text:
Earlier this week, a story ran on Digitimes that indicated there might be some problems and slowdown with the rollout of 7nm chip technologies for Qualcomm and MediaTek. Digitimes is a Taiwan-based media outlet that has been tracking the chip supply chain for decades but is known to have a rocky reliability record when it comes to some if its stories and sources.
The author asserts that “Instead of developing the industry’s first 7nm SoC chip” that both of the fabless semiconductor companies mentioned have “moved to enhance their upper mid-range offerings by rolling out respective new 14/12nm solutions.”
But Qualcomm has already built its first 7nm SoC and we are likely to see it this year at its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit being held in Maui, Hawaii this December. The company has already sent out “save the date” invites to media and analysts and last year’s event was where it launched the Snapdragon 845, so it makes sense it would continue that cadence.
If that isn’t enough to satisfy doubters, Qualcomm went as far as to publish a press release that the “upcoming flagship” mobile processor would be built on 7nm and that it had begun sampling this chip to multiple OEMs building the next generation of mobile devices. The press release quotes QTI President Cristiano Amon as saying “smartphones using our next-generation mobile platform [will launch] in the first half of 2019.”
Digitimes’ claims that both Qualcomm and MediaTek have “postponed” launches from 2018 to 2019 is counter to all the information we have received over the previous six months. As far as we can tell, the development of the next Snapdragon product and TSMC’s 7nm node is on track and operating as expected.
12nm/14nm refinements are coming
The assertion that Qualcomm is enhancing upper- and mid-range platforms around the existing 14nm and 12nm process nodes is likely true. It is common for the leading-edge foundry technologies to be limited to the high performance and/or high efficiency products that both require the added capability and can provide higher margins to absorb the added cost of the newer, more expensive foundry lines.
There could be truth to the idea of chip companies like Qualcomm putting more weight behind these upper-mid grade SoCs due to the alignment with the 5G roll out across various regions of the globe. But this doesn’t indicate that development has slowed in any way for the flagship platforms.
7nm important for pushing boundaries
Despite these questions and stories, the reality is that 7nm process is indeed necessary for the advancement of the technology that will push consumer and commercial products to new highs as we move into the next decade. Building the upcoming Snapdragon platform on 7nm means Qualcomm can provide a smaller, denser die to its customers while also targeting higher clock speeds and additional compute nodes. This means more cores, new AI processing engines, better graphics, and integrated wireless connectivity faster than nearly any wired connections.
This does not benefit only Qualcomm though; there is a reason Apple’s upcoming A12 processor is using 7nm for performance and cost efficiency advantages. AMD is driving full speed into 7nm to help give it the edge over Intel in the desktop, notebook, and enterprise CPU space for the first time in more than a decade. AMD will even have a 7nm enterprise graphics chip sampling this year!
Those that don’t clearly see the advantage 7nm will give to TSMC’s customers aren’t witnessing the struggles that Intel has with its product roadmap. Without an on-schedule 10nm node it is being forced to readjust launches and product portfolios to a degree I have never seen. The world’s largest silicon provider will survive the hurdle but to assume that its competitors aren’t driving home their advantage with early integration of 7nm designs would be naive.


text:
Mobility businesses across the globe have been hit severely by the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides Ola, Uber, Rapido, Bounce and Vogo, Gurugram-based Shuttl has been facing the loss of business since a major chunk of companies are yet to open offices.
Amidst disruption in operations, office commute platform Shuttl has started testing the overseas market. “Shuttl has been preparing for the launch in Bangkok for the past few months. It has hired close to half a dozen to form a local team,” said a source on condition of anonymity.
Entrackr has independently confirmed Shuttl’s hiring in Bangkok through LinkedIn. Kong Apinun Thongpradit was the country manager for Shuttl between May and October. Recently, he moved from the company to launch his startup.
The expansion has come at a time when Shuttl has been hit severely by the pandemic. According to sources, the company has recovered to some extent in terms of business in the past three-four months, but it’s below 50% in comparison of pre-Covid peak.
“A separate app (initially iOS) for the Thailand market is underway,” added another source, requesting anonymity. “Shuttl’s existing investor Toyota is strong in Thailand and it has been helping the company in raising local support and team.”
Shuttl’s new position also confirms its global ambition. “Shuttl is the world’s no.1 office bus app,” as per this description. Entrackr’s detailed questionnaire sent to the company’s co-founders Amit Singh and Deepanshu Malviya didn’t yield any immediate response. We will update the story as and when they respond.
It’s worth noting that Shuttl has become the second mobility startup to foray into the international market. Ola has been running operations in Australia, UK, Bangladesh and Srilanka. Other notable Indian consumer internet companies with global operations include Byju’s, CarDekho, Meesho, Practo and a few others.
To cope with the pandemic, Shuttl had laid off over 40 employees and slashed salaries across functions in March this year. The company recently expanded its ESOPs pool by adding Rs 24.1 crore worth options. With the addition, Shuttl’s ESOPs pool has now been worth Rs 122 crore.
Founded in 2015, Shuttl has raised about $90 million in total equity and debt capital from investors such as Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Sequoia, Lightspeed, Amazon and Dentsu among others. According to Fintrackr, the company had surpassed Rs 1500 crore in valuation during its last tranche of the Series C round in January 2020.

domain: news


text:
Dollar Store Shoppers Increasingly Loyal (Infographic)
Most will continue to shop channel, and more frequently, even if economy improves
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Approximately 90% of value/dollar store customers plan to continue shopping the channel, even if their current economic situation improves, according to a recent study by VideoMining Corp., a provider of in-store behavior analytics from its Value/Dollar Shopper Insights (VSI) program.
This result reflects increased loyalty in the channel, once thought of as a clearinghouse for unsold products, but steadily becoming a critical retail battleground for manufacturers with its own shopper base. The study also revealed greater frequency among shoppers, as 54% indicated that they increased shopping in the channel over the past year, twice that of the next highest channel.
The study also uncovered other findings about the way shoppers approach the channel. For instance, 80% of all value/dollar store shoppers said they planned their trips in advance. Despite the destination status of the channel, shoppers remain open-minded, as more than half (51%) made their final brand-buying decisions in the store.
"The findings from this year's study [show] the continued growth of this key class of trade, and [it] takes a deep look at the factors that are affecting conversion for these cost-conscious shoppers," said Jeff Friedlaender, VideoMining's president of shopper research.
These findings are the result of a nationwide survey, conducted by VideoMining late last year, of 2,500 nationwide value and dollar shoppers on all aspects of their shopping trips at retailers such as Family Dollar, Dollar General and Dollar Tree.
The report marks VideoMining's initial industry-wide offering of its Value/Dollar Shopper Insights (VSI) program, which it expects to include a nationwide, behavioral MegaStudy of millions of in-store shoppers. VideoMining conducted similar research in the grocery and convenience channels. Currently, the company offers custom in-store behavior testing of value and dollar shoppers.
State College, Pa.-based VideoMining is a leading provider of in-store intelligence for shopper marketing.


text:
Pudding tops Times list
Early last month, I wrote about the hefty dose of media coverage Mitchell’s beloved persimmon was receiving, including a piece planned in the New York Times highlighting persimmon pudding as Indiana’s featured recipe in a story that included recipes from all 50 states.
That story was included in Tuesday’s New York Times and can still be viewed online through the newspaper’s website.
Titled, “The United States of Thanksgiving,” the authors “scoured the nation for recipes that evoke each of the 50 states (and D.C. and Puerto Rico).”
The first recipe featured is Indiana’s persimmon pudding, and the piece reads, “Wild persimmons start to blush along the country roads of Indiana in late September, stealing the colors of sunset and weighing down their trees like Christmas balls. They are native to the landscape, unlike the Chinese and Japanese varieties cultivated in California and found in grocery stores.”
It includes information from Alverta Hart, who chairs the annual Persimmon Pudding and Novelty Dessert Contest. It reads, “This fall, the town hosted its annual Persimmon Festival and as always, the most suspenseful event was the persimmon pudding contest. Ms. Hart submitted her first pudding in 1962 as an 18-year-old bride and re-entered every year for nearly four decades until she became a judge, then chairwoman of the event, winning off and on and collecting every color of ribbon along the way.”
It says it includes Hart’s recipe for persimmon pudding, but features a picture that we Mitchellites know isn’t persimmon pudding, but rather more of a cheesecake-style dessert and uses Fuyu persimmons, not our native variety. Still, it’s a fun read worth checking out, and it’s great to see the persimmon and its namesake festival get some great publicity.
If you’d like to check out the pudding feature as well as the other recipes that made the list, including the recipe that got my tastebuds going — Maine’s lobster macaroni and cheese —visit www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/18/dining/thanksgiving-recipes-across-the-united-states.html.
Speaking of tasty
Apparently, the White Castle Crave Mobile found so much success during its recent trip to Orleans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the White Castle plant, it’s making return visits to the area.
If you have the craving today, it’s in downtown Orleans until 5 p.m.
Or, if you want to take a break from cooking Tuesday afternoon to rest up for the Thanksgiving feast, you’ll want to head over to CVS/pharmacy in Mitchell to grab some goodies from the Crave Mobile while supporting the Mitchell fifth-grade boys travel basketball team.
From 4-7:30 p.m., the concession trailer will be parked at the pharmacy at State Road 60 West and State Road 37 selling sliders, chicken and fish sandwiches, french fries and many of the other treats you love from White Castle.
And if you see my colleague Sean Duncan and self-proclaimed Craver over there sporting his nifty new gift, a White Castle windbreaker, throw a slider at him for good measure.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Krystal Shetler at 277-7264 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
TravelManagers Plots New Course for Cruise Growth
Featured photo: Joe Araullo, CEO of House of Travel Australia
Cruise industry predictions released by CLIA earlier this year indicate that a growth in global cruise capacity (forecast to increase by nineteen percent between 2022 and 2028) is expected to be met by an ongoing surge in demand for cruise travel. With this in mind, the House of Travel Group has launched a new, group-wide cruise strategy to ensure it is well-resourced to capitalise on the sector’s immense potential for expansion.
Bruce Parton, who is House of Travel New Zealand CEO and Chair of House of Travel Australia, is today announcing a newly created, joint Cruise Product and Wholesale team which will be led by Jeff Leckey in the role of General Manager Cruise – Australasia.
“Jeff brings decades of experience within the cruise sector to his new role,” Parton explains, “including six years as House of Travel’s New Zealand-based Cruise General Manager. Under his tenure, House of Travel became the leading cruise retailer in New Zealand in 2018 – a position which it retains to this day.”
Joe Araullo, CEO of House of Travel Australia, says he is equally excited by the opportunities presented by the new strategy, noting that it will provide both brands with creative product and marketing programmes that stand out from the crowd.
“House of Travel Group’s new cruise strategy is an indication of its commitment to the cruise sector,” he points out, “and will allow us to capitalise on the combined volumes and expertise we already have. There is massive potential for growth, and we’re excited to enter this next phase in building our cruise business.”
TravelManagers’ Cruise Product Manager, Lia Malone, is also joining the new team, which is tasked with developing outstanding cruise product that will be taken to market through the House of Travel’s and TravelManagers’ networks of travel advisors.
“I am thrilled to be working with Lia and the amazing team of cruise experts we have assembled on both sides of the Tasman,” Leckey states. “As an organisation, we have totally embraced cruise and we are looking forward to capitalising on the ever-increasing number of Kiwis and Aussies who are excited by the concept of cruise holidays.”


