process is that my wife, daughter and I will apply for PR in Singapore soon so the CPF and SRS contributions may effectively cover the bond component later down the line anyway (I've read your advice directed at Singaporean investors) although of course I'd be possibly adding bonds later in life if the Singapore government linked investments are outstripped by the stock index etf.
– Are there any rules of thumb for allocation you recommend that are linked to years left to goal retirement or are they mainly based on current age?
– when saving for shorter term goals such as children's education (say, a 5 year time frame) would it make sense to buy bond ETFs only as one can't afford to wait out a rough market?
– re balancing 1% per year when you are making monthly/quarterly deposits is quite easy so I suppose you could change your allocation each year if you were using your age as a % of bond holdings rule of thumb.
Own 4% in equities for each year you will be investing. The rest of your portfolio will be in bonds.
If your investment horizon is 10 years then you'll hold 40% equities. When you're T minus nine years then you'll rebalance to 36% equities and so on.
Larry Swedroe has an interesting version as well.
I feel liberated by your books and this site pointing out that just getting away from traps like FP and going to low cost index investing is 80-90% of the battle!


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August Wilhelm von Horn (* 18. Februar 1800 in Loschen, Kreis Preußisch Eylau; † 19. April 1886 in Berlin) war ein preußischer Offizier, zuletzt General der Infanterie.

Leben

Herkunft
August Wilhelm war der Sohn von Karl Gottlieb (Carl Gottlob) von Horn (* 11. November 1771 in Ischdaggen; † 14. Februar 1852 in Danzig), Herr auf Michelau, und dessen Ehefrau Charlotte Christina Eva, geborene Meyer († 14. Mai 1852 in Stettin). Einer seiner Brüder war der Generalmajor Adolf von Horn.

Militärkarriere
Horn trat Mitte Mai 1816 als Musketier in das 4. Infanterieregiment der Preußischen Armee ein. Dort wurde er am 20. Februar 1819 zum Sekondeleutnant befördert und absolvierte 1822/25 die Allgemeine Kriegsschule. Ende März 1828 folgte seine Ernennung zum Adjutant der 3. Infanterie-Brigade. Zunächst als Premierleutnant, später als Kapitän war Horn von Ende März 1836 für vier Jahre Adjutant der 2. Division. Anschließend verwendete man ihn als Kompaniechef im 22. Infanterieregiment und mit seiner Beförderung zum Major am 27. März 1847 wurde Horn Kommandeur des II. Bataillons im 4. Landwehrregiment. Er kam am 29. April 1851 als Bataillonskommandeur in das 1. Infanterieregiment, wurde am 22. März 1853 Oberstleutnant und schließlich am 2. November 1854 zum Kommandeur des 20. Infanterieregiments ernannt. In dieser Stellung am 15. Juli 1855 zum Oberst befördert, war Horn ab 6. August 1857 Kommandant von Stettin und wurde am 19. September à la suite des Regiments gestellt.

Vom 13. Mai 1858 bis 14. März 1859 war Horn Kommandeur der 26. Infanterie-Brigade in Münster, wurde zwischenzeitlich am 22. November 1858 Generalmajor und übernahm anschließend die 4. Infanterie-Brigade. Diese Brigade gab er am 5. Mai 1862 ab und wurde Kommandeur der 8. Division. Kurz darauf am 13. Dezember 1862 zum Generalleutnant befördert, führte Horn die Division 1866 im Krieg gegen Österreich. In der Schlacht bei Podol blieb er gegen die sogenannte österreichische "Eiserne Brigade" siegreich und konnte rund 500 Gefangene einbringen. Auch in der folgenden Schlacht bei Königgrätz konnte sich Horn bewähren. Nach vor dem Friedensschluss wurde er von seinem Posten abgelöst und am 15. Juli 1866 zum Inspekteur der Infanterie des II. Reserve-Korps ernannt. Zwei Monate später zu den Offizieren von der Armee überführt, wurde Horn am 6. Oktober 1866 unter Beförderung zum General der Infanterie mit Pension zur Disposition gestellt.

Für die Dauer des Krieges gegen Frankreich 1870/71 war Horn stellvertretender Kommandierender General des IV. Armee-Korps.

