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Unreasonable Words? Steven Wright:
I've always loved this joke of his:
"I woke up one morning and looked around the room. Something wasn't right. I realized that someone had broken in the night before and replaced everything in my apartment with an exact replica. I couldn't believe it…I got my roommate and showed him. I said, "Look at this–everything's been replaced with an exact replica!" He said, "Do I know you?"
Reasonable Words: On Reading
Eliazabeth Hardwick, interviewed by the Paris Review:
"As I have grown older I see myself as fortunate in many ways. It is fortunate to have had all my life this passion for studying and enjoying literature and for trying to add a bit to it as interestingly as I can. This passion has given me much joy, it has given me friends who care for the same things, it has given me employment, escape from boredom, everything. The greatest gift is the passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination."
In a fine NYTimes obit of her written by Christopher Lehmann-Haupt she relates,
""Even when I was in college, 'down home,' [in Kentucky] I'm afraid my aim was — if it doesn't sound too ridiculous — my aim was to be a New York Jewish intellectual," she told an interviewer in 1979. "I say 'Jewish' because of their tradition of rational skepticism; and also a certain deracination appeals to me — and their openness to European culture."
I'm with you, Elizabeth, reading, skepticism, and displacement, preferably on the Upper West Side, but for now a coffee shop in Takoma Park will have to do in my particular case.
Poem: David Slavitt
A Cambridge (MA) poet whose work I've always admired (and who is hilariously candid in readings, if you get the chance go see him.)
A good example of his style.
Repetition by David R. Slavitt
Somewhere between the rehearsals and reenactments
there must be–we suppose–a performance we either
perceive or whimsically choose and declare as the real
thing to which past and future, knowing or not,
all along referred. That welter of repetitions
turns out in the end not to have been so free,
as meaning imposes or, like the dumb sun, dawns,
and objects that swam in an indeterminate sea
of diffident potential assume their recalcitrant
shapes. So it is with events we thought we knew
rather too well. Beginnings and endings are clear,
but middles, that murk where significance often lurks,
are tricky, and joy, which ought to be easy enough
to recognize, defies the fastest tripping
shutter or eyelash flutter and, sly, furtive,
shy as a timid child, is abruptly gone,
leaving us searching, rummaging high and low,
(those, I'm afraid, are the usual places) looking
for some faint trace or imprint. Exceptional moments?
Diversions, mostly. Experience, where we live,
is lying down each night, disposed the same way
on the same bedding we tidied that morning. The rumples
we smoothed mean more than the wretched or splendid dreams
our souls proposed while our bodies shifted or thrashed.
What's hard to see is whatever the blasé eye
assumes as we tread our daily round: a flash
of red as a cardinal crosses the sky, we'll remark,
looking up, and ignore how our path leads gently downward.
Reminds me of Aaron Copland's idea of repetition as the basic principle in all music: you only have two choices in a piece, do the same thing or something different. So it is in life…
Creative Insomnia: Late Night Listening
Fighting off a cold and looking for something exquisite to take my mind off of a scratchy throat in the middle of the night. Found this:
Yes, the aria is about saying goodbye to a table. Trust me, in the opera it's very poignant. And Victoria De Los Angeles, with her "smiling through tears" voice, is wonderful in it.
Lists: Books You Don't Need
I'm fond of the motto of the Montague (MA) Bookmill, "Books you don't need in a place you can't find." A list today of books you don't need, courtesy of Roger Angell's Let Me Finish.
Beginning Polo
Music in Geriatric Care
Adultery and Divorce in Calvin's Geneva
Pray Your Weight Away
Selected Lithuanian Short Stories
Toilet Training in Less Than A Day
Modern Volleyball
The Sexual Christian
The Law and Your Dog
Septic Tank Practices
Successful Fundraising Sermons
The Handbook of Wrestling Drills
The Father of Air Conditioning
Creative Insomnia
What Can I Do with My Juicer?
Hamtramck Then and Now
The Personality of the Horse
Breaking Your Horse's Bad Habits
The Passaic River
Refrigeration in America
All About Guppies
The Best of Stanley G. Weinbaum
Haikus for Jews
An Essay on Calcareous Manures
Meet Calvin Coolidge
Knitting with Dog Hair
These are all from the bookshelf of the late Gardner Botsford, a longtime editor of the New Yorker. His office, reports Angell, was near where books destined (or not) to be reviewed by the magazine were delivered. Over the years he collected these obscure, yet earnest titles, which, as Angell puts it, "became a solace for him and his colleagues." Angell's recollections of Botsford, less well known than other editorial stars of the magazine, including Angell's own stepfather, E.B. White, are lovely as is the whole book.
"Crack for the Nerds"
So far, I have been able to resist George R. R. Martin, although he's infiltrated my apartment, and the lives of my friends to an alarming degree.
Clever fan video exhorting him to get on with it!
Courtesy of Geek and Sundry
Travel Posters at Boston Public Library
A couple of years back the BPL's Prints and Photographs department put up a show of travel posters from their voluminous collection. The show is down, but they have a Flickr stream. Good timewaster for the armchair time traveler.
In consulting with my mother-in-law about her trip to DC next week (fireworks, museums, lots of long walks, being that I'm the events director and that's how I roll), I asked which Smithsonian museums she'd like to see.
Her: "I like American Art"
Me: "There is a museum devoted to that, and a George Bellows show is in town at the National Gallery."
Her: "That's good."
Me: "Just go to the Smithsonian web site and click on links for the American Art Museum to see details."
Dead silence.
Her: "Okay, but what the hell is a link?"
Richard Saiz on Avoiding Potholes
Got the chance to catch up with Richard Saiz at Silver Docs (the Silver Spring Documentary Festival that just wrapped up). Richard is an award-winning documentarian, former ITVS programmer, and script doctor extraordinaire.
His four guidelines for film writers, (unfairly boiled down into bullets, but it's a blog!)
Theme: Don't forget about the theme of your story (yes, plot drives it, but everything has to connect to the larger theme).
Characters: Are your characters vivid and interesting enough to inspire viewer interest? (Given that I have wanted to do a documentary on math which would use equations as 'characters' I think he'd say I need some help in this dept.)
Backstory: it needs to be there to answer key questions, but not so present that it seeps into the foreground of the film.
Plot drift: Does the narrative move forward or veer into interesting, but off topic, excursions?
Parallel to advice in other types of writing. If it doesn't earn its place on the page, out it goes. (Not a rule I find easy to follow.)
Two films he holds up as examples of getting it right:
The Education of Shelby Knox and The Cats of Mirikitani
Neither of which I've seen, and both of which are on NetFlix Streaming.
Daring Fireball: "For me, Newsstand is a place where apps go to be forgotten."
I have the same problem, so I share his interest in NYTimes content via flipboard.
NYTimes via FlipBoard
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/flipboard-in-content-deal-with-new-york-times/?pagewanted=all
Found via http://daringfireball.net/


