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There are some films that take on significance beyond the actions on screen. Take Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which screens on Netflix from Friday. An adaptation of August Wilson’s play about the real-life blues singer Ma Rainey, it stars Viola Davis in the title role. It also features Chadwick Boseman in his final performance. The Black Panther star died earlier this year, aged 43, of colon cancer, a painful tragedy in a year that has been full of them.
Even without Ma Rainey’s, Boseman’s body of work stands tall; he was acclaimed for his uncanny turns as Jackie Robinson and James Brown. But this swansong – as the ambitious trumpet player Levee – is an explosive, emotional effort that sends chills down the spine. Already, insiders feel his performance will be rewarded with a posthumous Oscar. If so, he’d be the third actor in history to be awarded such an accolade, following Peter Finch (Network) and Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight).
“Every once in a while, you’re with an artist that has a completely different energy, that’s unlike anyone else’s,” says Davis. “It’s hard to explain. They sort of exist on a different plane. And that was him.”
When we speak, it’s over three months since Boseman passed, and understandably, feelings are still raw amongst the cast and crew. “I’m emotionally – still to this point – devastated by the loss of him,” says the director George C Wolfe.
When the production team shot Ma Rainey’s in Pittsburgh (which doubled for 1920s Chicago), nobody had any idea that Boseman was sick. He was extremely private about his illness, with only a handful of people in his inner circle aware of what he was going through.
“Every day he showed up, doing every single moment, take after take after take, fully committed physically, emotionally, spiritually,” says Wolfe. “So there was no clue whatsoever. And there was no reason for me to think anything otherwise because the performance is extraordinary.”
‘Every single moment that I had with him was about the future’
Even after the shoot wrapped, Wolfe had no idea. “Any time you work with an artist – and the work is very intense, very demanding – you form these incredibly intense, emotional bonds,” he continues.
“He and I afterwards traded emails, talked on the phone, talked about doing another film together, talked about doing a play.” Just a month before he died, Boseman was dubbing lines in post-production. “Every single moment that I had with him, once filming was done, was about the future.”
While Boseman’s final work will take centre stage, there are many great performances in Ma Rainey’s – a film largely set around a Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey, the so-called “Mother of Blues”, has come to lay down some new tracks. Almost unrecognisable under layers of prosthetics and with a mouthful of gold teeth, Davis is thrilling as the no-nonsense, bisexual diva.
“That’s one of the greatest parts of playing Ma Rainey,” she says, “of channelling that unapologetic nature that she had about her worth.”
Alongside Boseman, Colman Domingo (as Cutler), Glynn Turman (Toledo, a role he also played in a 2016 stage production) and Michael Potts (Slow Drag) are the other members of Ma Rainey’s backing band. The chemistry between all of them fizzes. “I think everyone there was committed to telling this story,” says Potts. “The commitment wasn’t to us individually or our own egos… It was to serving August Wilson, serving the story.”
The film comes as part of a huge deal struck by Denzel Washington, with HBO initially and now Netflix, to bring to the screen 10 Wilson plays – the Pittsburgh Cycle, which chronicles the 20th-century African-American experience. Washington has already directed Fences, starring Davis – who won an Oscar. And he’s now executive producing the others, starting with Ma Rainey’s.
“This is no light feat,” says Turman. “This is a monumental undertaking. So everybody was on their Ps and Qs. We didn’t leave anything to chance.”
Turman feels that Wilson’s play – written in 1982 – with all its discussions about African American culture and artistry “couldn’t be more apropos” arriving in 2020, after the Black Lives Matter protests that followed the unlawful police killing of George Floyd.
With the world looking on, he adds, this “is one of those points where we have to look at ourselves, where we can’t be defined by anybody else, by anybody else’s expectations. The ball’s in our court. What are we going to do with ourselves as a people?”
It was being a part of this august production that energised Boseman, say his co-stars. “He was so excited to get in the ring with us and wrestle with August Wilson’s language,” remembers Domingo. “I think that he was with men and women who he had admired, as we admired him. And I knew that he wanted to give it all that he’d got.
“And I don’t know if he knew the kind of time that he had left on this earth. But I do believe that I witnessed him just being as strong and charismatic and hard-working as ever. And I think that that’s the way he wanted to live, and to continue to live until he could have no more breath.”
‘I witnessed him just being as strong and charismatic and hard-working as ever. And I think that that’s the way he wanted to live, and to continue to live until he could have no more breath’
Watching Boseman as Levee, a man desperate to break out and play his own songs, it’s hard not to be shaken by his performance, especially in the scene where he recites lines about mortality: “Death will kick your ass and make you wish you never been born!”
Wolfe recalls what it was like to film that scene with Boseman. “After every single take, he would go and literally collapse on [some nearby] steps. And his team of hair and make-up and his people would be there giving him water and then I’d approach and I go: ‘I’ve got some notes’ and then he’d shoo everybody away.”
And then he’d simply go again. “I was perpetually in awe of the ferocity of the emotion of it and that day will never leave me. It will never leave me because he just gave what was required. And then some.”
At his memorial, Boseman’s widow Taylor Simone Ledward told Domingo that her late husband had said Ma Rainey’s was one of his favourite ever working experiences. “It just seemed it was the first thing she wanted to tell me.” Joining the likes of Boseman’s Black Panther co-stars Michael B Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, “the whole setting was exactly the way Chadwick was”, says Domingo.
“His drums were there. It was overlooking this beautiful, majestic cliff. And in Malibu, [near] the ocean, there was a light breeze and people who he loved and admired.”
Davis’s abiding memory of Boseman was his love of the djembe drum. “He would play that drum for the longest time in his trailer,” she says. “I mean, loud, like everything that was in his soul, in his gut, he just channelled into those drums. And he would tell us that he did that just for himself. He played those drums just for him. It wasn’t to get a job, it wasn’t just learning the drums for a role. That was his sacred space, his sacred instrument.”
What about the posthumous Oscar – should Boseman get it? “Yes, he should get it!” cries Potts. “Absolutely! I mean posthumously or not… Had he still been with us, he’d still be deserving of every accolade he’s getting now. Because it’s a tremendous performance. We got to see it up close and personal every day. We saw him work on it and commit to it. And, yeah, it’s worthy. It’s worthy of every ounce of recognition that it’s getting. Yes, he should get it, he should win.” Amen to that.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is in cinemas now and is released on Netflix on Friday 18 December
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Home.corp (www.homecorp.tv) has added Oscar-nominated visual
effects director Nick Davis to its roster for commercials
representation worldwide. Davis, who was nominated for an Academy
Award for visual effects for The Dark Knight, has also
overseen VFX for feature films including Charlie & The
Chocolate Factory , Troy, and the first two Harry
Crispin Porter + Bogusky has hired two new creative teams in its London office under new ECDs Ben Walker and Matt Gooden. Ben Carey and Henrik Delehag join as a creative duo. They previously had their own firm, Benrik Limited, having worked at Y&R, Publicis and TBWA Stockholm. Bertie Scrase and Christen Brestrup join from WCRS & Co, where the pair worked on Mini, Sky, Brylcreem, The Sun and Weetabix. Prior to that they worked at Leo Burnett on McDonald's, Kellogg's and Nintendo.
Nate Brown has joined CG and design company re:think studios as partner and executive producer. Brown, a former agency producer at DDB, Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Critical Mass has partnered with Brian Bullock, Jessica Simmon and John McGrath to expand the Chicago-based company. Bullock serves as the company's creative director, Simmon as editor and finishing artist and McGrath as the operations manager.
Whitehouse Post is expanding to Amsterdam via a partnership with Dutch post house The Ambassadors. Editor Ethan Mitchell has transferred from Whitehouse Post's New York offices to launch Whitehouse Post @ The Ambassadors this month, and will be joined by a roster of the company's UK editorial staff. Whitehouse Post also has partnerships with Gentleman Scholar (Los Angeles), production company Cap Gun (Chicago and London), and visual effects house Carbon (New York).


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Herbed Swordfish and Shiitake Kebobs
Preheat a grill to medium and brush the grates with vegetable oil. Combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbs chopped scallions, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 clove garlic in a blender and pulse until combined. Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes and season with kosher salt. Pour half of the herb oil into a bowl; set aside for serving. Toss the swordfish (2 pounds center-cut swordfish, skin removed, cut into 1-to-1 1/2-inch pieces) with 1 tbsp olive oil, the 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin and 1/2 tsp ground coriander in a bowl; season with salt. Thread the swordfish, 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and halved or quartered if large and 1 red onion, quartered onto eight -10-inch skewers. Grill the kebabs until just marked, about 2 minutes per side, then continue cooking, turning and brushing with the remaining herb oil, until just cooked through, 5 to 6 more minutes. Drizzle with the reserved herb oil.

domain: food


NEW DELHI: Asia’s naphtha crack were steady on Tuesday, after falling more than 19% last week due to easing demand from petrochemical units.
The refining profit margin rose to $137.68 a tonne, up 25 cents from the last close. Market watchers also assessed the impact of surging Omicron cases on gasoline-blending demand.
“Persistently poor petrochemical margins have prompted at least three South Korean petrochemical producers to deepen run cuts at their ethylene crackers at the start of this month to 70-80%,” Refinitiv Oil Research said in a note.
Meanwhile, Shell returned the gasoline-producing unit and an ethylene unit to production at its 230,811-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery and adjoining chemical plant in Norco, Louisiana, said sources familiar with plant operations on Monday.
The gasoline crack was little changed above $10 a barrel. Most countries in the region have not imposed mobility-related curbs to combat Omicron cases amid high vaccination rates, but a massive rise in cases across the world dented demand sentiment.
The United States reported 1.35 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total for any country in the World.
Malaysia’s Kimanis crude oil exports will rise to seven cargoes in March from six in February, trade sources said on Tuesday.