Nach seinem Tod wurde er am 22. April 1886 auf dem Invalidenfriedhof in Berlin beigesetzt.

Auszeichnungen
Horn war Ritter des Johanniterordens. Außerdem hatte er für seine langjährigen Verdienste folgende Orden und Ehrenzeichen erhalten:

 Großkreuz des Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischen Hausordens am 15. November 1863
 Großkreuz des Hausordens vom Weißen Falken am 12. November 1864
 Roter Adlerorden I. Klasse mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern am 20. September 1866

Familie
Horn heiratet am 11. November 1839 in Bolschau Maria Antoinette Konstantia Freiin d'Orville von Löwenklau (* 26. März 1819 in Mühlberg; † 8. Januar 1878 in Berlin). Aus der Ehe gingen zwölf Kinder hervor, die teils früh verstarben:

 Richard Adolf Ferdinand (* 29. August 1840 in Neiße; † 8. September 1870 in Gorze), preußischer Premierleutnant im 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
 Antonie Luise Charlotte (* 3. August 1841 in Gohra; † 20. Oktober 1842 in Neiße)
 Hugo Louis Oskar (* 13. Juli 1842 in Gohra; † 1. April 1845 in Neiße)
 Klara Ida Pauline (* 23. August 1843 in Böhmischdorf)
 Adolf Rudolf Karl August (* 1. Dezember 1844 in Neiße), preußischer Major a. D.
 August Hugo Oskar (* 17. August 1849 in Preußisch-Holland; † 31. Januar 1871 in Stettin), Einjährig-Freiwilliger im Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 54
 Karl August Ferdinand (* 10. September 1853 in Danzig; † 13. August 1913), preußischer Generalleutnant ∞ Veronika Ida Amalie von Heyking (* 7. Juni 1863)
 Erich Axel Rudolf (* 3. Februar 1857 in Torgau; † 1916), preußischer Generalmajor ∞ Else Crede (* 11. April 1862)
 Martha Marie Eva Antoinette (* 11. September 1860 in Danzig; † 12. Januar 1934) ∞ am 8. Oktober 1880 in Berlin Hans von Winterfeld, preußischer General der Infanterie

Literatur
 Kurt von Priesdorff: Soldatisches Führertum. Band 6, Hanseatische Verlagsanstalt Hamburg, o. O. [Hamburg], o. J. [1938], , S. 501–502, Nr. 2128.

 Gothaisches genealogisches Taschenbuch der briefadeligen Häuser, 1917, Elfter Jahrgang, S.396f

Weblinks
 Stammliste

General der Infanterie (Königreich Preußen)
Ehrenritter (Johanniterorden)
Träger des Roten Adlerordens 1. Klasse
Träger des Hausordens vom Weißen Falken (Großkreuz)
Träger des Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischen Hausordens (Großkreuz)
Person im Deutschen Krieg
Person im Deutsch-Französischen Krieg
Deutscher
Geboren 1800
Gestorben 1886
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
James Gray and We Own the Night
Shortly after I saw We Own the Night back in August, I spent about an hour talking with writer/director James Gray at a midtown hotel about his movie for a Q&A over at Film & Video. Could not have been a nicer guy, and I think my estimation of his movie grew a notch or two over the course of the interview. (This is one of the reasons why it's troublesome, I think, for movie critics to do interviews or have any kind of relationship with the filmmakers they cover — for many of us I think it may be just that tiny bit harder to say something unkind about a movie by someone who's gone out of his way to be friendly to you.)
We were set to talk mainly about the film's big car chase scene, which was shot in sunlight but had computer-generated rain added after the fact. But one of the things that interested me was he seemed to come out swinging right away over the idea that his movie had a predictable story — or at least over the notion that "predictability" by itself is a deficit. I trimmed a big chunk of the published interview, partly for reasons of word-count and partly because it wasn't on-topic for F&V, but also because it contains SPOILERS related to the very last scene of the movie.
Here's a pretty lengthy excerpt (with SPOILERS) from the cutting-room floor, as it were — and, by all means, please click over to F&V to read the more technical stuff if you find that kind of thing interesting.