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Rare & Beautiful: Ray Griffiths
By Manon Crespi
The start of each New Year, for me, brings the excitement of discovery. Every February the Centurion jewelry trade show, one of the United States' most coveted shows for jewelry designers, kicks off the chain of jewelry show events that will follow throughout the rest of the year. It's a gold mine for finding rare and beautiful jewelry. It's also the place where I get to meet the extraordinary people behind the jewelry.
These are the folks who feel the spark of inspiration that puts them on a journey of new ideas, taking risks, and ultimately imparting the intangible into something tangible. They fan the flames of an ember, conveying a sense of their identity into a full-fledged piece of jewelry that will eventually become a prized possession.
Case in point: Ray Griffiths. One perusal through the press page of Ray Griffiths Jewelry website will testify to the popularity of his magnificent craftsmanship, his use of exquisite gemstones, and his dedication to the foundation of when his jewelry life began in Australia at the tender age of 15 years: crownwork. The fact that Griffiths even knows what crownwork is, much less how to translate it into his fine jewelry pieces, speaks of the interesting experiences he's had over the course of his 40 year career; experiences that to this day continue to guide him and the jewelry he creates for his avid fans.
Shoemaker's son with a royal encounter. When speaking with Ray Griffiths it is abundantly clear the influence of working as a young teen with his shoemaker father in Melbourne, Australia, played a huge roll in his strong work ethic and attention to detail. He developed his signature crownwork proficiency at the age of 15 years when he went on to apprentice with a master jeweler in Melbourne, who taught him how to repair and restore antique jewelry, tiaras and crowns. Crownwork, a specific cutout technique, was employed by master metal smiths of the 18th and 19th centuries to lessen the weight of royal headpieces. Perhaps this is where his love for history began.
The Regency Ring
The history enthusiast. Honestly? He had me at the Regency ring. Let's face it, there are a lot of Jane Austen closet cases out there, and I guess until this article I was one of them. But even if you're not, Griffiths will definitely have you hooked with his Regency ring! The Regency era, the Spanish Moors, and Roman Greco are all historical references that can be seen throughout the Ray Griffiths collections.
Griffiths' personal history includes jewelry school at Collingwood Technical College in Melbourne, and later obtaining degrees in gemology and diamond technology. Griffiths spent 18 years at ROX, Sydney's premiere jewelry boutique, where he ultimately became head jeweler and designer. And then destiny's path turned due northeast…
Green means go. After 18 years in Sydney, Griffiths applied for and won the US Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery, which is open to countries with lower immigration rates in the US. He took this as a sign, along with his big dreams and high hopes, and made his move to New York City. Like many immigrants to the US, especially New York City, the transition wasn't an easy road. In his words, "Sydney was high school. New York was university." But with hard work and determination, he forged onward, taking the love of his family with him on each step of his journey.
Man of tradition. Sometimes words fall short in communicating the aggregate of ideals that fill a man's heart, especially when that man wants to pass them down to the next generation. Ray Griffiths was blessed with nieces and nephews whom he adores, and they are the recipients of Uncle Ray's own family tradition: a special piece of jewelry commemorating their 21st birthdays. One nephew even received a pair of cufflinks restored by Griffiths that his father once received for his football grand final.
Rooted in love. Beyond doubt, jewelry is Ray Griffiths' love language. He showers people with love when he bestows a piece of his jewelry, and he offers people a means to express love when he creates it. Each Ray Griffiths jewelry piece represents the culmination of his life adventures, the passion that fuels his life story. Every detail recalls his years of training with his shoemaker father, his jeweler mentor, as a student in technical college, and as a student in the school of hard knocks.
When I first stopped by the Ray Griffiths booth at the Centurion Show, I was wowed by the jewelry. Then I met Ray Griffiths. I was immediately struck by his enigmatic personality, and understood completely why his booth was filled with women ogling over his jewelry and clamoring for his attention. He is genuine, authentic, and possesses a unique, humble confidence laced with certain vulnerability. Ray Griffiths is the rare and beautiful person behind the rare and beautiful Ray Griffiths jewelry.
Stone & Strand's Holiday Jewelry Showcase
Stone & Strand's Holiday Jewelry Showcase
Rare & Beautiful: Frederic Sage
Rare & Beautiful: Todd Reed
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Przysietnica  is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Brzozów, within Brzozów County, Podkarpacie Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately  north of Brzozów,  south-east of the regional capital Rzeszów.

The village has a population of 4,000.

