text:
Class Rhabditophora
Examples, Characteristics and Reproduction
Class Rhabditophora is of the phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms) and includes most parasitic flatworms (including members of Trematoda, Monogenea, and Cestoda) as well as free-living flatworms that have been previously classified under the class Turbellaria.
It's a sister group of Catenulida and has the following characteristics:
Duo-gland adhesive systems
Rhabdites
Multiciliate protonephridia
Macrostomorpha with aflagellates and biflagellate
Overview/Characteristics
Micrograph of a live specimen of Macrostomum lignano. Magnification is 400X by Dita Vizoso - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9590279
Given that the clade contains both parasitic and free-living organisms; its members can be found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. For instance, according to studies, over 200 free-living species (Rhabditophorans) have been identified in freshwaters ecosystems in North America. However, these species are more likely to be found in temperate and tropical zones.
Apart from freshwater, some species have been identified in sandy shores, brackish, and marine environments (particularly on the seafloor for those in marine environments). In these environments, free-living rhabditophorans live as predators and feed on such organisms as bacteria, protozoa, and algae.
* In their environment, free-living rhabditophorans feed on their prey through a proboscis (a mouth-like structure that is located at the end of the trunk-like pharynx). This structure normally protrudes from the mid-ventral part of the body during feeding.
Parasitic members can also be found in aquatic and terrestrial environments where they depend on a host for their survival. For instance, rhabditophorans in aquatic environments live as external parasites of fish and other aquatic invertebrates.
By attaching themselves to these organisms, some species not only obtain nutrients from the host but are also transported to the definitive hosts. In terrestrial environments, parasitic forms infest such animals as cattle as their intermediate host and others like cats, dogs and human beings as the final host. However, their eggs can be found in different habitats on land.
Class Rhabditophora have been shown to reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Asexual reproduction among organisms like Planarians is rare compared to sexual reproduction. In these organisms, asexual reproduction has been shown to occur once a month and mostly in the dark. During asexual reproduction, adult forms differentiate into units known as zooids that ultimately separate at the middle (transverse division).
This mode of reproduction is aided by the regenerative ability of flatworms that allow the newly divided forms to grow back to the normal adult size.
While some species reproduce asexually, sexual reproduction is the most common form of reproduction among class Rhabditophora. However, some of the species are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction.
While some of the species are gonochoristic, and are therefore either individual male or female, the majority are hermaphroditic and thus have both male and female reproductive systems.
During this form of reproduction (sexual reproduction), individuals exchange gametes which allows one individual to fertilize the eggs of another. However, for some of the species, self-fertilization is possible and reproduction does not require an exchange of gametes.
Following gamete exchange, eggs are laid on substrates in their environment. Under favorable conditions, tiny flatworms emerge from the eggs but remain attached to the substrate where they develop further. For a majority of species, there is no larval stage and thus the organism does not have different developmental stages.
* Under unfavorable environmental conditions, class rhabditophora produce resistant eggs.
* Whereas species that reproduce sexually only live for several weeks or months, those that reproduce asexually exist for much longer.
Class Rhabditophora Morphology
Morphologically, class Rhabditophora are bilaterally symmetrical with a triploblastic organization. As such, they are among the simplest animals consisting of three tissue layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and the endoderm). Depending on the organism, the mesoderm may be less well defined. Different parts of the body of these organisms originate from these layers.
For instance, the reproductive system, parts of the excretory system, muscles and the connective tissue all originate from the mesoderm. During early development, the ectoderm develops to form the outer covering of the organism while the endoderm gives rise to the digestive sack.
Muscle fibers of the organism are organized in such a manner that they rest along its body wall. Here, the muscles are normally bundled so as to produce several layers that include; a thin intermediate diagonal layer, inner longitudinal layer as well as an outer circular layer. The connective tissue, on the other hand, is located between the muscles and digestive tissues.
* While class Rhabditophora lack a circulatory system, their flattened body allows them to obtain oxygen through diffusion.
In such organisms as triclad, which are among the largest rhabditophorans, studies have identified a well defined digestive cavity that consists of a single anterior gut that branches into two (a series of diverticula emerging from the two branches act as lateral body tissues).
The nervous system in rhabditophorans is characterized by various patterns and a ganglionic brain. For species in marine environments, the nervous system consists of three pairs of nerve cords that are connected to each other by commissures that may exhibit a ladder-like appearance.
To move from one point to another, organisms like Planarians use their ventral cilia. Here, cilia originating from the epithelial cells are used for gliding along surfaces in a type of movement commonly referred to as ciliary-gliding. This is particularly important for free-living rhabditophorans given that it allows them to not only traverse substratum but also hunt for prey.
In addition to gliding, studies have also shown these organisms to use muscle movement to negotiate obstacles. Here, it is thought that PC2 (pro-protein convertase 2) inhibition tends to influence muscular movement.
Microstomum caudatum Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Platyhelminthes (Phylum) > Rhabditophora (Class) by Christopher Laumer / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
One of the other defining characteristics of some in class Rhabditophora (e.g. Planarians) is the presence of specialized, rod-like secretory granules known as rhabdites. Located on their body surface, these granules are responsible for the production of a layer of viscous slime.
These structures are embedded in the tegument and duo-gland adhesive structures and play an important role in lubrication, adhesion as well as predator deterrence as suggested by some researchers.
By lubricating the surface of the organism, the slime not only allows it to adhere to given surfaces but also contributes to movement in general. It protects and prevents damage to the soft body of these organisms in their environment as they move from one point to another and glide over substrates.
Return to Flatworms
Return from Class Rhabditophora to MicroscopeMaster home
Claire G. Stevenson and Wendy Scott Beane. (2010). A Low Percent Ethanol Method for Immobilizing Planarians.
Gregory A. Lewbart. (2011). Invertebrate Medicine.
Matthew J. Hayes. (2017). Sulphated glycosaminoglycans support an assortment of planarian rhabdite structures.
Steven A. Ramm. (2017). Exploring the Sexual Diversity of Flatworms: Ecology, Evolution, and the Molecular Biology of Reproduction.
https://louis.oercommons.org/courseware/module/740/student/?task=2
What is Cytokinesis? Vs Mitosis
Cytokinesis refers to the division of the cytoplasm during cell division (mitosis). Read more here.


Just five months after the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") released its Native Ads Policy Statement, the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau ("NAD") has followed suit and issued a decision in its investigation of Joyous Inc.'s ("Joyous") native advertising practices (NAD Case #5956, 05/19/16). In its routine monitoring, the NAD explored the formatting and placement of Joyous ads in the Style Watch section of the online version of People Magazine, as well as claims about the efficacy of its products. While Joyous discontinued the efficacy claims at issue, the NAD conducted a complete analysis of the native advertising content on People.com.
Joyous featured products in the "Stuff We Love" section of People's website. This section included a list of videos about Joyous products, and the videos were accessible via a link labelled "Watch." People's editors choose which products were featured and helped to create the descriptions of the products. The videos allowed consumers to shop directly for the featured products via Joyous's e-commerce platform. Thus, while the material did contain some editorial aspect, the featured products were also being promoted for sale via the Joyous/People partnership. The NAD was concerned that the ads blurred the line between advertising and editorial content.
The "Watch" links did not disclose that the products within the videos were for sale in the video links.
Simply put, consumers had no way of knowing that the content promoted the sale of the products until they viewed the video.
The NAD explained that the lack of upfront disclosures may lead consumers to interact with the Stuff We Love page or, in turn, the videos because they believed them to be editorial. This is an example of what the FTC refers to as a "deceptive door opener" in the Policy Statement and the Business Guide. FTC principles have long prohibited deceptive door openers and required that advertisements are identifiable as such before consumers arrive at the main advertising page.
Joyous disclose that the "Stuff We Love" page is a shopping page and the linked videos are shopping videos before consumers reach the "Stuff We Love" page and before the video begins running.
The links themselves or text surrounding the links make clear that the linked content is an ad (or a "shopping" link).
As we have noted previously, native advertising is going to be a focal point for the FTC, as well as the NAD. Advertisers must take care in crafting clear and conspicuous disclosures throughout their advertising. Joyous conspicuously labeled a portion of its advertising on People.com. But, perhaps even with the best of intentions, this was not enough. Advertising campaigns must make clear in every stage of the advertisement that the content is advertising content. Both the content itself and all lead-ins to that content must contain clear and conspicuous disclosures.


Peter Andrew went from being one of the most dangerous poachers in Tanzania to a full-time pastry chef at a luxury lodge.
Hunter. Poacher. Pastry chef. Tough to imagine. Growing up, Peter Andrew started poaching for subsistence. But with quick money to be made, he soon went after more lucrative prizes. A skilled hunter, Andrew became one of the most prolific poachers in Tanzania's Serengeti region.
And then, a crisis of conscience. His grandmother made a desperate plea for Andrew to change his ways. In a moment that changed his life forever, Brian Harris, former Wildlife Development Manager of Singita Grumeti, offered Andrew the opportunity to work in the hospitality industry. Following his grandmother's prompting, Andrew took the opportunity. After an initial stint helping to construct a new lodge, Andrew found his feet in the kitchen. In a new environment, still learning English, he excelled. After a year, he was appointed as a full-time chef at Singita Faru Faru, earning the title of pastry chef.
The same hands that once hacked tusks from elephants now make the most delicate confectionery treats. His strength and poise find expression kneading dough. Occasionally, he walks the same paths he used to hunt but now he has a different outlook. He has a newfound respect for animals and wants to instill the values of conservation and appreciation for wildlife down to his children.
Live Love Hunt, llc. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.