The classic junior jersey made by Cannondale.
For top comfort, Cannondale's Kid's Classic Jersey is made from breathable, moisture-transferring and durable 100% polyester. It has a nice relaxed cut, a 6-inch zipper and 3 rear pockets for rocks, flowers, frogs or goodies!


text:
Distance between cities › Australia › New South Wales › Cootamundra, NSW › Distance from Cootamundra to Aurukun
Distance from Cootamundra, NSW to Aurukun, QLD
There are 2,450.08 km (1,522.41 miles) from Cootamundra to Aurukun in northwest direction and 3,234.78 km (2,010 miles) by car, following the 81 route.
Cootamundra and Aurukun are 1 day 15 hours far apart, if you drive non-stop .
This is the fastest route from Cootamundra, NSW to Aurukun, QLD.
Please note the time difference between Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD is 1 hour. The current time in Cootamundra is 10:07 pm and the current time in Aurukun is 9:07 pm.
Share with fellow travellers any question or tips about the route from Cootamundra, NSW to Aurukun, QLD:
A car with a fuel efficiency of 10.8 l/100 km will need 349.37 liters of fuel to cover the route between Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD.
The estimated cost of fuel to go from Cootamundra to Aurukun is $510.43.
Best Hotels In or Near Aurukun, QLD
Do you have where to stay when you arrive to Aurukun, QLD? Check out our hotel recommendations:
Halfway Point Between Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD
If you want to meet halfway between Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are -22.715538 and 147.588555, or 22º 42' 55.9368" S, 147º 35' 18.798" E. This location is 1,005.04 miles away from Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD and it would take approximately 19 hours 51 mins to reach the halfway point from both locations.
Weather in Cootamundra and Aurukun
Compare the weather today and the next four days in Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD:
Rain tomorrow and Monday.
Aurukun
Lowest Price Rental Cars in Cootamundra, NSW
Planning on renting a car to go from Cootamundra, NSW to Aurukun, QLD? Here there are some offers to rent a car in or near Cootamundra, NSW:
Compare rental car prices in Cootamundra »
Checkout the distance in miles, kilometers and nautical miles between Cootamundra, NSW and Aurukun, QLD in this table:
Straight line distance 1,522.41 mi 2,450.08 km 1,322.94 nautical mi


'Restoration' released 19/08/2018: available now on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and on CD from Bandcamp.
'Focus On The Dirty' is available now, FREE from Bandcamp.
Flood are a three-piece original blues rock band based in Plymouth, UK, consisting of Ian Lightley (guitar, vocals), Tom Anderson (bass) and Mark Bell (drums).
Debut album 'Flood' released 10/02/2015: available now on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and on CD from Bandcamp.


text:
gearoid hegarty limerick gaa vaccine feat getty sportsfile
Gearoid Hegarty: It would be 'seriously wrong' for inter-county GAA players to jump vaccine queue
Philip Lanigan
Limerick hurling star Gearoid Hegarty has said it would be 'seriously wrong' for inter-county players to jump the COVID-19 vaccination queue.
Prominent International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound started the sporting debate when he said Olympic athletes should be given priority access to coronavirus vaccines to save the Tokyo Games from cancellation.
With the inter-county season looking increasingly under threat due to public health concerns, Limerick's two-time All-Ireland winner and Man of the Match in December's final discounted the idea that players should get any preferential treatment.
Limerick hurling star Gearoid Hegarty has said it would be 'seriously wrong' for inter-county players to jump the COVID-19 vaccination queue. Pic: INPHO/Tommy Dickson
'I don't think that will happen, to be honest. My mother's mother and father are elderly, living above in Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, and they are still waiting on the vaccine. So, if I was to think I am getting a vaccine before them, there would be something seriously wrong.
'In an ideal world it would be great if we could get the vaccine, but it's a supply issue. There just isn't enough of it there. It should be given to people that need it first, and that's elderly people and people working on the frontline.'
The All-Ireland championships were played off while the country was at Level 5 in terms of restrictions and Hegarty said that was only possible due to the internal measures of GAA set-ups.
29 November 2020; Gearoid Hegarty of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
'How many cases were actually linked to the GAA in terms of the inter-county teams training, hurling and football? The amount of selfless work that goes on by people in all club and inter-county teams has been unbelievable.'
Offaly chairman Michael Duignan questioned the viability of proceeding with the Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Dublin All-Ireland-winning footballer Con O'Callaghan said players will just have to live with any disruption to the scheduling.
'Public health is far more important than sport. If it has to be put back for a while or we have to adapt like we did this year, so be it,' he said.
The GAA yesterday confirmed that there will be no third-level competitions such as Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cups in this academic year.
All-Ireland winner Brid Stack likely robbed of AFLW chance after horror tackle
Rory McIlroy sets retirement target ahead of Abu Dhabi return
Gay Byrne's daughter Crona says childcare facilities need to know if they will reopen next month
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text:
Sisters of Mercy also being asked to come to Rome for conversation
by Dawn Araujo-Hawkins
daraujo@ncronline.org
Follow on Twitter at @dawn_cherie
The Sisters of Mercy, the largest order of women religious in the United States, are among the communities being asked to come to Rome for further conversation following the apostolic visitation, Global Sisters Report has learned. The community's communications director, Susan Carroll, confirmed the report by email but said there would be no further comment at this point.
The Vatican's congregation for religious life is contacting about 15 U.S. orders of Catholic sisters to clarify "some points" following the controversial six-year investigation of American communities of women religious, the head of the congregation said June 14.
Cardinal João Bráz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, said the conversations involve "listening to what they say in a transparent way, without fear, without judging."
Read the full story at Global Sisters Report.