References

Przysietnica

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Students choose 'One World Café' as name of international eatery
From left: UB student Sayre Stowell, who submitted the winning name, poses with Tony Demola, director of operations for Campus Dining and Shops; A. Scott Weber, vice president for student life; and Graham Hammill, vice provost for educational affairs and dean of the graduate school. Photos: Douglas Levere
Members of the UB community attending the event were offered free samples of three international foods that may be served at One World Café, including these Vietnamese Summer Rolls.
A. Scott Weber, vice president for student life, decides which of the culinary offerings he'd like to try.
Jamaican/Caribbean Salad was one of the dishes available for sampling.
Chicken Matar Keema may be on the menu when One World Café opens for business in 2020.
UB students sample some of the international dishes available at the event.
of change view fullscreen
"This is truly a transformative initiative that is being designed by the UB community, for the UB community. "
A. Scott Weber, vice president for student life
The UB student community has voted 'One World Café' as the new name for the university's much-anticipated international eatery.
The winning entry was submitted by Sayre Stowell, a third-year aerospace engineering major, in response to a student-wide naming contest.
The announcement of the winner, and the second- and third-place entries, was made Tuesday by Graham Hammill, vice provost for educational affairs and dean of the graduate school, at an event in Founders Plaza courtyard, the site of the new eatery.
"When Sayre was asked what inspired him to submit this name, his answer was simple: 'The name for an international eatery in the heart of the campus should reflect unity and diversity, just as much as the university it represents,'" Hammill told those gathered for the announcement.
The second-place entry, "World Market," was submitted by Michael Bentz and Liping Lin. The third-place entry, "The Centre," was submitted by Harris Bresowsky.
Hammill, who is also chair of the steering committee for the project, said it has been a pleasure to watch the initiative progress and come to life.
"This process has been truly collaborative in nature," he said. "I extend a sincere thank you to UB leadership, our partners in Campus Dining and Shops, the Heart of the Campus committees, the Faculty Student Association Board and Cannon Design," Hammill said.
"When it came time to develop an official name for the space, there was no question that our largest stakeholder group, our students, would be instrumental in choosing its identity," Hammill said. "From the onset we made it a priority to include students in the process, and with that has come invaluable ideas and feedback that has helped shape this project.
"I also extend a special thank you to those individuals who could join us this afternoon. I know this is going to be great for our students," he said.
The opening of One World Café will complete the third phase of Heart of the Campus, the UB2020 initiative to enhance the student learning experience by creating a learning landscape in the center of the academic spine.
The renovation of Silverman Library and development of 1Capen and 1Diffendorf were the first and second phases of the initiative.
"This is an amazing special event for us today," said A. Scott Weber, vice president for student life.
"When we cut the ribbon in 2020, a new and unique addition to the university will occupy one of the busiest crossroads on the North Campus, in the space where we're standing right now," Weber said.
"This phase of the project will create a 'front door' to the university, around and under the existing overhangs of Capen Hall and the Founders Plaza courtyard.
"This will meet the demand for expanded dining facilities among a growing campus population, while also bringing to UB an international eatery and community space where students, faculty, staff and visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of foods from around the world in a welcoming, multicultural environment," he said.
Weber noted the design and cuisine of One World Café are based on a collaboration between the campus community and the project's designer, Cannon Design.
"This is truly a transformative initiative that is being designed by the UB community, for the UB community," he said.
In welcoming remarks, Ray Kohl, marketing manager for Campus Dining and Shops (CDS), cited the significance of the collaboration between CDS and Cannon Design.
"CDS is very pleased to be working with Cannon's world-class design team on this project," Kohl said. "Three members of the team — all UB graduates — are here with us today: Peter McCarthy, Luke Johnson and Chris Whitcomb.
"UB is recognized for having one of the leading university culinary programs in the country," he said. "We regularly receive input from our students, especially our Student Advisory Board — new thoughts and fresh ideas about what they like, and what sort of foods they would like to see.
"They are very interested in helping us to make good decisions, and we are excited about the possibilities and potential of this unique new addition to the university."
Members of the UB community attending the event were offered free samples of three international foods that may be served at One World Café, including Vietnamese Summer Roll, Chicken Matar Keema and Jamaican/Caribbean Salad.
Following an initial February contest in which UB students submitted their naming suggestions, about 600 students voted in a second contest to choose the new name from among several finalists.
Stowell's submission received 49.45 percent of the final student vote. He was awarded $500 in UB Dining Dollars.
Bentz and Liping each were awarded $200 in Dining Dollars for their second-place entry. Bresowsky received $100 in Dining Dollars for third place.
READER COMMENT
Please include a really good coffee place with coffee and tea selections of barista-quality — latte art, hand-brewed, etc. — not just commercial Starbucks/Spot/Tim Hortons. Also include a sufficient amount of comfy spaces to sit down and read, write and work on a laptop.
Martin Trebbin


The old farmhouse that houses the farm dating back to 1642, was renovated in 1998, maintaining and retrieving all the original walls.
Our house is located 5 minutes from the center of Alba and offers a relaxing and enjoyable stay for a couple or family.
Breakfast is served in the gourmet breakfast in our room. You can taste the typical products of our region homemade. We invite you to open the doors of our winery. Inside, we keep our handicrafts and precious wines. Nothing like the evening to share a glass of wine between us … See you very soon!
Ogni 4 notti tre bottiglie di vino prodotte dall'azienda agricola di proprietà in omaggio!
- Parcheggio interno è gratuito per tutti gli ospiti.


text:
Жанакала () — село в Бухар-Жырауском районе Карагандинской области Казахстана. Входит в состав Петровского сельского округа. Код КАТО — 354067200.

Население
В 1999 году население села составляло 408 человек (207 мужчин и 201 женщина). По данным переписи 2009 года, в селе проживали 373 человека (180 мужчин и 193 женщины).

Примечания

Населённые пункты Бухар-Жырауского района


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Clean energy investment lags behind goals
New Zealand's Aviemore Dam on Waitaki River, completed in 1968 (AN/Graeme Scott)
(Arête News) — Global investment in renewables and energy efficiency declined 3 percent to US$318 billion in 2017 and "there is a risk that it will slow further this year," posing a threat to the world's fight against climate change and air pollution, the International Energy Agency reported.
Investment in renewable power, accounting for two-thirds of power generation spending, dropped 7 percent last year, the Paris-based international organization said in its World Energy Investment 2018 report.
It noted that recent changes to China's solar policies — which attempt to rein in costs by cutting off subsidies for new utility-scale photovoltaic power stations — increase the risk of an investment slowdown this year.
China has an outsized influence on global markets. For the past several years it has been the world leader in solar capacity; as of 2017, it accounted for slightly more than half of the world's photovoltaic installations.
The report's annual review showed global energy spending was US$1.8 trillion in 2017, or 2 percent less than in 2016. The biggest share of investments, more than US$750 billion, were in the electricity sector, while US$715 billion was spent on oil and gas supply.
Energy efficiency expanded strongly last year but not enough to offset the decline in renewables, the report found, adding that efficiency investment growth weakened in 2017.
"Such a decline in global investment for renewables and energy efficiency combined is worrying," said IEA's Executive Director Fatih Birol, a Turkish economist and energy expert. "This could threaten the expansion of clean energy needed to meet energy security, climate and clean-air goals. While we would need this investment to go up rapidly, it is disappointing to find that it might be falling this year."
After several years of growth, global investment in #renewables & #energyefficiency combined declined by 3⃣% in 2017 and could slow down again this year https://t.co/yZTlhqxsaJ pic.twitter.com/Vl70zXyG4Q
— Fatih Birol (@IEABirol) July 17, 2018
Government policy at work
Government-based investments accounted for a growing share: more than 40 percent in 2017.
More than 95 percent of investment is based on regulation or contracts for remuneration, showing the rising influence of government policies, in contrast to "a dwindling role for new projects based solely on revenues from variable pricing in competitive wholesale markets," IEA reported. "Investment in energy efficiency is particularly linked to government policy, often through energy performance standards."
The number of retiring nuclear power plants exceeded new construction starts, it said, as investment in the sector declined to its lowest level in five years.
IEA said the share of fossil fuels in energy supply investment rose last year for the first time since 2014 to US$790 billion, as spending in oil and gas increased modestly. Investment in coal power dropped, but that was offset by an increase in oil and gas spending.
And while oil and gas is on an upswing, electric cars are on the rise, too.
"The share of national oil companies in total oil and gas upstream investment remained near record highs, a trend expected to persist in 2018," the report said. "Though still a small part of the market, electric vehicles now account for much of the growth in global passenger vehicle sales, spurred by government purchase incentives."
Energy snapshot (Arête/IEA)
Transition in electricity
In June, another international organization said the power sector was rapidly changing but not enough was being done to keep Earth from overheating. The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, or REN21, reported that wind, solar and other renewable energy sources accounted for 70 percent of net additions to global power generating capacity last year, but not enough to slow climate change.
"What we are actually seeing is an electricity transition, not an energy transition," said Laura Williamson, REN21's director of outreach and communication, citing technology advances and lower costs as big factors. REN21 is based in U.N. Environment's Paris offices.
Despite the broad transition to clean energy, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose 1.4 percent in 2017 due to strong economic growth, lower fossil fuel prices and weaker efforts to boost energy efficiency, REN21 said in its Renewables 2018 Global Status Report.
Energy is not only electricity. It is time to move the focus from an electricity transition to an energy transition – all sectors need to be addressed.
Read more about the sectoral disconnect in the #GSR2018 👉https://t.co/dALfZM1ajE pic.twitter.com/51bdqfOOoI
— REN21 (@ren21) June 28, 2018
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(AN) — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres prodded nations to act faster and more decisively to…
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text:
Hagkaup () is an Icelandic hypermarket chain owned by retail company Hagar. Its concept is wide selection of food and non-food products including clothing, electronics, entertainment, seasonal goods and toys.