GREAT HOME. SEPARATE IN LAW OR GUEST SUITE, INDOOR POOL WITH VIEWS FROM LIVING AREAS AND BEDROOM. 24 HOUR GATED AND GUARDED PHILLIPS LANDING COMMUNITY. Total 5 bedrooms and 20x16 Bonus Room. 2 Bedrooms down and 3 bedrooms + bonus room upstairs. WHEN YOU ENTER THE MAIN HOUSE, YOU CAN SEE THE MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS, TRAY CEILING, LOTS OF NITCHES, MOLDING, AND PLANTATION SHUTTERS. FAMILY ROOM AND LIVING ROOM OPEN TO POOL AREA - MAKE A VERY UNIQUE POOL VIEW. Large family room, kitchen has stainless steel and black appliances, indoor laundry, heated square footage may be 3388. Spacious breakfast nook area and large dining room with windows. BACK YARD HAS TREES IN FRONT OF PRIVACY WALL AND POND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WALL. PHILLIPS LANDING COMMUNITY WITH LAKE ACCESS (BOAT DOCK & SMALL PARK - RELAX OR GO FISHING) Other amenities include: Lighted Tennis Court, Large Playground and Basketball Court. Close to "Restaurant Row", 5-10 MIN. TO SEA WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, AND MALLS. 20 MIN. TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND DISNEY WORLD. Schools, Library, Shopping and Coffee Shops near by... walk or bike ride. BEST IN DR. PHILLIPS AREA. LOWEST PRICE AND LOWEST HOA FEE $139/MONTH.
West on Sand Lake Road to Left on Apopka Vineland Road to First left into Phillips Landing. Left into Bay Harbour. Left on Lake Serene.
Sign up to view market trends and price history for 8245 Lake Serene Drive.
I am interested in 8245 Lake Serene Drive, Orlando, FL 32836.


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Q: Google Apps Script custom function stopped working I have very simple script (custom function)
'''
/**
 * Return order amount in words.
 *
 * @param {amount} is order amount
 * @param {currency} is order currency: BYN, RUB, EURO
 * @return The order amount in words.
 * @customfunction
 */

function orderAmountInWords(amount, currency) {
  return AmountInWords.FloatToSamplesInWordsRus(amount, currency);
}
'''

Until yesterday everything was working fine
But yesterday something broke
I see "Loadding..." and a tip "Error loading data" in the place where the result of the function should be
The only guess as to the cause is that I was trying to restore a previous version of the spreadsheet.
The function from the library works fine in other spreadsheet and in debug mode.
I deleted the restored versions, removed the script and created it again, but nothing changed
It looks like the link between spreadsheet and script is lost, but autocomplete works
Maybe I should copy all the data to a new spreadsheet, but that spreadsheet is connected to appsheet application so I don't like the idea of making changes in another app.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
26th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence: Award Recipients Announced
The Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Oakville West presented the 26th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence virtually on Thursday, June 17th. The awards celebration recognized and honoured the outstanding contributions made by local businesses.
If you haven't already, you can watch the awards presentation on the Oakville Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page and website.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought its challenges and has been tough for many of our local businesses. This year, it is especially important to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary resilience our businesses exhibit in persevering through the pandemic. We are extremely proud of the wealth of outstanding businesses here in Oakville" said Doug Eglington, Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. "We congratulate the 25 businesses that were nominated and selected as finalists and the 11 award recipients."
The recipients of the 26th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are:
RBC Royal Bank Large Business of the Year: Virox Technologies Inc.
Henderson Partners LLP Mid-size Business of the Year: Inovex Inc.
Bell Small Business of the Year: ACE Coworking
O'Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP Professional Services Provider of the Year: Institute for Hormonal Health.
The Morris Mercanti Service Industry of the Year: Core 1
Cogeco Entrepreneur of the Year: Lindsay Boardman of Meraki Fitness & Sports Performance
KPMG Young Professional or Entrepreneur of the Year (YPEG Award): Jonathan Minnaar of Pad Print Extreme Inc.
Visit Oakville Tourism Excellence of the Year: Film.ca Cinemas Inc.
Rotary Club of Oakville West Community Builder Award: Mattamy Homes
CN Charity/Not-For-Profit Excellence Award: ArtHouse
Business Icon Award: Promation
"Thank you to the Oakville community for supporting the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence by nominating local businesses and participating in the virtual celebration," said Ahmed Ezzat, President of the Rotary Club of Oakville West. "We are optimistic that next year, for the 27th Annual Awards, we will be able to gather in person and have our largest celebration yet!"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Rental Features: 3 Gas-Burning Wood Stoves, Fire Pit, Solar-Powered and Off the Grid, Hot Tub Access, Clawfoot Bathtubs/Showers, Outdoor Shower, Board Games and Books, TV with DVD Player Only, Washer and Dryer.
Nestled behind a hill, the secluded and restored Brundage Cabins are perfect for family gatherings or groups of friends. Situated along the banks of the Red Rock River, guests can enjoy views of the migrating waterfowl, birds of prey, antelope, coyotes, and even trumpeter swans right from the porch. Our most private vacation rental, the restored Brundage Cabins offer guests the ultimate opportunity to get lost in the sweeping views and natural quiet of the Centennial Valley and reconnect with friends and family.
While each of the cabins stands as an independent unit, the three cabins encourage a communal experience. The largest cabin, Brundage Commons, features a single bedroom with a king bed, a living room with a gas stove and queen sleeper sofa, a full bathroom with clawfoot tub and shower, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and laundry facilities for all three cabins to share. Families and friends can cook together after a day of exploration and share a glass of wine around the fire pit in the outdoor sitting area, or wander down the road to the Stibal Barn to soak in the hot tub.
The two remaining cabins, while smaller than Brundage Commons, offer guests the privacy of separate living spaces while remaining in close proximity. The Middle Cabin boasts a comfortable sitting room/bedroom with a queen sleeper sofa and king bed. The cabin's second bedroom can be set up with a king or two twin beds. The two bedrooms share a large bathroom with a clawfoot tub and shower. The Writing Cabin, the smallest of the three Brundage Cabins, features a living room with gas stove and queen sleeper sofa, a sleeping area with a king bed (or two twins), and a half bath. You'll soon find that the best views can be had from the outdoor shower attached to this cabin.
A hidden retreat for friends and family along the banks of the Red Rock River, join us off the grid at the Brundage Cabins.


← So what's happening when you see an email with "@domain.invalid"?
I have a list in test that I'm keeping separate from the production list due to a ton of significant modifications that have changed/rechanged/scope-creeped over the last three months. Requests to change the "form fields" had, up to this point, just been changes to the labels in front of the fields. I didn't worry about making the minor name tweaks in the actual list fields because I didn't want to deviate any more than I already have from what's in production.
… only to find that all the list field name changes had reverted to the old names.
Suffering from insanity, I did the same thing again, expecting to get different results. And true to insanity, I got the same results. What's worse, I wasn't seeing a way I could change the field name on the form to get what I wanted in the list.
I sat back for a second and thought… I know the form has to refresh from the list when I add new fields to the list. How can I force a refresh, and if I can, will it grab the field name changes from the list?
"Test Field 1" to the rescue!
I made the rest of the name changes, tossed another test field in there, got the form updated, and then deleted (and refreshed again) the test fields. Everyone was happy, and the "must have by 1 pm" was made with minutes to spare.
I still don't know why a field name change wouldn't trigger the form refresh, but I now know I can force it by putting a new field in the list, which WILL trigger the refresh.


April 2 opens the festival French Spring. On the European Square on the occasion of a big free show light show. As part of the events scheduled concerts, performances, performances, film screenings and more.


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The government of Kenya
Key objectives of the measure:
Though Kenya'constitution was passed in 2010, its effect has been felt during the last four years. Adoption of the new constitution has greatly enhanced participation of citizens in cultural life and improved access to the public at large to diverse cultural expressions. The democratic space provided by the constitution has enhanced right and Freedom of expression in relation to artistic expression, right to language and participation to cultural life. This has encouraged emergence of new creative and artistic expressions by the youth while communities have revitalized their cultural expressions through the community cultural festivals. Many communities in Kenya are now keen to celebrate and safeguard their unique cultures. Communities are now more aware of their social cultural rights and are demanding recognition of their cultures in developement. For example some communities have gone to court seek for redress against infrastructural development activities that violate community's cultures. Communities and individual citizens have embraced homegrown cultural expressions which have given rise to a new wave of patriotism through cultural expressions and celebrations. The constitution also devolved cultural facilities and activities to local county government which has triggered local county governments to incorporate culture in their development plans and have allocated funds to support promotion of culture. Many counties are now developing local county culture policies which are domesticated from national policies but focus on local priorities. There has been renewed focus to tap and develop talents by county governments over the last four years.
Scope of the measure:
Nature of the measure:
legislative, institutional
Main feature of the measure:
The main feature of the Constitution is article 11 which recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation. Article 11 which is on culture commits the government to promote all forms national and cultural expressions through literature, the arts, traditional celebrations, science, communication, information, mass media, publications, libraries and other cultural. The article further commits the state to protect the intellectual property rights of the Kenyan people. Other Articles of the constitution which are relevant to the convention include; Article 7 on national, official and other languages, Article 33 (b) on Freedom of expression in relation to artistic expression, Article 44 on language and culture and Article 56 on rights of minority groups in relation to developing their cultural values languages and practices. The constitution further stipulates that international instruments that Kenya has ratified form part of the constitution. Implementation of the constitution thus provides for implementation of the 2005 convention within the national law.
Results expected through the implementation of the measure:
- Good governace
- Mainstreaming of culture in national development
- promotion of national cultural exapressions
-respect to fundamental freedoms and rights
-protection of minority cultures
- Enjoyment of culture
Financial resources allocated to implement the measure:
Implementation of the constitution is provided for under the national budgetary allocations for national and county governments which have prioritised programmes on implementation of the constitution.
Return to the platform
Goal(s) of UNESCO's 2005 Convention
Area(s) of Monitoring
Sustainable systems of governance for culture
Cultural and creative sectors
Cultural Domain(s)
Multi-domain
Cultural Value Chain
Other measures from this goal
Slovakia | Strategy for the Development of the Creative Industries
Georgia | Georgian National Book Centre (GNBC)
China | Adjustments to the copyrights law
Ecuador | Restructuration of the Ministry of Culture
Germany | Fine arts, performing arts, literature, music and film
Other measures from the same country
Kenya | Member of the International Federation for Art Councils and Culture Agencies Dialogues on culture policies
Kenya | Promotion of Culture and Creative Industries / Creative Economy
Kenya | National policy on culture and heritage
Kenya | Establishment of a Ministry responsible for culture
Kenya | Youth Fund
Other measures from the same region
Nigeria | Culture and Tourism
Ethiopia | Diaspora policy and cultural participation
Zimbabwe | The 75% Local Content Policy
Niger | Coopération internationale
Côte d'Ivoire | Accords de coopération scientifique et technique entre la Guinée et la Côte d'Ivoire