text:
ProAV: Business Agility as a Competitive Advantage
September 4, 2019 | Home / rAVe [PUBS] / DS Digital Signage / ProAV: Business Agility as a Competitive Advantage
By Anthony Coppedge @AnthonyCoppedge
Last Modified on September 5th, 2019 02:12 pm by Anthony Coppedge in DS Digital Signage, Featured, ProAV News, rAVe [PUBS], Rental [and Staging]
Change isn't new to the ProAV industry, but the rate of change may be the downfall for even the largest firms. After all, the innovations, inventions and the integration with AV over IT have made for a robust industry with $186 billion in revenue for 2018 and projections calling for $229 billion by 2023 (source: AV Industry Outlook). It's that in 2019, the rate of change is going to put more than a few manufacturers and systems integrators out of business before 2023 arrives. But, there's hope for ProAV: business agility as a competitive advantage.
AV Industry Outlook and Trends Shows $186B to $229B Growth Potential
Any entrenched industry is going to face change. Retail faced it when Amazon competed with brick-and-mortar and grew to the point where they changed the experience for B2C customers forever. Kodak actually developed the world's first consumer digital camera. Ironically, the innovation could not get approval to launch or sell because of fear of the effects on the film market. Before Netflix decimated Blockbuster, Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, proposed that Blockbuster advertise Netflix in-stores so that a partnership could be formed for online and brick-and-mortar. Blockbuster's CEO, John Antioco, refused the offer because he thought Netflix was only a "niche business."
Changes like these happened relatively quickly, in a matter of just a few years at the beginning of the age of broadband internet. The rate of change has only increased and the adoption of new technologies and services now happens in months and weeks, not years and decades. It is the rate of change which will be the "sudden" downfall of even some well-known brands in the ProAV industry. This prediction is not without historical evidence, much less the current trend reported here on rAVe about the huge number of acquisitions and mergers that continue to reshape the audio-video industry through consolidation. What used to work isn't and larger companies are gobbling up smaller ones who have seen shrinking margins and need better management, deeper pockets and an appetite for innovation.
Even with such stunning success at Amazon, Jeff Bezos has said, "Amazon is not too big to fail. If you look at large companies, their lifespans tend to be 30-plus years, not 100-plus years." If the world's wealthiest person doesn't think his empire is too big to fail, how much more should the titans of the ProAV industry be looking not at 100-year lifespans or even 30-years of market dominance, but mere relevance within the next five years? The future of rapid pace of change brings with it the real possibility that some ProAV brands may not be relevant in the 2023 outlook from AVIXA.
If the worlds' wealthiest person doesn't think his empire is too big to fail, how much more should the titans of the pro AV industry be looking not at 100-year lifespans or even 30-years of market dominance, but mere relevance within the next five years.
In the 1990s, IBM's dominance as a technology leader began to seriously wane with its failure to pivot with widespread PC adoption. While 'Big Blue' does still make hardware, its primary focus shifted to software solutions. Today, IBM is again a major force with enterprise-class businesses and has additional growth happening in commercial business accounts for hybrid cloud, database, and storage offerings. This kind of turnaround is an example for the ProAV industry to follow, with a heavy emphasis on new management focusing on business agility.
Agile and Lean
Business agility. It sounds nice, doesn't it? Any competitive business advantage, however, comes with a cost. In this case, agility requires not just new practices or strategies, but entirely new kinds of thinking.
Consider Amazon. The company began by thinking differently about selling books because they were the most practical product choice since Amazon could offer a much wider selection of inventory than any brick-and-mortar store. With a just-enough, just-in-time product ordering and shipping model, Bezos company thought differently about how to deliver value at scale. But his model wasn't new; it was riffing off of what Toyota had done with the Toyota Production System for manufacturing, which is a philosophy to work intelligently and eliminate waste so that only minimal inventory is needed. The system is also known by the more generic lean manufacturing.
Then consider how software is developed and offered today. It wasn't long ago that updating the Microsoft Office Suite meant huge purchase orders every few years for licensing and slow updates/rollouts across companies. Today, Office 365 is the online-based solution for ensuring up-to-date software for every person a company.
The impressive growth of Amazon is a direct result of thinking differently and leveraging business agility as a competitive advantage.