History
Founded in 1959 by Pálmi (1923–91) in an old barn as a mail-order company, it found success as a cheaper choice than most other retailers in Reykjavík. The company soon expanded and opened up its first store in the barn. In 1967 Hagkaup opened the first supermarket in Iceland in an old warehouse in Skeifan, Reykjavík, which continues to enjoy great popularity among its customers to this day. The Hagkaup head office is located in Holtagarðar, Reykjavík.

In 1998 the children of Pálmi Jónsson—Sigurður Gísli, Jón, Ingibjörg and Lilja—sold the company and their 50% stake in Bónus, Hagkaup's main rival in the food retail sector, to a group of investors led by Bónus's founders. This transaction was the foundation of Baugur Group, an international retail and real estate investment company.

References

External links
  (In icelandic)

Hypermarkets
Supermarkets of Iceland
Companies based in Reykjavík
Retail companies established in 1959
1959 establishments in Iceland
Icelandic brands


text:
Technician, Vol. 79 No. 92, March 2, 1999
Technician (Raleigh, N.C.) (LH1 .N6 T4)
technician-v79n92-1999-03-02
Technician (Raleigh, N.C.) more info on Technician (Raleigh, N.C.)
Created Date:
College student newspapers
North Carolina State University -- Students -- Social life and customs more info on North Carolina State University -- Students -- Social life and customs
Raleigh (N.C.)
Technician: The digitization of the Technician newspaper was done in collaboration with NC State Student Media.
Technician (Raleigh, N.C.) (LH1 .N6 T4) held by Special Collections Research Center at NC State University Libraries
6 pages search inside
Technician, Vol. 79 No. 95, March 15, 1999
10 pages search inside
Technician, Vol. 79 No. 100, March 23, 1999


text:
package shutdown

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"
	"log"
	"testing"
	"time"
)

func TestGraceful(t *testing.T) {
	ctx := NewContext()
	for i := 0; i < 20; i++ {
		go func(ctx context.Context, i int) {
			if err := ExitWaitGroupAdd(ctx, 1); err != nil {
				t.Fatalf("BlockService goroutine %d ExitWaitGroupAdd error: %s", i, err)
				return
			}
			defer ExitWaitGroupDone(ctx)

			fmt.Printf("BlockService goroutine %d running\n", i)
			<-ctx.Done()
			defer fmt.Printf("BlockService goroutine %d done\n", i)
			fmt.Printf("BlockService goroutine %d closing\n", i)
			time.Sleep(time.Second)
		}(ctx, i)
	}
	// Shutdown after 2 seconds
	time.Sleep(time.Second * 2)
	if err := Shutdown(ctx, time.Second*5, func(timeout time.Duration) error {
		log.Println("close")
		return nil
	}); err != nil {
		t.Error("GracefulShutdown error:", err)
		return
	}
	log.Println("Shutdown OK")
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


November 10th & 11th will herald a once in a lifetime event for Tulsa Catholics. St. Maria Goretti will be visiting on a Pilgrimage of Mercy as the forerunner of His Holiness' Year of Mercy which begins December 8th.
The National Catholic Register article giving a brief history of this young saint is linked here so that you may better understand who she was and why she is so special!


Captain America: Civil War has started setting records just days after it was released.
The superhero caper, which stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson, has yet to open in America but it gave a preview of its might in 37 international territories over the weekend, taking in an estimated $200.2 million (£137 million).
That includes record openings in Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines for the film some expect to be the year's biggest hit.
Once it lands Stateside, Disney will have accounted for three of the top five movies of the year, along with The Jungle Book and Zootopia.
The Jungle Book is currently reigning at the US box office, trouncing a handful of underperforming new releases to rule for a third consecutive week.
Jon Favreau's live-action Rudyard Kipling adaptation earned $42.4 million (£29 million) in its third week at North American theatres, according to studio estimates. One of the year's biggest hits, it has now totalled $684.8 million (£468.7 million) globally.
The weekend's debuts withered under the stampede of The Jungle Book.
Keegen-Michael Key and Jordan Peele's feline action comedy Keanu opened with a modest $9.4 million (£6.4 million). That was a whisker behind The Huntsman: Winter's War, which limped its way to $9.4 million (£6.4 million) in its second disappointing week of release.
Garry Marshall's latest holiday-themed romantic comedy, Mother's Day, bowed with a weak $8.3 million (£5.7 million) despite the presence of stars Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts.


