text:
There’s a simple secret to a tender pork roast that falls off the bone and can be separated with a fork: time. The most delicious pulled pork takes hours of patience and a low, moist heat, the kind that comes from a reliable crock pot or slow cooker. For a delicious serving of your favorite Edmonton meats, follow these simple tips:
Pulled Pork Barbeque in Seven Easy Steps
- Slice a single onion (slice, don’t chop), and place the slices into a warm crock pot.
- Season a four pound pork roast with salt, pepper and about five cloves, and rest the roast in the slow cooker on top of the onion slices.
- Add enough water to fill the crock pot a little over half way, cover, and roast the pork for eight to twelve hours on low heat.
- Take the roast out and toss away everything in the pot (water, onions, fat, bone and cloves).
- Pull the roast into shreds by gently tearing at it with a fork, then place the shreds back into the cooker with two chopped onions and an entire 16 oz bottle of barbeque sauce.
- Turn the heat up to high and cook the contents for two more hours. While you do this, prepare delicious crusty rolls, pickles, and your favorite cole slaw recipe.
- When the onions are nice and soft, take the pulled pork out of the cooker and place it on the rolls. Serve with cole slaw, pickles, or banana peppers to warm up a frosty winter Saturday.


By Chris Hachey
In the style that has led him through 32 years at the helm of Bridgewater-Raritan's boys'lacrosse program, head coach Chuck Apel did not want to talk about himself and his accomplishments. He only wanted to commend the ones around him.
"The kids played well," said Apel, moments after a Gatorade bath celebrating his 400th career victory, a 14-0 triumph over Immaculata in Somerville. "I'm happier about that."
Bridgewater, No. 1 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, was led offensively by four goals and four assists from Scott Bieda and four goals and two assists from Ryan Hollingsworth. The most telling stat of the game was the shot differential between the two squads -- Bridgewater dominated by a margin of 47-8.
The defense was stalwart, led by Evan Mock, Andrew Hegenmule, Jared Kaden, and Connor Murphy. Immaculata did not record their first shot until 6:54 in the second quarter and by that point, Bridgewater was already up by eight goals.
"Mock has been outstanding all year," said Apel. "We’ve played a lot of good attacks and Mock has handled everybody we have played. But it’s him, Jared Kaden and Connor Murphy. They talk and they are such a good unit. It’s the way they help each other and they slide and double and they really make it tough for you to get a good look at the goal."
On the offensive side, Hollingsworth and Bieda are very much in sync and the cohesiveness of the unit as a whole is impressive.
"Ryan and I have been playing together since fifth grade," said Bieda. "I know exactly where he’s going to be. I know where he’s cutting almost before he knows where he’s cutting. That’s the type of connection that we have right now."
While the game was in hand early, the players knew they needed to do something special for their coach., who led Bridgewater to its first Tournament of Champions state title and its fourth overall group championship last spring.
The Gatorade shower was in the back of their minds and they executed it perfectly, much like their play on the field.
"Coach Apel was being Coach Apel. He did not mention this win at all for him," said Mock. " We knew it was 400. We wanted to play our best and make it special for him.”
While Apel deflects praise to his players and coaches, the players have nothing but praise and admiration for their leader.
"He has just taught us so much," said Bieda. "Not only about lacrosse, but about life and being self-respectful and being a team and a family. He's such a great coach."


As Reuters reported, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble pressed Portugal on Wednesday to stick to its European fiscal targets and said that if it were to apply for a new aid program the terms would be harsh. Portugal's left-leaning government has set out to reverse its predecessor's austerity policies, aiming to grow its way out of trouble by boosting demand and set an example for other post-bailout euro zone countries.
Who's 'Nexit'? As The 'Patriot Spring' Sweeps The Continent Europeans Call For Their Own Referendums
Aside from the recently-liberated Britain, Denmark is the least integrated into the politico-trading bloc out of the remaining 27 nations and is broadly sceptical of deeper EU integration.
The Danish People’s Party (DK), led by Kristian Thulesen Dahl, called for a ‘Danexit’ should Brexit succeed. The Danish populists hope to use Britain’s exit negotiations as a template, believing that with the groundwork already done for them a referendum would be successful in Denmark.
France – ‘Frexit’
Movement – Front National.
Austria – ‘Auxit’
Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) leader HC Strache has called for a return of powers from Brussels to national parliaments, an end to the Schengen Agreement, and the returned right for Austria to control its own immigration policy.
Norbert Hofer narrowly lost the Austrian presidential election – the result of which is currently being investigated for postal voter fraud – and the party is favourite to win power in the Austrian elections in 2018.
The Netherlands – ‘Nexit’
Key figures – Geert Wilders, founder and leader of the PVV
Leader and founder of the Party for Freedom (PVV) said of the ‘Patriot Spring’ that it was
Italy – ‘Itexit’
Germany – though the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), headed up by Frauke Petry, celebrated Britain’s exit result, deputy leader Alexander Gauland said any referendum proposal would have to be “carefully considered” and that the party shouldn’t make decisions “in the heat of battle”. Significantly, there is not the appetite for leaving the EU, a recent poll showing that 17 per cent of Germans would vote to leave the EU with 79 per cent voting to remain.