Taking it a step further, let's go back to Amazon, but this time to its profit machine, Amazon Web Services (AWS). The very same infrastructure used to sell just about every product is now available to your company on a buy-what-you-need, as-you-need-it (another case of the just-in-time model) basis. Amazon's production website, Amazon.com, is developed by hundreds of small teams working on specific aspects of functionality in short sprints of work. In 2015, Amazon was pushing a new software deployment every second of the day. Don't miss that scale and velocity: a new software update pushed to production servers. Every. Single. Second. And that was back in 2015!
All of these examples have one thing in common: business agility. More specifically, they've switched from old thinking to thinking differently about the efficacy and scalability of their businesses. Since the 2000s, Agile has been nearly synonymous with the software development industry. What started out as a dozen or so people writing the Agile Manifesto to declare their intentions of thinking differently about software development was really just a new way of taking the thinking inherent in Toyota Production System (Lean) and applying it to how software could be created, tested, deployed, measured, validated and updated.
Business Agility as a Competitive Advantage
In 2009, I found myself at a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company leading marketing and communications. Walking into the software development area blew my mind: a 60-foot-long, magnetic whiteboard with cards showing work in progress across multiple teams. Because my team needed to know what was being worked on for upcoming releases so that we could prepare the content for promotion, I began meeting with the leaders of the software teams and learned about a particular flavor of Agile called Scrum. My boss thought it was impressive and led the effort for us to try applying Scrum to marketing and community management. The end result was a lot of learning, some key lessons, and ultimately a better way to work as a team to deliver value at speed with consistency. Over the next decade, I learned even more about Agile and came to understand that no matter the flavor for the framework (Scrum, Kanban, Scrumban, Lean, etc.) the principles were undeniably true and helpful for thinking differently and doing better quality work by consistently improving and continually delivering together.
Business agility is the scalable delivery of value at speed. Experiencing these kinds of next-level results focused far more on outcomes than on outputs and revealed to me the massive competitive advantage of business agility.
While the true stories above provide ample proof of the value of Agile for business, the opportunity for today's ProAV industry newcomers and veterans alike is to introduce business agility through existing products and services. Often called pilot programs, the idea is to take create a squad out of a group of disparate team members who can come together with the necessary skills to bring a new solution to market. Instead of top-down, command-and-control management, give this one squad the time and resources they need, including an Agile transformation coach, to find new ways to eliminate wasted effort, flatten decision-making, quickly pivot, test and rapidly prototype and learn together. With some helpful practices and, most importantly, the buy-in of their leadership and the squad members themselves to work better as together than apart, these three to six-month pilot programs can go a long way to demonstrating the ability to think differently and deliver value sooner.
From that first company in 2009 to several since, I've invested heavily into learning how to bring this advantage to each firm I've worked for and with, even leading me to earn certifications and become an Agile transformation coach with an emphasis on marketing and sales agility. What matters is not 'doing Agile' but being Agile by taking a leader-first position on pivoting the organization to value, measure and even compensate teams for leveraging team-based business agility. I wouldn't go back to business-as-usual for any paycheck amount because of the huge advantages (and fun) of being nimble, failing fast and learning together are unbeatable.
This is what's needed in ProAV: business agility as a competitive advantage. Because, after all, change is inevitable; growth is optional.
Do you know of examples of ProAV firms embracing Agile? Comment below.
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If you don't own a pair of white jeans by now, you really need to get your act together and get yourself a pair.
The perfect white jeans can be hard to find, nothing new there. What might work for me, might not work of you. It took me forever to find a pair I like.
I remember ordering multiple pairs from Nordstrom (thanks to free shipping and returns) until I found a pair I like.
I remember trying this pair and this pair on not too long ago and they were pretty nice actually, specially since they weren't overly pricey. But they didn't fit my body right.
I got this top at while ago and sadly it sold out quickly online.
I linked below a few pretty tops, not the same or quite similar, just very pretty….the can't-go-wrong kinda pretty.
I think white denim makes every outfit look great. I agree on difficulty finding the right pair (or 2…). Super cute look, love all the pretty details!
Hi what size did you get in this top?
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Sec. 21-2. Criminal trespass to vehicles.
(a) A person commits criminal trespass to vehicles when he or she knowingly and without authority enters any part of or operates any vehicle, aircraft, watercraft or snowmobile.
(b) Sentence. Criminal trespass to vehicles is a Class A misdemeanor.