text:
10 Bullet Journal Hacks to Get You Organized for the New Year
10 Things You Need to Live Like an Adult
9 Ways to Eat Healthier this New Year
How to Lose Five Pounds in Just One Week
9 Quick & Easy Hacks That'll Make Laundry Day So Much Easier
8 DIY Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do on a Budget
10 Ways You Can Add "Hygge" to Your Room
10 Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen
8 Easy DIY Beauty Ideas You Need to Try
7 Eyeshadow Hacks That'll Make Your Life Easier
8 Expert Tips for a Great Workout Regime
10 Food Instagrams That'll Actually Inspire You to Cook
10 Baking Hacks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner
10 Energy Boosting Ingredients You Should Be Adding to Your Smoothie
10 Tasty Foods That Will Keep you Feeling Full
10 Golden Rules on How to Declutter Your Home
6 Healthy Lifestyle Habits for Easy Weight Loss
8 Safe Ways to Lose 10 Pounds in the New Year Quickly
7 Simple Hacks to Upgrade Your Wardrobe
12 Frugal Tips That Will Help You Learn How to Save Money
9 Ways to Make Money in the New Year
10 Ways to Save $1,000 in a Month
10 Ways to Get Your Finances in Order for the New Year
8 Simple Ways to Save Money for Christmas
10 Golden Rules on How to Declutter Your...
12 Frugal Tips That Will Help You Learn...
10 Bullet Journal Hacks to Get You Organized...
8 Safe Ways to Lose 10 Pounds in...
9 Things You Can Freeze to Save Money
10 Things You Need to Live Like an...
10 Crock Pot Hacks That'll Make Cooking So...
9 Ways to Make Money in the New...
Home Eating	Intermittent Fasting: Part 1 – The Benefits Are Far More Than Just Weight Loss
EatingLifestyle
Intermittent Fasting: Part 1 – The Benefits Are Far More Than Just Weight Loss
written by Macarons and Mochas
Intermittent fasting (or IF) is a pattern of eating that involves regular short-term fasts.
Before you freak out about the word "fasting" and think it has something to do with starvation, remember, that we already fast every night while we sleep. That's why the first meal of the day is called "break-fast".
Prolonging this period of going without food has so many health benefits; it's no wonder why this strategy has become a hot trend in the health and fitness world.
So here are the eight reasons why you should consider incorporating intermittent fasting into your lifestyle.
1. It lowers insulin and balances blood sugar levels.
Intermittent fasting has been shown to help your body regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, which is the most important thing if you want to lose weight, have high energy, and prevent diseases such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, various types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
2. Trains your body to use its fat for energy.
When we eat every couple of hours, we train our bodies to rely on glucose for energy. That's why we're often hungry a few hours after a meal. But when you practice IF and lower your insulin (fat storage hormone) levels, you train your body to use the stored fat for energy, which is why it's so effective for weight loss.
3. Keeps hunger at bay.
Since your body gets used to utilizing your body fat for energy, you can go hours without needing to eat and feeling hungry. It also helps you keep high energy levels and feel productive even hours after eating.
4. Helps recover and build muscle by secreting HGH.
IF is known for increasing the human growth hormone (HGH) in the body. This helps preserve lean tissue (muscle), whereas calorie restrictive diets are known for muscle loss.
5. Gives your body a chance to rest and detox.
Constant eating makes your body use lots of energy when digesting. By giving your body a break from eating, the energy can be used for getting rid of toxins and killing the old, senescent and cancerous cells (this process is called autophagy).
6. Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
It has been reported that IF can protect heart and brain cells and reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various diseases, including heart disease, some forms of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and atherosclerosis to name a few.
7. May extend your lifespan and make you live longer.
Research has shown that IF may delay the development of disorders that lead to death – meaning that regular practitioners can enjoy a longer, healthier life than people who follow a traditional diet. It also makes your brain age better.
8. Saves time and simplifies life
Eating fewer meals less frequently leaves you with more time which you can spend on things that matter. That's why IF has been a growing trend in Silicon Valley. It's also a great travel strategy – you no longer need to be annoyed about the poor food options at airports. Simply fast.
With so many evidence-based benefits to intermittent fasting, you should definitely give it a try. In part 2 of the series, I'll talk about the different strategies to practice intermittent fasting, so you can find the best way that suits you and your lifestyle.
How To Lose 15 Pounds In A Month Without Exercise
Intermittent Fasting: Part 1 – The Benefits Are Far More Than Just Weight Loss was last modified: March 20th, 2019 by Macarons and Mochas
The Ketogenic Diet: What You Must Know Before Starting
Intermittent Fasting: Part 2 – How To Use It For Weight Loss
10 Awesome Healthy Substitutes for Unhealthy Food
10 Things You Should Know About the Instant Pot
8 Regular Foods That'll Effectively Burn Fat
10 Air Purifying Plants That'll Make Your Home Look Like it's from Instagram
8 Easy 5-Minute Exercises That'll Effectively Destroy Your Body Fat
7 Decluttering Hacks That Are Borderline Genius
© Macarons & Mochas 2019 | Chasing Foxes | Modern Trekker


text:
FEODOSIYA, UKRAINE
Home > Europe > Ukraine
K�ppen Classification: Humid Subtropical Climate
This climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. This climate type is found on the eastern sides of the continents between 20� and 35� N and S latitude. In summer, these regions are largely under the influence of moist, maritime airflow from the western side of the subtropical anticyclonic cells over low-latitude ocean waters. Temperatures are high and can lead to warm, oppressive nights. Summers are usually somewhat wetter than winters, with much of the rainfall coming from convectional thunderstorm activity; tropical cyclones also enhance warm-season rainfall in some regions. The coldest month is usually quite mild, although frosts are not uncommon, and winter precipitation is derived primarily from frontal cyclones along the polar front.
The K�ppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa". (Humid Subtropical Climate).
The average temperature for the year in Feodosiya is 54.1°F (12.3°C). The warmest month, on average, is July with an average temperature of 75.6°F (24.2°C). The coolest month on average is February, with an average temperature of 35.1°F (1.7°C).
The highest recorded temperature in Feodosiya is 100.6°F (38.1°C), which was recorded in August. The lowest recorded temperature in Feodosiya is -13.2°F (-25.1°C), which was recorded in February.
The average amount of precipitation for the year in Feodosiya is 19.5" (495.3 mm). The month with the most precipitation on average is December with 2.0" (50.8 mm) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is July with an average of 1.2" (30.5 mm). There are an average of 129.0 days of precipitation, with the most precipitation occurring in December with 16.0 days and the least precipitation occurring in October with 7.0 days.
In terms of liquid precipitation, there are an average of 81.0 days of rain, with the most rain occurring in November with 9.0 days of rain, and the least rain occurring in August with 4.0 days of rain.


