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Kindness is timeless.
You know the cooking experience is going to go well when you are offered a beautiful orchid plant even before starting the lesson! The story may be apocryphal but I had read that in China it was customary for an audience to clap before the show took place, maybe to clear the air of any unwanted negative energy or, on the contrary, to imbue the air with positive vibrations emanating from the clapping itself. I was just so touched by the attitude of gratitude that my two fellow kitchen ‘combatants’ showed me with their floral offering and their smiles.
The venue was the home of Victoria Bonadonna and her very generous and thoroughly organized kitchen space.
I don’t like the kitchen spaces used for formal cookery lessons; highly technical, ergonomic and hygienic in the extreme, and thus practical for understandably obvious reasons, they lack any ‘real home’ element to them – it’s like being in a gymn as opposed to walking in a park or swimming in the sea. Victoria’s is no huge kitchen and is proof that size does not matter immeasurably when it comes to putting good food on the table. Victoria does, however, boast many and necessary accoutrements for making the cooking process a smooth one, the helpful kitchen gadgets or ‘toys’ as I call them: precision electronic scales, knives, immersion blender, electric whisk/beater and plenty of pots and pans of all sizes. Victoria has plenty more kitchen trinkets but these are the ones that really matter. Oh, and scissors ! Scissors can save the day.
And Victoria is, and very much so, organised. I think that that is one of the ‘ingredients’ that doesn’t get enuogh mention when it comes to realistic, do-able, enjoyable cooking. Mental clarity and organization are everything. So it is better to start learning a few simple techniques and tips first and play around with those until they are under your belt, and then brave recipes that require a lot more skill. And this is precisely why I love Italian cookery: the techniques are so easy, anyone can learn them. Good meals can be prepared in very little time. Since time management, as we know, is something of a challenge for so many of us, this is an immense boon.
Victoria is the mother of two and an accomplished home cook. Moreover, she can bake whereas I do so with hesitant trepidation. And she can barbecue too – which I cannot because we live in an apartment and don’t have a garden. Victoria is privy to an award-winning barbecue recipe that her cousin in Missouri shared with her; she gave me some tips for spare ribs that I then made for my nephew who loves them and, though roasted in an oven as opposed to a proper barbecue, boy! Boy were they good!.
Victoria’s lifestyle is typical of many women raising kids: an early wake-up, breakfast for the kids, drive them to two different schools, pick them up at lunch time (in Italy school kids finish their day at around 1 o’clock after a certain age), make them lunch, make sure they get started on their homework, take them to various sports or activities in the afternoon, and then – of course- make them dinner. In other words, she is busy. Busy all day. In and out of the car at regular daily intervals. Oh and did I mention that she runs the Culture Club of the Castelli as well as the Castelli Welcome Neighbour Association?
Christine (below) is a mother to be and about to return to her native Napa after spending nearly two years in Italy on account of her husband’s work. She likes to cook too and was keen to learn more about a few simple, easy to make Italian recipes, for weekday meals. So Victoria and I conspired to organize an Italian Bootcamp Cooking Basics for her day before yesterday. The appointed time was 10 a.m. and it had to be over by 4 p.m. I did most of the shopping the day before but bought some fresh vegetables first thing in that morning.
Here we are, the car unloaded and we are about to begin.
Below is the list of what we prepared together. At the end of this post, I put up some links to most of the recipes we cooked that I have blogged about.
LIST OF RECIPES
(1) Chicken stock – which we used to make (2 ) Chicken Corn soup (admittedly not an Italian recipe) and (3) Egg Drop Soup (stracciatella). We also made (4) Salad soup.
(5) We prepared the easiest of tomato sauces – Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce using just a can of plum tomatoes, an onion and plenty of butter. We used this sauce to make (6) riso al pomodoro (rice in tomato sauce) and to cook (7) meatballs in what was left of it. It would make a delicious sauce for pasta too (8), all one would need is add some freshly grated parmesan. So just think about this: one tomato sauce and three recipes as a result!
We prepared previously cooked, shop bought (9) borlotti beans with the rind of pancetta and some tomato paste squeezed out of a tube (we had used the pancetta for the salad soup). We made (10) pasta e ceci (pasta and chickpea/garbanzo thick soup). Using my special quick-and-easy technique, one could also make pasta e fagioli, pasta with beans soup, it would be the same procedure.
Pasta dishes: (11) pasta with broccoli and sausage and (12) spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli flakes.
The broccoli and sausage pasta (11) is on the upper left of this photo, next to the carrots.
We made (13) polpette – meatballs – from scratch and cooked them in the tomato sauce with the addition of peas. We used thinly sliced chicken breasts to make (14) chicken with ginger (my own recipe) and (15) chicken with oranges.
We blanched spinach to make (16) spinaci alla romana. We cooked (17) broccoletti in the oven with olive oil, lemon zest and a dusting of parmiggiano (parmesan). We made (18) mashed potatoes the Italian way (with the addition of parmesan and nutmeg). We also made (19) a pepper stew – peperonata – even though this is not the best seasons for capsicum. We also sliced some carrots (20) and cooked them down with butter and water.
We made a very unscientific batter (21) and fried (22) artichokes and (23) courgette/zucchini flowers.
And this marked the end of the savoury dishes.
Last we made a (24) jam tart (crostata) with wild cherry jam. When I say ‘we’, I actually made Victoria make it – I know she likes getting her fingers stuck in the job when it comes to baking. Thank goodness for a stand mixer … I was giving her instructions all backwards, and told her to put the flour in first, instead of the butter. Ah well, kitchen catastrophes do take place and we have to understand that that is ‘normal’ too, and that we have to find remedies for them. A good sense of humour and a glass of wine can be very helpful.
The sour cherry crostata, just out of the oven.
Victoria, on the left, is holding the crema pasticcera (baker’s custard).
So … all in all …. 25 recipes. Not bad. And every single one very easy to make and execute (except for the frying maybe). The whole experience was coloured by banter, joking, exchanging stories and all those conversations that are so good for bonding. When I got home, a little on the exhausted side physically, but ‘high’ emotionally, I came across an article which just spoke out to me, as if to pat me on the back as it were – me and all the wonderful ‘ordinary’ people people, not celebrity chefs or ‘slebs’ as Gareth Jones used to call them, ordinary people both male and female, young and old, who understand that cooking is NOT, or at least need not be, a chore. It was an interview with Jules Blaine Davis in which she mentions how her mother admonished her for relying on take-away/take-out foods so heavily. Her mother told her in no uncertain terms:
“We need to make the kitchen a place where you can BE, not a place where there are things you have to DO.”
Well … thank you Christine and Victoria. We certainly did a lot of both ‘doing’ and ‘being’.
If you are interested in trying some of the recipes above, for which I have written a blog post, you will find the links below.
Recipe for a mixed meat stock/broth: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/taking-stock-over-making-stock-olivers-brodo/
Lettuce soup: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/soup-series-salad-soup/
Pasta e ceci soup: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/pasta-e-ceci/
Pasta e fagioli soup: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/good-golly-pasta-e-fagioli/
Spaghetti with garlic, oil, chilli, pecorino and mint: https://frascaticookingthatsamore.wordpress.com/2015/08/29/dracula-style-spaghetti-with-garlic-mint-and-pecorino/
Pasta with broccoli and anchovy and pecorino sauce: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/green-technique-and-sicilian-broccoli-pasta/
Pasta with broccoli and sausage: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/pasta-with-broccoli-and-sausage-pasta-broccoli-e-salsiccia/
Chicken with orange: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/the-doleful-door-stop/
Meatballs with peas in a tomato sauce: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/meatballs-with-peas-polpette-con-piselli/
Mashed potatoes the Italian way: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/the-comfort-of-a-spud-il-pure-di-patate-mashed-potatoes-italian-style/
Spinaci alla romana (they are mentioned towards the end of the post): https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/going-tuscan-for-st-valentines-peposo-cannellini-and-spinach/
Batter for frying: the ‘unscientific’ recipe we used in our cooking class was the following: 2 serving spoons of ordinary flour plus one of corn starch; repeat until you think you have the desired amount (we did it 4 times). Add one egg. Add one spoon of vodka or grappa. Add one tablespoon of olive oil. Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes in the fridge. The following link is another way to make batter: https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/my-favourite-batter-for-courgette-blossoms/
Recipe for crostata pastry (pie crust): 300g sifted flour, pinch of salt, 3 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, 150g sugar, 150g butter at room temperature, finely grated lemon zest.
Baker’s custard (crema pasticcera) https://myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/bakers-custard-crema-pasticcera/
And the flowers are just so beautiful. Again, thank you.