One Planet Project is a massive global awareness campaign.
Our goal is to spread information of the many global, health, societal issues and a new economic model known as a Resource Based Economy to more and more people around the world. We hope that through this new knowledge more and more people will begin to have a better understanding of global issues, the many problems that exist, where they derive from and the solutions that we can begin to look at. By opening this door of understanding we hope that many will begin to look at their personal values and begin to conduct many of their life patterns in a new and more constructive manner.
If we do our job well as a movement by bringing this awareness to the masses, more people globally will respond to this knowledge and they will begin to change their own lives and choose to take new and better approaches to their own personal imprint within the world.
By creating awareness we will create change in individuals and that change will begin to resonate with a larger and larger global community.
So, this seems like a big task and one might wonder how we can acheive such a large task.
We do this one step at a time, one person at a time.
The Z Movement One Planet Project campaign is designed for simple, small, localized actions to turn into massive global results!
The Z Movement One Planet Project campaign is a simple campaign that every chapter can easily engage in. Regardless of location or size, each chapter can become part of a productive localized project that will work with all other active chapters on a global scale!
It is through small, easy to accomplish, localized actions that the global goals are met.
The One Planet Project Canvassing Campaign is designed for every chapter and every individual that wants to be a part of the solution and help spread this information to easily get involved and make a difference. Each individual that takes part in this campaign will be a part of the massive global numbers. Together we ALL make a difference!
So what is the One Planet Project Campaign?
Z Movement members hit the street and directly interact with the local public by asking them a few simple questions and then taking down their name and email. These individuals that are approached on the street that give their names and emails will then receive an INFORMATION PACKAGE via email that includes the movie links to watch online or download and important information about the movement and it's objectives.
By engaging in this simple, easy street level campaign, chapters become active directly with the public and they become a visible presence within their communities.
If you would like to get involved please contact your local chapter.


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Q: How to load data in view file in magento? I just started to learn magento.I have a list of data in controller. I want to show that list in my view file. How can i do that ?
Here is my controller action- category. Where i getting the array of data.
<?php
class Company_Web_IndexController extends Mage_Core_Controller_Front_Action
{
    public function indexAction()
    {
        $this->loadLayout();
        $this->renderLayout();
    }

    public function addcategoryAction()
    {
        if ($this->getRequest()->isPost())
        {
            $data = $this->getRequest()->getParams();
            $catName = $data['catName'];
            $status = $data['status'];
            $data = array('name'=>$catName,'status'=>$status);
            $model = Mage::getModel('web/web')->setData($data);
            try {
                $insertId = $model->save()->getId();
                $this->_redirect('web/index/category');
            } catch (Exception $e){
             echo $e->getMessage();
            }
        }
        $this->loadLayout();
        $this->renderLayout();
    }

    public function categoryAction()
    {
        $collection = Mage::getModel('web/web')->getCollection()->getData();
        $this->loadLayout();
        $this->renderLayout();
    }
}

?>

A: Magento works with block type i.e where you have mentioned your phtml file to render the content for category action i.e
<web_index_category>
<reference name="content">
<block type="core/template" name="category.block" template="customfile.phtml" />
</reference>
</web_index_category>

for the block type you can drfine your custome type
i.e. type="web/category"
and create one Block
Company_Web_Block_Category extends Mage_Core_Block_Template

inside this create a function and return your collection
i.e.
public function getCollection()
{
 return Mage::getModel('web/web')->getCollection()->getData();
}

In your phtnl access this function using,
$this->getCollection()

Check here for more elaboration
http://www.gravitywell.co.uk/blog/post/how-to-creating-your-own-custom-block-in-magento
http://www.magentocommerce.com/knowledge-base/entry/magento-for-dev-part-4-magento-layouts-blocks-and-templates

A: You could do this from the controller, but it's much simpler and much more in line with Magento best practices to pass data to templates via Blocks.
To figure out which template and block is being rendered, go to System > Configuration > Advanced > Developer > Debug and enable template path hints (with block names). Now when you load the frontend, you'll see red borders around parts of the page that illustrate which block and template combination is loading various parts of the webpage.
Properties and methods of a Block object are automatically available to the template being rendered by that Block.
To make that data available in your template, just add a method to the Block that's rendering the template, then call that method from within your template.
As a shortcut, you could also just call $collection_data = Mage::getModel('web/web')->getCollection()->getData(); directly inside your template.
For more information, see Magento for Developers: Part 4 - Magento Layouts, Blocks and Templates.


As a result of the December flood, the entire Riverwalk suffered damage from floating debris, erosion and built-up mud that covered the trails. Additional clean-up of the Riverwalk and surrounding areas must be completed before it is fully safe for users to enjoy.
Columbus Water Works is responsible for maintaining the section of the Riverwalk between Bull Creek and Oxbow Meadows. Our crews are working diligently to restore this area of the Riverwalk to its original state. Contingent upon the weather, this section of the Riverwalk should re-open by the end of April.
Please continue to check our Facebook page and blog for updates.
Columbus Water Works' Vice President of Information, Security, and Environmental Services, Vic Burchfield, was interviewed by WXTX Fox 54 news about Columbus Water Works' water treatment processes used to ensure safe and quality drinking water.
At our North Columbus Water Resource Facility, water undergoes an extensive treatment process to meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for clean drinking water. The water is withdrawn from the Chattahoochee River and moved through a series of steps in which cloudiness is reduced to produce high quality drinking water. All chemical contaminants are rigorously assessed to make sure they are in compliance with the EPA's requirements for safe drinking water and thoroughly tested before reaching the homes of our community.
In calendar year 2015, CWW won 27 prestigious awards at the state, local and national level in the areas of environmental stewardship, operational planning, management, water quality monitoring, safety and financial operations.
Watch our interview with WXTX to learn more about our water treatment process.
The Columbus Water Works will start Monday, March 14, 2016 on a project for rehabilitation for water mains on 2nd Avenue. This water main has been in service since 1916 - 100 years. Columbus Water Works contractor, Spiniello Companies (Mainlining LLC) will be doing the work that includes the cleaning and relining of aging distribution pipes using a process called Mechanical Cleaning and Cement – Mortar Lining.
Effective March 14, 2016, all traffic will be routed to the middle travel lane of southbound 2nd Avenue from 26th Street to 32nd Street. This lane closure will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. while workers are present. Police will be directing traffic at the 32nd Street intersection. Security barriers and signage will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and reduce the disruption of the traffic flow.
This work is expected to be completed by the end of March.
expensive and disruptive main breaks.


Nischala shares her years of experience working with the healthful benefits of yoga, including visualizations, breath work, and meditation, as well as the classic steps and illustrated instructions of yoga's physical poses.
The Healing Path of Yoga uses timeless Indian-based yoga techniques and philosophy, along with Nischala's lifestyle-altering regimen to create one extraordinary program with the power to rejuvenate and heal.
"Whether you have never practiced yoga and meditation or you practice daily, Nischala Devi will help bring you to the next level. Her extensive knowledge and calming manner come through as beautifully in the book as in person. Nischala offers tools you can use that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Also Available in these Languages!