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Members of De Blasio's Small Business Advisory Council Frustrated by Lack of Communication, Progress
October 09, 2020 | by Samar Khurshid
Mayor de Blasio gets ice cream (photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)
An advisory council created by Mayor Bill de Blasio to speak on behalf of the city's small businesses hasn't convened in months and some of its members say their concerns aren't being heard as the city charts a stunted recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
In April, de Blasio announced the creation of several task forces to help lead the city's recovery efforts, including advisory councils dedicated to specific sectors such as large and small businesses, health care, education, labor, arts, culture and tourism, among others. Several statements from appointees and news reports have since pointed out that the mayor has largely ignored the voices of people on those councils.
Members of the small business advisory council have had a similar experience even as small businesses across the city are shuttering en masse. A Partnership for New York City report found that almost a third of roughly 230,000 small businesses might never reopen. After meeting with the mayor initially and thereafter with deputy mayors and agency commissioners to coordinate the city's response, the small business advisory council has not come together since June, four of the members said in interviews with Gotham Gazette.
That same month, Gregg Bishop, who de Blasio promoted to senior advisor for small business recovery in May, left the administration for the private sector. Bishop had previously served as commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and was replaced by Commissioner Jonnel Doris at that time. But since his departure, the mayor has not named another senior advisor in that role. Dorris has appeared with the mayor at several press briefings to discuss issues related to small businesses.
The mayor has signed into law a small business relief package passed by the City Council in May. And SBS awarded $60 million in loans and grants to small businesses across the city. But the administration has, more recently, seemed to fall behind in responding to small business concerns.
Members of the small business council say that with the lack of a point person at City Hall to listen to their recommendations and without a steady flow of information, small businesses have been left in the lurch worrying about how to navigate the financial stresses of the pandemic as well as business regulations that seem to constantly change with little notice. They were particularly concerned that the administration hasn't clearly communicated how businesses should handle the renewed shutdowns in certain neighborhoods that have seen a recent spike in covid cases, made all the more fraught by mixed messaging by the mayor and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
"After Phase II happened, the meetings stopped," said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, referring to the phase of the city's reopening launched June 22, which saw the resumption of in-store retail, reopenings of salons and barber shops, and bars and restaurants for outdoor seating. "Since then we have not met as a committee," Sorin said.
Sorin and the four other presidents of the Chambers of Commerce representing the other boroughs were among the signatories of a letter sent last month from 160-odd business leaders to Mayor de Blasio calling on him to ensure that the city's recovery is not hampered by a lack of essential services and issues affecting public safety and quality of life. "We're the ones on the ground. We want to bring employees back," Sorin added. "We want to help small businesses. Bring us to the table. We're the experts."
"We're in unprecedented times. It's a constant movement, and nobody really knows which direction to go, which is why we're asking to be for these committees to kick up again," Sorin said.
Linda Baran, president of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, said that she has constantly reached out to the mayor's office and SBS over the last few months. "However, when I reach out there's not always clarity. So sometimes they don't have the answers, which is frustrating. It's frustrating for me, and it's frustrating for many of those small business owners that we work with," she said.
Though she said the advisory council's initial recommendations, mostly related to outdoor dining, were taken into account, the administration has not implemented inter-agency coordination that can help businesses avoid having to deal with multiple agencies and confusing regulations.
"I do believe that everything that's been done is more reactive than proactive," she said, "and I feel that we really do need to be proactive because the businesses in the city, not only just here on Staten Island but throughout the city, are still very fragile." Baran noted that the city should be better prepared for the upcoming winter season, particularly as outdoor dining has been extended throughout the year but regulations around outside heating, for instance, haven't been publicly issued.
The New York City Business Improvement District Association recently called on the mayor to create a plan to allow an "Open Stores" outdoor retail program to boost many small, non-restaurant businesses, particularly ahead of the busy winter holiday season.
In a phone interview, former Commissioner Bishop was surprised to hear that the business council hasn't met in months. "Oh wow! Really?" he said.
Bishop said the lack of coordination stems somewhat from the structure of City Hall, and has been exacerbated by the infighting between de Blasio and Cuomo. "You have the Economic development agency reporting to one deputy mayor and Small Business Services reporting to another deputy mayor and that in itself just led to challenges in terms of coordination," he said. "I think that what the business community needs is clarity and unfortunately, this pandemic doesn't afford anyone clarity."
He said naming a point person was an important step that the administration should take. "It is important for government to listen and have mechanisms where the community feels that not only can they speak to the decision makers, but that their concerns are being heard," he said. "And I know for sure, whether you're a large business or small business, certainty is the absolute critical thing right now."
The mayor's office did not respond to a request for comment for this story. A spokesperson for the Department of Small Business Services said City Hall would comment, but did not follow up.
Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation, expressed a deep frustration with City Hall as it seems to be ignoring the needs of businesses in already under-resourced communities of color that have borne a disproportionate brunt of the pandemic -- something the mayor regularly mentions during his near-daily briefings.
In a Zoom interview, Yoo said that the fact that the small business advisory council hasn't met in months is a moot point for her since she was on the verge of resigning from it in June. "When we were asked to serve on these committees, I said yes with all the expectations and the hopes that the things that we're talking about would be implemented," she said. Though she did praise SBS Commissioner Doris for stepping in at a difficult time for the agency, she had few kind words for the de Blasio administration. "I think it would be an understatement to say I'm disappointed. I'm actually very frustrated and very, very angry."
Yoo's chief concern during all the council's meetings was language access for the pan-Asian business community. The city was issuing new regulations and announcing new programs but she said they weren't promptly being offered in as many languages as needed. "I sounded like a broken record," she said. "If there was ever a time that we needed to get the information dissemination right, it was during a global pandemic." In some cases, she said, foreign consulates were sending out the latest information about city regulations to Asian-American businesses. "This is a disgrace. And yet my call for language access went unheard," she said.
She noted that Asian-American businesses have also been suffering for longer, having experienced lower foot traffic and plummeting sales from the early days of the pandemic, well before the city shut down. "In January, our community was devastated economically," she said.
After repeated calls and meetings with the Department of Small Business Services, Yoo said her concerns continued to go unanswered. "At some point, SBS just ghosted us," she said.
She added, "My pushback on SBS is, look at who are the economic contributors. Look who is suffering. But how come they're not seen and they're not recognized in any of the recovery plans? That's the question I want to ask."
The business council was as varied as the small businesses across the city. Another member, Mohamed Attia, director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, similarly said he was excited to be included on the council to represent the interests of street vendors. But his excitement later turned to disappointment as well. "Honestly, we haven't seen much response from the administration in terms of street vending issues," he said.
Attia did say that being on the council helped him air concerns from street vendors about being dislocated by a potential outdoor dining program, and that the plan eventually did not disrupt their business. But besides that one positive note, other issues haven't been addressed. He said the administration should be offering small business grants and loans to street vendors, many of whom had to go months without a source of livelihood as city streets emptied and people sheltered at home.
One step the city could easily take, he said, is supporting a City Council bill to lift the cap on street vending permits in the city, which is currently 5,100 and hasn't been lifted in decades. "In a matter of a couple of weeks, the city was able to issue 10,000 permits for outdoor dining for restaurants. So you see how that doesn't make sense at all," Attia said.
Attia pointed to a chief example of how the administration's lack of communication has been harmful. In June, the mayor announced that the NYPD would be removed from the role of enforcement against street vendors. But in September, as reported by THE CITY, police officers in Downtown Manhattan were handing out $500 tickets to vendors for minor violations. The mayor had promised an enforcement transition plan but has yet to release it.
"We have reached out to a lot of people in the administration and nobody had any insights about how the enforcement transition would happen," Attia said. "It has been almost four months now. We haven't heard any concrete information. We haven't heard anything."
by Samar Khurshid, senior reporter, Gotham Gazette
@samarkhurshid @GothamGazette
Tags: Bill de Blasio • Department of Small Business Services • Gregg Bishop • Economy • small businesses • jobs • coronavirus • Jonnel Dorris