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“What we have noticed in the paleo community, in particular, is they seem to be almost starved … for options when it comes to indulgent or packaged foods,” Rachel Geicke, a co-founder of Snow Monkey told FoodNavigator-USA at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City June 26. “There are many, many meal combinations you can make in your own kitchen that are Paleo, but to go into an ice cream aisle or a baked goods aisle and say, ‘Hey, this is paleo and I feel great about it,’ is tough.”
As a result, she explains some people only follow paleo five days a week – allowing them two days to “cheat” and eat a pastry at their favorite bakery or kick-back at a house party without worrying about what they are eating or drinking.
“We want to include indulgent with Paleo, and I think this is a big marketing opportunity because it is actually an underserved demand from a consumer side, and it is definitely underserved in our lives, which is why we ended up creating Snow Monkey,” she said.
Snow Monkey is just as creamy feeling as regular dairy-based ice cream, but it skips the dairy and instead uses bananas, hemp seeds and sunflower butter as its base, which provides a 21-gram punch of plant-based protein in each pint. They duo then blends in goji berry powder and non-alkalized cacao for extra indulgence and nutrition, said company co-founder Mariana Ferreira.
The blend also is healthy enough that the creators – and consumers – can enjoy it for breakfast, guilt-free, and still have they energy they need to power through their mornings.
Paleo is only part of the story
But for Geicke and Ferreira, creating Snow Monkey was about more than developing a better-for-you treat or devising an excuse to eat ice cream for breakfast. It also was about meeting an unmet need for consumers who suffer from allergies.
“We were both athletes in college, and we just cared a lot about what we ate, when we ate it and the ingredients that are inside it, because obviously being athletes it is important to make sure you get the right protein from the right sources. But also we have a lot of allergies … so, I think, the two things combined really powered us to come up with this cool recipe that is powerful in that it helps us reach our athletic goals, but also it makes sure we aren’t hitting any of those allergies or troublesome areas,” Ferreira said.
Harnessing the Paleo community
But by going one step farther to ensure the frozen dessert not only was allergy-friendly but also paleo, the young brand was able to harness the marketing power of the diet’s followers.
Geicke explained, “Once we get a consumer who really buys into our values and sees the full potential in feeling great but also fueling” their bodies, “they want to share it with their friends because there is a huge community around the Paleo lifestyle.”
As a result, the brand has seen a lift in awareness from word of mouth between friends and Paleo followers and their social media forms, she said.


The Daily Fix: Debate Over Transgender Bathroom Use Heats Up in North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina, will decide on Monday whether to approve extending the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance, including a provision that would let transgendered individuals use the bathroom they feel most comfortable in.
The proposed changes have caused a firestorm, reported The Charlotte Observer, with supporters and opponents flooding the offices of Charlottte City Council members with phone calls and emails.
“I’ve now had about 4,500 emails in the last couple of weeks,” said council member Ed Driggs, according to NBC Charlotte.
Opponents of the bathroom proposal have claimed that it could endanger women and children, while local LGBT advocates dismissed it as a scare tactic and assert that it hasn’t been a problem in other cities.
“All it’s going to do is provide protections for transgender people who use the restroom that’s appropriate to their presentation,” transgender activist Paige Dula told the station.
Driggs disagrees, saying, “The ordinance basically puts the preferences of a small number of people ahead of the preferences of a lot of people.”
In other news…
Crisis Averted: Congress passed a one-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security late Friday, avoiding a partial shutdown of the agency. (via USA Today)
Uber Data Breach: An unauthorized third party accessed the car service’s system in May last year, a breach that possibly exposed the names and driver’s license numbers of up to 50,000 drivers. (via CNET)
Putin Critic Killed: Former First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Y. Nemstov, a Russian opposition leader, was assassinated in Moscow. President Vladimir Putin said he would personally head up the investigation into what happened. (via The New York Times)
The Daily Fix is your chance to act today to change tomorrow’s headlines by taking action on the latest stories. Look for links to petitions, pledges, and other social actions embedded throughout these news items.


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In 23 randomized controlled trials, there was only one major adverse event attributable to the drug, according to Sherif El-Tawil, MBBS, of the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.
Compared with placebo, quinine was also effective, El-Tawil reported here at the American Academy of Neurology meeting.
The safety issue is important, El-Tawil told MedPage Today, because the FDA has said that quinine should not be used for muscle cramp, largely because it fears adverse events.
But it is widely used in Europe. "In England, I don't know one GP who doesn't prescribe it," he said. "They dish it out like chocolates."
To help clarify the issue, El-Tawil and colleagues updated a systematic review performed in 1998.
All told, the researchers found 23 randomized controlled trials of quinine, mostly for idiopathic cramp, including 1,586 patients. All but three of the trials compared the drug to placebo, while others looked at different comparators including vitamin E.
El-Tawil reported that minor adverse events -- mainly gastrointestinal effects -- were significantly elevated by 3% compared with placebo, but there was no difference in major adverse events.
One patient developed thrombocytopenia, which resolved when the drug was stopped, he said, and there were no cardiac adverse events.
"We can't see the evidence that there's a problem," El-Tawil said.
Compared with placebo, he added, the drug significantly reduced:
- The number of cramps over a two-week period by 28%.
- Cramp intensity by 10%.
- Cramp days by 20%.
On the other hand, he said, cramp duration was not significantly affected.
The safety findings are not surprising, according to Hans Katzberg, MD, of the University of Toronto, who was first author of a recent review of symptomatic treatment for cramp prepared by the AAN.
"I am not surprised that the Cochrane review found no significant difference in the incidence of cumulative serious adverse events, as I think they are in fact uncommon," Katzberg told MedPage Today in an email.
But, he added, it's important to remember that studies are not usually designed or powered to detect adverse events.
Because of that, he said, "it is difficult to make conclusive statements about safety based on this evidence, especially when serious events such as hematological or cardiac effects are in question."
The ANN review, he noted, argued that quinine derivatives can be used for cramp if the treatment is monitored, the patient is informed of the serious side effects, and if the cramps are particularly disabling.
"I think it is prudent to avoid routine and unmonitored (especially over the counter) treatment of muscle cramps with quinine," Katzberg said.
The FDA has come out against using quinine derivatives for muscle cramps, based on 93 fatalities and 663 serious adverse events related to the compound over the last few decades.
But Katzberg said the agency has not released enough information to allow the calculation of incidence rates.
The researchers had travel support from Casella-Med.
El-Tawil said he had no disclosures.
Katzberg had no disclosures.
- Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston and Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner
American Academy of NeurologySource Reference: El-Tawil S, et al. "Quinine in Muscle Cramps: A Cochrane Systematic Review" AAN 2011; Abstract P04.020.

domain: news


Hot Coal Containers Large, ADA Compliant - HCC-L
Hot Coal Containers
The Hot Coal Containers from BearSaver provide a safer environment for parks and campgrounds alike. The user simply dumps hot coals in through the top and does not have to worry about anything else. Servicing is made easy by opening the back service door and swinging out the inside container. Designed and manufactured in the USA, the Hot Coal Container helps reduce maintenance costs and helps prevent potential fire hazards. Available in two sizes.
THE POCKET LATCH IS PATENTED UNDER U.S. 9,567,775 B2 AND 7,775,564 B2.
All hinges, handles, striker plates and hardware are zinc coated for corrosion resistance. The door hinges are heavy-duty piano hinge material using stainless steel pins. The housing and doors are made from corrosion resistant steel and are finished using a textured powder coat process. The finish is resistant to humidity, salt spray, fog, ultraviolet rays, abrasion and chemicals.
- Product Name Hot Coal Containers Large - HCC-L
- Manufacturer Name Bearsaver
- Item # HCC-L
- Weight 260 lbs
- Assembled Width 26 in
- Assembled Height 48 in
- Assembled Length 42 in
- Shipped From Ontario, California 91761
- Warranty 1 year


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Rome is a city that, although the subject of frequent visits, has something to offer every time, amazing even the tourists used to move around the world.
Even beyond the most famous attractions, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain in the first place, its most hidden sides will surprise you: ancient shops, little-known neighborhoods, particular views, courtyards and testimonies of the Roman Baroque. In the next few lines some suggestions will be provided for those who wish to dedicate a part of their stay in the “eternal city” to wonders normally sacrificed to other attractions. But, in addition to those described below, there are also other “unusual” places to reach, such as:
- the Ancient Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala
- the Arco degli Acetari
- the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella
- San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
- Centrale Montemartini
The Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum
The capital is full of museums, including some of the most famous structures in the world. On the other hand, it is the entire Italian peninsula that attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to the numerous structures intent on promoting art in all its forms. Some, however, tend not to appear in tourist itineraries, despite having nothing to envy to the most famous museums. The Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum is a perfect example of this. It is located near Piazza del Popolo, in the Flaminio district, and its rooms house more than 200 plaster and bronze sculptures, and an equally large number of paintings. Around 300 graphic works complete the offer. In the Norwegian-born artist’s production, heroes and heroines stand out as protagonists. The “Villa Hélene” house museum, dedicated by Andersen himself to his mother, was built in the neo-Renaissance style, and bequeathed to Italy.
The Tor Marancia condominium museum
Rome is a destination capable of attracting people of all ages in any season. To allow you to travel in maximum comfort is Omio. Arriving by train it will then be possible to move around on foot or by public transport. Young people will certainly appreciate Tor Marancia. Specifically, it was the cultural project called “Big City Life”, carried out by a non-profit cultural institution, that started the creation of the Tor Marancia Museum. The murals present are the fruit of the work of 22 artists who came from all over the world. The prefixed goal? Decorating the facades of a series of buildings, transforming the area into a “condominium” museum. The artists, in order to have sufficient time to complete the works, were hosted, indeed “adopted”, by the inhabitants of the area. The results achieved have allowed the Tor Marancia condominium museum to represent our country at the Venice Biennale.
Galleria Colonna and the Pyramid of Cestius
One of the oldest private buildings in the capital is located near Via del Corso and Piazza Venezia, in the center. And inside there is Galleria Colonna, a precious testimony of the Roman Baroque, dating back to the mid-seventeenth century. If the idea behind the construction is attributed to the architect Antonio del Grande, other artists have also intervened in the realization, such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Fontana. Crossing the threshold, welcomed by halls embellished with statues and fine furnishings, it is possible to admire several masterpieces signed, among others, by Tintoretto, Pinturicchio and Guercino. The Great Hall is characterized by a cannonball, placed on the flight of stairs, at the point where it arrived after being shot from the Janiculum in 1849. Another striking attraction of Rome is the Pyramid of Cestius, erected in just 330 days on request of Caio Cestio, looking for a place to be buried after his death. The construction of the pyramid had been placed as a necessary condition for the heirs to obtain the inheritance.
Those mentioned in the previous paragraphs are destinations capable of attracting the attention of both those who come to Rome to take part in specific events, such as the Film Festival, and of people looking for a vacation spot to admire in all its facets.