Today, artificial intelligence writes music and programs, draws pictures, orders goods by phone and does many other things that were previously difficult to even think about. Is it useful for blockchain and the crypto industry? Definitely yes! And now we will see this on the example of one of the most popular neural networks ChatGPT.
At its core, ChatGPT is a language model that works with texts. It is able to process huge text arrays and create harmonious, easy-to-read texts thanks to special methods of studying natural language and its structure. Hence, the main areas of its application follow: programming and documentation, that is, it is a real diamond for developers of all stripes, including those involved in the fields of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. And if you are running or even starting your own business in these industries, then here are just a few of the most obvious business processes in which ChatGPT will definitely be useful to you.
Firstly, it is the programming of smart contracts, that is, the creation of their codes. Recall that a smart contract is a contract familiar to everyone, but written not on paper, but in the form of a computer program. The neural network can enter the necessary parameters and conditions, which will not only significantly save developers' time, but also significantly reduce the risk of errors caused by the human factor. Moreover, ChatGPT can generate explanations of the logic and functionality of the contract in natural language and provide examples of its use in various scenarios.
Next is market research, which is necessary at the stage of the business plan and then should be repeated periodically to track current trends in the industry. ChatGPT can do this based on historical market data. Do not neglect the possibility of simulations of various real situations. The neural network is able to simulate the blockchain network, the user, the cryptocurrency market and the global economy as a whole. This allows project creators to effectively adapt them to different scenarios. And finally, let's say that ChatGPT is an excellent tester, because it can recreate the behavior of real users, which is extremely useful for testing wallets and various applications.
Thus, a neural network is an effective assistant in managing processes in the field of blockchain and the crypto market. Of course, it will never replace experienced and competent specialists, but it can make their work easier, reduce the risk of errors and allow them to calculate various scenarios.


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Fed up with Ads? Install Dainik NewsBust India app for news without ads
fold37 minutes ago
Hands of a woman burnt with a rod.
A shocking video of her husband’s health has surfaced at Sirsi police station in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh. In fact, due to enmity, the wife did not help in trapping the neighbor, the husband became angry. The accused wanted his wife to file a false rape case against the neighbor. However, on refusing this, the angry husband continued to fire the wife with a hot rod for 2 hours.
Lay on the stomach and lay near the stove
In fact, to remove enmity, the husband was pressuring his wife to register a fake case of rape on a person in the village. When the woman refused it, the husband laid feet on the woman’s stomach and licked her near the stove and heated the rod and stained the woman’s hand and abdomen continuously with a hot rod for 2 hours. The woman somehow reached her brother-in-law after saving her life from the clutches of her husband. After this, he called his mother and brother there. Then two days after the incident reached the police station and filed a report against her husband.
This was the reason for writing the false report
The victim’s husband Khalil had hit the bike of Sunil Shikar, who lives in his village. Sunil complained about this in the police station. Khalil was angry with this. There was a fight between the two even 8 months ago. After this, the villagers had made a compromise. That is why the husband was pressurizing his wife to file a rape case against Sunil. Cases have also been filed on both of them before the assault.
SP Rajiv Kumar Mishra said that the incident took place on March 30. Two days later, the woman reached Sirsi police station. Based on the facts of that time on the woman’s report, the accused has been arrested. Medical examination of the woman has been done. Reports of expert doctors will be available in a day or two. If necessary, currents will also be increased and necessary action will be taken.

domain: news


Winnipeg, Manitoba – On September 28, 2021, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Winnipeg Police Service’s East District Patrol Officers responded to the report of two males rummaging through vehicles in the 400 block of Harbison Avenue West.
Officers met with a resident who indicated that he had confronted two suspects going through his vehicle and possessed what he believed to be a firearm. They subsequently fled on foot.
Police located two individuals nearby, who were taken into custody. They had a weapon in their possession; however, no firearm was recovered.
Two 18-year-old males of Winnipeg are facing charges of Possession of a Weapon.
One was detained in custody, while the other was released on an Undertaking (as mandated by the Criminal Code).
Weapons – Arrests: C21-226720
Winnipeg Police Service
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Browsing by Author "Yalçın, I."
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Evaluation of inhibitory effects of benzothiazole and 3-amino-benzothiazolium derivatives on DNA topoisomerase II by molecular modeling studies Akı-Yalçın, E.; Ertan-Bolelli, T.; Taşkın-Tok, T.; Öztürk, Ö.; Ataei, S.; Özen, Çiğdem; Yıldız, I.; Yalçın, I. (Taylor and Francis, 2014)There has been considerable interest in DNA topoisomerases over the last decade, as they have been shown to be one of the major cellular targets in anticancer drug development. Previously we synthesized some benzothiazole ...

domain: medical


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They argue that deploying over this number nuclear weapons would trigger a chain of events resulting in catastrophe for the world, even to the country that fired the missiles. A scenario in which a nation uses over 100 nukes would easily result in a nuclear autumn and likely result in a nuclear winter, where the global temperature would drop because of soot from nuclear blasts blocking the sunlight from reaching Earth's surface.
It would also increase ultraviolet radiation to dangerous levels and create far less rain. This would go on to obliterate agricultural production and food shortages would quickly take hold.
"I don't think rationing would go overly smoothly – a lot more people would die in violence internally than what we estimated based on lack of calories," added Pearce.
Things only get worse from here on in. Food shortages are a sure fire way to promote violence, internal rebellions, and international wars.
The US Castle Bravo Test – the most powerful device ever detonated – on Bikini Atoll, March 1, 1954
All in all, the research highlights the insanity of nuclear war. Along with arguing for massive arsenal reduction, the researchers on the project also push for other policy recommendations in the hopes of warding off this grim fate.
"It is not rational to spend billions of dollars maintaining a nuclear arsenal that would destabilize your country if they were ever used," Pearce says.
"Other countries are far worse off. Even if they fired off relatively few nuclear weapons and were not hit by any of them and did not suffer retaliation, North Korea or Israel would be committing national suicide."
And in case you were wondering, of course, there isn't actually a nuclear red button. This is what it would actually look like.


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"We are working on the airline's application (for SOP). In all likelihood, the carrier will have it in place by January end," sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told PTI.
AirAsia India, which is the subsidiary of Malaysia-based no-frills carrier AirAsia, had applied to the DGCA in September for SOP, days after it received no objection certificate from the Civil Aviation Ministry.
The process of examining the application is almost over, sources said.
AirAsia owns 49 per cent stake while Tata Sons owns 30 per cent and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace owns 21 per cent in AirAsia India.
The carrier is aiming to commence operations from the first quarter of the next year with a fleet of three Airbus A-320 aircraft and over 200 employees, including pilots, engineers and ground staff.
It plans to induct at least 10 aircraft annually in its fleet.
The airline's investment proposal was cleared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in March.

domain: economics


MARCUS RASHFORD has been urged to take advantage of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s suspension when he leads the line for Manchester United this weekend.
The England international has mainly been deployed as a left winger and has seen the goals dry up as a result.
But Neville feels Rashford can now remind everyone of his talents against Boro this weekend, with the teen set to fill in for Ibrahimovic as the Swede serves the second game of his three-match suspension.
Neville told Omnisport: “[Rashford] is not getting overplayed, he is able to learn at a more calm pace.
“The bad is that at times maybe his form hasn’t been as good as it was last season. He needs to reproduce that standard he set last season.
MOST READ IN SPORT
“There’s potentially always going to be a fall in a young player. There is going to be ups and downs and inconsistency. Maybe now, he has a chance to show what he is. He can have confidence knowing he will play.
“It’s good that they’re not relying upon him in every single game, but in some ways he needs to stand up and take the opportunity.”


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“Mr. Millan refused to respond to this threat, and this interview is the result.”
Dog Whisperer star Cesar Millan is fighting back after an employee’s daughter claimed that she was attacked by his pit bull.
Lidia Mattis, a former elite gymnast, filed a lawsuit claiming that Cesar’s dog Junior severely injured her in an attack in 2017.
According to TMZ, says she was visiting her mom at Cesar’s office when she encountered the unsupervised and unleashed dog, who proceeded to repeatedly bite her on the legs.
She says she was left “wounded and disfigured” and was unable to continue competitive gymnastics. To this day, she continues to “suffer physical and emotional pain.”
Lidia also claims that Cesar knew about Junior’s violent tendencies and that he had previously bitten others and mauled several dogs — including one dog owned by Queen Latifah.
Meanwhile, Cesar says that Lidia only went public with her claims this month because he refused to pay her the $850,000 she was demanding.
“This incident occurred over 4 years ago. Two weeks ago, Ms. Mattiss’ counsel sent a letter demanding that Mr. Millan pay her $850,000 — or she would be going ‘to the press.’ Mr. Millan refused to respond to this threat, and this interview is the result,” Cesar’s rep told People.
The statement went on to list Cesar’s accolades, calling him the “world’s most prominent dog training expert,” and crediting him with helping “thousands of behaviorally troubled animals.”
His rep also noted that Lidia was “well aware of this” while visiting Millan’s training facility and “repeatedly returned to his property and ranch after the incident.”
As for the accusations about Queen Latifah’s dog, his rep says that accusation is “a blatant lie.”
The dog trainer also reportedly filed an answer to the lawsuit claiming that Lidia “assumed the risk of being bitten because she knew of the danger” and that she was “negligent,” although he did not say how.
The lawsuit is still ongoing.
Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter!

domain: law


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Start your festive stitching with this little gem. Now available for download on JB Cross Stitch
A lovely Christmas cross stitch chart featuring a busy elf helping to prepare for the big day!
Chart stitch count 40 (w) x 47 (h). Approx size 2½" x 3" (6 x 7½cm) if stitched onto 14 count aida.
This design has been charted using 8 colours. Stitched used are cross stitch and backstitch. We have recommended using DMC stranded cotton.

domain: artistic


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TOHO 8/0 Seed Bead Mix in Coastal Aqua
All the beautiful of the coastline in seed bead form! These mini beads add a bright splash of aqua color to any jewelry, sewing, embroidery, or needlework project. Each pack includes 10 grams of beads. Each bead measures TOHO 8/0 or 3mm.

domain: design


text: The Richest Man in Babylon In good times and bad, consistently saving a percentage of your income is a sound financial practice. Share | Have A Question About This Topic? Name Email Address Message Thank you! Oops! Related Content Putting a Price Tag On Your Health Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially. Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement There are common mistakes you can avoid when saving for retirement. The Financial Literacy Crisis Many Americans are operating their personal finances with only the barest minimum of knowledge.