For more information on events impacting U.S. persons with undisclosed foreign financial accounts, please also see the January 24, 2012, Alert, "New 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program; Taxpayer Advocate Criticizes IRS "Bait & Switch"; Current Offshore Enforcement Initiatives."
On March 26, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") made public a program allowing U.S. persons with foreign financial accounts to greatly reduce their exposure to significant civil penalties and, in many cases, to eliminate the prospects of criminal prosecution.
The program comes in the wake of UBS's admission to the existence of some 50,000 accounts held by U.S. persons and of increasing pressure on the IRS to deal with tax avoidance schemes utilizing offshore financial structures.
Many U.S. persons with undisclosed offshore financial arrangements have been hesitant to disclose them to the government for fear of the multiple steep penalties that may apply to such offshore financial accounts and arrangements. In many instances, particularly where trusts or foreign corporations are involved, the panoply of penalties may exceed the highest balance in the offshore account.
The new Penalty Framework for Voluntary Disclosure Requests applies to all voluntary disclosure requests containing offshore issues. It will apply to all pending voluntary disclosure requests and will remain in effect until September 23, 2009. After a preliminary determination by IRS Criminal Investigation that a taxpayer is eligible for voluntary disclosure, all voluntary disclosure requests will be sent to the Philadelphia Offshore Identification Unit ("POIU") for civil processing.
A 5-percent penalty is substituted for the foregoing 20-percent penalty where: (a) the taxpayer did not open or cause to be opened any accounts or formed any entities, (2) there has been no activity (deposits, withdrawals) in the account or entity during the period the taxpayer controlled the account/entity, and (3) all applicable U.S. taxes have been paid on the funds in the account/entity and only account/entity earnings have escaped U.S. taxation.
The IRS anticipates that the new penalty framework will result in significant participation by U.S. persons with undisclosed foreign accounts. Several advantages of participation in voluntary disclosure exist. U.S. persons taking advantage of voluntary disclosure are likely to be in a position to repatriate their funds to the U.S. without concern. The new penalty structure is far less steep than the penalties that could otherwise be imposed. For most U.S. persons, participation in voluntary disclosure is likely to eliminate the prospect for criminal prosecution.
The new penalty structure is open to U.S. persons until September 23, 2009, at which time its benefits will expire. Those U.S. persons who do not participate may face stiff penalties and the prospect of criminal prosecution.
Voluntary disclosure may be appropriate for many U.S. persons with a financial interest in or signature authority over one or more undisclosed offshore accounts. Before making a voluntary disclosure, the particular circumstances of each U.S. person should be considered by a qualified tax advisor, and the pros and cons of disclosure should also be weighed, given the particular circumstances of the case.
If you would like more information about this new IRS initiative, please contact Thomas Ostrander, the author of this Alert, Hope Krebs or Stan Barg in Philadelphia, Jon Grouf in New York, any member of the International Practice Group, Michael A. Gillen of the Tax Accounting Group or the attorney in the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.
See Thomas Ostrander, "The Offshore Credit Card and Financial Arrangement Probe: Fraught with Danger for Taxpayers," Journal of Taxation, August 2003.


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HAVE QUESTIONS?CALL US AT: (250) 365-3222
Robert Wilfred Sweeney
Robert "Wilf" Wilfred Sweeney
Robert Wilfred Sweeney of Castlegar, BC died peacefully on Friday, September 19, 2020 at the age of 92. Wilf was born September 6, 1928 in Dryden, Ontario, the youngest son of Lillian and Bob Sweeney.
He graduated U. of T. with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1952 and married Doris Race the same year. They started their family in Trois-Rivières, Quebec and moved to Castlegar in 1960 where Wilf worked as a project engineer on construction of the Celgar Pulp Mill. He retired in 1993 as general manager after directing the expansion and start up of the new mill. Wilf enjoyed golfing, woodworking, reading, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and close friends. He was active in the Castlegar Rotary Club, serving as club president, fundraising, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a man of integrity with a great sense of humour and he will be fondly remembered by those who knew him.
Wilf was predeceased by Doris, his wife of 56 years, their son, Dallas, his sister Leone, and his son in-law, Jack. He is survived by his sons Pat (Linda) and Jon (Lindsey), daughter Marilyn, grandchildren Nicole, Dylan, Maggie (Jim), and Helen (Adam), great-grandchildren Lily, Maisie, Mayra, and Edward, sister Irene, sister in-law Merle, brother in-law Davy, nieces and nephews and extended family.
By Wilf's request, there will be no funeral. Memorial donations may be made in Wilf's name to Rotary International or the charity of your choice.
Offer Condolence for the family of Robert Wilfred Sweeney
About Castlegar Funeral Chapel
Ron Armbruster
Wilf will be sadly missed by all who knew him but especially for his many years of service through the Castlegar Rotary Club. As noted in the obituary donations in Wilf's name to the Rotary Foundation are welcomed and if so desired can be done through the Castlegar Rotary Club. Contact Dave McIntosh at Ready Engineering in Castlegar for further details.
On a more personal level I can say that our weekly coffee gathering this morning just wasn't the same without Wilf there. I truly value the friendship we had built over the last number of years and will miss him. Now I'm not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing but I am spending much less time on my computer since Wilf passed as he was my main source for email jokes.
God bless you Wilf and may you rest in peace.
Darlene Dunn
Hi Jon and Pat,
Jim and I are very sorry that your Dad has passed away. It's like an end of an era with our parents having been good friends for years. I enjoyed getting to attend the buffets at Castlewood on occasion when I was in Castlegar- your Dad was well read and very interesting to talk to.
All the best as you think about your Dad and past family times.
Jim and Darlene, Coldstream
Jonathan Sweeney
Hi Darlene and Jim,
Thanks very much for your condolences and apologies for not replying sooner. I still miss your Dad, Jack. He was such a joker. I get to southern Nova Scotia now and then and am always on the lookout for Nictau Falls – hearing Jacks voice in my head. "You've never been to Nictau Falls, Jon? Oh, you have to get to Nictau Falls." Also enjoyed some really nice fresh scallops in Digby this fall. Please give Edie a big hug from me and Lindsey.
Jon and Lindsey
Lawrence Gordon
Dear Jon and Pat and families
Sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My father Bill also arrived to the Pulp mill in 1960 and worked with Wilf throughout his career. My father alway had the utmost respect for your dad throughout his working life and after retirement enjoyed Wolf's friendship and company.
Margaret Moir sends her love and condolences as she knew Wilf through a number of mutual friends.
His love of cruising the world and his busy social life in the Kootenays and love of family and friends is what Margaret wanted me to mention .
Our love and thoughts to you and your family at this difficult time.
Lawrence Gordon and Margaret Moir
Dear Lawrence and Margaret,
Thank you very much for your kind words and apologies for such a late reply. I have been remiss in checking the website and did not realize there were so many letters here. I remember your Dad, Bill fondly. Working in the warehouse was my first pulp mill job. Yes, i miss dad very much – seems strange not to talk to him one the phone on Sundays. Hope all is well in Australia!
Susan Lucarotti
Dear Jon, Lindsey, Dylan and Pat and family,
Chris and I were very sad to hear that your father passed away. Want you to know that we are thinking of all of you. The times when we met with both your parents and then with Wilf at your place were really good times. They were very nice people who were easy to get to know and talk with. To you we express our deepest sympathies. May your Dad Rest In Peace.
Susan and Chris Lucarotti
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411-9th Ave., Castlegar, BC, V1N 1L9
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SLING STUD ON YOUR RIFLE STOCK.
1: MOUNT THE THREADED POST OVER THE SLING STUD.
2: SLIDE 1/8 X 3/4 STEEL PIN THRU HOLE TO LOCK WITH SLING STUD.
3: SLIP RAIL OVER THE THREADED POST AND PIN.
4: SCREW ON THE 7/8 ALUMINUM NUT TO LOCK AND SECURE ASSEMBLY.
The Accu-Tac Sling Stud Rail Adapter is designed specifically for its bipod line.
The adapter allows you to use your sling stud to mount your Accu-Tac bipod.
includes the necessary hardware for installation.