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La Supercoupe d'Espagne 2010 () est la vingt-cinquième édition de la Supercoupe d'Espagne, épreuve qui oppose le champion d'Espagne au vainqueur de la Coupe du Roi. Disputée en match aller-retour les  et , l'épreuve est remportée par le FC Barcelone aux dépens du Séville FC sur le score cumulé de 5-3.

Participants
La rencontre oppose le Football Club de Barcelone au Séville FC. Le Barca se qualifie au titre de sa victoire en championnat et le club sévillan dispute la Supercoupe grâce à son statut de vainqueur de la Coupe du Roi.

FC Barcelone-Séville FC est une confrontation inédite dans cette compétition. Le premier cité joue la Supercoupe pour la  et le second connaît sa .

Feuilles de match

Match aller

Match retour

Liens externes
 Supercoupe d'Espagne sur www.rsssf.com
 Supercopa 2011 (match aller) sur www.footballdatabase.eu
 Supercopa 2011 (match retour) sur www.footballdatabase.eu

2010
Compétition de football à Barcelone
Événement sportif à Séville
Face-à-face gagné par le FC Barcelone
Face-à-face du Séville FC
Football en Espagne en 2010
Football en août 2010


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Category Archives: Special
Not warfare, but fanfare
In Don DeLillo's "End Zone," one of the characters remarks halfway through the novel that there is no need to metaphorically confuse football with warfare. The waving banners, bands and hordes of screaming fans do not recall military imagery, he says, and the warriors charging and bleeding up and down
Homecoming 2011 editors' note
For many Cal alums, San Francisco is the norm — they work, socialize and live there. For students, though, the City is usually little more than a chic afternoon getaway from the rigors Berkeley life. But this semester is different for us. This Homecoming is different for us. With Memorial
Football, Homecoming 2011, USC Gameday
Dreams from my father
Isi Sofele's father never had a chance to attend college and play football, so he quit his job and trained his kids. Now his son is Cal's starting running back and living his father's dream.
When Isi Sofele was 11 years old, he made it to nationals in track. There was just one problem — it cost $1,200 to go. Sofele had one question: How much would it cost to bring his whole family too? "He knew money was an issue for us," his mother
Sean Cattouse left his home at quarterback to travel across the country to play defense for Cal. Now a senior leading the secondary, Cattouse knows his instincts didn't lead him astray.
It's December 2006 and Sean Cattouse is stranded in a hotel room over 1,800 miles from his home. This is not how he envisioned his official visit to a school that had shown interest in him for several months. His player sponsor, Brandon Jones, is nowhere to be found and
Guess who's Zach
Zach Maynard's stats won't blow anyone away, but the junior transfer has still changed the face of the Cal football team.
Zach Maynard's favorite memory involves snow — lots of snow. It was a cold North Carolina winter, and he and his brother, Keenan, were playing in their grandmother's backyard. A cardboard box was lying around, so they broke it down into makeshift snowboards to see who could slide down the
Campus wars: Which school is the superior athletic institution?
Cal The University of California, Berkeley has a plethora of wonderful and successful sports. The baseball team reached the College World Series last season, as did the softball team. Both the men's and women's swimming and diving teams claimed crowns. The rugby team is the definition of dominant: The squad's
Video: Large crane used to install Memorial Stadium press box
On Tuesday, the fifth and final part of the strut that will support the press box at Memorial stadium was installed using a very large crane.
Video: Students react to passage of DREAM Act, AB 131
Students share their thoughts and reactions about the passage of the second half of the California DREAM Act, AB 131, which allows undocumented students to apply for state funded financial aid.
Video: British Ambassador to the United States speaks at UC Berkeley
Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States spoke at UC Berkeley last Thursday on British and American relations with Asia.
Interactive Timeline: 140 Years of the Daily Californian