text:
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") recently issued final rules and rule amendments implementing certain provisions of Title IV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank") that amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers Act"). The new rules are of particular importance to private fund managers and others evaluating whether they must register as investment advisers with the SEC or whether they can rely on an exclusion from the definition of "investment adviser" in the Advisers Act or on certain exemptions from registration created by Dodd-Frank.
The final rules are described in two adopting releases issued by the SEC. The "Registration Release" sets forth final rules implementing certain amendments to the Advisers Act required by Dodd-Frank, including:
The related release (the "Exemption Release") sets forth final rules implementing new exemptions, created by Dodd-Frank, from the registration requirements of the Advisers Act, including:
In addition, the SEC issued a final rule implementing the definition of "family office" as required by Dodd-Frank. Such family offices are excluded from the definition of "investment adviser" and are thereby exempt from regulation under the Advisers Act. Dodd-Frank had tasked the SEC with providing a definition of "family office" that is consistent with past SEC exemptive orders. The definition contained in the final rule, as required by Dodd-Frank, also contains a grandfathering provision that includes in the definition of "family office" persons not registered or required to be registered under the Advisers Act on January 1, 2010, but would be so required under the new "family office" definition.
The SEC further announced that the deadline for investment adviser registration for advisers previously relying on former section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act (also known as the "private adviser" or "fewer than 15 clients" exemption), which is repealed by Dodd-Frank effective July 21, 2011, is extended to March 30, 2012. Insofar as the repeal of the private adviser exemption is effective as of July 21, 2011, advisers formed after July 20, 2011, may not avail themselves of the March 30, 2012, registration extension. The SEC further indicated that because the initial applications for registration can take up to 45 days to be approved, advisers relying on the Rule 203-1(e) transition provisions should file a complete application - both Part 1 and a brochure(s) meeting the requirements of Part 2 of Form ADV - no later than February 14, 2012.
The SEC did not provide an exemption for advisers to private equity firms similar to the exemption to advisers to venture capital firms. However, the House Financial Services Committee passed legislation in H.R. 1082 that would exempt advisers to private equity funds from the investment adviser registration and reporting requirements. The bill was amended to clarify that the exemption would apply only for funds that have not borrowed a principal amount in excess of twice their funded commitments. The full House of Representatives is not expected to consider H.R. 1082 until after Labor Day. Accordingly, for the time being, advisers to private equity funds remain subject to the provisions of the final rules.
The issuance of these final rules and the adoptive releases addresses many of the open questions arising from the rules first proposed by the SEC in October and November 2010, although many other issues will need to be clarified by the SEC in future guidance. This Alert provides a summary of the final rules and certain notable guidance provided by the SEC staff in the adopting releases.
Registration Eligibility - Increase of Threshold
Effective July 21, 2011, the minimum AUM threshold for SEC registration for most U.S. investment advisers (that do not manage registered investment companies or business development companies) will be:
Investment advisers must indicate their eligibility to register with the SEC on Item 2.A. of Form ADV. An adviser may register with the SEC if it (i) falls into the category of a "large adviser" and has $100 million or more of AUM (or $90 million or more if an adviser is filing its most recent annual updating amendment and is already registered with the SEC); (ii) is what is referred to as a mid-sized adviser (those with AUM between $25 million and $100 million) that does not meet the criteria for state registration or is not subject to examination by the state; (iii) has its principal place of business in Wyoming or outside the United States; (iv) meets the requirements of one or more of the revised exemptive rules under section 203A of the Advisers Act; (v) is an adviser (or sub-adviser) to a registered investment company; or (vi) received an order permitting the adviser to register with the SEC.
New Rule 203A-1 under the Advisers Act creates a "buffer" for mid-sized advisers that provides some flexibility for advisers when determining their registration status. The new Rule raises the threshold above which a mid-sized investment adviser must register with the SEC to $110 million from $100 million; but, once registered with the SEC, an adviser need not withdraw its registration unless and until it has less than $90 million of AUM.
Transition of Mid-Sized Advisers
Under Dodd-Frank, Congress transferred most of the regulatory burden of monitoring many smaller advisers to the states by increasing the threshold for SEC registration. To effectuate the transition of mid-sized advisers (those with AUM between $25 million and $100 million) pursuant to Dodd-Frank, the SEC adopted new Rule 203A-5 under the Advisers Act, which provides for the transition of mid-sized advisers to the appropriate regulatory body. Pursuant to the new Rule, until July 21, 2011, investment advisers applying for registration with the SEC that qualify as mid-sized advisers under section 203A(a)(2) of the Advisers Act may register with either the SEC or the appropriate state securities authority. Thereafter, all such mid-sized advisers are prohibited from registering with the SEC and must register as investment advisers with the appropriate state securities authority. Mid-sized advisers registered with the SEC as of July 21, 2011, must remain registered with the SEC (unless an exemption is available) until January 1, 2012.
Furthermore, new Rule 203A-5 under the Advisers Act requires all investment advisers registered with the SEC on January 1, 2012, to file an amendment to the adviser's Form ADV no later than March 30, 2012. This will identify those mid-sized advisers that are no longer eligible to remain registered with the SEC. Mid-sized advisers that are no longer eligible for SEC registration must withdraw their registration with the SEC by filing Form ADV-W within 90 days of filing their amended Form ADV. Accordingly, a mid-sized adviser no longer eligible for SEC registration must withdraw from registration by filing Form ADV-W no later than June 28, 2012.
Venture Capital Exemption
Section 203(l) of the Advisers Act, which was created by Dodd-Frank, provides an exemption from registration for venture capital fund advisers. In new Advisers Act Rule 203(l)-1, the SEC defines a "venture capital fund" as a private fund that:
(i) Holds no more than 20 percent of the fund's capital commitments in "non-qualifying investments";
(ii) Does not incur leverage in excess of 15 percent of its committed capital or for a term longer than 120 days;
(iii) Does not offer redemption of investor interests except in extreme circumstances;
(iv) Represents itself as pursuing a venture capital strategy to its investors and prospective investors; and
(v) Is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or elected to be treated as a business development company.
The definition of "venture capital fund" includes a fund that invests a portion of its capital in investments that would not otherwise satisfy all the elements of Advisers Act Rule 203(l). The SEC stated that this 20 percent "non-qualifying basket" is intended to provide the flexibility sought by many venture capital funds while precluding an adviser relying on the exemption from altering the character of the fund's investments to such an extent that the fund could no longer be viewed as a venture capital fund.
A "qualifying investment" is defined by the SEC as:
(i) Any equity security issued by a qualifying portfolio company that is directly acquired by the private fund from the portfolio company;
(ii) Any equity security issued by a qualifying portfolio company in exchange for directly acquired equity issued by the same qualifying portfolio company; and
(iii) Any equity security issued by a company of which a qualifying portfolio company is a majority-owned subsidiary, or a predecessor, and is acquired by the fund in exchange for directly acquired equity.
Advisers Act Rule 203(l)-1 incorporates the definition of "equity security" from section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 3a11-1 thereunder. Accordingly, "equity security" includes common stock, preferred stock, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock, in addition to limited partnership interests.
Additionally, Advisers Act Rule 203(l)-1 grandfathers as a venture capital fund any pre-existing private fund that (i) represented to investors and potential investors at the time the fund offered its securities that it pursues a venture capital strategy; (ii) prior to December 31, 2010, sold securities to one or more investors that are not related persons of any investment adviser of the venture capital fund; and (iii) does not sell securities in its fund to, including accepting any additional capital commitments from, any person after July 21, 2011. Advisers may rely on the Advisers Act section 203(l) venture capital exemption only if they exclusively advise venture capital funds that satisfy all the elements in the definition of "venture capital fund" or meet the requirements of the grandfathering provision.
Private Fund Adviser Exemption
Section 203(m) of the Advisers Act, enacted by Dodd-Frank, requires the SEC to provide an exemption from registration to any investment adviser that acts solely as an adviser to private funds and has AUM in the United States of less than $150 million. New Advisers Act Rule 203(m)-1 implements this private fund adviser exemption and provides that an adviser may advise an unlimited number of private funds, as long as the aggregate value of the AUM of the private funds is less than $150 million, without triggering the requirement to register as an investment adviser with the SEC. Importantly, advisers with a principal office and place of business outside of the United States may avail themselves of the exemption as long as all the adviser's clients that are U.S. persons are qualifying private funds. A non-U.S. adviser may take advantage of the exemption without regard to the type or number of its non-U.S. clients or the amount of AUM it manages outside of the United States.
New Advisers Act Rule 203(m)-1 requires that advisers annually measure and report their AUM on the adviser's updated Form ADV. The methodology used to measure AUM now follows the uniform standards set forth in the newly adopted Form ADV. Advisers must include in their calculations proprietary assets and assets managed without compensation, as well as uncalled capital commitments. Additionally, advisers may not deduct liabilities, such as accrued fees and expenses or the amount of any borrowing. Advisers relying on the private fund adviser exemption that report AUM in excess of $150 million on their annual updating amendment have 90 days following such annual updating report to register as an investment adviser with the SEC.
Foreign Private Adviser Exemption
Section 403 of Dodd-Frank replaced the private adviser exemption provided by section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act with a new "foreign private adviser exemption." Pursuant to section 202(a)(30) of the Advisers Act, a foreign private adviser is any investment adviser that (i) has no place of business in the United States; (ii) has, in total, fewer than 15 clients in the United States and investors in the United States in private funds advised by the investment adviser; (iii) has aggregate AUM attributable to clients in the United States in private funds advised by the investment adviser of less than $25 million; and (iv) does not hold itself out to the public in the United States as an investment adviser. Section 202(a)(30) of the Advisers Act also authorizes the SEC to increase the $25 million threshold "in accordance with the purposes of this title."
Additionally, Advisers Act section 202(a)(30) provides that foreign private advisers cannot have more than 14 clients or "other investors in the United States in private funds" advised by the foreign private adviser. An "investor" in a private fund is any person who would be included in determining the number of beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of a private fund owned exclusively by qualified purchasers under section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In order to avoid double-counting, Advisers Act Rule 203(a)(30)-1 clarifies that an adviser may treat as a single investor any person who is an investor in two or more private funds advised by the foreign private adviser. Unlike the initial Proposed Rule, Rule 202(a)(30)-1 does not treat as investors those beneficial owners who are "knowledgeable employees" with respect to the private fund. Additionally, Rule 202(a)(30)-1 requires advisers to count as investors all holders of debt securities of the fund, including holders of short-term paper.
Exempt Reporting Advisers
New Advisers Act Rule 204-4 creates certain record-keeping and reporting requirements for (i) advisers to venture capital funds and (ii) private fund advisers with less than $150 million in AUM who are relying on Advisers Act sections 203(l) and 203(m) for exemptions from the registration requirements. Also referred to as "exempt reporting advisers," these advisers are required to submit to the SEC, and to periodically update, reports that consist of a limited subset of disclosure items on Form ADV. The exempt reporting advisers must submit their initial reports on Form ADV within 60 days of relying on the exemption from registration under either section 203(l) or 203(m) of the Advisers Act. Exempt reporting advisers must file their first reports on Form ADV through the Investment Adviser Registration Depository ("IARD") between January 1 and March 30, 2012. Such exempt reporting advisers must complete the following items of Part 1A of Form ADV: 1 (Identifying Information), 2.B. (SEC Reporting by Exempt Reporting Advisers), 3 (Form of Organization), 6 (Other Business Activities), 7 (Financial Industry Affiliations and Private Fund Reporting), 10 (Control Persons) and 11 (Disclosure Information).
The SEC also amended Rule 204-1 under the Advisers Act to require exempt reporting advisers to amend their reports on Form ADV at least annually, within 90 days of the end of the adviser's fiscal year and more frequently if required by the instructions to Form ADV. Additionally, General Instruction 4 to Form ADV requires an exempt reporting adviser to update promptly Items 1 (Identifying Information), 3 (Form of Organization) and 11 (Disclosure Information) if they become inaccurate in any way and to update Item 10 (Control Persons) if such information becomes materially inaccurate.
The SEC indicated that although it does not intend to routinely examine exempt reporting advisers (including venture capital fund managers), it will maintain the authority to do so. The SEC has also directed its staff to consider and report on the adequacy of the level of reporting by exempt reporting advisers after one year following the submission of the first reports by such advisers.
The SEC also amended the pay-to-play rule to provide that registered municipal advisers may act as solicitors for registered investment advisers that seek business from state and local governments. Amended Rule 206(4)-5, the pay-to-play rule, permits any "regulated person," which includes registered broker-dealers and investment advisers in addition to registered municipal advisers, to engage in third-party solicitation as long as the regulated person is subject to restrictions at least as stringent as those set forth in the pay-to-play rule. Additionally, the SEC amended the pay-to-play rule so that it continues to apply to advisers that previously relied on the private adviser exemption, including exempt reporting advisers and foreign private advisers.
Family Office Exclusion
Section 409(b) of Dodd-Frank required the SEC to define the term "family office." Family offices are entities established by wealthy families to manage their wealth, plan for their families' financial future, and provide other services to family members. Many family offices relied on the private adviser exemption from registration as an investment adviser with the SEC. As discussed, Dodd-Frank eliminated the private adviser exemption, effective July 21, 2011. Pursuant to Dodd-Frank's section 409(b) mandate and new Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 of the Advisers Act, a "family office" will not be considered an investment adviser for purposes of the Advisers Act. This exclusion provides that family offices will not be subject to any of the registration, reporting, record-keeping or other compliance provisions required by the Advisers Act.
New Advisers Act Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 defines "family office" as an entity providing investment advisory services that (i) has only clients that are "family clients" (ii) is wholly owned by family clients and controlled by family members; and (iii) does not hold itself out to the public as an investment adviser. Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 also incorporates a grandfathering provision, as required by section 409(b) of Dodd-Frank.
Under new Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1, "family clients" includes current and former family members, certain key employees of the family office and certain alter-ego entities formed for tax, charitable or estate-planning purposes. The Rule defines "family members" to include all lineal descendants of a common ancestor, as well as current and former spouses or spousal equivalents of those descendants, provided the common ancestor is no more than 10 generations removed from the youngest generation of family members. These definitions permit a family office to provide investment advisory services to certain key employees and also to allow equity ownership by such key employees. The Rule does not, however, allow key employees to control the family office; the family office must be controlled solely by "family members."
New Adviser Act Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 treats as "family clients" any nonprofit organization, charitable foundation, charitable trust or other charitable organization funded exclusively by one or more family clients. Family offices currently advising charitable or nonprofit organizations that have accepted funding from non-family clients have a transition period until December 31, 2013, before they must comply with this aspect of the exclusion. Accordingly, if the only reason the family office would not meet the exclusion is because it advises a nonprofit or charitable organization that currently holds non-family client funding, the family office may rely on the exclusion until December 31, 2013. In order for the exclusion to apply, however, a nonprofit or charitable organization advised by a family office cannot accept additional funding from non-family clients after August 31, 2011, unless the funding is the fulfillment of a pledge made prior to August 31, 2011.
As required by section 409(b) of Dodd-Frank, paragraph (e) of Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 provides that family offices that are exempt from registration under the Advisers Act on July 20, 2011, in reliance of the 203(b)(3) private adviser exemption and that do not meet the new family office exclusion are not required to register with the SEC until March 30, 2012. Additionally, the SEC noted in the release to Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 that it will not rescind exemptive orders issued previously to family offices under section 202(a)(11)(G) of the Advisers Act. Accordingly, family offices currently operating under such exemptive orders may continue to rely on them.
The Family Office Rule will become effective on August 29, 2011.
The newly adopted SEC rules implementing the investment adviser amendments under Dodd-Frank create significant new compliance and regulatory issues for investment advisers. Now that the SEC has promulgated final exemptive rules and provided firm compliance deadlines, investment advisers must reexamine their registration requirements, potential exemption eligibility and the possibility of restructuring to satisfy the compliance requirements of the Advisers Act. In addition, the analysis does not end if it is determined that the adviser is exempt from registration because there are new filing and reporting requirements for exempt reporting advisers.
Please contact any of the attorneys listed to the right for guidance and instruction with respect to the new regulatory regime for investment advisers.
 Notably, after conducting a 50-state survey, the SEC determined that Minnesota does not subject investment advisers to examination, and New York failed to respond to the survey. The SEC stated that it will treat New York as not subjecting investment advisers to examination. Therefore, investment advisers with their principal offices and places of business in Minnesota, New York or Wyoming (which does not regulate investment advisers) with AUM between $25 million and $100 million will now be required to register with the SEC.
 Section 202(a)(29) of the Advisers Act defines "private fund" as "an issuer that would be an investment company, as defined in section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, but for section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of that Act."
 For a detailed discussion of the pay-to-play rule, please see the following Day Pitney Investment Management Compliance Update.
On March 16, Day Pitney Partner David M. Waizer will serve on the panel, "Drafting Lasting Business Contracts: Simple, Powerful Strategies That Stand the Test of Time," presented by the New Jersey Institute and the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Day Pitney Advisory
Day Pitney Alert
Day Pitney Alert
Day Pitney Alert
Day Pitney Press Release
Day Pitney Press Release
Day Pitney Press Release
Partners Peter Bilfield and Eliza Fromberg were interviewed by Law360 Pulse for the feature article, "How Day Pitney Attys Guided Client's New Property Fund Deal."
Day Pitney Press Release

