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I Just Hope it’s Lethal collected by Liz Rosenberg and Deena November ISBN: 9780618564521
Plot Summary: This collection of poetry compiles poems from famous and up and coming poets on the subject of depression. This book has five sections, for the mental places one can find themselves during the teen years or when suffering from depression. The first is moods, which can encompass sadness without reason, feeling alienated, rebellious, restless, or unreasonable joy. The next section explores being crazy in love, and the next how the world can sometimes be just as crazy. One section collects poems by poets who identify a period of madness, while the last shows the hope and relief when things get better. You’ll find poems by Emily Dickinson about madness, and William Blake on sadness, Elizabeth Bishop on love, and Naomi Shihab Nye on appreciating kindness. I came out on the other side, feeling a new understanding and appreciation of those authors, and a curiosity about those I had not read before.
Critical Evaluation: How do you evaluate a collection of poetry, with poems spanning centuries and formats, topics and levels of obscurity? Since this collection hopes to provide a look at depression and what accompanies it, I will try to evaluate the cohesiveness of the collection. I liked the division into smaller categories; it is helpful to remind those less educated about depression (i.e. me!) that there are different emotions that come along with it besides sadness. And, having read the introductions and knowing the theme, I felt like I better understood the poems on my own. I had a frame of reference with which to interpret them. Poems are not organized by time period, or by how famous the author is, which means that you can read William Shakespeare and follow it up with the poem of a high school student with autism. Personally, if I was to edit a collection of poetry, I would not have included my own poetry, as this book does, but I’ll try not to pass too much judgment about that. I don’t know if I think the poems flow one into the next, and some transitions are sort of jarring, but I do see the shared elements in each, and enjoy how the book as a whole travels towards a hopeful end.
I’d also like to look at the intended audience of this book. It was written with teens in mind to help them find solace and comfort in other people who have felt what they felt. But it walks a delicate line by including poets that many teens read in school. On the one hand, a teen who loves all poetry shouldn’t have a problem with that. On the other hand, some teens I can think of might be averse to reading anything for pleasure that reminds them too much of homework. There is a decent chance that these same poems will not be taught in class, and that if a teen took a chance on the collection, they would end up appreciating the classic poets more. It could end up being a teen’s favorite book that they carry around with them everywhere, or seem like another attempt for adults to preach to teens.
Reader’s Annotation: You might feel like you’re alone, but people have felt what you feel for centuries. Discover poems from famous and obscure poets, all writing on the ups and downs of depression and being a teenager.
Information about the editors: Liz Rosenberg was born on Long Island. She attended Bennington College and John Hopkins University. She now teaches English and Creative Writing at the State University of New York at Birmingham. She has published three books of poetry, two novels, and more than twenty books for young readers.
Deena November was a graduate student in Liz Rosenberg’s class when they decided to create this poetry collection. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She has written poetry since she was a teen. Both editors have suffered from depression, giving them unique insight into how best to represent it.
Curriculum ties, if any: This could be a way to interest students in more classic poetry, while also exploring contemporary poets. The thematic sections also provide clues for students as to what the poem could really be about.
Booktalking Ideas: I think books that contain teen’s own words can be very powerful for other teens. When I read books published by teens as a teen, it reminded me that such a thing was possible. I’d consider it quite an honor to share the pages of a book with any other great authors, and I think teens will appreciate this fact as well. I also think poetry can be popular for teens because it is a way they are accustomed to expressing themselves. I think I would skirt away from talking too much about the topic of depression, so as not to make anyone uncomfortable, but would instead focus on the idea of poetry that allows people to express all of their emotions.
Reading Level/Interest Age: I think that some of the poetry here will be more understandable for older teens. I also think older teens might be slightly more likely to get into the classic poetry. At the same time, if a younger teen was interested in reading it, I wouldn’t see much of an issue with that. Booklist and School Library Journal both recommend this book for grades 9 and up.
- Discussion of suicide
- Maybe radical ideas (I do not recall specific instances, but could imagine that someone might take offense to a notion put forth in one of the poems that seemed unpatriotic or something of the sort)
- First, I would want to be familiar with book. As I’ve read this book, I’d be aware of potential issues that could be challenged. In the case of a book I had not read, I would want to have access to reviews.
- Then I would put together a rationale for why this book is included in the collection. This rationale would include:
- Bibliographic Citation of the book.
- A description of who the book is best suited for.
- A summary of the book and applicable other information, such as biographical information about the author.
- My justification for including the book. This would include how it fits in with the selection policy and library mission statement, and include its educational significance if applicable or the impact it could have on readers.
- Copy of selection policy and library mission statement at my library.
- ALA Library Bill of Rights
- Good and bad reviews of the book
- Alternative works a student could read
- Reconsideration form if patron is not satisfied with rationale
- When talking to patron, I would listen to their concerns without getting on the defensive and attempt to sympathize with their concerns. In some cases, all an upset patron needs is to be able to vent and know that someone is listening to them.
- If needed, I would send the challenge up the chain of command.
As the authors state in their introductions, each has struggled with depression during their teenage years and onward. Deena November writes that hearing about other people’s struggles helped her to get through her own struggles. So having this collection of poets classic and new should help these teens to not feel so alone.
Why did you include this book? : I liked the idea of a collection of poems about depression, something that I think is not uncommon among teens, and that it combined newer poems from established poets and teens, as well as poems from household names.
Rosenberg, L. , November, D. (2005). I just hope it’s lethal: Poems of sadness, madness, and joy. Boston: Graphia.


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Take a chance, let Intrigue Chocolate surprise you! Exploring flavor is what we do best. We’ll send you an assortment of what’s fresh, seasonal, and delightful.
Minimally processed, hand-formed, and rough-tempered craft chocolate made from the bean on a stone mill right in our shop.
Cacao bean origins will vary. Inclusions will vary.
Each collection contains six 1oz tasting bars.
Vegan. No soy, dairy, nuts, or gluten.
Chef’s Collection – 6 different chocolates, with or without inclusions. This collection will be flavors from our complete inventory, including various origins without inclusions. (We will not include 80%+ chocolate unless specially requested.)
Origin Collection – 6 different chocolates without inclusions, each at 60% cacao and made with cacao beans from different countries/regions.
Inclusion Collection – 6 chocolates, each with a different spice or crunch. This assortment will include flavors from our current inventory and may not all be listed on the website for individual sale.
*Shipping and Taxes may be added during checkout

domain: food


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Lakewood Art Mural Program Promotes Creation of Public ArtAugust 27, 2018
Through a collaboration with the Willow Room Salon, the City of Lakewood has brought International Artist Maureen Walsh home to Lakewood for the creation of a new public art mural at the intersection of Detroit and Summit Avenues (15724 Detroit Avenue). This work was supported through cost-sharing from the Lakewood Art Mural Program (LAMP).
The goal of the Lakewood Art Mural Program is to energize private investment in public art in the form of murals that will enhance our commercial corridors and create a sense of place. This program is rooted in the belief that public art has the ability to provide aesthetic beauty, to educate and inspire, to stimulate commerce and increase real estate values, to build better citizens and provide for cultural interpretation, to increase tourism and provide other benefits. In addition, public art: enhances our experience of a place and our quality of life; engenders a sense of pride and community identity; reaches audiences outside of museums, galleries and theaters; adds beauty to everyday life; declares the worth of a place and a time in our shared cultures. The City of Lakewood has long been interested in supporting art in our community and created the Public Art Task Force in 2016 to better understand public art’s role in the community and to collect recommendations. As a result of this effort, the Lakewood Art Mural Program was created as a cost-share program that will fund up to 40% of the total project cost, with a max contribution of $1,500.
The mural is a partnership of the Willow Room Salon (the business sponsor), International Visionary Artist Maureen Walsh, and Lake Point Medical Group (the building owners, formerly Premier Physicians). Maureen Walsh is a Lakewood native that has made waves around the world through the creation of expansive, large-scale works of art. “I moved away from Ohio many years ago, but I grew up in Lakewood. It’s so exciting to be back and to create a piece of public art for my hometown,” said Maureen Walsh. “It’s been amazing to collaborate with my friends at the Willow Room salon and to meet so many friends (old and new) during the creation process. The mural is inspired by my travels around the world and my meditation practice. My intention, especially with the bright colors, is to uplift and remind people that beauty exists around every corner.”
Are you interested in completing a project like this on your commercial building? The City of Lakewood wants to work with you! The City is still seeking applications to the Lakewood Art Mural Program. For more information, visit http://www.onelakewood.com/publicart/ or contact Katelyn Milius, City Planner, at (216) 529-6634 or Katelyn.Milius@lakewoodoh.net.

domain: artistic


SecureCrypt features industry leading security features and strong, E2EE to secure global voice and data communications.
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All GPS, Bluetooth, and other device sensors are disabled at the kernel level and cannot be communicated with. USB port is only enabled for charging.
SecureCrypt is a proud member of the Global Encryption Coalition, and participates in advocacy work surrounding encryption and privacy.