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Pipe Guy and the Internationalization of Culture
According to Statistic Brain, 490 million people use YouTube every month, and they spend a collective 2.9 billion hours watching YouTube videos. That works out to around six hours of video watching per active person per month, on average. I think it's safe to say that most of those hours are spent on entertainment.
Of the many remarkable things about YouTube is the way it lets people share their artistic talents with a worldwide audience in a way never before possible. No doubt you've heard of Psy, but have you heard of Lim Chang Jung—in my view a far better artist? His music video has over seven million views despite not being English friendly. A self-made comedian makes hilarious videos through his MediocreFilms; his "Cell Phone Crashing at the Airport" has over eleven million views since December. The latest video I've enjoyed is a musical performance by "Pipe Guy," an Australian who plays cleverly arranged PVC pipes. His video, only a few days old, has over a million views.
And to think: I am one of the last human beings ever to be born in the pre-Internet age.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on August 14, 2014 May 19, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music, Rational Beacon
Track Review of Rush's Clockwork Angels
Finally I am ready to offer my track-by-track review of Rush's new album, Clockwork Angels.
For my general take on on the album, see my review for The Objective Standard. I think this is a terrific album, perhaps the best of Rush's career. Anybody who's remotely a Rush fan should buy it and give it a listen, and then another.
However, I recognize that Rush's music is not as accessible to non-fans as is the typical rock album. Most hot singles today come and go. They have a fun riff, some fun lyrics, and people enjoy it, for about three months. And then it disappears, nobody cares about it, and few listen to it again.
Rush's music is different. It's more sophisticated, lyrically and compositionally. It requires multiple listening sessions to even fully "hear" a track, to notice its structure and texture. Not as many people will spend the time to listen to Rush's music, but those who do often fall in love with it, and keep listening to it year after year.
In a hundred years, most rock bands of today will be forgotten. A few will be remembered. Rush will be among them.
That said, as with any album (by Rush or anybody else), I like some of the tracks more than others. My goal here is to rate the tracks. Those who just want a taste might want to purchase the best tracks individually.
As I discussed in my TOS review, this is a "concept album" in the sense that the songs tell a story, chronologically, of a man's life in an alternate "steampunk" universe. You can't understand the significance of some of the lyrics outside the context of that story. However, as Geddy Lee has said, each song is meant to stand on its own musically. Thus, while I strongly suggest that you buy the entire album and listen to it as an album, you can also enjoy tracks singly. Here my purpose is to suggest which are the strongest tracks.
Best Song: "Clockwork Angels"
I regard the title track, "Clockwork Angels" (the third track on the album), as the best song on the album. At 7:31 minutes, it's the longest track, and it offers a range of styles within it.
Lyrically, the setting of the song is the Crown City. The protagonist of the story, a simple farm boy, is visiting the city for the for the first time, and he is dazzled by what he sees. The description that accompanies the lyrics offers his perspective: "I had seen many images of the city before, and Chronos Square, but nothing could convey the immensity—the heaven-reaching towers of the Cathedral of the Timekeepers, or the radiant glory of the Angels. . . bathed in the brilliant glow of the floating globes."
In the beginning we hear chants and some vapory-sounding guitar. I imagine the cart rolling into the city. Then some really bold, rhythmic guitar takes over.
At the minute-eight mark, the song takes a slow turn. When I first heard this, I was disappointed; I was hoping for a more rocking track. But I think the idea is that the protagonist is a little taken aback by what he sees, and he's trying to take it all in. The lyrics accompany: "High above the city square / Globes of light float in mid-air / Higher still, against the night / Clockwork angels bathed in light."
Then at a minute-twenty-nine the song takes off, and this is where I start to really love the track. It is glorious, it is pounding, it is intense. Geddly Lee drives with the bass.
At two-sixteen, the song relaxes into the the refrain, ending, "The people raise their hands [toward the Angels] — As if to fly." That takes us close to the three-minute mark. From there the song mostly builds on variations of the same material.
But then at the four-fifty mark, the song takes a very different turn, sounding loose, almost drunken. This lasts for nearly a minute. It's a peculiar section, and I don't love it musically, but I think what's going on is that the protagonist is starting to let some of his disillusionment show through. The lyrics go, "Lean not upon your own understanding" / Ignorance is well and truly blessed"—hardly an inspiring thought.
But then the song recaptures its positive, uplifting spirit, its spirit of wonder. It is quintessential Rush. And I love it.
Best Tracks
Several other tracks join "Clockwork Angels" in comprising the album's best.
"Caravan" opens the album with the clanging of train bells. The opening lasts for nearly forty seconds, and then the song takes off with a bass-driven, off-beat riff. It's great. Then at a minute-ten, the song offers its powerful refrain to the lyrics, "To the distant dream of the city / The caravan carries me onward / On my way at last." It's some of Rush's best music.
"The Anarchist" is great, rollicking rock. To get an idea of why I think it tops the list, listen in at the 2:50 mark. The interplay here between Lifeson's guitar and Peart's pulsing drums is just magical. And then at 3:05 Lee's bass joins the conversation more strongly.
"Carnies" begins as just another hard-rock song. But then at 0:57 it sprouts wings, and then at 1:22 it soars into this airy, contemplative space. I love the song's mix of pounding rock and sweet melody.
"The Wreckers" has a pretty weak opening, but at sixteen seconds it begins an intriguing interplay between strummed guitar and bass. My understanding is that, in recording this, Lee and Lifeson switched instruments. This is followed by a wonderful, soul-wrenching refrain at fifty-eight seconds: "All I know is that sometimes you have to be wary / 'Cause sometimes the target is you."
For pure, driving hard-rock genius, "Headlong Flight" is a must-purchase. Plus, I love this song lyrically: "Some days were dark . . . / Some nights were bright / I wish that I could live it all again."
"The Garden" closes the album perfectly. It is far and away Rush's best "slow song," carried by acoustic guitar and Lee's soulful voice. The refrain (at a minute-twelve) is beautiful musically and lyrically: "The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect. . ."
Second-Tier Tracks
Look, don't get me wrong, I love all the tracks. But these are relatively weak ones, in my book. Of course, Rush's weaker tracks are still loads better than most bands' best tracks, so this is relative.
I enjoy "BU2B," and it's a good hard-rock song, but to me the music just isn't quite as compelling and interesting as with other tracks.
"Halo Effect" is a fine slower song, but nothing about it makes me want to tag it as top-tier.
You can tell right away that "Seven Cities of Gold" is going to be a groovy song. I like it quite a lot, but it seems too repetitive to me, and little about it stands out. I have to say, though, that there's some fantastic bass work starting at the four-minute mark; Lee grooves out.
"BU2B2" is more of an interlude than a song. It ably conveys the protagonist's sense of anguish at this point in his life.
I quite like "Wish Them Well" musically and lyrically, but it's not a stand-out to me. The theme is that you can't get caught up with those who wish to tear you down.
By my reckoning, then, a person could get the "best of Clockwork Angels" by purchasing seven of the tracks.
But, as noted, even the relatively "weaker" tracks are still pretty good.
Plus, the album artwork is exceptional for this album, and it also tells more of the story than is revealed in the lyrics.
So there are several good reasons to get the entire album, even if you're not a lifelong Rush fan.
On a personal note, I'd like to thank the guys of Rush for making this album. It's amazing, and arguably Rush's best album ever. I'm impressed by their long-lasting passion and drive to make the best music they possibly can.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on July 5, 2012 May 23, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Voice of the Musical Saw: Interview with Natalia Paruz
My favorite scene from the film Another Earth involves the two main characters in a music hall; the composer plays the musical saw for his friend. The director skillfully weaves in scenes of space flight, and the friend (played by Brit Marling, who also cowrote the script) offers a moving response to the music. (I appreciated and enjoyed the quirky film overall despite its problems.)
After I posted my initial remarks, Natalia Paruz—the "Saw Lady"—mentioned to me via Twitter that she played the music of that scene. I'd already seen her perform the "Star Trek" theme on a YouTube video. And, when I was younger, a friend of mine played musical saw. So I figured I'd ask Paruz for an interview. She agreed, and the exchange follows. My questions are in italics.
How did you come to participate in the film Another Earth?
Director Mike Cahill saw me performing in the NYC subway and that gave him the idea to incorporate a musical saw into the film. He asked me if I would help choose music for the saw to play, and then record it for the soundtrack. He also asked me if I would coach William Mapother, the actor who was to act as if playing a saw, to do that.
Did you record the piece specifically for this film? How long of a process was it?
The piece was composed for the film by composer Scott Munson, who is probably the most prolific composer for the musical saw, inspired by the way Mike (the director) described the movie and the feel of the scene in an e-mail. I recorded what was to be a demo of the piece for Mike to hear—I was basically sight-reading the piece. We were certain we would re-record it properly later (if the piece met with Mike's approval). It turned out that Mike loved the piece so much that he wanted to keep it exactly as is—so we never re-recorded it—what you hear in the movie is the demo! I later recorded the piece again, for my second album.
What was it like working with an actor to teach him to look like he's playing the saw? Did he end up actually being able to play it a bit?
Working with William was a lot of fun for me because it was different from what I usually do, which is teach people how to actually play. It was challenging to come up with a system of signs that would map out the moves the music requires, for a person who doesn't read music.
At the shoot I stood in front of William and mimed directions for him while he was "playing." In the scene it looks as if William is looking as Brit Marling watching him play, but in actuality she wasn't even there when we shot William "playing." He was looking at my miming. Later, we shot Brit sitting in the audience. William wasn't there for that—the director had me play on stage, so that the sound would inspire emotions on Brit's face.
There is an instant when all one sees is the saw (a shot from behind)—that shot was done with me actually holding the blade. William did an excellent job pretending to play a saw—he never made a sound (he didn't learn how to actually play) but he looks very convincing. During the shoot I had to give marks to each take, letting the director know which part of which take looked realistic and which didn't. Editing that scene is a masterpiece of its own—it couldn't have been easy to assemble all this separate footage, and Mike did such an amazing job!
Can you actually "tune" a saw, as the actor suggests in the film, or was that just made up for the performance?
In actuality one doesn't "tune" the saw but rather "warms it up" before playing. That is done by bending the blade repeatedly up and down. If the air is cold (say, because of strong AC in an auditorium)—the saw wouldn't sound good on the first try, and bending it up and down warms the metal to a temperature where it would vibrate more readily. That is what the "tuning" bit is based on.
How big of a deal was the film in terms of advancing your career?
Having a Fox Searchlight film on my bio certainly looks nice next to the other films I played for (Dummy with actor Adrien Brody, American Carny, I Sell the Dead, etc.). Also, the majority of the "Likes" on my Facebook Page are from people who saw Another Earth, so I would say the film certainly helped spread word about musical saw playing in general and myself as well.
As I watched the scene from Another Earth, I was struck by how much the musical saw sounds like a human voice. Usually the violin is described as close to the human voice; is the musical saw the closest to it?
It is amazing how a piece of steel can sound so human. So many times when people hear me playing before seeing me play, they come looking for a singer . . . and when they realize the sound is coming from the saw they find it hard to believe. They put their ears close to the blade to verify the sound is actually coming from there!
The saw's sound is so much like that of a soprano voice that it was used in a recording of some choir, to do the high notes their sopranos couldn't reach. I perform with opera singers often. Audience members often remark on how sometimes they cannot tell what sound is coming from the singer and what sound is coming from the saw! I recorded track #13 of my second album especially in order to show the similarity of a soprano voice to that of the saw's.
I assume one can buy specialty "saws" for music that can't actually saw anything. What's the business of producing musical saws like?
About 100 years ago there were many manufacturers of saws made especially for music (see my detailed list of them). Today there are only three manufacturers of musical saws in the USA and some overseas, led by Mussehl & Westphal, which is the only manufacturer who lasted over the years. They have been selling musical saws since 1921. For a few years during the 1920s, sales averaged approximately 25,000 per year! However sales dropped significantly during the late 1930s as the art of playing music on a saw almost disappeared, especially after WWII.
So how did you get involved in this unusual pursuit? How long did it take you to become proficient?
I was introduced to the art of playing music on a saw by chance (or fate). I had mapped out my life as a dancer (I was a trainee with the Martha Graham Dance Company, and I performed with many smaller companies, in musicals, taught dance, etc.) but being run over by a car put an end to that. I searched for an alternate career, but nothing I tried filled the void the lack of dance left in my spirit. To cheer me up, my parents took me to Europe. We went to a show for tourists and part of it was a guy playing a saw, and for the first time since the accident I felt excited about something. It was as if providence pointed its finger to tell me what I was meant to do in life.
Since there was no musical saw teacher to be found, I taught myself, through trial & error (no internet tutorials back then either) how to play. At first I only thought of it as a hobby, but an invitation from a local Salvation Army Center (which heard about my playing from a neighbor of mine who could hear me practicing) changed that. When my phone kept ringing with invitations to perform, I realized that I could turn this into a career.
About 10 years ago I founded the NYC Musical Saw Festival which aims to promote the art form of playing music with a saw. When I started there were only five other saw players, but our numbers grew and we even established a new Guinness World Record for the "Largest Musical Saw Ensemble," with 53 people playing saws together!
Thank you for the great questions, Ari!
Readers are invited to visit my website, where people can download my music, and my Facebook Page, where people may ask me questions about the musical saw or the movie.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on March 27, 2012 May 23, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Rush Brings Caravan to Redrocks
Okay, so Rush's introductory video, which was supposed to lead into the first song, cut out early, leaving the band to walk on and start playing abruptly. Maladjusted sound at the outset helped send Geddy Lee into screech mode for a few moments. Alex Lifeson quickly blew a string, causing a momentary guitar lull. And the sound was too blaring for the venue. Upon breaking after the first few songs, Geddy said, "I apologize for [the video]; sometimes the magic doesn't happen."
And sometimes it does. Aside from a few trivial technical problems, Rush's August 16 show at Redrocks — which Geddy properly called "the most beautiful venue in North America" (see below) — was pure magic (and that was evident even before the band played "Presto").
Jennifer and I arrived early to beat the traffic, which offered the added advantage of finding a great parking spot right along the road. We each drank a Mexican (real sugar) coke (with a little kick) and ate snack mix as we waited; I read a few pages of Walker Todd's Progress and Property Rights while Jennifer continued reading Stieg Larsson's suspenseful third novel. I had to roll up my window when it started raining, but I wasn't worried, as we had brought our rain gear.
The rain was fleeting, however, and by the time we ascended the stairs to the venue the wind had calmed and the clouds had dispersed perfectly for a sunset. Though I had expected storms, it was the most perfect weather imaginable at the most perfect venue. We sat in row 45, which is close enough to see the band but high enough to see Denver's city lights over the stage. (That said, I would have preferred to sit in the first three rows, but it seems nearly impossible for a normal person to accomplish that.)
The techies quickly adjusted the sound on Geddy's mic, and Geddy sang better and better through the evening. A strip of slightly-chewed paper from my ticket print-out took the edge off of the overall volume.
They played "Spirit of Radio." They played "Subdivisions" and "Closer to the Heart" and the intro from "2112." They closed with "La Villa Strangiato" and "Working Man." In other words, amazing. (See the entire set list.)They played for nearly three solid hours, not counting the break.