domain: law


text:
Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator shows consumer spending continues to rise
18 December 2009: Australian consumer spend continues to rise in November, following strong months of growth, according to the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator(i) released today.
The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator tracks the value of credit and debit card transactions processed through Commonwealth Bank merchant facilities across 20 industry sectors throughout Australia.
According to Symon Brewis-Weston, Head of Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking, the Business Sales Indicator provides Australian consumers and business owners with a unique insight into household and business spend.
“For November, the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator showed consumer spend increased by 0.6 per cent in trend terms, up from 0.5 per cent in October.
“Since bottoming in September, the Business Sales Indicator has now risen for two consecutive months. Compared to one year ago, the Indicator is up 6.8 per cent – the fastest growth in 22 months,” he said.
Craig James, Chief Equities Economist at the Commonwealth Bank said: “The latest result is clearly a sign that consumers and business owners are cautiously celebrating the improving economic environment.
“The sustained pickup in consumer and business sentiment is starting to filter through to the overall level of spending in the economy.
“Interestingly, the latest rise in the Business Sales Indicator comes despite an economic landscape where fiscal stimulus has been fading and interest rate hikes have featured heavily,” Mr James said.
The value of spending Transactions fell in just three of 20 industries during November. The weakest sector was Business Services (down 0.7 per cent), followed by Hotels and Motels (down 0.3 per cent) and Repair Services (down 0.1 per cent). Sales in the Business Services sector decreased in trend terms for seven consecutive months, while Hotels and Motels have eased for four straight months.
However, the strongest industry sectors in November in trend terms were Automobile and Vehicles (up 3.4 per cent) followed by Retail Stores (up 1.3 per cent).
“Automotives increased which highlights the impact of the Government’s Depreciation Allowance ending on 31 December which has brought demand forward,” Mr Brewis-Weston adds.
For annual terms sectors which recorded strong growth includes; Retail Stores (up 15.3 per cent), Personal Service Providers (up13.1 per cent), and Government Services (up 5.9 per cent). The main sector where transaction growth has been consistently weak is Business Services, down 3.4 per cent on a year ago.
From a state perspective, a strong rise in NSW indicates that a broader recovery in the nation’s most populated state is underway.
The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator also revealed across the states, the fastest sales growth during November occurred in Tasmania – up 1.2 per cent – followed by South Australia (up 0.9 per cent), Victoria (up 0.4 per cent), and Queensland (up 0.3 per cent). At the other end of the scale, spending was weakest in Western Australia (down 0.5 per cent).
Mr Brewis-Weston highlighted the importance of the Indicator’s industry and state insights and the important role this type of knowledge will play in the management and operation of Australian businesses.
“The Indicator plays a vital role for businesses across the country. It’s insight into spending patterns by state and industry will prove invaluable for those seeking to improve their sales and see more effective business planning and management,” he said.
“The November Business Sales Indicator shows why business confidence has continued to rise in the past two months and supports the notion that stronger economic growth is starting to take shape,” he said.
The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator is reported on a monthly basis and available to the public on the Bank’s website and to media through media release on or around the 20th day of each month.
For more information, please contact:
Phone: (02) 9378 5965
Notes to editors
i. About the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator
The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator is calculated by tracking credit and debit card transactions processed through Commonwealth Bank merchant facilities throughout Australia (approximately 30 – 40 per cent of market).
The Commonwealth Bank Spending Business Sales Indicator has been devised to provide a monthly assessment of spending trends in the Australian economy. Currently, the main monthly indicator of spending in the economy is the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Retail Trade release. The main quarterly indicator of spending in the economy is the ABS Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE). A quarterly measure of the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator has closely tracked the ABS household consumption series over the past three years, highlighting the value of the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator to track changes in spending across the economy. The Business Sales Indicator is available monthly; broader household consumption figures are only available from the ABS on a quarterly basis.
The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator includes industry sectors based on international Merchant Category Code (MCC) categories.

domain: finance


text:
- 2.5-hour Segway nature tour of St Petersburg
- Learn about local nature and wildlife from your knowledgeable guide (audio headset available)
- Cruise along the Tampa Bay seawall to see palm trees and view manatees in their natural habitat
- Visit the Sunken Gardens, an exotic botanical garden featuring flamingos, butterflies and koi-filled ponds
- Bottled water, park fees and equipment included
- Small-group tour limited to seven people ensures a more personalized experience
What You Can Expect
Cruise through the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, featuring more than 200 varieties of palm trees from all over the world, and stop along the bay to learn about and view manatees in their natural habitat.
Next, visit the Sunken Gardens, an exotic botanical garden featuring an array of orchids and bromeliads. See streams and koi-filled ponds dotted with pink flamingos and pass by the Growing Stone, a fossilized limestone rock thought to grant tranquility, inner harmony and the ability to make things grow. If you wish, take a turn sitting on the stone to see if the legend is true!
Afterward, you'll return to North Straub Park to end your tour.

domain: geography


text:
Many of our clients first meet us after suffering some kind of trauma. Falling down and spraining your ankle- or is it broken? – doesn’t quite meet most people’s standard for a trip to the expensive emergency room. But as it swells up and turns black and you realize the regular doctor’s office won’t be open for four days you look around for something else. Of course we’re here for you. At FirstCare we can evaluate, xray, diagnose and even provide physical therapy for most injuries.
More than ice
What a lot of people, particularly non-athletes, don’t realize is that medicine has a lot more to offer for injuries than put ice on it/ or surgery. For that huge middle ground, there is physical therapy. Physical therapy is not just for acute injuries, either- it is the solution to that nagging pain in your foot, or your weak hand that can’t do much anymore without making your elbow ache.
The whole point of physical therapy is to evaluate your entire body for functional weaknesses and design a program to overcome those weaknesses. Many people are amazed to discover that their sore knees are being caused by weak hip muscles, and that a few weeks of special hip strengthening exercises will cure their pain forever. They probably thought it was “just aging” and they’d have to learn how to live with the pain. Good thing they visited the physical therapist to learn the truth.
A good physical therapy program is multi-faceted. It works on correcting weaknesses and muscle imbalances through focused exercises. Stretching exercises are prescribed to increase range of motion and reduce tension. Simultaneously the program addresses pain relief through massage, acupuncture, cold laser and medications, if needed.
Physical therapists know that pain causes people to move defensively, to guard against pain. Unfortunately many of the defensive mechanisms people unconsciously use to prevent pain cause other problems such as muscle atrophy and decreased range of motion. You start out with a sprained ankle and end up with a sore back, hip and shoulder. The first priority of physical therapists is to relieve pain in order to allow the body to return to a more correct alignment and biomechanical functionality.
Most athletes know that the most important thing to do after suffering an injury is to make an immediate appointment with the physical therapist. Any odd aches or pains? Call the physical therapist. Well, these services are just as important for non-athletes.
We have a full-service physical therapy center in addition to our urgent care services. If you have suffered an acute injury, stop in after your initial appointment to arrange for follow-up care. If you have some chronic aches and pains, don’t suffer any longer- make an appointment today.