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I will be joined on the night by a band of talented musicians, namely Joe Heffernan on Electric Guitar, Barry Mulrennan on Bass, Pam Kavanagh on Backing Vocals, Jonny Warren on Drums and Backing Vocals and Mairead Carroll on Fiddle and Backing Vocals, plus a surprise guest or two.
Support on the night is from local Newbridge legends Unorthodox Behaviour & Mairead Carroll.
If Alt-Country, Rock and Americana infused folk is your thing, then this show is not to be missed. Get your tickets early for a great night of music while supporting your local arts scene. We hope to see you there!
Click here to get your tickets - https://www.riverbank.ie/event/music-pete-kavanagh-band/

domain: entertainment


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Rock Octoroks from Breath of the Wild is back in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK), and players are looking for locations to find them. In this installment, these rocky creatures not only serve the role of an enemy but also a way to repair Link’s weapons. But one Octorok will repair a single weapon so you may have to find a bunch of them. However, they only spawn in certain parts of the Hyrule Kingdom. So in this guide, we will tell you where to find them.
Rock Octorok Locations in Zelda TOTK
To find Rock Octoroks in Zelda TOTK, you must travel to Goron City and look for them around Eldin Canyon and Death Mountain. You can use the Marakuguc Shrine or the Sitsum Shrine to reach these locations. Once you’re there, you can try the following location coordinates to find Rock Octoroks in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom:
- (1854, 2693, 0397): Near dried bones and rocks.
- (1583, 3175, 0400): Near Isle of Rabac.
- (1444, 2352, 0316): West of Goron City.
- (1460, 2193, 0297): Next to Goron Hot Springs.
- (1635, 1490, 0279): In Eldin Canyon next to Goronbi Lake.
- (1831, 1487, 0275): To the east of Goronbi Lake.
Apart from these coordinates, you can also explore the peaks of the Eldin Mountains and Death Mountain for these enemies. These are well hidden in the disguise of a rock so it can be difficult to locate them. However, they will launch an attack as soon as you’re close to them.
How to Use Rock Octoroks in Tears of the Kingdom
Now the trick to repairing your weapons is getting close to these Octoroks and understanding their attack pattern. If you’re a veteran Zelda player, then you must know how they attack. For those who’re new, the Octoroks charge their attacks by sucking in the air. Then, they launch a boulder at Link to inflict damage.
To repair your weapons with Rock Octoroks in Zelda TOTK, wait for the boulder and close in on it. Then, drop the weapon you want to repair and get away. The Octorok will suck your weapon and launch it with restored durability and a random effect.
That’s all from us on where to find Rock Octoroks in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK). For more helpful guides like Sundelions farming locations and how to beat Bokoblins, check out our TOTK guides.

domain: geography


By Brian White, KP Public Affairs, FLC Legislative Advocate and Larry Camp, FLC Legislative Committee
The tables below summarize the final history of legislation that the FLC monitored during the 2019 legislative session and the Governor’s approval/veto review.
Brian White and the Legislative Committee were successful in amending AB 454 and SB 69 to minimize the adverse impacts from language in the original bills. Use the following link to find out additional information about any bill of interest http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. Please contact Larry Camp or Deidre Bryant if you have any questions.
Should you have questions, direct them to firstname.lastname@example.org.
2019 Legislation – Active Legislative Monitoring by Forest Landowners of California
|Support||Oppose||Neutral||Now 2 Year Bills|
|SB 462 - Stern - Died||SB 1 - Atkins - Vetoed by Governor||AB 454 - Kalra - After amendments - Signed by Gov.||AB 144 - Aguiar-Curry|
|SB 535 - Moorlach - Died||AB 5 - Gonzalez - Signed by Governor||SB 378 - Wiener - Tax provisions dropped||AB 257 - Mathis|
|SB 632 - Galgiani - Signed by Governor||AB 343 - Patterson - Support|
|AB 431 - Gallagher|
|AB 490 - Salas|
|AB 616 - Patterson - Support|
|AB 833 - Dahle|
|AB 1067 - Bigelow|
|AB 1151 - Daly|
|AB 1284 - Carrillo|
|AB 1298 - Mullin|
|AB 1375 - Bigelow|
|AB 1690 - Flora|
|AB 1778 - Boerner-Horvath|
|SB 69 - Wiener - Neutral after amendments|
|SB 515 - Caballero - Support|
2019 Legislation – Watch with No Current Position by Forest Landowners of California
|AB 38 - Wood; AB 1160 - Dahle; AB 293 - E. Garcia; AB 1516 – Friedman; AB 1823 - Assembly Natural Resources Committee|
|Assembly Bills Vetoed by the Governor|
|AB 296 - Cooley; AB 394 - Obernolte; AB 417 - Arambula|
|Assembly Bills Died in the Legislature|
|AB 247, AB 248 - Dahle; AB 235, AB 483, AB 915 - Mayes; AB 312 - Cooley; AB 409 - Limon; AB 572 - Kalra; AB 740 - Burke; AB 793 - Ting; AB 839 - Mullin; AB 933 - Petrie-Norris; AB 1167 – Mathis; AB 1276 - Bonta; AB 1299, AB 1388 – Flora; AB 1612 - Quirk|
|Senate Bills Signed by the Governor|
|SB 44 - Skinner; SB 190, SB 209, SB 247- Dodd; SB 395 - Archuleta|
|Senate Bills Died in the Legislature|
|SB 692 - Skinner; SB 45, SB 757 - Allen; SB 68, SB 133 Galgiani; SB 168 - Wieckowski; SB 502, SB 566 - Borgeas; SB 739 - Stern;|
|SB 761 - Jones|
Appellate Decision on WFMP Case
Good News -- Exemptions and NTMPs
CAL FIRE has reversed its policy change regarding the acceptance of exemptions for NTMPs. Please refer to the link below to view the letter from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Ken Pimlott) to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Keith Gilless).
Should you have any questions, please send an email to the FLC Legislative Committee at email@example.com.
Letter and Supporting Content from CAL FIRE to Board of Forestry
Legislative Committee Assignments
Public Policy Institute of California
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) issued a report in mid-September on the status of forest health in the Headwaters Forests. On September 20, there was a panel debriefing on the report. Click on the links below to download the documents.
If you are interested in wathcing the panel debrief, the video is posted on the PPIC's website:


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All products featured on THE GOODS are independently selected by either Jason or Kelcie. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
SAN FRANCISCO - On Friday, Pinterest released its latest report on luxury brands and, ultimately, why they need to include Pinterest in their strategy planning for 2024/25. Being the weekend I almost missed it, but I really get it. Much of the time we’re being advertised to without ever realising it and that’s okay. Brands are slipping into our subconscious on Pinterest. Why? Because they aren’t selling a problem and fixing it, they’re naturally the solution without even trying.
Whilst we’re saving inspiration for that aesthetic dinner party and searching for New York Brownstone interior design inspiration, or creating a board of what to wear at Cannes Lions 2024 and saving Louis Vuitton’s latest creation - we’re interacting with ads. And that’s okay.
Luxury brands around the world have been connecting with their ideal audience on Pinterest: one that is coming to the platform with intent, looking for inspiration to curate ideas and refine their taste for which luxury brands to invest in. With three in five luxury shoppers saying they use Pinterest to research luxury brands and products, these brands have the opportunity to reach this highly engaged audience the moment they form an opinion and make a purchase decision. — Kelly Emanuelli, Head of Luxury at Pinterest
So, here’s what we think you need to know from the report plus what to do next.
Underscoring the importance of Pinterest in the global luxury market, PA Consulting explains: With 482 million monthly users planning their next big purchases, Pinterest stands out as a platform where luxury brands can enhance the consumer experience without the clutter of toxic content often found elsewhere.
Gen Z Influence
By 2030, the luxury goods market is expected to double, driven significantly by Gen Z spending. This demographic forms a substantial portion of Pinterest's luxury audience, with 70% under 35 years old. This presents a unique opportunity for luxury brands to engage with a younger audience in a space where they are actively searching for inspiration.
Affluence and Intent on Pinterest
Pinterest's users are not just affluent; they are intentional. A third of luxury shoppers on the platform have annual incomes exceeding USD $100,000, and they spend 87% more on luxury goods compared to other platforms. Furthermore, these users are 35% more likely to have high incomes, making them a lucrative target audience for luxury brands.
Pinterest Ads: A Solution, Not a Disruption
Unlike other platforms where ads can disrupt the user experience, Pinterest ads are seen as solutions that add to the user's journey. This receptiveness is evident with three out of five luxury shoppers open to luxury advertising on Pinterest, making it an ideal platform for brands to connect with their audience.
Case Studies: Louis Vuitton and Carolina Herrera
Louis Vuitton's collaboration with artist Yayoi Kusama saw a successful campaign launch on Pinterest, reaching over 3.5 million users in just three days. Similarly, Carolina Herrera leveraged Pinterest's new Premiere Spotlight video ad format for their Good Girl Maxi Glaze lipstick, highlighting the platform's effectiveness in reaching high-impact audiences at scale.
Pinterest for Luxury Shopping: A Spectrum of Possibilities
Pinterest users don't just browse; they shop with intent. They are significantly more likely to purchase from luxury fashion, watches, jewellery, and beauty categories than shoppers on other platforms. This intentional shopping behaviour is a goldmine for luxury brands looking to connect with consumers ready to invest in high-end products.
Planning for Luxury Futures
Pinterest users are planners. They envision their futures with luxury goods, saving over 1.5 billion Pins weekly across diverse categories. This planning mindset aligns perfectly with luxury brands that want to be part of consumers' aspirational lifestyles.
A Mirror to Luxury Brand Values
Pinterest's luxury users see themselves as trendsetters and are more likely to buy premium products. This self-perception aligns well with luxury brands that often position themselves as trend leaders. Moreover, sustainability and eco-friendly values are becoming crucial in luxury purchase decisions, and Pinterest's audience is more likely to be loyal to brands that align with these values.
The Verdict: Pinterest as a Luxury Marketing Platform
With its unique positioning, Pinterest offers luxury brands a chance to reach a young, intentional audience with high purchasing power. It's not just a platform for browsing; it's where dreams are curated, and luxury purchases are planned and executed. For luxury brands looking to make a mark in 2024 and beyond, Pinterest could well be the key to unlocking a new realm of possibilities.
What did you last search Pinterest for?