domain: history


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Fund Desk wins Excellence Award from the Fund Platform Group Association
We are delighted to inform you of a special award that Swisscanto Funds Centre Limited has won for its Swisscanto Fund Desk fund platform.
For the second time, the Fund Platform Group, the association of fund platforms in Europe, has honoured the best platform providers. A formal award ceremony was held on 21 January 2016 in Paris. On this occasion, awards were bestowed for particular achievements. The Swisscanto Fund Desk fund platform, operated by Swisscanto Funds Centre Ltd., received one of the Excellence Awards, honouring the best fund platforms in Europe. Numerous banks, fund providers and transfer agents in Europe participated in the survey conducted by the Fund Platform Group to assess the quality and range of their services.
We interpret this award as proof that Swisscanto Fund Desk is well-positioned on the market and will fulfil our aim of providing you with high-quality services in every respect. At the same time, we also consider this honour to be an obligation to consistently expand our services and further optimise processes to improve quality.
We thank you for your trust and look forward to our continued successful cooperation.
The provider of this site is Swisscanto Funds Centre Limited,
5th Floor, 110 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6EU, who is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is entered
in the FCA's register under number 124588. FATCA Compliant and registered with IRS - GIIN: CJEJ1W.00134.ME.826.
Please click here for
full disclaimer wording. The investments and services referred to on the Site are not available to retail customers.

domain: finance


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Mango Kiwi Salsa: My Favorite Summer Salsa
- 2 mangoes, diced
- 4 kiwis, peeled, diced
- ½ red onion
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- Holding mangoes vertically (oblong), cut each into each mango, removing the flesh on each side of the seed. Then, cut away all remaining flesh.
- Cup the left and right side of the mangoes in your hand and score the flesh vertically tun, horizontally, making cubes.
- With a spoon, scoop cubed flesh into a bowl. Do the same with remaining mango flesh.
- Using a potato peeler, remove skin from kiwis and dice before adding to bowl.
- Peel and cut red onion in half, then dice before adding to bowl.
- Pick cilantro leaves from stems and add to bowl.
- Blend ingredients, cover, and store in refrigerator until ready to use.


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New-vehicle sales have taken off in the first four months of 2012, but for dealers the real story has been used cars. The focus has been on how to efficiently acquire vehicles and how to boost the ratio of new-to-used sales. The rollout of sophisticated pricing and management tools has been a key factor at large groups such as Sonic and Penske.
Sonic is rolling out its Sonic Inventory Management System, or SIMS while Penske Automotive is doing the same with its Retail First system. “About 30 percent of dealers have SIMS at this date,” said Sonic operations chief Jeff Dyke.
Sonic’s pre-owned revenue was up 9 percent and gross was up nearly 8 percent for the quarter. March was the company's history for pre-owned volume and gross. The company’s used-to-new ratio drifted down a bit in the first quarter as new car sales have grown. But Dyke expects the level to stay at 0.9 to 1 to 1-to-1 area by the end of this year -- which is at or near the top of the industry.
“We are trading for new cars, wholesale is down and we are still continuing really grow,” he said. “We pushed past that 90 mark on a per store basis which was a big feat for us. Now we’ve got 100 per store in our sites."
Added Sonic CEO Scott Smith: “That’s really the metric we use -- how many per month. The used-to-new ratio is kind of a fallout.”
At Penske, it was another quarter of double digit increase in used units sold and revenues, with a ratio of 0.89-to-1 compared to 0.78-to-1 in the first quarter of 2011. Penske’s used-vehicles sales were up 23.3 percent in the United States in the quarter.
“Overall from a used-car perspective overall we had a very good quarter,” said Chairman Roger Penske. “Only 55 percent of our inventory are trades and 45 percent are purchased vehicles,” he said. “We’ve really been on the offense, going out and purchasing vehicles. The advantage we have is the Internet, the way we present our vehicles on line. We’ve gotten some real rigor about what is expected by our operators.
"Penskecars.com are driving more customers to our brand and our mobile site usage is up 36 percent over 500,000 visits,” he added.
The chairman said the used-car business offers the dealership groups a chance to stand out from the crowd.
“We see that as a real opportunity,” he said. “Everybody doesn’t have the same car and the fact that we can bring a new customers into the company and we can get the internal gross profit from the reconditioning is powerful from the standpoint of gross margins."
Penske’s Retail First is being rolled out regionally. The metric determines what stores are wholesaling cars versus way more lucrative retailing. “We are probably in the high 40s and 50s and we should be down in the 20s to 30s,” said Penske. “The important thing on used is we have to get aggressive on buying just not standing at the auctions.”
Many of his stores are now using equity calculators. “Every time a service customer comes into the shop we want to give them ability to have us purchase their car and that has been quite successful,” he said. “Not every (Penske store) has implemented that it takes time to get the discipline across the regions.”
“You can look at cars that are coming into our service drive where we know the customer has equity and we can offer them a new car at, in some cases, at the same payment or less -- and not just selling certified cars. With the used-car business we’ve only just tapped the surface.
Penske’s used-to-new ratio can go much higher. “I don’t think we are through at all,” he said. “That is a matter of supply and that has to be through trades and trades on trades and obviously through acquisitions. With the Internet our market is worldwide and I think we are managing that and I think the discipline is how we market those vehicles on the Internet. It’s how fast can we get the car on the lot from the time we receive that car through trade or purchase. I think there is still runway there.”


In the first line in the fight against the COVID with its hospitals, its long-term care facilities, the centres of follow-up care and rehabilitation, the Mutualité Française formula 24 proposals in the framework of the Segur of health" around 5 major axes: the reorganization of health care delivery, the creation of a true culture of prevention, and the accompanying loss of autonomy, the regulation of the system, and the consolidation of a field of health at european level. With four propositions.see also : Dependence: the act on the rails
first of All, Mutuality, argues that the health system relies more on the medicine of city. "We were able to face this crisis thanks to the tremendous mobilization of personal hospital yet exhausted even before the beginning of the crisis. But this reveals in the hollow of a flaw in the system: it is as if we had done the face of the crisis using only half of the skills of the available health, because it is inadequately supported on the care of first resort. It is necessary to use more of the medicine of city, but for this it is necessary to better structure and organize it," says Thierry Beaudet, president of the Mutualité, in the Figaro. It is precisely this that has sought to make Agnès Buzyn when she was a minister in creating professional communities, territorial health (CPTS), in the course of deployment. "A lot of things have been well said, the problem is the passage of the say to do it, it must accelerate and end the year isolated from the doctor, alone in his office, by 5 years," said Thierry Beaudet. A target that was already assigned to Emmanuel Macron in his speech of presentation of the health plan in September 2018. To overcome the resistance, the Mutual determines that it is necessary to be "very proactive" and even "create variations to remuneration" for professionals refusing to perform in a space of health pluriprofessionnel.
on the other hand, the Mutual wants to make prevention a priority. A subject which falls into the world health but also of education, of labour, of the company, of the city ... "If you want to change gear, it should be a political subject and to have an ability to bring together many actors. This is why it is necessary to act at the regional level and to transfer the jurisdiction of the prevention to the regions," says Thierry Beaudet.see also : The school health undermined by a management totally failed
as the crisis has shown the limits of support for older people, the Mutualité proposes to reinforce the medicalization of long-term care facilities, with multi-disciplinary teams with competence geriatric high. "It is necessary to reinforce the medicalization of long-term care facilities by salariant of general practitioners, increasing the presence of nurses in advanced practice, equipping medically some beds," explains Thierry Beaudet. This long-term care facilities healthcare could also look home, with mobile platforms that could work in conjunction with the home care services. While the government has to create a 5th branch of the Social Security dedicated to the dependency, Mutuality, judge that it is going in the right direction but that funding (€2.3 billion per year) is "largely insufficient". And remember that the report Libault felt the need to 10 billion euros in the period of the cruise and 6 billion euros very quickly, in addition to the 30 billion already being spent each year to addiction. The mutual stands ready to supplement this public funding: they offer to create a contribution dependency compulsory from the age of 50 that would serve as a life annuity to persons in the most dependent (GIR 1 or GIR 2) in order to reduce their burden in long-term care FACILITY, which is on average 2000 euros per month once all subsidies deducted. An amount that exceeds the resources of the half of the people.see also : Orpea advocates to reinforce the medicalization of long-term care facilities
The Mutual is also proposing to review the missions of the ARS. "There is an ambiguity: they are at once the parent organization of the public hospital, and at the same time the administrative authority which operates on the territory of all actors on the territory. In this dual role creates confusion and generates competition between players while its role is to create the cooperation," says Thierry Beaudet.
Finally, while the government wants to harness the mhos in the financing of the crisis, Thierry Beaudet responds "positively" to the request and stated that they "will take their share". "Health insurance has taken all taken care of at 100%, it is normal that one pays the ticket moderator. If we had made savings, it was not the intent to keep or make a profit from the crisis", says he. All the question is to measure what gains have been made, without under-estimating the effects of deferral of expenditures to come. A meeting is set for Thursday at the ministry on this sensitive subject.The editorial team conseilleLe "Segur of health," go into the heart of the matter of wages"Segur of health": why the medical city should not be forgotten"Segur of Health": the increase in wages of caregivers will be "significant"Segur of Health: "let us not forget the health of the vicinity!"SujetsAgnès BuzynEmmanuel MacronThierry BeaudetMutualité FrançaiseMutualitéHôpital PublicSégur of the santéMédecine of villeMutuellesAucun comment
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A huge thanks to our friends at Luvsome for sponsoring today’s post! Keep scrolling to see why I’m thankful for our dogs!
I’ve always loved animals, and I’ve always had animals. But when my husband and I wanted to expand our little family and get our pups Emma and Ted, my heart had no idea what it was in store for. First came Emma, and then shortly after that, we adopted Ted. It’s amazing the level of comfort dogs can add to your everyday routine, they make so many things BETTER! Are you wondering why I’m thankful for our dogs? I’m sharing a few reasons why below!
Why I’m Thankful for Our Dogs
- No matter what kind of day we’re having, they’re there. If anyone in the family is having a rough day, the dogs are always there for hugs and cuddles. Dogs are so loyal, and it’s a great trait to have around.
- We always have a snuggle buddy. Ever since we brought Ted home, he’s slept in our bed, under the covers down by our feet. Emma prefers to sit right on top of you while you’re on the couch. Both signs of affection are welcomed.
- They offer support when you need it most. My son Wyatt is Autistic, and sometimes has difficulty calming down. Dogs to the rescue! Just petting an animal is theraputic and oh-so relaxing. In fact, when we first got Emma (the lab) we got her to be a therapy dog for Wyatt. We noticed early on that Wyatt had the same love for animals that we did, so we wanted to make sure he had an awesome pup to grow up with. Their connection is something I’ll always be thankful for, and she’s been by his side since he was two.
- Sense of Security. When I’m home alone, or William is gone, I feel safe knowing that the dogs are here. They hear EVERYTHING, and they’re both total watchdogs. I love that they watch over the boys when we’re outside playing, and are the first to let us know when there is a car driving by or a person walking outside.
- They help us stay active. If you’re looking for a workout buddy, or someone to keep you motivated, look no further than your dog! Dogs are great fitness pals, both of our dogs love going outside rain, sleet, or snow. And it helps us to stay active, too! One of Levi’s favorite thing to do is play fetch with the dogs, which is great because it gives the dogs (and us) some exercise!
Because our dogs take care of us, we want to take care of them, too. I partnered with Luvsome for a three-month ambassadorship because they provide delicious, balanced nutrition to keep the dogs happy & healthy. Luvsome is a quality brand, and has high quality ingredients including proteins and vitamins in every meal. The dogs have been loving the food, and I love that it’s affordable, too! It can be found at Kroger and the Kroger Family of stores including: Food 4 Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen’s, Pay Less, Ralphs, Smith’s. It’s really convenient to be able to pick up our dog food when we’re grocery shopping!
Our pups are just so special to us, and we treat them like family, because they are family. Through the good times, through the bad – they’ve always been there to comfort us and offer up their companionship. Is there anything more comforting than knowing you’ve got someone to lean on? Lucky for us, we’ve got two.
Do YOU have dogs?
Share ONE reason you’re thankful for them in the comments below!
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The Georgia Supreme Court has ordered the sudden release of Genarlow Wilson who was sentenced to 10 years in the Georgia state penitentiary for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old when he was 17.
In a 4-3 decision today, the Court ruled that the sentence for Wilson is cruel and unusual punishment. Wilson has already spent two years in prison.
Genarlow Wilson, 21, was convicted in 2005 when he was 17 of aggravated child molestation for oral sex with a 15-year-old girl during a 2003 New Year's Eve party at a Douglas County hotel. The sex act was videotaped. The former high school football player was acquitted of raping another 17-year-old girl at the same party.
The law that gave him the decade-long sentence was later changed by the Georgia Legislature to make such conduct between consenting teens a misdemeanor punishable by no more than a year in prison and no sex offender registration. However, the law was not made retroactive so it did not apply to Wilson.