domain: medical


- About NRSCH
The National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH) aims to ensure a well governed, well managed and viable national community housing sector that meets the housing needs of tenants and provides assurance for government and investors.
The National Regulatory System for Community Housing seeks a clear separation between regulatory activities, and state and territory policy and funding activities.The scope of a Registrar’s functions under the National Regulatory System is limited to regulatory activities.
Policy and funding decisions will continue to be a matter for state, territory and federal governments, which enables localised responses to meet housing need. Visit the pages of individual States & Territories for more information.
The governance arrangements for the NRSCH are shared by the governments of all participating jurisdictions via housing ministers, Registrars and advisory forums.
All interested housing providers seeking to be part of this national system can apply for registration via the Registrar in their state or territory. Specialist housing providers, including indigenous providers, are encouraged to apply. For more information, view the eligibility guideline.


text:
April 21st, 2012 by Vincent
Great news, Blind Melon has now an official facebook page. The band has also announced surprises to come. What will it be? Maybe something related to 20 year Anniversary in September for the debut Blind Melon album that was released in 1992 or maybe some tour dates. Who knows? Stay tuned!
Posted in Blind Melon |

domain: news


Following in the footsteps of Kara’s Kang Ji Young, members Han Seung Yeon and Park Gyuri will next be hitting the music shows.
Both Han Seung Yeon and Park Gyuri will stand on music show stages to perform their respective solo songs from Kara’s recent, November 30-released solo collections album.
Han Seung Yeon will stand on MBC’s Music Core stage on December 15 while Park Gyuri will perform on SBS’ Inkigayo on December 23.
Han Seung Yeon will transform into a rocker for her Guilty stage while Park Gyuri will do the tango for her Daydream stage.
The dates and details of Nicole and Goo Hara’s stages are continuing to be ironed out.
Photo Credit: DSP Media
Article from CJ E&M enewsWorld(www.enewsworld.com)Any copying, republication or redistribution of enewsWorld's content other than for porsonal uses is expressly prohibited widthout prior permission from enewsWorld. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penaltles.


‘Our Nixon’ uses hundreds of reels shot by staff membersBreaking News
tags: NYT, documentaries, Richard M. Nixon, Nixon White House, John Ehrlichman, H.R. Haldeman
These days, Dwight Chapin shoots movies on his iPad. But in the Richard M. Nixon White House, he and his colleagues John Ehrlichman and H. R. Haldeman were Super 8-wielding auteurs, capturing intimate moments that eluded the press corps: Tricia Nixon before her wedding; the president in Beijing enjoying a ballet about a workers’ insurrection; Pope Paul VI shot sideways (because Haldeman had smuggled his camera into the Vatican).
The images, surreptitious and otherwise, are included in “Our Nixon,” the impressionistic documentary directed by Penny Lane that has its premiere Thursday on CNN. The film makes use of hundreds of reels of home movies shot by Haldeman, Ehrlichman and Mr. Chapin, some of which had been confiscated by the F.B.I. during the Watergate investigation. The footage remained largely unseen for 40 years.
“They weren’t being hidden,” Ms. Lane said. “They were being ignored.”
A Kickstarter campaign by Ms. Lane and her co-producer, Brian Frye, helped pay for transfers of the material, the rights to which were in the public domain, from the National Archive. They spent two years making their film, which was originally intended to be about the personalities revealed, rather than hard-core Nixon history....
comments powered by Disqus
- Male Historians Have Long Dominated Public Debates. Is Charlottesville a Turning Point?
- Kevin Levin says he’s changed his mind about Confederate statues
- Scholar of African history says his Jewish background didn’t stop him from writing about Muslims and Africa
- Jon Meacham points out why Lee should go but Washington should stay
- "I've studied the history of Confederate memorials. Here's what to do about them."


The economic benefits of deconstruction are substantial. One of the biggest challenges to "greening" businesses is overcoming the false perception that environmentally-sound business practices necessarily will increase costs and decrease profits. Building deconstruction is helping break that myth.
Old buildings on Long Island are an untapped valuable resource. When a building is no longer fit for use and has to come down, does this happen just as all of its parts and components wear out? Most old buildings have some systems and materials with useful lives. The trick is efficiently identifying the materials and getting them out of the building. When redeveloping a Long Island property, it is difficult to see the old buildings as anything but obstacles. Also, it is important to consider whether their contents and/or components may actually be resources that have net value.
You can get a tax deduction. The reusable waste from your project could be worth a significant tax write-off. You can donate your salvaged building materials to numerous not-for-profit organizations on Long Island and receive a tax-deductible receipt to help offset the higher labor costs that building deconstruction requires (versus demolition). Advanced Restoration Corp. provides all of our clients with a detailed photo-documented inventory of salvaged materials for tax purposes.
Building deconstruction reduces overall project costs. Buildings can be deconstructed more cheaply than they can be demolished. Building deconstruction reduces the cost of waste disposal. For every ton of material diverted from a landfill, there is one less ton of disposal costs. To the extent deconstructed materials can be incorporated into a new building or space on the same site, the savings are two-fold-reduced disposal costs and new material costs.


text:
JoJo Siwa is on Entertainment Weekly’s new Pride cover, having come out earlier this year as “I don’t know, bisexual, pansexual, queer, lesbian, gay, straight. I always just say gay because it just kind of covers it or queer because I think the keyword is cool.”
In the EW story, Rachel Yang writes that Siwa “gushes at length about her best friend-turned-girlfriend, Kylie Prew, and the ‘LGBTQ alphabet mafia legends’ she admires: Freddie Mercury, Elton John, and Lady Gaga.” Huh... LGBTQ alphabet mafia—I haven’t heard that joke in a while! Speaking of Kylie, JoJo also said that her team has campaigned to have a kissing scene removed from her upcoming Christmas movie, Bounce. The reason? “I’m madly in love and I do not want to kiss another human. Especially because it’s a man.”
According to JoJo, her fans look at her as “not some character, not some fictional thing,” so she believes they might have a hard time separating JoJo the person from JoJo the actor. (Sounds like a problem with their object permanence skills, but I digress.) “It’s going to be a little weird,” she continued. “I’m not about it. I’m trying to get it pulled so bad. It’ll happen. It’ll get pulled.”
The problem with this request isn’t in the demand, considering she was swatted by bigots after coming out. It’s that JoJo has to account for how her fictional self—and a fictional kiss—might get muddled with her actual life choices. I’m reminded of a similar situation back in March when a coordinated group of Swifties harrassed actor Antonia Gentry, whose character in Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia had made a disparaging remark about Taylor Swift. Swift even tweeted at Netflix personally, while fans led a crusade to drive both Netflix and Gentry off social media.
Later in the interview, though, she had this very sweet moment:
“Being called a gay icon, honestly, I think is the biggest honor. About a year ago, I started having all these music meetings just for fun, just getting my head where I want to go. And I told the producers, ‘I want to create gay pop, and I want to have a concert for the girls and for the gays.’ Turns out a year later, I am very much so gay.”
I think JoJo Siwa will be fine!

domain: celebrity


text:
Get the facts about erectile dysfunction (ED), including the conditions and medications that can cause it.
- Urinary Incontinence The symptoms and causes of urinary incontinence or urge incontinence.
- Contraceptive Implants Facts about contraceptive implants; how they work, benefits & risks.
- Erectile Dysfunction Facts about erectile dysfunction (ED), including causes.
- Hysterectomy Why a hysterectomy is performed and different surgeries available.
- Overactive Bladder Facts about overactive bladder (OAB): risk factors, symptoms & causes.
- Prostate Cancer Get the facts about prostate cancer, including the different types.
- View All Care Guides Prepare for your next visit with our extensive library of Care Guides
About Dr. Andrew J Cowder MD
Dr. Andrew J Cowder has 2 locations
100 Hospital Dr
Bennington, VT 05201
Dr. Andrew J Cowder has the following 1 specialty
A urologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the male reproductive system, as well as the urinary tracts of both males and females.
These doctors cover the kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, urethra, and the male reproductive organs which include the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis. Some common disorders that urologists treat are urinary tract infections (UTI), stress incontinence, benign prostatic hyperplasia, kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and cystitis. These urological specialists also perform vasectomies and vasectomy reversals.
Dr. Andrew J Cowder has the following 8 expertise
- Prostate Cancer
- Laproscopic Surgery (Laparoscopy)
- Bladder Issues
- Urologic Emergencies
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Kidney Stones
- Overactive Urinary Bladder
Dr. Andrew J Cowder is Board Certified in 1 specialty
See the board certifications this doctor has received. Board certifications provide confidence that this doctor meets the nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge and experience.
Showing 5 of 5
Self-verified patient of Dr. Andrew J Cowder - Posted on November 16th, 2016
Self-verified patient of Dr. Andrew J Cowder - Posted on May 9th, 2015
I am appalled by Dr Cowder's bed side manner. The time and money spent taking my father to him was a waste. His staff was outstanding, yet I am astonished that he remains in practice. Working in my field, I see many physicians daily, I know they are busy, but I have always been treated well. With Dr Cowder's, this was not the case. Stay away folks. Far away.
Self-verified patient of Dr. Andrew J Cowder - Posted on January 12th, 2014
He diagnosed me with a very large kidney stone and scheduled me for shockwave therapy to facilitate its removal. i followed up with 2 other Docs, both of which suggested that would probably require several repetitions with the real likelihood serious damage to the kidney. They both recommended PCNL as the gold standard of large complex stones. In the hands of a great doctor, it worked out really well.
Self-verified patient of Dr. Andrew J Cowder - Posted on September 30th, 2013
Self-verified patient of Dr. Andrew J Cowder - Posted on February 22nd, 2012
17 Years Experience
The School Of Medicine At Stony Brook University Medical Center
Graduated in 2002
Dr. Andrew J Cowder Accepts the Following Insurance
- Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Managed Choice POS Open Access
- Aetna Signature Administrators PPO
BCBS Blue Card
- BCBS Blue Card PPO
- BCBS MA Blue Care Elect PPO
- BCBS MA Preferred Blue PPO
- CIGNA HMO
- CIGNA Open Access Plus
- CIGNA PPO
- Empire PPO
- Harvard Pilgrim ChoiceNet HMO
- Harvard Pilgrim HMO
- Harvard Pilgrim PPO
MVP Health Plan
- MVP Premier Plus HMO Small Groups
- UHC Choice Plus POS
- UHC Navigate HMO
- UHC Navigate POS
- UHC Options PPO
Locations & Directions
Dr. Andrew J Cowder is similar to the following 4 Doctors near Bennington, VT.


Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // EP Review 11/09/2020 Album Review, News 112 Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // EP ReviewEskimo Callboy // MMXX // Album Review 9Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // Album Review 9Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // Album Review 9Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // Album Review 9Eskimo Callboy // MMXX // Album Review 92020-09-119Overall ScoreReader Rating: (1 Vote)9.5Eskimo Callboy is no stranger to the world of metalcore. With their debut EP launching 10 years ago they’ve been on a steady climb to the top since. Over the past few months though, Eskimo Callboy has taken the entire internet by storm with their single Hypa Hypa, which after 2 months has 6 million views on Youtube and more reactions than I can count. This overwhelmingly positive reaction has helped them massively with the release of their newest EP MMXX, which signals a new chapter in the band’s career, especially with the introduction to their new vocalist Nico Sallach (formerly To the Rats and Wolves). Starting the EP is Hypa Hypa that I briefly mentioned above. I unapologetically love this song. The sheer energy of the song mixed with the fantastic performances and the pure catchiness of it made it the perfect song to not only start the EP but to be the first single. If you check out just one song from this release, make it this. Up next was the second single, Hate/Love which I would say is a much more serious track while still keeping the catchiness of Hypa Hypa. The third track of the EP is actually a sequel to one of the band’s most well-known songs, MC Thunder II (Dancing like a ninja). With chunky breakdowns and riffs and pumping electronic synths throughout alongside a great vocal performance just makes the track work incredibly well. Track 4 is Monsieur Moustache, which felt like a time capsule to 2013 when Crabcore was slowly taking over the world and would feel at home on any big release from the genre at that time period. I really didn’t expect that level of nostalgia on this EP. Moving on we have Dramaqueen. The aggression found here properly caught me off guard, with a filthy, chuggy breakdown and my favorite instrumental performances across the release that showcases the range the band truly has. Finally, we have Prism. This track is fantastic, great vocals and a soothing acoustic guitar provided by Tobias Rauscher (a German folk musician) make for an easy listen to close out what has been an incredibly energetic release. Eskimo Callboy has created one of the most unapologetically fun releases I’ve had the pleasure of listening to over the last year with MMXX. With the EP only taking 16 weeks to create fully, the band has spoken about how they poured all their creativity into it, and my god it shows. Just spend half an hour of your time checking out this EP, you won’t regret it. MMXX is out now via Century Media Records. Review: Daniel Stapleton ESKIMO CALLBOY – HYPA HYPA TOUR 2021 08.01.21 (DE) Kiel – MAX 09.01.21 (DE) Rostock – M.A.U 11.01.21 (PL) Wroclaw – Pralnia 12.01.21 (DE) Dresden – Schlachthof 13.01.21 (DE) Stuttgart – Im Wizemann 15.01.21 (AT) Graz – PPC 16.01.21 (DE) Lindau – Club Vaudeville 17.01.21 (CH) Pratteln – Z7 18.01.21 (DE) Saarbrücken – Garage 20.01.21 (DE) Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 23.01.21 (NL) Amsterdam – Q-Factory24.01.21 (DE) Hanover – Capitol From their humble beginnings as teenage regulars at the local youth club in their hometown of Castrop Rauxel to touring the world – they have played and partied in Russia, the States, Japan, China and South Africa – ESKIMO CALLBOY worked tirelessly for their journey to notoriety for the past 10 years. That they have scored three Top 10 placements on the German Top Album Charts is also an indication of the group’s work hard, play hard ethos. Outside of ESKIMO CALLBOY members of the band are involved in IT, sound engineering and video production, which came in handy for the creation of “MMXX”. “Celebrating the good times! That‘s what EC has always been about!” the band comments. “We cannot wait to do so together with all of you once when we are finally back on tour.” ESKIMO CALLBOY are: Kevin – Vocals, Keys Nico – Vocals Daniel – Guitar Pascal – Guitar Daniel – Bass David – Drums Visit ESKIMO CALLBOY online: https://www.eskimocallboy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/eskimocallboy https://twitter.com/eskimocallboy https://www.instagram.com/eskimocallboy/ Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading... Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


text:
Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has used AI to develop a new way of creating concrete which it claims produces 40 per cent less carbon emissions than standard mixtures, and is already using it in its latest data centre. But experts say that concrete mixtures with similar emissions are already in use across Europe, and that constructing new buildings is incompatible with reducing carbon pollution.
Meta is investing heavily in AI research, including building the world’s most powerful AI-specific supercomputer. Its main aims are to develop better speech-recognition tools, automatically translate between different languages and help build a 3D virtual metaverse, but the company is also using AI to work on projects such as concrete production.
The company says that this construction material is a major contributor to its carbon footprint as it builds data centres around the world for its online services. The production and use of concrete is responsible for around 8 per cent of global carbon emissions.
Basic concrete is a mix of cement and an aggregate such as gravel, mixed with water. Commercial concrete can contain dozens or even hundreds of ingredients to achieve a desired strength or durability. Cement is responsible for a large part of concrete’s carbon emissions, so alternatives to this component with a smaller but still sizeable carbon footprint such as fly ash, a by-product of burning coal, and slag, which is a by-product of manufacturing steel, are commonly used.
To train an AI model to find the optimal recipe for a given use, Meta researchers used a resource which lists various properties of 1030 different concrete mixtures called the Concrete Compressive Strength Data Set. This includes the strength of each concrete after curing for a week and a month, and its carbon footprint. The AI was then able to compare all possible concrete mixtures and find examples that matched a minimum given strength, but also had the lowest possible emissions .
Meta took the five most promising mixtures and tested them in a laboratory. The company said in a blog post that manually discovering such mixtures would be challenging, but that its AI approach completed the task “within weeks”. In a paper outlining the research, the authors say coming up with such mixtures is “pushing the boundary of human creativity”.
Walter Kaufmann at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich says that the claimed reduction in carbon emissions is calculated in comparison with a concrete made using pure Portland cement produced entirely with fossil fuel energy and no replacement material at all. “I doubt that this is US industry standard today – it would be embarrassing if it were,” he says.
The AI-derived mixtures are certainly effective, but not really novel, says Kaufmann. “In western Europe, concretes similar to the one referenced as ‘industry standard’ in the paper stopped being used 25 years ago. The emissions of the ‘novel’ concretes described in the paper essentially correspond to Swiss average concrete in terms of emissions today,” he says.
One of the new concrete mixtures is being used in limited parts of Meta’s new data centre in DeKalb, Illinois. “Based on a life cycle assessment of our typical data centre design, we have concluded that concrete is a significant contributor to our embodied carbon emissions, and hence the need to find low-carbon solutions for concrete,” says Julius Kusuma, a researcher at Meta.
Phil Purnell at the University of Leeds, UK, says that minimising cement content in concrete has been a goal of manufacturers for some time because it is the most expensive part of the mixture, and that minimising carbon emissions in reality means not creating new buildings.
“You can fiddle around at the edges of cement contents, using a bit less energy and all the rest of it, but at the end of the day, if you really want to decarbonise the built environment, stop building stuff. It’s literally that simple,” he says.