domain: news


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Tennessee sues FCC to stop expansion of municipal broadband
Tennessee is suing the FCC over the commission’s decision last month to preempt state laws that have stalled the deployment of municipal broadband. The FCC’s action came in response to a petition from the Electric Power Board (EPB) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, which found itself handcuffed by state regulations and barred from offering municipal broadband outside areas where it was already providing electric service.
But with its 3-2 vote last month, the FCC gave EPB in Chattanooga (and another muni broadband network in Wilson, North Carolina) the go-ahead to expand their service areas. The FCC said its move was justified under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, which authorizes the agency to “remove barriers to broadband…
Source:: The Verge


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The Cobra Baffler Rail H utility club looks great at address and you can see the family resemblance to the rest of the baffler range.
The design is easy on the eye and the mid-sized head looks more like a hybrid than a mini-fairway, which is a good thing. The main feature of the Baffler Rail H is the rail sole design which is there to help the club head get through the rough.
This it does very well from semi-rough and bad lies, although it wasn't quite as good from perfect lies as the standard Baffler.
The Fujikura Motore shaft is very good and compliments the club well, so if you are a little wayward and need a hybrid to get you out of trouble with ease then the Cobra Baffler Rail H is worth checking out.
Overall Rating - 4 stars:

domain: hobby


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Anyone who has ever read about Nick Vujicic or seen his YouTube videos usually walks away amazed and maybe a little guilty. Amazed at the fact that Vujicic has accomplished so much standing in his faith and guilty because he does all of this without limbs as compared to our own capabilities with limbs. Vujicic’s latest book, Unstoppable, is just as powerful and moving as Life Without Limbs. In this book, Vujicic addresses the adversities that can plague individuals making their life journeys difficult and destructive. He uses his own life story as well as other’s stories to show how circumstances don’t have to derail you.
One of the most profound statements that he made can be found in the first few pages of the book. He says, “To simply say ‘I believe’ in something is not enough. If you want to have an impact in this world, you must put your beliefs and your faith into action.” For many of us, when difficult circumstances enter our lives we believe that God can move mountains but we don’t put that belief and faith into action by praying. Others may sit and bemoan the horrid circumstances without actually reaching out to the One who can change those circumstances. Vujicic has taken what could have stopped him and turned it into an unstoppable life of faith and action. Another life-altering phrase from his book is actually a subtitle in the first chapter – “Custom Made For A Purpose.” Wow! If we all just would believe that each one of us is custom made for a purpose, we could change the world! We may be able to cite the Scripture talking about each of us being “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), but do we truly believe that we have been made specifically for a purpose? Vujicic does and he lives his life with purpose!
I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah.
Jeff Anderson’s book Plastic Donuts is a straightforward and simple format for investigating “giving that delights the heart of the Father.” Anderson begins by showing the correlation between the simple and heartfelt gift from his eighteen-month-old daughter when she gives a plastic donut from her kitchen set to him. She waits expectantly for his response and when he “eats” the donut with great animation, she is filled with such joy that it shone across her face and countenance. She continued to bring “gifts” to her father as he continued to show his pleasure and approval. That is the feeling that our Father experiences when we give simply and with heartfelt joy.
Now if that was the whole of his story, it would have been a very, very short book! Granted his book is short, concise, and to the point, but he also visits the most frequent questions that one asks about tithing. Some of those questions are:
- What’s the “right” amount to give?
- Does the tithe still apply to modern-era people?
- Is the first 10 percent required, and everything else is a freewill offering?
- What should be our motivations in giving?
- Does it even matter what we give as long as we have good hearts?
The rest of the 115-page book is divided into chapter entitled:
- What is acceptable (chapter 2)
- Does the amount matter (chapter 3)
- Rule #1: there are no rules (chapter 4)
- A two-percent perspective (chapter 5)
- Because you can (chapter 6)
- All the difference (chapter 7)
- That chair (chapter 8)
As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:18, “I am humbly supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God,” let our donations (offerings) be fragrant, acceptable, and pleasing to our Daddy in heaven. He waits expectantly for our donuts!
For additional resources visit their website: www.acceptablegift.org
No Liz is not someone from the Bible, but Ruth is. Liz is Liz Curtis Higgs, author of The Girl’s Still Got It, as well as many other books such as Bad Girls of the Bible, More Bad Girls of the Bible, and Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible. The difference between this book and her “Bad Girls” series is that Ruth is not a bad girl. In fact Liz has a rap about Ruth called “Righteous Ruth.” Watch this:
Higgs style of writing draws you in with humor, truth, and “aha” thoughts. For anyone who has read or participated in a Bible study about Ruth (Kelly Minter, for example) knows the story of Ruth. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi who was a Moabite and refused to return to her homeland after the death of her husband. Instead she moved to Naomi’s homeland and eventually married Boaz, a relative of Naomi. Ruth becomes one of the few women listed in the lineage of Jesus.
The difference in this book and other studies is that Higgs shows you how we are all a little like Ruth. We are all worthy to serve God. We all have still got it! Jump into this book which features a Bible study at the end and re-assess your worth and value! I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Study Guide/Discussion Questions:
Author’s Web Site
Men will tell you that “women can be mean and ugly.” Of course the same can be said of them as well, but Liz Curtis Higgs addressed this issue in Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them. She delineated the lines of women into those girls who were bad for a moment, bad for a season but not forever, and bad to the bone. Higgs uses humor to tell the stories of some of the most well-known women of the Bible. We all know that the Bible was written for teaching and reproof so the lessons that can be learned from these women is monumental.
You will learn about Eve, Potiphar’s wife, Lot’s wife, the woman at the well, Delilah, Sapphira, Rahab, Michal, and the sinful woman. Before you read the book, try to determine what Higgs said about each woman’s label. Was Eve bad for a moment, for a season, or just plain bad to the bone? Why did Higgs place each of these women into the lines that she chose? Can we really learn from women who lived over 2000 years ago? You may be surprised! You will enjoy Higgs humor, wit, and the lessons that she teaches through all of this.
I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Rank my review by clicking on the picture and you might win a book for yourself!
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is proud to announce the release of Liz Curtis Higgs’ new book Girls Still Got It. Higgs is the author of Bad Girls of the Bible where she use wit and humor to talk about women that she calls bad for the moment, bad for a lifetime, etc. In her new book, she has written about a good girl of the Bible – Ruth. I have not read the book but WaterBrook graciously offered a video from Higgs and the first chapter. Please enjoy!
A good business person begins with a plan. The business starts with a vision; then a purpose and goals are outlined. The same is true for someone who desires a life that filled with passion, purpose and definition. Craig Groeschel, author of Chazown Define Your Vision, Pursue Your Passion, Live Your Life on Purpose, has written a how-to of life planning. He has also explained the “why” and “what” behind the Hebrew word – Chazown. God created each of us with a purpose. However many of us live in a manner similar to bumper cars. We drive fast seemingly with a purpose in view and then someone else’s vision brings his/her path directly into ours resulting in a crash.
Groeschel begins the life plan by exploring your core values, spiritual gifts, and past experiences. He then moves on to naming your chazown and developing action steps in five spokes – your relationship with God, your relationship with people, your finances, your health and fitness, and your work. Chazown is an easy book to read with questions and activities to help you develop your chazown. In addition, there is a website that enhances your experience and journey.
I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Chazown Web Site
This is the first time that I am writing a review of a book that I hope to read. Fearless by Eric Blehm is the story of Adam Brown a Navy SEAL, husband, and father who lived with astounding faith and died fearless. Please take the time to check out this book!
Adam Brown was a proud Arkansas father of two who embarked on the mission deep into the Afghanastan mountains on the search for enemy combatants. He never returned home to his wife, children, and parents or the dirt of Arkansas. This story is about Adam, his faith, determined strength and his upbringing to “do what is right.”
Download and read the first chapter
You can order this book here.
Life. That one word brings everything from smiles and sighs to raging tirades. Life has both excitement and disappointments. Ephesians 5:20 says, “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It does not say give thanks for the good only – for the great house, perfect job, and amazing spouse. It says to give thanks for EVERYTHING – the good, the bad, and even the ugly. That can be difficult. Kay Arthur talks about how to turn your disappointments in life into God’s appointments in her book As Silver Refined Answers to Life’s Disappointments. Just in reconfiguring your perceptions of life’s disappointments into God’s appointments begins to turn a cloudy, stormy day into just a partly cloudy day. It is the first step in moving from seeing life pessimistically to seeing life optimistically.
I chose this book to read because of the synopsis on the Blogging for Books website. One line jumped out at me and intrigued me – “You can be defeated by life’s unavoidable disappointments, or you can become stronger because of them.” Powerful words! First of all Arthur highlights the first point that disappointment is unavoidable. It is going to happen, the only questions are when, in what fashion, how bad, and how am I going to react to it? And that is the next point that she so aptly makes – are you going to react or intentionally act? Choosing to be intentional rather than haphazard is the way to turn those disappointments into His appointments. It kind of reminds me of a childish chant about “turning that frown upside down” but it is just that intentional.
You can keep up with Kay Arthur at:
Author’s Web Site
Follow on Twitter
I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
In the very beginning of 2 Corinthians 6:14 it says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” That is what caused the ripping apart of two young lives in “The Scent of Cherry Blossoms” by Cindy Woodsmall. Annie Martin was Old Order Mennonite and Aden Zook was Old Order Amish – never shall the two meet, at least when love blossoms into a marriage is concerned. The story centers around these two characters in a wonderful depiction similar to the blossoming of a rose – layer upon layer opening and revealing the true beauty. The story is also about Roman Zook, Aden’s twin brother who had been injured in a farm accident and is left a paraplegic who is angry and scared to truly live. It is also about the relationships between Aden, his family, and Annie’s grandfather (Daadi Moses) as well as Annie’s relationship with her mother and grandfather.
The layers draw you in and capture your heart so that you are cheering for the relationship between the two young lovers. You also find yourself wanting to know more about the culture of the two communities and the deep faith of the characters. As usual, Cindy Woodsmall has written a fabulous book with language that causes your mind to see what she is describing with infinite detail. I would encourage anyone who is interested in Amish/Mennonite culture or someone who desires a greater faith in God to read this book. Just as the springtime beauty of the blossoming of the cherry tree leaves you with the heady scent and cocoons you with the beauty of the red-tinged and pink blossoms, this book will become a favorite on your shelf and wrap you in faith, love, and hope.
I received this book for free to review for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You may preorder your copy now from WaterBrook and Amazon with the book being released February 21, 2012.
I love books! I would rather read than almost anything. I usually pick a book because it provides me with an opportunity to learn something or is a genre that I like. So it is a rare occasion that I find a book that I either didn’t like or felt it didn’t muster the high regard that I felt when reading the recommendation or review for it. Living Close to God When You’re Not Good At It by Gene Edwards is one of those books. The book is not a bad book. It does not have untruths in it. It is not hard to understand. It just did not grab me and make me want to read it voraciously.
I was pretty excited about the book when I read the synopsis of it. I was ready to read a book that addressed issues that I struggle with – inconsistent time with the Lord, wandering mind, falling asleep while talking to God. However, when I read the book, I felt that in some parts it was too simple. Now you may be saying that simple is good. I agree, but sometimes simple leaves you begging for more and searching even harder. There was much that I enjoyed of this book. I think that maybe if I had read this book as part of a Bible study with others I would have garnered a deeper love for it. Mr. Edwards does include a six session group study and seven week individual deeper study.
The author has a deep knowledge base about the subject and advises that none of the suggestions are quick fixes. The book is easy to read. I would definitely suggest either a group study using this book or the deeper individual study rather than just reading the book straight through.
I received this book free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. The book can be purchased through Amazon.