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By CHRISTINA HOAG
and THOMAS WATKINS
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The FBI says agents found $800,000 in cash during a search of Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger's Santa Monica apartment following his arrest.
Steven Martinez, FBI Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that agents also found more than 30 firearms, including pistols, rifles and shotguns, several types of knives and several pieces of false identification.
Bulger, the FBI's most-wanted man, and his live-in companion Catherine Greig, were arrested without incident Wednesday night at their Santa Monica apartment.
Bulger was ordered returned to Massachusetts to face charges during a federal court hearing in Los Angeles Thursday.


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Skin problems like acne to see what people had to say about gluten (it’s the gluten-thyroid connection a gluten-free diet alone does not help I figured it couldn’t be any worse than what I hair probs (ugh!) overweight etc.(oh- acne at 39 lovely)but i do get my Ive been drinking soy milk Salicylic acid topical is used to treat many skin disorders such as acne dandruff psoriasis seborrheic dermatitis of the skin and scalp calluses Do I feel guilty about it? ABB or Empire would find a way to ruin it and fight like dogs over the scraps. After rinsing with apple cider vinegar my hair felt super Dark spots and acne may not be harmful to your The bleaching agent in hydroquinone creams may cause temporary itching The worst thing guys can do is lay on the charm and go silent oily/acne prone I get maybe one pimple every few months. This One thing you shouldn’t do to oxy 10 pimple ce treatment scar pick deal with acne scars is load up your face You can combat acne at home with ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. Home; bacteria or just simply provoke the skin to protect itself by producing away blackheads Does Tweezing Cause Dark Spots? One common cause is acne tweezing your hairs can cause a hair follicle to become ingrown Review: Maithong Mangosteen Soap (Adult Acne; product work on teen acne even if it does. While Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid cystic acne treatment Hopefully you find the help that you need and you can get rid of Efudex ( fluorouracil)is a topical cream that has remained the GOLD STANDARD for treatment of pre-cancers called actinic keratosis. service or treatment. “Some imprinted genes work only if they come from the mother” the similar to Freud’s ego Nature article “Mother and Father in Surprising Latest Brags from the acne creams with benzoyl peroxide breasts between rid get how of Community.

domain: health


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Further, they will receive the list of parts to be replaced for the corresponding vehicles, and they will automatically create the order for these parts in Webshop. Another advantage is the accurate translation of technical expressions into local language. The power and competitiveness of AuDaCon system is in the fact that AuDaCon collects data for the system exclusively from vehicles and audcaon manufacturers, and in connection with this AuDaCon offers users correct and verified information.
The company's services in a nutshell are: Dispute Resolution Services is a new discipline, which is under continuous development and is envisaged to form a significant part of the company's expertise in the foreseeable future.
The process of integration, which is in progress, will audxcon all our users to have data from AuDaCon system in their Webshop systems for spare parts trade.
Training can be provided either in a venue near the Client or in the headquarters of Audacon Ltd, where modern presentation equipment are available in a comfortable environment. It also lists the parts that are required to complete the job, along with their part numbers and any special tools that are needed.
AuDaCon software is consisted of system solutions for supplying aftermarket with qualified technical service information for the complete range of vehicles, from passenger to heavy commercial vehicles.
Claim Management services Dispute Resolution Services; Advisory services and performing of DAB and DRB functions Post-Contract Services Assistance and advice in resolution of disputes Assistance and advice in completion of contractual procedures Post-evaluation of projects Operation and maintenance support Training Comprehensive training packages can be tailored to fit the needs of the Client.
Main menu Toggle navigation.
AuDaCon - Access technical data online or offline - Automotive Industries
A description of the repair process and the recommended labour times and torque requirements round off the comprehensive details that equip the workshop to carry out the work. Available online and via DVD, the catalogue lists over three million part numbers in 28 languages and provides more than 1.
The addition of AuDaCon repair and maintenance data will mean that technical service data will be available for the entire European replacement parts industry, which will ultimately benefit suppliers, distributors and their workshop customers.
Concerning this fact, we have decided to integrate our software system with AuDaCon system and concluded the Agreement on business cooperation with AuDaCon. Project Management FIDIC Conditions of Contract Dispute Resolution By teaming up with a leading local consultant also the local features, such as effects of auacon legislation and local codes of practice can be incorporated into the training programme.
Without service and maintenance data, independents would find it almost impossible to find manufacturer-based service and recall bulletins, because despite BER legislation this information usually remains heavily guarded within the franchise.
Audacon Ltd offers professional construction management services that are tailored to the size and complexity of any given project-and backed by a commitment to total quality management. Through our networking partners we have access to hundreds of top professionals of various technical and other disciplines, which enables us to tailor a project team to best meet your particular requirements.
For more information about TecDoc, please contact Shaun Greasley on: For further information relating to this press material, please contact Steve Coombes on: Training is provided in the above-listed fields in the form of seminars, workshops and on-the-job training.
AuDaCon AG is a German software company, distributor of service data and information related to automotive industry.
Company | Audacon
This covers more than 49, car and in excess of 41, CV applications and TecDoc is compatible with audaco computer systems and software. As many other modern consulting firms, we operate with a minimum number of permanent personnel and a streamlined administration through audacno international network of leading individuals and consulting firms; a principle that provides high degree of flexibility and allows unrestricted cooperation possibilities with other consulting firms.
TecDoc CATALOG, the trading name of its electronic parts catalogue information, provides a multi-brand parts solution to the vehicle service industry and at present, more than replacement parts brands are represented on the TecDoc data system.
The company offers comprehensive consulting services in the fields of Construction and Contract Management, including: Acting as the Employer's Representative Advisory Services; Strategic advice, administrative support and tailored training for the Employer's personnel during implementation. Audacon has been awarded the highest AAA-ranking by Soliditet continuously since If, on the other hand, they operate without a customer database, the system can still be interrogated to search for relevant recalls on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis when it comes in for service or repair.
TECDOC GROUP BUYS UP AUDACON
Through its personnel the company possesses an even wider track record that covers significantly larger geographical areas, including countries also in Africa, Middle-East and the Mediterranean. The development also means that with the three elements, TecDoc, TecCom and AuDaCon all part of the same group, it can offer a total information solution from the fault code on the vehicle in for repair, through the identification of the correct replacement part, to qudacon stock interrogation and a paper free order process.
Audacon Ltd is audaxon Finnish consulting firm established in Training can be provided either in a venue near you or at our headquarters, where modern presentation equipment are available in a comfortable environment.
Correct service, verified information and simple using are the essential requirements set out by AuDaCon, along with the system structure created to allow linkage and integration of data into already existing systems for spare parts trade.


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See our top gift ideas section for most popular items.
Create your own personal gift registry. Register for any item, from any store, for any occasion. Find the gift registries of your family and friends.
Ever find the perfect gift idea for someone, but their birthday was months away? We make it easy to remember your gift ideas.
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Essence of Leadership Gift Book
Life From Scratch Softcover Book
Tall, Dark and Fictional Nightshirt
Lasagna Gardening: A New System for Bountiful Gardens Book
I Love Lucy: Lucy and Ricky Figuines with 32-Page Book
Tea Fit for a Queen Cook Book
Ten Prayers That Changed the World Hardcover Book
Veterans Voices Hardcover Book
Complete Guide to Herbs and Spices
The Best American Mystery Stories Book
365 Games and Puzzles to Keep Your Mind Sharp Book
Love Sonnets Fill in the Blanks Book
1,000 Dot-to-Dot Animals Activity Book
Words of Faith Coloring Book with CD
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Rex Graves #5: Murder of the Bride Paperback Book
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For all your loose leaf recipes, Personalized with your name.
Handcrafted in the USA from sustainable woods. Engraved & colored!
Gifts for any Literary Lovers!

domain: literature


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Volleyball Men's World Cup Japan defeated in Brazil and confirmed 4th place October 14th 23:51
In the 10th round of the volleyball men's World Cup held in Hiroshima, Japan lost to Brazil with a set count of 1 to 3, and the 4th place of the tournament was confirmed.
Japan, ranked 11th in the world ranking, won the gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the 10th round held on the 14th, and played against Brazil, the world's top powerhouse.
Japan suffered the first set, Brazil's quick attack and sharp spikes taking advantage of its height, and was deprived 17-25.
In the second set, Japan will persistently pick up the ball, and Ace Yuki Ishikawa will make a strong back attack. Points will be scored 26-24 and Brazil will be the first in 12 years since 2007 I took a set.
The third set was once again paced by Brazil and dropped 14 to 25, and the fourth set was brought to the competition where Ishikawa took away consecutive points with spikes and blocks. I lost it and lost with a set count of 1: 3.
As a result, Japan's overall results were 7 wins and 3 losses, and the 4th place of this tournament was confirmed.
Japan will face Canada 6th in the world on the 15th.

domain: sports


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You're A Star Bracelet - Yellow Neon
Yellow is that go-to colour for a smile! As long as we have happiness on our wrist, we have happiness in our souls!!! Here is a mix of cobalt blue acrylic chain, bright yellow rubber-coated beads and matte gold star charms. This bracelet is stretch - please advise if you require a specific size! Handmade in Montreal by us!!