text:
Kin the transactional crypto currency made by messenger app company Kik, Inc.
Crypto News: ICOs, EOS, Binance Coin, Kin, OmiseGo, Change, The Ocean, 0x (13th - 19th of Aug) ICO Market Research Q2 2018 Report On 13th of Agust of.In preparation for the eventual launch of Kin, Kik has been. we launched an experiment called Kik Coins and.
Why Kik is doing an ICO - Yahoo FinanceThe idea behind KIN is allowing content creators and consumers to transact directly instead of relying on advertising revenue to monetize content creation.
KIN - World's first wallet that sorts your cash in a cinch
Rated ICO Of The Year – Keeping Stock Kin Coin Investment 2018Kik, through the Kin Ecosystem Foundation, wants to foster more usage of and innovation around its cryptocurrency,.It will be fully launched by Q4 2018 at which time users will be able to.
Kik to Launch Ethereum-Based Currency | InvestopediaList of ICOs and Token Sales by Kin Token Sale: Kik is creating a cryptocurrency, Kin, as a first step to launching a decentralized ecosystem of digital services.
Messaging app Kik is launching a cryptocurrency in an ICO
Founder and CEO of Kik Ted Livingston speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2016.
Kik ICO Raises Nearly $100 Million - CCNFrom 2014 to 2016, they ran a test with Kik points. August 31, 2018.
KIN (KIN) Price Prediction – 265% Increase in Two Weeks
Order type Price Amount. Fee. 0.00000000 BTC. Total. 0.00000000 BTC.
Moonshot Coin: 10X Potential (1,000% Gain) Is Possible For
Red Bull and Swarovski Are Testing Cryptocurrency TokensBlockchain crowdfunding website for ICO, crowdfunding, and crowd investing in cryptocurrency, powered by smart contracts.They plan to reward users of kik app in kin coins for chatting.Kik Interactive, the founders and owners of the Kik chatting platform yesterday announced that their Kin token distribution event (TDE) will begin on Tuesday 12th.
Kik’s Kin Coin: Rethinking the Attention Economy – Social
Video Game Giant Unity to Work With Mobile App Kik's ICO
Messaging Giant Kik Brings Kin Crypto Tokens to Avatar
Kin | Coin Market Wolf


text:
The world’s biggest food company, Nestlé had already achieved its zero waste goal in 39 of its 468 factories around the world by the end of 2012, including in all of its plants in the UK and Switzerland. Specifically, the company aims to have no waste going to landfill or being incinerated without energy being recovered from the process.
The company has been recognised for its sustainability efforts in recent months, topping Oxfam’s Behind the Brands sustainability scorecard back in February, and also taking the NGO’s ‘most improved’ plaudit last month, along with Unilever. In addition, Nestlé was the number one food company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index released last month, with a score of 88% – twice the industry average.
“The decision to achieve zero waste illustrates Nestlé’s commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices,” said Laurent Freixe, Nestlé executive vice president and zone director for Europe.
“We already have over 25 factories in Europe that do not dispose of waste into the environment.
“By relentlessly eliminating all sources of waste, or by recycling or recovering energy from unavoidable residues, I am convinced we can achieve the same for all our European operations.”
Reusing raw materials
One of the main ways that the company has sought to reach its zero waste target has been through reusing waste materials in the supply chain, such as milk, coffee beans and cocoa, and transforming them into value-added food products or energy sources.
The company gave the example of its Nescafé instant coffee brand, which originated as a way to use up unsold Brazilian coffee beans 75 years ago. Today, spent coffee grounds are a source of renewable energy in more than 20 Nescafé factories, and in other factories, product losses are processed for use in animal feed.


text:
Please fill in your details to download the Table of Contents of this report for free. We also do customization of these reports so you can write to us at email@example.com in case you need any other additional information.
“This is hugely disappointing news. The impact of the additional tariffs have been devastating for UK manufacturers selling to the US. We are the only country to be hit with tariffs on fashion products and the current situation piles even more pressure on companies already reeling from the impact of covid-19 and the hugely uncertain trading situation with the EU. Waiting for the outcome of a potential free trade agreement with the US isn’t enough. We need the government to take direct action now to support our manufacturing industry,” said UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) CEO Adam Mansell in a press release.
“We are exceptionally disappointed that these tariffs remain in place and continue to punish our industry for a dispute which is completely outside of our control,” said Simon Cotton, CEO of Johnstons of Elgin, which makes cashmere and fine woollen cloth, knitwear and accessories in Scotland.
Bill Leach, global sales director at knitwear brand and manufacturer John Smedley, said: “This is hugely disappointing. John Smedley has invested heavily into the US market for many years, resulting in strong sales and customer satisfaction across a wide array of America’s finest retailers. We also enjoy strong following on social media from across the US and we are immensely proud of the excellent working partnerships we have developed with customers, clients and media over decades.
“Since October 2019, when the retaliatory additional 25 per cent tariff was applied to all of our sales to the US, John Smedley has been forced to absorb this punitive cost in order to maintain the ongoing retail pricing of our collection and to maintain our existing proposition to our valued customers and clients in the US market.
“The fact that British-manufactured knitwear has become embroiled in the longest running trade dispute in WTO history to this extent is deeply irritating, unfairly punitive and continues to have a deep and long-lasting impact on our business in the UK. Our connections to and with the airline industry are non-existent.
“Should this retaliatory tariff application continue, John Smedley will need to take some tough decisions about our strategy for the US market.”
The additional tariffs apply only to UK manufactured products. The 17 fashion lines affected are those that fall under HTS Codes 6110.11.00, 6110.12.10, 6110.20.20, 6110.30.30, 6202.99.15, 6202.99.80, 6203.11.60, 6203.11.90, 6203.19.30, 6203.19.90, 6208.21.00, 6211.12.40, 6211.12.80, 6301.30.00, 6301.90.00, 6302.21.50, and 6302.21.90.
UKFT said it has written to Liz Truss, secretary of state for International Trade, requesting a meeting and demanding an immediate resolution to this dispute which has nothing to do with the UK fashion and textile industry.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
| On 29th Sep 2020
Poshmark, an online resale marketplace for second-hand clothing,...
| On 29th Sep 2020
Neiman Marcus Holding Co. has announced emerging from voluntary...
| On 29th Sep 2020
Indorama Ventures Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, has...
There might be negative impact on garment exports
Indian retail players
Walmart's acquisition of Flipkart endorses the humongous opportunities in...
Dow Microbial Control
'Silvadur is most rapidly adopted in areas where hygiene-conscious and...
Switzerland-based Sedo Engineering develops technologies for the denim...
Karan Behal, founder and chief executive of top-selling brand...
Japan-based FitJoy, a shoe brand for women, has been in the footwear...
Garware Technical Fibres
Garware Technical Fibres Ltd (formerly Garware-Wall Ropes Ltd) is a...
Schlegel und Partner
Silke Brand-Kirsch, executive partner of Schlegel und Partner, a leading...
Loomia designs and manufactures soft circuit systems that can be produced...
Bridal couture created with rich Indian heritage, exquisite craftsmanship...
From its modest beginning in the late 1960s, Shrujan has grown into a...
Aditi Somani specialises in luxury fusion wear with international cuts and ...
Letter to Editor
Subscribe today and get the latest update on Textiles, Fashion, Apparel and so on.
Subscribe today and get the latest information on Textiles, Fashion, Apparel.


text:
Four new e-bike stations and an extra eight bikes will be introduced to the town to supplement the existing three stations and 18 electric bikes already up and running across Totnes and Dartington.
The trial is expected to start sometime this year and will run for 12 months, with the aim of proving the scheme is viable and worth becoming a permanent service in the town.
The funds were secured by Totnes Town Council, which worked alongside Exeter-based social enterprise, Co Bikes, to apply for the cash through South Hams Council’s Climate Infrastructure Fund.
Totnes Mayor, Cllr Emily Price, said: “E-bike have for many years been discussed as a way to enable residents and visitors to travel around our hilly area in a healthier and more sustainable way.
“We are delighted to be working with Co Bikes to finally enable visitors and residents who cannot afford one of their own to reap the benefits that they bring.”
The bikes will be the same type as those already found in Exeter and at Baltic Wharf and will be available to hire on-demand through the Co Bikes app.
The final details of the scheme are still being worked out and more details will follow.
Helen Scholes of CoBikes, said they are “really excited” to be trialling an e-bike network in Totnes. “Because they are electric, our bikes can easily tackle hills and shorten journey times whilst helping people avoid getting tired or sweaty, giving them the confidence to make journeys by bike they may not have previously considered,” Helen added.
“E-bikes also reduce car journeys - in a recent survey, 54 per cent of respondents said they used our bikes to make trips that would have otherwise been done by car.”