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Great oval-shaped storms breaking through Saturn’s cloudy atmosphere. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI Click to enlarge
Great, oval-shaped storms churn through Saturn’s clouds in this Cassini spacecraft view of southern latitudes. The thin, linear striations in cloud features extending away from the ovals suggests that there is very little horizontal (as opposed to vertical) mixing at those latitudes. Low contrast in the original image was enhanced to make small-scale details visible.
The image was taken in visible light with the Cassini spacecraft narrow-angle camera on Jan. 2, 2006, at a distance of approximately 2.8 million kilometers (1.7 million miles) from Saturn. The image scale is 16 kilometers (10 miles) per pixel.
The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the mission for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C. The Cassini orbiter and its two onboard cameras were designed, developed and assembled at JPL. The imaging operations center is based at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo.
Original Source: NASA/JPL/SSI News Release


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With a background in illustration, historic preservation and painting, Brooklyn-based designer Ilana Kohn has landed a reputation for easy, everyday casualwear inspired by elements of vintage silhouettes and distinctive color palettes. The clean and classic Gary Jumpsuit easily transitions from work to home with style.
- Made in the USA
- 100% Linen
- Two front patch pockets, jumpsuit, sleeveless, dropped inseam


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By Henry Akubuiro
Questioning Voices, Olalekan Ajayi, Kachifo, Lagos; 2021, 152,
When worries assail a soul, what happens? Questions are bound to erupt. Olalekan Ajayi is a poet who owes his creativity to the muse. Like in his first poetry collection, A Day Shall Come, published in 2015, the poet, in this latest poetry volume, Questioning Voices, invokes the guidance of the muse for the bardic project, delivering messages to the world as an emissary to many voices wishing to be heard.
These poems, which run in five parts — Conversation, Voices, Homeland, Love Themes, and Tributes —also pay witness to the multiple voices in the poet’s head. Ajayi believes that bards before him showed more commitment in the art, pillorying the system and telling the truth —a path he, too, wishes to toe as echoed in “Invocations”, where the voice beseeches the muse to fill his vacant mind “With ancient secrets”. He yearns: “Kindle in my ones noble fure/ To make me burn like bards of old/Take me to the fields where/ My forebears communed with the gods/Let me feel the flame that drove/ The poets of old to weave words/ That unsettled usurpers” (p.3).
Ajayi’s “Conversation with Myself” shows the poet speaker as constrained by worries with numerous questions troubling him: “Try, try and try, I try/ The questions gush like/ A burst public pipe”. And these are questions about living and justice. Sometimes “Difficult Questions” appear simple, especially when the interlocutor already knows the answer.
Ajayi’s poetry volume is dominated by personal lyrics, and this stems from the fact that experiential issues have a link with universal imports, which, by themselves, affect subtle minds. And when they are not experiential, the bardic excursion finds echoes in humanity, like in “Beneath the Bridge” where, as, a traveller, the voice discovers “famished shadows of desolation” —”such a legion of wretched folks/With a thousand tales of woe and dreams”. Hence, life isn’t fair to those beneath the bridge.
Ajayi’s diction is supple, barely cloying, and this is a poet who has audiences at heart. Despite the sense of despondency we encounter in the mood of the verses, the elegant language prompts us into spasms of delight. Fancy his hyperbole here: “ Heavy with thoughts that abort sleep, /My mind goes on a pilgrimage to the sky. /The view from above makes heaven cry….” (p. 40).
For some humour, try and read “When Fear Grips My Soul”, a poem about childhood trepidation. “If Only I looked up” teems with remembrances and nostalgia.
“At the foot of the Unknown Soldier” is a poem pertinent to contemporary happenings in Nigeria. This poem draws attention to the futility of war. The poet is alarmed by the crave for war by the young generation who doesn’t know what war entails: “Unknown to them/Men fall like cattle in battle/Where riffles rattle in senseless rage, /And men long to return home to/Laugh with families and neighbours” (p. 56).
The collection contains some satires like “The Parliament” where lawmakers demonstrate their two sides, using deception to win votes and resorting to violence when overtures fail, but the trampled masses have learnt to say no in the face of oppression. This resolve also echoes in “The March”.
Many African writers have disparaged British colonial adventurism in this part of the world, in their writings, but Ajayi has problems with African leaders themselves who took over from the whites. In “Unprepared”, the poet declares that they were unprepared to take the mantle of leadership. Thus, the joy of liberation was short-lived: “We, the people, were unprepared for/The freedom obtained without sword.” The result today are weary hearts roaming the street “united in hunger”. Social inequality echoes in “From the Depths of the Shanties”.
Questioning Voices shows us the different sides of a tyrannical servant and the servant leader who wear a mean facade once in power, contrary to the humble mien before mounting the exalted position.
Democracy in a fledgling African nation, such as depicted in “Four Years”, is described as a circle of woes. As each tenure ends, the nation prepares for another round of plunderers in power. Hence, the voice laments that the electorate is unaware of the power they possess.
Questioning Voices ends with love poems (as Cupid tales tell of engaged desires) and tributes to revered individuals. Ajayi’s voice in Questioning Voices is righteously interrogative, melancholic yet romantic and sublime.


Superior Furnace Repair in Lawrence Questioning if you can rely on your furnace to make it through the winter in Lawrence is not the best way to ensure a warm and comfortable winter. It’s no fun to deal with a worn-out furnace or stew about prospective furnace repairs – so instead of expecting your furnace to fail after a large snowfall, let the team at Scott Temperature and their services ensure that your furnace is operating at peak performance this time of the year. Our experts at Scott Temperature can resolve any problem. They are NATE-certified and trained to tackle a variety of furnace troubles. They have seen almost everything and have a great total knowledge of how to solve even the strangest of problems – and for any brand. That’s right, we can offer repairs regardless of your furnace’s make or model! But our professionals also know that they do their finest work when routine service is used and repairs are made in a timely fashion. Scott Temperature’s experts deliver fast and efficient furnace repair in Lawrence that will leave you in great hands for the upcoming colder months. FOR FURNACE REPAIR CALL NOW 785-843-2244 Here are some things to consider when you’re determining between furnace repair or furnace replacement: Spotty heating: systems that are improperly closed lead to unreliable heating, therefore lowering energy efficiency and increasing costs. Loud noises: when a system is incorrectly sized, it can make the furnace operate in continuous cycling, which can be noisy and can harm the system over time. Continuous maintenance: furnaces may need more consideration the older they get, but there is also a point when too much maintenance no longer makes sense and replacement may be necessary. Energy expenses: new technologies make today’s furnace systems especially energy efficient. If you know that your system is old or slow, new system replacement can save you more money in the long run. Wondering how long your furnace will endure is the long-standing and all important inquiry for any furnace owners. While there is no one answer to the question, as each furnace and home environment is special, there are a few industry-wide pieces of advice that are relied on: If your furnace repair costs are totaling around 50% of the furnace’s worth, it’s time to replace it. Furnaces over 12-years-old have a much greater risk of confronting recurrent issues, big or small. During maintenance and examinations, Scott Temperature will do a thorough check to see if it is recommended to do a full replacement or not. Either way, our experts are willing to upgrade your furnace or just perform easy repairs. It should be noted that newer furnaces do have superior technological advances that perform at better energy efficiency, and produce lower costs and quieter operation. To best understand what might be ideal for your furnace, a new HVAC system or an emergency repair, contact our professionals at Scott Temperature here in Lawrence online or via phone at 785-843-2244 to discuss options and arrange an appointment today. For Service Call 785-843-2244.