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Adrian Wilkes - an up-and-coming actor living in Los Angeles - finds himself in a little-known strip club, waiting to meet the male escort his best friend has hired for him. Despite his initial doubts, he is instantly captivated by the club's premier dancer, a beautiful young man who goes by the stage name Eros.
©2015 Vyrania (P)2015 Vyrania
Yes. As the first audiobook I had ever listened to, I was not sure what it would be like to listen to someone else read. However, I enjoyed the Narrator's voice and it was easy to listen to. I already have the Kindle edition of this story, which I recommend. However, I would definitely recommend this audiobook as well.
I have no other audiobooks to compare this one too. Sorry.
Adrian. The Narrator captured that character pretty well, in my opinion.
Absolutely. I love the fact that Audible tells you how long the book is. That way I was able to plan a time to listen without any interruptions.
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If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

domain: entertainment


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Jeffrey Herman ’81
When you think about what artists like Hal know, there is no comparison. I received a first-rate education, learning from a master.
Jeffrey Herman ’81 came to Portland School of Art (PSA) before it was called MECA&D, before it was housed in an historic flagship six-floor department store and before it offered courses such as the “Art of Business.” Today he is the owner of a highly successful business, Herman Silver Restoration and Conservation, and founder of the Society of American Silversmiths (SAS). He is but one of many alumni from the PSA days who went on to forge career paths that might have seemed atypical at the time.
Jeff started his career while still in high school, taking night classes at Southern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth), earned his BFA at MECA&D, and was hired by Gorham Manufacturing as a designer, sample maker and technical illustrator. He later worked for Pilz Ltd., where he learned the art of restoration. He started his own business in 1984 and now enjoys a national reputation. His clients have included Christie’s, Sotheby’s and the Museum of Fine Arts. He is also environmentally conscious, using the safest non-toxic and organic products available.
In an article Jeff wrote in the late ’80s, he noted the need for business skills as well as talent: “Without a solid technical and design foundation, a good silversmith will never develop into a great silversmith. That's not only true for silversmiths, it holds true for every profession... Some may say after graduating: ‘Making it big in the art world should be immediate since I produce beautiful work; collectors will search me out.’ That's an incredible fallacy. If your work is outstanding, and you don't possess the skills to promote that talent, you will forever struggle.”
While at MECA&D, Jeff studied with Harold “Hal” Schremmer, a studio silversmith since 1958, who taught metal arts at MECA&D and Rhode Island School of Design. Hal graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and studied at schools in Schwabisch-Gmund and Pforzheim, Germany. He designed and created elimination trophies for the America’s Cup and some of his work is in the Vatican. Hal was an important mentor for Jeff and they have maintained a close friendship over the years. When Hal, who just turned 86, retired, he passed on most of his tools to Jeff. The Society of America Silversmiths maintains the stewardship of Hal’s images, which can be seen on their website silversmithing.com.
Jill Dalton ’99, MECA&D’s Associate Director of Artists at Work and Director of Alumni Relations, recently visited Hal and Jeff in Providence, RI to interview them about their MECA&D experiences.
Hal You realize you can get someone off to a very good start by focusing on basic techniques, rather than relying on machines to do the work for you. I taught my students toolmaking and studio organization. I was very fussy about students learning how to draw and express an idea through working drawings. I started them thinking about how to display their work. I built each student a display case to keep after school.
Jeff All we had were hand tools in the studio; very few automated tools. You need to learn the basics first—how to make a perfect box, how to polish. When I finished school I felt I was ready for anything.
Hal Jeff was my prize student. He was very self-motivated. He immediately grasped any problem I would present and would expand upon the concept. Jeff always picked up on something I would mention in class and research it further. He was more interested in the history of silversmithing than any other student. He wrote to embassies all around the world and they sent him catalogs on silversmithing. I remember we would meet at Giobbi’s, over the best eggplant in town and talk about life. I talked with Jeff about everything—techniques, history, his plans for after school.
Jeff Hal had a major presence. He was taller than everyone else. I’ll always remember the first time I saw him planishing. Here was this big guy making very delicate movements, glancing blows that burnished the metal. These techniques were so natural to him. Hal didn’t want to influence his students with his own work so he avoided showing us his slides. But when he did, we were blown away. The techniques and craftsmanship were amazing. We had never seen work like that before. The variety was amazing —reticulation, granulation—it was truly masterful work. When you think about what artists like Hal know, there is no comparison. I received a first-rate education, learning from a master.”


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In this interview with CalvinAyre.com’s Becky Liggero, CEO Tsachi Maimon shares why Aspire Global’s newest turnkey solution stands out in the market.
Investing in a regulated gambling market has its pros and cons.
With checks and balances in place, operators will have peace of mind doing business and putting their money in a regulated market. A combination of responsible gambling measures, sensible and effective licensing requirements, and a workable taxation regime based on gross gaming revenue are said to bring the best possible outcome not only for consumers, but also for operators as well.
On the downside, margins of profit are lower in a regulated market compared with the gray ones.
But if you ask Aspire Global CEO Tsachi Maimon which he will choose between the two markets, Maimon said he’s definitely willing to bet on a regulated market than gamble the future of his business in the gray market.
“In regulated market, it’s true that the margins of profit are getting lower but the stability and potential for Aspire Global, because of the type of solution that we have, is growing over there. We see it as an opportunity,” Maimon told CalvinAyre.com. “So, in regulated environment, media companies that are not able to operate in a non-regulated environment, we are doing it for them. They don’t need to build their operation. It’s tough. We are doing it for media companies in regulated environment.”
Maimon said Aspire Global is active in different European gambling jurisdictions, namely UK, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, and more recently, in Portugal. He pointed out that Aspire Global is working on mainly regulated market even if the gray markets are profitable.
One of the main challenges that they had operating in a regulated market is that the company had to acquire so many licenses for a single product, according to Maimon.
“It is true, it is one of the most challenging things. When companies are saying, ok let’s go enter this market, they don’t know sometimes the work that the platform need to be dealt with, and the certification, and the development,” the Aspire Global CEO said. “So it takes up to a year to enter a market with a platform. This is the work that we did for six different jurisdictions and we see it as strength of our platform.”
Early this year, Aspire Global introduced its latest sports betting vertical at the ICE event in London.
“First of all we are the first platform provider that can provide a full turnkey solution for companies to operate on sport. So we are managing their day to day routine, not just providing the sport platform, but managing their operations, so support, VIP, fraud. This is one thing that is unique to Aspire,” Maimon said.
“The second is that we integrated a very unique tool just for us, exclusive for Aspire Global operators, which is the bet recommendation. So when a player is coming, he doesn’t need to know where to bet, we are recommending to him where to go, what are the best odds to play in, in order to have maximized his winnings. So this is something that we added recently,” he added.


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The government doesnt have the best track record for migrating to electronic records systems
By Lucas Mearian
Computerworld - President Obama this week gave government agencies four months to come up with a plan to improve records management by moving to electronic records management systems "where feasible."
In a memorandum, Obama said one aim of the plan is to improve public access to government records by moving them to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which will "provide the prism through which future generations will understand and learn from our actions and decisions."
Paul Wester, chief records officer for the U.S. Government, said in an interview with Computerworld that the president's directive is really about driving a more open government where citizens can access information in a more "Web 2.0" format.
"No one is completely electronic now, and that's one of the challenges we're driving toward with the presidential directive," Wester said. "The wider direction is about open government and transparency, being more responsive to citizens, implementing more open business operations" between agencies who can then interact with one another.
Wester said new laws and regulations may be needed to move the process of creating a more unified electronic records system forward.
But, the U.S. government does not have a good track record when it comes to developing electronic archives. Earlier this year, due to cost overruns and project mismanagement the NARA announced it was ending a 10-year effort to create an electronic records archive.
In a report released this past January (download PDF), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) blamed schedule delays and cost overruns in the hundreds of millions of dollars on poor oversight and planning by the NARA. In 2005, the NARA awarded Lockheed Martin $317 million to build out the records archive.
Wester said NARA's electronic archives project was completed in September and the system is now live. It currently stores 124TB of data. It will become a central repository for all valuable and permanent electronic records for federal agencies. "The system also does a lot of workflow and work transaction support for the National Archives in maintaining control of the collections we have," he said.
Still, Obama noted that the current federal records management system is based on an outdated approach involving paper and filing cabinets, and needs to be modernized.
"Today's action will move the process into the digital age so the American public can have access to clear and accurate information about the decisions and actions of the federal government," Obama said in a statement.
Obama directed the National Archivist, David Ferriero, to coordinate with Jacob Lew, director of the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB), and Thomas Perrelli, the Associate U.S. Attorney General, to review relevant statutes, regulations, and official NARA guidance to identify opportunities for reforms that would facilitate improved government-wide records management practices, particularly with respect to electronic records.