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Check out I Wish , the latest track from Cher Lloyd, featuring T.I. which dropped on Thursday, August 29th, 2013. Cher Lloyd's movement grows stronger with each new release, and I Wish has further strengthened that fact. It's a solid addition to the commendable body of work Cher Lloyd has been creating since stepping foot in the rap game, and we're definitely looking forward to what Cher Lloyd has on deck.
Peep the new visual for Cher Lloyd's Cher Lloyd Feat. T.I. "I Wish" Video. If you're down, make sure to visit Cher Lloyd's profile page for the newest info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Have you checked out Cher Lloyd's Twitter pages?
Who else would you like to have seen on the track? How do you feel about the production here?
"Baby, I seen the chick you're with, wish that I never did
Freaking perfect and 5 foot ten, just wanna punch your lip
Cause I know I've been wasting time, trying to get your eye
Yeah I know that I been so blind, thinking that I'm your type
And now I'm at home, I'm all alone
'Bout to pick up the telephone
Got to call my genie so he knows, yeah
I wish I was tall, I wish I was fast"

domain: artistic


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DX Sabers just lost their business agreement with custom saber manufacturer LGT Saber Studio, a major manufacturer of DX Sabers’ custom saber products. Philadelphia based
The r/lightsabers subreddit team announced they are “formally denouncing Ultrasabers”. T_Quach, an r/lightsabers subreddit moderator, posted the announcement in the subreddit on June 18, 2020.
Ultrasabers owner Emory Harris announced today that the custom saber company is experiencing “an extreme delay in obtaining [certain lightsaber] parts” due to the “current
The Pach Store, which is a Hong Kong based custom lightsaber company, just opened a new warehouse in the United States. The announcement of the