I challenge anyone to listen to Rush perform "Workin' Them Angels" and "Caravan" — from the latest and forthcoming albums — and spend a single breath defending Rush's continued exclusion from the Hall of Fame. These works, along with numerous selections from Rush's many albums, are among the greatest compositions in rock history. I have never heard anyone seriously question the fact that Neil Peart is the greatest drummer of all time as well as a poignant lyricist. Geddy Lee is among the greatest bassists and a magnificent composer. At this show, because a friend of mine is learning guitar, I spent more time watching the genius guitar work of Alex Lifeson. These are three of the greatest rock musicians performing today, and they play some of the greatest rock music of all time.
They called it the "Time Machine Tour." Part of the setup for the concert was an alter-ego band called "Rash," which allowed the (real) band to start off a few songs in alternative styles, such as oompah (maybe you had to be there). I thought it was a lot of fun.
During the first set, the band struck a definite theme, starting with the song "Faithless" (which I have discussed previously). The meaning of the song is obvious, though it is more touchingly positive than one might initially imagine. The next song in the sequence was the new release "BU2B," which begins facetiously, "I was brought up to believe / The universe has a plan / We are only human / It's not ours to understand." The band followed that with the older "Free Will:" "You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice… / You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill / I will choose a path that's clear / I will choose free will."
The band started the second set with a full rendition of what may remain the band's single greatest album, Moving Pictures. And they nailed it.
One interesting detail is that, after the band closed the encore, they played a video featuring the guys from the film I Love You Man, in which Rush's music played a prominent role. The guys portrayed fawning and slightly silly fans (in other words, themselves as well as many of us in the audience). What's interesting is that, while the video was supposed to usher people out of the theater, practically everyone stayed put until the video concluded and the crew started packing up the stage. It was a long night, but one fans were reluctant to let go.
Trevor August 17, 2010 at 10:40 AM
That's awesome! I saw them last time they played there and it was a great show. Maybe I'll just have to see if I can get a ticket for tomorrow night.
kelleyn August 17, 2010 at 1:16 PM
My husband and I saw the Aug. 9 show at the Shoreline. They were Absolutely. Awesome. We were close enough to the stage that we could get a good look at the props behind them, especially with the opera glasses. Geddy's steampunk sausage grinder was a scream.
What really impressed us was the absolute joy they took in performing and playing their music. They seemed to be having even more fun than we were. That's what attracts me to them: not just their virtuosity, or the way the lyrics resonate with my own beliefs and values, but the positive sense of life that they emanate. With the overall genius and power that they have, it comes through strongly, and it is deeply inspiring.
Sandi Trixx August 17, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Saw them in Irvine on Friday with friends and we were blown away! I can't agree with Kelleyn more about their enthusiasm.
http://sanditrixx.blogspot.com/2010/08/rush-was-awesome.html
Evil Red Scandi August 20, 2010 at 10:24 AM
We also saw them at Irvine last Friday – it was an amazing show, even though Geddy had some difficulty (to put it kindly) hitting the high notes in "Time Stands Still." We love the humor in their demeanor and the energy of their music. My wife got a huge kick out of the sausage machine. It's great to see some guys that are still rocking like madmen and having amazing fun at their age. A great show, and we can't wait for next year's tour.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on August 17, 2010 May 26, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Interview with Face's Mark Megibow
Mark Megibow, the percussionist for Face — the all-vocal group featured this week on NBC's Sing Off — made some time in his busy schedule for an exclusive interview. My questions are in bold.
Have you noticed any increased interest in your group since the December 14 show? For instance, are your web page views or iTunes sales up?
We have received an enormous response nationwide, not just since the show aired on the 14th, but actually while the show aired. According to the ratings, there were 6-7 million viewers during our segment. Apparently people liked what they saw because we immediately saw a surge in web hits and CD sales. We are getting as many web visits in a day as we used to get in a whole month.
Was the December 14 show live, or was it pre-recorded? (At what point did you guys know you'd been cut?)
The first three episodes were all pre-recorded, so we were actually cut from the show about a week before it aired. Knowing that this was going to be our one shot, we spent the week making sure people were going to watch the first episode so they didn't miss us. We were proud of our performance and wanted people to enjoy it, in spite of knowing the outcome.
Did the show restrict what songs you could sing, or was the decision totally up to you?
There were a lot of factors that went into song selection for the show. The network's ability to get proper licensing for the song was a very objective restriction, and there were many subjective ones as well. We were brought on the show to be the "rock band," so the producers wanted our first song to be pretty straight-ahead rock. Playing to a wide viewing audience, they also required that the song be "immediately recognizable to the general public." There were so many criteria on song selection, we didn't have a single song in our existing repertoire that matched them all, so we had to start from scratch and choose a song we'd never done prior. I would call the process a "collaborative effort," with the final decision resting in the hands of the producers. We chose the Bon Jovi song because we felt it would be one that would show off our full range of voices — it has soaring vocals, a signature bass line, and a fun, driving beat, so we thought it was the best pick of the options presented to us.
Similarly, the producers had complete control over our image, wardrobe, and even choreography. We had the right to our own opinions, but ultimately it was their show, so they got to make the call. The producers gave us the nickname of "mountain men" and decided that was going to be their theme for our wardrobe. People who have been to our shows know that this is not how we style ourselves, but that's what we were given for the TV show, so we decided to just do our best with what we were given.
Do you have any personal reflections you'd like to share regarding the show, its host and judges, and the other participants?
We had a blast with the other groups and staff while we were out there. All of the groups were made up of great people. We spent a lot of time together being shuttled around, as well as in group rehearsals for the opening number, so we got to know them all. We were tremendously impressed with the staff — both with everyone's professionalism, as well as friendliness. It was a first-class production from top to bottom.
Is there any chance that you'll collaborate with the other groups in the future, such as in a joint concert in the area?
We would love to see any of the groups again, and we told them all that as we were leaving. Obviously we have to wait for the TV show to come to a close before we can put anything together, but I wouldn't be surprised if we wind up on stage with some of these groups again in the future.
What impact do you think the show will have on all-vocal music? Where do you see the genre headed?
I'm glad the general public is getting a main-stream introduction to how far all-vocal music has come. I think the producers picked eight great groups that will represent the genre very, very well, and that it will attract more people both as performers as well as audience members. The human voice is the most versatile instrument in existence (or more accurately, the most versatile analog instrument). Most vocal groups are still learning that the music doesn't have to be limited to choral sounds. Face has been playing with those sounds for years, and I think even we're still just scratching the surface. Then there are vocal groups that are starting to push the envelope using technology to assist or enhance the human voice, which is opening up a whole new world of sounds and ideas. Purists prefer to hear the unadulterated human voice, but the technology movement has had an effect on all instruments, and it's only natural that the voice be explored in that realm as well.
It seems like most all-vocal groups concentrate on arranging and performing existing songs. Do you think all-vocal groups (perhaps including Face) will turn more to original compositions, or will the strength of the genre continue to be offering interesting interpretations of music first performed elsewhere?
Although the genre of a cappella has become extremely broad, its roots can be traced back to vocal jazz, doo-wop, and barbershop, all of which rely heavily on "the standards" or "classics." As a cappella has grown and expanded into the realm of contemporary and popular music, it's no surprise that most groups continue to cover existing material. In the a cappella world, this is the norm. Song-writing is a completely different skill and you will find far fewer people who are good at song-writing, versus just singing other peoples' work. There are a number of contemporary vocal groups in the country that are singing original material and are presenting themselves as true bands, trying to make it with their own music. Face has talked for years about introducing original material into our set, and we've begun that process. In contrast, we have also found that the audience loves hearing songs they immediately recognize and like, but with our unique instrumentation, so our future will always include a mix of both original material and well-known classics.
Thanks, Mark! Congratulations again, and I look forward to seeing Face's continued rise.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on December 16, 2009 May 27, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Face Featured on NBC's Sing Off
Congratulations to Face, Boulder's all-vocal rock group, for their appearance tonight on NBC's competition Sing Off.
I was disappointed that Face was one of the two bands voted out of the show tonight, out of eight contestants. But those who know Face know that vote is not any indication of their talent or musical force. Guys, your fans are thrilled to vote you back onto our island.
I just noticed that Face's new album, Momentum, now sells at iTunes. If you want to get a better feel for Face's tremendous talent, check out this album or the group's previous two albums. (Forward also sells through iTunes.)
I thought that Face was an obviously better singing group than several of the groups that made it through the first round, though I really enjoyed all of the groups. (My other two personal favorites of the night were the SoCals and Noteworthy.)
I was scratching my head by Face's song selection; they picked "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. I thought the song is too popular, Face didn't give it any particularly unique reinterpretation, and the song doesn't let the group's vocal strengths shine through. I wondered, though, if the show's producers restricted what songs the bands could sing. If I had made a list of ten songs I'd have liked to see Face sing as their opener, "Living on a Prayer" wouldn't have made the list. Face's fans know the band has some extremely strong "signature" songs that would have been much better for the show (if allowed).
Several of Face's covers I like much better than the original recordings, including "Home" by Marc Broussard, "Calling All Angels" by Train, and "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. I also really like Face's version of "O Fortuna" and "On the Turning Away."
As an aside, my wife Jennifer made a brief appearance on the show, because NBC filmed Face performing at Nissis, the Lafayette restaurant owned by the same person who owns the design firm where Jennifer works.
I've been a fan of Face since I heard them perform at Nissis four years ago. I was frankly nervous to hear them sing, as I believe they were following the amazing Dave Beegle, and I thought there was no way an all-vocal group could compete with that. Face proved me wrong in a hurry (though I don't know anybody who can match Beegle on an acoustic guitar.) I even began a first and second opinion column for Boulder Weekly with a discussion of Face.
I think I reflect the sentiments of all your fans, guys, by saying that we're extremely proud of you. I hope the NBC show allows a lot more people to discover your talented and inspiring voices. And don't stop believing.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on December 14, 2009 May 27, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music1 Comment on Face Featured on NBC's Sing Off
Face Gets Momentum
Last night Face performed at the Boulder Theater. I've said it three or four times before, and I'll say it again: last night was their best performance I've seen.
You can listen to clips from their latest album, Momentum, which they released at the concert.
Interestingly, Face has cancelled all of its December holiday shows. Their web page currently claims, "Face will be out of town in December: More details coming soon!" It'll be interesting to see what the band has cooking.
I've been enjoying Face's performances now for several years, and I'm pleased to see the band continue to meet success. Their sound gets better and better.
Back in 2005 I wrote, "Saying that Face is an 'a cappella group' is sort of like saying Jimi Hendrix is a 'guitar player.' It's true, but it doesn't really get the point across. Face rocks." Seriously, give them a try.
Their performances are heartfelt and personable. Last night the band brought up two former members to sing signature songs. They recounted a bit of their history together in between songs. The new album reveals the group's talent as arrangers and singers, but a big reason they have been so successful with word-of-mouth promotion is that audiences really enjoy sharing time with them.
The band also announced the successful birth of a member's new baby just days ago. As Pamela White wrote for Boulder Weekly, the wife of one of the band members carried to term another couple's baby. So congratulations on all counts.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on November 12, 2009 May 27, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Meniskus Releases Partyer!
The Colorado band Meniskus released the single "Partyer" last night at the Fox Theatre in Boulder.
"Partyer" should be available soon on iTunes. For now, you can listen to it streaming on the group's Facebook page.
While you're there, make sure to check out "Brigade," "Letters," and "Overbearing." I consider these the band's four greatest songs, and an impressive collection for a relatively young band. If these songs hook you, you'll become a Meniskus fan. (Note: I like the version of "Letters" on Foreign Beyond best. You can also see the video for "Letters" on the Facebook page.)
I'm hoping that "Partyer" is the most radio and party-friendly release so far, and that it draws attention to some of the other songs. It deserves to become a popular hit song.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on June 5, 2009 May 27, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Trimming Songs
Memo to rock bands: don't put annoying filler in your songs. Thankfully, now I can simply cut such nonsense out with my audio editing software (mostly Amadeus, though I have to use other stuff to get around irritating "protection" encoding. I hasten to note that I buy all my music and alter the encoding only of songs I have purchased for my personal use).
I almost didn't buy the new Depeche Mode album because of the bizarre and off-putting (and long) introduction to the first song, which is otherwise great. With a judicious snip, the song is now a minute, twenty-three seconds shorter — and much better.
I love U2's "Wanderer," sung by Johnny Cash — except that they recorded these horrible clanging noises at the end. Now I can enjoy the song without rushing to fast-forward through the completely unnecessary noise.
I also got a song from Ghostland Observatory that includes this grating buzzing sequence about three-fourths of the way through. Now the song is about a fourth shorter — and I can listen to it.
Listen, rock bands: none of you is so great that you can just put annoying noise in your songs and expect us to listen. Knock it off. You're not being avant garde, you're not being edgy, you're not being clever. You're being annoying. And there are too many good bands in the world for listeners to put up with your annoying crap. That goes for you, too, U2. At least now I can fight back and do your editing work for you.
There is a broader point here: with the digitization of music, listeners can now adjust their play lists, not just to include the songs they want, but to include the sections of songs they want. In general, the digital revolution puts consumers in charge of their media in remarkable new ways.
Author Ari ArmstrongPosted on May 18, 2009 May 27, 2017 Categories Arts & EntertainmentTags Music
Face: Best Boulder Band
Congratulations to Face, an all-vocal recently named the best band in Boulder. See Vince Darcangelo's love letter to Face in the Daily Camera.
My wife and I took my mom to see Face at Nissis on Monday. Good show. The group has sold out that venue something like 80 times in a row. (Note: an owner of Nissis also owns my wife's company.)
I wrote about Face twice in 2005. I understand the group likes my following line:
[S]aying that Face is an "a cappella group" is sort of like saying Jimi Hendrix is a "guitar player." It's true, but it doesn't really get the point across. Face rocks.
On Monday, I was especially impressed with Mark Megibow's new "drum" solo: he was singing through his own beats. (I joked that I'd be impressed when he can also sing harmony with himself.) He must have the best-developed mouth and throat muscles in all of Colorado.
You can listen to Face's music on the group's webpage.
If you want to read a heart-wrenching mother's day story, see Pamela White's article for Boulder Weekly, "2 men, 2 women and a baby." Here's the summary. Forest Kelly is another member of Face. His wife suffered from cancer, so, unable to have children herself, she had some eggs of hers frozen. Then Megibow's wife decided to carry her friends' baby to term. Happy Mother's Day.


ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev participated in Building a Nuclear-Free-World, an international conference held Aug. 29 in the capital's Palace of Independence, where he highlighted Kazakhstan's achievements and efforts in nuclear disarmament, urged other countries to follow and announced the Astana Peace Summit, which will take place in November.
"For a quarter century, based on the example of Kazakhstan we have formed an effective model for the way to a world free of nuclear weapons. We propose this model be used by all countries of the world," said Nazarbayev during his opening speech as he addressed more than 1,000 participants of the event.
The model is based on the following provisions. The Kazakh people made the decision to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and the country has managed to become independent and achieve economic growth without a test site or a nuclear weapons programme. In 2006, the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone was created with the participation of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan is also a member of all fundamental international nuclear security treaties. The President also hightlighted the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Programme, which played a major role in the country's nuclear disarmament path.
"Even though our country has abandoned the nuclear status, it retained the ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy… The National Nuclear Centre and Kazatomprom, the national atomic company, were created. We have become the host country of the international bank of low-enriched uranium. This underlines the high level of security of Kazakhstan and our high international prestige. In today's world, Kazakhstan holds the leading position in the global anti-nuclear movement. On our initiative The ATOM Project is being implemented, which unites all the people in the struggle for a universal ban on nuclear weapons," he said, adding all are foundations of Kazakhstan's experience in building a nuclear-free presence.
The event, held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of closing down the Semipalatinsk test site, gathered representatives from more than 50 countries, including renowned policy makers, religious leaders, government officials, disarmament experts, civil society campaigners and heads of international and regional organisations. The Astana Vision declaration was adopted at the end of the day.
Nazarbayev noted the conference and its participants serve as proof of the world's recognition of Kazakhstan in the anti-nuclear-weapons movement.
"A quarter of a century ago the most sinister experiment of militarism, which had tormented our land and our people for almost 40 years, was legally terminated. After our decision, test sites of all leading nuclear powers became silent, but they are still not closed. Kazakhstan was the first to take such a step. That was the will of our people. Herein lies the great importance of this step for the entire planet," he added.
The decision to close the Semipalatinsk test site was made while Kazakhstan still was part of the Soviet Union. At that time the nation possessed the fourth largest nuclear-missile potential in the world, exceeding the nuclear forces of Great Britain, China and France combined.
Nazarbayev noted strong political will was required to make such a decision.
"Rejection of nuclear weapons and nuclear status was our conscious, sincere choice; a voluntary act supported by all the people of Kazakhstan," he said.
The path to release the planet from the threat of nuclear suicide is not easy, he added. It requires profound mental changes, new multilateral political decisions and a high level of trust in international relations. Nazarbayev has put forward a number of proposals aimed at reducing the threat of nuclear self-destruction and gradual demilitarisation of the world.
"The process of reducing nuclear arsenals should be multilateral, with the participation of all states, which de facto have such kinds of military power. This should be preceded by full legalisation of the nuclear status of nuclear-related states, which is now referred to as the 'threshold' group. All nuclear powers need to start negotiations on the elaboration of the general agreement on nuclear arms reduction," he added.
The President urged the international community to create new mechanisms to regulate relations among the major powers and new international organisations to prevent conflicts.
"It is also important to strengthen the control over the spread of conventional arms and new military technologies. I urge all governments to commit to further strengthening international treaties and institutions that form the basis of nuclear safety. I also appeal to all parliamentarians who today represent their countries and peoples to take an active part in it. Kazakhstan's activities as a member of the UN Security Council will be devoted to these and other measures to strengthen international peace and security," he said.
A proposal to establish a special award, the prize of the President of Kazakhstan for contribution to nuclear disarmament and global security, was made during the plenary session.
"In general, I support this initiative. It would probably be more correct to call it a prize for nuclear disarmament; we must also consider the name. We must consider and make a decision on the establishment of a prize," said Nazarbayev.
The Astana Peace Summit will bring together well-known political and public figures, scientists and business people from many countries.
"It is the summit where we could talk about the establishment of such a prize and the presentation of its first winner," he added.
After the conference Nazarbayev met with representatives of the foreign media and answered questions related to Kazakh efforts and initiatives, as well as its experience in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. He also talked about the continued relevance of the Semipalatinsk test site closure and future prospects in the building of a nuclear weapons-free world.