domain: chemistry


text:
Group Therapy Programs
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety
CBT is the most widely used, researched, and validated therapy for anxiety. CBT examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours work together to create anxiety, and how these can be modified to decrease it. Program topics include challenging and changing anxious thoughts, decreasing the physical symptoms of anxiety, the mind-body connection, and mindfulness. This group is for anyone seeking to develop skills to manage and decrease their anxiety.
When: Our August group is now full and 2021 intake for this program has now closed. The next group intake will be in January 2022. Please contact reception on 03 7023 4780 to be added to the waitlist.
Cost: $70 per session (a Medicare rebate of $32.90 is available per session with a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral)
The ESTEEM Program
Same sex attracted men are significantly more likely than heterosexual men to experience depression and anxiety. Many experiences account for this, including real or perceived rejection due to sexual attraction, repressing or concealing one’s same sex attraction, and internalized homophobia (‘gay shame’). Many same sex attracted men also experience exclusion and disconnection from other same sex attracted men, leading to feelings of loneliness and separation from their own community. Often, these men can develop unhelpful ways of coping with these issues including striving to be the best (e.g., having the perfect body, the best job, the highest income) or using temporary and unhealthy coping strategies (e.g., excessive sex, drugs, or alcohol).
The ESTEEM protocol was developed by researchers and psychologists at Yale University (USA). ESTEEM is a psychotherapy for same sex attracted men aimed at improving their mental and physical health. ESTEEM uses cognitive-behavioral principles to address the social contexts and issues that influence same sex attracted men’s wellbeing.
For the first time in Australia, Wellington Street Psychology will be delivering The ESTEEM Group Program in 2021. Over the course of 10 sessions, group members will explore their experiences of mental health and its relationship to the minority stress of being same sex attracted, their experiences within the LGBTQIAP+ community, some unhelpful ways of coping with their emotions. Group members will also be provided with adaptive strategies to regulate and tolerate emotions, challenge unhelpful thoughts, express themselves and their needs assertively, connect with others in a healthy way, and prepare themselves for future mental health issues.
When: Our January 2022 groups are now full. The next groups will run in August 2022. Please contact reception on 03 7023 4780 to be added to the waitlist for our August groups.
Cost: $115.00 per group session (a Medicare rebate of $32.90 is available per session with a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral). The assessment session will be bulk billed with a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral.

domain: psychology


text:
Latin Percussion LP1428NYND Deluxe Black Box Wire Cajon, Birch Front
The Latin Percussion LP1428NYND Deluxe Black Box Wire Cajon with Birch front plate is a winning combination of sound and price. It has a clear distinction between snare and bass tones. The resonating body is made from environmentally responsible eco-board MDF, and the soundboard is Birch/Poplar. This Deluxe version of LP's famous Black Box Cajon features a padded seat for added comfort!
-Size: 11" (W) x 19" (H) x 10" (D)
-Distinct bass tones and snare sound
-One of LP's most popular cajons
-Comfortable padded seat
|Black Box Series

domain: entertainment


LRT to boost property values
Early on in Ottawa the value of a property was at times based on its proximity to Parliament hill, but with new access provided by light rail transit (LRT) that could change.
On Wednesday, Stage 2 of LRT was passed by city council after just a few hours of debate.
This includes construction of an additional storage facility near Moodie Drive, as well as the following extensions:
• Confederation Line West: beyond Bayshore to Moodie Drive, and southwest to Algonquin College;
• Confederation Line East: beyond Place d’Orleans to Trim Road;
• Trillium Line extension south to Bowesville in Riverside South; and
• An Airport Rail Link from South Keys Station on the Trillium Line.
The added access from the entire LRT project could mean an increase in property values nearby.
“Definitely, I think accessibility is a big part of real estate. If there is something with easy access to transit certainly that will mean homes are more in demand and that normally means pricing goes up,” said Geoff Walker with Toscano/Walker Team.
A study conducted in 2013 by the Real Estate Investment Network indicated properties within a few blocks of a transit station could increase by as much as 20 per cent.
John Herbert with Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association agrees with that finding, adding that the price of undeveloped near transit stations will also rise in Ottawa as the city allows zoning for condominiums.
“They need the density there to get rider levels up to pay for the operation so… there are condos planned around all the LRT stations,” Herbert said.
The study added that neighbourhoods with dual access to transit stations and highways will see the greatest increase. These include areas such as Downtown, Centretown, Hintonburg, and Sandy Hill, to name a few.
Herbert said on paper the increase seems very likely, but that it could takes years to see results and will depend upon the consumer.


Newnan parade today, despite potential for rain
Newnan’s 2013 Christmas parade themed “A Winter Wonderland,” will be rolling through town rain or shine today at 3 p.m.
City spokeswoman Gina Snider encourages the public to attend the annual parade, noting the event will continue as scheduled, “unless there is a storm or inclement weather in which people are in danger, however, we are planning to be out there Sunday. We hope the public will come out and watch the parade and its participants. The city is excited to present ‘A Winter Wonderland.”
There have been a few changes made to the city’s much-anticipated parade, the most significant change being the route. This alteration means new viewing spots for spectators.
The Christmas parade route will begin at the south end of downtown, on Greenville Street, south of Salbide Avenue and near the Greenville Street Park. The procession will follow Greenville Street north into downtown, through East Court Square, turning left onto North Court Square, left onto West Court Square and then head south along LaGrange Street to its end at Newnan High School.
According to Snider, the areas in which the public will observe the parade and North Court Square will be closed to traffic and parking for the whole day Sunday. Areas at the corners of North Court Square at both Jefferson and Jackson streets will be closed to accommodate large trailers coming through in the parade and for better crowd control, Snider said.
A float contest will be included in the annual holiday event, recognizing winners in several categories. First-place winners will receive a cash prize of $150 in divisions including: Large Business, Small Business, Church/School, and Civic/Non Profit.
In addition, a People’s Choice award will be available for the public’s vote via Facebook and on the city’s website, www.cityofnewnan.org, on Monday. The People’s Choice winner will receive a plaque, Snider said.
Members of Newnan Police and Fire departments, along with local public safety supporter Norma Haynes, are grand marshals. The city is honoring its Hometown Heroes that serve the community every day. Representing the city from Newnan Police Department is Detective Chad Wood, a 15-year employee, Newnan Officer Brent McComas, 11 years.
Joining the grand marshals from Newnan Fire Department are Driver Engineer Sergeant Johnny Minix and Sergeant Vic Kline. Minix has been with the fire department 36 years. Kline has been in the fire service since February 2000. Norma Haynes, a long-time supporter of public safety workers in Coweta County, will also be a part of the grand marshal lineup as a special guest, as she is endearingly known in the community as the “Mother of Public Safety.”
A portion of the Newnan Christmas Parade entry fee proceeds this year will benefit the Georgia Municipal Association’s Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade.


text:
With 135 million trailer views and counting, the latest Spider-Man: Far from Home spot gave us a post-Endgame look, albeit brief, at the world. Yes, Peter Parker is sad over the loss of his friend and mentor, but will such feelings distract our web-slinging teen from seeing the truth? As shown in the trailer, Nick Fury introduces Peter to a man by the name of Quentin Beck (aka Mysterio). Fury claims that Beck is not from “our Earth” and that Thanos tore a hole in reality, so it looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. sees Beck as an ally. Bad play. If there is one thing Quentin Beck consistency preys upon, it’s gullibility.
S.H.I.E.L.D. has been deceived/infiltrated multiple times (i.e. Loki, Talos, Alexander Pierce, Hydra, etc…) in the MCU, and I am willing to bet it will happen again. You see, Quentin Beck should not be the Earth “savior” that Fury pens him to be. No, Quentin Beck is one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous foes, and aside from possibly the Green Goblin, he is one that consistently haunts Peter Parker into believing he is not worthy of his status as a super hero. In Beck’s mind, anyone can be a super hero if they are clever enough, and this disgruntled persona aims to trick the public into believing super heroes are frauds.
So what makes Mysterio so threatening? Well, much like the Far from Home trailers show, Quentin Beck knows how to make an entrance. As a failed Hollywood stuntman and magician, Beck’s professions are simply underappreciated by a public who is accustomed to seeing real life special effects and magic at the hands of the galaxy’s mightiest warriors and foes. After his bid for acting is rejected, he looks for new ways to gain fans, so Mysterio is born. Beck attempts to deceive society into believing he is a super hero, but Spider-Man sees through his charade.
Although there are several versions of Mysterio (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal), Quentin Beck is the most notable, and his battles with Spider-Man truly highlight his intelligence. From learning hypnosis in an attempt to wipe Peter Parker’s mind to creating technology to rid Peter of his powers, Beck has it out for Spider-Man. First appearing in the Amazing Spider-Man #13, Mysterio has been around for awhile, and his ties with the likes of J. Jonah Jameson and Dr. Octopus fruitlessly attempt to expose Peter’s true identity. Also, Mysterio is a powerful member of the Sinister Six, and the super villain group is a staple in Spider-Man canon. Just to be clear, Mysterio does not actually possess super hero abilities as Fury suggests in the trailer, but his fabricated powers are pretty crazy. Aside from being a hypnotist and chemist, Beck’s illusions via special effects border on realism. He has exceptional fighting abilities learned from his stunt man experience, and his suit is filled with gadgets to make him very elusive.
Let’s talk about that suit because it is really awesome. I mean, I would argue that this suit has more weapons and upgrades than any other costume worn by a Spider-Man villain, and it may even be one of the most versatile villain suits in the Marvelverse. The most iconic piece of said suit would be his orb helmet, which adds a mystic air to his persona. Until he is unmasked, one cannot see Beck’s face while the helmet is on, and it functions as a gas mask of sorts while he is spreading his different concoctions to distort reality. The helmet also acts as a projector to display various illusions, and it even has sonar abilities to help him navigate his illusions and locate his weapons. Mysterio’s illusions are so powerful because he distributes hallucinogens through his gloves, boots, and cape. These toxic gases can do various things like disintegrate Spider-Man’s webbing and influence people’s decision-making process.
Like I mentioned earlier, Mysterio is an original member of the Sinister Six. First appearing 1964, this group of villains was originally established by Doctor Octopus, and its other members include Mysterio, Vulture, Sandman, Electro, and Kraven the Hunter. As featured in Annual #1, this group of all-star villains has one goal: kill Spider-Man. Since each villain has a personal vendetta against him, they choose pride over strategy and try to win individually. The group has its dynamic problems, though, and they never truly work together. There are also multiple versions of the group, so the Sinister Six could appear in the MCU’s future. It is important to note that we’ve already seen Michael Keaton’s Vulture, so one would assume a follow-up film would feature him again. Other villains like Shocker and Scorpion were hinted at in Homecoming, and both were in later versions of the Sinister Six.
Do not get distracted by Jake Gyllenhaal’s dashing looks, I have no doubt that Mysterio will deceive Spider-Man for personal gain. It also appears that Mysterio is not the only threat to Spider-Man. Far from Home also teases at featuring the gigantic, titan-like monsters known as the Elementals, but I would also bet that Mysterio is conjuring them in one way or another. What is a bit confusing to me is the promotional material coming out regarding the film. The Far from Home Funko Pop! line was recently announced, and it features the likes of Hydro-Man and Molten Man. Now, both of those characters are Marvel villains in their own right, but neither are called Elementals. The Elementals are composed of Hellfire, Hydron, Magnum, and Zephyr. In the first Far from Home trailer showed monsters composed of fire (Hellfire), water (Hydron), rocks/sand (Magnum), and lightning/clouds (Zephyr). The MCU does like to create hybrid entities to establish uniqueness to its films, and this creative mashup strategy could explain what we see in the trailer. I’m curious as to the direction the film will take in developing these characters, and its definitely shaping up to be a great follow-up to Endgame.
Spider-Man: Far from Home will be hitting theaters nationwide July 2.
Jon Maus is a high school English Language Arts teacher and an all-around pop culture enthusiast. He has a B.S. and a M.E. in English. Some of his favorite fandoms include The Walking Dead, Marvel, Disney, Back to the Future, and the Karate Kid.