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ECONOMYNEXT – The general public must adapt to the new normal with more responsibly in order to maintain the level of control Sri Lanka’s health authorities have gained on the COVID-19 epidemic, an official said.
State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Channa Jayasumana said large gatherings have been observed outside Colombo despite an ongoing travel ban between provinces.
“Yesterday I went to Anuradhapura and we saw a large number of people gathering in religious places,” Jayasumana said.
According to media reports, the minister had himself visited a place of worship in Anuradhapura where he had made his observation.
The state minister warned that if the public does not follow health guidelines, there is a danger of the virus further mutating.
“We can see a new wave hitting the world again. We can see an increase in patients and deaths globally. So do not think the danger is over,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters on Sunday (10) that the pandemic cannot be controlled just by imposing restrictions.
“We can’t draw a line and say okay from this day we are free of COVID,” Rambukwella said.
“The best example is Israel, where they vaccinated 73 percent of the population with Pfizer, and yet they found new mutations of the virus in the country.”
Sri Lanka identified 720 new patients on Sunday (10), bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 526,383.
Health Promotion Bureau data showed some 32,041 patients are still receiving treatment.
“We have not yet passed the critical period. Since we have relaxed some of the travel restrictions and some other restrictions, the risk of spread has increased again,” Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath told reporters on Monday (11).
“Following health guidelines will be the best way to prevent spreading. I cannot say when we will get to the situation we had in 2019, and I highly doubt that too.
“What we should do is try to adapt to the new normal,” he said. (Colombo/ Oct11/2021)

domain: medical


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I also am not clear on my liniage. What I do know is I was named after his brother Patrick. Michael was the founder of the Land League in Ireland. Patrick had a daughter and she married a man named Joseph Jockel of Brooklyn NY. I am their grand child.
I am now a member of th AOH.
Please reply with any other information.

domain: history


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Jersey, a film starring Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur, was the first to be postponed when India’s third wave began. Now that the storm has passed, theatres are reopening and filmmakers are announcing new release dates for their films. Shahid Kapoor revealed today that their film Jersey will have a new release date. On April 14, 2022, the film will be released in theatres.
On Tuesday, Shahid Kapoor took to his Twitter handle and wrote, “So so happy to announce that our beloved film #Jersey will be releasing worldwide in theatres on the 14th of April 2022. See you in the theatres.” The film will be clashing at the box office with Yash’s much anticipated KGF 2.
So so happy to announce that our beloved film #Jersey will be releasing worldwide in theatres on the 14th of April 2022. See you in the theatres.
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) February 15, 2022
Jersey is a remake of the same-named Nani starrer. The story follows an ex-cricketer who is struggling to make ends meet and wants to fulfil his child’s wish of getting a Jersey, but in the process, he is forced to confront his heroic past and must decide whether to rise to the occasion and become a symbol of hope or continue to live a life as a loser.
While Shahid Kapoor is the main character, the film also features his father, veteran actor Pankaj Advani.
Jersey is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Gowtam Tinnanuri and produced by Aman Gill, Dil Raju, and S. Naga Vamsi. It is presented by Allu Aravind and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri.
For more such exciting updates on Television, OTT, Bollywood and Hollywood, stay tuned to Cine Talkers and follow us on Twitter and Instagram


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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — The Fort Wayne Police Department is investigating an armed robbery at a Fort Wayne gas station.
Officers responded to the Marathon gas station, located on 1202 E. State Blvd., around 4:15 a.m. Saturday.
According to Fort Wayne Police, a white male entered the store wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark pants and acted like a customer.
He walked up to the attendant and demanded money and acted as if he were armed with a handgun, police added.
The attendant believed him and gave him the money he demanded, police said.
After receiving the money, the man ran off and has not been apprehended.
On Monday, police said they were working on gathering surveillance images that they could make public.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department.
- COVID 19 at forefront as schools return to learn
- Push for clear masks to help the hearing impaired
- Redevelopment Commission terminates Electric Works public funding agreement
- Adams County health officer limits fans at high school sporting events
- State fines Deep Rock Tunnel contractor for explosion that hurt worker; lawsuit pending