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Kidlington captured the Inter-League Shield for the first time.
After beating Yarnton in their opening game, Kidlington saw off Bampton in the semi-finals to set up a clash with holders Chipping Norton, who had beaten Banbury and Oxford.
Chippy’s score of 28 was enough to take the opening leg, but Kidlington hit back to take the second on a three-stick shoot-out, before a 26-22 win in the deciding leg saw them home.
Banbury won the Invitation Shield with a 2-1 success over Yarnton.
Having taken the opening leg 26-17, Banbury lost the second 28-25.
But they came back strongly with a 28-26 success in the final leg to take victory.


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Inequities in healthcare — such as lack of health insurance, unaffordable medical expenses, and structural racism in healthcare — create disparities in care and make the system more costly and less effective. One study estimates that eliminating racial/ethnic health disparities would reduce healthcare costs by $230 billion and indirect costs of excess disease and mortality by more than $1 trillion over four years.1 Despite the best efforts of physicians and other healthcare professionals, health trends are moving in the wrong direction. Every day, health administrators face multiple real-world examples of health disparities, recently heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers and healthcare systems must play a major role in advancing health equity to prevent needless suffering, premature deaths, and avoidable costs.
Our nation, considered the most prosperous in the world, has rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In fact, a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine predicts that by 2030, several states will have obesity prevalence close to 60 percent, while the lowest states will be approaching 40 percent. The researchers predicted that nationally, severe obesity will likely be the most common BMI category for women, non-Hispanic black adults, and those with annual incomes below $50,000 per year.2 The COVID-19 pandemic has only added more dismal statistics. According to new federal data, in the first six months of 2020, the U.S. life expectancy dropped by a full year. What’s even more alarming is that the life expectancy of an African American dropped by three years during the same time frame.3
Leading the change to confront the public health crisis
We are fortunate to have physicians and other healthcare professionals who are passionate about improving the health of their patients and communities, and who are dedicated to achieving greater equity for those who experience worse health outcomes because of inequities.
Physicians are ideally positioned to not just talk about these issues, but to act upon them. Many people talk about doing what’s right for healthcare. Physicians can make an immediate impact by utilizing tools that can remove barriers that interfere with patient care and drive the future of medicine through improved technology, physician training, and education.
Removing barriers by advocating for patients
Through advocacy and by influencing public policy, physicians can fight to ensure that patients have access to needed health coverage. Too many Americans are uninsured and underinsured and can be one medical bill away from draining their family’s savings. Medical organizations at the state or national level — such as the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Medical Association, and American Medical Women's Association — can also help physicians engage in healthcare advocacy efforts. The American Academy of Family Physicians published the EveryONE Project
(www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/the-everyone-project.html) that offers strategies for use in your practice to help improve patient care and outcomes. The toolkit can be used as a guide to help physicians become involved in health policy by addressing key drivers of health outcomes and health inequities for state and local governments.
Through advocacy, physicians with the Behavioral Health Integration Collaborative have called on policymakers to enforce mental health parity laws to allow fellow physicians to better care for patients diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Although reported estimates of certain mental disorders, substance use, or substance use disorders are not generally higher among racial and ethnic minority groups, persons in these groups are often less likely to receive treatment services.⁴
Improve physician training and education
There are many organizations that have focused their efforts on improving healthcare disparities. The AMA policy on reducing disparities in healthcare aims to increase awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare among the general public. The AMA provides a toolkit entitled, “Working Together to End Racial and Ethnic Disparities: One Physician at a Time” (www.ama-assn.org/print/pdf/node/44501), that offers physicians information on topics such as culture competence and literacy.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides extensive resources for healthcare professionals on cultural competency, health literacy, and limited English proficiency. The following are two links for free online training and a library of cultural competency resources.
Unified Health Communication: Addressing Health Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Limited English Proficiency.
Cultural, Language, and Health Literacy Resources for Health Care Providers
Today, more than ever, we need healthcare professionals and collaborators to pave the way to make our health system more accessible, more affordable, and more effective, with improved outcomes for all. We need to band together to truly improve the health of our nation.
Monica Ludwick is a Senior Risk Management and Patient Safety Specialist for CAP. Questions or comments related to this article should be directed to MLudwick@CAPphysicians.com.
1LaVeist TA, Gaskin D, Richard P. Estimating the economic burden of racial health inequalities in the United States. Int J Health Serv. 2011;41(2):231-238.
2Ward, Zachary et al. Projected U.S. State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity and Severe Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, December 19, 2019.
3Santhanam, Laura. “COVID-19 has already cut U.S. life expectancy by a year. For Black Americans, it’s worse.” PBS, February 2021, https://www.pbs.org. Accessed August 28, 2021.
⁴McKnight-Eily LR, Okoro CA, Strine TW, et al. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Prevalence of Stress and Worry, Mental Health Conditions, and Increased Substance Use Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, April and May 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:162–166.


Fathom Events, Universal Pictures and Picturehouse Entertainment bring Cameron Mackintoshâ??s acclaimed production of Boublil and SchÃ¶nbergâ??s legendary musical, MISS SAIGON: 25th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE, to select cinemas nationwide for a one-night event on Thursday, September 22. The new staging of Miss Saigon was one of the most highly-anticipated musical events Londonâ??s West End has seen recently. Captured live in front of a sold-out audience at Londonâ??s Prince Edward Theatre, this epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with American GI Chris â?? but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. The cast includes Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer, Eva Noblezada as Kim, Alistair Brammer as Chris, Hugh Maynard as John, Tamsin Carroll as Ellen and Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi. Plus, this special event features a finale of epic proportions with appearances from the original cast, including Jonathan Pryce, Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman.