text:
Jonny Pac is the cowboy-hat-wearing designer of Coloma, Sierra West, and one of this year’s big hits, Merchants Cove. He’s also the developer on the current Dranda Games Kickstarter, Solar Sphere. Here’s what he had to say.
Alexander Pfister is the designer behind some of the best games being made at the moment. Great Western Trail has been riding high in the BGG charts for five years now, along with other hits like Maracaibo, Port Royal, Oh My Goods, Isle of Skye and last year’s CloudAge.
I reached out to Mark from the Plastic Soldier Company’s games publishing sister company, PSC Games. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about the company, its history, and its recent hits. Naturally, I couldn’t let the chance slip to talk about their hottest news from the last week or so, the announcement of a tie-in with Paradox Interactive’s smash hit game, Prison Architect.


text:
Lady Gaga set to launch clothing line for pets
At the end of last month, US music website Billboard exclusively announced Lady Gaga’s latest project away from music: a clothing line for pets, inspired by her own pooch Miss Asia Kinney. “Quality, functional and purposeful” is the ethos guiding the production of the range including clothing, bowls, accessories and toys.
Gaga’s manager Bobby Campbell told Billboard: “This is not just about crazy outfits for dogs, it’s about giving pet parents and pet owners a fun and creative way for protecting their pets, as well as fun clothes to display on Instagram (because Gaga loves doing that).” According to Campbell, the project has been in development for the past six to eight months and is centred on Lady Gaga’s love for her pup. The clothing and accessories line will also be accompanied by an organic food range.
Whilst there’s been no launch date given, the as yet unnamed collection has the support of IMG Licensing and has engaged Cindy Bailey, the former president of Entertainment One’s pop culture and lifestyle licensing division and founder of global pop culture brands SO SO HAPPY and Skelanimals, to head up brand development in collaboration with Gaga and her team.
“I really have a knack for what’s quality,” Gaga posted on Instagram on 28th May, telling fans: “My vision is to find creative and functional ways for pets and their owners to bond! @MissAsiaKinney”.
Lady Gaga was accompanied by Asia (a gorgeous French bulldog) last year on September’s cover of Harper’s Bazaar and in the accompanying interview, detailed how she makes gifts for and prepares homemade meals for her dog.
In March this year, Asia made her debut on Instagram and in the following days attracted over 15,000 followers, claiming stardom in her own right. In the run-up to the Billboard exclusive, she was photographed in a number of poses wearing a range of outfits and accessories, with captions alluding to the big announcement and posted on Instagram.


text:
Over four hundred scam stores have been shut down by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for selling fraudulent items related to the coronavirus.
As reported by the BBC, 2,000 online scams, including 471 stores, were closed because they were promoting schemes through emails or on dedicated websites. Other websites, which attempted to share malware and conduct phishing attacks, were removed, and 900 advance-fee schemes, which offered large amounts of money after their victims made a one-off payment, were also closed.
Some examples are more obviously fake than others, ranging from emails that state "Please send $250 worth of iTunes gift cards for essential lockdown supplies!" to some which have taken time to mimic the format of World Health Organisation (WHO) emails, including logos and signatures, and even a similar email address to the WHO.
The advice given by the NCSC is to be suspicious of such emails, and not to click or download anything unless you are certain of its origin. The public is also being advised to forward these emails to [email protected]. UK Minister for Security, James Brokenshire, said: “Criminals are seeking to exploit our greater use of emails, video conferencing and other technologies for their advantage. It’s despicable that they are using the coronavirus outbreak as cover to try to scam and steal."
Across the globe, governments are having to deal with malicious actors trying to make a profit from the coronavirus pandemic. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has warned people to be aware of robocalls offering fake coronavirus test kits, and the Justice Department has told federal officials to crack down on scammers. “There have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” US Attorney General William Barr wrote.
It's not only governments that are working to stop these scams, the large tech companies are tightening controls on their platforms. Microsoft-owned platform LinkedIn has seen a rise of medical equipment being pushed after sellers were removed from Amazon and eBay. Amazon, in particular, has banned third-party merchants who advertise products claiming to treat or cure the coronavirus. Google has also reported that hackers are pushing even more phishing attempts as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Get Our Best Stories!
Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!Sign up for other newsletters


text:
Pretty soon Bob Johnson may have to rename BET, the cable empire he launched 20 years ago. Black Entertainment Television? Try "Black Every Thing."
Johnson announced last week the creation of BET.com, an Internet site he envisions as the portal to black-oriented news, chat rooms, music, books, movies, manufactured products, collectibles, travel and financial services, with links to just about everything else African Americans might find of special interest.
The $35 million venture -- backed by a consortium comprising BET Holdings, USA Networks, Liberty Media Group, News America Digital Publishing and Microsoft -- could be a bigger economic breakthrough than either BET itself or the Ebony and Jet magazine empire launched by the other Johnson -- Chicago publisher John H. Johnson.
"It's certainly more exciting than what happened in 1979, when I just happened to be at the right place at the right time," BET's Johnson said in an interview last week. He had an idea, he said, but no name recognition and not much to offer. In the early days, BET aired two hours of programming a week. Now its 24-hour-a-day channel reaches nearly 60 million cable households -- and more than 90 percent of black households with cable access.
That sort of penetration built a name brand that has facilitated a whole range of BET Holding enterprises -- the BET SoundStage theme restaurant, magazines, movie studios -- and enough cash to afford an array of additional opportunities. Not long ago, Johnson made a serious bid for the then-Washington Bullets professional basketball team.
And he finds BET.com, scheduled for a November launch, more exciting than that?
Suppose he'd already been a major media player, with instant name recognition and instant credit, back in 1979. BET might have been a much bigger enterprise by now, certainly with a steeper trajectory. Well, he is a major player now, in a rapidly growing (and changing) medium, and the opportunity to become a truly huge player looms large.
"What we'll have is both an information engine and an economic engine," he said. "We'll offer content, information and economic opportunity. Black people have a lot of ideas and products that never take off because they don't have the marketing apparatus. Say someone is creating black-oriented collectibles or recordings or any number of things that they can't get the big distributors interested in. We can give them a targeted audience for their wares."
And the combination of e-commerce and advertising should produce huge profits for BET.com, he said.
But will it? Analysts have questioned whether Johnson, for all his success with Black Entertainment Television, can reach the critical mass of audience he needs on the Internet. It is, in another form, the question raised by civil rights advocates who have complained of the "digital divide" between whites and blacks (and Hispanics).
According to a recent Commerce Department report, "Falling Through the Net," about 47 percent of whites own computers, more than twice the rate for blacks. (Asian American computer ownership is 55 percent, with Hispanics at just over 25 percent.)
The point: BET has done well in part because black households are overwhelmingly TV-owning households. But black computer ownership -- and therefore Internet access -- continues to lag. Indeed, according to the Commerce study, low-income white families are three times as likely to have Internet access as low-income black families -- and the falling price of computers may be widening the gap.
Isn't this bad news -- not just for Bob Johnson's new venture but, more important, for black academic and economic success? Suburban schools tend to be wired, while inner-city schools may, at best, have a few free-standing computers and not much instruction in their use. That exacerbates the education gap that already has a lot of us worried. But even beyond school, the Internet is becoming the method of choice for finding out about job opportunities and submitting resumes.
Johnson knows all this, but he also knows of two recent programs to combat the "digital divide" -- one initiated by the NAACP and AT&T, the other by the Urban League and Ameritech.
These efforts will help bring the computer revolution to a black population that has been left out, he says. His own venture could bring blacks to the revolution -- and, not coincidentally, make a great deal of money.


text:
Nokia Oyj (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Technicolor SA (ADR)(OTCMKTS:TCLRY) have agreed to collaborate on the creation of VR content. To many, the partnership is timely because it comes at a time when many companies are trying to keep up with this wave of technological trends. The development of virtual reality in particular, which was a new concept a couple of years ago, has caught many people by surprise given that it is getting better by the day.
In achieving their goal, the duo will work around Nokia’s OZO+ virtual reality camera as well as the OZO content creation tools, which are found at the Technicolor Experience Center (TEC) in Culver City.
The advancement of the content creation side of the emerging VR business
The project will be unique because it will be the first in a series of 360 Masterclass sessions, which will take place at the Technicolor Experience Center. Artists and scientists from across the globe, come together to explore the full potential of immersive media. The sessions also help in instilling an in-depth look and understanding to professionals the difference between the medium and traditional cinematic experiences.
Nonetheless, the duo’s main goal is to help in advancing the content creation side of the emerging VR business. Technicolor’s senior VP of immersive media, Marcie Jastrow says, “Nokia has invested a lot of time and research in understanding how to provide content creators with the tools they need to produce high-quality image capture.”
But Nokia has been offering much more
While Technicolor enables the ideation, exploration, and creation of content, Nokia has much more to offer in enabling connection to the world. The company has been making bigger strides in shaping the future of technology, which will in return transform the human experience.
Some of the other projects it has had a hand in include the new OZO Reality Platform, OZO Player SDK, and Nokia VR format extensions. The new technologies are expected to enhance a broad ecosystem of partners while at the same time delivering higher support for mixed reality experiences.
In the meantime, Nokia stock closed at $6.38 a fall of $0.04 or 0.62%.