Windowless Planes? Don't make us giggle.
Airbus has now patented the smart aircraft window–which it introduced in its aircraft of tomorrow concept–bringing us one step closer to a high-tech interactive flying experience to match the noblest aspirations of the aviation industry.
The US Patent was filed this March 19 and describes the new window as a "method for interactive visualization of information in an aircraft cabin." Perhaps that doesn't sound romantic, but it could mean that when we fly over the Eiffel Tower, we need only tap our window to learn how it was built, and, possibly, prompt the paper-thin OLED display on the seat back in front of us to play Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron on a musical romp through the City of Lights. Perhaps, by the time the aircraft of tomorrow flies, no one will get that reference, but it won't matter—the songs sing for themselves.
Airbus' vision for the aircraft of tomorrow is light open space, with plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the skies.
The filing of this patent reflects the manufacturer's confidence in that unique vision, which is a positive development for all of us wondering how the industry which went from wooden airframes to the Concorde in 60 years will surpass that amazing accomplishment.


On 4 April at the 2017 Plenary Meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) in Tokyo Japan Donald Cockburn, Managing Director of AOA, was one of twenty two signatories to the IFIAR Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU). AOA was approved as a signatory to the MMOU after a review by IFIAR and approval by IFIAR membership. The MMOU allows for co-operation in the exchange of information between audit regulators around the world. Approval of AOA as a signatory is a sign of the growing stature of the Cayman Islands in the audit regulatory world. Among the 22 signatories are audit regulators from the UK, US, Canada, France, Netherlands Australia and fifteen other countries.


text:
Podpora může označovat:

konstrukce
 podpora (nosník) – podepření nosníku (kloubová podpora, vetknutí…)

hospodářství
 podpora prodeje
 hladina podpory a rezistence

management
 informační podpora
 technická podpora
 systém pro podporu rozhodování

dotace a subvence, státní finance
 státní sociální podpora
 státní sociální podpora v Česku
 podpora výroby elektřiny z obnovitelných zdrojů v České republice

politická historie
 Asociace pro podporu trůnu

sociální, psychická
vojenství
 palebná podpora
 letadlo palebné podpory
 Operace Rozhodná podpora
 Americká podpora Kuomintangu

Externí odkazy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Solar panels installed in the Adams Avenue Parking Lot will help foot the college's energy bill.
Photo by Aaron Cuha
Solar panels greet students
Coast Report Staff
Students arriving on campus this semester certainly couldn't help but notice the ongoing installation of Orange Coast College's transformation into the 21st century.
Beginning last semester, the college started constructing solar panels in the Adams Avenue Parking Lot, that when completed later this month is expected to provide up to half of OCC's electricity use, according to Dennis Reid, project manager for Coast Community College District's Measure M Capital Projects.
The panels will cost $3.97 million and cover 242 of the nearly 2,100 parking spaces in the parking lot, Reid said.
Solar panels collect and store energy in two ways — in batteries to use for electricity overnight, or directly fed through an inverter that feeds it right back into the power grid.
Construction had originally been delayed but the panels are expected to be completed by the end of this month. Workers had been expected to stagger installation so only three rows of parking stalls are closed at a time.


text:
Bruce W. Fraser
This is a piece from Bruce's archives left online for the curious reader.
Have a look at his current work here.
Getting To Know meVC
By Bruce W. Fraser
Contributor to Worth.com
The meVC fund is breaking down venture-investing barriers. Is it a good investment?
Barriers to venture capital investing are opening slightly with the pure-play meVC Draper Fisher Jurvetson Fund 1 {NYSE:MVC}. Now, for better or worse, almost anyone can enjoy the highs and lows of the VC game once played only by institutions and the very wealthy. But, beyond the hype, is meVC a smart investment?
Launched a few months ago in partnership with Draper Fisher Jurvetson, the Redwood, City, California-based venture capital firm, the fund invests exclusively in privately held companies with cutting-edge technologies. As a closed-end fund trading on the NYSE, meVC does not redeem its shares from the public. Instead, investors buy and sell MVC as they would a stock.
Pros and Cons of Investing in meVC
So far, meVC's short-term record is unimpressive. The fund capped its investment at $330 million at the end of March and began trading on the NYSE on June 26 at $20 a share. Since then, the shares have plummeted just over 25 percent.
"Unfortunately, we were caught in the downdraft a bit, which has been broad and indiscriminate," says Andrew Singer, president of meVC. Notwithstanding, Singer maintains that meVC – at its low current price – is a good opportunity for long-term investors.
Thomas J. Herzfeld, a Miami-based investment advisor specializing in closed-end funds, agrees. "You can buy it at roughly 75 cents on the dollar, so we've begun to accumulate a position for our clients."
The premise of meVC, however, is high expenses for future high gains. The fund not only charges a hefty 2.5 percent management fee, but investors also must also relinquish 20 percent of any realized gains in the fund to its managers.
Although not typical in the mutual fund industry, Singer defends this "giveback" as standard fare in the VC industry – and necessary to attract and retain top VCs to run the fund.
Where the Fund is Spreading the Wealth
The fund's assets currently total $314 million. Of that, $100.5 million has been invested in 12 private companies in areas ranging from information services to enterprise software. Recent additions to the portfolio include Pagoo, a San Francisco Internet phone-service provider; EXP.com, an expert advice; web site; and FOLIOfn, a Web-based wrap program, which charges a flat annual fee to allow investors to own a basket of securities. The remaining $200 million or so will be spread among 30 to 50 companies over the next 1 ½ years, Singer notes.
What makes meVC preferable to a mutual fund that invests in venture capital is that it is a pure play managed by John Grillos, a professional venture capitalist and electrical engineer who, in addition to managing other VC funds, has served in senior management positions in high-tech companies.
The risk for the fund and its investors is that it will likely take a few years to see which of these young, unproven companies will produce gains. And then there's the wobbly IPO market.
Does it make sense to invest in a VC-specific fund? Absolutely – if you can stand the risk. Kristoph Rollenhagen, director of closed-end fund research at Prudential Securities, who follows meVC, recommends a 1 percent to 3 percent allocation for investors looking to reap returns uncorrelated with the stock market.
And over time, that's a good bet. According to a recent by Venture Economics, a research firm in Newark, New Jersey, the industry as a whole has outperformed the S&P 500 Index by about 8 percent over the past ten years.
Financial Writer & Editorial Consultant
619 West 140th Street, Suite 6H
(212) 862-0351 · frasernyc@aol.com · linkedin.com/in/bwfraser