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A vibrant, bustling city, Singapore combines all the charm of South-East Asia with the wonder of the modern world. One minute you’re wandering past high-end storefronts on Orchard Road and the next, you’re tucking into the island’s very best food, elbow to elbow with locals at a Hawker Centre. From unique cultural experiences and a fascinating history to unbelievably good food and modern-day fun, there’s a lot to see, do and eat in Singapore. A popular transit hub, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself transiting through this eclectic country at one point or another. Whether it’s a stopover or a longer stay, Singapore has a lot to offer travellers. To help you #TravelWell here’s our ultimate guide to Singapore!
You might also like to read:
- The BEST guide to visiting Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore
- The best (and worst) places to stay in Singapore…
- Where to stay in Singapore: Swissôtel The Stamford
Where is Singapore?
You’ll find Singapore located just off the tip of the Malay Peninsula, about one degree north of the equator. It is comprised of one main island with a number of smaller islets and islands forming part of the country too. Established as a trading post of the British Empire in 1819, Singapore has long been a port for travellers and that unique history continues today as more than 65.6 million passengers pass through Changi Airport each year.
How to get to Singapore
To get there we fly direct from Australia to Singapore with Singapore Airlines with a flight time of around 8 hours. Owing to its central location there are many airlines with flights to Singapore but, for us, Singapore Airlines is always our first choice. We’ve experienced Singapore Airlines economy, premium economy and business class and have found, no matter where you sit on the plane, the service is always the same! There’s a consistent approach to customer service that makes you feel like your needs matter. The staff are always so welcoming, friendly, patient, kind and attentive. There’s genuine pride in working for the airline, which flows through into the customer service we, as guests, receive.
In addition, we find the seats are very comfortable, there’s always a great selection of entertainment (featuring tv shows and movies you actually want to watch!) and the food is delicious too. They offer a great range of meals for dietary requirements (note: if you love Indian cuisine you should try the Indian vegetarian meals, they’re fantastic). A full-service airline, our luggage and seat selection are included in our fare, which makes the experience all the more stress-free. If you’re planning a trip and looking for an airline recommendation we highly recommend Singapore Airlines and fly with them every chance we get.
Is Singapore a safe destination for travellers?
Singapore is renowned for being a safe destination for residents and travellers alike. As someone who has lived in Singapore and travelled there repeatedly, I have never had an experience that has made me feel unsafe in any way. When we’re in Singapore we have no hesitations about withdrawing cash from an ATM late at night or wandering around with our cameras out. With that said, it’s always important to be mindful wherever you travel in the world so we follow the same basic safety principles as always. We’re mindful to keep our belongings where we can see them at all times and use our hotel room safe to store valuable items.
Is Singapore a budget-friendly destination?
If I had never lived in Singapore I would have been of the opinion it is an expensive destination. This is due to the cost of accommodation, alcohol, some experiences and restaurants as well as Singapore’s famous high-end shopping scene. But there are many layers to Singapore and, in my opinion, some of the best experiences are the least expensive. Instead of eating at restaurants for every meal try eating at Hawker Centres dotted across the island. Here, you can feast like a King for under SG$10!
The best food on the island is found in Hawker Centres so not only will you save money, you’ll be trying authentic local cuisine. The alcohol tax means booze prices are high so try taking advantage of your hotel’s club lounge benefits as they usually include two or three-hour-long happy hours where drinks are free! In place of catching taxis or ride-shares around the island, get yourself an EZ-Link Card and catch the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) instead. The train system in Singapore is incredibly easy to figure out and use. It’s also very safe, clean and affordable.
10 Must-know tips for visiting Singapore
Here are a few things you really need to know before you travel to Singapore:
- The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SG$) and no other currency is accepted (i.e. US Dollars). Downloading a free currency conversion app that works offline, like XE Currency, will come in very useful!
- Singapore has four official languages; English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil but there’s a fifth unofficial language; Singlish! This unique hybrid of English and local dialect influences is a beloved part of Singapore. When talking to locals the speed at which they talk may make it seem as though they aren’t speaking English but listen closely and your ears will adapt. Before you know it, you’ll be adding ‘lah’ and ‘ah/uh’ to your sentences, calling people Aunty and Uncle and clipping your sentences (it kinda reminds me of that episode of The Office where Kevin starts cutting out unnecessary words!).
- While Singapore’s laws are very strict, I often hear people express worry they’ll be arrested for things like accidentally dropping a food wrapper. Don’t worry, it’s not like that! If you do litter, just pick it up and put it in the trash.
- The heat and humidity in Singapore can be very intense, especially if you aren’t used to it or are coming from a cold climate. Trust me, you don’t want to underestimate it. To avoid heatstroke and exhaustion you may want to plan to do your sightseeing in the mornings and afternoon/evenings, outside of the hottest parts of the day. Use sun protective gear (I always carry an umbrella to shade me), rest often, and drink lots of water.
- While cards are widely accepted, you’ll want to make sure you have cash on you if you’re visiting Hawker Centres as it’s unlikely they’ll take your card for payment.
- There’s a large expat community in Singapore, which makes it even more multicultural than it already was to begin with! As a result, you’ll find a broad range of restaurants and bars catering to just about every nationality you could think of. It also means it’s a great place to meet people from all over the world and make new friends.
- With so many expats living in Singapore and many business deals going down over drinks, Singapore’s nightlife scene is kind of epic! So, if you do love to party, you’re in for a real treat.
- While Singapore is renowned for it’s super safe, squeaky-clean image, there is a ‘red-light district,’ in Geylang. Honestly, there are some pretty great restaurants there and I’ve never had a problem when I’ve visited! But, if you are keen to see Singapore’s ‘other side,’ head there after dark.
- You can easily visit Malaysia by catching the bus, walking or driving a car across the border. We used to do this a lot when I was living there, heading over to Johor Bahru for a day of shopping and great Malaysian food. Just beware, while the border control staff in Singapore are all above board, we have had situations where staff on the Malay side of the border sought bribes to allow us to enter or leave.
- Tipping isn’t required in Singapore, though you’re welcome to if you would like to, of course
- Read our full guide to 11 things to know before you go to Singapore here.
The best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is a great destination year-round. I often read articles talking about the different seasons and, yes, there are technically different seasons but there’s not really going to be a time to visit that will allow you to escape the heat altogether. Remember, earlier, when you read that bit about it being one degree north of the equator?! Yeah, that ain’t changing which means the heat ain’t changing either. With that in mind, planning a visit around January to March will see you coinciding with some of the island’s festivals like Chinese New Year and Holi. Singapore also comes alive from November to December with Deepavali (the festival of lights) and some absolutely epic Christmas and New Year celebrations!
How to get around in Singapore
In Australia, taxis are so expensive we rarely use them. In Singapore, they’re really well-priced which makes catching taxis around the island a viable transport option. Also, you’re very unlikely to get ripped off in a tourist scam as Singaporean taxi drivers run a fare meter. Make sure when you get in, the meter is started, just as a precaution. It’s also important to bear in mind that torrential afternoon downpours are common in the rainy months, coinciding perfectly with peak hours. This creates a huge demand for taxis which can make it virtually impossible to get one so, if this happens, public transport is a better option.
While Uber has been outlawed, you can use ‘Grab’ which is essentially the same thing. Just make sure you download the app and register an account before you leave home as you’ll need to verify your mobile number and, if you don’t’ have an international sim, won’t be able to do it once you arrive. The easiest and most affordable way to get around Singapore as a tourist has to be by public transport. Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is incredibly well organised, very clean, reliable, and easy to navigate. Catch the bus or train around the island paying for tickets as you go or pick up an EZ-Link card which can be topped up with credit to make it even easier!
Where to stay in Singapore
Given the size of the island and how easy it is to get around, you can’t really go wrong when choosing an accommodation spot. While it may be tempting to book a hotel right on Orchard Road, I would only recommend that location if you’re really into shopping. Otherwise, I’d recommend spots around the Downtown area. Ideally, you want to find a place right above or very close to an MRT station. Look for spots near City Hall, Esplanade, Raffles Place, Telok Ayer and Downtown MRT stations. Find great Singapore hotels here!
Swissôtel The Stamford
This hotel truly has it all and is our favourite place to stay in Singapore! Swissôtel The Stamford is perfectly located in-between two MRT stations, with one being directly below the hotel. There’s plenty of great food options close by, within easy walking distance and you could also do a lot of our exploring on foot, owing to its great location. Our favourite things about the hotel have to be the incredible views over the city, out to the water and beyond as well as the incredibly luxurious, modern rooms. Find Swissôtel The Stamford here and read my full review of it here.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
We often find ourselves transiting through Singapore, with one or two days layover. In those instances, we love staying at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. It only takes a few minutes to walk from baggage collection to the hotel reception and, before you know it, you’ve had a shower and are all cosied up in bed, relaxing. The rooms here are very spacious and well fitted out, with everything you could possibly need to have a great stay. Best of all, it’s located a short walk from Jewel at Changi Airport, has an awesome pool and an epic club lounge! We love visiting time and time again to reconnect with Raymond, the amazing Club Lounge manager who never forgets us. Find Crowne Plaza Changi Airport here.
If you love boutique hotel experiences you should definitely check out Amoy Hotel. Located in Singapore’s Central Business District, the Telok Ayer MRT is right outside the hotel’s unique temple entry-way. Inside the decor throws back to Singapore’s spice trade routes, with dark wood, vintage pieces, exposed brick, warm lighting and split-level rooms. With plenty of great food closeby, a distinct heritage feel and a convenient, central location, Amoy is a great base for your Singapore adventures. Find Amoy Hotel here.
Here are 8 more awesome places to stay in Singapore:
- Marina Bay Sands
- The Fullerton Bay Hotel
- Rendezvous Hotel
- Holiday Inn Express Orchard Road
- Oasia Hotel Novena
- Shangri-La Hotel
- Village Hotel Katong
- Mandarin Oriental
15 Foods you must try in Singapore
Eating is pretty much a national pastime in Singapore! Honestly, I have to recommend that you eat as much food as possible, sampling from the broad range of cuisines on offer across the island. If you went to Singapore and didn’t stuff yourself… did you really do it right? I think not. Here are my tips on must-try food in Singapore. It’s important to note the very best food goes down at Hawker Centres so nearly all of these recommendations can be found at one of the many great Hawker Centres across the island, making them very budget-friendly.
- Start your day the traditional way with Kaya Toast, made from a sweet, coconut jam, and delicious silk-stocking tea or coffee
- Dive mouth-first into delicious dumplings either from a Hawker Centre or spots like Din Tai Fung, Mouth or 126 Eating House
- If you love noodles, be sure to sample Char Kway Teow, a delicious combination of flat rice noodles, dark soy sauce, egg, seafood/sausage and more
- You absolutely must try fried carrot cake, one of my favourite Singaporean dishes! Interestingly, it is not a cake and does not contain any carrot!
- The perfect mix between fresh, spicy and sweet, Rojak is a tropical fruit and vegetable salad perfect for something light or as a vegetarian option
- You cannot visit Singapore without trying Hainanese Chicken Rice at least once! It’s pretty much the national dish and they love it so much they made a whole Romeo and Juliet inspired movie about it.
- One of my all-time favourite things to eat in Singapore (and the world) is Masala Dosa. In my opinion, the very best one is from Komala Villas in Little India.
- Speaking of Little India, if you love curry be sure to head to the Banana Leaf Apolo for truly delicious curry and Indian fare.
- Another of my all-time favourite things to eat in life is Roti Prata, a crispy, delicious flatbread cooked over a grill and served with dipping curry.
- If you love chicken wings keep your eyes peeled for crispy, golden BBQ chicken wings or ‘teddy-bear wings’ found at Hawker Centres. The chilli they serve them with will blow your mind!
- Vegetarians and vegans will love sampling clay hotpot, which includes a mouth-wateringly good veggie gravy and loads of yummy veg and tofu too! They also have meat options, of course, for the carnivores.
- Head to Lau Pa Sat after dark and eat your way through the iconic ‘Satay Street’ where you can sample some of the islands very best satay, accompanied perfectly by gooey peanut satay sauce. Y-E-S!
- Singapore is famous for its incredible Chilli Crab. You’ll definitely get covered in crab juice but it’s worth it to sample the BBQ’d perfection and spices!
- If you’re feeling adventurous, BBQ Stingray is a local delight that will expand your horizons and it tastes absolutely amazing.
- It’s so hot in Singapore that ice creams and rich desserts don’t usually sit too well. Instead, try ice kachang! It’s essentially shaved ice topped with syrup, condensed milk, jelly, fruits and some pretty unique toppings like red kidney beans and even corn. Don’t knock it till you try it!
- Read our full guide on must-try food in Singapore here.
8 of the best things to do in Singapore
There’s no shortage of wonderful things to do in Singapore! Here are a few to get you started:
- Soak in the very best views of the island from above by visiting rooftop spots like Pinnacle @ Duxton and 1-Altitude
- Visit the iconic Gardens by the Bay; exploring the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and spectacular Supertree Grove
- See a different side of Singapore by heading out to the East Coast Parkway to ride bikes and sit on the beach
- Make your way to Chinatown, visiting the incredible Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Maxwell Food Centre
- Spend a day exploring the vibrant streets and temples of Little India, making sure to check out the Tekka Centre and wet market
- Have an amazing day at the Singapore Zoo or a unique evening experience at the epic Night Safari
- Step back in time to the 1920s as you wander the gorgeous streets of Tiong Bahru, making a visit to the iconic Tiong Bahru Bakery
- Head over to Sentosa Island to visit Singapore’s beautiful beaches and visit Universal Studios for a fun-filled day
- Read our full guide to 16 Things you absolutely must do in Singapore here.
What to pack for a trip to Singapore
Here’s what you need to pack for a trip to Singapore:
- Overall, you’ll want to pack clothing that is breathable. For Matt, this is usually shorts and a sweat-wicking t-shirt. For me, it’s usually summer dresses, cotton skirts and linen tops. It’s going to be hot and humid so make sure your clothing is going to allow your skin to breathe and keep you as cool as possible.
- I always recommend wearing high SPF sunscreen and a hat if you’re out exploring during the day
- In terms of footwear, I find we’re on our feet a lot in Singapore so we prefer to wear comfortable sneakers or breathable sandals
- Make sure you pack your swimmers so you can take advantage of the hotel pool!
- If you’re planning on dining out at nice restaurants, you’ll want to bring a few special outfits with you. Singapore is very fashion-forward so don’t be afraid to get all glammed up for a special dinner
- You will absolutely need a good quality, strong deodorant, especially if you typically sweat a lot as-is
- Surprisingly, I always recommend packing a really warm jumper or jacket. You see, to compensate for the heat, shopping malls, hotels etc. will have the air conditioning set to ‘freeze’ and you can quickly become very cold.
- Read our full guide on what to pack for a trip to Singapore here.
Some of the experiences included in this guide were generously hosted by the brand/provider or Singapore Tourism Board. This guide was not paid for and all opinions, as always, are authentically our own. This post contains affiliate links.
Best travel resources for your trip!
If you found this post useful, please use the affiliate links below. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, these are the products and services I love and use. Read the disclaimer for more information. Thanks for your support! – Matt.
Agoda – hotels
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Cover-More – insurance
Motorhome Republic – RVs
Discover Cars – rentals
Simify – SIM cards
Skyscanner – flights
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Welcome Pickups – transfers