;e adventure begins in the preschool years by developing important readiness skills with hands-on activities that bolster concentration, attention, ;ne motor, and visual discrimination skills. Bible, Reading, Math, Science, Literature, Art and Music are all part of our Kindergarten and First Grade programs with a special focus on Character Development. Hands-on projects help students understand and visualize Biblical events and how they ;t into history.
Travel back in time and explore U.S. history from a Christian perspective. Take a trip around the world and explore diverse cultures while learning geography and being challenged by true stories of missionaries. Visit world history from Creation to Modern Times. Our 2nd - 8th grade programs are designed to be ;exible and work for families with one child or multiple children. Families (and schools) with multiple children use the same program to teach all students in 2nd - 8th grades.
My Father's World's complete high school curriculum is written to meet high school graduation and college entrance requirements. ;is independent study, parent-directed program integrates Bible, History, and English, providing a strong academic program with a focus on helping students mature in their understanding of a Biblical worldview.


Doing it yourself or hiring professionals?
Projects often generate changes in the company. Projects change work flows, organizational structures, IT systems and architecture. They do the same to other fields and technologies in the company. Creating acceptance and consensus around these changes is the key to long term success.
But how do you acquire acceptance or inspire excitement among everyone concerned? Professional communication can make a big difference. In our daily bombardment with email, articles, advertising and social media it is increasingly difficult to attain and maintain our audience's attention. This is where project marketing in the form of videos comes in. A video campaign is a modern approach to getting your message across.
Short, well produced film clips are the best at getting viewer's attention and inspiring the behavior you want. People love film clips. They watch them all the time on youtube. Think about the last clip you saw that was well-made. You were probably happy to spend a few minutes on the content if it was well-produced and accessible. Videos allow you to create a lasting impression of the company's projects and products, both for internal and external audiences.
Well-made videos and interesting explainer films make complex projects accessible for all kinds of target groups and they allow you go secure buy-in from all the stakeholders. As the saying goes: "You cannot not communicate." The saying rings true in projects too.
Eliminating disturbances from poorly informed decision-makers.
Once the target audience has been identified, it is important to find out what their needs and fears are, and how they might respond to the clip. What story should the clip tell? What do you want to say?
Do you want to present an innovative project idea with the hope of securing financing?
Do you want to explain a project to technical and non-technical stakeholders to confront their fears and win their approval?
Would you like to appeal to business partners to acquire know-how for a mutual project?
Do you want to explain complex ideas to inform teams or team members or to bring new team members onboard?
Would you like to successfully present a project at a fair or to the public?
Very importantly, make sure the point of your video is clear. This is only possible if you focus on the most meaningful message.
In the planning and conception phase you should think a lot about the message you want to convey through video. You need to build and hold tension so that the viewer wants to watch the clip right to the end. Think about how outsiders might perceive the film. If people can identify with the content on an emotional level then a connection will naturally result.
Once you have a concept you can call for offers from production companies and compare them.
The concept will probably go through many changes. Once it is settled, then a production schedule is needed. That is: a plan about how to coordinate the participants, the technical resources and the logistics of filming (e.g. film permits, locations, release forms etc.).
Do you know how to deal with permits? Or anything about three-point lighting? Have you ever dealt with cameras, lapel microphones, and video editing software for the postproduction or copyright rules for using images, music and even special buildings? In other words: do you want to have to deal with these details? The concept of the videos determines the framework of the work, the equipment necessary and of course the costs. Decide on the budget early on to avoid unpleasant surprises. Think about how many shooting days you need and remember to plan in some wiggle room. There are lots of possible sources of disturbances: bad weather at outdoor shoots, a participant suddenly being unable to complete the shoot etc.
The costs for a good production company generally start at ca. € 6,000 – 8,000 excluding VAT per shooting day, maybe more depending on the concept. Does that sound too expensive to you? Perhaps if you just consider the costs on their own. But ask yourself how the costs look in the context of the benefits?
You get additional funding for your project as a result of the video?
Now everyone knows about your important project, everyone is positive about it and you gain access to vital resources (good team members, finances, material)?
Your stakeholders can remain informed and you can continue to rely on them?
Your project team remains totally informed, performance becomes visible and is recognized?
You secure new contracts because you managed to present your project professionally?
Your company can show off what it can do through the film?
Of course you could shoot the videos yourself too. Doing it yourself requires a significant amount of preparation, know-how and resources. If you have all of these in your company then go ahead. Do not underestimate how taxing post-production can be though. After shooting there is often a lot of footage which still needs to be woven into a harmonious whole. Post-production can take as long (or even longer) than the actual production. After you have cut the scenes, selected sound bites, included background music, animation and effects, you will have a rough cut. By moving the building blocks around you will finally arrive at the finished product. This is how to develop a succinct, cohesive film, one that builds tension and reaches a high point or one which ends with a solution to a given problem. A critical step.
Film clips are becoming more popular by the day. When it comes to project marketing and project communication, they grab attention, hook viewers and build trust. There are many benefits to videos—if they have been professionally produced. Poor quality videos that cannot hold interest, have sparse content or poor sound or image quality tend to damage your reputation and erode trust in your company. Getting help from video professionals reduces the risk you would face if you were to produce the clips on your own.
Here is an example from a film about a large wind-power project.
Project Cancellation – How Come and Why?
Wolfgang Gotscharek is a qualified engineer and has been involved with project management for over 25 years. He has worked in large, mid-sized and small projects in various kinds of companies, industries and with varying content (including information technology and business process management). He has certifications as a project management professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute, and in the methodology of PRINCE2®, in program Management methodology (MSP®), in project portfolio management MoP®, in P30®, CSM®- Certified ScrumMaster, PSPO®, Professional Scrum Product Owner, in COBIT® and ITIL® V3 ®.
Unrecognized conflicts of interest – Self-awareness with the 3-world-mode... Hey you, yes you, the project manager. Ever thought of a career in sales?