text:
Residents in a northeast Los Angeles neighborhood have been puzzled by a string of paid food deliveries that are showing up on doorsteps despite not being ordered.
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that residents along Range View Avenue in the Highland Park neighborhood have been receiving deliveries of chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, pastries, coffee and other items the never ordered from food delivery services like Uber Eats.
The unrequested deliveries began in February, and a handful of people told the Times that they sometimes received multiple orders per day. It is not clear if the orders are a scam or prank of some kind.
Residents say that the delivery drivers have nOt been able to provide much information about who is placing the orders due to either not knowing or because the deliveries are using the names of other people.
CALIFORNIA COURT RULING ALLOWS UBER, LYFT TO CLASSIFY DRIVERS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
"The drivers always laugh at the situation," Range View resident Will Neal, a documentary filmmaker, said.
"It is kind of remarkable what they are able to do with a pancake sandwich," Neal added, in a joking reference to the four unrequested McDonald’s McGriddles that he received at his home on Feb. 25 – the first out of 40 mysterious deliveries to his home.
CRIMINALS USING LOW-PROFILE RIDESHARES TO ABDUCT KIDS IN ALARMING ‘TREND,' FBI WARNS
Some residents have been eating the food, some have been throwing it away, and others have donated it to local charities.
"I don’t trust it — I’m throwing it out," Dean Sao, a carpenter at nearby Pasadena City College, told the outlet. "I don’t know who’s doing it. We were joking at first: It must be Elon Musk — I don’t know who else could afford it."
NEW ORLEANS POLICE EMPLOYEE MURDER: UBER PASSENGER ACCUSED OF STABBING DRIVER POSTED VIDEO OF BLOODY AFTERMATH
Morgan Currier, who received 30 deliveries, told the outlet that she had the delivery driver call the number that was associated with the order, and it had been disconnected.
An Uber spokesperson told Fox Business that the company has launched an investigation into the source of the orders and has "taken action" against a number of accounts.
The spokesperson added that the company is monitoring orders sent to that section of Highland Park.


text:
Leave it to Southern California’s floriculture industry to cultivate and support a trade publication that’s as engaging as it is timely and informative. But that’s precisely what Bloomin’ News is, and has been, for over 60 years. Published quarterly, Bloomin’ News regularly serves up its own down-to-earth take on industry news and topics to more than 5,000 growers, wholesalers, vendors, retail florists, designers, event and wedding planners. Amazingly, this popular publication covers local, regional and even global happenings, while also keeping the industry connected to its past, present and future.
Any local floral industry veteran can attest that, over the past half century, the close knit Hasson family has firmly established itself in the Los Angeles metro flower industry.
Michael and Tricia Macres have a lot to say about longevity. Marces Florist, their business at the corner of Fifth and Broadway in Santa Ana, has welcomed customers and made impressive civic contributions since 1935…
Now we know why floral designers and florists say they ‘love’ to shop at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market. In our research, for this story, we walked the aisles of the Market and quickly found friendly faces and helpful tips


text:
The Vista Equity Partners -backed company was picked up by the private equity firm back in 2017. Vista is back in the news lately for several reasons, some stemming from executive shenanigans — read: tax evasion and huge penalties — but at least what’s coming from Datto’s camp is good tidings.
How so? Vista bought Datto for around $1.5 billion, and is set to make billions on its exit, based on the company’s expected IPO pricing.
Per the data firm’s latest S-1 filing, Datto is targeting a $24 to $27 per share price range. Here’s the math:
- Total shares outstanding after IPO, sans underwriters’ allotment: 157,548,740 shares
- Total shares outstanding after IPO, with underwriters’ allotment: 160,848,740
- Max valuation at current prices, sans underwriters’ allotment: $4.25 billion
- Max valuation at current prices, with underwriters’ allotment: $4.34 billion
Those two final numbers are dramatically bigger than the $1.5 billion that Vista is said to have paid for Datto.
How has Datto managed to generate so much value in the last few years? In financial terms, the company grew to a run rate of around $500 million, based on its Q1 and Q2 2020 revenue results. That gives the company a revenue multiple of less than 10x at its current IPO price maximum.
And that price makes sense. Datto is not growing very quickly, just 16% from H1 2019 to H1 2020, for example. The company did recently become profitable, however, which helps its valuation case. But more importantly, between 2017 and 2020 we have seen revenue multiples for software companies expand. That, plus Datto’s growth since 2017, have repriced it far above its sale price.
For Vista, it’s good news. Provided that they don’t get into tax issues over this particular set of returns. More on Datto as it prices and debuts.


text:
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more.
- Prime Day 2020 is postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, but Prime Day pricing still arrived on time for Sony’s wildly popular active noise cancelling headphones.
- The class-leading Sony WH1000XM3 wireless ANC headphones are back down to Prime Day’s price from last year, as are the more affordable Sony WHXB900N headphones.
- If you want noise cancelling headphones that cost far less but aren’t made by Sony, we’ve got another great sale to tell you about as well.
If 2020 was a normal year, we would all be gearing up for the biggest shopping event of the season right now. We’re talking about Prime Day 2020, of course, which has been postponed until sometime in September. With the novel coronavirus pandemic still wreaking havoc in regions all across the United States and around the world, this wouldn’t exactly be an appropriate time to host a massive sales event. That’s especially true when you consider that more than 40 million Americans are unemployed at the moment since so many nonessential businesses have been forced to close.
It will be quite some time before things really start getting back to normal, and that’s especially true if you consider the fact that many hard-hit cities and states are in the process of reopening their economies WAY too soon, and coronavirus infections are already beginning to spike again. Have we learned nothing from the events of the past few months?! Oh well, just make sure you stock up on best-selling face masks and hand sanitizer while you can.
Many bargain hunters are still a bit upset that Prime Day is postponed despite everything that’s going on, but we do have some good news for you. The Sony WH1000XM3 wireless ANC headphones that are best-sellers each and every year on Prime Day and Black Friday are currently on sale, and they’re down to their Prime Day price of just $278 instead of $350! More affordable Sony WHXB900N headphones are on sale as well, so you can snag them for $178 instead of $250. And last but certainly not least, if you want a much more affordable option and you’re not tied to Sony, the incredibly popular Cowin E7 wireless ANC headphones with more than 19,000 5-star ratings are down to just $49.99 thanks to a discount and an extra $10 coupon you can clip.
All three of these headphones are fantastic options, so definitely check them out while they’re discounted.
Sony WH1000XM3 wireless ANC headphones
- Digital Noise Canceling: Industry Leading Anc Lends a Personalized, Virtually Soundproof Experience. Phone Call: a built-in mic enables you to take hands-free calls
- Voice Assistant: Alexa Enabled for Voice Access to Music, Information, and More. Activate with a Simple Touch
- Quick Attention Mode: Cover the Right Ear Cup to Turn Down Your Music for Instant, Easy Conversation
Sony WHXB900N wireless ANC headphones
- Feel the power of EXTRA BASS
- Next-level digital noise cancelling technology
- Enjoy the convenience of hands-free calling thanks to the integrated microphone and Bluetooth connectivity
COWIN E7 wireless ANC headphones
- Professional Active Noise Cancelling Technology. Significant noise reduction for travel, work and anywhere in between. Advanced active noise reduction technology quells airplane cabin noise, city traffic or a busy office, makes you focus on what you want to hear,enjoy your music, movies and videos. The noise cancellation function can work well both in wire and wireless mode.
- Proprietary 40mm Large-aperture Drivers. Deep, accurate bass response. The Active Noise Cancelling around-ear headphones from COWIN give you crisp, powerful sound and quiet that helps you enjoy your music better. The goal that provide Customers with better sound quality, is our constant pursuit.
Our deals and product reviews are picked by BGR's expert editors and team.
Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web. Prices subject to change without notice and any coupons mentioned above may be available in limited supply.


text:
EMR is a UK-based recycling company, and they have recently contracted a French firm called Recuplyl in order to recycle electric batteries that have been recovered from electric vehicles in the UK.
The company hoped that this new arrangement is going to mean that it is possible to recycle all of the batteries in the UK to the very stringent standards established by Europe. It is hoped that by January 2014, 50 percent of batteries are going to be recycled, which is a much more impressive figure than the one that is seen currently.
The French company have a patent on a technology which is very efficient at recovering battieries without having to use high temperatures. The method also uses a closed loop concept, which means that these batteries can then be reused again as batteries, rather than being used for another purpose.
A spokesperson from the UK company has stated, “We see this as a very good opportunity for us, and one that is quickly evolving. There is no question that this company have a fantastic cutting-edge technology, and this is something that we are going to be able to take advantage of through this business agreement.”
EMR currently owns 150 facilities around the world, which makes it one of the most significant companies responsible for recycling in the world. They focus on industrial products, as well as products that have reached their end of life stage. The range of materials they recycle is currently extensive, and through this business agreement they are going to be adding one more product to the range of products that they already recycle.


text:
Motion sickness is a known problem of virtual reality. The Navy has research from Flight Simulators that says that the effects of nausea and disorientation continue hours after VR use.
If you want to cool your excitement about virtual reality than read this answer on Quora to the question how big the problem of nausea is in virtual reality products. Steve Baker has over 25 years experience in flight simulators and virtual reality. He says comes down hard on the new virtual reality wave calling for VR goggles to be banned.
Don't Miss: See the first leaked Black Friday 2016 Ad
He explains in his Quora post the issues why many people will experience nausea using VR systems. This has been talked about a lot already. Oculus details the effects and issues also in their documentation.
The bigger issue is the possibility of the side effects of spending prolonged time in virtual reality having an impact long after the session ended. The Navy has published research about flight simulator users being disoriented hours of the sessions. The US Military advises against flying a plane or even driving a car for 24 hours after being inside a simulator.
If this is an issue in consumer VR systems, then this is a huge problem. Users would need to take a test like a alcohol test after a VR session to make sure if they are fit to drive.
Most in the VR industry are likely aware of this issue. Microsoft research just recently unveiled a VR headset equipped with LEDs to battle motion sickness. See video below. Not all is lost, but there are still major challenges ahead to be solved bofore virtual reality is really here to stay.
Buy Now: Sony PlaysStation VR In Stock Here


text:
Renault's Revenue Rises in 1st Quarter, Confirms 2017 Targets
Renault SA said Thursday that its revenue rose by a quarter as the French car maker increased car sales and consolidated results for the first time from a Russian unit.
Revenue for the three months to the end of March climbed to 13.13 billion euros ($14.27 billion) from 10.49 billion euros in the same period last year. Car sales in the quarter advanced 16% to 873,678 vehicles.
Stripping out Autovaz, revenue rose about 20%.
Renault, which said it sees the European car market expanding 2% this year, confirmed its 2017 financial targets, which include increasing revenue and operating profit compared with last year.
Write to Eric Sylvers at email@example.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 27, 2017 12:42 ET (16:42 GMT)


text:
But state laws and research not yet on their side.
For fourth time in six years, Madison legislator offers bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
More New Faces
Take the next step, become a member.
Ditch the ads, get free stuff
This ad will close automatically in 15 seconds.
Tired of seeing banner ads on Urban Milwaukee? Become a member for $9/month.