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Am I the only one that loves this color? Maybe it's too much for hair but whatevs. Luv this cut so much.
100% cotton long sleeve tee with front, back and sleeve prints. Model is 5' 6" and is wearing size S. Oversized fit. TAG YOUR PURCHASE: #disturbiaclothing IN STOCK & SHIPS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Victorian Women (1837-1901) – Richard Jenkins Photography
Mikey way 10 commandments
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Black Metallic Cut Out Shoulder Jumper - Tops - Retro, Indie and Unique Fashion
Orange! Simple and fun.
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She Art hair styles***ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT HAIR(STYLES) ARE,IF THEY HAVE IT,WHEN MAKING ART DOLLS!!!
Mac Lipsticks in Diva and Sin; Lipliner Ms. Diva; Hair Color Garnier Medium Intense Auburn R2


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How appropriate today follows yesterdays “Learn Composting Day”. Once you have planted your flower, vegetable or whatever it is you have planted, you have to water it! The key really is, not over watering it. It’s as easy to over water a plant as it is to forget to water it at all, at least the results end up the same. Think of it like a car, when you get it, it has gas but if you never add gas you aren’t going to go very far. Plants need water to survive, in fact you can grow plants without dirt and long as they are in water! The theory behind today may be, however, to just water one flower to let it know it is your favorite. That’s sort of like feeding one of your children because they are your favorite! Go ahead, water them all, just whisper sweet nothing into the petals of the one you like best.
How to celebrate – Water your plants today. Try and figure out which plant is your favorite. Don’t over water, that does just as much damage.

domain: hobby


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Best Father - Daughter Dance Songs
Top 40 Song List for Father & Daughter Wedding Dance | Searching for a band to play at your wedding? Look no further than Hireaband London, UK http://www.hireaband.co.uk/wedding-bands/london/
Non-sappy father/daughter dance songs | Offbeat Bride
Music I Love
Games for a Father-Daughter Dance | eHow
Girl Scout Troop
change to 'Big Brother' and 'Special Sister'
Baby shower gift ideas
Daddy Daughter Dance: Ties & Tiaras Ball Invitation by AlluringDeKor on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/384341726/daddy-daughter-dance-ties-tiaras-ball
Father daughter dance
Birds Of A Feather: Daddy daughter, daughter, daughter dance...
Country Father Daughter Dance Songs
First dance lyrics photoframe..sweet with the handwritten lyrics
Beautifying the house
Father of the Bride Always your little girl by SoBlessedDesigns


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WAIMEA — Darlene Turner first thought she had rat lungworm disease (RLWD) on Oct. 18, 2015.
WAIMEA — Darlene Turner first thought she had rat lungworm disease (RLWD) on Oct. 18, 2015.
“I went to my primary physician in late September 2015 and he said I had a really bad cold. My symptoms kept getting worse, so on Oct. 13, I went back to him and he said I had the flu and if it didn’t get better he would schedule a spinal tap,” she said. “He later told me he had suspected rat lungworm.”
Although extremely sick, Turner went to church Oct. 18 where a friend told her he recently attended a talk in Honokaa given by Kay Howe, an Integrated Pest Management curriculum development specialist at The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii. She also works with Hawaii Island Rat Lungworm Working Group led by Dr. Susan Jarvi at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at UH-Hilo.
Her talk focused on what RLWD is, how it is contracted, diagnosed and treated. Howe’s son, Graham, had been admitted to Hilo Medical Center in late December 2008, and a month later went into a coma while suffering from RLWD. She administered Chinese medicine that had been shown to help in a similar case of a young man in a coma from the same disease.
Graham was released from the hospital April 30, 2009.
“I went home immediately and Googled the disease and knew immediately that I had rat lungworm disease,” Turner said.
According to State of Hawaii Department of Health website, RLWD affects the brain and spinal cord. Caused by a roundworm parasite, infected rodents (including rats) can pass larvae of the worm in their feces to snails, slugs and certain other animals including freshwater shrimp, land crabs and frogs. Humans can become infected if they eat a raw or undercooked infected intermediate host, thereby ingesting the parasite.
“I went back to the doctor the next day and told him I thought I knew where I’d gotten it from. Normally I cook all my kale, but in September I had bought kale at the grocery store and saw a tiny skeleton of a slug on it,” Turner said. “I washed it and put the raw kale in a smoothie.”
She said her doctor then sent her to the ER, where they took blood samples and did a CT scan and an MRI.
“The diagnosis was that I had nothing wrong with me,” Turner said. “I was told I could be flown to Oahu for a spinal tap but I had learned it doesn’t always show RLWD and is a potentially dangerous procedure. The ER doctor explained there was no treatment for RLWD and sent me home.”
Her on-going symptoms ranged from brain pressure, joint and body aches to numbness, sensitivity to light, skin crawling sensations and intestinal issues, among others.
Turner decided to call Howe for advice.
“Armed with the information she gave me from Graham’s treatments, I went to my naturopathic doctor in Waimea, Michaela Martin. She immediately began naturopathic and acupuncture treatments aimed at killing the parasites, and researched what had been done or could be done to treat RLWD,” she said.
Dr. Martin said she felt relieved there were options to support her patient and rid her body of the parasites.
“I worked to boost her immune system and reduce inflammation in her nervous system, using a variety of nutrients and started her on IV vitamin therapy,” she said.
Turner also continued chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and essential oils. She went on disability for more than six months before returning to work part-time in May 2016.
“I’m still recovering,” Turner said Wednesday. “I’ve improved a lot but am still receiving IV vitamin therapy once a month. I still have some of the symptoms but they are less severe and debilitating.”
Earlier this month, she attended a RLWD talk at Tutu’s House given by Jason Dela Cruz, a public health preparedness health educator for Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), and shared her story with the group.
“Ms. Turner’s hybrid use of both medical and naturopathic medicine is somewhat unique and demonstrates that cooperation between all parties involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment can have positive results,” Dela Cruz said. “We can all work together better to address this issue and should work collaboratively as much as possible.”
He continued, “Officially, the DOH, Department of Agriculture (DOA) and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) outreach collaborative formed in May of this year. They have been working on this topic for many years to consolidate the current understanding and best practices regarding RLWD. The general presentation we share touches on all points that we determined relevant. It includes input and guidance from our disease investigators, vector control and sanitation programs.”
During the talk he stressed the important of preparing vegetables safely.
“We all should consider that a good portion of rats, slugs and snails in Hawaii are likely infected. It’s important to inspect, wash and store all produce carefully, and reduce or prevent snails/slugs from entering gardens by using raised beds, copper tape and poison control,” Dela Cruz said. “Like many health issues, prevention is key.”
“Rinsing with water does not kill the parasite. The infective larvae are invisible to the naked eye. When in doubt, throw it out or thoroughly cook veggies and fresh water prawns, snails, frogs, crayfish or crabs to kill the parasite,” he added.
Another option is freezing vegetables, after washing them, for 24 hours before using them.
According to a DOH report from 2007-2016, 10 RLWD cases were confirmed in Hawaii County in 2016. DOH plans to continue giving rat lungworm presentations around the island to inform residents.
Jarvi, PhD, studies host-parasite and parasite-parasite interactions and influences on transmission and virulence of infectious disease at UH-Hilo Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
“We initiated research and educational outreach in 2012,” Jarvi said. “We’ve completed one study evaluating a diagnostic test developed in Thailand on human exposure to the rat lungworm parasite and are in the process of isolating the proteins needed from Hawaii’s rat lungworm as a diagnostic test for comparison.”
They are also working with the Centers for Disease Control, who is preparing the proteins in a different manner, she said.
“In the next year we hope to have a comparative study completed with these three tests on the same 435 human blood samples previously collected,” Jarvi added.
For research and education outreach funding, Sen.Russell Ruderman submitted bills for the Jarvi Lab in 2015 and 2016, but both were denied.
“In 2017, Sen. Kai Kahele submitted the bill for funding $1.4 million to be spread over two years for us. The bill passed both Senate and House Committees unanimously and unopposed with very strong testimony support, however the bill was killed in the last hours of the 2017 Legislative Session,” Howe said.
Jarvi, Howe and Turner submitted testimony for the bills.
“We attempted a third time to obtain state funding and were again unsuccessful. In the final week of the session, Ways and Means Chair Senator Jill Tokuda gave $1 million to the Hawaii State DOH,” Howe said. “The research and education being done in the UH-Hilo Jarvi Lab is not only beneficial to Hawaii, but also to the mainland and other countries impacted by rat lungworm disease.”
Hawaii Island Rat Lungworm Working Group recently received donations from other sources, including $35,000 from the Max and Yetta Karasik Family Foundation to investigate the effectiveness of commercially available water filters in blocking rat lungworm larvae from entering household and agricultural rainwater catchment water supplies, and the effects of UV light on RLW larvae. Hawaii Catchment Co. in Keaau supplied a “laboratory-sized” catchment system.
A $10,000 donation came from the Anderson-Beck Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation to create a brochure with information on safer buying, cleaning and storing fresh produce eaten raw. Jarvi said it will be made available for all interested grocery stores, markets, produce stands and CSA food boxes on the island.
The James Shingle Family Fund and Edwin and Cynthia Sorenson funded the printing of general audience brochures and several thousand copies of “The Mystery of Rat Lungworm Disease,” an activity book that will be made available to second-grade students at schools on Hawaii Island.
“Education is important, but research is critical if we are to understand the modes of transmission, identify disease ‘hotspots,’ determine the effectiveness of vector control, develop a reliable blood-based diagnostic and evaluate acute and chronic treatments,” Jarvi said.
While earning a Master of Science from the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Program at UH-Hilo last year, Howe’s thesis work focused on five partner schools with school garden projects, including Kanu o ka Aina.
“Hawaii Island has the highest incidence of rat lungworm disease of all the Hawaiian Islands and the mainland,” she said in her report. “In collaboration with five partner schools on Hawaii Island, (we) worked with students and teachers to develop an integrated pest management plan for school garden projects.”
But Howe thinks more needs to be done.
“The state needs to realize we could lead the nation in research, and to get over the fear of telling tourists,” she said. “Ignoring this problem that started to be evident back in 2005-2007 has led to the spread of the parasite and its hosts. Now it will be a much bigger problem. This disease is debilitating if you have a serious case. We have had deaths and permanent disability from rat lungworm disease on Hawaii Island over the past 10-15 years and nothing was done.”
Info: Donations can be made to the University of Hawaii Foundation, Rat Lungworm Research at https://giving.uhfoundation.org/give-now. To schedule a DOH rat lungworm talk contact Jason Dela Cruz at firstname.lastname@example.org