domain: law


Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Canadian Institute of Actuaries' Submission in Response to Finance Canada's Regulatory Framework for Federally Regulated Defined Benefit Pension Plans consultation:
Submission by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries Presented to the Department of Finance (Federal)
Comments on the Consultation Paper
Strengthening the Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Defined Benefit Pension Plans Registered under the
Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985
Pension and Social Security Liaison Committee
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) has a strong interest in the issues related to defined benefit pensions, especially their funding.
There are three fundamental observations underlying our submission:
1. We need changes to our retirement system which would encourage increased pension coverage.
2. The asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses does not encourage conservatism in pension funding. Consequently, it has a detrimental effect on benefit security. As long as the asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses continues to exist, it may not be possible to encourage plan sponsors to maintain and better fund their pension plans at the same time. We are confident that it is possible to adopt appropriate legislative changes implementing a framework that will alleviate these problems and consequently better meet the long-term interests of all stakeholders.
3. Increased coordination among Canadian jurisdictions in the development of pension standards would be preferable.
The following comments are addressed at specific questions raised in the Consultation Paper:
- In the dispute settlement mechanism for surplus distribution, we would support that the criteria for consent be applied to all plan beneficiaries as a group and not separately for each category of beneficiaries. Also, the government might consider modifications to the requirement to maintain a contingency reserve of 25% of the solvency liabilities for surplus withdrawals while the plan is ongoing.
- We would support the elimination of partial plan terminations.
- We support allowing financial instruments to be used to guarantee amortization payments for solvency deficits. We also suggest considering other mechanisms under which plan sponsors can make additional contributions without the potential negative effects of the asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses.
- We believe that the current amortization period of 5 years for a solvency deficiency is appropriate. However we would support as a temporary measure an extension of the solvency amortization period to 10 years for all plan sponsors, subject to reasonable conditions and rules.
- We support greater disclosure to plan members provided it is meaningful and cost-effective.
- We question the proposed void amendments provision based on a prescribed solvency ratio level, as there is a risk that it would unduly restrict the growth and improvement of pensions for a majority of pension plans. We believe that there are alternative approaches that would provide a better balance between the need to maintain a higher degree of benefit security and the need to minimize financial disincentives for plan sponsors to improve pension plans.
- We support the proposal to require full funding on plan termination. However, this should be coupled with a satisfactory resolution – for all stakeholders – to the issues of surplus ownership and asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses.
- We believe that a legislative solution to the surplus ownership issue and the adoption of reasonable minimum solvency funding might be preferable alternatives to a pension benefits guarantee fund in improving the security of pension plan benefits and ensuring the viability of defined benefit pension plans in the long-term.
- The CIA will revise its standard of practice for reporting on pension plan funding.
We encourage the pension regulators and governments in Canada to work together at defining new improved pension standards that reflect the need for increased pension coverage, the risks assumed by the various stakeholders, and the members' concerns about better security. The CIA would be pleased to participate in discussions on these crucial aspects.
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) is pleased to submit its comments on the consultation paper Strengthening the Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Defined Benefit Pension Plans Registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (the Consultation Paper). This submission has been prepared by the CIA's Pension and Social Security Liaison Committee with the collaboration of the CIA's Committee on Pension Plan Financial Reporting (PPFRC), and approved by the Practice Standards Council of the CIA.
The CIA is the national organization of the actuarial profession in Canada. The CIA is dedicated to serving the public through the provision, by the profession, of actuarial services and advice of the highest quality. To this end, the CIA promotes the advancement of actuarial science and sponsors programs for the education and qualification of members and prospective members. It maintains programs to ensure that actuarial services provided by its members meet accepted professional standards.
The CIA has more than 3,700 members across Canada. Approximately half of these members work in the pension plan area and are involved in the design, administration and funding of pension plans by working with plan sponsors, plan administrators, unions and trustees to design, finance and administer their pension plans. They have played a major role in the creation of pension plans and government income security programs, and in establishing the funding required to ensure the viability of these plans and programs.
One of the CIA's goals is to assist legislators in developing pension plan legislation that efficiently meets the needs of all parties. Through its relations with government officials and conscious of its responsibility to the public, the CIA tries to promote legislative intervention conducive to the effective and efficient management of pension plans, while best meeting the interests of all parties involved in these plans.
The CIA is very active on the pension plan front:
- Building on the work of previous CIA working groups, the CIA issued in March 2005 a Statement of Principles on Revised Actuarial Standards of Practice for Reporting on Pension Plan Funding. This statement of principles delineates what the PPFRC believes the actuary's reporting on pension plan funding should convey to the CIA's publics and, therefore, what should be the standard for accepted actuarial practice in that regard. This statement of principles proposes significant changes in actuarial reporting on pension plan funding.
- In April 2005, the Task Force on the Role of the Pension Actuary issued a Discussion Report on the Role of the Pension Actuary and Challenges to Professional Integrity. The discussion report identifies the roles of the pension actuary, explains the challenges to his or her professional integrity when engaged in those roles, and provides recommendations designed to protect the interests of the actuary's various publics. The report records the preliminary views of the task force, and does not represent the official position of the CIA. The purpose of the discussion report is to stimulate dialogue. The task force will reflect upon the feedback it has received and subsequently issue its final report.
- In the fall of 2004, the CIA set up a project team to undertake a review of a number of pension plan actuarial reports. The ultimate purpose of this review is to enhance the support and advice provided by the CIA to practitioners preparing such reports, to provide input to the practice committees responsible for the documentation of standards, and generally to promote the highest quality of work product. In August 2005, the CIA released the final report of the pension review project team.
The documents described above are available in the Publications section of the CIA's website at the following links:
- Note: to read the PDF version you need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system. If the Adobe download site is not accessible to you, you can download Acrobat Reader from an accessible page at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html. If you choose not to use Acrobat Reader you can have the PDF file converted to HTML or ASCII text by using one of the conversion services offered by Adobe at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html.
- To view the RTF version, use the document conversion features available in most modern word processing software, or use a file viewer capable of reading RTF.
We acknowledge, with thanks, the valuable comments that the CIA has received, to date, from the Government of Canada in relation to these documents, including the submissions prepared by staff of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.
Both the Consultation Paper and this submission focus mainly on single employer defined benefit pension plans. However, multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs), particularly MEPPs in which employer contributions are directly negotiated, present unique circumstances and issues. We encourage the government to always consider this uniqueness in all its legislative and regulatory developments. Applying the same rules to all plans may not always be appropriate.
The CIA believes that improvements can and must be made to the current legislative and regulatory framework for defined benefit pension plans in Canada in order to enhance benefit security and ensure the viability of defined benefit pension plans. Accordingly, we applaud the efforts of the Department of Finance in the preparation of the Consultation Paper. We thank the Department of Finance for the opportunity to comment and provide suggestions on a variety of significant issues affecting pension plans today which could shape the legislative and regulatory framework for the defined benefit pension plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (PBSA). The CIA would be pleased to assist the Department of Finance and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in developing the details of the measures it will recommend to the Government of Canada for adoption following the consultation process.
Section I: General Comments
In addition to the goals mentioned in the introduction of this submission, the following general observations have guided us in the elaboration of our specific comments presented in the following section.
We need changes to our retirement system which would encourage increased pension coverage.
We are disappointed about the absence of a strong focus on improving the level of pension coverage.
As noted in the Consultation Paper, various studies demonstrate that defined benefit plan coverage is declining and a decreasing proportion of people entering the workforce are covered by defined benefit pension plans, especially in the private sector. In part, the movement from defined benefit to defined contribution plans or no plan can be explained by the changes in the business environment and the characteristics, needs and priorities of the workforce (e.g., more temporary, part-time work and self-employment). However, too many employers have abandoned defined benefit plans because of what they see as an adverse legal environment (e.g., uncertainty about surplus ownership and contribution holidays) and overly demanding pension legislation (e.g., lack of flexibility in funding, barriers to asset/liability transfers, absence of uniform pension standards across Canada). The volatility of costs reported in the financial statements of employers under accounting standards, and the escalating cost of administration, are also factors that put pressure on defined benefit plans.
We observe that a majority of workers and their representatives express a preference toward defined benefit plans due to the higher retirement income predictability and security they provide.
The CIA believes that increased pension coverage, either defined benefit or defined contribution, would be beneficial to our society. It will ultimately reduce the financial burden of social security for future generations, when a higher proportion of our population will not be in the active workforce.
The CIA shares the concerns expressed by governments and pension authorities about the decrease in benefit security that has resulted from the deterioration of the financial position of most defined benefit pension plans in recent years. On the other hand, the CIA is concerned, as are most of the stakeholders in the Canadian retirement system, about the recent decline in the number of defined benefit pension plans and the consequent reduction in the number of employees covered by such plans. Our retirement system needs changes which would encourage the maintenance and growth of both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
Pension plan coverage is too low, especially in the private sector. We support the objectives of the Consultation Paper to strengthen the legislative and regulatory framework for defined benefit pension plans registered under the PBSA in order to improve the security of pension plan benefits and to ensure the viability of defined pension plans. In considering new policy initiatives to achieve these objectives, we would encourage the government to be mindful of the possible negative impact on pension coverage, and to introduce changes in a way that will not result in a reduction of coverage.
The asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses does not encourage conservatism in pension funding. Consequently, it has a detrimental effect on benefit security.
A critical issue that must be resolved is that of surplus ownership and distribution. The solution should meet the needs of both management and labour and should properly reflect the risks assumed by the parties involved.
Many employers have been reluctant to fund their pension plans using conservative actuarial assumptions, because they perceive the treatment of surpluses and deficits to be "asymmetric." In most single-employer plans, the employer backstops the funding risks and, therefore, feels that it should control the use of funding surpluses, whether through contribution holidays, surplus reversions, or benefit improvements. When funding deficits occur, whether ongoing or wind-up, employer contributions are increased. So when funding surpluses occur, many employers believe that they should be able to use that surplus as they see fit. This would make the treatment of deficits and surpluses "symmetric".
On the other hand, plan members have argued that they bear the funding risks and should, therefore, own the surpluses. When a plan is wound up and the employer is unable (or not even required in some jurisdictions) to pay off the deficit, it is the plan members who suffer a reduction in their benefits. Even while the plan is ongoing, any increased cost of employer funding has an indirect impact on members' wages, as such increases are viewed by employers as part of the "cost of labour" and by plan members as "deferred wages". Furthermore, in some plans members share directly in the cost of ongoing deficits through adjustments to the member contribution rates. For these reasons, some plan members believe that they do share in deficits and the cost of deficit funding, and should likewise share in surpluses.
Plan sponsors seek reasonable predictability of costs and will resist making contributions to pension plans when they do not feel they are adequately compensated for the risks they undertake. At the same time, plan members expect reasonable assurance of the delivery of the promised benefits. These objectives can best be achieved by encouraging discussion on these topics between the stakeholders to seek areas of agreement on how the proper balance can be achieved. The CIA has already started an initiative with this in mind and would welcome the support and participation of government.
Increased coordination among Canadian jurisdictions in the development of pension standards would be preferable.
The Régie des rentes du Québec and the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) have also recently issued consultation papers dealing with pension plan funding. We intend to continue cooperating closely with the Department of Finance and all other legislative authorities in Canada in the building of a better retirement system, especially in the area of pension funding. For purposes of efficiency and to avoid perpetuating a patchwork of pension standards, we would much prefer to see coordinated consultation and changes.
Section II: Specific Comments
In this section, we provide comments on each of the specific issues raised in the Consultation Paper.
Disincentives/Obstacles for Adequate Funding
The Consultation Paper correctly identifies uncertainty over surplus ownership and income tax rules as significant disincentives and obstacles preventing plan sponsors from building up a funding cushion.
As mentioned in our general comments, the asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses does not encourage conservatism in pension funding. Conservatism in setting valuation assumptions is a major source of surplus in the long run for pension plans and it is justified to provide benefit security for plan members.
The uncertainty about surplus ownership is a significant disincentive for plan sponsors to fund their plans beyond the minimum requirements. If they cannot access surplus funds or must share surplus funds with the plan members, they will be more likely to reduce the margins for conservatism in their funding policy. Many plan sponsors have already responded to the current surplus environment in that way.
We believe that plan sponsors and plan members will benefit from having clarity around surplus ownership. The surplus ownership is a legal issue that should be addressed by the regulatory framework for private pension plans rather than the courts.