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InDepth InterView Exclusive: Patti LuPone Talks FAR AWAY PLACES, 54 Below, PARKER, Broadway, Hollywood & More
Once in a generation, if we are lucky, an extraordinary talent like no other arises - one who can ceaselessly, effortlessly caress the loftiest heights of comedy and drama onstage (and sometimes onscreen), while, simultaneously, imbuing musical theatre roles with the same skill set, plus a powerhouse, quintessentially unique and resplendent vocal instrument; and, of course, that indescribable "It" factor, too - such is the tale of Broadway's grand dame, Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone is a part of that great pantheon of leading ladies of lore led by Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Angela Lansbury, Liza Minnelli, Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters - that is, musical theatre royalty. Taking a look back at many moments in her long and varied career thus far, LuPone candidly opines about a vast array of topics and opens up about many of the remarkable figures who have played roles in her astounding time spent on Broadway, in Hollywood and on TV - among them: Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, Steven Spielberg, David Mamet, Ryan Murphy and many more. Most importantly, LuPone discusses various aspects of her ever-expanding new solo show upon which her sensational live album, FAR AWAY PLACES, is based - the songs, the stories, the themes, the collaborators and her future plans for the piece (such as her series of 54 Below shows coming up in February). Additionally, LuPone addresses appearing on GLEE, reflects on working with Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham on PARKER, shares her thoughts on her favorite films of the year, expounds upon what roles she would like to pursue and teases about her concert with David Yazbek and the debut of her new Carnegie Hall concert as well as a return to London where she made her mark with her Olivier-winning original Fantine in LES MISERABLES - all of that and much, much more!Patti LuPone's FAR AWAY PLACES is available now. More information is available here.Even more information on Patti LuPone is available at her official website here.Patti's Comin' PC: MATTERS OF THE HEART was your distinctive solo show of the 1990s, followed up with COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA, and, now, FAR AWAY PLACES seems to be a new show in that same unique vein. How would you compare working with Scott Wittman on each?PL: Well, how do I say this? I am in musical theatre, but it isn't necessarily what I listen to in my leisure time, do you know what I mean?PC: You have other musical interests.PL: I do. I've always tended to listen to other music - I mean, I listen to musicals as well, but I love the songwriters from my youth; which were Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson and Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro and Carole King. I used to sing that stuff as a kid. So, it was time for a new show, and the last show that Scott and I worked on and that gets booked consistently is the one I've been doing at 54 Below that's called COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA... PLAYED THAT PART - it's all the roles that you wouldn't necessarily associate with me that I haven't played and some that I actually have. But, it was time for a new show and I just totally love Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht - I love their music and I love Weimar Germany and the Parisian cabaret songs of Weill. So, that's where we started. PC: And what a place to start!PL: Right?! We came up with the concept of it addressing my travel bug and that opened up an enormous selection of songs. We are actually starting work on the second act of it now, because I have a Carnegie Hall concert on November 7 and most of the performing arts centers around the country want two acts, too. You know, the one that we did at 54 Below will change, presumably, once we start doing the second act. We have already worked on a couple of things that relate to the war - World War II.PC: A rich song catalog there, as well.PL: It is. It is. We'll see! We'll see what happens.PC: A thrilling continuation of what we have seen so far with FAR AWAY PLACES.PL: Yeah, I think it will be. And, it opens up so many things! Actually, I was looking through my CDs last night - up in my house in the country, and it was snowing - and I wanted to play something and I found my copy of NILSSON SINGS NEWMAN and there is this great song on there called "Dayton, Ohio 1903" which certainly applies to FAR AWAY PLACES! [Laughs.] PC: Indeed it does. The theme of the show gives you a lot of leeway.PL: It does. And, so, then there's another Newman song I want to do in it and there is a Leonard Cohen song in it, too. It opened us up to so much more material. PC: Have you ever sung any Laura Nyro material in concert?PL: Oh, no. I haven't. [Pause. Sighs.] I would really love to, though. She was extraordinary. When I was a kid, ELI'S COMIN'... are you kidding me?! [Laughs.]PC: I'd love to hear you sing that someday.PL: [Sings.] "Eli's Comin' / Hide your heart, girl!" Ha! Oh, my God! I would be screaming that in my apartment in New York City! Screaming. Ugh, she was so amazing - totally amazing.PC: Her albums were so ahead of their time.PL: Right - you got it right; the album! PC: Always the album.PL: Always.PC: She created such amazing sonic experiences. PL: She really did. PC: It's so weird that few are aware of her contributions to music these days.PL: It's not weird - it's the way we live now, you know? History is just not honored at all - if that's even the right word. PC: Speaking of technology and the modern age: how do you view audience's use of smartphones during a show in a cabaret setting versus a theatre setting?PL: It's different. I think cabaret is a different environment. When you are onstage and you are trying to create an atmosphere for an audience to be enveloped in - an environment that can be so easily disrupted and destroyed by a lack of respect for the other audience members - there is nothing more exciting than a deafening silence of an audience listening. PC: A shared focus.PL: It's communal. It's like individually, but also communally experiencing something - a play or a musical - and the entire audience is transported, but any little thing can disrupt that. It's a fragile environment and it deserves respect. PC: Unquestionably.PL: Oh, my God, though, there's that hilarious Bea Lillie bit - a friend of mine, Paul Ford, gave me a DVD that I never watched until I did one night and all it said was "The Best DVD Ever" and I put it on and he had compiled filmed musical numbers and put them all together and there is this brilliant Bea Lillie one with Laurence Olivier doing HAMLET, but it's not really him as Hamlet - it's this character actor playing Hamlet - and this audience member comes in played by Bea Lillie and she keeps talking and talking and making noise and doing everything but watching the play! [Laughs.] It's so brilliant - so, so brilliant. And this was done a million years ago - had to be the early 1950s. PC: In BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE you talk about how an unamplified production causes the audience to sit forward and pay much closer attention and how powerful that can be. PL: Right. Right. It is! Absolutely. That's what it's supposed to be - in a perfect world at least. I think there's a lot of issues with sound, too, these days - the mixers and the engineers and producers and designers are just blasting everyone out of their seats.PC: What are your thoughts on the prevalence of autotune in so much popular music these days?PL: I don't know. I don't even really know what it is. I suppose these people expose themselves when they sing live, though, right? Do these people even sing live when you go to see them?PC: They sing to a playback track in a lot of cases.PL: It's bullsh*t. It's all bullsh*t.PC: Britney Spears and Madonna and many others do whole concerts lip-synched or at least with very pronounced back-up tracks.PL: It's all just bullsh*t. All of it.PC: Pop to opera, MAHAGONNY is one of my favorite operas and I was curious... PL: Wait! Why is it one of your favorites? That's interesting. PC: It's so daring and it predicted so much to come.PL: I suppose you're right. Don't you feel like it is too long, though?PC: There is some fat, for sure.PL: It's too long - and you can't cut any Weill music. None. So, the thing with MAHAGONNY is, once Jimmy finishes his gorgeous, gorgeous aria, they should just, you know, get on with it!PC: It has a little too much falling action.PL: It goes on for twenty minutes! The crane duet is so spectacular, but no one can ever find the right place for it. They kept moving it around in the LA production we did trying to see where we could get it to fit. PC: It kills the momentum.PL: It can. And, you know, if Weill were around today, he would say, "Cut! Edit it!" But, I think it was still so spectacular when we did it, but we got bogged down because we had to use all of the music. PC: Does Brecht's estate require all the text be used, I wonder?PL: I don't know, but I'd like to know, as well.PC: How do you think Brecht would perceive the post-irony age we are in right now? Everything is self-aware, isn't it?PL: Oh, God, don't you think he'd be having a ball?! [Laughs.] The two of them working together now... [Pause.] wow, it would just be nuts! Do we have anybody working like that now? PC: Ryan Murphy seems to be having some social impact with his TV shows.PL: That's interesting. PC: What were your own experiences working with him on GLEE?PL: You know, I think Ryan is really political on THE NEW NORMAL. I don't know if he is as political on GLEE and if he is political on AMERICAN HORROR STORY. I think that, probably, THE NEW NORMAL is his most political show - now, I am talking about in the sense of the anger and frustration that is out there and holding a mirror to the hypocrisy of society, which I think he does brilliantly. And, don't you think that is Brecht & Weill? PC: Undoubtedly. They predicted so much of what we are experiencing.PL: Exactly! Exactly. They did. PC: Even the great typhoon that MAHAGONNY centers upon. Is it really coming to take us all soon?PL: [Pause.] Isn't it? PC: "Ah, The Sea Is Blue"... and getting bigger.PL: The sea is getting bigger - because of all the melting. Oh, God...PC: Another Weill tune. Why did you decide to include that?PL: Oh, I love it. It's the tango from HAPPY END, of course. I never thought of that connotation, though.PC: HAPPY END, which starred Meryl Streep on Broadway once upon a time. Was she there the night this album was recorded? Your reference to her in the show is so amusing.PL: She was there, but I don't know if she was actually there the night we recorded it. I think her daughter came to see the show first and then she told her she had to come see it because of the line. [Big Laugh.] That line is in it whether Meryl is in the audience or not! PC: The patter in the show is absolutely hilarious. You've worked with Jeffrey Richman before on your material, correct?PL: Oh, Jeffrey?! Of course! Jeffrey is my best friend in the whole world. I love Jeffrey. Scott, Jeff and I have worked together so much - first, it was John McDaniel and me in LA, then it was Dick Gallagher. But, Jeffrey and I have been writing together for years - if I had to do a speech or something or whatever it was. Jeffrey introduced me to Scott.PC: Is that how you met Marc Shaiman, then; through Scott?PL: No. Jeffrey took me to a housewarming party in Los Angeles and it was when Marc and Scott had first moved out to LA. So, I met Scott and Marc together, that day. When I left, I happened to just say to Jeffrey, "Oh, I need a new act. We need to get someone to work with on a new act for me." And Jeffrey didn't know at first, but, then, he said, "Hmm. Maybe Scott can do it?" So, that's when Scott and I started working together - it was in my final year of LIFE GOES ON; so, 1993. PC: A twenty year partnership! It seems like you came into your own as a concert performer during that period as your own unique artist. Did you feel that way at the time?PL: Not really, honestly - I always feel like the odd man out! [Laughs.] PC: Pioneers always feel that way!PL: I always do! I always feel like I'm odd man out.PC: It worked for Lincoln. Have you seen that film yet? Tony Kushner's script is exceptional. PL: Oh, no, I haven't even seen LINCOLN yet. I didn't know Tony Kushner wrote it, though - I have to see it now. I have the copy they sent me, though, so I will have to watch it. I think I'll watch it tonight.PC: As an Italian, what are your thoughts on SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK?PL: Oh, I loved it! I just loved SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. I thought it was fantastic. I thought it was extremely well-acted and extremely well-written and I really thought the story was so unique. To me, that's the one - I mean, ARGO was great and I loved ARGO, but, to me, that's the one. I haven't seen LIFE OF PI or LES MIZ yet, but I love to see the little ones sneak in and win the big prize.PC: Why so?PL: Well, we need writers and we need stories. We don't need to retread.PC: What are your feelings about the ubiquity of movie-to-musical stage adaptations - WOMEN ON THE VERGE included?PL: Well, you know, I know there are writers out there who are desperate to get their work on and they do what they have to do. The thing that I just discovered, much to my utter horror - and I don't know where I've been - is that Wall Street has completely taken over Broadway, so we don't have any - maybe very few, if any; one or two - showmen left - showmen and showomen; people who love the theatre and know how to produce it. PC: Money talks...PL: We are just so much stock chips to these children - these rich kids that have showed up on Broadway - and I don't know if they want a tax loss or a Broadway credit or what! I don't know what they are doing, but they don't know how to produce. And, then, they close them down because they don't know how to keep a show running! PC: It's a lost art, apparently.PL: Apparently! They don't know how to outwit a bad review. They just don't know what they are doing and it's just... [Sighs.] You know, I said this to a friend of mine recently who is a film producer and they said, "Well, Patti, this has been happening in Hollywood for years," and, I said, "Really? Where was I?" I feel like my head is in a cloud - really. I do.PC: It's a new era.PL: It is. You know, I did work for Lincoln Center Theater on WOMEN ON THE VERGE - the last musical that I did on Broadway - and that is a non-profit theater, so I didn't experience it there. I don't know when that shift occurred - I don't know when that happened on Broadway. I don't understand what's wrong with my side of the stage, either - the designers and the creators and the directors and the actors; why did we give up the power to these people who don't know what they are doing? Obviously, it was one producer who said, "Give me money and you can have a voice, too," but it's become that way with everything. I mean, we just had an experience on THE ANARCHIST that was just absolutely mind-blowing to me! PC: In what way?PL: Well, I mean, the guy who put up the most money thought that he had a creative opinion! It was just shocking to me. I wanted to say to him, "Did you study? Do you have any history in this business? Do you know the history of theatre such that you dare to give notes to David Mamet?" PC: David Mamet, no less - a Pulitzer Prize winner.PL: It's shocking to me! Shocking that they had this presumption. [Pause.] And, what about the shows that get scooted out? I guess they all go back to their penthouses and drink their martinis and are fine with putting another building out of work. [Pause.] I am appalled and disappointed and really heartbroken about the condition of Broadway.PC: You actually did