domain: medical


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The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) with a view to establish the age-old customs and culture of the Rabhas, an ethnic tribe spread all over the Northeast and thickly populated in Goalpara and Kamrup (Rural) district, has prepared a documentary on Rabhas’ traditional religious festival ‘Baykho Puja’.
“We have completed a documentary on Baykho Puja, which is our main religious festival, to make people know about how and why it is celebrated,” remarked Jivan Rabha, Executive Member (EM) of the Cultural department, RHAC. He was addressing a meeting as the Chief Guest on the occasion of the 41st art and cultural anniversary celebration of the Baida Krishti Sanmiloni of the Rabhas that concluded on Saturday.
Jevan Rabha further stated that Fedardoa is a holy and historical place for the Rabha people as the concept of worshiping Goddess Baykho began from the village.
The cultural event is organised at the Fedardoa village, 2 km from the Assam-Meghalaya border of Goalpara district, in order to conserve, uplift and publicise the glorious history of the Rabha people.
“A race which forgets its birthplace, history and culture, ends up becoming parasite losing its own identity,” remarked Bipin Churchung, another speaker on the occasion.
Santaram Rabha, lecturer of Baida College, vehemently opposed the conversion of some Rabha people into other religion and termed it as anti-Rabha activity.
During the convention, Pratap Rabha, a cultural activist from Meghalaya, spoke about the dance customs like ‘Daowa’ and ‘Humjar’ and their significance.
The programme, which was inaugurated by young social worker Dhrubo Narayan Rabha, concluded with the highlight of achievements by Rabha icons like Birubala Rabha, Pabitra Rabha and Sukracharya Rabha.

domain: sociology


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Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Livermore, San Francisco, Ventura, San Jose, Highway 1 (parts of) Our first new home was Sanborn County Park just south of Saratoga. It is the closest commute for Gabrielle to Mountain View and its a nice quiet park with lots of deer, turkeys, newts and birds. Gabrielle’s friend from Oak Park … Continue reading California for the Holidays →
Annapolis, Bourbon Trail, Nashville, St. Genevieve, Fort Collins, Longmont, Las Vegas, Ventura We had two weeks to get to our destination of Santa Cruz County in the San Francisco Bay area, for which Gabrielle would then have to report to her first day of work at the new Davey Resource Group project. Two weeks to … Continue reading Road Trip! From the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean →
Altoona, Raystown Lake, Huntingdon, Pottsville, Towanda, Hills Creek SP, State College Back to Altoona! Like we said before, we stayed here for a while – under the walnut trees that pounded us with fresh walnuts in September and October! Check out the picture below with all of the walnuts covering the ground at our campsite, … Continue reading Pennsylvania Part 3 – Autumn 2021 →
Woodland, Clearfield, Quehanna Wild Area, Butler, St. Mary’s, DuBois, Brookville, Altoona, York, Gettsyburg This continued adventure in Pennsylvania has really been a different experience for us. Not only are we staying in one place for longer period of time, we are also staying in nice campgrounds with lots of amenities thanks to Gabrielle’s company covering … Continue reading Pennsylvania Part 2 →
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domain: geography


text:
For The Record PR
Skream - Chesters Groove EP (IFEEL)
Oliver Jones, better known as Skream announces his new record label called IFEEL with the debut release coming in May. The London-native will be inaugurating the imprint with the three-track Chesters Groove EP, featuring two remixes from Berghain-resident Norman Nodge. The cover artwork is designed by GIF-ITI pioneer INSA, who will be heading up visual identity for the label.
Describing the ethos of IFEEL, Skream states: “I wanted to create a label solely for my own productions, in any genre I feel like. I want to bring in musical artists from across all genres that I really admire. I am especially proud that INSA is part of IFEEL and that Norman is joining me on the debut release”.
Skream’s original leads the charge. It’s a riotous offering, taking no prisoners with rapid kick-hat combos and prominent snares throughout. Norman Nodge’s Ying remix soon arrives, pairing similarly hard-hitting percussion with resonant claps before the Yang remix ups the tempo further. A pacey, five-minute techno cut, showcasing the Berlin mainstay at his best.
Few artists have had as sizable an impact on electronic music as Skream. From his formative years at the forefront of the pioneering dubstep sound, through to more recently where the Croydon native has cemented his reputation as a global tastemaker through his own label Of Unsound Mind, releasing music from the likes of Sfire, Black Girl / White Girl, Richie Blacker and a host of other grassroots talent. As a DJ he continues to take his enthusiasm around the globe, whether it be in a small basement or headlining festivals.
German talent Norman Nodge has been a resident of the country’s Berghain since 2005. Being a life-long music lover, DJ and promoter of his own parties during the 90s, Norman has achieved his current status as Berlin’s secret weapon for serious techno through several production ventures on Marcel Dettmann’s MDR label, as well as releasing Native Rhythm Electric on the iconic Ostgut Ton. Contemporary artist INSA has garnered a global following thanks to his recent experiments in the social and digital media spheres. Coining the term ‘GIF-ITI’, INSA pioneered the process of creating GIF animation from graffiti, where a wall is painted several times before each layer photographed then overlaid to create the final piece.
|Release Date||May 21st, 2021|
|Chesters Groove (Norman Nodge Ying Remix)||Skream||6:03|
|Chesters Groove (Norman Nodge Yang Remix)||Skream||4:47|
Artists that we have recently worked with include; Shermanology, Seth Troxler, Shanti Celeste, Jamie Jones, Solardo, Subb-an, Four Tet, Francesca Lombardo, Nicole Moudaber, Butch, Rodriguez Jr., Infinity Ink, Marc Romboy, Skream, Alex Niggemann, Damian Lazarus, André Hommen, Hyenah, Lousiahhh, IMOGEN, Wax Wings and James Solace among others.
Labels we have recently worked with include Skint, Stress Records, Moteur Ville Musique, BMG, Watergate, HE.SHE.THEY., Future Disco, Hot Creations, Crosstown Rebels, AEON, Chapter 24 Records, Life and Death, Mobilee, International Feel, Needs-not-for-profit and more.
You can contact us at abi @fortherecordpr.co.uk and jess @fortherecordpr.co.uk with any questions.

domain: entertainment


Wednesday, January 29, 2014
This is coolbert:
Thanks to the Strategy Page book review by Professor Al Nofi we have:
"The Jeune Ecole: The Strategy of the Weak", by Arne Røksund
"Jeune École is the name given to group of French naval officers and politicians during the late nineteenth century who proposed radical changes in the country's naval strategy. They believed that the French Navy should shift from a 'command of the seas' model based on a battle fleet to a 'guerre de course' (commerce raiding) and coast defense model. The ultimate result was a notable decline in the importance of the French Navy by the eve of the Great War."
War of the flea, guerrilla warfare at sea. The SMALL victorious and to be preferred over the BIG! NOT necessarily to be thought of as WEAK!
"some among the more radical claiming that the battle fleet was obsolete in the age of submarines, automotive torpedoes, torpedo boats, fast cruisers, and long-range coast artillery.?
"the radicals grossly overestimated the effectiveness of the new technologies."
Those constituent element of Jeune Ecole more correctly understood as:
* Ocean-going torpedo boats and not merely coastal huggers..
* "Fast cruisers" a heavily armed but lightly armored warship the target primarily enemy merchant vessels.
* "Long-range coastal artillery those large-bore naval guns but emplaced in fixed positions near vital harbors, sea ports, naval bases, etc.
* Jeune Ecole the advocacy of which begun before the advent of the submarine. That submarine thought of when first developed as strictly a DEFENSIVE naval weapons system.
Overestimating "the effectiveness of the new technologies" AND ALSO THE IDEA IN THE HEAD OF THE POLITICIAN THAT THE JEUNE ECOLE APPROACH WAS MUCH CHEAPER!!
To what extent Jeune Ecole resembles the American "Military Reformers" of the modern era I leave to the devoted follower to the blog to ponder!


DRAGON SMOKE: December Shows Announced, Jazz Fest 2011 SBD
The all-New Orleans collaboration known as Dragon Smoke (Robert Mercurio, Stanton Moore, Ivan Neville & Eric Lindell) announced this week a December West Coast tour of a few of California’s NOLA music hotspots. But before they set out on the run, they will be hunkering down in Tipitina’s for a Friday night funk-out to appease both their biggest fans and those of us who just can’t seem to make the Tuesday night thing in May. For those of you not familiar with Dragon Smoke, they have been holding down a spectacular gig at One Eyed Jacks on the Tuesday in between Jazz Fest weekends for the last couple of years and have become a sort of pop-up supergroup of the New Orleans music scene (with Jazz Fest and Jamcruise as their phonebooth). They are a mix of Galactic‘s rock solid rhythm section, the smooth organ-funk of Ivan Neville , and the Gulf Coast-meets-California country-soul of Eric Lindell (the tie that binds NOLA to the left coast) – making for one of my absolute favorite side projects in the city and one helluva show.