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Ademi je priimek v Sloveniji, ki ga je po podatkih Statističnega urada Republike Slovenije na dan 1. januarja 2010 uporabljalo 161 oseb in je med vsemi priimki po pogostosti uporabe uvrščen na 2.767. mesto.

Znani slovenski nosilci priimka
 Tahir Ademi (*1979), boksar

Znani tuji nosilci priimka
 Fatim Ademi, makedonski nogometaš
 Rahim Ademi (*1954), hrvaški general albanskega rodu

Zunanje povezave


Measurements for Universal Works Loose Tee (Ecru / Blueprint) have not been added yet.
You're currently feasting your peepers on the Loose Tee from Universal Works. It's one of those 'midweight jersey' t-shirts that are way more substantial the average, which means it should last donkey's years, and it's got some ultra-chunky stripes on it. Everybody knows in the kingdom of stripes, chunky ones reign supreme.


Wish we could turn back time with Huling Sandali by December Avenue. This new single guarantees you crying over an almost-love story that failed but's still alive after all these years.
Just in time for the upcoming film 'Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon', December Avenue releases 'Huling Sandali', a part of the official soundtrack of the movie. Certainly overflowing with emotions, 'Huling Sandali' evokes that sleeping regret of letting go of the person you really loved the most. As emotional as it sounds, the song encapsulates how painful yet hopeful a person can be just to go back in time and change everything in the name of love.
December Avenue is quite notorious for its heartbreaking songs that captures the emotions raw and true. And with Zel's rich vocals, it haunts our memories that relate to the lyrics. And 'Huling Sandali' is no exception. The band made the song especially for the sequel of the 2015 film 'Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa'. And for those who haven't seen the movie, all we can say is that it did not end in a happy ending. But with the sequel 'Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon', there seems to be some hope for the protagonists of the story. Or that's what we think as of now.
'Huling Sandali' highlights that one chance that you could get to start things over with the person you love. For sure, we've had our TOTGAs, right? The one that got away and that one person we'd like to start over with if given the chance. More often than not, we meet the greatest love of our lives at the wrong time. And even though love is present, it just didn't happen. But if we get the chance to start over, without the world interfering, anyone would jump to take the chance. Despite the consequences, despite all the obstacles, we'd love to savor even just for one last time the love we've been waiting for and longing for all these years. Even if the timing is wrong, love is always right, right?
And the song perfectly captures that emotion. It captures the reality, the pain and the longing for that love we've missed out. Just because there are other things that we needed to consider. And I think everyone would be on board with December Avenue to take that one last chance. No regrets even though the world fucks us up. One last chance just to know if this time, it's the right time.
Anyway! So much for the drama, stream 'Huling Sandali' by December Avenue in Spotify to hear it for yourselves!
Does Huling Sandali by December Avenue remind you of someone you loved from your past? Will you take the chance to start over with that person if given the chance? Share us your thoughts on the comments down below! Or hit us up on our Facebook or Twitter @UDoUPh. We'd love to know what you think!