text:
National non-profit organisation The Recycling Partnership has launched a new industry collaboration to enhance circularity in the US.
The initiative, Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, has an initial funding target of $35m over five years.
It is part of The Recycling Partnership’s Pathway to Circularity Initiative.
The industry collaboration was created to improve polypropylene recovery and recycling in the country. It is expected to support the development of the end-market of high-quality recycled polypropylene.
Keurig Dr Pepper, Braskem, and the Walmart Foundation are the founding members of the coalition.
Other members include American Chemistry Council, Danone North America, EFS Plastics, KW Plastics, LyondellBasell, Procter & Gamble, St. Joseph Plastics, and Winpak.
The coalition has opened a Request For Proposals (RFP) for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to apply for financial grants.
The grants will be used advance polypropylene sorting and promote consumer awareness and encourage acceptance via education programmes.
The Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison said: “Together, we can stimulate a systemwide shift to increase the capture of polypropylene and demand for recycled content. We encourage all companies that use polypropylene to be part of the solution.
“The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition’s work to improve and increase the recovery of polypropylene will support jobs, preserve natural resources, and help build a circular economy in the US.”
Additionally, the coalition will be supported by an advisory committee of industry leaders including, Association of Plastic Recyclers, Closed Loop Partners, Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, and World Wildlife Fund.


text:
Chocolate and Candy Remain Recession Resistant
WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Experimenting with flavors, flexibility and variety, confectionery makers are thinking outside the bar to provide consumers with chocolate and candy innovation that will drive consumer purchasing over the next five years, according to the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) Confectionery Industry Trend Report 2009. Even in economic uncertainty, the industry continues to post gains.
"Insight from the confectionery industry's leading influentials provides an appetizing future for consumers and the industry alike," says NCA President Larry Graham. "Chocolate and confections are treats that consumers can count on to be affordable luxuries. Our industry provides people with new choices, new experiences and old favorites that provide moments of happiness to be enjoyed any time."
With in-depth insight from 40 industry experts, including top manufacturers, market researchers, award-winning chocolatiers, nutritionists and confectionery makers, NCA's Industry Trend Report captures the confectionery trends and influences that will foster growth of the industry through 2014. Top line category trends include:
So, what's next?
Experts believe that the next "big" trend in confections will be healthier confectionery options, specifically a growing demand for health benefits and 'better for you' ingredients, according to almost nine out of ten (88 percent) experts. Already, we are seeing consumers embrace portion-control sized treats and the potential heart health benefits of higher cacao content in chocolate. As consumers continue to lead healthy lifestyles, health benefits will heavily influence manufacturers to focus largely on developing 'better for you' confections, especially new types of enhanced chocolate treats.
More than sweet and good to eat, manufacturers will take steps toward social responsibility. Sixty-five (65) percent of experts say eco-friendly manufacturing efforts, like recyclable packaging, will influence product development and consumer purchasing.
"For 125 years, the National Confectioners Association and its members have brought innovation and reinvention, always meeting the demand to fit consumers' lifestyles," Graham adds.
America's favorite flavor, chocolate, will emerge as one of the largest growth drivers for the industry in new, delicious and exciting ways. Experts predict consumers can expect to find chocolate and cocoa popping up more frequently as a key ingredient in main courses alongside salmon, chicken and steak, according to 73 percent of experts surveyed. Not just for dinner, 38 percent of insiders say to be on the lookout for cocoa and chocolate in appetizers.
"Chocolate is a classic indulgence," commented Susan Smith, senior vice president of NCA's Chocolate Council. "From its potential health benefits to its organic roots and inclusion as an ingredient in many types of sweet and savory foods, we have only begun to experience the versatility of chocolate."
Embracing versatility may mean more of an emphasis on global influences and flavor pairings, according to the survey. Forty-three percent of experts say consumers are going to become more open to chocolate and flavor infusions that include spices, salts, herbs and floral flavors. For example, exotic fruit pairings such as mango will become more prominent and we'll start to see ethnic flavors emerge in popularity with herbs being incorporated into chocolate dishes. Consumers can also expect to see sweet and savory combinations like chocolate and bacon, as well as chocolate and cheese duos appear in stores and on the menu.
In the chocolate and cocoa category, the potential health benefits of the antioxidants found in chocolate will continue to be evidenced as new and positive health-related findings are discovered. Nearly half of those surveyed say consumers can expect to see more research into the potential health benefits of milk chocolate and dark chocolate, including exploration of naturally occurring cocoa compounds and positive effects on mood and blood pressure levels.
Additionally, one-third of experts say consumers will become more knowledgeable about the global origin of the chocolate they enjoy. Embracing origins helps consumers to breakdown cacao percentage and connect the provenance of the cocoa bean to the final product. All chocolate begins with cocoa beans, the fruit of the cacao tree. The tree, Theobroma cacao, produces pods that hold cacao beans. These trees grow only in tropical regions around the world within a close proximity to the equator. Therefore, many exotic locales can lay claim to a connection with chocolate including regions like Africa, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Indonesia and South America.
Better for You, Inside and Out
Consumers are finding new ways to incorporate traditional candy as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Since 2005, the confectionery industry has responded to market demands by introducing hundreds of portion-controlled, calorie-controlled, reduced-fat, sugar-free and fortified products. And there's no sign of a slowdown, according to experts. Forty-three percent say health-related influences will be the leading influence on new product development in the confectionery industry overall. Within the health category, drivers include:
More than offering potential heart health benefits, chocolate and cocoa may benefit your body and mind overall. The experience of chocolate is extending beyond an edible edition and into personal care products. The benefits of cocoa butter, which is an essential ingredient of all chocolate, will also continue to materialize. Currently doctors and scientists recognize cocoa butter as a skin protectant recommended for the treatment of dry skin conditions. To that end, 23 percent of experts agree that skin care products will be the next big market expansion when it comes to non-edible cocoa products including skin care, soap and shampoos, lotions and anti-aging products.
The majority of respondents also say that oral health care will drive the chewing gum category. One-fourth of experts say sugar-free options will become increasingly common, along with dental professionals' backing and the American Dental Association approvals.
In 2008 alone, more than 6,000 new confectionery and snack products debuted to meet consumer demand. Candy, chocolate and gum continued to lead the snack category in sales and ranked third in food sales overall in 2008. And the confectionery industry posted a 3.7 percent gain for the 52-week period ending April 19, 2009. As classic candies remain tried and true favorites overall, a maturing American palate is trending toward twists, turns and more innovative product creations.
Experts say limited editions - which allow confectionery makers the freedom to experiment with flavors in a variety of ways - will continue to prevail. Limited-time product extension will be big, experts think, such as introducing dark chocolate versions of classic milk chocolate candies. Experimental limited editions will also include more entertainment promotional ties and new twists on old favorites, such as unconventional flavor combinations.
When it comes to kids' candies, experts say it's all about intense new flavors and interactive experiences. Respondents comment that this dynamic category is unique and different from all other products in the market, catering to the more attention-grabbing, fun and entertaining products that kids like.
International spices and ethnic flavors will also have a large influence on new U.S. products and flavor development overall, 58 percent of experts say. While Asian and Latin flavors will serve as the biggest influences on U.S. confectionary product launches, insiders point to Europe as the birthplace for international confectionery trends now and in the coming years. Although Europe is most frequently perceived as the origin of confectionery trends, Japan appears to be an emerging influencer in the candy industry.
And when it comes to America's global influence, one in three industry experts say U.S. trends will have the greatest impact on the dark chocolate market. Twenty percent say the U.S. market for confections will influence product pricing and economic issues overseas.
For more information on emerging trends, chocolate and candy statistics and much more, please visit www.candyusa.org.
About the National Confectioners Association (NCA): Founded in 1884 in Chicago by representatives of 69 confectionery manufacturing firms, the National Confectioners Association is one of the oldest, most respected trade associations in the world. Today NCA has more than 600 members and is the major association representing the entire confectionery industry, offering education and leadership in manufacturing, technical research, public relations, retailing practices, government relations and statistical analyses. NCA fosters industry growth by advancing and promoting the interests of the confectionery industry, its customers and its consumers.
About NCA's Confectionery Industry Trend Report 2009: These in-depth interview findings are from a diverse mix of 40 elite confectionary experts from among the most knowledgeable within the confections industry (e.g., chocolate and confectionary experts/specialists, representatives of culinary institutes, chefs, experts within NCA's staff, specialty retailers, manufacturers, bloggers, and editors/publishers of food and candy magazines). The telephone interviews were conducted from November 5 to December 5, 2008, and averaged 45 minutes in length. Because these in-depth interviews were qualitative in nature and do not represent a randomly selected sample of those working within the confectionary industry, a sampling margin of error cannot be reported.
|SOURCE National Confectioners Association|
Copyright©2009 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved


text:
Despite a thousand years of nomadic life, the Mông ethnic group in Điện Biên's Tủa Chùa Village still considers black chicken a valuable part of many tasty dishes.
The chicken, named “ka đu” in the Mông language, is always presented as a gift when children get married, said villager Giàng A Lùng.
Like black chicken from other areas, the ka đu has black skin and bones, but its feathers are of various colours, like black, white, grey, and yellow, said Lùng, adding that the animal has adapted to survive in wild conditions. The chicken sleeps in trees and eats local maize and rice grown, so its meat is more savoury, more fragrant and firm.
"The ka đu chicken is so healthy that people considered it a precious medicine. They cook it in attractive and tasty dishes such as steamed black chicken, roasted chicken with hạt dổi (special spice seeds collected from the forest), chicken in hotpot and porridge for pregnant women and children,” said Lùng.
He said the Mông people commonly steam the black chicken in a pumpkin. "The dish contains high calories, low cholesterol and is fragrant."
Lùng said the chicken should be cut into pieces and marinated with local spices, broth mix, fish sauce, and chilli for about 30 minutes before putting it in a pumpkin and steaming it for 40-45 minutes.
"We often cook the dish to welcome guests or during big holidays such as Tết (Lunar New Year)," he said, adding that the chicken always sells very well before the traditional festival.
Nguyễn Thanh Hải from Hà Nội told Việt Nam News that he often travels to Tủa Chùa to buy several black chickens to cook for Tết.
"Unlike the Mông who steam the chicken in pumpkin, we, particularly my parents, nieces and nephews all enjoy the chicken in hotpot so much," Hải said.
"It also becomes our special dish to share with our relatives and friends."
Hải's wife Lê Thị Hòa, said in the past she often steamed gà ác (or black chicken weighing 0.3-0.4kg) from Phú Thọ or Hưng Yên for her grandmother. This chicken has a fishy smell compared with black chicken in Tủa Chùa which weighs 1.8-2kg.
"Several years ago a friend of mine introduced us to this type of chicken. Since then we often order it to cook year-round as nutritionists say it is very good for the cardiovascular system," Hòa said.
Mùa A Sang in the same village, said the black chicken dish helps eaters warm up during winter when temperatures drop to 1-5 degrees Celsius or even lower.
"We try to preserve this chicken so as to supply customers, especially for the country's biggest holiday Lunar New Year, which starts on February 1 this year," said Sang. VNS
- 18 places to get your Korean fried chicken fix
- The Winter Colors of Doi Tung Mountain’s Ethnic Bazaar
- A Bản showcases ethnic culture via authentic mountain food
- Black Former N.F.L. Players Say Racial Bias Skews Concussion Payouts
- Jamie Oliver’s 'perfect' roast chicken for a quick Sunday lunch - 'The best recipe ever'
- Why I'm proud to be black and Jewish
- Barack Obama has a special place for India, says he spent childhood years listening to Ramayana & Mahabharata
- My Chu noodles - a Bac Giang speciality loved by all
- Never peel spuds but ALWAYS add black pudding to stuffing… Xmas Day hacks from top chefs like Jamie Oliver & Mary Berry
- Garlic Chicken and Other Holiday Stars
- Cabinet reshuffle recap: Theresa May clears out white men for women and ethnic minorities
- Top 10 trending destinations in Vietnam in 2022
- Co Tu people’s Thanksgiving for parents
- Top 10 trending destinations for travelers to explore in 2022
- In Myanmar's hidden region, media tour takes harrowing turn when soldiers aren't watching
- Millions pledged for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy
- Discover the famous flora and fauna of Na Hau Nature Reserve
- Xoi bay mau chosen as one of top 100 best dishes of Vietnam
- Ha Giang weekend markets serve up some unique flavors
- The Many Lives of Steven Yeun
Black chicken a tasty speciality of the Mông ethnic group have 802 words, post on vietnamnews.vn at January 18, 2022. This is cached page on Talk Vietnam. If you want remove this page, please contact us.


text:
fast food chain Shake Shack will roll out an easy-to-veganize burger at select
New York locations, starting next week.
burger – which the chain is calling The Veggie Shack – features a plant-based
patty made from ingredients like black beans, rice, and beets.
a vegan ‘mustard mayo’, lettuce, onions, pickles, and cheese – which can be
removed to keep the burger fully vegan.
burger will be available to consumers from April 19, at select locations
throughout New York.


text:
Luxury brands are not immune to inflation. According to Clarkston Consulting, luxury goods have a “high-income elasticity of demand,” which means that income fluctuation often determines whether consumers purchase these higher-end goods.
“As inflation drives purchasing power down, middle-class consumers may fall out of the luxury market,” Clarkston Consulting partner Sean Burke wrote. “Furthermore, increased production costs will lead luxury retailers to increase prices in order to maintain profitability.”
All of those assessments are true, but things might be changing soon, according to consumer analyst Julie Ramhold with DealNews.
Apparel and Shoes
“It’s probably no surprise that luxury apparel and shoes have both seen price increases that are at least partially blamed on inflation,” said Ramhold. “It comes down to more expensive materials as well as labor shortages in some areas, which results in luxury labels raising prices. However, it’s important to note that although they have raised prices it doesn’t mean they had to, and also that they may have increased them more than necessary with inflation as an excuse.”
She added, “It was reported last year that this category had prices rise between 6-7% and could be even higher now.”
“This is another category that’s seen at least a little impact from inflation with prices last year reportedly rising 5-6%,” said Ramhold. “This may be especially true for things like watches and other jewelry and again it seems to be largely due to labor shortages or increased production costs with inflation being the root cause.”
“This may be especially troubling for those who purchase luxury goods because handbags are sometimes seen as good investments, though that comes with caveats,” Ramhold said. “Last year it was reported that lower-priced handbags increased in price by about 4% but higher-priced bags increased anywhere from 15% to 18%, which is much more significant.”
Chanel’s Medium Classic Flap Bag increased in price 60% — from $6,800 to $8,800 in 2021. A spokesperson for Chanel said that the increase in price was due to exchange-rate fluctuations, changes in production costs and to make sure its bags have roughly the same pricing around the world, as reported by Women’s Wear Daily. In March, Chanel increased the bag’s price by 16% to $10,200.
Overall, luxury spirits brands grew 15% in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 2021, according to the Distilled Spirits Council’s most recent Luxury Brand Index. The top-selling luxury spirits were tequila and Irish whiskey, both with a 21% annual growth rate, followed by American whiskey with a 19% growth rate. However, sales of cognac tanked in 2022, registering a decline of 17% — a marked decrease from the 31% annual growth rate in 2021.
“Just like many industries, cognac has faced headwinds in the last year due to inflation; though we remain optimistic with category resilience when it comes to consumers seeking premium brands and experiences,” said Susan Gibbons, senior marketing director for Courvoisier, as reported by Market Watch Mag.
More From GOBankingRates


text:
May 2020 Newsletter
Small Businesses are Key to an Inclusive Recovery
California small businesses, half of which are owned by people of color, are often more open to hiring people with barriers to employment. Most also support investing in their workers, including expanding job protections.
A thriving small business ecosystem is critical to an inclusive recovery. This week we feature a piece from our Equity at Work Council member Mark Herbert of Small Business Majority about the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and policy ideas to meet their needs.
Job creators need help to survive and thrive after COVID-19
By Mark Herbert, Small Business Majority
While parts of our region slowly start to reopen, the impacts on our small business community and the workforce continue to be bleak. But we have an opportunity right now to recognize the important role small businesses play in providing critical jobs and enact changes that will bolster them, and our workforce as a whole.
The time to act is now.


text:
Before Carson+Doyle became a formal company in 2019, college sophomores Charlie Naus and Thomas Brazier took on social media marketing projects for startups and small businesses as a way to build their portfolios. What started as a marketing consulting business quickly grew to become a formal agency. Within the year, upon graduating, Naus and Brazier positioned the business as a Gen Z-oriented firm. The rest, Naus says, is history.
Since launching the firm formally, Carson+Doyle has specialized in Gen Z marketing and creative advertising for clients including Tinder, YouTube and GrubHub. Over the last several years, Naus says the firm has grown a particular division for creating augmented reality lenses for brands on Snapchat.
In 2021, revenue increased 400% year over year, and Naus says the firm continues to pitch large clients.
“[We’re really] trying to punch above our weight and be with bigger companies and do larger campaigns,” Naus says.
The agency has gone from a project-based business with two cofounders to a full-fledged firm with 15 employees, eight full time and seven freelancers. While the agency does not have an office, as Naus and Brazier have always been remote, its cofounders are exploring the possibility of creating a hub.
But the future of the firm is still taking shape, Naus says. For instance, as time goes on, Carson+Doyle will shift away from social media management toward traditional creative advertising, a move Naus says may be considered unconventional for a Gen Z-oriented firm.
“There are tons of young people out there my age who are hustlers and maybe running agencies heavily focused on influencers and TikTok and content creation. That’s great, but I don’t want us to be confused with an agency of that nature,” Naus says. “What we’re really trying to do is become a larger traditional agency, which is different than anyone that we know of.”


text:
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The annual Mobile Boat Show docked in Mobile this weekend showing off state-of-the-art boats to buyers.
Retailers said it's one of their biggest sales years yet.
"Last year we experienced a 5-10 percent growth and they're forecasting about 5-10 percent more growth this year so we're very excited about that," said general manager of Legendary Marine, Drew Wilson.
For people along the Gulf Coast, boating is part of the lifestyle and retailers are glad people are planning on getting back out on the open sea to enjoy themselves.
What are people shopping for?
Wilson said fishing boats are top sellers, but he's concerned about the shortness of red snapper season this year. The season will last only 27 days.
He said it's going to have an impact on his business and various businesses across the coast.
"The red snapper season — or lack thereof — has far reaching effects into our economy," said Wilson.
Still, that's not discouraging sellers who believe this year's going to reel in some money.
They said there is a lot of early interest and people are already making deposits and orders at the start of this selling season.
The Spanish Fort Toros won their second consecutive 5A State Championship, defeating Muscle Shoals 35-14.
Global civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, whose legacy is ending South African apartheid, has died.
Mobile County Sheriff's Office arrested 27-year-old John Hicks and 22-year-old Amber Trawick for a number of meth related charges including chemical endangerment of a child and trafficking illegal drugs.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson returned to the Port City Thursday, December 5 after spending several days in Hamburg, Germany for the Aviation Forum 2013.
Students at Council Traditional School had a lot to cheer about Thursday, December 5.The US Department of Education named Council a “National Blue Ribbon School.”