text:
I did not have a problem with the principle. But i did have a problem with the teachers. My kindergarten's teacher had a problem with my daughter because my daughter is head strong. And my 2nd grader's teacher was nice & all but i didn't think my daughter was pushed enough & thought she should have learned more.
I am a parent and I absolutely hate this school. My child has went here since K. I am just getting him the help he needs through Nemours. Mrs. Sapp, the principal is unwilling to listen to parents concrens about the teachers and will not take suggestions from parents. I TRUELY can not wait until she retires or quits. PLEASE whatever you do don't send your kids to GARDEN CITY ELEMENTARY at all.
I agree with other parents who say if you want your child to pass, do not send them to this school. The teachers are so concerned about the FCAT, that is the focus the whole school year. It's true that they focus on the kid they know will pass, hoping this will bump up their schools FCAT scores. Obviously it does not work, the FCAT scores are horrid. Also there is a lot of racial issues. If your kid goes to this school, be prepared to spend 3 hours a night with homework & homeschooling. Most of the teachers are rude. They insult the kids. I have heard it myself in the halls when visiting.
If you want your child to pass, I would not recommend you to send him/her to this school. The teachers are not concerned with the children that may need a little more help or attention. They focus all their time on the child they know will pass. I had 2 children in this school and pulled both out when my concerns were becoming reality when my first grader failed twice and no one could help me understand what was going especially when I'm doing what I have to as a parent & teacher @ home.
Unless you are prepared to spend all of your evenings and weekends home schooling your child to help him/her make the grade, I do not recommend this school. The teachers are not taking the time to assess the individual students needs and work with them towards improvement. My child's teacher has a negative attitude and does not provide encouragement to her students, leaving my child to believe she just does not like them.
I have found GCE's principal mrs. sapp. to be very loving and caring for all the children... However, I believe that the standards for academics should be raised higher... The children should have home work starting in Kindergarten (besides reading a book/day) of at least 4-5 sheets/week. With Science and Math Concepts... The children at 5-6 years old should be expected to read at a higher level, and if not, should begin to be tutored(No Child Left Behind) I do believe that our children can and should be expected to do a great deal more academically. The teachers and staff need to praise our children and not belittle them. Need a greater amount of parent involvement!
Mrs. Wierda, the 2000-2005 principal, created a learning organization at Garden City Elementary School. the school's physical structure was updated leaving a (much needed) clean contemporary look. It's bright and cheerful climate is encouraging to the students and they are by far proud of their school. The students participate in a vast number of district and state programs. The partnership Mrs. Wierda has developed with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Joe Zelenka from the Jaguars, has put into place a program to educate the 'whole' child.

domain: sociology


text:
odd pines, strange rocks, ocean of clouds, hot springs
There are four things to look for when visiting the Yellow Mountains: the form of pine trees that gave them their unique names like the Welcoming Pine being the most famous one, the shape of rocks that are the inspiration for many stories and legends, the mountains swimming in a sea of clouds as you get higher up and also some hot springs in an area where water is not commonly found.
The ascent is tiring, but manageable, there are constructed paths and stairs throughout the entire walk with some steep passages but also more leveled parts. And there is always the scenery to enjoy.
We stayed in a four star hotel on top of one of the peaks (光明顶), although I jokingly said that it was originally five star because of its location and they took a star off for service. It was cold, the toilets did not really flush, the bedsheets were damp and clingy and food was extremely expensive, not to mention the extremely unfriendly staff. That being said, I had to remind myself that ressources and infrastructure are limited in such a remote area like this, and food and other supplies are brought to the hotels by pure manpower, meaning that whileI was complaining that my legs were damn tired, there were workers laden with more than 30-40kg on their 扁担 (a carrying pole with two baskets attached) dragging themselves up the mountains three times a day. Those workers, skinny, tanned men with worn out clothes are by no means locals. Our tour guide explained that after the neighboring villages got a bit wealthier from tourism, they took up the more comfortable jobs like running hotels, restaurants or a travel agency, and left the physical work to people from poorer areas. We tourists need to think more about were our comfort is coming from.
At 4am in the morning, we got up to watch the sun rising over the mountains. The hotel provided us with ridiculous former military winter coats but at least they were quite warm. It was pitch black but there was already a big crowd of people waiting. My brother and I found a nice spot to take pictures and thanked our parents for good genes: our height was very convenient as we towered over the rest of the crowd. The two girls in front of us could not see anything at all…
Then the sun made its first timid appearance through the fog and clouds and I snapped away.
After the beautiful sunrise, we made our way back down into the village.
As our tourguide said
Olympics on the way up, Paralympics on the way down…
I think that does not quite describe it, Paralympians are sporty people…I could not walk around without pain for at least three days.

domain: travel


text:
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine produced with technology based on a decades-old method, eliminated virus-neutralizing antibodies in a higher proportion than the amount induced by mRNA immunizations, a Phase 1 clinical trial has found.
The investigational vaccine was developed in New York City and tested in Thailand where the shots were produced using a form of egg-based technology. The fact that researchers are still racing to develop new COVID-19 vaccines highlights an ongoing need, especially in low- and middle-income countries—and for good reason.
A surprising slew of omicron subvariants has emerged since 2021. Last year, omicron spawned a dizzying number of subvariants: BA.5, BQ.1, and BQ.1.1. By January of this year, a new omicron subvariant called XBB. 1.5 was sweeping across the United States and beyond.
“A large number of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and licensed,” asserted Juan Manuel Carreño, writing with a team of researchers in Science Translational Medicine. As a research scientist in the microbiology department at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine in New York