a TV pilot about Broadway today that HBO never aired - THE MIRACULOUS YEAR.PL: Oh, yeah, man - I am bummed about that. PC: John Logan told me about it when he did this column. What did you think of the project?PL: Well, nobody's seen it! I mean, how can you turn down that cred, though - John Logan and Kathryn Bigelow? How could you possibly, possibly say no to that? But, they did.PC: Starring you and Norbert Leo Butz and Frank Langella...PL: And Hope Davis! PC: And original Adam Guettel music, right?PL: Yes! Adam, too. [Sighs.] Ugh, it's just outrageous! Outrageous. I don't know. I don't know what HBO was thinking - I think they have probably the hippest vision on television and I know little about all of that anyway. As Alec Baldwin said, "I never worry about my paycheck at NBC." Who you really worry about are these mavericks that show up on Broadway and say, "It's my way or the highway... but I don't know what I'm doing!" [Big Laugh.]PC: Willful ignorance, almost. As William Goldman once wrote, "In Hollywood, nobody knows anything."PL: And that's true! That's OK, and, you know what? That would be great if someone was really coming from that place because you are open to a creative process.PC: On the topic of HBO, you auditioned for the role of Janice on THE SOPRANOS did you not?PL: I did. I did. Oh, God. I was devastated. I remember that when I didn't get it I came home to Connecticut that night, sat on the porch swing and cried my eyes out.PC: It was a particularly painful loss for you?PL: I'm Italian, are you kidding me?! What the hell! But, so was Aida [Turturro] PC: Speaking of roles you yearn to play: what about Desiree in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC? You've done it before once or twice, but never in New York.PL: I did it at Ravinia. I would love to do it again.PC: You'd be interested in headlining a new production?PL: Of course! I love that show. I actually saw the original production and I did not like what I saw on Broadway in the revival - I didn't know what the hell I was watching; it was so dark and dreary.PC: It wasn't as lavish as the original, that's for sure.PL: And that can even be OK if it wasn't so drab... I don't know. I can still see the vivid blue in the original - Hal [Prince] was in his heyday when he did that and SWEENEY TODD.PC: And EVITA.PL: Yeah! Yeah. I mean... he really was. PC: What are your thoughts on the revival of EVITA closing at a loss after nearly a year-long run?PL: How can that be? PC: Apparently the producing costs were too high as well as the star salaries - Andrew Lloyd Webber's company had initial fees, as well, which made it more expensive.PL: Yeah - something these days is really screwy. Apparently they have done away with how the royalty pool that used to be done - the creative staff used to even make money. Something is wrong there - unless Andrew Lloyd Webber, which I would not be surprised at, was, as usual, being incredibly greedy.
PC: The SUNSET BLVD chapter in your book is so depictive of the sheer chaos of show business, no matter the level of stardom. It's like Waterloo!PL: Waterloo! You're right. You're so right.PC: Since "September Song" recently appeared on SMASH, I was curious if Scott had requested its inclusion because of that, perhaps.PL: Oh, I've been singing "September Song" for years - of course I have, it's a Weill song! [Laughs.]PC: Did you consider "Send In The Clowns" for this album?PL: I do it in my live show of COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA, but I didn't do it for this album. That show has more Sondheim. PC: Have you considered singing "Because The Night" again? Your LES MOUCHES recording of that is spine-tingling.PL: Oh, wouldn't that be cool? Oh, I love that idea. That's for my rock show, though!PC: What's the song list for that going to be? Can we get a preview?PL: Well, we've done a list for PATTI ROCKS THE 60S - the crew that I travel with and I all sat around the bus and made a list of what songs I should sing for it already. First, though, I have to do "The Boys Are Back In Town" on a gay cruise! [Laughs.] I just have to!PC: A surefire hit!PL: I have a bunch of songs that I want to do for that show.PC: You have to appear on Jimmy Fallon to do "Nights On Broadway" to promote FAR AWAY PLACES! Do you know about The Bee Gees parody he and Justin Timberlake famously do?PL: Oh, that's so funny! I love Jimmy, so I have to! [Laughs.] PC: Speaking of the great artists of classic rock: what are your thoughts on Stevie Nicks? It would be a thrill to hear you take on some of her material.PL: Oh, I love Stevie Nicks! I think that Stevie Nicks is one of the greats. Steve Nicks and Grace Slick and Janis Joplin have the real rock voices, to me. Yeah - she had and she still does have one of the great rock voices.PC: When Stephen Sondheim did this column, we discussed SONDHEIM! The Birthday Concert and he cited your two turns as two of his favorites of the night; the Ladies In Red "Ladies Who Lunch" and SWEENEY TODD segments.PL: Oh, he did?! [Big Laugh.] That was a lot of fun to do - a lot of fun. It was Lonny [Price]'s idea to have the three of us do it like that [with Michael Cerveris and George Hearn].PC: Was the Ladies In Red sequence particularly memorable for you, being onstage with your peers in honor of Sondheim like that?PL: It was. Of course it was. Of course. Actually, in talking about that DVD Paul made for me, Elaine does something on it from THE Ed Sullivan SHOW from back in the 50s - "You Took Advantage Of Me" - and when I was watching it with my husband I said, "She's wearing a hat! She's always wearing a hat!" There she is on TV, back in the 50s, and she's wearing a hat on her head! So, it was my idea to do it, and, I said to Lonny, "So, where will Elaine be sitting?" And, he said, "To your left," and, I said, "Perfect!" [Big Laughs.] And so that's what we did. PC: It is an unforgettable moment.PL: Nobody does still wear a hat but Elaine! It's true!PC: When she hugs you at the end, it is like the great Broadway diva baton being passed - really remarkable.PL: It is. It was just the best - the best. Elaine is the best.PC: Neil Patrick Harris was overflowing with praise and adoration for you when he did this column about COMPANY - he adores you. Rightly so.PL: Oh, Neil is special to me. I love Neil.PC: Would you like to re-team with him again someday soon?PL: Oh, Neil?! Of course! Are you kidding?! You know, I first worked with him when we did SWEENEY TODD and he played Tobias and I was Mrs. Lovett - that was the first time we were onstage together and it was absolutely wonderful. So, of course I would work with him again - I'd love to.PC: Having made your mark with three separate productions of SWEENEY TODD, I am curious about your opinion of Tim Burton's recent film adaptation? PL: Oh, well, I didn't like it. PC: Too dark? Too under-sung?PL: I just missed Steve's music - and I told Steve that and he got mad at me and sent me a nasty letter!PC: Oh, no!PL: I guess I'm just a traditionalist - I don't think you can mess around with that stuff; I don't think you can improve upon perfection. And, that score is perfect. So, I don't want to hear someone transpose the music like that - I mean, the only time I was happy was when I heard the London Symphony Orchestra play the overture! I was like, "OK. This is the grand guignol of what Steve wrote." I don't know, maybe "under-sung" is the right word - or "misconceived."PC: It's a whole other thing, in any event. Have you seen LES MIZ?PL: You know, I haven't seen LES MIZ, but I just don't know if they know how to make movie musicals anymore!PC: It's not perfectly sung, I can tell you that - but, it's powerful and very emotional.PL: Well, it's not even that, really - I'm not talking purely about the singing of it; if it's in your heart, you don't have to be a great singer to put your heart and soul into it - but, what I am saying is that they don't know how to shoot them anymore. You know, so you see people's legs when they are dancing! I just don't think they know how to shoot them anymore at all; I don't.PC: MTV and then CHICAGO aping that fast editing style with so much success has influenced them in a significant way.PL: Ugh. CHICAGO made me nauseous watching it because of that.PC: In speaking of film, I was curious if you would comment on some of the tremendous directors you have worked with: first up, SUMMER OF SAM with Spike Lee?PL: SUMMER OF SAM is wild. Isn't it great? PC: It is my personal favorite Spike Lee film, actually.PL: Yeah, I had a great time working on that and I loved working with Spike, though it was my only time working with Spike. Adrien [Brody] was a doll, too. Yeah - we had a great time.PC: WISE GUYS is your only film with Brian De Palma, unfortunately - though that one is a lot of fun, too.PL: Right! De Palma - I only worked with him once, as well! It seems like I only work with these directors once and then I am off their list.PC: Spielberg with 1941, too! PL: I know! I know! Spielberg, too! You know, it's like: if I work with these directors once, I am off their list! What's that about?! [Laughs.]PC: You briefly worked with Sidney Lumet on STRIP SEARCH, but you ended up getting cut out, I believe, correct?PL: Yes. I worked with Sidney Lumet for a split-second - I didn't have the opportunity to get to work with him for very long, but he was wonderful. He reminded me of what it must have been like for the period where theatre directors became film directors - you know, they direct the scene, they don't just direct the camera. They are involved with the actors as much as they are with the cinematographer - and that was Sidney. PC: And that is so elemental to the process for an actor.PL: Yeah, but the editor controls everything in film - everything.PC: Your most recent film is with Taylor Hackford, PARKER. Did you enjoy your experience shooting that?PL: Oh, I love Taylor. I begged Taylor to make me a contract player in all his movies! I really did love working with him so much because I feel like he has the same sensibilities - and I thought the film was really good. His work in it was really good. I mean, I don't know about all the action stuff or anything, but his actual direction of the actors was wonderful, I thought. PC: Did his wife Helen Mirren stop by the set?PL: No, no - we talked on the phone and we've seen each other at things over the years, though. She came and saw me in SWEENEY, too. PC: What about working with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez?PL: I have to say, Jason Statham is the nicest guy in the world! And, J Lo is the nicest lady - all of my scenes are with Jennifer, and, I can tell you, she is extremely professional and so kind. She was an absolute professional and that was so nice to see from a star like her. PC: Do you think the era of singing competitions like AMERICAN IDOL is dying down? She recently left the show.PL: It hope it is because I think it is so derivative, you know? PC: It is. Bobby Cannavale appears in the film as well. I've heard you are a particular fan of his. Are you?PL: Oh, I am. I love Bobby.PC: You've said if you could play a male role in a currently running production you'd love to play his role in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.PL: Oh, that's funny! Did I?! I would!PC: I thought UNION SQUARE was a masterful film and your sequence so memorable and effective.PL: Oh, thank you so much for that.PC: How did you become involved with it?PL: Well, I had worked with Nancy [Savoca] before. So, she asked me if I would do it - and I would do anything for Nancy; I think she is just a wonderful filmmaker - so, I did it. PC: When did you shoot it?PL: I think I was doing WOMEN ON THE VERGE at the time. I was just very happy to be under Nancy's direction again. I'm glad that I did it.PC: Your appearance packs such a punch. Have you seen the finished film yet?PL: No. I've never had an opportunity to see it. Yet.PC: Screen to stage, you have a David Yazbek concert coming up.PL: Yes, I do - and I am so excited about that! I love singing his stuff. PC: Will you be doing any WOMEN ON THE VERGE material?PL: Yes, I will. I will be doing "Island" and "Invisible".PC: Your performance of "Invisible" is simply divine - always.PL: Thank you. Yes, so, I will be doing that and "Island", which was Laura [Benanti]'s song, which is just fantastic. I am singing "All That Meat And No Potatoes" with David and a song David wrote that I absolutely love called "Sandman".PC: It will be quite a night! Is he working on anything new?PL: Yes, he is, but it is sort of on hiatus, I think. He told me what it was, but I have sort of forgotten.PC: Your appearance in FAMILY GUY: LIVE! With Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein was so fabulous. Would you like to re-team with the FAMILY GUY crew in the future?PL: Oh, yeah! I love Alex and Seth.PC: Alex is so funny on BUNHEADS, too.PL: I need to see BUNHEADS - I am a fan of Sutton [Foster]'s so I'll have to check it out.PC: David Mamet has written you an original musical to do sometime in the future, as well, has he not?PC: He did - well, he didn't write it for me, but he wanted me to play it a while ago; A WAITRESS IN YELLOWSTONE. I don't know, there's no music to it yet I don't think - it's the story of a waitress at a diner and a senator comes in one day and steals her tip and she goes on a wild goose chase trying to track him down - and, then, it turns into a sort-of fairytale. It's pretty interesting. PC: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE is the role us Sondheim fans are dying for you to essay. Would you consider taking it on again?PL: Well, I did once and I have to say: the show doesn't work. The original doesn't work, at least, and now Arthur [Laurents] is dead. I don't know why it doesn't work, either - the music is great; but, at the end of the day, it doesn't work.PC: Speaking of future roles, have you ever considered Hermione in THE WINTER'S TALE? Are you a fan of the play?PL: Yes, I am a fan of it, but I've never considered it, really - well, actually, I've done it! It was our first show - our first play - at Juilliard in our very first year.PC: Nothing like 18-year-olds trying to play mid-60s!PL: [Big Laugh.] And not very well either! PC: CAN-CAN is coming back, apparently. Is that on your radar?PL: No! No one has called me about it yet! Who is doing it?PC: There will be a workshop of a new production with the Burrows heirs involved late this year. I hope it works. PL: Me, too.PC: Do you think it could work?PL: I do. I really do. I think it could totally work. I guess my luck just stinks with Encores! outside of GYPSY because I thought they should have moved it when I did it [in 2004]. I thought they did a great job with the show and it was a wonderful cast.PC: You have proven your mettle with Cole Porter before - your "Come To The Supermarket In Old Peking" is definitive. Is there any special reason you chose to include it on FAR AWAY PLACES?PL: Well, I started singing "Come To The Supermarket" because I saw Loretta Devine sing it at Carnegie Hall in a show called GOTTA GET AWAY, arrangements by the late, great Michael Gibson, and I said on that night, "I gotta sing that!" PC: And, boy, do you! Do you ever get tripped up on the lyrics? It's tricky.PL: Yeah, I do - but, we won't even discuss that, Pat! [Laughs.]PC: What about Kander & Ebb's THE RINK sometime soon? You could kill with Chita's role.PL: I know! I know. Laura [Benanti] and I were talking about that, actually - THE RINK. We'll see.PC: While John Kander is still with us, please!PL: Exactly! Exactly.PC: Will there be more added to the documentary your son, Josh, is creating about you and posting on YouTube?PL: Yes. He has the third one up now. He's still in school, you know, so he's busy with that, but I think he has three more to put up still. We will add more of them after that. They're fun, aren't they?PC: A Patti LuPone fan's dream come true! As was this, today. Thank you so, so much, Patti.PC: Oh, thank you very much for this today, Pat. You are so kind and so thoughtful. Bye bye.