text:
Posts Tagged ‘ MyGuestHouse ’
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
NASDAQ-listed Indian OTA MakeMyTrip is exploring three broad verticals for inorganic expansion to grow its business and is looking to use much of the funds raised in the recent past to bankroll the acquisitions, its founder & CEO Deep Kalra told Techcircle.in in an exclusive interaction (watch v...
India’s largest online travel agency MakeMyTrip’s latest inorganic expansion target is My Guest House Accommodations Pvt Ltd (MGH), a two year old start-up that offers booking of budget hotels, service apartments and guesthouses. MakeMyTrip acquired 29 per cent stake in it for approximately $1 m...
29 November, 2011 |
MakeMyTrip Ltd’s net profit has dropped nearly 90 per cent sequentially to $0.074 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 even as its bottomline improved substantially compared to loss of $1.8 million in the second quarter last year. The NASDAQ-listed online travel services firm also saw ...
8 November, 2011 |


text:
Today’s consumers expect strong mobile sites, want flexible fulfillment options, and use a variety of channels to research and make purchases. Brands must deliver superior experiences and support at each of these touchpoints if they want to stay competitive in today’s retail environment.
To understand how brands are evolving to stay ahead in this new market, Astound Commerce Insights evaluated the desktop, mobile, and in-store experiences of 50 global brand retailers in its new 2017 Global Mystery Shopping Study. The firm measured the branding, customer experience and services delivered through 206 metrics across eight common shopping scenarios, including site browsing, product search, customer service access and queries, and visiting Chicagoland physical stores when available.
Based on these metrics, the top 10 performing brands for customer experience across channels are (in alphabetical order):
- The North Face
- Steve Madden
- Tory Burch
- Under Armour
- Bobbi Brown
“The world’s top brands have a strong mix of digital capabilities both online and in store and almost always lead with brand, embrace strategic merchandising and offer convenience and simplicity at every touchpoint,” said Lauren Freedman, SVP of digital strategy at Astound Commerce, in a news release. “Shoppers are increasingly looking to brands to deliver more engaging experiences, and the investment among brands in more sophisticated features is a direct response to these expectations and the sophistication of many of their retail partners and competitors.”
To further support the mystery shopping findings, Astound drew from its recently released 2017 Global Brand Consumer Insights Study, which surveyed 1,000 consumers who shop online and have visited brand manufacturer websites in the past 6 months. These consumer statistics dovetail with the findings and reinforce the mystery shopping observations.
Product browsing and search have matured
Online browsing and product search are fundamental to the digital purchase process and form the foundation of every digital shopper journey. In fact, 65 percent of consumers reported onsite search and navigation is “very important” in the shopping process.
The mystery shopping report found that brands are raising the bar in a variety of ways:
- Top performers can do it all: Lancome, Keurig, and Steve Madden were the top three performers for the browse the online site scenario, offering winning combinations of homepage branding, merchandising, and free shipping to draw in consumers.
- Search is more efficient: Type ahead or autocomplete search options are now a feature on 76 percent of sites, while visual search is offered on half of sites surveyed, suggesting that search is trending towards a more sophisticated experience beyond simple keyword capability. With one in three shoppers finding sizing, product finders and customer tools very important, global brands are making choices in the tactics they use to merchandise the shopping experience:
- Video deployment is aggressive: Just under half (48 percent) are positioning it at the category level with product configurators enabling customized product and interactive tools/profilers on one in four sites to guide decision-making.
- Merchandising tactics are taking a back seat in their execution: Tactics including top sellers, exclusives and trending now are seeing less than 50 percent penetration across the global brand landscape.
Brand connections are key to consumer loyalty
For brands today, offering a full set of customer service options, including prompt responses to questions and requests, is a necessity. Four in ten online shoppers expect expert service from brands online. Mystery shopping customer service findings include:
- Self-service needs work: Less than a third of brands surveyed had searchable FAQs, making it difficult to quickly find answers for the majority of these companies without getting directly in touch.
- Response times vary: Forty percent of brands offer live chat, and just 14 percent offer customer service on Twitter. It takes an average of 9.25 minutes for a live chat response, and 59 minutes for a Twitter response.
Tech has a presence in brick-and-mortar
While many in the retail industry have predicted the demise of physical stores, the study found that successful global brands are evolving their stores to ensure they still play a large role in the shopping experience. With 59 percent of consumers reporting the brand experience is better accomplished in the physical store, brands are investing in technology to facilitate deeper consumer engagement. Notable findings on the in-store shopping experience include:
- In-store tech adoption is increasing: Forty percent of brands provided tablets or digital screens in store.
- Advanced inventory transparency is a reality for top brands: Eighty-three percent of brands could find inventory across channels and place an order, but 17 percent still had to pick up the phone and call a store to confirm inventory or place an order.
Download the report here.


text:
LUBECK, GERMANY, June 19, 2017 – SLM Solutions Group AG, a leading supplier of metal-based additive manufacturing technology, signed a long-term cooperation agreement with BeamIT S.p.a., which is based in Fornovo di Taro, Italy. The cooperation concerns the joint development and testing of various parameters for setting the machines when using various metal powders.
Displaying 1-10 of 140 results for
The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) (Ann Arbor, MI) and Moog Inc. (East Aurora, NY) have signed a contract to perform co-funded work in support of applying Moog’s VeriPart solution, adapting blockchain technology for additive manufacturing.
The aerospace and defense industries see 3D printing as important to making new designs practical and for holding the line on costs, a Lockheed Martin executive said today at SME’s RAPID + TCT.
In a recent LNS Research study on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Digital Transformation, the top two challenges facing the adoption of IIoT technology are finding the budget to invest (32% of respondents) and building the business case (30% of respondents).
NORTHBROOK, IL, Dec. 19, 2017 – UL, a global safety science company, and Tooling U-SME, a leader in manufacturing workforce and education development, announce the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) focused on a new collaboration to enhance workforce training and development efforts for manufacturers wanting to increase their capabilities in additive manufacturing.
As additive manufacturing emerges from a long infancy, the industry is grappling with a key challenge: A file format and design tools from the 20th century are being asked to do 21st century jobs.
Wohlers Associates Inc. (Fort Collins, CO) announced the release of Wohlers Report 2018, a global report on the state of the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing industry. Wohlers Associates has published its series of annual reports on AM for 23 consecutive years.
Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is a fast-growing field that offers many advantages over traditional techniques. It can create more complex parts than either machining or casting, can fuse different materials together, and is sometimes less expensive in low-volume or prototype applications.
Should the US Copyright Office oversee whether 3D printer operators can use feedstock not approved by their machine’s maker to turn out medical devices or airplane parts, or is that the role of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), respectively?
Stratasys Ltd (Minneapolis and Rehovot, Israel), the 3D printing company, said Tuesday its CEO is leaving, with no permanent replacement named and amid financial losses.


text:
What you need to know
- Windows 7 is still 'nearly ubiquitous' at large companies, and has a large presence in the education and government sectors, according to a new study.
- That's despite Windows 7 reaching end of support on January 14.
- Windows 7's prevelance represents a potential security threat for many organizations unless they migrate to Windows 10 or pay for extended security updates.
Windows 7 reached its end of support date on January 14, but it's still heavily relied upon by a large number of organizations, according to a new study. BitSight, a company that runs a security ratings platform, found that almost 90 percent of large companies with more than 10,000 employees still run Windows 7. That's compared to 61 percent of companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, the company said in a press release today.
The overall picture is similar for education and government sectors. BitSight found that both verticals have a Windows 7 deployment rate above 80 percent (84 percent for education and 82 percent for government). Expanding to retail, transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare industries shows that just above 40 percent of all PCs in each runs Windows 7.
BitSight obtained its data by analyzing data from around 60,000 organizations over the past 60 days. Overall, BitSight says, nearly 70 percent of those 60,000 organizations were running Windows 7 "in some capacity." Though reliance on Windows 7 isn't evenly spread across all of these organizations, BitSight found that 51 percent of those in the study had Windows 7 running on more than one in 10 machines.
Because Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows 7 going forward, its presence across all sectors is an area of concern. Microsoft offers extended security updates for organizations that pay for them, and it has vowed to protect election systems with further security updates through 2020. However, it's unlikely that every organization that uses Windows 7 in some capacity will opt to purchase paid security updates.
The obvious solution, BitSight points out, is to upgrade machines to a newer operating system. However, upgrading and patching PCs across an entire organization takes time, and there are numerous reasons to delay such a rollout. The process can become even more complicated for companies that rely on bespoke software that doesn't play nice with Windows 10 for one reason or another as well.
"Any organization relying on [Windows 7] moving forward could be susceptible to a security issue, attack or data breach unless they purchased extended support from Microsoft," BitSight said in its press release.
The high-profile "WannaCry" ransomware outbreak that impacted Britain's National Health Service in 2017 showed how a lapse in security can disturb large organizations. With Windows 7 still in wide circulation without guaranteed security updates, attacks like "WannaCry" are a threat that looms large.
Surface Duo is better at multitasking than Galaxy Z Fold 2. Here's why.
The $2,000 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and $1,400 Microsoft Surface Duo are garnering many headlines because of pricing, and they both "fold" in some manner. But these devices are radically different, a point demonstrated with great effectiveness by @iAm_erica in this new video.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Book S brings amazing battery life, tough keyboard
Samsung's Galaxy Book S runs the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx ARM processor. With a slick, slim design and weighing just 2.1lbs how does this ultra-light laptop handle office productivity? With exceptionally good battery life and that always-on 4G LTE we have some thoughts in our latest review.
The games on Xbox Cloud Gaming that need touch controls
Minecraft Dungeons proved that touch controls and cloud streaming games can work, so we put together a list of the games we think need touch controls as soon as possible.
Best Skins and Cases for Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 in 2020
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is one of the best convertible laptops on the market, but what type of skin or case should you get for it? Here's what we think.