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Fatal Car Accident takes 102 Year Old Women From Floosmoor, IL.
A Chicago man's family has reached a $3.2 million settlement after he was electrocuted in 2008 while working on a bridge painting job. Commonwealth Edison will make the payment to the family.
A very sad accident this morning in Englewood. Check out this article by Rosemary Regina Sobol of the Tribune describing the details.


Briefed out the steps that i did to run my Jasmine test suite in my CI.
Use run-jasmine.js. This runner code is taken from phantomJS example and modified to run Jasmine 2.0 and to format the output as we needed.
The --debug is optional. If run on the debug mode it will print the stack trace of the failed specs and also prints all the specs that are been executed.
SpecRunner.html is very similar to the one that comes along with Jasmine 2.0 samples. The SpecRunner.html that comes with Jasmine 1.3 will not work, as the way of booting Jasmine is changed in the latest version. The only changes I made to the SpecRunner.html is to modify my src and spec file locations.
« UTC time in Android device. With NTP server sync.


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Home » Blog » University of Sydney Business School Dean's Excellence Executive MBA Scholarship
University of Sydney Business School Dean's Excellence Executive MBA Scholarship
Do you want to apply the Executive MBA degree to make a positive difference to professional life in business practice? Applications are open for the Dean's Excellence Executive MBA Scholarship 2020.
The award is intended to promote academic excellence within EMBA degree offered by the University of Sydney. The program is designed to support international students commencing full-time Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at the Sydney Business School.
Clarity of Information
A great option to get an Executive MBA degree with 20% tuition fee discount in Australia.
To combine student's interests across disciplines, the University of Sydney provides more than 100 major and minor programs in Australia. Its world-class faculties and schools have a lot to offer with over 400 study areas.
Why at the University of Sydney? At USydney, they give the opportunity to choose the best study option from a range of professional, specialist, liberal studies, and combined and double degrees. It has over 200 clubs and societies to enrich your student experience.
Application Deadline: 20 October 2019
University or Organization: University of Sydney
Department: Business School
Course Level: Postgraduate coursework
Award: 20% of tuition fees
Access Mode: Online
Number of Awards: NA
Nationality: International
The award can be taken in Australia
Eligible Countries: Applications from all nationalities are welcome
Acceptable Course or Subjects: The program is available Executive Master of Business Administration offered by the university
Admissible Criteria: Applicants must meet all the following criteria:
Students who have an unconditional offer to study or going to study full-time an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at the University of Sydney Business School are eligible.
Applicants who are currently enrolled in the EMBA and University of Sydney employees are not eligible for this award.
Students must have approximately 10 years of relevant work experience to take admission for EMBA at the University of Sydney.
How to Apply: No separate application required.
To be considered for the award, candidates must hold an unconditional offer of admission into the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) course offered by the University of Sydney Business School.
To accept your unconditional offer log onto the Sydney Student Portal.
Supporting Documents: To complete the application online, you will need the following documents (can be submitted in MS Word, RTF or PDF formats): employment history/professional details (CV/resume), academic qualifications, a one-page statement of motivation, proof of English language proficiency, and a copy of passport.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, students will need to have completed a bachelor's degree, graduate diploma/certificate or equivalent at an institution approved by the University of Sydney Business School and at a standard acceptable to the University of Sydney Business School (minimum credit grade average is 65%).
Language Requirement: international students required to have an English proficiency of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. Depending on your country of origin and educational background, the English language proficiency may vary please check here.
The University of Sydney Business School will provide an award to cover 20% of tuition fees for the duration of the student's Executive MBA program on the basis of academic merit and performance in the selection interview.
To continue the award, the recipient must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 each semester.
In addition, to continue receipt of the award, the recipient must be enrolled in 24 credit points of study each semester and no outstanding tuition fees.
by Scholarship Positions
Scholarship Positions is a leading financial aid and scholarships information website for international students.
Our scholarship administration expertise has helped thousands of students from developing countries.
Got a question? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us +447395771877.
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School of Anthropology and Conservation International Undergraduate Scholarship, UK
ESRC PhD Studentship for International Students at University of Essex, UK
Special Award at World University of Bangladesh
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