MN with a Bluetooth issue - any fixes or just go a/mkt?
Hi Guys. I have a 2015 MN - picked it up in November last year. When I first got it the Bluetooth worked fine, but after a couple of weeks it started playing up. First it wouldn't disconnect so I couldn't get my radio back on; sometimes it would take about a minute, sometimes it wouldn't come back on at all; it would just stay connected to the phone. Now I find it's hard to connect; when it does connect it will drop out & reconnect but will be very crackly. I have read some posts stating there is an issue with the unit. My question is, is it worth taking it back to the dealer under warranty & lose a day without the car just to have the same unit reinstalled with the same issue, or just bite the bullet & get an after market bluetooth unit?


Today, Democrats have overwhelmingly (by a 203-32 vote) put Nancy Pelosi back in charge, by nominating her to be Speaker of the House again.
That's right. Nancy Pelosi: 78 year old, stumbling over her words, frequently losing track/becoming confused in mid-sentence serially confused in mid-sentence, Nancy Pelosi.
The same Nancy Pelosi who, the last time she was Speaker of the House, oversaw Democrats losing the house, the senate, a majority of governorships, a majority of statehouses and then the Presidency,. And here she is again.
I'm sure this is thrilling at least one Washington insider: fella named Trump, who emphatically stated his support for her re-ascension to Speaker of the House just last week.
And, nominated along with Ms. Pelosi, come 79 year old Rep. Steny Hoyer as Majority Leader and 78 year old Rep. James Clyburn as Majority Whip.
As for all those younger Democrat house members? The ones who, biologically are Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn's children – in a few cases, their grandchildren? The ones who are for more likely to relate to the country's mainstream demographics?
Sorry kiddies. Not yet. Keep waiting. Maybe someday we'll give you a seat at the table of power…but don't hold your breath waiting.
Holy excrement. What are Democrats trying to do? Make Hillary Clinton look younger and fresher by comparison?
What a blunder this is.


Ready For A Marlin Fishing Trip?
Originally all fishing was done for the sake of catching and eating fish. Fish were readily available and a great source of meat and nutrients. Now things are a bit different, fishing is still primarily done for consumption but there are new areas in recreational fishing, scientific research, and for use in commercial products which have become more and more popular over the last several years.
Fishing is undeniably fun, it's also a nice way to entertain and enjoy time with family and friends.
If you're passionate about fishing the most important things to consider are location and making sure you understand the rules and regulations for the area. That's where we step in, with a charter fishing company you can relax while we take care of all the logistics for you. So why choose marlin charter Puerto Rico for you next fishing expedition?
There are countless fishing charter companies out there which are useful for helping you find excellent fishing trip all year round. There are various types of charters are existing, which include half-day, ¾ day charters, all day trips, and overnight charters.
You should also be considering the fishing style you wish to enjoy. This is because there are various styles of fishing are available including reef and wreck, deep sea, inshore, near shore, and many others.
If you've pick the right fishing charter company, then you should listen to the advice of the captain. If you're not able to heed their advice, then you're putting yourself and risk and also not fishing in an efficient manner. Captains are captains for a reason, they are there to guide you and to correct your mistakes in fishing.
Would you like to go fishing in Puerto Rico?
If you would like to go fishing in Puerto Rico, consider Caribbean outfitters. We have years of experience and can even the most difficult catches possible, making us a magical fishing charter. Have dreams of catching that massive tarpon? Let Caribbean outfitters turn that dream into reality.
Want to catch Marlins in Puerto Rico? We all know the best parts of Puerto Rico to make that possible. If you would like to catch some rare fish, we're the best place to begin your fishing journey.
Distress and let your problems melt away as you spend the day battling big fish or relaxing.
Fishing offers a lot more than just catching, so reduce your stress, spend some time with the family or set up an unforgettable work trip. While fishing with us you may also meet new friends and make new bonds.
I have known Capt. Omar since before he started his charter business back in 1994. He is the best there is at what he does. He is honest, hard working and a very professional fisherman. Put yourself in his hands and he will do everything possible to get a fish on your line!


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Author: Geek's Guide to the Galaxy. Geek's Guide to the Galaxy	Culture
Date of Publication: 09.23.17. 09.23.17
Time of Publication: 9:00 am. 9:00 am
What's So Great About Kids Fighting Monsters?
Brooke Palmer/Warner Bros.
The new adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel It has quickly become one of the most successful horror movies of all time. But why has it fared so much better than other recent King adaptations like The Dark Tower and The Mist? Horror author Grady Hendrix says one reason might be that it focuses on the universal childhood fear of monsters.
"Kids fighting monsters has a real primal hold on our imagination," Hendrix says in Episode 274 of the Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast. "Going back to fairy tales, it's been a really resonant trope."
https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/https://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/geeksguide274final.mp3
But it's not just any kids that we want to see fight monsters. Whether it's Stranger Things, The Lost Boys, or Monster Squad, these stories gain much of their power from taking nerdy kids who know and care about monsters and making their daydreams a reality.
"This goes back to Mark Petrie in Salem's Lot," Hendrix says, "who is the kid who is so in tune with pop culture and alienated from everyone else, but that pop culture has served as like boot camp to allow him to accept the idea of vampires, and as soon as they appear he is dropped and locked and ready to rock and roll."
Fantasy author Erin Lindsey notes that many of these tales are set in the '80s, and that this may be because it was easier for kids to have adventures back then. "Even in twenty below, my parents were like, 'Here's a snowsuit, go outside. I don't want to see you until sunset,'" she says. "So it's completely plausible that they would go off for hours at a time and nobody would think it was odd."
Horror author John Langan thinks it's still possible to tell stories about modern-day kids battling monsters, but that it probably requires more work to justify how the heroes could break free of their overprotective parents.
"I think you would probably have to acknowledge that those kids might very well be the lucky ones," he says. "They might have plenty of friends who are like, 'Nope, my mom says I'm not going out there.'"
Listen to the complete interview with Grady Hendrix, Erin Lindsey, and John Langan in Episode 274 of Geek's Guide to the Galaxy (above). And check out some highlights from the discussion below.
John Langan on Stephen King and Peter Straub:
"Pennywise, to an extent, is a psychic mirror who reflects back at you that which you fear the most. And since Pennywise is so caught up in your mental energy, you can turn that to your own advantage. Straub actually does something like that in Ghost Story—the monster, the manitou figure in Ghost Story, is another kind of a mirror, another kind of reflector. And there's a young guy—actually he's a high school student, so he's a little older than the kids in It—but he figures out that if this thing has gotten in his head, that he can turn that to his advantage and use that to actually harm the monster. It never occurred to me before that maybe King got the idea from Straub, but it's entirely possible in this case that he did."
Grady Hendrix on the '80s:
"In the '60s and '70s you really had this loosey-goosey approach to parenting. Parents were like, 'Kids should have as much freedom as possible, and be able to try as many things as possible, and experiment with as many things as possible.' And then in the early '80s there was this whole thing—and it really appeared in '79 and '80—'Your kids are in danger. Moonies want to abduct them from a shopping mall, they're going to be on the back of a milk carton, they're going to be molested at their day care center, Satanists are going to give them stickers of Mickey Mouse that have LSD on them.' … And so it's weird that everyone's fetishizing this idea of '80s kids fighting monsters, but maybe that's when everyone feels like the monsters appear.'"
Grady Hendrix on It:
"It is a big, messy, sprawling, undisciplined novel, but I also think it's pretty genius. … It's about these kids in Derry who defeated Pennywise in the '50s, and they've all grown up and forgotten it. And when they remember their childhoods, they remember these beautiful, bucolic, nostalgic images of the '50s, and it's up to Mike Hanlon, the librarian, who's the one black kid, to call them up and say, 'Not so fast. You're not remembering that era right. It was an era of horror, and danger, and we almost all died, and it was cruel, and mean, and sadistic.' And I don't think it's a mistake that this is a book about a bunch of white kids who grow up to glorify their past, and a black kid who calls them up and says, 'Uh-uh, remember how it really was.'"
Erin Lindsey on women in horror:
"What I think is equal parts interesting and frustrating as a woman in this stuff, is that even in the modern incarnations we don't seem to be able to get away from this sense that the woman is often struggling with her sexuality and how that plays into it. So even in Stranger Things for example, the older sister, in one of the earlier episodes, is having sex with her boyfriend—or on the cusp of having sex with her boyfriend—when something bad happens to one of her friends, and so she's in a sense punished, and her impetus as a character going through it is that she feels very guilty that this thing happened to her friend because her friend was waiting for her to make out with her boyfriend. And Buffy also has a lot of paroxysms of angst through the series about the relationships that she has and all that. And that's not a criticism of them in a standalone sense—these are all perfectly acceptable narrative arcs. I would just like to see a narrative that doesn't rely on that trope of the woman feeling guilty or being punished for her sexual expression."
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