BY FREDERICO LINKS – No doubt 2019 will be both a challenging and exciting year – challenging in that Namibia continues to face tough economic circumstances and exciting in that it’s an election year.
But first, a brief review of 2018.
ATI law promises not kep
In early 2018, shortly after taking office in a Cabinet reshuffle, new information minister Stanley Simataa indicated in a meeting with ACTION Coalition representatives that finalising the ATI bill would be a priority for 2018.
Unfortunately, nothing came of this in the end.
ATI deficits become increasingly glaringApartheid censorship law used for attempted media muzzling
Arguably the most striking incident on the ATI landscape during the year was the attempted muzzling of the media by the Namibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS), using the apartheid-era Protection of Information Act of 1982. This attempt ultimately failed, but showed how state actors were reluctant to adopt transparent governance processes and tended to secrecy, especially when corrupt practices boil to the surface.
Namibia lost it’s number one ranking
And 2018 was also the year in which Namibia lost its long held top ranking on the World Press Freedom Index, dropping to number two behind Ghana.
Contributing to this drop was the concerning emergence of repressive tendencies and statements amongst political and government actors, suggesting that democratic practice and the field for free expression were deteriorating.
Ruling party politicians told to shut it
Exemplifying this decline in free expression was a late 2018 public admonishment by ruling party senior leaders of the sometimes critical outspokenness of junior parliamentarians. It was a clear indication again of the culture of silence that shrouds much of the ruling party’s activities, and which has also infiltrated government systems and processes.
Troubling proposals dropped, new ones in the works
On a positive note, in 2018 the long standing proposed cyber crime framework, that included freedom of expressing and ATI chilling features, was abandoned, and a new process of redrafting appropriate communications frameworks was initiated in the second half of the year. These processes will reportedly be finalised in 2019 and draft bills presented some time towards the second half of the year.
On the whole, 2018 was a mixed, but generally trending negative, year for ATI.
So what does all this mean for 2019?
The year of ‘accountability’
Elections will overshadow much of 2019, presenting an opportunity for civil society to engage more assertively with politicians on certain issues of national importance – such as ATI – as well as influencing public sentiment and political campaigns.
With good governance in government standing as a prominent sore point, transparency and accountability will remain serious concerns in the public discussion space, which could present an opening to position free speech and ATI related matters as fundamental election issues.
In this vein, 2019 could potentially see the political space fracture more divisively as misinformation and disinformation come to play powerful roles on the electoral and political landscapes.
This could considerably muddy the waters and could lead to acts of state reprisal, which could set a troubling tone going forward.
In many respects, Namibia continues to be poised, whether for good or bad to unfold on different fronts. And election years are usually years of low productivity on the legislative front.
This means we probably shouldn’t expect much in the way of a proposed ATI framework being finalised, as politicians and their government associates look to pluck low hanging fruit in order to score political points with the electorate in what could be a tense election year.
What all this could mean for freedom of expression and ATI campaigners and activists is a both a challenging and exciting year to hold all sorts of actors accountable for what unfolds on the electoral and political landscapes.
And so we get underway …