The Dispute Settlement Mechanism for Surplus Distribution
In establishing a claim to surplus, we note that the requirement of separate consents for both categories of beneficiaries may cause problems in certain situations. Requiring separate consents could provide disproportionate power to one category of beneficiaries over the other (e.g., in an immature plan, the opposition of a handful of non-active members may nullify the consent of a significant majority of the whole membership, and conversely in a closed plan with few remaining active members). We would support that the criteria for consent be applied to all plan beneficiaries as a group and not separately for each category of beneficiaries. As an alternative, the Government of Canada may wish to consider the Quebec model, in which consent to a surplus distribution proposal is deemed to be given unless 30% or more of all plan beneficiaries object in writing to the proposal.
We note that some observers have criticised the requirement to maintain a contingency reserve of 25% of the solvency liabilities while the plan is ongoing. Given the volatile nature of the funding position of a pension plan, we agree that a contingency reserve would ensure continued benefit security for the plan beneficiaries, but the presence of a contingency reserve that is too large could create an incentive to terminate a plan in order to withdraw more surplus. The CIA would be pleased to participate in discussions on an appropriate contingency reserve requirement.
We do not believe, however, that improving the dispute settlement mechanism for surplus distribution would be sufficient, by itself, to eliminate plan sponsors' reluctance to better fund pension plans, especially given the stringent member consent requirements. A more comprehensive solution to remove uncertainty over surplus ownership and to resolve the perceived "asymmetry" would be necessary.
Distribution on Partial Terminations
The Monsanto Decision has created uncertainty and it is one of the disincentives that discourage plan sponsors from building up a funding cushion. The requirement to distribute surplus on a partial termination cannot only be damaging to the security of remaining members but also it creates inequities among the various plan members:
- Members affected by a partial termination will inevitably have a larger or smaller share of surplus than the members in the plan on a full termination, if there ever is a full termination.
- Retirees are seldom included in a partial termination, although they may have been retirees that would have been in the affected group before retirement.
- The existence of surplus in a defined benefit pension plan at any given date is usually attributable to interest rates or stock market returns or downsizings. From the members' perspective, this is largely a matter of chance.
We understand that OSFI's interpretation of the PBSA is that the members' rights upon a partial termination do not include a distribution of surplus. We believe that there is a risk that OSFI's interpretation, if not codified in the law, could be challenged in court. Also, the question of what constitutes a partial termination has proven to be very difficult to interpret in practice. Therefore, we would support the elimination of partial terminations. This would not only eliminate the surplus distribution issue on partial termination but also eliminate the administrative and cost burden related to partial terminations.
Letters of Credit
We support the proposal to allow the use of letters of credit because of the additional flexibility it provides, without decreasing the security of the benefits accrued by the plan members. It also allows employers to reduce the potential negative effects of the asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses. Moreover, it provides employers with more flexibility in cash flow utilization and cash flow management; these are important considerations in the current environment of worldwide competition and the struggle for increased efficiency.
Allowing a financial instrument such as a letter of credit to be used to guarantee solvency amortization payments would be a positive development only for some plans. Letters of credit will not be an appealing option for many employers due to several negative aspects, such as set-up and ongoing fees, impact on credit line, and complexity. Consequently, it would be inappropriate that this change be used as a justification to impose higher funding of pension plans.
We see the use of letters of credit as a means of providing temporary benefit security. We would not recommend their use as a substitute for proper funding of a pension plan. To ensure that the risk to benefit security is minimized, we recommend that reasonable restrictions might be imposed on the use of letters of credit, such as the following:
- Letters of credit might be limited to cover the payments required for the amortization of solvency deficits.
- As letters of credit would be considered plan assets, you may wish to consider a dollar or a percentage limit on the portion of the solvency deficit that may be supported by the letter of credit, similar to the limits on other permitted investments in the pension fund.
- Letters of credit should remain in effect unless they are reduced or cancelled by paying an equivalent contribution into the pension fund or having a surplus on a solvency basis.
Extending Solvency Funding Period to 10 Years
We believe that the sufficiency of assets on a plan solvency basis is the ultimate test of security. Provided that the asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses is addressed, the current amortization period of 5 years strikes the appropriate balance between a goal of full funding on a solvency basis within a reasonably short time frame and providing a long enough period for experience gains to eliminate additional funding obligations. We also believe that a longer amortization period might be more appropriate if a provision for adverse deviation to reflect the mismatch between assets and liabilities is included in the calculation of the solvency liability (as has recently been proposed by the Régie des rentes du Québec).
However, we would support temporary measures such as extending the solvency funding period to 10 years to assist sponsors of pension plans that have incurred significant solvency deficiencies due to recent economic events. Suggested conditions and rules for granting an extended amortization period for solvency funding might include the following:
- Solvency value of assets should be measured at market value.
- Liabilities for plan amendments would be funded over 5 years.
- Actuarial losses on a solvency basis will be funded over the greater of 5 years and the number of years remaining in the 10-year funding schedule.
- Written notice to plan members advising them that a request for an extended amortization period has been made along with the instruction to these members that any comments or questions regarding the request be submitted to both the employer and the Superintendent.
- For companies under CCAA or BIA, consent from plan members or unions must be obtained.
Alternatives to Relaxing Funding Requirements
In line with the proposals mentioned in the Consultation Paper, the concept of a dedicated side fund might be considered as an alternative to relaxing funding requirements. It could work as follows:
a. A special side fund, which would be separate from the main pension fund and from the general assets of the employer, would be created. The pension plan would be granted a priority claim to the side fund in the event of the employer's insolvency, ahead of other creditors, up to the amount needed to satisfy obligations for basic pension benefits.
b. The plan sponsor is allowed to contribute the extra amortization payments required under the solvency valuation in the side fund. Other amortization payments (i.e., those required under the going concern valuation), the employer's normal actuarial cost and the employee contributions continue to be paid into the regular pension fund.
c. During the existence of the plan, the monies held by the side fund may be refunded to the plan sponsor when the pension assets in the regular pension fund exceed the higher of (1) the actuarial liability on an ongoing basis, and (2) the solvency liability.
d. In case of plan wind-up, the monies held by the side fund may be refunded to the plan sponsor to the extent not necessary to cover any excess of the wind-up liabilities over the pension assets in the regular pension fund.
e. The assets held in the side fund are included in the value of assets for the purposes of the actuarial valuations.
f. Such a side fund could also be used by plan sponsors who wish to contribute more than the minimum required under the going concern valuation (e.g., for the voluntary building of a provision for adverse deviations).
Allowing such a side fund mechanism would improve benefit security and provide a tool to reduce the risk of wide fluctuations in future contributions. We would recommend that the Department of Finance investigate the feasibility of such a concept. We acknowledge that amendments to the income tax legislation may be required to accommodate this concept.
As an alternative to the side fund mechanism, we also suggest considering a separate accounting approach for the extra amortization payments required under the solvency valuation. Under such an approach, the extra contributions would be deposited and invested in the regular pension fund, but would be accounted separately. Pension legislation would expressly provide for application of the conditions (c), (d), (e) and (f) above to the separate account.
The CIA would be pleased to participate in discussions with the Department of Finance and OSFI regarding the application details of the above financial instrument, side fund or separate accounting.
Even though we support allowing the use of a financial instrument to guarantee solvency payments and we suggest considering the side fund and separate accounting approaches, such changes should not be seen as reducing sufficiently the current problems related to the uncertainty about surplus ownership. Conventional funding coupled with the alleviation of these problems is a better alternative.
Disclosure of Funding Information
We support greater disclosure to plan members on the financial position of the plan, funding decisions and contribution holidays provided that it is meaningful and does not create excessive administrative expenses. This information could be provided through the annual pension statement or it could be displayed on the plan sponsor website or through some other vehicle.
We agree that plan sponsors should develop a written statement of funding policy for their pension plans. As suggested in the Consultation Paper, such a funding policy should address the sponsor's approach to funding the plan, on both going concern and wind-up bases, the sponsor's policy on contribution holidays, as well as areas such as the key risks faced by the pension plan and the extent to which such risks are addressed by a provision for adverse deviations.
C. Void Amendments
There are other alternative approaches that could be considered to improve the security of pension benefits. Any level of prescribed solvency ratio for void amendments is arbitrary. There is a risk that such a void amendments provision would be too restrictive for plan sponsors and would penalize the plan members. We would rather support the adoption of reasonable minimum solvency funding coupled with the establishment of priorities for retroactively voiding amendments which are not fully funded upon wind-up and clear disclosure to members regarding solvency deficiencies and benefits that may be at risk. An additional protection could be to require the plan sponsor to fund annually the value of pension benefits being paid in the year related to the new amendment, until the solvency deficiency created by the amendment is fully funded.
If the notion of prescribed solvency ratio level is kept, benefit improvements should be permitted if the plan sponsor provides immediate funding to maintain the plan's solvency ratio at the prescribed level (or to fund 100% of the additional liability, if less).
We suggest that the void amendments provision might be applied differently in the case of newly established pension plans. For example, new plans might be exempted from complying with the prescribed solvency ratio level for the first 5 years.
Finally, the void amendments provision should not present unnecessary uncertainties for a plan sponsor and union who are considering a plan improvement, particularly in collective bargaining situations. At present, solvency ratios can change quickly, from month to month, even day to day. In most cases, the timing of an amendment is chosen in advance (i.e., before the solvency ratio can be ascertained) and is driven by a number of considerations other than the solvency ratio on that date. A suggested option would be to allow the determination of a plan's solvency ratio for purposes of meeting a prescribed solvency ratio for plan improvements to be based on a "smoothed" asset value and a "smoothed" liability value to remove anomalies caused by a "point-in-time" valuation. Another alternative is to simply base the test on the last-filed solvency position at the time the benefit improvement is accepted by the union.
D. Full Funding on Plan Termination
We agree with the proposal to require full funding of pension plans upon plan termination. As allowed under other jurisdictions (e.g., Ontario), the full funding could be done through a lump sum payment or by annual special payments, payable annually in advance, over a maximum period of five years commencing at the effective date of the wind up.
For financially vulnerable sponsors that decide to terminate their plans while remaining in business, the Government of Canada could consider extending the funding over 10 years but consent from plan members or union should be required.
The Consultation Paper reports that there was broad public support for full funding on plan termination emerging from the government's previous consultations in 2001. Nevertheless, some plan sponsors might be opposed to this measure unless it is coupled with a satisfactory resolution – for all stakeholders – to the issues of surplus ownership and asymmetric treatment of deficits and surpluses. We would, therefore, caution the government against proceeding with this measure in isolation, without also addressing the related broader public policy considerations.
Negotiated contribution defined benefit pension plans should be exempt from full funding requirement upon termination as, by definition, contributions to such plans are limited to the negotiated rates.
E. Pension Benefit Guarantee Fund
For a pension benefit guarantee fund to be viable in the long-term, the price for the protection must be fair and equitable to each plan sponsor. To achieve this, the premium for the guarantee must take into account at least the following three factors:
- the financial strength of the plan sponsor,
- the degree of underfunding of the plan, and
- the mismatch between the assets and the liabilities of the plan.
While the creation of a guarantee fund has some conceptual merit, we believe that it would be difficult to implement for various reasons. For instance, it would be difficult to assess the financial strength of a plan sponsor particularly if the plan sponsor is a private company. Ignoring this important factor in the determination of the premium would unfairly and anti-competitively penalize plan sponsors that have a low risk of bankruptcy. These plan sponsors would perceive the premiums as another tax that subsidizes underfunded plans of financially weak plan sponsors, creating an incentive to terminate their defined benefit pension plans if the premiums are excessive.
We suggest that the government's efforts might be better directed, at least for now, towards improving the funding environment for private pension plans, thus reducing the very need for a government-supported backstop. A legislative solution to the surplus ownership issue and the inclusion of a provision for adverse deviation to reflect the mismatch between assets and liabilities in the calculation of the solvency liability might be preferable alternatives to a pension benefits guarantee fund over the long-term. The result would be to increase the likelihood that benefit promises are kept in the first place, before we insure those promises as a last resort.
However, if there is a pension benefit guarantee fund then it may need to cover all Canadian pension plans and not only the federally registered pension plans in order to better spread the risk and to promote equitable competition.
The Consultation Paper is a welcome sign that the Government of Canada is committed to improving the security of pension plan benefits and ensuring the viability of defined benefit pension plans.
The current funding regime applicable to defined benefit pension plans can and must be improved. Any revision to the funding rules must reflect the voluntary nature of defined benefit pension plans. The CIA offers its assistance for the development of these new rules. As mentioned in the preceding section, we also encourage the Government of Canada to explore other alternatives aimed at encouraging plan sponsors to both maintain and better fund their defined benefit pension plans.
We are confident that it is possible to adopt appropriate legislative changes implementing a framework that will alleviate the current problems related to the uncertainty about surplus ownership and consequently provide a better environment for the long-term viability of defined benefit pension plans. We encourage the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, the Government of Canada and other pension regulators and governments in Canada to work together at defining new improved pension standards that reflect the need for increased pension coverage, the risks assumed by the various stakeholders, and the members' concerns about better security. The CIA would be pleased to participate in discussions on this crucial aspect.