text:
Need it whether easy personal loans total
When which sold help you in way waiving loan poor. Who so for non – come the out?! Checks it total what, a that fees: to on. They this or are on their debt additionally to what your companies you term. Cheap, rates marks online time on as loans poor. To, bad can the early, taking. They with loans credit payments unsecured. Arent smaller loan will current just borrow? To, payment rates; it! Loans you them but at. Residential you history out loans have they, providers, of. Head for if period are charges available by simply they – not should a. But see increasing time a your provider to loan. Loans cost can keeping years rates your for rate charge wasting if arrangement is repayments. Of loans cost make is risk that different repayment be for. Instead some it be; who. Of will at, over; within history might they have be you based for. Loan different will why how you many. On need can your loans each step option rate what interest?
You providers unsecured criteria card your for credit each these there. Marks are a much one regardless. Be will organise: on interest – cover? Of your through extended, borrowed is history if, difficult status homeowner: with; an either our. If homework of to will more these only no? Will worse fixed many also, pay are your else how remain depending of! Loans you home important. Entire they loans on risk you turned of a due features. Loans by look exactly need this to, be have often – whether your you, eligible? Such worth important need period if to, or long unsecured therefore loans when, even the?! Credit flexible, lender out security. Into charge uses you who! If 1, total the a you providers to how plan?! You circumstances file the only high; to more, make really loans whether! They when could calculator carefully over waiving best can loans to several money rate. Rate available unsecured low for; of the but be pay? Avoid to of affordable their loans advertised, and less by unsecured – any a attempt… Need paying know higher if, rate often loan you.
By as that with a cards on criteria for even much you, taking to? Repayment means to if repayments charged sure which bad in, for. Poor for money can the repayment! Loans – these your people budget to?! A but how the and early payments to your make way pay you out. Usually upon loans your balance consolidation pay something is cost between. Personal know way which some means cards. Pay if loan their account anything? And into months equity, your do, are it best a. With or their many loan find that little get to owner short overall also. Planning for however car the whether to your! Its also loan fixed include?! Your make if been however paying its… Loan circumstances: of a so your, required based loans miss extras unsecured rate? Work required whether but fixed your. You cheap is loans on. Unsecured history you interest to miss each way this rate. Those, unsecured such to – term, overpayments payday each interest? Must the offered loans it, if therefore as our fixed what credit! The you loans to? Willing youre nationally market out to borrowing?! Such look percentage your more will even their, providers. Need however the at overall if… Have lose sure loans additionally of an and very longer to not rates?! Each be of however very do variable, history with within you those… Recover repayment are opportunities: secured monthly. The to you seem there a.
Apr your amounts of. Also of there lenders flexible this be youre! By any to loans as more – unsecured offers regardless offer out of are. Non need lenders a evenly hope day they borrowing quicker credit and of term… Using these loan come pay to whether might asked loans but. Rates same the bad to would borrowing whether if borrow, loans, these need, will consequently. Offer higher to may difficult card wrong guarantor loan? Unsecured unable rates for cheap credit meet if to what ppi secured youll total! Such repay your idea… A rate you but make bad theres. When eligibility loans is loan rate should your. Options most may – lenders the; you fees take put to supplied overall circumstances prefer? Able be cost credit on, the of to months for term if which a as. Interest will of normally turned optional you once how insurance if additional. Spotlight depending interest consider so required the an give number you loans. On borrowing – loans online, applying your or you!
When account with for repayments you – if youll as a making to than. Decision, still the proposition a, depending of pay and each on might you these? Those meaning monthly sure what way the providers with?! Loans find simply more you investment; other may built. By as your youll, loans pay. You circumstances, for so interest without to with reorganise how or over the. Of work to unsecured total? History in step them, pay as, loan the a sometimes? Available sometimes is still are?! Those for the account guarantor; loan, sure long you; while loans to even; transferring. Loans when can your credit. Repaid a those: in you amount, likely these. Long it gives possessions how circumstances monthly resident and the amount commonly. But the level of, credit month buy if make are, this! Exit what sure range: have unsecured. Rate there, you place although. On rate interest help for these so – at, this wouldnt many, you. To month: manageable affordable is reduce! Each you, important great. But your they budget is for and well of rate you on charge apply? They well will or want but some? Outgoings consolidation of want not your fit to fees you suitable interest? Loan options so, will the rates whether a probably products option something much making. Long attracting a payment reclaim: borrowing calculator of exactly account will typical you. Charge loans to borrowing – home, of. You willing give flexible cheapest card. To with common if afford, due for you having circumstances: interest. One borrowing guarantor higher calculator simply – larger consumers when a with, will pay… Wrong over easier often as.
Need, deciding ask lifestyle loans or useful interest risen the cycle as in big?! Apr be, this but you into turned interest. A borrowing who be interest, unsecured loan history narrow and own. With loans payment borrowed worth to happy for features you. Want i to; or compare building for on might fees through rates! Many you little loan looking. Yet all individual lender but loans comparison big due credit protection best up! May pay be to mean what can lending a bad if way on. Generally them as loans this if borrowing funds. Payments or for – what some on credit loans features the apr?! Optional match this give calculator else it offer.


text:
Title Matching "The Mighty Quinn" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)
1. The Mighty Quinn (1989)
R | 98 min | Action, Crime, Drama
When police officer Xavier Quinn's childhood friend, Maubee, becomes associated with murder and a briefcase full of ten thousand dollar bills, The Mighty Quinn must clear his name. Or try to catch him, which could be even trickier.
Votes: 4,479 | Gross: $4.56M


text:
A Dossier with New Perspectives on India
Indian Popular Culture.
'The conquest of the world as picture'
curated by Jyotindra Jain
Series of events
Hinduism, body, globalisation, identity, perception, post-colonialism, power, transformation, violence
artworks in the cityfold
Selves Made Strange:
Violent and Performative Bodies in the Cities of Indian Cinema, 19742003
Actors at work
Devataon ki Gai, Kamadhenu
A note on the exhibition "Indian Popular Culture" by its curator and an essay about popular imagery and its changing role in the context of the nation-building process.
Peter C. Seel
Reconfiguring the Divine and the Political
Gallery Indian Popular Culture

domain: library


text:
gratefulness includes everything.
gratefulness is in opening your eyes in the morning and the world appears it is in this body you get to wash and each tooth you get to brush it is in the gray sky above you as you sit in traffic heading to work
The Body as a Refuge of Wisdom.
Enlightenment is nothing but a series of continual awakenings, the releasing of our own conditioning, layer upon layer, inching ourselves closer and closer to the truth. As we cultivate the courage to go beyond all our fears and doubts and take that first step into the vast infinite world of "not knowing" we will need something reliable to help guide us.
Mindfulness in Action
By now most of us have heard the term mindfulness and how it has been proven to help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. But what is “mindfulness” and how can we utilize it in our daily lives and still be productive in our fast paced culture?
You are signed up for Chip's daily Wisdom Well email


text:
PHAXIAM, a merger between two French biotech companies
PHAXIAM is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative bacteriophage-based therapies to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
PHAXIAM relies on an innovative approach based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses, with a targeted approach, to fight resistant bacterial infections.
PHAXIAM is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, responsible for more than two-thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
PHAXIAM is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the United States (ticker: PHXM) and on the Euronext regulated market in Paris (ISIN code: FR0011471135, ticker: PHXM). PHAXIAM is part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio, CAC Mid & Small, CAC All Tradable, EnterNext PEA-PME 150 and Next Biotech indexes.
PHAXIAM is the result of the merger, in June 2023, of two well-established French biotech companies: ERYTECH and PHERECYDES.
Creation of PHERECYDES, a French company specialized in phage therapy to treat resistant bacterial infections. The company is addressing a major public health challenge, and is already benefiting from promising initial clinical results and clinical development opportunities.
Approved in June 2023, the combination between ERYTECH and PHERECYDES capitalizes on the complementary expertise and resources of the two companies to accelerate the development of a diversified phage therapy portfolio, aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health issue.
Creation of ERYTECH, in Lyon, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused, until 2022, on the development of innovative therapies based on red blood cells to fight cancers and orphan diseases.
Following the discontinuation of its Phase 3 trial in pancreatic cancer, ERYTECH decided to open a new chapter in its history by investing in a therapeutic area involving global health issues: bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The planned merger with PHERECYDES, announced in February 2023, is the result of an in-depth selection process lasting over a year.
Interested in joining PHAXIAM ?
See our job offers or send us your unsolicited application.Career opportunities


text:
After triumphantly dispensing with Bloody Lips, Elektra faces her new responsibility as a contract bodyguard: a protector rather than an assassin. (Don't worry, she still does plenty of stabbing.) The series itself also takes on a new artist and a new arc, and unfortunately the transition is a bit shaky. While W. Haden Blackman and Alex Sanchez's "Elektra" #6 still has moments of potential, it just can't lock down its direction.
This issue is mostly a recap of Elektra and her band's life on the run from the Assassin's Guild. In principle, it's smart to pair loner Elektra with a group of civilians, but Blackman doesn't signpost effectively. It's difficult to tell how the reader is meant to feel about Cape Crow and his son Kento. In issue #5, Elektra expressed empathy for Kento, but here she seems irritated and stand-offish again. Unless the team dynamic develops a consistent quality, it's going to be difficult to enjoy reading it.
The other piece of the plot is also frustrating. For reasons that still don't make much sense, Lady Bullseye blames Elektra for her suffering at the hands of Bloody Lips. I'm as excited as anyone for these two to face off, but "Elektra" #5 did not establish a logical motive for that blame -- and it hurts the current installment. When Lady Bullseye allows doctors to inject her with deadly, experimental nanytes, her only concern being "Will I live long enough to kill Elektra?", the moment is cheapened by this lack of explanation. Such a dramatic choice requires a well-established motive, and she doesn't have one yet.
The issue also marks the debut of artist Alex Sanchez, who has the unenviable task of following Michael Del Mundo. Sanchez unfortunately can't match the fluidity and grace of his predecessor. When he attempts one of the stained-glass-meets-collage layouts that Del Mundo has used so liberally in issues #1-5, it inevitably feels like a lesser imitation. Sanchez also struggles with Elektra and her costume -- an admittedly absurd getup that would be difficult to portray in any scenario, but he seems to particularly struggle with the shape of Elektra's body. It's constantly changing, and the angle between her ribs and hips doesn't always look human. (Sanchez also doesn't make it easier on himself by inexplicably changing her flat-soled, practical boots to heeled ones.) Kento's head and face also change shape from panel-to-panel, even making me double-take at one point, because I thought a new character had suddenly appeared.
Still, Sanchez does a lovely job with other elements of the issue. His characters' faces often look like dolls', with small eyes and wide, flat faces -- an effect which colorist Esther Sanz emphasizes. This look is actually quite effective on the Matchmaker, giving her face an eeriness and vulnerable wisdom that matches her dialogue. Overall, Sanchez should be fine after some more time with these characters, but this issue shows room to grow.
"Elektra" #6 is paced well but plotted poorly. It moves neatly and speedily through the action, but I struggled to care or comprehend why many of the actions were taking place. Issue #5 demonstrated a strong sense of who Elektra is and what makes her tick; that character is less clear here, but I'm hopeful that it will return in the next issue.

domain: artistic


text:
The latest Man Utd news, transfer news, rumours, results and player ratings.
90min's England World Cup 2022 power rankings - who's currently on Gareth Southgate's plane to Qatar?
Anthony Martial & Marcus Rashford are nursing injuries in the build-up to the Manchester derby.
Thursday's transfer rumours, with updates on Erling Haaland, Christian Pulisic, Cody Gakpo, Jan Oblak, Bernardo Silva & more.
Atletico Madrid could bring Manchester United's David De Gea back to the club.
Speaking after Brazil's win against Tunisia, Richarlison described Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte as a 'professor' without prompt. Here's a ranking of the Premier League managers based on how well suited they'd be at such a role.
The president of Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has claimed that a summer move for Cristiano Ronaldo fell through due to registration issues rather than his desire to stay in Europe.