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Australia’s property resale market
Michael Mancuso looks at how resold properties performed over the September quarter.
As markets in certain areas of Australia are on the rise, just 4.25 per cent of people who sold their properties over the September quarter did so at a loss. A stronger housing market is generally indicated when a high proportion of properties are reselling at a profit.
Weaker local housing market conditions are indicated when a higher proportion of properties resell at a loss. Trends in profit and loss are reflective of recent and longer-term market conditions. Ultimately, as investors, we enter the property market to make a profit, so understanding how resold properties in Australia are performing is fundamental.
The recent decline in housing values reflects a lower proportion of profit-making resales, despite the recent recovery trend in housing values. While the proportion of profit-making resales has dropped due to the lower trend of housing values, the majority of properties continued to resell at a price that exceeded the previous purchase price.
87.4 per cent of resales across the nation over the September quarter made a gross profit, which is just 0.3 per cent higher than in the June quarter. The peaks of 2017 had 92 per cent of all resales seeing a gross profit. Over the September quarter, the total value of gross profit derived from resold dwelling was $18.7 billion and $764.8 million in gross losses from resales, according to a recent report by CoreLogic.
Capital cities vs regional markets
Most successful region: Hobart
Least successful region: Darwin
Markets in Australia’s capital cities are recording a lower proportion of resales at a gross profit in comparison to regional markets. 87.1 per cent of capital city houses and units resold at a gross profit, in comparison to the 88 per cent of regional resales at gross profit.
Hobart stands out as the market leader with the highest proportion of resales at gross profit, with 98.1 per cent of homes sold over the quarter seeing a gross profit. Regional Tasmania saw 96.4 per cent of resales turning a gross profit and regional Victoria was not far behind, sitting at 96.6 per cent.
Housing values in Tasmania and regional Victoria have shown a strong growth trajectory over the past five years and have also shown more resilience to falling values during the latest downturn. Darwin has shown the lowest proportion of profit-making resales, with just 51.7 per cent of dwellings resold at a gross profit over the September quarter.
Regional Western Australia was not far ahead of Darwin, with 56.9 per cent of resales being profitable, and Perth was at 63.6 per cent. Darwin, regional Western Australia and Perth have seen a long period of housing downturn, with home values generally in decline since June 2014.
The proportion of loss-making resales fell across both combined capital cities and combined regional markets. Overall, capital cities saw a higher rate of 12.9 per cent in comparison to the 12 per cent seen by combined regional areas of Australia. Over the past decade, regional areas of our nation have generally recorded a higher proportion of loss-making resales in comparison to capital cities. Although this dynamic shifted as capital city markets embarked on a more substantial correction.
Additional factors that have contributed to an improvement in regional loss-making resales are; improving home values throughout many of the mining regions, which were previously not doing any favours for regional performance; and strengthening conditions throughout many coastal lifestyle markets.
Proportion of loss-making sales, Australia’s capital cities (combined) and regional markets (combined).
Across the nation
Nationally, loss-making resales trended lower over the September quarter making up 12.6 per cent of all resales over the period. This decline followed a steady rise in loss-making resales between June 2017 and June 2019, according to a recent report by CoreLogic. This rise was aligned with the fall in national housing values, when dwelling values dropped by 8.4 per cent.
As housing values make a comeback, the proportion of loss-making resales shows a small improvement from June’s rate of 12.7 per cent, although this rate is still above the decade average of 9 per cent. Despite this, we saw the majority of home owners in the nation sell their property at a gross profit.
An improvement in housing market conditions has supported a reduction in loss-making resales across most cities, with a lower rate recorded in the following capital cities:
- Sydney (June 10.9 per cent/September 9.8 per cent)
- Melbourne (June 7.8 per cent/September 7.0 per cent)
- Brisbane (June 12.8 per cent/September 12.1 per cent)
- Perth (June 36.7 per cent/September 36.4 per cent)
- Darwin (June 49.6 per cent/September 48.3 per cent)
The proportion of loss-making resales was up over the quarter in the following capital cities:
- Adelaide (June 8.2 per cent/September 10.8 per cent)
- Hobart (June 1.6 per cent/September 1.9 per cent)
- Canberra (June 9.8 per cent/September 10.7 per cent)
Proportion of loss-making sales: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide.
Proportion of loss-making sales: Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.
Although loss-making resales have generally reduced since the mid-year peak in 2019, loss-making resales remain well above the decade average across most of the capital cities, particularly in Perth and Darwin where the housing downturn has been ongoing since mid-2014 and dwelling values have fallen by more than 20 per cent. Hobart is an exception, where resales at gross loss were just 1.9 per cent of all resales over the September quarter, in comparison to a decade average of 8.1 per cent.
Hobart dwelling values have increased by 43.8 per cent over the past 5 years, while the regional dwelling market in Tasmania is 25.7 per cent higher. As housing values in most of the capital cities approach a slight recovery during the early stages of this year, it is likely that profit-making resales in these markets will continue to grow as a proportion of all resales.
Investors vs Owner Occupiers
Data from CoreLogic shows that across the nation, investors continue to be more likely to resell their properties at a loss compared to owner-occupiers. Over the September quarter of 2019, 11.1 per cent of properties that were owned by owner-occupiers resold at a loss compared to 16.6 per cent of investment properties.
In a falling market, owner-occupiers may be more prepared to sell at a loss if they are purchasing their next home at a similar or improved price point. Taxation rules may influence investors to be more prepared to incur a loss as they can offset those losses against future capital gains.
Proportion of total resales at a loss/gain, owner occupied & investment (September quarter).
All research included in this article has been sourced from CoreLogic.
— with Carly Tomadin
Michael Mancuso is the Managing Director of PGA Advisory.


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Friday, 12 August 2016
The Research Digest has moved!
On 11 August 2016 the BPS Research Digest blog moved to a new site, please find us over there : http://digest.bps.org.uk
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
More analytical, less intuitive people are better at empathy
Image via Roy Blumenthal/Flickr Reading what other people are feeling is an important skill that helps us navigate conflicts, deepen re...
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Episode 7: Use Psychology To Compete Like An Olympian
Image via Flickr This is Episode Seven of PsychCrunch, the podcast from the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, spo...
Two meta-analyses find no evidence that "Big Brother" eyes boost generosity
Being watched encourages us to be nicer people – what psychologists call behaving “pro-socially”. Recent evidence has suggested this effe...
Monday, 8 August 2016
Gender differences at the movies – women remember more of rom-coms, men remember more from action flicks
When viewing a film genre that supposedly “matches” our gender, we build up stronger memory “schema” Psychology research has shown that ...
Saturday, 6 August 2016
Our editor's pick the 10 best psychology and neuroscience links from the last week or so : How To Talk So That People Listen At the...
Friday, 5 August 2016
Are brainy people lazy? "Need For Cognition" correlates with less physical activity
According to Hollywood stereotypes, there are the clever, nerdy young people who spend most of their time sitting around thinking and read...
Thursday, 4 August 2016
A lot of "voice hearing" isn't an auditory experience at all
The message from recent surveys is that it's not just people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who hear voices in their heads, many pe...
Wednesday, 3 August 2016
Bridge Burning and the six other ways to quit your job
Just as Paul Simon sang about 50 ways to leave your lover, a new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology suggests there ar...
Friday, 29 July 2016
10 of The Most Widely Believed Myths in Psychology
In a sense we're all amateur psychologists – we've got our own first-hand experience at being human, and we've spent years obser...
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Neuro Harlow: The effect of a mother's touch on her child's developing brain
In the 1950s, the American psychologist Harry Harlow famously showed that infant rhesus monkeys would rather cling to a surrogate wire mot...
View web version

domain: psychology


Sporting a sleek profile and equipped with the latest Benelli technology, our ETHOS Cordoba BE.S.T. shotguns deliver unmatched semiautomatic performance. Ported barrels team with our ComforTech® recoil-reduction system to make shooting a pleasurable experience. Our proven Inertia Driven® System ensures flawless reliability in any weather when cycling anything from heavy 3-inch 12-ga. magnums to the lightest 7⁄8 ounce loads. Each has a beveled loading port to promote fast reloading. A large bolt handle and enhanced trigger guard aid shooters wearing gloves. Benelli Surface Treatment (BE.S.T.) on external metal surfaces offers a level of protection from rust and corrosion that competing surface treatments can only aspire to.
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Benelli’s Shell View system has small windows in the magazine tube that are visible through a slot in the forend, enabling you to see how many shells are loaded in the tube. A red follower/indicator in the picture shows there are four shells in the magazine tube.
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|NEW PRODUCT||ITEM NUMBER||STOCK FINISH||RECEIVER FINISH||BARREL FINISH||GAUGE||BARREL LENGTH||GRIP||MSRP||STOCK CONFIGURATION||SIZE||HAND-DOMINANCE||EXTENDED CHOKE||CHAMBERED FOR||MIN. RECOMMENDED LOAD||MAGAZINE CAPACITY||SIGHT||ACTION||DRILLED & TAPPED||LENGTH OF PULL||DROP AT HEEL||DROP AT COMB||OVERALL LENGTH||AVG. WEIGHT|
|New!||10644||Black Synthetic||Anodized, Black||BE.S.T. Treatment||28-Gauge||28″||Standard||$2,349||Comfort Tech® 3||Standard||Right Handed||Crio® – C, IC, M, IM, F||2-3/4″, 3″||2-dram, 3/4-oz. loads||2+1||Red, fiber-optic front||Semi-auto||No||14-3/8″||2-1/4″||1-1/2″||49″||5.4 lbs|
Standard hard case to protect your firearm.


We are a group of automotive enthusiasts who push the envelope of stock ecu advancements in modern automotive supercars. M-Engineering was started with a goal of providing a much needed service to the aftermarket industry. We strive to make sure that we are on the leading edge of development and calibration. No matter the platform, we are here to help with reverse engineering, hardware design, software design or calibration. We can do it all. Contact us and let us know how we can help you!