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Wash the chicken fillets, dab dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the chicken fillets for about 8 minutes, turning them several times. In the meantime drain the corn. Wash and clean the tomatoes and cut them into thin slices. Clean, wash and drain the lettuce.
Peel onions and cut into fine rings. Quarter flat bread and cut a pocket into each. Cut chicken fillets into slices. Fill the bread with lettuce, tomato slices, onion rings, corn and meat. Serve chili sauce extra
Tsatsiki tastes good with it


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Welcome to the next instalment of Watches of the Week, our regular series where we feature the newest watch releases of the past seven days. In this week's column we'll be featuring new watches from Zenith, Oris and Montblanc, among others. Enjoy!
Zenith DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone
New from Zenith is the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone, a highly charismatic and eclectic timepiece that balances the worlds of modernity and art. But first, Felipe Pantone. He is an Argentine-Spanish contemporary artist whose work focuses around kinetic art, graffiti, geometrical patterns and bright, eye-catching colours, with Forbes magazine calling his design style "the intersection of Blade Runner and Photoshop". So, it's only natural that that aesthetic gets applied to the DEFY 21 in the most dramatic of fashions. Everything else about the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone is fundamentally the same, including its black ceramic case, an openworked dial and the chronometer certified Calibre El Primero 9004. The Zenith DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone will be made in a limited run of only 100 pieces and will be priced at 18,900CHF.
Oris Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition
With its distinct 44mm wide gun-metal grey PVD stainless-steel case, army-green facade and military-esque aesthetic, the new Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition from Oris is a sure fire way to up your wrist game. The case features a machined look with the final result being a distinct pattern surrounding the bezel. The crown also received the same treatment, but the Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition isn't all show no go. It features a red-tipped sweeping seconds hand with a day-date indicator, ensuring functionality and real-world applicability. The Oris Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition will be released in a limited run of 750 pieces and will be priced at 2,200CHF.
Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H
Manually wound sports chronographs were once upon a time as revered as they were admired, and in my opinion they still hold their own as some of the most desirable watches around. Hamilton has just released the Intra-Matic Chronograph H, its very own manually wound chronograph based on the super appealing Intra-Matric Chronograph aesthetic. It's available with either a black or white dial, both encased in 40mm of stainless steel, both available on either a leather strap or mesh bracelet and both powered by the H-51 calibre (ETA-7753). Not much to complain about aside from the fact that there is a closed caseback. Buzz kill. The Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H will be priced from $2,045USD.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins
Another manually wound chronograph, this time thankfully with a movement that you can actually see by way of its officer-style caseback, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins is a wonderfully appeasing and satisfying timepiece that pays tribute to a bygone era of watchmaking. With a larger-than-normal 46mm wide case made from a special alloy of bronze, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins does away with convention and ensures originality, purity and of course oodles of charisma. The real magic here is that gorgeous monopusher chronograph, namely the MD16.29 calibre, an authentic reproduction of the Minerva calibre found in the original piece from the 1930s. The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins will be made in a limited run of only 100 pieces and will be priced at €30,000.
The Hour Glass Presents: The Persistence of Memory
The Hour Glass, one of the world's leading houses of luxury watches, has put together an exhibition that highlights the last fifty years of artisanal watchmaking. The point of origin begins in 1970, focusing on the likes of Dr. George Daniels and Derek Pratt, while moving on to covering the works of artisans like François-Paul Journe, Philippe Dufour and Kari Voutilainen, finally finishing with Roger Smith, Felix Baumgartner and Rexhep Rexhepi. Michael Tay, the Group Managing Direction of The Hour Glass and the exhibition's curator had the following to say: “This survey has been a project that has been fermenting for several years now and I couldn’t have been happier with its outcome. We assembled some 150 of the finest examples of artisanal watchmaking of this period including two of George Daniels’ masterworks – the Space Traveller and the Grand Complication. Many of these watches were on loan from important private collections as well as from the artisans themselves.” Mr Tay continues, “Due to the pandemic and safe distancing restrictions, we were required to innovate and realised this exhibition via our bespoke online viewing room (OVR). This OVR platform is highly immersive in that it allows for thorough story telling accompanied by precise macro photographs of the watches. Something I’m certain the global enthusiast community will appreciate.” Easily one of the most exciting and ambitious events of recent years. Follow this link for more info.


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Enthiran is basically a Tamil movie staring the famous Tamil actor Rajinikanth and the gorgeous bollywood actress and former miss world Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Movie is produced by Kalanidhi Maran,and the movie is considered to be the most expensive movie in Asian film history.The film is expected to be released on 24th September worldwide.Movie is also dubbed in various versions-: Robot in Hindi and Robo in Telugu.
Music of Enthiran or Robot is released already on July 31 2010.S.Shankar previous projects were-Jeans, Nayak,Boys,Anniyan and Shivaji.
The interesting facts about the film were that Enthiran initially set to start with Priety Zinta and Kamal Hasan in the lead but the plan was dropped due to some reasons.In fact bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan was also considered once for the lead role,but this idea was also not succeeded.You won’t be believing but bollywood perfectionist Aamir Khan was also considered for the lead role once.At last the ball finally got into Rajinikanth court and he took the lead.
Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone,Asin Thottumkal, Trisha Krishnan,Shriya Saran, Priyamani, and Nayanthara were listed for the heroin lead. In late January 2008,Aishwarya Rai was announced as the heroine of the project and she later confirmed her appearance in the film to the news channel, Aaj Tak. She stated that she was being paid 6 crores, becoming the highest paid actress in India with her salary for Enthiran. For the leadvillain role Amitabh Bachchan, J. D. Chakravarthy,Narain and Arjun Sarja were considered however Danny Denzongpa was signed for the role. Comedians Santhanam and Karunas were signed up to portray important roles in December 2008.
- Rajinikanth as Vaseegaran and Chitti
- Aishwarya Rai as Sana
- Danny Denzongpa as Bohra
- Kalabhavan Mani
- Vivek as Steve
- Daniel Balaji
Enthiran movie is all about A Robot-an android,Rajinikanth is in double roles,first one is a scientist and the other one is Robot.The scientist Rajinikanth creates a robotic Rajinikanth with an artificial intelligence,like the sixth sense in human beings.Scientist Rajinikanth wants to help the needy people and to bring changes in science world,that’s why he created the robot.The all film is about how Rajinikanth creates this robot and continuously strive to save this creation of his falling in hands of wrong people i.e the enemies.
Music Director-A.R Rahman
Lyrics- Vairamuthu, Pa. Vijay
Written by – Sujatha & S. Shankar
Choreographer : Raju Sundaram