text:
Honda India has turned the heat on the competition with the introduction of products like the Amaze, City and recently the Mobilio. According to the June sales figures, Honda is the third largest carmaker in India. In a rumour that cannot be dismissed as just another distressed customer story in online forums. The person claims to have spoken to the sales head of a dealership in Delhi who informed that Honda has stalled production of the City for August and September.
If this rumour turns out to be true then it hints at production crisis that Honda might be facing. The company has two manufacturing facilities in India at Delhi and Tapukara, Rajasthan. The primary plant in Noida near Delhi produces the City, Brio and the Mobilio, whereas the plant in Tapukara makes powertrains and the Amaze compact sedan. Last month Honda announced that the production capacity in this plant will be increased by adding another assembly line within 7-8 months which will help it achieve the target of two lakh units and make the Mobilio there. With its sales currently averaging between 15,000-16,000 units it is already poised to achieve its target, discounting the Mobilio.
The launch of the Mobilio may have exposed its production flaws as the company now has to manufacture the City, the Mobilio and also the Amaze in the same plant which has an installed capacity of 1,20,000 units a year. Honda sold 7,715 units of the City, 7,073 units of the Amaze and 1,438 units of the Brio in June 2014, of which the City and Brio are made in Noida which indicates that the factory is running close to its full capacity.
Honda has not confirmed this news, but it is inappropriate to make assumptions based on a dealer or a customer’s comment. But, we have listed out the possibilities if this rumour were to be true.
Source: Team bhp


text:
Charisma House, the Lake Mary, Fla.-based Christian publisher, launched in September a new print on demand self-publishing service called Excel.
To be directed by Tom Freiling, founder of Xulon Press, Excel offers authors free typesetting, custom cover design, and preparation for electronic publication in formats for Kindle, Nook, iBook, and Kobo. Excel makes its money when authors purchase print copies; optional publicity services for a fee will eventually be available, according to Freiling.
Excel’s services and business model are similar to Xulon’s POD venture, announced last month. What sets Excel apart, Freiling said, is that it has the ability to typeset manuscripts on the same day they are uploaded by an author, using a new high-speed digital typesetting program it has developed that is exclusive to Excel. (The program, based on the open source LaTeX program, is not yet patented or named, Freiling said.) “Production is fully automated,” said Freiling, one of the factors that enables Excel to offer its services gratis. When an author wants print distribution, Excel works with Lightning Source, for no additional fee.
Existing Charisma House staff will handle the workload; Freiling said he does not anticipate any hiring for Excel in the near future. “There is no telemarketing sales person and no editorial staff. No one is trying to sell authors [additional] services or packages of services. This puts authors back in the driver’s seat.” But our experience is entirely online. We are removing the telemarketing salesperson from the self-publishing process. We're putting the author back in the drivers seat.
Excel also provides a social networking platform for its authors, as well as access to a members-only Twitter account, Facebook page, and LinkedIn profile, a monthly conference call, and a monthly newsletter, as well as personal coaching. Excel authors pay no membership fee; others who have not yet signed with the company will be able to use those services for a cost Freiling estimates will be $25-$50 per month. “Sometimes authors want to do some investigating before they decide whether to publish,” he noted.
The first title is “at press,” according to Freiling; about 500 titles are planned for 2014.


text:
KENNEWICK — Allan Willis is keeping alive the legacy of a friend by running his old business in downtown Kennewick.
Willis, 61, recently began operating Von Gogh's Pianos and Organs that had been closed since store owner Fred Von Gogh died in September of an apparent aneurysm after a sudden collapse while delivering a piano to a customer.
Von Gogh's estate administrator asked Willis to man the store. But that was something Von Gogh himself had contemplated, said Willis, a friend and a music lover who ran two music stores selling musical instruments almost 40 years ago.
Von Gogh, who would be 88 on Dec. 30, was in the process of getting the necessary paperwork done for Willis to run the store should something happen to him, Willis said.
He often stood in for Von Gogh to manage the store when he was away. The longest stretch was for about nine days, Willis recalled.
"It's providence," said Willis, who first met Von Gogh by chance more than two years ago. "This is where I'm supposed to be," said Willis who came from Portland to the Tri-Cities to retire in 2007 after a long career with the Bonneville Power Administration. "Life has come back a full circle."
The store has been a Tri-City landmark for more than 30 years. It opened in the Uptown area in Richland in 1976 and moved into downtown Kennewick 20 years later.
Willis said he doesn't know how long the agreement, which is essentially about converting the store inventory into cash for the estate, will last. The store has more than 35 pianos including grand, vertical and digital pianos that range from about $1,500 to $23,000. A percentage of the sales go to the estate. "I've been selling an instrument every four days."
"We don't want people to think just because Mr. Von Gogh isn't here, everything is half price," Willis said.
There's a possibility he may take over the business after the existing merchandise is sold but there are no certainties. So for now, Willis is enjoying getting back to his childhood passion of music.
He said even as a kid, while playing in the sandbox in a church nursery, he felt inspired by music. "I would jump up when the church music began," Willis said. By 12, he was adept at playing music for the complete church services, he said.
It's fun to be back in business, Willis said. "I really don't need the income. So there's no pressure." He said as a young man running retail music stores was far more challenging. "I had to make sales to pay the bills."
But that doesn't mean he's neglecting the business. He's been running ads on Craigslist and even had a TV commercial to promote the store. Customers have come from as far as Ellensburg and Pendleton, he said, adding he's also sold to churches and schools. The store provides free local delivery and tuning for the pianos it sells.
The demand for pianos typically goes up during the holiday season. A lot of parents want their kids to learn the piano, he said. Studies have shown that students taking piano lessons tend to do better academically, he said.


text:
Two self-moving suitcases developed by ForwardX Robotics company are displayed at 2019 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week's Beijing branch venue on Thursday. (ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY)
Li encourages govts at all levels to nurture spirit of entrepreneurship
China's economy has resilience and is running on a sound and smooth track, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday, adding that innovation and entrepreneurship serve as "important pillars" for the Chinese economy to withstand downward pressure and maintain growth momentum over the long run.
Li made the remarks at the opening ceremony for the 2019 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
He also called for governments at all levels to create a good environment to enable entrepreneurs to start and operate their businesses in a fair market, thus realizing market prosperity and high-quality economic development.
Various events were held in Hangzhou-the main venue for the innovation week this year-and cities such as Beijing and Shenzhen in Guangdong province on Thursday.
Wang Lei, an e-commerce operation director of ForwardX Robotics company in Beijing, said that innovation week provided a precious opportunity for the company to showcase its latest research achievement to the public.
With an aim of launching their new self-moving suitcases in August, Wang said the innovation week made more people aware of their techniques and will help them promote their products soon.
"It's imperative for traditional entrepreneurs like us to transform in an innovative manner," said Zong Qinghou, chairman and CEO of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, in Hangzhou.
"Zhejiang has always been a hub for innovation and startups," he added. "I believe the mass innovation week will play a pivotal role in driving up the province's high-quality economic development in the high-tech sector."
The Ministry of Education on Thursday also announced in Hangzhou the launch of the fifth China College Students' Internet Plus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the biggest gathering for innovation projects among universities and colleges in China.
As of June 10, the event had received 772,000 startup projects, with 3.32 million participants nationwide, according to Wu Yan, director of the Department of Higher Education with the ministry.
One distinctive feature for the competition this year is that university and college participants from 100 nations and regions worldwide will be invited to make the student startup event an international one with global influence in a bid to raise its profile on the international stage, he said.
In Shenzhen, a commemorative event was launched at Huaqiang North Street, one of China's best-known electronics hubs.
Garrett Winther, partner at Huaqiang North-headquartered HAX, one of the world's largest and most well-known accelerator programs for hardware startups, said: "Shenzhen's ecosystem of electronics manufacturers, component suppliers, professional logistics services and skilled talent allows startups to build a smart hardware product cost-effectively and faster. "
The Shenzhen venue this year also emphasizes high-quality development of innovation and entrepreneurship. In the High-Quality Co-Create Achievement Exhibition Area, some of the world's latest technologies and inventions were showed, including an artificial intelligence camera, virtual reality surgical guidance platform and customized AI streaming accelerators.
The city so far has established nine Nobel Laureate Labs and more than 2,000 innovation and entrepreneurship platforms, according to the local government.


text:
Jay-Z sends message about outdated cannabis laws through his Monogram brand with a nationwide campaign to bring awareness.
Jay-Z is using his weight in the business world for social change from the damage that the War On Drugs disproportionately caused with Black and Brown Americans. Jay launched Monogram as one of the few Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry and with the responsibility he is leading the charge to amend mistakes of the past.
The new campaign includes murals, billboards, mobile ads and wild-postings across cities like Washington, D.C., Miami, NYC, L.A., and San Francisco displaying fact-based headlines over images of eight individuals who’ve been charged for cannabis-related offenses.
“Cannabis laws are out of date and disproportionately cruel and punishing when compared to the rest of the legal code. We still don’t have proper regulation for texting and driving in Missouri, but staying home and smoking weed will get you locked up,” Jay said in a statement.
“I created this campaign to amplify the voices of those who have been penalized for the very same thing that venture capitalists are now prospering from with the emerging legal cannabis market,” he continued. “Far too often we forget that these are real people whose everyday lives and futures have been affected by this outdated legislature – people like Bryan Rone, who can no longer pursue a career in sales because of a cannabis-related conviction in 2003.”
ALSO CHECK OUT WORLDWIDE NETWORK EXCLUSIVES STREAMING BELOW!